Publishing Agent Kirsten Hall is an agent with Catbird Productions. Most of the time, Im working with my clients to develop their own dummies or texts to sell directly to a publisher or Ro and I are looking within the studio for an illustrator match to a pre-existing text. Manuscripts sent to them will be discarded unread. All rights reserved. Catbird Agency Website: catbirdagency.com/ Twitter: HallWaysKirsten AAR/AALA Member: No Accepts Queries Via. Youll get free access tothe Directory of BookAgents with detailed profiles for allbookagents,including Kirsten HallLiterary Agent. PW KidsCast: A Conversation with Dan Santat, click here to reactivate your immediate access. 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! What is one misconception about agents?I can only speak for agents in the childrens book industry, but Im continually heartened and humbled by the camaraderie between kidlit agents. She is drawn to work that showcases expressive characters, timeless palettes, and atmospheric scenes. Its true, I love to co-agent, and I do it regularly with agents at several different agencies. What does that mean? Agents have a broader knowledge due to their experience, and it allows the creative lines between authors and illustrators and their editors/houses to be cleaner. (Should you want to learn more first, our Writer's Toolbox has a handful of useful links for writers wanting to improve their craft before seeking publication.). To bridge these twoindustries, she co-founded Room 228, a consulting company that creates educational marketing materials and literacy programming for children. QueryTracker includes resources for all writing genres (not just picture books). However, if you would like to get your work in front of her for now or the future, please submit - she reviews ALL submissions! Susan represents work for children and teens only: picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and young adult, along with some non-fiction for young readers. Literary Agencies for Picture Books (A-F) 3 Arts Entertainment (New . They operate on your behalf, ever focused on your career. Most things are negotiable. An agent delivers. She prefers books that explore deep emotional relationships in an interesting or unusual way. * A link to the Catbird Productionswebsite The main reasoning behind this stems from the fact that what an artist feels is their strongest work is not necessarily what the agent would agree is best for the market. Ive been in publishing for over a decade. In your query letter, stick to professional accomplishments that relate to writing and publishing. . Today, she is the founder and owner of a boutique childrens book illustration and literary agency, Catbird Productions. Hall is Catbird Productions' sole proprietor. The subject heading in your email should be simple but enticing. Please submit to SUBMISSIONS@CATAGENCYINC.COM & let us know who you are submitting to in the subject line! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Thank you for submitting your work! Keep your correspondence professional. Theres that one who doesnt communicate. Want more information about Kirsten Hall? If they do get back to you, expect a rejection . We only get paid when the author gets paid after we sell an authors work. 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. I dont think its extra contact our clients see as much as extra opportunity. the Twitter version of Manuscript Wish List) Agents and editors of all writing genres post what they want. Memoir/Christian S. LeRette A good contract should cover not only the essential points of the job/deal but also the worst-case scenarios: What if your client doesnt pay? For more specifics on what Susan is looking for, including information about genres and categories, please see here and here. And so on. QueryTracker Members can view the data gathered by all other members, organized into reports showing 2007-2023 QueryTracker. I like being asked to see or think about the world divergently. Thank you. Do you need an agent? Nonfiction/Self-Help A. Goddard Be professional in your communication with an agent. Co-agenting, or doing that process together, makes it even more fun and is a great way to learn from one another. There are a ton of resources out there that can help you DIY here, too, but its often the omissions in a contract that people dont see. Follow your instincts. Either way, I hope this post helps you move forward with your career. She doesnt represent adult projects. 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? Like coaches,good agents get the best out of you. Ideally, you handle the creative end, and your agent handles the business end. LiteraryAgents.com An online list of agents who represent all genres (not just picture books). Agents arent just sitting by the phone, hoping to get your submission. Most literary agency directories (print and online) are outdated, incomplete, and riddled with mistakes. of Speculation by Jenny Offill, Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J.Ryan Stradal, and Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. How to Find a Literary Agent for Your BookAdvice from writing professional Jane Friedman. It all depends on who you are, and what you want. Fiction/Christian K. Sargent Plus, get a FREE ebook when you sign up! All agents should share the ability to reasonably negotiate contracts. Keep walking. Kirsten:Its so truein the past month alone weve had some particularly exciting pairings between Stimola and Catbird! Before working in publishing, Erica was a teacher and dean. * AAR membership status Hall is Catbird Productions sole proprietor. I also ask six well-respected agents to share their thoughts by answering three questions. ), etc. But were also different from one another; we shine in different ways. With the amount of information available to us through articles, workshops, podcasts, and the like, it takes just a bit of elbow grease to figure things out. Provide URLs to your author website and social media that supports your efforts to brand yourself. Do your clients have more contact with one another than they would if this were set up by a publisher? You didnt receive a rejection letter. You received a critique letter. It sounds so much better, doesnt it? I always advise illustrators who are just starting out to identify what they can and/or want to do, and outsource the rest. "Mark helped me get five different offers for representation from top literary agents. But agents help your creative growth in more ways than the obvious. Part of my job is to break down any remaining barriers, not to guard themto make introductions, to get more eyes on clients work. But its good to be pushed outside our comfort zones once in a while. