Writing Contest Sponsored by Literary Agent Undercover

by Mark Malatesta | Jan 5, 2013

Home » Literary Agent Blog » Writing Contest Sponsored by Literary Agent Undercover

Writing Contest Invitation for Writers of All Ages and Genres, Anywhere in the World – No Fee Required – Deadline: Midnight EST January 31st!

Literary Agent Blog Special Request

Dear Author,

I need your help. Don’t worry… I don’t need money or a shoulder to cry on. I simply need your creativity. You see, this is one of those rare moments when I’m at a loss for words. Not completely, but enough that I need your help.

Let me explain…

* * *

Writing Contest – Details

As a former NY Times bestselling literary agent, I consider myself something of a marketing expert. But I’ve completely dropped the ball in one critical area.

I haven’t defined (clearly enough) who my Literary Agent Undercover website is for. That’s what this writing contest is about.

In modern marketing terms it’s called defining your “tribe.” And it’s kind of important because it clarifies who your business is built for and why those people are there.

I’ve admittedly done a sucky job of that.

Yes, I know that you’re an author or an aspiring author. And I know that you’d prefer to have your book(s) published by a traditional publisher (that pays you), instead of self-publishing or working with a vanity press (that requires you to pay them).

Who doesn’t?

But I went a bit deeper this week…

I realized that you’re also probably a writer who’s a lot like me. You’re 100% committed to publishing your books. And you’re going to publish your books, whether you’re able to get a traditional publisher or not (meaning self-publishing if necessary). But, you’re also smart enough to know that traditional publishing is the best place to start (for 99% of people, 99% of the time). So you’re going to do everything possible to give yourself the best possible edge to make that happen. No whining, no excuses.

If that sounds like you, then YOU are the reason I created Literary Agent Undercover.

And now I need your help to say all that in just a few words.

You know, a short phrase or expression…

Something memorable.

Emotional.

Snappy.

Possibly funny.

Something you would relate to.

Something that would inspire you and motivate you.

Something so good that you’d buy the t-shirt, coffee mug, or bumper sticker if I had them printed.

And I will have them printed.

That’s what this writing contest is for.

So I need you to tell me…

What word or phrase can you enter for this writing contest, that accurately describes the type of author that I just described?

Someone like Y-O-U.

* * *

Leave your ideas below (one comment per person, please) and you’ll be entered in a random drawing to receive one of the following prizes for this writing contest:

$100 Amazon Gift Card – Writing Contest | 1st Prize
$50 Amazon Gift Card – Writing Contest | 2nd Prize
$25 Amazon Gift Card – Writing Contest | 3rd Prize

Thank you in advance for your thoughtful, funny, and/or quirky suggestions.

— Mark

Writing Contest Rules and Disclaimer

One entry per person. Any ideas that you list below as part of this writing contest are fair game and I don’t owe you squat. Although, if I do use one of your ideas, I’ll certainly thank you publicly and send you some type of gift (not listed above). A really nice gift. Also, there’s a chance that I might have already thought of your idea, so don’t get upset if I don’t give you credit for something. By the way, that’s why some literary agents (including myself) and most movie studios don’t sign non-disclosure agreements before looking at book or movie ideas. It’s easy to think (as an author who’s not an insider) that ideas are frequently stolen, but it rarely happens. I’m just sayin’. Winners of this writing contest will be announced February 1st.

* * *

Find a Literary Agent

201 Comments

← Older Comments

rich hamilton on May 22, 2014 at 5:15 am

well…you didn’t put what year.I write for children and crazy people.I get very frustrated when people do not understand sarcasm.When i write and put it on my Fatcow website I picture people reading my stuff and laughing. That is as far as my imagination will go out on a limb!
- Literary Agents on May 22, 2014 at 1:05 pm
  
  Hi Rich, what do you mean about the year? Let me know, and here’s to writing with good humor and imagination. I’m a fan of both. 😉 Mark
  - RICH HAMILTON on May 22, 2014 at 1:27 pm
    
    the dates visible to me were all 2013 i figured this contest was last year. so thought my reply would be a little late!
    - Literary Agents on May 24, 2014 at 10:47 am
      
      Hi Rich, ah… okay. Well, at least you know that I’m reading all comments on my site. Even on old posts! Have a great holiday weekend and thanks for being part of my community. Mark
Joel Thompson on February 1, 2013 at 9:31 am

Writers tend to be solitary, working alone. But, they likely encounter long-term problems in the quest to get published, if they don’t seek help. Life at its best is a participation sport or team effort, not a solitary effort. Having an experienced writing coach, like Mark Maltesta, can make a writer’s journey to to finding an agent, editor and publisher more of a joy than a frustating hassle full of pitfalls it might otherwise become. | Writing Contest
- Mark Malatesta, Literary Agent Undercover on February 2, 2013 at 9:16 am
  
  Hi Joel, Ingrid and I were talking about this last night. I agree… most writers are probably introverts… although I know that many aren’t. But many are. How can you not be if you’re producing lots of material? I don’t know many people that can write at parties. 🙂 I’m more introvert than extrovert as well, which is why interacting like this on my blog is so rewarding. Thanks for being part of my world, and letting me be part of yours. And thanks for the plug! Mark | Writing Contest
lynn on January 31, 2013 at 11:06 pm

knock, knock,
who’s there?
urack
urack who
urack your brain to help me succeed | Writing Contest
- Mark Malatesta, Literary Agent Undercover on February 1, 2013 at 7:48 am
  
  Hi Lynn! You were the final person to sneak in under the wire and submit something for this particular contest. Just wanted to let you know and say thank you. I’ll be announcing the winners soon. 🙂 Mark | Writing Contest
Janet Lee Montera on January 31, 2013 at 2:23 pm

Mark – (1) Here is an idea for your website and (2) a phrase for t-shirts etc., if you must :}

(1) Dedicated Writers & Clients: You’re both at Literary Agent Undercover; a place that welcomes all genre of writer with an intention of traditional or self-publishing in your future.

