Writing a quality book is hard work; finding the right publisher or agent is also hard, so be prepared for some setbacks. As a niche hybrid publisher, almost all of our authors come to Encourage Publishing through referral. I do feel an allegiance to my existing authors to give their referrals an elevated level of attention, but not an automatic acceptance. If they aren't a good fit I send them off with some helpful direction. If you know or meet an author whose audience is similar to yours, ask them about their publisher and their experience, what they wish were different, what they loved. If you are a good match, ask for their publisher's contact information. If they used an agent, follow this same line of inquiry. Before you reach out to either, thoroughly check their website. Review their books and authors online. Read the information they provide on their mission, process, requirements, and submission criteria, as well as what genres they are receiving. Respect their time. If you are not a good fit, keep looking. If they accept anything and everything, this may be a red flag. If their catalog doesn't align with your audience or values or the website is poorly managed, pay attention. If you use a shotgun approach, sending your manuscript to everyone without doing your own due diligence, beware. A percentage of those who do respond may very well be predatory. Don't expect a publisher or agent to spend a great deal of time repeating information by phone or email that is available, perhaps even on their own website. They will think, if you are too busy to put the effort into educating yourself, you will also be too busy to do the hard work it takes to get a quality book published and then market it well. Every publisher has a limited number of books they can publish and support every year and a virtually unlimited number of submissions. Don't give them a reason to say no before they even look at your book. Two more don'ts: Don't give up, and don't make excuses for why your book wasn't picked up. Take any feedback you get with open hands and improve your writing, your book, your approach, your platform - then try again. Timing is everything.
If you have a good book; finding an agent or publisher is about persevering. Pirsig received 121 rejections for his book Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance before it was accepted for publication. It came to be featured on best-seller lists for decades selling millions worldwide. Every literary agency or publishing house has its own submissions criteria and so it's important to adhere to guidelines, and then engage them with an outstanding cover letter. Pitching your project to the industry in the most professional way you can, will increase the chance of the project being considered. An agent is looking to be contacted by a writing professional who is taking things seriously. So, in summary, be professional and persevere.