Kayla's submission email is: kayla.submission@gmail.com. Unfortunately, misconceptions and assumptions related to the job description of an agent are rife in the illustration community. Look at the length of the agreement. Christie Megill: is eager to work with illustrators, author/illustrators, and picture book authors, offering long-term support in their careers and creative journeys. Ron is a literary agent and co-owner of CookeMcDermid. Its not easy to do it yourself, but it is possible. Follow agents on social media. Thank you for submitting your work! Memoir/Women L. Lehr Nonfiction/Self-Help A. Goddard 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. To bridge these twoindustries, she co-founded Room 228, a consulting company that creates educational marketing materials and literacy programming for children. Not everythingbut most. Before we see illustration samples or book pitches, we know that the agent has worked hard to make sure their clients best foot is forward. You heard it here first! It all depends on who you are, and what you want. She is the author of 100+ childrens 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 and developing debut childrens book author/illustrators. Each agent, even within the same agency, has their own ideas of what defines good writing and good illustration. If you dont get a good feeling from them in any correspondence, your gut is trying to tell you something. But were also different from one another; we shine in different ways. Childrens/Pic Book M. Leshem-Pelly QueryTracker includes resources for all writing genres (not just picture books). 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. Be professional in your communication with an agent. Is there a five-word sentence in the childrens book industry more capable of sparking a debate than Do I need an agent? 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)! We promise not to share your information with third parties, and we do not spam. Submit to Susan Hawk Any agents not listed above are CLOSED to submissions. Lets take a journey together. Its not 100 percent, I can tell you that. Sometimes your work just isnt a fit for our skill set or interests. . 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. Erica:Publishers really enjoy being in control when it comes to matching a text to an illustrator (its an extremely fun (!) It sounds less hurtful. 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. She is . Some agents are boutiques. More on her wish list, here. On the reverse, sometimes our authors are looking for new inspiration and an illustration can be a great way to get those wheels turning. Your parents, who arent quite sure what you do, certainly know what agents doand that will make them happy. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Otherwise, please consider submitting to one of my wonderful colleagues at ABLA. The Number of Queries Sent and Their Replies. Ive seen really exciting work come out of it. 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. 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. Let me give you examples from two of your colleagues: I signed with an agent thinking that they would get me work right away. They are the busiest bees in the hive. You should. I work alone and basically love knocking on other agents doors and asking them to come out and play! It may not. Theyre meeting. Hall is the author of the picture books. I like to feel as if someone is sharing with me, not just shopping to me. "Just got great reviews!" is better. We respond to most queries within twelve weeks. And then there are the projects that never seem to go anywhere at all. Erica:In some cases yes and in some cases no. Rest assured, there are far,far fewer of these agents out there. Your work has been submitted! Danielle is actively seeking projects in a variety of categories. She is not considering the following adult categories: romance, political thriller, science fiction, horror, or erotica. LiteraryAgents.com An online list of agents who represent all genres (not just picture books). Erica:We have to make sure that the risk and expectations are clear for all involved. In this way we made a really exciting match for a to-be-announced Jory John and K-Fai Steele project. Anna Olswanger has been a literary agent since 2005. Catbird Creative Agency Advertising Services Cleveland, Ohio 57 followers catbird seat (noun) an enviable position; having the upper hand or greater advantage "Actor seeking representation" is a bore. For middle grade and YA: She is actively seeking fresh young adult and middle grade fiction across all genres. Co-agenting, or doing that process together, makes it even more fun and is a great way to learn from one another. BookStop Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), Bradford Literary Agency(Agents & Submissions). I think of co-agenting as an opportunity to have double the client list with only half of the responsibility. Also send five pages from your manuscript. Once you sign with an agent, you dont just sit back and wait for the jobs to roll in. 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. Agents help a career in ways beyond even my understanding. Visit their websites, where they explain who they are and what they want. Not necessarily. We are Catbird Lit, an American journal of humorous writings and visual arts based in Austin, Texas. Lets tap into that knowledge. The project may work. You submit all this via email. 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. Were not afraid of this. 