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The Directory of Literary Agents
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Literary Agent Directory
Important: Visit each agent’s website (links in their listings below) to see if they’re open to submissions before querying.
- The results are being filtered by the character: P
Biography
Laura Pink is a literary agent with SBR Media. She has been in the publishing industry since 2018. She’s written under two different pen names as a self published author. She’s social media savvy and loves to use social media to help authors grow.
Laura works 9-5 as a buyer at an electronics contract manufacturer and has 15+ years of experience in the contract manufacturing world.
Laura lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two teenage daughters. They also have three dogs and a cat. When she’s not reading, she’s watching basketball or The Office.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Erotica * Romance *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Zoë Plant is a literary agent with The Bent Agency. She says: “I joined the Bent Agency’s London office in 2019 with a globetrotting background – a degree in Russian and Spanish, a year living in Moscow and five years working with publishers all over the world as a literary scout. I now represent authors who have been New York Times and Nielsen BookScan UK bestsellers, won the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards, and been finalists for the American Library Association’s William C. Morris YA Debut Award. Working closely with authors to bring out the best in their books and their careers is my favourite part of being an agent.
I am looking for middle-grade and young adult fiction across all genres, as well as adult science fiction, fantasy, horror and speculative fiction. Across the board, my tastes lean towards commercial, entertaining, accessible books that also have something to say about the world. I am particularly interested in seeing submissions from writers from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.
In middle-grade, my favourite books combine a quirky voice or setting and a sense of fun with a strong emotional core. I’m not afraid of a little darkness, but for this age group I prefer books that have a spark of joy to temper it.
In YA fantasy, I’m on the hunt for books that do something different in a very crowded market; interesting settings, intricate worldbuilding and unusual magic systems are all things that excite me. I am also looking for eye-opening science fiction and speculative fiction for teens, horror, and deviously twisty thrillers.
On the adult side, I am drawn to science fiction and fantasy with strong commercial appeal, and particularly books that break away from the very traditional classics of these genres. I would love to find the next RF Kuang or Becky Chambers. I am not the reader for biblical retellings in a fantasy setting or very literary or experimental fiction. I love horror that has a social conscience – send me terrifying fiction for the Get Out audience. I have a weakness for murder mysteries and would love to find high concept or genre-bending books in that area, as well as general fiction with a speculative or gothic edge.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Horror * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
529 W 42nd St Suite 3P New York NY 10036 USA
Jenna Pocius
Red Fox LiteraryDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email * Postal Mail *Biography
Jenna Pocius is a literary agent with Red Fox Literary. She has a background in children’s editorial and was most recently Editor at Little Bee Books before joining Red Fox. During her time as an editor she acquired everything from board books to YA novels, and many of her books have gone on to receive numerous starred reviews and awards.
As an agent, Jenna is looking for clever picture book texts, character-driven novels with strong voice and world-building, nonfiction that sheds light on little-known but significant stories, and illustrations that are stylish with a touch of whimsy; while she is open in terms of genre, she gravitates toward contemporary/realistic fiction, magical realism, and fantasy. She is also a sucker for animal stories, especially dogs.
Jenna lives in Connecticut with her husband.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
Rebecca Podos
Rees Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Rebecca Podos is a literary agent with the Rees Literary Agency. She has been with the Rees Literary Agency since 2011. A graduate of the MFA Writing, Literature and Publishing program at Emerson College, her own Young Adult fiction is published by Balzer+Bray/ HarperCollins and Running Press Kids/Hachette. She is thrilled to represent books by authors like Ashley Herring Blake, Rin Chupeco, Margie Fuston, Felicia Grossman, Sonia Hartl, Hannah Moskowitz, Shelly Page, London Shah, Brianna Shrum, Sara Taylor Woods, Rebecca Kim Wells, and more. A complete list of her authors’ published and upcoming projects can be found on her personal website.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Fantasy * Middle Grade Fiction * Romance * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Barbara Poelle
Irene Goodman Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Barbara Poelle is a literary agent with the Irene Goodman Literary Agency. Barbara began her publishing career as a freelance copywriter and editor before joining the Goodman Agency in 2007, but feels as if she truly prepared for the industry during her brief stint as a standup comic in Los Angeles. She has found success placing thrillers, literary suspense, Young Adult and upmarket fiction and is actively seeking her next great client in those genres, but is passionate about anything with a unique voice. Barbara also writes the column Funny You Should Ask, in Writer’s Digest.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Literary * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Ruth Pomerance
Folio Literary ManagementDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Ruth Pomerance is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. She says: “At Folio, I will be acquiring and building my own list as a literary agent, and also guiding and augmenting Folio’s presence in the feature film, television, theater, and gaming industries.
