Ask a (former) literary agent your question about how to get a publishing agent here. You’ll also find answers to questions other authors have posted. This article is part of our free 15-Part Guide About How to Get a Book Agent. It was created by, and is curated by, a former literary agent who’s now helped hundreds of authors get book agents as an author coach and consultant. See successful authors at How I Got My Literary Agent.
ASK A Literary Agent – FAQ
This Ask a Literary Agent FAQ answers questions about: the definition and role of a book agent, who publishing agents are, when you should query literary agents, how much representation costs, the best way to find book agents looking for authors, submissions to literary agents, how to handle an offer for representation, what happens after you get a book agent, and more.
Author Representative definition and role
When you Should Get An Author Representative
How Much An Author Representative Costs
Finding An Author Representative
- How to find a literary agent?
- How to research book agents?
- Who are the best publishing agents?
- Who are the top 10 book agents?
- How to find publishing agents near me?
- Licensed book agents?
- Established publishing agents?
- New book agents?
- Publishing agents to avoid?
- Book agents seeking submissions?
- How to do a publishing agent search?
- Find a list of book agents?
- Publishing agent database?
- Book of literary agents?
- Where to meet publishing agents?
- Book agent events?
- How to Pitch a Literary Agent at a Conference?
Submitting To An Author Representative
- Literary agent submissions?
- How to contact a publishing agent?
- What to submit to a book agent?
- How to write a publishing agent query letter?
- How to write a synopsis for a book agent?
- How to write a publishing agent proposal?
- How to submit a book to a literary agent?
- How many publishing agents should you query?
- Best time to submit to book agents?
- How long to hear back from publishing agents?
- Book agent response time full manuscript?
- What happens when a publishing agent requests your full manuscript?
- Book agent not responding?
- How to follow up with a publishing agent?
- Book agent rejection letters?
- Revise and resubmit to a publishing agent?
Representation Offer From a Book Agent
- Getting an offer of representation from a literary agent?
- First meeting with a book agent?
- Questions a book agent will ask?
- Questions to ask a publishing agent?
- Multiple offers from publishing agents?
- Choosing a book agent?
- Literary agent contract?
- Standard book agent contract?
- Publishing agent contract terms?
- Book agent contract red flags?
- Publishing agent lawyer?
What Happens After You Get An Author Representative
Mark has helped hundreds of authors get offers from literary agents and/or traditional publishers. Writers of all Book Genres have used our Literary Agent Advice coaching/consulting to get Top Literary Agents at the Best Literary Agencies on our List of Book Agents.
Ask a Literary Agent
Due to time constraints, we can’t answer questions that have already been answered. Please make your question clear, and concise, since the submission form below is limited to 500 characters.
If you want to remain anonymous, type “Anonymous” in the name field. You’ll receive an email when a reply has been posted (usually within 48 hours). We look forward to helping you get a book agent.
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company
Hi Mark,
I had a one-to-one coaching session with you in Sept of 2024. We focus on my Query, upon my request. This was on my Fiction novel Heartbroken Loves. However I sent out submissions on my Romance Novel San Lucci Island instead. I sent my query to Lou Aronica of The Story Plant on Jan 21 2026. Based on just that, he requested my completed manuscript, however, I never received a con firmation that he received it. Is it too soon for me to inquire if he received it. I don’t want to appear impatient, but I can’t rest until I know. Please give me your feedback.
Thank you,
Rosemary Re’
Hi Rosemary,
I remember you, and that’s wonderful.
You can certainly ask him that.
When you do, tell him he can take all the time he needs, that you just want to ensure it made it.
And…
If you want/need help with anything else, you can post again at https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/.
I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
About your consultation service $297, will you be crafting a professional query letter for literary agents? Or, is it just consultation service with no letter created?
Hi Jae,
If you share a draft prior to the session, I’ll show/tell you how to improve it. If you don’t have one prior to the call, I’ll tell you what you should include. I don’t write or hands-on revise during the call.
You can see everything about the call here:
Literary Agent Advice (1-on-1 Coaching/Consulting)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-advice/
You might find the following (no-cost) items helpful as well:
How to Get a Literary Agent (NEW 15-Part Guide)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/how-to-get-a-literary-agent/
Literary Agent Database (Directory of Literary Agents)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-database/
If you want/need help with anything else, you can post again at https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/.
I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction, and promptly.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Dear Mark,
I just received this reply to my proposal to a literary agent. She said: ” I found the material fascinating but ultimately worried that it is a bit too abstract for the mainstream US book audience. I didn’t have a clear idea of how I would successfully pitch this on your behalf. So I decided to step aside…”
It was for this book: The Secret of Creative Abundance on my website: https://barbaraannbriggs.com
Please can you give me some advice on this predicament?
Thank you, Barbara Briggs
Hi Barbara,
I’m glad you shared that reply. I know it’s disappointing, but I wouldn’t take it as a negative sign about the quality of your work. In fact, she said she found the material fascinating. That means your query did its job—she was intrigued enough to read and consider it.
What she’s flagging is simply that she wasn’t confident she could pitch it effectively to a mainstream U.S. audience. That’s one agent’s perspective and comfort level, not a verdict on the book. Another agent—especially one who has sold concept-driven, creativity, or spiritual/personal growth work—may feel much more certain and go all the way.
As long as you’ve done the following in your query and book proposal, you’re good: clarify the core promise, who the ideal reader is, and what the reader will walk away with (in practical terms), while still keeping the heart of your message intact.
If you want/need help with anything else, you can post again at https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/.
I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com