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I am starting to set up a small Writer’s Retreat for this September in Avalon NJ, similar to what we did last year, which was a four day workshop with an editor and an agent. It included a one hour full manuscript critique with one of the mentors and a one hour 50 page critique with the other mentor, a first page session, a brainstorming session, group critiques, and pitch practice. The cost last year was $850 which included the cost of the house, the critiques, and most food.

Since the house is rented for the week, you have the choice to come early before the mentors get there to relax and work on your writing. I have not confirmed the mentors, yet. It would be nice to customize to fit the final group. I am looking to let two additional writers attend, so if you are interested in joining our group of advanced writers, please email me (Kathy.temean(at)gmail.com) for more details. Last year’s retreat was the best thing I have ever put together.It is a great opportunity.

Gregory Myers from Australia sent in this illustration called “Haru” that was commissioned by Tokyo Journal as part of a series on the seasons in Japan. Gregory is a freelance illustrator. Studied under Czech artist Petr Herel at Canberra School of Art, and Akira Kurosaki at Kyoto Seika University. He is based in Sydney, Australia. Hand-coloured scraperboard artworks like this one prove to be popular with his clients.

Ammi-Joan Paquette has been promoted to senior agent at the Erin Murphy Literary Agency.

Julie Just, who became an agent at Janklow & Nesbit in late 2010 after working at the NYT Book Review as children’s book editor, is moving to Pippin Properties on May 1. Pippin founder Holly McGhee says: “We were looking to expand our agency and had just signed a new office lease when we began talking to Julie. Since we are interested in representing our authors’ and artists’ work across all genres, including more YA and adult trade books as well, Julie Just is exactly the right fit.”

Greenhouse Literary Agency has hired Polly Nolan head up the UK side of their business representing children’s and YA authors. Currently associate publishing director, fiction, at Macmillan UK Children’s, she will start her new job on June 3.

At Simon & Schuster, Molly Lindley has been promoted to associate editor.

Alison Weiss has been promoted to associate editor at Egmont USA.

Amber Morley has joined Chronicle Books as marketing coordinator for their children’s division.

At HarperCollins, Dana Trombley has been promoted to senior manager, digital marketing, adding oversight for the marketing of all the digital-first titles published through the Impulse lines.

Angela James has been promoted to editorial director, Carina Press.

At Harlequin, Adrienne Macintosh has been promoted to editor, series, while Karen Reid moves up to associate editor, Harlequin Superromance and Charles Griesman has been promoted to editor, Harlequin Desire. In addition, Reka Rubin has been promoted to senior manager, subsidiary rights, while Amy Wilkins moves up to the manager, online engagement.

At Simon & Schuster Children’s, Nicole Russo has been promoted to deputy publicity director and Lydia Finn has been promoted to publicist. Russo has been with the company since 2005.

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

Hunger Mountain’s Annual Manuscript Critique Auction is happening NOW on ebay. Don’t miss out. It ends on May 12th. I have listed below the agents involved in children’s books and YA novels. Here is the link to bid: http://stores.ebay.com/The-Hunger-Mountain-Store

Young Adult/ Middle Grade Manuscript Critique with Literary Agent and former Simon & Schuster Editor Alexandra Penfold

ALEXANDRA PENFOLD has been working in publishing for nearly a decade. Formerly an Editor at Paula Wiseman Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, she’s now an agent with Upstart Crow Literary and specializes in young picture books and middle grade and young adult fiction. She is the co-author of New York a la Cart: Recipes and Stories from the Big Apple’s Best Food Trucks. 

25-Page Middle Grade Fiction Critique with Agent Alyssa Henkin

ALYSSA EISNER HENKIN began her career in children’s publishing as an editorial assistant in 1999. Now, as a successful literary agent at Trident Media Group, Alyssa considers herself privileged to be able to work with such talented authors and illustrators who create the books readers cannot put down.

25-Page Middle Grade, Picture Book, or Young Adult Manuscript Critique with Author and Literary Agent Ammi-Joan Paquette

AMMI-JOAN PAQUETTE is associate agent with the Erin Murphy Literary Agency, where she represents all forms of children’s and young adult projects. She’s especially passionate about connecting with and launching the careers of debut authors and is most excited by a strong lyrical voice, tight plotting with surprising twists and turns, and stories told with heart and resonance. She is the author of a picture book, The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies, and a middle grade novel, Nowhere Girl.

Full-length Middle Grade Fiction Manuscript Up to 250 Pages with Literary Agent Elena Mechlin

ELENA MECHLIN  began as a literary agent at Pippin Properties, Inc. in June of 2009. She notes that she “is thrilled to be pursuing her love of children’s literature and the industry from her seat at Pippin and especially enjoys the treasure hunt that is sorting through the daily query emails.” Pippin Properties, Inc., an agency devoted primarily to picture books, middle-grade, and young adult novels, has represented such literary luminaries as Katherine Applegate, Kate DiCamillo, Kathi Appelt and illustrator Harry Bliss.

100-Page Young Adult or Middle Grade Critique with Literary Agent Emily Van Beek

EMILY VAN BEEK is a literary agent at Folio Literary Management. She spent six years as agent and rights director at Pippin Properties, Inc, where she represented such titles as Kathi Appelt’s Newbery Honor-winning The Underneath , Jandy Nelson’s The Sky is Everywhere, and Jenny Han’s New York Times bestselling Summer series. Since joining Folio in May of 2010, Emily has represented established writers of YA and Middle Grade fiction, debut voices in children’s lit, and a select group of illustrators, including the Caldecott Medal winning creators of A Sick Day for Amos McGee, Philip C. Stead and Erin E. Stead.

Full-length Picture Book Critique with Agent and Agency Founder Holly McGhee

HOLLY MCGHEE founded Pippin Properties, Inc., an agency devoted to the management and representation of the finest authors and artists at work today. Her fascination with making books began in 1991, and now her agency is devoted primarily to picture books, middle-grade, and young adult novels, and has represented such literary luminaries as Katherine Applegate, Kate DiCamillo, Kathi Appelt and illustrator Harry Bliss.

50-Page YA or Middle Grade Manuscript Critique with Literary Agent Tricia Lawrence

TRICIA LAWRENCE worked for 17 years as a developmental and production-based editor (from kids book to college textbooks, but mostly college textbooks) before she joined the Erin Murphy Literary Agency team in March 2011. As associate agent, Tricia represents picture books/chapter books, and middle grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction. She also writes a blog about social media for authors and the publishing industry at large.

Hunger Mountain is both a print and online journal of the arts. They publish fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, visual art, young adult and children’s writing, writing for stage and screen, interviews, reviews, and craft essays.

Good Luck! and Happy Bidding.

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy