How to use this Page

Please note: The names below are of the agents who had the most children’s book deals report to Publishers Marketplace by a publisher, agent, or author. It is just a snapshot in time. When I ran the numbers in the beginning of the year, the names and numbers were different. Also you should know for various reasons not all deals are reported to Publishers Marketplace.

Many agents represent children’s books and adult books. Only children’s book deals were used. This is the type of information you can access if you sign up for the paid subscription to Publishers Marketplace. I consider this important information and part of the cost of doing your homework.

1. Jennifer Laughran (Andrea Brown Literary Agency)
has had 27 deals in the this category during the last 12 months - 4 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: April 9, 2013 – 11 PB – 11 MG – 8 YA

2. Ammi-Joan Paquette (Erin Murphy Literary Agency)
has had 26 deals in this category during the last 12 months - 3 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: April 3, 2013 - 9 PB – 7 MG – 12 YA

3. Erin Murphy (Erin Murphy Literary Agency)
has had 24 deals in this category during the last 12 months – 1 six-figure+ deal Most recent deal in this category: April 4, 2013 – 19 PB – 9 MG – 2 YA

4. Sara Crowe (Harvey Klinger)has had 21 deals in this category in the last 12 months – 12 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: April 10, 2013 – 11 MG - 14 YA

5. Holly McGhee (Pippin Properties) had 19 deals in this category in the last 12 months – 14 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: April 5, 2013 – 16 PB – 5 MG

6. Kelly Sonnack (Andrea Brown Literary Agency) has had 17 deals in this category in the last 12 months  - 2 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: February 26, 2013 – 14 PB – 3 MG - 1 YA 

7. Tina Wexler (ICM) has had 15 deals during this category in the last 12 months  Most recent deal in this category: March 20, 2013 – 2 PB - 8 MG – 7 YA

8. Rosemary Stimola (Stimola Literary Studio)has had 14 deals in this category during the last 12 months – 16 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: April 2, 2013 – 3 PB - 8 MG – 2 YA

9. Sarah Davies (Greenhouse Literary Agency)has had14 deals in this category in the last 12 months – 20 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: March 27, 2013 – 3 MG – 13YA

10.Paul Rodeen (Rodeen Literary Management) has had 14 deals in this category in the last 12 months – 2 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: April 10, 2013 – 13 PB – 1 MG

11. Brenda Bowen (Sanford J. Greenburger Associates) has had 13 deals in this category during the last 12 months - 7 six-figure+ deals Most recent deal in this category: February 15, 2013 – 10 PB – 3 MG – 2 YA

12. Teresa Kietlinski (Prospect Agency) 13 deals in this category during the last 12 months.  Most recent deal in this category: March 26, 2013 – 12 PB – 4 MG

Tricia Lawrence is the newest agent at Erin Murphy Literary Agency and attending the New Jersey SCBWI Conference in June. As associate agent, Tricia represents middle grade, young adult fiction and nonfiction and is looking to build her list of clients. She’s likes strong world building, wounded narrators, and stories that grab a reader and won’t let go. Tricia lives in Seattle, so you could say she is the “Pacific Northwest branch” of EMLA. With Ammi-Joan in New England and Erin in Arizona, they seem to have things covered, but of course, you do not have to live near an agent for them to represent you.

Tricia says, “I’m also beginning to look for younger books: picture books, early readers, chapter books as well as middle grade and young adult. I love all genres, but find that a story with a mystery is what I’m most drawn to. I love, love, love finding something new, whether it is a character that makes me laugh out loud to a character that continues to persevere in spite of everything being thrown at him/her. I would love to find books that are extremely high-concept, but that have an amazing main character. It really all comes down to character, doesn’t it?

I like historical, scifi, spec fiction, fantasy, paranormal (although the paranormal must be really original), contemporary, mystery/thriller, and adventure. I’m particularly drawn to books that focus on big educational transitions in a kid’s life (what it feels like to be leaving high school, that YA sweet spot or learning to navigate middle school coming from elementary school or learning to deal with school at all for younger readers). I must be reliving my own childhood years in school over and over again! I am also very interested in nonfiction for teens, on subjects covering babysitting to how to prepare for college in a fresh, original spin.”

