Guide to Literary Agents

"How I Got My Agent" is a new recurring feature on the GLA blog. I find it fascinating to see the exact road people took that landed them with a rep. Seeing the things people did right vs. what they did wrong (highs and the lows) can help other scribes who are on the same journey. Some tales are of long roads and many setbacks, while others are of good luck and quick signings.

To see the previous installments of this column, click here.

If you have a literary agent and would be interested in writing a short guest column for this GLA blog, e-mail me at literaryagent@fwmedia.com and we'll talk specifics.

This installment of "How I
Got My Agent" is by
Lisa Dale, who writes fiction.

SOME SMUTTY, ILL-RESEARCHED ROMANCE

I wrote my first novel during my senior year of college, while I was working on my senior thesis, "Magical Realism and Post-Colonial Vertigo; The Narrative Strategies of Rushdie's Midnight's Children." While my thesis went on to be nominated for best in my entire graduating class, the “big” project I was working on secretly was a romance novel – a smutty, ill-researched, 500-page whopper of a romance set in Colonial America (which is, incidentally, not a great time for romance).

When I finished, I stepped back, took a look at my heaping (and heaving) doorstop of a book, and I thought, well, it’s bad—but why not try to get it published? I figured I’d learn something about the process, if nothing else. So the summer after I graduated, I began the research to find an agent. I was in up to my eyeballs in market books and Post-it Notes, and when it came time to mail queries, I wallpapered the whole city of New York with them. And that was just the first round.

Oddly enough, I had this feeling something good would happen even though I had a lackluster bio, no publishing credits, and no idea how the industry worked (I figured I’d work that trivial stuff out as I went). And lo and behold, I got an offer from a boutique agency based out of a home office. I went for it. I figured that if getting an agent was so easy, it was only a matter of time before I hit the bestseller lists.

DISAPPOINTMENT

And then … nothing. The agent wasn’t sending the book out and I was too petrified to call her—dialing her number made me feel like Dorothy sidling up to the Wizard of Oz. I agonized. When she did start sending the book out, I suspected she was sending my book along with other writers’ books at the same time, and my rejection letters from editors showed not only my name, but the names of other unlucky writers are well. I ignored my suspicions in favor of feeling optimistic (read: willfully ignorant) about my prospects. Any agent was better than no agent, right? A year later, when my agent still hadn’t sold the book (and I’d written another novel, equally as bad as the first, if not worse), we parted ways.

That’s when I started to realize four important things: 1) I was going to have to learn how to write, not just crap out bad novels as fast as I could, 2) I’d have to learn something about the business of writing, 3) I’d have to build a really impressive bio to prove to people I meant business, 4) I needed to get honest about my true writing voice (which meant soul-searching and time).

ROUND TWO: DOING IT RIGHT

Instead of writing another book, I interned at an NYC literary agency. I worked for free to learn about publishing from the business side, and I even though I kept on writing, I put it largely to the side. A year or so later, when the owner offered to let me become an acquiring agent, I said sign me up! I really liked working with authors and editors; I tried exceedingly hard on behalf of the writers I worked with. But in the end, it was sort of like I was trying to make my head fit the shape of the hat instead of the other way around. I realized I wouldn’t be able to avoid my real passion: writing.

So, I regrouped again. I went back to school for my MFA because I knew I needed to improve my technique. I volunteered for everything, read anything, wrote in all genres, worked tirelessly. I built up my credits with numerous publications in the small press/university market, and even got nominated for some cool awards like the Pushcart Prize and Best New American Voices. And, outside of the MFA program, I wrote my first women’s fiction/romance (Simple Wishes, Grand Central, 2009). The book felt more like “me” than anything else I’d written. I found a way to combine my love of culture, art, and drama with my love of, well, love.

The second time I went agent-hunting, it was a whole different scenario. I had all the ammo I needed: the bio, the technique, the experience—and the proof (in terms of the publications and awards for my poetry and short prose). I sent out some feelers to agents I had met in my travels—people who I thought might remember me from various panels and conferences, people who I thought might enjoy my work. I also sent some queries to agents I had not met but who were interesting to me, though I got more positive feedback from folks who knew me.

Ultimately, I hooked up with Kim Lionetti of Bookends, an agent who I’d sat on a panel with years ago. Kim, you might guess, is a fantastic agent—what an agent should be. She’s also a former editor, and her generosity in sharing her editing expertise with me is—I’m certain—one of the biggest reasons she scored us two different offers of publication for Simple Wishes

It was a long, very convoluted process to finding an agent and getting published—with lots of highs and lows. But I wouldn’t change a thing. The highs keep me going when the lows get the better of me, and the lows are learning processes that I do my best to be grateful for. I’m still working all the time, searching for new opportunities and inspirations. In the end it will always come back to just doing what I love: writing stories. That’s where it begins and ends—convolutions aside.

Genre Writing | How I Got My Agent Columns | Romance

6/27/2009 3:27:08 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [3]

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Agent Advice: Laura Bradford of the Bradford Literary Agency
Posted by Chuck

This is a "Blast From the

Past" post. To celebrate the

GLA Blog's 2nd birthday, I am

re-posting some of the best

"older" content that writers

likely missed.

"Agent Advice" is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else.

This installment features literary agent Laura Bradford of the Bradford Literary Agency, who specializes in romance.

GLA: What’s a recent thing you’ve sold?

LB: I recently sold the first three books in a new urban fantasy series by Ann Aguirre to Ace. They feature a woman cursed with the gift of psychometry who, after struggling to sever all ties with her past, is reluctantly drawn into the search for a missing woman along with her former lover (who would rather not be "former" any longer) and an empathic cop with similar romantic designs on her. The series has tons of danger and action, a little romance and bad guys who are are just as likely to hire a warlock as a hitman to even the score. And zombies.
Plus, I just received an offer on an erotic romance novel today, so by the time this interview posts, Out of the Ashes by Beth Kery will be my most recent sale. This one has heat and heart in equal measures, I'd say. Scorching. With a hero who is so Alpha, it hurts.

GLA: You specialize in romance. Aside from writing, what should beginning romance novelists be doing to help their careers?

LB: I think that the most important thing a beginning writer of any genre needs to do is educate him or herself about the market and how they should go about selling their work. This can be done lots of different ways, but romance writers are lucky that there is such a large and extensive group, RWA, where they can easily tap into the collective knowledge base. There is a wealth of information to be shared within that group. There are other online writing groups and loops that can be mined for information as well.

GLA: How exactly do you define “romantica”?

LB: It tends to get defined one of two ways depending on the person doing the defining. 1) It is a romance, with all the characteristics of being a romance, like the "happily ever after" ending and relationship-focused center of the plot, but with extra, extra spicy sexual content. More extensive sex scenes, more frequency, more kink, harder language (no sexual euphemisms here!), etc. If the sex was taken out, you would still be left with a complete, whole romance story. Or some people define romantica or erotic romance as being 2) a sex-centered romance with all the extra spicy elements I mentioned before: frequency, kink, language, etc. In this definition, the sex and the sexiness are fundamental to the plot and if the sex was removed, it would be clear that core of the book was missing. Some publishers consider the first definition to cover what they call simply a very hot (but not erotic) romance.

GLA: Romance can also be tied in with other genres—a romantic mystery, paranormal romance, etc. Is there a line where the writing ceases to be “romance” any longer and has shifted into another genre?

LB: A romance is a pretty specific type of book. At it's core, a romance is story about people falling in love and it always ends on an optimistic, emotionally satisfying note. A book can absolutely be romantic though, and not be a romance, per se. I think that there is room for romantic elements in almost every genre of commerial fiction and as someone who loves a good romance, I find those elements add an additional layer of depth to a novel. I think a novel ceases to be a romance whenever the focus of the book shifts away from the romantic relationship and starts to be more about the other plot elements (finding the serial killer, stopping the alien invation, making peace with the death of the character's father). If a book strays too far from traditional romance rules, it just isn't a romance anymore and that is fine. I think that genre-straddling books are fun and fresh and I love to read them. mixing genres, whether that mix involves romance or not, keeps publishing dynamic and continually evolving.

GLA: Romance has several sub-genres, such as historical romance. Is the genre continuing to fragment? or is it fairly set?

LB: I don't really think of romance as a genre that is fragmenting with all of its myriad sub-genres. The labeling of the sub-genres is really just a way to help romance readers find the books they most want to read by preference for setting and style. As long as the book has that romantic relationship core and heat, romance is romance whether it takes place in medieval times, present day, the Scottish Highlands, a church or the surface of Neptune. I think the fact that both the markets for erotic romance and inspirational romance are blooming is fabulous. I think that there are a few romance sub-genre classics that will be around forever, like historical, romantic suspense, paranormal, but I love the idea that there will always be room in romance for a new and fresh angle on a type of book that is so beloved.

GLA: If a man were to query you with a romance novel, will he likely be published under a pseudonym? If so, should he query you under that pseudonym? How does this work?

LB: Male romance authors traditionally sell more books when they are published under female pseudonyms ... or so we seem to think. Yes, the standard seems to be to publish male authors under the female pseudonym, but since I have no personal experience in that particular area, I'm not certain if it was the author's choice or the publisher's. An author can query me using their real name or a pseudonym, it makes no difference to me. I review the manuscript and make my decision based on the writing.

Laura Bradford founded the Bradford Literary Agency in 2005. She has 13 years of professional experience as a literary agent, editor, writer and bookseller. Laura began her career as a literary agent at Manus and Associates Literary Agency and is a member of the Romance Writers of America. As an editorial-focused agent Laura works closely with her clients developing proposals and manuscripts for the most appropriate markets.
The agency specializes in all types of romance (including category), romantica/erotica, women’s fiction, mystery, thrillers and young adult. We also represent nonfiction and other fiction genres. All queries sent to us will be considered with the exception of poetry, children’s books, screenplays and short stories. It does not charge reading fees for evaluating your material.

Agent Advice (Agent Interviews) | Genre Writing | Romance

6/16/2009 2:10:41 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

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Monday, June 01, 2009

Agent Advice: Jennifer Weltz of Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency
Posted by Chuck

"Agent Advice" is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else.

This installment features Jennifer Weltz of the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency. Jennifer accepts some juvenile work, thrillers, historical fiction, women's fiction and more.

Jennifer Weltz

GLA: How did you become an agent?

JW: It seemed like a good idea at the time and I do love to read a good book!

GLA: What's the most recent thing you've sold?

JW: Today the answer is By Accident by Susan Kelley - a beautifully written novel about the dramatic shifts that random accidents can render on a family; tomorrow my answer will be a middle grade historical novel about two sisters ... but I can't tell you anything more until we officially accept.

GLA: Talk to us about historical fiction. Do you seek any category? Historical romance? Historical thriller?

JW: I love romance, thriller and just a wonderful story about a great figure in history that we didn't know or know well enough. I love to learn something new and to plunge into a world and live there for a few days. If it's a thriller, it had better be tight on the facts and the resolution, because I'm pretty good at figuring it out and I am a sucker for a wonderful romance but never downplay the importance of anticipation. Check out The Last Queen by CW Gortner to see the kind of historical writing I tend to love. Also Pope Joan by Donna Cross.

GLA: You say you seek "women's fiction with a taste of the unusual and an emotional tug." To give us more perspective on this, can you give us an example (or two) of a women's fiction book you repped and what about it grabbed your attention?

JW: A wonderful example is The Tale of Halcyon Crane by Wendy Webb. This is a present day ghost story with a bit of a mystery and a great love story. One thing I have realized is that I love stories that verge on the fairy tale in their tone but give us a twist we didn't expect. I love to be surprised and also have a bit of a dark sense of humor. I am also a great fan of our books The Last Bridge by Terri Coyne, La Cucina by Lily Prior and Affinity by Sarah Waters.

GLA: You rep mid-grade works and picture books, but not young adult?

JW: Jessica Regel in our office has a great eye for YA's and so I leave it up to her. I do go for YA's if they are more the fun or fantastical. Angst is not my forte.

GLA: A lot of people write picture books but most of them never get published? Where are writers going wrong?

JW: Picture books are actually the hardest market to break into right now. I find myself turning down many books that have nothing wrong with them because I know there is no way I can sell them in this market.
        1. Unless you are an artist, do not send illustrations with your book.
        2. Most picture books that are selling these days have a character you can't resist with a great twist.
        3. Quiet pretty stories are not selling right now.
        4. It's all in the voice
        5. see 4

GLA: Specifically with picture books, are you looking for text-heavy work? Minimal text?

JW: Minimal. A picture book is like a poem. Every word must justify it's existence. No rhymes though please!

GLA: What, in your mind, differentiates a thriller from mystery or suspense?

