Are you fast?
I don’t mean quick-witted.
I don’t mean easy to get into bed, either
(I’m happily married, thank you very much).
No…
I want to know if you can do certain things quickly,
because your success (in publishing and in life)
depends on it.
Don’t get me wrong…
It’s good to go slow sometimes.
For example, I wouldn’t want you to rush if you were operating
on my heart or giving me a prostate exam. And I’d definitely
want you to take your time if you were cleaning my home.
But sometimes,
it’s good to go fast.
Why???
Most of us give ourselves WAY too much time to reach our goals…
especially goals like finishing or marketing our books
(you know, goals that we don’t necessarily
perceive as life or death).
Why am I writing about
this particular topic today?
Well, there are less than 30 days between now and the end of the year. And I want you to jump-start some of your goals—publishing and personal—instead of thinking you should just relax and drink eggnog between now and January 1st.
Yes, I’ll be getting things done too.
Here’s how it usually works for me,
maybe you can relate???
It typically starts
around Thanksgiving.
The extra time off gets me thinking about things that I don’t normally have time to think about… and feel things that I don’t usually have time to feel. This year it was the writer in me, clamoring for attention. Not the writer in me that pens this column every week (he’s getting his needs met). It was the poet in me (I’ve been ignoring him for a while).
So, right around Thanksgiving I whipped out a notebook and started writing poems and quotes… about writing. That made me want to post them somewhere (isn’t there a famous quote by someone about not really being a writer unless you have an audience?).
Anyway, writing those poems and quotes inspired me to start using the social media accounts I set up more than a year ago as well. You know: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, etc. I decided to create a social media campaign with more than 500 social media messages (including my writing quotes). I committed to start putting them online before the end of the year. And, yes, I’m going to start interacting with people on social media too, not just posting stuff.
Yes, I know that social media is going to be a big time-suck,
but it’s also going to be a lot of FUN.
I decided to do all of the above
in approximately 30 days.
Before the end
of the year.
Bam!!!
Then reality set in.
My wife, Ingrid, wanted to discuss the new monthly tele-seminars we’ll be hosting soon. My sister called from Florida to talk about her boyfriend. And I was drowning in emails, query letters, and book proposals from my coaching clients that needed my attention.
Aaaaaagh…..
But then I found my happy place, by remembering
some of the other things I’ve accomplished
in my life (in 30 days or less).
For example:
- I became a literary agent and sold my first book to a publisher—in 30 days or less.
- I met Ingrid and proposed to her—in 30 days or less (hey, don’t knock it… she said yes and we’ve been together now for more than 12 years).
- I also helped one of my author coaching clients revise his query letter and get a top literary agent, publisher, and book deal—in 30 days or less (okay, this was a bit of a miracle and it will probably never happen again… but you never know).
- And, just a few months ago, I started going back to the gym after 20 years of eating Quarter Pounders with Cheese. I lost about 20 pounds and got back into fighting shape—in 30 days or less.
So, now I want to know…
What can YOU do in the next 30 days?
What do you WANT to do in the next 30 days?
Procrastination and perfectionism don’t have to
kill your publishing career or prevent you
from achieving your personal goals.
All you have to do is…
GO FAST.
Important Disclaimer: I haven’t always been fast. If it wasn’t for Ingrid, I’d be a slowpoke and half the man I am right now. I wouldn’t have the same confidence. I wouldn’t be as successful financially. I wouldn’t be in shape. And I wouldn’t have the same desire to live my full potential.
I know it probably sounds sappy…
But it’s the truth.
I have my own personal muse that believes in me and keeps challenging me (even when I don’t want to be challenged). Hopefully, you have someone like that in your life. If not, I hope I can be that person for you.
At least a little bit…
Especially when it comes to your writing.
So, what’s it going to be?
What goal has this article inspired you to commit (or recommit) to? What exciting new opportunity (or pain-in-the-a*s challenge) have you been putting off… that you’re now ready to embrace?
Tell me below, I really do
want to know…
– Mark
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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 
The goals I’m working on; networking to gain business, a website up and running for new business, I bought a domain name “A Unique Creation” , I have a co. name “From The HeART”, (a graphics artist) is working on logo.
