Imagine this…
Your best friend (that you’d trust with your life) calls you on your cell phone. He invites you to meet him at a coffee shop to share some big news. You agree to meet. When you arrive, your friend gives you a huge hug and pulls out a chair for you at your favorite table in the corner. He’s already ordered a blueberry scone for you… and one of those fancy coffees you like (with whipped cream and cinnamon on top). Your friend is so excited that he can hardly contain himself, so you ask him what’s going on.
That’s when he tells you the big news…
You’ve been chosen to enter a contest sponsored by a new TV show. The prize is incredible—and the odds are decent. No, scratch that. The odds are EXCELLENT when you consider the potential outcome.
Your friend tells you that, if you participate, you could win a cash prize of at least $5,000. However, you might get more. You might win $10,000, $25,000, $100,000… or even $1,000,000 (although the odds of winning the bigger prizes are smaller, of course). Another perk of the contest is that you’ll make the world a better place in the process (the TV network will match any prize that you win and give the same amount to your favorite charity).
Here’s what you have to do to participate…
You simply have to go to one of those cookie-cutter housing developments. You know, the type with hundreds of homes that all look the same (or almost the same). They’re nice homes, in a nice neighborhood, worth about a million dollars each… so you don’t have to worry about your safety. And there won’t be any TV cameras, so you don’t have to worry about that, either. The TV network simply wants to do a “trial run” of the contest (to work out the logistics) before shooting the pilot episode. But they’re willing to give you a chance at the prize for your trouble.
Your friend continues explaining the rules.
When you get to the housing development, all you have to do is walk up to each house and knock on the front door. It will probably take you a day or two to cover all of them. But you can do it all at once, or divide it up. Your friend is even willing to go with you, so you don’t have to do it alone. And… the people living in the community are friendly (for the most part), plus they’ve all agreed to be part of the contest. That means you don’t have to worry about anyone slamming the door in your face or siccing their dog on you.
At this point you’re curious but skeptical… so you ask your friend why you were chosen for the contest. Your friend says that he just got a good job at the TV network sponsoring the contest. And his first assignment was to choose someone for the contest. He couldn’t do it because he’s an employee. But he thought you might be interested.
Would you do it?
Of course you would…
that’s not the real question.
The million-dollar question is: How many doors
would you knock on before giving up?
It might not seem like a big deal to knock on a few hundred doors, especially with a huge potential payoff. But I assure you, it’s harder than it sounds. When I was 16, I went door-to-door trying to sell special insulation for attics. It was made from a reflective material that the creators said was like the insulation used in the NASA space shuttle.
After 50 houses and no sales, I was tired.
My confidence was sagging.
And my feet hurt.
But I believed in myself. I believed in the product. And I kept going. Eventually, I got my first sale. Then another. That’s when I started thinking about how close I’d come to quitting at 50. I also wondered how many other salespeople had tried to make a sale and quit before getting lucky.
But it wasn’t luck…
It was painstaking persistence.
So let me ask you again,
this time with a twist.
What’s the number of literary agent doors you’re willing to knock on… before giving up on yourself, your book and/or your publishing career?
50, 250, 500, 800?
There are only 800 potential agents, maximum,
in any given genre… so that’s the most
you COULD send out.
Unless you said 800, I want to beg you to increase your number. Some of the BEST success stories with authors involve a high number. In fact, two seconds ago, in the middle of writing this article, I got a text from one of my coaching clients. She asked to get on the phone because she got her SECOND offer for representation from an agent. Now she needs my help to decide who to sign with.
How many queries did she have to send out
before she got the first offer?
205.
She almost gave up, too.
Several times…
But I begged HER to keep sending out queries.
She listened.
Not everyone does, of course.
I hope YOU will,
– Mark
* * *
* * *
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company 
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company 
At first I thought maybe the book wasn’t good enough, or I wasn’t good enough, but that’s not it. I think the book is good and I know it’s getting better. I think now that it’s all about match. There is a story I want to tell and it’s a good story. I need someone who can see its value, a good reading experience and is willing to look at it and give it a chance to help him/her believe that he/she can sell it. So I have to to learn to present it in the right way and present it to the right person.
Glad to hear it Bob, you just made my night.
Have a great week!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
I have to say trying to get published is frustrating. I have won awards for my writing and can only manage to get extracts published. I have had a book under consideration by a publisher for over a year. This same manuscript I have sent to three other publishers and an agent – no where close to 800 submissions – and I already feel discouraged.
Hang in there…
The good news is that you can often get a drastically different response by tweaking or changing something in your pitch materials (query letter, synopsis, first 50 pages, etc.).
My favorite example of this is one of my coaching clients who’d pitched her favorite “dream” agent three times over the course of two years. Rejections every time. After I helped her rewrite her query letter, she approached the same agent a fourth time and he requested the full manuscript. So don’t get too discouraged. You might just be a few changes away from getting what you want.
