What questions should you ask a potential agent?
- Six core question areas: vision, submission plan, communication, sub rights, departures, client references.
- Most agents expect these questions — being asked confirms you’re serious.
- Plan a 30-60 minute conversation.
- Ask to speak with 1-2 current clients before signing.
- A bad answer in any area is a real signal — don’t ignore it.
When considering signing with an agent, ask about their vision for your book, their submission plan to editors, their client communication style, how they handle subsidiary rights (foreign, audio, film), what happens if they leave the agency, and to speak with one to two current clients. The questions reveal fit; the answers reveal whether the partnership will work.
Chapter i·Why it matters
The agent-author relationship is the most important business relationship in a writing career. Many querying writers sign with the first agent who offers without diligence — and regret it. The questions take a 30-60 minute call but produce information that determines years of your career.
Chapter ii·What to include
- Vision: what do you see this book becoming?
- Submission plan: which editors? What’s your timeline?
- Communication: how often will we talk? What channels?
- Subsidiary rights: how do you handle foreign, audio, film?
- Departures: what happens if you leave the agency?
- Client references: can I speak with 1-2 current clients?
Chapter iii·Example
A debut writer with an offer asks the agent all six questions in a 50-minute call. The agent’s vision matches; the submission plan names six editors at major imprints; communication style is biweekly; sub-rights handled by the agency’s co-agent network. The two client references confirm the agent is responsive and effective. She signs.
Chapter iv·Related questions
WriteLoom’s Pitch studio holds your offer-evaluation notes alongside the submission history — so the decision is grounded in data.
See the Pitch studio