Home

Submit Manuscript

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Dealing with Literary Agencies

• What is NLA's commission structure, and how does the agency handle client expenses?
• Do I need an agent?
• How do I get an agent?
• Should an agent live in New York?
• What should I expect from an agent?
• What pitfalls should be avoided when contacting agents?

Query Letters and Book Proposals

• How do I write an attention-getting query letter?
• What is an example of a good query letter?
• I sent an email query to the agency but have not received a response or I sent a requested partial and have not received a response. Why?
• What are some email query DOs and DON'Ts?
• How do I write a good book proposal?

Q: What is NLA's commission structure, and how does the agency handle client expenses?

A. NLA deducts the standard 15% from the proceeds of all rights sold with the following exceptions: 1) 25% for foreign rights sold, and 2) 20% for dramatic/film rights sold.

NLA receives reimbursement for client expenses only after a project has sold and the deductions are taken from the publisher payment. Currently, we only receive reimbursement for costs associated with selling secondary rights. As of January 2006, all other costs such as photocopies and postage are absorbed by the agency.

A reputable agent will never charge a reading fee, editing fee, or any similar type of fee. Authors should be aware that some agencies, even reputable ones, will bill for submission expenses before a sale. Authors should be wary of such practices for sometimes that indicates a scam or a marginal agency. Be sure to investigate an agency's recent sales record before signing an agency contract for representation and also check out the websites that help to protect writers from fraud such as Writer Beware and Preditors and Editors.

back to top

Q. Do I need an agent?

A. We think the answer to that question is, "it depends." A lot of houses won’t look at unsolicited or unagented manuscripts so then the answer would be yes, you do. However, the editors of some genres (such as romance, SF&F) will look at all submissions so then the answer is no, you don’t.

But here’s our question to readers. Have you ever seen a publishing contract? Would you even know how to navigate it? Do you understand what the grant of rights clause is asking? Do you know how to limit an option clause? Do you understand the real meaning behind the language in a standard publishing out-of-print clause?

Chances are good that you said NO to all of the above. Then you need an agent. Besides, a good agent doesn’t just sell your book; a good agent guides your whole career. That’s worth a 15% commission.

back to top

Q. How do I get an agent?

A. Here’s the dirty little secret about publishing. It’s just like any other career—network, network, network. The days of the isolated writer hammering out great works of art and being discovered are over. In fact, those days never really existed.

For fiction: If you have no previous publications, be sure to write a really good query letter and then follow it up with submitted sample pages that will knock the socks off of an agent. Lots of new clients are plucked from the slush pile. If you write genre fiction, be sure to join the appropriate organizations such as Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America to name a few. Network with other writers at conferences. Recommendations by previously published authors carry weight. Join a writers’ group. If writing literary fiction, get noticed by submitting your writing to literary magazines and contests. Build up those credentials. Also, graduates of prestigious MFA programs are pursued by agents because that literary fiction can be sold to editors.

For nonfiction: Credentials are everything—especially for business or self-help books. It is very difficult to sell a nonfiction proposal to a major house unless you have an established platform consisting of the following:

• Published articles in your field
• Media contacts in TV and radio
• A syndicated column
• At least 30-50 scheduled lecture dates a year
• An affiliation with a known and respected university

More Tips on Getting an Agent:

• Do your background research! We are open to folks contacting us by query via email because we enjoy new writers; however, it’s frustrating when we are sent material that doesn't fit what we represent.
• The best way to get an agent is to be referred to him or her by a client, industry person, or a friend. Finagle an introduction! We are always gracious when meeting writers. If an agent is not, then you would not want that person to represent you anyway!
• The next best way is to meet an agent at a writers’ conference or a publishing-related event.
• The last way to get an agent is to research the various resources regarding the topic and then submit a query. Be sure to check out an agent’s website, if there is one, for the most up-to-date information regarding a submission.

back to top

Q. Should an agent live in New York?

A. Because our agency is located in Denver, we hear this question often.

The answer is that there are many terrific agents in New York, and there are many terrific agents who don’t live there.

Location makes less of a difference in the age of FedEx, email, fax, and excellent phone service.

However, does an agent outside of New York travel there often? We do. We go several times a year to meet with editors and other agents. We also attend important yearly publishing conferences and events (such as Book Expo, RWA National Conference, World Fantasy etc.)

If a project is hot, we often go to NYC simply to pitch it over a nice lunch with the editors being targeted.

