Literary Rambles: 1/1/10

Agent Spotlight: Lauren MacLeod

This week's Agent Spotlight features Lauren MacLeod of The Strothman Agency, LLC.

About: "Lauren MacLeod joined the Strothman Agency after graduating cum laude from Emerson College with a BFA in Writing, Literature and Publishing.

"Lauren’s primary interests are middle grade novels, young adult fiction and nonfiction, as well as highly polished literary fiction and narrative nonfiction. Some of her favorite (non-client) YA authors are Meg Rosoff, Maureen Johnson and John Green." (Link)

Status: Open to submissions.

What She's Looking For:

"Looking for: Contemporary YA & MG, narrative nonfiction for young adults, graphic novels, YA Dystopian with strong world-building, and adult trade nonfiction on quirky subjects or people. She is currently especially drawn to YA & MG projects with humorous situations or funny characters." (Link)

"The Strothman Agency, LLC specializes in nonfiction, particularly books by journalist and scholars, but Lauren’s primary areas of interest is young adult and middle grade fiction and nonfiction. She is currently on the look out for more contemporary YA, funny MG, and books with a strong foodie element. She would love to see more MG or YA nonfiction in her inbox.

"On the adult side, Lauren is also looking for literary fiction and narrative nonfiction, especially narrative nonfiction about quirky or unexamined people, places, or events (books like THE ORCHID THIEF or client Christopher White’s forthcoming SKIPJACK, about the last sailing oystermen).

"She has a soft spot for books about sunken ships." (Link)

For non-fiction, she's listed on QueryTracker as being interested in the following: "Biography & Memoirs, Celebrity, Pop Culture, Music, Film & Entertainment, Current Affairs & Politics, History & Military, Journalism, Juvenile, Multicultural, Narrative, True Adventure & True Crime." (Link)

What She's Flooded With:

"Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Historical Fiction, Tragedy Memoirs." (Link)

What She Isn't Looking For:

Romance, science fiction, picture books, poetry. (Link)

Quotables:

The Agency:

"Our extensive inside experience and knowledge of both the editorial and business aspects of publishing—how editors and publishers make decisions, the economics of publishing, the importance of focused and strategic marketing and publicity, the nuances of contracts—as well as our many contacts among independent booksellers give us the ability to provide effective support to our clients." (Link)

"We work closely with the publisher to assure that our authors have a voice in critical design, publicity, and marketing decisions." (Link)

Lauren:

"'For the record, I prefer not published to self-published. For me, self-published has to try harder. Others feel differently.' She then explained, 'Why my self-pubbed position? 1) I assume it has already been widely rejected by agents, 2) might have already exhausted the market.'" (Link)

Her Advice to Writers:

"A great story with dynamic writing will always be relevant. Write good books, don’t worry about trends." (Link)

Editorial Agent?

Yes. "I still do editing, but I have to really, really, really love the book before I'll take it on. On the fence now equals no, more than before." (Link)

Web Presence:

The Strothman Agency website.

The Stothman Agency blog.

AgentQuery & QueryTracker.

Clients:

Ms. MacLeod's clients include: Helaine Becker, Hélène Boudreau, Kathryn Miles, Philip Shabecoff and Alice Shabecoff, Christopher White, among others.

Also, the agency has a "Catalog of Published Works" on the website.

Sales:

Ms. MacLeod is listed on Publisher's Marketplace as having made 3 deals in the last 6 months and 4 overall. Recent deals include 1 middle grade, 1 picture book, and 1 paper back rights.

Note: PM is often not a true representation of sales.

Query Methods:

E-mail: Yes.

Snail-Mail: Yes.

Online-Form: No.

Submission Guidelines (always verify):

E-mail: Query letter outlining qualifications and experience, a synopsis, and two to ten pages of your manuscript in the body of the e-mail (for fiction). No attachments.

Snail-Mail: Follow the above guidelines and include a SASE.

Expect to receive an auto-reply for e-mail queries. See the Strothman agency website for complete, up-to-date submission guidelines.

Response Times:

The agency seems to have a no-response policy. They ask for three to four weeks for response. If you don't hear form them within six weeks, assume rejection. (Link) However, Ms. MacLeod seems to respond to a lot of queries regardless with a response time ranging from a day to about two weeks.

What's the Buzz?

Given Lauren's active presence on the Internet, particularly on Twitter, and her fun, generous nature, she's very popular among aspiring and published writers as well as publishing professionals. Many people who've had the opportunity to meet her or work with her have come away very impressed by the experience and have sung her praises as a result. Her clients seem happy in her hands, which speaks volumes, and she's actively making sales and networking. Consider following her on Twitter for some great publishing tips and agent info. It's also a great way to see if you like her personality!

Worth Your Time:

Read the Strothman Agency's FAQ before you query!

Ms. Macleod is active on both the agency blog and Twitter. Do some research; take the time to look in the archives.

You can read an Unofficial Official Agent Appreciation Day post about Lauren MacLeod by client Hélène Boudreau.

Lauren MacLeod was a Secret Agent for Miss Snark's First Victim's blog; follow the link and then locate the entries for that month (July) to see her comments on each entry as well as her chosen winners.

QueryDay Q&A summary featuring many comments by Lauren Macleod on Writing For Kids While Raising Them.

Notes from QueryFail at Writing For Kids While Raising Them. Check out the reasons Ms. Macleod and other agents might reject you.

"Straight Talk on Tough Times for Writers" at Mitali's Fire Escape featuring comments by Lauren Macleod, Colleen Lindsay, and Elana Roth.

"An Agent Talks Trends in MG/YA Publishing" featuring Lauren Macleod; what she's seeing a lot of, and what editors are asking for.

A relay of some #askagent tweets by Lauren Macleod on Words of Inspiration and Romance.

Contact:

Please see the The Strothman Agency website for contact and query information.

***

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 accept 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.

Guest Blogger Fiona Ingram: The Wonderful World of Words

Today I'd like to welcome guest blogger Fiona Ingram, author of The Secret of the Sacred Scarab. When she e-mailed me about guest blogging, I was really eager to post this story about her daughter Mabel. I thought it would be a nice change from all the informative posts around here, and the story really touched me.

The Wonderful World of Words and One Child’s Journey There

I don’t remember actually learning to read; it’s as if I always did. Although we grew up poor (five children to feed, clothe, and educate), my parents always had books in the house. And then of course, there were the books we inherited from my grandparents. My very old copy of The Wind in the Willows, with those simple yet beautiful illustrations, is still on my bookshelf. Ratty and Mole were my heroes (and still are!). Other old friends are The Secret Garden, with exquisite color plates, The Water Babies, Enid Blyton’s Faraway Tree series, my collection of the Lucy Fitch Perkins’ twin series, with her poignant stories of children of all eras and places around the world. I particularly loved Anne of Avonlea, The Little Princess, and many others.

The list of children’s classics is endless and not so long ago I read them all over again. I ‘inherited’ an African foster child from a disadvantaged background. This little girl came to me at age eleven, practically illiterate, scoring only 19% for English at school. Opening the doors into the wonderful world of books seemed insurmountable because she simply did not understand the connection between the written and spoken word. What to do? Begin at the beginning seemed a good idea.