My background is unique in that I’m one of the only New York-based executives with a 360 degree scope of experience in entertainment and publishing. I’ve been involved in all sides of the entertainment business having worked as an executive for production companies run by producers as varied as Scott Rudin, Arnold Kopelson, John Davis, Lee Rich, Fred Zollo and David Rockwell. As a Studio Executive at USA Films I oversaw development of feature films in the two years just prior to the company’s sale by Barry Diller to Universal when it then became Focus Features. At Michael Ovitz, Rick and Julie Yorn’s management company, Artists Management Group I found properties for the AMG feature film and television production companies, for AMG clients and helped fledgling authors get published. Earlier in my career, I ran the Story Department at the William Morris Agency where I worked with the agency’s many illustrious film and television clients.
I championed authors Caleb Carr and Adriana Trigiani when they were undiscovered, helped John Grisham find a publisher and film deal for The Firm, and served an Executive Producer of the movie adaptation of the Judy Blume novel Tiger Eyes. While an editor at Hyperion I edited the New York Times bestseller The Shift, by Tory Johnson.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial *
NONFICTION: Memoir * Narrative *
Tabatha Pope
SBR MediaDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Tabatha Pope is a literary agent with SBR Media.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Middle Grade Fiction * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Marcy Posner
Folio Literary ManagementDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Marcy Posner is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. Marcy says: “I have spent a lifetime in books. I started out with a brief stint as a librarian, but found it a bit too staid, so moved on to publishing. My first job was at Pinnacle Books where as assistant to the President I was given a book to edit the third week of my employment. I then moved on to Rodale Press and then Salem House where I helped bring British books to the US, finally moving up the publishing ladder to Pantheon’s Associate Publisher, where I worked with some of the major cultural icons of our time, including Noam Chomsky, Studs Terkel, Matt Groening and Art Spiegelman. After fifteen years on the editorial side of the business, I made the jump to agenting – spending twelve years as at the William Morris Agency as an agent and as Vice President and Director of Foreign Rights; five years as president of my own agency; five years at Sterling Lord Literistic as an agent and Director of Foreign Rights; and I’m now here—and very happy—at Folio. Editorial skill and a deep knowledge of the publishing industry sets me apart from many of my colleagues. When I work with my authors, I’ll focus editorially on how to make the book as strong as it could be—whether that book be terrific women’s fiction or an extraordinary YA debut (or any of the other categories I represent). During that process, I’m able to bring to bear all the institutional memory I possess, knowing which editors and which publishing houses have a penchant for a certain subject, or a different voice, or a particular kind of author. My clients include Newbery Honor winner and New York Times bestseller Jacqueline Kelly, New York Times bestseller Sheri Reynolds, autism advocate Christina Adams, Kristi Cook, Christopher Grant, Gretchen Kelley, Jerri Corgiat, former baseball pitcher Bob Tewksbury, and Marbles: The Brain Store among others.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * General Fiction * Historical * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * NoPB * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Environment * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Journalism * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Narrative * Nature * Psychology * Science * Women’s Issues *
Jeff Posternak
The Wylie AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email * Postal Mail *Biography
Jeff Posternak is a literary agent with The Wylie Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Mystery * Picture Book *
NONFICTION: Biography * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * History * Humor * Memoir * Politics * Pop Culture *
Biography
Tanusri Prasanna is a literary agent with DeFiore and Company. Tanusri’s background in human rights law has helped shape her eclectic list, which features compelling new voices in the adult and children’s books spaces. She looks for accessible and wide-reaching, narrative nonfiction set against themes in social justice and representation; memoirs that speak to these issues with authenticity, humor, and heart; and select fiction featuring diverse perspectives, experiences, and even storytelling styles. For YA and middle-grade, Tanusri gravitates towards contemporary coming-of-age stories, and ambitious, world-building fantasies. She’s drawn to charming and relatable romances, well-plotted and voice-driven suspense, and stories set in schools or interesting neighborhoods. In the picture book space, she loves wry humor and twisty endings, as well as meaningful, concept-driven texts. She also represents children’s nonfiction that excites the imagination and curiosity of young readers.
