About Mark Dagostino

#1 New York Times Best Selling Co-Author
My Story
From Hollywood to Nashville, from wrestling rings to the center of the national political arena, multiple NY Times Bestselling Co-Author Mark Dagostino has proven himself one of the most excitingly diverse and compelling writers in nonfiction today.
Dedicated to writing books that inspire and uplift, Mark is widely recognized for his runaway #1 NY Times Bestseller, The Magnolia Story with Chip & Joanna Gaines—a book that sold more than a million copies in its first three months in publication, and continues to inspire entrepreneurs and couples to go for their dreams and live life to the fullest to this day.
Mark has been the collaborative voice behind six other New York Times Bestsellers:
- God Bless This Mess with Hannah Brown
- Live in Love with Lauren Akins
- Capital Gaines by Chip Gaines
- Attitude with NCAA Champion Villanova Basketball Coach Jay Wright
- Elle & Coach with Stefany Shaheen (currently in development for feature film)
- And Mark’s very first book, Hulk Hogan’s My Life Outside The Ring.
Mark’s latest books include the New York Times Bestseller God Bless This Mess with former Bachelorette and winner of Dancing with the Stars, Hannah Brown; How to Stitch an American Dream with America’s Quilting Queen, Jenny Doan; Live in Love: Growing Together Through Life’s Changes, a memoir and guidebook released in August 2020 by Lauren Akins, wife of country music superstar Thomas Rhett; What Set Me Free with Brian Banks, the powerful real-life exoneration story behind the major motion picture, “Brian Banks”; and The Power of Wow, a breakthrough business book told through the diverse voices of The Employees of Zappos.com (along with Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh).
Early on, Mark cut his teeth as a news reporter for the Boston Globe—developing skills that would carry through to his ten years on staff as a correspondent, columnist, and senior writer for PEOPLE magazine. Beyond his on-the-ground coverage of the death of JFK Jr., the aftermath of 9/11, and The Miracle on the Hudson, Mark’s reputation for inspiration helped open doors to hundreds of celebrity interviews: from multiple sit-downs with Michael J. Fox and Christopher Reeve, to following Rosie O’Donnell and Robert Downey Jr. through the painful downs and tremendous ups of their careers. Ben Affleck, Justin Timberlake, Donald Trump, Alyssa Milano, Montel Williams, Meredith Vieira, The Olsen Twins, Al Roker, Nicole Kidman, Selena Gomez, Emma Roberts, Heidi Klum, Mariska Hargitay, Lindsay Lohan, Sting, Jon Bon Jovi and more trusted Mark to share in some of the biggest moments of their lives. He also gained the trust of the public by appearing as a celebrity expert on CNN, The Today Show, The Early Show, The View, Inside Edition, Entertainment Tonight and dozens of other national TV shows.
A prolific writer of books ever since, Mark’s other works include: Walking with Peety, Eric O’Grey’s story of the shelter dog who helped him lose 160 pounds (optioned for development by a major film studio); My (Underground) American Dream, a National Bestseller by Julissa Arce, who hid her undocumented status while working at Goldman Sachs (optioned for TV); Courage to Stand, which helped propel Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty into the pack of 2012 Presidential hopefuls; and Rudy: My Story with legendary Notre Dame alum Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger.
Mark earned his degree in English-Journalism from the University of New Hampshire in his home state, where he now lives and works with his family.