Got an Offer from a Literary Agent? Ask These Questions Before You Say Yes
Helping Writers struggling to survive query rejections.
Don’t be afraid of query rejections. The more you’ve got, the more power you’re getting.
Query rejections are some hurdles aspiring writers to overcome. I don’t think rejections are in the negative territory. Receiving an offer of representation from a literary agent is exciting—but don’t say yes just yet. The agent-author relationship is a long-term partnership, and clarity now can prevent confusion and regret later. When an agent offers to represent your work, use the opportunity to ask these essential questions:
**1. “Which publishers do you envision this book going to?”
Why it matters:**
You want to gauge the agent’s understanding of your genre, target market, and publishing landscape. Their answer should reveal whether they have strong industry relationships—and if they understand where your book fits.
Red flag: Vague or generic answers like “We’ll see what we can do” might suggest a lack of vision or experience in your category.
Here are five major publishers—often referred to as part of the "Big Five" in the traditional publishing industry:
Penguin Random House
Imprints: Knopf, Viking, Crown, Ballantine, Riverhead
Known for literary fiction, nonfiction, and bestsellers.
HarperCollins
Imprints: William Morrow, Ecco, Harper Voyager, Amistad
Strong in commercial fiction, religion, memoirs, and YA.
Simon & Schuster
Imprints: Scribner, Atria, Gallery Books, Pocket Books
Publishes a wide range of genres, including political nonfiction and literary fiction.
Hachette Book Group
Imprints: Little, Brown and Company, Grand Central, Orbit
Known for strong genre fiction, thrillers, memoirs, and literary titles.
Macmillan Publishers
Imprints: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Henry Holt, Tor/Forge, St. Martin’s Press
Strong in science fiction/fantasy (Tor), literary fiction, and academic publishing.
These are the dominant players in traditional publishing with global reach and strong distribution networks.
**2. “What’s your submission strategy?”
Why it matters:**
This shows you how the agent plans to pitch your book. Will they start with the Big Five publishers? Do they also submit to well-respected indie or midsize presses? Are submissions sent in rounds, or all at once?
Bonus tip: Ask whether they tailor submissions or send bulk pitches. You want someone strategic, not scattershot.
**3. “Do you handle film, TV, and translation rights—or work with a co-agent?”
Why it matters:**
Ancillary rights (film, TV, foreign, audio) can be a major source of income. Some agents manage these directly; others partner with specialized co-agents.
Best-case: They have a track record—or trusted partners—who actively shop these rights.
**4. “What’s your editorial approach? Will we revise before submitting to publishers?”
Why it matters:**
Some agents are editorially hands-on; others expect you to work with outside editors before querying. Find out if the agent plans to help shape the manuscript, and to what extent.
Consider your preferences: Do you want developmental feedback, or a lighter touch?
**5. “What is your commission structure?”
Why it matters:**
Standard rates are 15% for domestic deals, and 20–25% for foreign, film, or translation rights (if co-agents are involved). Make sure this aligns with industry norms.
Clarify: Do they charge for postage, marketing, or other administrative fees? Most reputable agents don't.
Bonus Questions (If the conversation flows well):
“How do you prefer to communicate—email, phone, Zoom?”
Find out how accessible they are and how often you’ll be in touch.“What happens if we disagree on editorial or career direction?”
You want someone collaborative, not rigid or domineering.“Can I speak to one of your current clients?”
This isn’t rude—it's due diligence. A good agent will be proud to connect you with happy clients.
Final Thought
Representation is a major step—but it’s also a partnership built on trust, communication, and shared goals. Ask the right questions now so you can move forward with confidence.
Recently, J.K. Rowling got a boycott from a San Francisco bookstore due to her POV on LGBTQ. She hired Christopher Little for her first agent because he was well established in children’s books. His family name Little represented the suitability of his name for a children’s book.
Who sold the most books, except for the Bible and Shakespeare? Agatha Christie.
She sold over 2 billion copies of her whodunit stories and others. She wrote over 100 published books including plays and short stories. Who is going to beat her in terms of the volume of book sales?
