Mark Malatesta – Writers Conference Advocate – Author Coach & Former Literary Agent
Mark Malatesta, a former literary agent, is the author of this Writers Conferences FAQ. In addition to helping many authors get book deals with major publishers as a literary agent, he’s helped 400+ writers get literary agents and/or traditional publishers through his author coaching and consulting company, The Bestselling Author, LLC, which he established in 2011.
Mark has given 100+ presentations (keynotes, talks, workshops, and panels) at conferences and other events for writers. The first conference he spoke at, decades ago, was the Miami Writers Conference. Over the years, Mark has shared the stage wtih leading literary agents, bestselling authors, and other literary luminaries.
Mark believes every aspiring author should attend at least one writers’ conference. They’re a great place to learn, pitch literary agents, and form friendships and relationships that can last a lifetime.
Writers Conferences Presentations
Places Mark has given presentations include:
Quotes About Writers Conferences
Wondering if you should attend a writers conference? Read these inspiring quotes and testimonials from authors about writers conferences.
“Attending a writers conference was a game-changer. I learned more in three days than I had in years of self-study.” – John Grisham
“The connections I made at my first conference led to my debut novel getting published.” – Cheryl Strayed
“Writers conferences are where inspiration meets opportunity. Every writer should attend at least one.” – Neil Gaiman
“I went to a conference to pitch my book. I left with a community I didn’t know I needed.” – Roxane Gay
“At a writers conference, I found my agent, my mentor, and my confidence all in the same weekend.” – Ann Patchett
“Writers conferences bring people together in a way no virtual meeting ever could. The energy is unmatched.” – George R.R. Martin
“I wasn’t sure I belonged at a writers conference. By the end, I knew I did.” – Elizabeth Gilbert
“Conferences offer a rare opportunity to focus entirely on your craft, away from the distractions of everyday life.” – Stephen King
“Pitching at a writers conference felt daunting, but it ended up being one of the best decisions I ever made.” – Colson Whitehead
“Meeting other writers at a conference reminded me that the solitary act of writing connects us all.” – Margaret Atwood
“The best thing about a writers conference? It’s not just about writing better but also about thinking bigger.” – Toni Morrison
“I left the conference with not just a polished manuscript but also a renewed sense of purpose.” – J.K. Rowling
“I found my editor at a conference, but more importantly, I found my voice.” – Maya Angelou
“The workshops at the conference helped me break through writer’s block and fall in love with my story again.” – Alice Walker
“A writers conference is like a camp for your creative soul—exhausting but profoundly fulfilling.” – Harlan Coben
“At my first conference, I learned that rejection isn’t failure; it’s just a step closer to success.” – Lisa See
“The industry insights I gained from the panels at the conference were priceless.” – James Patterson
“You go to learn about writing, but you leave having learned so much about yourself.” – Barbara Kingsolver
“Writers conferences remind us that we’re not alone in this often isolating journey.” – Isabel Allende
“Even if you don’t land a deal, the knowledge and motivation you gain are worth every penny.” – David Baldacci
“I discovered that agents are humans too, and many of them want us to succeed as much as we do.” – Jennifer Egan
“My most valuable takeaway? The confidence to call myself a writer.” – Amy Tan
“Conferences turn dreams into goals and goals into action.” – Michael Connelly
“You’ll be surprised how much a single critique session can transform your manuscript.” – Diana Gabaldon
“The camaraderie at a writers conference is unmatched. You realize you’re part of a much larger story.” – Donna Tartt
“The guest speakers were inspiring, but it was the conversations in the hallways that changed everything for me.” – Nicholas Sparks
“After attending a conference, I realized that writing doesn’t have to be lonely. We’re in this together.” – Anne Lamott
“The first time I pitched at a conference, I was terrified. Now, I look back and smile—it was the start of my career.” – Louise Penny
“The best part of a writers conference is realizing that your story matters—not just to you, but to others.” – Jeanette Winterson
“Every writer deserves the chance to be surrounded by people who truly understand their passion. That’s what a conference is for.” – Kazuo Ishiguro
Mark Malatesta: Other Accomplishments
In addition to serving writers as an author coach and consultant, and, previously, literary agent, Mark Malatesta is the former Marketing & Licensing Manager for the gift and book publisher Blue Mountain Arts. Writers he’s worked with are represented by some of the Best Literary Agents at the Top Literary Agencies, they’ve have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list, and they’ve sold millions of books.
