How to Get a Literary Agent for Your Women's Fiction Novel
Cartoon of a literary agent in her office waiting for your submission. The day I was offered representation from a literary agent for my women's fiction novel was one of the surrealist and most exciting days of my life. I was nearing the end of my creative writing MA at Canterbury Christchurch University, and I'd lived and breathed this novel for almost a year. I'd spent hours dreaming about what I'd wear to book signings, wondering how it would feel to actually launch my beloved characters and the message of my story into readers' hands.
But deep down, I didn’t think it would ever happen for me. Things like that were for 'other people'.
I will be forever grateful for all that I'd learned about querying agents, and I love helping other writers to write and polish their agent queries, so whether you're deep in the querying trenches or just flirting with the idea of sending your novel to a literary agent, do take a look at my handy checklist for getting a literary agent for your women's fiction novel.
I've focussed on querying literary agents for women's fiction as I'm a women's fiction author and a women's fiction editor, but most of the advice given can be applied to all fiction genres. I've also included a list of literary agents currently seeking women's fiction submissions.
Checklist for querying literary agents for women's fiction:
1) Adress the query to the name of the individual agent you are submitting to. NOT the agency or sir/madam. Keep it personalised.
2) Include the title, word count, genre and intended audience early in the letter, as these are the key pieces of information the agent is looking for.
3) In order to show that you understand the genre you are working in and where your book would fit in the market, it’s important to include at least 2 – 3 comparison titles. This is where a lot of writers get stuck. It's been drummed into us that we need to write something fresh and original, and now we have to show that our book is similar to other books? Don’t panic! The best way to show that there is a well-trodden path in the market for your book while also showing that yours has a USP, it to show how those books are similar while highlighting the fresh spin or angle that your novel brings. Can’t think of many comparison books? Never fear! As long as you have included at least 1 – 2 novels, it's fine to draw on other forms of storytelling, such as films or TV shows, especially iconic ones with large followings.
4) Let each individual agent know why you have chosen to submit your query to them. This demonstrates that you've done your research and believe they would be a good fit for you and your book. You could mention ways in which your book covers the criteria on their 'wish list', or discuss the books or authors they currently represent, or even look for any agent awards or accolades they may have received.
5) Give a brief overview of the novel, including information about your protagonist, the premise, the conflict and the stakes, as well as any pertinent themes explored. The mechanics of the plot and the storytelling 'beats' can be shown in the separate synopsis (which I'll get to in a minute).
6) Try to sum up the story in one snappy line, and place that near to the beginning of your query letter to grab attention. Stories that can summed up in one line lend themselves to being easier to sell and often show a strong concept, though this is definitely easier to do with some stories than others.
7) Add a brief author bio, including any writing/life/work experience that might be relevant to your submission. Mention any long or short-listings you may have for writing competitions, writing courses you've undertaken, or any interesting hobbies. Don't worry if you don’t have any publishing history to write about. If you've written a novel about competitive knitting for example (don’t know why that popped into my head) then it would be helpful to mention that you're also a competitive knitter (do let me know if this is a real thing!)
8) Make sure you thank each agent for taking time to consider your submission, and add links to your website and any social media profiles you will be using to promote your book, if that's what you're choosing to do.
9) Check the submission guidelines for each agent your send to (some will differ from agent to agent, even within the same agency). Follow them to the letter. Agents are busy people and are less likely to read a submission from an author who hasn’t taken the time to ensure they're ticking the required boxes.
10) Most agents require a one-page synopsis of the book to be sent along with the submission. Make sure you stick to one page, and keep your eyes peeled for next week's blog from Kick-Ass Women's Fiction Editing, which will contain tips on how to write a one-page synopsis.
11) When searching for agents, as well as doing online searches for agents seeking women's fiction submissions, check out authors who have published books in the same genre and see who represents them (this information will usually be on the author's website or social media profiles), then submit to them as they are already more likely to be a good fit.
12) Women's fiction is a very broad label, so it would be helpful to also narrow this down by subgenre. It your book historical or contemporary women's fiction? Is it a cozy beach read, a comedy, 'up -lit', a family saga or a more serious domestic noir/domestic women's thriller? Many people struggle with the term 'women's fiction', which I do understand, but it is a recognisable market term that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, so don’t be afraid to use it within your query.
13) A key story component of women's fiction is a focus on a relationship (doesn’t have to be a romantic one) and this can be about the female protagonist's relationship with herself and her personal growth, so make sure this is mentioned in your query letter.
14) Most agents request you send in some sample chapters with the initial query, and then if they want to read more, they will request the full manuscript. Make sure they represent your best work and that every word counts. Edit and edit and edit again before sending, and perhaps have them looked at by a fellow writer, critique partner or a professional and then carefully consider any feedback before sending off the queries.
15) Don’t query all the agents on your list at once. Send in batches of perhaps around six at a time. If you get any feedback from agents, you can then implement this and make tweaks before sending to the next batch. Did I mention that agents are very busy? This means that any personalised feedback from them is worth its weight in gold, so it's usually a good sign that they think your book has potential, even if they pass on it. Take it as a win!
16) While waiting to hear back from agents, stay busy with your next project. You can often expect to wait between 3 – 6 months (sometimes more) and staying focussed on the next book will save your poor refresh button from getting worn out!
17) Some rejection is inevitable, and no one loves that, but remember it's not YOU that's being rejected, and it doesn’t mean your book is rubbish. It's often just that it's not quite what each agent is looking for at that moment in time. Keep going, keep writing, and congratulate yourself for having the courage to send it out.
You only need one yes.
List of reputable UK agents currently seeking women's fiction:
Sarah Hornsley (MY OWN INCREDIBLE AGENT WHO I HIGHLY RECOMMEND)
Agency: Peters Fraser + Dunlop
Website: https://petersfraserdunlop.com/agent/sarah-hornsley/
Felicity Blunt
Agency: Curtis Brown UK
Website: https://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/
Veronique Baxter
Agency: David Higham Literary Agency
Website: https://www.davidhigham.co.uk
Madeleine Milburn
Agency: Madeleine Milburn Literary
Website: http://madeleinemilburn.com/
Hannah Ferguson
Agency: Hardman & Swainson Literary Agency
Website: http://www.hardmanswainson.com/
Juliet Mushens
Agency: Mushens Entertainment
Website: https://www.mushens-entertainment.com/
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Best of luck with your submissions!
Warmest wishes,
Jess 😊
