She had been in my session and introduced herself at the end and mentioned that she was sending me her dummy. Literary Agencies for Picture Books (A-F) 3 Arts Entertainment (New .
CookeMcDermid Lemonade Illustration Agency (Artist Submissions) UK agency for illustrators of childrens books & other media. Prentis Literary (Childrens Fiction) (Agents) (Submissions) In childrens fiction, they primarily accept early readers and chapter books, and perhaps the very rare, exceptional picture book. She doesnt represent adult projects. Congratulations x 2 to Isabelle Arsenault! QueryTracker Members can view the data gathered by all other members, organized into reports showing 2007-2023 QueryTracker. There is a lot of uncertainty that comes along with developing a co-agented pitch from just the seed of an idea. If you do not receive a reply from Chad in 2 weeks, please assume its a pass. Okay! Here is a little secret: most of the childrens agents I know are incredibly warm, and kind and fun.
Contact US The CAT Agency 4. Sometimes those opportunities come in fast and sometimes they dont. Catbird Press is no longer publishing. Today, she is the founder and owner of a boutique children's book illustration and literary agency, Catbird Productions. . Narrative Nonfiction D. Cohen 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. Click here to retrieve reset your password. 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. The greatest advantage (good) agents provide is knowledge. 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. . Thats exactly right. The cycle of creating successful titles is like putting on a playeveryone must work to the best of their abilities. Hall is Catbird Productions' sole proprietor. Ideally, you handle the creative end, and your agent handles the business end. Chad W. Beckerman: is always looking at submissions! 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. Were not afraid of this. What percentage of art directors go to agents first to find illustrators? These letters are just steps on the path. Be professional in your communication with an agent. Hall can be contacted at Kirsten@catbirdagency.com. I think of co-agenting as an opportunity to have double the client list with only half of the responsibility. Ive been in publishing for over a decade. Memoir/Women L. Lehr I love my fellow kidlit agents, and I honestly believe we root for each other and celebrate each others successes. Both literary and commercial work. After You Get A Book Agent. Do your clients have more contact with one another than they would if this were set up by a publisher? Home Book Agents Literary Agent Kirsten Hall Catbird Productions. 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. 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! Halls client list at Bright includes Benji Davis, Elly Mackay, Clive McFarland, and Connah Brecon. When an agent is pitching or submitting the work, it is my belief that the success rate is so much higher. Maybe its the prospective client that we missed out on. The answer might be a little different for our editorial colleagues with writers.
They step in when needed. Learn More.
Her client list at Bright includes Elly Mackay, Benji Davis, Clive McFarland, and Connah Brecon. Open to illustrator & author-illustrator submissions. While her taste is broad, shes especially excited to find fresh stories and artwork from voices that have previously been underrepresented. Memoir/Family/Identity S. Foti Youre about to sign with an agent. For nonfiction: she is looking for compelling, voice-driven projects that shed a humorous or thought-provoking light on a previously unknown topic in the areas of narrative nonfiction/memoir, lifestyle, relationships, humor, current events, food, wine, and cooking. But, when it feels right and exciting on our end, we hope that it will be received that way by the publishers. Its not easy to do it yourself, but it is possible. I choose to work with an agent because I value that relationship and I know its helped me to create my best work. 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. How to Get a Fiction Agent Due to the volume of submissions we receive, we are unable toguarantee feedback or advice in our rejections.
If you need contractual help, you can find an attorney who would only charge a one-time fee. The Chudney Agency (Submissions) Only looking for author/illustrators (one individual).
Literary Agents for Children's Books 2023-2024 | Kids' Book Agents 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. Fiction/Christian K. Sargent Maybe. Please submit to SUBMISSIONS@CATAGENCYINC.COM & let us know who you are submitting to in the subject line!
