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This week's Agent Spotlight features Jamie Weiss Chilton, associate agent of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc. 
Note: Ms. Chilton will be at the Big Sur Children's Writing Workshop December 4-6, 2009.
About: "Jamie's career in children's books began in 1998, with an editorial internship at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, followed by positions as an Editorial Assistant and Assistant Editor at Bantam Delacorte Dell, Wendy Lamb Books, and Knopf & Crown Books for Young Readers, all divisions of Random House Children's Books. Before joining the Andrea Brown Agency, she was Conference Manager and Golden Kite Award Director at the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Jamie holds a BA in English from Columbia University, and has completed a series of editorial workshops at the Center for Children's Books." (Link)
Status: Open to submissions and actively building her client list.
What She's Looking For:
"Jamie Weiss Chilton represents children’s books exclusively: teen novels, middle grade fiction, chapter books, picture books, and narrative nonfiction. Her specific interests include literary fiction with intense emotional content (character-driven, not issue-driven plots); smart thrillers and mysteries; science fiction; surreal stories and magical realism; sweet, funny, quirky chapter books and picture books." (Link)
"I love discovering a story that I just can't stop thinking about -- it can be a four-page picture book or a two hundred page novel. I have some preferences listed in my bio on the agency's website, but I'm open to all genres. Right now I'd especially like to see character-driven novels for teens." (Link)
"I'm happy to see more risks being taken in the picture book genre, with wordless picture books, graphic novel-inspired picture books, and new formats. I love to see innovation in the genre." (Link)
What She Isn't Looking For:
Ms. Chilton does not represent adult projects.
Quotables:
Regarding books:
"My childhood favorite from when I was very young is THE SNUGGLE BUNNY by Nancy Jewell, illustrated by Mary Chalmers. [...] Recent favorites range from thoughtful, moving stories like YA IF I STAY by Gayle Foreman to reality-based fantasy like THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins to science fiction like UNWIND by Neil Shusterman to picture books by Jon Muth and David Ezra Stein." (Link)
"Favorites that she worked on in an editorial capacity while at Random House include ACCELERATION and SPARKS by Graham McNamee, TROUBLE DON'T LAST and CROOKED RIVER by Shelley Pearsall, ZIPPED by Laura and Tom McNeal, DAUGHTER OF VENICE by Donna Jo Nappoli, and THE GIANT HUG by Sandra Horning, Illustrated by Valeri Gorbachev." (Link)
The Agency:
"We invest a great deal of care in each project and each client. We devise a strategy at every stage of the writing process, from conception, to editorial, to publication, that is tailored to the client and will enable us to find the best publisher for his or her books. We are seeking long-term relationships with writers and illustrators whose careers we can develop and whose talent we can foster." (Link)
Tips from a 2008 conference:
"Agent Jamie Weiss Chilton (Andrea Brown Literary) said not to stress over your cover letters. Every submission she receives, she sets the cover letter aside and reads the first pages. If she loves the writing then she'll read the cover letter to find out more about the author." (Link)
"When selecting clients, she said she's not a stickler for mistakes in the format of a submission. However when a writer doesn't follow guidelines she sees a red flag in terms of how that author will work with an editor." (Link)
Editorial Agent?
Yes. She makes revision requests and editorial suggestions as needed. (Link)
Pet-Peeves:
Unknown.
Her Advice to Writers:
"Our business is subjective and I hope authors keep that in mind when they receive rejection letters. As an agent, I'm more in touch with the authors than ever regarding how it feels to hear "no thanks." It's hard for me, too! Just remember that all it takes is one yes -- one perfect fit with an agent or editor and you're on your way. It can take a lot of tenacity and patience to get published. Keep trying, and while you're waiting for those agent and editor responses, continuing honing your skills at conferences and with your critique group." (Link)
"Take time to polish your manuscript to the best of your ability -- take advantage of conferences and critique groups. When your manuscript is the very best it can be, submit! I don't recommend holding on to a manuscript that's ready to go. Houses are more selective than ever, so taking the time to polish your work is extremely important." (Link)
The agents at Andrea Brown have a page on the web site devoted to advice here as well.
Clients:
Beverley BevenFlorez, Kristen Chandler, J.H. Everett, Tracey E. Fern, Max Kornell, Dia Reeves, Marilyn Scott-Waters, Janee Trasler.
Sales:
As of this posting, Ms. Chilton is listed on Publisher's Marketplace as having made 5 deals in the last 12 months including 4 picture books and 1 middle grade. She also has a previous young adult sale.
Query Methods:
E-mail: Yes (only).
Snail-Mail: No.
Online-Form: No.
Submission Guidelines (always verify):
Brief query in the body of the e-mail. Put QUERY in the subject line. Include publisher submission history and previous publishing credits (if applicable). Only query one agent at the agency. Note if it is multiple submission. PB: Include full text. Fiction: Include first ten pages. NF: Proposal and sample chapter. Illustrators: Two to three jpegs of children and animals. No attachments.
See complete submission details and advice here, as well as the agency's General Advice and Do's and Don'ts.
Response Times:
The agency has a no-response policy (see below), though Ms. Chilton seems to send rejections occasionally.
"If we are interested in your work, we will certainly follow up by email or by phone. However, if you haven't heard from us within four to eight weeks, please assume that we are passing on your project." (Link)
Web Presence:
She is also on AgentQuery, QueryTracker, and LitMatch.
What's the Buzz?
Jamie joined the Andrea Brown Agency in January of 2008 and seems to have the start of a great buzz. I've seen her described as "knowledgeable," "earnest," "real," and "wonderful." Those who have met her at conferences and workshops seem very pleased with their interactions. If she seems like a good fit for you, she'd be a wonderful Andrea Brown agent to query since she's actively building her list.
Worth Your Time:
Interview with Jamie Weiss Chilton at Writing With a Broken Tusk.
Interview with Jamie Weiss Chilton at Tales From the Rushmore Kid.
You can read about the revisions client Beverley BevenFlorez had to do with Jamie Weiss Chilton before her offer of representation.
Contact:
Please see the Andrea Brown Literary Agency web site for contact and query information.
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Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or e-mail me at agentspotlight(at)gmail.com
Note: These agent profiles presently focus on agents who represent children's fiction. They are not interviews. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found herein is subject to change.
9 comments:
Thanks for yet another great interview! Your blog is a gem.
Hi Stella! They're not actually interviews (I hope you know that!) they're just profiles.
But thanks so much. I'm glad you enjoy them.
Oh, I see what you mean. Duh. Anyhow, I enjoy your profiles, despite the fact that nobody seems to want poetry or fantasies about a fairy. Your blog is a great source of information. Maybe one day I'll write one of those edgy modern fiction novels the editors all seem to be looking for.
Thanks, Casey. She seems like a good one for me to try!
Thanks again, Stella!
It is hard to find agents that will rep poetry. Wherever your writing journey takes you, good luck! I hope you'll stick around.
Hey Corey, she definitely seems interested in PBs!
I really appreciate the time you take to organize all of this information. I read every one with excitement!
I think you're right about the "no response" policy. I had a no response from Caryn Wiseman. Then after I met Jamie at a conference, I queried her and got a polite, boilerplate rejection. She doesn't like fantasy, which is what I write.
great summary - these are so helpful
Thanks K.M., Sherrie, and Shelli!
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