The Ultimate Guide to QueryTracker & Agent Research

If you are querying a book and you are not using QueryTracker, you are flying blind.

QueryTracker is a massive, free database of nearly every legitimate literary agent in the world. It is the command center for your entire submission strategy.

Filtering for Your Genre

Do not pitch a shotgun blast. You must use the search filters to narrow down the list to agents who actively represent your specific age category (e.g., Young Adult, Adult, Middle Grade) and your specific genre (e.g., Urban Fantasy, Upmarket Thriller).

If you have an 80,000-word adult horror novel, QueryTracker will instantly give you a list of the exact 150 agents who represent that.

Reading the Agent's Data Profile

This is where QueryTracker becomes a superpower. When you click on an agent's profile, look at their statistics:

• Are they open to queries? If the status says "Closed," do not email them. They will delete it unread. Wait for them to reopen.
• What is their reply rate? QueryTracker shows you how often an agent actually responds. If an agent has a 5% reply rate, it means they are a "no response means no" agent. Don't expect a polite rejection email.
• What is their average response time? Some agents reply in 48 hours. Some take six months. Knowing this data stops you from losing your mind while waiting for an email.

QueryTracker tells you what an agent represents. Manuscript Wish List (MSWL) tells you exactly what they are craving right now.

MSWL (both the official website and the #MSWL hashtag on Twitter/X) is where agents post highly specific requests.

• A generic QueryTracker profile says: "Seeking Sci-Fi and Fantasy."
• An MSWL post says: "I am dying for a sci-fi heist novel set in a solar-punk universe with a grumpy/sunshine romance dynamic."

If your book matches an MSWL tweet, you have struck gold. You can start your query letter by saying, "Dear [Agent], I am querying you because I saw on MSWL you are looking for a solar-punk heist..."

This proves you did your homework. It proves you aren't just spamming a mailing list.

This is the most critical step. Before you add an agent to your list, you have to verify they are actually legitimate.

Just because someone has a nice website and calls themselves a "Literary Agent" does not mean they have the connections to sell your book to Penguin Random House.

1. Writer Beware (The Ultimate Shield)

For years, authors used a site called Preditors & Editors to check for scams, but that site is now largely defunct. Today, your absolute best defense is Writer Beware, run by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA).

Writer Beware tracks every scam, vanity press, and shady literary agency in the business.

• The Golden Rule: Legitimate literary agents never charge a reading fee. They never charge you an upfront fee to edit your book. Money always flows to the author. Agents only make money by taking a 15% commission after they sell your book to a publisher. If an agent asks you for a credit card, run.

2. Publisher's Marketplace (The Proof)

If an agent passes the Writer Beware check, you need to check their sales record.

Publisher's Marketplace is the industry's official ledger. It costs a monthly subscription fee, but it is worth it for one month while you build your list.

Search the agent's name. You want to see that they have made recent deals (within the last 12-18 months) to legitimate, recognized publishers. If an agent has been working for five years and has zero listed sales, they are a "Schmagent." They cannot help your career.

Do not query 100 agents on the same day.

If your query letter is weak, or if your manuscript's opening chapter is boring, you will get 100 rejections and burn through your entire list of potential agents.

Instead, build a spreadsheet in QueryTracker and divide your agents into three tiers.

The "A" List (Your Dream Agents)

These are the heavy hitters. They represent your favorite authors, they are specifically asking for your trope on MSWL, and they have stellar sales records. (Pick 15 agents).

The "B" List (Great Fits)

They represent your genre, they work at reputable agencies, but maybe they are newer agents building their client list. (Pick 20 agents).

The "C" List (The Backup Plan)

Reputable agents who accept your genre, but they aren't a perfect match for your specific sub-genre. (Pick 20 agents).

The Execution: Query in batches of 10. Mix a few "A" list agents and a few "B" list agents. Wait for the responses.

• If you get 10 form rejections and zero requests for the manuscript, stop querying. Your query letter or your opening pages are broken. Fix them before you query the next batch.
• If you get manuscript requests, your package is working. Send out the next batch of 10.

Once your queries are out in the wild, QueryTracker becomes your sanity anchor.

Instead of refreshing your email every five minutes, you can log into QueryTracker and look at the user comments on an agent's profile.

You can literally see other writers posting, "Sent my thriller on Oct 1st. Received a form rejection today, Nov 15th."

This crowd-sourced data allows you to track exactly where the agent is in their inbox. If they are currently rejecting queries sent in August, and you sent yours in November, you know you can safely ignore your inbox for another three months.

Getting a literary agent is a numbers game, but it is a highly targeted numbers game.

Do not trust a fancy website. Do not skip the vetting process. Use QueryTracker to find the data, use MSWL to find the emotional hook, use Writer Beware to protect your wallet, and use Publisher's Marketplace to verify the sales.

Treat your manuscript like the valuable asset it is. Build your list, batch your submissions, and let the data tell you when it's time to revise.