Testimonials
“Mark, you are the best instructor I’ve ever had in any court reporting seminar, and I truly mean that. You are an extremely patient and genuine individual. The fact that you really want to help us to be better reporters and you’re not doing seminars just to make a buck really shines through!!! I appreciate the respect you have for each of us as individuals and the various software programs we use.” Debbie Harnen
“Mark, Thank you very much for sending me a copy of your hot-off-the-press magnum opus, "Magnum Steno: Write Short - Write Fast!" To coin a new word, it is ultrasuperlative. It's the last word in a book to help neophytes gain speed and for even veteran reporters to gain much-needed speed. Sure, many good reporters write many words out, but they have to work quite hard to do so. As you said and wrote, if reporters write quickly (i.e., have fast fingers) and employ a mountain of briefs (i.e., one-stroke multisyllabic words), they will very significantly increase their speed. And that's a truism! I read every single word of the first 20 pages, and I was impressed especially with the figures that comprised your Top Speeds Table. You make a grand case for "short" writing and fast finger speed. Even though I ain't (oops) haven't reported for some 18 years, I truly agree that this duo ("short" writing and finger speed) is unbeatable and can greatly help reporters to work very difficult cases for long periods of time with less than the "average" pain and tiredness. By the way, I like the way you handle "has been" on Page 325 (Scoot down right middle finger after -FPLTD is depressed.) Also, how in heaven's name did you think up single strokes for over 31,000 words and phrases? What a stupendous undertaking. And your proofing must have taken forever. As an author of two books, I KNOW how easy it is for gremlins to enter our wonderful words and subvert them. Your book contains 528 pages, plus another 20 pages -- all with unbeatable info. To my way of thinking, that makes it the ne plus ultra of court-reporting books. You should be very proud of what you have accomplished in the past and right now with this book. I know that I am very proud of you and very happy that you are helping other reporters. You are a distinct credit to the court-reporting profession. Thanks again for sending me your book.” Cordially, Santo J. Aurelio
“I got so much from this day of new ideas and techniques. I know they will help me so much in future writing. What fun it is to find new shortcuts. The speed building ideas were also excellent. Implementing them will make us all extremely proficient writers! Thank you so much!” Lou Ann Parker
“I feel confident learning from someone who radiates such success! Indisputably, something is “right” with Mark Kislingbury’s method, as is attested by his world record. Even using Phoenix Theory, there are still many “tricks” that I plan on incorporating into my daily practice.” Laura B. Parker
“I love briefs, so this seminar was heaven for me. Thanks for all your advice. You’re awesome!” Trista A. Juel
“Great motivation for a long-time reporter. Thank you so much, Mark! You are so kind. I got some great things to incorporate.” J.W.
“First I want to thank you for the excellent seminar you presented in San Diego a few weeks ago. When I first decided to attend, it was because I needed points, and, what the heck, I might pick up a good idea here and there. I really thought I knew pretty much all there was to know about realtime reporting, and didn’t think there was anyone better than I was at it. Well, as life always does when one’s head gets too big, you really pushed me off of my self-constructed pedestal. So much so, that I have decided to pursue your theory.” M.V.
“I've been a big fan ever since I first heard about your theory when you came to Edmonton, Alberta Canada. I know you won't remember me, or at least I wouldn't expect you to, but you signed my book with the quote "You can do it." I find myself continuously looking back at quote from Sept 18th, 2005, and remembering how I felt this book would change my fortunes. At that time I was on my 160s. I was doing well, but I knew that I needed something to change. A lot of time has passed since then, but I did finish my 225s in early February of 2006 largely due to your theory and went on to write in Sierra Leone. I'm now doing my dream job and living in Europe, which was one of my biggest goals that I had set out to achieve for myself. I wanted to thank you for helping me achieve my goals and being so open about your theory and sharing it with everybody. Your theory book - although I didn't incorporate everything - has made a huge impact on me and how I write. I just wanted to thank you. I'm sorry for taking so long to do so. I just have been caught up in other things :) Thank you for your time. And your "You can do it," signing actually did mean a lot to me.” S.M.