I started off with my old favorites and Mabel loved them. Suddenly, the words were not frightening because she was hearing about places and people she’d never imagined. She’d lean over my shoulder, breathing down my neck as I read, my finger tracing the words as I sounded them out. The pages began to surrender the magical words, and she found them enchanting! Fired with success, we moved onto the rest of the library, slowly devouring my children’s classic book collection in very tiny bite-sized pieces. I was still doing most of the reading.

One day, Mabel decided she’d help out with the words, and began reading to me. It was still incredibly slow but I began to see the glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. We got movies of books, watched them, and then read the books, just in case the moviemakers had left out some important bits. We expanded our repertoire book by book. I found other ways to sneak words into her day, not just when we were doing ‘serious’ reading. She read recipes with me when we baked; she read the instructions on the packaging to me while we prepared dinner; she read advertisements to me when we shopped. Suddenly words were a constant part of her life.

Mabel also began to show her imaginative side at school. Her poems and creative writing pieces began to change, reflecting more color, bigger words, more complex themes and emotions. What a breakthrough! The final moment of success came when just recently she turned to my mother and said, “Gran, will you buy me a book?”

My mother nearly fell off her chair and replied, “You can have as many as you like, darling.”

Mabel grinned. “Oh, then can you buy me all the Twilight books please?”

Thank you Stephenie Meyer for being the first author Mabel ‘owns.’ (Apparently vampires rock.)

Her latest ‘own’ books? Inkheart, and The Golden Compass.

Her latest marks for English? A magnificent 75%.

“I can do much better,” she said, frowning. “I’m going to have to improve on this if I want to be a writer.”

I have now adopted Mabel legally, not having my own children, and I can say the greatest compliment is that she has decided to become a journalist or a novelist (just like me).

Recently I called her and, hearing her voice coming from her bedroom, asked, “What are you doing?”

Reply: “I’m reading!”

Music to any parent’s ears!

About the Author: Fiona Ingram was born and educated in South Africa. Her interest in ancient history, mystery, and legends, and her enjoyment of travel has resulted in The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, the first in her exciting children’s adventure series—Chronicles of the Stone. The first book was inspired by an actual trip the author took to Egypt with her two young nephews (then aged 10 and 12).

Writing / Research Tip Tuesday #21

It's Tuesday! Again! That means I have another great tip to share. This one from aspiring author Lisa Nowak of The Tao of Webfoot. Please visit her blog after you've finished up here. Lisa's known for posting very genuine, inspiring posts that speak to me as a fellow writer.

Here she is:

"When I 'm writing I sometimes have trouble getting the words to flow, but I've found that a little physical activity will jog loose those ideas. I bought a digital recorder to capture my inspirations, and now I carry it with me whenever I take a walk or a drive. The model I use is a Panasonic RR-US450. It allows you to store up to 99 files in each of its folders, and you have to make a conscious effort to erase one, so you can't accidentally record over your old thoughts, the way you can with tapes. This machine comes with software that allows you to download your notes to a computer. The voice recognition feature isn't the greatest, but I understand that you can use Dragon NaturallySpeaking once the files are on your computer. Even without that feature, keyboard commands allow you to stop and start the file so you don't have to interrupt your typing to pause the recording. In addition, the recording reverses by several words when you resume playing, so if you're a lousy typist like me, you can easily catch what you missed."

I love this tip, Lisa. Recording myself is something I never would have thought to do, but I'm loving the idea. I think I'll have to pick up one of these recorders and give it a shot!

Awards! Part 1

I've been meaning to acknowledge and dish out some awards for awhile now and apologize to the lovely ladies who gave them to me that I haven't done it sooner (I'm looking at you Emily, Shelli, Elana, and Hilary). And yet, I've just had a heck of a day and wanted to do something fun, so I thought awards! I'll give people awards and I'll feel way better. So I'm sort of glad I held out. But, I'm also short on time so I'm gonna do it in parts. Hey, it's probably more fair to the awards that way, anyway.

So, today's award: THE SILVER LINING AWARD given to me by Emily Cross at The Chronicles of Emily Cross.

I feel honored to have been given this award because Emily created it, and I was one of the first five to receive it. Here's the thought Emily put behind it, "So, in these bad economic times etc. its nice to be able to wander the blogosphere and see some really positive and optimistic posts. To honour these uplifting blogs i've made the silverlining award."

How cool is that? Wowza! Thanks Emily!

Here are the rules:

* Post the award on your blog.

* Let them know who gave it to you and link to them.

* Nominate five other blogs and link to them.

* Let your nominees know that they've received the award.

Okay, decisions, decisions. I think I'll stick with Emily's purpose for the award and choose people who tend to be very positive in my eyes. I hate picking just five people, you all know that right? Right?!? Okay good. Cause I love all my bloggy friends and don't get enough time to spend on all your blogs. Here are the first five that came to mind. Friends new and old:

Heather Kelly of Edited to Within an Inch of My Life.

Lisa Nowak of The Tao of Webfoot.

Tabitha Olson of Writers Musings.

Hillary Wagner of Hillary Wagner's blog.

Paul Michael Murphy of Murphblog.

Top 20 Spotlights

Now that Agent Spotlight has been going for almost a year (well, in March), I thought it would be interesting to see which agents have had the most visitors. Given that some profiles have been up a lot longer than others, it's not a fair representation, exactly, but I think it's still interesting. Here's the top 20 from March 2009 to Jan 2010 according to my stats:

See any trends? I'm noticing agents with small web presence as well as some big names...

Agent Spotlight: Caryn Wiseman

This week's Agent Spotlight features Caryn Wiseman of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc.

About: "Caryn has been an Agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc. since early 2003, and has sold over 85 books. She handles children's books only: young adult and middle-grade fiction and non-fiction, chapter books, and picture books (fiction and non-fiction). She represents two New York Times bestselling authors, first-time authors, and authors at every stage in between. Caryn holds an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA, and a BS from the University of Virginia, and her fifteen years of business experience prior to joining the Agency emphasized editing and writing as well as sales, negotiation and client management. [...] Caryn is a member of SCBWI and WNBA, and a frequent speaker at writer's conferences, including the Big Sur Writer's Workshop, La Jolla Writer's Conference, SDSU Writer's Conference, Central Coast Conference, and SCBWI conferences." (Link)

Status: Open to submissions.

What She's Looking For:

"Caryn's particular interests include: humorous chapter books and middle-grade fiction; "boy" books; YA that falls at the intersection of commercial and literary; YA that is edgy without being gratuitous; non-institutional biography and other unique nonfiction for children and teens; and African-American and Latino-themed literature in all children's and teen age groups. She would love to see more contemporary multicultural MG or YA fiction—books that deeply explore another culture, as well as books in which the ethnicity of the character is not the issue; magical realism, urban fantasy, or fantasy that is very much based in reality (no maps needed); sports fiction that has a hook other than the sport, for girls and boys; page-turning thrillers; and realistic fiction with an environmental theme. She is always open to terrific children's work that doesn't fit these categories, however. For fiction, a fresh, unique voice is paramount. A literary bent to a well-crafted commercial story in which ordinary characters find themselves in extraordinary situations would capture her attention. She loves nonfiction that reads like fiction; that has a great "story behind the story". She does not represent adult projects at all. Please do not query her regarding adult work." (Link)

Regarding children's non-fiction:

"The most important thing to me is that the nonfiction reads like fiction - that there is a "story behind the story." For example, Pamela S. Turner's George Schaller: Life in the Wild, forthcoming from FSG/Kroupa, is a biography of the great field biologist George Schaller. The book explores Dr. Schaller's career both as a scientist and as an advocate for vanishing wildlife. Appealing to children who are interested in animals, science, adventure and the outdoors, each chapter of the book will also be a "mini-biography" of the species being studied. Several of Pamela's other books study certain environments or animals and make science fun and interesting for kids. " (Link)

What She Isn't Looking For:

Ms. Wiseman does not represent adult projects.

