Don’t boast.
When I receive emails in which the author tells me how brilliant they are, I never believe it, I just assume they’re a bit mad.
Don’t prepare the ground.
Some authors send numerous emails checking submission requirements, asking unnecessary questions, presumably in the hope of building a relationship before the submission arrives. This is a waste of everyone’s time – I’ll either enjoy what I read or I won’t.
Make my life easier.
Send me something that closely resembles my submission guidelines, in a single file or email that’s clear, easy to open, neatly formatted, and logically structured.
Tell me a story.
I’m chiefly interested in who your main character is, when and where this story is set, and what challenges this character faces. I’m less interested in your influences as a writer, your criticisms of other writers in the genre, your career goals and so on. The one thing that will truly engage me is a good story.
Be receptive.
Attracting the interest of an agent is usually only the start of a process which may involve a great deal of editing, restructuring and rewriting. It’s natural to feel defensive about one’s work, but publishing is a collaborative process, and the shared aim is to produce the best book possible.
David Haviland is with the Andrew Lownie Literary Agency, where he works with all genres of fiction with a particular interest in crime, thrillers and adventure