It frequents gardens and thickets. Nonfiction/Self-Help A. Goddard Tell us what you like and we'll recommend books you'll love. We revel in rebel voices; cast forward outcasts; and structure the lawless, braless populace into humorous narratives and . They agreed almost immediately. Read their interviews. Memoir/Mainstream E. Armstrong You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The overwhelming advantage in having this knowledge is proven when we come to share new work; it cuts through the noise and competition. We promise not to share your information with third parties, and we do not spam. 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. Although of course it would be totally fine for them to communicate if it would benefit the development of the proposal! Erica Rand Silverman, Literary Agent,Stimola Literary Studio, Inc. 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 . For middle grade and YA: She is actively seeking fresh young adult and middle grade fiction across all genres. Many of us are friends. NOTE: Each year Fuse Literary, as an agency, is closed to new submissions and queries between December 1st to January 15th. Each agent, even within the same agency, has their own ideas of what defines good writing and good illustration. And sometime between crying, I offered Jessixa representation. Childrens/YA L. Moe, What Is a Literary Agent? Aliza R. Hoover: represents illustrators and author-illustrators. Theyre the coach. Kirsten HallLiterary Agent represents the followingbook genres: Scroll below now to view representative titlesand a complete profile for Kirsten HallFREE in ourBookAgents Directory. I also ask six well-respected agents to share their thoughts by answering three questions. Maybe. Order is not locked and is accepting submissions. Simply click this linkand complete the subscription form. But its good to be pushed outside our comfort zones once in a while. When our illustrators arent working up a project of their own, were pitching them to get matched up by publishers. Notes/Tips: Our agency does not represent poetry or screenplays. Memoir/Women L. Lehr Your friends will congratulate you. Kirsten:Thats exactly right. Chad W. Beckerman: is always looking at submissions! Nonfiction/Diversity S. Peer They are the busiest bees in the hive. Memoir/Inspirational L. Subramani Literary Agencies for Picture Books (A-F) 3 Arts Entertainment (New . Susan's submission email is: susanhawk.submission@gmail.com. Even a Twitter or Instagram account can satisfy these questions, but if I look someone up and find nothing, it leaves me looking for more, and often, looking elsewhere. 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. you guessed it: agents. Nonfiction/Environment J. Biemer A Montreal-based boutique production company, we specialize in award-winning, beautifully-crafted and enduring POV documentaries for Canadian and international audiences. No agency can guarantee that a particular project will sell, but we sign clients because we love their writing and want them to succeed. Childrens/Pic Book M. Leshem-Pelly (Or A Blog About the Life of a Submission, in Three Acts), James Burns, Senior Agent, Bright Group US, Jennifer Linnan, Founder, Linnan Literary Management, Alexandra Penfold, Agent, Upstart Crow Literary, Linda Pratt, Founder, Wernick & Pratt Agency. But if we are interested, we will request your full manuscript. How to Get a Fiction Agent This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. * Mailing addresses Danielle is actively seeking projects in a variety of categories. If you dont get a good feeling from them in any correspondence, your gut is trying to tell you something. We'd love to see your work! We usually begin by keeping the artist and author separate from one another as publishers do. Look at what theyll do for you versus what youll have to do for yourself. Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator)need an agent?An agent is a matchmaker, negotiator, mediator, lifter-upper, creative confidant, and industry insider all rolled into one. Get a Kids Book Agent New to PW? 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. full terms and conditions and this month's choices. In some cases the text and art may be developing simultaneously off of one another. The second-worst thing to do is to rest on your laurels. the Twitter version of Manuscript Wish List) Agents and editors of all writing genres post what they want. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Books invite joy. What if you cant deliver the work on time? Bios, interests, and submission instructions can be found here. 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. Get FREE Access Now to All Catbird ProductionsProfiles! Pairing up directly with clients from other agencies is a great way to be proactive in making new projects happen. Kirsten:Its true, I love to co-agent, and I do it regularly with agents at several different agencies. When I offer representation, ideally Id like to be in it for the long haulwhich means I want to really know who Im signing up to work with: Do they have other work thats equally enticing? Im reminded of my father-in-law, who spends three hours fixing a leak instead of calling a plumber who could do it in one. You heard it here first! You didnt receive a rejection letter. You received a critique letter. It sounds so much better, doesnt it? It was a natural progression for those conversations to lead to ways our clients could work together. Not necessarily. 