Literary Agent Guidelines for Book Agents

by Mark Malatesta | Mar 7, 2012

Home » Literary Agent Blog » Literary Agent Guidelines for Book Agents

Literary Agent Guidelines for Book Agents – Are You Listening?

Today I’m going to take you inside the head of a literary agent. Scary proposition, I know. But it will be worth it. You see, there’s one thing about literary agents that you need to understand…

Most agents (good ones, anyway) are particular and downright obsessive about details. They can also be completely unforgiving if you don’t follow their instructions.

Ouch.

I know, take a moment.

Then read that statement one more time before I elaborate…

Most agents (good ones, anyway) are particular and downright obsessive about details. They can also be completely unforgiving if you don’t follow their instructions.

Once you understand that fact, you also need to understand that you aren’t going to change that fact. And, you aren’t going to find a loophole in the literary agent establishment that lets you get around it. That means you should do the following, if you want to increase your chances of securing agency representation:

Read (carefully) what agents say on their websites and in their correspondence to you, if and when they respond. If you think you’re doing that already, read the rest of this article anyway. My experience says that you’re probably not being as anal about this as you should.
Follow their instructions to the letter. If they ask for the first 50 pages of your manuscript, don’t send 51 (even if that’s where your chapter ends). Trust me.

If you feel like I’m talking to you like a five-year-old, you might be right. But it’s out of necessity, based on my experience as an agent… and conversations I’ve had with other agents. Literary agents will judge you based on your failure to read their websites carefully and/or follow their instructions. You’ll be viewed as ignorant, arrogant, or incompetent.

I know.

Take a moment.

Now, you’re wondering…

What gives agents the right to judge?

Well, they get paid to judge.

An agent’s survival in the publishing industry depends on his/her ability to review query letters quickly, and most agents get more than a thousand query letters a month. So, in some twisted way, agents actually like it when you give them a reason to reject you. It lets them get through their pile of query letters that much faster.

Some agents will even “test” you by asking you to submit something unusual, or they’ll ask you to submit something in a particular way… with the sole purpose of seeing if you’re professional enough to follow their instructions.

It might sound harsh, but literary agents don’t want to be bothered by writers that aren’t professional, respectful, and easy to work with. And they don’t have to be bothered by people who aren’t all those things. Remember the volume of query letters that agents get.

Agents like people who pay close attention and listen.

Agents don’t like to repeat themselves.

Every word that an agent says means something. Remember, agents are in the business of publishing — where words are important. In fact, words are money.

And…

Agents don’t like to be challenged when it comes to the way they work (because they’re doing what has already proven to work for them).

Even though I’m no longer an active agent, I still get annoyed when writers (who should know better) don’t read carefully and, as a result, waste my time asking stupid questions (yes, I believe that some questions are stupid).

For example, when I’m going to be interviewed by someone or host a training event for authors, I often promote those events by email. And I always clearly state… that anyone who registers will automatically get a copy of the mp3 recording (even if they can’t be there for the live event).

What do you think happens? You guessed it. A handful of people always send me emails, asking if there’ll be a recording of the call… because they’ll be walking their dog or in the middle of a piano lesson during the live event.

At first I thought it was my fault, maybe I wasn’t communicating clearly enough. So the next time I promoted an event, I added the information about registrants being able to get the mp3 at the very beginning of the email, in CAPS. I even used BOLD typeface and added EXCLAMATION POINTS!!! And, yes, I also repeated the information in the middle of the email, and at the end.

I think you know what happened… I still got a slew of writers cluttering up my email inbox, making me repeat myself. Is it any wonder that agents get frustrated and ask themselves: “If a writer can’t take the time to read my instructions (or follow them), why in the world would I want to work with them?”

Let me close this week’s missive by saying… I don’t want you to end up
in the rejection pile, and I know that you don’t want that either.

So, read carefully.

And respond appropriately.

In short, do whatever an agent says…

Unless they ask you to get naked
or send them money,

Mark Malatesta

Your “Undercover” Agent

* * *

Find a Literary Agent

76 Comments

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Margaret Long on March 22, 2016 at 2:01 am

Thanks for this info Mark. I guess I shouldn’t have sent my whole manuscript to Curtis Brown and just sent what they asked for. I must admit, I was excited at the come back from my Amazon readers who read my novel and wanted to share it with the World. Big mistake! Xlibris, my publishers, have sent my novel to the Clarion for a review, so I will wait, with baited breath, to see what they say about my novel. I really need an agent who deals with ‘based on a true story’ novels.
Once again,…
- Mark Malatesta on March 23, 2016 at 12:48 pm
  
  Hi Margaret, it looks like your message might have gotten truncated because it was too long for my online form. And yes, only send agents what they ask for. 🙂
  
  Good luck with the review, and…
  
  If you want help with anything else, you can post more comments/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/.
  
