I get many questions on how I got my agent, or how to approach agents with a work that's already on Wattpad, so I thought I'd put a post together for you.

How to Query an agent with a story that's been on Wattpad (or elsewhere online).

Step One: Make sure your manuscript/story is finished and polished.

DO NOT RUSH THIS PART. You have one chance to interest an agent. If you send through typos or sloppy writing you blow your chance. My rule of thumb is to have at least 3 CP's (critique partners) read through your manuscript before you even think of sending it.

I know it can be hard to hear critiques or make changes to your story. Take the feedback of your CP's and weigh it against your story and what you're trying to accomplish. Ask yourself, "Does this suggestion strengthen my story/character/plot? Does it align with my vision for the story? Does it fix a problem or plot hole?" If so, make the change. If all of your CP's are suggesting the same thing, strongly consider making the change.

*Choosing CP's: A CP should not be a friend or family member. They should be someone equally as serious and dedicated to getting an agent and book deal as you. You can find CP's on twitter under hashtags like #CPMatch or by googling: "find critique partner" (many sites will come up). Find CP's with all sorts of tastes and genres for a more diverse range of feedback.

*Consider hiring a sensitivity reader. Sensitivity reader's make sure you are appropriately representing characters of diversity in your story. The cost of working with a sensitivity reader can vary. For more info, check out: writeinthemargins.org/sensitivity-readers/ 

Step Two: Write Your Query Letter.

Don't know how to write a Query letter? Sign up for THE ARROW (my newsletter) to receive a free copy of my Query Letter 101 booklet complete with Query letter samples and breakdowns.

*How to claim your copy: After you sign up for The Arrow, leave a message or send me a DM with your email address and let me know you've signed up and I will forward you a PDF copy of the booklet.

**Link to sign up is in my profile and I will also leave a link in the comments below and in the external link button in this chapter.

Step 2.5: Customize your query to reflect your Wattpad experience.

It is important to make agents aware that your story is/was posted on Wattpad. Some agents do not like working with stories that have been posted in full online, whereas others are not bothered by it.

Consider opening your query as follows:

"Dear Ms/Mr. Agent,

Thank you for considering (STORY), a (STORY DETAILS, eg. A YA Fantasy Retelling of The Little Mermaid) this is an extensively revised version of my popular (STORY NAME) on Wattpad and it is complete at (WORD COUNT) words."

Opening a query like this will automatically tell agents that your work is on Wattpad. This will filter out any agents who are not interested in working with Wattpad authors and saves them the time of having to read your whole query before learning this.

If an agent was curious enough to read your query after learning it is on Wattpad, then they will want to know that having your work posted on Wattpad will benefit, not hinder sales.

Add Wattpad stats to your query:

"The Love Curse has been read over ten million times and was recently named 'Top 3 Romances on Wattpad' by RT magazine."

This shows agents that there is a market for your work. If you do not have a high read count, consider finding other stats: "Won a Watty in 2017... consistently ranks in the Fantasy category... was featured in X article." Find something that shows agents having your work available to readers has helped grow the marketability of your story and proven readership.

Step Three: Research Agents.

Look at Wattpad authors with book deals and find out what agency they are repped by. This agency is already familiar with Wattpad authors and knows how to sell works that have been posted on the site. Read through the agents at those agencies and find the one that is your best match: They're looking for a work like yours. They have skillsets you need, eg: they're editorial, highly communicative, etc.

Look at books similar to yours and find out what agency that author is repped by and as above, research the agents at that agency. It is okay to query an agent from an agency that has never worked with Wattpad authors.

Search #MSWishlist on twitter to see if there are agents actively looking for manuscripts like yours.

Now that you have your list of agents, it's time to query!

Step Four: Ask Questions.

If an agent is interested (Congrats!) be sure to ask them questions:

Do they want you to take your story off Wattpad, or will they let you keep it on? Is either of those a deal breaker for you?

What is their strategy for submitting a story that's posted on Wattpad to publishers?

There's a lot of other good info out there on what to ask prospective agents. One of my favorite resources is from literary agent Jim McCarthy. Search google for, "Jim Suggests questions to ask a prospective agent!"

I hope this post helps you on your journey from Wattpad author to querying author. If you have any questions, please let me know! 

xoRebecca

Twitter: RebeccaSky 

Instagram|Facebook: TheRebeccaSky

ARROWHEART, book one of The Love Curse series (my novel that started on Wattpad)and HEARTSTRUCK the sequel are in stores now!