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 wrote a children’s picture book entitled “Petey the Puffin: Happy At Last!”. I tried to get it published with literary agents but was unsuccessful. I self published it with BookBaby Publishers in December 2023.
I have received rave reviews (see Amazon) I would like my book to get greater exposure. Can you recommend any publishers/literary agents that I can contact. I was thinking of Scholastic and Penguin Books.
Any recommendations will be appreciated.
Thank you,
Vita Maggio
Hi Vita,
I’m happy to help.
Here are my resources to help you get a literary agent, including my agent directory that lists agents seeking picture books:
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
Dear Mark and Ingrid,
Sorry to hear about the flooding incident. Trust all is shaping up ok. Stay well, stay creative.
Cheers from Adelaide, Australia
Thank you, Jeff.
Slogging along here!
Each day gets better.
Have a good one!!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Thank you for all your help. I hope you’re enjoying great success. I have worked for years on my book and although I still haven’t been offered representation, it is now well-written, well plotted, and length has gone from 118000 words to 84000. It’s commercial and very very readable. Thank you again! The hook is “What if, like those ancient “Dead Sea Scrolls,“ manuscripts were found from the first century written by a Jewish man named Jesus? And what if they turned out to be letters revealing his sexy love life with his Greek wife as well as chronicling the violent conflict between the Jews and the Romans at that time?” It’s now entitled LOVE LETTERS TO THE UNNAMED WOMAN. Wish me luck.
Hi Robert,
That’s excellent. Each year it seems more agents say it’s harder to place books with publishers, but you can’t stop a good book and a determined author! At least that’s what I try to live by. 🙂
And…
Good title!!
When you have more to report, please post here at https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/.
Still hopeful here,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
10/28/24 Monday
I am the author of an audiobook that will change the face of Western Christianity as we know today! The audiobook which is on audible.com is titled,” Hamid Bey-Mind Over Mystery”. Do you know of good audiobook agent?
Sincerely,
Peter Wehle/Users/petewehle/Desktop/Mind-Over-Mystery-Cover-600×600.jpg
(South Haven, Michigan) 269-767-6157
Hi Peter,
I’m happy to help.
Here are my resources to help you get a literary agent, including my agent directory that lists agents seeking authors of all genres (most handle not only print books, but audio, film, etc.):
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