Notes/Tips: Our agency does not represent poetry or screenplays. Hall is the author of the picture books The Gold Leaf and The Jacket, which was a New York Times Notable Book in 2014. We were thinking of matching up Susan Verde and Jay Fleck for our own pitch and then Susans editor, on her own accord, ended up approaching Jay to illustrate Susans new series. Copyright 2023 D. B. Righi. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. How to Find a Literary Agent for Your BookAdvice from writing professional Jane Friedman. Ive seen really exciting work come out of it. David Higham Associates (Agents)(Submissions)A UK agency. A good agent is one who helps move a project forward. Youve identified fifteen to twenty agents. How is it different from the way you usually rep a book? 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. Otherwise, please consider submitting to one of my wonderful colleagues at ABLA. 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. Tugeau 2, A Children's Art & Literary Agency 2231 Grandview Avenue Cleveland Heights, OH 44106 Tugeau 2 proudly serves artists, writers and illustrators with representation in the children's publishing industry. Tugeau 2 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. 2 talking about this. Only looking for author/illustrators (one individual). Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. She wants to be surprisedtheres nothing like the feeling that youre reading something entirely new. Honest and open communication is key. Youre about to sign with an agent. 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. Need an author or illustrator? PW site license members have access to PWs subscriber-only website content. As soon as you register youll get instant access to the following: * Agent bios for all agents atCatbird Productions You still need to hustle. Good agents know which parts of the contract are flexible (and which shouldnt be). 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). Submissions - Upstart Crow Literary Once you sign with an agent, you dont just sit back and wait for the jobs to roll in. 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. Rest assured, there are far,far fewer of these agents out there. Society of Yes, you pay agents a fee, and that fee could be fairly substantial, depending on the agent. Were not afraid of this. Kirsten HallLiterary Agent represents the followingbook genres: Scroll below now to view representative titlesand a complete profile for Kirsten HallFREE in ourBookAgents Directory. 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. Memoir/Mainstream E. Armstrong Keep walking. It was a natural progression for those conversations to lead to ways our clients could work together. Alloy Entertainment: Accepting Manuscript Queries - Authors Publish Boutique kidlit author/illustrator agency & producer of books for all ages Catbird Agency | New York NY And I can already see that the books were making together are going to be magical. When Stephanie first contacted me, she was very excited and said, I cant get your book proposal out of my head. Get the facts. The black catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris) is found in coastal Yucatn. Its not 100 percent, I can tell you that. Our hearts are very much in the right place. Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency (Agents & Submissions)NOTE: This is aUKagency. Getfree access to the Directory of Literary Agents with detailed agent profiles. Provide URLs to your author website and social media that supports your efforts to brand yourself. Don't miss our ebook deals starting at $0.99! Writers can search posts for agents compatible with their work. What percentage of art directors go to agents first to find illustrators? AAR members must meet the highest standards and canon of ethics. Agents Seeking ClientsAuthor Erica Verillo has links for agents seeking clients and other excellent resources for writers, including kidlit writers on her blog Publishing and Other Forms of Insanity. 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. Look at what theyll do for you versus what youll have to do for yourself. The Catbird Seat Inc - Travelers Theyre traveling. and strategic process), so its not something we do all the time. 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 . and Illustrators. Keep your correspondence professional. What is one misconception about agents?That were glamorous, haughty gatekeepers! 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. Again, I digress.). * Access to all literary agent profiles in the Directory of Literary Agents(1,100+) Editors should be salivating by the time they get to the chapter outline. Working with Mark was completely worth it." Manuscript Guidelines - Catbird Press It may not even be 50 percent. Chad W. Beckerman: is always looking at submissions! Submissions & Newsletter | Fuse Literary 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. 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. 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. In each case, they pointed out issues in my work that I knew were there but refused to recognize. Follow agents on social media. We have similar agenting styles, and even more importantly both value our relationship. Writing thats confident, vivid, addictive; work thats both ambitious and wise. These cookies do not store any personal information. Maybe. 2. But its good to be pushed outside our comfort zones once in a while. Bookmark Literary (Submissions) Open to illustrator submissions. I read it and I cried. How Long to Get An Agent? Others are big box stores. RMV Workforce Corp hiring CNA in Phoenix, Arizona, United States | LinkedIn But the truth is everyone in publishing faces rejection at some point. Either way, look for agents who show an appreciation for your visual aesthetic. I went back to the drawing board., I signed with an agent, thinking that they would get me consistent work. The cycle of creating successful titles is like putting on a playeveryone must work to the best of their abilities. Janklow & Nesbit Associates (Agents) (Submissions)USA & UK agency. Then I look for a voice, either in the words of an author or the art of an illustrator. While youre working creatively, your agent is out there sharing your work and lining up the next best project. Illustrators: send 4-6 jpegs of samples, a live link to your website and a short letter of introduction. Sure you can. 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. Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator) need an agent?Agents wear many important hats. Each have their advantages and disadvantages. 