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 
Hello Mark,
Brad Harper here. Just an update. I’ll be in London in late July to watch my first book made into a short film a director is producing to help pitch the story to production companies. Our vision is a limited series much in the way the BBC did Sherlock.
No guarantees it will go further but we’ll submit it to various film festivals so at least more people will become aware of the book.
I can’t lose. Thank you again for helping me get to this level of engagement with my writing.
I’ll turn 73 on the first day of shooting,m and say “I don’t have time to be timid.”
All the best,
Bradley (Brad) Harper
Author, A Knife in the Fog
Hi Brad,
I love it, and I’d love to catch up.
I’ll reach out to you this weekend!
It’s been too long. 🙂
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Hi, I see nothing that directly relates to what my question is about.
My question is, is it practical to submit your story to a person who would suggest that I have something worthy or not to continue.
I have always had ideas for books and have a couple of chapters written. I haven’t continued as I have been busy and at my age I get a bit tired after a busy working day.
Hi Michael,
Yes, I can help with that.
See here…
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 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 have published a book entitled, “Love,Norm:Inspiration of a Jewish American Fighter Pilot.” Texas Tech University Press released “Love, Norm” on 7/27/22 and since then it has had modest success including over 800 books sold, a recently released audiobook available on several platforms and an expanded second edition approved for publication later this year. Also, the Jewish Book Councili has included me on their author list and has made a lecture on the book available on their website. Information about me and my work can be found at lovenormmemoir.com. I seek an agent who can obtain rights to “Love, Norm” and work a deal with a non-university press publisher who can represent and expand the market for this inspirational and compelling story. Please contact me to discuss this proposal.
Hello Dr. Shulman,
See here for information you’ll find helpful in that situation:
https://getaliteraryagent.com/getting-a-literary-agent-after-self-publishing/.
And if you haven’t seen or used them yet, you’ll find these things helpful also:
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 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 had experienced recently with one of the big 6 Publishing Companies. They want to acquire the rights to my first novel, as I am a self-published author. They reached out to me, however during the talks I was asked to put out money for editing, enhancement design and printed copy to meet their standards before assessment and the contract is signed and they acquire my book. Is this normal for a traditional publisher? They are very big while I am just trying to sell the rights to the book that I have already spent money getting it published. Thank you Mark.
Hi Minerva,
That doesn’t sound like a legitimate offer, unfortunately.
You shouldn’t have to pay for those things.
If you haven’t seen or used them yet, you might find these things helpful, to get a literary agent who will work on commission and hopefully find a publisher that will pay you instead of the other way around:
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 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