QUERYTRACKER AGENT SURVEY

We’re reaching out because we’re writing a book, The Modern Guide to Querying Literary Agents: Rejection to Representation in 5 Steps, which is being published by Matt Holt Books (an imprint of BenBella Books) next year.

We’ve put together a short survey to collect information on agents’ querying preferences and processes. Our goal is to provide writers with up-to-date, data-driven guidance on querying, ultimately making the process smoother for everyone involved—both authors and agents.

We’d love for you to participate. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes. We’re looking to have all responses in by February 28.

All information will be aggregated and anonymized, and your name and agency name will not be mentioned. We will use the data to draw conclusions and compile statistics, which we will then happily share with all participants ahead of the book launch.

Please let us know if you have any questions, and thank you in advance for your time. We deeply appreciate your insight and know writers will, too!

Many thanks,
Patrick McDonald, QueryTracker creator
Alyssa Matesic, developmental editor




QUERY PROCESSES AND POLICIES

Who reviews your queries first? (Check one.)
Typically, about how long does it take you to review each individual query (the full query package, including any sample pages or synopsis materials you require)?
Typically, about how long does it take you to start reading a querying author’s manuscript once you receive it? (Check one.)
About how long does it take you to finish reading a typical querying author’s manuscript once you begin? (Check one.)

REJECTING QUERIES AND SUBMISSIONS

Please rank the following reasons for rejecting queries, 1 being the most often reason, and 7 being the least often reason.
Please rank the following reasons for rejecting a manuscript submission, 1 being the most often reason, and 6 being the least often reason.
How often do you provide personalized rejections to queries? (Check one.)

OFFERING REPRESENTATION

What are the most important factors that lead you to offer representation? Rank the following, with 1 being the most important and 5 being the least important.
When you get on the phone with an author whose manuscript you liked, what are you looking for? (Check all that apply.)
What is the average experience level of new authors that you sign? (Check one.)
How important is an author’s background and platform to you for fiction? (Check one.)
How important is an author’s background and platform to you for nonfiction? (Check one.)
Do you edit an author's manuscript or proposal before submitting to publishers? (Check one.)

NOTIFICATIONS AND NUDGES FROM AUTHORS

Do you want to be notified if an author who has queried you receives a full manuscript request from another agent? (Check one.)
Do you want to be notified if an author who has queried you receives an offer of representation from another agent? (Check one.)
When authors nudge you, what is the most likely outcome? (Check one.)