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. I work alone and basically love knocking on other agents doors and asking them to come out and play! 2. Here youll find everything you need to submit work to Upstart Crow Literary. 6. Sign up for our Children's Bookshelf newsletter! Some of her favorite non-client books in this category are: A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti, Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai, Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson, The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo, Chime by Franny Billingsley, Swing by Kwame Alexander, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly, Still Life With Tornado by A.S.King, The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor, When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. And then submit your picture book query letter and manuscript. and strategic process), so its not something we do all the time. She is looking for visual storytellers with distinctive, unique portfolios that will stand out in a crowded market. Lets tap into that knowledge. Youre about to sign with an agent. Copyright 2011-23 The Bestselling Author, LLC. 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. Were both trying hard to keep the number of people we represent manageable. She is not seeking sci-fi, horror, or high fantasy. Most literary agency directories (print and online) are outdated, incomplete, and riddled with mistakes. Not really. Id like to thank James Burns, Kirsten Hall, JenniferLinnan, Alexandra Penfold, Linda Pratt, Erica Rand Silverman,and Laura Stiers for their time, generosity, and invaluable contributions to this article. 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. Please do not send us submissions of any kind. Were not afraid of this. Thank you for submitting your work! Its brilliant I mean, really, its fantastic. Submissions & Newsletter | Fuse Literary Practice professional patience and persistence. I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin Books, which published my book in hardcover! Today, she is the founder and owner of a boutique children's book illustration and literary agency, Catbird Productions. Kirsten Hall Launches Agency - PublishersWeekly.com On the reverse, sometimes our authors are looking for new inspiration and an illustration can be a great way to get those wheels turning. Sometimes those opportunities come in fast and sometimes they dont. Literary Agents for Children's Books 2023-2024 | Kids' Book Agents Memoir/Mainstream E. Armstrong Hall is Catbird Productions' sole proprietor. The subject heading in your email should be simple but enticing. Were both trying hard to keep the number of people we represent manageable. Also send five pages from your manuscript. you guessed it: agents. * Mailing addresses Hall is the author of the picture books The Gold Leaf and The Jacket, which was a New York Times Notable Book in 2014. All I can say is find the right agent for you, and you wont regret it. It sounds less hurtful. Subscribe to The Illustration Department Newsletter, Do I Need An Agent? Our goal is always to sell their work and properly manage their rights, establishing long-term writing careers for our clients. Kirsten opened Catbirds wings in March 2014. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. Please submit to SUBMISSIONS@CATAGENCYINC.COM & let us know who you are submitting to in the subject line! 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). What is one misconception about agents?You wouldnt believe how many conference attendees come up to me to say thank you for being warm and approachable, as if this isnt the norm. Before you submit, read this: Please submit to SUBMISSIONS@CATAGENCYINC.COM & let us know who you are submitting to in the subject line! Before you sign, lets talk some more. Ive asked agents James Burns, Kirsten Hall, Jennifer Linnan, Alexandra Penfold, Linda Pratt,and Erica Rand Silverman three simple questions. The project may work. Plus, get a FREE ebook when you sign up! Not necessarily. "Berkley Books recently published my book in hardcover after Mark helped me get multiple agents interested in my work. Lets submit your work to an agent. Nonfiction/Self-Help A. Goddard 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. But I didnt get the level of attention I was expecting. But the absolute wrong thing to do is blindly sign an agreement. To find out more about PWs site license subscription options, please email Mike Popalardo at: mike@nextstepsmarketing.com. Where do I sign? Read their agreement. And sometime between crying, I offered Jessixa representation. Book Agent Kirsten Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997). Scroll below now to view the email and postal addressfor Kirsten HallFREE in our BookAgents Directory. All that being said, my bottom-line, if-youre-on-the-fence answer is much more straightforward: CONTRACTS. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Never miss a moment of Fuse Literarys deals and bonus content. NOTE: Each year Fuse Literary, as an agency, is closed to new submissions and queries between December 1st to January 15th. Honest and open communication is key. What do you look for in a submission?I like two kinds of submissions. Submissions LK Literary Agency And then there are the projects that never seem to go anywhere at all. David Higham Associates (Agents)(Submissions)A UK agency. Memoir/Christian S. LeRette There is a lot of uncertainty that comes along with developing a co-agented pitch from just the seed of an idea. The Chudney Agency (Submissions) Only looking for author/illustrators (one individual). Agents are people, too. Astound US Illustration Agency(Submissions scroll down to Artists submissions)Open to illustrator & author-illustrator submissions. * Preferred query letter methods (email, online form, postal mail) They told me they were going to focus on getting me into the industry I love: childrens books. You still need to hustle. All rights reserved. Be professional in your communication with an 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. 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. You heard it here first! If an agent is interested in representing you, under no circumstances should you simply say, Great! Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. To submit directly without an agent you need to send them a query letter with a description of your manuscript, how close it is to completion (if it is not yet finished), and a little bit about your writing background. Well navigate the waters together. It is a precise and qualified process, rather than an independent, possibly unpublished artist spread betting their work across editors and art directors who they do not know apart from an impression of them through social media. Your work has been submitted! Simply click this linkand complete the subscription form. Others are big box stores. We dont take any pleasure in having to pass on your work or give you difficult news. catbird seat. If you have questions, you can build your own network of colleagues who may have the answers. 