  Have a great day!
  
  – Mark
  
  Mark Malatesta
  The Bestselling Author
  http://thebestsellingauthor.com
  Literary Agent Undercover
  https://literary-agents.com
Gopal Srinivasan on March 21, 2016 at 9:34 pm

Literary agents, yes. Interesting breed. (So long as they’re in the seller’s market) Think for a moment. Their idea is to assess & evaluate the quality of the content of the book. The author might also think the nuances will emerge only when the agent reads a couple of pages more. Then why restrict to exact (stated) number of pages. If the author has a justifiable reason for his act, a decent agent should accept it (provided, ofcourse the reason shows itself. Both parties must be reasonable)
- Mark Malatesta on March 23, 2016 at 12:47 pm
  
  Hi Gopal, since good agents get more than 1,500 submissions a month, it’s not possible for them to read more than that… and still fulfill their other responsibilities. In addition, it doesn’t take more than a few pages for an agent to get some sense of whether they like an author’s story and/or style. I know it’s frustrating, but think about how many pages YOU read in a book by a new author at the bookstore before you decide if you want to read more. I’m guessing it’s not more than a few pages. So just do the best you can to make your first pages as good as they can be. Then agents will read more.
  
  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 day,
  
  – Mark
  
  Mark Malatesta
  The Bestselling Author
  http://thebestsellingauthor.com
  Literary Agent Undercover
  https://literary-agents.com
Philosopher/Author Marie Poirier on March 21, 2016 at 7:35 pm

SPECTACULAR!!! :))
- Mark Malatesta on March 23, 2016 at 7:48 am
  
  Thank you Marie, and I love the enthusiasm. 😉
  
  Have a great day!
  
  – Mark
  
  Mark Malatesta
  The Bestselling Author
  http://thebestsellingauthor.com
  Literary Agent Undercover
  https://literary-agents.com
Carmelina on March 21, 2016 at 7:16 pm

Understandable!!! and I understood.
- Mark Malatesta on March 23, 2016 at 7:48 am
  
  🙂
  
  Mark
Thomas J Ryan Sr. on March 21, 2016 at 6:10 pm

I consider every article you have written is very informative. I truly appreciate the detail you share. I learned as a very young man during my first days in the US Marine Corps, to listen intently and respond in detail. Communications is an element to take seriously, it could mean your life. I know you are directing your communication to writers, however is not writing their life. I have just completed my first novel at the age of 82. I have so much to write and share. I enjoy sharing my ideas.
- Mark Malatesta on March 23, 2016 at 12:40 pm
  
  Hi Thomas, thank you for that. Much appreciated, and thank you for your service! If you want help with anything else, you can post more questions or comments 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/.
  
  I’m looking forward to learning more about you and your work.
  
  Have a great day!
  
  – Mark
  
  Mark Malatesta
  The Bestselling Author
  http://thebestsellingauthor.com
  Literary Agent Undercover
  https://literary-agents.com
Lera Hughes on March 21, 2016 at 6:05 pm

Yes, Sir! Right, Sir! Absolutely, Sir! Whatever you say, Sir! ????This is supposed to be an embarrassed, red face →????
- Mark Malatesta on March 23, 2016 at 7:48 am
  
  🙂
  
  Mark
kay cavanaugh on March 21, 2016 at 6:02 pm

Thank you. Good, clear advice
- Mark Malatesta on March 23, 2016 at 7:47 am
  
  Thank you for that Kay, and taking time to say hello.
  
  Have a wonderful day!
  
  – Mark
  
  Mark Malatesta
  The Bestselling Author
  http://thebestsellingauthor.com
  Literary Agent Undercover
  https://literary-agents.com
Lana Mitchell on March 21, 2016 at 5:55 pm

Heard it with the right ear.
- Mark Malatesta on March 23, 2016 at 7:47 am
  
  🙂
  
  Mark
Allan Hanrahan on March 21, 2016 at 4:42 pm

Wisdom to respect and heed. Thank you.
- Mark Malatesta on March 23, 2016 at 7:46 am
  
  Thank you Allan, and have a great day!
  
  – Mark
  
  Mark Malatesta
  The Bestselling Author
  http://thebestsellingauthor.com
  Literary Agent Undercover
  https://literary-agents.com
Shirley Harris-Slaughter on March 21, 2016 at 4:28 pm

Thanks for the tip. By the way, I just offered a free promotion on one of my ebooks for five days and 744 downloads were counted. I’m in shock. Now what do I do? (Just kidding on the question) lol That’s 744 people being introduced to my book.
- Mark Malatesta on March 23, 2016 at 12:39 pm
  
  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/.
  
  Congrats!!!
  
