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
I have three self published novels being sol on Amazon. I received an email from one of the top New York Publishers (Harper Collins). I was ask about my current project. After a brief description, I was asked to have my Literary Agent contact them. Sounded like a very promising possibility. I have no agent and need one to keep this opportunity going. Please reach out to me.
Hi J Logan,
I received your message, I’m happy to help, and I hope that message you got is real.
See here: https://getaliteraryagent.com/book-scams/
Let me know,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author, LLC
Phone/Fax: (800) 928-5028
https://getaliteraryagent.com
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Established in 2011, we’ve helped 400+ authors get offers
from literary agents and/or traditional publishers
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a retired Marathi-language journalist from India. My journey with this book began during the COVID-19 pandemic when I watched a film that was a major global hit in the early 2000s. The film claimed that Mahatma Gandhi was the originator of the message: “If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other.” In reality, this was Jesus Christ’s original teaching intended to curb the spirit of revenge.
With Christianity seeing a decline in Europe, I worried that if Jesus’ universal messages, meant for one global society were attributed solely to others, the world might lose sight of their true source. This inspired me to write a book in Marathi titled “Jesus Christ vs. His Religion.”
About the Book
The book explores how the seeds of modern global development were sown during the 16th-century Reformation by Martin Luther. It discusses:
• How Jesus’ teachings on love led to human freedom and welfare.
• How his thoughts laid the foundation for democratic social structures and modern constitutions.
• How his advocacy for monogamy paved the way for women’s liberation and empowerment.
My Request
I completed this book a year ago and used AI technology to translate it into English. My deepest wish is for this book to reach Christians and readers worldwide. For the past five months, I have been searching for an agent to help publish it through an international publishing house.
Because I am a retired journalist of modest means, I cannot afford high consultancy fees. I wrote this book out of pure love for the teachings of Jesus. I am confident that once it is published in English, it will eventually be translated into various European languages.
I humbly request your guidance or assistance in helping this book reach the global stage.
Sincerely,
John Gajbhiv
johngajbhiv@yahoo.com, johngajbhiv@gmail.com
Hi John,
I received your message, and I’m happy to help.
Everything I do is geared toward helping authors get literary agents who sell books to traditional publishers.
You should use my no-cost resources, there are many.
See here:
Free Resources to Get a Literary Agent
https://getaliteraryagent.com/#find_and_get_a_literary_agent
And if you secure an agent, please do let me know.
I would love to hear that news,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author, LLC
Phone/Fax: (800) 928-5028
https://getaliteraryagent.com
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Established in 2011, we’ve helped 400+ authors get offers
from literary agents and/or traditional publishers