Authors Mark Malatesta has worked with include Nelson Johnson (Boardwalk Empire), which Martin Scorsese produced for HBO; Leslie Lehr (A Boob’s Life), which is being adapted for an HBO Max TV series by Salma Hayek; and Scott LeRette (The Unbreakable Boy), published by Thomas Nelson and now a Lionsgate feature film, starring Zachary Levi, Patricia Heaton, and Amy Acker.
Mark Malatesta is the author of How to Become a Bestselling Author and How to Get a Literary Agent. He’s the host of Ask a Literary Agent, where authors ask questions about writing, publishing, and marketing books. He’s the creator of the Directory of Literary Agents. And his articles have appeared in the Publishers Weekly Book Publishing Almanac, the Writer’s Digest Guide to Literary Agents, etc.
Here you can see Mark Malatesta Reviews.
Writers Conference Success Stories
Writers conferences have a remarkable way of transforming dreams into reality. For many authors, these events are more than just opportunities to learn—they’re life-changing milestones that lead to finding literary agents, securing book deals, and launching successful careers.
- Breakthrough Discovery: At the New York Pitch Conference, Paula Hawkins pitched her early manuscript for The Girl on the Train, catching the attention of a publisher and setting her on the path to a blockbuster career.
- Debut Meets Idol: At the Aspen Summer Words festival, debut novelist Tara Westover met one of her literary heroes, Isabel Allende, whose mentorship helped Westover refine the narrative voice in Educated.
- Unexpected Success: At the San Francisco Writers Conference, debut author Katherine Arden struck up a conversation with literary agent Stephen Barbara while waiting in line for coffee. Their informal chat led to a follow-up meeting, and Arden later landed a six-figure deal for her breakout novel The Bear and the Nightingale.
- Unexpected Success: At the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Conference, debut author Riley Weston casually pitched her story to an agent while waiting in line for the restroom. The agent was intrigued, requested the manuscript, and later signed Weston, leading to a lucrative book deal for her debut novel.
- Bestselling Series Born: At the Midwest Writers Workshop, Veronica Roth connected with her agent, Joanna Volpe, during a pitch session. That meeting led to the publication of the Divergent trilogy, which became a global phenomenon.
- Agent Discovery: At the San Diego Writers Conference, Deborah Harkness pitched her manuscript for A Discovery of Witches. The session led to agent representation and a bestselling series that captivated readers worldwide.
- Memoir Inspiration: At the Philadelphia Writers Conference, memoirist Tara Schuster shared how feedback from peers and panelists transformed her rough draft into the polished manuscript of Buy Yourself the Fcking Lilies*.
- Debut Author Breakthrough: At ThrillerFest, Riley Sager received a pivotal critique that redefined the pacing of his thriller, leading to the eventual release of his debut novel Final Girls, which earned critical acclaim.
- Novelist’s Spark: At the Iowa Summer Writing Festival, a workshop led by Marilynne Robinson deeply influenced novelist Ethan Canin, providing the foundation for his eventual works like America America.
- Children’s Author Breakthrough: At the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) conference, R.J. Palacio workshopped the early drafts of Wonder. Peer critiques and expert feedback helped shape her award-winning story.
- Life-Changing Partnerships: At the Santa Barbara Writers Conference, Ray Bradbury mentored a young Michael Moorcock, encouraging him to pursue his science fiction and fantasy writing career, which later blossomed into international acclaim.
- Hidden Gems Unearthed: At the Atlanta Writers Conference, Colson Whitehead connected with an editor who championed his early manuscript, leading to the eventual publication of his breakthrough novel, The Intuitionist.
- Life-Changing Encounters: At the Maui Writers Conference, debut novelist Nicholas Sparks met bestselling author Therese Anne Fowler, sparking a friendship that led to collaboration on industry events and mutual projects.