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. Now, let me tell you why you dont need one. What percentage of art directors go to agents first to find illustrators? We will not open emailed attachments. 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. An agent delivers. Kirsten works intimately with her clients to conceive and develop original story pitches. 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). And thats just on Monday. Need manuscripts and art to stay on schedule? Im the person throwing up the grappling hook, not the one pouring down hot oil. These cookies do not store any personal information. 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. It all depends on who you are, and what you want. 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. It can make me uneasy because it takes time and sometimes doesnt work. (Should you want to learn more first, our Writer's Toolbox has a handful of useful links for writers wanting to improve their craft before seeking publication.). 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. We have invaluable industry insights and connections. What is one misconception about agents?An age-old misconception originates from a simple questionhow can we give equal quality, time, and support to more than one artist? Hall is Catbird Productions' sole proprietor. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. We usually begin by keeping the artist and author separate from one another as publishers do. 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. But, as an individual player, you arent the only one they need to help. A few books I loved reading in my free time . Practice professional patience and persistence. They will try to respond within a month. Excellent source for agent interviews, kidlit information, and an agent database you can search by age category (e.g., picture books). Any agents not listed above are CLOSED to submissions. Ive been in publishing for over a decade. 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). 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. Kirsten Hall is President of Catbird, a boutique childrens literary and illustration agency. Erica is a tireless advocate for her clients and proud to be a part of an industry that is so thoughtfully shaping young minds. What do you look for in a submission?I like two kinds of submissions. * AAR membership status Rest assured, there are far,far fewer of these agents out there. I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin Books, which published my book in hardcover! Read industry magazines and blogs. Keep walking. Also send five pages from your manuscript. Scroll below now to view the email and postal addressfor Kirsten HallFREE in our BookAgents Directory. She doesnt represent adult projects. This enables us to put a plan in place before the first portfolio sheet is made. The cycle of creating successful titles is like putting on a playeveryone must work to the best of their abilities. She has negotiated many hundreds of childrens book deals between authors, illustrators, and all of the major American publishers. Erica:Work is more fun when youre doing it with people you like and respect. 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. Its the most comprehensive (and accurate) list of literary agencies in the world, with detailed profiles for more than 1,100 literary agents. If they do get back to you, expect a rejection . Maybe its the book that we havent placed yet, but still so strongly believe has a place in the world. Agent statistics, detailing how long each agent typically takes to respond to a query. Start with illustrators you admire. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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. I signed with Don Fehr at Trident Media and a short time later I had a publishing contract! She is drawn toward gorgeous writing and strong, flawed characters. How Much Does An Agent Cost? Manuscripts sent to them will be discarded unread. Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator) need an agent?Agents wear many important hats. Read comments by other authors who have queried the same agents you have. But Im really thrilled to be co-agenting with Erica. QueryTracker will not function correctly without javascript. 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. 6. A thoughtful, personalized query letter does a lot, and obviously if I connect with an art sample or a pitch, its a win, but even then my decision ultimately hinges on what that persons web presence looks like. Follow agents on social media. Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator) need an agent? ), etc. Childrens/Chapter Book J. Agee Fiction/Christian K. Sargent Although of course it would be totally fine for them to communicate if it would benefit the development of the proposal! 