For middle grade and YA: She is actively seeking fresh young adult and middle grade fiction across all genres. I read it and I cried. If we are interested in reviewing your dummy, we will request that you send it. What do you look for in a submission?What I look for in a submission is first a professional introductory letter. Writers can search posts for agents compatible with their work. Due to the volume of submissions we receive, we are unable toguarantee feedback or advice in our rejections. One size does not fit all. 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. Tools to help you stay organized and error free. . Stop right there. Follow each agents instructions, but remember that they may be different. Its all about matchmaking matching up talent to work together, matching up talent to editors and publishers. More on her wish list, here. But were also different from one another; we shine in different ways. Memoir/Mainstream E. Armstrong Open to illustrator & author-illustrator submissions. 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. 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. 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. But if we are interested, we will request your full manuscript. For an author or illustrator, most of the benefits of having an agent are fairly obvious. * Search the directory by book genre/category (more than 100 categories). How active are they in the industry? Like coaches,good agents get the best out of you. Before you sign, lets talk some more. Responsible for . Look, even Ive received critique letters. Several of 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. Catbird Agency Website: catbirdagency.com/ Twitter: HallWaysKirsten AAR/AALA Member: No Accepts Queries Via. 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. . You can unsubscribe easily at any time we dont spam. AAR members must meet the highest standards and canon of ethics. 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. She is just as happy working with debut talents as she is best-sellers. News and updates to get a top literary agent, publisher, and book deal. SUBMISSIONS. Kirsten HallLiterary Agent represents the followingbook genres: Scroll below now to view representative titlesand a complete profile for Kirsten HallFREE in ourBookAgents Directory. 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. Memoir/Women L. Lehr * Access to all literary agent profiles in the Directory of Literary Agents(1,100+) The story taps into important truths about love and loss and life. 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. Shes one of my favorite people in the entire industry. And Im stirred by pitches that elicit feelings of sympathy or empathy. Home Book Agents Literary Agent Kirsten Hall Catbird Productions. There may come a time where it makes sense for the artist and author to collaborate more directly. Your parents, who arent quite sure what you do, certainly know what agents doand that will make them happy. These cookies do not store any personal information. If working at an office location and you are not "logged in", simply close and relaunch your preferred browser. When looking for the first time at an artists portfolio, I like to see a cross section of their work. 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. Nonfiction/Business D. Hamme Honest and open communication is key. If you need contractual help, you can find an attorney who would only charge a one-time fee. 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! [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews], Fiction/General J. Jago Kirsten:Not necessarily. Unfortunately, misconceptions and assumptions related to the job description of an agent are rife in the illustration community. Read their bios to determine which picture book literary agencies and agents might be the best fit. Ron is a literary agent and co-owner of CookeMcDermid. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Memoir/Mainstream E. Armstrong Bios, interests, and submission instructions can be found here. 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 childrens book author/illustrators, with an emphasis on previously unpublished authors/ illustrators. We will not open emailed attachments. Susan believes that books can change lives inspire a passion for reading and story; unlock imagination and empathy; move readers to feel, think, wonder, examine, explore, to laugh really hard. She is drawn toward gorgeous writing and strong, flawed characters. Childrens/Pic Book M. Leshem-Pelly What if you cant deliver the work on time? Show an agent you are serious about writing as a career. No agency can guarantee that a particular project will sell, but we sign clients because we love their writing and want them to succeed. Editors should be salivating by the time they get to the chapter outline. Working with Mark was completely worth it." Im the person throwing up the grappling hook, not the one pouring down hot oil. Again, I digress.). . NOTE: Each year Fuse Literary, as an agency, is closed to new submissions and queries between December 1st to January 15th. *Personal email addresses They step in when needed. 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. Illustrators: send 4-6 jpegs of samples, a live link to your website and a short letter of introduction. Dont send your work to all of them at once. Want more information about Kirsten Hall? How to Get a Nonfiction Agent 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. 