Listen Now to the Literary Agents Q&A Chat Replays
Host: Former NY Times Bestselling Literary Agent Mark Malatesta
These two calls on our book agent blog were an opportunity for authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books), at all stages of development, to ask questions. Authors from all countries were invited to participate by phone and the Internet. Authors asked Mark questions about how to write, publish, and/or market their books.
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Session #1 – 5.7.14 (90 minutes)
Press the play button above to listen, or click here to download
(left-click or right-click the link, then select “Save Link As”).
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Session #2 – 5.10.14 (90 minutes)
Press the play button above to listen, or click here to download
(left-click or right-click the link, then select “Save Link As”).
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What’s YOUR Question?
Click here to discover the 3 ways (free to fee) that you can
get 1-on-1 support from Mark as your Book Marketing Coach.
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These Are the Types of Questions You Can Ask:
* How to write, publish, and/or market your book
* How the publishing industry works
* The latest trends in book publishing
* How to give your book greater bestseller or high commercial potential
* How to improve your promotional platform and get more exposure in a way that fits your unique skill sets, passion, and personality
* How to get the attention of top literary agents
* How to turn your book into a brand
* How to develop additional streams of income as an author
* How to decide whether you should seek a traditional publisher like Random House or self-publish
* Subsidiary rights like feature film, merchandising, and licensing
* Writer scams
* How to create an effective author website
* Your unique book publishing dilemma or situation
* How to choose the right partners to help you write, publish, and market your book
* Our coaching and consulting programs and services
* Anything else we forgot to mention
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Mark Malatesta is a Bestselling Author Coach™ as well as a business and branding consultant who loves sharing his insider secrets. He works 1-on-1 with entrepreneurs and authors to write, publish, and market their books. Mark is a former NY Times bestselling literary agent and Marketing & Licensing Manager of a well-known publisher.
Mark specializes in books with bestseller or high commercial potential, and he works with authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, children’s books) around the world, at all stages of development. Mark’s authors have gotten 6-figure advances, been on the NY Times bestseller list, and had their work picked up for television, stage, and feature film.
Click here to see Mark Malatesta’s complete bio.
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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 
Love your website. Am listening to your Q and A sessions. Will stay in touch. Thanks for your info.
Hi Dorothy, thank you for that. You just made my evening. Warm wishes and I’m looking forward to speaking with you more. Mark
I need a literary agent but it has been like pulling teeth to find one. I have writen three books. At The Time is about a brilliant young Black woman who invents a time machine and goes back in time. My second book is named Festering Dreams about three afrcan men who seek to unite the African Continent. My third book is named When We Were All High and it is a book of short stories with addiction as a central theme. I don’t know what I am doing wrong but I need an agent.
Hi Rhonda, sorry to hear you’re having trouble getting agents interested. Make sure you take advantage of all the information on these three websites: https://literary-agents.com, http://query-letter.com, and http://literaryagencies.com. And, if you want 1-on-1 support, ask another question here or sign up for an introductory coaching call that you can learn more about here: https://literary-agents.com/book-marketing/book-marketing-coach/. Either way, I’m happy to help. Mark
I have written a book called MOTHER MURDERED ME, about my life growing up in a farming family with a workaholic father and an
insane mother. I lived a tough life on that farm wondering if my mother would beat me to death or my father would work me to death first. This is a finished book, a cautionary tale for dads and moms who are concerned about how best to rear children.
How can I turn my self published book into a brand?
Hi Jaytilya, check out these articles for starters: https://literary-agents.com/book-or-brand/ and https://literary-agents.com/author-platform/ and https://literary-agents.com/how-to-write-a-bestseller/. A good start. 😉 Mark
Just found you and plan to devour your website. I’m a new, unpublished novel writer. What’s your advice for those who are just starting to write their novel? Is this the time to take first steps towards branding or developing an internet presence? Along with writing the best novel possible, should we be developing some kind of business plan to improve our chances to be published? Or shouldn’t I be thinking along these lines yet? (Listening to your mp3s now.) Thanks, Mark.
