Its true, I love to co-agent, and I do it regularly with agents at several different agencies. I dont know. What I know when co-agenting with Erica is that no matter what happens well always be good. 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. Fuse Literary never charges reading or submission fees, nor is there a retainer fee for our services. DO NOT QUERY THIS AGENT AT THIS TIME: Cherry is not currently accepting unsolicited submissions. I always advise illustrators who are just starting out to identify what they can and/or want to do, and outsource the rest. I think authors and illustrators sometimes forget that agents, too, face disappointment. For middle grade and YA: She is actively seeking fresh young adult and middle grade fiction across all genres. 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. Hall is Catbird Productions' sole proprietor. Not everyone excels at all of these, or enjoys it! Theyre meeting. Read industry magazines and blogs. Kirsten:Its true, I love to co-agent, and I do it regularly with agents at several different agencies. Follow agents on social media. PW KidsCast: A Conversation with Dan Santat, click here to reactivate your immediate access. Now, let me tell you why you dont need one. Scroll below now to view the email and postal addressfor Kirsten HallFREE in our BookAgents Directory. A few books I loved reading in my free time . Agents have their finger on the pulse and understand the rhythm of publishing. We have to make sure that the risk and expectations are clear for all involved. 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. Its not 100 percent, I can tell you that. 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. Queries about books that dont conform, but rather provoke, excite me. She is drawn toward gorgeous writing and strong, flawed characters. Levy Creative Management (Artist Submissions), Liza Royce Agency (Agents) (Submissions). Hall, who is the author of 100+ children's books, has been employed since 2009 as a US-based managing agent at the Bright Agency, which is headquartered in London and specializes in nurturing and developing debut childrens book author/illustrators. Kirsten HallLiterary Agent represents the followingbook genres: Scroll below now to view representative titlesand a complete profile for Kirsten HallFREE in ourBookAgents Directory. 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. Thats exactly right. Its all right. Agents arent just sitting by the phone, hoping to get your submission. Notes/Tips:Our agency does not represent poetry or screenplays. Visit our Team Fuse page and click an agent to read their profile. There may come a time where it makes sense for the artist and author to collaborate more directly. The Cat Agency Inc. (Agents) (Submissions) Open to illustrator & author-illustrator submissions. Fuse Literary represents both fiction and nonfiction in a variety of categories and genres. Manuscripts sent to them will be discarded unread. Its the most comprehensive (and accurate) list of literary agencies in the world, with detailed profiles for more than 1,100 literary agents. Youre the playerone of many players on his or her team. Its important to identify who you think are good matches. But, when it feels right and exciting on our end, we hope that it will be received that way by the publishers. However, there are differences in our tastes and our particular areas of proficiency, e.g., editorial, genre, licensing, promotion, etc. Scroll below to see a sample. Nonfiction/Environment J. Biemer Lets take a journey together. On the reverse, sometimes our authors are looking for new inspiration and an illustration can be a great way to get those wheels turning. There is a lot of uncertainty that comes along with developing a co-agented pitch from just the seed of an idea. Enter your information in the form to the right for FREE INSTANT ACCESS to the Directory of Literary Agents. Erica is mostly interested in adding author-illustrators to her list andis looking for a diverse array of voices and styles. She will happily review your comics, book cover designs, and picture book dummies.Aliza believes in a world where all young people can see themselves reflected in childrens books. We share with one another,we lean on each other. But, as an individual player, you arent the only one they need to help. How I Went From Unemployed to Building a $30K/month Online Business in 12 Months! But agents help your creative growth in more ways than the obvious. They told me they were going to focus on getting me into the industry I love: childrens books. . They operate on your behalf, ever focused on your career. Kayla is seeking everything from heartfelt or humorous picture books (she has a soft spot for animal protagonists) to dynamic, unpredictable YA (she loves a good murder mystery or a clever rom-com). Can you terminate the contract if things go south? She prefers books that explore deep emotional relationships in an interesting or unusual way. Again, I digress.). Bios, interests, and submission instructions can be found here. Read their interviews. 