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
A question about comps for my book. The comps I mention include old crime noir books by authors like Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler. Are they too old to use as comps? I’m sure agents would be familiar with them wouldn’t they?
Hi Tom,
I’m glad you asked. I suggest including something(s) newer as well. Only old comps not a good idea.
Other things you might find helpful:
Literary Agent Advice (1-on-1 Coaching/Consulting with Me)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-advice/
How to Get a Literary Agent (15-Part Guide)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/how-to-get-a-literary-agent/
Ask a Question (FAQ Page on My Website Where You Can Also Post. Questions)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/
Literary Agent Database (The Official Directory of Literary Agents)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-database/
Anything else, let me know.
Remember, you can post questions for me here:
https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/.
I will respond personally, and promptly.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author, LLC
Phone/Fax: (800) 928-5028
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
https://getaliteraryagent.com
Established in 2011, we’ve helped 400+ authors get offers
from literary agents and/or traditional publishers
Do you or your organization provide critique for a manuscript. I have a short (75.000 words) that is good but I need to know what to do to make it great. How much would this service cost?
Douglas J.
douglasgent27@yahoo.com
Hi Douglas,
Nice to meet you, and yes.
The best place to start is here:
Literary Agent Advice (1-on-1 Coaching/Consulting with Me)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-advice/
If that’s all you do, it will be worth your time.
If we think it makes sense after that call, to consider doing more together, I’d be honored to do that.
Anything else, let me know.
I will respond personally, and promptly.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author, LLC
Phone/Fax: (800) 928-5028
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
https://getaliteraryagent.com
Established in 2011, we’ve helped 400+ authors get offers
from literary agents and/or traditional publishers
Hi Mark,
I hope you’re well! You may remember we met one-on-one in 2025 to talk about finding an agent for my historical novel Before He Was Red. It’s set in the crumbling Ottoman Empire of 1876.
I wanted to reach out with an update: I self-published in November, and this month the novel has been named Editor’s Choice by the Historical Novel Society. Here’s what reviewer Anna Belfrage had to say:
“In-depth research coupled with fluid prose and a deeply engaging storyline makes this a fabulous read. Brava!”
The novel also carries an endorsement from Turkish historian Doga Ozturk (Ottoman Encounters): “A richly researched novel that brings a pivotal moment in Ottoman history vividly to life,” and Reedsy Discovery called it “historical fiction that captivates and moves the reader from start to finish.”
I’m celebrating with a Goodreads giveaway running through March 8. If you or your followers might enjoy it, I’d love for them to enter.
Thank you again for the time and encouragement you gave me back then. All the best, Christina Ståhle
Hi Christina,
I remember you (your book is unique). I’m thrilled you stayed with it, and that you got your book out there. And, as you might imagine, I’m equally happy to hear about the award and ms comments. Validates what we talked about. Thank you for sharing, and for your kindness. Those are the types of updates that make me do what I do.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author, LLC
Phone/Fax: (800) 928-5028
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
https://getaliteraryagent.com
Established in 2011, we’ve helped 400+ authors get offers
from literary agents and/or traditional publishers
I really would like to talk to someone on phone. I have 3 books and one ready to come out that I have been scammed over and over. Two companies went out of biz after I paid them Lionsgate strung me along for my novel then asked I pay taxes up front on 600,000. They sent sue letters for week then gave up. I feel you are legit, but I haven’t returned email to you because I was all caught up with these other companies Tranquility press was the worst then Stratton press changed my cover didn’t edit and went out of biz. would like to talk to someone who will realize I am serious about these books and need help.
Hi Chris,
I received your message and looked up our message history…as you know, we’ve corresponded quite a few times, and I’m happy to help if possible.
The Lionsgate thing might not have been real, unfortunately.
See this, if you haven’t already: https://getaliteraryagent.com/how-much-does-a-literary-agent-cost/#alert
After that, here’s the link to book a call with me if you want to do that:
Literary Agent Advice (1-on-1 Coaching/Consulting with Me)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-advice/
Anything else, let me know.
Remember, you can post questions for me here:
https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/.
I will respond personally, and promptly.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author, LLC
Phone/Fax: (800) 928-5028
https://getaliteraryagent.com
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Established in 2011, we’ve helped 400+ authors get offers
from literary agents and/or traditional publishers