Quotables:

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)

"We're looking for fresh, different, and new. As a largely West Coast based agency, we follow in a tradition of West Coast innovation in our passion for discovering new voices and sparking new trends. We're a part of the NY-centered publishing world but also cultivate the advantage of an insider's/outsider's perspective. We have access, standing, and visibility but also think outside the box. Our agents make regular trips to New York, attend industry conventions, and participate as faculty at writers' conferences all over the country. We ensure a high profile for our clients and keep our fingers on the pulse of publishing." (Link)

Her Advice to Writers:

"Make sure that you have a polished, error-free, and complete manuscript to submit - you want to make an excellent first impression. Be sure that you know who your target audience is, and that there isn't a mismatch between your work and your intended reader. A great voice is paramount; whether first or third person, I need to fall in love with your voice. Your characters must be memorable and you need to make me root for your protagonist right from the start. Show your protagonist's journey, through the use of dialogue, the senses, actions and reactions, rather then tell through the use of narrative. Finally, a great opening is absolutely essential. You need to grab me immediately, and keep me turning the pages. If you can make me laugh out loud, cry, or keep reading late at night, you may have a winner!" (Link)

The agents at Andrea Brown, including Ms. Wiseman, have a page on the web site devoted to advice here as well. Ms. Wiseman talks about the benefits of conferences, meeting prospective agents, and acting appropriately at such venues.

Editorial Agent?

Yes. She requests revisions and helps her clients clean and tighten their manuscripts as needed. The following quote also suggests an editorial nature:

"I knew that agenting would allow me to do the things that I love best - reading and editing - and that, as an agent, I could discover wonderful authors, and help them get their books published." (Link)

Web Presence:

Andrea Brown Agency web site.

Publisher's Marketplace page.

ZoomInfo.

AgentQuery, AuthorAdvance, & QueryTracker.

Clients:

In no particular order...

Nate Evans and Vince Evans, Laura Lascarso, Dee Garretson, Christine Johnson, Ryan Van Cleave, Amy Novesky, Tom Angleberger, Jennifer Berne, Gene Fehler, Deborah Raffin, Deborah Underwood, Ji-li Jiang, Greg Trine, Sarah Albee, Pamela Turner, Rhonda Stapleton, Sandra Alonzo, Maria Faulconer, Kelly Campbell Hinshaw, Carole G. Vogel, Amjed Qamar', Kevin Markey, and many others!

Sales:

Ms. Wiseman is listed on Publisher's Marketplace as having made 15 deals in the last 12 months and 43overall. Recent deals include 7 middle grade, 4 picture books, and 4 young adult. You can also view some of Ms. Wiseman's representative deals on the Andrea Brown website.

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). Ms. Wiseman seems to respond within one to three months on requested materials.

"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)

What's the Buzz?

Like all the Andrea Brown Literary agents I've profiled, Ms. Wiseman has fabulous buzz and respect. The word around the web suggests she's an accomplished agent, great at what she does, and very passionate about her work. She certainly has the sales and clients to back up these claims. She's popular among aspiring authors, and a frequent, helpful conference speaker. Her clients all seem very pleased to be working with her and are quick to call her "amazing." Sounds great to me!

Worth Your Time:

Interview with Caryn Wiseman at Tales From the Rushmore Kid (2010).

Agent Advice interview with Caryn Wiseman at the Guide to Literary Agents blog (2007).

Query success story featuring Caryn Wiseman and client Dee Garretson at the Guide to Literary Agents blog (2009).

Contact:

Please see the Andrea Brown Literary website for contact and query information.

***

Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or e-mail me at agentspotlight(at)gmail.com

The Naughty List by Suzanne Young

Suzanne was sweet enough to have me sent an ARC of The Naughty List and I wasn't at all surprised to gobble it up within a day. I've long loved her ongoing story blog, Going Green, and knew TNL wouldn't disappoint. It didn't! As one of my goals this year is to promote the authors and books I love, I'm going to attempt to review it for you.

Title: The Naughty List

Author: Suzanne Young

Reading Level: Young Adult

Publisher: Razorbill

Publication Date: February 4th, 2010

First line: Sigh. A padlock? Who padlocked their gates in this neighborhood?

Summary:

"As if being a purrfect cheerleader isn’t enough responsibility! Tessa Crimson’s the sweet and spunky leader of the SOS (Society of Smitten Kittens), a cheer squad–turned–spy society dedicated to bringing dastardly boyfriends to justice, one cheater at a time. Boyfriend-busting wouldn’t be so bad . . . except that so far, every suspect on the Naughty List has been proven 100% guilty!

When Tessa’s own boyfriend shows up on the List, she turns her sleuthing skills on him. Is Aiden just as naughty as all the rest, or will Tessa’s sneaky ways end in catastrophe?

The Naughty List. Is your boyfriend on it?"

Review:

The Naughty List is as cute as the pink cover is bears, but hey, if you're just not into cutesy pink covers please stay and let me convince you of its fun fabulosity!

Head cheerleader Tessa, along with the SOS or Society of Smitten Kittens, spends her days keeping things peppy at high school and her nights catching cheating boyfriends. Through an anonymous cell phone and top-secret correspondence, the SOS receives cheater reports and then susses out truth and proof by going on daring missions and employing spy tactics. When Tessa's boyfriend Aiden shows up on the list after the transfer of a meddlesome, attractive brother-and-sister pair, Tessa begins to lose control. After all, the SOS has a 100% proven-guilty rating. What are the chances of Aiden being an exception?

I loved so many things about this book. Tessa and her friends make it easy to get caught up the story. The voice is original and fun and Young brings depth, realism, and intrigue to the cheerleader stereotype. There’s a lot more going on here than your average high school drama, a subtle message I think a lot of teens will relate and respond to. And who doesn't want to read about a secret society?!

But it’s more than just a great cast of characters with a fun story to tell. Young used her tools as a writer and found ways to make the writing and story really memorable. By incorporating fun Cheater Incident Reports, alternative cuss words (“Mashed potatoes and gravy!”), and other secret (and oftentimes hilarious) correspondence, I feel she turned an already fun read into something unique and engaging. I can imagine myself as one of these cooperative cheerleader spies, dishing out pep and bad news in equal, saucy amounts for the betterment of my high school.

