Querying to International Agents

[Nicole Wilson]

Are there rules or guidelines to submitting queries to agents outside of my home country? I'm interested in a handful of UK literary agents (our own @AgentPete included), but I don't know if there is anything to be aware of before submitting to them. Will items like formatting differences (e.g. double quotes are used in US styles whereas single quotes are used in UK) be an issue? Do I need to fix them before submitting?

 

[Alistair Roberts]

I wasn't aware USA still wanted double quotes, although I think that is how it should be. I use single only. Um, where was I??? The only real change I make between countries, is the spelling, so I have US English versions and UK English versions as well as writing original copies in Australian English! Otherwise, format is the same, but you can get that info (usually) from their websites.

 

[Paul Whybrow]

I submitted to about a dozen American literary agencies. I chose those who already represented British writers, especially of thrillers, or if they mentioned being interested in submissions from English language writers world-wide.
I didn't alter my writing sample to reflect American spelling or punctuation - not out of arrogance, but more on the basis that the editors have got to have something to do!
One difference that I did find, is that American agencies are much more prompt in replying than British. Some of this could be down to them deciding on the basis of where I lived and where my novel is set, of course, rather than any other factor. I'm not casting aspersions one way or the other, but I think that British agencies would be more open-minded to accepting stories set in the U.S.A. than the other way round, which is to your advantage.
So when it comes to getting a response from British agencies, expect a wait of several months. There are some agencies who I submitted to in January, who still haven't replied - and perhaps they never will.
The first thing you learn, is you've always got to wait...

 

[Carol Rose]

I would imagine if they don't specify on their site that they only take submissions from authors in certain countries, or that they have requirements about formatting, etc., they might have more detailed information about your specific questions on a blog, if they have one. It might be difficult to find an answer that fits everywhere.

 

[Emurelda]

I just read there are only 40 agents that specialise in children's book in the Uk so i will be setting my sights overseas too.

 

[Frances Gow]

As Alistair says, format is much the same and you should be able to get their specific requirements from the agency website. It is worth checking to make sure they accept submissions from overseas as I know that there are some agencies in the UK that don't.

 

[Nicole Wilson]

So is it pretty safe to assume that, unless their website states otherwise, they're open to submissions from outside their country?

 

[Jennifer Stone]

@Nicole I would say so, if not they should let you know if you send a query email before submitting. Their website should give any extra info about submitting. It can never hurt to ask.

 

[Nicole Wilson]

Awesome. Thanks, guys!

 

[Frances Gow]

Yeah, I agree with Jennifer - it wouldn't do any harm to ask and would save you some time, as they might just not respond to your submission and you wouldn't know that it was just because you were a US author. Why expose yourself to unnecessary rejection? (It's bad enough!)

 

[AgentPete]

Are there rules or guidelines to submitting queries to agents outside of my home country? I'm interested in a handful of UK literary agents (our own @AgentPete included), but I don't know if there is anything to be aware of before submitting to them. Will items like formatting differences (e.g. double quotes are used in US styles whereas single quotes are used in UK) be an issue? Do I need to fix them before submitting?

This really depends on the agent’s own preferences, so try researching them as much as you can. I know this isn’t always easy. The younger ones tend to be rather more available online than the older.

I was always keen to represent non-UK authors, and for quite some time I had more Americans on my client list than Brits. This included a NBA shortlister, the Enron book that CBS made into a great movie, and Senator Orrin Hatch’s autobiography... and many more besides.

One thing you need to understand is that the conventional publishing business is pretty face-to-face. While in theory you could be represented by an agent living in Montana, in practice, you want someone who can actually knock on doors and take meetings with publishers. I used to be in New York at least a week a month for this reason.

As far as national preferences are concerned, formatting counts pretty low on my own priorities. I’m looking for an amazing writer / manuscript... the formatting and spelling can be fixed later. But I know some people are more anal about it than me.

 

[Nicole Wilson]

This really depends on the agent’s own preferences, so try researching them as much as you can. I know this isn’t always easy. The younger ones tend to be rather more available online than the older.

I was always keen to represent non-UK authors, and for quite some time I had more Americans on my client list than Brits. This included a NBA shortlister, the Enron book that CBS made into a great movie, and Senator Orrin Hatch’s autobiography... and many more besides.

One thing you need to understand is that the conventional publishing business is pretty face-to-face. While in theory you could be represented by an agent living in Montana, in practice, you want someone who can actually knock on doors and take meetings with publishers. I used to be in New York at least a week a month for this reason.

As far as national preferences are concerned, formatting counts pretty low on my own priorities. I’m looking for an amazing writer / manuscript... the formatting and spelling can be fixed later. But I know some people are more anal about it than me.

That's so good to hear... Thanks for addressing those questions

 

[Quillwitch]

Sorry, I know I´ve come late to this conversation but it´s something I´m interested in. I would like to approach UK agents. Does anyone know ( and by anyone I kind of mean @AgentPete ) if UK agents look for different things compared to American agents? I have a feeling that the reader´s tastes are different--or so they say. Would UK agents prefer to see things that are more geared to UK readers?
I´d love to hear your thoughts.

 

[David Steele]

From what I can tell there's a significant difference between a query (to an American agent) and a Submission (to a British agent).

