Can you terminate the contract if things go south? Bookmark Literary (Submissions) Open to illustrator submissions. 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. These cookies do not store any personal information. Catbird Productions - USA Literary Agencies and Literary Agents She is drawn toward gorgeous writing and strong, flawed characters. Not necessarily. Otherwise, please consider submitting to one of my wonderful colleagues at ABLA. I dont think its extra contact our clients see as much as extra opportunity. Either way, I hope this post helps you move forward with your career. Kirsten Hall, Catbird Agency Picture books pretty much have me wrapped around their finger. Use our literary agency database to learn more about these literary agencies representing picture book writers. 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. Manuscript Guidelines - Catbird Press Were not afraid of this. What is one misconception about agents? 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Lemonade Illustration Agency (Artist Submissions) UK agency for illustrators of childrens books & other media. Theyre defending. She currently has around 45 clients with little room for more, as she thinks 50 clients is the ideal number. 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. Kirsten Hall is a former preschool and elementary school teacher who has authored more than a hundred learn-to-read stories for emergent readers. So how will you know the bad from the good? 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. I work alone and basically love knocking on other agents doors and asking them to come out and play! Memoir/Inspirational L. Subramani DO NOT QUERY THIS AGENT AT THIS TIME: Cherry is not currently accepting unsolicited submissions. In some cases the text and art may be developing simultaneously off of one another. They step out when not needed. When our illustrators arent working up a project of their own, were pitching them to get matched up by publishers. You submit all this via email. 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 have similar agenting styles, and even more importantly both value our relationship. Lets stop using that word rejection. Try for a moment to think of it as objective criticism. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Kirsten opened Catbird's wings in March 2014. ), etc. Cherry Weiner Literary Agent - Cherry Weiner Literary Agency She likens her agency, which specializes in picture books, to a creative playground. In childrens fiction, they primarily accept early readers and chapter books, and perhaps the very rare, exceptional picture book. When looking for the first time at an artists portfolio, I like to see a cross section of their work. SCBWI Statement of Intent on Equity and Inclusion, The Essential Guide to Publishing for Children, Co-Agenting with Kirsten Hall and Erica Rand Silverman. What do you look for in a submission?I look to have an emotional response and for the work to be something different than is already represented on my list. To submit directly without an agent you need to send them a query letter with a description of your manuscript, how close it is to completion (if it is not yet finished), and a little bit about your writing background. But they are out there. Start with illustrators you admire. Read their bios to determine which picture book literary agencies and agents might be the best fit. I mean, youre not their only client. Ask around. 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. Look at what theyll do for you versus what youll have to do for yourself. The answer might be a little different for our editorial colleagues with writers. And then there are the projects that never seem to go anywhere at all. 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. Kirsten is also an author. NOTE: As an agency we are closed to new queries and submissions each December 1st to January 15th! All I can say is find the right agent for you, and you wont regret it. Scroll below to see a sample. does not support javascript or you have it disabled. 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 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? and Illustrators. Open to illustrator & author-illustrator submissions. While we have different client lists, Ericas and my intentions for the books we represent are largely the same, as is our aesthetic. Do I Need An Agent? (Or A Blog About the Life of a Submission, in Three Here are their answers: What do you look for in a submission? When Im looking at a submission, I want something that makes me feel and makes me think, and most of all, makes me want to read it again. Take time with it. Postcards, social media, industry events, bespoke product platforms, blogs, galleries, magazines, and store visits are all tools in a rapidly growing toolbox. 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. 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. Childrens/YA D. Bester How I Went From Unemployed to Building a $30K/month Online Business in 12 Months! 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. Fiction/Mystery B. Harper Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator) need an agent? I look for author-illustrators. She will leave Bright this Friday. About Lara Perkins Once that commission has been accepted, the ball is then in motion. Maybe not. 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. If you dont get a good feeling from them in any correspondence, your gut is trying to tell you something. This is both a positive and a negative: As a coach, they help your career. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Catbird | bird | Britannica Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency (Agents & Submissions)NOTE: This is aUKagency. The snob. Pairing up directly with clients from other agencies is a great way to be proactive in making new projects happen. But agents help your creative growth in more ways than the obvious. She has incredible vision and is very brave. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. She has incredible vision and is very brave. Excellent source for agent interviews, kidlit information, and an agent database you can search by age category (e.g., picture books). 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 . . Plus, get a FREE ebook when you sign up! They step in when needed. List of Literary Agents 2023-2024 | Agents Looking for New Writers Literary Agents & Publications Open To Submissions - Medium Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator) need an agent?Agents wear many important hats. Look, I get it, man. (Thank you!). They're Skyping. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Catbird Lit | Duotrope The greatest advantage (good) agents provide is knowledge. An agent delivers. And so on. . Contact US The CAT Agency This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Theyre negotiating. Here youll find everything you need to submit work to Upstart Crow Literary. Agents have their finger on the pulse and understand the rhythm of publishing. After You Get A Book Agent. (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 opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. This enables us to put a plan in place before the first portfolio sheet is made. It was after the 2013 SCBWI NY conference. And thats just on Monday. Memoir/Family/Identity S. Foti NOTE: Each year Fuse Literary, as an agency, is closed to new submissions and queries between December 1st to January 15th. But Im really thrilled to be co-agenting with Erica. Keep walking. *Personal email addresses I sent them some dummies, some promotional pieces. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Erica is mostly interested in adding author-illustrators to her list andis looking for a diverse array of voices and styles. I think authors and illustrators sometimes forget that agents, too, face disappointment. What if you want to get your rights back? Regardless,I like to seek out three main strengths any time I review a portfolio: storytelling ability, consistency, and confidence. Hall is Catbird Productions sole proprietor. Or familiar content has been made unrecognizable. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. Copyright 2011-23 The Bestselling Author, LLC. Shes one of my favorite people in the entire industry. How did you come to collaborate on books together? 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! . Stop right there. Alloy Entertainment: Accepting Manuscript Queries - Authors Publish 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. Childrens/YA L. Moe, What Is a Literary Agent? Co-agenting is Ericas and my way of trying to be as proactive as we can for our clients. Your work has been submitted! Please put your query and sample in the body of the email. Honest and open communication is key. Theyre not your servants. Books invite joy. Levy Creative Management (Artist Submissions), Liza Royce Agency (Agents) (Submissions). Christie Megill: is eager to work with illustrators, author/illustrators, and picture book authors, offering long-term support in their careers and creative journeys. I also ask six well-respected agents to share their thoughts by answering three questions. Erica:Its also really fun when it happens on the end of the publishers too. 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). "Berkley Books recently published my book in hardcover after Mark helped me get multiple agents interested in my 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. 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. That one was just meant to be it seems! I see you have an email from an agent. Memoir/Mainstream E. Armstrong Olswanger.com Olswanger Literary LLC. These cookies do not store any personal information. Sometimes those opportunities come in fast and sometimes they dont. Azantian Literary Agency (Agents)(Submissions), Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises (Submissions), Bookends Jr.: A Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), The Book Group (Agents click Our Staff tab for a drop-down list) (Submissions). Society of Maybe the hardest method, but people do talk . Follow each agents instructions, but remember that they may be different. 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. By the end of this post, you may finally have the answer to: Do I need an agent?. Hall can be contacted at Kirsten@catbirdagency.com. There is a lot of uncertainty that comes along with developing a co-agented pitch from just the seed of an idea. Catbird's beautifully-crafted documentaries introduce audiences to remarkable human beings, like an Ethiopian aristocrat turned communist rebel, a Montreal poet turned world-renowned winemaker, or a resilient Inuit man who competes in a grueling dogsled race despite a major disability. When looking for an agent, its important to do your homework. RESPONSE TIMES We respond to most queries within twelve weeks. Do not send attachments with your query. Co-agenting, or doing that process together, makes it even more fun and is a great way to learn from one another. We only accept submissions via e-mail. Kirsten:Its so truein the past month alone weve had some particularly exciting pairings between Stimola and Catbird! Im reading from an unconventional point of view. All that being said, my bottom-line, if-youre-on-the-fence answer is much more straightforward: CONTRACTS. Subscribe to The Illustration Department Newsletter, Do I Need An Agent? 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. The black catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris) is found in coastal Yucatn. Erica:Work is more fun when youre doing it with people you like and respect. WAIT! Your agent cant be expected to do all the heavy lifting. An agent delivers. What I know when co-agenting with Erica is that no matter what happens well always be good. Catbird Productions