A great rule of thumb is to query six to eight agents in the first batch if you’re new to this, 25-30 if you’re a vet writer. Basically you want enough people to give the package a fair test, but few enough that you still have a decent list left when the first round teaches you something you needed to know.
Writers tend not to be numbers people, I think I’m one of the few that enjoys data alongside words (words were my first love). I get it, you don’t really want to chart your response rate and all the other pallava, but it can really help narrow down where the issue might be before you give up on a story that the world really needs.
So, it’s time dear writer to grab a spreadsheet, or pretty notebook (yes, I totally give you permission to add another to your collection), and track that shiz. Let’s batch it together and get this done.
If you want to see the series on How to Query it is probably helpful if you’re about to start, otherwise check out the writers hub for everything else.
Takeaways
- Start with six to eight strong-fit agents if you’re new to querying. Experienced writers may choose a larger controlled batch, but the list is still finite.
- A test batch only tells you something when the agents super represent your category, subgenre, and kind of book.
- Send the same query package to everyone in one batch. Several versions circulating at once make the results much harder to interpret.
- Wait until most of the batch has responded or passed its stated response window before revising.
Why Should You Query Six to Eight Agents at Once?
A first batch of six to eight will usually produce a mixture of silence, passes, and possibly requests (although according to the numbers, don’t bet on it). Once most of the agents have replied or crossed their stated response windows, you can read the results without pretending one email is make or break. But if you’re newer to this, you might want to bump that up to 25-30 because you may not fully understand the market, or how to query yet.
If you think you have a particularly strong book that is perfect for the market, then 20 would probably make me nervous, just because, lists are finite. But the numbers are abysmal, think 300 queries and one request as a norm. So these days? It’s so hard to tell. And you should never judge your work based on querying.
Which Agents Should You Include in Your First Query Batch?
I would include real contenders in batch one. Writers sometimes fill the test batch with vague maybes because they want to protect every dream agent until the package is proven..a quicker way though is just to have someone look over your query package or opening pages before you even start, so you can hit the ground running. Six agents who only sort of represent the book cannot tell you whether the right agents will want it, and will leave you with more questions that answers.
Keep a few beloved names back, absolutely, hopefully you have at least 10 you simply love to do that. Still choose strong fits at least. The correct age category, the right branch of fantasy, and interests that connect to the emotional centre of the manuscript. An adult court romantasy should not be tested on six people who mainly sell military epic fantasy because that won’t tell you anything about the market, or your work.
Why Should You Wait for the Batch to Respond Before Revising?
If you get a couple of passes in your first batch of well-matched agents and radio silence, well, that tells you something might not be working. Be that the market, the work itself, or the letter.
I would wait for most of the batch to answer first, and keep track of windows of “silence means no” somewhere. Once that happens, then reach out to a professional or look through the query again. Because some time would have passed which sometimes distances you enough to catch anything you think didn’t sell your story well.
Early rewriting creates several versions in circulation at once, which is really hard to measure slash track. The slower agents are reading package A, the next group receives package B, and by batch three you have no clean idea which change helped you, and it’s all over the place.
You really need to track, track, track, somewhere. And let a small similar set roll for a month or so at least.
When Should You Pause Before Sending Your Second Query Batch?
Basically, pause after a mostly resolved batch of strong-fit agents produced zero requests. First, check the research because a bad list can make a good package just, not work at all. Sending a romantasy to six agents looking for literary fabulism is a targeting/marketing problem, however amazing your WIP is.
Then I would read the query and pages together. The query may pitch something the book opening doesn’t deliver. It may smack of a challenge that the agent thinks a debut author can’t handle. It might be too world and magic focussed. And on and on.
Or maybe, the chapter may begin before the actual story, front-load history, or hide the protagonist’s immediate desire beneath wonderful prose.
The free Act 1 Revision Tool gives you a structured self-check (coding only, no AI). My First Chapter Critique is the “human editor read” when you want me to look at the opening as an editor and as the sort of fantasy reader who knows the genre well.
When Is the Best Time to Send Your Next Query Batch Without Edits?
When the first batch creates requests, I would send the next six to eight with the same core package, this is a no brainer. The numbers are grim and if you’re getting more than one request, or even one request, you’re on to something.
If you have received no responses but you’ve had the query and story looked at with good results, try again. If you haven’t had anything looked at by anyone and have no responses, now is the time to pause and re-evaluate.
How Should You Respond to Full-Request Passes?
When several agents request the full and later pass, the opening did it’s job, great work. Now it’s time to look to the middle, character arcs, romance progression, struction and ending.
My Fantasy Manuscript Critique is the lower-cost whole-book service when you want the largest visible problem identified before spending months revising. Developmental editing fits manuscripts with several connected problems or writers who want a full editorial letter, manuscript notes, and a supported revision plan.
I do not want to sell a first chapter critique to somebody whose first chapter has already persuaded four agents to read ninety thousand more words. That would be daft. You don’t need it. But if you can’t get an agent past the midpoint, but they love the idea, it’s time to invest in yourself.
Why Is Using a Spreadsheet Crucial for Tracking Query Success?
Ok, well, it doesn’t have to be a spreadsheet. But somewhere you need to track the agent, requests specific for that agent, the agency, date, materials, stated response window, and result. Add a note explaining why the match makes sense, and why you love them, and a link to their socials so you can refer to recent news they put out in their emails when nudging/speaking again.
Then for each round you choose six to eight strong fits, send the same package, wait for most of the batch to hit the time limit (60-90 days), sort the outcome, and revise only when the pattern keeps showing an issue (aka, no responses at all).
Give Each Query Batch One Specific Job
The first batch should tell you if the package creates interest among agents who fit the book. The next batch should test the same package or one deliberate revision. Go small, go carefully, and ask for feedback from those around you or professionals.
You can browse the rest of my query and craft guides or start with How to Query a Fantasy Novel if you’re interested in learning much, much, more.
Frequently asked questions
Start with six to eight strong-fit agents, or 25-30 if you’re less experienced. That creates a readable test and keeps enough names for later rounds.
Avoid it for the first send. A large batch leaves little room to respond if the query, pages, or research needs work.
Follow the agency’s current policy. Some allow simultaneous submissions to several agents; others ask writers to choose one.
Personalize when you have a real reason like a client, interview, wishlist detail, or stated interest. Check out their socials to see what they’ve been up to. If they’re going to any of the same events as you, mention it. Or congratulate them on a best seller recently. Or a glowing review of a book they agented that you love.
Pause when a mostly resolved batch of well-matched agents produces a repeatable pattern you can act on. The stage of the pass matters more than the raw count.