“I was at your seminar in Houston this weekend and thought this would be a great way to try to implement your short writing style. (On the article you gave us to count our strokes, my total was 170!) I've been a reporter 17 years and learned Sten-Ed theory. I've done your brief and speed videos for two days and I'm loving it. I had a depo today with a fast talker and I could tell the difference in speed (my hands were warmed up already) and I started using some of the briefs, mainly adding in the endings to the word, for now. Thanks for providing this tool. It's something I'll definitely use, as it just takes up a small amount of time daily.
Have a great day!” A.M.
“Who hasn’t watched super-human Mark K. as he aced a speed contest or broke a world record? In his seminars, Mark humbles himself and shows us that he makes mistakes just like the rest of us. To that I can relate!” Karen Teig
“The seminar was very informative and enlightening. After learning a lot of the briefs and methods, it was like a light bulb going off in my head! I would definitely recommend it to anyone at any level of experience.” Karrie Truitt
“Extremely informative. Well worth the money.” Edie Daniels
“Wonderful! I really enjoyed it. Thanks for coming to Des Moines!!” Anonymously
“I enjoyed the four-day seminar. It was well worth the money. I would do it again and will.” S.B.
“I liked the phrasing, dictation live. Great technology tools for us to see. Life stories were great to hear.” Sheryl Stawski
“Exceptional! Inspiring! Rewarding! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” Kim Folds
"Mark, Thanks for the fast dictation !! I have been dreaming of having this kind of service for a long time. I appreciate it very much. I am able to more fully and completely relate with this Chariots of Fire movie quote: "When I run I feel His pleasure." The runner's "high," the exhileration and exctasy !! Thanks for the opportunity to feel these same emotions as a shorthand writer. When I write fast (and especially clean) I feel His pleasure!! Thank you for the opportunity to take the skill God has given me and perfect and strengthen it to such a high degree. Your life and work is a blessing to me beyond description. Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you for your passion and love of excellent shorthand writing and speed building. Thank you for the great innovations you have given us all and for the opportunity to have less fatigue as writers, cleaner transcripts, more time and money for our families and out-of-this-world fantasmagoric job satisfaction!! Thank you for being the pioneer you truly are, for following your heart, mind and spirit by giving us and the world a higher standard to reach for, a more excellent way !! Thank you for the new life blood you have infused into this demanding work. It's obviously becoming easier and easier the more I incorporate your incredible briefs and phrases !! Bless you and your wonderful family." Sincerely, Clark Edwards
“Thank you so-o-o much you’ve really are a good teacher. I am now excited about the fact that I can do it. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING. I cannot tell you how much of a huge honor it was to meet you!!” Anonymously
“I have absolutely no criticisms of this seminar whatsoever. Nothing but PRAISE. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your commitment to our field and your contagious enthusiasm to encourage us to become more proficient and then, ultimately, HAPPIER court reporters. This was worth EVERY PENNY. YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME! God bless you richly.” Dina Villis
“Great, Excellent, Bravo! Totally worth it! You + Samuel were great and very personal all through out every step of registration! Thank you, thank you, and thank you!” Pauline Garry
“The Seminar was a turnaround in my approach to writing. After the first weekend, I feel like a new reporter! I’m excited about my job and now this will make my job easier. Very clear in its presentation, the room was cozy enough that you could hear other’s questions. I give this seminar A+ Change is fun!!!” Anonymously
“Mark, your enthusiasm and passion for writing short and writing fast is inspirational, grounded in humility and generosity. Your willingness to share “your secrets” has made this the best seminar of my professional career while reinforcing our duty to strive for excellence! You have really made it fun! Thank you so much.” Sherrie L. Segall
“Thank you so much for everything. You’ve given me hope to become a great reporter instead of a good reporter. You made learning fun and human and really listened to our needs and helped us find a better way to do things. It has been a pleasure to meet you!” Laura Quinette
“Great—Fantastic—Learning how to speed build your way is great… CRR, watch out!” Anonymously
“Very exciting, quick results. Thank you for sharing.” Jennifer Campbell
“I feel these two days already made my career easier. Mark is an inspiration.” S.B.
“The Seminar definitely gave me some new methods to go back to use in improving my writing.” L.P.
“You rock!!” J.E.