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. For art directors, editors, and publishers,an agent is foremost a problem-solver. Were not afraid of this. Agents arent just sitting by the phone, hoping to get your submission. But agents help your creative growth in more ways than the obvious. Memoir/Christian S. LeRette Memoir/Christian S. LeRette Maybe not. UK agency for illustrators of childrens books & other media. 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. Get FREE Access Now to All Catbird ProductionsProfiles! Use our literary agency database to learn more about these literary agencies representing picture book writers. Erica:Its also really fun when it happens on the end of the publishers too. By the end of this post, you may finally have the answer to: Do I need an agent?. An agent delivers. Memoir/Women L. Lehr Nonfiction/Business D. Hamme Follow each agents instructions, but remember that they may be different. Fiction/Mainstream K. Cox Kirsten Hall is President of Catbird, a boutique childrens literary and illustration agency. We do not accept or respond to phone, paper or social media queries. We'd love to see your work! 2. When looking for the first time at an artists portfolio, I like to see a cross section of their work. If tabling at a convention and pitching your work to passersby feels like your worst nightmare, bring your most outgoing friend. Practice professional patience and persistence. Literary Agencies for Picture Books (A-F) 3 Arts Entertainment (New . Is it consistent? They help you skip that much-maligned slush pile. 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). In some cases the text and art may be developing simultaneously off of one another. Read their interviews. Hall is Catbird Productions' sole proprietor. 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. 4. PW KidsCast: A Conversation with Dan Santat, click here to reactivate your immediate access. If you can, meet them at conferences. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Youre the playerone of many players on his or her team. For an author or illustrator, most of the benefits of having an agent are fairly obvious. full terms and conditions and this month's choices. If an agent is interested in representing you, under no circumstances should you simply say, Great! If you dont hear from them after a month or so, gently check in. All rights reserved. Corvisiero Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Curtis Brown LTD (Agents)(Submissions). DING! I also ask six well-respected agents to share their thoughts by answering three questions. A few books I loved reading in my free time . Kirsten opened Catbird's wings in March 2014. Ask around. And then submit your picture book query letter and manuscript. 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) As soon as you enter your name and email address to the right, youll be able to see complete profiles for every literary agent at Catbird Productions(and every other literary agency). Need manuscripts and art to stay on schedule? Shes one of my favorite people in the entire industry. As an art director, it made no difference whatsoever. 3. I love my fellow kidlit agents, and I honestly believe we root for each other and celebrate each others successes. (Thank you!). A coin is flipped on its head. Astound US Illustration Agency(Submissions scroll down to Artists submissions)Open to illustrator & author-illustrator submissions. Youll get free access tothe Directory of BookAgents with detailed profiles for allbookagents,including Kirsten HallLiterary Agent. Aliza R. Hoover: represents illustrators and author-illustrators. of Speculation by Jenny Offill, Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J.Ryan Stradal, and Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. Odds of Getting a Book Agent 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. I think of co-agenting as an opportunity to have double the client list with only half of the responsibility. How is it different from the way you usually rep a book? Get the facts. NOTE: Each year Fuse Literary, as an agency, is closed to new submissions and queries between December 1st to January 15th. Kirsten:Its true, I love to co-agent, and I do it regularly with agents at several different agencies. I want to work with an artist whose goal it is to write and illustrate their own books. Submit a QUERY and TWENTY PAGES of your manuscript to one of the agents listed below. Bright Agency (Agents)(Submissions)A UK / USA agency. Memoir/Multicultural N. Aronheim Read comments by other authors who have queried the same agents you have. The Chudney Agency (Submissions) Only looking for author/illustrators (one individual). Books invite joy. Its important to get a sense that a potential client will take that approach. Well navigate the waters together. Although of course it would be totally fine for them to communicate if it would benefit the development of the proposal! Im the person throwing up the grappling hook, not the one pouring down hot oil. How to Get a Nonfiction Agent Its important to identify who you think are good matches. You did the homework. Childrens/YA C. Plum-Ucci But the absolute wrong thing to do is blindly sign an agreement. Erica:Work is more fun when youre doing it with people you like and respect. The Chudney Agency (Submissions) Only looking for author/illustrators (one individual). Association of Authors Representatives, Inc. (AAR)AAR members must meet the highest standards and canon of ethics. 1) Those that reflect soulfulness and deep consideration. Theyre reading. Part of my job is to break down any remaining barriers, not to guard themto make introductions, to get more eyes on clients work. Lets submit your work to an agent. If we are interested in reviewing your dummy, we will request that you send it. 