Saturday, August 14th, 2027

Live Seminar Via Zoom from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET

🌍 Class Times by Time Zone: Los Angeles (PDT): 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM / Chicago (CDT): 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM / New York (EDT): 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM / London (BST): 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM / Berlin (CEST): 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Now Enrolling! Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button 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.

Instructor Mark Owen Gottlieb is a highly-ranked literary agent in overall deals and other categories. He is actively building his client list of authors using that same initiative and insight for identifying talented writers. Mark Gottlieb is excited to work directly with authors, helping to manage and grow their careers with all of the unique resources available at book publishing's leading literary agency, Trident Media Group. At Trident Media Group, Mark Gottlieb has represented numerous New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors. He has optioned and sold books to film and TV production companies. He previously ran the agency's audiobook department and worked 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.

Who is this class for?

This online writing workshop is for fiction and nonfiction writers at all levels who are revising a manuscript, whether they are querying now or preparing to. You do not need an agent to take this class or to use what it teaches. If you want to know what a literary agent looks for that a workshop reader doesn't, and how to apply that lens to your own pages before you submit, this seminar is for you.

What to expect:

There's a gap between a manuscript that's ready to sign and a manuscript that's ready to sell. Most writers never get to see what happens inside it. In this Zoom writing class, literary agent Mark Owen Gottlieb walks through the editorial conversation that takes place after an agent signs a client and before the book goes out to editors. What's actually in an agent's revision notes? How much changes, and how much stays? What is an agent looking for that a workshop reader isn't?

You don't need an agent to use any of it — and that's the point. Drawing on his work shaping client manuscripts at Trident Media Group, Mark will show you how he identifies what a book needs before it meets editors: structural problems, pacing, voice, and market positioning. Then he'll show you how to turn that same lens on your own pages now, while you're still querying.

The writers who query well are usually the ones who've already asked the questions an agent would ask. This creative writing course gives you those questions, along with the revision strategies behind them, from someone who gives these notes to working clients every day.

What are the writing goals?

In this course, students will leave with the revision checklist Mark uses on client manuscripts and will complete a first pass applying it to their own opening chapter. Students will also learn to diagnose structural problems, pacing, voice, and market positioning in their own work using the same criteria an agent applies before a manuscript goes out to editors.

COURSE OUTLINE

Session 1: Inside the Agent's Revision Notes — What happens between signing a client and going out to editors; what's actually in an agent's revision letter; how much changes and how much stays; what an agent is looking for that a workshop reader isn't; the four areas Mark works on with clients — structural problems, pacing, voice, and market positioning.

Session 2: Turning the Lens on Your Own Pages — How to apply an agent's criteria to your manuscript while you're still querying; walking through the revision checklist Mark uses on client manuscripts; a guided first pass on your own opening chapter; the questions to ask before you send.

COURSE TAKEAWAYS:

• The revision checklist Mark uses on client manuscripts
• A first pass applying that checklist to your own opening chapter
• A clear picture of the editorial conversation between signing and submission, and what changes in it
• The ability to diagnose structural problems, pacing, voice, and market positioning in your own work
• An understanding of what an agent looks for that a workshop reader does not
• A repeatable revision lens you can use now, whether or not you have representation

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 never would 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

"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

"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." — Former Student

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

Tuition is $99 USD. 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.

ONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:

• Instructor: Mark Owen Gottlieb
• Begins Saturday, August 14th, 2027
• Class will meet once via Zoom on Saturday, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET
• Session 1 will be 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM ET
• 15-minute break between sessions
• Session 2 will be 1:55 PM – 3:00 PM ET
• Seminar is fully ONLINE and meets via Zoom
• Tuition is $99 USD.