Query Questions with Jess Dallow

Writers have copious amounts of imagination. It's what makes their stories so fantastic. But there's a darker side to so much out of the box thinking. When a writer is in the query trenches, their worries go into overdrive. They start pulling out their hair and imagine every possible disaster.

 

Here to relieve some of that endless worrying is a new series of posts called Query Questions. I'll ask the questions which prey on every writer's mind, and hopefully take some of the pain out of querying. These are questions that I've seen tossed around on twitter and writing sites like Agent Query Connect. They are the type of questions that you need answers for the real expert--agents!

If you have your own specific query question, please leave it in the comments and it might show up in future editions of Query Questions as I plan to rotate the questions.

This is the first interview with someone who focuses on foreign and other subrights. Thanks to Jess Dallow from New Leaf for giving us her query opinions.

Is there a better or worse time of year to query?

Around Christmas is hard because publishing shuts down, but other than that, it doesn’t really matter. We are always going through queries and looking to find new material.

Does one typo or misplaced comma shoot down the entire query?

Nah, not for me. Of course it’s something to be aware of, but if the story sounds interesting and I want to know more about the characters, then that’s all that matters to me.

Do you look at sample pages without fail or only if the query is strong?

It’s a difficult question, because query writing is such a different – and often a much harder – skill for some writers. I need something in the query to grab me, even if it’s not the best written. A couple of months ago I got a query letter I didn’t quite understand, but I was also intrigued by it, so I read the pages and requested it. Of course I would prefer for it to be strong, but if something grabs me, I’ll read the pages and check to see if I’m drawn into the world.

Do you keep a maybe pile of queries and go back to them for a second look?

I’ve definitely gone back to a few for a second look, but generally, if it doesn’t grab me right away, I know instinctually it’s not for me.

If the manuscript has a prologue, do you want it included with the sample pages?

Yes. If there’s a prologue, I feel that the writer is including it in the novel because it’s important to the backstory. When I start that first chapter, I want a taste of that. I want to know who the character was before and where they are now.

Some writers have asked about including links to their blogs or manuscript-related artwork. I’m sure it’s not appropriate to add those links in a query, but are links in an email signature offensive?

No, I don’t mind if it’s in the signature. If I finish reading or need a break and see them, I’ll click it to check it out. I actually love artwork about manuscripts or little extra things that aren’t included in the manuscript, so sure, add it into the email signature!

  

What bio should an author with no publishing credits include?

Tell me a little about yourself. If you’re in school, tell me what you’re majoring in. If you’re working, what you do for a living? Tell me a ridiculous fact about yourself. I like having a sense of the writer, not just the story.

Should writers sweat the title of their book (and character names) or is that something that is often changed by publishers?

I think the title should still be intriguing and catchy, but there’s always a chance it’s going to change (once, twice, a few times before publication!) The first priority should always be to make sure your characters are relatable and intriguing, your pace is moving at a good speed, and your story is strong. I wouldn’t reject something because I disliked the title or a character name didn’t work.

What’s the strangest/funniest thing you’ve seen in a query?

I love mysteries and serial killer characters, so my boss passed a query to me where the writer wrote the query as his character…but there were also some facts thrown in there about himself, so we weren’t entirely sure if this was a non-fiction story of a serial killer, or fiction where the person was getting creative. It was one of the ridiculous moments where we wondered if we were supposed to contact the police or just chalk it up to a weird query. It made me realize that no one should ever write their query in character!

What themes are you sick of seeing?

I’m not a huge fan of the weak woman needing a man to come to her rescue. I am all about a great romance, but I’d love to see them balance each other out. I’d love to see a woman save herself.

What does ‘just not right mean for me’ mean to you?

It usually means that I didn’t connect to the character in the way I was hoping. When I look for material, I want to get so lost in the story that I forget it’s not real. I want to come out of a novel feeling like these people are real to me and I want to miss them when I’m not with them. If I don’t connect on that level, then I know it’s not the right story for me personally.  

Do you consider yourself a hands-on, editorial type of agent?

