SUCCESS STORIES
My clients and seminar attendees have gotten deals with Simon & Schuster, Free Press, W.W. Norton, and other top houses...gotten movie deals with Hollywood's top producers...published their journalism in America's leading newspapers. They include...

• Sheneska Jackson, two 2-book deals, including Caught Up in the Rapture, Simon & Schuster
• Jenoyne Adams, 2 novel deal, Resurrecting Mingus and Selah's Bed, Free Press
• Pamela Samuels, 2-book deal, BET.com Publishing
• Vyviane Loh, novel, Breaking the Tongue, published by W.W. Norton
• Patricia Smiley, novel, False Profits, to be published by Mysterious Press
• Louise de Teliga, novel, to be published by Kensington Books
• Rhea Atwood, two nonfiction books, published by regional publishers in New England
• Elizabeth Kreyling, journalist, Boston Globe, Denver Post
• R.H. Weber, novel, Homeland, published by Other Press

"I've read dozens of "how to" books on fiction writing and spent thousands of dollars on writing courses, but it wasn't until I began working with Michael that I learned how to tell a fast-paced, gripping story that readers can't put down. Without a doubt, he deserves part of the credit for my two-book deal!"
Pamela Samuels, two book deal with BET.com Publishing, Inc.

"My very first fiction workshop was with Michael Levin. Michael's encouragement and nurturing attitude helped me gain confidence in myself as a writer. He always took the time to answer questions (no fudging!) and besides offering critique in workshop sessions, also taught the elements of plot, character, dialogue, etc.--something that is often missing in other workshops."
Vyvyane Loh, author of Breaking the Tongue

"A major Hollywood producer/director is negotiating to buy the movie rights to my novel. Before he read the novel, he read Michael Levin's comment letter. That letter absolutely made the difference in making this deal happen. Michael's my man."
Jack Hurley, Boston, Massachusetts

"Michael's suggested edits of my novel, FALSE PROFITS, were educational, energizing, and effective. He highlighted the flaws in the manuscript with the same generosity of spirit with which me praised the merits. My agent sent out the revised manuscript and very quickly received three offers. The bottom line? My book was published Mysterious Press."
Patricia Smiley, Los Angeles

"Under Michael's direction, I wrote a novel which was quickly optioned as a feature film. I still call upon the tools and encouragement that Michael Levin gave me as I work on my current novel."
Maureen Quinn, Los Angeles

"Michael Levin is the soul of help & kind but firm critique for writers."
R.H. Weber, author of HOMELAND, Geneva, Switzerland

"Michael Levin's writing courses not only turn writers into authors, they are life changing! When I took his classes in Boston several years ago, he gave me the courage and support I needed to turn my retirement years into book producing years. Michael's generous praise plus his infectious enthusiasm were miracle workers. I've had two books published and now am looking for a publisher for my third. No other teacher I've had comes close to this record."
Rhea Atwood, Boston, Massachusetts

"Michael offers the most incredibly constructive empathy."
Elizabeth Kreyling, Westchester County, New York, journalist and nonfiction writer

TOP PUBLISHING PROFESSIONALS SAY THIS ABOUT MICHAEL

"Michael Levin shows writers exactly what they need to do to avoid rejection and find agents and publishers. I highly recommend him."
Dan Poynter, The Self-Publishing Manual

"Michael Levin is a discerning - and kind - writing coach who has won consistent plaudits from the many persons I've sent his way."
Scott Turow, bestselling author, Presumed Innocent, Pleading Guilty

"Michael Levin is simply marvelous! I've learned so much from working with him!"
Patricia Aburdene, bestselling author, Reinventing the Corporation and Megatrends For Women

"Michael Levin is the greatest developer of prose talent I have ever known."
Lew Hunter, former chair, UCLA Film and TV Department, bestselling author, Screenwriting 434

"Michael is a phenomenal teacher. He's taught me to make the leap from writing for television and film to writing fiction. He demystified the process of novel writing and made it simple and clear."
Nancy Sackett, Screenwriting Faculty, American Film Institute; top TV and screenwriter

MANUSCRIPT REVIEW CLIENTS

FICTION CLIENTS

"When you go to a hospital, work with a doctor. When you go to court, work with a lawyer. When you write a book, work with Michael LevinÑin each case there is no substitute for skill and experience if you want a really good result."
Richard Kuhlman, Esq. Chicago

"Your cogent comments and detailed attention to the story, however, have really inspired me to work further on the story to make it better. Like reading a great legal opinion, you have articulated the numerous problems with the draft that I knew were there, but felt helpless to remedy. Your comments also seem to be like those of a skilled mentor to a younger associate, providing suggestions as to how to make the story better and instructing the associate to do a rewrite, rather than just taking a pen to the draft and doing it."
Joe Kovarik, Esq. Denver, Colorado

"Your analysis and comments are wonderful. You have targeted the weaknesses in my story that I unconsciously knew were there but I couldn't really identify. It's like you have removed the fog and I can see my story in a whole new light.

"As you knew from our phone conversation, I was skeptical about the value of having a review. I had heard so many warnings about bogus book doctors. You are no book doctor in that sense. You are a guide through the wilderness. You are the lighthouse on the rocky cliff pointing the way. You are the eyeglasses of this myopic writer when it comes to seeing my own work clearly. You are worth every penny."

