Interview with Mark Malatesta, author consultant and the founder of Literary Agent Undercover.
Last week I was contacted by Brian Feinblum, Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Planned Television Arts (PTA) for an interview. PTA is the nation’s leading book promotions firm. They’ve represented mega-bestselling authors like Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield of Chicken Soup for the Soul fame, Dean Koontz, Janet Evanovich, Harvey Mackay, Jackie Collins, Nelson DeMille, and Dr. James Dobson.
Pretty cool, right?
PTA works directly with major trade publishers, university and academic presses, and small, independent publishers, including: St. Martin’s Press, John Wiley & Sons, Entrepreneur Press, Penguin-Putnam, Inc., Random House, Workman, Harper Collins, Harlequin, Sterling Publishers, Simon & Schuster, National Geographic, and McGraw-Hill.
They wanted to know what Literary Agent Undercover is all about, get my take on where the publishing industry is headed, find out what I do on any given day, learn about some of the bestselling authors I’ve worked with, find out why I love working with authors, and discover what I found most rewarding and challenging about my “past life” as a literary agent.
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Mark Malatesta Interview
What is Literary Agent Undercover?
Literary Agent Undercover helps authors of all genres get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals. I founded Literary Agent Undercover in August 2011, after closing my literary agency called New Brand Agency Group (more about that below). Click here to see the rest of this answer and read the full interview.
Exactly what do you do in any given day?
Most days I get up at 5 AM (thanks to 5 AM Wake Up Call guru Bryce Chapman in Australia) and spend a few hours in my home office before going to the gym for a couple hours (weights, cardio, and laps in the pool keep me sane). Most authors would probably be surprised to learn that I only spend two days a week coaching, but I spend much of my time “offline” editing query letters, book proposals, etc. Click here to see the rest of this answer and read the full interview.
Why do you love working with authors?
It would be more accurate to say that I love working with most authors. After all, authors are people and not all people are pleasant. But, for the most part, authors are more attractive to me than most other segments of society… like engineers or astronauts. Why? Let me count the ways. Click here to see the rest of this answer and read the full interview.
Who are some of the best-selling authors you have worked with?
Although my author consulting company Literary Agent Undercover is only two years old, I’ve already helped dozens of authors (in the United States and abroad) get the attention of top literary agents and/or book deals with major publishing houses like Random House and Thomas Nelson. Click here to see some of our Success Stories. I’ve also listed below most of the book deals I was personally responsible for as the owner of New Brand Agency, before I founded Literary Agent Undercover (I’ve excluded TV, film, stage, and other subsidiary rights for sake of space). Click here to see the rest of this answer and read the full interview.
What did you find was rewarding, but challenging as a literary agent?
The main reason I became a literary agent was to learn how to get my own books published (that’s why I named my new author coaching/consulting company Literary Agent Undercover). When I became an agent I was just a young aspiring author (25 years old), so I viewed the opportunity as the chance of a lifetime – for a while. After a few years, however, I knew everything I needed to know to get my own books published. Click here to see the rest of this answer and read the full interview.
Where do you see the book publishing industry heading?
I love this question because most people find my take on this topic refreshing. Most literary agents and other publishing professionals are always preaching poverty because they have a victim mentality. In other words, they don’t feel empowered or have much hope. Yes, the publishing industry is changing… but it’s evolving (in a good way). Click here to see the rest of this answer and read the full interview.
Check out the full interview by clicking the link above,
then let me 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 
I think I finally figured this out and what a blog is. No I am not from the dark ages. I still learn computer stuff. Again thank you for your help and I am slugging away at making my story longer and I will be in touch. It will be full of surprises.
Take care and both of you have a wonderful day.