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. By the end of this post, you may finally have the answer to: Do I need an agent?. A Montreal-based boutique production company, we specialize in award-winning, beautifully-crafted and enduring POV documentaries for Canadian and international audiences. Her dream project for young readers is one that challenges and inspires, with a compelling voice that will make her stay up all night reading. Writing thats confident, vivid, addictive; work thats both ambitious and wise. Agents have their finger on the pulse and understand the rhythm of publishing. It may not. If you have questions, you can build your own network of colleagues who may have the answers. Halls client list at Bright includes Benji Davis, Elly Mackay, Clive McFarland, and Connah Brecon. Chad W. Beckerman: is always looking at submissions! We'd love to see your work! The cycle of creating successful titles is like putting on a playeveryone must work to the best of their abilities. 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. 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. Our goal is always to sell their work and properly manage their rights, establishing long-term writing careers for our clients. After about a year, and no work, I asked to break our agreement. Agent statistics, detailing how long each agent typically takes to respond to a query. WAIT! This is probably less often the case once a project reaches the publisher. 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. Kirsten HallLiterary Agent This articleabout Literary Agent Kirsten Halland Catbird Productionsis part of a series about literary agents and how toFind a PublishingAgent. In this way we made a really exciting match for a to-be-announced Jory John and K-Fai Steele project. We respond to most queries within twelve weeks. It was a natural progression for those conversations to lead to ways our clients could work together. Submit a QUERY and TWENTY PAGES of your manuscript to one of the agents listed below. Its not easy to do it yourself, but it is possible. Theyre not your parents. Please do not send us submissions of any kind. We spend a good amount of time bouncing ideas off of each other and sharing good and bad news. Book Agent Kirsten Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997). Only considers picture books from established illustrators. Theyre easy. Some agents are boutiques. These letters are just steps on the path. Some of her favorite non-client books in this category are: I Am I Am I Am by Maggie O'Farrell, Heavy by Kiese Laymon, Late Migrations by Margaret Renkl, You Just Need to Lose Weight by Aubrey Gordon, and In Shock by Rana Adwish. May 2010 - Feb 20143 years 10 months. The Cat Agency Inc. (Agents) (Submissions) Open to illustrator & author-illustrator submissions. Use our literary agency database to learn more about these literary agencies representing picture book writers. (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. Childrens/YA C. Plum-Ucci In a way, you still need to be your own agent. 5. Not everythingbut most. Youre the playerone of many players on his or her team. It may not even be 50 percent. Childrens/YA D. Bester Postcards, social media, industry events, bespoke product platforms, blogs, galleries, magazines, and store visits are all tools in a rapidly growing toolbox. Is it consistent? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Memoir/Women L. Lehr You still need to work hard, improve your craft, increase your self-awareness. She has negotiated many hundreds of childrens book deals between authors, illustrators, and all of the major American publishers. Submit to five. Your submission to agents isnt an Instagram post thats totes gonna get likes. 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. I appreciate having a trusted ear, an ally, and an advocate for my work and career. They told me they were going to focus on getting me into the industry I love: childrens books. When looking for the first time at an artists portfolio, I like to see a cross section of their work. Theyre reading. Ive heard illustrators say they want an agent so they dont have to deal with marketing and contracts and the non-drawing-and-painting aspects of illustration. We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. While were waiting on the agents response, can I ask you why you want an agent? By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. What is one misconception about agents?That were glamorous, haughty gatekeepers! But Im really thrilled to be co-agenting with Erica. [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews], Fiction/General J. Jago This enables us to put a plan in place before the first portfolio sheet is made. That one was just meant to be it seems! That one was just meant to be it seems! Do not query multiple agents at Fuse simultaneously. Thank you for trying us, and all good luck! But, as an individual player, you arent the only one they need to help. 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). * Access to all literary agent profiles in the Directory of Literary Agents(1,100+) You should know, agents are not going to comment right away (if at all). Having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable." Erica is a tireless advocate for her clients and proud to be a part of an industry that is so thoughtfully shaping young minds. Fiction/Mainstream K. Cox Each have their advantages and disadvantages. It can make me uneasy because it takes time and sometimes doesnt work. Sure you can. Agents are people, too. Congratulations x 2 to Isabelle Arsenault! Once a book is sold, authors and illustrators will be presenting themselves to publishers, booksellers, librarians, and others as a professional. Who reps them? BookStop Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), Bradford Literary Agency(Agents & Submissions). Agents are curators. Kayla welcomes dark humor, suspense, magical realism, awkwardly adorable romance, and everything in-between. There is a lot of uncertainty that comes along with developing a co-agented pitch from just the seed of an idea. Her client list at Bright includes Elly Mackay, Benji Davis, Clive McFarland, and Connah Brecon. Managing Agent, USA for a London-based children's illustration agency representing 150+ incredibly talented artists. The overwhelming advantage in having this knowledge is proven when we come to share new work; it cuts through the noise and competition. We revel in rebel voices; cast forward outcasts; and structure the lawless, braless populace into humorous narratives and . Corvisiero Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Curtis Brown LTD (Agents)(Submissions). For adult fiction, Danielle is seeking upmarket commercial fiction and literary fiction. Where do I sign? Read their agreement. In some cases the text and art may be developing simultaneously off of one another. . Signing with an agent is just one step on an endless staircase. Erica:In some cases yes and in some cases no. How to Get a Nonfiction Agent It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. She is particularly interested in illustrators from diverse backgrounds and portfolios that depict diverse characters and experiences. And then there are the projects that never seem to go anywhere at all. These cookies do not store any personal information. She wants to be surprisedtheres nothing like the feeling that youre reading something entirely new. Its the most comprehensive (and accurate) list of literary agencies in the world, with detailed profiles for more than 1,100 literary agents. Is there a five-word sentence in the childrens book industry more capable of sparking a debate than Do I need an agent? The irony is that by doing it yourself, by finding some amount of success on your own, you become more attractive to . Theyre meeting. Isabelle Arsenault 161161 5 Comments 5 Shares Like Comment Share Catbird Agency is with Seb Cosset and Brigette Barrager. Get updates about Kirsten Hall and recommended reads from Simon & Schuster. Were both trying hard to keep the number of people we represent manageable. Lets submit your work to an agent. What I know when co-agenting with Erica is that no matter what happens well always be good. Start with illustrators you admire. (Her rst bookBunny, Bunnywas published when she was in 7th grade. Find out whos working in the field. Writers can search posts for agents compatible with their work. Once that commission has been accepted, the ball is then in motion. Maybe its the prospective client that we missed out on. Kayla is also open to representing illustrators. Thats exactly right. She is . Odds of Getting a Book Agent 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. DO NOT QUERY THIS AGENT AT THIS TIME: Cherry is not currently accepting unsolicited submissions. Catbird Productions, which will package books for publishers, as well as operate as a boutique literary agency for children's book author/illustrators, with an emphasis on previously unpublished authors/ illustrators. The profileabout Kirsten HallLiterary Agent that you see herecontains just some of the information youll find in our free BookAgents Directory, with listings for all publishing agents. In some cases the text and art may be developing simultaneously off of one another. While we have different client lists, Ericas and my intentions for the books we represent are largely the same, as is our aesthetic. And I read it again and I cried again. Nonfiction/Diversity S. Peer Look, even Ive received critique letters. Several of them. Kirsten Hallis a former preschool and elementary school teacher who has authored more than a hundred learn-to-read stories for emergent readers. Well navigate the waters together. Bookmark Literary (Submissions) Open to illustrator submissions. Association of Authors Representatives, Inc. (AAR)AAR members must meet the highest standards and canon of ethics. Co-agenting, or doing that process together, makes it even more fun and is a great way to learn from one another. 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?. She likens her agency, which specializes in picture books, to a creative playground. Right now, Brenda is not accepting picture book manuscript submissions, but she is looking for adult historical fiction. Its important to identify who you think are good matches. For middle grade and YA: She is actively seeking fresh young adult and middle grade fiction across all genres. Any agents not listed above are CLOSED to submissions. All that being said, my bottom-line, if-youre-on-the-fence answer is much more straightforward: CONTRACTS. Were allies, strategists, friends, supervisors, listeners, managers, organizers, brainstorming partners. Although of course it would be totally fine for them to communicate if it would benefit the development of the proposal! Subscribe to The Illustration Department Newsletter, Do I Need An Agent? Antony Harwood Ltd (Agents) (Submissions) A UK literary agency. Check out her Literaticastpodcast. For an author or illustrator, most of the benefits of having an agent are fairly obvious. Hall is Catbird Productions' sole proprietor. Its all about matchmaking matching up talent to work together, matching up talent to editors and publishers. She started her career at Liza Dawson Associates in Manhattan, and in 2014 launched her own literary agency, Olswanger Literary LLC, where she represents a wide variety of genres, but is currently focused on illustrated books (picture books and graphic novels). It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Ask questions. They lead the cheer for you. I think of co-agenting as an opportunity to have double the client list with only half of the responsibility. Here is the: AAR Agent Databaseand the list of AAR members who represent picture books. Theyre defending. 