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). We only accept submissions via e-mail. Yes, you pay agents a fee, and that fee could be fairly substantial, depending on the agent. One size does not fit all. If you dont get a good feeling from them in any correspondence, your gut is trying to tell you something. RMV Workforce Corp hiring CNA in Phoenix, Arizona, United States | LinkedIn Maybe. I mean, maybe some of us are glamorous, but that aside, of the agents I know (myself included) this couldnt be further from the truth. I dont know. If you do not receive a reply from Chad in 2 weeks, please assume its a pass. Memoir/Family/Identity S. Foti How to Submit Yourself to an Agency (According to an Agent) - Backstage I dont think its extra contact our clients see as much as extra opportunity. Catbird Agency | New York NY - Facebook I was able to speak with literary agents from top agencies such as Janklow & Nesbit, Trident Media, Anderson Lit, and Folio. Each provides exact submission information (an email address or an online submission portal). While her taste is broad, shes especially excited to find fresh stories and artwork from voices that have previously been underrepresented. Hall is Catbird Productions' sole proprietor. Its not easy to do it yourself, but it is possible. After about a year, and no work, I asked to break our agreement. Show an agent you are serious about writing as a career. The Number of Queries Sent and Their Replies. Christie Megill: is eager to work with illustrators, author/illustrators, and picture book authors, offering long-term support in their careers and creative journeys. She likens her agency, which specializes in picture books, to a creative playground. 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. Can you do it without an agent? Submit to five. Shes one of my favorite people in the entire industry. When was the last time you checked out Publishers Weeklys Rights Report? Your agent cant be expected to do all the heavy lifting. Kayla's submission email is: kayla.submission@gmail.com. Memoir/Family/Identity S. Foti You should. It was a natural progression for those conversations to lead to ways our clients could work together. 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. Co-agenting is Ericas and my way of trying to be as proactive as we can for our clients. . What does that mean? If you dont know how to write a query, please read the Writers Toolbox post How to write a query letter for a quick tutorial. Your parents, who arent quite sure what you do, certainly know what agents doand that will make them happy. Having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable." 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. Otherwise, please consider submitting to one of my wonderful colleagues at ABLA. 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. Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency, (Prospect Portfolio: Illustrator Submissions), (Molly ONeill: open to illustrators & author-illustrators), Stimola Literary Studio: Books for Children and Young Adults, (Submissions for childrens book illustrators only), Association of Authors Representatives, Inc. (AAR), How to Find a Literary Agent for Your Book, Literary Rambles: Spotlighting Childrens Book Authors, Agents, & Publishing, Manuscript Wish List specifically for literary agents of picture books. Overall, Fuse agents may take 4-8 weeks to respond to queries and then additional time for submissions. This is why its so important to make sure theres a termination clause in your contract. Keep walking. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Kirsten Hall, Catbird Agency Picture books pretty much have me wrapped around their finger. Agent statistics, detailing how long each agent typically takes to respond to a query. Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator) need an agent? I work alone and basically love knocking on other agents doors and asking them to come out and play! Tell us what you like and we'll recommend books you'll love. Honest and open communication is key. Catbird Productions, which will package books for publishers, as well as operate as a boutique literary agency for children's book author/illustrators, with an emphasis on previously unpublished authors/ illustrators. That one was just meant to be it seems! Theyre easy. Its all right. You can ask her a question here. 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. Copyright 2023 D. B. Righi. When looking for the first time at an artists portfolio, I like to see a cross section of their work. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Order is not locked and is accepting submissions. and strategic process), so its not something we do all the time. For middle grade and YA: She is actively seeking fresh young adult and middle grade fiction across all genres. This is probably less often the case once a project reaches the publisher. They understand the nuances of contractsforeign rights, royalty escalation clauses, merchandising (how much would you charge for ringtones? Not everythingbut most. Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), Jill Grinberg Literary Management (Agents) (Submissions), Ladderbird Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions). When an artist joins Brightand here I can only speak about Brightan artists dreams and ambition must be aligned with those of the agency. Manuscript Guidelines - Catbird Press It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Do not submit a full-length manuscript or proposal unless requested. I appreciate having a trusted ear, an ally, and an advocate for my work and career. When Should You Get An Agent? Its not 100 percent, I can tell you that. Catbird Creative Agency Advertising Services Cleveland, Ohio 57 followers catbird seat (noun) an enviable position; having the upper hand or greater advantage Publishing Agent Kirsten Hall is an agent with Catbird Productions. Right now, Brenda is not accepting picture book manuscript submissions, but she is looking for adult historical fiction. Fiction/Christian K. Sargent Read comments by other authors who have queried the same agents you have. Memoir/Multicultural N. Aronheim It can make me uneasy because it takes time and sometimes doesnt work. We are particularly interested in work about art, culture, the environment, music, and human rights. Chad W. Beckerman: is always looking at submissions! Open to illustrator & author-illustrator submissions. Maybe its the prospective client that we missed out on. 