Co-agenting is Ericas and my way of trying to be as proactive as we can for our clients. When was the last time you checked out Publishers Weeklys Rights Report? Managing Agent, USA for a London-based children's illustration agency representing 150+ incredibly talented artists. Congratulations x 2 to Isabelle Arsenault! She wants to be surprisedtheres nothing like the feeling that youre reading something entirely new. I signed with Don Fehr at Trident Media and a short time later I had a publishing contract! Can you terminate the contract if things go south? Wait for a response. Its all right. Susan represents work for children and teens only: picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and young adult, along with some non-fiction for young readers. * AAR membership status Deborah Harris Agency (Agents) (Submissions), D4EO Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), Dunham Literary, Inc. (Jennie Dunham)(Submissions), Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Dystel, Goderich, & Bourrett LLC (Agents) (Submissions)(Nonfiction Submission Guidelines), Einstein Literary Management (Agents) (Submissions), Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions). Erica:Were different in that Kirsten does a lot more co-agenting than I do. She has incredible vision and is very brave. Corvisiero Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Curtis Brown LTD (Agents)(Submissions). For art directors, editors, and publishers,an agent is foremost a problem-solver. Narrative Nonfiction D. Cohen Having someone on your side who can not only advocate for better terms (and knows what the industry standards are) but also navigate all the legalese with you is key, especially if youre not well-versed. The one thing I look for across the board in a submission is a clean, professional-looking portfolio site! Nonfiction/Business D. Hamme The Number of Queries Sent and Their Replies. Tugeau 2, A Children's Art & Literary Agency 2231 Grandview Avenue Cleveland Heights, OH 44106 Tugeau 2 proudly serves artists, writers and illustrators with representation in the children's publishing industry. What do you look for in a submission?Illustrators contact me at all different points in their careers, and for different reasonssome are interested in getting more freelance illustration work, some have a childrens book, comic series, or graphic novel theyd like to pitch, and some are simply looking for advice or assistance with their current clients (which could be as disparate as an indie musician and a behemoth advertising agency). She doesnt represent adult projects. Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator)need an agent?An agent is a matchmaker, negotiator, mediator, lifter-upper, creative confidant, and industry insider all rolled into one. Fairbank Literary Representation (About) (Submissions)Not accepting submissions for childrens works unless by an illustrator/artist. SCBWI Statement of Intent on Equity and Inclusion, The Essential Guide to Publishing for Children, Co-Agenting with Kirsten Hall and Erica Rand Silverman. Do not submit a full-length manuscript or proposal unless requested. Nonfiction/Environment J. Biemer An agent once said to me, If you think having an agent doesnt give you a distinct advantage, youre crazy. It depends on the agent and the artist, but I tend to agree with her. (Though slush piles get an undeservedly bad reputation. "Actor seeking representation" is a bore. They open doors to opportunities. Catbird's beautifully-crafted documentaries introduce audiences to remarkable human beings, like an Ethiopian aristocrat turned communist rebel, a Montreal poet turned world-renowned winemaker, or a resilient Inuit man who competes in a grueling dogsled race despite a major disability. There is just an overwhelming amount of people looking to connect with agents, and it can be challenging for some to give out that warmth all the time. Maybe its the book that we havent placed yet, but still so strongly believe has a place in the world. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Some of her favorite non-client books in this category are: A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti, Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai, Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson, The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo, Chime by Franny Billingsley, Swing by Kwame Alexander, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly, Still Life With Tornado by A.S.King, The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor, When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. Kirsten Hall is President of Catbird, a boutique childrens literary and illustration agency. Ron is a literary agent and co-owner of CookeMcDermid. (Should you want to learn more first, our Writer's Toolbox has a handful of useful links for writers wanting to improve their craft before seeking publication.). Repeat. I sent them some dummies, some promotional pieces. [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews], Fiction/General J. Jago Either way, I hope this post helps you move forward with your career. Send her your high-concept and hooky; your award-winners; the books that will become backlist gold. Thank you for submitting your work! I want an agent to help me . She is just as happy working with debut talents as she is best-sellers. Please do not send us submissions of any kind. After You Get A Book Agent. The agent then dedicates energy and resources to get that first commission. I like to feel as if someone is sharing with me, not just shopping to me. For middle grade and YA: She is actively seeking fresh young adult and middle grade fiction across all genres. How did you come to collaborate on books together? If we are interested in reviewing your dummy, we will request that you send it. Erica is mostly interested in adding author-illustrators to her list andis looking for a diverse array of voices and styles. Once you sign with an agent, you dont just sit back and wait for the jobs to roll in. Thank you for submitting your work! She will leave Bright this Friday. Look, even Ive received critique letters. Several of them. Here youll find everything you need to submit work to Upstart Crow Literary. Offer of Representation The North American catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), of the family Mimidae (order Passeriformes), is 23 cm (9 inches) long and is gray, with a black cap. They operate on your behalf, ever focused on your career. 