Different authors and illustrators have different needs, which is why finding your perfect agent match is so important. Youre about to sign with an agent. Association of Authors Representatives, Inc. (AAR)AAR members must meet the highest standards and canon of ethics. 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. Read their interviews. Catbird Creative Agency Advertising Services Cleveland, Ohio 57 followers catbird seat (noun) an enviable position; having the upper hand or greater advantage Here youll find everything you need to submit work to Upstart Crow Literary. Kirsten works intimately with her clients to conceive and develop original story pitches. Some agents are boutiques. Your friends will congratulate you. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Theyre traveling. We are particularly interested in work about art, culture, the environment, music, and human rights. Memoir/Multicultural N. Aronheim Maybe. Look at what theyll do for you versus what youll have to do for yourself. Kirsten:Lets be real, Im always looking for an excuse to hop on the phone or grab lunch with Ericaso working together gives me the perfect excuse! Each provides exact submission information (an email address or an online submission portal). 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. Want more information about Kirsten Hall? Before you submit, read this: Please submit to SUBMISSIONS@CATAGENCYINC.COM & let us know who you are submitting to in the subject line! Book Agent Kirsten Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997). How Long to Get An Agent? Someone asked me once, Do you only hire artists who have agents?Not in the slightest. Literary Agencies for Picture Books (A-F) 3 Arts Entertainment (New . get work . In your query letter, stick to professional accomplishments that relate to writing and publishing. Agents are people, too. How is it different from the way you usually rep a book? Your work has been submitted! Kirsten Hall has struck out on her own after years of freelancing and started her own literary companyCatbird Productionssearching for debut talent. Is there a five-word sentence in the childrens book industry more capable of sparking a debate than Do I need an agent? Familiarize yourself with their accomplishments. The second-worst thing to do is to rest on your laurels. 2) Those that somehow present the world differently. NOTE: If you had a previous PW subscription, click here to reactivate your immediate access. And her first trade picture bookThe Jacketwas a 2014 New York Times Notable!) It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Please send work that shows character development, style, color and narrative story-telling. Learn More. Im reading from an unconventional point of view. Childrens/YA L. Moe, What Is a Literary Agent? * Search the directory by book genre/category (more than 100 categories). Thank you for submitting your work! When Stephanie first contacted me, she was very excited and said, I cant get your book proposal out of my head. Hall is Catbird Productions' sole proprietor. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. 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. She currently has around 45 clients with little room for more, as she thinks 50 clients is the ideal number. Co-agenting is Ericas and my way of trying to be as proactive as we can for our clients. 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. You can unsubscribe easily at any time we dont spam. Your agent cant be expected to do all the heavy lifting. If you dont get a good feeling from them in any correspondence, your gut is trying to tell you something. She is just as happy working with debut talents as she is best-sellers. Get updates about Kirsten Hall and recommended reads from Simon & Schuster. Today, she is the founder and owner of a boutique childrens book illustration and literary agency, Catbird Productions. This is both a positive and a negative: As a coach, they help your career. We only accept submissions via e-mail. 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) Fuse Literary never charges reading or submission fees, nor is there a retainer fee for our services. Lets submit your work to an agent. 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. Congratulations! Notes/Tips: Our agency does not represent poetry or screenplays. It isnt as automatic as you think. Is it consistent? Scroll below to see a sample. I dont think its extra contact our clients see as much as extra opportunity. (Should you want to learn more first, our Writer's Toolbox has a handful of useful links for writers wanting to improve their craft before seeking publication.). I see you have an email from an agent. New to PW? 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. Read industry magazines and blogs. Do not query multiple agents at Fuse simultaneously. * Access to all literary agent profiles in the Directory of Literary Agents(1,100+) Overall, Fuse agents may take 4-8 weeks to respond to queries and then additional time for submissions. 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)! By the end of this post, you may finally have the answer to: "Do I need an agent?" What is one misconception about agents?One misconception about agents is that we are interchangeable. She has negotiated many hundreds of childrens book deals between authors, illustrators, and all of the major American publishers. 