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. Were not afraid of this. Kirsten Hall has struck out on her own after years of freelancing and started her own literary companyCatbird Productionssearching for debut talent. She is not seeking sci-fi, horror, or high fantasy. Do not send attachments with your query. An online list of agents who represent all genres (not just picture books). Odds of Getting a Book Agent Kirsten works intimately with her clients to conceive and develop original story pitches. 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. All I can say is find the right agent for you, and you wont regret it. Now, let me tell you why you dont need one. Join thousands of other subscribers today by enteringyour first name and email address. About | Catbird Productions Co-agenting is Ericas and my way of trying to be as proactive as we can for our clients. She is just as happy working with debut talents as she is best-sellers. Different authors and illustrators have different needs, which is why finding your perfect agent match is so important. Sometimes those opportunities come in fast and sometimes they dont. Kirsten HallLiterary Agent is on our list of Publishing Agents USA (book agents in the United States), Fiction Publishing Agents (book agents who represent fiction authors), Childrens Publishing Agents (book agents who represent books for younger readers), Young Adult Publishing Agents (book agents who represent YA books for teens),Middle Grade Publishing Agents (book agents who represent books for middle grade tween readers), and Picture Book Publishing Agents (book agents who represent picture books for kids). And so on. She is drawn toward gorgeous writing and strong, flawed characters. A good contract should cover not only the essential points of the job/deal but also the worst-case scenarios: What if your client doesnt pay? Having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable." 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! Who reps them? 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. Danielle is actively seeking projects in a variety of categories. Andrea Brown Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions). These letters are just steps on the path. I see you have an email from an agent. It feels good to say, I have an agent. Its legitimizing. Both literary and commercial work. 3. Lets submit your work to an agent. This is probably less often the case once a project reaches the publisher. Lemonade Illustration Agency (Artist Submissions) UK agency for illustrators of childrens books & other media. 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. Either way, I hope this post helps you move forward with your career. Scroll below now to view the email and postal addressfor Kirsten HallFREE in our BookAgents Directory. Her client list at Bright includes Elly Mackay, Benji Davis, Clive McFarland, and Connah Brecon. 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. 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. 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. Please put your query and sample in the body of the email. What if you cant deliver the work on time? We will not open emailed attachments. We spend a good amount of time bouncing ideas off of each other and sharing good and bad news. 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. Were both trying hard to keep the number of people we represent manageable. And then submit your picture book query letter and manuscript. Fiction/Mystery B. Harper Nonfiction/Business D. Hamme If you need contractual help, you can find an attorney who would only charge a one-time fee. 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. As an art director, it made no difference whatsoever. Anna Olswanger has been a literary agent since 2005. Memoir/Mainstream E. Armstrong Ive seen really exciting work come out of it. Start with illustrators you admire. Regardless,I like to seek out three main strengths any time I review a portfolio: storytelling ability, consistency, and confidence. Read industry magazines and blogs. How to Find a Book Agent The Cat Agency Inc. (Agents) (Submissions) Open to illustrator & author-illustrator submissions. Childrens/YA C. Plum-Ucci Maybe the hardest method, but people do talk . It was a natural progression for those conversations to lead to ways our clients could work together. Theyre defending. Its brilliant I mean, really, its fantastic. Look, even Ive received critique letters. Several of them. Memoir/Multicultural N. Aronheim Feeling hurt inflates our ego, which clouds self-awareness, which stunts creative improvement. 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. When Should You Get An Agent? . 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. More on her wish list, here. I want to work with an artist whose goal it is to write and illustrate their own books. An agent delivers. 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. The subject heading in your email should be simple but enticing. Manuscripts sent to them will be discarded unread. Its true, I love to co-agent, and I do it regularly with agents at several different agencies. Cherry Weiner Literary Agent - Cherry Weiner Literary Agency She currently has around 45 clients with little room for more, as she thinks 50 clients is the ideal number. We are Catbird Lit, an American journal of humorous writings and visual arts based in Austin, Texas. Kayla welcomes dark humor, suspense, magical realism, awkwardly adorable romance, and everything in-between. Ask questions. A Montreal-based boutique production company, we specialize in award-winning, beautifully-crafted and enduring POV documentaries for Canadian and international audiences. Olswanger.com Association of Authors Representatives, Inc. (AAR)AAR members must meet the highest standards and canon of ethics. Agencies are still in there, but the box is getting more crowded all the time. 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. She doesnt represent adult projects. Olswanger Literary LLC. But they are out there. Only considers picture books from established illustrators. 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 . 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. No, its not. Sts ID Perm Fac. 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. Narrative Nonfiction D. Cohen Memoir/Christian S. LeRette Astound US Illustration Agency(Submissions scroll down to Artists submissions)Open to illustrator & author-illustrator submissions. They are the busiest bees in the hive. 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/Christian S. LeRette Some of her favorite illustrators include Mike Boldt, Amber Ren, Vashti Harrison, and Eliza Wheeler. 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. Kirsten Hall | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster Fiction/Mystery B. Harper Agents are people, too. By the end of this post, you may finally have the answer to: Do I need an agent?. 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. Please submit to SUBMISSIONS@CATAGENCYINC.COM & let us know who you are submitting to in the subject line! Honest and open communication is key. That one was just meant to be it seems! SUBMISSIONS. 