And I can already see that the books were making together are going to be magical. Want more information about Kirsten Hall? Part of my job is to break down any remaining barriers, not to guard themto make introductions, to get more eyes on clients work. Were different in that Kirsten does a lot more co-agenting than I do. BookStop Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), Bradford Literary Agency(Agents & Submissions). Or familiar content has been made unrecognizable. Either way, I hope this post helps you move forward with your career. Nonfiction/Diversity S. Peer 1. 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. 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. Look, even Ive received critique letters. Several of them. Thank you for trying us, and all good luck! catbird seat. 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. Memoir/Christian S. LeRette PW site license members have access to PWs subscriber-only website content. 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. Fiction/Mainstream K. Cox The Bright Agency. Start with illustrators you admire. There may come a time where it makes sense for the artist and author to collaborate more directly. More on her wish list, here. If you can, find a contract professional to read it. Look, I get it, man. When I signed, it was very exciting. Show an agent you are serious about writing as a career. "Actor seeking representation" is a bore. When was the last time you checked out Publishers Weeklys Rights Report? Theyre negotiating. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Honest and open communication is key. Home Book Agents Literary Agent Kirsten Hall Catbird Productions. Notes/Tips: Our agency does not represent poetry or screenplays. We spend a good amount of time bouncing ideas off of each other and sharing good and bad news. Search tools to help you find the right agent for your book. Your agent cant be expected to do all the heavy lifting. Thank you for submitting your work! They're publicizing. Your submission to agents isnt an Instagram post thats totes gonna get likes. Maybe its the book that we havent placed yet, but still so strongly believe has a place in the world. Many writers fear writing queries, but it shouldnt frighten you off! Not necessarily. Chad W. Beckerman: is always looking at submissions! Sure you can. This enables us to put a plan in place before the first portfolio sheet is made. WAIT! They will try to respond within a month. What I know when co-agenting with Erica is that no matter what happens well always be good. How to Get a Fiction Agent Warning: This site requires javascript, but it appears that your browser Okay! Nonfiction/Self-Help A. Goddard 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. Fiction/Christian K. Sargent Narrative Nonfiction D. Cohen Memoir/Family/Identity S. Foti Plus, get a FREE ebook when you sign up! . 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. I see you have an email from an agent. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Fuse Literary never charges reading or submission fees, nor is there a retainer fee for our services. . 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. LiteraryAgents.com An online list of agents who represent all genres (not just picture books). "Berkley Books recently published my book in hardcover after Mark helped me get multiple agents interested in my work. How to Find a Book Agent But, as an individual player, you arent the only one they need to help. Kirsten opened Catbirds wings in March 2014. 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. Erica:Publishers really enjoy being in control when it comes to matching a text to an illustrator (its an extremely fun (!) Literary Agent Kirsten Hall Catbird Productions, Author Success Story: Nonfiction/Narrative Nonfiction, [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]. Okay! In some cases the text and art may be developing simultaneously off of one another. We have similar agenting styles, and even more importantly both value our relationship. A few books I loved reading in my free time . Ive asked agents James Burns, Kirsten Hall, Jennifer Linnan, Alexandra Penfold, Linda Pratt,and Erica Rand Silverman three simple questions. Once that commission has been accepted, the ball is then in motion. Shes one of my favorite people in the entire industry. But they are out there. What percentage of art directors go to agents first to find illustrators? It can make me uneasy because it takes time and sometimes doesnt work. Not everyone excels at all of these, or enjoys it! The subject heading in your email should be simple but enticing. Youve identified fifteen to twenty agents. 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. Send her your high-concept and hooky; your award-winners; the books that will become backlist gold. I was able to speak with literary agents from top agencies such as Janklow & Nesbit, Trident Media, Anderson Lit, and Folio. 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. Youre about to sign with an agent. Childrens/YA L. Moe. Her client list at Bright includes Elly Mackay, Benji Davis, Clive McFarland, and Connah Brecon. HOLD IT! Not everythingbut most. The story taps into important truths about love and loss and life. Co-agenting, or doing that process together, makes it even more fun and is a great way to learn from one another. On the reverse, sometimes our authors are looking for new inspiration and an illustration can be a great way to get those wheels turning. Once you sign with an agent, you dont just sit back and wait for the jobs to roll in. They are the busiest bees in the hive. Childrens/YA C. Plum-Ucci Lets take a journey together. Our goal is always to sell their work and properly manage their rights, establishing long-term writing careers for our clients. 