Writers can search posts for agents compatible with their work. In a way, you still need to be your own agent. Memoir/Family/Identity S. Foti The snob. 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. Copyright 2011-23 The Bestselling Author, LLC. Hall is the author of the picture books. I dont think its extra contact our clients see as much as extra opportunity. All that being said, my bottom-line, if-youre-on-the-fence answer is much more straightforward: CONTRACTS. Kirsten works intimately with her clients to conceive and develop original story pitches. 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. The answer might be a little different for our editorial colleagues with writers. How did you come to collaborate on books together? Kirsten:Thats exactly right. Humor is important, even in a narrative thats dark or sad or edgy. She doesnt represent adult projects. But the truth is everyone in publishing faces rejection at some point. I work alone and basically love knocking on other agents doors and asking them to come out and play! Its important to get a sense that a potential client will take that approach. Theyre meeting. Memoir/Women L. Lehr You still need to work hard, improve your craft, increase your self-awareness. She is just as happy working with debut talents as she is best-sellers. This is probably less often the case once a project reaches the publisher. Kirsten works intimately with her clients to conceive and develop original story pitches. More on her wish list, here. Overall, Fuse agents may take 4-8 weeks to respond to queries and then additional time for submissions. Please put your query and sample in the body of the email. While youre working creatively, your agent is out there sharing your work and lining up the next best project. 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. full terms and conditions and this month's choices. Corvisiero Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions) Curtis Brown LTD (Agents) (Submissions) David Higham Associates (Agents) (Submissions) A UK agency. Agencies & Agents - Picture Book Planet Catbird Agency Website: catbirdagency.com/ Twitter: HallWaysKirsten AAR/AALA Member: No Accepts Queries Via. Then I look for a voice, either in the words of an author or the art of an illustrator. A major plus of not having an agent is the money saved. (Her rst bookBunny, Bunnywas published when she was in 7th grade. Be professional in your communication with an agent. * Mailing addresses UK agency for illustrators of childrens books & other media. How Much Do Authors Make? Order is not locked and is accepting submissions. Many writers fear writing queries, but it shouldnt frighten you off! Look, even Ive received critique letters. Several of them. AAR members must meet the highest standards and canon of ethics. 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. 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. You still need to hustle. Due to the volume of submissions we receive, we are unable toguarantee feedback or advice in our rejections. Visit our Team Fuse page and click an agent to read their profile. Agents are people, too. Pairing up directly with clients from other agencies is a great way to be proactive in making new projects happen. Theyre the coach. This is probably less often the case once a project reaches the publisher. Responsible for . When looking for an agent, its important to do your homework. When our illustrators arent working up a project of their own, were pitching them to get matched up by publishers. Agents arent just sitting by the phone, hoping to get your submission. Literary Agents & Publications Open To Submissions - Medium Were not afraid of this. Were both trying hard to keep the number of people we represent manageable. To bridge these twoindustries, she co-founded Room 228, a consulting company that creates educational marketing materials and literacy programming for children. I also ask six well-respected agents to share their thoughts by answering three questions. Agents are curators. 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. If your submission is received by our system, an automated response will be emailed to you. 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 . Kirsten Hall | Writing for Kids (While Raising Them) 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. Ask questions. 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. Erica:We have to make sure that the risk and expectations are clear for all involved. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. You have to be a detective. Susan's submission email is: susanhawk.submission@gmail.com. Learn More. They operate on your behalf, ever focused on your career. Childrens/YA C. Plum-Ucci 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. Now, let me tell you why you dont need one. I appreciate having a trusted ear, an ally, and an advocate for my work and career. Do not submit a full-length manuscript or proposal unless requested. (Thank you!). Erica:Publishers really enjoy being in control when it comes to matching a text to an illustrator (its an extremely fun (!) Catbird Productions - USA Literary Agencies and Literary Agents My approach with each client is different based on what they particularly need. 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. What is one misconception about agents?One misconception about agents is that we are interchangeable. Co-agenting is Ericas and my way of trying to be as proactive as we can for our clients. Hall is Catbird Productions' sole proprietor. Honest and open communication is key. If tabling at a convention and pitching your work to passersby feels like your worst nightmare, bring your most outgoing friend. 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! Congratulations x 2 to Isabelle Arsenault! Literary Agent Kirsten Hall Catbird Productions, Author Success Story: Nonfiction/Narrative Nonfiction, [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]. Well navigate the waters together. Get FREE Access Now to All Catbird ProductionsProfiles! She is looking for visual storytellers with distinctive, unique portfolios that will stand out in a crowded market. Society of When an agent is pitching or submitting the work, it is my belief that the success rate is so much higher. Either way, I hope this post helps you move forward with your career. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Flannery Literary (Agent) (Submissions), Foundry Literary + Media (Agents & Submissions), Full Circle Literary (Agents) (Submissions), Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Golden Wheat Literary (Agents)(Submissions), Greenhouse Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Howard Morhaim Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions). Kirsten opened Catbirds wings in March 2014. An agent delivers. I always advise illustrators who are just starting out to identify what they can and/or want to do, and outsource the rest. Theyre traveling. Submit a QUERY and TWENTY PAGES of your manuscript to one of the agents listed below. Memoir/Christian S. LeRette Fiction/Christian K. Sargent I signed with Don Fehr at Trident Media and a short time later I had a publishing contract! 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. DING! Thank you. Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency (Agents & Submissions)NOTE: This is aUKagency. Others are big box stores. And I read it again and I cried again. The one who allows ego to influence their decisions. NOTE: If you had a previous PW subscription, click here to reactivate your immediate access. Ron is a literary agent and co-owner of CookeMcDermid. Hall is the author of the picture books The Gold Leaf and The Jacket, which was a New York Times Notable Book in 2014. 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. I dont think its extra contact our clients see as much as extra opportunity. But, when it feels right and exciting on our end, we hope that it will be received that way by the publishers. Honest and open communication is key. 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. 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. Kirsten opened Catbird's wings in March 2014. Erica:Were different in that Kirsten does a lot more co-agenting than I do. Provide URLs to your author website and social media that supports your efforts to brand yourself. What do you look for in a submission?What I look for in a submission is first a professional introductory letter. How do you work with your clients individually on something like this? 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. 1) Those that reflect soulfulness and deep consideration. But Im really thrilled to be co-agenting with Erica. I think authors and illustrators sometimes forget that agents, too, face disappointment. Your friends will congratulate you. Here is a little secret: most of the childrens agents I know are incredibly warm, and kind and fun. Childrens/YA D. Bester This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Its not easy to do it yourself, but it is possible. If youre creating work that could be described as generous, nuanced, and at ease with complexity, shed love to read it. . 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). Catbird Agency (@catbirdagencypix) is on Instagram Nonfiction/Self-Help A. Goddard 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. While we have different client lists, Ericas and my intentions for the books we represent are largely the same, as is our aesthetic. Submissions LK Literary Agency Find The Agents With The Fastest Response Times. Who reps them? However, if you would like to get your work in front of her for now or the future, please submit - she reviews ALL submissions! And then submit your picture book query letter and manuscript. She wants to be surprisedtheres nothing like the feeling that youre reading something entirely new. 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. What if you cant deliver the work on time? But agents help your creative growth in more ways than the obvious. I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin Books, which published my book in hardcover! Fuse Literary never charges reading or submission fees, nor is there a retainer fee for our services. A few books I loved reading in my free time . Show an agent you are serious about writing as a career. She is not considering the following adult categories: romance, political thriller, science fiction, horror, or erotica. But were also different from one another; we shine in different ways. Today, she is the founder and owner of a boutique children's book illustration and literary agency, Catbird Productions. How to Get a Fiction Agent Memoir/Inspirational L. Subramani I work alone and basically love knocking on other agents doors and asking them to come out and play! Work is more fun when youre doing it with people you like and respect. Christy Ewers: is mostly closed to submissions for the time being. Plus, get a FREE ebook when you sign up! Only considers picture books from established illustrators. It frequents gardens and thickets. * A link to the Catbird Productionswebsite Her client list at Bright includes Elly Mackay, Benji Davis, Clive McFarland, and Connah Brecon. This is both a positive and a negative: As a coach, they help your career. and strategic process), so its not something we do all the time. Agent statistics, detailing how long each agent typically takes to respond to a query. Well try to get back to you as quickly as possible. . Were both trying hard to keep the number of people we represent manageable. If we are interested in reviewing your dummy, we will request that you send it. 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. 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. Look, I get it, man. 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. Theyre reading. 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. Before working in publishing, Erica was a teacher and dean. We promise not to share your information with third parties, and we do not spam. Signing with an agent is just one step on an endless staircase. Start with illustrators you admire. Youll get free access tothe Directory of BookAgents with detailed profiles for allbookagents,including Kirsten HallLiterary Agent. 3. Let me give you examples from two of your colleagues: I signed with an agent thinking that they would get me work right away. 