Literary Agent Biographies – Are you making a common mistake when reading the bios of literary agents online or in books? This article shows that there are probably a lot more publishing agents than you realize, that might be interested in you and your book. But you might not think to submit your work to them.
This article explains…
Every week I help my new 1-on-1 coaching clients find the right prospective agents. In other words, I help them figure out which literary agents are the best fit for their book so they can get a top literary agent, publisher, and book deal. And I walk them through entire process, step-by-step.
A big part of that process is looking at literary agent biographies, but it’s not as easy as you might think to find the right book agents to submit your work to. This article includes one of my best tips to help you be more effective when reading literary agent biographies, so you can get the results you want.
* * *
Literary Agent Biographies – A Word of Caution
Start by thinking of literary agent
biographies as imperfect.
Completely incomplete.
Even the most detailed literary agent biographies don’t necesarily list everything you need to know… to see if your book is a good fit for a certain book agent. Put it this way. Most book agents are open to more types of books than you (or even they) might realize. Their personal experiences affect their professional choices. And good book agents are interested in new experiences (just like good writers).
To help you understand, I’ve compiled a short list of quirky things about me below that you probably don’t know. You won’t see this type of information (for the most part) in literary agent biographies because most book agents wouldn’t see the relevance of including it. But all the items on this list have helped me connect with different authors who’ve written books touching on related topics or themes.
For example,
did you know that:
* When I was little we were so poor that we had a one-piece-of-toilet-paper-per-person-per-bathroom-visit rule.
* I have two half-sisters.
* I’m the youngest.
* My parents split up when I was 10 (the police came and made me decide who I was going to live with).
* My father died of a heart attack when I was 11.
* I’m a romantic who’s written (but you can’t see them yet) 6 books of love poetry.
* When I was an literary agent I read (and represented) virtually all book genres.
* I’ve gone 155 miles per hour on a motorcycle (when I was young and stupid).
* I’ve broken multiple bones (yes, there’s a connection to the motorcycle).
* I have my pilot’s license but don’t fly anymore.
* I’m a certified scuba diver but don’t do that anymore, either.
* I’m more street smart than book smart.
* I majored in Psychology and Communications in college.
* I’m the first person in my family to go to college.
* I like introverts as much as extroverts (I switch back and forth myself).
* I’m a recovering junk food addict turned fitness enthusiast.
* I’ve taken judo and Tae Kwon Do.
* I can probably beat you at billiards and Scrabble.
* I’m a Pisces.
* I like beer as much as I like wine.
* As I kid I was part of a weird Christian church that didn’t allow it’s members to have friends or date outside the church.
* I was a late bloomer socially and college was like high school for me.
* I saved myself for marriage.
* I was married once before (now in my second marriage, together 15 years).
* I do my best not to judge others.
* I try just as hard to encourage others.
* I like dogs and cats and I’ve lived with both.
* I cried my guts out when I watched Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan.
* I like most types of music including classical, country, rock, and rap.
* I think of myself as a renaissance man who likes ballet and opera as much as football (well, almost).
* When I was in school I took a semester of golf, Spanish, and French.
* Before I worked in publishing I was a behavior modification expert and trainer for several social services institutions serving developmentally delayed adults; the homeless; and disadvantaged youth (including jailed offenders).
* My first job was pulling weeds for a neighbor for $1 per hour.
* Other jobs I’ve had: bag-boy, cashier, prep cook, aircraft parts painter, telemarketer, door-to-door sales, logging foreman, and assistant chemist/metallurgist.
I could go on,
but I think you get the idea…
* * *
Literary Agent Biographies – Don’t Assume Anything
Hopefully there was at least one thing on the list above that surprised you and made you feel more of a connection to me… because that means you might have the same experience with other book agents who are still active and looking for new writers. Don’t put too much weight on literary agent biographies.
Why?
You might be pitching a book about the 50 best honeymoon locations in the United States, but you wouldn’t know which agents recently got engaged. You might be pitching a book about how to grieve the loss of a loved one, but you wouldn’t know which agents recently lost someone close to them. Or, you might be pitching a novel about forgiveness, but you wouldn’t know which agents were recently betrayed by someone they trusted dearly.
The bottom line…
There are thousands of things you don’t know about the book agents you’re thinking about submitting your work to, even though you’re reading their literary agent biographies. So, don’t assume that a book agent isn’t a good fit for you just because he or she supposedly isn’t (in your mind) the right gender or age or anything else.
Be more open and inclusive when you’re reading literary agent biographies and compiling your list of prospective book agents. Always remember that you’re only looking at a small piece of the puzzle.
Good people are
just like good books.
They can
surprise you.
Pleasantly.
