Querying a novel is challenging. It takes a considerable amount of courage, determination, thick skin and, most importantly of all, research. Don’t waste your time or disappointment by sending your novel out to agents who aren’t in the slightest bit interested in what you’re writing. It’s so vital to choose agents that are a great match for your work. But how do you know? Here’s some questions to answer before you hit ‘send’ on your query.

Is the agent taking on new writers?
This is the first thing to consider. It’s not uncommon for agents to close their list, either because it’s a particularly busy time, or because they have a number of authors to focus on already. Most agents will say on their website if they are closed to submissions, and if they are – don’t bother! Bookmark their page and check back, as they will likely open their…