  🙂
  
  – Mark
  
  Mark Malatesta
  The Bestselling Author
  http://thebestsellingauthor.com
  Literary Agent Undercover
  https://literary-agents.com
Conrad Fjetland on March 21, 2016 at 4:23 pm

Good advice. I have sent out several queries to date and each one has to be a little different to meet the agent’s guidelines. At times I have problems with the page request. When an agent asks for fifty pages pasted in the body of an email, the page numbers do not go with the text. I explain this in my email. Would an agent see this as a problem?
- Mark Malatesta on March 23, 2016 at 12:39 pm
  
  Hi Conrad, no page numbers or headers needed when pasting sample pages into the body of an email. 🙂
  
  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/.
  
  Have a great day!
  
  – Mark
  
  Mark Malatesta
  The Bestselling Author
  http://thebestsellingauthor.com
  Literary Agent Undercover
  https://literary-agents.com
David Thompson on March 21, 2016 at 4:22 pm

Thank You, Mark this is really helpful. Kinda like that pop on the forehead, Focus.

Very Sincerely
Dave Thompson
- Mark Malatesta on March 23, 2016 at 7:46 am
  
  🙂
  
  Mark
Kevin C. Wilson on March 21, 2016 at 4:12 pm

Wow. “Ignorant, arrogant, or incompetent.” I’m sure I scored heavily in all three columns.

Great letter.
- Mark Malatesta on March 23, 2016 at 7:46 am
  
  Thank you Kevin, strong words I know.
  
  I’m just the messenger…
  
  And if I don’t say it how it is, I’m not helping anyone. 🙂
  
  Have a great day, and thank you for the kind words,
  
  – Mark
  
  Mark Malatesta
  The Bestselling Author
  http://thebestsellingauthor.com
  Literary Agent Undercover
  https://literary-agents.com
Clayton Morgan on March 21, 2016 at 4:10 pm

I’m trying to learn all I can about finding an agent before I attempt to do so. This is a very helpful article.
Thanks!
- Mark Malatesta on March 23, 2016 at 7:45 am
  
  Thank you Clayton, glad you found the article helpful.
  
  Have a great day!
  
  – Mark
  
  Mark Malatesta
  The Bestselling Author
  http://thebestsellingauthor.com
  Literary Agent Undercover
  https://literary-agents.com
Mary McNaughton on March 21, 2016 at 3:39 pm

Mark,
Your last sentence is great..made me chuckle.
- Mark Malatesta on March 23, 2016 at 7:44 am
  
  🙂 Glad to hear it…
  
  The worst thing any writer can do is be boring and/or predictable.
  
  Right?
  
  Mark
Kerry Cox on March 21, 2016 at 3:30 pm

Thanks for that final caveat re nudity requests. Came just a bit late for me, unfortunately. Boy do I feel silly. And chilly.
- Mark Malatesta on March 23, 2016 at 7:44 am
  
  Hi Kerry, I love it… always appreciate someone making me LOL.
  
  Have a great day!
  
  – Mark
  
  Mark Malatesta
  The Bestselling Author
  http://thebestsellingauthor.com
  Literary Agent Undercover
  https://literary-agents.com
Jerry Joyner on March 21, 2016 at 3:13 pm

I got it, Mark
- Mark Malatesta on March 23, 2016 at 7:43 am
  
  Hi Jerry, have a great day and thanks for saying hello!
  
  Mark
Teresa Rowley on March 21, 2016 at 3:09 pm

Was helpful and to the point. I deeply appreciate all the information you send me. As a new writer I know I need all the help I can get.
Thank you
- Mark Malatesta on March 23, 2016 at 7:42 am
  
  Thank you Teresa, much appreciated!
  
  Have a great day,
  
  – Mark
  
  Mark Malatesta
  The Bestselling Author
  http://thebestsellingauthor.com
  Literary Agent Undercover
  https://literary-agents.com
Lady Caroline Mole Brooks on January 27, 2014 at 5:14 pm

Again so much to learn and I thank you Mark for making my road to success much easier by me spending the time on your website actually listening to what you have to say. I think if you told me right now to put my left shoe on the right foot I would. 🙂 I am very grateful that you love authors so much you are helping us in such a great way. Kudos Mark! | Literary Agent Guidelines
- Mark Malatesta, Literary Agent Undercover on February 25, 2014 at 7:33 am
  
  All I’m going to tell you… is to keep going… putting one foot in front of the other. Shoes on, or not. 😉 Keep doing what you’re doing and you will get there. Mark | Literary Agent Guidelines
B on March 29, 2013 at 10:05 am

yes, agreed. gotcha. | Literary Agent Guidelines
- Mark Malatesta, Literary Agent Undercover on March 29, 2013 at 10:16 am
  
  Hi B, good… just want you to have every possible advantage… and not let something silly and completely avoidable get in the way of your success. 😉 Mark | Literary Agent Guidelines