Yes, definitely. I love being able to delve into a story and give notes on it. It’s one of my favorite parts of the job.  I have such a good time seeing that bigger picture.

What three things are at the top of your submission wish list?

  1. Female-centric friendship stories! Either taking place over the course of the entire relationship or something that can show how inspiring women can be to each other. I am all about ladies supporting ladies and I would really love to see that message more in novels. It’s always interesting to me how friendships can change over the course of years, but how certain people are still there for you no matter what. The movie Beaches is my favorite example of this. Something along those lines is wonderful, but with a new and interesting side to it.

2. A great serial killer novel. If it delves into the psychology of the character, that’s even better. There’s something fascinating about how some seemingly normal people can be hiding these psychopathic tendencies.

  3. The trials and tribulations of a family, something along the lines of This is Where I Leave You. There are so many intricacies in families, so many things that are hidden from the outside world, and I love seeing how an author can mold that. Even if I haven’t been through the situation, I want to feel like I can relate to it.

What are some of your favorite movies or books to give us an idea of your tastes? 

·       The Scream trilogy

·       The Graduate

·       The Proposal

·       Legally Blonde

·       Enchanted

·       Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

·       If I Stay by Gayle Forman

·       The Reece Malcolm List by Amy Spalding

·       The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule

·       Heartsick by Chelsea Cain

    The Lover’s Dictionary by David Levithan

------------------------------------

Before moving back to her home state of New York, Jess Dallow spent eight years working at a talent agency in Hollywood. Deciding books and cold New York winters were more her speed, she became an intern at New Leaf before being hired as a subrights assistant. In her spare time, Jess can be found at either Sprinkles or Chipotle, stuffing her face with cupcakes or guacamole (thankfully, not together).

Giveaway for NOVA

I'm calling in a favor!

Check out this huge giveaway on Goodreads of twenty-five copies of Margaret Fortune's NOVA from Penguin DAW. The cover art is being revealed tomorrow.



The clock activates so suddenly in my mind, my head involuntarily jerks a bit to the side. The fog vanishes, dissipated in an instant as though it never was. Memories come slotting into place, their edges sharp enough to leave furrows, and suddenly I know. I know exactly who I am.

My name is Lia Johansen, and I was named for a prisoner of war. She lived in the Tiersten Internment Colony for two years, and when they negotiated the return of the prisoners, I was given her memories and sent back in her place.

And I am a genetically engineered human bomb.

Lia Johansen was created for only one purpose: to slip onto the strategically placed New Sol Space Station and explode. But her mission goes to hell when her clock malfunctions, freezing her countdown with just two minutes to go. With no Plan B, no memories of her past, and no identity besides a name stolen from a dead POW, Lia has no idea what to do next. Her life gets even more complicated when she meets Michael Sorenson, the real Lia’s childhood best friend.

Drawn to Michael and his family against her better judgment, Lia starts learning what it means to live and love, and to be human. It is only when her countdown clock begins sporadically losing time that she realizes even duds can still blow up. If she wants any chance at a future, she must find a way to unlock the secrets of her past and stop her clock. But as Lia digs into her origins, she begins to suspect there’s far more to her mission and to this war, than meets the eye. With the fate of not just a space station but an entire empire hanging in the balance, Lia races to find the truth before her time—literally—runs out.

PB Party Editors

So not only do we have seven great agents to check out the entries on March 24th, but we have a special surprise. There will be some editors reading the entries too!

We have one ninja editor who wishes to remain anonymous for now. Watch for Ninja Editor Dragonfly. And another editor Sharon and I can announce!

Katherine Hall of Arbordale Publishing

Katie Hall has shown a knack for the publishing industry since she read an advance review copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone at age 7 and predicted its future popularity. Her journey into the editorial world has taken her through internships in children’s book publishing and two years of academic publishing with the Journal of the American Academy of Religion before she finally found her home as a children’s book editor at Arbordale Publishing. Katie loves working in children’s book publishing, where she helps create books that inspire new generations of book-lovers and ignite their passion for learning.

