I mentioned recently about switching tactics and approaching literary agents with an initial query letter rather than a package of letter, synopsis, and sample chapters (based on each agent’s preference). 

Some agents make it known that they will respond within a few days, to query letters. My experience so far has been just that. Two approaches (both returning negative), promoted responses within 72 hours. The first wanted to explore the idea a little further, while the other responded promptly with a pass.

Compare this to the 6-8 weeks of waiting for a response when sending a full package. 

Is a query letter enough?

I do not know any literary agents personally, and can only go by advice I have received from reputable sources, but it seems to me that if I am unable to hook someone in with a brief summary of the work, there’s no way they are going to spend even more time reading an mss.

For now, query letters – which are tough to write, I have to say – will be the way forward unless a particular agent explicitly requests more.

Perhaps if you really do have the next Pulitzer Prize novel, then a query letter might not do the piece justice. But really, as a writer, if I cannot write a letter that grabs an agent’s interest about a project within which lies my future, then I need to give up and go sweep the roads.