I’ve just returned home from Big Sur on Cape Cod, a wonderful mentoring weekend for children’s book authors and illustrators organized by Andrea Brown and her most-successful-in-the-US literary agency, in coordination with Lisa Rehfuss. This event is held annually in California, and for the first time was offered here in New England (lucky us). The […]
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By: Joyce Zarins,
on 5/15/2016
Blog: Constructions: joyce audy zarins (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: children's books, picture books, middle grade fiction, editors, YA fiction, work in progress, Literary Agents, A, traditional publishing, Inc., Andrea Brown Literary Agency, pearls of wisdom, Writing today, Diverse books, Add a tag
By: Kathy Temean,
on 5/11/2013
Blog: Writing and Illustrating (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: IMC, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Erin Murphy Literary Agency, need to know, Book Contracts, Harvey Klinger, Places to sumit, Pippin Properties, Agent, Top children's book sales by agent, Add a tag
Filed under: Agent, Book Contracts, need to know, Places to sumit Tagged: Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Erin Murphy Literary Agency, Harvey Klinger, IMC, Pippin Properties, Top children's book sales by agent
By: Tara Lazar,
on 8/9/2012
Blog: Tara Lazar (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: KidLit, Blogging, Literary Agents, Jennifer Laughran, Prospect Agency, Erin Murphy, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary Agency, Teresa Kietlinski, Literaticat, Add a tag
By: Maryann Yin,
on 5/5/2011
Blog: Galley Cat (Mediabistro) (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Young Adult Books, Deals, Penguin, Carolyn Mackler, Jay Asher, Razorbill, Ben Schrank, Thirteen Reasons Why, Laura Rennert, Writers House, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Jodi Reamer, The Earth My Butt and Other Big Round Things, The Future is Us, Add a tag
By: Karen Strong,
on 12/7/2010
Blog: Musings of a Novelista (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Big Sur Children's Writing Workshop, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Writing, Add a tag
By: Kathy Temean,
on 11/21/2010
Blog: Writing and Illustrating (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Add a tag
By: Adventures in Children's Publishing,
on 8/3/2010
Blog: Adventures in YA Publishing (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Magazines, Editors, Writing for Children, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Art Directors, Mary Kole, Illustrators, Highlights, Picture Books, Articles, Add a tag
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By: Joyce Zarins,
on 5/15/2016
Blog: Constructions: joyce audy zarins (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: children's books, picture books, middle grade fiction, editors, YA fiction, work in progress, Literary Agents, A, traditional publishing, Inc., Andrea Brown Literary Agency, pearls of wisdom, Writing today, Diverse books, Add a tag
By: Bruce Luck,
on 8/16/2014
Blog: Utah Children's Writers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: J.K. Rowling, Jennifer Laughran, writer's digest, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, Julie Daines, Marie Lamba, Add a tag
Blog: Utah Children's Writers (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: J.K. Rowling, Jennifer Laughran, writer's digest, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, Julie Daines, Marie Lamba, Add a tag
My “next” project that I’ve been working on forever has been giving me fits. One of the dilemmas is what age to make the characters, and therefore, who the target audience will.
I’m an MG kind of a guy. I’ve spent a career teaching fifth and sixth graders. I know how they operate, what shenanigans they think they can get away with, and the cocky attitudes they employ to pull it off. And I’m smart enough to realize they probably got away with a few things I wasn’t aware of. They’re as capable as teenagers of scheming wild ideas, just not as aware of when the silly notion won’t work.
Earlier this week, Julie Daines said to listen to your gut, our writer’s intuition that is our friend should we choose to listen. I think my friend is telling me to take it MG. But the first time I did that, I overshot my audience. What to do, what to do?
Then a timely article arrived this month from Writer’s Digest. In “The Key Differences Between Middle Grade Vs. Young Adult,” agent Marie Lamba of The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency helps clarify the two. She sees a lot of queries of manuscripts with “an MG/YA identity crisis.” She rejects many of these simply because the writer did not know the basics of the age group they thought they were writing for.
In a nutshell, the differences boil down to a few areas:
Age of readers
Middle-grade does not mean middle school. MG is for readers ages 8-12 and 13-18 for YA. While there is no “tween” category, middle school libraries tend to have shelves for both. There are upper and lower MG as there is in YA.