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. They're Skyping. I look for author-illustrators. Thank you for submitting your work! Christy Ewers: is mostly closed to submissions for the time being. If I have requested your work, please email me at lara@andreabrownlit.com and please include the word "request" in your subject line (and please do NOT include the word "query'"). Fiction/Christian K. Sargent Lemonade Illustration Agency (Artist Submissions) UK agency for illustrators of childrens books & other media. Corvisiero Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Curtis Brown LTD (Agents)(Submissions). Regardless,I like to seek out three main strengths any time I review a portfolio: storytelling ability, consistency, and confidence. I dont know. and Illustrators. Im reminded of my father-in-law, who spends three hours fixing a leak instead of calling a plumber who could do it in one. Start with illustrators you admire. "Just got great reviews!" is better. Read comments by other authors who have queried the same agents you have. Today, she is the founder and owner of a boutique children's book illustration and literary agency, Catbird Productions. I can tell you why I need an agent. Thank you for submitting your work! Look, even Ive received critique letters. Several of them. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. How to Get a Nonfiction Agent 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. I dont think its extra contact our clients see as much as extra opportunity. 2023 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved. (Thank you!). Fiction/Mainstream K. Cox 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). Visit your local The Catbird Seat Inc at 271 Rt 46 W in Fairfield, NJ and contact us today for your home, auto business, and renters insurance today or call (973) 808-0110 No agency can guarantee that a particular project will sell, but we sign clients because we love their writing and want them to succeed. Our goal is always to sell their work and properly manage their rights, establishing long-term writing careers for our clients. Ideally, you handle the creative end, and your agent handles the business end. Thank you for signing up, fellow book lover! Erica:Publishers really enjoy being in control when it comes to matching a text to an illustrator (its an extremely fun (!) Rest assured, there are far,far fewer of these agents out there. However, there are differences in our tastes and our particular areas of proficiency, e.g., editorial, genre, licensing, promotion, etc. 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. Agents have their finger on the pulse and understand the rhythm of publishing. I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin Books, which published my book in hardcover! 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. 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. You still need to hustle. Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997). Even if you get the book deal on your own, a complicated contract is sure to follow, and hopefully an ongoing business relationship has only just begun. . Ask questions. Its not easy to do it yourself, but it is possible. Hall is Catbird Productions' sole proprietor. They understand the nuances of contractsforeign rights, royalty escalation clauses, merchandising (how much would you charge for ringtones? We will not open emailed attachments. All I can say is find the right agent for you, and you wont regret it. We only accept submissions via e-mail. Book Agent Submissions To be taken seriously, read the (damn) guidelines. Writing thats confident, vivid, addictive; work thats both ambitious and wise. The one who allows ego to influence their decisions. Submit to five. The Cherry Weiner Literary Agency officially started her agency in May of 1977. The subject heading in your email should be simple but enticing. Ive been in publishing for over a decade. Christie Megill: is eager to work with illustrators, author/illustrators, and picture book authors, offering long-term support in their careers and creative journeys. What is one misconception about agents?That were glamorous, haughty gatekeepers! But its good to be pushed outside our comfort zones once in a while. But if we are interested, we will request your full manuscript. Copyright 2023 D. B. Righi. 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). Book Agent Kirsten Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997). What if you cant deliver the work on time? For off-site access, click here. You can ask her a question here. Well navigate the waters together. Society of Erica:In some cases yes and in some cases no. 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). Erica:Work is more fun when youre doing it with people you like and respect. And I read it again and I cried again. No, its not. 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. If you want the most accurate information available for literary agents atCatbird Productionsregister above now for FREE instant access to the Directory of Literary Agents. Writers can search posts for agents compatible with their work. She is just as happy working with debut talents as she is best-sellers. 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. 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. I like to feel as if someone is sharing with me, not just shopping to me. Get free access to the Directory of Literary Agents with detailed agent listings to get a traditional publisher, Copyright 2011-23 The Bestselling Author, LLC. Like coaches,good agents get the best out of you. Maybe the hardest method, but people do talk . 