How to Query Agents Mid-Contract

So. You've found yourself in need of a new agent -- either because you decided to leave your current agent (check out this previous issue of Real Talk for Writers for details on when, why, and how to do that) or your agent has retired/left the industry. 

Except... you're in the middle of a book contract. You don't have a new full manuscript to query! You don't even know when you'll have time to write something else in between editing book 1 and drafting book 2! And what about your option? Who's going to sell that for you?

Besides, you don't want to go too long without an agent in your corner to advocate for you. What if you get a cover design that's awful? What if you need a deadline extension?

What are you supposed to do???

Deep breath, friend. It's going to be okay.

The query rules are different now that you've sold a book to a traditional publisher. You don't need a brand new (unsold) full manuscript this time.

So, let's take a look at what querying looks like for authors who are in the middle of a book deal and don't have their next full (unsold) manuscript to query.

The Intro Paragraph

When you send your query, you want to make it clear right away that you're a published (or about-to-be-published) author as soon as you can. It's also helpful to explain - briefly and professionally - why you're seeking new representation. 

Example 1:

Dear [Agent's Name],

I am seeking new representation after amicably parting ways with my previous agent, [Name at Agency]. I’m the author of BOOK TITLE (pub year), BOOK TITLE (pub year), and the forthcoming BOOK TITLE (pub year) all of which are published through [Imprint at Publisher]. 

Example 2:

Dear [Agent's Name],

I am seeking new representation after my previous agent, [Name at Agency], left the industry. My debut [genre] novel, BOOK TITLE, is due out from [Publisher] on DATE, and I'm currently working on the proposal for my option.

Example 3 (with a focus on what you're looking for in an agent):

Dear [Agent's Name],

After an amicable split with my agent, I am seeking new representation with someone who absolutely loves [genre], has a great reputation among her clients, and feels strongly about building an author's career over the long-term [adjust to whatever your top qualities are]. As I know you fit all those things, I hope you'll consider representing me for my [genre] [option / never-before-subbed novel / etc.], BOOK TITLE.

Example 4: 

I am seeking new representation while under contract with [Imprint] for [number] [genre] novel(s) after parting ways with my previous agent. 

I just finished line edits on my debut, TITLE, about [brief pitch]. That book is currently scheduled to release in [Season 20XX] with a [sequel/separate standalone/etc] due out the following year. [Imprint] has an option for my next [whatever is in your option clause]. 

Don't worry about getting too much into the weeds at this point.

You don't have to explain what went wrong with your previous agent or anything like that. This is a totally normal thing that happens in our industry -- we just don't talk about it all that much. Agents won't think this is weird. They get it.
 

Contractual Obligations & Next Book Plans

Next up, you want to give the agent a sense of what's going on in your career contractually and what you have coming up next. This can also be where you let them know what kind of materials you have to share with them. 

Example 1 (when you're mid-contract and don't have anything new in shareable quality yet): 

While I do not have a full manuscript to query with, I sold BOOK TITLE on proposal and have a positive relationship with my publisher. Since I'm in the middle of this contract, I haven't started drafting my option proposal yet, but I have three [genre] ideas that I'm considering. I've pasted the pitches for each below.

I have also included the pitch and first [X pages/chapters] of BOOK TITLE [whatever your most recent or next release is] per your submission guidelines. I'm happy to send along the full manuscript at your request. 

Additionally, while my previous agent will retain translation rights for all my previously published work, she has agreed in writing that my next agent can take over all other sub rights (including film/tv). 

Example 2 (when you have a completed proposal for your option):

BOOK TITLE is the final book on my current contract with [Imprint], and they have an option for my next [specific to your option clause]. I have written a proposal for my next novel, about [short 1-line pitch/logline]. I've included the full pitch and first X [pages/chapters] per your submission guidelines below. The entire proposal is available at your request.

Example 3 (you don't plan to stay with your current publisher or you're planning a genre/age category jump): 

BOOK TITLE (due out [date from imprint]) is the final book on my current contract, and while they have an option for my next [specific to your option clause], I'm interested in making a pivot to [genre], which falls outside that clause.

I currently have a detailed proposal written for NEW BOOK TITLE, about [short 1-line pitch/logline]. I've included the full pitch and the first X [pages/chapters] per your submission guidelines below. This project has never been submitted before. 

Like in example 1, for both 2 and 3, it's useful to share any general details you have about available subrights. You can save the specifics of where the book was submitted for translation (if your agent is giving up those rights) for when an offer is actually made.

In many cases, your new agent can also help you track down that info with your previous agent (assuming they're still in the industry). 

Manuscript Materials to Share

Unless what you plan to write next is a major departure from your past work (in which case I'd recommend you have at least a detailed proposal for that new thing), you can offer to share the PDF of your most recent finished book as the thing you send to agents considering your work.

When I last queried, it was about a month after The Coldest Touch hit shelves, so that's the book I sent to agents I queried. At the time, I was working on the second book in that contract, but it was still a hot mess, so it wasn't something that made sense to share. 

I also included short query-style pitches for the three ideas I had in mind for my next option to give agents a sense of where I wanted to go next creatively. 

It's fine if you don't have those things set in stone. Once I signed with my current agent, all sorts of goofy things happened in my career (including the book I'd been writing getting canceled - you can learn more about that on this podcast episode), and I ended up coming up with totally new ideas for my next projects instead. 

The goal here is to provide something to give the agent a sense of your voice/style and an idea of the kinds of stories you want to tell next.

If you have plans to publish in multiple age categories or genres, it's a good idea to mention that in your query. 

For example: While I enjoy publishing in the [genre] space, I’m also open to expanding into other categories in the future. 

Or: In addition to writing [age/genre], I am also eager to expand into [other age/genre] in the near future.

A Note about Your Subject Line

Fair or not, already having a book deal with a trad publisher can massively speed up your query timeline. 

The easiest way to tap into this is to make it clear from the subject line that you already have a book deal.

This could look like:

Seeking New Representation for [Imprint] Deal

[Imprint] Option: Seeking New Representation 

And while I've never used Query Manager (that became popular after the last time I was querying), I have seen advice to put "[Imprint] Deal/Option" in the referral area, but I can't speak to how useful/effective that is since I've never done it myself.
 

Final Thoughts

I do want to be clear that this isn't a formal or "perfect" query set-up. I've never seen an agent share explicitly what they want from authors at this stage -- which, fair. I'm sure if they posted this publicly somewhere, new writers could get confused and it might overwhelm their already full query inboxes. 

This set-up has been successful for me and the half-dozen or so authors I've shared this template with in 2025 alone.

Needing to switch agents after your debut deal (or even further into your career) is so much more common than you might think. You're truly not alone. Agents know this is a thing. They won't think anything is wrong with you. 

You've got this.

Happy writing,
Isabel 

PS - I currently have 3 spaces open for new private clients. Click here to learn more and schedule your free enrollment call. 

PPS - Don't miss a single issue of Real Talk for Writers. CLICK HERE to sign up for the Real Talk newsletter. You'll receive an email every other Monday morning with the newest issue plus notifications about upcoming workshops.