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 
As a young teen, I was a member of a local street gang. I was heading down a dark path. My mother was walking home from work one evening and was assaulted and robbed. It changed my life. I joined the Marines, fought in Vietnam and then became a police officer in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Using disguises I dressed up and took the role of a tourist and hung out in areas where robbers were lying in wait. I was mugged and beaten close to one hundred times. They called me Muggable Ron. I need a literary agent so the world can read my story. Look up Muggable Ron on youTube.
Apologies for a possible delay…
Resending my reply below sent previously (was notified today that some recipients have not received my July replies):
2024/07/21 at 8:35 am
In reply to Ronnie Lane.
Hi Ronnie,
I’m happy to help, sounds like you have quite the story to tell.
Here are my resources to 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 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
Mark, thank you for your very useful and informative newsletter.
Cordially,
Tom Lee
Apologies for a possible delay…
Resending my reply below sent previously (was notified today that some recipients have not received my July replies):
2024/07/21 at 8:34 am
In reply to Tom Lee.
Hi Tom,
My pleasure, and thank you for the warm note.
You just made my morning.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Mark,
I have written a Christian novel. I wish to submit to Maria Carvainis Agency as she accepts Christian novels. Would you be so kind as to give me your recommendation if she is a good agency for me. I have had my share of scammed experiences. It has made me very nervous.
I appreciate your input, Mark
Thank you,
Rosemary Re’
Apologies for a possible delay…
Resending my reply below sent previously (was notified today that some recipients have not received my July replies):
2024/07/21 at 8:33 am
In reply to Rosemary Re.
Hi Rosemary,
I’m not able to recommend specific agents, unfortunately, as there are too many. I can say that, as far as I know, no one in my agent directory charges fees for literary agent services, beyond typical commissions, etc. Just don’t pay an agent, beyond the normal commission, and you can’t go wrong.
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 self published 4 memoirs dealing with 1939 in London blitz. Discovering I was gay teenage with all problems; a decade of history/travel per volume. Starting a business to selling it and now with my designs in V&A museum. Amusing, sad and inspirational, A Cock-Eyed Optimist e.book on Amazon seeks now a non family audience. Extremely honest and sometimes shocking. Now needs the right agent.
Apologies for a possible delay…
Resending my reply below sent previously (was notified today that some recipients have not received my July replies):
2024/07/21 at 8:31 am
In reply to Nigel Quiney.
Hi Nigel,
Nice to meet you, and I’m happy to help.
Here are my resources to 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 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