As a next step (if you haven’t already done so) click here to access to all the resources I have about getting an agent in my private, members-only area (no charge): http://thebestsellingauthor.com/membership/. Once you’ve entered your name and email address there, click on the link that says, “Audio Training Library”. Then you’ll see my main audio training (and text transcript), which reveals the 7 Insider Secrets You Need to Know to Get a Top Literary Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal.
That might have what you need
to get to the next level…
If you want help with anything else, you can post questions for me online here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/ask/. You can also (if you haven’t done so already) get access (no cost) to all the valuable resources in our private, members-only area here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/membership/. And you can register for an introductory coaching call with me here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/coaching/intro-call/. Either way, I’m looking forward to learning more about you and your work.
Have a great day, and week!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
I have her beat. I’ve sent out over 400. :/
Hi Nikki, crazy update… don’t think I told you this yet… talked to an author this week who just got an offer for representation. His number? 600+. Hey, whatever it takes. But here’s to hoping it’s 401. 😉
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Well, you have been absolutely correct about everything so far, so I’ll hang in there. 600. Wow. O-O
Wow is right, that’s what I said.
All you can do is keep on keeping on…
to give yourself the greatest chance.
Have a great day, and week!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Thank you Mark, for lending a vote of confidence. Very helpful. Fortunately, I am stubborn and persistent.
I realize that an opening pitch is crucial in order to hook one or more Literary Agents.
Point is; I don’t know if I am pitching correctly.
My first book is a “True Story”. Although, I’ve only sent out about 50 Book Proposals, I’m wondering it I am approaching the agents correctly.
Please advise.
Hi Tony, glad to hear it…
Now, are you asking about getting feedback on your material?
If so…
I answer general questions online here (no cost). So, if you want help, you can post questions for me online here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/ask/.
You can also get 1-on-1 feedback on things like pitch materials such as query letters, samples pages, websites/blogs, etc. by registering for a introductory coaching call with me (more information about how to do that below).
And (if you haven’t done so already) get access (no cost) to all the valuable resources in our private, members-only area here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/membership/. And, again, you can register for an introductory coaching call with me here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/coaching/intro-call/.
Either way, I’m looking forward to learning more about you and your work.
Have a great day, and week!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
After two hundred or more queries to agents interested in ‘historical fiction’ I was refused by all. I have had professional help on my letter and the novel itself reached final aquisitions at one publisher. What can I do other than keep sending queries?
Hi Brian, you’ll have to start submitting to lower level agents… or… change your query significantly… which would allow you to submit to the better agents again… and hope for a better result. You can often get a drastically different response by tweaking or changing your pitch materials (query letter, synopsis, book proposal, manuscript, etc.).
My favorite example of this is one of my coaching clients who’d pitched her favorite “dream” agent three times over the course of two years. Rejections every time. After I helped her rewrite her query letter, she approached the same agent a fourth time and he requested the full manuscript. So don’t get too discouraged. You might just be a few changes away from getting what you want.
As a next step (if you haven’t already done so) click here to access to all the resources I have about getting an agent in my private, members-only area (no charge): http://thebestsellingauthor.com/membership/. Once you’ve entered your name and email address there, click on the link that says, “Audio Training Library”. Then you’ll see my main audio training (and text transcript), which reveals the 7 Insider Secrets You Need to Know to Get a Top Literary Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal.
That might have what you need
to get to the next level…
If you want help with anything else, you can post questions for me online here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/ask/. You can also (if you haven’t done so already) get access (no cost) to all the valuable resources in our private, members-only area here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/membership/. And you can register for an introductory coaching call with me here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/coaching/intro-call/. Either way, I’m looking forward to learning more about you and your work.
Have a great day, and week!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Okay, there are 800 literary agents, not all represent historical fiction so my question is, if go through all the agents that does represent my type of book and I don’t get any feedback. Should I start over again?
Hi Bruce, that would be possible… but you’d certainly have to change the pitch completely for agents to pay attention… and to give yourself a chance.
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
I reached out to roughly 300 agents and met with three in person. One hundred percent rejections. I still can’t believe it. I’ve written three books and maybe they’re not
NY Times best sellers but they are really good. Really. One agent asked to see the screenplay adaptation of one of the books so I’m working on that but, honestly, I didn’t think it was going to be this painful and frustrating. Got any suggestions?
Hi Kim, sorry to hear that…
The good news is that you can often get a drastically different response by tweaking or changing your pitch materials (query letter, synopsis, book proposal, manuscript, etc.).
My favorite example of this is one of my coaching clients who’d pitched her favorite “dream” agent three times over the course of two years. Rejections every time. After I helped her rewrite her query letter, she approached the same agent a fourth time and he requested the full manuscript. So don’t get too discouraged. You might just be a few changes away from getting what you want.
As a next step (if you haven’t already done so) click here to access to all the resources I have about getting an agent in my private, members-only area (no charge): http://thebestsellingauthor.com/membership/. Once you’ve entered your name and email address there, click on the link that says, “Audio Training Library”. Then you’ll see my main audio training (and text transcript), which reveals the 7 Insider Secrets You Need to Know to Get a Top Literary Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal.