JW: Great question and one I asked myself when I started agenting 14 years ago. Commonly, in the thriller, our main protagonist is directly involved in the danger and is directly affected by the outcome (they might go to jail or die if they don't resolve) whereas in a mystery the main character is solving a crime that was done to someone else. They might be in peril but the crime originates with another character.

GLA: In general, what are you looking for right now and not getting? What do you pray for when tackling the slush pile?

JW: I pray a lot when tackling the slush pile. I'm looking for something I have never seen with writing that grabs me from the first page and a character that comes to life from the moment I meet him/her. The voice, the originality of the story and a story that takes me out of the world and life I am living (i.e., don't send me a thriller around swine flu!).

GLA: In your opinion, how is the economic climate affecting writers' chances of getting published? Are you seeing smaller advances? Fewer buys?

JW: Yes, yes, yes. A writer needs to be prepared to be in it for the long haul and to give it everything they have got to succeed. And they need an agent who is passionate about their career and their writing. You don't want me unless I am excited!

GLA: Will you be at any upcoming conferences where writers can meet and pitch you?

JW: Thriller Fest in June.

GLA: Best piece(s) of advice we haven't discussed?

JW: Make sure to tell me what your book is about front and center when sending me a query, especially if it is fiction. I'll read about the other stuff later but only if the story grabs me. One last thing - I read every query with great hope and desire to find something wonderful that I can love because first and foremost I am a reader!

Jennifer Weltz is a literary agent with Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency. To contact her, send an e-query with no attachments to jweltz@jvnla.com. Your query should include a short description of the work and yourself. She specializes in compelling historicals and thrillers that stand out from the crowd as well as women's fiction with a taste of the unusual and an emotional tug. She also works with middle grade and picture books where she looks for a voice that you can't resist to get to know.

Agent Advice (Agent Interviews) | Children's Writing | Genre Writing | Romance

6/1/2009 1:01:38 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [1]

Friday, May 01, 2009

Agent Advice: Jim McCarthy of Dystel & Goderich
Posted by Chuck

"Agent Advice" is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else.

This installment features Jim McCarthy of Dystel & Goderich. Jim is looking for a variety of nonfiction topics as well as genre/commercial fiction and literary fiction.

Jim McCarthy

GLA: How did you become an agent?

JM: I really stumbled into the industry. I was studying Urban Design at NYU and needed a part-time job. Stacey Glick, my now colleague, was the first person to call me back from the forty resumes I sent out. I didn't even know what a literary agent was at the time. Ten years later, I know it was a hell of a lucky break.

GLA: What's the most recent thing you've sold?

JM: One of my most exciting recent sales was for a literary novel called Yield by a young writer, Lee Houck. I originally signed it on in 2006. It sold last month to Kensington. It was a long, long process, but it's a book I've always adored, and I'm thrilled that it will be seen in print. I also just sold seven new young adult titles by the outstanding (and New York Times bestselling) Richelle Mead to Razorbill.

GLA: I'm very curious. What constitutes these "underrepresented voices" you
seek?

JM: This is very open for interpretation. What I really mean is that I want to see stories that aren't being told. I think there are a lot of groups that don't necessarily see themselves represented in the literary market as much as they should: whether that means underrepresented ethnic, religious, or even geographic narratives or simply people who feel like they fall out of the mainstream, I'd love to have a look.

GLA: When you're looking at a submission for a literary novel, how much stock do you put into queries and synopses?

JM: I always want to see samples when I'm looking at literary queries. There are tons of books that I probably wouldn't be especially interested in just based on a synopsis that I ultimately end up loving. Coetzee's Disgrace is a great example. The plot didn't appeal to me, but the book was dazzling. Once I see that something is literary, I tend to skip to the sample to see if the voice grabs me.

GLA: When I think of paranormal romance, I think of vampires and more
vampires. What other things do you see would classify the fiction writing to be in this category?

JM: Well, I certainly do love my vampire romances. And zombies, succubi, werewolves, and all of those other glorious fantastical creatures. But what I'm seeing a lot of (and am really encouraged by) is that the boundaries of the subgenre are being stretched. I love fiction that is fantastical--alternate worlds, alternative realities, that sort of thing. It isn't so much about the entities you're writing about as it is the ability to create a world that feels wholly realized and entirely believable in its own right.

GLA: We met recently at the Las Vegas Writers Conference. You took a lot of pitches. What were the most common mistakes you saw writers doing concerning in-person pitches?

JM: Fear. Writers get so caught up in making sure they capture everything about their book in as short a time as possible that they get really worked up and flustered. I'm not looking for a synopsis of everything that happens in a book when I'm getting pitched. I just want to hear someone talk about why they wrote their book and what excites them about it. It should be a much more natural process than a lot of people are ready for it to be.

GLA: Concerning the mystery and romance genres, do you seek anything specific here? Do you have particular "likes" (subgenres, etc)?

JM: I'm really open to anything, but I particularly love serial killer thrillers, ghost stories, and anything hardboiled in mystery. I'd love to find my very own Chelsea Cain or Charlie Huston. On the flipside, I adore a good cozy mystery series, particularly if there is an element of humor. In terms of romance, I skew more contemporary than historical, still love a good sense of humor, and am always on the lookout for writers who pull off sexy really well (it's tougher than it sounds!).

GLA: On the same subject, what do you pray for when tackling the slush pile?
What do you keep looking for and not getting?

JM: I always used to answer this question by saying that if someone would write a novel about Elvis, vampires, and road trips, I would definitely sign it on. Happily, someone finally took me up on it! So now I'm dying to find some great big Gothic thriller or romance. A 21st Century The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is my current dream project.

GLA: I've been talking a lot about memoir on the blog recently. Is there anything you can add when talking to writers about writing and submitting memoirs, since so many people are doing so?

JM: Two bullet points I'd throw out there: first, make sure you're ready to share your story on a major scale. I've seen people write their memoirs and then pull them from consideration and, once, even from publication, when they realized that they weren't prepared to deal with the emotional effects of sharing something so intimate. It's something you really need to be sure you explore personally before you take that step. And when you do decide to write it, my second piece of advice is to find your framing mechanism. It isn't usually enough to just present a snapshot of your life. You need to find a narrative in there--something with a beginning, middle, and end. It doesn't have to be chronological, but you need to give the reader structure. I always find myself recommending three memoirs that I think do this especially well: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, Strip City by Lily Burana, and the amazingly funny (and truly moving) I Am Not Myself These Days by Josh Kilmer-Purcell.

GLA: Will you be at any upcoming writers' conferences where writers can meet
and pitch you?

JM: I'll be at PNWA in Seattle from July 30-August 2, and at the South Carolina Writers Workshop conference October 23-25.

GLA: Best piece(s) of advice we haven't covered?

JM: If you think you can give up writing, then give it up. If you can't ... if you know that no matter how much stress or rejection or frustration you face, that you can never stop writing? In that case, never give up. Publishing is too hard to face if you aren't in it for the right reasons. But it's not too hard to break into if it's what you need to do.

        Jim McCarthy interned for DGLM while studying urban design at New York University.
        As an avid fiction reader, his interests encompass both literary and commercial works. He is particularly interested in literary women’s fiction, underrepresented voices, mysteries, romance, paranormal fiction, and anything unusual or unexpected. In addition to fiction he is also interested in narrative nonfiction, humor, memoir, paranormal nonfiction, and anything related to architecture, planning, or real estate.
        His e-mail address is jmccarthy@dystel.com
        To contact him, enclose a cover letter, outline or brief synopsis of the work (with word count if possible), a sample chapter, and a stamped, self-addressed envelope for our response. Please type all of your correspondence and double space everything other than the cover letter. E-mail queries are fine, but keep them brief and make sure your cover letter is in the body of the e-mail. Jim won't open attachments if they come with a blank e-mail. Please be sure to query only one agent at this agency.

Agent Advice (Agent Interviews) | Genre Writing | Literary Fiction | Memoir | Romance

5/1/2009 9:33:54 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [1]

Thursday, April 30, 2009

New Agency Alert: Priot Entertainment Group
Posted by Chuck

I just got word that agent Donna Bagdasarian, who was formerly with both Vigliano Associates and the Maria Carvainis Agency, has started a new agency: Priot Entertainment Group.

She is actively building her list with this new agency.

Fiction areas of interest: general fiction/mainstream, literary fiction, mystery and suspense, thrillers, historicals, contemporary women’s fiction. Nonfiction areas of interest: biography and memoir, history, business, finance, psychology, popular science.

How to submit: "We request that all submissions be with a query plus short sample. All submissions will be responded to within 6-8 weeks, ideally. Send submissions to submissions@priotgroup.com

Genre Writing | Memoir | New Agency Alerts

4/30/2009 2:10:12 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [3]

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Agent Advice: Kate McKean of Howard Morhaim Literary Agency, Inc.
Posted by Chuck

"Agent Advice" is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else.

This installment features Kate McKean of Howard Morhaim Literary Agency, Inc. She considers an eclectic blend of fiction categories, almost all nonfiction categories, and looks at young adult stuff, as well.

Kate McKean

GLA: Briefly, how did you become an agent?

KM: I've always loved writing and books, but I'm also a very outgoing person. As an agent, I get the best of both worlds--the creative aspect of helping my clients craft great novels and proposals, and the social aspect of networking with potential clients and editors. There are editors, teachers, writers, and salesmen in my family. Being an agent is like all of those professions put together.

GLA: What's the most recent thing you've sold?

KM: Most recently, I've sold audio rights for some agency clients, which is always fun, but the last book I sold was the sequel to the New York Times bestselling I Can Has Cheezburger called How to Take Over Teh Wurld.

GLA: To me, at least, it seems like a lot of fiction stories that writers are pitching at conferences are about middle-aged women who break out of their unsatisfying life to live a life of adventure and/or excitement. As someone who looks for contemporary women's fiction, do you see a lot of these queries? And if so, what advice can you give writers on standing out from the crowd?

KM: I see a TON of novels like these, and haven't signed up any of them. The advice I would give to writers working on this subject would be to focus less on the WHY the characters are changing their lives and more on WHAT they're doing to change their lives. The emotional reasons behind these stories are familiar to readers, but what they do with it can be new, different, and interesting. Bottom line, though, writing trumps all. A well-written novel with this subject matter would catch my eye.

GLA: What are you looking for right now and not getting? In other words, what do you pray for when tackling the slush pile?

KM: I'm looking for a novel to fall in love with. I'm looking for excellent writing, with a plot that keeps me turning pages. I'm looking for the diamond in the rough. I know that that's not a helpful answer to writers looking to query me, but I find that if there's a certain topic I'm looking for, I know how to go out and find it. I'm now just looking for that serendipitous connection of a great story and impeccable writing---just like every other agent and editor on the planet.

GLA: It says you seek paranormal romance, but nothing about any other type of romance. What attracts you to this specific subgenre?

KM: I'm a finicky genre reader, especially in fantasy. I don't want to learn a new language when I read a book, or have to create a completely new universe in my imagination, but I do want to escape my mundane existence. I particularly like that paranormal romance is equal parts a new and interesting, but takes place in a setting that I'm usually familiar with (you know, with the same laws of gravity and such). In the end, I'm a sucker for a romantic story, so paranormal romance satisfies both those cravings for me as a reader.

GLA: No agent has ever really talked about urban fantasy before. If someone asked you for your "Three Tips if Writing and Submitting an Urban Fantasy," what would you tell them?

KM: Frankly, those tips would be just about the same for a writer writing in any genre.
        1. Give me characters I can care about.
        2. Give those characters something to DO.
        3. Be aware of the genre, so you know if you're treading the same path as other authors.

GLA: People say fantasy books tend to be longer than most books and don't abide by normal word counts. Is this true with urban fantasy?

KM: Any story that requires the author to create a new world different from our own is going to need some extra pages to flesh that out. As long as this is done in a way that keeps the plot going and keeps the reader turning pages, the final word count doesn't really matter to me. But yes, fantasy does tend to be a little longer.

GLA: You seek young adult works. You don’t want picture books. Do you accept middle grade?

KM: Yes, I will consider MG.

GLA: You seek sports-related books. Can this be anything? Coaching? Memoir? Weird statistics? Anything?

KM: I'm a huge college football fan and I'm making it my mission to prove to the publishing world that football fans will buy books. (Whether or not I'm tilting at windmills here is another matter.) But I am interested in all sports, and all topics. I have one client writing a memoir as told through baseball cards, and another working on ideas about the NFL in it's early years. Practical nonfiction on sports topics is harder, because the writer needs a major platform to sell books.

