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. I went the self publishing route because I am retired and wanted to get my books out there. I figured I’d be dead by the time the traditional route put it out. I did your 1on1 a few years ago. I do query, but crickets. Maybe I suck as an author, but I always get great feedback from my beta readers. I believe my work has value even if it doesn’t catch an agent’s eye. The traditional route makes me feel like they’re the cool kids at the lunch table and everyone else is fighting for a seat. I’m sorry, but I wouldn’t work that hard chasing a dude. It doesn’t help I write women’s fiction that ends up a romance, the #1 genre so the competition is fierce. My point is if you want your work out there, do it yourself. Now I am learning the marketing part. That’s harder than writing the book, but I shall carry on. Cynthia A. King
Hi Cynthia,
I’m glad you’re getting your work out there. Plenty of deserving books don’t get publishing by the big publishers. Doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your book (or query). Everyone in this industry, including insiders, finds themselves banging their heads on their desks from time to time.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Hi,
I am searching for a Christian literary agent/agency to promote my Newton’s Riddle Trilogy series found at www.newtonsriddle.com. I am presently writing the long awaited sequel to my #1 bestselling End-time supernatural thriller, Newton’s Riddle. Any suggestions?
All to God’s glory,
Neill
Hi Neill,
Nice to meet you, and happy to help!
Two things you’ll find helpful:
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
I’ve been helped by putting into practice Mark’s suggestions . No I don’t have an agent yet but the rejections I’ve received are now much more informative than the standard “not a good fit. Good luck.” Reject. Some agents, after commenting on my writing, actually apologize for not being able to take me on and encourage me not to give up. I’m not sure how long the good-feelies will last but, for now, I’m still in the ring… still wading through the muck certain my “pony” is in there somewhere. For that, I thank Mark Malatesta.
Hi Gwen,
Thank you for your wonderful post/message. It’s heartening to see you’re following through, and closer to the goal. Do please let me know if/when you have more news, here at https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/.
Hopeful,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Good day
I am a Romanian writers , member of Romanian Writers Union. Until now i have published 12 books in Romania from which 3 are translated and published in US and one in UK all of them by contract with author contribution. As my ressurses are limited I am interested to find a literary agent which to help me to publish in US or UK by a traditional contract. Can Literary Agent Undercover to do that for me?. The book which y look to publish now is about 9 male kidnaped by a tribe of abt 500 females living in the midle of desert at confluence of three borders- Ciad , Egipt and Libia – with the intention to let them pregnant. The novel is an adventure one with many unespected actions which keep the riders hooked until the end.
Hi Constantin,
Nice to meet you. Yes, we can help. Since your budget is limited, please use these no-cost resources:
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