What’s the best time to submit to literary agents? Are some days better than others? Is there a best time of year to query book agents on our List of Literary Agents featuring the Best Literary Agents at the Top Literary Agencies? And, is there a best time of day to submit queries? Before I answer those questions, I should probably explain the timing of this article (even though it might be obvious if you live in the United States). It’s Thanksgiving time. After that, it will be Christmas. And, then, New Year’s Day.
The Best Time to Submit to Literary Agents
The Best Time of Year?
If you simply listen to your gut as an author, or follow what you feel is “common sense,” there will be many times when you’ll hurt your chances of getting an agent, publisher, and book deal.
This is one of those times.
You still have a chance of getting representation if you submit your query to a literary agent on a big holiday. Or, if you unwittingly send a query to your dream agent during her honeymoon or summer vacation when she’s away for a few days, weeks, or possibly months.
Literary agents don’t automatically delete emails that arrive when they’re out of the office. And they don’t throw away mail and packages that arrive while they’re away.
Do you?
Of course not.
So, don’t press the panic button.
That said, timing is important.
Because…
Good timing gives
you more leverage.
In other words, you have a much better chance of getting an agent (and I mean a top agent) when you have many agents considering your work at the same time. That means you shouldn’t submit your work to literary agents during “off times.”
Case in point…
Let’s say you send out a batch of 40 queries to agents on Tuesday during Thanksgiving week. Two agents respond. One asks for sample chapters and the other asks for the complete manuscript. A few weeks after Thanksgiving, you get a rejection letter from the first agent. The next day, the other agent calls you and offers you a contract.
But…
The agent seems distracted and disorganized, even though she has an impressive track record of sales. When you ask her a couple questions about your book, she gives you a long list of things she’d like you to change—some of them you don’t agree with at all. Plus, the changes would take a long time to implement.
What would you do?
Well, I can tell you (based on my experience working with hundreds of authors), that you’d probably do a bit of soul-searching (and grumbling).
And then sign the contract.
Why?
Because a literary agent in the hand is better than an agent in the bush. You know, the agent who hasn’t gotten back to you yet. The one who might never get back to you.
* * *
Here’s a different scenario…
Instead of sending 40 queries out right before a major holiday, you get everything ready…but decide to wait until the first Tuesday in January to send out your queries (when agents are more focused and looking for new clients). As a result you get 5 requests for more material (instead of 2).
A few days later, the first literary agent rejects you (same as the previous scenario). And, the following day, the second agent calls you to offer you a contract (same as the previous scenario—and, yes, it’s the same distracted and disorganized agent).
However, in this scenario
you have leverage.
Because you have
three other agents reading.
So you stall the agent offering you
the contract for you a few days.
Meanwhile…
You contact the other book agents who are still reading your sample chapters and/or manuscript. You let them know (delicately) about the first offer for representation, and you use it as leverage to get them reading your material faster. You even give them a deadline for when they need to get back to you and tell you if they’re interested in representing you.
Then what?
Well, let’s say, on the day of your deadline, one of the three remaining agents doesn’t get back to you… and the second one sends you a rejection letter.
But…
The final remaining agent
offers to represent you.
Now you have TWO agents
offering you a contract.
You have leverage.
You have
a choice.
When you get on the phone with the second agent, you fall in love. He’s just as established as the first agent who offered you a contract, but he’s more passionate about your work. He also understands and respects your vision. Plus he tells you that he’d like to start shopping your book immediately… and try to get you a deal before the end of the year (the other agent mumbled something about not having time to shop your book until spring).
This isn’t a fairytale.
This is a true story that happened
to one of my coaching clients.
And it could just as easily
happen to you.
I know it might be hard to imagine (some authors have told me). For most authors, getting one agent interested would be like winning the lottery. That’s part of the problem–think bigger.
Multiple agents offering
you representation.
That’s the scenario
you want to create.
If possible…
Because that’s you
in a position of power.
That’s why it’s critical for you
to be smart about timing.
So…
Don’t query agents between
Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve.
Same thing goes for July
and August (summer).
Another time when as many as 40% of the agents are
temporarily closed during part of all of that period.
Yes, it’s true that most agents work during those times: They read material they’ve already requested, pitch books to editors and publishers, and hand out book deals.
Like Santa on
Christmas morning.
But…
They’re often closed to
queries during those times.
And, those who are open to submissions,
are distracted by travel and parties
and other festivities.
Why put yourself in a weak position
like that if you can avoid it?
