I recently signed up for a 10-month agent symposium put on by the Writers League of Texas (WLT). Each month over Zoom there will be a presentation given by an agent on a predetermined topic. The great part is that you can ask them specific questions. Which I did–five to be exact! I mean, when do you have that kind of access to an agent? Not only did I write a ton of notes, I will share ten takeaways and a bonus one that made my head explode (in a good way) in my blog each month.

Presentation 1: “Before the Agent Search” with Abby Walters, Creative Artists Agency

1. Abby has pulled manuscripts out of the slush pile.
2. Agents get paid if authors get paid. Generally it’s 15%.
3. Agents are looking at the query letter with the thought, “Can I sell this book?”
4. What’s the hook of your novel? You need to know.
5. Abby enjoys editing, but not all agents do.
6. When you think you are ready to query, pause, put your manuscript away, and then go back to it and be super critical.
7. What about your book is special? New? Consider this when writing your query.
8. A good place to find agents to query is in the acknowledgment section of the books you like.
9. Branding, a website, and social media presence are important. Social media numbers matter.
10. More than three povs are hard to sell.

Bonus Mindblower: The goal is NOT to be published. The goal is to be read.

Interested in learning more? Read about the WLT 2025 Agent Symposium.

I turned the blog into a podcast. Have a listen!