That might have what you need
to get to the next level…
If you want help with anything else, you can post questions for me online here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/ask/. You can also (if you haven’t done so already) get access (no cost) to all the valuable resources in our private, members-only area here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/membership/. And you can register for an introductory coaching call with me here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/coaching/intro-call/.
Either way, I’m looking forward to learning more about you and your work.
Have a great day, and weekend!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
As Mark says, you should never give up looking for an agent. That means me as well, so wish me luck.
Thanks for the advice which as usual is both interesting and imformative.
Thank you Colin and have a good night!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Mark, I always enjoy reading your posts. This one, an apt analogy of how we all attempt to make a sale by sending out our query letters, is nicely done. We keep playing the game with agents who are looking for a (insert version of turn-key perfection here). One must persevere, of course, until one hopefully makes that sale. Thanks.
Thank you Jeff, and stick with it!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
My life’s story is finished of course is a true story and is getting old. Just like me.
Writing the story I poured my hart and soul and somes of those days I admit that I cound not keep my eyes dry.
The story is very interesting and fascinnating
I do not have any idea what I have to do to find a literary agent or agents.
Hi Sandra!
I’m happy to help if possible… but I want to make sure you know that I’m a former literary agent turned author coach. Now I help authors get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals.
If you haven’t already done so, make sure you click here to access to all the valuable resources I have about getting an agent in my private, members-only area (no charge): http://thebestsellingauthor.com/membership/. Once you’ve entered your name and email address there, click on the link that says, “Audio Training Library”. Then you’ll see my main audio training (and text transcript), which reveals the 7 Insider Secrets You Need to Know to Get a Top Literary Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal.
If you want help with anything else, you can post questions for me online here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/ask/. And you can register for an introductory coaching call with me here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/coaching/intro-call/.
Either way, I’m looking forward to learning more about you and your work.
Have a great day, and weekend!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Thanks Mark, this is just the shot in the arm that I needed. I have sent out queries with a varying number of sample pages/chapters to about 100 or so, and am getting quite discouraged by the process. This has inspired me to do many, many more; as many as is necessary.
🙂
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Hi, Mark:
Only 1% normally respond to mass mailings and then you have to funnel a sale or two. My preference has always been to shoot a rifle instead of a shotgun. I have a specific purpose and only target agents or agencies that could promote my book(s)to screen writers or studios. I self-published four books and they were all like movies that drive the imagination. I had a very positive feedback from readers and reviewers. www.movies-on-paper.com. Now marketing! What could you do to help?
Hi Eugene,
Are you talking about selling more of the self-published books or trying to secure a literary agent for those books… with the goal of getting a traditional publisher and book deal?
By the way…
If getting an agent is your goal… you can only pinpoint the right agents to some extent, so you have to be prepared to send out many submissions to make it happen.
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Hi, Mark: A traditional publisher and/or an agent/screenwriter.
Hi Eugene,
Okay, that’s easy…
Although some authors I’ve worked with have had their work adapted for TV, stage, and feature film… my main specialty is helping authors get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals. That often leads to interest in the other areas, through the author’s agent or publisher. To that end, most top agents who represent fiction help on the TV/film front or they partner up (co-agent) with another successful agency that does it.
If you haven’t already done so, click here to access to all the valuable resources I have about getting an agent in my private, members-only area (no charge): http://thebestsellingauthor.com/membership/. Once you’ve entered your name and email address there, click on the link that says, “Audio Training Library”. Then you’ll see my main audio training (and text transcript), which reveals the 7 Insider Secrets You Need to Know to Get a Top Literary Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal.
If you want help with anything else, you can post questions for me online here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/ask/. And you can register for an introductory coaching call with me here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/coaching/intro-call/. Either way, I’m looking forward to learning more about you and your work.
Have a great day, and week!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Hey Mark, I think “What’s your number” hits where it should. I’ve sent out about 60 queries with no offer of representation, but I did get a lot of good feedback that I used to write a new query and proposal. So you are right, as authors we must continue to believe in ourselves and our work. We must be willing to send out as many queries as it takes because one day someone will understand your work and fell that they can sell it. 205 queries is a lot, but we should use each rejection as fuel.
Hi Roland, well said… and I admire your attitude.
Keep going, I’m pulling for you,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
I haven’t reached the 100 mark yet, but I am a bit confused. Every agent I have pitched my historical fiction book to has sent me a personal note of encouragement and even suggestions but reject the book. I’ve been to a mentoring conference and gotten encouragement from the teachers and students. I can’t afford a lot of conferences and classes, so how do I find out what’s wrong with my writing? I’m not ready to give up yet.
Hi Frenchy, if you can’t afford to invest in work with a coach or consultant such as myself… the best thing to do in your situation would be to keep submitting to agents… knowing that… if you do… you will likely get an agent or two to eventually read your book… and… give you some feedback about what they might like to see done differently… along with an invitation to resubmit.
Or… even better… you might get an agent who likes it as is!
Have a great day, and weekend,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com