Even just twenty years ago, it was a rule almost everyone followed: do not send your work in August or December.
We simply assumed that publishing professionals were away from their desks. (Imagine that now, taking all of August off!) In an era of paper manuscripts (sometimes stacked high in manuscript boxes), and in some cases long, frequent, and expensive lunches, this made sense.
One really did leave work in the office, excepting perhaps a small rolling suitcase of manuscripts to read over break, and life was scheduled accordingly. While your work probably wouldn’t get lost if it arrived during this time, it was more likely to end up logged and then buried somewhere in the stacks of work to be read.
Now, however, with so many publishing professionals working remotely, the sense of time and rules has slowly shifted. It’s no longer “wrong” to send your work during the summer or winter holidays–but should you?
In our live panel with agent Nour Sallam, Caldwell Literary, we discuss the two camps–and why each side can make sense for your work.
Camp “Just Get in Line”
Send whenever your query is ready
Don’t overthink the timing
Set realistic expectations for response times
Remember: agents read queries year-round
Nour’s perspective: “I won’t necessarily get back to a query faster if it was sent to me in January than if it was sent to me in December. I’m really trying to go through things as quickly as I can always.”
Camp “Wait Until January”
Queries in inboxes over holidays accrue “wait time” without interest
Agents calculate: time in inbox + no other offers = potential concerns
Unlikely to hear back during December anyway
January brings refreshed agents with clearer goals
Jessica’s perspective: “That’s going to add weeks to the amount of time that it’s been in my inbox, and probably you’re not getting interest on it in that time.”
Why January Is Special
“The Happiest Month in Publishing”
Agents return from break refreshed
They have bandwidth for bigger, strategic thoughts
Clearer goals for their lists in the new year
It’s a “hungry” and “aligned” time
Agent “Yes Mode” When agents see something great, they’re more likely to:
Expect something great in the next query
See greatness due to confirmation bias
Request more manuscripts that day
This effect is especially strong in January when agents return excited and energized.
December Realities
Potential Benefits:
Agents clearing inboxes to zero = fast yes/no decisions
Less competition (some writers wait)
Get in the queue early
Potential Drawbacks:
Longer perceived wait time
Family time + client obligations reduce agent bandwidth
Risk of Christmas Day rejection (yes, it happens)
Darker season = harder emotionally
The Real Answer: Know Yourself
Choose December if:
Your query is truly ready NOW
You can handle potentially longer wait times
You want a fast yes/no decision
You’re emotionally prepared for holiday rejections
Choose January if:
You’ll obsess over edits during December
You want agents at their most refreshed
You prefer higher competition but more aligned timing
You’d rather avoid holiday emotional rollercoasters
Jessica’s Advice: “If you know yourself and you know you’re gonna be like, ‘Ugh, that comma, I really regret that comma,’ spend December editing. No one’s gonna say, ‘Oh no, it’s January. How could you.'”
Key Considerations
What Agents Consider:
How long has this been in my inbox?
Has anyone else made an offer?
What’s my bandwidth right now?
What are my current list goals?
What You Should Consider:
Is my query truly ready?
Can I handle the emotional weight of waiting?
What’s my submission strategy (10 at a time, targeted, etc.)?
Am I prepared for whatever timeline unfolds?
Bottom Line
There’s no objectively “wrong” time to query. Both December and January have advantages. The best choice depends on:
Your query’s readiness
Your emotional bandwidth
Your personal timeline
Your ability to manage expectations
Remember: Average submission quality in January tends to be higher, but agents are also more excited and ready to say yes. Choose the timing that serves both your manuscript and your mental health.