Hi Jean, not a week goes by that I don’t learn something simple that I feel I should have already known. My wife is from Sweden and she’ll often ask me what she feels are basic historical questions about the United States. And all I can do is shrug my shoulders and tell her I don’t know. 😉 Good thing I’m good at OTHER things. You are, too. Like writing. I’m glad to know you’re moving forward with your book, it’s going to be great. And thanks for posting! Mark
Sharing! :^)
Thanks Dale… love hearing that. I hope you’re writing like a madman and making it happen. Always good hearing from you. Mark
I can easily imagine you being a favorite interview subject by a host of professional interviewers. Your heart is obviously committed to what you do, both as a literary coach and a writer. Your enthusiasm is wonderful and catching. I never read anything you post without learning something important. Thank you, Mark, for being so approachable and helpful. Blessings to you and Ingrid.
Hi Rhymster, happy Friday! I’m just a mirror, as they say. So everything you just said is equally true about YOU. So I hope you’ll read it one more time and take it in as well… because that’s how I see you. Your kindness and heart and spirit are greatly appreciated by both of us. Have a wonderful day and see you again soon. Mark
Great Interview Mark,
My original plan was to sacrifice one book to self publishing whilst still sending queries out to agents just to see how it goes but after reading your article now I’m not so sure.
In most industries there are many ways to go but with writing there seems to be only two routes to take and both have downfalls unless you’re lucky enough to be accepted as an unknown writer into an alien industry. It’s a tough one but leaves plenty of food for thought.
Many thanks
Hi Brian, I’m happy to help… even when that sometimes means leaving you with a difficult choice. At least it’s an educated choice. Yes, self-publishing and traditional publishing both have their unique pros and cons, and both are valid. It’s just a matter of deciding which one to do first. And you know my take on it. Do all you can to get a real publisher first. Then self-pub if you have to. Why pay yourself when someone else will pay for you? All my best. Mark
Thank you, Mark! What a wonderful interview ~ and a new resource {BookMarketingBuzz} to delve into. “Getting published by a traditional publisher like Random House isn’t luck… it’s a decision.” ~Mark Malatesta. How many times have I heard you say that – in print, in our chats, on your blog.
Not only is it a decision but a commitment to day-in-day-out good old-fashioned hard work. To quote another genius, “Genius [and success] is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration.” ~Thomas Edison
Congrats!
Hi Lois. Happy Friday! Yes, I like luck. And I’ve found it’s a good thing to think of myself as lucky. But I sure don’t bank on luck… as you know. Hard work yields results 24/7. Luck is a bit more finicky. 😉 Thank you, as always, for sharing your love and work ethic and infectious positive attitude. Mark
As is your way Mark, the remarkable interview mentioned above provides the pathway from creative conception to time without end. Writing is an introverted experience that is obliged to metamorphose into a blitz campaign. Breathe while writing is like a waterfall one cannot hear. Marketing is more like hearing the waterfall for the first time.
Thank you Janet. Your words are poetry. Not just to me, but to everyone who reads your comments. 😉 Mark
Great job Mark! Nice to feel a positive attitude pulling through the interview. This is a complicated and soul crushing business so it’s refreshing to have someone who remains enthusiastic about the process. It takes standing on the shoulders of giants to reach the brass ring…
Hi Erika, I never did understand people that try to “lead” others by beating them down or telling them how hard everything is. That’s the reality we all must face during that 99% of the time when we’re alone. When we come together why not encourage each other and lift each other up? Attitude isn’t everything, but it sure is something. Thank you for being positive AND a hard worker. I appreciate both. 😉 Mark
Hey! Congrats. I am really happy for you. You’re getting the recognition that you deserve. I sure hope my train pulls into the station soon. All I want to do is right full-time–just need to get this first one into motion.
Again, Congratulations!
Hi Juanita, your train is chugging along just fine. So keep doing what you’re doing. I’ll be one of those people who was there way back when and understands WHY you finally made it. Here’s to the slow and steady work that leads to success. Talk soon. Mark
good read-thanks. struggling with balancing on ice with off ice work. Keep adding new depth in reference material. Need to sleep–any hour acceptable. Have very quick writing recall, but struggle with spoken. Is great because I can glance at roster-line-up and translate the numbers instantly into names, but nearly total loss in speech. 62 walks by and I go, “duh?” Missing circuitry. Sorry very hungry. Trousers falling off me, so can’t feed you.
