A literary agent doesn't need a hundred pages of machine-generated praise. They need to know what the book is, who it is for, whether the writing works, and whether they can represent it. AI can help the writer prepare, but it does not replace an agent, human editorial judgment or a verified publishing history.
Start with the real submission requirements
Before editing another comma, open the target agency's official submission page. Record the accepted genre, language, required word count, attachments, chapter length and whether the agent is open to queries. A general list of literary agents is not a substitute for a specific agent's current instructions.
Build a factual manuscript sheet
Keep one current version of the manuscript. Record its real title, word count, genre, publication history, original language and any editions already sold. Do not label a previously self-published book unpublished. Clarify territory, language and format rights before promising an exclusive arrangement.
Run a whole-book critique before polishing lines
Review plot, motivation, pacing and continuity before asking an AI system to proofread. Fixing punctuation in a chapter you later delete wastes effort. The free EditRoast Full Manuscript Roast Skill provides a local, resumable chapter-by-chapter workflow that records citations. Its Python scripts do not send files to EditRoast; the AI agent you choose may transmit passages to its model provider.
Then proofread while preserving the authorial voice
Use a style sheet for character names, spelling variants and intentional dialogue patterns. The free Full Manuscript Proofreading Skill produces auditable recommendations rather than silently rewriting the DOCX. A polished manuscript still needs a human review before any formal professional claim.
Deliver a concise, honest package
- A short query letter describing the story rather than the software used.
- A complete synopsis that reveals the ending when requested.
- Sample pages in the precise format requested.
- A short factual author bio, comparable books selected with evidence, and previous publication details.
- A rights status statement that is accurate for each territory and edition.
AI-generated writing and submission rules
Rules differ. Bookouture's guidelines allow some AI-assisted grammar or style checks while prohibiting AI-generated creative manuscript content. Agents and publishers can set their own requirements. Keep records of what the author wrote and what tools were used.
For an author's personal experience of preparing a book for submission, read Nadi Petrova's literary-agent checklist. For an overview of direct publishers by genre, see her October 2026 comparison.