Queries - Longer letters, usually a full sheet of A4, stating with "imagine a world in which .... blah blah" talking about your book, with a synopsis or at least a blurb, and then sample chapters as directed, which his usually a request to past the first 10 pages or chapter 1 of the novel in the body of the email.

Submissions to UK agents are short (3 paragraphs) and pithy, and only mention the book briefly. The difference is that they expect a separate synopsis to be attached along with (usually) the first three chapters as separate a word document.

But that's just my observation. I'm sure there are plenty of exceptions to that.

 

[Jason Byrne]

I generally end up sending a query letter, about 550 words, with a 140-word log line, and a one-page synopsis, and then the MS pages requested (from 5-50), but about 95% of my queries have been to US literary agents.

 

[Quillwitch]

From what I can tell there's a significant difference between a query (to an American agent) and a Submission (to a British agent).

Queries - Longer letters, usually a full sheet of A4, stating with "imagine a world in which .... blah blah" talking about your book, with a synopsis or at least a blurb, and then sample chapters as directed, which his usually a request to past the first 10 pages or chapter 1 of the novel in the body of the email.

Submissions to UK agents are short (3 paragraphs) and pithy, and only mention the book briefly. The difference is that they expect a separate synopsis to be attached along with (usually) the first three chapters as separate a word document.

But that's just my observation. I'm sure there are plenty of exceptions to that.

AH! Well, I hadn´t even noticed the differences in how to query. Thank you.

 

[AgentPete]

Sorry, I know I´ve come late to this conversation but it´s something I´m interested in. I would like to approach UK agents. Does anyone know ( and by anyone I kind of mean @AgentPete ) if UK agents look for different things compared to American agents?

National tastes differ, to a lesser extent now than they did a few years ago - but really, you’ll find just as much variation between individual agents as you will between UK/US agents as a whole. It’s more important to study the individual agent. Pitch with attention.

Agents are above all looking to sell internationally. Gone are the days when UK agents would only get excited about UK-oriented projects. The great leveler, Amazon, has seen to that...

 

[Karen Gray]

I think the best thing to remember about submitting anywhere is to do your research, who do they already represent? What are the guidelines on their website? Do they blog? If they do do they mention their preferences? As with everything I think what's needed is a damn good hook, fantastic story, neiche, the right environment/time, lots of homework and a great deal of luck

 

[Quillwitch]

National tastes differ, to a lesser extent now than they did a few years ago - but really, you’ll find just as much variation between individual agents as you will between UK/US agents as a whole. It’s more important to study the individual agent. Pitch with attention.

Agents are above all looking to sell internationally. Gone are the days when UK agents would only get excited about UK-oriented projects. The great leveler, Amazon, has seen to that...

Thanks for your answer! That makes me feel a lot better. I´ve got a list of agents I´d like to query, and at the top of that list are UK agent. I really appreciate your insight.

 

[Quillwitch]

I think the best thing to remember about submitting anywhere is to do your research, who do they already represent? What are the guidelines on their website? Do they blog? If they do do they mention their preferences? As with everything I think what's needed is a damn good hook, fantastic story, neiche, the right environment/time, lots of homework and a great deal of luck

And where does one go about buying a bag load of luck??

 

[Alistair Roberts]

In the Lucky Loads Supermarket, down Writers Lane, just after Rejection Overpass

 

[Emurelda]

Going to start the process of getting to know a sample of agents. You do get an attachment to agents as you learn about their work and interests, then prepare the submission pack. But as soon as it goes out I do find it effective to just forget about it. It's not as hard as I thought until you hear from them....

 

[Karen Gray]

And where does one go about buying a bag load of luck??

Some say.... He sells luck for cuddles.... And that he keeps two literary agents up his sleeve at all times.... all we know is... He's not the Stig... But he is the Stig's publishing cousin!

(wondering if that one translates abroad... I'd have thought so)

Lots and lots of good karma

 

[Quillwitch]

In the Lucky Loads Supermarket, down Writers Lane, just after Rejection Overpass

Good one! Some people tend to get stuck on that overpass!

 

[Quillwitch]

Some say.... He sells luck for cuddles.... And that he keeps two literary agents up his sleeve at all times.... all we know is... He's not the Stig... But he is the Stig's publishing cousin!

(wondering if that one translates abroad... I'd have thought so)

Lots and lots of good karma

Love it!! I am a big STIG fan!!

 

[Karen Gray]

Coming soon to an Amazon near you EEP!!! Can't wait for the new series

 

[Quillwitch]

Coming soon to an Amazon near you EEP!!! Can't wait for the new series

My son says they should call it Gear Top just to poke fun!

 

[Karen Gray]

My son says they should call it Gear Top just to poke fun!

And have a guy who's not the Stig. He's the Stig's Amazonian cousin

 

[Quillwitch]

And have a guy who's not the Stig. He's the Stig's Amazonian cousin

Lovely! You should sent that to them!!! Although I´m afraid that The Stig might belong to the BBC.

 

[Karen Gray]

Lovely! You should sent that to them!!! Although I´m afraid that The Stig might belong to the BBC.

Possibly. Hehe I can't wait till they are back on the box causing mayhem