“Good location. Nice size group. I like that you are very motivational and not negative.” Gay Dall
“Dear Mark: As I wrote a very challenging 200 pages today with 2, if not 3, people talking most of the time all day long, I kept thanking myself for taking your boot camp which just ended last week. I can NOT tell you THANKS enough for all the help you gave me in improving my writing style, learning to concentrate much better than I had been in the past, and staying right on top of the speakers today. Thanks for so many new briefs I learned that kept me "in the game" today!!! :) I've been reporting since 1969 -- AIB (Iowa) grad of Feb. 1969!!!! :) : ) == learned Berry Horne theory; first class at AIB to learn long vowels!!! (Began attending AIB fall of '67; my certificate is dated Feb. 28, 1969). So it IS possible for us "older, experienced" reporters to learn new things -- and apply them immediately!! :) : ) the only way I passed the CRR in 2003 (Reno) was with your guidance. Think how much better I'd be if only I had time for practice!! I WILL put some lists of briefs on my mirror to keep learning. :) :) : ) THANKS again!” Bev Herring-Black
“I appreciate very much the training, the knowledge and the personal care you seemed to have for each one of us in the boot camp experience that ended Thursday. Frankly, I do not think any teacher/instructor has heretofore given me that sense of his/her having a personal commitment and investment in student success. It makes a decided difference in the student's own approach to the endeavor. When you closed with the suggestion that we pray for one another's success (and I did), that was the icing on the cake. Your teaching ability is equal to your writing ability. I am very glad that I enrolled in your boot camp experience! I have learned a new approach, and I am eager to make it mine.” Joan
“Hi Mark,! Here's the news! If you recall, I am working on getting my last leg of the RPR with the lit. I was just waiting for that fourth minute to hit me. You know the part I am talking about, right? Guess what happened! The test ended!!!!! I never felt it. Bottom line, this is the closest I have ever come to passing this test. I know I have several bloopers throughout the test, but I really do not feel they add up to 45 errors. I think I actually passed. Thanks again for everything! You are truly a Godsend!” Debby
“Mark, just a note to say I loved your boot camp. I have been really struggling with my writing for a few years, because I didn't have your teaching tools. Thought it was because of my age, but it was really practicing slow instead of fast and trying to be too perfect. Your great coaching and positive attitude were just the tonic I needed! Will probably take the next one, too. Many thanks.” Dennis
“I just got home, but I didn't want to go to bed without telling you how much I enjoyed the teleconference tonight. I thought it was very, very helpful in pointing out your favorite briefs and those that you felt were the most frequently used. I marked those that you felt were really important, and I plan to focus on them with the new theory class. Sorry we had to go, but at around 11:00 the security starts coming around to see why we haven't left. There was one student who had a question, but she said she would email you with it. I heard another student say that this was the best conference of them all -- she felt like she got a lot out of it. I feel the same way. Just thought I'd let you know. Great job!” Dolores
“Mark, Wow! First off, I was sad to end our 10 sessions. Next, thank you so much for all of your help! I am confident that I passed my literary RPR leg FINALLY!! I had been missing the main key all along: SHORTEN MY WRITING. I followed your advice all the way, and cannot tell you how easy and how much in control I was. You are a Godsend, Mark, and I just want you to know that I owe my success this past weekend to you and your encouragement. I hope to meet you in person one day, and I plan on taking your classes again. I purchased your theory book and am anxious to start at Chapter 1 and go forward learning more and more about your theory. Again, much thanks and YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES.” Kate B.
"Sunday night I got a call to take a job on Monday. The job lasted from nine to six in the evening. I wrote 433 pages! The whole time I was thanking the Lord and Mark for the speed building we did over the weekend. I made up many briefs during the day after learning the Mark Kislingbury mindset of SHORT STROKES! Ditto for Day Two, 425 pages, long day. 850 pages in two days and without the many wonderful ideas I learned this past weekend, I think, even after 28 years of reporting, I would have had two horrible days instead of just two hard days, which in court reporter speak is a good thing. So thank you, Mark, for a wonderful seminar. I got much more out of it than expected and used it much more and much sooner than I ever would have expected. Keep spreading the good word!" Marie McCracken