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. We only accept submissions via e-mail. May 2010 - Feb 20143 years 10 months. Ive seen really exciting work come out of it. Here are their answers: What do you look for in a submission? In childrens fiction, they primarily accept early readers and chapter books, and perhaps the very rare, exceptional picture book. Hall is the author of the picture books. Congratulations! Its not easy to do it yourself, but it is possible. Here is the: AAR Agent Databaseand the list of AAR members who represent picture books. There is just an overwhelming amount of people looking to connect with agents, and it can be challenging for some to give out that warmth all the time. 2023 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved. Thats exactly right. Memoir/Inspirational L. Subramani They step in when needed. . Once a book is sold, authors and illustrators will be presenting themselves to publishers, booksellers, librarians, and others as a professional. If you do not receive a reply from Chad in 2 weeks, please assume its a pass. 8. There may come a time where it makes sense for the artist and author to collaborate more directly. If working at an office location and you are not "logged in", simply close and relaunch your preferred browser. Memoir/Christian S. LeRette 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. We only get paid when the author gets paid after we sell an authors work. 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. If an agent is interested in representing you, under no circumstances should you simply say, Great! "Just got great reviews!" is better. They operate on your behalf, ever focused on your career. Were able to spot trends before they enter the marketplace, and this knowledge becomes invaluable in ensuring that your portfolio is as current and fresh as possible. Provide URLs to your author website and social media that supports your efforts to brand yourself. Catbird Press is no longer publishing. 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. Not accepting submissions for childrens works unless by an illustrator/artist. Visit their websites, where they explain who they are and what they want. RESPONSE TIMES We respond to most queries within twelve weeks. Kirsten Hall is a former preschool and elementary school teacher who has authored more than a hundred learn-to-read stories for emergent readers. Ive seen really exciting work come out of it. Were both trying hard to keep the number of people we represent manageable. Please put your query and sample in the body of the email. Yes, you pay agents a fee, and that fee could be fairly substantial, depending on the agent. 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. Familiarize yourself with their accomplishments. In some cases yes and in some cases no. Get the facts. Keep an eye out this spring for DOLL-E 1.0 by Shanda McCloskey (Little,Brown), Time Tracers by Annabeth Bondor Stone & Connor White (HarperCollins), Finns Featherillustrated by Zoey Abbott (Enchanted Lion Books), and Rock N Roll Soul by Susan Verde and Matthew Cordell (Abrams)! 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. Look, I get it, man. Childrens/YA D. Bester Ive worked as a publicist, as an editor, and now as an agent and author. Thank you for submitting your work! 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. Feel free to share your thoughts and questions in the comments section below. 1) Those that reflect soulfulness and deep consideration. They told me they were going to focus on getting me into the industry I love: childrens books. It was after the 2013 SCBWI NY conference. We are Catbird Lit, an American journal of humorous writings and visual arts based in Austin, Texas. Kirsten opened Catbirds wings in March 2014. You should. Sign up for our Children's Bookshelf newsletter! Christy Ewers: is mostly closed to submissions for the time being. * Search the directory by book genre/category (more than 100 categories). For an author or illustrator, most of the benefits of having an agent are fairly obvious. Is it consistent? 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. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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. Get free access to the Directory of Literary Agents with detailed agent listings to get a traditional publisher, Copyright 2011-23 The Bestselling Author, LLC. We share with one another,we lean on each other. 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. Anna Olswanger has been a literary agent since 2005. Before working in publishing, Erica was a teacher and dean. 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. In some cases the text and art may be developing simultaneously off of one another. Publishing Agent Kirsten Hall is an agent with Catbird Productions. She wants to be surprisedtheres nothing like the feeling that youre reading something entirely new. Its important to get a sense that a potential client will take that approach. Can you terminate the contract if things go south? To me it is the gold standard for a picture book that makes the reader feel. "Actor seeking representation" is a bore. When looking for the first time at an artists portfolio, I like to see a cross section of their work. 