catbird agency submissions

Get An Agent After Self-Publishing For more specifics on what Susan is looking for, including information about genres and categories, please see here and here. Publishing Agent Kirsten Hall is an agent with Catbird Productions. Agents help a career in ways beyond even my understanding. She likens her agency, which specializes in picture books, to a creative playground. I also ask six well-respected agents to share their thoughts by answering three questions. and strategic process), so its not something we do all the time. Memoir/Women L. Lehr It is a precise and qualified process, rather than an independent, possibly unpublished artist spread betting their work across editors and art directors who they do not know apart from an impression of them through social media. When I signed, it was very exciting. She is looking for visual storytellers with distinctive, unique portfolios that will stand out in a crowded market. Fiction/Christian K. Sargent The snob. Feeling hurt inflates our ego, which clouds self-awareness, which stunts creative improvement. Or familiar content has been made unrecognizable. How do you work with your clients individually on something like this? Theyre meeting. catbird, any of five bird species named for their mewing calls, which are used in addition to song. Books that tell the stories of people, places, and cultures that have been overlooked and ignored for too long are at the top of her list. Although of course it would be totally fine for them to communicate if it would benefit the development of the proposal! A major plus of not having an agent is the money saved. Look at what theyll do for you versus what youll have to do for yourself. Literary Rambles: Spotlighting Childrens Book Authors, Agents, & Publishing Excellent source for agent interviews, kidlit information, and an agent database you can search by age category (e.g., picture books). 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). It can make me uneasy because it takes time and sometimes doesnt work. * Preferred query letter methods (email, online form, postal mail) Thank you for trying us, and all good luck! The project may work. When our illustrators arent working up a project of their own, were pitching them to get matched up by publishers. We spend a good amount of time bouncing ideas off of each other and sharing good and bad news. Writers can search posts for agents compatible with their work. Nonfiction/Diversity S. Peer I'm obsessed by the story-telling opportunities offered by this highly-visual genre! When Stephanie first contacted me, she was very excited and said, I cant get your book proposal out of my head. It was a natural progression for those conversations to lead to ways our clients could work together. * Mailing addresses Like coaches,good agents get the best out of you. Kayla is also open to representing illustrators. Publishers really enjoy being in control when it comes to matching a text to an illustrator (its an extremely fun (!) We have similar agenting styles, and even more importantly both value our relationship. 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. Yes, you pay agents a fee, and that fee could be fairly substantial, depending on the agent. Before you submit, read this: Please submit to SUBMISSIONS@CATAGENCYINC.COM & let us know who you are submitting to in the subject line! Ideally, you handle the creative end, and your agent handles the business end. This is probably less often the case once a project reaches the publisher. Ive learned how important it is to review our individual clients wants and needs before offers start to come in. Erica:Publishers really enjoy being in control when it comes to matching a text to an illustrator (its an extremely fun (!) Kirsten Hall is a former preschool and elementary school teacher who has authored more than a hundred learn-to-read stories for emergent readers. They operate on your behalf, ever focused on your career. Do not send attachments with your query. Writing thats confident, vivid, addictive; work thats both ambitious and wise. Kirsten Hallis a former preschool and elementary school teacher who has authored more than a hundred learn-to-read stories for emergent readers. It may not. How active are they in the industry? Editors should be salivating by the time they get to the chapter outline. Working with Mark was completely worth it." Follow your instincts. Some agents are boutiques. They are the busiest bees in the hive. Pairing up directly with clients from other agencies is a great way to be proactive in making new projects happen. Playing with each others client lists is a way to stay true to that, to not overcommit in order to see more potentially exciting matching possibilities. If you need contractual help, you can find an attorney who would only charge a one-time fee. 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). We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. Theyre traveling. Kirsten:Not necessarily. Ive seen really exciting work come out of it. Most things are negotiable. Different authors and illustrators have different needs, which is why finding your perfect agent match is so important. (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. But I dont generally find myself doing much differently with regards to my clients when co-agenting other than have hard conversations on their behalf with my my co-agent up front. To set up immediate access, click here. . To find out more about PWs site license subscription options, please email Mike Popalardo at: mike@nextstepsmarketing.com. Sts ID Perm Fac. 5. Its not easy to do it yourself, but it is possible. It feels good to say, I have an agent. Its legitimizing. Bookmark Literary (Submissions) Open to illustrator submissions. They help you skip that much-maligned slush pile. More on her wish list, here. Most literary agency directories (print and online) are outdated, incomplete, and riddled with mistakes. The one who allows ego to influence their decisions. I think of co-agenting