Today I’m going to help you make an important decision about your writing. In fact, it might be the most important decision you’ll ever make, because your success depends on it completely.
But first, a little back story…
When I founded my author consulting company Literary Agent Undercover, I couldn’t really see the big picture.
I thought my mission was to give authors lots of information… help them on their quest to get a literary agent. I also wanted to inspire everyone and boost their confidence, make them believe in themselves and the publishing process more.
But none of that matters…
If you don’t make a conscious decision as
an author about something else first.
A while back this all became clear for me when I was corresponding with one of my 1-on-1 consulting clients. We’d just begun working together and I was excited about his chances of getting an agent.
He’s a novelist with a good sense of story, a beautiful writing style, and a decent author platform (not good enough to get agents jumping up and down, but not bad enough to make them say “no” either). So I coached the author through some changes on his query letter.
Everything was going great.
Until the meltdown…
I sent the author two dozen sample query letters, and asked him to do one last rewrite… before I started working on his query letter myself. I told the author not to feel singled out, because I do this with everyone. The sample query letters are simply meant to give an author more ideas.
None of the query letters that I sent him were perfect, but you can learn from each one. They all have different strengths and weaknesses, because all authors and all books have different strengths and weaknesses.
The next thing I got from the author was this email…
***
Dear Mark:
I read the query letters you sent me and I want to thank you, for reminding me what a tremendous nobody I am. Let’s face it. This is just some pipe dream and I am nothing more than one of those million “writers” who want to be published but will never be taken seriously by a “real” publisher.
The example queries you sent were all too clear that I do not have the credentials to impress an agent. Now, as I see [my credentials] in my query letter, it just seems cheap and meaningless compared to those with true credentials.
Even if my work is well-written, which I am seriously beginning to doubt it is, I will never be able to create the “platform” required to appeal to the industry. That being said, I appreciate your words of encouragement but I realize now it is pointless for me to proceed with pursuing an agent or big name publisher.
Sincerely,
[Author]
***
My Decision: Take a Deep Breath
Now I learned a long time ago, not to respond to things like this too quickly. Otherwise you might say something you regret. Plus, it’s best to take time to think things through.
So I gave myself a couple days to ponder the
situation before responding.
Then I sent the author this email…
***
Dear [Author],
Before you back out on your commitment to yourself and your writing,
consider the following:
1) You really do have a good chance of getting agents requesting your work, liking it, and offering you representation. If anyone is in a position to make that judgment, it’s me (not you).
2) I wouldn’t have offered to work with you if I didn’t feel like there was a 75% or greater chance that we’d be able to get agents interested… because I want to get a good success story out of our working together.
3) You have plenty to work with in your bio… the query samples are drafts that I wrote. Yours will look 5-10 times better also, once I’ve personally edited it.
4) Unless you’re going to burn all your manuscripts and never write or submit another word to agents/publishers… I’m your best shot. No one will be able to help position you and your book in the way that I can. It’s what I do. I know exactly what to include and accentuate.
Please take time to really think this through before you respond. If you decide to honor your commitment to yourself and your writing, print out this email and put it somewhere easy to see… a reminder that you and your work deserve a fair shot.
Your journey with me might not be easy… but if anyone can help you get published,
it’s me. And I’ll give you everything I’ve got.
Sincerely,
Mark
P.S. – A lot of authors struggle with things like this, and they aren’t able to get past it. With me as your coach, I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen. And that might be the most valuable thing that you get out of our time together.
***
Now you’re probably wondering what happened next,
but (to be honest) that doesn’t really matter.
This article isn’t about that author.
And it isn’t about me.
It’s about YOU…
Are you really serious about getting
a literary agent and publisher?
Are you going to do everything you can
to get your book published?
Or… are you just talk?
I hope you’re committed, especially if you’re
thinking about working with me.
Because I won’t settle for less.
And neither will anyone else in the
publishing establishment!
I used to think that the worst thing in publishing
was the author that didn’t start (or finish)
writing his or her book.
I was wrong.
The worst thing in publishing is the author that finishes
his or her book, but doesn’t follow through
and market it properly…
I don’t relish being the one to tell you this, but there’s no
such thing as “almost” when it comes to publishing.
