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’ve been using your site for about a year. Previously I just went to the site to get into the directory of agents. Now I couldn’t access it and had to submit my name and email address. I still don’t ge to the same place. Before I typed the name of an agent and got to a Biography and Notes.
Extremely frustrating!
Hi Werner,
That members-only page is still there, and functional. Clear your browser cache and restart your computer if needed, and let me know if you continue to have an issue. You don’t need to continue entering your name and email address.
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
I am an optioned screenwriter and working actor (credited as James Gaylyn). I am looking for an agent to represent me as a writer. I have written multiple screenplays in all genres. Just wondering if you could unstruct me on the best way to approach that? Thank you.
Hi James,
I received your message this morning.
Everything I do is geared toward helping authors get literary agents who sell books to major publishers.
The agent or publisher then usually makes something happen on the TV, movie, or streaming side of things.
That doesn’t sound like what you need, unfortunately.
If that ever changes, you might find these things useful:
Free Resources to Get a Literary Agent
https://getaliteraryagent.com/#find_and_get_a_literary_agent
Literary Agent Advice (1-on-1 Coaching/Consulting with Me)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-advice/
And 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.
I don’t have a lead or recommendation for a screenwriter resource, specifically, I’m sorry to say.
– 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
Lovely idea. My former agents have retired or died. This will be my 6th book. I am an expert in two fields, Constitutional history and law with over 50 years of legal practice, and hand analysis with over 40 years of practice. Both are reflected on Amazon with 4 and 5 star reviews. My Cornerstone Brief ansd Secrets of the Forgotten American Revolution exhibits my exhustuve hisorical research and legal briefing. My fingerprints and behavior was recently used as the basis for a statistical study to determine if there was any statistical support for fingerprints reflecting behavioral traits. There was very strong relationships confirming the “Campbell Theory” and the report is being prepared for a scientific journal. Maybe I’ll get a Nobel. The curret boo deals with constitutional problems of immediate concern and is called The Fourth Branch – Some Civics Lessons. Copies are out now for prepublication reviews. I had a Facebook page on my Cornerstone Brief but have been locked out, it seems. My web site on the hand analysis is www.behavbio.com..I think I might have a little business for a good agent but contacting everyone on your lists is too much when I have other concerns.
Hi Edward,
I received your message and I’m happy to help if possible.
Based on your publishing history, you’ll have a better chance of getting a new agent.
It’s unlikely you’d need to contact every agent, but you would need to contact some.
If you want to talk about the best and most efficient way to do that based on your particulars, see 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
I have written a narrative education book critiquing and judging the education system in Texas. I’m a 22 year veteran teacher and I can’t seem to find anyone interested in such a niche topic. How can I find suitable agents with this subject?
Hi Joshua,
I received your message and I’m happy to help.
What you asked about is what I do.
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