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. Scroll below to see a sample. NOTE: Each year Fuse Literary, as an agency, is closed to new submissions and queries between December 1st to January 15th. But Im really thrilled to be co-agenting with Erica. The cycle of creating successful titles is like putting on a playeveryone must work to the best of their abilities. Familiarize yourself with their accomplishments. Nonfiction/Business D. Hamme Theyre traveling. And her first trade picture bookThe Jacketwas a 2014 New York Times Notable!) Association of Authors Representatives, Inc. (AAR)AAR members must meet the highest standards and canon of ethics. Agents arent just sitting by the phone, hoping to get your submission. 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. 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. Thank you. I choose to work with an agent because I value that relationship and I know its helped me to create my best work. I see you have an email from an agent. It may not. Isabelle Arsenault 161161 5 Comments 5 Shares Like Comment Share Catbird Agency is with Seb Cosset and Brigette Barrager. 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! Deborah Harris Agency (Agents) (Submissions), D4EO Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), Dunham Literary, Inc. (Jennie Dunham)(Submissions), Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Dystel, Goderich, & Bourrett LLC (Agents) (Submissions)(Nonfiction Submission Guidelines), Einstein Literary Management (Agents) (Submissions), Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions). LK Literary Agency is a boutique children's literature agency, so while we are open to general submissions, we kindly ask that you review our guidelines carefully ahead of sending in your submission to be sure we're a good fit for the wonderful work you do.. We are only open to electronic submissions, which means that unless someone from LKLA has specifically requested you send . Memoir/Women L. Lehr According to Publishers Marketplace, for the past several years Kirsten has been an industryleader in picture booksales. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Co-agenting, or doing that process together, makes it even more fun and is a great way to learn from one another. 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. The black catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris) is found in coastal Yucatn. Get FREE Access Now to All Catbird ProductionsProfiles! She wants to be surprisedtheres nothing like the feeling that youre reading something entirely new. When an artist joins Brightand here I can only speak about Brightan artists dreams and ambition must be aligned with those of the agency. 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. Managing Agent, USA for a London-based children's illustration agency representing 150+ incredibly talented artists. Boutique kidlit author/illustrator agency & producer of books for all ages Catbird Agency | New York NY You still need to hustle. 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. 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. . The Number of Queries Sent and Their Replies. Sense of place mattersprecise, expressive settings delight her. Please do not send us submissions of any kind. 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. Get a Kids Book Agent You dont have their undivided attention. What do you look for in a submission?I like two kinds of submissions. Ive seen really exciting work come out of it. Ive asked agents James Burns, Kirsten Hall, Jennifer Linnan, Alexandra Penfold, Linda Pratt,and Erica Rand Silverman three simple questions. Follow agents on social media. A word of warning: There is such a thing as a bad agent. Although of course it would be totally fine for them to communicate if it would benefit the development of the proposal! (Thank you!). Kirsten:Its so truein the past month alone weve had some particularly exciting pairings between Stimola and Catbird! Our hearts are very much in the right place. I thought if I signed with an agent, I could just focus on making art., Me: How many jobs did they get for you over the past year?. But Im really thrilled to be co-agenting with Erica. Use our literary agency database to learn more about these literary agencies representing picture book writers. How did you come to collaborate on books together? I always advise illustrators who are just starting out to identify what they can and/or want to do, and outsource the rest. Book Agent Submissions Each agent lists what they want on their bio page. We do not accept or respond to phone, paper or social media queries. Signing with an agent is just one step on an endless staircase. Janklow & Nesbit Associates (Agents) (Submissions)USA & UK agency. QueryTracker includes resources for all writing genres (not just picture books). Erica Rand Silverman, Literary Agent,Stimola Literary Studio, Inc. We spend a good amount of time bouncing ideas off of each other and sharing good and bad news. As an art director, it made no difference whatsoever. Maybe its the prospective client that we missed out on. The overwhelming advantage in having this knowledge is proven when we come to share new work; it cuts through the noise and competition. Antony Harwood Ltd (Agents) (Submissions) A UK literary agency. While we have different client lists, Ericas and my intentions for the books we represent are largely the same, as is our aesthetic. When Stephanie first contacted me, she was very excited and said, I cant get your book proposal out of my head. Childrens/Pic Book M. Leshem-Pelly Queries about books that dont conform, but rather provoke, excite me. Christie Megill: is eager to work with illustrators, author/illustrators, and picture book authors, offering long-term support in their careers and creative journeys. * Mailing addresses Its important to identify who you think are good matches. Manuscripts sent to them will be discarded unread. [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews], Fiction/General J. Jago 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. Remember, you are a business person seeking a business partner. 