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 
Good morning
I’m an aspiring author in the process of publishing my second book in Poland. Can i get the contact for a literary agent? I’d like to publish my books in English.
Best regards
Remigiusz Dudziec
Hi Remigiusz,
I’m happy to help.
Here are some things you might find useful, if you haven’t seen or used them yet:
Literary Agent Database (Directory of Literary Agents)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-database/
How to Get a Literary Agent (NEW 15-Part Guide)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/how-to-get-a-literary-agent/
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, and promptly.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Is there a listing of literary agents interested in books?
That sounds like a smart-aleck opening, but please carry on. My research suggests that agencies are mostly interested in platforms and referrals. That M.O. makes good business sense; but good-God! Consider the millions of manuscripts never to be considered or published because of your seemingly irrevocable, guillotine ending.
I have studied extensively the information agents need to find in a query letter. I sent out 82 query letters–a mixture of every style I could muster including a few rubber-stamped queries that were successful for others.
Only once did I get a warm-body rejection note. A male agent wrote that mine was the best query letter he had ever read. Moreover, he had the grace to say thank you. He gave no reason for his rejection except to state that my writing style–third person omniscient POV, subjective voice–was not his strong point.
Forgive me for a bit of self-indulgence. My greatest fantasy, after abandonment at age six, was to have a mom and a dad. Hence, my imagination became a best friend, and it somehow blessed or cursed me into coining a unique writing style. More importantly, I did not allow social rejection to hammer negativity into my moral fiber. My brothers, on the other hand, were not so inclined.
Hi Charles,
Yes, I’m glad you’re persistent, and I’m happy to help.
Here are some things you might find useful, if you haven’t seen or used them yet:
Literary Agent Database (Directory of Literary Agents)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-database/
How to Get a Literary Agent (NEW 15-Part Guide)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/how-to-get-a-literary-agent/
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, and promptly.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Hi, my name is Duane Whitely,
I have published three children’s books through Christian Faith Publishing and I would like to share my work with you. I have been a construction worker then a factory worker as the two careers in my life and I am now retired at age 71. About ten years ago I became involved with a nonprofit farm that includes ministries to school children through outings, special needs adults groups, open to the public programs and many other community programs. At The Restoration Farm, in Maryland, our purpose is to help restore joy and purpose to families and individuals through our farm setting.
I have written my books from actual farm experiences/animals, and with character building purposes in mind.
By using rhyming stanzas, I try to create a fun read with an uplifting moral that parents appreciate and can use to build deeper conversations.
My first book, Lucas the Lamb address the weaker and handicaps that are over come by this little lamb to find his useful place on the farm.
Second book is Gilligan the donkey that gets a second chance. Emphasizing the importance of not pre-judging and giving everyone a second opportunity to be evaluated.
Third is a book, The Littlest Lamb. In this book I bring the subject of bullying, a responsibility of everyone to avoid.
The fourth book is, (yet to be published), Bip the Honey Bee. In this imaginary life of a honey bee, I teach the idea of always doing a good, or the best job in whatever you do.
Training our children morals and good habits is a never ending goal and great subjects are always showing up at the farm.
I have distributed 100’s of my books in return for donations to the farm and I have donated copies to the school libraries in our county. Through this small sampling I see enthusiastic response to my stories and I would like to share them with the world.
Thanks for taking a look.
Duane Whitely
443-787-9867
Hi Duane,
I’m happy to help.
Here are some things you might find useful, if you haven’t seen or used them yet:
Literary Agent Advice (1-on-1 Coaching/Consulting)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-advice/
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, and promptly.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
I have published a book and now the new publisher wants what is called a “relicensing agreement” for a traditional publishing company.
Do you do this kind of work and if so, what is the cost?
The “old” publisher has no problem is relinquishing all rights to my book.
Hi Lafe,
My apologies for the delay…I’m happy to help.
I’m not sure you need that.
Try the Author’s Guild.
They should help.
And if you want to get a literary agent, at some point, here are some things you might find helpful:
Literary Agent Advice (1-on-1 Coaching/Consulting)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-advice/
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, and promptly.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com