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 am an old backwoods storyteller that doesn’t ‘chat’ online, so I hope I’m doing this correctly. I have 7 children’s books that are compendiums of short stories (14000-17000 words). I have a series of 4 novels (all over 80000 words) that are modern fiction with fantasy mixed in. I have a series of 2 novels (all over 60000 words) that are modern fiction with horror. I have 1 novel (over 50000 words) that is about fantasy baseball. I have 1 novel (over 57000 words) that is modern fiction and suspense with a touch of fantasy. I have more books that aren’t complete yet. I also have 79 role-playing-game (RPG) adventures with plans for another 18 more. I have also invented a card game and 2 board games.
Your website talks about writers trying to pitch their book to get an agent. Am I going to have to pitch all of these books separately and, IF they are accepted, possibly have to deal with multiple agents? (I already tried to pitch one my games to a company, but they thought it was too similar to one that they had. I think mine was better and would have ruined the sales for theirs.) Is there any way to have 1 agent for it all?
Hi Thomas,
Since you’ve created projects in different genres, there’s a good chance you’ll need more than one agent. The best thing to do is pitch the project you’re most confident or excited about, to start.
To that end, see here:
Free Resources to Get a Literary Agent
https://getaliteraryagent.com/#find_and_get_a_literary_agent
And here:
Literary Agent Advice (1-on-1 Coaching/Consulting with Me)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-advice/
Anything else, let me know.
You can post questions more 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
What if you have multiple books written and they are under at least 3 genres?
Hi Thomas,
I’m happy to help but I’m not sure what you’re asking, exactly.
If you tell me more, I can probably be of assistance.
You can post more 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
Hello,
I recently received this and was wondering if it’s legit. Thank you.
Mark Malatesta
Dear Vince,
I read a piece of your work recently and it caught my attention for all the right reasons. There’s a certain assurance in your voice, the kind that made me pause. Though I’m retired now, I spent many years as a literary agent, and I still find myself noticing writers who seem ready for the traditional route.
If you ever decide to take that path, representation would be the next natural step. From what I’ve seen, your work could align well with Rose Ferrao, who has an excellent eye for distinctive storytelling. She’s selective, but when a project resonates, she gives it he full attention.
If you choose to reach out, you can send your query letter and short bio to literaryagentroseferrao@gmail.com.
Before you do, I’d only ask one thing; do you already have a polished, agent-ready query letter? It’s often the difference between a manuscript being read or overlooked, and I’d hate to see good work dismissed too soon.
Best regards,
Mark Malatesta
Former AAR Literary Agent
Hi Vince,
It is not. Read this, if you haven’t seen it yet, should help: https://getaliteraryagent.com/how-much-does-a-literary-agent-cost/#alert
This is the real me:
Literary Agent Advice (1-on-1 Coaching/Consulting with Me)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-advice/
Free Resources to Get a Literary Agent
https://getaliteraryagent.com/#find_and_get_a_literary_agent
Anything else, let me know.
You can post questions more 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’m currently exploring representation for my book and wanted to align with the right agency. What types of authors or projects are you currently most excited to take on, and what qualities do you look for in a new client relationship?
Hi Kay,
I received your message and I’m happy to help.
However, I want to be sure you realize this isn’t a literary agency.
See here:
Literary Agent Advice (1-on-1 Coaching/Consulting with Me)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-advice/
Free Resources to Get a Literary Agent
https://getaliteraryagent.com/#find_and_get_a_literary_agent
Anything else, let me know.
You can post questions more 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