At Arbordale, Katie focuses on integrating fun-to-read stories with non-fiction science or math elements. She balances fun children’s stories with serious research and educational resources. Katie is currently seeking fiction stories that introduce an elementary-level science or math concept. If you would like to submit a manuscript to Katie, please check Arbordale’s submission guidelines.

You can find the rules and format for entries here. And the list of agents are here. See you on Monday, March 16 for the submission window!

Querying Advice: Exclusives

My contests have put me in a sort of spotlight, being a high profile writer on twitter. I've done my share of querying and have heard just about everything. I've learned even more for watching and listening, and I tend to get asked for advice when writers just don't know. I thought I'd do a series of posts on topics that writers have asked me about. One of those topics is agent exclusives.

While I don't feel there are right or wrong ways to approach this subject, I do feel a little advice might help people make an informed decision. What follows is my opinion only. The answer to this decision will certainly vary depending on who you ask, but here are my thoughts. The best thing you can do is research the topic and go with your gut.

An exclusive is when an agent asks to be the only person to have your material. In other words, they would like first shot at it and want to have it all for themselves. While an exclusive may be a very exciting offer, there are a few downsides you should consider.

Existing Requests- First of all, you might already have a number of fulls and partials outstanding as well as unanswered query letters. If this isn't your first round of querying, chances are an agent already has your work. Does an exclusive mean you have to withdraw those?

I would consider withdrawing partials and fulls already sent to be rude. It's like a take back. Opps, I got a better offer, can you trash that sample I sent you? In the small world of publishing, it's burning your bridges. You're just not going to do that if you want to work in this business. Not without an actual offer on the table.

So no, you should not withdraw outstanding requests. And you'll have to tell the exclusive agent that. Likely they won't expect you to act in any other way and consider the exclusive to be on future requests.

New Requests-  Just about every writer queries in batches. Say you sent a batch of ten query letters and one of the agents has come back with the request for an exclusive. The next day a fresh agent may request pages, or a query from three weeks ago comes back with a request, then what do you do?

Without naming names, you'll have to tell the new agent you have an exclusive with another agent and you can't send at the moment. Would it be all right if you sent when x time period is up? Then you hope they are still interested and don't pass right away. In other words, they may say no thanks.

It will look something like this:

Dear Agent B:

I'm so happy to recieve your request for pages of TITLE. Unfortunately I just granted another agent an exclusive until the end of April. May I send TITLE to you when my exlusive expires?

Thank you so much,

Name

Or maybe there is a big contest coming up that you really wanted to enter. If you grant an exclusive, you have to kiss contests goodbye until that exclusive is over. You'll be cheering from the sidelines.

The person losing out is the writer.

Timing- The length of time requested for an exclusive by an agent can vary from two weeks to a month. You might even be asked only for a week if you are lucky. I'm guessing the usual time period will be a month. 

Be very careful if no time period is mentioned. You do not want to give an open-ended exclusive with no close date in sight. You do not want to be waiting and wondering three months from now and unable to send out fresh queries.

It's generally considered that two weeks is long enough and a month is being too generous. Some people even opt for just a week. I'd say the standard is two weeks.

Again, the person losing out is the writer because your hands are tied for however long you agree.

Power- An exclusive gives the agent all the cards. Normally when a writer receives an offer, they go to every agent with their query letter or pages and let them know. This is a way for a writer to get multiple offers, and hopefully, gives the writer a choice of agents to sign with. That gives you as a writer a stronger position.  

If you grant an exclusive, you've pretty much cut out the chances of receiving offers from more than one agent. Especially if the time period on the exclusive is longer. No one else will have your query letter, and there will be less likelihood of having other outstanding material. Basically your choices are down to one. You've made the exclusive agent the only game in town.

Again, the person losing out is the writer. In most cases, an exclusive benefits the agents unless you are certain of an offer to follow.

The good thing is most exclusives are rare nowadays. I queried four different manuscripts and got asked for an exclusive only once. It's very likely the agent will ask for an exclusive simply because it is their company policy. That was the case in my instance. That agent always asked for an exclusive. It was their procedure.