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. Kirsten Hallis a former preschool and elementary school teacher who has authored more than a hundred learn-to-read stories for emergent readers. They open doors to opportunities. 2 talking about this. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Erica:Its all about matchmaking matching up talent to work together, matching up talent to editors and publishers. It is my belief that it comes from the onboarding process. 5. Your parents, who arent quite sure what you do, certainly know what agents doand that will make them happy. Thank you for submitting your work! When Should You Get An Agent? Danielle is actively seeking projects in a variety of categories. They're Skyping. Catbird Creative Agency | LinkedIn Catbird Productions was founded in 2006 by Katarina Soukup. But theyre not the only key to the door. Not accepting submissions for childrens works unless by an illustrator/artist. "Actor seeking representation" is a bore. How Long to Get An Agent? Feel free to share your thoughts and questions in the comments section below. Here is the: Advice from writing professional Jane Friedman. Theyre negotiating. We are particularly interested in work about art, culture, the environment, music, and human rights. The agent then dedicates energy and resources to get that first commission. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. About | Catbird Productions There may come a time where it makes sense for the artist and author to collaborate more directly. (Though slush piles get an undeservedly bad reputation. 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. In each case, they pointed out issues in my work that I knew were there but refused to recognize. By the end of this post, you may finally have the answer to: "Do I need an agent?" Before you submit, read this: Please submit to SUBMISSIONS@CATAGENCYINC.COM & let us know who you are submitting to in the subject line! Kirsten Hall is President of Catbird, a boutique childrens literary and illustration agency. Check out her Literaticastpodcast. Rest assured, there are far,far fewer of these agents out there. After You Get A Book Agent. She is . Nonfiction/Self-Help A. Goddard In this way we made a really exciting match for a to-be-announced Jory John and K-Fai Steele project. But they are out there. If you dont hear from them after a month or so, gently check in. Do not submit a full-length manuscript or proposal unless requested. How to Get a Nonfiction Agent Im the person throwing up the grappling hook, not the one pouring down hot oil. Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997). Book Agent Kirsten Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997). 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. I look for author-illustrators. The Catbird Seat Inc - Travelers Do not send attachments with your query. 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. Catbird Press is no longer publishing. I can tell you why I need an agent. I like being asked to see or think about the world divergently. Ask the Agent Informative site ofJennifer Laughran, senior agent at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, who represents authors and illustrators of childrens and YA books. Do you need an agent? Halls client list at Bright includes Benji Davis, Elly Mackay, Clive McFarland, and Connah Brecon. Were different in that Kirsten does a lot more co-agenting than I do. 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. 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. Having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable." 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. Dont send your work to all of them at once. Making sure Im advocating well and clearly for my client from the get-go is even more critical than usual when there are two times the number of voices in the mix. Catbird Lit | Duotrope 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. If you have questions, you can build your own network of colleagues who may have the answers. Enter your information in the form to the right for FREE INSTANT ACCESS to the Directory of Literary Agents. List of Literary Agents 2023-2024 | Agents Looking for New Writers QueryTracker Members can view the data gathered by all other members, organized into reports showing 2007-2023 QueryTracker. Follow agents on social media. Author/Illustrators: email a brief synopsis of your manuscript, along with several accompanying illustrations or samples of your artwork. 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. Manuscript Guidelines - Catbird Press How is it different from the way you usually rep a book? NOTE: Each year Fuse Literary, as an agency, is closed to new submissions and queries between December 1st to January 15th. You should. Follow your instincts. If working at an office location and you are not "logged in", simply close and relaunch your preferred browser. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. They want to represent you?! Get the facts. Kirsten Hall has struck out on her own after years of freelancing and started her own literary companyCatbird Productionssearching for debut talent. But its good to be pushed outside our comfort zones once in a while. Theres already much greater access to the publishing house in the illustration world (versus for writers, who often are barred by company policy from submitting their work directly). You did the homework. And then there are the projects that never seem to go anywhere at all. 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). She currently has around 45 clients with little room for more, as she thinks 50 clients is the ideal number. the Twitter version of Manuscript Wish List) Agents and editors of all writing genres post what they want. . Stop right there. Each agent, even within the same agency, has their own ideas of what defines good writing and good illustration. If you still dont hear from them, move on. Authors and illustrators need an agent because the publishers interests/needs and their interests/needs arent always the same, and you need an advocate to represent you. Each provides exact submission information (an email address or an online submission portal). Insofar as the quality of your work is good, it doesnt matter if you have an agent or not.