When literary agent Lori Galvin decides to take a query from the slush pile, she doesn’t make that decision lightly.
Luckily, we have the inside track on three pieces of advice this top literary agent shares about how to write a thriller that agents actually want to represent you.
And she shares why most writers are focusing on the wrong elements in their submissions.
Takeaway #1: Atmosphere Beats Plot Every Time
The biggest misconception thriller writers have?
Believing that a compelling mystery or shocking twist is enough to capture an agent’s attention.
Lori Galvin’s approach to evaluating manuscripts reveals something far more nuanced.
She uses a few metaphors to help us better understand what literary agents are really looking for.
You’re like in a room, everything’s comfortable. It engages your senses, it smells great…You just wanna stay in that room.
When discussing what drew her to a recent client’s thriller, Galvin emphasized it wasn’t the missing person plot that hooked her. It was the vibe.
I was looking for the atmosphere…
This insight revolutionizes how to write a thriller that stands out in a saturated market.
Most thriller writers focus obsessively on plot mechanics
- the murder
- the mystery
- the reveal.
But Galvin’s approach suggests successful thriller writing prioritizes creating an immersive experience that makes readers want to inhabit your story, regardless of the specific crime or mystery driving the plot.
If you missed that episode, you can check HERE
Takeaway #2: Your Bio Section Is Make-or-Break Territory
Perhaps the most surprising writing tips from this conversation centered not on craft, but on credibility.
Galvin reveals that many writers completely underestimate the power of their author bio.
What writers could do and which what I see that they don’t do enough, and I wish they would, is include information in your bio that tells me that you are the right person to write this story…I really want to know that you are serious about your writing.
This isn’t about having prestigious publishing credits or an MFA.
Instead, agents often want evidence of commitment.
Things like writing communities and critique partners. It demonstrates that you understand the craft seriously.
This revelation reframes the entire querying process.
Remember, agents aren’t just evaluating your manuscript; they’re deciding if they want to invest time and energy into your career as an author.
Your bio needs to convince them you’re worth that investment!
Takeaway #3: Word Count Is Your First Impression
The most brutal truth Galvin shares about how to write a thriller that gets represented?
Your word count can kill your chances before an agent reads a single sentence of your actual story.
I also see a lot of word counts that are outside the norms…And that is like really tough for agents because especially sometimes people actually say in their letter, I know this is too long, but I need guidance on how to cut it.
This isn’t about agents being mean.
It’s about efficiency in an overwhelmed industry.
When agents receive hundreds of queries weekly, anything that signals a writer doesn’t understand current market expectations becomes an automatic elimination factor.
For thriller writing specifically, this means understanding what are the appropriate market length for what you’re writing.
The Agent’s Perspective: Why These Insights Matter
What makes Galvin’s writing tips particularly valuable is her emphasis on the business reality behind representation.
She’s not just looking for good writing.
She needs writers who understand the industry they’re trying to enter.
I appreciate it when I can tell when somebody has done their research
This research includes
presenting yourself as a serious professional rather than someone who just finished their first novel.
understanding appropriate word counts
crafting focused query letters