So what can you do?

First, consider the agent. While you don't want to go about using the term "dream agent," (If you don't know about this, it's basically because word tends to spread in publishing. People get to know each other. If you mention on twitter that you love Agent A, Agent B may not be too thrilled and may consider you already spoken for.) you do want to consider the source. Is this a powerful agency with a lot of top sales? Is this agent someone you believe you'd mesh well with? Does this agent have high profile sales? 

You may have followed this agent on twitter and really like their style. Or you may be excited by how much they want to have your book all to themselves.

If that is true, your gut is going to lean toward allowing the exclusive. You might want to craft an answer something like this:

Dear Agent A:

Thank you so much for requesting to read TITLE. I'm excited to work with you. I do already have x partials and x fulls outstanding just to let you know. I don't feel comfortable granting an exclusive for a month, but would be happy to send no future query letters or requested material for two weeks. I hope this works for you.

I've attached TITLE as a Word document. Thank you again. I look forward to hearing from you.

Name

Most agents are used to negotiating on contracts. It's what they do. Odds are they are going to be fine with two weeks or only a week for an exclusive. If they are serious about the exclusive, then it will be at the top of their reading list already anyway. This limits the time your hands are tied, but still gives them what they want. 

If, however, you just don't believe an exclusive is in your best interest, then you should speak up. Say your query letter is red hot and you are getting tons of requests. Maybe you've been in a contest and got many requests. Or maybe there's a contest coming up you want to enter. It's not something you have to accept, though most writers are usually willing to grant some time period. 

Then your answer would look something like this:

Dear Agent A:

Thank you so much for requesting to read TITLE. I'm excited to work with you. I don't feel comfortable granting an exclusive at this time as I don't think it is in my best interests (Or as I plan to enter X contest), but I would be happy to send the material. I hope this works for you.

I've attached TITLE as a Word document. Thank you again. I look forward to hearing from you.

Name


In my case, I granted a two week exclusive instead of the month requested. The agent did not get back to me within the two weeks and I nudged gently. They responded quickly to my nudge saying they were still reading and I could query again. After about a month, the agent passed for subjective reasons. But we parted as friends, and the agent was most gracious and understanding. She completely understood my desire to hold it to two weeks. When the exclusive period was up, I nudged with something like this:

Dear Agent A:

I wondered if you had time to finish reading TITLE? Our two week exclusive is ending and I look forward to your thoughts.

Thanks,

Name


So there is my advice on exclusives. Agents are wonderful and I love them, you'll want to do whatever they suggest, but consider your position also. Be polite, but do what is best for you. Make sure you have an end date and two weeks is a good standard. 

Feel free to share your own opinion in the comments and tell us if it has ever happened to you. How did you react and how did your exclusive turn out? I'm curious if anyone's exclusive led to an offer.

Also if you have other questions for future posts, please shout out to me on twitter or in the comments.
      

Fan Conventions for Authors

 Not everyone is lucky enough to attend fan conventions. Susan Sipal is here to tell us a little about what it is like and how an author can benefit. Sounds like fun!

There comes a time in many newly-published authors' careers when they have to choose – am I going to attend the same writers' conference that I've been going to for years? Or, am I going to break out and sign up for that crazy fan convention I've been hearing so much about?

For authors, making this break and attending a fan conference for the first time can be like stepping into one of the alternate dimensions we create. Whereas a writers' conference will be filled with other writers like yourself, intent on making connections and learning how to craft a book, fan gatherings are filled (quite often) with young readers who are all about living those books…making the fantasy come alive (if only for one weekend).

As an analyst of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, I've attended numerous fan gatherings over the last decade, both in the US and London. My first experience was with a Harry Potter fan symposium held in Salem during the month of October in 2005. To be in Salem in October was enough of a culture shock for this Southern girl, but adding a Harry Potter fan conference on top…incredible. 

Since then, I've been to many more. Some more academic and some totally for fans. A couple have been based around major release parties (I was lucky enough to present at one in London for the release of Deathly Hallows!), and one around the opening of the Harry Potter theme park in Orlando. While each had its own flavor, they still had a lot in common.

