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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: L
Biography
Book editor and agent (WGM Atlantic) specialising in women’s commercial fiction, crime and thrillers. My passion is story – helping authors make their story the very best it can be.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Romance | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Barbara Lowenstein is a literary agent with Lowenstein Associates. Barbara Lowenstein started her publishing career at the Sterling Lord Agency as an assistant to the dramatic agent. She then moved on to Lancer Books, one of the last independent paperback houses at the time, where she created the first line of trade paperbacks in the industry. There, she published self-help, psychology, how-to, crafts, and cooking titles. After a brief stint as Director of Subsidiary Rights for Walker Books, she started Lowenstein Associates, which allowed her to combine her editorial skills with her gift for selling.
In addition to her work in publishing, Barbara is a longtime political activist and champion of voting rights, women’s rights, racial justice, and many other causes. She is currently on the Advisory Board of Mi Vecino, a grassroots organization dedicated to on-the-ground voter registration in Florida. Barbara is also Co-Chair of the West Palm Beach chapter of Tri-State Maxed Out Women’s PAC, which supports pro-choice Democratic women candidates running for national office.
For over four decades, Barbara has represented the international bestselling author M. C. Beaton, known as the “Queen of Cozy Mysteries.” Beaton’s two mystery series Agatha Raisin (St. Martin’s) and Hamish Macbeth (Grand Central) have been translated into 17 languages. The Agatha Raisin novels have been adapted into a television series starring Ashley Jensen and has received rave reviews in the New York Times and The Guardian, among many other publications. Season 1 originally aired on SKY 1 HD. Season 2 is currently in production with Acorn TV. The series is streaming on Acorn TV as well as available on PBS stations across the U.S. and on many international broadcasting channels. The Hamish Macbeth and Poor Relation series by M. C. Beaton have also been optioned and are in development.
In addition, Barbara represents Ishmael Reed, MacArthur Genius Award winner, novelist, essayist and poet. Ishmael is also a Pulitzer Prize nominee and two-time National Book Award finalist. Other clients include Cordelia Fine, winner of the prestigious Royal Society Science Prize (known as the “Booker Prize for Science writing”) for Testosterone Rex, which explores and deconstructs our cultural myths and assumptions in gender dynamics, and Carla Harris, Vice Chairman and Managing Director at Morgan Stanley and author of the extremely successful career and business books Strategize to Win: The New Way to Start Out, Step Up, or Start Over in Your Career and Expect to Win: 10 Proven Strategies for Thriving in the Workplace.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Juvenile Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | BIPOC Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Science Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Health Wellness | History | Lifestyle | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Science |
Biography
Emma Loy-Santelli is a literary agent with the Serendipity Literary Agency. She was born and raised in upstate New York, where her artistic family encouraged her love of reading and making up stories. She earned a BA in English and Ancient Studies from Mount Holyoke College, and an MA in Children’s Literature and MFA in Creative Writing from the graduate program at Simmons College. She spent a year as an editorial intern at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, which granted her hands-on experience editing everything from picture books up through YA and cemented her passion for publishing. She worked as a freelance editor for the Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency, and has been a bookseller at several independent bookstores, including the Strand in Manhattan.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Graphic Novel |
Biography
Sandy Lu is a literary agent with and the founder of the Book Wyrm Literary Agency. She founded Book Wyrm Literary Agency after working as a literary agent for more than a decade at other boutique agencies, including Peter Rubie Literary Agency, Anderson Literary Management, and most notably, the L. Perkins Agency.
Born and raised in Taiwan, Sandy’s family moved to New York in her teens, so she understands the struggles of immigrants and those who straddle two cultures all too well.
Sandy holds BAs in psychology and sociology from Queens College, with minors in music, business, and Japanese. Prior to becoming an agent, she attended the Ph.D. Program in Social and Personality Psychology at the CUNY Graduate Center and worked as a business/operations manager in the theater industry.
