What is it actually like to be a literary agent? In this special collaboration episode, we’re joined by Tali and Lauren from The Prose Pros for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about agenting, publishing, querying, and what authors often misunderstand about the industry. This is not an episode about how to get a literary agent. It’s a candid look at what literary agents do, what their inboxes really look like, how they evaluate queries, and why agenting is far less glamorous—and far more emotional—than it seems from the outside. We talk about the reality of reading thousands of queries, balancing client communication, handling rejection from the agent side, burnout in publishing, and the huge highs that come with helping authors land book deals. Tali and Lauren also share what they’re looking for in submissions, why fit matters so much, and what makes a query or manuscript stand out. Whether you’re querying, revising, or just wildly curious about the publishing world, this episode pulls back the curtain in the best way. In this episode, we discuss: What literary agents actually do behind the scenesThe truth about querying and agent inboxesWhy agenting is really client service at its coreHow agents evaluate query letters and full manuscriptsCommon querying mistakes writers makeRejection, manuscript fit, and why “no” does not always mean “bad”Burnout in publishing and on the agent sideWhy a bad agent can be worse than no agentThe kinds of books Tali and Lauren are excited to read About our guests: Lauren and Tali of The Prose Pros bring a unique perspective to the publishing conversation as agents, authors, and lawyers. Their insight into both the creative and business sides of publishing makes this episode especially helpful for writers trying to better understand the industry. Connect with our guests: Lauren: Instagram Query Tracker Tali: Instagram Substack Check out The Prose Pros for more conversations on writing, publishing, and agenting. Youtube Apple Pod Spotify If you enjoyed this episode: Be sure to follow Margs & Manuscripts on your favorite podcast platform, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with a writer friend who’s deep in the querying trenches. Follow Margs & Manuscripts on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/margsandmanuscripts/ Subscribe for more real-talk conversations about writing, publishing, and building a bookish life with zero gatekeeping. If you loved this episode, leave a quick rating + review—it helps more writers find the show.
