“No agent is better than a bad agent” is a phrase I heard tossed around a lot when I was querying. It’s also a phrase that–when you’ve sent dozens upon dozens of queries, received dozens of rejections or heard back nothing at all–you begin to doubt. Because surely, getting an agent means you’ve made it. It separates you from all the other writers struggling through the querying process. It’s validation.
But here’s the thing querying authors sometimes forget: getting an agent feels like a giant leap forward on the road to becoming a published author–and it is–but it isn’t the end goal. The goal is not to get an agent. The goal is to sell your book.
So, how to avoid a “bad” agent? Research mostly, and a bit of luck.
Like a lot of writers, I didn’t know anything about querying until I finished my first manuscript and started searching out next steps. After deciding self-publishing wasn’t for me, I dug into how to become traditionally published. To do that, I discovered, I would first need to query literary agents.
Before I started querying, I read a lot of posts about what to look for in an agent. This is the process I settled on to guide me. I hope it’s a helpful starting point for other querying writers out there:
Check Your Query Tracker Settings: I did my query list building through Query Tracker. There, I searched for agents who represented the age category and genre of my book. I also noted if they were currently open to queries and “hid” the agents who weren’t until a later date. If an agent says they are closed to queries, please, DO NOT QUERY THEM. It is a waste of everyone’s time.
Also, be sure to check your settings for agent location. My Query Tracker was set to United States agents when I made my initial query list. When I added the UK, my lovely agent popped up. Choose a setting that best suits your goals.
Check for Red Flags: Search the Writer Beware Blog and the Absolute Write forums for any reports of red flag agents or agencies. You can also try searching the agent or agency name on Twitter. There are many types of red flags, but one good rule to keep in mind is that an agent should never ask for any money upfront to represent your work.
Check for Fit: Search for the agent on their agency website, Manuscript Wishlist, Twitter, and/or Threads to get a narrower idea of what they are looking for. Are they searching for a book that contains elements that your book contains? Are they looking for a book that comps a book your book comps to? You can also check the acknowledgements section of your favorite books to see who represents the author.
Check Their Sales: Hop on over to Publisher’s Marketplace. This is a paid subscription (currently $25/month). When I was querying, I made my list then paid for a month of Publisher’s Marketplace so I could look up all the agents I was considering in one go. I looked at sales records (how recent are the deals? What size publishers are they selling to? What rights are they selling?) This can give you an idea of how an agent can potentially shape your career. If your heart is set on a large imprint but an agent only sells to smaller presses, then you are setting yourself up for unmet expectations and career disappointment if you query them.
An agent without sales is not necessarily a red flag. If they are new to agenting, look into the agency they work for as a whole. Who are their mentors? How are they being supported? If you are comfortable with the answers, consider querying them.
Now, some agencies don’t post their deals on Publisher’s Marketplace, but your other research should be able to give you a broader picture. For example, an agency website or Instagram account might have a list of their most recent deals. In the UK, The Bookseller (also paid) will list the latest publishing deals.
Check the Vibe: I found it helpful to check out social media feeds of agents I was considering querying to get a feeling on personality and style. Consider your personal and professional preferences for a potential business partner and query accordingly.
Check with Someone You Trust: If you are lucky enough to have publishing contacts as a querying writer, you can ask them if they have personally heard anything off-putting about working with a particular agent or agency.
Ultimately, when assembling a list of agents to query, an author has to honestly ask themself: can this agent sell this book in a way that I would be happy to accept? And maybe, even with all your research, you’re not quite sure. But if the answer is no, don’t send that query letter. It’s not only good vs bad agent, it’s about finding the right agent for you and your work.
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