It sounds less hurtful. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Were not afraid of this. What if you cant deliver the work on time? Childrens/Pic Book M. Leshem-Pelly The Chudney Agency (Submissions) Only looking for author/illustrators (one individual). 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. Editors should be salivating by the time they get to the chapter outline. Working with Mark was completely worth it." No agency can guarantee that a particular project will sell, but we sign clients because we love their writing and want them to succeed. What is one misconception about agents? Honest and open communication is key. Layered, flawed, completely human characters. Theres that one who doesnt communicate. Click here to retrieve reset your password. I see you have an email from an agent. Susan's submission email is: susanhawk.submission@gmail.com. The overwhelming advantage in having this knowledge is proven when we come to share new work; it cuts through the noise and competition. For art directors, editors, and publishers,an agent is foremost a problem-solver. To submit directly without an agent you need to send them a query letter with a description of your manuscript, how close it is to completion (if it is not yet finished), and a little bit about your writing background. Home Book Agents Literary Agent Kirsten Hall Catbird Productions. That one was just meant to be it seems! . Here youll find everything you need to submit work to Upstart Crow Literary. Some of her favorite non-client books in these categories are: A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki, The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea, Dept. Many writers fear writing queries, but it shouldnt frighten you off! Shes drawn to projects that are character-driven, tightly plotted, and have a singular, specific voice; always on the hunt for: She looks for projects that know kids are smart and perceptive and feeling deeply; that make the reader feel seen. 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 . (Or A Blog About the Life of a Submission, in Three Acts), James Burns, Senior Agent, Bright Group US, Jennifer Linnan, Founder, Linnan Literary Management, Alexandra Penfold, Agent, Upstart Crow Literary, Linda Pratt, Founder, Wernick & Pratt Agency. Please put your query and sample in the body of the email. Some agents are boutiques. Narrative Nonfiction D. Cohen "Mark helped me get five different offers for representation from top literary agents. It feels like youve made it. Its important to identify who you think are good matches. Childrens/Chapter Book J. Agee This enables us to put a plan in place before the first portfolio sheet is made. Memoir/Mainstream E. Armstrong Each agent lists what they want on their bio page. Once you sign with an agent, you dont just sit back and wait for the jobs to roll in. Dont send your work to all of them at once. Youll also get access to our article and audio library with information to help you get a top agent, publisher, and book deal. And her first trade picture bookThe Jacketwas a 2014 New York Times Notable!) Also send five pages from your manuscript. catbird, any of five bird species named for their mewing calls, which are used in addition to song. QueryTracker You have to register (its FREE unless you upgrade to premium) to use this, but once you register and sign in, you can track your query and find which authors are represented by which agents, a publisher list, an agent list, author success stories, and more. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Id like to thank James Burns, Kirsten Hall, JenniferLinnan, Alexandra Penfold, Linda Pratt, Erica Rand Silverman,and Laura Stiers for their time, generosity, and invaluable contributions to this article. Visit our Team Fuse page and click an agent to read their profile. 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? If we are interested in reviewing your dummy, we will request that you send it. Agents have a broader knowledge due to their experience, and it allows the creative lines between authors and illustrators and their editors/houses to be cleaner. But they are out there. What is one misconception about agents?I can only speak for agents in the childrens book industry, but Im continually heartened and humbled by the camaraderie between kidlit agents. If working at an office location and you are not "logged in", simply close and relaunch your preferred browser. Postcards, social media, industry events, bespoke product platforms, blogs, galleries, magazines, and store visits are all tools in a rapidly growing toolbox. I want to work with an artist whose goal it is to write and illustrate their own books. How did you come to collaborate on books together? and Illustrators. You dont have their undivided attention. They want to represent you?! Unfortunately, misconceptions and assumptions related to the job description of an agent are rife in the illustration community. It might seem strange in another industry to see such interagency fellowship,but it feels right for those whove made a career in making books for kids. Nonfiction/Self-Help A. Goddard If they do get back to you, expect a rejection . Not