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. Subscribe to The Illustration Department Newsletter, Do I Need An Agent? Theyre negotiating. Order is not locked and is accepting submissions. Most literary agency directories (print and online) are outdated, incomplete, and riddled with mistakes. Bios, interests, and submission instructions can be found here. They step out when not needed. Levy Creative Management (Artist Submissions), Liza Royce Agency (Agents) (Submissions). Memoir/Family/Identity S. Foti * Preferred query letter methods (email, online form, postal mail) It isnt as automatic as you think. Publishers really enjoy being in control when it comes to matching a text to an illustrator (its an extremely fun (!) Join thousands of other subscribers today by enteringyour first name and email address. I want an agent to help me . Before you submit: Read their guidelines. It is my belief that it comes from the onboarding process. Theyre traveling. 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. Were a tight-knit community! We only accept submissions via e-mail. Fiction/Christian K. Sargent In this way we made a really exciting match for a to-be-announced Jory John and K-Fai Steele project. How I Went From Unemployed to Building a $30K/month Online Business in 12 Months! Its all right. If youre creating work that could be described as generous, nuanced, and at ease with complexity, shed love to read it. They will try to respond within a month. Olswanger Literary LLC. 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. NOTE: As an agency we are closed to new queries and submissions each December 1st to January 15th! A word of warning: There is such a thing as a bad agent. May 2010 - Feb 20143 years 10 months. and strategic process), so its not something we do all the time. Do not query multiple agents at Fuse simultaneously. He also co-owned Cooke International, an . If you rely on those directories to find literary agents at Catbird Productions, youre going to hurt your chances of getting an agent to represent you. For adult fiction, Danielle is seeking upmarket commercial fiction and literary fiction. Kirsten:Its so truein the past month alone weve had some particularly exciting pairings between Stimola and Catbird! 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. Then I look for a voice, either in the words of an author or the art of an illustrator. My approach with each client is different based on what they particularly need. They say theyre not good at that stuff. You still need to be good at that stuffor at least have an informed understanding of it. Kirsten Hallis a former preschool and elementary school teacher who has authored more than a hundred learn-to-read stories for emergent readers. Do your clients have more contact with one another than they would if this were set up by a publisher? 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 . She will leave Bright this Friday. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. How active are they in the industry? Here is the: AAR Agent Databaseand the list of AAR members who represent picture books. And I can already see that the books were making together are going to be magical. Work is more fun when youre doing it with people you like and respect. But its good to be pushed outside our comfort zones once in a while. Its brilliant I mean, really, its fantastic. 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. A good agent is one who helps move a project forward. Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), Jill Grinberg Literary Management (Agents) (Submissions), Ladderbird Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions). Antony Harwood Ltd (Agents) (Submissions) A UK literary agency. Others are big box stores. Sometimes those opportunities come in fast and sometimes they dont. Do not send attachments with your query. Good agents know which parts of the contract are flexible (and which shouldnt be). Nonfiction/Business D. Hamme They operate on your behalf, ever focused on your career. Susan's submission email is: susanhawk.submission@gmail.com. Agents have their finger on the pulse and understand the rhythm of publishing. Lets stop using that word rejection. Try for a moment to think of it as objective criticism. HOLD IT! We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Ive learned how important it is to review our individual clients wants and needs. Its so truein the past month alone weve had some particularly exciting pairings between Stimola and Catbird! No agency can guarantee that a particular project will sell, but we sign clients because we love their writing and want them to succeed. 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? Were not trying to make your road to publication harder. Finding a literary agent for children's books is easy using our literary agency database. Most things are negotiable. 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. Look, I get it, man. The agent then dedicates energy and resources to get that first commission. Memoir/Mainstream E. Armstrong Overall, Fuse agents may take 4-8 weeks to respond to queries and then additional time for submissions. Logo designed by Kody Chamberlain Website designed by Ian Bauer. Were both trying hard to keep the number of people we represent manageable. 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. Boutique kidlit author/illustrator agency & producer of books for all ages Catbird Agency | New York NY We spend a good amount of time bouncing ideas off of each other and sharing good and bad news. While we have different client lists, Ericas and my intentions for the books we represent are largely the same, as is our aesthetic. All that being said, my bottom-line, if-youre-on-the-fence answer is much more straightforward: CONTRACTS. Thats exactly right. Due to the volume of submissions we receive, we are unable toguarantee feedback or advice in our rejections. 