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). Queries about books that dont conform, but rather provoke, excite me. Erica:Publishers really enjoy being in control when it comes to matching a text to an illustrator (its an extremely fun (!) Thank you. catbird, any of five bird species named for their mewing calls, which are used in addition to song. I can tell you why I need an agent. Here is the: Advice from writing professional Jane Friedman. Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator need an agent? But Im really thrilled to be co-agenting with Erica. Get updates about Kirsten Hall and recommended reads from Simon & Schuster. Erica:Its also really fun when it happens on the end of the publishers too. They want to represent you?! Hall is Catbird Productions' sole proprietor. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But were also different from one another; we shine in different ways. you guessed it: agents. catbird seat. To me it is the gold standard for a picture book that makes the reader feel. 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). Finding a literary agent for children's books is easy using our literary agency database. They lead the cheer for you. They open doors to opportunities. Ive worked as a publicist, as an editor, and now as an agent and author. 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?. All rights reserved. Im the person throwing up the grappling hook, not the one pouring down hot oil. The snob. I'm obsessed by the story-telling opportunities offered by this highly-visual genre! And thats just on Monday. 5. Show an agent you are serious about writing as a career. On the reverse, sometimes our authors are looking for new inspiration and an illustration can be a great way to get those wheels turning. Wait for a response. I signed with Don Fehr at Trident Media and a short time later I had a publishing contract! When an agent is pitching or submitting the work, it is my belief that the success rate is so much higher. I was able to speak with literary agents from top agencies such as Janklow & Nesbit, Trident Media, Anderson Lit, and Folio. Many of us are friends. Kayla's submission email is: kayla.submission@gmail.com. Erica:In some cases yes and in some cases no. Were both trying hard to keep the number of people we represent manageable. I choose to work with an agent because I value that relationship and I know its helped me to create my best work. Literary Agents & Publications Open To Submissions - Medium We usually begin by keeping the artist and author separate from one another as publishers do. Childrens/YA D. Bester Catbird Productions 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). Ive asked agents James Burns, Kirsten Hall, Jennifer Linnan, Alexandra Penfold, Linda Pratt,and Erica Rand Silverman three simple questions. Excellent source for agent interviews, kidlit information, and an agent database you can search by age category (e.g., picture books). We respond to most queries within twelve weeks. . If you have questions, you can build your own network of colleagues who may have the answers. It all depends on who you are, and what you want. We only accept submissions via e-mail. And Im stirred by pitches that elicit feelings of sympathy or empathy. Narrative Nonfiction D. Cohen It was after the 2013 SCBWI NY conference. Offer of Representation Co-agenting is Ericas and my way of trying to be as proactive as we can for our clients. Visit our Team Fuse page and click an agent to read their profile. Do not submit a full-length manuscript or proposal unless requested. Susan represents work for children and teens only: picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and young adult, along with some non-fiction for young readers. Not everythingbut most. Please send her: childrens illustration portfolios, picture book dummies, picture book manuscripts, childrens graphic novel pitches, and the select chapter book project. "Berkley Books recently published my book in hardcover after Mark helped me get multiple agents interested in my work. Our goal is always to sell their work and properly manage their rights, establishing long-term writing careers for our clients. Kirsten:Not necessarily. . Catbird Productions was founded in 2006 by Katarina Soukup. It is my belief that it comes from the onboarding process. Ive learned how important it is to review our individual clients wants and needs before offers start to come in. 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)! Your submission to agents isnt an Instagram post thats totes gonna get likes. And I can already see that the books were making together are going to be magical. We only accept submissions via e-mail. 8. By the end of this post, you may finally have the answer to: "Do I need an agent?" But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. A major plus of not having an agent is the money saved. If they do get back to you, expect a rejection . RESPONSE TIMES We respond to most queries within twelve weeks. I look for author-illustrators. Sometimes those opportunities come in fast and sometimes they dont. Publishing Agent Kirsten Hall is an agent with Catbird Productions. I still remember the first time I read Jessixa Bagleys dummy submission. Never miss a moment of Fuse Literarys deals and bonus content. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. However, there are differences in our tastes and our particular areas of proficiency, e.g., editorial, genre, licensing, promotion, etc. Theyre not your servants. Read their bios to determine which picture book literary agencies and agents might be the best fit. They understand the nuances of contractsforeign rights, royalty escalation clauses, merchandising (how much would you charge for ringtones? Lets take a journey together. Most things are negotiable. Be professional in your communication with an agent. 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. In this way we made a really exciting match for a to-be-announced Jory John and K-Fai Steele project. The Cat Agency Inc. (Agents) (Submissions) Open to illustrator & author-illustrator submissions. CookeMcDermid Shes one of my favorite people in the entire industry. Its important to get a sense that a potential client will take that approach. I think of co-agenting as an opportunity to have double the client list with only half of the responsibility. Bios, interests, and submission instructions can be found here. Agent statistics, detailing how long each agent typically takes to respond to a query. If working at an office location and you are not "logged in", simply close and relaunch your preferred browser. Part of my job is to break down any remaining barriers, not to guard themto make introductions, to get more eyes on clients work. ), etc. 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.