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 
Yes, I have been patient hoping for someone to contact me as an initial follow up, but I fell ill and have not recovered. I have been diagnosed with emphysema and, when allied to my age of nearly 84 years years old, my mobility is also seriously affected.
All I need to do is to send a draft of my memoir to someone you would recommend. If they considerd it to be worthwhile for future progress, then that is fine. I would like to leave the choice of an ‘agent’, up to you. I am bedbound and can do nothing else but wait.
Hi Rick,
I’m sorry to hear about your healthy and mobility. We don’t have people here who are able to choose an agent for you, or send material to agents for you, unfortunately. But we do have resources you or someone close to you can use to help you find and query literary agents.
To that end, here are some things you’ll 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 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
11/30/22
My question is who is the best literary agent to submit an audiobook too? I have written an audiobook that will change the face of Christianity.
Sincerely,
Peter Wehle
(My audiobook is titled, “Hamid Bey-Mind Over Mystery”. It is based on a true autobiography of one the greatest metaphysical writers of the 20th Century. Hamid Bey was close personal friend of Paramahansa Yogananda. Hamid Bey was the first Vice President of the Self-Realization fellowship and Hamid Bey founded the Coptic Fellowship in 1937.
Sincerely,
Peter Wehle
Hi Peter,
You can search for agents by genre and more here:
Literary Agent Database (Directory of Literary Agents)
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/. 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
I have completed my historical fiction novel, “April Fools Day: a Parable of Secrecy & the Crucification of American Integrity,” which has been edited multiple times and subsequently re-written. I also have a Synopsis available. AFD is centered around the Bay of Pigs, the JFK assassination, and the Vietnam War in which I served during Tea I&II. I am a graduate of Yale Divinity School and an ordained Congregational Minister, and my novel includes many “campfire” discussions about the toxic powers of religion. The ending remains open as the two protagonist, a man from West Texas and a women from Cuba ultimately decide that the world is basically afraid of the truth. So, what do you think my next step might be with this group?
Hi Michael,
If your goal is to get an agent, here are 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 consider 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/
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/. 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
How do I get a literary agent for Poetry?
Hi William,
There are so few agents who represent poetry, and most of them only want poetry from award-winning poets who are well published, that I don’t have those agents identified in my agent directory, unfortunately. But if you do a Google search such as “literary agents who represent poetry” you’ll likely find someone(s) with those agents online.
You’ll likely find this helpful as well, if you haven’t yet seen it:
How to Get a Literary Agent (NEW 15-Part Guide)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/how-to-get-a-literary-agent/
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/. 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