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. The agent then dedicates energy and resources to get that first commission. Your submission to agents isnt an Instagram post thats totes gonna get likes. You should. SUBMISSIONS. We will email you our periodic newsletter, never more than once a month. Familiarize yourself with their accomplishments. you guessed it: agents. RESPONSE TIMES We respond to most queries within twelve weeks. Also send five pages from your manuscript. Tools to help you stay organized and error free. But were also different from one another; we shine in different ways. Honest and open communication is key. Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator) need an agent? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. includes resources for all writing genres (not just picture books). Having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable." 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. Ive learned how important it is to review our individual clients wants and needs before offers start to come in. 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. And then submit your picture book query letter and manuscript. I signed with Don Fehr at Trident Media and a short time later I had a publishing contract! The black catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris) is found in coastal Yucatn. Not really. We usually begin by keeping the artist and author separate from one another as publishers do. An agent delivers. ), etc. Once a book is sold, authors and illustrators will be presenting themselves to publishers, booksellers, librarians, and others as a professional. Childrens/YA L. Moe. You can unsubscribe easily at any time we dont spam. They're Skyping. She has incredible vision and is very brave. If your submission is received by our system, an automated response will be emailed to you. does not support javascript or you have it disabled. Narrative Nonfiction D. Cohen Agents help a career in ways beyond even my understanding. If they do get back to you, expect a rejection . If you still dont hear from them, move on. 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. Well navigate the waters together. 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'"). Excellent source for agent interviews, kidlit information, and an agent database you can search by age category (e.g., picture books). I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin Books, which published my book in hardcover! This is why its so important to make sure theres a termination clause in your contract. In some cases the text and art may be developing simultaneously off of one another. If you have questions, you can build your own network of colleagues who may have the answers. USA Literary Agencies and Literary Agents Catbird Productions, Enter your information in the form to the right for FREE INSTANT ACCESS to the, register above now for FREE instant access to the. 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. Rest assured, there are far,far fewer of these agents out there. 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. 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. They open doors to opportunities. 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. 8. Erica:In some cases yes and in some cases no. Follow your instincts. When Should You Get An Agent? An agent delivers. Kirsten Hall has struck out on her own after years of freelancing and started her own literary companyCatbird Productionssearching for debut talent. She currently has around 45 clients with little room for more, as she thinks 50 clients is the ideal number. Memoir/Inspirational L. Subramani 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). . There is a lot of uncertainty that comes along with developing a co-agented pitch from just the seed of an idea. An online list of agents who represent all genres (not just picture books). Hall can be contacted at Kirsten@catbirdagency.com. News and updates to get a top literary agent, publisher, and book deal. Catbird Press is no longer publishing. Only considers picture books from established illustrators. Catbird Productions, which will package books for publishers, as well as operate as a boutique literary agency for children's book author/illustrators, with an emphasis on previously unpublished authors/ illustrators. She is just as happy working with debut talents as she is best-sellers. Children's Book Writers In this way we made a really exciting match for a to-be-announced Jory John and K-Fai Steele project. Ive learned how important it is to review our individual clients wants and needs. It feels good to say, I have an agent. Its legitimizing. Hall is Catbird Productions sole proprietor. . As an art director, it made no difference whatsoever. But, when it feels right and exciting on our end, we hope that it will be received that way by the publishers. (Her rst bookBunny, Bunnywas published when she was in 7th grade. Repeat. Theres already much greater access to the publishing house in the illustration world (versus for writers, who often are barred by company policy from submitting their work directly). Layered, flawed, completely human characters. Dont send your work to all of them at once. Humor is important, even in a narrative thats dark or sad or edgy. Notes/Tips: Our agency does not represent poetry or screenplays. What is one misconception about agents?One misconception about agents is that we are interchangeable. We spend a good amount of time bouncing ideas off of each other and sharing good and bad news. . "Referred to you by [insert casting director's name]". Memoir/Family/Identity S. Foti 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). Narrative Nonfiction D. Cohen 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. Do not submit a full-length manuscript or proposal unless requested. 