You’re either published, or you’re not.
* * *
Your Decision: Final Thoughts
My advice?
Have some guts and choose
(right now), to go all in.
Follow through.
Give yourself the best possible chance
of getting a top literary agent and publisher.
Don’t let your fear beat you.
Or, stop writing…
Burn your manuscripts and call it a day.
Don’t waste your time, or mine.
Harsh, or honest?
You tell me,
Mark Malatesta
Your “Undercover” Agent
* * *
* * *
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 
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 
Mark, I have read your information watched your Video and finished writing ,my second book.
Yet I cannot release it because my trust level is at an all-time low.
I need to hire a literary agent
Can you help me?
Hi Sandra, I might be able to help… but please tell me first what you meant about your trust being at an all-time low. In your ability as a writer? In the ability of someone like me to help you? The willingness/ability of people in general to do a good job for you? Something else? I’m happy to help if possible, but want to make sure I know what you meant by your comment, since that might impact my recommendations. 🙂
All my best,
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
http://markmalatesta.com
The Bestselling Author
https://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Wow. Hard-hitting truth! I’ve been writing for years, and I’ve had one novel finished for years, and yet I’ve never had the courage to do anything with it. In 2015, I made several steps forward: I submitted an article to a magazine, I joined a writers’ group, and I submitted two short stories into contests. I haven’t had anything picked up yet, but each step I take makes the next one easier! My goal for 2016 is to send at least one query letter by February. Thanks for the encouragement!
Thank you Melissa, you just made my morning. I’m glad you found the article encouraging. Here’s another one you might like: https://literary-agents.com/publish-your-book/. By the way, you can often get a drastically different response by tweaking or changing your pitch materials (query letter, book proposal, manuscript, etc.).
My favorite example of this is one of my coaching clients who’d pitched her favorite “dream” agent three times over the course of two years. Rejections every time. After I helped her rewrite her query letter, she approached the same agent a fourth time and he requested the full manuscript. So don’t get too discouraged. You might just be a few changes away from getting what you want.
As a next step, check these links out as well at http://query-letter.com and https://literary-agents.com/get-a-literary-agent/how-to-write-a-book-proposal/.
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.
And Happy New Year!!!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Thank you for the links! And Happy New Year to you as well!
🙂
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Dear Mr. Malatesta,
I’m a new author who has nerves about sending out more query letters to agents and editors since I’ve gotten back rejection letters. I know I have written a wonderful story that can expand into more, but I keep feeling as though I may be doing something wrong. Any helpful ideas? Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
TracieT
Hi Tracie, just dive in (and get help if you can). The good news is that you can often get a drastically different response by tweaking or changing your pitch materials (query letter, book proposal, manuscript, etc.).
My favorite example of this is one of my coaching clients who’d pitched her favorite “dream” agent three times over the course of two years. Rejections every time. After I helped her rewrite her query letter, she approached the same agent a fourth time and he requested the full manuscript. So don’t get too discouraged. You might just be a few changes away from getting what you want.
As a next step, check out http://query-letter.com and https://literary-agents.com/get-a-literary-agent/how-to-write-a-book-proposal/.
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.
And Happy New Year!!!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
What a great literary website! Although surfing the Best Selling Author is a challenge, I smiled getting to the tidbit I never thought of asking. So much great information. Really. How do you do it? How do you provide to so many the intense, personal, detailed, critiques promised? Or do you?
Hi Phillip!
Thank you, and apologies for the delay… I’m slow to respond this month due to the holidays.
To answer your question…
I’m able to answer questions online here (no cost), but I can’t give feedback on things like pitch materials, samples pages, websites/blogs, etc. unless someone signs up for a introductory coaching call with me (more information about that below). Otherwise I’d have everyone asking for that and no time for my coaching clients.
If I can help you with anything else let me know, but I want to make sure you know that I’m a former agent. Today I’m a coach and consultant helping authors get top agents, publishers, and book deals. To that end, I have several websites devoted to helping authors get a top literary agent, publisher, and book deal. You can see a complete list here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/websites/.