Age of protagonists
Kids “read up” so your characters should be on the higher end of the age of the readers. Thus a 10-year old hero would be ideal for a lower MG, 12 or even 13 for upper MG, and 17 or 18 for YA. Your YA character can’t yet be in college.
Manuscript length
30,000-50,000 words is the norm for MG while YA starts at 50,000 and goes up to 75,000. These are not set in stone, but a good length to shoot for. Fantasy novels can exceed that due to the world-building necessary.
Voice
YA is usually written in first person while third person is common for MG.
Content
There is a difference in what is allowable in each. While there is no profanity, graphic violence, or sexuality in works for younger readers, they are acceptable for YA, the exception being erotica. In a recent Writer’s Digest webinar, Jennifer Laughran of Andrea Brown Literary Agency says a few “Hells” and “damns” are okay for MG, but the harsher curses should be avoided. MG heroes can have romance, but it should be limited to a crush or first kiss. Generally, MG novels end on a hopeful note while that isn’t necessary of YA works. Marie Lamba says there are gatekeepers between you and your middle-grade audience - parents, teachers, librarians - who may discourage the book. That ultimately could affect a publishers’s choice to print it. This isn’t as much an issue for YA, though gratuitous sex, numerous F-bombs, and extensive violence could mean the book may sit in fewer schools.
Mind-set
This is a biggie, the one I missed when I originally wrote the book. MG focuses on friends, family, and the character’s immediate world and their relationship to it; character react to what happens to them, with minimal self-reflection. YA characters discover how they fit in the world beyond their friends and family; they reflect more on what happens and analyze the meaning of things. Jennifer Laughran says that MG kids test boundaries and have adventures “finding their place within a system” whereas YA teens do the same, while “busting out of the system” and find themselves.
There are, of course, exceptions to every rule. Once you have the writing chops of J.K. Rowling, you, too, can write a 200,000 word tale. But even Harry didn’t kiss Ginny until they were teenagers.
So I’m listening, gut, my quiet friend. I do wish you would speak louder sometimes.
(This article also posted at http://writetimeluck.blogspot.com)
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By: Kathy Temean,
on 5/11/2013
Blog: Writing and Illustrating (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: IMC, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Erin Murphy Literary Agency, need to know, Book Contracts, Harvey Klinger, Places to sumit, Pippin Properties, Agent, Top children's book sales by agent, Add a tag
Please note: The names below are of the agents who had the most children’s book deals report to Publishers Marketplace by a publisher, agent, or author. It is just a snapshot in time. When I ran the numbers in the beginning of the year, the names and numbers were different. Also you should know for various reasons not all deals are reported to Publishers Marketplace.
Many agents represent children’s books and adult books. Only children’s book deals were used. This is the type of information you can access if you sign up for the paid subscription to Publishers Marketplace. I consider this important information and part of the cost of doing your homework.
1. Jennifer Laughran (Andrea Brown Literary Agency)
has had 27 deals in the this category during the last 12 months - 4 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: April 9, 2013 – 11 PB – 11 MG – 8 YA
2. Ammi-Joan Paquette (Erin Murphy Literary Agency)
has had 26 deals in this category during the last 12 months - 3 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: April 3, 2013 - 9 PB – 7 MG – 12 YA
3. Erin Murphy (Erin Murphy Literary Agency)
has had 24 deals in this category during the last 12 months – 1 six-figure+ deal Most recent deal in this category: April 4, 2013 – 19 PB – 9 MG – 2 YA
4. Sara Crowe (Harvey Klinger)has had 21 deals in this category in the last 12 months – 12 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: April 10, 2013 – 11 MG - 14 YA
5. Holly McGhee (Pippin Properties) had 19 deals in this category in the last 12 months – 14 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: April 5, 2013 – 16 PB – 5 MG
6. Kelly Sonnack (Andrea Brown Literary Agency) has had 17 deals in this category in the last 12 months - 2 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: February 26, 2013 – 14 PB – 3 MG - 1 YA
7. Tina Wexler (ICM) has had 15 deals during this category in the last 12 months Most recent deal in this category: March 20, 2013 – 2 PB - 8 MG – 7 YA
8. Rosemary Stimola (Stimola Literary Studio)has had 14 deals in this category during the last 12 months – 16 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: April 2, 2013 – 3 PB - 8 MG – 2 YA
9. Sarah Davies (Greenhouse Literary Agency)has had14 deals in this category in the last 12 months – 20 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: March 27, 2013 – 3 MG – 13YA
10.Paul Rodeen (Rodeen Literary Management) has had 14 deals in this category in the last 12 months – 2 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: April 10, 2013 – 13 PB – 1 MG
11. Brenda Bowen (Sanford J. Greenburger Associates) has had 13 deals in this category during the last 12 months - 7 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: February 15, 2013 – 10 PB – 3 MG – 2 YA
12. Teresa Kietlinski (Prospect Agency) 13 deals in this category during the last 12 months. Most recent deal in this category: March 26, 2013 – 12 PB – 4 MG
13. Joanna Volpe (New Leaf Literary & Media) 12 deals in this category in the last 12 months - 6 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: March 22, 2013 – 1 PB – 7 MG – 4 YA
14. Laura Rennert (Andrea Brown Literary Agency) 11 deals in this category during the last 12 months – 21 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: March 27, 2013 – 4 PB – 2 MG – 5 YA
15. Jill Corcoran (The Herman Agency)11 deals in this category during the last 12 months – 1 six-figure+ deal Most recent deal in this category: January 17, 2013 - 4 PB – 5 MG – 5 YA
16.Jamie Weiss Chilton (Andrea Brown Literary Agency)11 deals in this category during the last 12 months – 1 six-figure+ deal Most recent deal in this category: March 13, 2013 – 9 PB – 3 YA
17. Suzie Townsend (New Leaf Literary & Media) 11 deals in this category during the last 12 months – 5 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: April 12, 2013 - 1 PB – 5 MG - 5 YA
18. Elena Mechlin (Pippin Properties) 11 deals in this category in the last 12 months - 2 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: March 28, 2013 – 9 PB – 3 MG
19. Isabel Atherton (Creative Authors) 11 deals in this category during the last 12 months. Most recent deal in this category: March 4, 2013 – 9 PB – 2 YA
20. Steven Chudney (The Chudney Agency) 10 deals in this category in the last 12 months - 2 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: April 2, 2013 – 3 PB – 4 MG -4 YA
21. Emily van Beek (Folio Literary Management) 10 deals in this category during the last 12 months 12 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: April 9, 2013 – 8 PB – 2 MG – 3 YA
22. Karen Grencik (Red Fox Literary) 10 deals in this category during the last 12 months. Most recent deal in this category: April 3, 2013 – 10 PB – 2 MG
23. Edward Necarsulmer IV (McIntosh & Otis) 9 deals in this category during the last 12 months – 2 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: December 14, 2012 – 5 PB – 2 MG – 2 YA
24. Jim McCarthy (Dystel & Goderich Literary Management) 9 deals in this category in the last 12 months – 1 six-figure+ deal Most recent deal in this category: February 26, 2013 – 10 YA
25. Steven Malk (Writers House) 8 deals in this category during the last 12 months – 11 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: April 5, 2013 – 5 PB – 2 MG – 1 YA
Hope you like getting this type of information.
Talk tomorrow,
Kathy
Filed under: Agent, Book Contracts, need to know, Places to sumit Tagged: Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Erin Murphy Literary Agency, Harvey Klinger, IMC, Pippin Properties, Top children's book sales by agent
10 Comments on Top 25 Agents – Highest Children’s Book Sales April 2012-April 2013, last added: 5/14/2013
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By: Tara Lazar,
on 8/9/2012
Blog: Tara Lazar (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: KidLit, Blogging, Literary Agents, Jennifer Laughran, Prospect Agency, Erin Murphy, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary Agency, Teresa Kietlinski, Literaticat, Add a tag
If you’re an un-agented writer, you might be thinking—do I even NEED a blog? What content should it contain? How often should I post? What SHOULDN’T I blog about?
Well, relax. I asked a few agents what they thought of writerly blogs. Their responses may surprise you.
Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary Agency:
“I don’t have any strict rules or do’s and don’ts. I find blogs are perhaps less useful than they used to be, with the exception of those with large followings. Mostly I go to them, when considering signing someone new, to get a sense of their personality and how they present themselves (whether to fellow kidlit folks, gatekeepers or kids).”
Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary Agency:
“A writer’s blog wouldn’t be a deal-breaker for me unless it was wildly unprofessional. First and foremost, when I’m looking at a potential client, it’s all about the writing. But beyond that, a blog or website gives a sense of who that person is, how our tastes and interests might mesh, etc. So make sure your web presence reflects who you are, and that it looks clean and tight and polished. I don’t think they’re essential, but it is nice to put a face and background to the voice I’m reading on the screen.”
Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary Agency:
“I don’t care if an author has a blog or not. But if they DO have a blog, I hope it is lively, interesting, informative, fun to read, and gives a sense of their “voice” and a glimpse into their lives.
Turnoffs: Lots of word-count posts. Constant self-promotion. Complaining about blogging, complaining about the publishing industry, complaining about specific people (your agent or editor, for example)—or “Humblebragging.” Overly political or “sexy” posts (unless you are a political or sexy writer).
If an author HATES blogging and is struggling to find the time or energy…if it is taking away from their work or making them miserable…then they should absolutely not do it. An unused blog, or a blog that is just complaints or self-PR, is so much worse than no blog at all.”
Teresa Kietlinski, Prospect Agency:
“Blogs are absolutely important in my decision making. When submissions come in, I tend to visit blogs first because they give me a taste of the writer’s (and illustrator’s) personality, voice and interests. It also lets me see how dedicated they are to the craft of writing or illustrating. Do they post frequently? Do they talk about topics of interest in the children’s book world? Are they honing his/her skills? What books is he/she reading? Would I like to join him/her for
10 Comments on What Do Kidlit Literary Agents Think About Blogs?, last added: 8/9/2012
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By: Maryann Yin,
on 5/5/2011
Blog: Galley Cat (Mediabistro) (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Young Adult Books, Deals, Penguin, Carolyn Mackler, Jay Asher, Razorbill, Ben Schrank, Thirteen Reasons Why, Laura Rennert, Writers House, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Jodi Reamer, The Earth My Butt and Other Big Round Things, The Future is Us, Add a tag
Thirteen Reasons Why author Jay Asher and The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things author Carolyn Mackler have signed a deal with Penguin’s Razorbill imprint for a young adult novel they co-wrote.
The Future is Us will come out in November with an initial printing of 500,000 copies. Publisher Ben Schrank negotiated the deal with two literary agents, Laura Rennert of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency and Jodi Reamer of Writers House.
Here’s more from the release: “The Future is Us is set in 1996, when less than half of all American high school students have ever used the internet. Facebook will not be invented for several more years. Emma just got a computer and an America Online CD-ROM with 100 free hours. When she and her best friend Josh log on to AOL they discover themselves on Facebook … fifteen years in the future. Everybody wonders what life has in store for them. Josh and Emma are about to find out.”
New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.
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By: Karen Strong,
on 12/7/2010
Blog: Musings of a Novelista (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Big Sur Children's Writing Workshop, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Writing, Add a tag
So last night I arrived back to Atlanta after attending the fabulous Big Sur Children’s Writing Workshop. Unlike a conference, this is more of a workshop intensive — designed for writers who have manuscripts ready for critiquing, revising, and editorial guidance.
It’s sponsored by the Andrea Brown Literary Agency and also includes other published authors and editors to assist writers during the weekend with critiques and panels. There is also a private session with an editor, agent, or author where you can further discuss your work.
The weekend consisted of two critique groups where writers could present work. The group was small — with only 5 writers and we each got a chance to read pages of our manuscript and then discuss our work. For me, this is one of the great parts of critique for me — you can learn so much by listening to pages and then apply what you have learned to your own novel.
My first critique group was moderated by agent Laura Rennert. I was very impressed with how she was able to hone in on what worked and what could be improved. Here are some highlights of what we discussed:
When you are writing, take your time with the process. You want your debut to be the best as it can be. You want to be published well.
You want your book to connect to the world.
Writing is content and as writers we are content providers.
For query letters, think of answering the following questions:
- Who is the main character?
- Where is the setting?
- What is the central conflict?
- Why should the agent care? What is the special detail of your work that makes it stand out from other books?
My second critique group was with author Sara Zarr, author of one of my favorite books, Story of a Girl. Sara was also able to give our group some valuable advice on our manuscripts. Here are some gems that she shared with us:
You need to bring emotional clarity in your work.
Plot is based on a character’s choice — based on moments of decision.
Try not to get too attached to scenes. Remember that every scene needs to have a reason to be in your novel.
When you get comments on your work, it’s a process. Sometimes the actual fix presented may not be relevant on actually solving what’s wrong with the novel. You have to go inside the book because only you can decide how to fix it.
During the opening of the workshop, Andrea Brown said that many miracles happen during the weekend. Writers find the heart of their work and make it better. And I have to agree because I saw it with my own eyes. Writers in my critique groups made leaps and bounds with their work.
I left this workshop inspired and with a new pathway of looking at this current novel project — knowing now how I will make it stronger and better.
This isn’t a workshop that focuses on the business of writing — it’s not a place to “sell” your novel to an agent or an editor. I think of this workshop as very craft-focused — more so on the process rather than the end result.
It also a less-stressful way to interact with agents and editors and easier to network with them in a more relaxed environment. And as always, a great way to meet other fellow writers.
Stay tuned on Thursday when I post highlights from the Agent Panel with advice from the Andrea Brown Agency.
By: Kathy Temean,
on 11/21/2010
Blog: Writing and Illustrating (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Add a tag
SPOTLIGHT ON MARY KOLE
ASSOCIATE AGENT
ANDREA BROWN LITERARY AGENCY, INC.
Interviewed by Dianne Ochiltree, www.ochiltreebooks.com
The back story: Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc. was founded in New York City in 1981. It was the first literary agency to represent both children’s book authors and illustrators. To date, the agency has sold over 2,000 books to just about every publisher, from toddler board books to serious, award-winning young adult. The agency recently added a new member to its successful sales team: associate agent Mary Kole. I was fortunate enough to meet Mary at a recent writers conference, and she graciously agreed to a quick Q&A for Writing and Illustrating readers. So…let’s hear what Mary has to say!
Q: Why did you decide to enter the field of literary representation?
I came to agenting from a writing perspective. I’d always been a writer and was getting my MFA in creative writing. But I couldn’t rest after educating myself on the writing craft: I wanted to know the business of publishing, too. I’m a very practical person, and really wanted the commercial perspective on the industry. There was a posting for a slush pile reader in my MFA program’s newsletter. After I started working for that agency, an adult agency, I wanted to experience the same thing but with a children’s agency. Children’s books, you see, have always been my writing and reading passion. I reached out to my friend and, now, colleague, Jenn Laughran, started reading for her, and a year later, came on as an agent. My job is the best of both worlds: steeped in the writing craft but also deeply involved in the business that I like so much.
Q: What do you feel is your biggest strength as a literary agent?
Since I am so passionate about the craft of fiction, I really do feel like my editorial guidance is a boon to writers. I have the opportunity to work with a lot of debut talent, and I love working with writers who come to the keyboard (or pen!) to learn and challenge themselves. One of my clients calls me a “one woman MFA program,” and I do hope that my clients grow as a result of working with me. That said, I also have a small list and am really passionate about the work I do take on, and writers deserve nothing less.
Q: In your opinion, what’s the most exciting development happening in publishing today?
Children’s books continue to grow and evolve now that the marketplace has gotten so much money and attention in the last decade or so. I know you want me to say that I’m excited about ebooks and all those possibilities, and I am, though we are still figuring a lot of that out, but I’m actually really excited that younger editors are acquiring more hip, unique, and modern art styles…I love picture book art and think that our leap away from the traditional styles has given a lot of exciting artists a venue on children’s shelves. I love creators like Peter Brown, Il Sung Na, Taeeun Yoo, Carson Ellis, Giselle Potter, Marla Frazee, and so many more that are bringing their artistic voices to the page.
Q: How many submissions do you typically get each month?
I don’t know if I’ve ever actually counted. I can sometimes get one or two thousand a month, if I’ve been doing a lot of conferences, which I have.
Q: What single quality in a manuscript or portfolio really grabs your attention?
