Ask a (former) 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,
What are the differences between Christian fiction and Inspirational fiction?
Thanks for the explanation.
Hi Cynthia,
See here: https://book-genres.com/inspirational-fiction-genre/
And here: https://book-genres.com/christian-fiction-genre/
And, if you haven’t seen or used them yet, here are my resources for getting 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/.
Have a great rest of your week,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
I have already self-published my first book on Amazon. I have sent my requests to literary agents for over a year with nothing but rejections. Where do you suggest I go from here? I know I am meant to be a writer. Stories are forever in my mind. Help!
Hi Amy,
If you’ve been at it for a year, you should talk to someone about your work to figure out how to improve your chances of getting an agent.
To that end…
Here are my resources for that, including an option to discuss your work:
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/.
Have a great rest of your week,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Dear Mark!
I write fiction in various genres for children and adults. I live in Croatia and speak Croatian and Serbian. But my English is very poor, so I rely on translators and dictionaries.
Here in Croatia, only a few people are involved in literary agent work. And my question is:
Is there an agency in the USA or elsewhere in the English-speaking world that I can communicate with in Croatian or Serbian?
A good answer from you would mean a lot to me and I wouldn’t forget it.
Best regards
Hi Mirjana,
It’s nice to meet you, and I’m happy to say it might be possible for you to get an agent in the United States. However, it’s not likely you’ll find an agent in the United States, interested in your book, that you’ll be able to communicate with in Croatian or Serbian. You’ll likely need to use an app, translator, etc.
And, if you haven’t seen or used them yet…
Here are my resources to help you get a literary agent and/or a traditional publisher:
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/.
Have a great rest of your week,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Thank you for the helpful resources and guidance on literary agent submissions. I have already written and published two books, and I now have a new manuscript ready, which is a personal story about my life as a Deaf person from a Deaf family.
I am seeking assistance with editing and finding a traditional publisher. Could you please share:
Your fees for editing and publishing guidance
How do you typically help authors go from manuscript to publication
I appreciate your time and look forward to learning how you might assist me with this project.
With gratitude, Antoinette
Hi Antoinette,
My pleasure, and I hope you find a good home for your work before long. I’d be happy to help, of course.
The best place to start is here:
Literary Agent Advice (1-on-1 Coaching/Consulting)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-advice/
I could record the call for you, then have it transcribed, maybe.
That’s my first step with every author.
Beyond that, I have different programs for different types of books, and different needs.
I figure that out with someone, if it seems right, after the first session.
If you want/need help with anything else, you can post here at https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/.
I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction.
Have a great rest of your week,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com