(2) WRITERS BROADCAST FROM HERE…
LITERARY AGENT UNDERCOVER
(need website or contact of some kind) | Writing Contest
- Mark Malatesta, Literary Agent Undercover on January 31, 2013 at 5:41 pm
  
  Hi Janet, I like the word “dedicated” better than “committed” …so that’s a good word choice. Unless we want to make t-shirts that say “Committed writers don’t get committed.” I like that, too. 🙂 Mark | Writing Contest
Stella Waterhouse on January 31, 2013 at 4:20 am

Who knows the literary trade cover to cover?
Who’s in a position to help you discover
An agent? A contract? A publisher? More?
The Literary Agent Undercover

You need a guide of whom you are sure
So don’t be a smuck and leave it to luck
Call on MM as soon as you’re able
Let him bring his expertise to the table

With the Literary Agent Undercover
Batting on your side
You’ll soon uncover
An agent! A contract! A publisher! More! | Writing Contest
- Mark Malatesta, Literary Agent Undercover on January 31, 2013 at 7:53 am
  
  Hi Stella, very funny and it rhymes. It’s obvious that you had fun with this. Thanks for putting so much thought into your submission! Mark | Writing Contest
Amk on January 30, 2013 at 11:14 pm

hey there, i have entered in an amazon contest…and please pray for me…that i win the contest
and i today again visiting and posting on your website for no reason at alll though this time there is a reason …any yo know it..hehehehhe | Writing Contest
- Mark Malatesta, Literary Agent Undercover on January 31, 2013 at 7:52 am
  
  Hi Amk, good thing you left this post for me. I might have missed you. Just kidding. You’ve done a great job of making sure there’s no way in the world that I could forget you. Making impressions is a good thing. As long as they’re good ones. 😉 Mark | Writing Contest
lynn on January 30, 2013 at 10:54 pm

You are as committed to my success as I am. | Writing Contest
- Mark Malatesta, Literary Agent Undercover on January 31, 2013 at 7:51 am
  
  I don’t know about that… but I do try. 🙂 Mark | Writing Contest
Jendayi on January 30, 2013 at 10:07 pm

Dazed and Confused;
Potential Attained;
Thinking to Published;
Written Results;
The Proven Published;
Get got;
The Published Party; | Writing Contest
- Mark Malatesta, Literary Agent Undercover on January 31, 2013 at 7:46 am
  
  Hi Jendayi, good to see you… hope you’re having a great week. Thanks for posting something for the contest! Mark | Writing Contest
D.D. Queens on January 30, 2013 at 8:12 pm

– Exposing the Naked Truth About Getting Published

– It’s Written. It’s Ready. Let’s Go.

– Taking the “Self” Out of Publishing

– Taking Writers From Wannabes to Publishees

Must. Stop. Now. | Writing Contest
- Mark Malatesta, Literary Agent Undercover on January 30, 2013 at 9:52 pm
  
  Hi D.D. …fun entries. I like the naked truth about publishing idea. Hmm. Also like the creativity of taking the “self” out of publishing. Clever. Ah, heck. I like it all. Thanks for posting. Mark | Writing Contest
Jalynn Venis on January 30, 2013 at 4:51 pm

Literary Agent Undercover (LAU) is for writers like YOU who are smart enough to know they need some savvy guidance, but not so smart that they can’t accept knowledgeable coaching and the world of experience that Mark Malatesta brings to the writing table.

LAU — Not for wussies!

Get Undercover and Write!

Literary Agent Undercover = Mission Accomplished

Literary Agent Undercover seeking scribes for fame and fortune! | Writing Contest
- Mark Malatesta, Literary Agent Undercover on January 30, 2013 at 9:49 pm
  
  Hi Jalynn, I love it. No wussies allowed. Now there’s a bumper sticker or t-shirt. I wouldn’t be bold enough to wear it or put it on MY car, but I’d laugh and appreciate it if I saw it on yours. 🙂 Mark | Writing Contest
Dorlies von Kaphget Meissner-Rasmussen on January 30, 2013 at 2:51 pm

Writing is like creating a beautiful ballet with two or more bodies gliding gracefully together. If the writers words do not move smoothly they generate an unrecognizable echo of tense. | Writing Contest
- Mark Malatesta, Literary Agent Undercover on January 30, 2013 at 9:48 pm
  
  Hi Dorlies, that’s beautiful. Thank you for letting the poetry of your words pirouette across this page. 🙂 Mark | Writing Contest
Cheri on January 30, 2013 at 1:12 pm

Getting a great agent and being published the traditional way is just a decision. Make one more, hire Literary Agent Undercover and get the job done.

Work on your book, let LAU work on the deal. | Writing Contest
- Mark Malatesta, Literary Agent Undercover on January 30, 2013 at 9:46 pm
  
  Hi Cheri, with your energy, enthusiasm, and content… it’s definitely a decision. Have a great rest of the week and enjoy all those questions I sent you. Have fun with it. 🙂 Mark | Writing Contest