Submissions & Newsletter | Fuse Literary We only accept submissions via e-mail. Boutique kidlit author/illustrator agency & producer of books for all ages Catbird Agency | New York NY 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. The story taps into important truths about love and loss and life. I work alone and basically love knocking on other agents doors and asking them to come out and play! She is drawn to work that showcases expressive characters, timeless palettes, and atmospheric scenes. and strategic process), so its not something we do all the time. Shes one of my favorite people in the entire industry. Your work has been submitted! Erica:Publishers really enjoy being in control when it comes to matching a text to an illustrator (its an extremely fun (!) Children's Book Writers Honest and open communication is key. As soon as you register youll get instant access to the following: * Agent bios for all agents atCatbird Productions Get a Kids Book Agent Were both trying hard to keep the number of people we represent manageable.
The Catbird Seat Inc - Travelers . Get the facts. On the reverse, sometimes our authors are looking for new inspiration and an illustration can be a great way to get those wheels turning. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. And Im stirred by pitches that elicit feelings of sympathy or empathy. . 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). Danielle is actively seeking projects in a variety of categories. Offer of Representation 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. 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. It may not. It was a natural progression for those conversations to lead to ways our clients could work together. The overwhelming advantage in having this knowledge is proven when we come to share new work; it cuts through the noise and competition. 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. Look at what theyll do for you versus what youll have to do for yourself. Okay!
Home - Catbird Childrens/Pic Book M. Leshem-Pelly 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. Each have their advantages and disadvantages. And then there are the projects that never seem to go anywhere at all. Kirsten Hallis a former preschool and elementary school teacher who has authored more than a hundred learn-to-read stories for emergent readers. Congratulations! Read their interviews. Home Book Agencies USA Literary Agencies and Literary Agents Catbird Productions. 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! Writing thats confident, vivid, addictive; work thats both ambitious and wise. Otherwise, please consider submitting to one of my wonderful colleagues at ABLA. Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency (Agents & Submissions)NOTE: This is aUKagency.
You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Practice professional patience and persistence. (Maybe: Is publishing dead or not? Its not dead, but I digress.).
RMV Workforce Corp hiring CNA in Phoenix, Arizona, United States | LinkedIn When Stephanie first contacted me, she was very excited and said, I cant get your book proposal out of my head. I think authors and illustrators sometimes forget that agents, too, face disappointment. How to Get a Nonfiction Agent 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. Nonfiction/Diversity S. Peer Kayla is also open to representing illustrators. Ron is a literary agent and co-owner of CookeMcDermid. While were waiting on the agents response, can I ask you why you want an agent? For adult fiction, Danielle is seeking upmarket commercial fiction and literary fiction. 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. [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews], Fiction/General J. Jago Co-agenting, or doing that process together, makes it even more fun and is a great way to learn from one another. Only looking for author/illustrators (one individual). Visit our Team Fuse page and click an agent to read their profile. Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator) need an agent? and Illustrators. Memoir/Christian S. LeRette Bios, interests, and submission instructions can be found here. Susan's submission email is: susanhawk.submission@gmail.com. More on her wish list, here. Were both trying hard to keep the number of people we represent manageable. * A link to the Catbird Productionswebsite
Do I Need An Agent? (Or A Blog About the Life of a Submission, in Three Andrea Brown Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions). 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.
