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 
Sir, my book is in final edit. I will need an agent to shop it by the end of the year. Thank you for contacting me.
Steven A. Carr
Hi Steven,
You bet, and congratulations on getting it done.
When ready, 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…
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
I write upmarket novels about white, middle-class characters. When I get an actual response to my queries, I am generally praised for my writing. However, agents often mention that my books fit into a “crowded” field. I understand. Most aspiring authors are white and middle-class, and agents are looking for something different, more diverse. I still believe there is a big audience for the novels I write. How do I break through to get the agents to actually read my manuscripts?
Hi Anonymous,
Getting that praise is a wonderful start, and while many agents are looking for diversity now, there’s room for everyone.
You’ll likely find the following helpful, if you haven’t seen/used them yet:
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…
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
Hi Mark,
What a pleasant surprise hearing from you. Congratulations on your brass wedding anniversary. Thank you for sharing a photo of you and Ingrid. You are a lovely couple. I was happy to hear that you took a sabbatical from the laptop to celebrate what matters most. Things that motivate writers.
My husband and my dad recently passed away and it’s the memories of those special moments that keep me going. Isn’t it amazing how God will take the person but leave the good memories?
Thank you, Mark, for encouraging me.
I look forward to implementing some of the principles you suggested in the new guide to literary agents.
I refuse to give up on my dream of becoming a best-selling author.
Be well, my friend.
Hi Shirley,
Thank you so much for the wonderful message. It’s good hearing from you, and the happy news that you’re still committed to getting your work out there, though I know you’ve also had recently family challenges. I’m sorry to hear that, but wishing you well and hoping the holiday season is good to you. Hard to believe, but here it comes!
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
https://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Hello mark, I don’t think my situation has been addressed before, I have so far written 4 books all self published and all are a continuation of the first. Asim’s Extraordinary Journeys. It seems I have fallen prey to all the toxic people in the industry, and taken advantage of by not just the publisher’s but also a Litary agent. I have lost money over a great many promotions that all came to nothing, book sales are slim, trying to ride the media wave, I know advertising and proper marketing of my book is necessary, it’s just I always seem to find the wrong person,. So I am turning to you, to ask your professional advice, as to what I should do next? Just as a note I also have the continuation of books 5 and 6 in manuscript form. Thank you. Tom.
Hi Tom,
I’m sorry to hear you’ve had some bad experiences while trying to get your books out into the world. Most literary agents are decent/good people. I don’t suggest you spend money on anything to try and get a literary agent or to promote your books, as you don’t need to do that. To find free ways to promote your already-published books, do some Googling re: “how to market or promote my self-published book.”
And if you want to get a literary agent, use these no-cost resources:
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…
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