It’s a fast, well-paced read with an engaging plot and story line. I was pleasantly surprised by the turn of events and extremely satisfied by the ending. That’s a biggie for me. I have to give props to authors that can write a realistic, satisfying ending and Suzanne did. It’s not the perfect romantic ending we'd all wish for ourselves but it’s real and it’s hopeful. So, kudos Suzanne.

And guys? If I was in high school right now, I'd totally want start up an SOS after reading this. Cheating boys (and hey, girls too) across the nation, watch out!

The Naughty List is the first in a series of Naughty List books and I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel, So Many Boys, coming June 10, 2010.

Definitely check out Suzanne's blog, the SOS blog, and pre-order your copy today. And if you missed it, I interviewed Suzanne several months ago. You can read that here. Enjoy!

Writing / Research Tip Tuesday #20

I have two tips to share with you today. The first, reposted with permission, comes from Becky of Rebecca’s Writing Journey.

"Use Forever Stamps on all your self-addressed stamped envelopes! You never know 1) how long it will take to come back to you and 2) when a postage hike will sneak up on you. If you use the forever stamp, you don't have to worry about not having enough postage on those reply letters you're so anxiously awaiting."

The second is that you follow Becky’s blog. Not only because she's chronicling her journey as a writer with great posts, but also because she posts a Tuesday Tip most weeks and has been doing it a lot longer than me. Check her archives!

I asked if I could repost the above tip because I think it’s a great one for anyone not already familiar with Forever Stamps. I learned about them last year and it’s all I buy now (unless I'm weakened by a particularly cute set of stamps – ha!).

Thanks Becky! It’s a great tip.

Guest Blogger Kristi Helvig: Why Critique Groups Rock

Please welcome guest blogger Kristi Helvig, a familiar face in the comment box. She's hear to tell you the many reasons why critique groups are awesome! When you're done reading her fabulous article, please visit her group blog, Sisters in Scribe.

Why Critique Groups Rock

So, you're an aspiring writer and have accomplished the amazing task of actually finishing a novel. Chances are you either patted yourself on the back or went shrieking through the streets proclaiming that you're a novelist (depending on your personality). However, then the moment comes when you sit back and think "Now what?" Well, here's what I think a fabulous next step should be -- before spamming the entire publishing community with the genius that is your manuscript. Join a critique group. "Why?" you might ask as defensive thoughts flood your mind such as: "My book is brilliant as is,” “I don't want outside influences muting my 'voice',” or “I don't want anyone stealing my never-been-thought of-in-the-history-of-time idea about space monkeys and their quest for the perfect banana." You get the idea.

Here's why. If you find a GOOD critique group, be it online or in person (and there are pros and cons of each), they can do the following:

1) They are objective about your work. Well, at least more so than you. It can be extremely difficult to be objective about your own work. For instance, those of you with kids, how many of you think your child is not the cutest/most brilliant/talented example of small humanity out there. When you're attached to something - and after working on a novel for 6 months or 6 years, who isn't - it's difficult to step back and see where you might need help. Your critique group has that distance and can often point out problem areas much more easily.

2) They make you a better writer. Yes, really. No matter how great you think you are - and you might be great - you can get even better with the help of a good group. Writing in different POV's, characterization, story arc and use of dialogue are just a few examples of how the group can push you to do your best. They also can help point out your individual writing quirks - be it overuse of a certain word or the dreaded telling rather than showing. Also, critiquing the work of others in your group also makes you a better writer.

3) They encourage and support you. And not in a Paula Abdul, smoke up your ass kind of way. We share our ups and downs and have a "we're all in this together" mentality. Writing can be a tough and solitary experience, so it's nice having a built-in support group. When someone gets good news, it's so much fun to celebrate as a group and gives hope and motivation to the others. Plus, it's fun going to conferences where I actually know people there.

4) They serve as a collective barometer for your work. After getting a bunch of feedback from different personalities, part of your job is to decide which changes to incorporate and which don't serve your story. One of the best things about group feedback is you know there's a legitimate problem when more than one person points out the same issue with something in your story. For instance, I had multiple people tell me a line in my first chapter was funny but that the reference would be outdated by the time the book was published - so I changed it. On the flip side, when you have multiple people give you compliments on the same thing, you know it's well-earned and not the smoke up the ass thing.

5) They are a wealth of resources. I feel fortunate to be part of two wonderful critique groups and everyone has information that is shared with the group. Some of the published authors in my one group share information about publishing houses and editors that they like. Just this week, one woman in my group sent me a list of agents she thought would be a good fit for my book after reading my query. I've learned so much about the business end of things from my critique groups and it's been invaluable information.

As you can guess, I LOVE my critique groups. They consist of amazing, talented, persistent women who love writing as much as I do. So there you have my top 5 reasons to be in such a group. If you're in a group that doesn't have these 5 elements and feels more negative in nature, then maybe it's time to look for another group. NOTE: I found both of mine through SCBWI.

So, what have I missed? What are your favorite things about being in a critique group?

Bio: Kristi is a clinical psychologist and aspiring YA writer who is one of the contributors to the Sisters in Scribe blog.

WANTED: Critique Partner for Kareena

Hello, everyone!

Kareena, a YA writer, e-mailed me wanting to know how she might find a critique partner online. I asked if she was interested in posting a "wanted ad" here on Lit Rambles and she agreed! Please read her details below and consider exchanging a few e-mails and pages with her to see if you're compatible.

Note: Comments are welcome; however, derogatory and/or harsh criticisms will be deleted if they arise. That's not what we're looking for with this posting.

***

My needs are simple. I am looking for someone to exchange a few pages with from time to to time and to bounce ideas off. They don't need to be editing experts- I have a friend who does that for me already- I just need someone who is widely read in my genre, who instinctively knows when something sucks or not and who can the grade the level of suckiness on a scale of 1-10, and of course can give some insight into why it sucks.

If they would be available for phone conversations at would be great too. I have skype. Just in case you are not familiar with it Skype is this great program that you can download for free from www.skype.com and once both parties have it on their computers you can talk or free anywhere in the world.

This book is written for teens ages 13-16. I would prefer a one on one critique with someone who writes in my genre (fantasy-science fiction) so I would love it if you placed the wanted add for me. I don't think I am ready to go totally public yet so I think I'll pass on the online critique group for now.

***

Excerpt From the Novel entitled, The Spinner's Wheel, written by Kareena Vassall

Chapter 2

Sara’s discovery

Earth-2010: Wichita Falls, Texas U.S.A

The soft morning light filtered into the sky blue room through filmy white curtains draping the two windows. A fragrant, warm breeze swept though a partially open window rustling the open pages of the science encyclopedia resting on top the bright yellow quilt covering the double bed, tuning the page from a picture of a DNA double helix to one of Halley’s comet.

At the foot of the bed, directly under the small figure huddled under the covers, lay a large brown and white cat sprawled inelegantly on his back, the tip of his tail twitching slightly. The small figure beneath the quilt flung out her foot suddenly and the cat leapt from what was obviously a comfortable spot with a frustrated hiss.

A soft chuckle emanated from the bed, and a small, heart shaped, freckled face framed by long dark red hair raised up briefly off the blue pillowcase and looked down at the disgusted feline glaring at her from the side of the bed and said without sympathy. “I told you to sleep in your own bed Mr. Piddles.” Mr. Piddles sniffed scornfully at her as if she smelled like a wet dog, turned and stalked off towards the corner of the room, his tail held high.

