Early feedback from an agent is vital.

Our virtual consultations are offered by select agents of our team and held at any time convenient to your schedule. By meeting one-to-one with an expert on our team, our agents are able to:

Assess your book idea
Diagnose your book pitch
Listen to your personal goals
Address your questions and challenges
Give you game-changing big picture feedback
Tell you what you need to capture an agent’s attention
Share proven platform-building and book launch strategies
Lend guidance on beginning (or re-launching) your career as an author
Offer you connections to our network, if applicable
Review and edit a personalized query letter or create a customized marketing plan for your goals (at an additional cost)

Lucinda Halpern

Founder and President, Lucinda Literary

Lucinda is the President & Founder of Lucinda Literary and author of the book Get Signed (Hay House; 2024). She coaches aspiring authors of all kinds based on decades of book publishing and marketing experience. Her passion is helping writers to find their most captivating idea and the right pitch to present it. Whether you are looking for ways to build your platform, launch a business or a new career as an author, or create a bestseller, Lucinda can guide you to reach the widest audience possible.

She can coach aspiring authors writing in the business, thought leadership, health & lifestyle, self-help, popular science, narrative nonfiction, memoir, upmarket fiction, or literary fiction categories. She specializes in giving guidance to writers on how to find their biggest ideas, create a winning pitch, and build a platform.

Craig Pyette

Literary Agent, Lucinda Literary

Craig brings to your project over two decades as an in-house editor at Penguin Random House, publishing bestselling and award-winning nonfiction, with a history of developing successful marketing and publicity strategies. He has particular interest in the areas of investigative nonfiction and true crime; psychology, health and popular science; economics, business and big idea nonfiction.

In particular, journalists, academics and other specialists looking to package their extensive knowledge base, research and experience for a popular readership will be able to refine their pitches and projects with the advice, insight and guidance Craig provides. With Lucinda Literary, he is developing a select list of thought leaders and innovators who bring unique and challenging perspectives to the world of books.

Kelly Bergh

Literary Agent, Lucinda Literary

Kelly is a literary agent at our agency and works exclusively in the nonfiction space. Her ideal clients are PhDs and journalists writing for a general audience and thought leaders and influencers looking to share their content in book form.

She is passionate about helping aspiring authors organize their thoughts and research (however chaotic they may be) into content they’re proud of by coaching them through the proposal-writing process. As a former editor, she is also able to provide insider knowledge about the editorial process.

Kelly can advise authors writing in the popular science, mind/body/spirit, leadership, creativity, and lifestyle categories.

A note about our consultations

Our private consultations are intended to be one-off sessions to help you understand the marketplace, get feedback on your idea or pitch, and receive expert strategies for building recognition. Please note that review of a full book proposal or manuscript is not included in this service.

If you are interested in regular coaching with Lucinda Literary, which includes material review, we have packages available. Reach out to us here for more information about our packages and payment plans.

If you would like to find out more about Lucinda's Book Marketing Consultations, please click here.

Testimonials for Our Private Consultations

“[I greatly appreciated the personalized feedback I received on my own piece. Connor and Lucinda were excellent at facilitating and answering [my] many questions. As an emerging writer who is still in the early phases of my career, I recommend Lucinda Literary’s workshops and one-on-one meetings to help take the mystery out of getting an agent’s attention and maximizing your chances for success. I look forward to participating with more opportunities in the future.“
—Kristy Jackson, Fiction Writer

“Lucinda has been a valuable resource for me as a debut author in getting educated about the entire book writing process. Her workshops provide access to a like-minded community that gave input and drove the early direction of my work. Lucinda’s advice has been meaningful in getting my first book to a better, more marketable place.”
—Shibani Joshi, Business & Technology Journalist

“Lucinda is an aspiring author’s secret weapon. By August, I was thrilled to be offered representation… and by December, I had a book deal!”
—Sara McElroy, Author of Women Who Walk

“Having already written a book, I was trying to understand the ins and outs of the publishing world and get some guidance with regards to my next steps. Lucinda gave me all the clarity I needed. She answered any questions I could dream up, grounded me, inspired me, and set me straight on my road to getting signed.”

