“The wisest decision I’ve made in ages was to ask Michael for help with my novel. The secret to his effectiveness has everything to do with his being one of the nicest and most down-to-earth people I know. His years of experience in publishing and his personal relationships opened doors that I didn’t know existed. In an industry that can feel quite impersonal, Michael has become family.”

—ABRAHAM VERGHESE, author of the New York Times bestseller
and New York Times Notable book The Covenant of Water

“Michael is the best publicist I have ever worked with, hands down. He has impeccable taste (if I may say so myself), ingenious ideas, perfect timing, a talent for collaboration, and an incredibly generous spirit. He is also one of the most genuine people I’ve met in the process of publishing my work: a true reader who knows how to talk compellingly about books. He is an expert in launching books into the world, from preparing marketing material to pitching the book to placing reviews to arranging events. But he conducts all of this serious business with humor, sincerity, and grace. He has become indispensable to me–he has conjured miracles for my career so far, and I hope to continue working with him for the rest of it!”

—NAMWALI SERPELL, author of The Furrows, a New York Times Top Ten Book, and The Old Drift,
winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award  

“When I told my editor that I wanted to hire a publicist, there was only one name she recommended. ‘No one is more respected than Michael Taeckens, not just for his abilities as a publicist but also–and this is truly exceptional–for his taste. He’s one of the few people in this business whose opinion matters a great deal to other editors, writers, reviewers, publicists, journalists, producers, and publishers. The fact of Michael choosing to work on a book is itself a signal to the industry. In short,’ she said, ‘he’s the best there is. But you’ll first have to see if he’ll take you.’ If he’ll take me? In my naivete, I had thought that publicists would audition to win my business, not the other way around. But as I soon discovered, Michael takes on only a few books per year, so that he can devote to each one his full and expert care. Michael exceeded even the very high expectations that my editor had set. My book received the attention that it did because of Michael’s passion and his exceptional ability to convincingly, articulately convey that passion to the world. He’s also among the kindest souls I’ve met.

—NATHAN THRALL, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning
A Day in the Life of Abed Salama

“Michael is, to put it simply, magic. He’s not only a deep believer in the power of language and literature, but when he’s behind you and your work, he’s behind you 100%. He works to lift your books into the light, yes, but he also lifts you as an artist, as a whole human. His kindness is as contagious as his enthusiasm. I feel truly honored to work with him.”

—ADA LIMÓN, author of the The Hurting Kind and The Carrying,
winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award 

“Michael is unequivocally the best. He’s a believer and he puts in the work with gusto and heart. The foundation he lays doesn’t crack. On top of it all, he’s an amazing human, which as we all can see is far too underrated these days.”

—SARAH M. BROOM, author of The Yellow House, winner of
the National Book Award and National Book Critics Circle Award

“Michael made things happen for me that I wouldn’t have dreamed possible before meeting and working with him. He was there for me at every step — at once therapist, collaborator, sounding board, and cheerleader par excellence. It isn’t just his passion and tenacity and reach that set him apart. It’s his erudition and his instincts and his profound thoughtfulness. He is the platinum standard. I just hope he’ll take me on as a client next time around!”

—AYAD AKHTAR, author of Homeland Elegies, a New York Times
Top Ten Book of the Year and winner of the American Book Award

“Michael is simply extraordinary at bringing books to their broadest possible readerships. He’s passionate, intelligent, and committed—he brings an incredible array of skills into singular chorus. I watched my own book turn into a minor phenomenon under his careful curatorial skill and magical midwifery; it was nothing short of astounding. I was able to see what ‘buzz’ really means, and how it can work on behalf of a book—I felt Michael cultivating and sustaining a steady groundswell of excitement. He’s truly a tireless advocate, fueled by genuine passion and seasoned by years of experience. He works from the heart, for books he believes in, and I felt the impact of his work on deep levels—not just as a writer but as a human being.”

—LESLIE JAMISON, author of the New York Times bestsellers The Recovering
and The Empathy Exams and Make It Scream, Make It Burn, a PEN Award finalist

“Michael is more than a publicist. He is a wizard, a life coach, a best friend, a maker of worlds. I have never experienced anything like the energy and professionalism of this man. And my career hadn’t either. Michael is worth much more than he charges—and I don’t like to spend money, so that means something. Doors sprung open that I had not even dared knock on before. His thoughtfulness and kindness were deeply touching. I can confess: when our contract for my latest book ended, I wept. Though eight hardcover printings made me feel better. I will never again go out with a new book without Michael guiding me.”

“Michael is by far one of the most hardworking and dedicated people I know. Because of his thoughtful diligence, my book not only reached the masses in America, but created a seismic impact worldwide, including my home country of Jamaica. Not only did he take the time to groom me as a new author, prepping me for interviews and panels, but he made sure that my book got into the right hands. I never expected such an exceptional launch. My book made every major list there was, and is still being listed; and as a result, publishers abroad and Amazon Studios paid attention. I’m beyond grateful to him for being instrumental in the takeoff of my literary career.”

—NICOLE DENNIS-BENN, author of the New York Times Notable books Patsy
and Here Comes the Sun, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award

“Michael is an extraordinary publicist—smart, tireless, and highly effective. He’s also wonderful to work with. I can’t sing his praises loudly enough to do him justice.”

“Having Michael in your corner is an invaluable boon that continues long after the release of a book, and I now can’t imagine making an important literary decision without him. His wisdom is topped only by his humanity, which is profound. I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t refer to him with deep respect; his name doesn’t come up without all agreeing that there’s no one who accomplishes what he does with that level of thoughtful consideration. I feel so blessed to have had his particular grace and gravitas associated with my book. ”

—MARY-LOUISE PARKER, author of the New York Times bestseller Dear Mr. You

“Michael takes on books he feels strongly about, and then he applies a unique blend of passion, experience, and personal relationships gained over years. He understands his audience–I’ve been told by numerous editors that when he sends them a book, they pay attention because he knows what they are drawn to. And he understands the business. He created an enormous buzz about Geek Sublime that I’d never expected, that I’m still amazed by. Working with Michael has been an absolute pleasure.”

—VIKRAM CHANDRA, author of the New York Times Notable book Geek Sublime,
a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist

“If Michael were a book he would be a bestseller, and not a trashy bestseller, but a classic—one that makes us all glad that a truly worthy book is getting the attention it deserves. He’s the kind of publicist who gets the kind of book you have written and doesn’t just have a cookie-cutter formula for how to get your book into the hands of readers. As a reluctant public persona myself, Michael made me eager to participate in my books’ promotion. I felt I had my front, back, and all sides covered. He’s sensitive, easy to work with, very smart, supportive, and oh-so-elegant. In fact, he snows your hosts before you even get there, and then disappears, convincing everyone that YOU are the star. But he is!”

—JULIA ALVAREZ, author of Saving the World and the New York Times bestseller
How the García Girls Lost Their Accents

“Michael is passionate about the books he loves, and I cannot overstate how far that goes in such a passion-fueled industry. He was an instrumental part of the team that put Water for Elephants on the map—landing coverage on NPR and in the New York Times Book Review, People, USA Today, the New Yorker, Entertainment Weekly, and much more—and for that, I’ll be forever grateful. He is an exceptionally talented, well-connected publicist who is also such a stand-up guy you can’t help but love him.”

—SARA GRUEN, author of the New York Times bestsellers Water for Elephants
and At the Water’s Edge