I am trying to get $2,000 in angel funding or a grant. I’ve made samples of jewelry and of floral arrangements & took pictures to assemble a small brochure.
I am working to secure 2 wedding requests, and other clients. How do I get in the directory.
Hi Jill!
Apologies for the delay… I’m slow to respond this month due to the holidays.
When you sign up at any one of my sites, you should always end up afterward on a welcome page. That page has a link to the directory, along with other things, all in one place so it’s easy to get to things. Have you ever seen that page?
Two more things that might help. First, make sure you’re using Directory of Literary Agents that you can access here: https://literary-agents.com/directory-literary-agents/. Second, read my multi-part article about finding the right literary agent for you and your work: https://literary-agents.com/finding-a-literary-agent/.
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
I do have such a person and now I have YOU, too! My hubbly is not so knowledgeable about the details of my literary life so you are the perfect complement. In the next 30 days, I will perfect chapter one and my synopsis, launch my facebook page and start interacting with people there. And between you and me, we’ll take a hearty stab at getting my first (and let’s say magical and last and only–why not?!) query out to my dream agent.
Hi Susan, I’m excited about what we’re doing and can’t wait to see what comes of it. Good talking with you today and yes, totally forgot to talk about the website. I’ll email you about getting back on the phone about that ASAP. The next 30 days or so are going to be good. 😉 Mark
Fast is a relative term. Speed is based on comparative observation. Readiness is everything. Research and past experience combine to plan fresh outlooks.Priorities are placed in position. Then action appears to be swiftly accomplished.
Hi Evelyn. Yes… yes… and yes. Everything is relative. Including how fast we can and/or should go as writers. Here’s my foolproof way of looking at it that keeps me honest with myself. I ask myself if there’s any way I can do anything I’m doing faster (while still maintaining the integrity of my process). And the answer is almost always… yes. Here’s to always seeing both sides. And thank you for posting. Mark
In the next thirty days
There’s still the same routine
But add to that the Christmas rush
And you know what I mean
But I’ll still send out queries
Spit and polished thanks to you
I’ll keep a list when doing so
So I don’t come unglued
I note the day I send them
And mark when they reply
A “W” means still I wait
But that’s okay I find
For in between the madness
Of work and daily chores
I somehow find the time to write
The muse can’t be ignored
Besides the Christmas season
Seems to stir my senses so
Infact the weather helped me write
A children’s book on snow
December’s extra busy
For most of us it seems
But writing is like breathing
And this girl needs to breathe!
Hi Lynn, I have to say… I’m getting better but don’t often have enough time to read poetry the way I used to. A lot. So I appreciate yours in my comment section. Your creativity and positive spirit are like a warm fire crackling under the winter moonlight. 😉 Thank you for being YOU… and sharing that with the rest of us. Mark
Love this poem! and love this article. This past fall I added poetry to my reading program, a program I love and which netted me 53 books in the “I read that!” column this year–a full quarter of those in the last quarter of the year after I started the reading program. I was “trained” as a poet and, like you, had let the enjoyment of it lapse in recent years. Reading poetry is like breathing with extra oxygen.
Hi Susan, I didn’t see this comment until just now. My website system did something funky. Anyway, I know you posted this eons ago, but I thought I’d send you some love anyway… even if it’s late! Here’s to poetry and breathing. 😉 Mark
Mark, thanks so much for the great reminder to focus and move it! To be quite honest, I’m so used to moving it, I’ve felt an internal nudge to slow down just a bit. With that, I’ve decided to make a list of 10 things I want to do in 2014 that have nothing to do with work of any kind! The list has to be things that I enjoy, bring pleasure and allow me to truly breathe (figuratively speaking). By January 10, 2014, I will have my list! Thank you for shining! Francine
Hi Francine, I love it. And it’s great that you’re already a mover and a shaker. I need Ingrid to keep prodding me to go faster. I know she’s right, but I still need to keep hearing it. Here’s to going fast and, at the right times, going slow…. Thank you for being you and have a great weekend. Mark