hi pogo, it’s friday morning… i’m up early responding to comments and wanted to send you warm wishes for your day and weekend. think of you. mark
Understanding and expertise achieved through solid experience usually find us floundering in our seemingly futile and bottomless marketing efforts– making clear sense and bringing real objectives into focus often for the first time. Mark represents a rare helping hand that every writer needs at various steps along the way. The Undercover Mark Malatesta Publishing Feast offers a full menu of help that is realistically satisfying and quenching for the broad spectrum of our writing needs. Here are solutions. Here is a venue that works. So, roll up your sleeves, turn off your phone, sharpen your pencils and bring plenty of paper; you’re about to hear the real deal. You’re about to come face—to—face with the solutions that as a writer you’re been seeking. It’s obvious especially in this interview that writers should get ready, get set and then go for it because if you listen to Mark, you’re about to get published.
Hi Jeanann, what a way to start my day. I appreciate your kindness but I ALSO love your enthusiasm for putting all the information on my site to work. Here’s to success! Yours, and everyone else’s who willing to do the work and make themselves vulnerable by putting it out there. Have a wonderful day and thank you for, well, being you. Mark
Congratulations on the interview, Mark. Nice exposure and great information.
I was struck by that 50,000 figure on a first run. Wow, that’s a lot.
Talk to you soon.
Hi Ellen, I was struck by that as well… didn’t learn it until I’d been an agent for a while. But it made perfect sense. There’s a reason that virtually every book on a bestseller list was published by a traditional publisher. Have a great day and talk soon. Mark
Wow, Mark. What can I possibly add to the other comments. Nothing! I wish with all my heart that I could join your elite group, but, alas, I am retired, living on SS. I love to write, draw, paint and I’ve just finished writing a children’s book. I have the new book looking for an agent as well as the last manuscript, still seeking an agent.
I guess I will just have to rely on my own skills to get published. However, you are an inspiration to aspiring writers. Keep up the good work,
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth, are you trying to make my day? Thank you. And you can get 1-on-1 support from me. Maybe not coaching by phone, but I do answer questions here on my blog. You can post a question for me on any page, but here is the main page: https://literary-agents.com/ask-a-literary-agent/. Make sure you also listen to my complimentary mp3 that I talk about here on my homepage: https://literary-agents.com. And take advantage of all the other content on my site! Hope to hear from you. Mark
Happy Saturday Mark! Great photo of you both, wonderful interview, and such a lovely tribute of yours to authors! So encouraging to read! As for Guru Bryce, and “5 a.m.” mornings, well, you already know, that I’m in favor of that! (My Mediterranean feast today, of grilled cuttlefish & jade green bamboo risotto, was at 4:30 in fact, and outside underneath the stars & moon)! It’s such a treat to get your columns, and Ingrid’s too. Cheers to the weekend!
Hi Leah, happy Saturday right back at you. I just got back from the gym after getting up early to get my column out. Not 5 am today, but most. Your Mediterranean meal sounds fabulous. Here’s to good health and happiness. Enjoy your weekend and know that we’re thinking of you. Mark (and Ingrid)
Hearing from your professional literary perspective is a reminder of how our own mindset must be to be successful.
And I have been working my way backwards to 5am, esp being a preferred night person. My brain is confused as I go from 4:16am-645am. I’ll get there…it does work better than the night, when you’re “happily married” (lol), with young kids to serve before school.
THX
Hey Tarone. I know it’s not easy, and it’s not for everyone. But, like most things, it’s possible for most people if they really want it. Just opening myself up to the possibility of doing it changed my life… because it made me start looking more closely at all my habits: diet, exercise, productivity, etc. It’s harder to lie to myself now. And that’s always a good thing. Here’s to your health and happiness… not just you but the whole family. Mark
Your positivity is always refreshing and powerful. that’s the way the world changes, so keep it up, dear Mark! Hurray for everyone who refuses negativity and seeks success as part of kindness and peace!
Thank you Jean. And it goes both ways you know. Your positivity makes it more likely other people will focus more on the positive… and put out good energy as well. So thank you for always “bringing it”. Here’s to a great weekend. 😉 Mark