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 
I would very much like simply to send Mark Malatesta a copy of my draft book, 240 pages 8 1/2 by 11 at 148,000 words that I have been writing, proofreading, and editing for the past several years. I know how I may have made many mistakes in my mission to get my first book, The Last Year of Promise by Tom Fiandaca, 468 pages, PublishAmerica (2010) vanity published (for which I bought back the publishing rights in December, 2013) and in the writing of a second book, which is a sequel…
I really want Mr. Mark Malatesta to be the first and only one to get a copy of my most current new book draft for first perusal, ready as I could get it as of yesterday, July 26, 2024.
My best wishes and prayers for good success if it were God’s will for this endeavor. Jesus only had to say re the colt and it’s foal to His disciples for His entry into Jerusalem for the 33 AD Passover I believe, ‘Tell the owners when they ask Why loose ye the colt? that ‘the Lord has need of them’, and they readily complied. May something like that happen for my project if it is right for our time, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Tom Fiandaca
Apologies for a possible delay…
Resending my reply below sent previously (was notified today that some recipients have not received my July replies):
2024/07/28 at 4:44 pm
In reply to Tom Fiandaca.
Hi Tom,
I’m happy to help somehow if possible.
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
Previously sent 2024/07/28 at 4:44 pm
Apologies for a possible delay…
Resending my reply below sent previously (was notified today that some recipients have not received my July replies):
In reply to Tom Fiandaca.
Hi Tom,
I’m happy to help somehow if possible.
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,
i was refered to your extensive body of work and directed to read every word by my friend, the editor of the successful Man/Woman/Mars book.
Within this next year I will be ready to submit my middle grade book for your review. Is the $297 offer I read about still available?
Your body of knowledge is a great asset to me.
Gratefully yours,
Hana
Apologies for a possible delay…
Resending my reply below sent previously (was notified today that some recipients have not received my July replies):
2024/07/28 at 4:39 pm
In reply to Hana Steel.
Hi Hana,
Nice to meet you, and I’m happy to help, and yes, that offer is still available here for when you’re ready:
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, and have a good night,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
In 2013 I published my book with usa based company now I want to decide sale my publishing rights by help of literary agent so please guide me as possible by u
Apologies for a possible delay…
Resending my reply below sent previously (was notified today that some recipients have not received my July replies):
2024/07/24 at 6:43 pm
In reply to Tarang Saurabh.
Hi Tarang,
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
I’ve written a romance novel, “A hundred honeymoons” that has won many awards. Do. I still need an agent?
Apologies for a possible delay…
Resending my reply below sent previously (was notified today that some recipients have not received my July replies):
2024/07/24 at 6:42 pm
In reply to Jeffery Wilson.
Hi Jeffery,
See here: https://getaliteraryagent.com/when-should-you-get-a-literary-agent/.
Then, if you want to pursue book agents…
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