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 requested your list of agents but have not received anything. I am looking for an agent for my narrative non-fiction book.
Hi Richard,
I’m not sure when/where you requested a list of agents, but you can find all active agents, including those who represent narrative nonfiction, in our agent directory here: 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
I was borm in Machester; I left school without any exams to my name, and didn’t learn to read and write until I was 24. It wasn’t until 2002 that when I learned to be a writer
I’m looking for a literary agent to represent me as a writer. I
have been writing since 2002 and have been published. I have over fourteen books and have self-publised over ten books on
Hi Michael,
I’m happy to help.
Here are more resources to help you 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
Hello, I am a first-time author, but I’ve worked in the entertainment industry for many years behind the scenes. I’m currently writing a book series and I’m nearly complete with book one. I have a central character who carries through the entire series. I, like many writers, I’m developing this book series in order to develop it into either a movie or television series but felt it necessary to start with the book series first.
I’m looking for assistance in finding a literary agent. I’ve already written a rough brief book proposal and query letter, but need assistance with finding and communicating to agents aspect I got your email and the information you provide is very interesting
I have been in contact with Kevin Anderson and Associates to help in this endeavor, but have not yet committed to their services. I wanted to contact you first
Please feel free to contact me so we can discuss Like I said before, I’m on my final revision 31 pages left
For reference My book series is a suspense thriller – “fiction”.
Book one is titled…
“The Sportsbook”
Hi Scott,
That sounds great, and I’m happy to help.
Here are my resources to get a literary agent, and it would absolutely be worthwhile to schedule a 1-on-1 with me before you get much further, as that would save you some time/headaches:
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
Comment re: scam alert. Sometimes we don’t have to do anything at all to become victims of ID theft and scams. My SS# is on the dark net. I have a business that’s held as an LLC, with all pertinent info in the public domain and available on the Secretary of State website. During Covid, someone used the info to apply for a $175K loan through the small business administration. The government did not use the most basic safeguards, like mailing a physical copy of the application to my address. Instead, they accepted a fraudulent email address and phone number for communication. I only became aware of it when monthly loan statements started to arrive. It took me 2 years to get out from under it.
Hi Brigitte,
Yikes. Ingrid has told me your information is safer in Europe. Feels like the wild west here. No fun seeing what you had to go through, but good hearing from you. 🙂
Have a great week,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com