GLA: Will you be at any upcoming writers' conferences where writers can meet and pitch you?

KM: I'll be in Denver at the Romancing the Rockies conference May 1-2.

GLA: Best piece(s) of advice we haven't discussed?

KM: I believe that all writers who hope to be published should remind themselves daily that they're writing for their readers, not for themselves. Writing is definitely a personally gratifying experience and can have wonderful therapeutic and self-esteem building results--but if your reader isn't compelled to turn the page because of something the writer is *trying* to do with the narration or theme, then what good does it do? One of my writing professors used to say: "Mean less." To me, that means don't set out for your book to be *about* something, especially an abstraction (love, trauma, homesickness). Just find some characters in your imagination. Make them do something. Make the reader care about what they do.

A native Southerner, Kate McKean earned her Master's degree in Fiction Writing from the University of Southern Mississippi before starting her career as a literary agent. Her interests lie in literary fiction, contemporary women's fiction, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, mystery, young adult and middle grade fiction, narrative nonfiction, sports related books, food writing, pop culture, and craft. She prefers email queries and can be reached at kmckean@morhaimliterary.com. She is not accepting any epic fantasy, science fiction, or children's picture books.

Children's Writing | Genre Writing | Nonfiction | Word Count

4/28/2009 3:43:46 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

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Friday, April 03, 2009

Agent Advice: Christine Witthohn of Book Cents Literary
Posted by Chuck

"Agent Advice" is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else.

This installment features Christine Witthohn of Book Cents Literary Agency, LLC. Christine is looking for romance and other genre, as well as kids works.

Christine Witthohn

GLA: How did you become an agent?

CW: I decided I wanted to do something I enjoyed, yet something challenging. I had always been a book worm and loved to read, and had experience as a fierce negotiator (coming from a family of eight kids) so becoming a literary agent was a natural fit for me. I started by offering myself up as slave labor (all expenses on my own dime) to many literary agencies, only to get the doors slammed in my face! This only made me more determined.
        Four years later, after monthly trips of traveling back and forth to NY to meet with publishing pros, developing and nurturing important industry contacts, taking classes and attending legal/contract workshops on both coasts, and attending a numerous conferences … I finally opened my agency’s doors in 2006.

GLA: What's the most recent thing you've sold?

CW: Kathryne Kennedy’s Talismans of Elfhame, her new historical paranormal romance series, to Deb Werksman at Sourcebooks, at auction, in a three-book deal.

GLA: Concerning children's writing, you seek "tween." Do you mean middle grade or true tween?

CW: Middle grade. I am finding that interest in middle grade is really starting to pick up. Many of the editors I talk to are looking for wholesome, character-driven tween stories (for example: a boy and his dog/a girl and her horse). Don’t get me wrong, editors are still looking for great YA (young adult), but don’t overlook middle grade.
        As for marketing middle grade and tween, that can be a little tricky. It can also depend on the subject matter and bookstore. Sometimes I see tween in the teen section of book stores and sometimes it will be displayed in the children’s section.

GLA: In YA and teen, what are some page 1 cliches you come across? What do you see too much of at the beginning of a juvenile ms?

CW: The most common problem I see is a story that’s been told a million times before, without any new twists to make it unique enough to stand out. Same plot, same situations, same set up = the same ole story. For example: abusive parents/kid’s a rebel; family member(s) killed tragically/kid’s a loner; divorced parents/kid acts out.
        Another problem I often see is when the protagonist/main characters don’t have an age- appropriate voice. For example: if your main character is 14, let him talk like a 14-year-old.
        And lastly, being unable to “connect” with the main character(s). For example: characters are too whiny or bratty. Character shows no emotion/angst.

GLA: Speaking of which, what do you come across too much of in romance concerning the hook or on page 1?

CW: 1) Too much backstory in the set up. 2) The hook/heroine’s situation isn’t unique enough to stand out. 3) The story doesn’t grab you from the beginning to make me (or any reader, for that matter) want to keep reading. 4) The writer has a really good plot idea, but the execution falls short.

GLA: You seek romance, but are you looking for single-title or series or ... ?

CW: I rep single title romance (unless a current client writes category, too).
I look for contemporary (esp. with humor), paranormal (no werewolves or shapeshifters, please), and love mystery/suspense.

GLA: What are you looking for right now and not getting? What do you pray for when tackling the slush pile?

CW: Something so entertaining and well written, I can’t put the story down!
If you are a writer and have a story like that… please drop everything and send it to me, along with a synopsis! (cw@bookcentsliteraryagency.com)
        What do I pray for? For Judith Ann (a junior agent) to come and tell me she’s already read through the whole pile! No, seriously… to find a jewel of a story.

GLA: Let's say someone came up to you and said, "I have this story about a woman but I don't if it's women's fiction or literary fiction." What would you say to them to help them decide?

CW: Great question! I won’t take the easy way out and say, “I know it when I see it.” The difference is often subjective, but women’s fiction really focuses more on the voice/narrative and the plot, whereas, literary fiction has more emotional depth and focuses more on style.
        I would ask the person to tell me a little bit more about their story (I need more info than “this story about a woman”). If the story sounded interesting, I’d tell them to send me a synopsis and the first chapter.

GLA: Let's stay on the topic of women's fiction because no agent has ever really delved into it. From reading good books and seeing bad submissions, what can you tell us about the dos and don't of this category? In other words, fill in this sentence, "If you're writing a women's fiction book, three things are of the highest importance ... "

CW: 1) You must have a unique plot with a great hook. 2) The story needs to be single title length (do your homework!). 3) READ - know the market you are targeting.

GLA: Will you be at any upcoming conferences where writers can meet and pitch you?

CW: Yes, and I go out of my way to be approachable and make myself available to writers. I try to participate in many festivities at most of the writers' conferences I attend and I never leave early. I encourage people to introduce themselves to me at conferences and I always make time for them when they do.
       Upcoming conferences: RT Convention (April 23-26), MWA Edgar Symposium (April 29-30), The Writer's Digest Books Conference Pitch Slam (May 28), BookExpo America (May 29-30). I will be at many more. Check my website.

GLA: Speaking of conferences, tell us a little about this conference you co-sponsor in Italy...

CW: In 2007, I was invited to the Women’s Fiction Festival (WFF) in Matera, Italy. I attended, and loved it! So much so, I became a sponsor. By far, it was the best conference I had ever been to. Believe it or not, it’s not just the shopping, food, or wine that makes this conference stand out. It’s the people! The festival is an international writers' conference. Writers have access to agents and editors from the American, British, German and Italian markets (soon to include French and Spanish). I have never been to a conference where writers have so much one-on-one access to industry professionals. This is particularly valuable to someone who is already published and wants to promote themselves in a foreign market.
        As if that isn’t enough, the municipality of Matera (a UNESCO world heritage site and popular film locale) holds its own town festival around the writers' conference so attendees can taste local foods. Booths are set up with free samples of: breads, wines, cheeses, olives, produce, and pastries. They also provide entertainment with live bands on Friday and Saturday nights. What’s not to love?

GLA: Best piece(s) of advice we haven't discussed?

CW: Writing is a process - Writing IS re-writing. Hone your skills (take classes/study the craft). Believe in yourself and your work. Maintain a sense of humor. Never give up. And most important ... Keep writing!
        The very best of luck to everyone

       Christine Witthohn is a literary agent at Book Cents Literary Agency, LLC. Fiction areas of interest: Single Title Romance (Contemporary, Romantic Comedy, Paranormal, Mystery/Suspense), Women's Lit (must have a strong hook), Young Adult, Mainstream Mystery/Suspense, Medical or Legal Fiction (something that hasn't been done before), Literary Fiction.
       Nonfiction areas of interest: We are looking for very specific NF. Women's Issues/Experiences, Fun/Quirky Topics (particularly those of interest to women), Cookbooks (fun, ethnic, etc.), Health, Gardening (herbs, plants, flowers, etc.), Books with a "Save The Planet" theme, Entertaining, Reference, How-To Books.
       Not interested in: Category Romance, Erotica, Inspirational, Historical, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror/Dark Thrillers, Memoirs, Short stories/Novellas, Poetry, Screenplays.

Agent Advice (Agent Interviews) | Children's Writing | Genre Writing | Romance

4/3/2009 10:54:01 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [3]

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

New Agent Alerts: Stacia Decker and Danielle Chiotti of Firebrand Literary
Posted by Chuck

I got word last week about two new agents at Firebrand Literary, but had to kind of sit on it until the official announcement came this morning. Both of these agents will be attending the Writer's Digest conference on May 27 in NYC and taking pitches from writers. Both have backgrounds in editing, and you can learn more about Stacia and Danielle's backgrounds on the Firebrand Web site.

New Agent: Stacia Decker

Stacia is looking for adult narrative nonfiction in the areas of politics, history, biography, travel, memoir, current events, and pop culture. She also specializes in hard-boiled mystery and crime fiction.

New Agent: Danielle Chiotti

Danielle specializes in a variety of trade fiction and nonfiction books. For nonfiction: narrative nonfiction, memoir, self-help, relationships, humor, current events, women’s issues, and cooking. For fiction: commercial women’s fiction and multicultural fiction (with a slightly “literary” edge), romance, paranormal romance, and young adult fiction for girls.

To contact them personally, it's (firstname)@firebrandliterary.com. However - note that these new agents do not take queries over e-mail but rather through an online submission form on the Firebrand Web site.

Firebrand is another one of those agencies that is still relatively new in the grand scheme of things, but has quickly turned itself into an up-and-coming powerhouse of an agency.

Children's Writing | Genre Writing | New Agency Alerts | Nonfiction | Memoir

3/25/2009 11:13:37 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [0]

The Knight Agency's "Book in a Nutshell" Competition
Posted by Chuck

There's a very cool opportunity over at the Knight Agency blog. "It's called "Book in a Nutshell" and it's an awesome new contest where for writers. Here is the scoop:

"Here’s a chance to have your project reviewed
by one of the agents at The Knight Agency.
Submit three compelling sentences (150 words
max) about your completed, unpublished
manuscript to submissions @ knightagency.net
(delete spaces). Write BOOK IN A NUTSHELL in
the subject line or it will not be deemed elligible.
One submission per project, please. Twenty of the
best submissions will be chosen and requested by
various agents who will then give feedback on
your work ... and it may even lead to possible
representation. Hurry, the deadline is April 20,
2009. Winners will be notified by May 1, 2009."

Pretty awesome, no?

I like how they want you to boil the work down to three lines. I understand longer pitches in queries, but I prefer short ones that really get to the premise and hook as quickly as possible - a true "elevator pitch." This contest sounds great. It will take the agents very little time to discard the poor submissions (because of the short length), and the 20 "winners" will either get some bits of feedback on where the ms needs to improve, or they may possibly get an agent contract.

I used to think the Knight agency basically handled only romance and women, but the truth is that it handles pretty much everything because so many agents there handle such a variety of different fiction, nonfiction and juvenile topics.

Pitch away!

Children's Writing | Contests | Genre Writing | Nonfiction | Romance

3/25/2009 11:01:44 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [0]

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

New Agent Alert: Willy Blackmore of BLISS Literary
Posted by Chuck

Willy Blackmore

Willy Blackmore, great-grandson of Farrar, Straus and Giroux co-founder John Farrar, has joined BLISS as an associate agent. He is a former editor and co-founder of Impetus Press.

Fiction areas of interests: writing with a pop or urban edge that falls between commercial and experimental, and traditional literary fiction. He prefers narrative-driven novels that construct and develop a real and engaging world. He does not represent straight genre fiction (e.g. fantasy, romance, crime, horror, etc.), but will consider manuscripts that take a new slant on the traditions and tropes of a genre.

Nonfiction areas of interest: pop culture, food/travel writing, contemporary art/culture, memoirs that showcase an intense sense of immediacy and confront difficult realities, and histories and biographies that relate to literature and art.

How to contact: wblackmore@blissliterary.com. Snail mail - BLISS Literary Agency International, Inc., 1601 N. Sepulveda Boulevard, #389, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. www.blissliterary.com. The agency's submissions page online has much more detail on how to submit via snail mail or regular mail.

Genre Writing | Literary Fiction | New Agency Alerts

3/24/2009 11:03:09 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [0]

Check Out Interviews With Two Agents: ICM's Tina Wexler, and Curtis Brown's Ginger Clark
Posted by Chuck

I came across Gretchen McNeil's Seanchai blog recently, and saw it had posted two recent interviews with top-notch agents.

Click here to read an interview with Tina Wexler of ICM.

Click here to read an interview with Ginger Clark of Curtis Brown.

Ginger Clark Tina Wexler

A little more info:

GINGER CLARK represents science fiction, fantasy, paranormal romance, paranormal chick lit, literary horror, and young adult and middle grade fiction.

TINA WEXLER specializes in middle grade and YA fiction, with particular interest in adventure stories with boy appeal, contemporary coming of age stories, tall tales, and mysteries. On the adult side, she is looking for narrative nonfiction (religion, memoir, pop culture) and up-market women's fiction.

(By the way, both Tina and Ginger will be at Writer's Digest's own conference in New York on May 27, if you're thinking about pitching either of them.)

Agent Advice (Agent Interviews) | Children's Writing | Genre Writing | Nonfiction | Writers' Conferences

3/24/2009 9:20:41 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [0]

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Agent Advice: Joanna Stampfel-Volpe of Nancy Coffey Literary & Media Representation
Posted by Chuck

"Agent Advice" is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else.

This installment features Joanna Stampfel-Volpe of Nancy Coffey Literary & Media Representation. Joanna is looking for genre fiction, children's works, and some nonfiction areas.

GLA: How did you become an agent?

JSV: I started at a small publisher on Long Island, Blue Marlin Publications. I was basically a part-time publisher’s assistant and loved it—I got to do everything! From attending BEA to editing to publicity. It was a great way to start in publishing. At the time, I was taking a publishing course with Peter Rubie of FinePrint Literary Management. Five months later, I was working for both FinePrint and Nancy Coffey, then eventually I got to sign a few clients as a junior agent, made some sales and I started in January of this year as a full-time agent with Nancy Coffey Literary & Media Representation. I’ve had some great mentors along the way.

GLA: What’s the most recent thing you’ve sold?

JSV: The most recent book I sold was in December: Bloomsbury Children’s, Ghost Watcher trilogy.

GLA: What are you looking for right now and not getting? When you read the slush pile, what are you praying that you find?

JSV: I am looking for good historical fiction with female protagonists, strong YA told in verse, and humorous middle grade. I am always praying to find a dark read for boys/young guys that’s Stand By Me meets a modern Catcher in the Rye … I’ve come close with a few, but so far, no perfect fit!

GLA: In my agent interviews, I haven’t really gotten much advice from agents on writing children’s nonfiction. Can you give us some 101 tips?

JSV: You can write about almost anything when it comes to children’s nonfiction, even if it’s been done before. But you need to come at the subject from a different angle. If there is already a book on tomatoes and how they grow, then try writing about tomatoes from a cultural angle. There are a ton of books on slavery, but not many on slaves in Haiti during the Haitian Revolution (is there even one? There’s an idea—someone take it and query me!). Another thing to always consider is your audience. Kids already have textbooks at school, so you shouldn’t write your book like one. Come at the subject in a way that kids can relate to and find interesting. Humor is always a useful tool in nonfiction for kids.

GLA: It seems like a lot of juvenile nonfiction is series stuff. “The 50 States.” “Historical Figures.” Should writers try to add to an already-existing series or should they come up with an original one-shot idea?

JSV: Adding to a series is a great way to get started as a writer of nonfiction, especially for unagented writers (depending on the publishing house, of course). But it can’t hurt to research the market and try to come up with an idea of your own. Every publishing house is on the lookout for good nonfiction for kids. Another great way to build your resume is to write articles for kid’s magazines like Highlights, Ranger Rick, Muse, Ask, Boys Quest, Boys Life, Jack and Jill, Discovery Girl, Pockets, Spider, etc, or even writing pieces up for educational workbooks. If you have a lot of experience writing nonfiction for kids, an agent or editor will know that you know how to reach that audience.

GLA: You give a speech on the “dreaded synopsis.” In your mind, what do you think the three most common mistakes a writer makes when composing a synopsis?

JSV: 1) Including too many characters. 2) Including too many subplots. 3) Making them too long! I usually ask writers to submit a two-page synopsis, but I’d prefer even one page.

GLA: I point writers to Query Shark to let them see query examples and critiques. Do you know recommend any books or websites for seeing and evaluating synopses?

JSV: I actually don’t know of many—which is why I chose it as my workshop topic for a number of upcoming conferences. Lisa Gardner has a very detailed layout though, I’m pretty sure it’s on her website.

GLA: Let’s say you sit down to read an adult fiction partial – the first 50 pages. Where are writers going wrong? What do you hate to see in a ms early in the story?

JSV: Too much backstory. A lot of writers feel the need to tell us all about their protagonist right up front, so we know them like they do. I’d rather be shown who the hero/heroine is throughout the piece. Voice tells me more about a character than any description paragraph.

GLA: Will you be at any upcoming writers’ conferences where writers can meet and pitch you?

JSV: Yes I will!
      NETWO’s Writers Roundup (Camp Shiloh, TX) 4/24-4/25/09
      CTRWA’s Connecticut Fiction Fest (Meriden, CT) 5/2/09
      LIRW Luncheon (Jericho, NY) 6/12/09
      In Your Write Mind, Writing Popular Fiction (Seton Hill University, PA) 6/25-6/28/09
      Midwest Writers Workshop (Ball State University, IN) 7/23-7/25/09
      South Carolina Writer’s Workshop Conference (Myrtle Beach, SC) 10/23-10/25/09
      Oh … and of course, the Writer's Digst 2009 BEA Pitch Slam!

GLA: Best piece(s) of advice we haven’t discussed?

JSV: Don’t try to find out what the next “hot thing” is. Just write what comes to you. Trends or no trends, agents and editors are just looking for solid writing.

Joanna is an agent with Nancy Coffey Literary and Media Representation. She accepts hard copy or e-mail queries--email address: LiteraryNancy2@gmail.com. Send snail mail queries to 240 West 35th Street, Suite 500, New York, NY 10001. Joanna's interests: "chap books to upper YA (non-fiction, contemporary, humor, historical and fantasy *fantasy/sci-fi needs to really stand out, unique), romance (historical, paranormal, contemporary), fantasy (women's, urban, steampunk, unique), up-market fiction (dark, literary, horror, dark comedies, speculative fic), narrative non-fiction (pop culture, environmental, foodie)."
She is NOT interested in "cozies, cookbooks, academic nonfiction, epic fantasy for adults, hi-science fiction, poetry, collections/short stories, screenplays."

Agent Advice (Agent Interviews) | Children's Writing | Genre Writing

3/21/2009 2:32:41 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [0]

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The WD Writing Conference in New York! (and Other WD News and Opportunities, Too)
Posted by Chuck

Every year, Writer's Digest Books puts on an awesome one-day writers' conference in conjunction with BookExpo America. This year's BookExpo event is in Manhattan in late May, and our writers' conference is on Wednesday, May 27.

Well have I got some good news for writers. The numbers of literary agents who will be in attendance taking pitches from writers just keeps getting bigger. We are at about 60 agents right now and that number will certainly grow by a few. We'll basically just keep signing up agents until representatives from the Jacob Javits Center in NYC stop us because of fire codes. (Only half joking.)

Below you will find the list of attending agents who will be taking pitches at the conference. Here are the details: The slam is the finale of our event on Wednesday, May 27, at the Jacob Javits Center in Midtown, NYC. The slam goes from 3 to 5 p.m., and pitches last three minutes total. You get to pitch as many agents as you can in that time. I don't care what category/genre of fiction or nonfiction you're writing, we have multiple agents attending who are looking for what you write. Memoir? Check. Children's stuff. Check. How-to business? Check. Romance bordering on erotica? Check. Everything in between? Check.

Prior to the slam, the day is chock full of presentations and panels with authors, agents and editors.

For space purposes, we can't fit the complete agent bios on this blog post; however, you can see everything these agents accept and "want" on the official conference BEA page right here. That link will also show you who is presenting at the conference itself.

Literary agents (and some editors)
in attendance at the 2009
Writer's Digest Books Writers' Conference:

EMMANUELLE ALSPAUGH (Judith Ehrlich Literary)
MICHELLE ANDELMAN (Lynn C. Franklin Associates)
BERNADETTE BAKER-BAUGHMAN (Baker's Mark Literary)
MICHAEL BOURRET (Dystel & Goderich Literary Management)
JAMIE BRENNER (Artists and Artisans)
REGINA BROOKS (Serendipity Literary)
ANDREA BROWN (Andrea Brown Literary)
SHEREE BYKOFSKY (Sheree Bykofsky Associates)
DEBBIE CARTER (Muse Literary Management)
JENNIFER CAYEA (Avenue A Literary)
DANIELLE CHIOTTI (Firebrand Literary)
ADAM CHROMY (Artists and Artisans)
VIVIAN CHUM (Prospect Agency)
GINGER CLARK (Curtis Brown, Ltd.)
GREG DANIEL (Daniel Literary Group)
STACIA DECKER (Firebrand Literary)
RACHEL DOWNES (Caren Johnson Literary)
VERNA DREISBACH (Dreisbach Literary Management)
JENNIE DUNHAM (Dunham Literary)
STEPHANY EVANS (FinePrint Literary Management)
SORCHE FAIRBANK (Fairbank Literary Representation)
MOLLIE GLICK (Foundry Literary + Media)
GARY HEIDT (Signature Literary)
BLAIR HEWES (Dunham Literary)
LEAH HULTENSCHMIDT (editor, Dorchester Publishing)
CAREN JOHNSON (Caren Johnson Literary)
ABIGAIL KOONS (Park Literary)
MIRIAM KRISS (Irene Goodman Literary)
MICHAEL LARSEN (Larsen-Pomada Literary Agents)
MEG LEDER (editor, Penguin imprint, Perigee)
SANDY LU (L. Perkins Associates)
DONALD MAASS (Donald Maass Literary Agency)
ALEXANDRA H. MACHINIST (Linda Chester and Associates Literary Agency)
MICHAEL MANCILLA (Greystone Literary Agency)
SHARLENE MARTIN (Martin Literary Management)
JEFFERY McGRAW (The August Agency)
COURTNEY MILLER_CALLIHAN (Sanford J. Greenburger Assoc.)
JUDITH ANN MIRAMONTEZ (Book Cents Literary Agency)
ROBIN MIZELL (Robin Mizell Literary Representation)
CHRIS MOREHOUSE (Dunham Literary)
ELLEN PEPUS (Signature Literary)
LORI PERKINS (L. Perkins Agency)
BARBARA POELLE (Irene Goodman Literary)
ELIZABETH POMADA (Larsen-Pomada Literary Agents)
ALANNA RAMIREZ (Trident Media Group)
JENNY RAPPAPORT (The Rappaport Agency)
JESSICA REGEL (Jean V. Naggar Literary)
JANET REID (FinePrint Literary Management)
CHRIS RICHMAN (Firebrand Literary)
JANET ROSEN (Sheree Bykofsky Associates)
RITA ROSENKRANZ (Rita Rosenkranz Literary)
ELANA ROTH (Caren Johnson Literary Agency)
KATHARINE SANDS (Sarah Jane Freymann Literary)
ALISON SCHWARTZ (ICM)
JESSICA SINSHEIMER (Sarah Jane Freymann Literary)
MICHAEL STEARNS (Firebrand Literary)
NICOLE STEEN (Elyse Cheney Literary)
GRETCHEN STELTER (Baker's Mark Literary)
JOANNA STAMPFEL-VOLPE (Nancy Coffey Literary & Media Representation)
UWE STENDER (TriadaUS Literary Agency)
KARI STUART (ICM)
BROOKE WARNER (editor, Seal Press)
CHERRY WEINER (Cherry Weiner Literary)
TED WEINSTEIN (Ted Weinstein Literary)
JENNIFER WELTZ (Jean V. Naggar Literary)
TINA WEXLER (ICM)
JOHN WILLIG (Literary Services, Inc.)
TOM WILLKINS (Jeff Herman Agency)
CHRISTINE WITTHOHN (Book Cents Literary Agency)

---------------------

AND OTHER WD NEWS

1. SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBINAR
        Wondering how to become an established author in an online world? Writer’s Digest is here to prepare you to take advantage of all the new online tools (like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn), while also showing you the essentials of creating a website that gets noticed. We’re offering an online, interactive presentation that teaches you how to:
        - Easily build a website or blog in an afternoon or weekend. (It’s much easier than you think.)
        - Use social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn. These sites are changing the way authors and publishers can market, promote, and connect.
       - Find success examples of writers using the Internet and examine why their strategies work.
        The online event is on March 31 at 1:30 p.m. EST. All you need is a computer with Internet access. Seats are limited, so register today! [Link to registration page]

2. FREE ARTICLE ON CHOOSING A CRITIQUE GROUP
       See it online here courtesy of Writer's Digest.

Children's Writing | Genre Writing | Nonfiction | Pitching | Writers' Conferences

3/18/2009 2:44:37 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [0]

Saturday, March 07, 2009

Sandy Lu Joins L. Perkins Agency
Posted by Chuck

Lori Perkins has an agency in New York. I blogged this agency a while back when Jenny Rappaport left the agency to form her own. Now, Lori has taken on a new agent: Sandy Lu.