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. Let me give you examples from two of your colleagues: I signed with an agent thinking that they would get me work right away. Listen to podcasts. NOTE: Each year Fuse Literary, as an agency, is closed to new submissions and queries between December 1st to January 15th. Your parents, who arent quite sure what you do, certainly know what agents doand that will make them happy. does not support javascript or you have it disabled. And I read it again and I cried again. Copyright 2023 D. B. Righi. This is why its so important to make sure theres a termination clause in your contract. Theyre not your servants. I can tell you why I need an agent. Thank you for submitting your work! What do you look for in a submission?What I look for in a submission is first a professional introductory letter. She has incredible vision and is very brave. Fuse Literary represents both fiction and nonfiction in a variety of categories and genres. Having someone on your side who can not only advocate for better terms (and knows what the industry standards are) but also navigate all the legalese with you is key, especially if youre not well-versed. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. Children's Book Writers Logo designed by Kody Chamberlain Website designed by Ian Bauer. You heard it here first! Thats exactly right. USA Literary Agencies and Literary Agents Catbird Productions, Enter your information in the form to the right for FREE INSTANT ACCESS to the, register above now for FREE instant access to the. 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. Each have their advantages and disadvantages. Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator) need an agent? Keep your correspondence professional. Some of her favorite illustrators include Mike Boldt, Amber Ren, Vashti Harrison, and Eliza Wheeler. Nonfiction/Self-Help A. Goddard These cookies do not store any personal information. They lead the cheer for you. If an agent is interested in representing you, under no circumstances should you simply say, Great! 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. She is not considering the following adult categories: romance, political thriller, science fiction, horror, or erotica. 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. . All that being said, my bottom-line, if-youre-on-the-fence answer is much more straightforward: CONTRACTS. Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency (Agents & Submissions)NOTE: This is aUKagency. New to PW? 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. What do you look for in a submission?The very best in art and literature reveals something real and true about ourselves, and childrens books are no exception. And Im stirred by pitches that elicit feelings of sympathy or empathy. 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. Sometimes those opportunities come in fast and sometimes they dont. Co-agenting, or doing that process together, makes it even more fun and is a great way to learn from one another. Lemonade Illustration Agency (Artist Submissions) UK agency for illustrators of childrens books & other media. Today, she is the founder and owner of a boutique children's book illustration and literary agency, Catbird Productions. Literary Rambles: Spotlighting Childrens Book Authors, Agents, & Publishing Excellent source for agent interviews, kidlit information, and an agent database you can search by age category (e.g., picture books). Ask around. They operate on your behalf, ever focused on your career. 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. 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 . As soon as you register youll get instant access to the following: * A link to the Catbird Productionswebsite, * A map to the office ofCatbird Productions, * Access to all literary agent profiles in the, * Search the directory by book genre/category (more than 100 categories), 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, Author Success Story: Nonfiction/Self-Help, [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]. Get the facts. 8. All rights reserved. Erica:Were different in that Kirsten does a lot more co-agenting than I do. Each agent, even within the same agency, has their own ideas of what defines good writing and good illustration. 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. Copyright 2011-23 The Bestselling Author, LLC. Erica:Its all about matchmaking matching up talent to work together, matching up talent to editors and publishers. Fiction/Christian K. Sargent Its the most comprehensive (and accurate) list of literary agencies in the world, with detailed profiles for more than 1,100 literary agents. Do not submit a full-length manuscript or proposal unless requested. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. SCBWI Statement of Intent on Equity and Inclusion, The Essential Guide to Publishing for Children, Co-Agenting with Kirsten Hall and Erica Rand Silverman. While we have different client lists, Ericas and my intentions for the books we represent are largely the same, as is our aesthetic. While were waiting on the agents response, can I ask you why you want an agent? Agents help a career in ways beyond even my understanding. 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. 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. And it isnt cute if you dont follow the rules. Nonfiction/Diversity S. Peer When our illustrators arent working up a project of their own, were pitching them to get matched up by publishers. Remember, you are a business person seeking a business partner. and strategic process), so its not something we do all the time. Levy Creative Management (Artist Submissions), Liza Royce Agency (Agents) (Submissions). Memoir/Inspirational L. Subramani Ive learned how important it is to review our individual clients wants and needs. The Chudney Agency (Submissions) Only looking for author/illustrators (one individual). 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! Here is the: Advice from writing professional Jane Friedman. Christie Megill: is eager to work with illustrators, author/illustrators, and picture book authors, offering long-term support in their careers and creative journeys. How I Went From Unemployed to Building a $30K/month Online Business in 12 Months! Here is the: AAR Agent Databaseand the list of AAR members who represent picture books. In each case, they pointed out issues in my work that I knew were there but refused to recognize. I work alone and basically love knocking on other agents doors and asking them to come out and play! AAR members must meet the highest standards and canon of ethics. But, when it feels right and exciting on our end, we hope that it will be received that way by the publishers. For more specifics on what Susan is looking for, including information about genres and categories, please see here and here. She had been in my session and introduced herself at the end and mentioned that she was sending me her dummy. 