Series: Things ChatGPT Can’t Tell You About Publishing (Part 3): How to Research Agents—and Write an Unforgettable Query Letter

In this ongoing series, we’re diving into the nuanced strategies and emotional intelligence required to pitch your book successfully, insights you can’t glean from ChatGPT. In Part I we tackled why grief-heavy pitches can fall flat, and in Part II we explored how to personalize a universal theme to make it irresistible.

Now, in Part III, we turn to one of the most decisive and often misunderstood steps in preparing your submission: researching agents with intention. This research doesn’t just shape your query letter; it informs your entire strategy for entering the publishing world.

Learning how to research agents isn’t just about writing a more personalized email when pitching. It’s about positioning your book—and yourself—as a strategic, aligned partner in a professional relationship.

It’s one of the most overlooked steps in publishing, and it’s one that separates forgettable pitches from compelling ones. Yes, ChatGPT can help you format a query letter, and it can even mimic your tone. What it cannot do is make an agent feel seen.

That kind of connection comes only from your research.

Ask yourself:

• Have I taken the time to understand this agent’s list?
• Do I know what kinds of books they represent—and what they’re passionate about?
• Have I aligned my manuscript with their stated preferences or recent deals?

Agents don’t want perfection; they want specificity. They want to know that you see them as a partner, not a gatekeeper. A good agent is in your corner for the long haul: developing your idea, positioning your proposal, navigating offers, shaping your career. But that partnership starts with you demonstrating respect for the process, beginning with researching them.

Here’s a quick example of what not to do:

Generic:
“Dear Agent, I am seeking representation for my memoir about burnout and resilience.”

This tells me nothing about why you’re querying me specifically.

Now compare that with:

Personalized:
“After seeing that you represent Dan Martell, whose book Buy Back Your Time combines tactical business advice with a compelling personal mission, I knew I had to reach out. My manuscript distills ten years of experience building SaaS startups into a system for scaling without burnout, designed for founders who want to grow sustainably without losing their edge. I believe its pragmatic voice and entrepreneurial focus would resonate with the same audience you’ve cultivated.”

That one sentence reflects thoughtful research, professional alignment, and clear storytelling.

Need guidance on researching agents? These are the tools and habits I recommend:

🎧 Listen to Agent Interviews
Podcasts, panels, and webinars are gold mines. Learn what excites them—and what turns them off.

🔍 Use MSWL and Publisher’s Marketplace
Explore Manuscript Wish List (MSWL) to see what agents are actively seeking. Publisher’s Marketplace helps you track recent sales by category.

🌐 Review Agency Websites
Look at represented titles. Ask yourself, “Does my book belong here?”

💬 Follow on Social Media
What books are they championing? What themes are they drawn to? What trends are they commenting on?

Good research informs more than just your query letter. It shapes your pitch, your proposal, and your expectations.

Once your research is complete and your personalization is strong, end with a clear and professional call to action:

“Would you like to see the manuscript or proposal?”

That’s all you need. No gimmicks, no clever cliffhangers, just thoughtfulness and professionalism.

A query letter isn’t a plea for validation. It’s a handshake. A researched submission shows agents that you’re not just pitching a book; rather, you’re seeking a strategic, long-term partner.

So before you press send, ask yourself: have I done the work to make this feel personal, relevant, and, most of all, real?

Because in publishing, as in life, real always resonates.

Ready to take your book idea further? Join our Book Publishing Accelerators Program to refine your work and get publishing-ready.