Easily Find Agents and Publishers

Post by Arielle Haughee

Easily Find Agents and Publishers with Manuscript Wish List

A question we get frequently is, how can I find an agent/publisher for my book? There is an awesome *free* tool to help you not only find agents and editors, but learn the specifics of what they like and how to query them. This magical gadget is called Manuscript Wish List, and yes, it is completely free. No subscription required. Manuscript Wish List, or MSWL, acts as a search engine for agents and editors. Your quest has never been easier!

How To Use Manuscript Wish List

There are two ways to go about finding industry professionals on the site. The first and most basic way is to head over to the search box on the front page and type in whatever applies to your search, such as a genre, agency, agent name, publishing house, and so on. I typed in “picture book” and received a variety of results, including agent/editor names and resources.
If I wanted just a list of agents who are looking for picture books, I can do a Genre/Name search. This feature is under the tab titled “Find Agents + Editors.” See below.

After I make my selection and press search, a list of fifty-six agent profiles appears underneath the search area. I can click on any name to learn more about the agent and see how to query them.

Agent/Editor Profiles

The agent and editor profiles on Manuscript Wish List are a true gold mine. Not only do they tell you what genres the agent represents, but also go into detail about what specifically they are looking for, as well as what the person does not want. This helps you save time on someone who wouldn’t be interested in your work. One of my favorite parts is a sidebar with their favorite books, so you can get real insight into their literary tastes. And of course, every profile includes how to submit to the agent/editor, including links.
Take a look at Claire Draper’s MSWL profile. She is one of the agents who will be featured at the remote conference in October. She has specifics such as, “I want the next fairy tale picture book retelling but the main characters are disabled.” It’s also helpful to know what she does not want: “Don’t send me books with suicide ideation, eating disorders, or sexual assault.” After reading the profile, you get fantastic information that will help you decide if this person would be a good fit for your work and your career.

Manuscript Wish List on Twitter

Manuscript Wish List also has a huge presence on Twitter. Agents and editors use the hashtag #MSWL in tweets when they say what they are currently looking for in their query box. You can search the hashtag and find up-to-date information with specifics. I recommend following your favorite agents on Twitter if you don’t already, since that platform in particular is a place where industry professionals go to share news and updates.
For example, see these tweets from agent Jessica Felleman at the Jennifer Lyons Agency:

Don’t Skip Their Blog!

Manuscript Wish List has a fantastic blog with a wide variety of information about the industry. From writing craft to submissions to workshops, there is a wealth of knowledge to dive into. Their most recent post, “Writing a Manuscript that Gets and Keeps Everyone’s Attention” with agent Linda Camacho links to a podcast where you can listen to the agent discuss what makes a manuscript stand out. Get information straight from the source!
 
As you can see, Manuscript Wish List is a wonderful tool to easily find the exact agents and editors who may be interested in your work. It’s a huge time saver with everything all in one place. You don’t have to Google for hours! I like to create a spreadsheet with names and turn-around times as I am working on my search. Then I mark the date when I query and if/when I hear back. It makes the querying process more organized. Best of luck in your querying and have fun learning more about industry folks on MSWL!

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Arielle Haughee (Hoy) is a seven-time RPLA-winning author, editor, speaker, and publisher. She is the owner of the small press Orange Blossom Publishing and was previously the Executive Vice President and Marketing Chair for the Florida Writers Association. She was honored with the President’s Award from FWA in 2020, and in 2021 Pling’s Party was awarded Children’s Book of the Year. She is also the recipient of a Purple Dragonfly Award for Piper and a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award for Sixth Sunday. ​

She has a serious reading addiction, fantasy romance her absolute favorite, and loves nothing more than good conversation paired with a good wine. She is surrounded by males at home—a husband, two sons, and an energetic dog—and tries to integrate as much purple and flowers in the house as possible.