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 am very dismayed with the negative bias against authors, like myself, who have self-published. My children’s picture book is well written with wonderful illustrations.
Any recommendations of literary agents that are open to self a published picture book manuscripts?
“Petey the Puffin: Happy At Last” is the name of my book. Thank you.
Hi Vita,
I understand.
See here, this might help: https://getaliteraryagent.com/getting-a-literary-agent-after-self-publishing/.
And…
Here are more resources to help you 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 tried to find agent Bill Reeves’ email address, but it told me to sign in and I did and I still don’t see Bill Reeves in the list. Can you find out his email address or phone number or both?
Hi James,
What we have currently is in the directory, so if there’s something you’re looking for that isn’t there, you need to look on Google and see if you can find more information there.
Also, you shouldn’t phone agents.
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
Thanks, but It wasn’t helpful. The top 2 links didn’t work and the third was a site for competitions and notes. — after I painstakenly copied the web addresses (why didn’t you make them clickable links?) Well that’s ok/ If you think of any more I can try, let me know–maybe ine will pan out, but I’m pretty discouraged.
Hi James,
I checked all the links and they’re working, so it might be an issue with your computer. Not sure why they’re weren’t clickable for you, but when that happens with anything, you can simply copy/paste the link into your Internet browser.
Good luck with yoru submissions, and 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 need a literary agent for my book – Life at a Glance.
Life, in its beauty and fragility, offers moments of joy, trial, and reflection. As human beings, we often pause to consider the meaning of our existence. What is the purpose of life? Why are we here? And what comes after this fleeting journey? These questions, though universal, find their richest answers within the Christian faith, where life is understood as both a gift from God and a pilgrimage toward eternity. Through the lens of Christianity, life is not merely a series of random events, but rather a divinely orchestrated journey designed to draw us closer to our Creator and to each other.
Yet, as we walk through life, we are reminded constantly of its brevity. Scripture often speaks of life as a “vapor” or “mist” that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:14). This recognition of life’s fleeting nature urges Christians to live with a sense of purpose and urgency. Our time on earth is limited, but it is full of potential to glorify God, serve others, and prepare for the eternity that awaits us.
In this light, life becomes more than just a momentary journey; it is a preparation for eternity. Christians are called to live with their eyes fixed on Jesus, knowing that their true home is not in this world but in the Kingdom of God. The Apostle Paul encourages believers to “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2). This heavenly perspective motivates Christians to live lives marked by love, generosity, and faithfulness, storing up treasures in heaven rather than pursuing the fleeting pleasures of this world.
In conclusion, life at a glance, when viewed through the Christian perspective, is a journey marked by purpose, hope, and eternal significance. Though our time on earth is brief, it is filled with opportunities to reflect the love and glory of God. Every moment matters, and every decision carries eternal weight. Life is both a gift and a responsibility, one that Christians are called to steward with wisdom, humility, and gratitude.
Hi Isaac,
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