Sixteen year old Sara Gallagher looked to the left of her bed at the small white side table and reached out to shut off the alarm to the clock just as it struck seven. Looking at the clock, she glared and stuck out her tongue at the cheerful face of bug’s bunny whose head was currently cut in half by the long hand of the clock pointing at twelve.

Rubbing her eyes with the cuff of her black and white polka dot pajamas, she swung her legs off the bed unto the fluffy beige carpet and sat up. She peered at herself in the mirror that ran the length of the closet door and began the typical morning ritual of looking for any new freckles that might have miraculously popped up on her face overnight.

After satisfying herself that there were only the usual twenty two freckles adorning her nose, she stood, winked at Albert Einstein who gazed down at her from the poster pasted over the side table, his black pipe perched at the corner of his mouth, and shrugged on her fluffy white dressing gown.

Sitting down at the small dressing table with its heart shaped mirror, Sara carefully pulled back her hair into a ponytail, picked up her rechargeable toothbrush and headed towards her bedroom door. Suddenly, there was a loud crash from downstairs, and her mothers’ frustrated screech resounded through the house as delighted masculine laughter filtered up the stairs.

Sara grinned and threw down her toothbrush unto the bed. This domestic unrest could only mean one thing, her uncle Valerius had come to visit. Wrenching open her bedroom door Sara and Mr. Piddles bounded down the stairs, stopped by the entrance of the family room and watched the proceedings with interest.

Uncle Valerius was hiding behind the blue living room sofa. His muscular, six foot three frame was crouched down low, a difficult thing Sara thought for a man of his size and weight.Vibrant green eyes the exact shade of her mothers caught sight of her.

“Sara” he said with a gleeful smile upon his face, “take cover, your mother is on the warpath again.” He warily raised his head above the edge of the sofa and pointed to the tall, slim woman with the waist length dark brown hair who was currently rifling noisily through the broom closet in the far, right hand corner of the room, no doubt looking for something pointy and dangerous to jab her brother with. Mr. Piddles took one look at this irate vision in bright pink pajamas and ran back up the stairs.

Sara ducked behind the sofa and said laughingly, “you make it sound like she is this way all the time uncle Val, she is only like this when you visit,” she added, both of them wincing simultaneously when a large wooden carving came sailing over the sofa to hit the wall behind, bouncing to the exact spot where Mr. Piddles had been standing. Evidently her mother hadn’t been able to find anything in the broom closet.

Her uncle Valerius looked at the carving with an expression of great sympathy and said, “well I guess I bring out the best in her.” He was obviously enjoying himself immensely.

Valerius pushed out his booted foot and managed, with some effort to roll the bust to him. Indicating to Sara’s white cotton dressing gown he said,

“Lend me that for a minute Sara; I think its time to surrender myself to my fate.”

***

There's your teaser! If you're interested, please e-mail Kareena at kareenavassall(at)hotmail(dot)com. And if you're interested in placing your own wanted ad, e-mail me at agentspotlight(at)gmail(dot)com

Agent Spotlight: Emily van Beek

This week's Agent Spotlight features Emily van Beek of Folio Literary Management.

About: "I moved to New York City from Toronto in 1999 armed with dual citizenship, a dream to work in children's book publishing, and inspiration from my favorite (if clichéd) Zen magnet, "Leap and the net will appear". Soon after my arrival in the city, I was hired as an editorial assistant at Hyperion Books for Children. During my three-and-a half year tenure at HBFC I became an editor working on projects by celebrated authors and artists, including Julie Andrews Edwards, Rosemary Wells, Susan Jeffers, and L.M. Elliott. In October of 2003, I decided to explore the view from the agent's side of the desk, where I fell head over heels in love with my role as a literary agent. I spent the next six-and-a-half years as an agent and the rights director at Pippin Properties, Inc., a boutique children's literary agency. Kathi Appelt's Newbery Honor-winning THE UNDERNEATH (Atheneum/S&S, 2008), Jandy Nelson's THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE (Dial, 2010), Jenny Han's THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY and IT'S NOT SUMMER WITHOUT YOU (S&S, 2009 and 2010), and Erin Bow's forthcoming PLAIN KATE (Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic, 2010) are examples of some of the titles I represented before joining Folio in May of 2010. I hope never to retire." (Link)

Fun fact: "She is fluent in French and has an affinity for all languages." (Link)

Status: Accepting submission, seeking new clients.

What She's Looking For:

Genres of interest: Children's fiction from picture book to young adult.

From the website:

"I am exclusively interested in acquiring projects for young and teen readers, from picture books by author / artists, to authentic and fresh middle-grade fiction, to lyrical and daring YA.

"I am especially interested in representing young adult novelists. I'm looking for voices that won't be ignored. I am open to considering all sorts of YA from dystopian fiction to paranormal, mysteries to well-written chick lit, coming-of-age, "I'm not dead, but I'm not alive either", the lyrical, the literary, and the laughable. (Link)

From 11/2009:

"Emily is most passionate about books with heart, strong characters, and an often (subtle) deeper layer of meaning. [...] Children’s books told in original voices on original topics in original ways." (Link)

What She Isn't Looking For:

Adult projects and illustrators who only illustrate. (Link)

Quotables:

"I am very actively looking to work with debut authors, so aspiring writers should certainly feel free to query me. I love launching careers and having the chance to work with someone from the very beginning." (via e-mail)

"I am passionate about children's and young adult books. I am passionate about negotiating the best deal possible. I am passionate about working together with our experienced and esteemed subsidiary rights and contracts teams to squeeze as much juice out of a single property as it will yield. I find it incredibly rewarding to work with new voices (and I'm thrilled to say that I've discovered several irresistible projects by debut authors and artists in the submissions pile). I'm also committed to helping established authors and artists continue to grow their careers. [...]" (Link)

"I believe it was Ursula Nordstrom who once wrote (of the process of considering a manuscript) something along the lines of: 'If you can resist it, do.' A tough love sort of approach to the process, but it's a litmus test I often use to help me decide if I am the right agent to represent a particular project and to help an author achieve his or her publishing goals." (Link)

About the Agency:

"Folio Literary Management, LLC, is a full-service literary management company dedicated to providing comprehensive representation and career management to authors. Like other literary agencies, we focus on selling the domestic and subsidiary rights to our clients' books. But unlike most other agencies, we don't consider our job done when a client's book hits the shelves. At Folio, we recognize that's just the start. In addition to the traditional role of literary agents, we work closely with all of our clients to develop their platforms, writing, and credentials, and to assist them in extracting the most value possible from their intellectual property." (Link)

Her Advice to Writers:

"It's really important for aspiring writers to do their research when it comes to selecting an agent. It's useful to know about an agent's current roster of clients and the types of projects they feel passionately about (in terms of genre, format, and audience). Are your tastes compatible?" (Link with more!)

Editorial Agent?

Yes. "I am an 'editorial' agent, in that I'll work through as many drafts over the course of as many years as it takes to polish a manuscript I believe in to a high shine prior to submission. My goal is to build long-term relationships with authors and to help them publish books that will stand the test of time." (Link)

Pet-Peeves:

Rather than pet-peeves, you can read a "submission cheat-sheet" (that addresses common slip-ups) in this interview with Emily van Beek at Cynsations.

