Q&A With Mark Gottlieb

Mark Gottlieb is senior vice president & literary agent at book publishing’s leading literary agency at Trident Media Group in New York City! When I received Mark’s email agreeing to do this interview, of course I was ecstatic!

Q: Mark welcome to Book Notions! Where did your passion for literature come from and when did you figure out that being a literary agent was something you are interested in?

A: Thank you for the warm welcome! My passion for literature began at a young age, growing up surrounded by books and stories, my father, Robert Gottlieb, founded Trident Media Group, so publishing was quite literally the family business. He named me Mark Owen Gottlieb, after his mentor from William Morris—Owen Laster, so my destiny was written on my forehead! But I didn’t just fall into the role—I earned my place through a deep love for storytelling and a desire to champion authors’ voices. After graduating from Emerson College with a degree in writing, literature, and publishing, I started my career at Trident Media Group as an assistant in the International Rights department and later in the audio rights department and worked my way up. It wasn’t long before I realized that being a literary agent perfectly combined my editorial instincts, business acumen, and desire to help authors succeed.

Q: I know a literary agent is a person who helps an author secure a publishing deal for their book and submits their manuscript to editors at publishing houses where they have relationships and where they feel their book would be a good fit for an editor’s list. What is your favorite part about being an agent and why?

A: What I love most about being a literary agent is getting to be an author’s first champion. There’s something incredibly gratifying about discovering a fresh voice or helping a talented writer refine their manuscript, then seeing it come to life on bookstore shelves. From negotiating strong deals to strategizing long-term careers, I’m deeply invested in the journey with each of my clients. Watching them grow and thrive creatively and professionally is what makes every day in this job worthwhile.

Q: Did you go to college to be an agent, or did you apply for an internship after graduating high school? I love asking this question because I know everyone’s journey toward being an agent, a publicist, an author or juggling more roles is different and I just love knowing about everyone’s journey!

A: I attended Emerson College, where I studied writing, literature, and publishing, which gave me a solid foundation for a career in books. During my time there, I immersed myself in internships and editorial work, knowing early on that I wanted to be on the agenting side of publishing. After graduating with honors, I joined the Trident Media Group in the International Rights department, quickly transitioning into an Executive Assistant role, then into Audio Rights, and then into agenting, where I found my true calling. Everyone’s path is unique, but for me, it was about pairing academic study with hands-on experience.

Q: You are also the Senior Vice President at Trident Media Group! What does your role as Senior Vice President entail? Is it stressful balancing the Senior Vice President Role as well as being an agent? How do you juggle both roles without being too overwhelmed?

A: As Senior Vice President at Trident, I help steer the strategic vision of the agency while continuing to build and manage my own list of authors. It’s a balancing act, but one I enjoy because it allows me to contribute to the broader direction of the company while remaining deeply connected to the creative side of the business. Organization, delegation, and a genuine love for work are keys. I thrive on being busy and energized by the many hats I wear, and I’m fortunate to have an amazing support team behind me.

Q: In the amount of time you’ve been an agent, what wisdom have you learned that you hope everyone learns whether they become an agent or not?

A: One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the value of persistence and patience. Publishing can be a slow, sometimes frustrating process, but good things happen for authors who stay committed and keep improving their craft. I also believe in the importance of being kind and communicative relationships are everything in this industry. Whether you’re an agent, an editor, or a writer, success is built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared love of great stories.

Q: I love asking this next question! You represent so many authors! Would you please give names of the many authors you work with?

A: Absolutely! I’ve been lucky to represent a wide range of incredible authors, including New York Times bestsellers. I also work with award winners and exciting emerging voices. My client list is listed here with links to the websites of authors, and some new & notable book titles are listed there. My list spans genres—from fiction to nonfiction, to children’s books and graphic novels—and I’m always on the lookout for compelling new talent.

Q: Mark, if you were to become an author yourself, would you represent yourself as an agent? Would you write fiction or nonfiction and what would your book be about?

A: That’s a fun question! If I ever stepped into the author role, I’d probably write a nonfiction book about the inner workings of the publishing industry, something that demystifies the process and empowers writers to better navigate their careers. I might call it: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO GETTING PUBLISHED: AN INDUSTRY INSIDER’S ACCOUNT FROM TRIDENT MEDIA GROUP LITERARY AGENT MARK GOTTLIEB. I am still mulling over ideas for novels. As for representing myself? I might leave that to a colleague at Trident Media Group—every author deserves an objective advocate! But at the heart of it, I love helping others tell their stories more than I feel compelled to tell my own, which is probably why agenting is such a natural fit for me.