The Importance of the Agent Call in Your Publishing Journey

For aspiring authors, getting “the call” from a literary agent can feel surreal. One minute you’re refreshing your inbox like it’s a competitive sport, and the next, an agent wants to talk about your manuscript.

That alone is a big deal!

It means your work didn’t just survive the slush pile—it stood out.

An agent call doesn’t automatically mean representation (and anyone who tells you it does is oversimplifying the process). But it does mean an agent sees enough promise in your writing—and in you—to invest their time in a conversation. In a business where time is the rarest commodity, that matters.

Understanding the Agent's Perspective

From the agent’s side, the call is a chance to get beyond the pages. They’re listening for how you talk about your story, how you handle feedback, and whether your long-term goals align with theirs. From your side, it’s your moment to ask real questions, share why this project matters to you, and get a feel for whether this is someone you could genuinely partner with—because publishing is not a one-and-done relationship.

In other words, this isn’t an interrogation. It’s a two-way conversation.

The main goals of an initial call with a literary agent are to:

1. Get a sense of compatibility and fit. This call allows you to assess if the agent is someone you'd have a productive working relationship with. You want to see if your communication styles, personalities, and visions for your book align.

   
   

2. Convey your enthusiasm and professionalism. The call is an opportunity to showcase your passion and demonstrate that you are a committed, serious writer ready to put in the work required of a publishing deal.

   
   

3. Start to build rapport and trust. A strong author-agent partnership is built on mutual understanding and trust. Use this initial conversation to begin establishing that foundation of rapport.

   
   

If you’ve never had an agent call before, it’s normal for excitement to collide with panic. You might find yourself wondering whether you’re supposed to sound “professional,” how much talking is too much talking, or whether asking the wrong question could somehow tank the whole thing.

Let me reassure you: agents don’t expect perfection on these calls. They’re not looking for you to perform. They’re looking for clarity—about your work, your goals, and what it might be like to work together over months (or years).

This is why preparation matters. Not to impress an agent with jargon or industry buzzwords, but to help you walk away knowing whether this opportunity actually serves your long-term career.

Why a Literary Agent?

Signing with a reputable literary agent can be a game-changer if your goal is to publish with a major trade house—but it’s not just about getting an agent. It’s about getting the right one.

A strong agent brings more than access. Their editorial insight, market awareness, and relationships can dramatically improve your chances of landing a deal and setting your career up for the long haul. Which is why that first call matters so much. This isn’t the time to nod politely and hope for the best. It’s your chance to gather real information.

So… what should you actually ask when an agent wants to talk?

Key Questions to Ask a Literary Agent

1. Ask About Their Background

Start by getting a clear picture of who this agent is and how they work in the industry. What kinds of books do they sell? What kinds of careers do they build?

If the agent is newer to agenting, that’s not automatically a dealbreaker—but you’ll want to understand their support system. Do they have a seasoned mentor? Are they part of a well-established agency? If they don’t yet have many deals announced, ask why. Publishing moves slowly. Deals can take months (or longer) to show up on Publisher’s Marketplace, and newer agents may still be building their lists. But vague or evasive answers? That’s worth paying attention to.

Remember: most agents represent authors, not just manuscripts. If this agent is excited about your picture book, but you’re also hoping to write middle grade, YA, or even adult work down the line, you need to know whether they can grow with you—or what happens if they can’t.

This is especially important if you’re building a multi-book or multi-genre career. Publishing paths change. Interests evolve. A strong agent relationship can adapt with you—but only if there’s transparency from the start.

If an agent can’t represent everything you want to write, that doesn’t mean the offer is wrong. It does mean you need to understand how those gaps would be handled so you’re not surprised later.

Some thoughtful questions to ask:

• How long have you been an agent, and how did you get started?

• What genres or categories do you typically represent?

• Are there particular strengths, styles, or voices you’re hoping to add to your list?

• What authors do you currently work with that I might recognize?

  
  

Their answers will help you gauge alignment—not just professionally, but personally. And it’s okay to ask follow-up questions or ask them to elaborate. This is a business relationship, not a favor.

