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 
Mark, thanks to your help, my memoir Service Husband: A Caregiver’s Journey Through Disability, Suicide and Recovery is being published by Mercury HeartLink Press in February! I appreciate your advice and expertise.
Hi Wayne,
Way to go…please post a link for me here when it’s on Amazon!
https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/.
I’ll get a copy. 😉
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
What is the best resource for plotting a story? I’ve written 29 chapters and two who read it says it reads like a newspaper report, because that is who I have written for over the years.
Hi Barbara,
My favorite is Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody.
And, if/when you want or need it…
Here are my resources to help you get a literary agent, if that’s your goal:
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
Bestselling Author and recipient of two awards, Amor and Four-Season author Gita Audhya was overwhelmed with a compliment from a Goodreads reader as he described her book as “I will forever remember this masterpiece novel. “Her book “All Those Tears We Can’t See 3rd edition” was recognized by renowned reviewer C.S. Holmes as literary fiction, making it the number one best seller on the Amazon chart. Gita got the Press, Awards, and No. 1 on Amazon’s Best Seller list twice and continues. She appeared in two Journals, Digital Journals, and American Journal, to discuss her book with Dar Dowling. India-born author Gita Audhya has earned degrees in literature and computer programming, and to date has published two novels – IN PURSUIT OF LOVE, SPIRITUALITY AND HAPPINESS, and two award-winning novels, ALL THOSE TEARS WE CAN’T SEE. The third one concerns romance, and disease (AIDS) on the way. Audhya’s storytelling beautifully captures their conflicts, love, and journey of self-discovery. Through Samantha and Monica’s experiences, the novel delves into the profound impact of identity and assimilation. This lyrical and sensitive novel addresses (in the author’s words) ‘immigration, opportunity, spirituality, myth, wisdom, class, customs, poverty, corruption and physical assault’. All Those Tears We Can’t See is a powerful story of struggle, acceptance, love, and culture that will enrich your mind and expand your horizon.
In this contemporary third version, plenty of Eastern and Western romances were added to display the different essences and perceptions that would capture the young readers’ minds.
The first part of the story All Those Tears We Can’t See is a fictional insight into the American Dream. However, the American Dream may not hold the same allure when we fail to acknowledge the hardships endured by countless immigrants. The second part explores the essence of the difference between Western romances and Eastern romances. Here, the sexuality, the sensitivity, and the perception are so different readers will be enchanted or shocked by its entity.
Hi Gita,
This isn’t a literary agency you contacted, but we can help.
Here are our resources to help you get a literary agent and publisher, if that’s your goal:
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
What is the “on line form” I often see associated with agents and where is it actually listed?
Hi Ronald,
When you see that, it means you need to submit your information to the agent via a form on their website. If you look on their website, you’ll find it. Some make it easy, some make it hard.
Also…
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