Sandy’s areas of study and work experience greatly inform her interest in submissions. She is seeking stories that will draw her in with a unique voice, make her miss her bedtime with a thrilling plot, and characters that will stay with her long after she turns the last page. Bonus points if you can make her laugh out loud or unable to hold back tears in public. Sandy especially loves historical fiction and anything dark, twisted, or with a supernatural bent.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Espionage Military Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Biography | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Environment | Film Entertainment | Fitness | Food Drink | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science | Technology | True Adventure | Women’s Issues |
Biography
George Lucas is a literary agent with InkWell Management. During a transatlantic career spanning more than three decades, George Lucas has variously packed books in the warehouse, marketed travel guides and dictionaries, sold subsidiary rights, and acquired and edited thrillers at Hodder & Stoughton, Ballantine and Pocket Books/Atria. Turning to agenting in 2003, he now represents a wide range of acclaimed international historians, classicists, Arabists, scientists, journalists and suspense writers, as well as the Literary Estate of P G Wodehouse.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Mystery | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Economics | Health Wellness | History | Journalism | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Politics | Pop Culture | Reference | Religion | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | Technology | Travel |
Biography
Paul Lucas is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. From his first days with books, Paul has loved the feeling of getting lost between the covers. He remembers reading in his closet with a flashlight after bedtime so his parents would think he had gone to sleep. He is actively looking for upmarket commercial fiction, specifically historical, thrillers, science fiction and fantasy. On the literary side, he likes reading narratives about immigration, ostracization, class, family and race. For non-fiction, he is drawn to narratives, learning new things and the occasional humor project.
Paul came to Janklow & Nesbit in 2007 as a paralegal in its legal department, following a stint in the corporate division at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. He shifted to representation in 2011 and loves books much more than contracts (though pays attention to both!).
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Economics | Family | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics | Reference | Science | Technology |
Biography
Amanda Luedeke is a literary agent with MacGregor & Luedeke. She was a 2006 graduate of the acclaimed Professional Writing program at Taylor University, and she brings a background in marketing and advertising to her agent role. Over the years, she has kept one foot in the marketing world, working with brands such as Vera Bradley, Peg Perego, Tecomet, Do It Best, Minwax, Pratt & Lambert, HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, and more.
She met Chip at an author signing in a Barnes and Noble in 2008. After realizing they had a commonality in Taylor University, one thing led to another, and before she knew it, she was helping him with projects, research, and all the little stuff she now assumes he just didn’t feel like doing.
Promoted to the role of agent in 2010 and then vice president in 2018, Amanda is currently focusing on nonfiction.
She released her author marketing book The Extroverted Writer: An Author’s Guide to Marketing and Building a Platform in 2013.
Though she considers the Chicagoland area to be home, she currently lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with her husband, kids, and two dogs.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Christian Nonfiction | General Nonfiction | Religion | Spirituality |
Biography
Chad Luibl is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. A native of Virginia, Chad received a BA in English at Lynchburg University before moving to Eastern Europe to teach English for several years. While in Krakow, Poland, he got his MA in European Studies at Jagiellonian University, with a focus in Comparative Literature. He went on to get his MFA in Creative Writing at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he was also the coordinator of the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, an intern in the Literature Department at the National Endowment for the Arts, and an editor at Blackbird and Broad Street literary journals.
Chad comes from the workshop model of creative writing and has a hands-on editorial approach to agenting. He is interested in narrative nonfiction with a strong emotional pull from journalists and writers who challenge the status quo. For fiction, he is particularly drawn to novels that are more character or plot-driven, thrillers that are as inventive as they are suspenseful, speculative and historical fiction that offer a nuanced perspective on place, and graphic novels that push the boundaries of the genre.
Recent and forthcoming sales include Craig & Fred: A Marine, A Stray Dog, and How They Rescued Each Other by Craig Grossi (William & Morrow adult memoir, HarperCollins Children’s Young Readers’ edition); Upgrade Soul by Ezra Claytan Daniels (Lion Forge Comics); BTTM FDRS by Ezra Claytan Daniels and Ben Passmore (Fantagraphics); The Compton Cowboys by Walter Thompson-Hernández (William Morrow); Push and Pull: A True Story of Football, Murder, and Purpose in an American City by Kent Babb (HarperOne); Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland (Simon & Schuster).