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. 1. . Agents are people, too. Kirsten works intimately with her clients to conceive and develop original story pitches. Before you submit: Read their guidelines. Good agents know which parts of the contract are flexible (and which shouldnt be). Kirsten is also an author. How to Get a Nonfiction Agent And thats just on Monday. Youre about to sign with an agent. Although of course it would be totally fine for them to communicate if it would benefit the development of the proposal! Ive worked as a publicist, as an editor, and now as an agent and author. Thank you for submitting your work! Well navigate the waters together. But Im really thrilled to be co-agenting with Erica. The overwhelming advantage in having this knowledge is proven when we come to share new work; it cuts through the noise and competition. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. So how will you know the bad from the good? Look, even Ive received critique letters. Several of them. Chad W. Beckerman: is always looking at submissions! You heard it here first! Halls client list at Bright includes Benji Davis, Elly Mackay, Clive McFarland, and Connah Brecon. In some cases the text and art may be developing simultaneously off of one another. I think of co-agenting as an opportunity to have double the client list with only half of the responsibility. Keep walking. Corvisiero Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Curtis Brown LTD (Agents)(Submissions). Fiction/Mystery B. Harper And it isnt cute if you dont follow the rules. They are the busiest bees in the hive. Thank you for signing up, fellow book lover! Memoir/Multicultural N. Aronheim And then there are the projects that never seem to go anywhere at all. 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. Get updates about Kirsten Hall and recommended reads from Simon & Schuster. It is my belief that it comes from the onboarding process. Regardless,I like to seek out three main strengths any time I review a portfolio: storytelling ability, consistency, and confidence. If you do not receive a reply from Chad in 2 weeks, please assume its a pass. Thank you for submitting your work! On the reverse, sometimes our authors are looking for new inspiration and an illustration can be a great way to get those wheels turning. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. AAR members must meet the highest standards and canon of ethics. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. They help you skip that much-maligned slush pile. Boutique kidlit author/illustrator agency & producer of books for all ages Catbird Agency | New York NY 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. Publishing Agent Kirsten Hall is an agent with Catbird Productions. Or familiar content has been made unrecognizable. NOTE: Each year Fuse Literary, as an agency, is closed to new submissions and queries between December 1st to January 15th. Signing with an agent is just one step on an endless staircase. The one thing I look for across the board in a submission is a clean, professional-looking portfolio site! Erica is a tireless advocate for her clients and proud to be a part of an industry that is so thoughtfully shaping young minds. Someone asked me once, Do you only hire artists who have agents?Not in the slightest. Maybe its the book that we havent placed yet, but still so strongly believe has a place in the world. Illustrators: send 4-6 jpegs of samples, a live link to your website and a short letter of introduction. When an artist joins Brightand here I can only speak about Brightan artists dreams and ambition must be aligned with those of the agency. Susan's submission email is: susanhawk.submission@gmail.com. But the truth is everyone in publishing faces rejection at some point. 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. catbird seat. Subscribe to The Illustration Department Newsletter, Do I Need An Agent? It all depends on who you are, and what you want. But if we are interested, we will request your full manuscript. Submission Guidelines: Hello! Some favorite titles that provide a sense of her tastes: Picture book: Penguin and Pinecone by Salina Yoon; Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown; I Dont Want to be a Frog by Dev Petty; Bad Dog by Mike Boldt, Middle grade: Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina; The Year the Swallows Came Early by Katherine Fitzmaurice; Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed; The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Young adult: The Sea is Salt and So Am I by Cassandra Hartt; Dumplin by Julie Murphy; The Cost of All Things by Maggie Lehrman; To All the Boys Ive Loved Before by Jenny Han; The Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse. A good agent is one who helps move a project forward. What if you cant deliver the work on time? Get An Agent After Self-Publishing Fiction/Mainstream K. Cox Maybe not. She is particularly interested in illustrators from diverse backgrounds and portfolios that depict diverse characters and experiences. Pairing up directly with clients from other agencies is a great way to be proactive in making new projects happen. 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. We have similar agenting styles, and even more importantly both value our relationship. Kayla's submission email is: kayla.submission@gmail.com. Call:1-800 -278-2991 (outside US/Canada, call +1-847-513-6135) 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday (Central). Erica Rand Silverman, Literary Agent,Stimola Literary Studio, Inc. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Show an agent you are serious about writing as a career. Do not submit a full-length manuscript or proposal unless requested. In some cases yes and in some cases no. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Want more information about Kirsten Hall? * Mailing addresses I want an agent to help me . Kirsten:Thats exactly right. WAIT! You should know, agents are not going to comment right away (if at all). What is one misconception about agents? She is drawn to work that showcases expressive characters, timeless palettes, and atmospheric scenes. Isabelle Arsenault 161161 5 Comments 5 Shares Like Comment Share Catbird Agency is with Seb Cosset and Brigette Barrager. Playing with each others client lists is a way to stay true to that, to not overcommit in order to see more potentially exciting matching possibilities. Co-agenting, or doing that process together, makes it even more fun and is a great way to learn from one another. May 2010 - Feb 20143 years 10 months. Your parents, who arent quite sure what you do, certainly know what agents doand that will make them happy. Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator) need an agent?Agents wear many important hats. 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. 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. and strategic process), so its not something we do all the time. She doesnt represent adult projects. The one who allows ego to influence their decisions. Association of Authors Representatives, Inc. (AAR)AAR members must meet the highest standards and canon of ethics. Memoir/Mainstream E. Armstrong 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. It sounds less hurtful. Erica:Its also really fun when it happens on the end of the publishers too. Each have their advantages and disadvantages. . Anna Olswanger has been a literary agent since 2005. Agencies are still in there, but the box is getting more crowded all the time. They lead the cheer for you. Here is the: Advice from writing professional Jane Friedman. Scroll below now to viewthe AAR statusand a complete profile for Kirsten HallFREE in ourBookAgents Directory. Get the facts. It feels like youve made it. According to Publishers Marketplace, for the past several years Kirsten has been an industryleader in picture booksales. 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). And then there are the projects that never seem to go anywhere at all. Co-agenting is Ericas and my way of trying to be as proactive as we can for our clients. How to Find a Literary Agent for Your BookAdvice from writing professional Jane Friedman. Provide URLs to your author website and social media that supports your efforts to brand yourself. Nonfiction/Environment J. Biemer Look at the length of the agreement. Join thousands of other subscribers today by enteringyour first name and email address. We will not open emailed attachments. Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator need an agent? But the absolute wrong thing to do is blindly sign an agreement. Please send her: childrens illustration portfolios, picture book dummies, picture book manuscripts, childrens graphic novel pitches, and the select chapter book project. These cookies do not store any personal information. She has incredible vision and is very brave. 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. Otherwise, please consider submitting to one of my wonderful colleagues at ABLA. They understand the nuances of contractsforeign rights, royalty escalation clauses, merchandising (how much would you charge for ringtones? Sense of place mattersprecise, expressive settings delight her. 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. Writers can search posts for agents compatible with their work. Lets stop using that word rejection. Try for a moment to think of it as objective criticism. Bright Agency (Agents)(Submissions)A UK / USA agency. When our illustrators arent working up a project of their own, were pitching them to get matched up by publishers. Look, I get it, man. Copyright 2023 D. B. Righi. Listen to podcasts. A word of warning: There is such a thing as a bad agent. Susan's submission email is: susanhawk.submission@gmail.com. To bridge these twoindustries, she co-founded Room 228, a consulting company that creates educational marketing materials and literacy programming for children. Odds of Getting a Book Agent Literary agent Kirsten Hall is launching a new company, Catbird Productions, which will package books for publishers, as well as operate as a boutique literary agency for childrens book author/illustrators, with an emphasis on previously unpublished authors/ illustrators.