38.4k Followers, 0 Following, 1,895 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Catbird Agency (@catbirdagencypix) And sometime between crying, I offered Jessixa representation. Right now, Brenda is not accepting picture book manuscript submissions, but she is looking for adult historical fiction. I work alone and basically love knocking on other agents doors and asking them to come out and play! News and updates to get a top literary agent, publisher, and book deal. Agent statistics, detailing how long each agent typically takes to respond to a query. When an artist joins Brightand here I can only speak about Brightan artists dreams and ambition must be aligned with those of the agency. * AAR membership status Fiction/Mystery B. Harper Join QueryTracker to access more query and agent information, including To read more comments about this agent, or to leave comments of your own, become a QueryTracker member. Its all right. . Lets take a journey together. Scroll below now to view the email and postal addressfor Kirsten HallFREE in our BookAgents Directory. Erica:Its all about matchmaking matching up talent to work together, matching up talent to editors and publishers. How do you work with your clients individually on something like this? Susan's submission email is: susanhawk.submission@gmail.com. Good agents know which parts of the contract are flexible (and which shouldnt be). We dont take any pleasure in having to pass on your work or give you difficult news. Due to the volume of submissions we receive, we are unable toguarantee feedback or advice in our rejections. Many of us are friends. She will leave Bright this Friday. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. Theyre easy. Andrea Brown Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions). . Were not afraid of this. If you still dont hear from them, move on. Order is not locked and is accepting submissions. Theyre reading. What I know when co-agenting with Erica is that no matter what happens well always be good. 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. Sign up for our Children's Bookshelf newsletter! We have similar agenting styles, and even more importantly both value our relationship. Not everythingbut most. Editors should be salivating by the time they get to the chapter outline. Working with Mark was completely worth it." She has incredible vision and is very brave. Provide URLs to your author website and social media that supports your efforts to brand yourself. In this way we made a really exciting match for a to-be-announced Jory John and K-Fai Steele project. Not necessarily. They help you skip that much-maligned slush pile. We have similar agenting styles, and even more importantly both value our relationship. Not accepting submissions for childrens works unless by an illustrator/artist. Unfortunately, misconceptions and assumptions related to the job description of an agent are rife in the illustration community. Listen to podcasts. 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. Hall is Catbird Productions sole proprietor. Youll also get access to our article and audio library with information to help you get a top agent, publisher, and book deal. 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. How to Get a Fiction Agent Its so truein the past month alone weve had some particularly exciting pairings between Stimola and Catbird! Agents are curators. It was after the 2013 SCBWI NY conference. Fuse Literary represents both fiction and nonfiction in a variety of categories and genres. Not really. 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. Unfortunately, due to the overwhelming number of submissions received, personal responses are only very rarely possible. Need an author or illustrator? Ive seen really exciting work come out of it. Subscribe to The Illustration Department Newsletter, Do I Need An Agent? Kirsten:Not necessarily. Theres that one who doesnt communicate. If an agent is interested in representing you, under no circumstances should you simply say, Great! Hall is the author of the picture books The Gold Leaf and The Jacket, which was a New York Times Notable Book in 2014. Danielle is actively seeking projects in a variety of categories. Corvisiero Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions) Curtis Brown LTD (Agents) (Submissions) David Higham Associates (Agents) (Submissions) A UK agency. QueryTracker Members can view the data gathered by all other members, organized into reports showing 2007-2023 QueryTracker. . Submit a QUERY and TWENTY PAGES of your manuscript to one of the agents listed below. How active are they in the industry? 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. If youre creating work that could be described as generous, nuanced, and at ease with complexity, shed love to read it. Were both former educators, are each moms of two boys, and we identify in a lot of ways with one another, are drawn to similar stories and talents. Shes one of my favorite people in the entire industry. Memoir/Christian S. LeRette Copyright 2011-23 The Bestselling Author, LLC. Get a Kids Book Agent Only considers picture books from established illustrators. Sometimes your work just isnt a fit for our skill set or interests. * Agent photos Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), Jill Grinberg Literary Management (Agents) (Submissions), Ladderbird Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions). Ive asked agents James Burns, Kirsten Hall, Jennifer Linnan, Alexandra Penfold, Linda Pratt,and Erica Rand Silverman three simple questions. It frequents gardens and thickets. The project may work. full terms and conditions and this month's choices. It was a natural progression for those conversations to lead to ways our clients could work together. Ive seen really exciting work come out of it. Were both trying hard to keep the number of people we represent manageable. Isabelle Arsenault 161161 5 Comments 5 Shares Like Comment Share Catbird Agency is with Seb Cosset and Brigette Barrager. A good agent is one who helps move a project forward. If you need contractual help, you can find an attorney who would only charge a one-time fee. Memoir/Multicultural N. Aronheim 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. I always advise illustrators who are just starting out to identify what they can and/or want to do, and outsource the rest. These cookies do not store any personal information. 