So you’ve found a few literary agents who might be a fit. Now comes the tricky part—making contact without making waves. Because while agents want to discover new talent, they also want to work with authors who understand the unspoken rules of the game—the literary agent dos and don’ts.

Let’s start with the don’ts, since they’re often the difference between an agent’s “maybe” and a fast pass to the rejection pile:

• Don’t send mass emails. Agents can spot a copy-and-paste query from space. Address each one by name, and customize your letter for that agent’s specific interests. “Dear Agent” screams “Dear Everyone.”
• Don’t pitch before you’re ready. That means your manuscript is finished, polished, and proofread. Querying a half-done draft is like inviting a guest to dinner while the turkey’s still frozen. You can bet the agent won’t even remember you once you’re ready to finally get him your manuscript.
• Don’t argue with rejection. Ever. If an agent passes, accept it gracefully and move on. Replying with a rebuttal email won’t win them over, but it will earn you a mental note in their “no thanks” folder.
• Don’t go rogue. If you’re querying multiple agents (which you should), don’t mention that you’re “in talks” unless you truly are. When you do get an offer, notify others professionally and promptly.

Now for a few dos:

• Read and follow each agent’s submission guidelines. If they only want to see your first 15 pages, that’s what you send.
• Personalize your query with why you chose them. If you’ve reached out because you like the books they’ve been involved with or heard the agent talk at a conference or book fair, say that.
• Act like a collaborator, not a diva. Publishing is teamwork. And let’s face it. You need the agent to be on your side.
• Keep querying if the first round doesn’t pan out.

Agents aren’t gatekeepers; they’re business partners. They’re looking for writers who are talented and professional—people who make their jobs easier, not harder.

If you treat agents with respect, patience, and a dash of empathy, you’ll stand out—and not for the wrong reasons. Remember: publishing is a small world. Word travels fast. Make sure yours is good.