necessarily. Theyre negotiating. Erica:Publishers really enjoy being in control when it comes to matching a text to an illustrator (its an extremely fun (!) Copyright 2023 D. B. Righi. Christy Ewers: is mostly closed to submissions for the time being. Pairing up directly with clients from other agencies is a great way to be proactive in making new projects happen. How Much Do Authors Make? It frequents gardens and thickets. To be taken seriously, read the (damn) guidelines. An agent will intuit which clients are going to respond well to the artists work, and this becomes the first port of call for an illustration agent when initially pitching, sharing, and presenting the portfolio to commissioning clients. Not of, or relating to, Dogma, Catbird seeks to foster a community of varietous and riotously (not righteously) funny creators in Austin and in the larger state of Texas. UK agency for illustrators of childrens books & other media. We will not open emailed attachments. get work . Her client list at Bright includes Elly Mackay, Benji Davis, Clive McFarland, and Connah Brecon. Fiction/Mainstream K. Cox We'd love to see your work! Hall, who is the author of 100+ children's books, has been employed since 2009 as a US-based managing agent at the Bright Agency, which is headquartered in London and specializes in nurturing and developing debut childrens book author/illustrators. Hall is Catbird Productions' sole proprietor. Read comments by other authors who have queried the same agents you have. of Speculation by Jenny Offill, Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J.Ryan Stradal, and Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. Like coaches,good agents get the best out of you. But the absolute wrong thing to do is blindly sign an agreement. Okay! She wants to be surprisedtheres nothing like the feeling that youre reading something entirely new. Susan's submission email is: susanhawk.submission@gmail.com. * AAR membership status Odds of Getting a Book Agent Unfortunately, due to the overwhelming number of submissions received, personal responses are only very rarely possible. Erica:In some cases yes and in some cases no. Keep your correspondence professional. Keep an eye out this spring for DOLL-E 1.0 by Shanda McCloskey (Little,Brown), Time Tracers by Annabeth Bondor Stone & Connor White (HarperCollins), Finns Featherillustrated by Zoey Abbott (Enchanted Lion Books), and Rock N Roll Soul by Susan Verde and Matthew Cordell (Abrams)! Logo designed by Kody Chamberlain Website designed by Ian Bauer. News and updates to get a top literary agent, publisher, and book deal. She had been in my session and introduced herself at the end and mentioned that she was sending me her dummy. Take time with it. Okay! Some favorite titles that provide a sense of her tastes: Picture book: Penguin and Pinecone by Salina Yoon; Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown; I Dont Want to be a Frog by Dev Petty; Bad Dog by Mike Boldt, Middle grade: Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina; The Year the Swallows Came Early by Katherine Fitzmaurice; Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed; The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Young adult: The Sea is Salt and So Am I by Cassandra Hartt; Dumplin by Julie Murphy; The Cost of All Things by Maggie Lehrman; To All the Boys Ive Loved Before by Jenny Han; The Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse. Its also really fun when it happens on the end of the publishers too. It can make me uneasy because it takes time and sometimes doesnt work. Picture books (as a format) seem simple at first blush, but they are often in fact quite layered and even poetic, displaying an elegant interplay between text and art . Before you submit, read this: Please submit to SUBMISSIONS@CATAGENCYINC.COM & let us know who you are submitting to in the subject line! 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. I love my fellow kidlit agents, and I honestly believe we root for each other and celebrate each others successes. 2023 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved. NOTE: If you had a previous PW subscription, click here to reactivate your immediate access. 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. Fuse Literary represents both fiction and nonfiction in a variety of categories and genres. Co-agenting is Ericas and my way of trying to be as proactive as we can for our clients. The answer might be a little different for our editorial colleagues with writers. (Thank you!). I want an agent to help me . The story was called Drift,and it was about a little beaver named Buckley who lives with his mama and makes these beautiful and intricate boats to send off to sea to his absent father. However, there are differences in our tastes and our particular areas of proficiency, e.g., editorial, genre, licensing, promotion, etc. What do you look for in a submission?I like two kinds of submissions. Erica is a tireless advocate for her clients and proud to be a part of an industry that is so thoughtfully shaping young minds. Check out her Literaticastpodcast. I signed with Don Fehr at Trident Media and a short time later I had a publishing contract! She