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 
This requires some background, but I will be as brief as possible. For about a decade in the 70s and 80s, I was a reporter, writer and editor for three newspaper organizations. My work ranged across the board, from covering meetings, police and fire, courts, local government and breaking news to writing features, opinion pieces, columns and reviews to editing, staff supervision and more. After that writing was often an important component of my work, esp. as a fundraising professional for about the last quarter century of my career. Since retiring — for now — in 2021, I have found time to do a lot more nonfiction writing, which I would describe as some blend of op-ed type pieces, research backed analysis and essays. Friends think my writing is good, and I want to find a way to publish in national or regional outlets. I’d be happy to provide recent samples. Can I get an agent interested in representing me and, if so, how?
Hi Peter,
Yes, you might be able to get an agent. As an established writer, you’ll have a better chance, though I can’t say too much about it as I haven’t seen your writing yet.
Here are my resources to help you get a literary agent:
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/
Literary Agent Advice (1-on-1 Coaching/Consulting)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-advice/
If you want/need help with anything else, you can post again here at https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/.
I’ll do what I can 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
Hi,
I used to post my creative nonfiction pieces on Tumblr, a short-form blog site, but never really promoted it and, hence, had no readers. I’d now like to pursue compiling them into a collection and submitting them to book publishers for consideration.
Does the fact that they were posted on a blog site disqualify them for consideration even though I don’t think anyone ever visited my blog?
Hi Dennis,
I doubt that would be an issue, but be sure to disclose that to a literary agent if you get an offer for representation.
Here are my resources to help you get a literary agent, if you haven’t seen or used them yet:
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/
Literary Agent Advice (1-on-1 Coaching/Consulting)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-advice/
If you want/need help with anything else, you can post again here at https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/.
I’ll do what I can 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
I’ve just finished a manuscript concerning two survivors of the siege of the Alamo, Susanna and Angelina Dickinson. Their own untold compelling story begins after the siege. I would like to find an agent in San Antonia who might have an interest in representing me.
Hi Robert,
You can find all literary agents here, and you don’t need one in your city or state:
Literary Agent Database (Directory of Literary Agents)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-database/
It’s best to simply query those agents who look like the best fit for your book, who also look the most successful.
If you want/need help with anything else, you can post again here at https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/.
I’ll do what I can to point you in the right direction.
All my best, and have a good day,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Hi my name is Tony, I’m a deaf author who wrote a book about my life experiences with my family and friends. It’s called pick up your own damn crutch, the green color is on Amazon.
My questions are how can I hire an agent because I live in ocean pines, Maryland? Is there anyone that lives here or anywhere in Maryland?
Hi Tony,
You can find agents here, and you don’t need one in your city, or state:
Literary Agent Database (Directory of Literary Agents)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-database/
It’s best to simply query those agents who look like the best fit for your book, who also look the most successful.
If you want/need help with anything else, you can post again here at https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/.
I’ll do what I can to point you in the right direction.
All my best, and have a good day,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com