* * *
The Best Time to Submit to Literary Agents
The Best Day of the Week
It doesn’t matter what day of the week you send out queries.
I know, you’re thinking what I used to think.
Mondays are no good because everyone is slammed with emails after the weekend. They’ll delete their emails faster because they have so many to go through.
Bzzzzzzzt.
Wrong.
One author that I had an Introductory Coaching Call with told me that he sent out hundreds of queries prior to meeting me (for several different manuscripts), and he tracked his response rate. He swears Monday is the best day to submit queries. He’s gotten more positive replies on Monday than any other day of the week.
Go figure.
And yes, that author has gotten agents seriously interested in him and his work. He actually has an agent helping him edit one of his manuscripts right now.
Now…
What about sending queries out late on a Friday afternoon? That must be bad because agents are thinking about the weekend, right?
Bzzzzzzzt.
Wrong again.
I’ve had many of my coaching clients submit queries on Friday afternoon and have success. On more than one occasion, literary agents have requested the complete manuscript within the hour… saying they’re going to take it home with them to read over the weekend.
What about Sundays?
Yep, those are good too.
I’ve had lots of my clients get requests for sample chapters or complete manuscripts on Sundays. Lots of agents work on the weekend or, at the very least, they check their emails Sunday night to get an early start on the workweek.
The bottom line?
Any day is a good day
to send out queries.
* * *
The Best Time to Submit to Literary Agents
The Best Time of Day
Here’s something else that’s counterintuitive.
You probably think the best time to submit queries is during business hours, right?
Not necessarily.
One of my best success stories is about one of my author coaching clients who lives in India. He submitted a query by email after midnight to his dream agent.
That agent responded in less than 5 minutes,
requesting more material.
And he didn’t send an email…
The agent called him on the phone!
About 30 days later, the agent secured offers from Random House, Harper Collins, and Penguin who ended up publishing my client’s book (click here to read all about it and hear an interview I recorded with the author, Lakshmi Subramani).
How cool is that?
* * *
The Best Time to Submit to Literary Agents
The Bottom Line
Don’t make yourself crazy trying to figure out the “best moment” to send out your queries. The best time to submit your work is the moment your pitch materials are polished…and ready to go. As long as you’re not sending out queries during the times I mentioned above, or right before (or after) some other major holiday, you’ll be fine.
And, if you want to make the process faster and easier (and you haven’t already done so) click here now to see how you can get my help 1-on-1 through the process.
Think of it as a Christmas gift to yourself.
Whatever you do…
Don’t let another year go by without
getting your work in the hands
of top literary agents
and/or publishers.
Because…
If you’re like most of
the authors I’ve worked with…
You know…
That might be the only thing
standing between you
and what you want.
Getting the right person
to read your book.
And, well…
There’s no one on this planet
who’s better at that
than me.
Hey, it’s not bragging
if it’s true…
As of this morning, I’ve helped 223 authors get offers
from literary agents and/or traditional publishers.
Mostly because my authors are brilliant.
I simply help them get noticed.
And, if you are planning to schedule an
Introductory Coaching Call,
don’t wait too long.
Because…
Like book agents and publishers,
I’m taking some time off during
the holiday season as well!
– Mark
Question or Comment About Book Agents or the Best Time to Submit to Literary Agents?
Click here to see The 50 Questions Authors Ask Most (along with answers to the questions) and/or post your question or comment. Click here to see our Guide to Literary Agents. And, click here to see some of our best tips to help you Find a Literary Agent and/or Get a Literary Agent.
Author Coaching/Consulting
Want help to make your pitch materials for literary agents as good as they can be? Click here to learn how you can get 1-on-1 feedback to improve your pitch material and/or first fifty pages during an Introductory Coaching Call.
Share this Article about the Best Time to Submit to Literary Agents
Please share this article about the best time to submit to literary agents with other authors who might enjoy it and/or benefit from it.
* * *
* * *
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 
Mark,
I’m a subscriber of yours. Interesting reads!
Question:Red flags with agent?
Agent offers my husband representation, has read the MS, & “loves it!” Her previous clients are famous, & we just the lottery! She’s talked on sending to publishers. We did all the changes, recommended by her. Yet 2 months later she hasn’t sent it to publishers. We’re having communication problems, always blowing us off, excuses. Do we pull the plug or keep hoping she’ll pull through. Very nervous now!! help!
