How do I query a book series?
- Query the first book as a satisfying standalone.
- Mention series potential briefly, in a single line.
- Agents acquire one book first, not a guaranteed multi-book deal.
- "Standalone with series potential" is the safest framing.
- Pitching the whole saga at once tends to overwhelm and deter.
Query a series by pitching book one as a complete, satisfying story that stands on its own, then adding a single line noting it has series potential ("a standalone with series potential" or "the first in a planned trilogy"). Agents decide on the first book, not the whole arc, so the hook and stakes should be about book one. Save the broader series plan for when an agent asks.
Chapter i·Why it matters
New authors often over-pitch a series — summarizing all three books, emphasizing the saga over the actual manuscript — which overwhelms agents and signals inexperience. Agents take on one book and want to know it works alone. Framing it as a strong standalone with noted potential reassures them there is more to build on without asking them to commit to an arc they have not read.
Chapter ii·What to include
- A pitch focused on book one's conflict and stakes.
- Book one positioned as a satisfying standalone.
- A single line noting series potential.
- A clear sense the first book resolves.
- The broader plan held back until asked.
- Genre norms checked (series are common in some, not others).
Chapter iii·Example
An author pitches the first book of her planned fantasy trilogy as a complete story with its own resolved arc, adding one line: "THE EMBER ROAD is a standalone fantasy with series potential." She resists summarizing books two and three. The agent sees a finished, sellable first book — and asks about the series herself on the call.
Chapter iv·Related questions
WriteLoom's Pitch studio keeps your series plan organized while you query book one as the standalone agents want to see.
See the Pitch studio