Querying Tips Series: #3 How to address a literary agent in a query letter

Photo by Khwanchai Phanthong

Following on from Tip #2, which talked about keeping your query letter short, let's rewind a little and focus on the very first words in your query letter. In this post, I'll talk about how best to address a literary agent in a query letter, and things to avoid doing.

Let's take a look.

Address a literary agent by their name

This may sound like stating the obvious, but it needs to be said, given some of the submissions I've received in my inbox. Please use an agent's name when sending your query letter to them.

I don't want to see "Dear Agent" or any variation thereof (including "Dear Scary Person", which I received once – I promise I'm not scary!). Agent's sometimes talk about personalisation in a query letter (more on that below), but this isn't personalisation: this is the bare minimum.

If you were sending a regular email to any other person in the world, you would use their name if you knew it. Sending an email to a literary agent should be no different.

Send to one agent at a time

Following on from the above, make sure you send one email at a time to each agent, which will allow you to use their name. No agent wants to see a ton of other literary agents CC'd in on the same email with "Dear Agent" at the top. Do not do this.

We understand that you're querying several agents at once. That's normal. But please, make a little effort. BE PROFESSIONAL (my mantra in this querying tips series!).

What about pronouns and titles?

Sometimes I have writers ask whether they should use Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Mx alongside the agent's name when addressing them in their query letter. Honestly? To be safe, you're best to skip these completely and simply use the agent's name (which is why I led with this above).

Use:

Dear Rhian MacGillivray,

Or:

Dear Rhian,

To me, both are completely fine, especially since not all agents will specify their pronouns on their websites or wishlists. If they do, you can use the corresponding form of address if you like.

Personalising the query letter

When a literary agent outlines what they're looking for, they may also specify that they want you to personalise your query letter. But what does this mean?

It means they want to know why you are querying them specifically. Do they participate in a podcast you enjoy listening to? Do they represent authors you admire? Do they write Substack articles or blog posts that you find interesting or helpful? (*cough*) Is one of your comp titles among their favourite books? If you answer yes to any of these, or similar, questions, then mention this type of thing in a line in your query letter.

As for me, personally? I don't require personalisation, since I can appreciate that authors are querying several literary agents simultaneously. That said, a query that contains a little personalisation does make me sit up and take notice. It helps your query letter stand out from the crowd, and any advantage – however small – is helpful in your querying journey.

Check out my other posts in this Querying Tips Series:

Tip #1: Always follow submission guidelines

Tip #2: Keep your query letter short

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