L. Perkins Associates doesn't have a Web site, but Lori runs her "Agent in the Middle" blog here. Here are some detail on Sandy:

Sandy Lu
L. Perkins Associates

Prior to her current position: Ms. Lu was with Vanguard Literary Agency. Fiction areas of interest: "literary and commercial fiction, upscale women's fiction, mystery, thriller, psychological horror, and historical fiction. She is especially interested in edgy, contemporary urban fiction."

Nonfiction areas of interest: narrative nonfiction, history, biography,
memoir, science, psychology, pop culture, and food writing. She also has a particular interest in Asian or Asian-American writing, both original and in translation, fiction and nonfiction. How to contact: sllperkinsagency@gmail.com.

Genre Writing | New Agency Alerts

3/7/2009 2:05:25 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [1]

Monday, March 02, 2009

Agent Brendan Deneen Moves to FinePrint Literary
Posted by Chuck

News from FinePrint:

"Brendan Deneen has joined FinePrint Literary Management, LLC., representing writers for both publishing and film, and producing select film and television projects. Previously, Brendan worked as a manager at Objective Entertainment. Before his time as a manager, Brendan was a feature film executive for the Weinstein Company, Dimension Films, Miramax Films, and Scott Rudin Productions. He began his career at the William Morris Agency. Some of Brendan's current clients include J.M. DeMatteis, James A. Moore, Lysa Divine, Nate Kenyon and my pal Amber Benson."

"Brendan represents all genres but is particularly interested at this time in genre YA and thrillers. He will also continue to represent published (or soon-to-be-published) books and graphic novels for film and television sale." In his own words: "I represent pretty much all genres, including MG & YA. And I'm still doing a lot of film and TV stuff. I do handle nonfiction but it's not my specialty (at least not yet!)."

Submission Guidelines: E-mail only, please! Brendan prefers writers to submit a query letter only before sending any material along for consideration. No pages or synopsis. NO ATTACHMENTS! You can reach Brendan by e-mail at Brendan (at) FinePrintLit (dot) com "

Children's Writing | Genre Writing | New Agency Alerts | Random Updates | Screenwriting and Script Agents

3/2/2009 2:59:50 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [2]

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

New Agent Alert: Sara Megibow of Nelson Literary
Posted by Chuck

Kristin Nelson, of Nelson Literary in Denver, has announced that her long-time assistant, Sara Megibow, is now a full acquiring agent. Sara has worked with Kristin for some time (and therefore has probably learned everything she ever needed to know about agenting), and has helped sell several books.

Below you will find Kristin's
"wants" in terms of fiction:

"Science Fiction and Fantasy = This is probably my all time favorite genre. For me, it is important to create a vivid, intense world that is incorporated seamlessly into an engaging story with complex characters. Here are some recent reads which I feel capture these qualities: Old Man's War by John Scalzi, The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch and His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik.

Romance = I love super sexy, intelligent romances. My favorite authors are Sherry Thomas (I know, I know, I'm biased) and Pamela Clare (everything she's written). I'm a romantic, so about any subgenre works for me (except inspirational) as long as the writing is superior and the characters are solid.

Young Adult and Middle Grade = I have to admit, vampires and werewolves are not top on my list right now. I know it can still be done, but I am secretly on the look-out for books set in the real world (with a multicultural spin or a historical spin would be great).

Finally, that all-encompassing genre of commercial fiction. For me, just about anything goes as long as it's well written. I couldn't put down Mistress of the Art of Death by Arianne Franklin. Bring on the historicals and the multiculturals in this area too."

Sara Megibow

Children's Writing | Genre Writing | New Agency Alerts

2/10/2009 1:45:07 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [1]

Monday, January 26, 2009

Classifying Your Work
Posted by Chuck

Q. When classifying your book should you be more general and just consider it 'suspense' vs. 'murder mystery suspense'?

A: More specific is always good! It shows that you have done research and understand how genres and markets work. You should also be able to identify markets better. Look for agents who not only rep mystery, but specifically have a track record of taking on murder mystery suspense. That said, I'm pretty sure murder mystery is one genre and suspense is another.

Genre Writing

1/26/2009 4:51:11 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [3]

Friday, January 23, 2009

Agent Advice: Sammie Justesen of Northern Lights Literary Services
Posted by Chuck

"Agent Advice" is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else.

This installment features Sammie Justesen, of Northern Lights Literary Services, LLC. She represents genre fiction and all areas of nonfiction.

Sammie Justesen

GLA. How did you become an agent?

SJ. I began my career as a nurse and moved into publishing as a clinical editor for a medical publishing firm. From there I began editing non-medical books, including fiction.

GLA. What's the most recent thing you've sold?

SJ. I’m working on a two-book deal with Wiley for Frank Rumbauskas Jr. These will be follow-up books to his business bestseller, Never Cold Call Again.
        I’m preparing to sign a contract with Sterling Publishing for Thank You For Firing Me, by Candice Reed and Kitty Martini: a practical and inspirational guide to rebuilding one's career after being fired.

GLA. You look for a lot of nonfiction. What are you seeking right now and not getting? What do you wish would turn up in the slush pile?

SJ. I’m open to any topic that will interest to readers and has a wide market. I’ve accepted books on everything from Hip-Hop music to sustainable agriculture. I’d love to see more queries from authors who’ve done their homework and prepared a great proposal.

GLA. Fill in this sentence. "If a book proposal doesn't _________ , I can't do anything with it and say no to the author."

SJ. If a book proposal doesn't address a wide enough market, I can't do anything with it and say no to the author.

GLA: Your fiction interests seem to be mostly genre - romance, women's, mystery, suspense and historical. What draws you to genre categories?

SJ: I lean toward representing the kind of books I enjoy reading, because I have a better understanding of those genres. Also, I find genre titles are easier to sell.

GLA: Do you find that people mis-categorize submissions to you? Do you get "romance" that's really not romance at all, for example?

SJ: Usually the queries I receive are correct with categories, but authors sometimes try to combine categories in a way that won’t sell to publishers. For example: a steamy romance novel combined with a violent spy story. Where would it go in a bookstore? Who would read it? Bookstores need to know exactly where books will be shelved.

GLA: Suspense is a genre we've never really talked about on the blog. Can you throw out a few things that you believe are integral to a good suspense genre book?

SJ: These suggestions come to mind:
        1. Learn the formula by reading and studying this genre. (Of course, you won’t let your readers know you’re following a formula). Analyze your favorite book to see how the writer adds suspense, to the book in general and individual scenes.
        2. Your central problem or issue must be serious enough to engage readers’ attention. What’s at stake? Don’t go overboard (like saving the earth from giant insects), but make sure your protagonist faces a life-changing threat. Make it personal for the hero.
        3. You’ll need a sympathetic protagonist, complete with flaws, quirks, and a reason for us to care what happens to her.
        4. Have a great ending in mind before you start the book.
        5. Your bad guys should be interesting, entertaining, and smart. Don’t use cardboard villians. The hero should be fully tested by his adversaries.

GLA: Will you be at any upcoming conferences where people can meet and pitch you?

SJ: We plan to attend the Writers of the Pacific Northwest Conference in Seattle (July, 2009), the Jackson Hole Writers Conference (June, 2009), and the South Carolina Writers Workshop in Myrtle Beach (October, 2009).

GLA: Best piece(s) of advice regarding something we haven't discussed?

SJ: Publishers are struggling to cope with the volatile economy. In 2009, writers and agents must go “lean and mean.” We need to work harder at creating books that are well written and attract a wide audience. Before you send queries, focus on creating a platform and marketing plan.

Sammie Justesen is a literary agent with Northern Lights Literary Services, LLC. She is interested in the following genre fiction categories: romance, women's mystery, suspense and historical. She is open to practically any nonfiction subject that comes with an awesome book proposal.

Agent Advice (Agent Interviews) | Genre Writing | Nonfiction

1/23/2009 4:00:10 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Agent Advice: Mary Sue Seymour of The Seymour Agency
Posted by Chuck

"Agent Advice" is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else.

This installment features Mary Sue Seymour, of The Seymour Agency.

Mary Sue Seymour (left) pictured with
client Vannetta Chapman.

GLA: How did you become an agent?

MSS: When I was teaching elementary school, I wrote and had three different agents. One of them wasn't very good, so I talked to a girlfriend who was a business teacher. She convinced me to start my own literary agency as a hobby back in 1992. The first book i sent out sold a four-book deal to Bantam. God had given me a gift. I could look at a book that was flawed and write a prescription to fix it, like I had to fix the book that sold the four-book deal.

GLA: What’s the most recent thing you’ve sold?

MSS: Today, I sold Shelly Galloway's two-book untitled deal to Johanna Raisenan at Harlequin Canada for their Harlequin America line, which I know is weird because its primary offices are in Canada. Yesterday, I sold Shelley Shepherd Gray's three-book deal to Avon Inspire.

GLA: You ask for the first 50 pages of text with a fiction submission. I’m guessing you usually don’t get through all 50 before you stop. What types of things will turn you off in those crucial first chapters?

MSS: The first line and first paragraph should demonstrate great writing ability and the knowledge that the author knows how to write a hook. If it's a romance, it would be nice if the hero/heroine meet on the first page or close to it.

GLA: If you were speaking to someone who was sitting down to write a romance book but had never done so before (they wrote either literary fiction or plain nonfiction), what would you tell them about the necessities of how to write?

MSS: The word count would range from 50K to about 100K. There is a formula to write a good romance. The hero must be a man the reader would like to date and the heroine should be the type of girl that is bigger than life that the reader would like to be like. They should meet, overcome obstacles and in the end get together. There are dozens of different kind of romances - the author could join the Romance Writers of America for support and and get into critique groups. All my published authors have critique groups.

GLA: If someone pitches a romance series to you rather than just one book, does that raise a red flag in your mind?

MSS: No, it's better. Most romance publishers would rather buy a series. Americans are collectors and like series. Publishers would rather pay to publicize one author for three books than pay to publicize three separate authors.

GLA: Concerning Christian fiction, what are you looking for and not getting?

MSS: I would like to see more historical romance that has Christian elements.

GLA: You’ve said before that you are big into the general information books, such as the “Everything” series and the “Idiot’s Guide to” series. What qualifies someone to contact you with an idea for a book in the series? Can you give us an example of when someone pitched one of these books cold to you and it came to fruition?

MSS: Editors from Adams Media e-mail me lists of titles they are seeking authors for. I forward the lists on to my clients who e-mail the editor via me a bio. If the editor likes the bio, she requests a table of contents and then they take it from there.

GLA: In addition to the literary agency, you also have a film agency. Can you tell us more about that? What are you looking for? Are you a script manager?

MSS: Ellen, my film agent, recently retired due to health issues and a poor market. I am looking for a new film agent.

GLA: Will you be at any upcoming conferences where writers can meet and pitch you?

MSS: In January, I will be at Space Coast Writers Guild Annual Conference in Cocoa Beach. The beginning of February will be in San Diego, and then at the end of February Naples, Fla, with the Southwest Florida Romance Writers. In March, I'll be in Charlotte for the Carolina Romance Writers Conference.

GLA: Best piece(s) of advice concerning something we haven’t discussed?

MSS: Writing is a process. People don't usually write books unless they have talent. You dont' take piano lessons if you have no talent. Join an organization for support; for example, if you write mysteries, join the MWA. Enter contests if you can afford the fees - especially ones judged by editors.

Mary Sue Seymour is looking for new clients who write any type of romance including historical, contemporary category, contemporary mainstream, suspense, paranormal, regency or inspirational. She wants nonfiction about real life heroes, prescriptive books, cookbooks, and basically any type of nonfiction by credentialed authors. She is looking for Christian books of any type. She does not handle magazine articles, e-published or self-published books, general novels, children's books, poetry, short stories, New Age and books contradictory to fundamental Christian beliefs.
E-mail her at marysue@twcny.rr.com. See her Web site before submitting material.

Agent Advice (Agent Interviews) | Christian Agents | Genre Writing

11/26/2008 12:45:12 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [3]

Monday, October 06, 2008

Agent Advice: Scott Eagan of Greyhaus Literary
Posted by Chuck

"Agent Advice" is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else.

This installment features Scott Eagan, founder of Greyhaus Literary Agency near Seattle. Scott specializes in romance and women's fiction.

GLA: How did you become an agent?

SE: I had been teaching English for more than 10 years and had just moved from the K-12 system to the collegiate level. At that time I had also done some work with my own writing (I write poetry on the side). I was looking for a change of career and everything sort of fell into place at the right time. With my background in English, degrees in English Literature, Creative writing and Literacy, this seemed to be the right move.

GLA: What is the most recent thing you've sold?

SE: I have been doing a lot of work recently with both SourceBooks and with Harlequin Mills and Boon. In both cases, the work has been primarily in the historical romance market. Right now, my top two writers are Michele Young from Toronto and Bronwyn Scott from the US. Michele has come out with No Regrets and The Lady Flees Her Lord, both stories with unconventional but very real heroines. The men fall in love with them for who they are not what they look like. As for Bronwyn Scott, she has been active with the new Harlequin Historical undone line releasing Pickpocket Countess and Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady. She is also part of the new e-book line they are releasing.

GLA: Your specialties are romance and women's fiction. What attracted you to these areas?

SE: First of all, I have to say, I just love these stories. Both romance and good women’s fiction tend to make you feel pretty good when you finish a great book. Business-wise, I chose these lines simply due to supply and demand. Although a lot of agencies represent these genres, few only focus on the genre. I believe it is important to focus on one area and do it well.

GLA: How does a writer know she's writing women's fiction, as opposed to literary fiction?

SE: I think I have a fairly good definition of women’s fiction. These are not simply stories with female characters but stories that tell us the female journey. Women’s fiction is a way for women to learn and grow and to relate to others what it is to be a woman. When I think of literary fiction, the emphasis is placed more on the telling of a good story instead of making the female journey the centerpiece.

GLA: There is a lot of romance out there. What can set a story apart from the many bad ones?

SE: What I find separates the good from the bad is the depth I which the stories go to be unique and real. There are a lot of stories out there that are just copying a template. Sure the story is a fun read, but I just wouldn’t put it up there with the “good” stories. When I find an author that does that, I just can’t put the book down. I really hear the voice of the author coming right off the page.

GLA: Let's talk queries. Specifically - the pitch paragraph. What must be in there for you to be interested?

SE: The pitch is simple. I want to know not only the basics (the genre, word count and title) but I want to really know what makes this story unique and different from everything else out there. Anymore, it is not so much a matter of being a good writer, you have to have a story that makes us stand up and take notice. Along the same lines, I want an author to show me he or she understands the business and their place in the world.

GLA: When pitching a romance, should a writer have more books lined up or planned out? I know that romance writers usually pen multiple books (and sometimes even have multiple series). From a career standpoint, what must a writer know if they want to write romance? On this note, if a writer came to you and said "I have one book and don't plan to write another," would you take it on if it was good?

SE: As an agent, I am looking for someone to be in it for the long haul. Unless the story is such a breakout novel (which you really don’t find very often), a writer will need to have more books ready to go. Now, does this mean the author should have the books written? Not necessarily. The author may simply have an idea of how they are going to become a “brand.”

GLA: From that career standpoint, a writer needs to have a clear picture of where they want to be in the next 5 years and even in the next 10. This needs to be a realistic picture and not the belief that she will retire immediately from all the proceeds of the book.

SE: As far as the writer with one book. The odds are, I would pass on it. Again, since I am working with the romance and women’s fiction genre, they will not make enough money off that one book to make it worth our time.

GLA: Will you be at any upcoming conferences or events where writers can meet you?

SE: I have very little things on my agenda right now. I’m tentatively heading to the Silicon Valley RWA chapter in May and will be at the RWA national conference in Washington D.C. in 2009. When it comes to conferences, I go to where I am invited.
Another great place to meet me would be via my blog or even taking my online Marketing Your Fiction Novel Class (information on my website).

GLA: Best piece(s) of advice concerning something we haven't discussed?

SE: I would simply tell writers to do their research and don’t rush into the publishing. Be ready to make the move both with your manuscripts and mentally. Know exactly who you are sending your works to and why. The more you know, the better off you will be.

Scott Eagan represents writers of romance and women's fiction. See more online at his website. In his words: "I am ACTIVELY (can I make that any louder?) looking for Hot and Steamy contemporary romances for the Mills and Boon Modern Heat Line."

Agent Advice (Agent Interviews) | Genre Writing

10/6/2008 7:39:06 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [1]

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Around the WD Properties: 10-2-2008
Posted by Chuck

WD Editor Maria Schneider Leaving

The wonderful editor of Writer's Digest, Maria Schneider, is leaving the magazine after several years of service. She will be greatly missed. You can leave a parting message for her on her blog.

Articles Wanted!

Alice Pope, who will be editing the 2010 edition of Novel & Short Story Writer's Market, welcomes submissions for the next edition of NSSWM. Alice would like pitches for articles and interviews that fit the following sections in the book: The Writing Life, Craft & Technique, Getting Published, For Mystery Writers, For Romance Writers, and For Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Writers.

To get an even better idea of what is wanted, you should check out a copy of the 2009 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market at your local bookstore or library. Queries can be sent to Alice's attention at nsswm@fwpubs.com.

Looking for a Writers' Conference?

As of now, I'm speaking at seven conferences in 2009, so, if you have a moment, check them off if you live nearby and see if you're interested in dropping by! There are some really good gatherings in this list.

Reno Writers Conference at Truckee Meadows Community College
March 14, 2009
Reno, NV

Las Vegas Writers Conference
April 16-18, 2009
Las Vegas, NV

Muse and the Marketplace: Grub Street Writers
April 24-26, 2009
Boston, MA

Writers Digest Books Writers Conference / Book Expo America
May 27, 2009
New York, NY

Southeastern Writers Conference
June 21-25, 2009
St. Simons Island, GA

Jackson Hole Writers Conference
June 25-27, 2009
Jackson Hole, WY

Around the Properties | Genre Writing | Writers' Conferences

10/2/2008 1:41:57 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [1]

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Around the Properties: WD News 9-16-2008
Posted by Chuck

There is a lot going on around the WD properties. Check out the news!

The Don'ts of Books Submissions

At the Maui Writers Conference, WD staffers were at a session where three agent panelists threw out some helpful tips on what not to do when submitting a book.

    1. Don't send your full manuscript off the get go. Only send what's requested in the particular agent's guidelines. (They almost always can be found online.)
    2. Don't respond to a rejection letter or ask "why." Just move on.
    3. Don't be rude or disrespectful—rejection isn't personal, it's just part of the business.
    4. Don't submit to one agent at a time. The industry is slow so it's unrealistic for agents to assume you haven't sent it to other people (unless an agent asks for an exclusive read).
    5. Don't resend a query or manuscript a day or two later with a note, "I found a mistake in my proposal and fixed it." Once it's sent, it's sent.

Constructing the Thriller

Also picked up at the Maui Writers' Conference, here are writer Gary Braver's tips on driving a thriller forward. Click here to read the whole thing - all 10 tips and an explanation on each.

    1. You need to have a good story.
    2. Write about the underdog.
    3. Multiple points of view can give you great range in a thriller.
    4. Open your book with an action scene.
    5. Early on, make clear what your protagonist wants and what he fears.

WD Popular Fiction Awards

Deadline: 11/3/2008

The WD Popular Fiction Awards is now accepting entries. Compete and win in all five Categories! The Grand Prize-Winner will receive $2,500 cash.

Around the Properties | Contests | Genre Writing

9/16/2008 10:10:30 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [1]

Friday, August 29, 2008

New Agent Alert: Joanna Stampfel
Posted by Chuck

UPDATE (March 2009): Joanna is now Joanna Stampfel-Volpe and she is with Nancy Coffey Literary. To see an interview with her, click on the "Agent Advice" category on the left.

-------

Joanna Stampfel is transitioning from office assistant to full-fledged powerful literary agent over at FinePrint Literary Management in NYC.

You know what that means: a new agent looking for writers.

(News of her transition was
recently announced by Colleen
Lindsay, another FinePrint agent
who's known as "The Swivet." When
you see things quoted below,
that is material from her.)

"Here's what Joanna's looking for, in her own words:

Actively seeking: Childrens: Chapter books to middle grade - covering any and all topics. If fantasy, it had better be very unique. Loves a good school story, and always looking for humorous boy reads. YA: contemporary to sci-fi and everything in between. Again, if full-out fantasy, it had better be different. Romance: historical, paranormal, multicultural. Other Adult: pop-culture, dark speculative fiction, narrative non-fiction having to do with environment, food, outdoors.

Does not want to receive: mysteries, thrillers, heavy nonfiction, self-help, how-to, hard sci-fi, hi-fantasy, memoirs, true crime, biography.

How to contact: E-queries and snail mail queries accepted. Send e-queries to [redacted]."

Children's Writing | Genre Writing | New Agency Alerts

8/29/2008 1:11:53 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [0]

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Maria Blogs About Thrillerfest
Posted by Chuck

Maria Schneider, editor extraordinaire of Writer's Digest magazine, recently blogged all about her adventures in Manhattan while she was at Thrillerfest.

Thrillerfest, if you didn't know, is a huge writers' conference for writers of thr thriller genre, and attracts a crazy amount of big-name authors, such as Sandra Brown, David Baldacci and James Rollins. Check her posts out!

Sandra Brown and Maria Schneider.

Genre Writing | Writers' Conferences

7/15/2008 10:02:05 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [0]

Saturday, July 05, 2008

My Adventures in Smith Mountain Lake...
Posted by Chuck

Last week I got the chance to present for the Smith Mountain Lake Writers Group down in southwest Virginia (think near Roanoke). The talk drew in a decent crowd - considering the holiday so close - and attracted writers from several counties.

I'm still out of town and have been having trouble posting on the blog (sorry for the wait). Below you will find some questions that writers asked at the presentation.

Me and some of the Smith Mountain
Lake writers. To my right is group
coordinator Jim Morrison.

Q. What do you do if you're unhappy with how your literary agent is working for you?

A. Complicated question. The standard answer of "Be honest with her" is unfulfilling because you feel like she knows more than you, and she knows how to work. But still, you have to be honest and gently express concern at how things are going.
That said, have patience. As long as the agent is working on your project, then she is indeed working. If it's getting submitted to places with no luck, then examine why this is. Is this work sub-par? Does it need tweaking? What about these submissions she's sending to editors? Does she have relationships with the editors, or are these just cold submissions?
If you have decided to get out of a representation agreement with an agent, you will have to consult your contract, and check out the details (fine print). Contracts have termination clauses and you could be stuck with that agent for several weeks or months, etc. Usually this is not a problem because a reputable agent will want to cut ties with a client who wants to cut ties with them. That said, know that any previous books that you worked with the agent on - and sold - will be tied to the agent forever. For example, if your agent sold Book 1, and now you want to get out because Book 2 is going nowhere, you will always be locked in to that agent for Book 1 because she sold it. For every dollar you make now until forever, she gets 15 cents.

Q. Why is literary fiction a difficult sell?

A. Screenwriter Blake Snyder said that if you can't boil your story down to one super-intiguing sentence (a logline), then you're already in trouble. The reason that so much of what's out now in movie theaters is sequels and remakes and garbage is because it's easily marketable. People know what the story's about.
Genre fiction (also called popular fiction), such as mysteries or romance or sci-fi, has a specific framework - a specific blueprint. People enjoy mysteries because they want to solve a crime. They expect red herrings. They expect a clever villain. These things are integral parts of the mystery blueprint. Literary fiction has no blueprint! I've said before that when you don't know what your novel is genre-wise, it could very well be literary fiction. Because literary fiction has no blueprint, and the stories are often more layered and rich, that tends to make them harder to condense into one super-intriguing line. And that's why they're a hard sell. People just don't know what they're about, and they need to know if they're going to plunk down $27 for it.

Genre Writing | Writers' Conferences

7/5/2008 11:19:03 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [1]

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

New Agent Alert: Guichard Cadet of Serendipity Literary
Posted by Kristen Howe

Serendipity Literary, a cool boutique agency founded by Regina Brooks, has a new literary agent looking for material.

Guichard Cadet is "looking to represent a balanced mix of fiction and nonfiction but is not interested in magical realism, fantasy or science fiction. He has a special affinity for pop culture, sports and Caribbean themed titles."

Previously, Guichard founded the independent press, La Caille Nous Publishing. See his full bio here!

The agency has different submission guidelines for adult fiction/nonfiction than they do for children's and juvenile work. Adjust accordingly.

Genre Writing

6/17/2008 10:41:22 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [2]

New Agent Alert: Eddie Schneider of JABberwocky Literary
Posted by Kristen Howe

JABberwocky Literary has a new literary agent: Eddie Schneider.

Contact info:
Eddie Schneider
JABberwocky Literary
P.O. Box 4558
New York, NY 11104
(718)392-5985

Fiction areas of interest: Literary fiction, science fiction, fantasy, humor/satire, young adult. How to contact: Send a query with a SASE. No e-mails. He's seeking projects with a greater literary emphasis to his tastes than is typical of many agents who represent authors in these genres.

Tips: "I like things that are dark, that break rules, and that possess wit and humor. I like being thrust into other cultures, and similarly, I go for books that draw me into other worlds that exist on their own terms. Strong, evocative writing is a must."

Prior to his current position, he was an agent with Folio Literary. Do not send Eddie any unsolicited mss. Query him through snail mail and include a SASE.

Eddie Schneider.

Children's Writing | Genre Writing | New Agency Alerts

6/17/2008 10:37:23 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [5]

Friday, May 16, 2008

Lucienne Diver Moves to the Knight Agency
Posted by Chuck

Lucienne Diver, an accomplished and experienced agent has moved from the Spectrum Agency to The Knight Agency.

I got the chance to meet Lucienne when I was presenting in Florida and she was a joy to be around.

I learned the news by reading the blog of Nephele Tempest, another agent at Knight. If she was on your short list of agents, note this change. Lucienne's main areas of interest include fantasy, science fiction, romance, mystery, suspense and erotica.

Lucienne Diver

Genre Writing | Random Updates

5/16/2008 11:11:49 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [0]

Friday, May 02, 2008

Why Can't I Get Past the Query?
Posted by Chuck

Q. I know this will sound trite, but I have exhausted a multitude of possibilities, and have come up with a dismal fact. Unless you are a well-known actor or perhaps a sports personality, having a manuscript even looked at is like urinating on a rope and expecting the flow to reverse itself ... so that it travels against gravity.
I won't bore you with what steps I've taken, but suffice it to say that my lack of success isn't due to the manuscript's quality - or lack thereof, since nobody will even respond to heartfelt pleadings of even a 2-3 page read! What must a person do to become a success? I have paid thousands of dollars to "vanity publishers" on my first two books, and just will not do it again on this - my best and third book. It's a political horror (Is there any other kind?) and the word count is 270K. Entitled: Necromancer, and if you read that alone, and knew anybody with a shred of curiosity, then you've at least digested the title, could you provide the name of an agent for me to e-mail or call? The book is worth it, and promises to entertain even the most selective of publishers/agents.
- David

A. OK, David. Let's tackle this problem one part at a time.
      First off, 270,000 words is not only too long, it's crazy long. A typical horror novel would run aboyt 90K, so if you mentioned the word count in your query, that alone could explain why no one requested more.
      Second: the title. First off, it's "titled," not "entitled." Second, I don't even read horror, but Necromancer seems like kind of a cliche title. I would change it. On this subject, what is "political horror"? I've never heard of that subgenre. Can it just be called "horror"? If you make up your own subgenre, then it might scare agents off.
      If you change your query to meet my suggestions and don't get requests for pages, then it's safe to say the problem lies completely in your query letter. I met a writer the other day in Texas who had a great background in journalism and a great premise for a novel. "Why won't any agents read a sample of my work, Chuck?" he asked. "Well, sir," I told him. "If you have good credentials and a good premise, then it's obvious that your query needs work."
      Lastly, the very fact that you say it will entertain "the most selective of publishers/agents" is not good news. Horror is a very specific niche, and I have never even heard of "political horror." So - on the contrary - very few agents and publishers will be interested in something like this. Your difficult job is finding a horror agent who will be interested.

"It's a lonely life - the way of the necromancer.
Oh yes. Lacrimae Mundi - the tears of the world."
- Merlin, Excalibur

Genre Writing | Queries and Synopses and Proposals

5/2/2008 11:20:49 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [0]

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

New Agency Looks for Romance
Posted by Chuck

Bressler|Scoggins Literary Management, a new agency, recently contacted me and said they are shifting their attention from a large array of subject to a narrower focus: romance. Here is the news from Becky Scoggins herself:

"After receiving hundreds upon hundreds of submissions, we have decided to specialize in romance categories, including romantic suspense, paranormal romance, contemporary romance and young adult romance. We also are looking for women's fiction and a very select amount of women's nonfiction (parenting, motivational, business written for women). This also fits in with our new partnership with Mamapalooza."

I have no idea what Mamapalooza is, but it sounds intriguing and it's too late to find out tonight.

Genre Writing | Random Updates

4/29/2008 12:01:37 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [8]

Saturday, April 26, 2008

The Newest Genre: Quagmire Fiction
Posted by Chuck

First we had "cyberbilly." Then it was "elegant erotica." Now it's "quagmire fiction." This new genre, as coined by agent Barbara Poelle (see post just below), is found along the fringes of literary fiction, where the language is so intense and lyrical and rich (purple prose?) that the reader is just swimming is a quagmire of emotion and thoughts and intensity.

The bad news is: Consider how literary fiction is a tough sell, quagmire fiction is a really tough sell. The good news is: Barbara likes literary fiction (though not "the quag"), so she will certainly give it a look-see.

barbara@irenegoodman.com

Genre Writing

4/26/2008 4:35:02 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

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Saturday, March 29, 2008

New Agent Alert: Spencer Ellsworth at Lori Perkins
Posted by Chuck

APRIL 2009 UPDATE: Spencer is on a hiatus from agenting. (I think he's back in school.) Check with the L. Perkins Associates agency from time to time to see if he has returned.

---------

It's very late here, but I wanted to pass along some information about Spencer Ellsworth, a new agent with L. Perkins Associates (the Lori Perkins Agency).

He sent me a note saying he is looking for "science fiction, fantasy, historical novels, graphic novels, satire, memoir and travel writing. Please, no vampires."

Query him at sellsworthlperkinsagency@yahoo.com.

Here's some holy water, Spencer,
to keep those vampires at bay.

Genre Writing | Graphic Novels | Memoir | New Agency Alerts

3/29/2008 12:42:17 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

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Friday, March 07, 2008

Agent Advice: Phil Lang of Reece Halsey North
Posted by Chuck

Agent interview by
blog contributor Robin Mizell:

"Agent Advice" is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else.

This installment features Phil Lang, the newest literary agent at Reece Halsey North in Tiburon, Calif.

GLA: You're a new agent, which can be an advantage to authors seeking representation. Tell us a little about how you got started in the business.

PL: I was attending the MFA Creative Writing Program at the University of San Francisco with Elizabeth Evans, an agent at Reece Halsey North. She had interned for Kimberley Cameron and asked if I'd be interested in reading for them a few times a week. That invitation opened me up to a side of the writing equation that I had never even considered.
I knew on the first day that I had stumbled upon a special situation. You don't find places like Reece Halsey North just anywhere, and you rarely find a mentor as wonderful as Kimberley Cameron. I started going through the submissions as an unpaid intern. Before long, I was asked to look at work from existing clients. One thing you can count on in this business is that there will always be something to read, which to an intern means there will always be opportunities to show your worth.
After some time, Ms. Cameron asked if I saw myself making a career out of this. Absolutely, I told her. She offered me a job, and I took it on the spot. Not many people get the chance in this business right out of graduate school. I know how fortunate I am to be in the position I'm in, and I'm hellbent on making the best of it.

GLA: The Reece Halsey North Web site indicates you're seeking literary and commercial fiction, including mysteries and thrillers, as well as nonfiction in the areas of biography, history, current events, music, and sports. Would you consider any other submissions?

PL: When people ask what genres I'm interested in, my answer is always the same: I'm interested in the great writing genre. I'm not seeking fantasy or YA, but if it—whatever it is—is great, then I'm interested.
There is also another aspect to this question that people often overlook. I seek out the genres listed above because those are the genres where I am most confident in my assessment of talent. Asking me to represent fantasy would be like someone asking me to represent his or her punk band. I would like to think that I could hear some undiscovered Ramones and identify them as a great band, but I'm not in that scene, and I am not familiar with the nuances of quality punk music.
Greatness is apparent to most anyone, but it's the separation of everything that falls below the fantasy equivalent of the Ramones where I would have a hard time distinguishing the very good from the everyday.

GLA: What kinds of credentials do you look for when you receive a query?

PL: It depends on the genre. Fiction and nonfiction are entirely different beasts. Platform plays a big role in nonfiction, whereas I'm much less concerned with that on the fiction side of things. Now, I'm not saying a publication credit in The New Yorker means nothing to me, but there's more leeway in fiction. Thank God.

GLA: How do you prefer to be contacted by writers seeking representation?

PL: E-mail. It's the lifeline of the office. It may take a little while for me to respond, and on rare occasions queries are lost in the junk file, but it's without question the best way for someone to get a hold of me. We've phased out mail submissions in the office, and our response time has been cut in half.

GLA: If a writer submits a promising query that happens to be outside your specific areas of interest, would you pass it along to one of your colleagues at Reece Halsey North?

PL: Of course. I do every day. This is a small office, and the three of us (Kimberley Cameron, Elizabeth Evans, and I) are very tight. We each have a hand in every project that goes out the door, and we all are responsible for every query that lands here. What's good for the agency is good for me. I've heard horror stories of highly competitive agencies, and they always befuddle me.

GLA: How can writers get to know your particular tastes and preferences?

PL: Believe it or not, I labored over writing my bio on our Web site. It's a bit embarrassing, but what the hell. It took me a few days to write that damn paragraph! The reason for that is because I knew it would be the best place for people to get an idea of the writing I seek.

GLA: What's your defining personality trait?

PL: Persistence. I'm about as easygoing as they come, but I quietly go after what I want until I get it. (Is there any way to answer this question without coming off self-indulgent?)

GLA: Good point. It’s not always easy to describe yourself. How would you describe your ideal client?

PL: One whose books sell. I kid, but it's the truth. The ideal client is a person who understands that publishing a book is a collaborative process. This may sound obvious, but publishing a book takes time, many minds, and almost always involves more than a couple rejections. An ideal client, like a veteran ballplayer, never gets too high and never sinks too low. The ideal client knows that we're in this together and no one wants to sell the manuscript more than I do.

GLA: Tell us about your band.

PL: I started Bloomsday Rising with a fellow MFA student a little over a year ago. (What? You didn't think I was going let this prime opportunity for a plug slip away, did you?) It's a no-frills rock ‘n roll band, and it's the most fun I've had since Little League.

GLA: Will you be attending any conferences or events in the future where writers can meet you?

PL: The Santa Barbara Writers Conference (June 23-24); the Willamette Writers Conference in Portland, Ore. (August 1-3); the Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference in Corte Madera, Calif. (August 14-17); and the North Coast Redwoods Writers’ Conference (TBA).

GLA: Can you tell us about your own writing?

PL: I've spent the last few years working on my novel Home, Approximately. Like everyone and their dog, it's more or less completed, but I'm still making some final adjustments. The basic premise is that a young painter, five miles from a new life in New York City, is called back to the farm when his parents are killed in an accident. He spends the summer tending to his father's crops, stuck in the place and life he's wanted to leave since he was a boy. His greatest inspiration for his paintings is his hometown, Maple Valley, and the images of his father at work. His greatest fear is that he will become his father and never leave Maple Valley. Mix in a love interest, a young priest questioning his faith, and an ominous augur, and you have Home, Approximately.

GLA: To a writer looking for an agent, can you offer any advice about something we haven't discussed?

PL: Above all, remember the following:
      1. You will be rejected.
      2. You will be rejected.
      3. When you're at the stage of catching an agent's eye, your query letter is as important as anything. Polish that baby!
      4. Your first 10 pages hold your fate. Forward momentum is critical. It's not fair, but you have to give an agent a reason to turn the page. Know that you are one of 100 queries he or she will read that day. You don't have the luxury to meander.
      5. Give them exactly what they ask for. If they ask for a one-page synopsis, don't give them a page and a half. If they ask for the submission to be sent as a Microsoft Word attachment, don't send a submission in the body of the e-mail. I know that agents seem like a disgruntled bunch with classic Napoleon complexes, but I assure you that we are diehard fans of writing who want to contribute to the world of books.
      6. Do not call if you haven't heard back from an agent after a week, or even a month. I wish it weren't true, but it takes time to get through submissions. If you haven't heard back in a few months, then drop a polite e-mail, but after that, you have to let it go, which is why...
      7. You should send out simultaneous submissions. There is no reason you should be expected to wait on an agent before you send your work to other agents. It's simply not fair. Do not hesitate to send out submissions to as many agents as possible. What's the worst that could happen? More than one agent is interested in your work. Call me crazy and unethical, but I am willing to bet this is a problem any writer without representation would welcome.
      8. Your writing is worthwhile. Do not listen to the skeptics. They are just jealous because you've found something in this world that you're passionate about.
      9. Oh yeah, you will be rejected.

