Childrens/Pic Book M. Leshem-Pelly 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. No agency can guarantee that a particular project will sell, but we sign clients because we love their writing and want them to succeed. The one who allows ego to influence their decisions. What do you look for in a submission?The very best in art and literature reveals something real and true about ourselves, and childrens books are no exception. full terms and conditions and this month's choices. 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. To find out more about PWs site license subscription options, please email Mike Popalardo at: mike@nextstepsmarketing.com. 6. 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). Scroll below now to learn more about Literary Agent Kirsten Hall andget free instant access to our BookAgents Directory. The project may work. Feeling hurt inflates our ego, which clouds self-awareness, which stunts creative improvement. Were not afraid of this. Stagger it. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Writers can search posts for agents compatible with their work. 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. 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. She is just as happy working with debut talents as she is best-sellers. For adult fiction, Danielle is seeking upmarket commercial fiction and literary fiction. Our hearts are very much in the right place. Humor is important, even in a narrative thats dark or sad or edgy. Do you need an agent? It all depends on who you are, and what you want. Literary Agencies for Picture Books (A-F) 3 Arts Entertainment (New . Book Agent Kirsten Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997). Home - Catbird Follow agents on social media. 8. Want more information about Kirsten Hall? Youll also get access to our article and audio library with information to help you get a top agent, publisher, and book deal. get work . Find out whos working in the field. Okay! I like to feel as if someone is sharing with me, not just shopping to me. Responsible for . Catbird Productions - USA Literary Agencies and Literary Agents Other times, well sell texts to publishers first and then when it comes time for illustrators, if there isnt someone on our list who we think is right to recommend, our next step will be to look at each others lists, or those of other agent friends. If we are interested in reviewing your dummy, we will request that you send it. All rights reserved. Follow each agents instructions, but remember that they may be different. Kirsten Hall, Catbird Agency Picture books pretty much have me wrapped around their finger. We only get paid when the author gets paid after we sell an authors work. Overall, Fuse agents may take 4-8 weeks to respond to queries and then additional time for submissions. Each have their advantages and disadvantages. Our goal is always to sell their work and properly manage their rights, establishing long-term writing careers for our clients. In a way, you still need to be your own agent. Sense of place mattersprecise, expressive settings delight her. Its brilliant I mean, really, its fantastic. Maybe the hardest method, but people do talk . 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. 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'"). She is just as happy working with debut talents as she is best-sellers. Its not 100 percent, I can tell you that. And Im stirred by pitches that elicit feelings of sympathy or empathy. They're signing. And then there are the projects that never seem to go anywhere at all. Get An Agent After Self-Publishing PW site license members have access to PWs subscriber-only website content. Do not submit a full-length manuscript or proposal unless requested. Making sure Im advocating well and clearly for my client from the get-go is even more critical than usual when there are two times the number of voices in the mix. Submission Guidelines: Hello! Most literary agency directories (print and online) are outdated, incomplete, and riddled with mistakes. 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)! Get the facts. I like being asked to see or think about the world divergently. She doesnt represent adult projects. Your agent cant be expected to do all the heavy lifting. Pairing up directly with clients from other agencies is a great way to be proactive in making new projects happen. How to Submit Yourself to an Agency (According to an Agent) - Backstage It can make me uneasy because it takes time and sometimes doesnt work. She had been in my session and introduced herself at the end and mentioned that she was sending me her dummy. includes resources for all writing genres (not just picture books). Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency (Agents & Submissions)NOTE: This is aUKagency. David Higham Associates (Agents)(Submissions)A UK agency. Manuscripts sent to them will be discarded unread. Manuscript Guidelines - Catbird Press Only considers picture books from established illustrators. Finding a literary agent for children's books is easy using our literary agency database. In this way we made a really exciting match for a to-be-announced Jory John and K-Fai Steele project. . 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! Memoir/Women L. Lehr . But they are out there. 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. Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), Jill Grinberg Literary Management (Agents) (Submissions), Ladderbird Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions). 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. But, when it feels right and exciting on our end, we hope that it will be received that way by the publishers. Pairing up directly with clients from other agencies is a great way to be proactive in making new projects happen. 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. Erica:Its also really fun when it happens on the end of the publishers too. Kirsten:Its true, I love to co-agent, and I do it regularly with agents at several different agencies. It feels good to say, I have an agent. Its legitimizing. Childrens/YA D. Bester 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. NOTE: If you had a previous PW subscription, click here to reactivate your immediate access. 