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.
The Bestselling Author™Get a Literary Agent(Everything You Need)450+ writers have gotten offers from literary agents and/or traditional publishersUse our article and audio library, and the official Directory of Literary Agents™Your Information is confidential
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
Dear Literary Management Team,
My name is Irina Nikolaeva.
I am the creator of HEART IN ICE, an original Christmas fantasy franchise developed for adaptation as either an animated or live-action feature film, with potential for further franchise expansion.
I would like to introduce two completed screenplays united by a single original mythology within the franchise.
HEART IN ICE
When Christmas disappears from a northern kingdom, a young king sets out into a forbidden winter forest to bring it back — only to discover that restoring Christmas may cost him his life.
HEART OF WINTER
After the events of the first film, a primordial force of nature becomes obsessed with finding the source of the magic of human love, abducts a man, and subjects him to a series of cruel experiments in an attempt to understand the nature of love’s magic.
Together, these two stories explore a fantasy world built around the conflict between eternal perfection and human love, combining adventure, romance, mystery, horror, and original winter mythology.
I would be happy to share the materials if the project interests you.
Kind regards,
Irina Nikolaeva
Dubai, UAE
Hi Irina,
I received your message and I’m happy to help.
First, however, I want to make sure you realize this isn’t a literary agency or a publishing company. We help writers get literary agents (450+ since 2011).
See here:
Free Resources to Get a Literary Agent
https://getaliteraryagent.com/#find_and_get_a_literary_agent
And here, if you want 1-on-1 support re: trying to get a literary agent:
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 450+ authors get offers
from literary agents and/or traditional publishers
Star Wars: Liv Varyn — Shadows of Nythera –
Email Body:
Dear Literary Agency,
My name is Olivia Salazar, and I am an aspiring author and actor. I have created an original comic book inspired by the Star Wars universe, and I would love for your agency to see my comic and consider representing and publishing it. I am seeking guidance to navigate the publishing process, and I am also interested in exploring acting opportunities within the Star Wars franchise.
Query Letter:
I am pleased to submit for your consideration my original comic, Star Wars: Liv Varyn — Shadows of Nythera. This is a coming-of-age epic set in the Star Wars universe, blending luminous new worlds, high-stakes adventure, and a heroine unlike any we’ve seen before.
Brief Synopsis:
Eight-year-old Liv Varyn’s peaceful life on the crystal moon Nythera is shattered when smugglers abduct her, seeking the power hidden in her Force-sensitive bloodline. Years later, Liv escapes captivity and survives alone on the galactic fringe, haunted by visions and pursued by those who covet her mysterious purple crystal—a legacy connected to Mace Windu himself. As Rey Skywalker and the new Jedi Order race to find her, Liv must choose her own destiny, facing both the darkness within and the ancient secrets beneath Nythera that could change the fate of the galaxy.
Character Overview:
Liv Varyn is a fiercely independent, resourceful survivor whose raw Force abilities emerge in childhood, setting her apart even among the Jedi. Her journey is marked by resilience, quick wit, and an unyielding refusal to be controlled—traits that help her endure loss and isolation. Supporting characters include KO-09, her loyal droid companion; Kael, a conflicted smuggler’s son whose loyalties are tested; and Rey Skywalker, whose mentorship of Liv challenges both master and apprentice to confront their pasts and redefine what it means to be a Jedi.
Why This Idea Matters:
Shadows of Nythera explores the legacy of the Jedi from a fresh angle, delving into the cost of power, the trauma of loss, and the courage it takes to choose compassion over vengeance. By centering the story on Liv—a young woman hunted for her heritage and ultimately forging her own path—this comic promises layered storytelling that honors Star Wars lore while expanding its possibilities for a new generation of fans. Major themes include legacy and inheritance, surviving trauma, the meaning of compassion, and evolving the Jedi Code.
Writing Sample:
I have attached a short writing sample, including the opening chapters of my comic, to provide a sense of the story’s tone, pacing, and character dynamics.
I have also prepared a detailed outline, character profiles, sample sequential pages, and cover art to further illustrate the vision and scope of this project. These materials are available upon request.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my project further.
Best regards,
Olivia Salazar
(940) 399-3631
Hi Olivia,
I received your message and I’m happy to help.
First, however, I want to make sure you realize this isn’t a literary agency or a publishing company. We help writers get literary agents (450+ since 2011).
See here:
Free Resources to Get a Literary Agent
https://getaliteraryagent.com/#find_and_get_a_literary_agent
And here, if you want 1-on-1 support re: trying to get a literary agent:
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 450+ authors get offers
from literary agents and/or traditional publishers
I am seeking representation for my middle grade novel, The Widow Master. The Widow Master is a middle-grade Christian fantasy mystery that explores grief, spiritual inheritance, and the redemptive power of mercy. Would like to know if your submission may be forward for me to submit.
Hi John,
I received your message and I’m happy to help.
First, however, I want to make sure you realize this isn’t a literary agency or a publishing company. We help writers get literary agents (400+ since 2011).
See here:
Free Resources to Get a Literary Agent
https://getaliteraryagent.com/#find_and_get_a_literary_agent
And here, if you want 1-on-1 support re: trying to get a literary agent:
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
May I please post a copy of my hybrid published illustrated children’s book to you?
Hi Diana,
I received your message and I’m happy to help.
First, however, I want to make sure you realize this isn’t a literary agency or a publishing company. We help writers get literary agents (400+ since 2011).
See here:
Free Resources to Get a Literary Agent
https://getaliteraryagent.com/#find_and_get_a_literary_agent
And here, if you want to share your book and get 1-on-1 support re: trying to get a literary agent:
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