Tanusri was born and raised in India, and has been living in NYC for well over a decade. She is a graduate of the National Law School of India, holds an LLM from Harvard Law School, and a PhD from Oxford University.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * History * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Middle Grade * Mind/Body/Spirit * Reference * Science * Young Adult *
47 E. 19th St. 3rd Floor New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
Elizabeth Pratt is a literary agent with Park & Fine Literary and Media. She works alongside Celeste Fine, supporting bestselling nonfiction and fiction authors. She brings a sharp editorial eye to her projects, tailoring each experience to that author’s particular needs. Elizabeth is looking for fiction and nonfiction from diverse perspectives and emerging voices that takes something familiar and turns it on its head, recounts history from a different point of view, sheds light on something previously unnoticed, or makes us think about the world in a different way. Of particular interest to her are intergenerational family sagas, historical fiction, books with surreal elements, and deep dives into the inner workings of human relationships.
Elizabeth began her career at The Wylie Agency, working with renowned and debut authors of literary fiction and narrative non-fiction. Following her career at Wylie, she worked in media at Universal McCann helping to manage a corporate client’s multi-million-dollar media budget.
Originally from Michigan, Elizabeth is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the Columbia Publishing Course at Oxford. She lives on the Upper East Side, where she constantly obsesses over the many dogs (on the street and in strollers) and enjoys eating a lot of good food.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICITON: Family Saga * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Literary * Multicultural Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * History * Multicultural * Narrative *
Biography
Linda Pratt is a literary agent with the Wernick & Pratt Agency. Linda received a BBA in finance from the University of Texas in Austin. After briefly exploring a career on a bond trading desk, she began working at Sheldon Fogelman Agency. In working at the agency, Linda finally found “her people” in the world of children’s publishing, and has never looked back. Initially working primarily on the operations side of the business, doing everything from royalty analysis to annual accountings for literary estates, Linda was later promoted to agent. This opportunity allowed her to combine her business acumen with her love of the artistic side of creating books, including working with clients editorially. She works with both authors and illustrators who create work in all genres of children literature, both fiction and nonfiction. Among Linda’s clients are LeUyen Pham, Steve Light, Kathryn Erskine, Richard Peck, Charise Mericle Harper, and Lita Judge. Linda has also enjoyed introducing new talent, and has worked with clients like Aaron Becker, Augusta Scattergood, and Angela Dominguez (as both author & illustrator) since placing their debuts.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
4455 Douglas Avenue Riverdale NY 10471 USA
Rebecca Pratt
The Rebecca Pratt Literary GroupDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Rebecca S. Pratt is a literary agent with and the founder of The Rebecca Pratt Literary Group. She says: “In the late 80’s I took my successful free-lance writer/editor career and focused on developing books, helping non-writers turn their ideas into marketable projects. When I sold the first in 1990, an agency was born.
I continued, specializing in non-fiction. Then from 1995 until 1998 I took a leave of absence. When I returned, the business had changed and so had I.
By 2001, I was ready to take the next step and assembled a team that helped the agency to thrive. Now we are at another crossroads. While I will continue as the agent or record and owner, I am now stepping back and giving the reins to a new, dedicated and capable team.
Please welcome our acquisitions editor, Leo Hunter. Leo comes with extensive experience as an editor and award-winning journalist. An avid reader, Leo enjoys historical biographies, memoirs and jazz. His favorite authors include Henry Miller, William Styron, Caleb Carr, Stephen King, and on the lighter side, Stephen McCauley. He lives with his wife and their two dogs and cat in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country.
Anna Martin, Senior Agent, hails from Philadelphia, PA. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Anna worked as an editor for Terradan Press. She is also an avid reader and enjoys Anne Rivers Siddons, Phillipa Gregory and all manner of the romance genre. Anna is a longtime marathon runner and enjoys folk music.
PC Yeager is the author of the popular Mick Christmas suspense series, as well as the YA novel, The Vampire Lover’s Cookbook, all to be re-released by Crossroads Press later this year.. She is the co-author of Skull Feeder. PC enjoys a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction, including true crime, suspense, and the work of Brian MacLaren and Kim Antieau. She adapted her YA novel, The Vampire Lover’s Cookbook, into a two act play which was performed in Charlotte, NC, in 2016.
