How to Query Literary Agents for Business Books

Most business book queries get rejected in under 60 seconds. Not because the book idea is bad, but because the query letter didn't do its job.

If you're a business professional with expertise to share, you probably know how to write a compelling pitch. Querying literary agents isn't that different. You need to be clear about what you're offering, who it's for, and why you're the right person to deliver it.

Here's how to write a query that gets requests for your full manuscript.

What a Query Letter Actually Is

A query letter is a one-page pitch to a literary agent. You're answering four questions:

1. What is your book? (The concept in 2-3 sentences)

2. Who is it for? (Your specific target audience)

3. Why you? (Your credentials and platform)

4. What do you want? (You're seeking representation)

The format that works:

• Opening paragraph: Your hook and book concept

• Second paragraph: What the book covers and your approach

• Third paragraph: Target audience and market positioning

• Fourth paragraph: Your credentials and platform

• Closing: Professional sign-off with contact info

That's it. One page, straightforward.

Opening: Hook Them in Two Sentences

What doesn't work:"Have you ever wondered why some businesses succeed while others fail? In today's rapidly changing marketplace, the answers might surprise you."

This tells us nothing.

What works:"Most leadership books tell managers to 'build trust' without explaining how. Leading Without Authority provides a concrete framework for gaining influence when you don't control the org chart—a reality for 60 percent of today's managers."

The difference? The second version tells us what the book is about, who it's for, why it matters, and what makes it different.

The Middle: What's in This Book

Explain your book's content without listing every chapter or staying too abstract.

Too detailed: "Chapter one explores the neuroscience of decision-making through the lens of behavioral economics..."

Too abstract: "This book explores the intersection of leadership and innovation..."

What works:"Leading Without Authority addresses the core challenge of influencing decisions when you're not the boss. Through three frameworks—credibility mapping, coalition building, and strategic timing—readers learn how to drive initiatives forward without formal power. The book draws on my 15 years leading cross-functional teams at Google, where I shipped products by aligning stakeholders who didn't report to me."

This is specific, practical, and connected to real experience.

Market positioning:"Leading Without Authority is for mid-level managers, project leads, and individual contributors in tech and corporate environments who need to drive results across organizational boundaries. With 70% of workers now in matrixed organizations, this book addresses a gap in the leadership literature, which primarily focuses on formal authority."

Your Credentials: Why You

Business books live or die on author credibility. Show us:

• Genuine expertise in this area

• Access to your target audience

• Ability to help market the book

What doesn't work:"I've been passionate about leadership for many years and have read extensively on the topic."

What works:"I'm a Senior Product Manager at Google, where I've spent 15 years leading cross-functional teams. I speak regularly at ProductCon and write for Harvard Business Review, reaching 50,000+ professionals monthly. My LinkedIn following includes 25,000 mid-level managers—my exact target audience."

You don't need a million followers. But you do need to show you can reach the people who would buy your book.

Common Mistakes

Don't:

• Treat it like a VC pitch deck (no TAM, market size projections)

• Use academic writing style

• Bury your credentials in the last sentence

• Say "this book is for anyone interested in business"

• Tell us you're an expert—show us with specifics

Do:

• Lead with impressive credentials

• Be specific about your target audience

• Write like a human

• Show expertise through concrete examples

• Keep it to one page
  

Complete Example Query

Dear [Agent Name],

Most leadership books tell managers to "build trust" without explaining how. Leading Without Authority provides a concrete framework for gaining influence when you don't control the org chart—a reality for 60 percent of today's managers.

The book addresses the core challenge of influencing decisions when you're not the boss. Through three frameworks—credibility mapping, coalition building, and strategic timing—readers learn how to drive initiatives forward without formal power. The book draws on my 15 years leading cross-functional teams at Google, where I shipped products by aligning stakeholders who didn't report to me.

Leading Without Authority is for mid-level managers, project leads, and individual contributors in tech and corporate environments who need to drive results across organizational boundaries. With 70 percent of workers now in matrixed organizations, this book addresses a gap in the leadership literature, which primarily focuses on formal authority.

I'm a Senior Product Manager at Google, where I've spent 15 years leading cross-functional teams. I speak regularly at ProductCon and write for Harvard Business Review, reaching 50,000+ professionals monthly. My LinkedIn following includes 25,000 mid-level managers—my exact target audience. The manuscript is complete at 60,000 words.

I'm seeking representation for this project and would be happy to send the full proposal and sample chapters. Thank you for your consideration.

Best regards,[Your Name][Email][LinkedIn or Website]

What We're Looking For

At Write it Great, we represent business books that solve real problems for specific audiences. We're interested in:

• Leadership and management books by practitioners

• Technology books by people who've built things

• Business strategy from operators with track records

• Books about emerging business challenges

We're not looking for:

• Generic "success principles" books

• Get-rich-quick schemes

• Theory without practitioner experience

• LinkedIn posts stretched to 50,000 words

  
  

Ready to Submit?

Before you send your query, make sure you have:

✓ One-page query letter ✓ Complete book proposal (use our free template) ✓ 2-3 polished sample chapters ✓ Real credentials in your field ✓ Some way to reach your target audience

Submit to Write it Great: Send your query, proposal, and sample chapters to hello@writeitgreat.com