Hi Sandra, glad you’re enjoying everything. Unfortunately, the situation you’re describing is common. Agents, for the most part, disappear for many months at a time. They’re busy and/or trying to sell your book… and don’t see much point in small talk until they’ve done so. Or updates. Since no news means the book hasn’t sold yet. And it’s virtually impossible to get another agent for a book once you’ve already had one that couldn’t sell it. So… the moral of the story is keep following up and hope and pray that the agent really is committed. Even though you’re not getting many reasons to believe. Warm wishes to you and yours this holiday season, and best of luck. Mark
Happy to hear you are doing better. Like always thank you for all yhe good you have done in your article, I always learn something new. Have a great thanksgiving.
Thank you Charmain, for the well wishes… and I’m glad you enjoyed the article. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Mark
PS…glad to know you are on the road to recovery.
And thank you for the well wishes… I am doing much better now. Pretty soon I’ll be back to normal! Mark
OMG Mark! You’re right on time. I was writing down agents information to whom I wanted to send queries to…lol yes, thanksgiving week :). Good you stopped me when you did. I’ll wait until next week.
Hi Sabrena, glad I caught you in time. 😉 And it’s good hearing from you. Warm wishes to you and yours this Thanksgiving. Mark
Perfect repeat for this time of year. I’m pulling my hair out trying not to submit at the wrong time, and then you remind me that worrying is just silly. The right time is when I’m ready, whether or not a bunch of other PiBoIdMo writers are doing the same. But I’ll wait until after Thanksgiving. 🙂
Hi Jen, glad to hear it. Yes, this is one of the few I get to recycle every year. 😉 Happy to learn you’re waiting until after Thanksgiving. Keep going and let me know when you start getting nibbles so we can celebrate with you. Mark
Thanks for the advise. I’m sorry to hear about your surgery. Do take care and have a great Thanksgiving. Hopefully, I’ll have some good news to share before Christmas.
Hi Jenny, I’m doing much better… thank you for asking. Hopefully you got my emails but I think so. I just changed the way my web hosting is set up because I was having some email issues. Do keep me posted on your progress. In many ways, we’ve only just begun our work together… hopefully. Once you start getting agents interested is when it really gets interesting. 😉 Warm wishes. Mark
The best helpful and needed information, ever… Finally completed my first MS, of a series! I look forward, for your assistance and expertise on Query and etc… Wishing you a happy holiday season.
Hi Mona, I love it… thank you. Congratulations on finishing your manuscript. Looking forward to working with you. Have a great week and talk soon! Mark
Hi Mark, thanks for the article. Ive stopped sending queries because mine sucks so badly I get nothing but rejects. I actually did a major rewrite of my book, reduced by 30k words and wrote a happy ending since thats what my readers say that want. Tell Ingrid I have written her many times but it says I entered a wrong caption and and it won’t go through. Im sorry to hear you were hurt but I know Ingrid would be the best person in the world to have as your nurse! Have a great thanskgiving, deb
Hi Debbie, wow… that’s a major size reduction. Sorry to hear you haven’t gotten interest yet. At least you know it just takes one and that one could be just around the corner. I know it’s hard. And I will pass your comment along to Ingrid. Strange that you’re having an issue. I’ll have to look into it. And thank you for the healing wishes. I’m feeling much better now, yes, in part because of Ingrid’s attention and vibrant spirit. 😉 Be well, and happy Thanksgiving. Mark
Hey Mark,
Loved the article. Currently it’s 2:39 and that should convince you how hard I’m working. I’ve Joined AA after getting drunk, running into the back of a parked cop car, walking away, and waking up in a hospital after I passed out.
Changed the name of the book to My name is Fred — I’m Ancient Alcoholic. Might just take up an hour more of your time — I’ll let you know.
Derf
Hi Fred, good to hear you’re doing better now. Health is everything, as they say. Be well and have a great Thanksgiving! Mark
Thank you for the opportunity to contact you.
As much as I would like to work with you, unfortunately I cannotdue to finance.
Kept up with all your activities and believe that what you are saying is correct, authors need agents to represent them.I had sent my manuscript to a London publisher and he automatically sent me a contract to sign, however I am not happy signing it. Instead wrote to two agents with my review and now waiting for a reply.Sorry no more room to write. Love to write to you
Hi Sasha, you can still ask me questions here online. There is no charge for that. I’m glad you’re getting interest in your work but not settling for substandard terms. Keep using the resources on my different websites listed here: https://literary-agents.com/websites/. Keep believing. And keep submitting your work. All my best. Mark
I have used your directory of literary agents before but I can’t find out now how to get back onto it. Please direct me there.
