How many agents should I query at once?

There's no legal limit — you can query as many literary agents as you like, and you should expect to query a lot before landing representation. But sending all of them on day one is a mistake. The writers who do best query in deliberate batches, learn from each round, and keep the pipeline full. Here's how to think about the numbers.

Query in batches of about 5 to 10

A common, sensible rhythm is to send your first 5 to 10 queries, wait for signal, then send the next batch. The reason is simple: your query letter and opening pages are unproven until real agents react to them. If you blast 60 queries with a weak hook, you've burned 60 of your best-fit agents with material you could have fixed. A small first batch is a cheap experiment that tells you whether to adjust before you scale up.

Read the signal between batches

Track the outcome of each batch and let it guide the next one:

• Requests coming in (agents asking for pages or the full manuscript): your query and pages are working — keep sending at the same pace.
• Only form rejections, no requests: your query letter is likely the problem. Revise the pitch before the next batch.
• Requests but no offers after several fulls: the manuscript itself may need work. Pause and consider feedback before querying out your remaining agents.

Keep enough queries in flight

Because responses can take weeks or months — and many agents simply never reply — you want a healthy number out at all times rather than waiting on a handful. Many writers aim to keep roughly 8 to 12 queries active, sending a fresh one each time a rejection comes back. Over a full campaign, querying 80 to 100 well-matched agents before exhausting your list is entirely normal, not a sign of failure.

The right number isn't a single figure — it's a cadence: small batches, real feedback, a steady pipeline, and clean records so you never double-query or lose track of who's still out.