2. Ask About Your Manuscript

This is often the most exciting part of the call—and honestly, one of the most telling.

You want to understand why your manuscript stood out. An agent offering representation should be able to clearly articulate what’s working, what’s promising, and where they see room for growth. Don't worry about spoilers—an agent should have read your full manuscript before offering. If they haven’t, that’s a major red flag 🚩

• What do you think are the strongest aspects of my manuscript?

• What revisions or changes do you think it needs, if any?

• What unique elements resonated with you?

• How do you think my writing style and this book fit into the current market?

• How do you envision pitching and selling my book to publishers?

  
  

While the questions about a literary agent's experience will help you get a general feel for them, asking specific questions about your manuscript will give you a deeper dive into what your partnership might look like, should you both move forward.

3. Ask About Their Working Style

Agents are humans. Many juggle multiple clients, submissions, and sometimes even second jobs. You deserve clarity on how this partnership will function day-to-day.

Ask them details about the logistics, like:

• How editorial are you?

• How involved do you like to be during the writing and revision process?

• How do you typically communicate—email, phone, video?

• How often do you check in with clients?

  
  

4. Ask About Their Strategy

This is where the conversation often shifts from “Do they like my book?” to “Do they know how to sell it?”

One of the biggest advantages a literary agent brings to the table is strategy—how they plan to position your manuscript, where they see it fitting in the market, and which editors are most likely to respond to it. This part of the call helps you understand whether the agent is thinking intentionally about your book or taking a more general, wait-and-see approach.

You’re not asking for guarantees here. Publishing doesn’t work that way. But you are listening for clarity, preparation, and evidence that the agent understands both your project and the current landscape.

A good place to start is with a broad, open-ended question:

Can you describe your strategy for submitting my manuscript to publishers?

An agent should be able to walk you through how they typically approach submissions—how many editors they might start with, what kind of imprints they’re targeting, and how they tailor a pitch. They don’t need to have every detail locked in, but they should be able to articulate a clear path for getting your book in front of the right people.

From there, it’s reasonable to get more specific.

Do you have any particular editors or imprints in mind for this book?

Literary agents often have established relationships with editors at publishing houses, and many will already be mentally matching your manuscript to editors who’ve bought similar projects or have expressed interest in that space. If an agent can name potential editors and explain why they’re a good fit, that’s a strong sign they’re already invested in your book—not just hypothetically, but practically.

Pay attention to how confident and thoughtful their answers are here. Vague responses don’t automatically mean the agent isn’t capable, but clear, informed answers often indicate experience and intention. This is also a good moment to listen for alignment: does their vision for where the book could land match your own hopes and expectations?

Ultimately, this part of the call helps you understand whether the agent sees your manuscript as a passion project, a strategic opportunity, or both—and whether their approach makes you feel confident moving forward together.

During the Call

Some agents offer representation during the call itself. Others prefer to sit with it and follow up later. Either approach is normal.

Until you receive a clear offer, don’t assume one is coming. Treat this as an exploratory conversation. Avoid jumping into contract terms unless the agent brings it up first. Your goal here is mutual fit, not negotiation.

After the Call

If a literary agent does offer representation, they’ll usually outline next steps and give you a general timeline. At that point, you should notify any other agents who currently have your materials so they have the opportunity to respond.

Industry standard is at least two weeks to consider an offer. This gives you space to ask follow-up questions, talk to other authors on the agent’s list, and make a thoughtful decision.

And please hear this: a bad agent can be worse than no agent at all. Take your time. Do your homework. Trust both the data and your gut.

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Navigating the Journey of Querying

Querying can feel isolating—especially when you’re navigating high-stakes moments like agent calls without a roadmap. That’s exactly why we built our coaching programs.

Inside our coaching, we help writers:

• Prepare for agent calls with confidence (and the right questions)

• Interpret offers clearly—without panic or pressure

• Understand red flags before they become problems

• Build careers intentionally, not reactively

  
  

If you’re ready for real guidance, personalized feedback, and support from people who’ve been on both sides of the publishing desk, join one of our coaching programs.