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. But I didnt get the level of attention I was expecting. Bookmark Literary (Submissions) Open to illustrator submissions. Either way, I hope this post helps you move forward with your career. Visit their websites, where they explain who they are and what they want. 7, Manuscript Wish ListANDManuscript Wish List specifically for literary agents of picture booksAND#MSWL (the Twitter version of Manuscript Wish List) Agents and editors of all writing genres post what they want. We only get paid when the author gets paid after we sell an authors work. If you have questions, you can build your own network of colleagues who may have the answers. There is a lot of uncertainty that comes along with developing a co-agented pitch from just the seed of an idea. and strategic process), so its not something we do all the time. After about a year, and no work, I asked to break our agreement. It can make me uneasy because it takes time and sometimes doesnt work. Keep your correspondence professional. Memoir/Mainstream E. Armstrong Childrens/Pic Book M. Leshem-Pelly 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. And Im stirred by pitches that elicit feelings of sympathy or empathy. 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. Memoir/Inspirational L. Subramani RESPONSE TIMES We respond to most queries within twelve weeks. If you can, find a contract professional to read it. 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. It may not. 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 . But Im really thrilled to be co-agenting with Erica. 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. Signing with an agent is just one step on an endless staircase. Youre the playerone of many players on his or her team. 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. *Personal email addresses Any agents not listed above are CLOSED to submissions. Hall is the author of the picture books. Olswanger Literary LLC. Submission Guidelines: Hello! A word of warning: There is such a thing as a bad agent. Fiction/Mystery B. Harper They are the busiest bees in the hive. Before you submit: Read their guidelines. The coach-player analogy is much more accurate. Look, I get it, man. Author/Illustrators: email a brief synopsis of your manuscript, along with several accompanying illustrations or samples of your artwork. Co-agenting is Ericas and my way of trying to be as proactive as we can for our clients. You did the homework. 6. When I signed, it was very exciting. The one thing I look for across the board in a submission is a clean, professional-looking portfolio site! It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 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. Once you sign with an agent, you dont just sit back and wait for the jobs to roll in. And I can already see that the books were making together are going to be magical. Again, I digress.). 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. I want to work with an artist whose goal it is to write and illustrate their own books. 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. Here is the: AAR Agent Databaseand the list of AAR members who represent picture books. you guessed it: agents. Okay! "Berkley Books recently published my book in hardcover after Mark helped me get multiple agents interested in my work. They step in when needed. If they do get back to you, expect a rejection . 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. She is drawn toward gorgeous writing and strong, flawed characters. Susan's submission email is: susanhawk.submission@gmail.com. They operate on your behalf, ever focused on your career. An agent delivers. 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). By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Childrens/YA D. Bester 1) Those that reflect soulfulness and deep consideration. This is probably less often the case once a project reaches the publisher. 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. Pairing up directly with clients from other agencies is a great way to be proactive in making new projects happen. Publishing Agent Kirsten Hall is an agent with Catbird Productions. catbird seat. 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. Kirsten:Its true, I love to co-agent, and I do it regularly with agents at several different agencies. And it isnt cute if you dont follow the rules. But Im really thrilled to be co-agenting with Erica. * A map to the office ofCatbird Productions Do you need an agent? Don't miss our ebook deals starting at $0.99! Read their bios to determine which picture book literary agencies and agents might be the best fit. The Number of Queries Sent and Their Replies. Honest and open communication is key. Home Book Agencies USA Literary Agencies and Literary Agents Catbird Productions. But, when it feels right and exciting on our end, we hope that it will be received that way by the publishers. And I can already see that the books were making together are going to be magical. Its true, I love to co-agent, and I do it regularly with agents at several different agencies. For middle grade and YA: She is actively seeking fresh young adult and middle grade fiction across all genres. NOTE: Each year Fuse Literary, as an agency, is closed to new submissions and queries between December 1st to January 15th. In some cases the text and art may be developing simultaneously off of one another. I work alone and basically love knocking on other agents doors and asking them to come out and play! Bright Agency (Agents)(Submissions)A UK / USA agency. I read it and I cried.