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One of the first things I tell everyone is they need to network, get out there and meet people.  This is the reason I started doing the Summer Networking Dinners with agents and editors.  Well, today I have good news and proof that attending dinners and events where you get to interact with Publishing industry professionals does work.  Author/illustrator Tracey Berglund just signed a contract for representation with Stephen Fraser from the Jennifer De Chiara agency. 

Here is the story explained by Tracey:

I attended the Cafe Centro Agent and Editor dinner in July, because Stephen was going to the dinner and I had a short list of agents I admired and he was at the very top. I had not prepared any marketing sound bites to share that evening and the room was very noisy so I felt a bit intimidated, but fortunately I was seated next to Christina Turgeau and other really nice people, so I enjoyed my dinner and some great conversations. Stephen Fraser was sitting opposite me, but the table was very wide so he felt far away. I remember thinking that he had an open and inquisitive face and a charming bowtie.

Luckily, at some point I reached over to his side of the table for a breadstick, he caught my eye and complimented me on my dress! I had just returned from a trip to India and bought it because it had radiant peacock colors which reminded me of a story I’ve been working on. Before I knew it Steve and I were deep in conversation about travel, favorite cities-his is Paris, mine Rio de Janeiro; subways, and a gamut of other things. When the dinner was over I gave Stephen some printed samples of my art and told him how pleased I was to meet him.

A few days later I sent him a thank you note and asked if I could send him some of my stories. He kindly said yes, and over the next few months we kept in touch via email. I sent him several manuscripts, more of my illustration and one completed picture book dummy. He praised my art and sense of story arc. A few weeks later he wrote and mentioned that he kept thinking about one of my stories. He asked if he could have some time to think about it a bit more. Naturally I said yes.

Several weeks ago I attended SCBWI’s agent event and; Steve was one of the three agents speaking. I went over to say hello afterwards and waited patiently as Steve conversed with other enthusiastic writers. Steve was friendly and we chatted a bit. Once again, he complimented what I was wearing which was a T shirt with an illustration of a some characters from one of my stories.

A few days later, I was standing on the platform waiting for a F train and read his email offering to represent. I was so happy and said yes and sent him a photo had just taken with my iphone of a bunch of pigeons in front of my corner deli going wild over some cheese crackers. Instead of saying how odd and incongrous that was, he kindly wrote, “Thanks for the cool photo!” I am very honored to be able to call him my agent.

Tracey we are all happy for you and you are right Stephen is such a nice man and a wonderful agent.

Buffalo artist, teacher and illustrator Jane Marinsky published her first children’s book with esteemed publisher David R. Godine three years ago. With a text by her daughter, Goat-Faced Girl was a great success, earning strong reviews. Godine has just released Marinsky’s second book, Just Perfect, for which she has provided both text and illustrations.

Talking Leaves on Elmwood Avenue will host a book signing for the new book on Sunday, December 2, at 1 pm. The event is free; anyone wishing to have a book signed must purchase it from Talking Leaves, as an act of respect and support for the author and the bookstore hosting the signing.

http://www.marinskyillustration.com/  Jane, Good Luck with the book!

Another great thing I found out this week is that Karen Belli who reads by blog, took the time and submit to the 2012 Scare The Dickens Out of Us ghost story contest that she noticed on this blog and guess what? She won Honorable Mention. 

Having someone recognizes you this way can be just the boast you need to continue down that road to publication, so keep that in mind future for contests.  Congratulations! Karen.  Thanks for letting us know.

Tip: Always check out the contest before sending something in.  Each contest likes different levels of writing.  If your writing is humorous, it might not be good for a heavy literary magazine.  Take a few minutes to see.  It will save you money and rejection.

Terry Jennings’ book, Gopher to the Rescue, A Volcano Recovery Story (Sylvan Dell, 2012) was named Outstanding Science Tradebook for Students K-12 by the National Science Teachers’ Association and Children’s Book Council. Terry says, “I’m thrilled. I’ll even get to put little gold seals on the books.”

Here’s the Amazon link. This follows the release, earlier this month, of her other book, The Women’s Liberation Movement, 1960-1990, (Mason Crest, 2013) a wonderful history of women’s fight for equality and an explanation of why it took  forty years from the time women finally got the vote until we began fighting for equality.

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

For the last few years the NJ SCBWI has invited Agent Stephen Fraser at the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency to our June conference. Not only is he a very talented, successful agent with many years experience, but he is also a very nice man. I am sure that combo is the reason for his success. I know so many of you would love to have Stephen represent you, but let’s be logically, Stephen can not take on an unlimited amount of new writers. So today when I received an e-mail from Marie Lamba at Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, I realized I should point out the Associate Agents at the agency. They are building their list and they have the backing of a good agency, making this a great opportunity you may not have thought about after getting stars in your eyes with Stephen. Below you will find the three Associate Agents at the Jenniffer De Chiara Agency and what they like:

Maria Lamba Associate Agent is currently looking for:

Young adult and middle-grade fiction, along with general and women’s fiction and some memoir. Books that are moving and/or hilarious are especially welcome. I am NOT interested in picture books, science fiction, or high fantasy (though I am open to paranormal elements), category romance (though romantic elements are welcome), non-fiction, or in books that feature graphic violence.

To Submit
Please email a query to [email protected] and put “Query” in the subject line of your email.

For queries regarding children’s and adult fiction, please send the first twenty pages in the body of your email, along with a one-paragraph bio and a one-paragraph synopsis.

For queries regarding a non-fiction book, please attach the entire proposal as a Word document (the proposal should include a sample chapter), along with a one-paragraph bio and a one-paragraph synopsis of your book in the body of your email.

Linda Epstein, associate agent is looking for accessible literary fiction, quality upscale commercial fiction, vibrant narrative nonfiction, and compelling memoirs – A MG, YA or Adult manuscript she can’t put down with a distinctive voice.  She says, “I love to learn something about another time, place, or culture while engrossed in a gripping story. Books with Jewish or other spiritual/religious themes or undercurrents are of particular interest. I am partial to underdogs and outsiders. Occasionally I like to read something funny, and sometimes a little magical realism is entertaining. I don’t like bodice-rippers and won’t read anything with dead, maimed, or kidnapped children. I don’t read horror. I’m not really interested in traditional SciFi, but I do like fantasy and I’m intrigued by Steampunk. I’m the wrong person for romance, thrillers, or anything but a very offbeat cozy mystery.  For middle-grade, it should be particularly character driven and quirky, with excellent pacing and rhythm. For YA, I’m a sucker for strong girls, deep friendships, and overcoming adversity.”

For Non-fiction 
She likes alternative health and parenting books, cookbooks (especially, but not limited to, Gluten Free cooking), select memoirs, and the right spiritual/self-actualization book (think Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra, Don Miguel Ruiz).

She is particularly committed to representing books that include, are about, or are geared toward people in the LBGTQ community, for both adult and children’s literature.

To Submit
Please email a query to 1 Comments on Looking for an Literary Agent?, last added: 7/8/2012