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. 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. Please send her: childrens illustration portfolios, picture book dummies, picture book manuscripts, childrens graphic novel pitches, and the select chapter book project. She is particularly interested in illustrators from diverse backgrounds and portfolios that depict diverse characters and experiences. 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. Well try to get back to you as quickly as possible. Ive learned how important it is to review our individual clients wants and needs before offers start to come in. Thank you for signing up, fellow book lover! Before you submit: Read their guidelines. 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. 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. Follow agents on social media. I hear the comparison that the agent-client relationship is like a marriage. Author/illustrators: NBPlease include a link to your online portfolio and/or to your downloadable dummy. Sign up for our Children's Bookshelf newsletter! Memoir/Multicultural N. Aronheim We only get paid when the author gets paid after we sell an authors work. Association of Authors Representatives, Inc. (AAR)AAR members must meet the highest standards and canon of ethics. Literary Agent List Step 3: Send Out A Lot Of Submissions Before you start using our list of literary agents, it's important you understand that you should approach the process of trying to find and get a literary agent the way agents approach the process of trying to get a publisher. Kirsten:Its so truein the past month alone weve had some particularly exciting pairings between Stimola and Catbird! Finding a literary agent for children's books is easy using our literary agency database. Publishers really enjoy being in control when it comes to matching a text to an illustrator (its an extremely fun (!) Hall is the author of the picture books The Gold Leaf and The Jacket, which was a New York Times Notable Book in 2014. She likens her agency, which specializes in picture books, to a creative playground. Good agents know which parts of the contract are flexible (and which shouldnt be). These cookies do not store any personal information. Youll get free access tothe Directory of BookAgents with detailed profiles for allbookagents,including Kirsten HallLiterary Agent. The North American catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), of the family Mimidae (order Passeriformes), is 23 cm (9 inches) long and is gray, with a black cap. 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. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. You can unsubscribe easily at any time we dont spam. But the truth is everyone in publishing faces rejection at some point. But Im really thrilled to be co-agenting with Erica. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Its all right. "Referred to you by [insert casting director's name]". We will email you our periodic newsletter, never more than once a month. Click here to retrieve reset your password. get work . includes resources for all writing genres (not just picture books). The coach-player analogy is much more accurate. When our illustrators arent working up a project of their own, were pitching them to get matched up by publishers. Layered, flawed, completely human characters. 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. An agent once said to me, If you think having an agent doesnt give you a distinct advantage, youre crazy. It depends on the agent and the artist, but I tend to agree with her. 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. If we are interested in reviewing your dummy, we will request that you send it. To find out more about PWs site license subscription options, please email Mike Popalardo at: mike@nextstepsmarketing.com. Lets submit your work to an agent. It was a natural progression for those conversations to lead to ways our clients could work together. Aliza R. Hoover: represents illustrators and author-illustrators. Read industry magazines and blogs. 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. Getfree access to the Directory of Literary Agents with detailed agent profiles. 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. I want to work with an artist whose goal it is to write and illustrate their own books. I mean, youre not their only client. 2. If they do get back to you, expect a rejection . I like to feel as if someone is sharing with me, not just shopping to me. Erica Rand Silverman, Literary Agent,Stimola Literary Studio, Inc. I look for author-illustrators. Theyre easy. If you dont get a good feeling from them in any correspondence, your gut is trying to tell you something. Editors should be salivating by the time they get to the chapter outline. Working with Mark was completely worth it." When an agent is pitching or submitting the work, it is my belief that the success rate is so much higher. Corvisiero Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions) Curtis Brown LTD (Agents) (Submissions) David Higham Associates (Agents) (Submissions) A UK agency. Kirsten opened Catbird's wings in March 2014. Offer of Representation I also ask six well-respected agents to share their thoughts by answering three questions. 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. *Personal email addresses Memoir/Christian S. LeRette Isabelle Arsenault 161161 5 Comments 5 Shares Like Comment Share Catbird Agency is with Seb Cosset and Brigette Barrager. She currently has around 45 clients with little room for more, as she thinks 50 clients is the ideal number. Do not query multiple agents at Fuse simultaneously. Home Book Agencies USA Literary Agencies and Literary Agents Catbird Productions. Then I look for a voice, either in the words of an author or the art of an illustrator. Get a Kids Book Agent No, its not. While her taste is broad, shes especially excited to find fresh stories and artwork from voices that have previously been underrepresented. 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. You heard it here first! 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. 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). Your work has been submitted! Nonfiction/Environment J. Biemer
catbird agency submissions