You’ve written, edited, and sent your query letter to a literary agent or multiple agents. Now you’re waiting for a response that could kick off your publishing journey.
But as the days and weeks go by, you’re starting to wonder: Should I follow up? Is it too soon? Or have I waited too long?
And you’re probably wondering when and how to follow up with a literary agent.
The querying process can be nerve-wracking, and knowing when and how to follow up with a literary agent is important. You want to remain professional without appearing impatient.
In this post, we’ll explore the right timing for sending a follow-up email, what to include, and how to handle the wait gracefully so you can stay on top of your submission while keeping the agent interested.
Why Following Up Matters
Once you’ve sent your query letter, it’s easy to feel like the next step is out of your control. However, following up plays an important role in the query process. It can be a gentle reminder of your submission and prove that you’re professional and invested in your work.
Agents receive hundreds, sometimes thousands, of query letters. Even the most organized agents can occasionally overlook or misplace one. Timing your follow-up just right guarantees that your query hasn’t fallen through the cracks. It’s a simple yet valuable way of showing you’re serious about your manuscript without being pushy.
However, the timing of your follow-up is key. Following up too early can give the impression of impatience, and some agents see this as a red flag. On the other hand, following up too late could risk losing momentum, especially if the agent had been considering your work but set it aside for further review. Finding the right balance shows the agent that you respect their time while showing that you’re proactive and professional.
When done thoughtfully, a follow-up keeps you and your work on the agent’s radar, which can make your query stand out in a sea of submissions.
Understanding the Agent’s Timeline
Literary agents have varying timelines for responding to queries. Of course, this can make it hard to know when to follow up. On average, agents take 6-8 weeks to reply to a query letter. Some may respond sooner and some can take longer. If an agent requests a full or partial manuscript, expect the wait to be longer because reading a full manuscript can take several months.
Many agents include their expected response times on their websites or in auto-reply emails after you’ve submitted your query. These details provide valuable guidance on when it’s appropriate to follow up. For example, an agent may say, “If you haven’t heard back within 12 weeks, feel free to follow up,” giving you a clear indication of when it’s okay to send a gentle reminder.
Check the agent’s submission guidelines before deciding when to follow up. Every agent has their own preferences, and some clearly state not to follow up at all. In these cases, their policy may be “no response means no,” which means you shouldn’t expect a reply unless they’re interested. Ignoring these guidelines can harm your chances of making a positive impression.
When Is Too Soon to Follow Up with a Literary Agent
Following up too early after submitting a query letter can backfire, leaving a negative impression on the agent. If you reach out before the typical response window, you risk appearing impatient This can suggest that you might be difficult to work with or lack an understanding of the industry. Literary agents juggle many tasks at once and following up too early can be seen as a distraction rather than a polite nudge.
When to Follow Up
Knowing when to follow up is just as important as when to follow up with a literary agent. Customarily, it’s appropriate to follow up 2-4 weeks after the agent’s stated response time has passed. If the agent’s website or auto-response says they typically respond within 8 weeks, wait until 10-12 weeks before sending a follow-up. This shows the agent that you are thoughtful and respectful of their busy schedule, which ups your chances of getting a response.
For agents who don’t specify a response time, it’s safe to wait about 12 weeks from the date you submitted your query before following up. Remember, the key is to give them enough time to consider your work, but not so much that you’re left in limbo indefinitely.
Polite and Professional Communication
When following up, it’s important to keep your tone respectful and professional. Avoid sounding demanding or impatient. A simple, polite reminder of your submission is all you need. Keep the email brief and to the point, and don’t ask for a detailed explanation of why you haven’t heard back.
Your goal is to gently remind the agent of your query while being courteous and understanding of their busy schedule.
Follow-Up Email Template
Here’s a template for a polite follow-up email you can use:
Subject: Query Follow-Up: [Your Book Title]
Dear [Agent's Name],
I hope this email finds you well. I’m following up on the query I sent to you on [date of your original query submission] regarding my manuscript, [Your Book Title], a [brief description of genre or word count].
I understand you probably have many submissions to review, but I wanted to check in to see if you’ve had a chance to consider my query. I would be grateful for any updates.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number] (optional)
Remember: Patience is key when it comes to following up with a literary agent. The balance between patience and professionalism will make sure that your communication doesn’t come off as pushy.
When Not to Follow Up
“No Response Means No” Policies
Many literary agents operate under a “no response means no” policy, which is increasingly common in the industry. (I know. Frustrating, right?) This policy simply means that if an agent is not interested in your submission, they won’t respond to your query. Instead of sending a formal rejection, the lack of reply serves as a silent “no.”
While this may seem discouraging, it’s important to understand why agents use this approach. With the sheer volume of queries agents receive, responding to each one individually is time-consuming. A “no response means no” policy allows them to focus on queries they are genuinely interested in, giving those submissions the attention they deserve.
How to Interpret “No Response”
If you haven’t received a response within the agent’s stated timeline or a reasonable period (typically around 8-12 weeks), it’s safe to assume the agent has passed on your query. In this case, there’s no need to follow up or send additional emails. Continuing to reach out to an agent who hasn’t responded can come across as unprofessional or overly persistent, which may hurt your chances with future submissions.
Why It’s Important to Move On
Instead of fixating on one agent or sending multiple follow-ups, accept the silence and move on. Querying is a numbers game, and your goal should be to get your work in front of as many agents as possible. Rather than dwelling on a lack of response, continue sending queries to other agents who may be a better fit for your manuscript.
Moving on allows you to keep momentum in your querying process and prevents unnecessary frustration. Each query letter you send is another opportunity, and persistence in the broader sense—continuing to query other agents and refining your pitch—will eventually lead to success.
By respecting “no response means no” policies and not chasing after agents who haven’t replied, you’ll keep your professional character and stay focused on finding the right representation for your work.
Conclusion
The querying process requires patience, timing, and professionalism. While waiting for a response from a literary agent can be nerve-wracking, it’s important to understand when to follow up and how to do so appropriately. A well-timed, polite follow-up can help guarantee your query hasn’t been overlooked without risking your professionalism. On the other hand, following up too early or too often can create a negative impression, potentially harming your chances.
The key is to remain professional and polite throughout the process, even if you don’t hear back. If an agent follows a “no response means no” policy, respect it and move on to query others who may be more suited to your manuscript. Persistence is essential, but so is understanding when it’s time to let go and pursue new opportunities.
Your Turn
Have you followed up with an agent before? How did it go? Feel free to share your experiences or ask any questions in the comments below!
