Edward Correia, author of the novel The Girl Who Became a Goddess (not yet published), provided this review of former literary agent Mark Malatesta. Edward worked with Mark to improve his book and pitch materials (query letter and synopsis), resulting in literary agency representation. Scroll below to learn more. Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews. And click here to learn more about Literary Agent Undercover and The Bestselling Author after you read the review about Mark Malatesta below by Edward.
Mark Malatesta Review by Edward Correia
“It was a nice surprise when I got the email from my agent saying she was offering representation. She asked me to call, so I did. We talked about my book, her interesting history, and then, because it’s her specialty, historical fiction, which is my genre. My agent is very personable, has a bubbly personality, and is fun to talk to. She’s also very committed and responsive. She told me to feel free to call or email her anytime.
I sent out queries before I found you, Mark, but didn’t get anywhere. You helped me make the query more interesting and engaging, but you also helped me make the manuscript more marketable. Before that, it was over the top, too graphic and intense. Things were getting lost. Once you helped me moderate that, the story and characters came alive. I felt it was a lot better, and I started feeling more confident.
Literary agents get thousands of submissions, there’s a lot of competition. I didn’t really appreciate that most agents make decisions based on one page, or three or four paragraphs. No pressure, right? Working with you made me feel like I might be able to get an agent. It could actually work. It’s an intangible thing, how your encouragement made me feel it was possible, and helped me keep going.
When you start getting rejections – everyone gets rejections – it’s easy to give up. But, when you talk with someone who knows the industry and how to sell books, someone who tells you, ‘There’s no guarantee, but there’s a good chance you can do this and it’s worth pursuing’, it’s a big help. You’re very knowledgeable, but you’re also congenial, personable, laid-back, and fun to talk to. Like my agent. What more could an author ask for?
I know that some people might have reservations about finding someone like you online, but I didn’t. I knew I needed help, and, after looking at your website, I believed you would deliver. After my first coaching call with you, that was especially true. You told me about the mechanics of the process, but also what literary agents are looking for, and how they make snap decisions based on a very limited amount of information.
After we talked the first time, I said to my wife, ‘I’m thinking about paying this guy to help me with my book’. She said, ‘Go for it’, which was good, because it’s better when your spouse buys in. Your fee is very reasonable though. The process of getting an agent and how the publishing industry works is a mystery to most of us. Having someone like you, Mark, who understands that world, is enormously valuable.
If I hadn’t have worked with you, I probably would have sent out more queries, gotten more rejections, and then given up. Getting a literary agent is a very unique thing, not the kind of task you should try to take on yourself. There’s a tendency to think, ‘Well, I have the ability to write a book; therefore, I have the ability to sell it – how hard can it be?’ But writing a book and selling a book are two very different things.
Many thanks, Mark, for your help. It’s a really good feeling to have somebody believe in you enough to say, ‘I’ll be your agent.’”
Edward Correia
Author of the historical novel
The Girl Who Became a Goddess
(not yet published)
http://www.correiaosolinik.com
http://correiabooks.com
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Do you want to be like Edward and get literary agency representation? Click here to get instant access to the Free Resources on our websites for authors and click here to find out how you can Schedule an Introductory Coaching Call. Mark Malatesta is founder of The Bestselling Author and Literary Agent Undercover, helping authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals. The above review of Mark Malatesta, Author Coach was provided by author Edward Correia.
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 
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