A request for literary representation and a request for a manuscript edit answer different questions. The first asks whether an agent is interested in representing a work. The second describes a defined professional service. Combining them into one generic gig can confuse expectations about fees, deliverables and what happens next.

PocketAuthor's literary-agent request template helps you prepare your enquiry beside your book. It is a preparation record, not a submission to an agency, a representation agreement or a promise of publication. Always check the intended agency's own current submission instructions before sending material.

Explain the book's readiness

Start with genre, intended readership and approximate length. State whether the manuscript is complete, under revision or represented by a nonfiction proposal. Include the working title and a concise description of its central story or argument. Avoid substituting a list of possible spin-offs for an explanation of the book itself.

For example, “a memoir about changing careers” is a starting point. “A completed memoir following a community pharmacist's transition into rural public-health work, centred on three difficult decisions” tells the reader more about the narrative. This is an invented example, not a recommendation to disclose identifiable patient information.

Prepare a materials inventory

• Query letter and short description.
• Synopsis or proposal, where requested by the agency.
• Sample chapters in the requested format.
• Comparable titles and a specific explanation of the comparison.
• Submission history and any existing representation.
• Rights and territories available for discussion.

An inventory helps you locate the right version without attaching everything to every enquiry. The agency's requirements determine what you send. A request template should not override a page limit, accepted genre or closed submission window.

Keep representation and paid services distinct

The Association of American Literary Agents' Canon of Ethics effective September 2026 prohibits its members from charging reading fees to evaluate work for possible representation. It also distinguishes paid non-client services from representation and restricts arrangements that imply payment purchases representation. These are AALA member standards, not a claim about every agency or jurisdiction.

For that reason, PocketAuthor's representation template does not use a paid reading budget or a coauthor royalty allocation. Describe proposed agency terms separately and review any agreement carefully. If you want a developmental edit, prepare an editing request with its own scope and deliverables instead.

Record context without creating automatic access

Your book workspace is a useful place to record which manuscript version a query describes, what has been submitted and which questions remain open. A stale synopsis can create avoidable confusion when a project changes substantially between enquiries.

Use the literary-agent role guide to review responsibilities and access boundaries. Then prepare a representation enquiry linked to the relevant book. Replace the prompts with project facts and review sensitive material before sharing it elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the request send a query to an agency?

No. It saves a private preparation brief. You still need to follow the agency's submission route. An invitation record is not evidence that an agent has read or accepted your work.

Should I enter an agency commission as a royalty share?

No. A representation commission and a collaborator's share of author royalties are different arrangements. This template leaves project compensation at zero and keeps representation terms for a separate discussion.

Can I also hire an editor?

Yes, as a separate engagement with clear scope. Buying editorial work should not be presented as securing representation. Seek appropriate independent advice when reviewing consequential terms.