An agent doesn't expect you to be an expert in the business of publishing; after all, one of the main reasons you seek an agent is so you can put his expertise to work on your behalf. But agents do expect you to be courteous and use common sense. A pleasant attitude from you helps motivate an agent to work for you; a negative attitude can do just the opposite.

Agents expect you to give them what they ask for. If an agent wants to see a synopsis and sample chapters, don't inform him that you had already sent the synopsis with your query. Include another copy of it with your sample chapters. If he asks for the first twenty-five pages of your manuscript, send the first twenty-five pages; don't send pages 110 through 135, even if you think those are your strongest.

Agents expect you to respect their time. Don't pressure an agent to respond to your proposal by a certain deadline. If you do, chances are he'll give your material nothing more than a cursory read-through, if that. Instead, give the agent a reasonable period to review your work and don't pester him with e-mails or phone calls asking if he's read your proposal. If you haven't heard anything, it means he hasn't reviewed it yet; when he does, you'll either get a phone call or a rejection letter.

Loyalty is also important. If an agent is interested enough in your book to give you tips on making your proposal more marketable, don't take his advice and then shop the new, improved proposal to other agents. Give that agent — the one who gave you his free, expert advice — first shot at representing you.

Finally, agents expect you to keep your word. If you tell an agent that he's the only one who has your proposal, don't send it to other agents. Also let the agent know if your proposal has already been turned down by an editor, so the agent will know not to solicit that editor again. If you promise to deliver requested materials by a certain date, make sure you meet that deadline. It's all too easy to get a bad reputation in the publishing world; if you don't do what you say you'll do when you're looking for an agent, how can that agent expect you to live up to a publishing contract?

The expectation to be honest also applies to the originality of your work. Plagiarizing from any source, including the Internet, is the cardinal sin in publishing; it will get you blacklisted, if not sued.