9 Associate and Junior Agents That Are Actively Building Their Lists (and Why You Should Query Them)

Where to query this week (10.16.24)

Oct 16, 2024

∙ Paid

Welcome to Sub Club’s Where to query this week!

Last week, I spoke about my query letter experience with comps and genres. Today, I thought I’d break down the nitty-gritty of actually sending those letters out.

There are lots of different ways to find agents, and everyone will have their own experience. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process, I hope this helps as you start building your agent list.

» » If want to ask a question in our Query Hotline, fill out the form here with any questions you might have about querying—whether that’s around agents, indie presses, book contests, formatting, genres, or if you just need someone to tell you you’re doing just fine. (Submit your question here) « «

QueryTracker, Publishers Marketplace, and the Last Requested Filter

QueryTracker

After my manuscript was finished—and my query letter revised about 25 times—I began building my list of agents. First, I went through my bookshelves, pulling out novels from my favorite authors or books that spoke to at least a theme or two in my own novel. I flipped to the acknowledgments section of each book and wrote down the name of each author's agent. Then I did the same on my Goodreads account (I’m an avid book tracker!) and Googled pretty much every author I liked or had read to figure out who their agent was. This got me familiar with the names of agencies, and it was cool to see which authors shared agents, too. (If you are nosy, like me, wait until I tell you about Publishers Marketplace!)

Now, I had a list to start with.

I had heard from friends and resources online that Manuscript Wishlist and QueryTracker are great resources for the querying writer. But I’ll be honest: when I first logged on to QueryTracker, I scoffed. It's not a very aesthetically pleasing place (that matters!), and it looked like it would be more hassle than help tracking the queries I would send. I just planned to use a regular ole’ spreadsheet.

Well, let me tell you how WRONG I was.

Once I got the hang of it, Querytracker quickly became my best friend, and here is why: DATA.

After I started plugging in the agents on my list into QueryTracker, I switched the data view to Submission Data. There, you can see all kinds of stats from request rates to rejection rates to how many days your query has been with the agent since logging in when you sent it. You can filter accordingly.

I sent my first batch of queries before really getting familiar with QueryTracker, which is why I’m bringing it up today.

Because I missed something that would help me later: the Last Request filter.

Maybe the stats aren’t 100% accurate. But most writers using QueryTracker are, well, tracking. That means when they get rejections or full requests, they’re logging that in accordingly. The Last Request filter shows which agents have requested partial or full manuscripts and on which date. By setting my filter to most recent, it felt like an equivalent of AIM when that little creaking door sound would blare through your desktop speakers; SportyGurl070105 just logged on.

It meant I was able to see which agents were actually actively doing things.

When I referenced the first batch of agents I had already queried, I noticed a few hadn’t requested anything in months. That was probably why I was still waiting to hear from them. Now, that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t read my query at some point. But as I continued to query, I noticed that I was getting full or partial requests from the agents that QueryTracker had told me were requesting more recently.

From there, I started using the Last Request filter as a major reference point. If I couldn’t decide between two or three agents at one agency, I usually queried the more active one.

Publishers Marketplace

My next reference point was Publishers Marketplace. Trust me, it's worth the fee. After checking out agents on QueryTracker, I then searched them on Publishers Marketplace to see what kind of deals they had made in the past, what other authors they represented, and if they were actively selling.

Now, I wouldn’t use PM as your only reference. But I think using it as another search tool to see what agent might work for you can be very helpful.

And like I said, once you start seeing what kind of deals the authors of your favorite books have made, it's very hard to stop nerding out. (Oh damn, she made six figures on that one?! That book went to auction?!)

New Agents

Okay, here is the part where I now completely contradict myself. While I wholeheartedly endorse QueryTracker and the Last Request filter (as well as its other helpful data), don’t forget about new agents! They might not be in QueryTracker yet. They might not have any sales listed in Publishers Marketplace. And if you follow my strategy above, you might end up wanting to write a new agent off.

However, Associate or Junior agents have so much to offer. First, they are actively building their lists, most likely with a drive and passion that some of the bigger agents simply don’t have time for. Secondly, new agents are hungry. They are diligently in their inboxes. Since they typically start as agent assistants, they have the experience of learning the ins and outs from a bigger agent. They might be more willing to take risks on your manuscript or be able to provide more editorial help. And lastly, new agents will most likely be looking for a debut author with whom they can foster a long-term relationship throughout their careers. It's a win-win situation for everyone.

It was especially a win for me because the agent I signed with has only been with CAA for a few months! I made my decision with this in mind. She has the backing of a popular and successful agency and the drive to build a career-long relationship with me. I’ve already noticed the benefits of this as we work through our first round of edits together: She’s quick to respond and she’s very hands-on, especially when it comes to the editorial side of things. And that’s exactly what I had been looking for.

So, to recap: QueryTracker is your friend. Spend the money and make your querying journey a little more organized and strategic.

Use Publishers Marketplace to verify the types of books agents are selling and how often they’re making deals.

And lastly, consider querying new agents. Just because they have nothing in Publishers Marketplace doesn’t always mean they aren’t making deals. They could have deals in the works that have not been posted yet.

I hope this little bit of insight into my process was helpful. If you have any nitty-gritty tips like this that you would want to share, please do so in the comments! What websites are you using? How did you make your agent list? Let us know!