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. Since it was published as Boats for Papa by Neal Porter Books in 2015, I have read it and cried again and again and again. News and updates to get a top literary agent, publisher, and book deal. And I can already see that the books were making together are going to be magical. Layered, flawed, completely human characters. Fiction/Mystery B. Harper 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. Please submit to SUBMISSIONS@CATAGENCYINC.COM & let us know who you are submitting to in the subject line! Ive been in publishing for over a decade. Fairbank Literary Representation (About) (Submissions)Not accepting submissions for childrens works unless by an illustrator/artist. Authors pen manuscripts, artists are creators, agents have insight and continued relationships, editors and art directors have the vision. In each case, they pointed out issues in my work that I knew were there but refused to recognize. Sometimes your work just isnt a fit for our skill set or interests. Lets submit your work to an agent. For more specifics on what Susan is looking for, including information about genres and categories, please see here and here. Thank you for submitting your work! Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Christy Ewers: is mostly closed to submissions for the time being. Youve identified fifteen to twenty agents. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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. Odds of Getting a Book Agent Work is more fun when youre doing it with people you like and respect. Lets tap into that knowledge. Honest and open communication is key. Youre about to sign with an agent. Nonfiction/Environment J. Biemer And the value of that growth far exceeds the fees. 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. Co-agenting is Ericas and my way of trying to be as proactive as we can for our clients. Danielle is actively seeking projects in a variety of categories. Maybe. Experience. I hear the comparison that the agent-client relationship is like a marriage. But I didnt get the level of attention I was expecting. Take time with it. Each agent, even within the same agency, has their own ideas of what defines good writing and good illustration. I also ask six well-respected agents to share their thoughts by answering three questions. Nonfiction/Self-Help A. Goddard Only looking for author/illustrators (one individual). WAIT! Theyre easy. These cookies do not store any personal information. Not everythingbut most. "Mark helped me get five different offers for representation from top literary agents. Hall is the author of the picture books. Getfree access to the Directory of Literary Agents with detailed agent profiles. Here youll find everything you need to submit work to Upstart Crow Literary. "Referred to you by [insert casting director's name]". Theyre pitching. Author/Illustrators: email a brief synopsis of your manuscript, along with several accompanying illustrations or samples of your artwork. Agent statistics, detailing how long each agent typically takes to respond to a query. But its good to be pushed outside our comfort zones once in a while. Need manuscripts and art to stay on schedule? Once you sign with an agent, you dont just sit back and wait for the jobs to roll in. Not really. you guessed it: agents. Book Agent Kirsten Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997). All that being said, my bottom-line, if-youre-on-the-fence answer is much more straightforward: CONTRACTS. We spend a good amount of time bouncing ideas off of each other and sharing good and bad news. What I know when co-agenting with Erica is that no matter what happens well always be good. 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. "Just got great reviews!" is better. We usually begin by keeping the artist and author separate from one another as publishers do. You have to be a detective. Get the facts. Read industry magazines and blogs. 1) Those that reflect soulfulness and deep consideration. Most literary agency directories (print and online) are outdated, incomplete, and riddled with mistakes. Prospect Agency (Agents)(Submissions) (Prospect Portfolio: Illustrator Submissions), Raven Quill Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), The Rights Factory (Agents) (Submissions) A Canadian Literary Agency, Rising Bear Literary Agency (Rick Margolis) (Submissions), Rodeen Literary Management (Paul Rodeen)(Submissions), Root Literary (Agents) (Molly ONeill: open to illustrators & author-illustrators) (Submissions), Rubin Pfeffer Content, LLC(Agents)(Submissions), Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Sanford J. Greenburger Associates (Agents)(Submissions), Sean McCarthy Literary Agency (Submissions), Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary (Agents) (Submissions), Serendipidty Literary Agency (Agents)(Illustration Submissions) (Photography Submissions)(Author Submissions), The Seymour Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Sheldon Fogelman Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Stimola Literary Studio: Books for Children and Young Adults (Agents) (Submissions), Stonesong Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Storm Literary Agency (Agents)(Submissions), Thompson Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions) Only considers picture books from established illustrators, Transatlantic Agency(Agents & Submissions) Canadian and U.S.A. offices, TriadaUS Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Trident Media Group (Agents)(Submissions), Upstart Crow Literary (Agents)(Submissions), Wendy Lyn & Co.(Submissions for childrens book illustrators only), Wernick & Pratt Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Westwood Creative Artists (Agents) (Submissions) A Canadian Literary Agency, The Whiteman Agency (Doug Whiteman) (Submissions). Kayla welcomes dark humor, suspense, magical realism, awkwardly adorable romance, and everything in-between. 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. 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. Agents have their finger on the pulse and understand the rhythm of publishing. We have similar agenting styles, and even more importantly both value our relationship. Memoir/Family/Identity S. Foti 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). Okay! Book Agent Kirsten Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997). What percentage of art directors go to agents first to find illustrators? Corvisiero Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Curtis Brown LTD (Agents)(Submissions). Erica:In some cases yes and in some cases no. To me it is the gold standard for a picture book that makes the reader feel. Ive seen really exciting work come out of it. Erica:Work is more fun when youre doing it with people you like and respect. Anna Olswanger has been a literary agent since 2005. She has incredible vision and is very brave. The Chudney Agency (Submissions) Only looking for author/illustrators (one individual). Erica is mostly interested in adding author-illustrators to her list andis looking for a diverse array of voices and styles. 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'"). How Much Do Authors Make? Insofar as the quality of your work is good, it doesnt matter if you have an agent or not. By the end of this post, you may finally have the answer to: "Do I need an agent?" catbird seat. Home Book Agencies USA Literary Agencies and Literary Agents Catbird Productions. Submit to Susan Hawk Any agents not listed above are CLOSED to submissions. Look at what theyll do for you versus what youll have to do for yourself. Co-agenting is Ericas and my way of trying to be as proactive as we can for our clients. We are Catbird Lit, an American journal of humorous writings and visual arts based in Austin, Texas. They agreed almost immediately. She started her career at Liza Dawson Associates in Manhattan, and in 2014 launched her own literary agency, Olswanger Literary LLC, where she represents a wide variety of genres, but is currently focused on illustrated books (picture books and graphic novels). Look at the length of the agreement. Submit to five. If an agent is interested in representing you, under no circumstances should you simply say, Great! Once that commission has been accepted, the ball is then in motion. In childrens fiction, they primarily accept early readers and chapter books, and perhaps the very rare, exceptional picture book. Memoir/Family/Identity S. Foti . She currently has around 45 clients with little room for more, as she thinks 50 clients is the ideal number. 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 . Ive learned how important it is to review our individual clients wants and needs. And then there are the projects that never seem to go anywhere at all. Literary Agencies for Picture Books (A-F) 3 Arts Entertainment (New . Both literary and commercial work. Read comments by other authors who have queried the same agents you have. . Search tools to help you find the right agent for your book. They help you skip that much-maligned slush pile. An online list of agents who represent all genres (not just picture books). Agents help a career in ways beyond even my understanding. Plus, get a FREE ebook when you sign up! We revel in rebel voices; cast forward outcasts; and structure the lawless, braless populace into humorous narratives and . Hall is the author of the picture books The Gold Leaf and The Jacket, which was a New York Times Notable Book in 2014. 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. 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. Subscribe to The Illustration Department Newsletter, Do I Need An Agent? Can you terminate the contract if things go south? 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. All agents should share the ability to reasonably negotiate contracts. 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. Do your clients have more contact with one another than they would if this were set up by a publisher? Susan's submission email is: susanhawk.submission@gmail.com. The snob. Shes drawn to projects that are character-driven, tightly plotted, and have a singular, specific voice; always on the hunt for: She looks for projects that know kids are smart and perceptive and feeling deeply; that make the reader feel seen. We will email you our periodic newsletter, never more than once a month. Its all right. 2 talking about this. Please send work that shows character development, style, color and narrative story-telling. Shes one of my favorite people in the entire industry. 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. Kirsten works intimately with her clients to conceive and develop original story pitches. 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). Its true, I love to co-agent, and I do it regularly with agents at several different agencies. They will try to respond within a month. Click here to retrieve reset your password. Start with illustrators you admire. And it isnt cute if you dont follow the rules. Your work has been submitted! 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). New to PW? She is just as happy working with debut talents as she is best-sellers. 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. They're signing. Kirsten Hall is President of Catbird, a boutique childrens literary and illustration agency. Kirsten Hall has struck out on her own after years of freelancing and started her own literary companyCatbird Productionssearching for debut talent.