Kirsten Hall | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster Send her your high-concept and hooky; your award-winners; the books that will become backlist gold. An agent delivers. Its not 100 percent, I can tell you that. Do not submit a full-length manuscript or proposal unless requested. Warning: This site requires javascript, but it appears that your browser I also ask six well-respected agents to share their thoughts by answering three questions. ), etc. Olswanger Literary LLC. Childrens/YA D. Bester Illustrators: send 4-6 jpegs of samples, a live link to your website and a short letter of introduction. I read it and I cried. Im the person throwing up the grappling hook, not the one pouring down hot oil. The black catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris) is found in coastal Yucatn. You didnt receive a rejection letter. You received a critique letter. It sounds so much better, doesnt it? 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? What I know when co-agenting with Erica is that no matter what happens well always be good. 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? By the end of this post, you may finally have the answer to: Do I need an agent?. Theyre pitching. And I can already see that the books were making together are going to be magical. The coach-player analogy is much more accurate. 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. Bookmark Literary (Submissions) Open to illustrator submissions. 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. We only accept submissions via e-mail. 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 . Sts ID Perm Fac. Sometimes your work just isnt a fit for our skill set or interests. Thank you for submitting your work! Memoir/Multicultural N. Aronheim Please send her: childrens illustration portfolios, picture book dummies, picture book manuscripts, childrens graphic novel pitches, and the select chapter book project. That one was just meant to be it seems! Co-agenting is Ericas and my way of trying to be as proactive as we can for our clients. It may not. Logo designed by Kody Chamberlain Website designed by Ian Bauer. Lets tap into that knowledge. Having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable." Its all about matchmaking matching up talent to work together, matching up talent to editors and publishers. Childrens/Pic Book M. Leshem-Pelly It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Sure you can. Not everythingbut most. "Mark helped me get five different offers for representation from top literary agents. Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997). She has incredible vision and is very brave. In some cases the text and art may be developing simultaneously off of one another. In childrens fiction, they primarily accept early readers and chapter books, and perhaps the very rare, exceptional picture book. Is it consistent? Aliza R. Hoover: represents illustrators and author-illustrators. She prefers books that explore deep emotional relationships in an interesting or unusual way. 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! And I read it again and I cried again. To bridge these twoindustries, she co-founded Room 228, a consulting company that creates educational marketing materials and literacy programming for children. RESPONSE TIMES We respond to most queries within twelve weeks. She has negotiated many hundreds of childrens book deals between authors, illustrators, and all of the major American publishers. A graduate of Simon Fraser University's Master of Publishing program and a twenty-five year veteran of Canadian publishing, Ron worked with Penguin Canada, Westwood Creative Artists, and Random House of Canada before joining CookeMcDermid in 2009. Keep walking. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Join thousands of other subscribers today by enteringyour first name and email address. 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. Read comments by other authors who have queried the same agents you have. A major plus of not having an agent is the money saved. They open doors to opportunities. She is not seeking sci-fi, horror, or high fantasy. Kirsten Hall, Catbird Agency Picture books pretty much have me wrapped around their finger. Agents arent just sitting by the phone, hoping to get your submission. She is . Theyre reading. Kirsten:Its so truein the past month alone weve had some particularly exciting pairings between Stimola and Catbird! Author/illustrators: NBPlease include a link to your online portfolio and/or to your downloadable dummy. If you still dont hear from them, move on. Before you submit: Read their guidelines. Not really. 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. Books invite joy. And then submit your picture book query letter and manuscript. Kirsten works intimately with her clients to conceive and develop original story pitches. Read their bios to determine which picture book literary agencies and agents might be the best fit. You did the homework. The Number of Queries Sent and Their Replies. The irony is that by doing it yourself, by finding some amount of success on your own, you become more attractive to .
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. . You can unsubscribe easily at any time we dont spam. If you dont get a good feeling from them in any correspondence, your gut is trying to tell you something. Follow agents on social media. Most literary agency directories (print and online) are outdated, incomplete, and riddled with mistakes. Repeat. They operate on your behalf, ever focused on your career. Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), Jill Grinberg Literary Management (Agents) (Submissions), Ladderbird Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions). Writers can search posts for agents compatible with their work. Authors pen manuscripts, artists are creators, agents have insight and continued relationships, editors and art directors have the vision. SCBWI Statement of Intent on Equity and Inclusion, The Essential Guide to Publishing for Children, Co-Agenting with Kirsten Hall and Erica Rand Silverman. Its so truein the past month alone weve had some particularly exciting pairings between Stimola and Catbird! 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. Call:1-800 -278-2991 (outside US/Canada, call +1-847-513-6135) 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday (Central). What if you cant deliver the work on time? She is looking for visual storytellers with distinctive, unique portfolios that will stand out in a crowded market. Rest assured, there are far,far fewer of these agents out there. 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. All agents should share the ability to reasonably negotiate contracts. Sometimes those opportunities come in fast and sometimes they dont.
