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Jim Brown's Blog

Jim Brown Fireside Chat with Mark Malatesta, Former Literary Agent

 

In this post, former literary agent Mark Malatesta interviews novelist and TV anchor Jim Brown. Mark helped Jim get offers from multiple publishers when he was a literary agent, including a six-figure advance, and a two-book deal. Today Mark is an author coach and consultant who's helped 400+ authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get literary agents and/or traditional publsihers. This interview (available as both audio and text) is 59 minutes. During the interview, Mark Malatesta asks Jim about how he became a writer; and his best advice for authors about how to write, publish, and promote a book. Read More 

Mark Malatesta Review and Interview - How to Get a Literary Agent

In this Mark Malatesta review and interview, TV anchor and novelist Jim Brown talks with Mark about how to get a literary agent and publisher. Mark Malatesta is a former literary agent who represented Jim when he was a new author, and helped him get offers from multiple publishers for his novels 24/7 and Black Valley. Mark is now an author coach and consultant who's helped 400+ authors all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children's books) get literary agents and/or traditional publishers such as Random House, Simon & Schuster, St. Martin's, Hyperion, Prentice-Hall, Workman, Andrews-McMeel, Entrepreneur, Barron's, Amacom, and many more.

 

mark-malatesta-review---book-1.jpg   mark-malatesta-review---book-2.jpg

 

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Harry Potter Meets Indian Jones???

 

This is a fun one. You may have heard how author J.K. Rowling went from rock bottom to multi-millionaire or how her sixth book sold more copies in twenty-four hours than The Da Vinci Code sold in a year.

But do you know the connection between Harry Potter and Indiana Jones?

Or the secret of the author’s name? What about the connection between the author, the actor and the fictional character? And who turned down a key role in one of the Harry Potter films?

Fear not, fret not, and don’t be afraid to smile as we go Behind the Books of Harry Porter. Just click on *more* and when you see the video hit play.

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Stephen King and the Secret in the Box

 

Stephen King has a secret. And it’s kept in a box. Sort of.

But, you know I'm going to lift the lid and sneak a peak.

And, I hope you share my curiosity and will join me for this episode of Behind the Book.

Don’t worry it’s not real scary. Except for the parts I’m in :)

Just click on *more* then when you see the video hit play.

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BEHIND THE BOOK TV: EPISODE #1"Dan Brown (that other writer named Brown) Sings"

YOU KNOW THE BOOK'S SECRET BUT WHAT ABOUT THE AUTHOR'S?


Did you know?

I’ve started a video series called "Behind the Book" where I pull back the curtain and reveal behind the scenes information about some of your favorite books and writers.

Did you know?

Those three little words cause my ears to perk up. I think it’s because, of all the characters in “The Wizard of Oz”, I identify with the dog, Toto. I’ve got this basic desire to pull back the curtain.

And it occurs to me you may feel the same – at least a little bit. So, first up (in this edition of "Behind the Book") you're going to see The Da Vinci Code's Dan Brown singing.

No. . . seriously. You’ve got to hear this. As always thanks for reading and thanks for watching. Be sure to say hello and leave a comment after you watch the video!  Read More 

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Literary Agent Undercover

 

Literary Agent Undercover is an author coaching and consulting company created by my former literary agent. If you have a book (or book idea) you’d like to see published by a traditional publisher (like Random House), I want to introduce you. His name is Mark Malatesta and he was responsible for the sale of my first two novels to Random House. He's a marketing genius (that's not an exaggeration) and one of my best and dearest friends.

That’s why I told Mark I’d be happy to share his website where you can get free, instant access to his:

  • Complete article library (tons of great information and it’s often entertaining)
  • Audio/mp3 library (make sure you listen to his main mp3 about 7 insider secrets)
  • Directory of Literary Agents (the best book agent directory anywhere)
  • Webpage where you can ask questions about literary agents and publishing

If you’re an author (or aspiring author) who wants to get a real publisher (they pay you instead of you paying them), make sure you check out Mark’s site, and the Q&A below.

- Jim Brown

 

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Happy Holidays

 

Happy Holiday’s

Forgive this belated Thanksgiving newsletter but I’m assuming you were crazy busy over the holidays, what with the family gatherings, turkey eating, Friday shopping and leftovers. Ummm . . . leftovers. I think I just drooled on my keyboard.

And although the carols have commenced, I’m hoping you and I can hold

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The Possibility of the Impossible

How Does it Happen?

 

What happens when an intelligent man comes face to face with the impossible? Not the unlikely, not the unbelievable, but the truly brain-numbing, bowel-clenching, what-the-hell-is-that impossible?

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24/7 -- Fact or Fiction (Could it happen?)

Putting the REAL in Reality TV

 

Could something like the events depicted in 24/7 actually happen? Consider this...

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Welcome message

Dear Reader,

The novels featured on this website (Black Valley and 24/7) were written just for you.

Oh sure, others can read these books - in fact I want them to (wake the kids, phone the neighbors, don't worry about shopping for birthdays, Christmas or Arbor Day -- books make the perfect gift). But in your secret heart of hearts, know dear Reader, that they written for, specifically for you...  Read More 
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