Hi Jack, check out this article: https://literary-agents.com/how-to-write-a-bestseller/, and this series on one of my other sites: http://thebestsellingauthor.com/how-to-become-a-bestselling-author/, and the article I shared with you earlier: https://literary-agents.com/author-platform/ (posting it here as well for everyone else’s benefit). Mark
Thanks, Mark. I’m happy to say I’ve read them already. (Told you I was devouring your sites!) Step #7, Coaching and/or Consulting is the only one I haven’t been doing. I’m waiting until I feel I can make the most of out our time on the phone before I make the appointment. I don’t want to waste the call learning what I can learn on your websites first. I want to be organized and ready to listen and take notes.
Hey Mark. I’m usually overwhelmed with the plethora of information on this site (That may be an understatement of an understatement). I need some help with my query and manuscript however, (Perfect guy for the job you are). Can I get some directions as to where I can get that organized please? 🙂 P.S You’re a saint!
Hi Cenus, sorry for the slow reply. Been traveling. I suggest you start by listening to the complimentary mp3 featured here on my home page at https://literary-agents.com if you haven’t already. Then set up an intro call with me here if it seems like a good fit: https://literary-agents.com/book-marketing/book-marketing-coach/. I’ll help you as much as I can during that time, and we’ll discover (during that time) if we’re a good fit to do more together. Either way, I’m happy to help. Let me know and have a great weekend. Mark
Thank you so much, Mark. I truly appreciate it.
Thank you very much. I am working on my memoir. In one sentence, it is about making a free man out of a slave. A lot of real adventures, including KGB spies. Unfortunately, it is huge – about 240, 000 words. I wonder what volume wuold be acceptable for a modern American publisher.
Hi Arkady, anyone who can describe their book in one sentence… I like. To answer your question, your book should be at least HALF of it’s current length. Consider figure out how to turn it into two or three books. If you haven’t already done so, listen to the fr*ee audio training that you can access here on my homepage: https://literary-agents.com. After that you should post another question for me here: https://literary-agents.com/book-marketing/book-marketing-ideas/. Or sign up for a coaching call here: https://literary-agents.com/book-marketing/book-marketing-coach/. Either way I’m happy to help. And have a great weekend! Mark
Mark,
Your email announcing this says 2 pm Eastern Time, but this page says 12 pm Eastern Time. Can you clarify?
Thanks!
Sorry Ed, yes… it is 12 pm Eastern. The time I posted in the email was incorrect. Mark
Thank you for responding to my question. I really want to make more money because royalties aren’t wonderful and I was forced to do a WFH that was just released. No chance of royalties on that one. I obviously need to make more money. I have a very inexpensive publicist (I go on and off with him) and have been interviewed many times. How do I get that turned into speaking engagements, and paying gigs like articles. I used to do a lot but the niche market has deteriorated into almost nothing.
Hi Darlene, I’m glad you followed up… I realized, however, during the chat sessions that it’s almost impossible to answer platform-building questions or streams-of-income questions on calls like that… or even here in comments. There are so many variables. These types of things depend so much on your unique passions, interests, and abilities… and your topic material. The short answer is that it would be wise to start offering additional products and/or services, if that works for your market. Then book a lot more speaking and get more articles out there. I really wish I could give you a better answer, but like I said, this is the best I can do in this type of forum. Mark
Thank you, Mark. I know it’s a difficult question. I also know that there’s no magic wand. Sometimes it’s hard to see the forest for the trees and I’m afraid that’s where I am right now.
Warmly,
Darlene
Hi Darlene, the good news is that you have tremendous credibility and ability, based on what I know about you and your work… so the potential is there. Keep going and you’ll keep finding new opportunities. If I have a bright idea, I will follow up. Mark
If the planets align
And the moon knows her place
I’m hoping to be there
Do save me a space
An 8:00 start time
A welcomed reprieve
With all the day’s duties
Put soundly to sleep
So thanks for the invite
To glean all we can
For he who shares wisdom
Is truly a friend
Hi Lynn, I would love you to be there… AND listen by phone if possible so you can say hello at one point and/or ask a question or two. It won’t be much of a chat session if no one asks questions. Ha ha ha. Anyway, have a great day and I’ll see you there. 😉 Mark
Thank you for keeping us in the mainstream Mark. It’s events, such as this, that keeps our sails full. Intellect should be flowing like a fine wine, Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Thanks again Mark, keep up the good work.