Web Presence:

Folio Literary website.

Facebook.

LinkedIn.

AgentQuery, AuthorAdvance, & QueryTracker.

Clients:

Currently Unknown. Pippin has a team philosophy with clients, so I'm unsure if any Pippin clients followed her over to Folio when she moved in May.

Sales:

As of 05/2010, Ms. van Beek is listed on Publisher's Marketplace as having made 9 deals in the last 12 months, 33 overall, and 7 six-figure+ deals. Recent deals include 5 picture books, 1 young adult, and 3 foreign rights.

NOTE: PM is usually not a complete representation of sales.

Query Methods:

E-mail: Yes (only).

Snail-Mail: No.

Online-Form: No.

Submission Guidelines (always verify):

E-mail queries only.

"If you are an author / illustrator, please let me know if you have a website / online portfolio that I should visit! If you're a novelist, please include a synopsis, the first ten pages of your manuscript, and any relevant information (such as previous publishing experience) in the body of your email." (Link)

Query Tips: Do no submit to more than one Folio Lit agent at a time. There are basic query writing and manuscript formatting guidelines available on the site.

See the Folio Literary website and Ms. van Beek's profile for complete, up-to-date submission guidelines.

Response Times:

Stated response time is 4-6 weeks. An average is currently unavailable due to her recent switch in agencies.

What's the Buzz?

Emily has great buzz! She's an extremely well-respected, talented agent. She has everything to recommend her: The backing of a fabulous agency, editorial experience, great past sales and clients, and plenty of praise around the web. If you have any info or impressions you'd like to add, please speak up in the comments. Best to all who query!

Worth Your Time:

Website Stuff:

Make sure you read Emily van Beek's profile on the Folio website before submitting.

There's a great list of resources on the Folio Literary website.

Folio Lit has a blog you may want to check out, but I don't believe Ms. van Beek is currently contributing.

Interviews:

A Conversation (interview) with Emily van Beek and Holly McGhee at Hunger Mountain (02/2010).

Interview with Emily van Beek at Cynsations (02/2008).

Around the Web:

Emily van Beek weighs in on using a freelance editor or book doctor at Through The Tollbooth.

There are a few notes available on Emily van Beek in this post on the agent panel at a NJ-SCBWI conference at Writing For Kids.

Great story about Emily van Beek and client Kathi Appelt on Day By Day Writer, if you like reading client-related stories.

You can see a great picture of Emily and read a few kind words about her and Holly here at Drawger (five down).

Just for fun - Pippin BEA Celebration Video, Chinatown NYC 2009.

Contact:

Please see the Folio Literary Management website for contact and query information.

***

Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or e-mail me at agentspotlight(at)gmail.com

Featured Sweetheart! Who Me?

Just wanted to point you all to the Texas Sweethearts blog run by authors Jo Whittemore, P.J. Hoover, and Jessica Lee Anderson. I was interviewed as their newest Featured Sweetheart! If you're interested in reading more about me, you should definitely check it out. Don't you want to know how my life is like the game Jenga?

While you're there, please consider e-mailing the Texas Sweethearts a Sweetheart nomination. Oh, and you have until Sunday, January 17th to enter their contest for a chance to win a query and ten-page critique.

Enjoy and good luck!

Suggestions, Please!

So, I'm doing a study on voice in young adult literature for school and I'm trying to finish up my bibliography for it today. I'm mainly using novels told in first person but also need some in third, and maybe even second.

I've already got a long list of options, especially in first, but I'd love to know what YOUR recommendations are for YA authors/novels with exceptional voice. One thing I'm looking for is novels in third person that aren't fantasy. I'm trying for a variety of subgenres and it seems like every book I can think of in third is a fantasy novel.

So, what do you suggest? Who/what are your favorites?

Thank you!

Writing / Research Tip Tuesday

I have another great Tuesday Tip to share with you today. This one was sent in by children's author Beth Pollock, author of HARLEY'S GIFT and THE NEXT STEP. Please visit her website when you're done here. Enjoy!

"One resource that I find really useful is Harold Underdown's www.underdown.org. He is a children's book editor, and the author of "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books". His website has an incredible amount of useful information. The page that I find most useful is "Who's Moving Where?" It gives a quick synopsis of movement among key players in the children's publishing industry. For example, he posted six updates for the month of December. This is a great way to keep in touch with movement in the industry as it happens.

"There are also great articles for writers of every experience level. One article deals with the necessity of dealing with an agent and what you should expect your agent to do. In addition, he provides links to agent resources, as well as three case studies on how to tell a legit agent from a shady one. This level of detail makes it a useful website that I visit regularly."

Thanks so much, Beth. I've visited the site several times before but haven't really dug in. I'll definitely be taking a closer look!

Questions From the Inbox

I wrote a YA novel. I am seeking publication. Any tips/advice?

I edited and polished my manuscript, however I am considering professional editing. I am currently seeking a literary agent and have queried several. I understand how the publishing process works. My goal is to publish my novels through a major publisher.

Earlier in the year I decided to join with Eaton Literary Agency. Eaton Literary Agency charges fees. I do not recommend, unless you plan to pay around $5,000.00.

Feel free to post the above information in your blog for other aspiring writers.

Now I am reevaluating my options. I am considering to pay for professional editing. But, if I land a literary agent, they can edit the novel themselves.

Ms. McCormick, how do you think I should handle this situation?

-Jessie Rose

Hi Jessie! Lots to tackle here. First of all, congratulations on finishing and polishing your manuscript!

As for Eaton Literary, I'm very sorry you got tangled up in an agency that charges fees. For future querying, please look up all the agents and agencies on your list at Preditors & Editors. If the agent or agency isn't listed or there's no information available on them, consider checking with a large writing forum such as AbsoluteWrite for a thread on the agency. AbsoluteWrite has a comprehensive Bewares and Background Checks forum. And if you're still unsure, you can always get in touch with me or the staff at Writer Beware.

You mentioned you're considering professional editing. Here's the thing, do you think your writing is good enough to gain you representation? If so, then I don't believe you should bother with a professional editing service. A good line-by-line edit can cost a couple thousand dollars, and a broad assessment hundreds. If you feel your writing needs a lot of help, however, then it's something to consider. I'm more likely to suggest joining a critique group, SCBWI, and/or taking some classes though. To me, it makes a lot more sense to build the tools needed to be a professional writer than to rely on others. As for agents, only some are editorial and many don't have the time to do line-by-line edits. Your manuscript needs to be as perfect as you can make it before you query, and then an agent will offer input as needed, per preference. It's not something you can count on, so I think it's good you're considering your options and evaluating your writing.

Beyond what I've said here, please check the agent research posts I've done in the right sidebar. I also highly recommend perusing agent blogs for informative posts on publishing. Nathan Bransford, Janet Reid, and Rachel Gardner are a few of the best resources out there, but I have a large list of agent and editor blogs in the left sidebar that you can get lost in for days.

