by Writing Workshops Staff
A week ago
Every writer dreams of the call. You know the one—where a literary agent tells you they stayed up all night reading your manuscript and they need to represent you. But bridging the gap between a finished draft and a signed contract is often the most confusing part of the publishing journey.
In a recent seminar with WritingWorkshops.com, Mark Gottlieb, Executive Vice President and Literary Agent at the prestigious Trident Media Group in New York City, pulled back the curtain on exactly what agents are looking for. With over 350 book deals to his name, Mark knows exactly why some submissions rise to the top of the slush pile while others get deleted.
If you are ready to stop guessing and start submitting, here is your insider guide to mastering the submission process.
1. Know What You Are Selling (Manuscript vs. Proposal)
Before you send a single email, you must know what your genre demands. Agents expect specific materials depending on what you are writing, and getting this wrong is an immediate red flag.
-
Fiction: Fiction is always sold on a full manuscript. You cannot pitch an agent with a great idea and 50 pages; you must have the conviction to write the whole thing before you query.
-
Non-Fiction: This is idea-driven. Non-fiction is sold on a book proposal and 1 to 2 sample chapters. You do not need the full book written, but you do need a rock-solid platform.
-
Memoir: The tricky exception. Because memoir is narrative-driven like fiction, but true like non-fiction, it requires both a full manuscript AND a book proposal.
2. The "Bells and Whistles" Matter
Great writing is the baseline, but agents are looking for what Mark Gottlieb calls the "bells and whistles"—the elements that make a book easier to sell to a publisher.
For fiction writers, this includes attending prestigious workshops, conferences, or having previous publications in literary journals. For non-fiction, it is all about your platform.
"Platform doesn't simply have to mean this person has a million social media followers. It could mean... they have a big newsletter subscriber base, they have a lot of people who visit their website, or they do speaking events." — Mark Gottlieb
3. Anatomy of the Perfect Query Letter
Many writers agonize over the query letter, trying to be too creative or overly flattering. Mark advises keeping it simple. A query letter is a form, and working within that framework is freeing.
A winning query letter should fit on one page and flow logically:
-
The Intro: "I am seeking representation for my debut novel titled [Name]."
-
The Hook: A one-sentence elevator pitch of what your book is about.
-
The Comps: (More on this below).
-
The Body: A few paragraphs laying out the exciting plot details without giving away spoilers.
-
The Bio: Relevant writing credentials or a short, interesting fact about yourself.
Pro Tip: Don't waste space trying to fluff the agent's ego. You don't need to say "I'm querying you because you represent X." The author is the star of the show, not the agent.
4. Cracking the "Comps" Code
One of the most common questions agents receive is about "Comps" (Comparative Titles). Picking the wrong comps can sink your chances. Do not compare your debut novel to a classic like The Great Gatsby or Pride and Prejudice.
Why? Because publishers use comps to run a "Profit and Loss" (P&L) statement to determine your advance. They need relevant sales data.
The Golden Rule for Comps: A good comp is a major best-selling book published within the last 5 years in your genre. This gives publishers the data they need to see your book as a potential success.
5. Be Data-Driven, Not "Google-Driven"
Stop using random internet searches to find agents. Mark recommends using Publishers Marketplace, which acts as the "IMDB of book publishing".
You can look up "Deal Makers" to see which agents are actually selling books in your genre. If an agent claims to be an expert in Thrillers, check their record. Are they doing six-figure deals?. This research ensures you are querying active, successful agents rather than someone who just put up a website yesterday.
6. The Secret Ingredient: Grit
Finally, the most important tool in your arsenal isn't your query letter or your bio—it's grit.
Mark openly admits that agents—even top-tier ones—are often wrong. He rejected a graphic novel, which went on to become a New York Times Bestseller.
"If you keep asking yourself, 'What are all the things I could do wrong?', you're just gonna upset yourself... Focus on the few things you can do right." — Mark Gottlieb
Rejection is part of the process. Even career authors face it. The difference between published authors and aspiring ones is often just the refusal to quit.
Ready to polish your submission package? Sign up for our next Mastering the Submissions Process with Mark Gottlieb Seminar to see actual examples of winning query letters, successful book proposals, and a deep dive into how to build your submission list.
