Literary Agent Interview: Mark Gottlieb, Trident Media Group
Why comp titles are important, what he considers an automatic rejection, and what he’s currently looking for
Mark Gottlieb is a senior vice president and prominent literary agent working at book publishing’s leading literary agency Trident Media Group in New York City. He has ranked highly among literary agents across the industry for overall number of deals and other individual categories. While at Trident Media Group, Mark Gottlieb has represented New York Times bestselling authors as well as major award-winning authors. He has optioned and sold numerous books to production companies and studios for film and TV adaptation. Mark Gottlieb greatly enjoys working with authors to help manage and grow their careers with the resources available at Trident Media Group. In addition to having worked at the company’s Foreign Rights Department, he also ran the company’s Audiobook Department. Utilizing his drive and intuition for discovering talented writers, he is currently expanding his client list of authors. As a literary agent he looks forward to bringing authors to the largest possible audience.
Have you always had a love for books?
Absolutely. I grew up in a literary household—my father, Robert Gottlieb, founded Trident Media Group—so books have always played a central role in my life. From an early age, I was surrounded by authors, manuscripts, and conversations about storytelling. That environment instilled in me a deep respect for the written word and an appreciation for the way stories can shape our understanding of the world. I’ve always found books to be one of the most powerful tools for connection—across cultures, experiences, and generations.
How long have you been a literary agent?
I’ve been a literary agent for over a decade now. After graduating from Emerson College with a degree in writing, literature, and publishing, I began my career at Penguin Books and then Trident Media Group in the foreign rights department. That experience gave me a global perspective on the publishing industry and a strong foundation in the business side of books. Over the years, I worked my way up through the agency and now serve as Senior Vice President, where I have the privilege of representing a diverse roster of incredibly talented authors.
What agency are you associated with?
I’m proud to be a literary agent at Trident Media Group, one of the top literary agencies in the world. Based in New York City, Trident represents thousands of bestselling and award-winning authors across all categories—from fiction and nonfiction to children's books and graphic novels. Our agency is known for its strength in deal-making, subsidiary rights, and long-term career strategy, and we maintain close working relationships with publishers and media partners around the globe.