He began writing songs with Richard Costiera, and won a songwriting contract with Hill & Range music publishers.
He then worked with Teddy Vann at Unbelievable Music, a company based at 1650 Broadway.
His first major successes came in 1965, co-writing with Helen Miller the hit songs "Can't Let You Out of My Sight" by Chuck Jackson and Maxine Brown; "Make Me Your Baby", recorded by Barbara Lewis; and "Princess In Rags", recorded by Gene Pitney.
[1] In the mid to late 1960s, Atkins worked as co-writer with Neil Sedaka.Their successful songs included "Kissin' My Life Away", recorded by the Hondells, and "Workin' On a Groovy Thing", first recorded by Patti Drew and later, with more success, by the 5th Dimension.
Atkins also wrote the lyrics for "The Kind of Girl I Could Love", composed by Mike Nesmith and recorded by the Monkees.