Other than books, I am a yoga teacher and spend my time on aquatics. And for fun, I pick a five-string, and paint.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Paranormal * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction *
Biography
Kortney Price is a literary agent with Belcastro Agency. She graduated with a B.A. in English from Greenville University in 2014. Since then she has interned with several prominent literary agencies and worked as an agency assistant and associate at several leading kid lit agencies. She found her home with Belcastro Agency in June of 2022 and is building up her list of wonderfully talented authors. Kortney specializes in books for children from picture books through young adult with an eye for all things dark and spooky to light and fluffy. She also works on titles in the adult romance space. To connect and learn more about Kortney, check out her Twitter, Pinterest, or MSWL page.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Graphic Novel * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction *
Saint Louis MO USA
Biography
Aaron Priest is a literary agent with The Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency. Aaron was born in Providence, Rhode Island and graduated from Columbia College in 1959. Having worked for several years as a sales rep for Doubleday, he started the agency in 1974.
Partnered with Molly Friedrich for many of those years, the agency has represented among many others, David Baldacci, Frank McCourt, Sue Grafton, Erma Bombeck, Philip Caputo, Johanna Lindsey, Terry McMillan and Jane Smiley.
Aaron was a founding member of the ILAA (Independent Literary Agents Association) which is now the Association of Author’s representatives. Aaron is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Jewish Theological Seminary and is also on the board of The Schechter Institute of Jerusalem. He serves as well as an executive member of the UJA Publishing Committee. He and his wife Arleen have two sons and two grandsons.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * General Nonfiction *
370 Lexington Ave Suite 1202 New York NY 10017 USA
Victoria Pryor
Arcadia Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Victoria Pryor is the president of Arcadia Literary Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Biography * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Environment * Family * Health/Wellness * History * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Science * Technology *
Biography
Michael Psaltis is a literary agent with The Cea. He initially launched The Culinary Cooperative in 2005 with a concentrated focus on the cooking and lifestyle markets.
In 2012, together with partner Cameron Levkoff, the agency was re-branded as The Culinary Entertainment Agency. The change reflected their intention to continue expertly represent their clients’ interests and help them navigate through the rapidly changing media world to develop their brands and achieve their goals.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Food/Drinks * Lifestyle * Memoir * Narrative *
157 Columbus Avenue 4th Floor New York NY 10023 USA
Biography
Sophie Pugh-Sellers is a literary agent with The Gernert Company. She joined The Gernert Company in 2019, and holds a BA in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies from Barnard College. Raised in Oakland, California and Charlottesville, Virginia, her literary palate is as eclectic and complex as her two hometowns. She is looking for both fiction and nonfiction projects, particularly innovative takes on classical narrative elements and stories told by radical new voices. All of her favorite writing includes characters, language, and worlds so powerful that she misses them long after closing the book. She lives in Washington Heights.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Narrative *
136 East 57th Street New York NY 10022 USA
Joanna Pulcini
Joanna Pulcini Literary ManagementDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Joanna Pulcini is a literary agent with Joanna Pulcini Literary Management. A graduate of the Radcliffe Publishing Course, Joanna Pulcini-Ascaso attended college at Catholic University and graduate school at Boston College, focusing on the origins of women’s novels in the Restoration and 18th Century periods. During her school years, she held internships on Capital Hill, working on Hillary Clinton’s Health Care Reform Initiative, and at the Smithsonian Institute, as one of the Museum Summer Residents, as well as worked throughout her undergrad years in the library at the Environmental Law Institute. In her first full time position, she was the assistant to the editor-in-chief of Vintage Books. She was then an agent at Linda Chester and Associates for six years, representing such dream clients as Rosemary Clooney, Nick Clooney, “Vows” columnist Lois Smith Brady, Yolanda Young, and Mark Sullivan. She established her own agency in 2001 with a small list of authors including Jennifer Weiner, John Searles, and Megan McCafferty, each of whom she would help usher on to become bestsellers. At JPLM, the books she represented and worked on editorially spent over 290 weeks on The New York Times Best Sellers lists. She was the publishing consultant on the first season of the television series Younger, and the videos she started creating at her husband’s bakery, Le Marais Bakery, on weekends as a lark have now gone on to be viewed over 100 million times. She lives with her husband, daughter, and three Havanese pups in San Francisco.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * Celebrity * Film/Entertainment * History * Memoir * Military/War * Music * Pop Culture *
Liza Pulitzer-Voges
Eden Street Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Liza Pulitzer-Voges is a literary agent with Eden Street Literary Agency. Liza has been a literary agent for childrens’ book authors and illustrators for almost 30 years working with over 40 clients. Highlights of the years include Lois Ehlert’s Caldecott Honor for COLOR ZOO; Gloria Whelan’s National Book Award for HOMELESS BIRD; and Sucie Stevenson’s E.B. White award for HENRY AND MUDGE AND THE GREAT GRANDPAS. The growth of authors such as Dan Gutman, Joan Holub, Suzanne Williams, Shutta Crum, and many others is what makes the job irresistible.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
Biography
Jane Putch is the founder of Eyebait Literary Management. She represents New York Times bestselling author Laini Taylor and groundbreaking visual storyteller Jim Di Bartolo. She is a Los Angeles-based literary agent. Providing a unique perspective, Putch offers the expertise gained in 20-plus years of strategic brand and licensing consulting for Fortune 500 companies, entertainment studios, and talent-led brands.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Humor * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Multicultural * Science * Sports * Travel *
Los Angeles CA USA
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Directory Instructions
Use the drop-down menu on the left to search for agents by genre, gender, location, longevity, or AAR Status. To find a specific agent or agency, enter the agent’s name or the name of the agency into the search box.