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. They operate on your behalf, ever focused on your career. Kirsten Hall is President of Catbird, a boutique childrens literary and illustration agency. She is looking for visual storytellers with distinctive, unique portfolios that will stand out in a crowded market. Look, I get it, man. And I can already see that the books were making together are going to be magical. 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. What do you look for in a submission?What I look for in a submission is first a professional introductory letter. 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. 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. So how will you know the bad from the good? Excellent source for agent interviews, kidlit information, and an agent database you can search by age category (e.g., picture books). Get a Kids Book Agent Signing with an agent is just one step on an endless staircase. Well navigate the waters together. Notes/Tips: Our agency does not represent poetry or screenplays. Picture Book Literary Agents 2023-2024 | Accepting Submissions 7, Manuscript Wish ListANDManuscript Wish List specifically for literary agents of picture booksAND#MSWL (the Twitter version of Manuscript Wish List) Agents and editors of all writing genres post what they want. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Fiction/Mystery B. Harper and Illustrators. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. Nonfiction/Self-Help A. Goddard 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. Your parents, who arent quite sure what you do, certainly know what agents doand that will make them happy. You did the homework. 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. Memoir/Inspirational L. Subramani * Mailing addresses The story taps into important truths about love and loss and life. Memoir/Mainstream E. Armstrong Ideally, you handle the creative end, and your agent handles the business end. Kirsten:Thats exactly right. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. But were also different from one another; we shine in different ways. Publishing Agent Kirsten Hall is an agent with Catbird Productions. Memoir/Inspirational L. Subramani 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. 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? Theyre not your servants. Childrens/Chapter Book J. Agee BookStop Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), Bradford Literary Agency(Agents & Submissions). The Number of Queries Sent and Their Replies. Lets tap into that knowledge. The Cat Agency Inc. (Agents) (Submissions) Open to illustrator & author-illustrator submissions. As soon as you register youll get instant access to the following: * A link to the Catbird Productionswebsite, * A map to the office ofCatbird Productions, * Access to all literary agent profiles in the, * Search the directory by book genre/category (more than 100 categories), 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, Author Success Story: Nonfiction/Self-Help, [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]. 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. PW KidsCast: A Conversation with Dan Santat, click here to reactivate your immediate access. Or familiar content has been made unrecognizable. That one was just meant to be it seems! "Mark helped me get five different offers for representation from top literary agents. Children's Book Writers Not everyone excels at all of these, or enjoys it! Contact US The CAT Agency Childrens/Chapter Book J. Agee 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. You have to be a detective. It is my belief that it comes from the onboarding process. Ive seen really exciting work come out of it. RMV Workforce Corp hiring CNA in Phoenix, Arizona, United States | LinkedIn More on her wish list, here. On the reverse, sometimes our authors are looking for new inspiration and an illustration can be a great way to get those wheels turning. Nonfiction/Diversity S. Peer 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. and strategic process), so its not something we do all the time. They lead the cheer for you. It was a natural progression for those conversations to lead to ways our clients could work together. 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. 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! Order is not locked and is accepting submissions. (Though slush piles get an undeservedly bad reputation. It was after the 2013 SCBWI NY conference. But if we are interested, we will request your full manuscript. A few books I loved reading in my free time . Shes one of my favorite people in the entire industry. . I think of co-agenting as an opportunity to have double the client list with only half of the responsibility. How active are they in the industry? A word of warning: There is such a thing as a bad agent. Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997). Antony Harwood Ltd (Agents) (Submissions) A UK literary agency. 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. Thank you for submitting your work! Visit their websites, where they explain who they are and what they want. Catbird Lit | Duotrope Theyre traveling. The irony is that by doing it yourself, by finding some amount of success on your own, you become more attractive to . 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. Okay! The black catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris) is found in coastal Yucatn. Hall is the author of the picture books The Gold Leaf and The Jacket, which was a New York Times Notable Book in 2014. Co-agenting is Ericas and my way of trying to be as proactive as we can for our clients. Ive learned how important it is to review our individual clients wants and needs before offers start to come in. Well navigate the waters together. Books that tell the stories of people, places, and cultures that have been overlooked and ignored for too long are at the top of her list. Now, let me tell you why you dont need one. . If you dont hear from them after a month or so, gently check in. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Were a tight-knit community! When looking for the first time at an artists portfolio, I like to see a cross section of their work. Tools to help you stay organized and error free. For off-site access, click here. They are the busiest bees in the hive. 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 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? One size does not fit all. 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. When our illustrators arent working up a project of their own, were pitching them to get matched up by publishers. While were waiting on the agents response, can I ask you why you want an agent? Janklow & Nesbit Associates (Agents) (Submissions)USA & UK agency. SCBWI | Co-Agenting with Kirsten Hall and Erica Rand Silverman * Preferred query letter methods (email, online form, postal mail) Call:1-800 -278-2991 (outside US/Canada, call +1-847-513-6135) 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday (Central). I read it and I cried. 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. According to Publishers Marketplace, for the past several years Kirsten has been an industryleader in picture booksales. Catbird Agency (@catbirdagencypix) is on Instagram If you dont get a good feeling from them in any correspondence, your gut is trying to tell you something. When looking for an agent, its important to do your homework. Although of course it would be totally fine for them to communicate if it would benefit the development of the proposal! List of Literary Agents 2023-2024 | Agents Looking for New Writers 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. [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews], Fiction/General J. Jago Maybe not. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I choose to work with an agent because I value that relationship and I know its helped me to create my best work. Do your clients have more contact with one another than they would if this were set up by a publisher? It frequents gardens and thickets. 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. The one thing I look for across the board in a submission is a clean, professional-looking portfolio site! I'm obsessed by the story-telling opportunities offered by this highly-visual genre! Authors and illustrators need an agent because the publishers interests/needs and their interests/needs arent always the same, and you need an advocate to represent you. Your friends will congratulate you. Familiarize yourself with their accomplishments. When an artist joins Brightand here I can only speak about Brightan artists dreams and ambition must be aligned with those of the agency. 1. and strategic process), so its not something we do all the time. Many writers fear writing queries, but it shouldnt frighten you off! 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. What I know when co-agenting with Erica is that no matter what happens well always be good. 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. Brenda Bowen The Book Group When Should You Get An Agent? It was a natural progression for those conversations to lead to ways our clients could work together. 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. The subject heading in your email should be simple but enticing. Again, I digress.). Ive been in publishing for over a decade. the Twitter version of Manuscript Wish List) Agents and editors of all writing genres post what they want. If youre creating work that could be described as generous, nuanced, and at ease with complexity, shed love to read it. I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin Books, which published my book in hardcover! 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. Logo designed by Kody Chamberlain Website designed by Ian Bauer. Fiction/Mainstream K. Cox Its the most comprehensive (and accurate) list of literary agencies in the world, with detailed profiles for more than 1,100 literary agents. If you do not receive a reply from Chad in 2 weeks, please assume its a pass. It isnt as automatic as you think. Catbird Productions was founded in 2006 by Katarina Soukup. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. 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. Odds of Getting a Book Agent You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 38.4k Followers, 0 Following, 1,895 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Catbird Agency (@catbirdagencypix) * A map to the office ofCatbird Productions Submit to five. Olswanger.com you guessed it: agents. There may come a time where it makes sense for the artist and author to collaborate more directly. I want an agent to help me . These cookies do not store any personal information. You can unsubscribe easily at any time we dont spam. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Susan's submission email is: susanhawk.submission@gmail.com. What does that mean? What is one misconception about agents?One misconception about agents is that we are interchangeable. 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. catbird seat. Before working in publishing, Erica was a teacher and dean. The Bright Agency. In some cases the text and art may be developing simultaneously off of one another. They will try to respond within a month. I dont think its extra contact our clients see as much as extra opportunity. Kirsten Hall - Author - Self - Freelance | LinkedIn Look at the length of the agreement. Can you terminate the contract if things go south? We usually begin by keeping the artist and author separate from one another as publishers do. Theyre negotiating. She wants to be surprisedtheres nothing like the feeling that youre reading something entirely new. It may not. Co-agenting is Ericas and my way of trying to be as proactive as we can for our clients. * A link to the Catbird Productionswebsite