as an opportunity to have double the client list with only half of the responsibility. What I know when co-agenting with Erica is that no matter what happens well always be good. We do not accept or respond to phone, paper or social media queries. Again, I digress.). Hall is Catbird Productions' sole proprietor. Books invite joy. We are Catbird Lit, an American journal of humorous writings and visual arts based in Austin, Texas. Children's Book Writers Take time with it. Narrative Nonfiction D. Cohen How is it different from the way you usually rep a book? Its brilliant I mean, really, its fantastic. I sent them some dummies, some promotional pieces. To me it is the gold standard for a picture book that makes the reader feel. The overwhelming advantage in having this knowledge is proven when we come to share new work; it cuts through the noise and competition. This is why its so important to make sure theres a termination clause in your contract. Learn More. 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?. Thats exactly right. 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. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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. Only considers picture books from established illustrators. Azantian Literary Agency (Agents)(Submissions), Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises (Submissions), Bookends Jr.: A Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), The Book Group (Agents click Our Staff tab for a drop-down list) (Submissions). And so on. Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997). Tools to help you stay organized and error free. Hall is the author of the picture books. Well navigate the waters together. These cookies do not store any personal information. Memoir/Mainstream E. Armstrong 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). I think authors and illustrators sometimes forget that agents, too, face disappointment. 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]. I look for author-illustrators. Ask around. In this post, you and I will go through the steps of a submission, from researching agencies to signing on the dotted linewhile having a bit of a heart-to-heart along the way. 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? Her client list at Bright includes Elly Mackay, Benji Davis, Clive McFarland, and Connah Brecon. Co-agenting is Ericas and my way of trying to be as proactive as we can for our clients. Lets tap into that knowledge. Nonfiction/Environment J. Biemer Thank you for submitting your work! Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator) need an agent? Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency (Agents & Submissions)NOTE: This is aUKagency. When was the last time you checked out Publishers Weeklys Rights Report? Be professional in your communication with an agent. Unfortunately, misconceptions and assumptions related to the job description of an agent are rife in the illustration community. The coach-player analogy is much more accurate. How to Get a Fiction Agent By the end of this post, you may finally have the answer to: "Do I need an agent?" Thank you for submitting your work! Signing with an agent is just one step on an endless staircase. 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. 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. Scroll below now to view the email and postal addressfor Kirsten HallFREE in our BookAgents Directory. Open to illustrator & author-illustrator submissions. 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. "Berkley Books recently published my book in hardcover after Mark helped me get multiple agents interested in my work. Agent statistics, detailing how long each agent typically takes to respond to a query. You should. Its the most comprehensive (and accurate) list of literary agencies in the world, with detailed profiles for more than 1,100 literary agents. Theyre reading. But agents help your creative growth in more ways than the obvious. Hall is Catbird Productions' sole proprietor. How to Get a Nonfiction Agent Not everyone excels at all of these, or enjoys it! Dont send your work to all of them at once. Each agent, even within the same agency, has their own ideas of what defines good writing and good illustration. Having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable." 4. 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. I love my fellow kidlit agents, and I honestly believe we root for each other and celebrate each others successes. 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. does not support javascript or you have it disabled. 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. 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. I read it and I cried. Im the person throwing up the grappling hook, not the one pouring down hot oil. Before you submit: Read their guidelines. 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. Do your clients have more contact with one another than they would if this were set up by a publisher? I signed with Don Fehr at Trident Media and a short time later I had a publishing contract! Get a Kids Book Agent We'd love to see your work! 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. Never miss a moment of Fuse Literarys deals and bonus content. All rights reserved. Please put your query and sample in the body of the email. When our illustrators arent working up a project of their own, were pitching them to get matched up by publishers. 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. What is one misconception about agents? Here are their answers: What do you look for in a submission? 