Hi Dave, I’m looking forward to it as much as everyone else. It’s fun having info that you know can help people. Especially when they appreciate it. So thanks for stopping by to say hello and I hope to see you on one of the upcoming chat sessions. Mark
What are the financials – advance, pp, etc. – for graphic novels & video games? And what about ‘shared’ copyright between writer & publisher?
Thank you.
Hi William, will you elaborate on your second question? Not sure what you mean. Book publishers generally register copyright for the author, in the author’s name. Is that what you mean. When it comes to your first question, it’s not my area. For most book genres I could tell you, but I never sold a graphic novel so I don’t want to guess. A quick Google search on that one might provide some helpful info. Mark
What about the financials for other categories like self help?
Whew!
Hi Charlie, for new authors… typically anywhere from $5K to high 6-figures. All depends on the book concept and quality, and author platform. I know that’s a wide range, but it is what it is! Mark
Mark, I got a draft of a novel, 122,000 words. The plot: a Mexican immigrant comes to America in 2001 to get a job for a year, but the Terrorist Attack changes his plans. Though he loves his wife of 25 years, the loneliness makes him believe he falls in love with a white American woman. As my novel is now, it needs to be edited by a professional editor, but I don’t have the money to pay for. Is there a chance an agent could help me?
Hi Martin, unfortunately… most agents are only going to do minimal editing. When they do, it’s probably going to be “big picture” focusing on things like pacing, plot development, characterization, etc. Agents will give you a general idea of how to improve a work, but then you have to go make it better on your own and resubmit it. Not a lot of handholding. If you have grammar issues, etc. you’ll need to clean those up before you even submit your work to have a chance. Mark
MARK, MY FRIEND, YOU CANNOT BELIEVE HOW IT FILLS MY SOUL THAT I’VE HEARD FROM YOU AGAIN SINCE I FIRST PISSED YOU OFF. I FELT LIKE I’D LOST A LIFE LONG FRIEND AND #4 ON MY LIST OF THE ONLY 4 TRULY IMPORTANT THINGS IN LIFE IS GOOD FRIENDS.
GOT AN IDEA ABOUT HOW TO GET FAMOUS AGENCY TO ACCEPT ME AS A CLIENT I’D LIKE TO RUN BY YOU
OOF (ONERY OLD FAR… FAR… FELLA), FRED
Hi Fred, I love new ideas so let’s see what you’ve got. You can post it here or share it with me during our upcoming phone call. Up to you. Mark
Are you going to have any literary agents or publishing representatives present? How many people will be sharing, approximately, on this live chat? Are any of the listeners published authors? Am I getting too chatty already? ha ha ha Sorry. See you then.
Hi Phyllis, I just answered all your questions… and then some… in an email that went out to everyone. Hope to see you there and you can be as chatty as you want. 😉 Mark
I can’t wait, this is very exciting news. BTW, I hope your client got a $50,000. advance and not a $50.00 advance. *smile*
Hi Sue, yes… several people caught that and had fun with me about it. I just sent out a follow-up email that explains… and answers more questions about the upcoming literary agent chat sessions. 😉 Mark
Awesome opportunity! I’m sharing the love on this one. 🙂
Hi Jen, glad to hear it. Thank you. And I hope to see you there! Mark
Fantastic, Mark! It’s always a pleasure to hear you. Thanks for inviting us!
Hi Mitch, glad to hear it. Hope to see you there with lots of questions! Mark
Mark – Can’t wait. I will be on Wednesday’s session.
Good luck… what a great idea.
Pat
Hi Pat, that’s great… glad to know that I’m going to have some more experienced authors participating… in addition to the newbies. That will make it well-rounded. See you soon! Mark