I'd like to share some of what I've learned about how to attend and enjoy these special events. Note, although my experience comes from (mostly) Harry Potter gatherings, there are all sorts of fan gatherings, some that incorporate many fandoms.

Shift Your POV- As I said above, a fan convention is a unique experience. You need to brace yourself for a totally different atmosphere. Don't think professional. Think fun. Loads of it. The more you're able to get into the spirit of the festivities, the more benefit you'll get from the conference. I'm not saying be unprofessional, just don't be uptight. If they have a midnight ball…go and dance. If they're teaching defensive wand techniques…pick out a wand and give it a wave.

Dress the Part- Forget the pantsuit. Many fan conferences are all about the cosplay. If you really want to get to know the fans and participate, you're going to need to dress the part. Of course, you shouldn't be forced into something that's totally not you, but perhaps a Gryffindor scarf could liven up your otherwise boring pantsuit. Better yet, pick out an unusual character, plan a smashing outfit, and participate in the costume contest.

Bling Your Swag- For a fan convention, ditch the paper (probably a good rule for a writer conference as well). Marketing material that's just a piece of paper is probably going to end up in the recycling bin. Instead, check out simple personal items that you can brand with your book title and website. Perhaps a colorful wristband or a sticker for cell phones or buttons jackets and backpacks. Whatever will appeal to your target reader group. Usually, the more colorful or with something eye-catching, the better.

Know the Fandom and Contribute- Fans will be able to sense if you're just there to promote a new release or if you really get the fandom. Try your best to target fan gatherings where you can…you know…be a fan. Then, find a way to contribute to the conference experience. Many fan conventions also include a writer's track. It makes sense – book lovers are often book writers. You'll have to apply early, but offer to present a workshop. Or, you can organize a panel, volunteer for programming, or provide critiques for young writers. The more you participate the more fans you'll get to know and the more they'll get to know you.

Booksigning or Vendor Table?- Some conventions open with a major book signing that you'll want to sign up for months in advance. If this is not an option, almost all will have a market area where you can rent a vendor booth. If the conference is large enough, and within your target audience, this can be quite profitable.

Above all, Have Fun! - Fan conferences are fun conferences. But only if you participate.

Bottom line -- if you want to let loose and have fun with people who may actually read your book, a fan conference is the way to go. If you're more interested in making connections with other writers and pitching to agents and editors, then writers' conferences are great. But if you're at the stage where you're ready to get your book into the hands of readers and connect with fans…make the break! And send me a picture of your cosplay!

-----------------------------------

S.P. Sipal (Susan) is an author, editor, and Harry Potter analyst. Author of A Writer's Guide to Harry Potter, she's presented dozens of workshops at fan conferences in the US, UK, and online. Her upcoming release, Southern Fried Wiccan, a YA contemporary, will be released from BookFish Books on March 24.

Susan tweets at @HP4Writers, blogs at SPSipal.com, and is Craft Editor at AdventuresinYAPublishing.com. She will be teaching Harry Potter for Writers starting March 16 at SavvyAuthors.

Book Blurb:

Cilla Swaney is thrilled to return stateside, where she can hang up her military-brat boots for good. Finally, she’ll be free to explore her own interests—magick and Wicca. But when she arrives at her grandma’s farm, Cilla discovers that life in the South isn’t quite what she expected. At least while country hopping, she never had to drink G-ma’s crazy fermented concoctions, attend church youth group, make co-op deliveries...or share her locker with a snake-loving, fire-lighting, grimoire-stealing Goth girl…

…Who later invites her to a coven that Cilla’s not sure she has the guts to attend. But then Emilio, the dark-haired hottie from her charter school, shows up and awakens her inner goddess. Finally, Cilla starts believing in her ability to conjure magick. Until…

…All Hades breaks loose. A prank goes wrong during their high school production of Macbeth, and although it seems Emilio is to blame, Cilla and Goth pay the price. Will Cilla be able to keep the boy, her coven, and the trust of her family? Or will this Southern Wiccan get battered and fried?