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. But the truth is everyone in publishing faces rejection at some point. The project may work. Youre about to sign with an agent. (Her rst bookBunny, Bunnywas published when she was in 7th grade. Someone asked me once, Do you only hire artists who have agents?Not in the slightest. But the absolute wrong thing to do is blindly sign an agreement. For nonfiction: she is looking for compelling, voice-driven projects that shed a humorous or thought-provoking light on a previously unknown topic in the areas of narrative nonfiction/memoir, lifestyle, relationships, humor, current events, food, wine, and cooking. Tell us what you like and we'll recommend books you'll love. While her taste is broad, shes especially excited to find fresh stories and artwork from voices that have previously been underrepresented. Odds of Getting a Book Agent In this post, you and I will go through the steps of a submission, from researching agencies to signing on the dotted linewhile having a bit of a heart-to-heart along the way. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. How to Find a Literary Agent for Your BookAdvice from writing professional Jane Friedman. Youll get free access tothe Directory of BookAgents with detailed profiles for allbookagents,including Kirsten HallLiterary Agent. Agencies are still in there, but the box is getting more crowded all the time. You should know, agents are not going to comment right away (if at all). Read their interviews. Experience. Humor is important, even in a narrative thats dark or sad or edgy. Danielle is actively seeking projects in a variety of categories. Susan's submission email is: susanhawk.submission@gmail.com. We only get paid when the author gets paid after we sell an authors work. 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. To bridge these twoindustries, she co-founded Room 228, a consulting company that creates educational marketing materials and literacy programming for children. The agent then dedicates energy and resources to get that first commission. Erica:We have to make sure that the risk and expectations are clear for all involved. * Agent photos 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 Fiction/Mystery B. Harper She wants to be surprisedtheres nothing like the feeling that youre reading something entirely new. Childrens/Chapter Book J. Agee Once you sign with an agent, you dont just sit back and wait for the jobs to roll in. It isnt as automatic as you think. Get the facts. Some of her favorite illustrators include Mike Boldt, Amber Ren, Vashti Harrison, and Eliza Wheeler. What I know when co-agenting with Erica is that no matter what happens well always be good. Youll also get access to our article and audio library with information to help you get a top agent, publisher, and book deal. Ive asked agents James Burns, Kirsten Hall, Jennifer Linnan, Alexandra Penfold, Linda Pratt,and Erica Rand Silverman three simple questions. Wait for a response. Ive seen really exciting work come out of it. They told me they were going to focus on getting me into the industry I love: childrens books. . Its true, I love to co-agent, and I do it regularly with agents at several different agencies. There is a lot of uncertainty that comes along with developing a co-agented pitch from just the seed of an idea. . But Im really thrilled to be co-agenting with Erica. Why do I (acting as an author or illustrator)need an agent?As mentioned, making a career for oneself in the illustration world can be 100 percent DIY, and many people are great at being self-advocates, negotiating, managing the finances and paperwork, and/or marketing themselves as a commodity/business. the Twitter version of Manuscript Wish List) Agents and editors of all writing genres post what they want. All agents should share the ability to reasonably negotiate contracts. QueryTracker Members can view the data gathered by all other members, organized into reports showing 2007-2023 QueryTracker. Co-agenting is Ericas and my way of trying to be as proactive as we can for our clients. Join QueryTracker to access more query and agent information, including To read more comments about this agent, or to leave comments of your own, become a QueryTracker member. Do not submit a full-length manuscript or proposal unless requested. All that being said, my bottom-line, if-youre-on-the-fence answer is much more straightforward: CONTRACTS. Childrens/YA C. Plum-Ucci Your agent cant be expected to do all the heavy lifting. Any agents not listed above are CLOSED to submissions. I like being asked to see or think about the world divergently. Prospect Agency (Agents)(Submissions) (Prospect Portfolio: Illustrator Submissions), Raven Quill Literary Agency (Agents & Submissions), The Rights Factory (Agents) (Submissions) A Canadian Literary Agency, Rising Bear Literary Agency (Rick Margolis) (Submissions), Rodeen Literary Management (Paul Rodeen)(Submissions), Root Literary (Agents) (Molly ONeill: open to illustrators & author-illustrators) (Submissions), Rubin Pfeffer Content, LLC(Agents)(Submissions), Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Sanford J. Greenburger Associates (Agents)(Submissions), Sean McCarthy Literary Agency (Submissions), Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary (Agents) (Submissions), Serendipidty Literary Agency (Agents)(Illustration Submissions) (Photography Submissions)(Author Submissions), The Seymour Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Sheldon Fogelman Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Stimola Literary Studio: Books for Children and Young Adults (Agents) (Submissions), Stonesong Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Storm Literary Agency (Agents)(Submissions), Thompson Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions) Only considers picture books from established illustrators, Transatlantic Agency(Agents & Submissions) Canadian and U.S.A. offices, TriadaUS Literary Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Trident Media Group (Agents)(Submissions), Upstart Crow Literary (Agents)(Submissions), Wendy Lyn & Co.(Submissions for childrens book illustrators only), Wernick & Pratt Agency (Agents) (Submissions), Westwood Creative Artists (Agents) (Submissions) A Canadian Literary Agency, The Whiteman Agency (Doug Whiteman) (Submissions).

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