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Espionage Military Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Science Fiction | Short Story Collection | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Western Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Business Book | Economics | Health Wellness | History | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science | Sports | Travel | True Crime |
Biography
Sabrina Lundberg is a literary agent with Golden Wheat Literary. She is open to any genre across all age ranges. She loves to learn and grow her perspectives–bonus points if she can laugh while doing it!
Sabrina is looking for:
Stories that convey subtle wisdoms that teach something or leaves her perspective forever altered
Well-rounded characters with moral ambiguity
Fantasies that are based on non-Western-European lore
Wordless picture books
For kidlit, Sabrina wants something that can be enjoyed by adults, as well. This could be via a relevant and profound realization, a vital reminder of what is important, something uplifting or inspiring in a realistic way, or simply by being funny!
Note: Sabrina is a self-acknowledged science dork. Make sure if you use medical or other science-y elements, you get your facts straight.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction |Christian Fiction |Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Humor Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Religious Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Humor Nonfiction | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Science |
Biography
Eric Lupfer is a literary agent with Fletcher & Company/UTA. He joined UTA at the beginning of 2023 after 20 years at Fletcher & Company and WME. He works with a spirited group of influential and bestselling journalists, historians, and experts across numerous fields. It has been a thrill for him to represent and support the work of clients at the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Wired, Bloomberg, LA Times, Vice, Business Insider, and a host of other publications. In historical nonfiction, his clients’ work stretches from the ancient world to ours and illuminates not just the changes within human history but also the commonality. And the subject experts he’s had the privilege to work with have blazed trails at the world’s leading academic institutions and government agencies. An army brat for much of his childhood, he is also particularly grateful for the opportunity to work with a number of military, intelligence, and national defense professionals.
Eric has a BA in Philosophy with a minor in Film Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from Duke University. He has three children, who are gifts of perspective, inspiration, and joy.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | General Nonfiction | Art | Biography | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Economics | Education | Food Drink | Government | Health Wellness | History | Journalism | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Military War Nonfiction | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Photography | Politics | Pop Culture | Science | Self-Help | Sports | Technology | Upmarket Nonfiction |
Biography
Kesia Lupo is a literary agent with The Bindery. Kesia grew up in the UK and Germany, studied History at Oxford University and Creative Writing at Bath Spa, then launched her publishing career at Pan Macmillan, London, as an editorial assistant in 2013. She transitioned from adult books to children’s when she joined boutique publisher Chicken House—then from a senior editorial role to agenting when she joined The Bindery in 2023. While her expertise lies in middle-grade and YA fiction, Kesia reads widely across genres, including adult SFF and horror, historical fiction, romance, and non-fiction.
Kesia is a new U.S. resident and currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband. As well as working in publishing, she’s the author of three YA novels—We Are Blood and Thunder, We Are Bound by Stars (a fantasy duology), and Let’s Play Murder, a horror/thriller, all published by Bloomsbury in the UK. You will normally find her writing if she’s not reading!
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Speculative Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Cultural Social Issues | Film Entertainment | History | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Psychology | True Crime |
Biography
Nadia Lynch is a literary agent with Talcott Notch Literary Services. She says: “As a newly appointed Junior Literary Agent, I am thrilled to continue my journey in the world of literature, combining my love for books with a dedication to supporting authors through the publishing process.
Since joining Talcott Notch Literary in June of 2021, I’ve served as a steadfast support to our agents, delving into queries, managing royalties and payments, curating social media, conducting research, and tackling daily projects. The opportunity to immerse myself in the world of literature is a dream come true—one that stemmed from my lifelong passion for books.
Upon earning a bachelor’s degree in political science from Southern New Hampshire University, I worked as a paralegal in the structured legal realm. Yet, the allure of a career merging structure with the limitless creativity found in literature was irresistible.
I am interested in upmarket, literary, historical, young adult, and women’s fiction, especially narratives that showcase resilient female protagonists. While these genres anchor my reading repertoire, I’m invigorated by books that push boundaries and challenge my perspectives.
I am only accepting queries at http://QueryManager.com/QueryNadia Please direct your queries there.
In non-fiction, I enjoy delving into subjects that expand my understanding. History, philosophy, alternative medicine, and self-improvement books are among my preferred genres, each offering a unique lens to explore and absorb new insights.