EMLA is closed to unsolicited queries or submissions. We consider queries that come to us by referral from industry professionals we know, and individual agents are open to queries from attendees of conferences where they speak. So attending the June Conference in Princeton, will open this door for you. www.regonline.com/njscbwi2013conference

Here are some additional Tricia interview’s to read:

Forever Rewriting

Fresh As A Daisy

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

If you’re an un-agented writer, you might be thinking—do I even NEED a blog? What content should it contain? How often should I post? What SHOULDN’T I blog about?

Well, relax. I asked a few agents what they thought of writerly blogs. Their responses may surprise you.

Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary Agency:

“I don’t have any strict rules or do’s and don’ts. I find blogs are perhaps less useful than they used to be, with the exception of those with large followings. Mostly I go to them, when considering signing someone new, to get a sense of their personality and how they present themselves (whether to fellow kidlit folks, gatekeepers or kids).”

Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary Agency:

“A writer’s blog wouldn’t be a deal-breaker for me unless it was wildly unprofessional. First and foremost, when I’m looking at a potential client, it’s all about the writing. But beyond that, a blog or website gives a sense of who that person is, how our tastes and interests might mesh, etc. So make sure your web presence reflects who you are, and that it looks clean and tight and polished. I don’t think they’re essential, but it is nice to put a face and background to the voice I’m reading on the screen.”

Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary Agency:

“I don’t care if an author has a blog or not. But if they DO have a blog, I hope it is lively, interesting, informative, fun to read, and gives a sense of their “voice” and a glimpse into their lives.

Turnoffs: Lots of word-count posts. Constant self-promotion. Complaining about blogging, complaining about the publishing industry, complaining about specific people (your agent or editor, for example)—or “Humblebragging.”  Overly political or “sexy” posts (unless you are a political or sexy writer).

If an author HATES blogging and is struggling to find the time or energy…if it is taking away from their work or making them miserable…then they should absolutely not do it. An unused blog, or a blog that is just complaints or self-PR, is so much worse than no blog at all.”

Teresa Kietlinski, Prospect Agency:

“Blogs are absolutely important in my decision making. When submissions come in, I tend to visit blogs first because they give me a taste of the writer’s (and illustrator’s) personality, voice and interests. It also lets me see how dedicated they are to the craft of writing or illustrating. Do they post frequently? Do they talk about topics of interest in the children’s book world? Are they honing his/her skills? What books is he/she reading? Would I like to join him/her for

EMU’s Debuts is not a flock of oversized flightless birds opening on Broadway. It’s a bunch of new authors represented by the Erin Murphy Literary Agency chatting about their experiences from deal to debut. It’s everything you ever wanted to know about the process of publishing a book from the author’s perspective.

Today on EMU’s I talk about getting “the call”. So pop on over for a quick read and show the debut authors some love by following along. It promises to be a wild ride, not unlike jumping on an emu.

Agent Ammi-Joan Paguette from the Erin Murphy Literary Agency has been on my mind, so today we talked and I added her to the line up for the conference.  Laurie calls her Joan and I call her Ammi, so whatever you call her, she is going to do something special for us.   She represents all forms of children’s and young adult projects, but only accepts queries via referral or from people she has met at conferences.

Here’s how her special critiques will work:

You will e-mail to me a pitch, the first three pages of a manuscript and a synopsis if it is a novel.  You will get 10 minutes to sit down with her to talk about what you submitted and go over what she thought on all three things.  With this sample she should be able to tell if she wants to see more. 

Ammi-Joan says, “To me, being an agent is like conducting a perpetual treasure hunt. My clients send me their wonderful manuscripts. My job is to look at all aspects of their projects and the market, follow the clues of concept, style and interest, and match each project up with the right editor who will fall madly in love.”

The cost is $55.

Editor Heather Alexander’s spots filled up in a snap.  Don’t miss this opportunity.  E-mail me to secure a spot.  Want to thank David Caruba for the idea seed that lead to this being offered.

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy

0 Comments on Special Critique Opportunity as of 1/1/1900