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 
Is there a source for Book to Screen or Adaptation of book to screen or to a limited television series? The Guide of Literary Agents 30th Edition has not been re-printed since 2021? I’ve contacted over 100 agents over the year, those indicating interest in my genre or take screenplays I received four responses. Is anyone reading my pitches and most state 15 weeks or more if they want further info. I’ve got a true story that needs telling to a wider audience especially women.
Hi Joan,
I’m mostly on the book side of things, but you might find the following helpful:
https://literary-agents.com/literary-agents-publishing-screenplay/
https://literary-agents.com/literary-agents-managers-cinematic-writing/
https://screencraft.org/
If you want/need help with anything else, you can post again 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,
My question is not answered convincingly in your excellent analyses of the agent perplex. The 1:6,000 estimate of success in acquiring agent representation is highly optimistic.
My estimated odds (mainstream genre)L 1:100,000 or worse.
At any given time, perhaps a million writers are writing books.
Of them, perhaps 100,000 might produce a salable ms.
Of the 100,000, around 10,000 will offer their work to agents.
Of the 10,000, ~1,000 will acquire agent representation.
Of the 1,000, maybe 100 will gain effective publication.
Of the 100, assuming break-even or slight profit, 10 will acquire strong sales (vs. the ‘names’ who consume 95% of the marketing and promotional support and exposure).
Long odds, years of work, meager rewards–minimum-wage workers earn ~X3 more than book writers, in studies.
Bottom line: slow death in small rooms.
Tell me I’m wrong.
I still deeply respect you and your work.
Hi John,
I was thinking 1 in 6,000 who pitch (it’s just an estimate, based on my experience), and, certainly, for those who make it, it often (usually) takes (much) longer than desired or expected. In recent years it seems to be getting even harder. Publishing is one example of why it’s good to enjoy the journey (of writing) as much as possible. It can take forever to get to the destination.
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
I have had 3 novels published and my latest one would make a good feature film. I don’t want an agent who is trying to get me a deal with a book publisher. I want an agent who has contacts with producers, directors, actors, and talent agencies that represent these people. Most producers seem to want a screenplay. I don’t have a screenplay. I am a much better novelist than a screenwriter, and I would rather take the time to write another novel than to spend 6 months writing a screenplay. I am open to suggestions. I am open to finding a “different” type of agent.
Hi Benjamin,
I’m mostly on the book side of things, but you might find the following helpful:
https://literary-agents.com/literary-agents-publishing-screenplay/
https://literary-agents.com/literary-agents-managers-cinematic-writing/
https://screencraft.org/
If you want/need help with anything else, you can post again 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 have a complete, edited, designed and printed, paperback book, and want to submit it (read, pitch it) to Fox News and/or Fox News personalities. Subject matter, in general, could be understood to be, How to Recover from Being Woke. (Big market, lots of exposure there, and, a very relevant subject.)
Does an authors agent have any interest in getting involved with making this type of contact, or am I looking for some other occupation and skill-set?
Thank you for your time. Kent Gordon
Hi Kent,
Here are my 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