This literary agent blog has helped authors of all book genres get literary agents. Hosted by a former publishing agent, this book agent blog inclues articles about looking for a book agent, and how to get a book published working with a book agent.
See our latest literary agent blog posts here with information to help writers of all book genres get publishing agents. You can also visit our Ask a Literary Agent page to see a complete list of questions and answers about getting a book agent.
Should writers follow writing trends? Writers hear a lot of contradictory advice: Know the market, but don’t chase trends. Meet reader expectations, but be original. Use a proven structure, but develop a unique voice. Write what sells, but write what excites you....
What is the best manuscript format for literary agents? Manuscript formatting for literary agents isn't always easy, especially because of online forms and because a lot of online advice about manuscript formatting is conflicting and too rigid. This article explains...
The literary agent slush pile is the collection of unsolicited queries and supporting materials writers send to literary agencies. Despite the name, it isn’t necessarily a neglected heap of bad manuscripts. It can also contain an agent’s next client, book deal,...
Do literary agents edit manuscripts? Agents often help authors revise manuscripts, but they don’t all provide the same kind—or amount—of editing. Some agents give extensive developmental notes and guide authors through multiple rounds of revisions. Others don't do...
This literary agent blog is hosted by former book agent turned author coach Mark Malatesta, creator of The Directory of Literary Agents, host of Ask a Book Agent, and founder of Literary Agent Undercover and The Bestselling Author.
Mark has helped hundreds of authors get offers from publishing agents and/or traditional publishers. Writers of all Book Genres have used our literary agent blog, and our Literary Agent Advice coaching/consulting to get the Top Literary Agents at the Best Literary Agencies on our List of Book Agents.
Get free instant access to the official Directory of Literary Agents™ and our audio/article library. Est. in 2011, we’ve helped 450+ writers get offers from book agents and/or traditional publishers.
Successful Authors
Thanks in part to your query letter, manuscript suggestions, and support prioritizing agents, I received multiple offers from agents. Within two weeks of sending out the first query, I knew who I was going to sign with. I value our friendship.
N E L S O N . J O H N S O N
NY Times bestselling author of Boardwalk Empire, produced by Martin Scorsese for HBO, and Darrow's Nightmare: The Forgotten Story of America's Most Famous Trial Lawyer
After following your advice, my book was acquired, the prestigious PW gave it a great review, and Time Magazine asked for an excerpt. Thank you for believing in my book, and for helping me share the surprising truth about women’s most popular body part!
L E S L I E . L E H R
Author of A Boob's Life: How America's Obsession Shaped Me―and You, published by Pegasus Books, distributed by Simon & Schuster and now in development for a TV series by Salma Hayek for HBO Max
Fine Print Lit got publishers bidding against each other [for my book]. I ended up signing a contract with Thomas Nelson (an imprint of Harper Collins) for what I’ve been told by several people is a very large advance. What cloud is higher than 9?
S C O T T . L E R E T T E
Author of The Unbreakable Boy (Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins), adapted to feature film with Lionsgate starring Zachary Levi, Amy Acker, and Patricia Heaton
AHHH! OMG, it happened! You helped me get three offers for representation from top literary agents! A short time later I signed a publishing contract. After that, my agent sold my next book. I’m in heaven!
M I R I . L E S H E M . P E L L Y
Author/illustrator of Penny and the Plain Piece of Paper (Penguin Books/Philomel), Scribble & Author (Kane Miller), and other children’s picture books
Fiction/General - J. Jago
Fiction/Mystery - B. Harper
Fiction/Mainstream - K. Cox
Fiction/Christian - K. Sargent
Nonfiction/Business - D. Hamme
Nonfiction/Self-Help - A. Goddard
Nonfiction/Environment - J. Biemer
Nonfiction/Diversity - S. Peer
Narrative Nonfiction - D. Cohen
Memoir/Women - L. Lehr
Memoir/Christian - S. LeRette
Memoir/Family/Identity - S. Foti
Memoir/Multicultural - N. Aronheim
Memoir/Inspirational - L. Subramani
Memoir/Mainstream - E. Armstrong
Children's/Pic Book - M. Leshem-Pelly
Children's/Chapter Book - J. Agee
Children's/YA - C. Plum-Ucci
Children's/YA - D. Bester
Children's/YA - L. Moe
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 Literary Agent Undercover and The Bestselling Author. Mark's authors have gotten six-figure book deals, been on the NYT bestseller list, and published with houses such as Random House, Scholastic, and Thomas Nelson. Click here to learn more about Mark Malatesta and see Mark Malatesta Reviews.SCHEDULE AN AUTHOR CONSULTATION
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