2 talking about this. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. Practice professional patience and persistence. Childrens/YA L. Moe. We were thinking of matching up Susan Verde and Jay Fleck for our own pitch and then Susans editor, on her own accord, ended up approaching Jay to illustrate Susans new series. You still need to work hard, improve your craft, increase your self-awareness. Once a book is sold, authors and illustrators will be presenting themselves to publishers, booksellers, librarians, and others as a professional. NOTE: Each year Fuse Literary, as an agency, is closed to new submissions and queries between December 1st to January 15th. Subscribe to The Illustration Department Newsletter, Do I Need An Agent? She is not considering the following adult categories: romance, political thriller, science fiction, horror, or erotica. The Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to foster public appreciation of childrens books and to support the vibrant community of people who create and promote them. But, as an individual player, you arent the only one they need to help. After about a year, and no work, I asked to break our agreement. Do not send attachments with your query. Were both trying hard to keep the number of people we represent manageable. Were not afraid of this. While were waiting on the agents response, can I ask you why you want an agent? Pairing up directly with clients from other agencies is a great way to be proactive in making new projects happen. Sometimes your work just isnt a fit for our skill set or interests. When looking for the first time at an artists portfolio, I like to see a cross section of their work. Editors should be salivating by the time they get to the chapter outline. Working with Mark was completely worth it." DO NOT QUERY THIS AGENT AT THIS TIME: Cherry is not currently accepting unsolicited submissions. (Thank you!). This is probably less often the case once a project reaches the publisher. To be taken seriously, read the (damn) guidelines. Get the facts. We are Catbird Lit, an American journal of humorous writings and visual arts based in Austin, Texas. They understand the nuances of contractsforeign rights, royalty escalation clauses, merchandising (how much would you charge for ringtones? You can unsubscribe easily at any time we dont spam. They agreed almost immediately. Think about it: They meet with the editors and art directors at many publishing housesalways learning what they want and dont want; always given inside looks into publishing plans, present and future; always gaining further insight into who loosens or tightens the purse strings. They told me they were going to focus on getting me into the industry I love: childrens books. Let me give you examples from two of your colleagues: I signed with an agent thinking that they would get me work right away. She likens her agency, which specializes in picture books, to a creative playground. Literary Agencies for Picture Books (A-F) 3 Arts Entertainment (New . A coin is flipped on its head. Layered, flawed, completely human characters. Memoir/Women L. Lehr Do you need an agent? Here is the: Advice from writing professional Jane Friedman. Congratulations! All rights reserved. As soon as you register youll get instant access to the following: * Agent bios for all agents atCatbird Productions Tips for writing and sending query letters. Literary Rambles: Spotlighting Childrens Book Authors, Agents, & Publishing Excellent source for agent interviews, kidlit information, and an agent database you can search by age category (e.g., picture books). The story taps into important truths about love and loss and life. How is it different from the way you usually rep a book? The second-worst thing to do is to rest on your laurels. While youre working creatively, your agent is out there sharing your work and lining up the next best project. "Just got great reviews!" is better. How to Find a Book Agent Hall is Catbird Productions' sole proprietor. Otherwise, please consider submitting to one of my wonderful colleagues at ABLA. Nonfiction/Business D. Hamme But if we are interested, we will request your full manuscript. Its not easy to do it yourself, but it is possible. Kirsten:Lets be real, Im always looking for an excuse to hop on the phone or grab lunch with Ericaso working together gives me the perfect excuse! Most things are negotiable. It isnt as automatic as you think. Can you do it without an agent? * Preferred query letter methods (email, online form, postal mail) An online list of agents who represent all genres (not just picture books). Part of my job is to break down any remaining barriers, not to guard themto make introductions, to get more eyes on clients work. And I can already see that the books were making together are going to be magical. If you can, meet them at conferences. Get a Kids Book Agent BookStop Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), Bradford Literary Agency(Agents & Submissions). Nonfiction/Self-Help A. Goddard If you find that other aspects of managing your career are getting in the way of actually creating, an agent can help shoulder the burden. Memoir/Family/Identity S. Foti Join thousands of other subscribers today by enteringyour first name and email address. In order for me to co-agent with someone, I need to feel a certain level of trust because the process can be quite unpredictable. What is one misconception about agents?An age-old misconception originates from a simple questionhow can we give equal quality, time, and support to more than one artist? Sometimes those opportunities come in fast and sometimes they dont. Work is more fun when youre doing it with people you like and respect. Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997). And it isnt cute if you dont follow the rules. Okay! Her dream project for young readers is one that challenges and inspires, with a compelling voice that will make her stay up all night reading. Erica Rand Silverman is a Senior Agent at Stimola Literary Studio, a full service literary agency devoted to representing authors and author/illustrators who bring unique and substantive contributions to the childrens book industry. Author/illustrators: NBPlease include a link to your online portfolio and/or to your downloadable dummy. To bridge these twoindustries, she co-founded Room 228, a consulting company that creates educational marketing materials and literacy programming for children. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. And so on. Feel free to share your thoughts and questions in the comments section below. You still need to hustle. Scroll below now to view the email and postal addressfor Kirsten HallFREE in our BookAgents Directory. There may come a time where it makes sense for the artist and author to collaborate more directly. I hear the comparison that the agent-client relationship is like a marriage. LiteraryAgents.com An online list of agents who represent all genres (not just picture books). Theres that one who doesnt communicate. What do you look for in a submission?The very best in art and literature reveals something real and true about ourselves, and childrens books are no exception. 1. LK Literary Agency is a boutique children's literature agency, so while we are open to general submissions, we kindly ask that you review our guidelines carefully ahead of sending in your submission to be sure we're a good fit for the wonderful work you do.. We are only open to electronic submissions, which means that unless someone from LKLA has specifically requested you send . of Speculation by Jenny Offill, Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J.Ryan Stradal, and Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. Only looking for author/illustrators (one individual). Not really. Anna Olswanger has been a literary agent since 2005. Kayla is seeking everything from heartfelt or humorous picture books (she has a soft spot for animal protagonists) to dynamic, unpredictable YA (she loves a good murder mystery or a clever rom-com). Check out her Literaticastpodcast. Its also really fun when it happens on the end of the publishers too. Erica:Work is more fun when youre doing it with people you like and respect. Susan's submission email is: susanhawk.submission@gmail.com. The one who allows ego to influence their decisions. Memoir/Christian S. LeRette Honest and open communication is key. Antony Harwood Ltd (Agents) (Submissions) A UK literary agency. And then submit your picture book query letter and manuscript. This enables us to put a plan in place before the first portfolio sheet is made. Catbird Productions, which will package books for publishers, as well as operate as a boutique literary agency for childrens book author/illustrators, with an emphasis on previously unpublished authors/ illustrators. Authors and illustrators need an agent because the publishers interests/needs and their interests/needs arent always the same, and you need an advocate to represent you. If you can, find a contract professional to read it. Not accepting submissions for childrens works unless by an illustrator/artist. Childrens/YA C. Plum-Ucci . These letters are just steps on the path. The Cat Agency Inc. (Agents) (Submissions) Open to illustrator & author-illustrator submissions. Kirsten:Not necessarily. AAR members must meet the highest standards and canon of ethics. Writing thats confident, vivid, addictive; work thats both ambitious and wise. I want to work with an artist whose goal it is to write and illustrate their own books. I work alone and basically love knocking on other agents doors and asking them to come out and play! In your query letter, stick to professional accomplishments that relate to writing and publishing. In this post, you and I will go through the steps of a submission, from researching agencies to signing on the dotted linewhile having a bit of a heart-to-heart along the way. Kaylas taste lies squarely in that sweet spot between commercial and literary, and she is looking for captivating voices and rich worldbuildingwhether its a seaside town in Maine or a fantastical other world. If I have requested your work, please email me at lara@andreabrownlit.com and please include the word "request" in your subject line (and please do NOT include the word "query'"). Kirsten HallLiterary Agent represents the followingbook genres: Scroll below now to view representative titlesand a complete profile for Kirsten HallFREE in ourBookAgents Directory. 38.4k Followers, 0 Following, 1,895 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Catbird Agency (@catbirdagencypix) Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator) need an agent? Show an agent you are serious about writing as a career. For an author or illustrator, most of the benefits of having an agent are fairly obvious. . Many of us are friends. get work . Childrens/Chapter Book J. Agee 6. In each case, they pointed out issues in my work that I knew were there but refused to recognize. You should know, agents are not going to comment right away (if at all). Memoir/Mainstream E. Armstrong and strategic process), so its not something we do all the time. Memoir/Inspirational L. Subramani It was after the 2013 SCBWI NY conference. These cookies do not store any personal information. Kirsten:Its true, I love to co-agent, and I do it regularly with agents at several different agencies. Scroll below to see a sample. Lets tap into that knowledge. We have to make sure that the risk and expectations are clear for all involved. Overall, Fuse agents may take 4-8 weeks to respond to queries and then additional time for submissions. By the end of this post, you may finally have the answer to: Do I need an agent?. All agents should share the ability to reasonably negotiate contracts. Follow agents on social media. Responsible for . Look, I get it, man. Ask questions. It can make me uneasy because it takes time and sometimes doesnt work. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Keep your correspondence professional. A thoughtful, personalized query letter does a lot, and obviously if I connect with an art sample or a pitch, its a win, but even then my decision ultimately hinges on what that persons web presence looks like. the Twitter version of Manuscript Wish List) Agents and editors of all writing genres post what they want. I think authors and illustrators sometimes forget that agents, too, face disappointment. Youll also get access to our article and audio library with information to help you get a top agent, publisher, and book deal. Your parents, who arent quite sure what you do, certainly know what agents doand that will make them happy. Some of her favorite non-client books in this category are: I Am I Am I Am by Maggie O'Farrell, Heavy by Kiese Laymon, Late Migrations by Margaret Renkl, You Just Need to Lose Weight by Aubrey Gordon, and In Shock by Rana Adwish.