is . Do your clients have more contact with one another than they would if this were set up by a publisher? Practice professional patience and persistence. Your friends will congratulate you. Once that commission has been accepted, the ball is then in motion. This is probably less often the case once a project reaches the publisher. What is one misconception about agents?You wouldnt believe how many conference attendees come up to me to say thank you for being warm and approachable, as if this isnt the norm. Memoir/Women L. Lehr Tell us what you like and we'll recommend books you'll love. Thank you for submitting your work! ), etc. The main reasoning behind this stems from the fact that what an artist feels is their strongest work is not necessarily what the agent would agree is best for the market. The coach-player analogy is much more accurate. Childrens/Pic Book M. Leshem-Pelly Even a Twitter or Instagram account can satisfy these questions, but if I look someone up and find nothing, it leaves me looking for more, and often, looking elsewhere. Its an honor to see a piece of a creators heart inside a proposals DNA. Submission Guidelines: Hello! She started her career at Liza Dawson Associates in Manhattan, and in 2014 launched her own literary agency, Olswanger Literary LLC, where she represents a wide variety of genres, but is currently focused on illustrated books (picture books and graphic novels). 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. The one who uses righteous indignation and insults as means to an end. Thank you. Memoir/Mainstream E. Armstrong Other times, well sell texts to publishers first and then when it comes time for illustrators, if there isnt someone on our list who we think is right to recommend, our next step will be to look at each others lists, or those of other agent friends. It may not. Antony Harwood Ltd (Agents) (Submissions) A UK literary agency. Manuscripts sent to them will be discarded unread. Kirsten:Its so truein the past month alone weve had some particularly exciting pairings between Stimola and Catbird! Book Agent Kirsten Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997). Im the person throwing up the grappling hook, not the one pouring down hot oil. Were able to spot trends before they enter the marketplace, and this knowledge becomes invaluable in ensuring that your portfolio is as current and fresh as possible. 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. Here is the: Advice from writing professional Jane Friedman. Memoir/Multicultural N. Aronheim Catbird Agency Website: catbirdagency.com/ Twitter: HallWaysKirsten AAR/AALA Member: No Accepts Queries Via. When our illustrators arent working up a project of their own, were pitching them to get matched up by publishers. Its all right. Memoir/Christian S. LeRette Not everyone excels at all of these, or enjoys it! QueryTracker includes resources for all writing genres (not just picture books). 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. And I can already see that the books were making together are going to be magical. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Thank you for submitting your work! She doesnt represent adult projects. More on her wish list, here. Ive co-agented all kinds of dealsones that have gone to multi-house auctions on day one, one in which only one client saw an offer and the other client gracefully stepped aside, one in which wildly different offers came in and my co-agent and I needed to negotiate with each other as much as the publishers because our clients positions were so different. Send her your high-concept and hooky; your award-winners; the books that will become backlist gold. Experience. They open doors to opportunities. Sometimes your work just isnt a fit for our skill set or interests. NOTE: As an agency we are closed to new queries and submissions each December 1st to January 15th! She will leave Bright this Friday. There may come a time where it makes sense for the artist and author to collaborate more directly. catbird seat. But theyre not the only key to the door. Keep walking. Hear what they have to say. SCBWI Statement of Intent on Equity and Inclusion, The Essential Guide to Publishing for Children, Co-Agenting with Kirsten Hall and Erica Rand Silverman. Not really. All rights reserved. Let me give you examples from two of your colleagues: I signed with an agent thinking that they would get me work right away. You heard it here first! Kirsten Hall has struck out on her own after years of freelancing and started her own literary companyCatbird Productionssearching for debut talent. Each agent, even within the same agency, has their own ideas of what defines good writing and good illustration. But its good to be pushed outside our comfort zones once in a while. Either way, look for agents who show an appreciation for your visual aesthetic. 