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. She has incredible vision and is very brave. Look, even Ive received critique letters. Several of them. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Listen to podcasts. It may not. Before working in publishing, Erica was a teacher and dean. When I signed, it was very exciting. Okay! We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. Tools to help you stay organized and error free. In your query letter, stick to professional accomplishments that relate to writing and publishing. Here is the: Advice from writing professional Jane Friedman. Before you submit, read this: Please submit to SUBMISSIONS@CATAGENCYINC.COM & let us know who you are submitting to in the subject line! Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997). They want to represent you?! I look for author-illustrators. After You Get A Book Agent. When I offer representation, ideally Id like to be in it for the long haulwhich means I want to really know who Im signing up to work with: Do they have other work thats equally enticing? Who reps them? In some cases yes and in some cases no. 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. Enter your information in the form to the right for FREE INSTANT ACCESS to the Directory of Literary Agents. They lead the cheer for you. I dont know. News and updates to get a top literary agent, publisher, and book deal. Author/illustrators: NBPlease include a link to your online portfolio and/or to your downloadable dummy. 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. She is not seeking sci-fi, horror, or high fantasy. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. * AAR membership status 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? Fuse Literary represents both fiction and nonfiction in a variety of categories and genres. Dont send your work to all of them at once. Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator) need an agent?Agents wear many important hats. 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. Shes one of my favorite people in the entire industry. There is a lot of uncertainty that comes along with developing a co-agented pitch from just the seed of an idea. Please send her: childrens illustration portfolios, picture book dummies, picture book manuscripts, childrens graphic novel pitches, and the select chapter book project. 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. She is drawn toward gorgeous writing and strong, flawed characters. You should know, agents are not going to comment right away (if at all). Kirsten HallLiterary Agent This articleabout Literary Agent Kirsten Halland Catbird Productionsis part of a series about literary agents and how toFind a PublishingAgent. 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. *Personal email addresses Lemonade Illustration Agency (Artist Submissions) UK agency for illustrators of childrens books & other media. That one was just meant to be it seems! You didnt receive a rejection letter. You received a critique letter. It sounds so much better, doesnt it? 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. How to Find a Book Agent Andrea Brown Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions). Fairbank Literary Representation (About) (Submissions)Not accepting submissions for childrens works unless by an illustrator/artist. Layered, flawed, completely human characters. Kirsten Hall, Catbird Agency Picture books pretty much have me wrapped around their finger. Either way, look for agents who show an appreciation for your visual aesthetic. Although of course it would be totally fine for them to communicate if it would benefit the development of the proposal! While we have different client lists, Ericas and my intentions for the books we represent are largely the same, as is our aesthetic. There may come a time where it makes sense for the artist and author to collaborate more directly. Childrens/YA L. Moe. Home Book Agents Literary Agent Kirsten Hall Catbird Productions. I still remember the first time I read Jessixa Bagleys dummy submission. Tips for writing and sending query letters. Manuscripts sent to them will be discarded unread. If you need contractual help, you can find an attorney who would only charge a one-time fee. I was able to speak with literary agents from top agencies such as Janklow & Nesbit, Trident Media, Anderson Lit, and Folio. Theres that one who doesnt communicate. QueryTracker Members can view the data gathered by all other members, organized into reports showing 2007-2023 QueryTracker. On the very same day, Colette's Lost Pet has been signed for its 5th co-edition & Cloth Lullaby has been signed for its 10th! One size does not fit all. Remember, you are a business person seeking a business partner. For off-site access, click here. Her client list at Bright includes Elly Mackay, Benji Davis, Clive McFarland, and Connah Brecon. 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. Read industry magazines and blogs. Kirsten:Thats exactly right. Kirsten HallLiterary Agent represents the followingbook genres: Scroll below now to view representative titlesand a complete profile for Kirsten HallFREE in ourBookAgents Directory. Click here to retrieve reset your password. Get updates about Kirsten Hall and recommended reads from Simon & Schuster. Were different in that Kirsten does a lot more co-agenting than I do. It frequents gardens and thickets. A major plus of not having an agent is the money saved. 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.
Brandon Thompson Obituaries, Articles C
Brandon Thompson Obituaries, Articles C