SHOULD YOU (or how can you) GET A REFERRAL?

When I query a picture book using a Query Manager form, sometimes there's a section that asks: "If this query is a referral, who referred you?"

I had always left this blank.  I never even considered getting a referral.  But when an agent I'd been wanting to submit to opened her inbox, I began to think about what could happen IF I had a referral.  

Most writers know that a referral can open doors by making a quick introduction to an agent.  

I racked my brains trying to think of who could write me a referral and when I was about to give up, my husband suggested that I contact my former agent.  Mel and I parted amicably when she left agenting to start a publishing company.  I reached out to her politely and she wrote back that she'd be happy to send a referral.  But, she was so swapped with submissions that she asked me to write a draft that she could edit and then send.

I had no idea how to do this.  

So, I searched online and found some basic referral templates.  I discovered the letter should have a greeting and introduction, the writer's qualifications and the relationship to the referrer, and the contact information.  

For my referral letter, the greeting was a simple polite "I hope you're having a great day."  This was followed by a line which explained my connection to Mel.  The second paragraph listed my strongest working traits and accomplishments.  The last paragraph closed with a thank you and Mel's contact information.

All was going well.  The letter looked great and Mel approved it, edited it and sent it to the agent.  Within four days, the agent replied to both me and Mel.  I was surprised to hear back so fast since the general response time is about three months. And though she replied quickly, the news wasn't so great.  The agent appreciated the referral but said that her agency was not open to picture books.

I felt embarrassed and foolish to have asked Mel for a referral.  So, I looked at the agent's guidelines again and confirmed the wording: no picture books would be considered without an industry referral.  Okay, that's exactly what I did.  I sent a referral.

I don't feel awful about this rejection.  Seeing how this all played out made me wonder if this agent was on top of things.  I have my doubts that we would have made a good team.  However, I learned about writing referrals and the benefits of having one.  In this case, it sped up an agent's response time. 

If you're submitting to an agent who uses Query Manager, there may be a section about a referral.  Give this section some serious thought.  Think about who could write you a referral: an editor, a publisher, or a published writer.  Be sure this contact is someone you've worked with and is familiar with your writing.  Ask them politely if they would write you a referral.  

There are a gazillion writers trying to get representation.  Having a referral is like having a golden ticket.  It can set you apart and give you an amazing opportunity.  I know because I've seen how it works.  A referral can speed up the process, introduce you to an agent, and give you the edge on the competition.  So, give it some consideration.  Who do you know who can write you a referral?  

✌ and ♥

At Indeed, you can see some templates for referral letters: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/letters-of-referral