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). If working at an office location and you are not "logged in", simply close and relaunch your preferred browser. What do you look for in a submission?What I look for in a submission is first a professional introductory letter. And then there are the projects that never seem to go anywhere at all. How active are they in the industry? May 2010 - Feb 20143 years 10 months. Okay! And I can already see that the books were making together are going to be magical. Maybe its the book that we havent placed yet, but still so strongly believe has a place in the world. The project may work. 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. Co-agenting is Ericas and my way of trying to be as proactive as we can for our clients. 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. Children's Book Writers These cookies do not store any personal information. Contact US The CAT Agency Erica:Its also really fun when it happens on the end of the publishers too. They are the busiest bees in the hive. Nonfiction/Environment J. Biemer So how will you know the bad from the good? How did you come to collaborate on books together? But agents help your creative growth in more ways than the obvious. There is a lot of uncertainty that comes along with developing a co-agented pitch from just the seed of an idea. and Illustrators. You submit all this via email. We spend a good amount of time bouncing ideas off of each other and sharing good and bad news. A coin is flipped on its head. 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). If your submission is received by our system, an automated response will be emailed to you. She had been in my session and introduced herself at the end and mentioned that she was sending me her dummy. 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. It all depends on who you are, and what you want. Youre the playerone of many players on his or her team. 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. Author/illustrators: NBPlease include a link to your online portfolio and/or to your downloadable dummy. She has incredible vision and is very brave. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. It is my belief that it comes from the onboarding process. Corvisiero Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions) Curtis Brown LTD (Agents) (Submissions) David Higham Associates (Agents) (Submissions) A UK agency. Stagger it. 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). 3. 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. They operate on your behalf, ever focused on your career. Fuse Literary represents both fiction and nonfiction in a variety of categories and genres. You still need to work hard, improve your craft, increase your self-awareness. Both literary and commercial work. After You Get A Book Agent. They're Skyping. Hall is the author of the picture books. SUBMISSIONS. For more specifics on what Susan is looking for, including information about genres and categories, please see here and here. Nonfiction/Business D. Hamme 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. Danielle is actively seeking projects in a variety of categories. (Though slush piles get an undeservedly bad reputation. Agents help a career in ways beyond even my understanding. "Mark helped me get five different offers for representation from top literary agents. I'm obsessed by the story-telling opportunities offered by this highly-visual genre! This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. But the truth is everyone in publishing faces rejection at some point. Theyre not your servants. Erica:Its all about matchmaking matching up talent to work together, matching up talent to editors and publishers. 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. Like coaches,good agents get the best out of you. 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). This is both a positive and a negative: As a coach, they help your career. But theyre not the only key to the door. But, when it feels right and exciting on our end, we hope that it will be received that way by the publishers. Regardless,I like to seek out three main strengths any time I review a portfolio: storytelling ability, consistency, and confidence. If you need contractual help, you can find an attorney who would only charge a one-time fee. Her client list at Bright includes Elly Mackay, Benji Davis, Clive McFarland, and Connah Brecon. Please put your query and sample in the body of the email. Narrative Nonfiction D. Cohen You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. She has negotiated many hundreds of childrens book deals between authors, illustrators, and all of the major American publishers. 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. Or familiar content has been made unrecognizable. Enter your information in the form to the right for FREE INSTANT ACCESS to the Directory of Literary Agents. These cookies do not store any personal information. And thats just on Monday. While we have different client lists, Ericas and my intentions for the books we represent are largely the same, as is our aesthetic. The Cherry Weiner Literary Agency officially started her agency in May of 1977. 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. Sts ID Perm Fac. Theyre defending. Start with illustrators you admire. 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. Not of, or relating to, Dogma, Catbird seeks to foster a community of varietous and riotously (not righteously) funny creators in Austin and in the larger state of Texas. I think of co-agenting as an opportunity to have double the client list with only half of the responsibility. But Im really thrilled to be co-agenting with Erica. * Agent photos Our hearts are very much in the right place. [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews], Fiction/General J. Jago We will email you our periodic newsletter, never more than once a month. Thank you. Catbird | bird | Britannica Find out whos working in the field. Memoir/Inspirational L. Subramani 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. According to Publishers Marketplace, for the past several years Kirsten has been an industryleader in picture booksales. Need manuscripts and art to stay on schedule? Click here to retrieve reset your password. Were not afraid of this. 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. Susan's submission email is: susanhawk.submission@gmail.com. Agents are curators. 2) Those that somehow present the world differently. She is . Erica is a tireless advocate for her clients and proud to be a part of an industry that is so thoughtfully shaping young minds.