All that said, my best piece of advice is this: Google and research everything! Don't walk into anything blindly if you don't have to. And don't be afraid to e-mail me more specific questions. You're doing the right thing by asking and learning!

Now, I'll turn the blog over to my readers and see what advice and tips they have to share. I didn't have as much time to list resources as I would have liked and I know they'll come through for you. Thanks for e-mailing!

Guest Blogger Katharina Kolata: Review of Holly Lisle's "How to Revise Your Novel" Course

Hi all! I won't normally be posting two guest posts a week but this one came with an important timeframe attached! Holly's Lisle's revision course, "How to Revise Your Novel," reviewed here today by the lovely Katharina Gerlach, is only available until Saturday, January 9th (for the next few months, at least). I love Holly's website and have sung her praises a few times before, so I've no doubt the course is every bit as good as Katharina says. Enjoy!

Most of the writers I know stall when it comes to revision. Some writers hate it so much that they never touch their first draft again. Some correct a few spelling mistakes, others cut or add description and flesh out a character or two. Everybody agrees that revising your manuscript is necessary but it's hard to find sound advice on how to actually improve your novel. That's why I decided to join Holly Lisle's writing course "How to Revise Your Novel".
By the way, this is not a course about style; it's about improving your story. It is aimed at everybody who wants to tell stories with believable characters in an authentic setting with problems the reader can relate to. So far, I haven't regretted taking it. Holly's lessons are helpful and written in an amusing way. Also, there is a great forum available where many students (and Holly Lisle herself as time allows) actively participate to help others. It's great to have so much support.
Over a span of 22 weeks, Holly Lisle dissects her own revision process to teach her students what can go wrong in a novel. That doesn't mean that my manuscripts contain all the issues she points out. After all, I have nearly ten years of writing experience under my belt and found out a couple of things myself. But, and that's a big one, she manages to break down a daunting task into bite sized lessons that address all the problems you might ever encounter during a revision.
In the first lessons, we learned to define what kind of novel we want to end our revision with. Only with a picture of your finished story in mind, you can turn your manuscript into the novel you want. After that, we dissected our stories scene by scene. We looked for details that need to be fixed and just as thoroughly for details that are perfect the way they are. I was surprised, how much of my story was better than I had thought. It motivates to know that.
Currently, I am working on lesson 6: "Sharpening Your Characters", and I am amazed about the easy methods Holly Lisle came up with to objectively determine if something needs to be fixed or can be left alone. The next lesson will tackle world-building (which is not only an issue for writers of Fantasy or Science Fiction) and then, we'll learn how to fix the problems we found. As a bonus, the final lesson will condense the whole process into a tool that will enable the students to do their next revision in one single reading of the manuscript (which will be invaluable when I have to meet a publisher's deadline again).
There are many Creative Writing courses available but I am sure that this is the most detailed breakdown of the revision process. Also, at USD 47.00 a month for four months (that's $8.55 a lesson) it is very reasonably priced. If you are struggling with revision, Holly Lisle's "How to Revise Your Novel" is a course that can help you.

This post was written by Katharina Gerlach, a writer and triple Mum from Germany.

Agent Spotlight: Joanna Stampfel-Volpe

This week's Agent Spotlight features Joanna Stampfel-Volpe of Nancy Coffey Literary & Media Representation.

About: "Joanna Stampfel-Volpe has been with the agency for two years. She represents children's and adult books, fiction and non-fiction. When she's not reading (which is almost never), she enjoys cooking, watching movies, playing video games, and hanging with her husband and her Chihuahua, PeeWee." (Link)

Joanna Stampfel-Volpe's career in publishing began with Barnes & Noble by day and publishing courses by night. After securing a position as an editorial assistant with an independent publisher, Blue Martin Publications, and working there for about a year, she joined FinePrint Literary as an unpaid intern. Three months later she was offered a paid assistant position, which quickly led to a position as a junior agent four months after that. Her first sale went to auction. In January of 2008, she joined Nancy Coffey Literary & Media Representation as a full-time agent. They are a full-service agency and active members of SCBWI, RWA, and AAR.

Status: Open to submissions.

What She's Looking For:

From the Website:

"Joanna's specific interests are: non-fiction for kids and teens, chapter books to YA novels, adult romance (historical, paranormal), fantasy (urban fantasy, steampunk), up-market fiction (dark, literary, horror, women's fic, commercial thrillers, historical, magical realism, speculative fic), and commercial non-fiction (pop culture, environmental, foodie). She is also interested in graphic novels for kids/teens, or novels with a high graphic element." (Link)

From an Interview (07/2009):

"I represent a lot of children's books, from picture books to YA (non-fic to fic), covering every sub-genre there. As far as the adult market goes, I am looking for historical fiction, women's fiction, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, dark drama, horror, some narrative non-fiction (although I'm very picky about this--I know what I like when I see it. Topics would be: food, environment, pop culture)." (Link)

From an Interview (05/2009):

"I’m dying to find a dark read for YA boys that’s THE CATCHER IN THE RYE meets STAND BY ME. Really strong narrative voice, creepy, dark, yet coming-of-age, and realistic. I recently heard about “hog harvesting” at a conference and thought it would be cool if that could be part of the plot…think dark, Southern…and throw in a little LORD OF THE FLIES type stuff. Wow, am I sick or what?" (Link)

From an Interview (03/2009):

"I am looking for good historical fiction with female protagonists, strong YA told in verse, and humorous middle grade. I am always praying to find a dark read for boys/young guys that’s Stand By Me meets a modern Catcher in the Rye … I’ve come close with a few, but so far, no perfect fit!" (Link)

From a Guest Post (01/2009):

"For girls, I would love to see a gothic romance for teens...if someone could pull it off. As for adult work I'd really like to find an urban fantasy with a strong, female lead. All of that being said, voice is what matters most, so if the voice and writing are spot on, it doesn't matter what it's about, I'll definitely be giving it a second look." (Link)

From AgentQuery:

"Chapter books to middle grade - covering any and all topics. If fantasy, it had better be very unique. Fantasy (women's, urban, steampunk, unique). Up-market fiction (dark, literary, horror, dark comedies, speculative fic). She loves a good school story, and always looking for humorous boy reads. YA: contemporary to sci-fi and everything in between...again, if full-out fantasy, it had better be different. Romance: historical, paranormal, multicultural. Other Adult: pop-culture, dark speculative fiction, narrative non-fiction having to do with environment, food, outdoors." (Link)

What She ISN'T Looking For:

"Right now she is NOT looking to acquire: picture books, cozies, cookbooks, academic nonfiction, epic fantasy for adults, hi-science fiction for adults, poetry, collections/short stories, screenplays, true crime, corporate/legal thrillers, adult contemporary romance." (Link)

Quotables:

"From children's to adult the most important part of a manuscript to me is the voice. The characters really need to come alive for me on the page whether it's a fast-paced adventure for kids, a beautiful, family-drama for women, or a dark, horror for teen boys. I often look for more character-driven stories rather than strictly plot-driven (although plot is important, obviously). So I guess my taste in children's, YA and adult is the same: strong voice, no matter what it's about." (Link)

About the Agency:

"Nancy Coffey Literary & Media Representation is a full service, boutique literary agency.