"I can't wait to get all of the revisions completed and have you review my improved story. Thanks, thanks, thanks."
Bill Hirsch North Carolina

"Levin's presentation on scene construction at a seminar inspired me to give fiction writing a try. His first critique of my draft gave me the confidence to continue writing and the guidance I needed to make my writing more interesting to readers. As my coach, he taught me skills and gave me tools which took my writing to yet a higher level. Because of him I began, and under his tutelage I completed, the novel I had always wanted to write but never thought I could. My respect and admiration for him as a writing teacher and coach must be expressed in superlatives."
D. Thomas Johnson, Esq. Lubbock, Texas

"You're outstanding at listening, understanding, and giving direction. You are great, thoughtful, sincere and dedicated to what you do."
Lauren Cragg, Winsted, Connecticut

"Your tactfulness was rare, in my humble experience. Your gentle way of giving, offering thoughts. Thank you for the delicacy of your words. Thanks so much for giving to me from your knowledge and experience, and sensitivity about the artist's ego and soul."
Claudia Gold-Fanning, fiction client, San Pedro, California

NONFICTION CLIENTS

"I am very grateful to you for your perceptive, helpful and encouraging letter. It gives me a roadmap to follow for the next (I hope not too many) months, as I write and re-write. In general, almost everything you wrote seems right on--terrific! I am very pleased with your work. You are very, very good at what you do!"
Marty Friedman, San Francisco

"Prior to being introduced to Michael Levin I was attempting to play pin the tail on the donkey with no donkey and no pin. Talent is an island without focus. Michael disposed of most of my closely held, and mostly incorrect perceptions of the business, and gently assisted my transition to understanding. Without his guidance, I would still be Forrest Gumping it down a misguided road."
Eric Polster, N. Hollywood, CA

"Working with Michael Levin is pure pleasure. His thoughtful comments penetrate to core of my project asking me to examine carefully what it is that I want to accomplish and how I want to accomplish it. His knowledge of the publishing business keeps me on track. He asks me if I am writing my book for myself alone or do I have a larger audience in mind. Either goal is valid, but lives within different parameters and has different likelihood of publication. "His criticisms are kind and never demeaning. They respect the author and his or her voice."
Carlton Davis, Pasadena, CA

SEMINAR ATTENDEES

"Michael Levin is a terrific teacher. I have recommended this course to several of my friends. His suggestions about plot points helped me solve my structural problem in my novel I had been wrestling with for some time."
Jacqueline Kelly, MD, JD, Austin, TX

"I learned more about fiction writing in one day with you than I have from at least a dozen books I've read. Thank you very much."
Tom Barkewitz, Esq., Seattle

"I have told many of my colleagues about you and the seminar and they will be looking for you next time around."
Michael Steven Greene, Esq., Coral Gables, FL

"Levin was superb. He was so enthusiastic that it was infectious. You couldn't help coming out of there feeling you could sell your book."
One of Michael's UCLA Writing Program students

"I would be delighted to have you use me as a reference. I could go on and on about the brilliance of his breakdown of the construction of a novel -- it is not only an excellent and flexible skeleton for organizing and directing the creativity of the writer, but is itself a major aid to triggering that creativity. I have a Master's in Creative Writing and have published short pieces, but nothing I learned at the City College of New York (which boasted Joseph Heller, Kurt Vonnegut and Adrienne Rich on its faculty) was as cumulatively useful as this one-day seminar. As I can afford it, I definitely plan to use his review services in the future. Michael delivers 300% of what is promised."
James Drummond, Texas

"I attended your seminar earlier this month in Washington, DC. I feel that it was worth every dollar I paid to listen to you. You transmitted a ton of valuable information which I will use and reuse."
Doug Holliman, Washington, D.C.

"You built our confidence (absolutely indispensable when writing fiction), and you managed (in the first hour) to get us to laugh at our commonly-held anxieties. That alone was worth the price of the course. But you also imparted fundamentals of writing for the commercial market (which most of us did not know and which should certainly help us to become published authors).

"And finally, on a personal note, may I commend you for your ability to project confidence untainted by arrogance. That's such a challenge to many lawyers, and you are a master whose example I shall keep in mind.

"Thank you again for a truly worthwhile day."
John Miles Washington, D.C.

"Your seminar was outstanding. I especially enjoyed the practical tips mixed with inspirational and motivational advice. You are so right about the pitfalls of organizing and writing at the same time. For that writing gem, I will be eternally grateful. I am looking forward to listening to your CD, and getting in touch with you in the future. I'm working on a novel and have written six chapters. Thanks again for a day well-spent."
Gloria Roa Bodin, Esq. Miami

"Thank you for an excellent seminar. Your knowledge, intelligence and preparation were perfectly blended with humor and audience awareness. I am completely satisfied and hope to work with you in the future."
John Christopher Fort Lauderdale, FL

"Yesterday's seminar was a revelation and I now have some real tools to use in getting my story written. I wrote the first scene this morning."
Alan Rolnick Miami

"I just wanted to drop you a short note to tell you I thoroughly enjoyed your recent conference in Miami. You clearly love what you do. Your committment to good writing and helping others are reflected in your speaking style, making the afternoon most enjoyable.
Linda C. Frazier Florida

"I first want to thank you for a very inspiring day! Your method is one that can make the elephant easier to eat...one bite at a time."
Renee Relf Naples, Florida