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
I have self published 4 children’s books. Can you please tell me what are the opportunities you offer in respect to getting an Agent or a Publisher. And at what financial cost to me.
Hi Tony,
I received your message and I’m happy to help.
This is what you’re looking for:
Literary Agent Advice (1-on-1 Coaching/Consulting with Me)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-advice/
Anything else, or any question about what you see there, 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
What is the lowest word count for a YA coming-of-age novel that literary agents will actually consider from a new author today?
Hi Peg,
Below 50k starts to be an issue for most literary agents.
Beyond that…
Here are some 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
My question is.. how come no “Christian “ agency would not sponsor me!! I’m not here to get famous! I’m here to help people. I’m here for purpose!! May Grace find those with closed hands and hearts whom God wanted to use for His Kingdom!
AND THE OSCAR
GOES TO…
A Jewish woman who desperately needed to be saved and the only one who could save her was
Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior.
I’ve been raped, molested, punched, slapped, choked, stabbed, shot, bruised, battered, and slaughtered, not by man but by demons.
Here is my story ..
I keep all names private and confidential unless they are deceased. I will use Mr. or Ms.*
Hi Lara,
I received your message and I’m happy to help somehow if possible.
It sounds like you’ve been through a lot.
Here are resources you might find helpful:
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
I want to schedule an author consultation and more at additional cost.
Having followed the individual query requirements of 53 specially selected literary agents, I have received no offers of representation.
Is it possible for you to review my 80,000-word manuscript of mostly humorous and partly educational hybrid literary fiction?
If I have more questions after the scheduled hour, can I have more time at additional cost?
Regarding reviewing my manuscript, I request only general recommendations, not a lengthy detailed review.
I anticipate that you will prefer to wait for the completion of the author consultation before deciding on reviewing the manuscript.
The manuscript is tentatively titled “MY WONDROUS MALAPROPISTIC LIFE,” pseudonymously by Sir Buncombe Piffle Hokum (an American).
Hi Robert,
I received your message and I’m happy to help.
Let’s see if we can get an agent(s) looking during your next round of submissions.
I do work with some writers beyond the first call, if it makes sense to both of us after the call, as you suspected.
No matter what, the first call will be time well spent.
To that end, see here:
Literary Agent Advice (1-on-1 Coaching/Consulting with Me)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-advice/
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