Easy-to-follow guide with articles about looking for a literary agent, for authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books).
Do literary agents even show a writer's manuscript to publishers before offering them representation? Most writers assume the publishing process happens this way: an agent reads the book, offers representation, signs the author, and then submits the book to...
When can you revise and resubmit a manuscript for literary agents? For example, a literary agent might say they like your manuscript but not offer representation—not yet. Instead, the agent could suggest changes and invite you to send back a revised version. This...
A writer's appearance is far less important to literary agents than a writer's book—but appearance can affect perception, bias, branding, marketability, meetings, and representation. Most literary agents initially evaluate a query letter, synopsis or proposal, sample...
What happens if your literary agent leaves their agency? Most articles focus primarily on whether the author can, or should, stay or follow. This article also explains why your representation, active submissions, existing deals, commissions, rights, and records might...
Book word count ranges for literary agents and publishers have changed over time—and some are changing again. Word counts evolve as genres expand, new formats emerge, publishers experiment, and readers respond differently to books of various lengths. This article is...
Most advice about the author–literary agent relationship focuses on finding an agent, signing an agency agreement, communicating, or ending the relationship. All that is important. But one underlying belief shapes nearly everything that happens between an author and...
When should you get a literary agent? Some writers who ask that question aren't weighing traditional publishing vs self-publishing or another option. They’re want to know their odds of getting a literary agent and whether they should invest time, heart, hope,...
Most articles about author income streams or how authors make money beyond book sales simply provide a list of options. This article goes beyond that. It explores all opportunities but also which ones suit different authors, what they require, how they might...
Discovering how to write chapters that move your book forward is essential for writers of all genres: fiction, nonfiction, and children's books. It's just as important as having a strong opening page. I discuss what agents notice, and where writers often lose them, in...
This updated guide about book-to-screen adaptation explains how books become movies and television shows, when screen interest can occur, who handles film and TV rights, what being optioned really means, where authors can find credible opportunities, and when a...
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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.