Picture Book Literary Agents 2023-2024 | Accepting Submissions Youre the playerone of many players on his or her team. For more specifics on what Susan is looking for, including information about genres and categories, please see here and here.
Twitter. It's what's happening / Twitter Either way, look for agents who show an appreciation for your visual aesthetic. If you can, find a contract professional to read it. get work . Feel free to share your thoughts and questions in the comments section below. There may come a time where it makes sense for the artist and author to collaborate more directly. This enables us to put a plan in place before the first portfolio sheet is made. They understand the nuances of contractsforeign rights, royalty escalation clauses, merchandising (how much would you charge for ringtones? They're publicizing. I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin Books, which published my book in hardcover! Although of course it would be totally fine for them to communicate if it would benefit the development of the proposal! 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. Were a tight-knit community! Can you do it without an agent? 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). 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? The agent then dedicates energy and resources to get that first commission. Theyre easy. In your query letter, stick to professional accomplishments that relate to writing and publishing. Thank you for trying us, and all good luck! While youre working creatively, your agent is out there sharing your work and lining up the next best project. Bright Agency (Agents)(Submissions)A UK / USA agency. (Thank you!). Look at the length of the agreement. Don't miss our ebook deals starting at $0.99! But Im really thrilled to be co-agenting with Erica. They will try to respond within a month. Co-agenting is Ericas and my way of trying to be as proactive as we can for our clients. Good agents know which parts of the contract are flexible (and which shouldnt be). If they do get back to you, expect a rejection . Sign up for our Children's Bookshelf newsletter! News and updates to get a top literary agent, publisher, and book deal. Scroll below now to viewthe AAR statusand a complete profile for Kirsten HallFREE in ourBookAgents Directory. Do you need an agent? You should know, agents are not going to comment right away (if at all). This is probably less often the case once a project reaches the publisher. Do not query multiple agents at Fuse simultaneously. Unfortunately, misconceptions and assumptions related to the job description of an agent are rife in the illustration community. Each agent lists what they want on their bio page. Kirsten HallLiterary Agent This articleabout Literary Agent Kirsten Halland Catbird Productionsis part of a series about literary agents and how toFind a PublishingAgent. Start with illustrators you admire. Kirsten Hall is President of Catbird, a boutique childrens literary and illustration agency. 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. Getfree access to the Directory of Literary Agents with detailed agent profiles.
Kirsten Hall - Catbird Agency | QueryTracker Childrens/Chapter Book J. Agee Although of course it would be totally fine for them to communicate if it would benefit the development of the proposal! Is there a five-word sentence in the childrens book industry more capable of sparking a debate than Do I need an agent? How is it different from the way you usually rep a book?
I'm obsessed by the story-telling opportunities offered by this highly-visual genre! 8. The project may work. It sounds less hurtful. Your parents, who arent quite sure what you do, certainly know what agents doand that will make them happy. Join QueryTracker to access more query and agent information, including To read more comments about this agent, or to leave comments of your own, become a QueryTracker member. And so on. But I didnt get the level of attention I was expecting. Lets stop using that word rejection. Try for a moment to think of it as objective criticism. . Were allies, strategists, friends, supervisors, listeners, managers, organizers, brainstorming partners. Want more information about Kirsten Hall? 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. It feels good to say, I have an agent. Its legitimizing. We have invaluable industry insights and connections. Maybe its the book that we havent placed yet, but still so strongly believe has a place in the world. And sometime between crying, I offered Jessixa representation. 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. Catbird Creative Agency Advertising Services Cleveland, Ohio 57 followers catbird seat (noun) an enviable position; having the upper hand or greater advantage The Chudney Agency (Submissions) Only looking for author/illustrators (one individual). Some agents are boutiques.
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