And then there are the projects that never seem to go anywhere at all. Youll also get access to our article and audio library with information to help you get a top agent, publisher, and book deal. When our illustrators arent working up a project of their own, were pitching them to get matched up by publishers. That one was just meant to be it seems! I was able to speak with literary agents from top agencies such as Janklow & Nesbit, Trident Media, Anderson Lit, and Folio. To be taken seriously, read the (damn) guidelines. Someone asked me once, Do you only hire artists who have agents?Not in the slightest. You did the homework. Were both trying hard to keep the number of people we represent manageable. Notes/Tips: Our agency does not represent poetry or screenplays. Odds of Getting a Book Agent The Cat Agency Inc. (Agents) (Submissions) Open to illustrator & author-illustrator submissions. 2023 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved. However, if you would like to get your work in front of her for now or the future, please submit - she reviews ALL submissions! We only get paid when the author gets paid after we sell an authors work. Submit to five. 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. A major plus of not having an agent is the money saved. Scroll back up to the top of this webpage now to enter your name and email for FREE information and listings for all book agents at Catbird Productions. 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 . If you have questions, you can build your own network of colleagues who may have the answers. How to Find a Book Agent But if we are interested, we will request your full manuscript. Kirsten works intimately with her clients to conceive and develop original story pitches. And sometime between crying, I offered Jessixa representation. 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. Listen to podcasts. 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. Thank you for signing up, fellow book lover! By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Simply click this linkand complete the subscription form. Well navigate the waters together. Agencies are still in there, but the box is getting more crowded all the time. No agency can guarantee that a particular project will sell, but we sign clients because we love their writing and want them to succeed. But I didnt get the level of attention I was expecting. We only accept submissions via e-mail. Boutique kidlit author/illustrator agency & producer of books for all ages Catbird Agency | New York NY Ideally, you handle the creative end, and your agent handles the business end. Congratulations! Nonfiction/Self-Help A. Goddard Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator)need an agent?As mentioned, making a career for oneself in the illustration world can be 100 percent DIY, and many people are great at being self-advocates, negotiating, managing the finances and paperwork, and/or marketing themselves as a commodity/business. Overall, Fuse agents may take 4-8 weeks to respond to queries and then additional time for submissions. Different authors and illustrators have different needs, which is why finding your perfect agent match is so important. Fiction/Mystery B. Harper Sometimes your work just isnt a fit for our skill set or interests. Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator need an agent? Can you terminate the contract if things go south? Lets submit your work to an agent. 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). Do not submit a full-length manuscript or proposal unless requested. Once a book is sold, authors and illustrators will be presenting themselves to publishers, booksellers, librarians, and others as a professional. Kirsten Hall is a former preschool and elementary school teacher who has authored more than a hundred learn-to-read stories for emergent readers. We do not accept or respond to phone, paper or social media queries. * AAR membership status 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. We share with one another,we lean on each other. Shes one of my favorite people in the entire industry. Childrens/Chapter Book J. Agee Insofar as the quality of your work is good, it doesnt matter if you have an agent or not. Otherwise, please consider submitting to one of my wonderful colleagues at ABLA. I signed with Don Fehr at Trident Media and a short time later I had a publishing contract! You still need to work hard, improve your craft, increase your self-awareness. 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. Sure you can. Childrens/Chapter Book J. Agee Either way, I hope this post helps you move forward with your career. 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. What do you look for in a submission?I look to have an emotional response and for the work to be something different than is already represented on my list. With the amount of information available to us through articles, workshops, podcasts, and the like, it takes just a bit of elbow grease to figure things out. Here is the: Advice from writing professional Jane Friedman. Not everyone excels at all of these, or enjoys it! I think authors and illustrators sometimes forget that agents, too, face disappointment. They lead the cheer for you. This is probably less often the case once a project reaches the publisher. A word of warning: There is such a thing as a bad agent. To me it is the gold standard for a picture book that makes the reader feel. That one was just meant to be it seems! Memoir/Mainstream E. Armstrong Hall is Catbird Productions' sole proprietor. In each case, they pointed out issues in my work that I knew were there but refused to recognize. Provide URLs to your author website and social media that supports your efforts to brand yourself. Literary Agents for Children's Books 2023-2024 - Use our free List of Literary Agents to find children's literary agents accepting submissions for fiction and nonfiction: young adult book agents (YA), middle grade book agents (MG), picture book agents, and chapter book agents. you guessed it: agents. Search tools to help you find the right agent for your book. Thank you for submitting your work! Although of course it would be totally fine for them to communicate if it would benefit the development of the proposal! Ive asked agents James Burns, Kirsten Hall, Jennifer Linnan, Alexandra Penfold, Linda Pratt,and Erica Rand Silverman three simple questions. If we are interested in reviewing your dummy, we will request that you send it. More on her wish list, here. Look at the length of the agreement. Pairing up directly with clients from other agencies is a great way to be proactive in making new projects happen. She likens her agency, which specializes in picture books, to a creative playground. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Kirsten Hall has struck out on her own after years of freelancing and started her own literary companyCatbird Productionssearching for debut talent. This is why its so important to make sure theres a termination clause in your contract. Send her your high-concept and hooky; your award-winners; the books that will become backlist gold. So how will you know the bad from the good? Start with illustrators you admire. 3. Dont send your work to all of them at once. DING! A good agent is one who helps move a project forward. Tools to help you stay organized and error free. Most things are negotiable. Were allies, strategists, friends, supervisors, listeners, managers, organizers, brainstorming partners. For off-site access, click here. The irony is that by doing it yourself, by finding some amount of success on your own, you become more attractive to . Before you sign, lets talk some more. 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! Janklow & Nesbit Associates (Agents) (Submissions)USA & UK agency. Ask questions. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. News and updates to get a top literary agent, publisher, and book deal. Its so truein the past month alone weve had some particularly exciting pairings between Stimola and Catbird! Due to the volume of submissions we receive, we are unable toguarantee feedback or advice in our rejections. The Cat Agency Inc. (Agents) (Submissions) Open to illustrator & author-illustrator submissions. Hear what they have to say. Never miss a moment of Fuse Literarys deals and bonus content. Book Agent Kirsten Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997). 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. ), etc. Our hearts are very much in the right place. It can make me uneasy because it takes time and sometimes doesnt work. She will leave Bright this Friday. Join thousands of other subscribers today by enteringyour first name and email address. full terms and conditions and this month's choices. She wants to be surprisedtheres nothing like the feeling that youre reading something entirely new. What I know when co-agenting with Erica is that no matter what happens well always be good. We usually begin by keeping the artist and author separate from one another as publishers do. Kirsten Hall is President of Catbird, a boutique childrens literary and illustration agency. Childrens/YA C. Plum-Ucci DO NOT QUERY THIS AGENT AT THIS TIME: Cherry is not currently accepting unsolicited submissions. 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. Christie Megill: is eager to work with illustrators, author/illustrators, and picture book authors, offering long-term support in their careers and creative journeys. An agent delivers. It may not. 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 . It feels like youve made it. Look, I get it, man. I mean, maybe some of us are glamorous, but that aside, of the agents I know (myself included) this couldnt be further from the truth. Agents Seeking ClientsAuthor Erica Verillo has links for agents seeking clients and other excellent resources for writers, including kidlit writers on her blog Publishing and Other Forms of Insanity. Some of her favorite illustrators include Mike Boldt, Amber Ren, Vashti Harrison, and Eliza Wheeler. Memoir/Inspirational L. Subramani While we have different client lists, Ericas and my intentions for the books we represent are largely the same, as is our aesthetic. I want an agent to help me . You heard it here first! Im reading from an unconventional point of view. Nonfiction/Business D. Hamme Youll get free access tothe Directory of BookAgents with detailed profiles for allbookagents,including Kirsten HallLiterary Agent. What is one misconception about agents? 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. For middle grade and YA: She is actively seeking fresh young adult and middle grade fiction across all genres. Halls client list at Bright includes Benji Davis, Elly Mackay, Clive McFarland, and Connah Brecon. We dont take any pleasure in having to pass on your work or give you difficult news. She had been in my session and introduced herself at the end and mentioned that she was sending me her dummy. Notes/Tips:Our agency does not represent poetry or screenplays. I can tell you why I need an agent. She is drawn toward gorgeous writing and strong, flawed characters. I look for author-illustrators. Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), Jill Grinberg Literary Management (Agents) (Submissions), Ladderbird Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions). I also ask six well-respected agents to share their thoughts by answering three questions. Agents are people, too. . How to Get a Fiction Agent Keep walking. But I dont generally find myself doing much differently with regards to my clients when co-agenting other than have hard conversations on their behalf with my my co-agent up front. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. If you dont know how to write a query, please read the Writers Toolbox post How to write a query letter for a quick tutorial. Kirsten opened Catbirds wings in March 2014. Thank you for trying us, and all good luck! Follow agents on social media. Or familiar content has been made unrecognizable. . Its not 100 percent, I can tell you that. Sign up for our Children's Bookshelf newsletter! NOTE: Each year Fuse Literary, as an agency, is closed to new submissions and queries between December 1st to January 15th. Offer of Representation Theyre meeting. But were also different from one another; we shine in different ways. * A link to the Catbird Productionswebsite Postcards, social media, industry events, bespoke product platforms, blogs, galleries, magazines, and store visits are all tools in a rapidly growing toolbox. Nonfiction/Diversity S. Peer 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. 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. 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). I love my fellow kidlit agents, and I honestly believe we root for each other and celebrate each others successes. 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. Need manuscripts and art to stay on schedule? And the value of that growth far exceeds the fees. Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997). You heard it here first! Playing with each others client lists is a way to stay true to that, to not overcommit in order to see more potentially exciting matching possibilities. A coin is flipped on its head. For art directors, editors, and publishers,an agent is foremost a problem-solver. Need an author or illustrator? Before you submit: Read their guidelines. We have similar agenting styles, and even more importantly both value our relationship. Writing thats confident, vivid, addictive; work thats both ambitious and wise. Unfortunately, due to the overwhelming number of submissions received, personal responses are only very rarely possible. What is one misconception about agents?That were glamorous, haughty gatekeepers! Find out whos working in the field. He also co-owned Cooke International, an . 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. Manuscripts sent to them will be discarded unread. 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)! 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. Corvisiero Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Curtis Brown LTD (Agents)(Submissions). You submit all this via email. QueryTracker includes resources for all writing genres (not just picture books). When Im looking at a submission, I want something that makes me feel and makes me think, and most of all, makes me want to read it again. BookStop Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), Bradford Literary Agency(Agents & Submissions). Nonfiction/Diversity S. Peer Also send five pages from your manuscript. Your friends will congratulate you. In some cases yes and in some cases no. Kayla is also open to representing illustrators. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The project may work. She is . 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. Youre the playerone of many players on his or her team. We respond to most queries within twelve weeks. Get FREE Access Now to All Catbird ProductionsProfiles! All agents should share the ability to reasonably negotiate contracts. Its an honor to see a piece of a creators heart inside a proposals DNA. No, its not. 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. They will try to respond within a month. 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. . Stop right there. Work is more fun when youre doing it with people you like and respect. If working at an office location and you are not "logged in", simply close and relaunch your preferred browser. Sts ID Perm Fac. May 2010 - Feb 20143 years 10 months. Scroll below now to viewthe AAR statusand a complete profile for Kirsten HallFREE in ourBookAgents Directory. I dont know. 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. Do not submit a full-length manuscript or proposal unless requested. And I can already see that the books were making together are going to be magical. But agents help your creative growth in more ways than the obvious. Its the most comprehensive (and accurate) list of literary agencies in the world, with detailed profiles for more than 1,100 literary agents. Lets stop using that word rejection. Try for a moment to think of it as objective criticism. Illustrators: send 4-6 jpegs of samples, a live link to your website and a short letter of introduction. We only accept submissions via e-mail. Tell us what you like and we'll recommend books you'll love. 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. And then there are the projects that never seem to go anywhere at all. Youve identified fifteen to twenty agents. Here are their answers: What do you look for in a submission? Scroll below to see a sample. get work . She likens her agency, which specializes in picture books, to a creative playground. They're publicizing. (Thank you!). "Actor seeking representation" is a bore. We spend a good amount of time bouncing ideas off of each other and sharing good and bad news. Theyre easy. I work alone and basically love knocking on other agents doors and asking them to come out and play! Prentis Literary (Childrens Fiction) (Agents) (Submissions) In childrens fiction, they primarily accept early readers and chapter books, and perhaps the very rare, exceptional picture book. Read industry magazines and blogs. I choose to work with an agent because I value that relationship and I know its helped me to create my best work. We have to make sure that the risk and expectations are clear for all involved. If you dont hear from them after a month or so, gently check in. Any agent worth their weight is in a position of privilege given that we see a birds-eye view of the industry, have a fantastic understanding of the publishing houses (in particular what the editors and art directors are looking for), and a deep understanding of imprint listswhich may not be obvious from looking online or at backlist titles. Read comments by other authors who have queried the same agents you have. Childrens/YA L. Moe, What Is a Literary Agent? She has incredible vision and is very brave. SUBMISSIONS. Book Agent Submissions Right now, Brenda is not accepting picture book manuscript submissions, but she is looking for adult historical fiction. 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. Editors should be salivating by the time they get to the chapter outline. Working with Mark was completely worth it." But theyre not the only key to the door. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. Most of the time, Im working with my clients to develop their own dummies or texts to sell directly to a publisher or Ro and I are looking within the studio for an illustrator match to a pre-existing text. 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. Memoir/Christian S. LeRette I always advise illustrators who are just starting out to identify what they can and/or want to do, and outsource the rest. Danielle is actively seeking projects in a variety of categories. It frequents gardens and thickets. For nonfiction: she is looking for compelling, voice-driven projects that shed a humorous or thought-provoking light on a previously unknown topic in the areas of narrative nonfiction/memoir, lifestyle, relationships, humor, current events, food, wine, and cooking. And Im stirred by pitches that elicit feelings of sympathy or empathy. The black catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris) is found in coastal Yucatn. 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. 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. But I dont generally find myself doing much differently with regards to my clients when co-agenting other than have hard conversations on their behalf with my my co-agent up front.
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