Important: If you use the search box, you must remove the search term by pressing the “Clear Search” link before you look for more agents using the drop-down menu (or you won’t see the proper results). Click on the “Show Notes” and “Show Bio” links underneath each agent for more information about that agent.
Have a question or need support? Post a comment or question by clicking on the red button at the bottom of the page.
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About Mark Malatesta
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 click here for Reviews of Mark Malatesta.
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Author Coaching Testimonials
“Mark, finding you has been both a treat and a treasure—I just signed a contract with my new literary agent!
My career has spanned publishing, TV, and feature film. I’ve served as Creative Dir. for the Magazine Group, TIME Inc.; Dir. of Time World News Service, a Founding Dir. of TIME-Life Films; Exec. Prod. for both the CBS and NBC TV Networks; Prod./Dir.: Movies of the Week: CBS Cinema Center Films and Universal MCA.
In today’s publishing marketplace, agents come and go. They also very often seem to just want an easy pathway to make a buck. Many authors are let go by their agents because their last book didn’t do well enough and the agent doesn’t want to devote the time to help the author. That’s not what you’re about Mark. Even established authors need this type of support in today’s marketplace.”
Author of ten fiction and nonfiction books
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“I’m psyched to have this be official. After getting five different offers for representation from top literary agents, I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin!
Getting multiple agents interested in my work was really important to me. I’ve dealt with agents before and gotten screwed on things contractually so I wanted to do it differently this time. I wanted choices.
Having you help me create that, and navigate my options, was really helpful. I heard other authors talk about their great relationships with their agents and it made me want the same thing. Now I have that.”
Author of Woman on Fire
(Penguin Books)
* * *
“After sending out the query Mark revised for me, I had the opportunity to speak with literary agents from top agencies such as Janklow & Nesbit, Trident Media, Anderson Lit, and Folio. I signed with Don Fehr at Trident and, a short time later I had a publishing contract with Berkley Books, which recently published my book in hardcover.
Before that, I sent my query letter out on my own to 30 or 40 agents and got a lot of rejections. I then found Mark online while I was researching agents. I was surprised that he offered so much during his initial consultation—for a very modest amount of money.
I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t worked with Mark. I can’t even imagine that now though, because of the grief and detours I experienced before we worked together. It was a time-consuming pain in the neck. If you want to get the attention of top literary agents and publishers, there is no substitute for working with an insider. You can’t beat experience. And having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable.”
Author of Single Handed
(Berkley Books, a Division of Penguin Random House)
* * *
“AHHH! OMG, it happened! I got three offers of representation for my children’s picture book in the United States, even though I live abroad! When I woke up and found the first offer for representation in my email in box, I wanted to scream. But my family was still asleep so I couldn’t. 🙂
Just 8 minutes after I sent a query letter to one of my favorite agents, she replied and asked to see my manuscript. A short time later we had a lovely conversation. She was interested in representing me and sounded very positive and enthusiastic about my book. Since I also got offers from two other agents, I had to turn two of them down. One of them was upset and it felt like I was breaking her heart, but you just have to do it. I kept reminding myself that this is a good problem to have!”
Author/Illustrator of Lon-Lon’s Big Night
and many other children’s books
* * *
“Mark, after you helped me land a top literary agent, I got publishing offers from THREE well-known publishers: Amacom, Palgrave Macmillan, and McGraw-Hill (they’re publishing my book in hardcover)!
