Ask a 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 
Buon Giorno Mark,
I would simply like to know where I might send Marly Rusoff
a gift in thanks for her Minnesota Bookstore and her Being which changed my life. If you doubt my legitimacy, I am a close friend of Maurie Lazarus, Rev. Bill Teska, and was of Colleen Engelman, and her sister Tammy — in case you wish/ need (and have time, ha-ha) to consult Marly. I would be extremely obliged for said effort. If in Madrid (Spain) at any
future moment, e-mail me and I´ll take you for a wine and tapa paseo down Hemming Way…or meet in Wales at Milk-Wood. Congratulations for all you are doing and “Do not go
gentle…” Tante Grazie, Patrick Lucas
Hi Patrick!
You can find her website on Google and/or find all the agent info we have in our online literary agent database at https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-database/
And…
If you want/need help with anything else, you can post on my new “Ask a Literary Agent” page at https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Can we submit our query letter to you, Mark, for you to review before we make our queries?
Hi Paul,
That’s one of the few things I can’t do, unfortunately, to be fair to the authors who participate in my longer-term coaching, as I do that as part of that process. But if you want/need help with anything else, that doesn’t require reviewing material, etc. you can post on my “Ask a Literary Agent” page at https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/. As always, I’ll reply ASAP.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
I inadvertently unsubscribed by mistake. Please, please put me back on your email list.
Thanks so much.
Sandy
Hi Sandy,
Looks like you’re still on there, so you’re all set!
🙂
If you want/need help with anything else, you can post on my new “Ask a Literary Agent” page at https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/. I’ll always do what I can to point you in the right direction. And, on that same page, you’ll find my answers to the questions authors ask me most.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Hi:
I am working on my first book, a humorous and satirical critique of Islam and extremism. It’s called ‘Statistic of One: Confessions of an X Muslim’ and I’m at around 5 chapters. I’ve submitted the outline to a few agents but haven’t heard back, with the exception of one, a literary press. I’d love to discuss more. The book is definitely not your typical book on comparative religion, and reads more like a comedy set. My background is in international relations, Islamic studies, and counter terrorism, as well as music and standup. I see the book as PJ O Rourke meets Salman Rushdie meets Stephen King. It’s personal, intense and quite funny. Hope to discuss.
Hi Ray,
Nice to meet you, and though I’m no longer an agent, I do have some things you’ll likely find helpful:
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/
And…
If you still want to discuss your work, you might want to look at the following as well:
Literary Agent Advice (1-on-1 Coaching/Consulting)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-advice/
How I Got My Literary Agent (Success Stories)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/how-i-got-my-literary-agent/
Lastly…
If you want/need help with anything else, you can post on my new “Ask a Literary Agent” page at https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/. I’ll always do what I can to point you in the right direction. And, on that same page, you’ll find my answers to the questions authors ask me most.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com