How Long Does It Usually Take When Looking For A Book Agent?

I have a friend who just signed with an agent after two years of trying. Her biggest mistake early on was querying in batches. She'd send out 10 queries, get 10 rejections, and be devastated. The successful strategy was to send queries in small, staggered waves—like 5-7 at a time. After each wave, if she got only form rejections, she'd tweak her query letter or first pages based on any faint pattern she could detect. It turned the process into iterative testing rather than a mass spam campaign. It takes longer, but it feels more controlled and less like shouting into a void.

I can tell you that formatting for Kindle isn't a one-size-fits-all process. For a straightforward novel with minimal images or special formatting, it might take just a few hours. Tools like Kindle Create or Vellum simplify the process, letting you focus on checking the layout rather than wrestling with technical details. However, if your book includes complex elements like footnotes, tables, or custom fonts, the time can stretch to a couple of days. Poetry or textbooks often require extra attention to preserve spacing and structure. I once spent nearly a week tweaking a cookbook because the images and formatting kept breaking. Patience and testing on multiple devices are key—what looks perfect on your laptop might be a mess on a Kindle Paperwhite.

When I crack open a Dostoevsky novel I treat it like a long conversation rather than a sprint—so my timing is all about how much I want to chew, highlight, and pause to think. For me, reading speed slows down a lot with Dostoevsky because there are dense moral debates, inner monologues, and translators who either pack in footnotes or smooth things out. A short piece like 'Notes from Underground' can take me anywhere from 3 to 8 hours depending on how engaged I am with the narrator's riffs and whether I stop to jot thoughts. Medium-length novels such as 'Crime and Punishment' usually land in the ballpark of 12 to 25 hours of focused reading for me; I tend to read 20–40 pages an hour with these, and some chapters demand rereading. For doorstopper books like 'The Brothers Karamazov' or 'The Idiot', expect a commitment. I’ve taken three weeks of evening reading on one of those, doing an hour or two a day, which came to roughly 25–50 hours total. Audiobook listeners should know recordings often run 20–40 hours for the big novels, which helps if you commute or cook while listening. Also factor in translation: a dense, literal translator will slow you down but give more nuance; a modernized one will speed things up but can lose flavor. If you’re planning, pick a pace you enjoy: set 30–60 minute daily chunks, allow room for pauses when the philosophy hits, and treat rereads and discussions as part of the experience. Dostoevsky rewards patience, and those long reads tend to stay with you.

Rushing revisions after feedback. If you get a revise-and-resubmit request from an agent, the instinct is to turn it around in a week to show enthusiasm. But if you don't truly digest the notes and execute them thoughtfully, you'll just be sending back a half-baked patch job. Take the time you need to make the manuscript genuinely better, even if it takes several months. A thoughtful R&R is better than a fast one.

Finally, trust your gut. After all the strategy and data, the relationship with an agent is personal. If you get an offer, talk to their other clients. Do they feel supported? Does the agent communicate well? Is there excitement? You've worked too hard to build your career to hand it over to someone you don't fully trust or vibe with. The best business decision is often the one that also feels right on a human level. You're entering a long-term partnership. Choose a partner you genuinely like and respect.

From my experience, a routine check-up with a doctor typically lasts around 15 to 20 minutes, but it really depends on what you're there for. If it's just a quick follow-up or a prescription refill, you might be in and out faster. But if you're discussing new symptoms or need tests, it could stretch to 30 minutes or more. I once had a physical that took nearly an hour because we went through my entire medical history and did lab work right there. Specialists tend to take longer—maybe 30 to 45 minutes—since they dig deeper into specific issues. Dermatology appointments, for example, can be quick if it's a mole check, but if you're dealing with acne treatment plans, they might spend more time explaining options. Urgent care visits are unpredictable; sometimes you wait longer than the actual appointment! It’s always good to block out at least an hour just in case, especially if paperwork or insurance stuff slows things down.

The driving test can feel like a whirlwind or drag on forever depending on your preparation and the testing center's flow. From what I’ve gathered chatting with friends and reading forums, the actual behind-the-wheel portion typically lasts around 20–30 minutes, but the whole process—check-in, paperwork, waiting, and the test itself—can stretch to 1–2 hours. Some testing centers are super efficient, while others have long queues, especially on weekends or peak hours. I remember my cousin’s experience: she arrived at 7 AM to avoid crowds, sailed through the test in 15 minutes, but spent an hour just waiting for her examiner. It’s wild how much variability there is! Another factor is whether you pass on the first try. If you need a retest, that adds another round of waiting and testing time. And let’s not forget the parallel parking or three-point turn—some people nail it instantly, while others (like me during practice) take ages to align perfectly. The written test earlier in the process is quicker, usually 30–45 minutes, but the road test is where the real time investment happens. Honestly, packing snacks and a book isn’t a bad idea if your center’s known for delays.

Dig into podcasts. Many agents are guests on writing podcasts, and you get hours of their unfiltered thoughts. Listen to how they talk about client relationships, deal-making, and editorial processes. You can hear their passion (or lack thereof) for certain genres. It's a low-pressure way to 'meet' them. You might hear one agent say they're dying for a fantasy heist novel, and if that's what you've written, you know exactly where to send it. It also gives you natural material for personalizing your query letter.