“My intuition was validated when, after two months of negotiating the contract for my book, Idea Stormers with Wiley Jossey-Bass (from which I got a sizable advance by the way), my editor at Wiley said to me: “Do you know how lucky you are to be represented by Denise and Anne Marie? I’ve worked with a lot of agents and they’re two of the absolute best!” What makes them so good? Above all, it’s because they are creative collaborators: whole-brain thinkers who are equally adept at handling both the creative and business sides of agenting. And yes, I know how lucky I am!”–Bryan Mattimore, Co-founder and Chief Idea Guy, Growth Engine, author of the new book 21 Days to a Big Idea and Idea Stormers
“Anne Marie and Denise are the kinds of agents every writer dreams about. They take on projects they are deeply passionate about and work tirelessly until they find a publisher who shares their passion. My own project was sold largely because of their excellent reputation and willingness to go to the mat for me. I feel lucky to have them in my corner and to be steered by their excellent counsel.”
–Lauren Leader-Chivée, Co-Founder/ CEO, All In Together Campaign Inc., author of the forthcoming Crossing The Thinnest Line: The Possibility, Power and Payoff of Embracing Diversity
“Denise and Anne Marie believed in me from the moment they read my initial book proposal. And this means the world to me. Their years of experience and commitment to excellence provides me tremendous insight and continues to help me grow, not just as a writer, but also as a person. I sincerely appreciate their loyalty and I know they are always working hard on my behalf.”
–Sheri Riley, Empowerment Speaker, Life Strategist and author of Exponential Living: How to Stop Spending 100% of Your Time on 10% of Who You Are to be published in February 2017
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Denise Marcil for 25 years. After successfully selling my first nonfiction book, The Home Design Handbook, Denise noticed a “hobby” of mine—collecting interesting graces. She looked through my binder of graces, and said, “This is a book!” Thirty-nine printings later, Graces is still going strong! I credit Denise with discovering and launching my career of creating inspirational anthologies. Collectively my books have now sold more than one million copies. Denise is professional, honest, creative, and compassionate—I’ve often said she is the best businessperson I know! If you are looking for an agent who will work hard on your behalf, knows the publishing industry, and has great instincts, you’ll be in excellent hands with Denise Marcil.”
–June Cotner, author of Graces, The Home Design Handbook and 34 inspirational collections
“Anne Marie and I have been working together since 2008. She has such a high level of creativity and business professionalism—and yet she is also very kind, grounded, and calm. She has the excellent ability to evaluate a book proposal and make it much stronger before presenting it to a publisher. She won’t shop a proposal until she is convinced it’s a worthy project that will be successful.”
–June Cotner, author of We Are Women and 34 inspirational collections
“Within six months of signing with Anne Marie she had negotiated me two book deals. She has worked tirelessly on my behalf to develop and sharpen my ideas. She also has a keen eye to identify the right publisher and market for my work. Her business and marketplace savvy gives me the freedom to concentrate on writing, knowing the other half of this job is in immensely capable hands. I am at the beginning of my writing career, and feel that with Anne Marie in my corner it will be an auspicious journey. ”
–Laura Brienza, author of Discovering Vintage DC and the forthcoming New York’s Historic Restaurants, Inns and Taverns
“I have been with Denise for 29 years and through 53 books. If the author/agent relationship is like a marriage, we are the perfect couple. We respect, listen, and play to our strengths to make this professional relationship the best it can be. I would never have had a long career without her help, expertise in the business, and passion for good writing.”
–D.D. Ayres, author of the K-9 Rescue Series
“I love having Anne Marie in my corner. I published a few books before I signed with her, and can say that my experience working with publishers before and after Anne Marie is like night and day. She thinks strategically, shoots high, and stands up for me well beyond when I would ordinarily just give in to whatever the publisher wanted. She also makes the whole process much more fun. I feel very lucky to have Anne Marie by my side.”
–Elizabeth Baskin, author of Hell Yes!
“Anne Marie O’Farrell is as good an agent as I can possibly imagine. She has a terrific amount of literary smarts: a great feel for language, style, and tone. When she tells you that something you’ve written is a little off, you look and see that she’s absolutely right. I wish most editors were this good. And then she has impeccable business instincts. She can explain the puzzling seascape of publishing, as it relates to your book, and she makes it possible to navigate it. Anne Marie believes in her authors and she works and fights hard for them. She is direct, open, honest, witty, full of enthusiasm, and brimming with ideas. It is an absolute pleasure to work with her and you feel privileged and secure when she works for you.”
—Dana Brand, author of Mets Fan and Last Days of Shea
“I want to note the loyal and creative help that my literary agent, Anne Marie O’Farrell, always extended to Jane’s work. Never, over all those years of her help, have I ever felt that Anne Marie offered anything but her best, indeed, I’m proud to admire her devotion to Jane’s lifework…without Anne Marie’s untiring help, I question whether I’d still be in publishing.”