SOUTHERN FRIED WICCAN is available for pre-order on Amazon. You can also find a preview on Goodreads.

PB Party Agents

Whee! This is the cutest, most hugable mini-contest ever! A big thanks to these agents for agreeing to look at our fabulous entries on March 24. Please thank them with a follow on twitter. 

Maria Vicente of PS Literary

Maria Vicente is a creative and editorial agent, providing support to her clients through all stages of the writing and publication process. Her publishing career began as an intern with Bree Ogden at D4EO Literary Agency, and she also interned at P.S. Literary before joining the agency as an associate agent. Her reading preferences vary across categories and genres, which is reflected in her client list. Maria holds a B.A. in English Literature from Carleton University and a B.Ed. from the University of Western Ontario. She has affinities for literary prose, strong character development, original storytelling formats, and anything geeky. If you would like to send a query to Maria, please click or tap here to review our Submission Guidelines.

Maria is actively acquiring both fiction and nonfiction projects. In fiction, she is looking for Literary and Commercial Fiction (including fiction with a touch of genre), LGBTQ, Young Adult (any genre), Middle Grade (any genre), and illustrated Picture Books. For nonfiction, she is looking for projects in the Pop Culture, Geek Culture, Pop Psychology, Design, and Lifestyle categories. You can view her detailed manuscript wish list here.

Twitter|Website

Heather Alexander of Pippin Properties

Heather Alexander comes from a family where the constant ​​refrain was, “Don’t forget to bring a book!” In college, she hid THE PRINCESS DIARIES between Dickens and Hawthorne. One Children’s Lit class later, and her path in publishing became obvious. Heather landed in editorial at Penguin, where she happily stayed for six years, working with ​both​ debut and veteran authors and illustrators. As an agent, she is ​excited to develop new talent and help shape careers, which is what she loves to do best.

Twitter|Website

Clelia Gore of Martin Literary Management

It was when Clelia first read Charlotte’s Web in the first grade that she got hooked by the magic of books. Her love of children’s books carried through adulthood and she is delighted to dedicate her life to bringing quality books and stories to young (and whimsical adult!) readers. 

Clelia is originally from the suburbs of New York City. She has a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Boston College. She received her J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law and practiced law as a corporate litigator in New York City. 

In 2011, she decided to dedicate her career to books and reentered graduate school at Emerson College, where she received a master’s degree in Publishing and Writing. While she was studying publishing and taking creative writing courses at Emerson, Clelia gained firsthand experience in the publishing industry working in the children’s book division at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and in academic books at Oxford University Press.  She also taught academic writing and research courses to freshman students as a graduate student faculty member at Emerson College. 

Clelia acquires picture book, middle grade and young adult books. She is particularly interested in developing her middle grade and young adult nonfiction clientele. With apologies, Clelia is no longer accepting new adult fiction queries at this time. 

Twitter|Website

Christa Heschke of McIntosh and Otis

CHRISTA HESCHKE graduated from Binghamton University with a major in English and a minor in Anthropology. She started in publishing as an intern at both Writers House and Sterling Lord Literistic, where she fell in love with the agency side of publishing. Christa has been at McIntosh and Otis, Inc. in the Children's Literature Department since 2009 where she is actively looking for picture books, middle grade, and young adult projects. She is a fan of young adult novels with a romantic angle, and strong, quirky protagonists. Within YA, Christa is especially interested in contemporary fiction, horror and thrillers/mysteries. As for middle grade, Christa enjoys contemporary, humor, adventure, mystery and magical realism for boys and girls. For picture books, she’s drawn to cute, funny, character driven stories within fiction and is open to non-fiction with a unique hook.

Christa is not looking for any Adult fiction or non-fiction, paranormal or dystopian at this time.

Twitter|Website

Jessica Sinsheimer of Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency

Jessica Sinsheimer has been reading and campaigning for her favorite queries since 2004. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she went east for Sarah Lawrence College and stayed for the opportunity to read soon-to-be books for a living.