—Troy Hadeed, Author of My Name is Love

“The clear guidance to find my writing community led me to Lucinda and this group… It’s a vulnerability I’ve never known and I WANT MORE. From the first session, it’s been so easy to share things that I’ve only shared with those closest to me. I believe it’s the freedom that’s necessary in the transformation of my little story into a big idea. You’ve ignited breakthrough after breakthrough and I have nothing but gratitude.”
—Colleen Ryan-Hensley, Nonfiction Writer

“Lucinda’s contacts are like a list from heaven in terms of who she knows in the publishing world.”
—Manisha Thakor, Founder of MoneyZen.com and Author of MoneyZen

“Lucinda’s prowess? She is able to guide a creative person’s mind—which fires in a million divergent directions—towards a single, poignant, powerful idea… and then helps refine the idea to ensure it resonates with readers. Masterful!”
—Serena Quaglia, Nonfiction Writer

“This was a gift to me and now I've got to get my ass to work!”
—Sierra Ryals

“Lucinda Halpern in a jewel. My consultation time with her was well spent. It's one thing to read the wealth of information in her book and another thing to share time and space with her. As an author desiring to work with a literary agent and bigger publishing house, Lucinda gave me a dose of encouragement with a side of honesty and tough love. I walked away with introspection and inspiration. You don't know what you don't know. Lucinda shared what I needed to know. I now feel I have what I need to position myself for what's to come. Lucinda, thank you.
I hope this review adds value to your work and moves forward. I am honored to be connected to you and I look forward to working with you in the future”
—Charlotte Avery

“Dear Kelly, Thank you so much for meeting with me on Monday. You helped me look at my project through new eyes. I’ve been feeling stuck the past few months, wedded to an outline I had created to keep me on track. Our conversation gave me permission to step back and consider a new (or revisit an old) approach. I imagined how much fun writing could be. Thank you for injecting me with hope and enthusiasm!”
—Helen Goldsmith

“Lucinda Halpern is a true inspiration. She knows so much about the publishing industry. In addition, she is very kind to writers with all our questions and concerns and does her best to address both. Lucinda is a delightful person and a powerful resource!”
—Michie Shaw, Fiction writer

“Lucinda and her team are top-notch agents who are eager to meet and represent new writers. Take a look at the publications they worked with. If you find something similar to your own book, then jump on these folks, like I did”
—Ray Palmer, Nonfiction writer

“I really enjoyed my Private Consultation with Lucinda Halpern. It was amazing to meet someone who understands both sides of the publishing industry and isn't afraid to give honest advice and practical tips to help me succeed in writing a book that agents and publishers will love!”
—Karen Williams, Nonfiction writer

“Lucinda and colleagues offer writers wanting to become authors essential expertise with a huge scoop of kindness. In a short feedback session they answered my year-plus-long quandary - whether the lack of requests for MS from agents I pitched was because of my query or my novel. LL's experts recommended I turn my query upside down, start with the stakes then my bio. I would never have dared to try this format-disrupting strategy if they hadn't told me why and because they loved my premise of my story”
—Anonymous fiction writer

FAQs

Is this consultation suitable for both fiction and nonfiction authors?

Yes, this consultation is designed for both fiction and nonfiction authors. Lucinda's expertise spans across various genres, ensuring that you receive tailored advice regardless of your book's category.

Do I need to have a finished manuscript or book proposal to book a consultation?

No, you do not need to have a finished manuscript. Whether you're at the idea stage, in the middle of writing, or have completed material, this consultation will provide valuable insights to enhance your marketing strategy. This consult does not mean that book material will get reviewed only info relevant to the marketing discussion will be studied prior/during the consult.

Can I book follow-up consultations?

Absolutely. Many authors find ongoing support beneficial as they implement their marketing strategies. You can schedule additional consultations as needed to continue receiving personalized guidance.

How do I book my consultation?

You can book your consultation by clicking on the booking link provided and selecting a suitable time slot. Once your booking is confirmed, you will receive further instructions and meeting details for the consultation. Should you have any issues using our scheduling page, please contact support@lucindaliterary.com.

What if I need to reschedule my consultation?

If you need to reschedule, please use the link provided in the original booking confirmation. Please note that the booking can be rescheduled at any point, though we do ask to complete rescheduling books 24 hours in advance.

Does purchasing this consultation mean that Lucinda Literary will represent my book to publishers?

Our Academy is a separate unit of Lucinda Literary, intended to help aspiring authors at whatever stage they are in their career. Writers are free to pursue any literary agent or publisher of their choosing. Should your work reach the stage where it is appropriate for one of our agents, and you are interested in Lucinda Literary representing your work, a representation agreement would be considered and discussed as separate from this consultation.

Private Consultations