If in doubt
send the
query out,
– Mark
* * *
* * *
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 
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 
Thanks for your reply and congrats, Mark, and all the helpful advice shared here and in your sites. Our tiny Australian picture book print runs are rarely profitable for agents, so ‘No picture books’ can mean ‘If I like what you write in one of my preferred genres I will also rep your picture book texts if I believe they are saleable. I just don’t want clients who only write picture books.’ But it may also mean that the agent does not personally know many picture book editors and their tastes.
You bet Peter, and thank you for your kindness. Much appreciated and glad you’re finding the sites valuable, and it’s a good point that “rejections” are often just based on an agent not having the right connections. Too many authors think every pass is personal… so not true.
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
An Australian agent gave a talk and her wish list: no poetry, no picture books, no how-to-do-it books. We chatted afterwards and she asked what I wrote. “The genres you don’t rep,” I replied, but I had one of my books in an open bag–a calligraphy manual, which she saw. It turned out that she loves paper-crafts and has since negotiated two more books on the subject for me and a rhyming picture book.
With her support, I’m seeking a US and/or UK agent (I’m English and some stories are set there).
Hi Peter, I absolutely LOVED that story… and the fact that you shared.
Doesn’t that just make the point!?
You really never know…
Have a great week!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
And congratulations!!!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Mark, your list is a heartbreaking compendium of trials to which not many people can relate. Thanks for the article; it has many salient points about understanding the person on the receiving end of the query. I hope your week is a splendid one!
Thank you Jeff, glad you enjoyed the article… and I hope you have a wonderful week!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Wow! This one is a great article. Some of us think of literary agents as impersonal and cold individuals, but you change the whole point of view and give us a close up of their hearts, showing us that nothing is impossible. Thank you so much!
Thank you Sara, you just made my night.
Have a great week!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Wow, your parents split up and then you lost your dad a year later? What a tough year. My parent’s split up when I was 11, although up until recently I have had them both in my life (My dad passed away this year).
We’ve submitted to over 80 agents so far with about 25 rejections, but NOTHING will stop us from finding the right agent, because we have a great literary consultant (Thanks! Mark).
Thank you Greg! And shoot me a private email with a more detailed update when you have a moment. Last I heard, about a month ago, you still had two on the hook. Send me an update privately so I can get you to the finish line. I believe in you 100%.
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
It has taken me more than 3 years to write a seven (7) book series, which I consider to be a “retelling” of “old Biblical stories.” And one, thus far, in fully editing the first five (5) of my books.
Have sent submissions and/or query letters to approximately 65 carefully chosen literary agents, with no success at all.
On a personal level I am a semi-retired Prof. of Archeology as well as Prof. of Ancient Near Eastern History.
Hi Jasper, congratulations on tackling such an epic series… although I’m sorry you haven’t had any luck getting agents to request it yet. The good news is that you can often get a drastically different response by tweaking or changing your pitch materials (query letter, synopsis, book proposal, manuscript, etc.).
My favorite example of this is one of my coaching clients who’d pitched her favorite “dream” agent three times over the course of two years. Rejections every time. After I helped her rewrite her query letter, she approached the same agent a fourth time and he requested the full manuscript. So don’t get too discouraged. You might just be a few changes away from getting what you want.
As a next step (if you haven’t already done so) click here to access to all the resources I have about getting an agent in my private, members-only area (no charge): http://thebestsellingauthor.com/membership/. Once you’ve entered your name and email address there, click on the link that says, “Audio Training Library”. Then you’ll see my main audio training (and text transcript), which reveals the 7 Insider Secrets You Need to Know to Get a Top Literary Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal.
That might have what you need
to get to the next level…
If you want help with anything else, you can post questions for me online here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/ask/. You can also (if you haven’t done so already) get access (no cost) to all the valuable resources in our private, members-only area here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/membership/. And you can register for an introductory coaching call with me here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/coaching/intro-call/.
Either way, I’m looking forward to learning more about you and your work.
Have a great week, and good luck!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Wow! When I first read this I thought it was a compilation of factoids from several different agents you have known or known about.
Many of these directly parallel my experience – I’m a Pices; I have over 40 hours as a pilot but I fly no more; I married my current wife once in 1976 and again in 2006 with a total time in service of about 15 years…
If I were querying you as a prospective agent and I knew all of this it would indeed give me a lot more “Personalization” opportunities
Hi Michael, that’s funny… who knew we had that much in common? And hopefully that article gets you to query a few extra agents you weren’t sure about!
Have a good night,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
As per usual some more good advice from Mark, for which it is much appreciated. We budding authors need all the advice we can get to have a chance of being successful/
Many thanks
Tigerman
Thank you Tigerman, and have a good night!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Hello Mark and thanks, This article hits close to home in my search for an agent. Because of the controversy of my work I knew some agents would reject it. I was hook on a certain type of agents because of their bio & I wanted their feedback, but you’re right there’re other agents that might be interested in my work. So I rewrote my query & proposal then I reformatted my 600+ page book into 3 books and now I’m getting it professional edited. I plan to go all out on my next queries with this info
Hi Roland, glad to hear you’re sticking with it… good luck and let me know if/when you have good news!
