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 
Self-published the first two books in a series in 2008 and 2009, respectively, then published them again in 2022 as second editions, hoping to give them another shot. Didn’t work. No one cared. I’m midway through the third in the series, which picks up where the second book left off. Should I shop this third book without reference to the others? Or kill the other two from socials, Amazon, B&N, and market the THREE books as ONE? They are very cinematic. So, my last idea is to skip publishing and shop them to streaming platforms as miniseries. BEFORE I DO THIS WRONG AGAIN, WHAT SHOULD I DO? Thanks.
Hi Lee,
There’s no right or wrong with all that. I can say, however, that it doesn’t make sense to pitch the third book to agents, if it doesn’t read like a standalone title. Would make more sense to pitch the series to agents. I’d to that before trying to pitch streaming platforms.
Some things you might 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/
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 again 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
I have published an Amazon bestselling thriller (in 4 categories) via a hybrid publisher that was contracted for one book only. I’ve completed the sequel, but I’ve heard that agents don’t like to take the second in the series, even though there may be more installments in the future. Is that true? If not, can you point me toward some that may be interested?
Hi Mark,
Nice to meet you, and that’s great…the success with the first book. The good news is that, based on your success, you have a better chance of making it. The bad news is that it’s not that easy to identify the type of agent you’re talking about. Meaning, no amount of research is going to make that one thing evident. You’ll simply need to query agents to discover which ones are open to your work.
Yes, at that word count, as a new author, it will be virtually impossible.
To that end, some things you might 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/
And, if you’re interested, here’s how to set up a call with me:
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 again 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
Hi! I’m seeking representation for My Little One, my debut nonfiction book blending memoir and self-help. Through personal stories, reflections, and letters written since childhood, I explore healing, inner child work, and hope after growing up in a broken home. This book crosses genres, offering both vulnerability and guidance. I’d love your support in bringing it to readers. Proposal available at: Esther.jessicad@gmail.com.
Hi Jessica,
Nice to meet you, and I’m happy to help. I like books that blend those two things, and have helped quite a few authors of books like that get agents.
Here’s how to set up a call:
Literary Agent Advice (1-on-1 Coaching/Consulting)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-advice/
You’ll find these things helpful, also:
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 again 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
Problem, I have been writing poems and songs for years but my first manuscript that I want an agent to work with, an Historic fiction with a timeless romance theme, is complete with 165,000 words. Soul Purpose does not bore and has a beautiful flow. I understand the word count is high, but it is needed, many events during the characters spiritual trip back in time, they all have a purpose for the story. Is it impossible to have an agent pick it up?
Hi Dominick,
Nice to meet you, and I’m happy to help.
Yes, at that word count, as a new author, it will be virtually impossible.
You should talk with me or someone else in the industry who know what they’re doing, who can help you see how you might make the book shorter without killing it. You’ll likely believe the book is better when you’re done. Though I know it’s hard to imagine that now.
When you’re ready to start querying, these things will help:
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/
And, if you’re interested, here’s how to set up a call:
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 again 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