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). If you dont hear from them after a month or so, gently check in. Offer of Representation OrderID Agency OrderID Date Class Rate Patient Name Area Shift Start End Meal Order Reason O 7138574 08/28/22 to 11/05/22 CNA|T . Overall, Fuse agents may take 4-8 weeks to respond to queries and then additional time for submissions. Books that tell the stories of people, places, and cultures that have been overlooked and ignored for too long are at the top of her list. Ron is a literary agent and co-owner of CookeMcDermid. How Much Does An Agent Cost? Susan believes that books can change lives inspire a passion for reading and story; unlock imagination and empathy; move readers to feel, think, wonder, examine, explore, to laugh really hard. These letters are just steps on the path. I always advise illustrators who are just starting out to identify what they can and/or want to do, and outsource the rest. A good contract should cover not only the essential points of the job/deal but also the worst-case scenarios: What if your client doesnt pay? Maybe not. A few books I loved reading in my free time . Our goal is always to sell their work and properly manage their rights, establishing long-term writing careers for our clients. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. But the truth is everyone in publishing faces rejection at some point. 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). Were a tight-knit community! Fuse Literary never charges reading or submission fees, nor is there a retainer fee for our services. We do not accept or respond to phone, paper or social media queries. Your parents, who arent quite sure what you do, certainly know what agents doand that will make them happy. Listen to podcasts. All that being said, my bottom-line, if-youre-on-the-fence answer is much more straightforward: CONTRACTS. QueryTracker Members can view the data gathered by all other members, organized into reports showing 2007-2023 QueryTracker. Memoir/Family/Identity S. Foti Society of The snob. Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator) need an agent?The answer to this is clear to me: because it plays to strengths. Either way, I hope this post helps you move forward with your career. No, its not. "Berkley Books recently published my book in hardcover after Mark helped me get multiple agents interested in my work. We usually begin by keeping the artist and author separate from one another as publishers do. You have to be a detective. Sign up for our Children's Bookshelf newsletter! What I know when co-agenting with Erica is that no matter what happens well always be good. Theyre reading. The greatest advantage (good) agents provide is knowledge. How I Went From Unemployed to Building a $30K/month Online Business in 12 Months! Simply click this linkand complete the subscription form. Follow your instincts. It was a natural progression for those conversations to lead to ways our clients could work together. Lets submit your work to an agent. . Its the most comprehensive (and accurate) list of literary agencies in the world, with detailed profiles for more than 1,100 literary agents. Who reps them? Sure you can. Erica:Were different in that Kirsten does a lot more co-agenting than I do. Wait for a response. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. . Maybe its the prospective client that we missed out on. DO NOT QUERY THIS AGENT AT THIS TIME: Cherry is not currently accepting unsolicited submissions. Boutique kidlit author/illustrator agency & producer of books for all ages Catbird Agency | New York NY To find out more about PWs site license subscription options, please email Mike Popalardo at: mike@nextstepsmarketing.com. Corvisiero Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Curtis Brown LTD (Agents)(Submissions). Home Book Agencies USA Literary Agencies and Literary Agents Catbird Productions. The agent then dedicates energy and resources to get that first commission. you guessed it: agents. 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. We revel in rebel voices; cast forward outcasts; and structure the lawless, braless populace into humorous narratives and . * A link to the Catbird Productionswebsite You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. the Twitter version of Manuscript Wish List) Agents and editors of all writing genres post what they want. "Just got great reviews!" is better. How active are they in the industry? I dont think its extra contact our clients see as much as extra opportunity. Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), Jill Grinberg Literary Management (Agents) (Submissions), Ladderbird Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions). Hall is the author of the picture books The Gold Leaf and The Jacket, which was a New York Times Notable Book in 2014. 4. The profileabout Kirsten HallLiterary Agent that you see herecontains just some of the information youll find in our free BookAgents Directory, with listings for all publishing agents. Childrens/YA D. Bester Fairbank Literary Representation (About) (Submissions)Not accepting submissions for childrens works unless by an illustrator/artist. We only accept submissions via e-mail. * Search the directory by book genre/category (more than 100 categories). 