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. Like coaches,good agents get the best out of you. Memoir/Christian S. LeRette 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. Submission Guidelines: Hello! Search tools to help you find the right agent for your book. (Her rst bookBunny, Bunnywas published when she was in 7th grade. Today, the tools that art directors use to find illustrators are too numerous to list. Sure you can. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Lets tap into that knowledge. The Chudney Agency (Submissions) Only looking for author/illustrators (one individual). Submit to Susan Hawk Any agents not listed above are CLOSED to submissions. The answer might be a little different for our editorial colleagues with writers. For off-site access, click here. She is just as happy working with debut talents as she is best-sellers. Good agents know which parts of the contract are flexible (and which shouldnt be). What does that mean? Today, she is the founder and owner of a boutique children's book illustration and literary agency, Catbird Productions. Even if you get the book deal on your own, a complicated contract is sure to follow, and hopefully an ongoing business relationship has only just begun. How do you work with your clients individually on something like this? She is looking for visual storytellers with distinctive, unique portfolios that will stand out in a crowded market. Your submission to agents isnt an Instagram post thats totes gonna get likes. In your query letter, stick to professional accomplishments that relate to writing and publishing. 38.4k Followers, 0 Following, 1,895 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Catbird Agency (@catbirdagencypix) When Should You Get An Agent? 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. QueryTracker includes resources for all writing genres (not just picture books). Pairing up directly with clients from other agencies is a great way to be proactive in making new projects happen. I was able to speak with literary agents from top agencies such as Janklow & Nesbit, Trident Media, Anderson Lit, and Folio. On the reverse, sometimes our authors are looking for new inspiration and an illustration can be a great way to get those wheels turning. Overall, Fuse agents may take 4-8 weeks to respond to queries and then additional time for submissions. Offer of Representation Home Book Agencies USA Literary Agencies and Literary Agents Catbird Productions. Lets submit your work to an agent. (Maybe: Is publishing dead or not? Its not dead, but I digress.). Sense of place mattersprecise, expressive settings delight her. She likens her agency, which specializes in picture books, to a creative playground. Youre the playerone of many players on his or her team. Someone asked me once, Do you only hire artists who have agents?Not in the slightest. Lets stop using that word rejection. Try for a moment to think of it as objective criticism. 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). "Berkley Books recently published my book in hardcover after Mark helped me get multiple agents interested in my work. Well navigate the waters together. Its so truein the past month alone weve had some particularly exciting pairings between Stimola and Catbird! Theyre easy. Its true, I love to co-agent, and I do it regularly with agents at several different agencies. Nonfiction/Business D. Hamme 2. It feels good to say, I have an agent. Its legitimizing. Hall is Catbird Productions' sole proprietor. 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! If you can, find a contract professional to read it. The snob. NOTE: If you had a previous PW subscription, click here to reactivate your immediate access. You did the homework. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Hall, who is the author of 100+ children's books, has been employed since 2009 as a US-based managing agent at the Bright Agency, which is headquartered in London and specializes in nurturing and developing debut childrens book author/illustrators. Right now, Brenda is not accepting picture book manuscript submissions, but she is looking for adult historical fiction. When our illustrators arent working up a project of their own, were pitching them to get matched up by publishers. 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'"). SUBMISSIONS. Nonfiction/Diversity S. Peer Experience. Not everythingbut most. Today, she is the founder and owner of a boutique childrens book illustration and literary agency, Catbird Productions. She is the author of 100+ children's 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 . Learn More. Do you need an agent? It isnt as automatic as you think. Erica:Publishers really enjoy being in control when it comes to matching a text to an illustrator (its an extremely fun (!) Narrative Nonfiction D. Cohen It sounds less hurtful. 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. A coin is flipped on its head. Is there a five-word sentence in the childrens book industry more capable of sparking a debate than Do I need an agent? . Kirsten Hallis a former preschool and elementary school teacher who has authored more than a hundred learn-to-read stories for emergent readers. 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 still remember the first time I read Jessixa Bagleys dummy submission. (Thank you!). NOTE: As an agency we are closed to new queries and submissions each December 1st to January 15th!
Gilbert Artemus (Artie) Darrell