I'm not going to say how long I've been querying, or how many letters I've sent. It's much too embarrassing! But I think, by now, I've learned the basics of how to do this thing, and since I occasionally see questions about the process, I'd like to make a post with something hopefully helpful.

So, first, we have you (generic you) writing your masterpiece.

First thing: Do not query until you have your masterpiece finished! Do not query until you have gone through it at least a couple times and know that it doesn't still read like a first draft!

Because if you query without having your stuff ready, and an agent asks for materials, you will not be able to get your masterpiece to them immediately, and don't you want them to read your masterpiece as soon as possible? While it's still fresh in their minds?

Yes you do.

Okay, next thing, once you have your masterpiece written and revised. You need a query letter. It should go like this:

Date

Fancy Agent's name
Fancy Agency
Address
Address

Dear Fancy Agent,

I am seeking representation for my number-word (genre), YOUR TITLE HERE.

Blurby.

Blurby.

My short stories appear in Pro Magazine, and Other Pro Magazine. (If you do not have sales, you can skip this bit.)

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Fancy Author

Address
Address
Phone number
Email address

This is a business letter, so make sure it's businessy. There should be no information that does not relate to your book. If it's questionable, leave it out.

After you have your letter, fold it up and put it in an envelope. Make sure you include your Self Addressed Stamped Envelope. (SASE.) That is, assuming you want to hear back from Fancy Agent. Listen to me when I say that Fancy Agent is too busy to call you or dig out your email address to request something, unless that is their normal practice. And if you do not include a SASE, you will not get your rejection, either.

If the Fancy Agent you are querying also likes the first few pages with the query, include those. (And if that is the case, send a big envelope so you don't have to fold up the pages. Because ew, reading creased lines, right?)

Okay, so you send your query letter, your SASE, and (maybe) your pages. Now you wait.

While you are waiting, you start writing the next book. DO NOT pester the agent. It's just a query letter. If they don't answer, that sucks, but some of them don't. And sometimes the letters get lost. And no, you don't really get to know when it's one or the other. *grin*

Eventually, you will get your SASE back. Let's say you get a request for a partial. What is the first thing you do?

Okay, I mean after jumping for joy and telling yourself in the mirror that you and this agent were meant to be together forever, and once s/he reads the partial, they will realize, too. (Maybe only I do that? *giggle*)

You go over your partial (fifty pages, or first three chapters, usually, but whatever they asked for), print it out, and put it in a big yellow envelope along with your cover letter, copy of your original query letter (occasionally), and yet another SASE.

But what does a cover letter look like? It's easy peasy. Don't stress over it. But it is still a business letter so don't be silly.

Date

Fancy Agent's name
Fancy Agency
Address
Address

Dear Fancy Agent,

Enclosed are the materials for my novel, NOVEL TITLE HERE, which you requested on (date they requested). I'm delighted you've taken an interest in my story. Please feel free to call or email if you have any questions, or would like to see the full manuscript.

Please recycle unneeded materials.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Fancy Author

Address
Address
Phone number
Email address

Now that the partial is sent out, you go back to writing your new book. Once again, DO NOT pester the agent. Do not stalk them on their blog and ask if they've read it yet. Do not stalk them to forums and ask if they've read it. Keep writing your new book.

If a million weeks pass and you have not heard back (check their website for their response times), then it is okay to send a ping letter.

Same format (still a business letter).

Try something along the lines of:

On x-date you requested the partial for my manuscript, TITLE GOES HERE! If you haven't had a chance to read it yet, that's fine, and please take as long as you need. I just wanted to make sure no correspondence had been lost in the mail.

Okay? Hopefully they will write back and tell you they are behind. Sometimes they will not. At this point you will be wondering if you two were truly meant to be together. Do not write about that in a) your blog, or b) your status query letters.

Eventually, your SASE will find its way back to you. For the sake of this post, let's say they request the full manuscript.

Okay, now you are REALLY thinking that you and this agent are Meant To Be. But again, don't tell them about that. It will just freak them out.

So, you've gone through your manuscript again, and you have it all printed out (in SMF) and boxed up. You need (yet another) cover letter.

Same format as above. (Still a business letter.)

Dear Fancy Agent,

Thank you for your interest in my manuscript, TITLE GOES HERE. Please feel free to contact me by phone or email if it is more convenient for you.

Currently, I am working on another (genre) about (tagline goes here).

Thanks again for your interest in my manuscript, and for your time and consideration.

Please recycle unneeded materials.

Sincerely,

Author

Note the absence of confessions of True Literary Love. And make sure if this is an exclusive, that this is the only one you've sent out. And, for the love of Sammy the Hammy, make sure there's a time limit on the exclusive. Nothing stinks more than waiting on a manuscript under indefinite exclusiveness while you have other agents asking for a full manuscript, too.

Now you have your manuscript boxed, and sent out (as soon as you possibly can, because again, you want them to read it as soon as they possibly can). If you are neurotic, like I am, get delivery confirmation so you can stalk your manuscript to its destination. Just don't make sure they have to sign for it, because that's annoying. Busy agent and all.

Go back to writing your new book. Stop staring at your phone. It will not ring with an agent confessing True Literary Love if you stare at it. Counting weeks doesn't really help, either. Sometimes Googling to see what sales they've made lately helps, or looking for their clients, or their clients' books. As before, though, don't bug the agent outside of the office about the status of your manuscript. A) it's mean, and B) do you want someone calling your house to ask if you've done x-project at work? Remember that agents do a lot of reading at home, after the office stuff, because hopefully they are selling their clients' work while they are not reading yours. Reading yours is NOT priority, since it doesn't bring them money (and we want agents to be able to eat so they will be conscious enough to read your manuscript).

Right. So back to writing. Now, say the agent has not written you back with a rejection (or called you!) for a few months. And their website says they will try to respond to full manuscripts in that amount of time. Now is the appropriate time to ping them again. Use the same kind of letter the last time you pinged them.

If still don't reject you (or accept you) in the next few months (do give them a few more months), ping again. Hopefully they will give you some kind of date as to when you can expect a response.

Eventually, your SASE will come home to you. Or it won't, and you will get a Very Exciting Phone Call. Be sure not to admit True Literary Love or that you're currently having a heart attack from the great glee.

Oki doki? Questions? Comments? Corrections?