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. Is it consistent? She is drawn to work that showcases expressive characters, timeless palettes, and atmospheric scenes. Nonfiction/Business D. Hamme When Stephanie first contacted me, she was very excited and said, I cant get your book proposal out of my head. Ive heard illustrators say they want an agent so they dont have to deal with marketing and contracts and the non-drawing-and-painting aspects of illustration. "Referred to you by [insert casting director's name]". But Im really thrilled to be co-agenting with Erica. I still remember the first time I read Jessixa Bagleys dummy submission. An online list of agents who represent all genres (not just picture books). You can ask her a question here. It is a precise and qualified process, rather than an independent, possibly unpublished artist spread betting their work across editors and art directors who they do not know apart from an impression of them through social media. I went back to the drawing board., I signed with an agent, thinking that they would get me consistent work. Snail-Mail: Closed E-Mail: Closed Online Form: Closed Learn more about this agent, including: Genres of Interest Typical Response Times Best Query Methods Become a QueryTracker Member (Free) We have to make sure that the risk and expectations are clear for all involved. He also co-owned Cooke International, an . Do not query multiple agents at Fuse simultaneously. Shes one of my favorite people in the entire industry. Notes/Tips:Our agency does not represent poetry or screenplays. She will happily review your comics, book cover designs, and picture book dummies.Aliza believes in a world where all young people can see themselves reflected in childrens books. Or familiar content has been made unrecognizable. Thats exactly right. Martin Literary Management (Agents & Submissions), McKinnon Literary (Agents) (Submissions), Metamorphosis Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc. (Agents) (Submissions), Page Turner Literary Agency(Agent) (Submissions opendates for submissions are noted on agencys submisions page), Peters Fraser + Dunlop (Agents) (Submissions)A UK agency, Pippin Properties (Agents)(Submissions), Plum Pudding Illustration Agency (Submissions) UK agency specifically for illustrators. Its not easy to do it yourself, but it is possible. AAR members must meet the highest standards and canon of ethics. These cookies do not store any personal information. Theres already much greater access to the publishing house in the illustration world (versus for writers, who often are barred by company policy from submitting their work directly). But, when it feels right and exciting on our end, we hope that it will be received that way by the publishers. Again, I digress.). Christy Ewers: is mostly closed to submissions for the time being. Im reading from an unconventional point of view. Get FREE Access Now to All Catbird ProductionsProfiles! Were not trying to make your road to publication harder. Well try to get back to you as quickly as possible. Bright Agency (Agents)(Submissions)A UK / USA agency. Nonfiction/Business D. Hamme Catbird Productions, which will package books for publishers, as well as operate as a boutique literary agency for children's book author/illustrators, with an emphasis on previously unpublished authors/ illustrators. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. Good agents know which parts of the contract are flexible (and which shouldnt be). an enviable position; having the upper hand or greater advantage . If you need contractual help, you can find an attorney who would only charge a one-time fee. For an author or illustrator, most of the benefits of having an agent are fairly obvious. does not support javascript or you have it disabled. Your submission to agents isnt an Instagram post thats totes gonna get likes. Levy Creative Management (Artist Submissions), Liza Royce Agency (Agents) (Submissions). And sometime between crying, I offered Jessixa representation. That one was just meant to be it seems! Get An Agent After Self-Publishing 2. 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. Then I look for a voice, either in the words of an author or the art of an illustrator. When our illustrators arent working up a project of their own, were pitching them to get matched up by publishers. Memoir/Multicultural N. Aronheim Kirsten:Its true, I love to co-agent, and I do it regularly with agents at several different agencies. An agent delivers. Erica:We have to make sure that the risk and expectations are clear for all involved. Kirsten HallLiterary Agent is on our list of Publishing Agents USA (book agents in the United States), Fiction Publishing Agents (book agents who represent fiction authors), Childrens Publishing Agents (book agents who represent books for younger readers), Young Adult Publishing Agents (book agents who represent YA books for teens),Middle Grade Publishing Agents (book agents who represent books for middle grade tween readers), and Picture Book Publishing Agents (book agents who represent picture books for kids). Kirsten HallLiterary Agent This articleabout Literary Agent Kirsten Halland Catbird Productionsis part of a series about literary agents and how toFind a PublishingAgent. When looking for the first time at an artists portfolio, I like to see a cross section of their work.
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