Regardless,I like to seek out three main strengths any time I review a portfolio: storytelling ability, consistency, and confidence. Olswanger Literary LLC. Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), Jill Grinberg Literary Management (Agents) (Submissions), Ladderbird Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions). Sure you can. But its good to be pushed outside our comfort zones once in a while. Otherwise, please consider submitting to one of my wonderful colleagues at ABLA. Memoir/Mainstream E. Armstrong The one thing I look for across the board in a submission is a clean, professional-looking portfolio site! When looking for the first time at an artists portfolio, I like to see a cross section of their work. If you dont get a good feeling from them in any correspondence, your gut is trying to tell you something. They're publicizing. To bridge these twoindustries, she co-founded Room 228, a consulting company that creates educational marketing materials and literacy programming for children. 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. Nonfiction/Diversity S. Peer Honest and open communication is key. The agent then dedicates energy and resources to get that first commission. The subject heading in your email should be simple but enticing. 2. Childrens/YA C. Plum-Ucci Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Co-agenting, or doing that process together, makes it even more fun and is a great way to learn from one another. Susan's submission email is: susanhawk.submission@gmail.com. Memoir/Family/Identity S. Foti She 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 based in London and specializes in nurturing . Kirsten is also an author. Please put your query and sample in the body of the email. Send her your high-concept and hooky; your award-winners; the books that will become backlist gold. Catbird Productions was founded in 2006 by Katarina Soukup. Agent statistics, detailing how long each agent typically takes to respond to a query. 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. An agent delivers. For off-site access, click here. It may not. She has negotiated many hundreds of childrens book deals between authors, illustrators, and all of the major American publishers. All rights reserved. Author/illustrators: NBPlease include a link to your online portfolio and/or to your downloadable dummy. Can you terminate the contract if things go south? It sounds less hurtful. Logo designed by Kody Chamberlain Website designed by Ian Bauer. You heard it here first! Practice professional patience and persistence. Your work has been submitted! Kirsten:Because co-agenting can be even more unpredictable than regular agenting, and because two agents naturally need to look at whats best for two clients with different histories and hopes, the co-agenting process requires double the consideration and diplomacy. But were also different from one another; we shine in different ways. Ask around. Memoir/Multicultural N. Aronheim Many writers fear writing queries, but it shouldnt frighten you off! Aliza R. Hoover: represents illustrators and author-illustrators. Visit their websites, where they explain who they are and what they want. Someone asked me once, Do you only hire artists who have agents?Not in the slightest. Either way, look for agents who show an appreciation for your visual aesthetic. The Cherry Weiner Literary Agency officially started her agency in May of 1977. A few books I loved reading in my free time . No, its not. 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. 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. But its good to be pushed outside our comfort zones once in a while. and strategic process), so its not something we do all the time. And her first trade picture bookThe Jacketwas a 2014 New York Times Notable!) Either way, I hope this post helps you move forward with your career. She is looking for visual storytellers with distinctive, unique portfolios that will stand out in a crowded market. 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. Provide URLs to your author website and social media that supports your efforts to brand yourself. I hear the comparison that the agent-client relationship is like a marriage. Congratulations x 2 to Isabelle Arsenault! Halls client list at Bright includes Benji Davis, Elly Mackay, Clive McFarland, and Connah Brecon. Please send work that shows character development, style, color and narrative story-telling. It feels good to say, I have an agent. Its legitimizing. You have to be a detective. There are a ton of resources out there that can help you DIY here, too, but its often the omissions in a contract that people dont see. "Berkley Books recently published my book in hardcover after Mark helped me get multiple agents interested in my work. We share with one another,we lean on each other. The Chudney Agency (Submissions) Only looking for author/illustrators (one individual). How do you work with your clients individually on something like this? It was a natural progression for those conversations to lead to ways our clients could work together. Its important to identify who you think are good matches. She has incredible vision and is very brave. 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. Each agent, even within the same agency, has their own ideas of what defines good writing and good illustration. Nonfiction/Self-Help A. Goddard And Im stirred by pitches that elicit feelings of sympathy or empathy. We revel in rebel voices; cast forward outcasts; and structure the lawless, braless populace into humorous narratives and . Signing with an agent is just one step on an endless staircase. DING! Search tools to help you find the right agent for your book. Part of my job is to break down any remaining barriers, not to guard themto make introductions, to get more eyes on clients work. Do you need an agent? You dont have their undivided attention. Get a Kids Book Agent And it isnt cute if you dont follow the rules. Nonfiction/Environment J. Biemer She doesnt represent adult projects. 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. It was after the 2013 SCBWI NY conference. Lets tap into that knowledge. I think of co-agenting as an opportunity to have double the client list with only half of the responsibility. Agents arent just sitting by the phone, hoping to get your submission. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Kirsten:Its true, I love to co-agent, and I do it regularly with agents at several different agencies. 1) Those that reflect soulfulness and deep consideration. Writing thats confident, vivid, addictive; work thats both ambitious and wise. I work alone and basically love knocking on other agents doors and asking them to come out and play! Theyre not your servants. And then there are the projects that never seem to go anywhere at all. Hall is the author of the picture books The Gold Leaf and The Jacket, which was a New York Times Notable Book in 2014. 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? While we have different client lists, Ericas and my intentions for the books we represent are largely the same, as is our aesthetic. Darius Foroux. 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. I also ask six well-respected agents to share their thoughts by answering three questions. Not accepting submissions for childrens works unless by an illustrator/artist. They're signing. Bookmark Literary (Submissions) Open to illustrator submissions. 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. 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. David Higham Associates (Agents)(Submissions)A UK agency. Anna Olswanger has been a literary agent since 2005. Nonfiction/Diversity S. Peer Want more information about Kirsten Hall? Agencies are still in there, but the box is getting more crowded all the time. Do your clients have more contact with one another than they would if this were set up by a publisher? Who reps them? Due to the volume of submissions we receive, we are unable toguarantee feedback or advice in our rejections. Memoir/Women L. Lehr Nonfiction/Environment J. Biemer Kirsten works intimately with her clients to conceive and develop original story pitches. I appreciate having a trusted ear, an ally, and an advocate for my work and career. . Ask questions. It feels like youve made it. 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. If they do get back to you, expect a rejection . This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. How did you come to collaborate on books together? All I can say is find the right agent for you, and you wont regret it. QueryTracker Members can view the data gathered by all other members, organized into reports showing 2007-2023 QueryTracker. 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. She prefers books that explore deep emotional relationships in an interesting or unusual way. Hall can be contacted at Kirsten@catbirdagency.com. Its not 100 percent, I can tell you that. 8. News and updates to get a top literary agent, publisher, and book deal. Your friends will congratulate you. (Thank you!). Fiction/Mainstream K. Cox How is it different from the way you usually rep a book? She is just as happy working with debut talents as she is best-sellers. If we are interested in reviewing your dummy, we will request that you send it. 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. 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. 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. Agents have their finger on the pulse and understand the rhythm of publishing. Please submit to SUBMISSIONS@CATAGENCYINC.COM & let us know who you are submitting to in the subject line! News and updates to get a top literary agent, publisher, and book deal. Each agent lists what they want on their bio page. 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. Erica:Its all about matchmaking matching up talent to work together, matching up talent to editors and publishers. Erica:In some cases yes and in some cases no. Theyre defending. Wait for a response. Subscribe to The Illustration Department Newsletter, Do I Need An Agent? 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. Danielle is actively seeking projects in a variety of categories. Or familiar content has been made unrecognizable. However, if you would like to get your work in front of her for now or the future, please submit - she reviews ALL submissions! To set up immediate access, click here. 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. It frequents gardens and thickets. 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. 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. We will not open emailed attachments. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I also ask six well-respected agents to share their thoughts by answering three questions. Kayla is also open to representing illustrators. We have similar agenting styles, and even more importantly both value our relationship. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. "Mark helped me get five different offers for representation from top literary agents. Literary Agent Kirsten Hall Catbird Productions, Author Success Story: Nonfiction/Narrative Nonfiction, [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]. 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. If you still dont hear from them, move on. Ive been in publishing for over a decade. The Number of Queries Sent and Their Replies. And then submit your picture book query letter and manuscript. Book Agent Submissions She likens her agency, which specializes in picture books, to a creative playground. And so on. Although of course it would be totally fine for them to communicate if it would benefit the development of the proposal! Lemonade Illustration Agency (Artist Submissions) UK agency for illustrators of childrens books & other media. Andrea Brown Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions). 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. You should know, agents are not going to comment right away (if at all). Azantian Literary Agency (Agents)(Submissions), Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises (Submissions), Bookends Jr.: A Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), The Book Group (Agents click Our Staff tab for a drop-down list) (Submissions). 