Plus…
Don’t miss my upcoming Internet radio show airing this Saturday, where you can listen to one of my coaching clients, Dave Hamme, share how he got a top literary agent, resulting in offers from 3 well-known publishers: Amacom, Palgrave Macmillan, and Mc-Graw Hill (who recently published Dave’s book in hardcover). See how you can listen here at http://thebestsellingauthor.com/radio-show/. Would love to see you there if you can make it.
Also…
If you haven’t already done so, click here now for access to all the valuable resources in my private, members-only area (no charge): http://thebestsellingauthor.com/membership/. Once you’ve entered your name and email address, click on the link that says, “Audio Training Library”. Then you’ll see my main audio training (and text transcript), which reveals the 7 Insider Secrets You Need to Know to Get a Top Literary Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal.
I’m also happy to answer any questions that you have online here: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/ask/. And, if you’re serious and believe we’re a good fit, you can register for an introductory coaching call with me here (there is a fee for that): http://thebestsellingauthor.com/coaching/intro-call/.
Either way, I’m looking forward to learning more about you and your work… and I’ll point you in the right direction.
Have a great weekend!
– Mark
Mark Malatesta
The Bestselling Author
http://thebestsellingauthor.com
Literary Agent Undercover
https://literary-agents.com
Honest. As a new author I still have issues with self confidence and wondering if at age 63, a spouse with MS, and so much to learn if I am crazy to want to write a first book. The first words that comes to mind is “So what!” This is my time. I love to write, I love to learn and you’re full of knowledge.
Hi Mary, I think the woman who wrote the Little House on the Prairie books didn’t start until she was in her sixties. You should Google it and find out, and reply here when you do. It’s never too late. And you can fit in your writing in between your other responsibilities. Just don’t quit. You might make it, and writing can be therapeutic! Be well, and thank you for the kind words. 🙂 Mark
Hi Mark
Lately, two of your articles including this one are re-runs which I’ve read early this year. I was wondering whether you forgot you had shared them with us before or you’re too busy to write new ones. Anyway, I’ve always wanted to ask you the outcome to this particular case. Did he see it through and got an agent? It’d be nice if there was a happy ending.
HI Saw Lian, you caught me! You’re partly right. I have been busy lately, but more important is the fact that I took some of my older articles offline when I created my newer updated website. Some of my old articles weren’t optimized for search engines. Now I’m getting them back online. Only my smartest and most loyal followers who’ve been with me from the beginning would notice, like YOU. Don’t worry, new content is coming. 😉 Mark
Also, I’m trying to remember who this author was. It’s been so long ago and I always change things in my articles to protect the identity of the person I’m talking about. I think the person did “get over themself” and continue the process. But to be honest I’m not sure. I’d have to go back through my email archives to make sure I’m even thinking about the right person. And I’m not about to do that so let’s just say that the author did come around. Most people usually do. 🙂 Mark
Hi Mark,
We all have a bad day once in a while. While I can relate to your author, I also know that when you really have a passion for something, (in this case writing) there is no way you can walk away from it. You can try, but the ideas will stream through your head anyway! So…good luck to anyone who truly loves writing in their efforts to quit and walk away.
P.S.
I would dearly love to hear more about writing a synopsis!
Smiles!!!!
Marilyn Marsh
Hi Marilyn, happy weekend! I agree. The easiest way to lose your mind is to ignore your writing impulse. It will simply eat you up. By the way, here’s a link to a post I wrote that might help with your synopsis: https://literary-agents.com/get-a-literary-agent/synopsis-for-literary-agents/. Let me know what you think, and have a great day. 😉 Mark
Hello Mark,
First let me say, I am glad you and yours are safe and well.
I believe that the author has the same feeling all beginners feel. I can say I have similar feelings. It is necessary to have a good support system in addition to your own desire. I am lucky, I have a family that is very positive about my efforts; as well as a host of friends aiding me in my efforts.
Sincerely,
Jan O’Kane
Hi Jan, I’m glad you have a great support system. Most people don’t, not just writers either. That’s why I try to hard to create that kind of environment here. And I appreciate you (and others) being interactive here on my blog, creating an interactive community. Thank you for the well wishes, and your thoughtful comments. Have a wonderful weekend and hope to see you again soon. Mark