Does an agent outside of New York go the distance? If so, location is not a concern.

back to top

Q. What should I expect from an agent?

A. Consideration, respect, and good customer service regarding communication.

Good agents:

• return calls or emails promptly.
• treat clients as the reason why they exist in the first place.
• keep clients informed of the status of submissions.
• remit payments to clients quickly.
• keep client money in a non-interest bearing account.
• don’t charge reading fees or participate in other money-making avenues such as charging for “consultations.”

back to top

Q. What pitfalls should be avoided when contacting agents?

A. Try following these guidelines:

1. Agents are people too! Please be courteous and respectful, and we will do the same in return.
2. Not all agents think alike. If someone is disrespectful to you, take that as a sign that his/her agency is not for you.
3. When contacting any agent, always be extremely professional. This means using professional writing approaches for all communications—either by snail mail or email.
4. Please do not call. It’s impossible for any agent to ascertain your writing ability by talking to you on the phone. It is also very annoying and won’t win you points with an agent you are trying to woo.

If you are a terrific writer with solid credentials, finding an agent will be straight-forward and fairly easy.

Good luck!

back to top

Q. How do I write an attention-getting query letter?

A. Good query letters are one page or two pages tops. You should be able to summarize your novel or nonfiction project in a one pitch sentence or in one short paragraph—like a summary on the back cover of a book.

If you can’t, then the publisher won’t be able to either, so it won’t sell.

Query letter breakdown by paragraph:

1. Introduction: explain why you are contacting our agency. Were you referred? Why are we the agency for this project?
2. Manuscript pitch: what is your novel or nonfiction proposal?
3. Credentials: for fiction, what is your writing background, stories sold, programs attended, mentors, awards, etc. For nonfiction, Why are you the person to write this book? What are your credentials?
4. Conclusion: Thank the agent for taking the time to read your materials, etc.

Recently, we posted a workshop on Kristin's blog which describes in detail how to write outstanding pitch paragraphs for query letters. Here are the links to those blog entries:

1. Pitch Workshop: An Introduction
2. Pitch Workshop Part 1 - Young Adult
3. Pitch Workshop Part 2 - Young Adult continued
4. Pitch Workshop Part 3 - Young Adult continued
5. Pitch Workshop Part 4 - Literary Fiction
6. Pitch Workshop Part 5 - Literary Fiction continued
7. Pitch Workshop Part 6 - Horror
8. Pitch Workshop Part 7 - Romance
9. Pitch Workshop Part 8 - Romance continued
10. Pitch Workshop Part 9 - Romance continued
11. Pitch Workshop Part 10 - Romantic Suspense
12. Pitch Workshop Part 11 - Fantasy

back to top

Q: What is an example of a good query letter?

A: The most important tool a writer can have to land an agent is an excellent query letter. It makes all the difference between getting an agent response that requests a partial or a full manuscript or getting that dreaded rejection letter. A strong query will get your sample pages read.

Here are original query letters from some of our clients. Each query letter has commentary posted so you can read our thoughts and see why we said yes to each of these submissions:

1. Original Query letter by Jana DeLeon
2. Original Query letter by Jamie Ford
3. Original Query letter by Sarah Rees Brennan
4. Original Query letter by Hank Phillippi Ryan
5. Original Query letter by Lisa Shearin
6. Original Query letter by Shanna Swendson
7. Original Query letter by Sherry Thomas

back to top

Q: I sent an email query to the agency but have not received a response or I sent a requested partial and have not received a response. Why?

A: For email queries, if you have not received a response after three (3) weeks, then something might have gone astray in the cyber world. Is your email account still active? Are emails to you being spam-filtered? Our reply to you might have bounced or been deleted. You might want to resend your email query.

For requested partials uploaded to the submissions database, please remember that it can take up to two months for a response. We will also send our response electronically so check your spam folder.

back to top

Q: What are some email query DOs and DON'Ts?

A:

DOs:

1. Do email queries and save on stamp costs.
2. Do be professional and brief in your query.
3. Do highlight your relevant background or publishing credentials.
4. Do take the time to hone and then highlight your one or two sentence pitch or hook.
5. Do take only one paragraph to summarize the rest of your work-following the grab-your-attention style found on the back cover of books.
6. Do thank the agent for reviewing your query.

DON'Ts:

1. Don't address your letter "To Whom it May Concern."
2. Don't use an unusually small font.
3. Don't immediately send another email query if an agent has just rejected your first.
4. Don't use cutesy fonts or backgrounds.
5. Don't query more than one work at a time.
6. Don't forget to include the title of your work in the query.
7. Don't be unclear as to whether your project is fiction or nonfiction.
8. Don't CC a bunch of other agents on your email query. Send the email to one agent at a time.

back to top

Q. How do I write a good book proposal?

A. Good book proposals are not lengthy. After all, editors (and agents!) are always short on time.

Excluding the outline and the sample chapter, try to limit the actual proposal to 12 pages. Include the following sections:

• Introduction
• Overview
• The Market
• Competition
• Publicity and Promotion
• About the Author

If you are unsure of how to write a good book proposal, then be proactive and learn what you need to know. Here is a resources to help:

• Write the Perfect Book Proposal: 10 that Sold and Why by Deborah Levine Herman and Jeff Herman

back to top