Memoir & Narrative Nonfiction Author Reviews of Mark Malatesta

“Mark, you’re a thoughtful gentleman and a constructive critic. Before we met, I wanted to find a certain type of agent—one who’d understand the value of my work, bring it to life in the mind of readers, and bring it to life on the screen. When I looked online for a coach, your name rose to the top. After we spoke, I knew we’d work well together. I could tell by the questions you asked and your ability to listen. You understood where I was coming from, and you were extremely helpful. I value our friendship.” [click here to see the full review of nonfiction author coach Mark Malatesta]

“I just got an offer from Regnery Publishing! They’ve had more than fifty books on the New York Times bestseller list, including numerous books at #1. My agent has been great. I LOVE her, and I wouldn’t be at this point without your guidance and help. The publishing industry is so complicated and Byzantine. There are a million different ways to do things and it’s hard to know which ones are going to work for you. I’m grateful for your advice, energy, talent, and kindness guiding me through this crazy maze. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!” [click here to see the full review of memoir author coach Mark Malatesta]

“I got the number one agent on my wish list thanks to Mark. He’s done more than 100 deals in just two year and has a long list of accolades, including being talked about in the New York Times. Within 4 minutes of sending out my revised query letter, my literary agent called me on the phone. Less than 30 days later I had three major publishers making offers. And, a few days after that, I signed a deal with Random House. Mark’s query letter did that.” [click here to see the full review of memoir author coach Mark Malatesta]

“Woot!!! I’m so excited I could cry. My agent just sold my memoir to Simon & Schuster/Gallery Books. I spent about three years sending out queries before I found you. I didn’t know what I was doing. It was like I was on a muddy trail crawling through branches and underbrush. I tried to figure it out, but all I got was rejections. Working with you was a big learning curve, but I got a very good response rate, including from A-list agents who were interested. Anyone who has the great fortune to work with you should consider themselves lucky. You were my compass. You didn’t walk for me, but you showed me how to get there. You’re an angel, thank you.” [click here to see the full review of memoir author coach Mark Malatesta]

“I don’t think authors have a clue what it takes to get an agent or publisher. It’s not easy. When I listened to the voicemail I got from Peter Miller offering me representation, in all candor, I was blown away. I sat in my chair for about an hour in disbelief. If I hadn’t have worked with you, Mark, I don’t think I would have gotten an agent this quickly. The proposal we created for agents did much of their work for them. We gave them something they could just hand to publishers. Thank you so much, working with you has been wonderful!” [click here to see the full review of memoir author coach Mark Malatesta]

“When I started sending out the query you wrote for me, I had several agents interested all at once. That made me very, very, very nervous. When I first started my business, somebody told me, ‘You can base your business decisions on money or relationships. Always go with relationships.’ Because of that advice, I’ve never taken a wrong step. And that’s why the greatest gift of our work together, to me, has been our relationship. You’re a good teacher who’s smart and experienced, but you’re also generous and your heart is big. You launch people and their dreams, and you teach them how to fly. I’m happy to be one of your winged clients.” [click here to see the full review of memoir author coach Mark Malatesta]

“I wouldn’t be here without Mark! He helped me get two offers for representation and I ended up signing with the agent who represents Cindy Williams, the TV star from Laverne and Shirley. I’m happy to tell other authors to put themselves out there and follow Mark’s advice. It’s not smoke and mirrors. It’s real, quantifiable, and truly helpful. What Mark says is what he does, and he really delivers. Actually, he over delivers. Everything is really well thought out!” [click here to see the full review of memoir author coach Mark Malatesta]

“I’m in shock. I have an agent! Karen Canton with Canton Literary Management. Timing and a great query letter are everything. Making a decision to work with someone like Mark is sort of a come to Jesus moment. How badly do you want to get published, and why? Are you really committed? If the answer is yes, then you should do it. Talk to the man.” [click here to see the full review of nonfiction author coach Mark Malatesta]

“Thank you for your support during the nail-biting experience of getting an agent. My book is now being published by Skyhorse Publishing, distributed by Simon & Schuster. They’ve published 52 New York Times bestsellers, and they were named by Publishers Weekly as the fastest-growing small publisher in America. Before I worked with you, I sent out many queries but didn’t get offers. After getting requests for more material and having every agent pass, I knew something wasn’t right. That’s when I started doing research and reached out to you. I appreciate you pushing me.”  [click here to see the full review of memoir author coach Mark Malatesta]

“I got nine offers of representation from literary agents—in less than one week—and my book is now being published in hardcover by Citadel Press, an imprint of Kensington Publishing. I heard back from some agents in less than an hour, including the one I ultimately went with, who’s responsible for multiple New York Times bestsellers in my genre. I was blown away, it’s been surreal. It was a leap of faith and a financial sacrifice to go with you, but it was worth every penny. It’s something I’ll always be grateful I did. I’m almost 100% sure I couldn’t have done it alone.” [click here to see the full review of nonfiction author coach Mark Malatesta]

“You thought I could get a traditional publisher, and you were right. Three publishers were interested in my book, and I just signed with Purdue University Press (their animal-human bond series). They loved it and gave it rave reviews. I have a good sixth sense about people, but I don’t always listen to it. For some reason, I listened to it with you. Seeing how the literary world operates really opened my eyes. Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me. To other authors I say, ‘Don’t give up on yourself. Work with a professional who knows how to do this.’” [click here to see the full review of memoir author coach Mark Malatesta]

“Two weeks after you helped me get representation, my agent starting pitching my story to publishers and we had an offer. I signed a book contract yesterday. A little while later my agent told me that a TV co-producer asked for more info about my book! If it weren’t for you I’d still be floundering, sending out queries.” [click here to see the full review of memoir author coach Mark Malatesta]

“Mark helped me get nearly a dozen literary agents to ask for sample chapters or my complete manuscript. He also helped coordinate everything so I was able to get different agents on the phone to figure out which one would do the best job for me. I then signed with Susan Schulman in New York City and now my book is in bookstores!” [click here to see the full review of memoir author coach Mark Malatesta]

“I just signed with the Donald Maass Agency! Mark, I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for your support, guidance, and faith in me. I was so surprised and shocked when my agent called me on the phone and told me the news. She’s a great agent, a top agent, and I’m very lucky. Everything came together so beautifully. Thank you so much!!!” [click here to see the full review of memoir author coach Mark Malatesta]

“When an agent sent me an email offering to represent me, I wanted to jump for joy. But I didn’t allow myself to get too excited until you called me. At the time the offer came in, there were three other agents looking at my book. You told me how to follow up with them to get them responding quickly, since I didn’t want to make the first agent wait too long. I appreciate all your time. I appreciate you. And I’ve started recommending you to other writers.” [click here to see the full review of memoir author coach Mark Malatesta]

“I’ll be 83 years old in October, I’ve never written a book before, and I’ve never taken a class in writing. But, I learned so much from you, Mark, in such a short time. You showed me what to do and said, ‘Now you’re getting the hang of it.’ You were a beacon to follow. Then, while I was cleaning out my kitty pan one day in December, the phone rang and Joseph Vallely from Swagger Literary wanted to represent me. I cannot repeat it often enough, Mark, this wouldn’t have happened without you.” [click here to see the full review of nonfiction author coach Mark Malatesta]

“Egads, Mark’s advice really works! During the two-year period before I worked with him, I made submissions to agents and got nothing but rejection letters—not a single nibble. After Mark helped me with my manuscript, book proposal, and query letter I signed a contract with the Marianne Strong Literary Agency. My agent said my book proposal is great. I’m having trouble believing this is real!” [click here to see the full review of memoir author coach Mark Malatesta]