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. She has incredible vision and is very brave. Nonfiction/Business D. Hamme Christy Ewers: is mostly closed to submissions for the time being. Please send her: childrens illustration portfolios, picture book dummies, picture book manuscripts, childrens graphic novel pitches, and the select chapter book project. Co-agenting, or doing that process together, makes it even more fun and is a great way to learn from one another. Thank you for submitting your work! Publishing Agent Kirsten Hall is an agent with Catbird Productions. We usually begin by keeping the artist and author separate from one another as publishers do. Kirsten HallLiterary Agent represents the followingbook genres: Scroll below now to view representative titlesand a complete profile for Kirsten HallFREE in ourBookAgents Directory. PW KidsCast: A Conversation with Dan Santat, click here to reactivate your immediate access. Only looking for author/illustrators (one individual). Kirsten Hallis a former preschool and elementary school teacher who has authored more than a hundred learn-to-read stories for emergent readers. Copyright 2023 D. B. Righi. Get the facts. As soon as you register youll get instant access to the following: * Agent bios for all agents atCatbird Productions Experience. They lead the cheer for you. Fuse Literary represents both fiction and nonfiction in a variety of categories and genres. While her taste is broad, shes especially excited to find fresh stories and artwork from voices that have previously been underrepresented. Open to illustrator & author-illustrator submissions. They told me they were going to focus on getting me into the industry I love: childrens books. She is drawn to work that showcases expressive characters, timeless palettes, and atmospheric scenes. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. UK agency for illustrators of childrens books & other media. While we have different client lists, Ericas and my intentions for the books we represent are largely the same, as is our aesthetic. Read their interviews. But, as an individual player, you arent the only one they need to help. 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. NOTE: Each year Fuse Literary, as an agency, is closed to new submissions and queries between December 1st to January 15th. Memoir/Inspirational L. Subramani Not everythingbut most. Dont send your work to all of them at once. Keep your correspondence professional. I sent them some dummies, some promotional pieces. ), etc. For adult fiction, Danielle is seeking upmarket commercial fiction and literary fiction. of Speculation by Jenny Offill, Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J.Ryan Stradal, and Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. Authors pen manuscripts, artists are creators, agents have insight and continued relationships, editors and art directors have the vision. Scroll below now to learn more about Literary Agent Kirsten Hall andget free instant access to our BookAgents Directory. The Chudney Agency (Submissions) Only looking for author/illustrators (one individual). These cookies do not store any personal information. Before you submit, read this: Please submit to SUBMISSIONS@CATAGENCYINC.COM & let us know who you are submitting to in the subject line! They step out when not needed. They understand the nuances of contractsforeign rights, royalty escalation clauses, merchandising (how much would you charge for ringtones? Kayla welcomes dark humor, suspense, magical realism, awkwardly adorable romance, and everything in-between. Some agents are boutiques. Is there a five-word sentence in the childrens book industry more capable of sparking a debate than Do I need an agent? The cycle of creating successful titles is like putting on a playeveryone must work to the best of their abilities. 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. Listen to podcasts. full terms and conditions and this month's choices. We usually begin by keeping the artist and author separate from one another as publishers do. And I can already see that the books were making together are going to be magical. I mean, youre not their only client. [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews], Fiction/General J. Jago And I read it again and I cried again. Narrative Nonfiction D. Cohen Fiction/Christian K. Sargent And thats just on Monday. 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. 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. Editors should be salivating by the time they get to the chapter outline. Working with Mark was completely worth it." Congratulations! Nonfiction/Business D. Hamme The greatest advantage (good) agents provide is knowledge. you guessed it: agents. 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. Scroll below now to viewthe AAR statusand a complete profile for Kirsten HallFREE in ourBookAgents Directory. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. (Maybe: Is publishing dead or not? Its not dead, but I digress.). 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. I went back to the drawing board., I signed with an agent, thinking that they would get me consistent work. Theyre the coach. . Levy Creative Management (Artist Submissions), Liza Royce Agency (Agents) (Submissions). For an author or illustrator, most of the benefits of having an agent are fairly obvious. Literary agent Kirsten Hall is launching a new company, Catbird Productions, which will package books for publishers, as well as operate as a boutique literary agency for children's book. 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) 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. Antony Harwood Ltd (Agents) (Submissions) A UK literary agency. Look at the length of the agreement. Also send five pages from your manuscript. One size does not fit all. Memoir/Family/Identity S. Foti When looking for an agent, its important to do your homework. . Stop right there. A graduate of Simon Fraser University's Master of Publishing program and a twenty-five year veteran of Canadian publishing, Ron worked with Penguin Canada, Westwood Creative Artists, and Random House of Canada before joining CookeMcDermid in 2009. Finding a literary agent for children's books is easy using our literary agency database. Memoir/Inspirational L. Subramani You heard it here first! 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. 4. Childrens/YA C. Plum-Ucci Work is more fun when youre doing it with people you like and respect. They are the busiest bees in the hive. *Personal email addresses Sometimes your work just isnt a fit for our skill set or interests. * Mailing addresses
Street Light Utility Pole Surveillance Camera,
Is It Illegal To Kill A Bobcat In Texas,
Private French Chateau For Wedding Hire,
Articles C