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This recording is for authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books), at all stages of development. Authors who participated in the live event asked Mark and Ingrid questions about how to write, publish and/or market their book(s). Scroll below to see examples of the topics authors can ask during these Q&A calls.
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Representative Question Topics
* 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 or blog
* 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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Host Biographies
MARK MALATESTA is a former NY Times bestselling literary agent and founder of The Bestselling Author™, helping authors write, publish, and promote their books. Mark’s authors have secured book deals with publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Thomas Nelson. They’ve gotten 6-figure advances, been on the NY Times bestseller list, won countless awards, been licensed in more than 40 countries, and been picked up for TV, stage, and feature film with companies like Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks (resulting in millions of books sold). Learn more at www.TheBestsellingAuthor.com.
INGRID ELFVER is the founder of Born Celebrity™, helping entrepreneurs discover and develop their authentic, one-of-a-kind, million dollar personal brands. For more than 20 years Ingrid has worked with everyone from A-list celebrities to entepreneurial startups. Her clients are experts and trendsetters in their industry who have: appeared on national TV and radio, been featured in major magazines and newspapers, been quoted by popular websites and blogs, published books with major publishers, and been paid as spokespersons for major businesses and brands. Learn more at www.BornCelebrity.com.
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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 
Mark,
I only heard part of the Chat Session, but I have downloaded it. FYI, I’ve made a number of adjustments in my Query, Book Proposal and Manuscript based on your email suggestions. I’m looking forward to personal communication.
Happy New Year.
Roger
Hi Roger, glad to hear it… that you’re making progress. I’m looking forward to our call as well. I do those calls one day a week and it’s one of my favorite things to do. Warm wishes, happy holidays, and see you soon. Mark
Mark,
I just recently wrote a children’s story. I don’t think there is enough for a book. But everyone thinks it is a good story, so how should I proceed with it ?
Hi Karen, you don’t need many words for children’s books… so you might have something there after all. I’d have to see it to point you in the right direction, but here are some things that will help you regardless. The best place to start if you’re new to my website is listen to the complimentary audio training that you can access here: https://literary-agents.com/get-a-literary-agent/. Then spend some time looking around our various websites listed here: https://literary-agents.com/websites/. After that you can post a follow-up question for me here on this web page. Or you can sign up for a coaching call with me here: https://literary-agents.com/book-marketing/book-marketing-coach/. Either way, I’m happy to help and I look forward to learning more about you and your book. Warm wishes and happy holidays! Mark
Mark, thank you for sharing your recording! It was very helpful and I plan to use your suggested format for my query letter. I just have one question about it. If the agent lists specific guidelines that differ from the opening paragraph (the three second rejection time) you recommend, how can i work around that? I really want to utilize that first para as you suggested! Thanks again, Laurie
Hi Laurie, thank you for your kind comment. Regarding your question, I’d only tweak/tailor your query to a specific agent if they’re one of your top picks. All agents will read a good query, since not everyone is going to read all their unique requirements on their website. Make sense? Mark
yes it makes sense, thanks Mark. I imagine some agents who list rigid requirements for queries are just hoping to avoid inept submissions, perhaps:) Thank you for the quick response!
Hi Laurie, yes… as long as it’s a good query… it doesn’t have to follow their unique guidelines. If you did that for everyone, you’d never have time to write. 😉 Happy New Year! Mark
How can I find an agent or publisher for my novel that was published but by a publisher, who meant well and liked the book but because of financial set backs was unable to provide a new professional edit and promotion/marketing for what he thought was his intro into main line strong fiction? I am sending a promotional package, reviews, bio, and chapter selections to many agents….But?!
Hi Christopher, it’s no different than someone having previously self-published. It’s just a matter of if and how you mention that history in your initial approach to agents. I talked about this a bit on the recording. If you want me to review your situation with you, consider signing up for an introductory consulting call here: https://literary-agents.com/book-marketing/book-marketing-coach/. Either way, I wish you all the best. Mark
If I have a novel or memoir, should I have it edited myself before submitting to an agent or publisher?
