Guide to Literary Agents - December, 2008

Ms. Agent
William Morris Agency
1825 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10012

Hi Mr. Agent,

You’ve finally got a good book to represent. MINE. The word is out that you're the best agent in the world. Now’s your chance to prove it. I’m thinking of calling my book Gone With The Wind II. Pretty sweet, huh? I’m using the same characters, Rhett Butler and all that. My understanding is that the publisher will have no problem getting the approval to do that from the family’s state. But here’s the catch ... Tara will be in outer space this time!!!! Whoa! I bet this is the best idea you’ve heard in weeks or maybe ever. A bestseller for sure. By the way, I’m wrote the book on my lunch breaks (more on that later).

I’ve contacted about two hundred other agents and saved the best for last ---- YOU. They’re crazy not to have leaped at this ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY. I warn you, Mr. Agent, you may not get another chance like this one. Even though I read you only represent nonfiction, this is your chance to get into the fiction game where more interesting stories can be told.

I’ve discussed my ideas for the book with several of my friends at CVS where I work and they all LOVE IT! Obviously, dumdum, you will too. Right now I’m just stocking the shelves, but I think the manager might promote me to cash register. After all I worked there for nearly eight years and hardly took any time off except for the time I spend in prison fighting a false arrest for attacking one the agents I contacted who wouldn’t answer even one of my hundreds of phone calls--- the dirty bastard. But I’ll get even with him. I know you're not that kind of guy. From what I’ve read, you're a straight shooter.

The book is nearly done. I’ve almost finished page 12. Once begun is half done as they say. You should know that I need at least a $100,000 advance. And I need it NOW. You can’t believe how expensive lawyers are. (Don’t worry I won’t sue you, too!) From what I’ve read, you agents usually get 10 or 15 percent off the top. I’m willing to double it if you can send me at least $25,000 NOW. Since my idea is a sure thing, you should have no problem with this deal. You should also know I don’t suffer welchers if you no what I mean. You had better not tell my great idea to some other writer and going around me!!!! By the way, although your Web site said to include a synopsis, I thought I wouldn’t waste my time since you're sure to take on my book anyway. Instead (as I’m sure you noticed) enclosed in this giant box you just opened is a case of my favorite Skippy peanut butter just to let you know I’m no piker (in the case that I find another agent first before we sine on the dotted line, please send me $30 (in cash) to cover my expenses and the postage).

Right now the water drops you see on this page are real tears. I really need and DESERVE to have my book published. I’ve taken the liberty of following you to your home in Rye, NY, so I can deliver the manuscript any time you say directly to your place and hand it to one of your cute kids if you're not there (By the way, your wife is good looking too. NICE GOING! but she should keep the curtains closed - there are so wackos out there, ya know ... never can be too sure). But like I said, I’ll need a few days to finish the book. If for some reason I don’t hear from you in a day or so, you can expect to see me on your doorstep. (I’m sure it would have just slipped your mind. Ha Ha Ha Ha.!!!) Or you can except my offer by mail. I’ve enclosed an envelope for your secretary to address. She can stamp it too. Rich agents like you don’t need me to save them chump change, right? Right.

Affectionately,

Joe Writer

914-555-2054 (My girlfriend's number cause my phone is disconnected due to a bill miscommunication. Don’t even think of fuggin trying to hit on her or else!)

P.S. BTW, if you do hit on her, send money today and I’ll forgot the whole thing (and not tell your wife!).

Ric Klass is the author of Man Overboard: Confessions
of a Novice Math Teacher in the Bronx, a narrative
nonfiction book published late 2006. The New York Times
selected Man Overboard for its “Great Read In The Park”
book fair. The book was chosen for The National Press
Club's 29th Annual Book Fair and Authors' Night.

Guest Columns | Queries and Synopses and Proposals

Wednesday, December 17, 2008 4:24:04 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [13]

First WD Editors Intensive Conference = Great
Posted by Chuck

For the first time ever this past weekend, we opened the doors here at F+W Media to a large gathering of writers for a small conference on the business and craft of writing. I'm pleased to say the event was a success. I, for one, was wondering how the whole thing would go down - being that such an event was brand new. But everything went smoothly and that was nice.

If you were in attendance at the event, thank you for coming in. I know a lot of people flew in. We had writers from California, Florida, Puerto Rico and Vancouver. Probably a whole lot more places, but we didn't have them list off their hometowns.

I taught two workshops - both about agents. Those went off without a hitch.

A panel of editors answer
questions. From left: Writers
Online Workshops coordinator Joe
Stollenwerk; WD Editorial Director Jane
Friedman; CWIM editor Alice Pope; and myself.

Each attendee got 50 pages of their
work critiqued by an editor.

Writers' Conferences

Wednesday, December 17, 2008 3:39:16 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [3]

Monday, December 15, 2008

New Agent at Greenhouse Literary
Posted by Chuck

Greenhouse Literary, a cool newer agency started by Brit Sarah Davies, has recently snagged a new agent: Julia Churchill. Like Sarah, Julia hails from the UK . I'm not sure if Julia will be taking on American authors, but her joining Greenhouse means that Sarah will have more time to devote to American writers, so that's good news for juvenile writers.

As a refresher, Greenhouse specializes in "children’s fiction – from high-concept/character-led series aimed at the 5+ age group through middle grade to young-adult/crossover novels. We are NOT looking for picturebook texts or illustrators, non-fiction, educational or religious/inspirational work, poetry, or writing aimed at adults. If you think your work fulfils these criteria, please send a one-page query email to submissions@greenhouseliterary.com. This should include a short synopsis of your plot, a few lines about yourself and your writing ‘credentials’, as well as the first chapter or first five pages (whichever is the shorter) of your manuscript pasted into the body of the email. Sorry, but we no longer accept e-mail attachments or snail-mail submissions (we try to be as paper free as possible). If we are interested we will reply with directions on what material should be sent next, and in what format."

Children's Writing | New Agency Alerts | Random Updates

Monday, December 15, 2008 9:46:40 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [3]

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Firebrand Literary's 'Query Holiday'
Posted by Chuck

From Dec. 15 through Jan. 15, Firebrand Literary will not be accepting submissions in the normal "Query First" manner. Rather, they will be accepting and reviewing complete first chapters of manuscripts.

This is a big task for those agents and a great opportunity for writers of all kinds. For those of you who have never got a request for a partial (probably because your query was weak), this is your golden chance. Let your writing speak for itself.

There is more to know, so check out the Query Holiday tab on the Firebrand Web site right now!

Hat tip: Soon-to-be-famous
middle grade author
Nancy Parish

Contests

Wednesday, December 10, 2008 3:40:40 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [8]

Agent Nathan Bransford's New 'First Paragraph' Contest
Posted by Chuck

Literary agent (and super blogger) Nathan Bransford of Curtis Brown in San Francisco is hosting another contest. This one is called "The 2nd Sort-of-Annual Stupendously Ultimate First Paragraph Challenge."

Basically, it's a contest looking for an amazing first chapter of a novel (nonfiction, too?) in progress. The rules. But hurry - the DEADLINE is 7 p.m. EST on Thursday, Dec.11!

Check out his post to see the prizes and the rules and how the whole shebang will work out. This is a cool chance for writers!

Hat tip: Soon-to-be-famous
middle grade author
Nancy Parish

Contests

Wednesday, December 10, 2008 2:57:06 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [4]

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Costa Rica Retreat Drawing
Posted by Chuck

Almost seems too cool to be true, but I hope it's not...

Below is a press release about a new contest where the winner gets an awesome writing retreat in Costa Rica. No money for entry is necessary. You just have to have a certain degree in school.

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

2009 Contest - Open Nov. 1, 2008 until April 1, 2009

Announcing The First Annual Writers’
Holiday in the Tropics Contest
For Students and Alumni of Graduate Writing Programs

Brought to you by Costa Rica Writers’ Retreats in sponsorship with the Vermont College of the Arts and Orlando Writers’ Workshops.

Enter to win a luxurious one-week writing retreat in Costa Rica.
• No writing samples required
• No purchase required
• Luck-of-the-draw contest
• Open to current graduate creative writing
students and alumni worldwide
•Winner must provide proof of enrollment or graduation
• All entries must be made at www.costaricawriters.com/contest.

All entries must be received by April 1, 2009
and the winner will be announced by April 5, 2009.

Held May 16th – June 13th, 2009, the prizewinner may choose the retreat week. Prize is valued at $4,500, the Writer’s Holiday in the Tropics includes:

• Round-trip Airfare between Miami/Ft Lauderdale, Florida
and San José, Costa Rica,
• Round-trip transportation between Juan
Santamaria airport and the 4-star,
eco-friendly Docelunas Resort in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica
• All meals at Docelunas (alcoholic drinks are not included)
• Single accommodations (private room with a king size bed)
• Fully guided zip-line tour through the
rainforest (or another excursion of your choice)
• Weeklong writing retreat led by Robin Hemley, Xu Xi,
Sue Silverman and Vanessa Blakeslee during the weeks of
May 16th-June 13th—you choose the week
*As a added bonus, the winner will also receive a
one-year subscription to the "Total Funds for Writers" newsletter (www.fundsforwriters.com)

The rules are simple. At the time of your entry to the drawing, you must be a current enrolled graduate student in creative writing at an accredited College or University or a graduate of an accredited University or College graduate creative writing program (MAs, MFAs or PhDs in the U.S. and their equivalent outside of the U.S.). The winner will be required to submit proof of enrollment or graduation upon notification.

Writers' Conferences

Tuesday, December 09, 2008 4:15:56 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [5]

Monday, December 08, 2008

Submit a Portion of the Book With a Query?
Posted by Chuck

Q. I just have a brief question. I have read several articles regarding submissions of material to agents and how to write query letters, but none of the articles say if I am to include a small portion of my book or not. Any suggestions?
- Jennifer Killgore

A. There is no set rule, Jennifer, which is why you're not getting the answer you want. Each agent will say whether they want a sample of the book (a chapter, 20 pages, etc.) or not.
Once you research how to write a query, you will need to ID those agents you want to contact. Each agent wil have a different preference on how they want to be contacted, and whether that means sending only a query, sending a query and two chapters, or whatever else. The agents will tell you on their Web site, or you can find such information in agent directories such as the 2009 Guide to Literary Agents.

Q&A from Blog Readers | Queries and Synopses and Proposals

Monday, December 08, 2008 12:39:54 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [4]

Greystone Literary is Back in Business
Posted by Chuck

I first met literary ageny Michael Mancilla in New York in 2007. He founded a cool, newer agency called Greystone, but the agency closed after a few years. Fortunately, it has recently reopened. Michael specializes in nonfiction and is looking for good writers.

Greystone Literary Agency

437 New York Ave. NW, No. 211, Washington DC 20001. (202)234-2299. E-mail: mike@greystonelit.com. Web site: www.greystonelit.com. Contact: Michael Mancilla. This agency is dedicated to both cultivating the voices and perspectives of the authors it represents and acting as a liaison to the publishing community. Seeking new and established writers. Prior to opening his agency, Mr. Mancilla trained with literary agent Peter Rubie via New York University's publishing program. He is also a nonfiction author who earned a Lambda literary award nomination for his writing. Established: 2003. Represents 15 clients. 25% of clients are new/unpublished writers. Currently Handles: 100% Nonfiction Books and Scholarly Books.

Nonfiction subjects of interest: Agriculture, Animals, Archaeology, Biography, Parenting, Computers/Electronic. Current Affairs, Education, Ethnic/Cultural Interests, Health, History, Interior design/decorating, Juvenile nonfiction, Language/Literature, Money/Finance, Music/Dance, Nature, Photography, Popular Culture, Psychology, Religious/Inspirational, Science, Self-Help.

How to Contact: Query with SASE. Accepts e-mail queries. No fax queries. Responds in 3 weeks to queries. Responds in 6 weeks to manuscripts. Does not return submissions. Actively seeking: narrative nonfiction by recognized leaders in their field. Also encourage submissions by journalists who want to expand beyond magazine and newspaper writing. Does not want to receive memoirs. Agent receives 15% commission on domestic sales; 20% commission on foreign sales. Offers written contract. Binding time: 1-year. Charges for postage and photocopying. Writers' Conferences: BookExpo America; Washington Independent Writers Conference. Tips: "To write is human, to edit is divine. I also want to know why you are the best person to write this book and I encourage authors with good writing skills to consider pairing up with an expert in the field as either a coauthor or to write the foreward."

Agency Profile | Nonfiction

Monday, December 08, 2008 11:11:16 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [12]

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

You Can Bid On a Critique by an Agent
Posted by Chuck

Jennifer Jackson, a literary agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency in NYC, is offering a critique of up to 50 pages of a manuscript as well as up to 10 pages of a synopsis.

It's all part of a fundraiser event that one of Jennifer's clients is putting on for a great cause. Jennifer's critique is going out to the highest bidder. I haven't checked what the current bid is, but bidding has indeed commenced on E-Bay with the final day being Dec. 8.

Hat tip: Soon-to-be-famous
middle grade author
Nancy Parish

Sold!

Wednesday, December 03, 2008 4:16:40 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [0]

Monday, December 01, 2008

Agent Smackdown: East Coast vs. West Coast. Which is Better?
Posted by Chuck

Guest blog column
by Tom Bentley

The world of literary agents seems divided into sub-worlds: there is New York, there is California, and there is a smattering of boroughs and burgs in between. For better or worse, New York literary agents have often been stereotyped as aggressive, pushy and relentless. Underlying that notion is another: New York agents are the ones that will move your book along, get it in front of the right editors and get it into print. Of course, that implies another consideration: If you ain't got a New York agent, you ain't got squat. Is the West Coast counterpart of an NYC agent mushy, touch-feely and emotive? Is there a bagel/vegan muffin divide? And what about agents smack in the middle of the country—are they just waifs in publishing's prairie winds?

To find out if there's any substance to the pigeonholing, the only people to ask are the agents themselves, who were happy to let their own words reveal how they feel about their stateside rivals.

EAST VS. WEST

Stephen Barbara, an agent and contract manager at the Donald Maass Agency in New York offered connectivity, not attitude, as the East Coast advantage: “Most of the top agencies are here, most of the major trade houses are here, not to mention the great writing community and a wonderful city with tons of culture and a great social scene which connects publishing folks regularly over lunch, drinks, book parties, award ceremonies, and the like. The energy here is really incredible. That’s not to disparage out-of-town agents, and the world is flat, of course, but we do feel it is advantageous to be in the thick of things here.” Barbara did add that there are great agencies on the West Coast, and in Boston and DC (though he didn't say anything about how good their lunches might be).

Sandra Dijkstra of the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency in Del Mar, Calif., offers that it's not all location, location, location: “Where an agent is based is much less important than how well-viewed and how well-connected that agent is, to both the publishing community and to the specific author’s work," she says. "Proximity to the NY pub world can also be a disadvantage, because agents need to remember for whom they work—the author—and playing volleyball with publishers in the Hamptons, traveling up and down elevators with them in NYC, etc., can also lead agents, like the White House press corps at times, to dangerous confusion on this front. Distance from NYC, on the other hand, can afford agents a vital perspective on the mad world of publishing, and beyond it too. In any case, in the Age of the Internet, we are sometimes all too connected.”

Though it is hard to slight connections (and once again, there are those lunches), Daniel Lazar, of the New York–based Writers House agency, takes a broad view: “I think for a new, young agent starting out, there is an advantage to being in New York. There are lunches and mixers and parties where young editors and agents are meeting. Getting to know editors personally is an important part of this business. Matching up a project with an editor usually involves a personal chemistry you can’t replicate entirely on the phone. However, for an agent with some kind of experience, whether they used to be an editor or a publicist or an assistant to an agent or a sales rep somewhere, all they need is a computer and a phone. You can do that from Times Square or from the Grand Canyon or wherever.”

AND THE MIDDLE

And from a perspective that can look both East and West (and talk about lunch on her own terms), let’s listen to Kristin Nelson of Nelson Literary Agency in Denver, Colo.: “NYC agents have the advantage of being able to go out to lunch more often with the editors, but is that a tangible benefit? In other words, does lunching more often make one a better agent? I've talked with many editors about my being located in Denver. Not one of them has ever cared where the agency was based. What they cared most about was my reputation and whether I send good projects their way. Interestingly enough, many editors have told me that they thought my location was an added benefit. I'm not New York-centric, and, in their eyes, that can be a huge plus. There are many terrific agents in New York (several of which are personal friends) and there are many terrific agents outside of NYC. An agency’s reputation is far more important than its location.”

