Saturday, March 15th, 2025

2-Part Zoom Seminar

Live Seminar Via Zoom

Starts at 1PM EST/ 12PM CST/10AM PST

Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button (lower left) to talk with us.

*A recording of this seminar will be made available to enrollees.

Led by an industry-leading literary agent at Trident Media Group, Mark Owen Gottlieb.

Learn more about Mark in our Meet the Teaching Artist series.

Many new writers hoping to become published authors often ask themselves, I’ve written a book…now what? Chances are, the first thing they need is a literary agent. (Publishing houses do not accept unsolicited submissions from writers unless they come by way of a literary agent). So, how to go about querying literary agencies?

There are so many wrong ways to go about the process, with just a very small list of how to go about it in the right way. This class focuses on the correct methods of obtaining a literary agent and helps simplify the process.

Session 1: Assembling the Perfect Pitch Package & Understanding the Submissions Process

1:00 PM EST - 1:45 PM EST via Zoom

This first section focuses on how writers can assemble their dream team of literary agents and editors for query letter submissions. This section will provide exact models for success, including a mock “ideal” submission in the eyes of agents and editors. The importance of selecting the right title and/or subtitles will be explored. How to perfect one’s pitch and a fiction and nonfiction proposal will be explained. The value of having good readers and a team of writers in a group will be discussed. Lastly, this section will go into the exact preparation of the pitch package when in readiness for liftoff. What it means to send one’s book directly to publishers will be explored, along with what it is like to work with micropublishers and how to go direct to one’s readers. Time for further questions and comments will be afforded toward the end of the session.

10-minute BREAK

Session 2: Finding, Attracting, and Getting the Right Agent

1:55 PM EST - 3:00 PM EST via Zoom

The second session will follow with an exploration as to why every writer really needs to have a literary agent. The process for locating a literary agent will be explained. Next, this class segment will shift to an explanation of how to lure the right literary agent. Lastly, how to land a desired literary agent will be revealed to students. Then, what it means to sign an agency agreement and what to expect next from an agent will be detailed. This will then follow with a description of how to properly conduct relations with literary agents by avoiding mistakes and properly addressing periods of silence. What it means to send one’s book out into the world will be discussed. How to handle interest from literary agents—especially when it can result in agony or ecstasy—is a deeper understanding participants will gain. Time for further questions and comments will be afforded toward the end of the session.

COURSE TAKEAWAYS:

• How to assemble the perfect pitch package for submission
• Locate, lure and land the right literary agent
• Gain a better understanding of the submissions process
• Properly manage rejections or potentially avoid them altogether

Mark Owen Gottlieb is a highly-ranked literary agent in overall deals and other categories. Using that same initiative and insight for identifying talented writers, he is actively building his own client list of authors. Mark Gottlieb is excited to work directly with authors, helping to manage and grow their careers with all of the unique resources that are available at book publishing’s leading literary agency, Trident Media Group. During his time at Trident Media Group, Mark Gottlieb has represented numerous New York Times bestselling authors, as well as award-winning authors, and has optioned and sold books to film and TV production companies. He previously ran the agency’s audiobook department in addition to working in foreign rights. Mark Gottlieb is actively seeking submissions in all categories and genres and looking forward to bringing new and established authors to the curious minds of their future readers.

TESTIMONIALS:

“To find someone in the publishing world these days who possesses such style and grace…a throwback. Crown moldings and brass door knocker in a world of prefab housing.”

—Lesley Kagen, New York Times bestselling author

“He is professional, knowledgeable, and deeply cares about the careers of his clients. …I'm lucky to have Mark in my corner!”

—Alan Hlad, USA Today bestselling author

“My writing career would never have advanced as fast or as far without Mark's help.” —James Breakwell, bestselling author

“He goes above and beyond his work expectations by cultivating caring relationships with his clients, always expressing empathy and patience. He is kind, supportive and knows what he's doing.”

—Ruby Karp, author of Earth Hates Me

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS:

"I wanted to thank you for your time this weekend for the Hook and Query writing seminar. It's hard to know from reading articles alone what a query letter or pitch should look like." -Jed H., Workshop Student

"It was my absolute pleasure to meet you virtually on Saturday! Thank you for the wealth of detailed information and on-the-spot, yet carefully crafted critiques you shared with each of us— the experience is treasured, and invaluable." -Mica K., Workshop Student

"Saturday’s class opened my eyes to the mistakes of my query submissions, which boil down to two crucial elements: word count & comps. Soliciting a bloated manuscript with no comps outside of a couple of 20+ year-old movie references advertised a novice understanding of the publishing industry, making me a rightful candidate for the rejection pile." -William W., Workshop Student

"Thank you, Mark, for this wonderful workshop!" -Diane G., Workshop Student

“You gave me enough writing technique and marketing information to feel like I can get started with confidence. Thank you!” — Workshop Student

“Thank you for being so diligent, so focused and so professional in your approach to the class. I found the whole experience exceeded my most optimistic expectations.” — Workshop Student

ONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:

This Workshop will meet via Zoom on Saturday, March 15th, 2025

Session 1 will be 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM EST

15-minute Break Between Sessions

Session 2 will be 1:55 PM – 3:00 PM EST

*Recordings of all sessions will be made available to everyone who enrolls.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

You can pay for the course in full or use Shop Pay or Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. Both options are available at checkout.

• Mark Gottlieb | Live via Zoom
• Saturday, March 15th, 2025
• The seminar is fully ONLINE and meets via Zoom

Mark Owen Gottlieb is a highly-ranked literary agent in overall deals and other categories. Using that same initiative and insight for identifying talented writers, he is actively building his own client list of authors. Mark Gottlieb is excited to work directly with authors, helping to manage and grow their careers with all of the unique resources that are available at book publishing’s leading literary agency, Trident Media Group. During his time at Trident Media Group, Mark Gottlieb has represented numerous New York Times bestselling authors, as well as award-winning authors, and has optioned and sold books to film and TV production companies. He previously ran the agency’s audiobook department in addition to working in foreign rights. Mark Gottlieb is actively seeking submissions in all categories and genres and looking forward to bringing new and established authors to the curious minds of their future readers.