Ask a 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 already published my book but do not have an agent. I have sold around 300 and the book is in the public library. I have more copies of my book and would like to find an agent to represnet me and sell my books.
Hi Gail,
In response to your post about your book, you’ll likely find the following helpful:
How to Get a Literary Agent (NEW 15-Part Guide)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/how-to-get-a-literary-agent/
Literary Agent Database (Directory of Literary Agents)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-database/
And…
Here are some other things you might also find helpful:
How I Got My Literary Agent (Success Stories)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/how-i-got-my-literary-agent/
Literary Agent Advice (1-on-1 Coaching/Consulting)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-advice/
Lastly…
If you want/need help with anything else, you can post on my new “Ask a Literary Agent” page at https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/. I’ll always do what I can to point you in the right direction. And, on that same page, you’ll find my answers to the questions authors ask me most.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Are there agents who represent more than one genre? e.g. Children’s books and adult fiction/novels
Hi Kathryn,
Yes, and you can see all of them here:
Literary Agent Database (Directory of Literary Agents)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-database/
You’ll likely find this helpful as well:
How to Get a Literary Agent (15-Part Guide)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/how-to-get-a-literary-agent/
And..
If you want/need help with anything else, you can post on my “Ask a Literary Agent” page at https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/. I’ll do what I can to point you in the right direction. And, on that same page, you’ll find my answers to the questions authors ask me most.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Mark, I’ve missed our communications. My book Unfinished People . . . . .” pub.2019 by Page Pub. NYC. Scheduled Ca. Book Fair intro. – cancelled, (covid). I have not received any money based on sales, (normal?)-which appear not good! Wouldn’t consider selling copyright, (Eng.) I’m lost yes, but with so many serious/tragic occurrences, I have not pursued this, nor know how. My fault?
The full title of my book is ‘Unfinished People: ‘unfashion and unframed, of jarring seeds and justly claimed, were all confused and each disturbed the rest.’ A Techer’s Tale,’ by Carol Miccinilli
Thank you for past communications and I still think you would have been an outstanding student amidst the approx. 5,000 teens I taught! I wish you well, Carol
Hi Carol,
Sorry to hear your latest, and yes, Covid has, as you know, caused all kind of problems. Hopefully the rest of this year, and next year, bring better news. Have a good rest of your weekend, and here’s to always being a good student!
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Hi I’m Jerry..I have a finished script called “Prodigy” its about hope and Inspiration..can you publish it at no cost..if you want to read it I can send it to you..
Hi Jerry,
We’re not a publishing company, but here are some links you’ll likely find helpful if your goal is to get a literary agent for a book (that’s what we help authors with):
How to Get a Literary Agent (15-Part Guide)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/how-to-get-a-literary-agent/
Literary Agent Database (Directory of Literary Agents)
https://getaliteraryagent.com/literary-agent-database/
And..
If you want/need help with anything else, you can post on my “Ask a Literary Agent” page at https://getaliteraryagent.com/ask-a-literary-agent/. I’ll do what I can to point you in the right direction. And, on that same page, you’ll find my answers to the questions authors ask me most.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com