"Our guiding philosophy is to make the author's publishing experience as rewarding as possible within today's challenging publishing atmosphere. We are highly selective and keep our client list small so we can be involved in all aspects of bringing a book to its widest audience, from getting the manuscript submission-ready, to negotiating the most advantageous contracts, to advising the author on post-publication book promotion.

"Our clients range from first-time writers to well established authors in both adult and children's literature, New York Times and USA Today bestsellers as well as award-winning authors. Our focus is on building careers, and we look for a strong storytelling voice combined with the writing ability, whether commercial or literary, to bring that voice to life." (Link)

Her Advice to Writers:

"Remember that everything you write is important, even the stories that will never see the light of day. Each one you learn from and it gets you to the next. It's okay to put something in the trunk to work on something else. Every author I know has trunked stories." (Link)

"Don’t try to find out what the next “hot thing” is. Just write what comes to you. Trends or no trends, agents and editors are just looking for solid writing." (Link)

Editorial Agent?

Yes. "Once I sign someone, I ALWAYS do another pass of the book before sending it out. So far, I have yet to sign anyone that has had the perfect manuscript. I am working with a lot of debut authors, but even my more experienced clients appreciate (at least, I think they do!) a polished revision before going out. I want to send it out in the best shape it can be." (Link )

Pet-Peeves:

For clients and prospective clients:

"One of my biggest pet peeves is when a writer sends me a note saying "I read in ______ newsletter that so-and-so is looking for middle grades now. You might want to try them." Mostly likely, I know so-and-so, and if I thought they were right for your project, I would have already pitched them. And just because they're looking for middle grades (which is very, very vague) it doesn't mean that YOUR middle grade is right for them." (Link for more on this.)

Web Presence:

Nancy Coffey Literary website.

Coffey. Tea. And Literary blog.

Publisher's Marketplace Page.

Twitter.

Facebook.

AAR.

AgentQuery, AuthorAdvance, & QueryTracker.

Clients:

Eric Etkin, Realm Lovejoy, Kody Keplinger, Amber McRee Turner, Lee Nichols, Veronica Roth, Karen Schwabach, Allan Woodrow, Sarah Frances Hardy, Lynne Kelly, Monica Vavra, Amy Lukavics, Loretta Nyhan, Adam Watkins, Lori Nichols, Shelley Moore Thomas, Shelby Bach, among others.

Sales:

As of 09/2010, Ms. Volpe is listed on Publisher's Marketplace as having made 6 sales in the last 12 months, 1 six-figure+ deal, and 11 overall. Past children's book deals include 4 middle grade, 3 young adult, and 1 picture book. She also has recent deals listed on her public Publisher's Marketplace page.

NOTE: PM is usually not a complete representation of sales.

Query Methods:

E-mail: Yes.

Snail-Mail: Yes.

Online-Form: No.

Submission Guidelines (always verify):

E-mail: Send a query letter (no longer than one page). Do NOT include sample pages. Put the word "QUERY" in the subject line. Only query when the manuscript is complete. Include a paragraph about the story and all necessary contact information.

Snail-Mail: Send a query letter (no longer than one page). Do NOT include sample pages. Put "ATTN: QUERY" and the agent's name on the envelope. Only query when the manuscript is complete. Include a paragraph about the story and all necessary contact information. Include a SASE for reply.

They do NOT accept multiple submissions within the agency.

See the Nancy Coffey Literary website for complete, up-to-date submission guidelines (including more information for snail-mail queries and other odds and ins).

Query Tip:

"The query letter is very important, but I’m not the kind of agent that will reject because of a spelling error or two…I’m more concerned about the story. As of right now—and this is due to the volume of queries I receive—I am accepting queries only, no sample pages. So the query is what catches my interest or not. If a query really conveys the tone of the story or the voice of the protagonist, I tend to get more excited about it. If it’s kind of standard but the premise is really cool, I might request some sample pages. But if it’s too brief or too long or unfocused, I most likely will be passing." (Link)

Response Times:

Very fast! The agency has a stated response time of 2 weeks on queries. Ms. Stampfel-Volpe seems to respond within hours to a few days for most queries. Requested material seems to be handled within days to about a month. They are now keeping a Query Log on the blog with updates as well.

Do NOT contact Ms. Stampfel-Volpe or the agency for updates on a manuscript submission any time before 8 weeks. (Link)

What's the Buzz?

Joanna Stampfel-Volpe seems to be made of quick and awesome. After joining FinePrint Literary, she rose from unpaid intern to junior agent in just a matter of months. Since then she has quickly made a name for herself as a smart, savvy, and generous agent (while maintaining quick response times!). If you search the web you'll no doubt see countless contests and critiques she's done, many of which she offered to do unexpectedly. You'll also notice that she's taken the time to give a lot of writers helpful feedback and revisions suggestions. Joanna has sold projects for several of her clients, taken books to auction, and sold film rights. I think it's safe to say she knows her stuff and will continue to amaze.

Definitely follow her on Twitter and keep an eye on the Coffey. Tea. And Literary blog to stay in the know.

Worth Your Time

Interviews:

Interview with Joanna Volpe at Renae Mercado's blog (09/2010).

7 Questions For: Literary Agent Joanna Volpe at Middle Grade Ninja (07/2010).

Audio Interview with Joanna Stampfel-Volpe at AuthorMagazine (01/2010).

Interview with Joanna Stampfel-Volpe at Write About Now (11/2009).

Marvelous Marketer interview with Joanna Stampfel-Volpe over at Market My Words (07/2009).

Agent Advice interview with Joanna Stampfel-Volpe at Guide to Literary Agents (03/2009).

Interview with Joanna Stampfel-Volpe at WordHustler (05/2009).

Guest Posts:

The Dreaded Pitch -- What to Include in that One Line at the QueryTracker Blog (04/2009).

Guest post by Joanna Stampfel-Volpe at The Swivet (01/2009) - "Reader's Block or, Stop and Read a Book Once in a While."

Guest post by Joanna Stampfel-Volpe, "BNFFs," at Susan Adrian's blog (12/2009).

Guest post by Joanna Stampfel-Volpe at The Insanity of Writerhood (details how she got into the publishing biz/agenting) (08/2009).

Around the Web:

Professional Panel with Joanna Stampfel-Volpe, Mary Kole, Suzie Townsend, and Anica Rissi at WriteOnCon - Press "Replay" (08/2010).

Keep an eye on the Nancy Coffey website for news and happenings. There's also an Events page on the website for conferences and events.

Subscribe to the Coffey. Tea. And Literary blog for other news and keep an eye on the Query Log, if you're querying.

Successful Query story over on the Guide to Literary Agent's blog featuring Joanna and her client, Amber Turner (author of SWAY). See a query that worked and Joanna's thoughts on it!

NYC Publishing Tips: The Movie! at YA Highway. A cute video featuring Joanna at the end.

Agent Appreciation Day posts on Ms. Volpe here, here, here, and here.

Some pictures of Ms. Stampfel-Volpe from the NETWO Writers Roundup Spring Conference.

Her Blogger Profile, if you're curious which blogs she's following publicly.

Contact:

Please see the Nancy Coffey Literary website and Ms. Volpe's Publisher's Marketplace page 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