The Reece Halsey Agency, established in 1957 by Dorris Halsey, represented clients such as Aldous Huxley, William Faulkner, Upton Sinclair, and Henry Miller. In 1993, Kimberley Cameron became a partner in the agency and shortly thereafter founded Reece Halsey North and Reece Halsey Paris. Phil Lang joined Reece Halsey North in 2006 and is actively seeking new clients with “distinct voices and original perspectives.” The agency does not handle screenplays or teleplays. Additional submission guidelines are listed on its Web site.

Agent Advice (Agent Interviews) | Genre Writing | Queries, Synopses and Proposals

3/7/2008 10:19:35 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

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Tuesday, February 19, 2008

The Newest Genre: Elegant Erotica
Posted by Chuck

Elegant Erotica: Not romance.
Not Penthouse. But a gentle blend
between the two.

We haven't had a new genre on the blog since "Cyberbilly" back in July, so I was excited to make this post, even if it is 1 a.m.

This genre was coined by Verna Dreisbach at a speakers' dinner. (Verna is a new agent at Andrea Hurst Literary Management, and I posted about her not long ago.)

As far as what constitutes the genre, I can't give you much more than the short explanation above. Evidently, it's material that has more juicy bits than romance, but isn't pornography. For some reason, I think of British erotica or something like that - naughty writing, but proper at the same time.

Genre Writing

2/19/2008 1:05:11 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [6]

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

New Agent Alert: Verna Dreisbach at Andrea Hurst Literary
Posted by Chuck

Reminder: Newer agencies are golden opportunities for new writers because they're likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you're just wasting time and postage.

New agent at Andrea Hurst Literary Management: Verna Dreisbach.

Verna comes to the agency from a career in writing. She is currently accepting submissions in the following genres:
Fiction: Commercial & literary fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, commercial women’s fiction, young adult, Native American Indian. Do not send sci-fi or horror. Verna’s 13 years of law enforcement experience as a former police officer gives her a genuine interest and expertise in the genres of mystery, true crime, and suspense. Her other interests include horses, having ridden since she was a young girl. Her newest endeavor has taken her into the realm of natural horsemanship training.
Adult nonfiction: Travel writing, self-help, parenting, business,
pets, health, true crime, and any fresh, compelling idea that is
matched with a strong platform.

In her words: "I work directly with packaging authors and ideas for such series books as The Idiot’s Guides and The Everything Guides, and believe in helping authors break into the world of writing through these types of guide books. If you have an idea for a guide book, are an expert in a field that you believe should have a one, or would like to be a writer for one of these projects in conjunction with an expert, please send me your resume."

Verna Dreisbach
verna@andreahurst.com
P.O. Box 5379
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
www.andreahurst.com

Genre Writing | New Agency Alerts | Nonfiction

2/13/2008 9:50:30 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

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New Agent Alert: Colleen Lindsay at FinePrint Literary
Posted by Chuck

Got a tip this morning that FinePrint Literary had taken on a new agent: Colleen Lindsay. Prior to becoming an agent, Ms. Lindsay was the director of publicity for Del Rey Books. Also, she was a reviewer for the San Francisco Chronicle.

Fiction areas of interest: Science fiction and fantasy of all kinds, horror, paranormal romance, YA fiction and fantasy, pop culture, graphic novels and LGBT fiction and nonfiction. She also seeks thrillers, literary and commercial fiction.

Nonfiction areas of interest: humor or narrative nonfiction, as well.

Does not want to receive: No category romance, poetry, short story
collections, children's picture books, westerns, spirituality, Christian fiction or non-fiction, self-help, Westerns, politics, history or biography.

How to contact: E-queries preferred. Because her submission instructions are so detailed, you should review them personally here on her blog.

Colleen Lindsay

colleen@fineprintlit.com

Genre Writing | New Agency Alerts

2/13/2008 9:39:58 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [3]

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Agent Advice: Janet Reid of FinePrint Literary Management
Posted by Chuck

Agent interview by
blog contributor Robin Mizell:

"Agent Advice" is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else.

This installment features literary agent Janet Reid of FinePrint Literary Management. She was formerly with Imprint Literary; before that, she had her own agency: JetReid.

GLA: What's the most recent thing you've sold?

JR: Siesta Lane, by Amy Minato to Skyhorse Publishing.

GLA: The FinePrint Web site indicates you're seeking mysteries and offbeat literary fiction; elsewhere you've said you're also interested in nonfiction: justice and death penalty issues, African politics, contemporary art and music, and how-to books. Do you consider anything else? What about graphic novels?

JR: I'll look at anything people send me. I don't know anything about fantasy or Westerns, so I tend to say no, but I read every query letter.

GLA: If you happened to receive a promising submission that was outside your areas of interest, might you pass it along to one of the other agents at FinePrint?

JR: You bet. And if you query me and I say no, you can still query anyone else at FinePrint.

GLA: How would you describe your ideal client?

JR: Jeff Somers. Mindy Tarquini. Sean Ferrell. Eric Stone, Jake Needham. Bill Cameron. Bob Fate. Oh, you mean generally? They write well. They write really, really well.

GLA: How do you prefer to be contacted by writers seeking representation?

JR: E-mail. Snail mail is fine. I really, really don't like phone calls.

GLA: What is your defining personality trait? What don't we already know about you?

JR: I'm cruel, unkind, demanding and fierce. And I drink a lot of scotch.

GLA: What publishing industry periodicals or blogs do you currently read that might also be helpful to prospective clients?

JR: 1) Yours (GLA). 2) GalleyCat. 3) Kristin Nelson's Pub Rants blog. 4) Nathan Bransford.

GLA: You've said you don't enjoy traveling, but will you be attending any conferences or events in the future where writers can meet you?

JR: Scene of the Crime Conference, Wichita, Kan., April 11-13. The Muse & the Marketplace, Boston, Mass., April 26-27. Surrey International Writers’ Conference, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, Oct. 23-26, 2008. No one else has been brave enough to ask.

GLA: What's your best piece of advice regarding something we haven't discussed?

JR: Read Stephen King's book On Writing. Read E.B. White's books of essays. Surround yourself with beautiful things when you write, even if you prop open an art book from the library. Expect great things from yourself. Don't talk about what you're going to do ... Do it.

Janet Reid is an agent with FinePrint Literary Management in New York City. She became a literary agent after working for 15 years in book publicity and hosting an author interview program for an Oregon Public Broadcasting affiliate.
FinePrint’s Web site provides submission guidelines, and Janet’s blog includes much more detailed information about her personal tastes and how to send her a query. At present, she is reading all types of manuscripts, but she especially appreciates crime fiction and authors with a wry sense of humor.

Agent Advice (Agent Interviews) | Genre Writing

1/30/2008 3:04:31 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

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Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Susan Ann Protter Seeks Thrillers
Posted by Chuck

AAR Agent Susan Ann Protter is currently looking for a few good thriller writers. She recently updated her listing, saying that she is looking for new mystery and thriller writers.

Susan accepts queries by snail mail: Susan Ann Protter, Literary Agent, 110 W. 40th St., Suite 1408, New York, NY 10018.

Those submitting should make sure their manuscript is not only complete, but edited and polished. Established agents such as Susan don't often open up like this, so make the most of such an opportunity. Check out her Web site for more info. On the site, she also mentions a few other categories where she is looking for good queries.

Genre Writing

1/23/2008 10:42:38 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

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Thursday, August 02, 2007

Contest for Romance Writers
Posted by Chuck

Thanks to the Writer Beware blog, I heard about a good writing competition for romance scribes.

It's called the First Chapters Romance Writing Competition, and writers can submit until Aug. 22.

All the nitty-gritty details are online, but the basics are these: The contest calls for full romance mss that have never been published, save those that were self published. There were be online judging early on by peers, then the winners get money and publication (through Simon & Schuster).

See the site and read the details thoroughly. All in all, it sounds like a solid contest. If you were able to prove yourself through winning (or at least doing very well) in such a competition, agents may come a' knockin.

Contests | Genre Writing

8/2/2007 2:02:18 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [2]

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Mystery Writing Conferences and Funny Names
Posted by Chuck

Let me take a moment here to inform readers about helpful writers' conferences for mystery writing, while also laughing out loud a bit. Mystery conferences have the wackiest names, and every new one I hear sounds just a little crazier than the last. See for yourself:

Hardboiled Heroes and Cozy Cats
      Mystery Writers of America Southwest Chapter
Magna Cum Murder
      Muncie, IN; Oct. 26-28, 2007
Scene of the Crime Conference
      Kansas
No Crime Unpublished Mystery Writers' Conference
      Summer 2008; Arcadia, CA
Deadly Ink Conference
      New Jersey
Bouchercon
      Alaska; Sept. 27-30, 2007
New England Crime Bake
      Massachusetts; Nov. 9-11, 2007
Murder on the Rocks
      Denver, CO; March 6-9, 2008
Bloody Words: The Canadian Mystery Conference
      Not till 2008; Toronto
Murder in the Grove
      Idaho; 2008

The crazy thing is I know there are many more and I'm missing some conferences with doozies for names. My favorite name of the ones listed above is Hardboiled Heroes and Cozy Cats.

Remember: Conferences are great opportunities to meet literary agents face to face and establish contact.

The logo for Bloody Words... bwahahaha

Genre Writing | Writers' Conferences

7/26/2007 12:22:47 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [6]

Friday, July 20, 2007

Agent Advice: David Hale Smith of DHS Literary, Inc.
Posted by Chuck

"Agent Advice" is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else.

This installment features David Hale Smith, founder of DHS Literary, Inc. in Dallas.

GLA: What's the most recent thing you've sold?

DHS: One of my favorite recent projects is a new novel from the brilliantly twisted mind of Victor Gischler. He has moved over to Touchstone/Fireside with a new two-book deal. The first novel in that deal is called Go-Go Girls of the Apocalypse. It offers an insanely funny vision of the American future. And, of course, I’m very excited about Greg Rucka's graphic novel, Whiteout, being adapted as a big-budget movie starring Kate Beckinsale.

GLA: If a writer queries you with a crime novel, and it's the first in a series of three with the other two books already finished, should the author mention this at all? Or should they let such a discussion come up later?

DHS: I like to know that writers are thinking strategically, but I want to know they can put first things first. Write a book that dazzles me. If it's the first in a planned series, it’s OK to mention that in a query. But I do get a little nervous when I start hearing about a number of other finished manuscripts lying around that "no one has ever seen."

GLA: You handle different genre work—crime, thrillers, Western, etc. When an author queries you, should they say their submission is simply a "thriller" or a "Western"? Or do they need to be more specific, saying it's a "legal thriller" or a "police procedural" or a "law and lawmen Western"?

DHS: Again, I want to read the actual manuscript before we get into what section of the bookstore it should land in. Many times, I don't even think about the genre until I'm starting to talk to publishers about how the book will be published. Lately there have been a lot of cross-genre hybrids flying around, and that stuff can be great fun, but keeping it simple often works best at the beginning of a career. Then again, a lot of the best stuff comes from reinvention. How's that for contradictory advice?

GLA: You only take work by a referral. Do you also meet writers at conferences?

DHS: I love discovering new writers and reading first novels. But like everyone else, I just don't have enough hours in the day. The best filter I have found is to limit submissions to those that come in by referral. But when I go out and do a writers conference, if I hear a pitch I like, I will always invite a submission. At that point, you don't need a referral.

GLA: Bottom line—what attracts you to a work?

DHS: I like to feel almost physically pulled into a book. I want to discover a work with some magical combination of narrative voice, creative vision, and artistic ambition that absolutely demands publication.

David Hale Smith is the founder and president of DHS Literary, Inc., based in Dallas. His sales and management work has been mentioned in numerous publications, including Publishers Weekly and Daily Variety.
He works with literary and commercial fiction - especially mysteries, suspense novels and thrillers—as well as a broad range of nonfiction. His agency also sells film, foreign and all subsidiary rights Representative books handled by Smith’s agency include New York Times bestsellers The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook series (Chronicle Books) and many more. A forthcoming work is Start Strong, Finish Strong by Dr. Kenneth Cooper and his son, Dr. Tyler Cooper.
Smith has been a featured speaker and panelist at leading writers' conferences, including the Maui Writers' Conference, Bouchercon, Jackson Hole Writers' Conference, Pacific Northwest Writers' Workshop and more.

David Hale Smith.

Agent Advice (Agent Interviews) | Genre Writing

7/20/2007 3:58:28 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

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