I’m pulling for you,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Agent hunting is not made easy. All major writing conferences recruit agents for pitching. You see a list of what they “represent”, and when you pitch you are likely to hear “That’s not for me.” Nonetheless, pitching remains a good experience and the more often you do it the better you get at it. But will it be successful? Depends on your book and the likely payback for the agent. I will keep trying whichever way it goes.
Hi John, one day at a time… you’re getting there. And your odds are much greater pitching agents in your pajamas from the comfort of your home via your laptop… since you can pitch almost all of them that way… and only a few at each conference! But you’re certainly right that every opportunity to pitch is an opportunity to improve. Have a good night and happy writing.
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Mark: An excellent insight to what those trying to get published face. It’s just the shot in the arm we need when we are questioning ourselves about whether we will find an agent or not. You are a very astute young man, and one who’s willing to tell it like it is warts and all.
By the way what you wrote is the stuff memoirs are made of so come on poetry man, there are other worlds for you to conquer. We can only find out how different we are when we are willing to share those differences.
Hi Branton, thank you… and… one of my clients just emailed to let me know that he just got an offer after sending out more than 600 queries! Sometimes persistence is the key. But I’ll leave the writing to the real writers out there. No memoir in my future. My life is interesting but it isn’t THAT interesting. 😉
Have a great week and keep believing,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Hi Mark,
That was a terrific article, I can connect with some of them myself. You’re right, just when you get depressed about all the rejections one gets from agents, you keep telling us to have hope faith and that’s a very encouraging attitude. We all need that. Thanks again
Thank you Bob, that’s half my “job” so I’m glad it’s working.
Keep believing and keep going!
And have a great week,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Wow. I wish all literary agents included a few of these personal details in their bio–after all the book we submit contains bits of our soul and guts and horrific life experiences turned to art. Some agent bios verge on the snotty–like “no fairies, no fantasy, no chosen ones, no unicorns (who hates unicorns?)please.” They forget we are selecting them as well. (And I happen to have an amazing book that include fairies in a unique way that they will never see.
Thank you Mark,
Robin
Hi Robin, there are some good agents out there who view the author/agent relationship the way I always did… as a partnership… so hopefully you land one of those. 😉
Have a great day, and week!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Thanks for this Mark. Makes sense. I really enjoy your articles and find them so valuable to someone looking for an agent. This has really helped to think differently about the agents I approach. Really appreciate it.
Thank you Francois, you just made my day.
I appreciate your kindness.
Have a great week!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
How very true. Good luck with your searching. Think positive and you have more chance of success.
🙂
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Bet I could beat you at Scrabble. 😉
And yes… good to know agents are just people too.
Thanks!
🙂
And you might very well be able to beat me at Scrabble…
I’m decent but not a pro!
Have a great week,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Thanks I really needed this article. I feel perplexed when I read in a literary agents bio that they do not want children’s books.I think to myself but that’s what I write children’s Sci Fantasy.This makes me want to get more aggressive when looking for an agent. Thanks for sharing some of your life with the readers. This makes you seem more real than just a website.
Hi Natasha, happy to help… but the one thing you should pay attention to is what agents say about the different genres they want… so don’t query agents who don’t say they want children’s books… if you have children’s books. But if you’re not sure someone wants your exact type of children’s books… it might be worth sending them a query to find out.
Have a great day, and week!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
You’ve worn many shoes–but you’re wearing your best pair, now.
Hi Juanita, thank you for that. I feel that way, too… although, every once in a while, someone thinks I should still be an agent. 😉 Mark
Thanks, Mark, for sharing with and for giving yet more good advice to your followers.
Judy
Hi Judy, thank you for the kind words and taking time to comment. Warm wishes to you and hope to see you again soon. Mark
A vey thought provoking post…and I’m amazed you have survived this long!
One of the things I look for in agent bios is their favorite authors, or which books they read recently they’ve liked. Sometimes that gives me something personal I can connect to them.
Not that it’s done me any good yet, but…it makes the letter easier to frame.
Hi Laura, thank you… and always I love hearing from you. I always find it interesting that so many agents don’t even seem to try to connect with authors or share that much that would allow them to do that. Maybe it’s more about them not knowing what it’s like to be on the other side. Here’s to you breaking down the door soon. Mark
Some of the things you listed I knew about, others I didn’t. But all of them made you into the wonderful man you are today. Thank you again for sharing your wisdom with us. It’s so appreciated today and everyday.
Hi Sue, you know how to make a boy blush. I should say man, but I like alliteration. 😉 Thank you for being so kind and supportive. And here’s to you expanding your vision of who and what might be a good fit for you and your work. Happy holidays and much success in the new year. Mark