Hi Pat, it depends. I usually advise people to set up an introductory call with me first where I review a sample and let them know if I think they really need it… or let them know what type of editing they need. This can save time and money. Plus, the wrong editor can make your book less marketable. Here’s more info about what my intro call is all about: https://literary-agents.com/book-marketing/book-marketing-coach/. Mark
What if you have self-published before but don’t lead with it, because you did little or no marketing and there haven’t been sales. What do you say to them when they ask you about it?
Hi Elizabeth, I spoke about this on the call so I won’t answer it again here. Thank you again for calling in though, and happy holidays! Mark
I’m trying to find that article Mark that talks about the differences between publishers – the ones that pay you, the partnerships, and the ones you pay. I can’t find it!
Here you go: https://literary-agents.com/best-publishing-companies/. Mark
I am a self-published author of three books, but I had such an issue with the publisher with the last book and really was considering cancelling my contract with them, but that would mean no sells. Therefore, I am really working on obtaining an agent. Can you speak on Traditional publishing
HI Jacquitta, it’s not hopeless. Most vanity presses or self-publishing houses will usually let you out of your contract easily… because you already paid them. And then you can attempt to get an agent and a traditional publisher. Mark
Question – Is it still considered an exclusive if you’ve sent a query to one or two agents who rejected it?
Hi Naima, yes… exclusive only applies to the present moment. Is anyone looking at it at that time. Mark
My friend had an agent give a revise and resubmit, after she resubmitted another agent offered on the original. My friend feels that the revision is stronger, but would it be ethical to send the revised version the second agent even though it is based on the five-page critique of the first agent?
HI Jen, absolutely. It’s business. If a contract wasn’t signed, that’s the agent’s fault for not getting a contract signed before the revisions were done. Mark
Hello, I am 53 years old never writen anything in my life, and about four years ago I was throwing away some papers I had from high school and a friend read something I was about to throw away, and after she finished reading it asked if I had finished it , and convinced me into complete it, I did and did a self publish . a lot of people liked it and my question is should I go to school and get a class in creative writing?
Hi Jorge, educating yourself is always a good thing and you should never stop. Ingrid and I are constantly studying and learning new things to get better and get ahead. Warm wishes and thanks for joining the event today. Mark
I heard this word for the first time in a Romance Writers of America meeting, but still am not clear. If I write fiction books about women going to Mexico, falling in love. Would my ‘brand’ be Mexico?
HI Carolena, I know I took a poor shot at this on the call… we’ll be putting together a training soon about branding though. It’s such a slippery topic that really requires a lot of time for people to get it. But I hope some of the things we said made sense. 😉 Mark
Can you explain why a new agent has just been listing a few days before you found them, and when you go and check their site, they are not accepting new authors or any work right now?
Hi Jacquitta, since I answered this on the call I won’t address it again here… but thank you for posting this question and joining us! Mark
OK How does this translate into Brand: my books: A mystery series with a mystical twist. Protagonists, female and male, are all modern sufis studying under one mystic shaykh. And one of the students is a cat!
Hi Naima, personal branding (discovering or developing) is impossible to do in just a few minutes with someone. But based on what you shared, you definitely have what it takes. Just a matter of figuring it out and creating clarity. But you are definitely one of a kind. Mark 😉
If I sign up ro work with Mark, how much of — if any — of Ingrid’s branding expertise is included in that package?
Hi Steve, it depends. When I’m working with someone on just a query/get an agent program… you simply get Ingrid’s influence through me. 😉 When we work with people in our bigger programs to help people with their personal brands and businesses… we work together. Mark
What can SCBWI do for me?
Hi Pat, it depends on how knowledgeable you are about your genre and the publishing industry… and it depends on how much you want/need networking, accountability, etc. Those are some of the benefits you’ll find with any good group like this. Mark
Should you send out one query letter at a time and wait for a response, or is it okay to send out several at a time?
Hi Jacquitta, definitely more than one at a time. Look at the info on this website of ours: http://query-letter.com. And read this: https://literary-agents.com/finding-a-literary-agent/stop-looking-for-a-literary-agent/. Mark
I started writing about 6 years ago & have finished one book and am working on 3 more. My big question is what comes next
Hi Naima, begin by listening to this if you haven’t already done so: https://literary-agents.com/get-a-literary-agent/. It’s the best place to start. Mark