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,
After readibg numerous templates of prof query letters, I have written one of my own disregarding most of what the “right” way seems to be. I’d like to hear your general opinion on it just to make sureif I am not missing he target completely – and of course, to get an idea of your approach and working style.
—————-
All my picture books can be considered ‘love stories’ as they stem from my love for my six beta-grandchildren. The stories always aim to offer meaningful insights, while also being fun to read.
In one of them, Phil-osophant Phil, the smartest elephant in the universe, alienates himself from the chaotic herd to contemplate the meaning of life. Surprisingly, he doesn’t discover it through his superior intellect but in a moment of crisis, when family and friends come to his rescue.
When I asked my five-year-old granddaughter, Kessem, her opinion on the story’s moral, her response astounded me. Raising the stakes, she said that the most important thing in life is… people.
Inspired by her insight, I decided to share my fifty-plus love stories beyond the confines of my immediate circle, which brings me to you.
I am a musician with an international reputation, having performed at the Salzburg Festival events and as a soloist with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra – among others.
I believe my musical background has provided me with a broader perspective on literature, as music seems to embody the fundamental building blocks of storytelling – in an abstract form.
I hope you’ll find my work worthy of your consideration.
This message relates to:
I will edit and polish your query
Hi Yehuda,
I have many no-cost resources to help authors get literary agents.
See here:
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/
I don’t have a no-cost query review option, unfortunately.
You can ask questions at https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/, but I’m not able to review and comment on pitch material.
To be fair to author who sign up for paid coaching, I can only do that for them.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
I’d rather speak by phone. I am a first time writer, have many questions. such as format for book submission. I am broke and cannot afford to self publish at this time. I have several books in the works. Can I slow mail by us po? Or would I have to submit by email? many questions. other than these.
Thank you, Aleta
Hi Aleta,
I have many no-cost resources to help authors get literary agents, see here:
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/
I don’t have a no-cost coaching option though, unfortunately.
And, as you know, you can post questions 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
Many who have commented were first-time authors. I have published three books, edited a series of about ten, and co-edited a series of more than twenty. I am now retired and would rather use an agent than to play the game of going from press to press with a new, complete manuscript. Does your list have a feature that will allow me to find an agent used to dealing with an author with experience?
Thank you.
Hi Thomas,
All agents prefer established authors.
Here are resources to 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 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 was wondering if I could talk to someone on the phone.
Hi Alexander,
Certainly, see here:
Literary Agent Advice (1-on-1 Coaching/Consulting)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-advice/
And here are no-cost resources to 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/
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