“Now an Agent at the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency, she’s developed a reputation for fighting office members to see incoming manuscripts first—and for drinking far too much tea. Her most recent sale is RIPPER, a paranormal/historical YA novel, about a Victorian girl who takes down Jack the Ripper–and its sequel.

“Always on the lookout for new writers, she is most excited about finding literary, women’s, and Young Adult fiction, and—on the nonfiction side—psychology, parenting, self-help, cookbooks, memoirs, and works that speak to life in the twenty-first century.

Twitter|Website

Essie White of Storm Literary

Essie White used to be a teacher, and before she was a teacher, she was a graduate student studying Emergent Literacy in Early Childhood Education. It may have been then, or it may have been long before, but at some point, Essie White fell in love with Children's Literature, and it has been the focus of her life ever since.

After earning her MA in Curriculum and Instruction in Early Childhood Education, Essie spent several years creating and developing literature based curricula for elementary level programs. She provided classes for parents and educators, specifically addressing emergent literacy in children ages birth to age 8, prior to opening Young Child Academy, an early childhood program. During her tenure as Director at Young Child Academy, Essie wrote several books both with other educators, as well as with the children. For often, she discovered, the best books come from the children themselves! 

Essie considers Storm Literary Agency an extension of what she loves most: Children and Literature. And she cannot imagine one without the other. She desires to work with clients who have not quite forgotten what it was like to be children, who loved books as children, and love them just as much today.

Twitter|Website

Ella Kennen of Corvisiero Literary

Ella Kennen is a nomad courtesy of the US Air Force. She's lived here, there, and everywhere and done this, that and the other. She's always on the lookout for new things - in the real world or on the page.

Ella's favorite books leave her a bit shaken at the end - not necessarily because they're emotionally wrought (though they can be), but because they are such thorough world-builders, with such real characters, that it's hard to transition back to the real world when they're over. 

An experienced editor who came to Corvisiero from a publishing house, Ella loves working one-on-one with writers to help mold their manuscripts into the best possible stories. When she's not busy interning, she manages the blog at Rate Your Story, a service that helps writers make sure they'll stand out of the slush pile before they submit. She also teaches drama and creative writing to school-aged kids.

To balance out her right-brain propensities, Ella also has a Masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, which means she enjoys thinking about how to make systems run smoothly and efficiently. 

Ella is looking for:-- graphic novels (any age/genre)
-- children's nonfiction (any age/genre)
-- picture book submissions from author/illustrators
-- middle grade and young adult (any genre)
-- new adult (no romance, but romantic subplots welcome)
-- adult nonfiction on parenting or education
Twitter|Website

Rena Rossner of The Deborah Harris Agency

 Rena Rossner works at The Deborah Harris Agency in Jerusalem, Israel. She’s a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University Writing Seminars Program, where she majored in poetry and nonfiction writing. She also studied at Trinity College, Dublin and holds an MA in History from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. She has worked as a bookseller in four countries, and is a writer of fiction, nonfiction and poetry. You can usually find her cooking, doing ceramics or reading, but she has been know to do Yoga and take walks with her pug, Pablo. 

She is seeking: “I am most interested in representing Fantasy and Science Fiction in all its permutations – Adult, Middle Grade, Young Adult etc. I also look for Middle Grade and Young Adult contemporary stories and I’d be open to MG/YA mysteries and thrillers as well. I represent quite a few picture books and I’m always looking for those. In terms of adult books, I look for Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, multicultural books, and I’d also consider adult mysteries, thrillers and psychological suspense, but not cozy mysteries. I specifically look for literary work (in any genre,) and books with elements of magical realism and the fantastic. You will steal my heart for sure if it’s set in the Middle East, in Israel or if it has Jewish or Israeli themes and characters, but I’m open to all themes, settings and characters. You’ve got to have a really good reason to send me nonfiction, or cookbooks, but if you have a reason that seems to fit with who I am and what I’m looking for, I’ll take a look.” (Bio taken from a Writers Digest article.)

Website|Twitter