BURYING THE (IMAGINARY?) HATCHET

As for a certain New York state of mind (or mood): Daniel Lazar summed it up in a tone that reflected the sentiments of many of the agents. “I know some very sweet and mild agents here in the city," he says, "and some formidable agents based miles and states away.”

East Coast, West Coast, Middle-of-the-Country Coast ... let’s call the alleged feud off—and then let’s have lunch.

Tom Bentley is a freelance writer,
editor and copywriter. He's published articles in
Writer’s Digest, the Los Angeles Times, Wired,
the San Francisco Chronicle, Traveler's Tales
and many others. He is also the winner of
multiple short story contests.

Guest Columns

Monday, December 01, 2008 2:31:18 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [3]

What AAR Means, and Chuck's Oversimplified Four Tiers of Agents
Posted by Chuck

In my mind, there are four tiers of agents in terms of how ethical and reputable they are. Here is how I break it down to keep it simple. It's over-simplified, but should help new writers understand how things work and what to watch out for.

First (Top) Tier:
       In this tier, I put all the agents that are part of the Association of Authors' Representatives (AAR).
       Consider this: There is no test to be a literary agent. If you print up business cards that say you're a literary agent and create a Web site tomorrow, effectively, you're in business. Applying to and being accepted into the AAR is the closest thing to an accreditation that an agent can get. To be a member of the AAR, they have to follow a strict canon of ethics. To see the full canon, see the AAR Web site here.
       If you're hooked up with an AAR agent, nothing is guaranteed, naturally, but more than likely you're in great hands.

Second Tier
       In this tier, I put all reputable agents that are excellent reps, but just not part of the AAR. In reality, there is little difference between tier one and tier two, except for the three letters after the agent's name.  There are many agents who are excellent and ethical, but just not part of AAR for whatever reason - and they should not be ignored, by any means.
       In this tier, I would also include newer agents that have good intentions but have yet to really learn the system. I'm talking about a fresh young face at an agency who hasn't made her first sale yet. She is ethical and fair, yes, but she may not be that effective yet. That will come in time. You may not sell your book quickly, but you won't be out any dough.

Third Tier
       In this tier, I put agents that may very well have the ability to sell work, but also do shady things, such as charging fees or referrals to editing services. The agents are probably quite capable, and they could definitely sell your work to a publisher or production company, but they're also bending the rules when they like to make money on the side.
       Slippery slope here. There is a big fat line between the second and third tiers.

Fourth (Bottom) Tier
       Scammers, baby! I'm talking about the WL Literary Agency and the Writer Beware's legendary "20 Worst" literary agents.
       These are people who have absolutely no ability or intention to sell your work, and promise you success while picking your pocket. Stay away from the fourth tier! Stay away from the light, Carol Ann!

When I think of tiers, I
think of Connect Four. And
then I smile.

Scams

Monday, December 01, 2008 11:21:31 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [2]

Jellinek & Murray, and Other Agencies That Don't Want to Be Contacted
Posted by Chuck

This post is just for those special few who have struggled to contact an agency such as Jellinek & Murray, an agency in Hawaii that no one, apparently, can ever get a hold of. I just got another e-mail about this exact thing.

My take on the subject is this: There are plenty of agencies out there who do not want to be contacted by writers. When an agency makes it extremely difficult to contact them or submit materials, this is a clue that they don't want to even hear from you. Jellinek & Murray seems like a perfect fit into this little category.

Jellinek & Murray is indeed a real and active agency, as evidenced by the fact that the agents are always part of the Maui Writers' Conference - a reputable event that Writer's Digest actually co-sponsors. I've tried to e-mail them in the past and I either get an invalid e-mail address reply or no reply at all. I've tried phone calls, but no luck with that either. I seem to remember snail mail working in the past, but I could be imagining it.

If you look through any edition of Guide to Literary Agents, you will see a small percentage of agency listings that are relatively scant, and don't even include an agency Web site. These are agencies who won't give us more information even when we ask. The more information they give - such as how to submit and what they're looking for and what they've sold - means more submissions to them, and they obviously don't want that. They likely have a healthy list of money-making clients and don't want to deal with slush.

The point here is this: If an agency is hiding, they don't want to be found.

Can I go to Maui this year?

Monday, December 01, 2008 10:15:26 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [3]

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