Find suitable agents and publishers for your story. Different agents and publishers cater to different markets. If you’re writing a suspense novel, don’t send your idea to an agent or publisher who only works with romance novels. In order to find the right agent or publisher for your story, get the latest edition of Writer's Market. It will list all agents and publishers, their target markets, who may solicit to them and how to do so.
Make a list of all the appropriate publishers and agents to contact. Record the agent or editor's name, address, phone number, website info and submission guidelines.
Write a query letter. A query letter is a one-page letter used to garner an agent or publisher’s interest in your idea. The job of a query letter is to make an agent or publisher interested enough to request a copy of a book proposal or manuscript. Limit the query letter to one page. It should be single spaced. Address the editor by name. Make sure the query has a strong opening. Give a brief description of your story. Indicate how you intend to develop the book. Mention any expertise or education you have that qualifies you to write the book. If you’ve been published before, mention it; if not, don’t. End the letter with a request to submit a full manuscript or sample chapters. While you can submit the material with the query, it is not recommended.
Send a submission. Each publisher or agent has different submission guidelines, which must be followed perfectly. Otherwise, the agent or publisher may discard your submission without more than a moment’s glance. Some agents and publishers want to receive only a query letter while others like to receive a query letter and a proposal or sample chapter. Some agents and publishers accept queries only via postal mail, while others prefer to receive them via email. When mailing a manuscript or sample chapters, always include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with proper return postage.
Wait for a response. Responses vary from agent to agent and may take anywhere from two weeks to six months to receive. If you have a copy of Writer's Market, it will tell you the approximate response time for each publisher or agent. If you have not heard from them in the time frame mentioned, it is okay to follow up—unless the agent or publisher instructs otherwise.