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. Illustrators: send 4-6 jpegs of samples, a live link to your website and a short letter of introduction. Lets stop using that word rejection. Try for a moment to think of it as objective criticism. Thank you for signing up, fellow book lover! Fuse Literary represents both fiction and nonfiction in a variety of categories and genres. Kirsten opened Catbirds wings in March 2014. Kirsten Hall, Catbird Agency Picture books pretty much have me wrapped around their finger. Then I look for a voice, either in the words of an author or the art of an illustrator. I dont know. A major plus of not having an agent is the money saved. Childrens/YA C. Plum-Ucci Get the facts. They're signing. Nonfiction/Environment J. Biemer Feeling hurt inflates our ego, which clouds self-awareness, which stunts creative improvement. 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. The Bright Agency. 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). 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. Hall is the author of the picture books. Were different in that Kirsten does a lot more co-agenting than I do. It was a natural progression for those conversations to lead to ways our clients could work together. What is one misconception about agents?One misconception about agents is that we are interchangeable. 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. Responsible for . The project may work. Visit their websites, where they explain who they are and what they want. Were not trying to make your road to publication harder. Read industry magazines and blogs. We spend a good amount of time bouncing ideas off of each other and sharing good and bad news. It is my belief that it comes from the onboarding process. It sounds less hurtful. On the reverse, sometimes our authors are looking for new inspiration and an illustration can be a great way to get those wheels turning. Copyright 2023 D. B. Righi. What do you look for in a submission?The very best in art and literature reveals something real and true about ourselves, and childrens books are no exception. All I can say is find the right agent for you, and you wont regret it. 4. Ask around. Visit our Team Fuse page and click an agent to read their profile. Levy Creative Management (Artist Submissions), Liza Royce Agency (Agents) (Submissions). Its also really fun when it happens on the end of the publishers too. How to Get a Fiction Agent Send her your high-concept and hooky; your award-winners; the books that will become backlist gold. To set up immediate access, click here. Erica:Its also really fun when it happens on the end of the publishers too. As an art director, it made no difference whatsoever. 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. QueryTracker will not function correctly without javascript. Due to the volume of submissions we receive, we are unable toguarantee feedback or advice in our rejections. Do not submit a full-length manuscript or proposal unless requested. Danielle is actively seeking projects in a variety of categories. Get a Kids Book Agent They want to represent you?! And I can already see that the books were making together are going to be magical. We are particularly interested in work about art, culture, the environment, music, and human rights. When an artist joins Brightand here I can only speak about Brightan artists dreams and ambition must be aligned with those of the agency. Lemonade Illustration Agency (Artist Submissions) UK agency for illustrators of childrens books & other media. What do you look for in a submission?What I look for in a submission is first a professional introductory letter. Theres already much greater access to the publishing house in the illustration world (versus for writers, who often are barred by company policy from submitting their work directly). What percentage of art directors go to agents first to find illustrators? They step in when needed. In this way we made a really exciting match for a to-be-announced Jory John and K-Fai Steele project. Home Book Agents Literary Agent Kirsten Hall Catbird Productions. Memoir/Family/Identity S. Foti I sent them some dummies, some promotional pieces. . (Though slush piles get an undeservedly bad reputation. The second-worst thing to do is to rest on your laurels. * A map to the office ofCatbird Productions USA Literary Agencies and Literary Agents Catbird Productions, Enter your information in the form to the right for FREE INSTANT ACCESS to the, register above now for FREE instant access to the. Authors pen manuscripts, artists are creators, agents have insight and continued relationships, editors and art directors have the vision. If you need contractual help, you can find an attorney who would only charge a one-time fee. 6. It feels good to say, I have an agent. Its legitimizing. "Berkley Books recently published my book in hardcover after Mark helped me get multiple agents interested in my work. Im the person throwing up the grappling hook, not the one pouring down hot oil. Kirsten:Thats exactly right. It was after the 2013 SCBWI NY conference. you guessed it: agents. I can tell you why I need an agent. catbird seat. (Maybe: Is publishing dead or not? Its not dead, but I digress.). Were not afraid of this. Childrens/YA L. Moe. A graduate of Simon Fraser University's Master of Publishing program and a twenty-five year veteran of Canadian publishing, Ron worked with Penguin Canada, Westwood Creative Artists, and Random House of Canada before joining CookeMcDermid in 2009. Kayla is seeking everything from heartfelt or humorous picture books (she has a soft spot for animal protagonists) to dynamic, unpredictable YA (she loves a good murder mystery or a clever rom-com). Memoir/Inspirational L. Subramani NOTE: If you had a previous PW subscription, click here to reactivate your immediate access. An agent delivers. Honest and open communication is key. SUBMISSIONS. Society of 2) Those that somehow present the world differently. We only accept submissions via e-mail. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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.
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