Now that you’ve finished your submission package.  Make sure that you have researched the agents that you want to submit to. Know what types of books they represent. Most importantly, a number of agents may have closed their lists and may not accept new clients at the time you begin submitting. You don’t want to waste postage submitting to someone who is not interested in what you’ve written, or is not taking on new clients. There are a number of excellent books that list agents,  the type projects they accept and whether or not they are taking on new clients.  The book I used was Jeff Herman’s Guide, to Book Publishers, Editors, and Agents.

You also want to research the market. You need to know what books are being acquired by the agent that you have chosen to query, as well as how well books like yours are selling in the market.  Armed with this knowledge, you can better position yourself to sell your project and yourself to the agent. Who would turn down a book that not only stacks up to a book that has already sold a million copies, but is even better than those that are selling?  That’s why it’s a good thing to know your book so well you can tell the agent  how and why your book could do better.  Just remember: show confidence in your project, not arrogance!

If your goal is to be a published author with a major publishing house, you have to prepare yourself for the disappointment, ego-deflating and inevitable rejections that all true authors must face. As I wrote earlier in this series, don’t give up if you are rejected.

Remind yourself that a rejection doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t write. It is just one person’s opinion! Have confidence and pride in your work. Believe in yourself  and in your talent. If you don’t believe in yourself, how can you expect others to? Rework your project and send it out to the next agent on your list. And keep repeating this process for as long as it takes! Until you finally receive that letter that says:

Congratulations!  Agent A would love to offer you a contract and take you on as our client!

There is no greater feeling than knowing that you have just put yourself in reach of your goal: Seeing a book on the shelves at a bookstore with your name on it!

I hope my experiences have helped you.  Take care and Good Luck!