Navigating the Gatekeeper Conundrum

About Writing     |     The Hollow Man Series, International Espionage​

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Authors hoping to secure representation from an agent need to adopt a strategic approach to navigate the gatekeeping process effectively. One of the most important steps is to research agents thoroughly. Each agent has their own tastes, preferred genres, and interests, so finding agents whose preferences align with your work is essential.

Sending queries to agents who specialize in genres outside your manuscript’s scope can lead to automatic rejections, no matter how good the writing is. Many agents provide clear submission guidelines and the types of books they represent on their agency websites or through platforms like QueryTracker and Manuscript Wish List (MSWL). Taking the time to personalize your query letters—referencing why your project fits their interests—can increase your chances of getting a positive response.

Persistence is also crucial when dealing with rejections, which are an inevitable part of the process. Even successful, bestselling authors often faced multiple rejections before finding the right agent. J. K. Rowling, for instance, received several rejections before a small publisher took a chance on Harry Potter.

It’s important to remain patient and not take rejections personally. A rejection isn’t necessarily a reflection of the manuscript’s quality but can be because of various factors, such as market trends or the agent’s current workload. Treat rejections as an opportunity to refine your query materials and move on to the next potential agent. The key is to keep submitting in batches while continuing to improve your work and query package with each attempt.

When agents aren’t responsive or if traditional publishing seems out of reach, exploring alternative routes before picking up that shotgun. Small presses give authors a chance to get their work published without the need for an intermediary. And of course, self-publishing allows authors to take full control of their creative process and distribution. While these paths come with their own challenges, they offer a way to build a readership without (or while) waiting for gatekeepers to open the door.

Authors can also engage in online pitch events, which provide a direct line to agents and bypass the traditional query process. Events like #PitMad on Twitter allow authors to pitch their manuscripts in 280-character tweets. Agents and editors monitor these events, liking tweets that interest them, which serve as a request for the author to submit their manuscript for further review. Pitch events can also foster a sense of community among authors and offer a chance to receive immediate feedback on pitches.