Thank you,
David Williams
Hi David, there is a signup form on the page here: http://literaryagencies.com/list-of-literary-agents/literary-agent-directory/. Even if you already signed up, you can always just enter your info again here to gain access if you lose your info. Let me know if you have issues. Mark
Hi Mark
Since joining this site I have now started my own blog (a work in progress) and though I haven’t yet sent out one query letter I’ve had a major publishing house phone me. I need to do more research because I know that even divisions of well established publishing companies also have “self publishing departments” and that is neither what I want nor can afford. I was excited at first but didn’t take it too seriously until I polish up my blog and research agents who publish my genre. Thanks | Best Time to Submit to Literary Agents?
I love that you’re getting your blog going. And I’m happy to know you’re remaining CAUTIOUSLY optimistic about the publisher that contacted you. It very well might just be a vanity press trying to get you to invest in their services. Mark | Best Time to Submit to Literary Agents?
Hi Mark
Really useful information. I’ll keep that in mind when I send out my query letters. I’m now editing the final draft of my memoir so I hope I can send out my letter before Thanksgiving next year. By the way, is Doris Michaels Literary Agency one of the top NY agencies? Do you know anything about the authors they represent?
Hi SawLian, I’m happy to know you’re continuing to make progress. I’m going to celebrate with you when you finally get your book out! I don’t know anything about Doris Michaels, unfortunately, but that doesn’t mean anything. Since there are more than 1,000 agents here in the US, it’s hard to know them all. Anyway, have a great weekend! Mark
Hi Mark,
Your recent article on timing was most beneficial. I would have stayed with the “corporate world” standards, possibly losing out to more assertive and informed writers. My career of over 20 years was in the banking industry, so the corporate world was my decree. Thank you for the new perspective.
I trust you and Ingrid will enjoy a great Thanksgiving
As Always,
Jan
Hi Jan, glad to hear it… and I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Here’s to happiness and success this holiday season! Mark
Hi Mark,
You always amaze me how much you have your finger on the pulse. I wondered the same thing recently when I asked the director of a manuscript assessment service I use, would it be better to wait after Christmas, even February. He said yes. Of course, since then, I’ve had a one-on-one coaching with you and I have more work to do before I’m ready to submit. But it’s good to know there’s no need to worry about which day of the week – ha ha.
Hi Matilda, I’m just happy you’re enjoying my posts. Thank you for saying so! Made me day, even though I’m late responding to you. The holidays have set me back a bit. Here’s to your publishing success and a happy holiday season. Warm wishes and see you again soon I hope. Mark
Mark,
You certainly do have a way with words and with developing interest in the topic. I was very surprised by your conclusions. Thanks again for sharing this information with those who are not even your coaching clients. You may just get this in time for Thanksgiving so I hope its a very happy time for your and your family.
By the way, I don’t need a reply to this. You are far too generous with your time already.
Gai
Thank you Gai. Trying to create suspense and surprise is half the fun! Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for the holiday wishes. Your kindness is greatly appreciated. Mark
Very timely topic. I have some queries to send out and was debating whether to send them this week or wait until after Thanksgiving. I just had the opportunity to read your Nov. 22 post. And there was the answer!
Hi Rinda, glad I chimed in about this at just the right time. And I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I did, which is why I’m so late getting back to you. Sorry about that! Mark
Mark,
Thanks so much for the info! I know timing is everything and hope that I fall into that “just right timing” when I submit my work.
Thanks again.
J Ford
Hi Joyce, I hope so too. Thanks for posting and have a wonderful weekend! Mark
Insider information. This kind is the best information, in my opinion. To have you looking out for us is like us having a personal spy inside the literary agent world. And then the spy comes back & reports information that can help us to assess the situation & figure out where to go from there. Thank you! Also, thank you for randomly picking me in your drawing for the Amazon card! What a blessing! I do SO much shopping on Amazon–it’s ridiculous. Have a great Thanksgiving, & God bless you
Hi KW, I like the spy imagery… makes me feel all James Bond like. And don’t mention the gift card. You’re the one who keeps posting comments. You were bound to get chosen. 😉 Here’s to insider information and Amazon! Love and light to you and yours. Mark
Hey Mark,
I have a 10-year anniversary for the main event of my book coming up in June.
Am I too late?
Great info, as usual.
Patrick Brower
Hey Patrick, I’m late in responding to comments because of the holiday weekend last weekend. Now I know what you were talking about yesterday. 😉 We’ll make it work. An anniversary doesn’t make a bad book good. But it can make a great book (like yours) even better. Can’t wait to launch this project. I can only imagine how YOU feel. Happy day! Mark