I was at Disneyworld with my family, in the Haunted Mansion, when I got the call. I went outside and listened to the voicemail message from my agent. A huge smile came over my face. It was a fantastic feeling. For a moment I felt like life was perfect and the angels were singing.
You’re filling an important need so I’ll say this to every other author reading this testimonial. Mark showed me that getting a top literary agent is a science. If you’ve written a book, or you’re in the process, you’ve already invested a lot—a lot more than money. Don’t stop yourself from getting out there to fulfill your purpose and dreams. Thank you so, so much, Mark!!!”
Author of Customer Focused Process Innovation (McGraw Hill)
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“I got a book deal! After I started sending out my new query letter I had 6 literary agents request my manuscript in a short amount of time, which is awesome. Then, within 2 weeks of my agent starting to pitch my story to publishers, we had an offer. I signed a book contract yesterday. A little while later my agent told me that a TV co-producer asked for more info about my book.
By the way, the acquiring editor that fell in love with the manuscript jumped in with both feet and we just worked out our timeline for publication. She’s as passionate about getting my book out as I am, and that means everything. She read the manuscript in two days and said she couldn’t put it down. And the book is going to be published as a hardcover!”
Author of A Chick in the Cockpit
(Behler Publications)
* * *
“Thank you Mark! After you helped me get a well-known agent with Hartline Literary Agency (for my previously self-published murder mystery), he got me a deal with an American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) approved publisher. I’m hard-pressed to find anything that I had an expectation for that you didn’t deliver on.
Before I worked with you I sent out queries, but no one ever requested my complete manuscript. Comparing your new version of my query to the one I wrote before, I can see a vast difference.
I’ve been in business for 35 years so I’m not just saying this… what you’re doing is phenomenal. There are other people offering similar services, but the difference is your success. Others might say they do similar things but, if you research them, they don’t have your background or track record.”
Author of The Rector
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“Mark, you’re a miracle worker. Thanks to your help with my book, query letter, and synopsis… I now have a legitimate publisher who described my book as ‘Powerful Magic’ and it’s now available in bookstores and online!
I’m a lifelong academic writer who one day found myself writing inspired short stories that came to me in dreams and I began thinking of them as novels. That’s when I had a momentous conversation, an introductory coaching call with Mark Malatesta, the American creative writing coach, or rather, to be precise, a how-to-sell-yourself-and-your-work adviser. It was the best-spent money of my life apart (possibly) for my wedding ring.”
Author of The Black Inked Pearl
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“Within 4 minutes of sending out my query letter, a top literary called me on the phone (the #1 agent on my wish list). Less than 30 days later I had three major publishers making offers. A few days after that, I signed a deal with Random House. Mark, your query letter did that.
My agent talked about the query letter you helped me create for a long, long time. When he first called me on the phone, he hadn’t seen any of my sample chapters. It was just the query letter that did it. Communicating the right thing is so important. You are a wonderful medium helping authors find their voice and elevate their writing from just a hobby to a real business… a source from which they can both learn and earn.”
Author of Lights Out
(Random House)
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“MARK, MARK, MARK!!!!!!! Holy smokes… I just signed my book deal. First, two well-known literary agents asked to represent me. One of them responded to my query letter in less than 4 minutes!!
Then THREE different publishers wanted my book and started talking about making offers. The publisher I chose is perfect for me because they produce titles for the trade, educational, and scientific markets. And they agreed to publish my book as a hardcover!!!
When I met you, Mark, it was a pivotal time. I was under the belief that I could self-publish my book with a vanity press and then seek a publisher. I didn’t know what a literary agent was, why I needed one, or how to get one. I was wandering in the dark. You guided me in the right direction and gave me a solid plan.”
Author of Intestinal Health
(Rowman & Littlefield)
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“Boom!!! I just signed a contract with Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins for (what I’ve been told by several people) is a very large advance for a first-time author.
Before working with Mark I submitted my book to agents but didn’t get any interest. This time around I got a top NY literary agency (Fine Print Lit). What cloud is higher than 9?
I had several agencies interested before deciding to go with Fine Print. And, to be honest, all of the attention didn’t surprise me. The query letter and proposal that Mark helped me develop were incredible. Agents actually said things to me like: ‘Scott, I read your proposal and I’m just blown away by it!’ Mark is extremely talented at what he does. If you have the opportunity to work with him, take advantage of it.”
Author of The Unbreakable Boy
(Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson)