full terms and conditions and this month's choices. I'm obsessed by the story-telling opportunities offered by this highly-visual genre! Each have their advantages and disadvantages. Due to the volume of submissions we receive, we are unable toguarantee feedback or advice in our rejections. Wait for a response. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Not of, or relating to, Dogma, Catbird seeks to foster a community of varietous and riotously (not righteously) funny creators in Austin and in the larger state of Texas. * Preferred query letter methods (email, online form, postal mail) I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin Books, which published my book in hardcover! We have similar agenting styles, and even more importantly both value our relationship. You still need to work hard, improve your craft, increase your self-awareness. Hall is Catbird Productions' sole proprietor. Scroll below now to viewthe AAR statusand a complete profile for Kirsten HallFREE in ourBookAgents Directory. Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator need an agent? Good agents know which parts of the contract are flexible (and which shouldnt be). If you find that other aspects of managing your career are getting in the way of actually creating, an agent can help shoulder the burden. However, there are differences in our tastes and our particular areas of proficiency, e.g., editorial, genre, licensing, promotion, etc. This is probably less often the case once a project reaches the publisher. Ask the Agent Informative site ofJennifer Laughran, senior agent at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, who represents authors and illustrators of childrens and YA books. The Chudney Agency (Submissions) Only looking for author/illustrators (one individual). . Theyre easy. Other times, well sell texts to publishers first and then when it comes time for illustrators, if there isnt someone on our list who we think is right to recommend, our next step will be to look at each others lists, or those of other agent friends. Find The Agents With The Fastest Response Times. How did you come to collaborate on books together? New to PW? When Should You Get An Agent? "Berkley Books recently published my book in hardcover after Mark helped me get multiple agents interested in my work. It is a precise and qualified process, rather than an independent, possibly unpublished artist spread betting their work across editors and art directors who they do not know apart from an impression of them through social media. What is one misconception about agents?You wouldnt believe how many conference attendees come up to me to say thank you for being warm and approachable, as if this isnt the norm. How Long to Get An Agent? RESPONSE TIMES We respond to most queries within twelve weeks. 1. Visit your local The Catbird Seat Inc at 271 Rt 46 W in Fairfield, NJ and contact us today for your home, auto business, and renters insurance today or call (973) 808-0110 I look for author-illustrators. When Stephanie first contacted me, she was very excited and said, I cant get your book proposal out of my head. Get the facts. Erica Rand Silverman is a Senior Agent at Stimola Literary Studio, a full service literary agency devoted to representing authors and author/illustrators who bring unique and substantive contributions to the childrens book industry. Ive learned how important it is to review our individual clients wants and needs. We dont take any pleasure in having to pass on your work or give you difficult news. She is not seeking sci-fi, horror, or high fantasy. Literary agent Kirsten Hall is launching a new company, Catbird Productions, which will package books for publishers, as well as operate as a boutique literary agency for childrens book author/illustrators, with an emphasis on previously unpublished authors/ illustrators. Since it was published as Boats for Papa by Neal Porter Books in 2015, I have read it and cried again and again and again. She will happily review your comics, book cover designs, and picture book dummies.Aliza believes in a world where all young people can see themselves reflected in childrens books. Before you submit, read this: Please submit to SUBMISSIONS@CATAGENCYINC.COM & let us know who you are submitting to in the subject line! We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The one who uses righteous indignation and insults as means to an end. We'd love to see your work! Honest and open communication is key. Repeat. There may come a time where it makes sense for the artist and author to collaborate more directly. DO NOT QUERY THIS AGENT AT THIS TIME: Cherry is not currently accepting unsolicited submissions. I want an agent to help me . Childrens/Pic Book M. Leshem-Pelly You have to be a detective. I think of co-agenting as an opportunity to have double the client list with only half of the responsibility. All agents should share the ability to reasonably negotiate contracts. Im reminded of my father-in-law, who spends three hours fixing a leak instead of calling a plumber who could do it in one. When an agent is pitching or submitting the work, it is my belief that the success rate is so much higher. Agencies are still in there, but the box is getting more crowded all the time. She is . You have to register (its FREE unless you upgrade to premium) to use this, but once you register and sign in, you can track your query and find which authors are represented by which agents, a publisher list, an agent list, author success stories, and more. She is not considering the following adult categories: romance, political thriller, science fiction, horror, or erotica. How I Went From Unemployed to Building a $30K/month Online Business in 12 Months! It isnt as automatic as you think. I think of co-agenting as an opportunity to have double the client list with only half of the responsibility. 2023 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved. Please put your query and sample in the body of the email. Please submit to SUBMISSIONS@CATAGENCYINC.COM & let us know who you are submitting to in the subject line! If an agent is interested in representing you, under no circumstances should you simply say, Great! But Im really thrilled to be co-agenting with Erica. UK agency for illustrators of childrens books & other media. 7, Manuscript Wish ListANDManuscript Wish List specifically for literary agents of picture booksAND#MSWL (the Twitter version of Manuscript Wish List) Agents and editors of all writing genres post what they want. You should know, agents are not going to comment right away (if at all). Making sure Im advocating well and clearly for my client from the get-go is even more critical than usual when there are two times the number of voices in the mix. Fiction/Christian K. Sargent An agent will intuit which clients are going to respond well to the artists work, and this becomes the first port of call for an illustration agent when initially pitching, sharing, and presenting the portfolio to commissioning clients. PW site license members have access to PWs subscriber-only website content. Kirsten Hall, Catbird Agency Picture books pretty much have me wrapped around their finger. Were able to spot trends before they enter the marketplace, and this knowledge becomes invaluable in ensuring that your portfolio is as current and fresh as possible. Were a tight-knit community! I like being asked to see or think about the world divergently. Kirsten HallLiterary Agent is on our list of Publishing Agents USA (book agents in the United States), Fiction Publishing Agents (book agents who represent fiction authors), Childrens Publishing Agents (book agents who represent books for younger readers), Young Adult Publishing Agents (book agents who represent YA books for teens),Middle Grade Publishing Agents (book agents who represent books for middle grade tween readers), and Picture Book Publishing Agents (book agents who represent picture books for kids). Thank you for submitting your work! Theyre not your parents. Look at what theyll do for you versus what youll have to do for yourself. Responsible for . Agents are curators. *Personal email addresses Co-agenting is Ericas and my way of trying to be as proactive as we can for our clients. Were allies, strategists, friends, supervisors, listeners, managers, organizers, brainstorming partners. Ive seen really exciting work come out of it. An agent delivers. Any agents not listed above are CLOSED to submissions. Some favorite titles that provide a sense of her tastes: Picture book: Penguin and Pinecone by Salina Yoon; Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown; I Dont Want to be a Frog by Dev Petty; Bad Dog by Mike Boldt, Middle grade: Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina; The Year the Swallows Came Early by Katherine Fitzmaurice; Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed; The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Young adult: The Sea is Salt and So Am I by Cassandra Hartt; Dumplin by Julie Murphy; The Cost of All Things by Maggie Lehrman; To All the Boys Ive Loved Before by Jenny Han; The Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse. She currently has around 45 clients with little room for more, as she thinks 50 clients is the ideal number. The story was called Drift,and it was about a little beaver named Buckley who lives with his mama and makes these beautiful and intricate boats to send off to sea to his absent father. Were not trying to make your road to publication harder. The Cat Agency Inc. (Agents) (Submissions) Open to illustrator & author-illustrator submissions. And I read it again and I cried again. Logo designed by Kody Chamberlain Website designed by Ian Bauer. My approach with each client is different based on what they particularly need. Anna Olswanger has been a literary agent since 2005. What do you look for in a submission?Illustrators contact me at all different points in their careers, and for different reasonssome are interested in getting more freelance illustration work, some have a childrens book, comic series, or graphic novel theyd like to pitch, and some are simply looking for advice or assistance with their current clients (which could be as disparate as an indie musician and a behemoth advertising agency). Is it consistent? Lets be real, Im always looking for an excuse to hop on the phone or grab lunch with Ericaso working together gives me the perfect excuse! A word of warning: There is such a thing as a bad agent. So how will you know the bad from the good? I love my fellow kidlit agents, and I honestly believe we root for each other and celebrate each others successes. The agent then dedicates energy and resources to get that first commission. When our illustrators arent working up a project of their own, were pitching them to get matched up by publishers. I sent them some dummies, some promotional pieces. Book Agent Submissions There is a lot of uncertainty that comes along with developing a co-agented pitch from just the seed of an idea. QueryTracker includes resources for all writing genres (not just picture books). Fiction/Mystery B. Harper (Her rst bookBunny, Bunnywas published when she was in 7th grade. For adult fiction, Danielle is seeking upmarket commercial fiction and literary fiction. . Before you submit: Read their guidelines. Hall is the author of the picture books. The coach-player analogy is much more accurate. These cookies do not store any personal information. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. You can unsubscribe easily at any time we dont spam. Literary agent Kirsten Hall is launching a new company, Catbird Productions, which will package books for publishers, as well as operate as a boutique literary agency for children's book. We revel in rebel voices; cast forward outcasts; and structure the lawless, braless populace into humorous narratives and . You still need to hustle. Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator)need an agent?An agent is a matchmaker, negotiator, mediator, lifter-upper, creative confidant, and industry insider all rolled into one. It can make me uneasy because it takes time and sometimes doesnt work. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Honest and open communication is key. Fiction/Christian K. Sargent Author/illustrators: NBPlease include a link to your online portfolio and/or to your downloadable dummy. Some of her favorite non-client books in these categories are: A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki, The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea, Dept. A major plus of not having an agent is the money saved. (Or A Blog About the Life of a Submission, in Three Acts), James Burns, Senior Agent, Bright Group US, Jennifer Linnan, Founder, Linnan Literary Management, Alexandra Penfold, Agent, Upstart Crow Literary, Linda Pratt, Founder, Wernick & Pratt Agency. Most things are negotiable. Hall, who is the author of 100+ children's books, has been employed since 2009 as a US-based managing agent at the Bright Agency, which is headquartered in London and specializes in nurturing and developing debut childrens book author/illustrators. When I signed, it was very exciting. To me it is the gold standard for a picture book that makes the reader feel. Submission Guidelines: Hello! Kirsten:Its true, I love to co-agent, and I do it regularly with agents at several different agencies. What is one misconception about agents?An age-old misconception originates from a simple questionhow can we give equal quality, time, and support to more than one artist? Childrens/YA L. Moe, What Is a Literary Agent? Aliza R. Hoover: represents illustrators and author-illustrators. In some cases the text and art may be developing simultaneously off of one another. AAR members must meet the highest standards and canon of ethics. Author/Illustrators: email a brief synopsis of your manuscript, along with several accompanying illustrations or samples of your artwork. Theyre traveling. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Memoir/Family/Identity S. Foti Childrens/YA D. Bester After about a year, and no work, I asked to break our agreement. Can you terminate the contract if things go south? On the very same day, Colette's Lost Pet has been signed for its 5th co-edition & Cloth Lullaby has been signed for its 10th! Its not easy to do it yourself, but it is possible. HOLD IT! Today, the tools that art directors use to find illustrators are too numerous to list. Before working in publishing, Erica was a teacher and dean. What do you look for in a submission?What I look for in a submission is first a professional introductory letter. . Sts ID Perm Fac. SCBWI Statement of Intent on Equity and Inclusion, The Essential Guide to Publishing for Children, Co-Agenting with Kirsten Hall and Erica Rand Silverman. Its an honor to see a piece of a creators heart inside a proposals DNA. News and updates to get a top literary agent, publisher, and book deal. To set up immediate access, click here. I see you have an email from an agent. What is one misconception about agents?That were glamorous, haughty gatekeepers! And Im stirred by pitches that elicit feelings of sympathy or empathy. Theyre reading. Sense of place mattersprecise, expressive settings delight her. Remember, you are a business person seeking a business partner. Any agent worth their weight is in a position of privilege given that we see a birds-eye view of the industry, have a fantastic understanding of the publishing houses (in particular what the editors and art directors are looking for), and a deep understanding of imprint listswhich may not be obvious from looking online or at backlist titles. Part of my job is to break down any remaining barriers, not to guard themto make introductions, to get more eyes on clients work. Get An Agent After Self-Publishing Our hearts are very much in the right place. A Montreal-based boutique production company, we specialize in award-winning, beautifully-crafted and enduring POV documentaries for Canadian and international audiences. As soon as you register youll get instant access to the following: * A link to the Catbird Productionswebsite, * A map to the office ofCatbird Productions, * Access to all literary agent profiles in the, * Search the directory by book genre/category (more than 100 categories), Scroll back up to the top of this webpage now to enter your name and email for FREE information and listings for all book agents at Catbird Productions, Author Success Story: Nonfiction/Self-Help, [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]. It frequents gardens and thickets. Congratulations! She is the author of 100+ childrens books, has been employed since 2009 as a US-based managing agent at the Bright Agency, which is based in London and specializes in nurturing and developing debut childrens book author/illustrators. While were waiting on the agents response, can I ask you why you want an agent? Antony Harwood Ltd (Agents) (Submissions) A UK literary agency. Writers can search posts for agents compatible with their work. The black catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris) is found in coastal Yucatn. However, if you would like to get your work in front of her for now or the future, please submit - she reviews ALL submissions! It might seem strange in another industry to see such interagency fellowship,but it feels right for those whove made a career in making books for kids. Erica:Work is more fun when youre doing it with people you like and respect. Home Book Agents Literary Agent Kirsten Hall Catbird Productions. Thats exactly right. Submit a QUERY and TWENTY PAGES of your manuscript to one of the agents listed below. Corvisiero Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Curtis Brown LTD (Agents)(Submissions). 3. Also send five pages from your manuscript. Ive co-agented all kinds of dealsones that have gone to multi-house auctions on day one, one in which only one client saw an offer and the other client gracefully stepped aside, one in which wildly different offers came in and my co-agent and I needed to negotiate with each other as much as the publishers because our clients positions were so different. Like coaches,good agents get the best out of you. 8. "Mark helped me get five different offers for representation from top literary agents. Fiction/Mystery B. Harper I like to feel as if someone is sharing with me, not just shopping to me. Signing with an agent is just one step on an endless staircase. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. We share with one another,we lean on each other. Visit our Team Fuse page and click an agent to read their profile. Follow each agents instructions, but remember that they may be different. But they are out there. Association of Authors Representatives, Inc. (AAR)AAR members must meet the highest standards and canon of ethics. Memoir/Mainstream E. Armstrong No, its not. Here youll find everything you need to submit work to Upstart Crow Literary. Chad W. Beckerman: is always looking at submissions! Martin Literary Management (Agents & Submissions), McKinnon Literary (Agents) (Submissions), Metamorphosis Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc. (Agents) (Submissions), Page Turner Literary Agency(Agent) (Submissions opendates for submissions are noted on agencys submisions page), Peters Fraser + Dunlop (Agents) (Submissions)A UK agency, Pippin Properties (Agents)(Submissions), Plum Pudding Illustration Agency (Submissions) UK agency specifically for illustrators. You didnt receive a rejection letter. You received a critique letter. It sounds so much better, doesnt it? For art directors, editors, and publishers,an agent is foremost a problem-solver. No agency can guarantee that a particular project will sell, but we sign clients because we love their writing and want them to succeed. But Im really thrilled to be co-agenting with Erica. Childrens/Pic Book M. Leshem-Pelly She has incredible vision and is very brave. Your submission to agents isnt an Instagram post thats totes gonna get likes. Memoir/Christian S. LeRette I appreciate having a trusted ear, an ally, and an advocate for my work and career. Others are big box stores. Erica:We have to make sure that the risk and expectations are clear for all involved. 2 talking about this. Want more information about Kirsten Hall? Erica is mostly interested in adding author-illustrators to her list andis looking for a diverse array of voices and styles. Having someone on your side who can not only advocate for better terms (and knows what the industry standards are) but also navigate all the legalese with you is key, especially if youre not well-versed. Flannery Literary (Agent) (Submissions), Foundry Literary + Media (Agents & Submissions), Full Circle Literary (Agents) (Submissions), Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Golden Wheat Literary (Agents)(Submissions), Greenhouse Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Howard Morhaim Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions). Enter your information in the form to the right for FREE INSTANT ACCESS to the Directory of Literary Agents. While we have different client lists, Ericas and my intentions for the books we represent are largely the same, as is our aesthetic. It sounds less hurtful. Dont send your work to all of them at once. Its important to identify who you think are good matches. Book Agent Kirsten Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997). Only considers picture books from established illustrators. Pairing up directly with clients from other agencies is a great way to be proactive in making new projects happen. That one was just meant to be it seems! In childrens fiction, they primarily accept early readers and chapter books, and perhaps the very rare, exceptional picture book. We only accept submissions via e-mail. and strategic process), so its not something we do all the time. Were both trying hard to keep the number of people we represent manageable. Were different in that Kirsten does a lot more co-agenting than I do. Home Book Agencies USA Literary Agencies and Literary Agents Catbird Productions. Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997). The North American catbird (Dumetella carolinensis), of the family Mimidae (order Passeriformes), is 23 cm (9 inches) long and is gray, with a black cap. They will try to respond within a month. Kirsten HallLiterary Agent This articleabout Literary Agent Kirsten Halland Catbird Productionsis part of a series about literary agents and how toFind a PublishingAgent. Erica is a tireless advocate for her clients and proud to be a part of an industry that is so thoughtfully shaping young minds. Books invite joy. A good agent is one who helps move a project forward. Most literary agency directories (print and online) are outdated, incomplete, and riddled with mistakes. The one thing I look for across the board in a submission is a clean, professional-looking portfolio site! 2. Let me give you examples from two of your colleagues: I signed with an agent thinking that they would get me work right away. Maybe its the prospective client that we missed out on. Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator) need an agent?Agents wear many important hats. Be professional in your communication with an agent. All that being said, my bottom-line, if-youre-on-the-fence answer is much more straightforward: CONTRACTS. [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews], Fiction/General J. Jago Submit to Susan Hawk Any agents not listed above are CLOSED to submissions. Each provides exact submission information (an email address or an online submission portal). Some agents are boutiques. Lets submit your work to an agent. get work . Simply click this linkand complete the subscription form. Agent statistics, detailing how long each agent typically takes to respond to a query. You dont have their undivided attention. Authors pen manuscripts, artists are creators, agents have insight and continued relationships, editors and art directors have the vision. Please send her: childrens illustration portfolios, picture book dummies, picture book manuscripts, childrens graphic novel pitches, and the select chapter book project. They are the busiest bees in the hive. Who reps them? Kirsten:Because co-agenting can be even more unpredictable than regular agenting, and because two agents naturally need to look at whats best for two clients with different histories and hopes, the co-agenting process requires double the consideration and diplomacy. What I know when co-agenting with Erica is that no matter what happens well always be good. Id like to thank James Burns, Kirsten Hall, JenniferLinnan, Alexandra Penfold, Linda Pratt, Erica Rand Silverman,and Laura Stiers for their time, generosity, and invaluable contributions to this article. Many of us are friends. I also ask six well-respected agents to share their thoughts by answering three questions. The overwhelming advantage in having this knowledge is proven when we come to share new work; it cuts through the noise and competition. Nonfiction/Environment J. Biemer Literary Agent List Step 3: Send Out A Lot Of Submissions Before you start using our list of literary agents, it's important you understand that you should approach the process of trying to find and get a literary agent the way agents approach the process of trying to get a publisher. Hear what they have to say. Postcards, social media, industry events, bespoke product platforms, blogs, galleries, magazines, and store visits are all tools in a rapidly growing toolbox. As soon as you enter your name and email address to the right, youll be able to see complete profiles for every literary agent at Catbird Productions(and every other literary agency). Nonfiction/Business D. Hamme The one who allows ego to influence their decisions. Ive been in publishing for over a decade. How to Get a Nonfiction Agent Look at the length of the agreement. Levy Creative Management (Artist Submissions), Liza Royce Agency (Agents) (Submissions). But its good to be pushed outside our comfort zones once in a while. As soon as you register youll get instant access to the following: * Agent bios for all agents atCatbird Productions I thought if I signed with an agent, I could just focus on making art., Me: How many jobs did they get for you over the past year?. They understand the nuances of contractsforeign rights, royalty escalation clauses, merchandising (how much would you charge for ringtones? Manuscripts sent to them will be discarded unread. In order for me to co-agent with someone, I need to feel a certain level of trust because the process can be quite unpredictable. These letters are just steps on the path. We only get paid when the author gets paid after we sell an authors work. Agents Seeking ClientsAuthor Erica Verillo has links for agents seeking clients and other excellent resources for writers, including kidlit writers on her blog Publishing and Other Forms of Insanity. Sometimes those opportunities come in fast and sometimes they dont. Literary Agent Kirsten Hall Catbird Productions, Author Success Story: Nonfiction/Narrative Nonfiction, [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]. Memoir/Mainstream E. Armstrong We have invaluable industry insights and connections. An online list of agents who represent all genres (not just picture books). (Maybe: Is publishing dead or not? Its not dead, but I digress.). Submit to five. Never miss a moment of Fuse Literarys deals and bonus content. Once you sign with an agent, you dont just sit back and wait for the jobs to roll in. Before we see illustration samples or book pitches, we know that the agent has worked hard to make sure their clients best foot is forward. We spend a good amount of time bouncing ideas off of each other and sharing good and bad news. Managing Agent, USA for a London-based children's illustration agency representing 150+ incredibly talented artists. Once a book is sold, authors and illustrators will be presenting themselves to publishers, booksellers, librarians, and others as a professional. Although of course it would be totally fine for them to communicate if it would benefit the development of the proposal! Bookmark Literary (Submissions) Open to illustrator submissions. That one was just meant to be it seems! Memoir/Family/Identity S. Foti After You Get A Book Agent. (Thank you!). Not accepting submissions for childrens works unless by an illustrator/artist. The project may work. . The subject heading in your email should be simple but enticing. QueryTracker will not function correctly without javascript. Again, I digress.). Im reading from an unconventional point of view. We will not open emailed attachments. Writers can search posts for agents compatible with their work. 2) Those that somehow present the world differently. Today, she is the founder and owner of a boutique children's book illustration and literary agency, Catbird Productions. Its all about matchmaking matching up talent to work together, matching up talent to editors and publishers. David Higham Associates (Agents)(Submissions)A UK agency. Get updates about Kirsten Hall and recommended reads from Simon & Schuster. Each agent lists what they want on their bio page. Congratulations x 2 to Isabelle Arsenault! catbird, any of five bird species named for their mewing calls, which are used in addition to song. While her taste is broad, shes especially excited to find fresh stories and artwork from voices that have previously been underrepresented. Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator) need an agent?The answer to this is clear to me: because it plays to strengths. If you dont get a good feeling from them in any correspondence, your gut is trying to tell you something.

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