—Robert Butts, co-creator with Jane Roberts, The Seth Books
“As a first-time author faced with the perils of the unknowns of the publishing industry I could not have had a better guide than Denise Marcil. I put myself completely in her hands and was rewarded with an advocate who went far beyond what I would have expected of an agent. But then, Denise is no ordinary agent. Experienced, professional, savvy, a tough negotiator and a gentle editor, Denise combines the very best attributes all authors look for but seldom find in a literary agent. Add to that, the enthusiasm, warmth of personality and great business instincts of Anne Marie O’Farrell and you have a two-for-one winning combination.”
—Patricia Falvey, author of The Yellow House, The Linen Queen and the forthcoming The Girls of Ennismore
“We are extremely grateful to Anne Marie O’Farrell for believing in us right from the start and expertly navigating us through the choppy waters from proposal to bookstore. Anne Marie took two first-time authors and made our book happen through her expertise, commitment, and unwavering support.”
—Drs. Marci Fox and Leslie Sokol, authors of Think Confident, Be Confident and Think Confident, Be Confident for Teens
“If you are interested in having your book published, I am sure there are countless literary agents who can assist you. But if you desire to have your book in the best hands possible and work with two people who truly care about you and your message, then I’d highly recommend partnering with Denise Marcil and Anne Marie O’Farrell. Not only did they help me bring my book to fruition, they were with me every step of the way with expert care, coaching and professionalism beyond my expectations!”
—Sean Foy, author of The 10-Minute Total Body Breakthrough and The Burst Work-out
“Many authors flit from agent to agent searching for the perfect fit. Personally I have no desire to look any further. As my biggest fan, Denise represents me with a zeal that sells not only my books but also a career in progress. She understands that the publishing business is a journey and takes the necessary steps to “bring me along” gently. Denise is competent, creative, and passionate in the way she represents and interacts with me. The fact that she is located in New York and has excellent connections with all the major publishing companies doesn’t hurt any either. If you are lucky enough to have Denise represent you, I hope you count yourself as blessed as I do.”
—Cathleen Galitz, author of A Splendid Obsession
“The business savvy and support that Denise and her team give me have everything to do with my success as an author.”
—Julie Jansen, author of I Don’t Know What I Want But I Know It’s Not This Third Edition
“Since 1990, Denise has not only been our trusted literary mentor but she has become an honorary member of our family.”
–William Sears, M.D., Martha Sears, R.N., Robert Sears, M.D. and James Sears, M.D., authors of The Baby Book and 22 Sears Parenting Library Books
“Denise has not only been my literary agent for over 15 years now, she has also been an invaluable friend, mentor, and counsellor in many aspects of my life and career. She has always represented my goals and interests accurately and professionally to every publisher I have worked with and I consider it a distinct privilege to have her as my agent.”
—Dr. Robert Sears, author of The Vaccine Book, The Autism Book and The Allergy Book
“Denise Marcil is a consummate pro: passionate, honest, a deft negotiator, and deeply knowledgeable about the publishing industry. She is frank and insightful in her editorial feedback, and always patient and encouraging. Denise is a tireless advocate and a true partner–I simply could not ask for more in an agent.”
—Peter Spiegelman, author of Thick As Thieves and Dr. Knox
“Working with Anne Marie is a pleasure – she believed in us and offered great guidance and support from the beginning through to a successful conclusion.”
—Jane Stimmler, author of Breaking Into the Boys’ Club, Revised Edition
“I have been represented by Denise Marcil since 1990 and it’s been an exciting and rewarding period of my life. Denise has not only been able to secure ten book contracts for me (along with many foreign rights), but she has been a wonderful editor and advisor as well. Working with Anne Marie and Denise on my new book has been an extremely rewarding experience.”
—James Windell, author of The Fatherstyle Advantage and the co-author of A Widow’s Guide to Healing
“Denise has been my first and only agent for most of my twenty-plus years in the business. Nobody has more savvy about publishing or a better instinct for career-planning. Even when I hate what she has to say, I trust her instincts. It’s been a joy to work with her.”
—Sherryl Woods, #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 140 books including more than 40 New York Times’ bestsellers
“It’s been such a pleasure getting to work with the Marcil-O’Farrell literary agency. As a new author, I felt so at sea before I had representation, and the agency really helped me to understand how to best pitch, negotiate, market, and publish. Two books and an optioned TV series later, I look back and realize that I never would have made it this far without the kind direction, support, and guidance I received here at Marcil-O’Farrell!”
—Eric Brach, co-author of Billy “The Hill” and the Jump Hook and Conquering the Electron
“Eric Brach and I wrote the book ‘Conquerors of the Electron’, which is about the history of how human race harnessed the power of the tiny electron. It is a serious book and quite technical in nature. Anne Marie saw the unique value in it and helped us to sign on with a reputable publisher. She was involved in every step of the way, providing her insights and guidance. Anne Marie is experienced, dedicated and resourceful. We trust and appreciate all her efforts and she is truly an important part of our team.”
—Derek Cheung, co-author of Conquering the Electron
“Having Anne Marie as my agent is like having a best friend as my agent, which turned out to be what I needed in the publishing world of the twenty-first century. She has made my literary dreams come true, and she has taken genuine delight in my triumphs. She is there when I need her. I can’t imagine having traveled this road without her.”
–Mitch Broder, creator of the Discovering Vintage Series and author of Discovering Vintage New York and New York’s One Food Wonders