Voice. In art as much as in writing, your unique voice takes practice, time, self-teaching, and patience to develop. It’s usually the last thing that emerges before you are finally
5 Comments on Spotlight on Agent Mary Kole, last added: 11/24/2010
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By: Adventures in Children's Publishing,
on 8/3/2010
Blog: Adventures in YA Publishing (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Magazines, Editors, Writing for Children, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Art Directors, Mary Kole, Illustrators, Highlights, Picture Books, Articles, Add a tag
Associate agent Mary Kole of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency recently posted an interesting article on whether a picture book manuscript makes the cut for publication as a stand-alone book, or is better suited as a short story in a magazine. While those of us writing picture books dream of seeing our story on bookshelves, complete with colorful, inviting covers, the picture book market is difficult these days. And if our goal as writers is to write for enjoyment, share it with others, and gain publishing credits, then what's holding us back from seeking publication through a children's magazine?
Last month, Highlights Editor Debra Hess and Highlights High Five Art Director Kelley Cunningham spoke at an SCBWI conference in Maryland. Their presentation made publicaton with their magazine seem both appealing and accessible. They encouraged writers and illustrators to look into their submission guidelines and submit articles and art samples as a way of gaining exposure. They specifically indicated that they are looking for new talent, but reminded conference-goers to do their homework.
Debra and Kelley's Submission Tips
- Know the market. Look through current issues of Highlights and other children's magazines and see what's being published.
- Separate yourself from your work and prepare yourself for feedback.
- Create a brand for yourself. Have a website and create a mailing/emailing list to spread the word about your work.
- More isn't always better. For illustrations specifically, quality art is more appreciated than numerous samples of lower quality.
- Your manuscript must have merit. If you are submitting non-fiction, they strongly advised including a bibliography. Debra Hess said she won't even look at your article without one.
- Wikipedia is NOT a resource to cite.
- Manuscripts that begin with, "Imagine you are a..."
- Manuscripts that read like a term paper, i.e., they're not child-friendly.
- Writing that isn't clear or concise (they want no more than 750 words per submission).
- Submissions that don't have a clear, consistent point-of-view.
- Not including a reading level or word count.
- Cover letters that lack personality or don't demonstrate that you can write for kids.
- Queries. That's right, they don't want queries. Articles and short stories are brief enough that they want a cover letter and your complete submission.
- Stay open-minded to changes they propose in the editing process.
- Kelley Cunningham emphasized the need for true artistic talent, and commented that nothing replaces good, old-fashioned drawing skills.
- They don't want links to complicated, slow-l Add a Comment
By: Jenny Martin,
on 5/1/2010
Blog: Book Binge (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Scarlet Whisper, Mary Kole, ROCKAPOCALYPSE, Agent, Writing, THE CALL, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Add a tag
Blog: Book Binge (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Scarlet Whisper, Mary Kole, ROCKAPOCALYPSE, Agent, Writing, THE CALL, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Add a tag
Yeah. I’m happy.
It’s ridiculous. It’s absurd.
But it’s absolutely true–I signed with literary agent Mary Kole of Andrea Brown.
I feel like I’ve fallen into a dream. And that dream just came true.
And since I’ve just eaten about six chocolate chip cookies and have slurped three Diet Dr. Peppers in one sitting, I’ve decided to allow SCARLET WHISPER to interview me about my whirlwind experience. Here goes…
SCARLET WHISPER: So, Jenny, What up?
INCONSEQUENTIAL ME: Thanks, Scarlet. I have big news. I have an agent now.
SW: How did that happen?! (stares incredulously)
IM: Well, I’ve been writing for almost a year and I think I’m finally onto something. I queried some agents and…
SW: How many?
IM: (coughs) I’m not at liberty to discuss that.
SW: Well, I just checked your e-mail “sent” box and I counted 27…
IM: How did you get into my e-mail account???
SW: Um, I’m not a Librarian/Rock Star/International Jewel Thief for nothing, sister. I have mad skills. It’s not like your password was that hard to figure out. I know how much you like Eric Bana and if you take his name plus…
IM: Erm… So twenty seven e-mails later, I got some rejections and requests.
SW: You got nine.Nine requests.
IM: Well, when you say it like that, it sounds kinda pretentious and braggy.
SW: Get used to it, you’re agented now.
IM: Um, don’t say that! That’s not really me! I’m UNCERTAIN GIRL, remember? Sure, I worked hard, but I had a lot of help, and mentors, and good advice from writers and agents and…
SW: You got plenty of rejections, too.
IM: (frowns) Yeah, you mind not mentioning a firm number on those?
SW: Sure. I’m feeling magnanimous. Anyway, how’d you snag an agent?
IM: Well, first I wrote a book, and then I revised it a bunch of times, and then…
SW: Cut to the chase, I don’t have all day. I have jewel vaults to case and a Gibson to restring.
IM: I met Mary Kole at a conference. She was awesome. I’d followed her blog forever and we clicked. She requested the full of ROCKAPOCALYPSE and I sent it. A week or so later, she e-mailed to set up a time to chat.
SW: Chat? What the heck does “chat” mean?
IM: It’s a secret code word for THE CALL.
SW: THE CALL?
IM: Yeah, that’s when an interested agent phones to make sure you’re not a crazy person and to make sure the author is a good fit. Then comes the offer to represent.
SW: “Crazy?” As in crazy enough to invent an imaginary superhero alter ego. What about narcissistic neuroses? Are agents okay with that?
IM: Ahem. So anyway, Mary made an offer. I then contacted each agent who had a full or partial of ROCKAPOCALYPSE. Mary kindly allowed me to take a week to consider the offer and let everyone know.
SW: So you didn’t accept right away?
IM: Oh, believe me. I thought about it. My mind was reeling. I was a babbling dork. But I wanted to be professional, and those other agents were fantastic. Everyone involved was kind, supportive, and enthusiastic.
SW: Did you get other offers?
IM: Yes. I adore some of the other agents. (I mean, why would I have queried in the first place, if they weren’t TOTALLY AWESOME?!)
SW: Why did you choose Mary?
IM: I felt a strong connection, a shared vision. I’d met her in person, and we’d shared a lot of laughs (and BBQ ribs). We have a lot of the same philosophies about children’s literature and passion for books.And my friend and crit partner
16 Comments on Yes, Some Dreams Come True: THE CALL, last added: 5/2/2010
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By: Samantha Clark,
on 9/4/2009
Blog: Day By Day Writer (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: publishing, writing a novel, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Dreaming Anastasia, Sourcebooks, literary agent Jen Rofe, road to publication Joy Preble, Add a tag
Blog: Day By Day Writer (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: publishing, writing a novel, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Dreaming Anastasia, Sourcebooks, literary agent Jen Rofe, road to publication Joy Preble, Add a tag
Current word count: 33,200
New words written: 1,317
Words til goal: 6,800 / 252 words a day til the end of September
On Tuesday, I overslept and didn’t write, but the other days have been slow but I’ve kept up my goals. My day-job has been busy and frying my brain, though — hence no blog posts all week. Sorry!
But today, we have a treat on DayByDayWriter. I am thrilled to have a guest post from Joy Preble, debut author whose Dreaming Anastasia launched in stores Sept. 1. I haven’t read it, but it sounds awesome, and I just love the cover.
Like many of us, when Joy wrote Dreaming Anastasia, she was balancing a dream of writing with a day-job, family and all the other things life throws at us. But, like us, she pursued her dream and now it has come true. Joy didn’t have any special contacts or anything to give her a leg-up in her publishing career. Like us, she had an idea for a story and a desire that wouldn’t quit.
Here’s Joy discussing her inspirational journey to publication. One day I’ll be posting yours!
Preble
So here’s the dirty little secret about writing as a career. It doesn’t initially pay the bills. Okay, there’s Stephenie Meyer. But then there’s the rest of us. And the truth is, I know some people who just take the leap, quite their day job and go for it. Well, I’m not one of them. So what I’m doing instead, is what most writers I know are doing – attempting a precarious balance of writing, other job, family, and personal life. Some days, I think I’m crazy. Mostly, I just don’t think about it too hard. Because the truth is, I’m besotted with happiness that I’m getting to do this thing that I’ve wanted to do forever. Someone is paying me money to write, and I get to have a real book on a shelf in stores all around the world. Can you think of anything better?
Five years ago, I was in my class room after school one day, getting ready to leave. It was a mediocre day in a less than mediocre teaching year, and I was in an equally mediocre mood. Okay, scratch that. I was scraping emotional bottom. I’d been toying with picture book writing and getting the occasional article published here and there, and I was the mom of senior in high school and I was angsty about the whole impending college thing. I’d been writing my whole life, but I’d never really pushed myself. I’d start and stop and start again.
Which was probably exactly what I would have done with this story idea that came into my head that afternoon when it suddenly started raining so hard that I decided to stick around until it let up a bit. The muse didn’t leave me much that day, but she gave me what would eventually become Anne Michaelson, my main character. Anne was smart and funny and snarky and not particularly happy. She knew more than her teachers, and she seemed to want something bigger than what she had. And somehow from there, a story emerged. What if, I wondered, she bumped into someone who could change her life? What if he was handsome and mysterious and had his own problems? What if he told her that she had powers beyond what she imagined? That she could change history? Would she believe him? Would she do what he was telling her she needed to?
And okay, here’s the funny thing: Lots of things changed in that moment. Not the least of which was me.
Let me interject here that it wasn’t quite that easy. I really was having the mother of all horrible school years. I really didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. And I didn’t just sit down and start writing, the story pouring out of my head all inspired and gooey and oozing with brilliance. In truth, I actually decided to look for another job. Yes, I was just that stubborn about the whole thing. But eventually, for whatever reason, I discovered that this time, the story just wouldn’t let go.
And so I wrote and wrote and wrote. In the fall of 2005, I had a first draft. By the summer of 2006, I’d signed with an agent at Andrea Brown Literary. And in 2007, Dreaming Anastasia – then titled Spark – sold to Sourcebooks. In between, there were many, many rounds of revision. There was a miraculous moment when two of the agents I’d e-queried during half time on Super Bowl Sunday requested partials. And an equally life-changing moment when my then-agent Michelle Andelman chose to pull me from the slushiest of piles and represent this story that ultimately went on to become a genre-bending combination of fairy tale, fantasy, history, and romance. It was, I suppose, an act of faith for everyone involved.
In between then and now, Michelle left for other work in publishing. I’m now repped by the intrepid and wonderful Jen Rofe. The editor who’d acquired my novel also went on to work elsewhere, and I was placed in the very capable hands of Dan Ehrenhaft. Things could have turned out differently. But they didn’t. Dreaming Anastasia got a totally kick ass cover, and an amazing team of copy editors, and I learned the rest of what goes into making a manuscript into an actual book. (Hint: a lot!)
Dreaming Anastasia has been capturing people’s attention, and as I type this, it’s just a week until release day on September 1st. And mostly what I have learned is that sometimes even dreams you push aside for a very long time, can come true.
3 Comments on Making the dream come true, last added: 9/6/2009
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Thanks for the info. It’s very helpful. Surprised not to see Josh Adams, Sara Megibow, and Kristin Nelson on the list. I think they’ve sold quite a bit this year.
Fascinating glimpse. Thanks! I see a lot of them have the bulk of their sales in picture books. It would be interesting to see this same kind of list for middle grade only, young adult only, and picture books only. Much appreciated!
Like? No, I LOVE getting this type information
Thank you! We had a nice Mother’s Day here. Hope you did, too 
Natalie,
The names change according to the month where you start, so doing a twelve month tally starting at a different point would change the names on the list and also if you counted deals outside the children’s arena, then the numbers change drastically. I don’t want anyone to think that the only good agents are the ones listed. Josh, Sara and Kristin are great and I could add a bunch more who are wonderful agents. I have never put up this type of information before. Do you think it is misleading? I don’t want to do that.
Kathy
Carol,
That is a good idea. Running the numbers that way would change the list.
Kathy
I didn’t find it misleading, Kathy. You stated that it changes, so I would think people understand it fluctuates. I appreciate you putting it up
Thanks so much for this info, Kathy! Really fascinating and appreciated!
Kathy, this is great info and much appreciated.
You are providing a wonderful service to us, Kathy! I am grateful…and thrilled to see so many picture books getting deals. Thank you so much for all that you do for this kid lit community.
I agree with my friend Vivian. The information you provide has helped me tremendously! Writing a blog once a week is work and yet here you are day after day providing awesome content. Thanks, Kathy.