I firmly believe that the multifaceted dimensions of my background—from my academic journey to my time as a paralegal and experience in the literary agency—will uniquely contribute to my ability to represent effectively and champion authors in their literary endeavors.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | Chick Lit | Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |History | Medical Medicine | Philosophy | Self-Help |
Biography
Kevan Lyon is a literary agent with the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. She is a founding partner of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. With over 25 years in the publishing business, including over 10 years as a literary agent and 17+ years on the wholesale, retail and distribution side of the business, Kevan brings an informed and unique perspective to her work with clients. Her background on the buying and retail side of publishing affords her helpful insight into what types of books will sell and how to market them. Kevan holds an MBA from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA.
Kevan handles women’s fiction, with an emphasis on commercial women’s fiction, young adult fiction and all genres of romance. Kevan works with her authors to help them realize their dreams of being published and to build a long term career as a writer, and strives to partner with her clients on all phases of the publishing path. Authors on Kevan’s list span a broad range of genres in women’s fiction including historical fiction, mystery, literary, commercial fiction and all genres of romance. She loves to be swept away by a captivating story and fresh narrative voice.
Kevan represents numerous NYT, USA Today and internationally bestselling authors including Jennifer L. Armentrout, Kate Quinn, Jamie McGuire, Laura Kaye, Stephanie Dray, Jennifer Probst, Kristen Proby, Shelley Noble, Laura Griffin, and Jennifer Robson, among others.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Historical Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |
Jennifer Lyons
Jennifer Lyons Literary AgencyCLOSED to SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email > Postal Mail >Biography
Jennifer Lyons is a literary agent with Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency. Jennifer was a senior agent for sixteen years before she decided to open up her own literary agency. She represents numerous award-winning authors. The awards her clients have received include the Nobel Prize, The Pulitzer for both Fiction and Nonfiction, the National Book Award for both Fiction and Nonfiction, PEN Literary Awards, the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, the Coretta Scott King Book Award, the National Jewish Book Award, The Koret Award, The Lambda, and many others. Jennifer has attended the Frankfurt Book Fair sixteen times and has also visited the Jerusalem and London Book Fairs. Jennifer is a contributing editor to the literary journal Fiction and the author of THE BUSINESS OF WRITING (Allworth Press, 2012), and she regularly teaches the business of writing at Sarah Lawrence College.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Religious Fiction | Science Fiction | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Art | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Computers | Cookbook Cooking | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | History | Lifestyle | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Photography | Reference | Religion | Science | Spirituality | Sports | Technology | Travel |
Biography
Jonathan Lyons is a literary agent with the Curtis Brown Literary Agency. Jonathan Lyons represents authors writing in a variety of genres, including history, biographies, science, pop culture, sports, adventure, crime, suspense, science fiction, fantasy, and young adult fiction. He is a licensed publishing attorney, a member of The Authors Guild, and an adjunct professor at New York University’s Master of Science in Publishing Program, where he teaches a course on contract negotiation. Jonathan received his B.A. in history and political science from Washington University in St. Louis and his J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Juvenile Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Action Adventure | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Sports Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Economics | Food Drink | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Politics | Pop Culture | Science | Sports | True Adventure | True Crime |
Biography
Cecilia (“Cece”) Lyra is a literary agent with the P.S. Literary Agency. She represents adult fiction and non-fiction. She is particularly drawn to books centered around power (dynamics, imbalance, rise & fall), identity (perception, exploration, intersectionality), and dysfunction (familial, societal, cultural) told with originality, nuance, and authenticity. As a mixed race Latinx immigrant, Cecilia is passionate about representing under or misrepresented voices and stories that contribute to a larger cultural conversation. She began her publishing career through the Centennial College Book, Magazine and Electronic program and worked at a mid-sized agency before joining the PSLA team. Cecilia is also a recovering lawyer but asks that you do not hold that against her.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Short Story Collection | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Crafts | Current Events Affairs | Environment | Health Wellness | History | Humor Nonfiction | Illustrated | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Nature | Parenting | Politics | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science | Spirituality | Travel |
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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.
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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)
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“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)
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“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
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“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)
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“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)