Testimonials About Working with Russell Martin

What Clients and Colleagues
Have to Say

PEOPLE I WORK with agree that I am a gifted writer, a superb consultant, and that I have vital insights into every aspect of the publishing world. With guidance and support from someone like me, your dream of becoming a published author will become a reality. And I’m delighted to share these wonderful appraisals of me and my work with you below.

I first approached Russell with a mountain of research I’d conducted over many years, dozens of transcripts of my videotaped interviews with my grandfather George Edgar, and a burning desire to write a book about his extraordinary life that one day I would also make into a film. Russell and I worked very closely together and he ultimately helped me find the storyline and chapter structure that were essential. With Russell’s advice, the voice ultimately became my grandfather’s own as he told his story, punctuated by short sections written in my first-person voice as I described my very close relationship with him. It worked! It worked almost magically. Russell helped me with every step of the journey, and I ultimately decided to independently publish the book myself. The result is a book that has received dozens of five-star reviews, one that sometimes moves readers to send me letters thanking me for writing it, and a tribute to my grandfather of which I’m enduringly proud. My life and writing partner Valerie Grant and I are currently adapting the book Russell so ably helped me create into a limited series for television. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Russell and all that he did for my book.

I worked very closely with Russell on the publication of my award-winning novel Beethoven in Love, and his wealth of experience was invaluable. It was my first foray into the sometimes-impenetrable world of independent publishing, but Russell’s advice at every turn proved to be spot on. He introduced me to Facebook and the challenges of marketing; found what we believed was the best on-demand printer for my particular book, created the novel’s website, and we published the book at his imprint, Say Yes Quickly Books. Russell was always a pleasure to work with and had ready answers to my many questions. I recommend his publishing assistance without reservation.

My book would not exist, at this time, if not for Russell Martin. I initially created an outline for it and drafted the first six chapters in the fall of 2019. After the sixth chapter, I felt a call to suspend many of my then-current activities, including writing, and to turn deeply inward. So, I set the book aside and declared myself to be on sabbatical. And then one day, I felt the impulse to write again. Around that time, I was serendipitously reconnected with Russell Martin, someone I’d met years earlier and for whom I had great respect. I decided to work with him and sent him the outline and first chapter from my 2019 effort, explaining the two options I was considering. On our first call, he told me in no uncertain terms that I should not abandon this book. His clarity and conviction electrified me. The haze of uncertainty I had felt vanished, and I said yes to finishing the book. Throughout the entire process of bringing What You Want Wants You to life, Russell has been unwavering in his encouragement, clarity, and focus. I have benefited enormously from the breadth and depth of his talent as a writer, editor, and publisher, and I am honored to be published by Say Yes Quickly Books.

In my near half century of directing and working in writing conferences and programs across the nation (including my score of years administering and working as a Master Teacher for the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts), I have worked with very few writers as capable, intelligent, and professional as Russell Martin. Martin is a splendid writer in all prose genres, with ample and well-respected publications that speak for his abilities, but he is equally gifted and splendid in his focus and insight as a teacher and writing mentor. I have witnessed him virtually mesmerizing an audience with his analysis and subsequent discussion of writing and process. When he taught at our Southern Utah Writers Conference he received some of the highest evaluations I saw in my thirty years of directing that conference. He has earned my complete confidence in his intelligence and ability and I give him my highest recommendation and do so without qualification.

Perusing Russell Martin’s artful website, taking in his work and coaching aims, I suddenly knew: my languishing book manuscript needed help and here was the place. Russell opened my eyes to both my foibles and strengths. Because he has worn the hats of author, essayist, filmmaker, teacher, and publisher, he possesses the right balance of creative mind, camaraderie, and business knowledge. He can assist not only with writing skills but also such nuts and bolts as author website and getting positive blurbs for your work. Always keeping an eye on book marketing trends, he will persist on your behalf after publication. I can’t recommend him highly enough. Russell Martin will light a fire under you to get your book into the world.

Mr. Martin offers to general audiences precise and accurate, but highly readable, studies of extraordinarily complex issues. He does more: he sees beyond what is already known; he moves beyond synthesis to new insights. His work is disciplined, analytical, and creative. It is also profoundly humane.

Testimonials About Working with Russell Martin

What Clients and Colleagues Have to Say

What Clients and Colleagues
Have to Say