Middle Grade Ninja Episode 31: Literary Agent Jennifer Mattson

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Literary Agent Jennifer Mattson and I discus her career in publishing from her time as an editor with Dutton to her time as a professional book reviewer up to her last decade spent as an agent with Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and a lot of other book-related jobs as well. We talk about specific habits of successful writers, how many books authors should be reading, and developing an author's voice. We also chat about hooking an agent's attention with a query and a writing sample, advice on how to find a literary agent, and so much more.

In the picture book arena, Jennifer is interested in authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators who bring a distinctive, well-developed point of view to their work. In longer fiction, her interests are wide-ranging, but she always has a soft spot for middle grade about resilient kids sorting out the messiness of life. In middle grade and YA both, her heart beats faster for richly imagined, mind-bending fantasies that depart from typical quests (portals entered by protagonists who fulfill prophecies don't tend to be for her). The most dogeared books in her childhood library tended to be fantasy adventures, survival stories, and sprawling, atmospheric tales with Dickensian twists and satisfying puzzles. She gravitates to all of the above, but contemporary realistic fiction can work for her too, especially if it's voice-driven and carefully structured. In all categories, she is especially delighted to see queries in her inbox from kid-lit creators underrepresented in mainstream publishing.

Fiction that Jennifer represents includes Katy Loutzenhiser’s contemporary-realistic YA debut, IF YOU’RE OUT THERE (Balzer and Bray/HarperCollins) and Kate Hannigan’s historical middle grade novel, THE DETECTIVE'S ASSISTANT (Little, Brown/Hachette), which won the 2016 Golden Kite Award for Middle Grade Fiction, received two starred reviews, was a Booklist Editor's Choice, and appeared on the 2016 Amelia Bloomer List. Picture books she represents include noted poet Linda Ashman's lyrical ode to the rhythms of the natural world, ALL WE KNOW (HarperCollins), and her nearly wordless celebration of optimism, RAIN! (Houghton/HMH); and Kim Norman's three Arctic Companion books that cleverly spin off favorite preschool songs, TEN ON THE SLED, IF IT’S SNOWY AND YOU KNOW IT, and SHE’LL BE COMIN’ UP THE MOUNTAIN (all Sterling). Artists she represents include Geisel Honor winning author-illustrator Paul Meisel, who has illustrated or written a total of more than 70 books for young readers; J.R. Krause, author-illustrator of DRAGON NIGHT (Putnam), an Indie Next selection; Rob Polivka, illustrator of GOD BLESS AMERICA (Hyperion) and co-author and illustrator of A DREAM OF FLIGHT: ALBERTO SANTOS-DUMONT’S RACE AROUND THE EIFFEL TOWER (FSG/Macmillan); and former Google doodler Katy Wu, illustrator of several picture book biographies, including Laurie Wallmark's GRACE HOPPER: QUEEN OF COMPUTER CODE and HEDY LAMARR’S DOUBLE LIFE (both Sterling).

Prior to joining ABLA, Jennifer spent time as an editor at Dutton Children's Books and as a Books for Youth staff reviewer at Booklist magazine. Jennifer is based in Chicago and enjoys speaking at SCBWI and other writers' conferences in Chicagoland and farther afield. She is also in the midst of a personal mission to read through the oeuvre of Anthony Trollope. Follow her on Twitter (@jannmatt).

AndreaBrownLit.com

Middle Grade Ninja Episode 12: Literary Agent Jennifer March Soloway

To watch new episodes as they air, go to YouTube and subscribe.

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Literary Agent Jennifer March Soloway and I discuss the types of projects she's looking for, how she evaluates queries and writing samples, and the sorts of services she provides to her clients. She demonstrates her vast knowledge of the market and why she would be an ideal literary agent to represent authors, and throws out plenty of fabulous tips for writers. This is an episode you'll want to listen to a few times and take notes.

Click here to see Jennifer March Soloway face the 7 Questions.

Jennifer March Soloway represents authors and illustrators of picture book, middle grade, and YA stories, and is actively building her list. Although she specializes in children’s literature, she also represents adult fiction, both literary and commercial, particularly crime and psychological suspense projects.
​
For picture books, she is drawn to a wide range of stories from silly to sweet, but she always appreciates a strong dose of humor and some kind of surprise at the end. When it comes to middle grade, she likes all kinds of genres, including adventures, mysteries, spooky-but-not-too-scary ghost stories, humor, realistic contemporary, and fantasy.

YA is Jennifer’s sweet spot. She is a suspense junkie. She adores action-packed thrillers full of unexpected twists. Throw in a dash of romance and she’s hooked! She's a huge fan of psychological horror that blurs the lines between the real and the imagined. But as much as she loves a good thriller, she finds her favorite novels are literary stories about ordinary teens, especially those focused on family, relationships, sexuality, mental illness, or recovery. In such stories, she is particularly drawn to a close, confiding first-person narrative. Regardless of genre, she is actively seeking fresh new voices and perspectives underrepresented in literature.

That’s her wish list, but the truth is an author might have something she has never considered before, and it might be absolutely perfect for her. She is open to any good story that is well written with a strong, authentic voice. Surprise her!

Prior to joining ABLA, Jennifer worked in marketing and public relations in a variety of industries, including financial services, health care, and toys. She has an MFA in English and Creative Writing from Mills College and was a fellow at the San Francisco Writer’s Grotto in 2012. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, their two sons, and an English bulldog.

Jennifer regularly presents at writing conferences all over the country, including the San Francisco Writers Conference, the Atlanta Writers Conference, and regional SCBWI conferences.

For her latest conference schedule, craft tips and more, follow Jennifer on Twitter (@marchsoloway).

andreabrownlit.com

7 Questions For: Literary Agent Jennifer March Soloway

Jennifer March Soloway represents authors and illustrators of picture book, middle grade, and YA stories, and is actively building her list. Although she specializes in children’s literature, she also represents adult fiction, both literary and commercial, particularly crime, suspense and horror projects.
​
For picture books, she is drawn to a wide range of stories from silly to sweet, but she always appreciates a strong dose of humor and some kind of surprise at the end. When it comes to middle grade, she likes all kinds of genres, including adventures, mysteries, spooky-but-not-too-scary ghost stories, humor, realistic contemporary and fantasy.

YA is Jennifer’s sweet spot. She is a suspense junkie. She adores action-packed thrillers full of unexpected twists. Throw in a dash of romance, and she’s hooked! She’s a sucker for conspiracy plots where anyone might be a double agent, even the kid next door. She is a huge fan of psychological horror that blurs the lines between the real and the imagined. But as much as she loves a good thriller, she finds her favorite novels are literary stories about ordinary teens, especially those focused on family, relationships, sexuality, mental illness, or addiction. In such stories, she is particularly drawn to a close, confiding first-person narrative. Regardless of genre, she is actively seeking fresh new voices and perspectives underrepresented in literature.

That’s her wish list, but the truth is an author might have something she has never considered before, and it might be absolutely perfect for her. She is open to any good story that is well written with a strong, authentic voice. Surprise her!

Prior to joining ABLA, Jennifer worked in marketing and public relations in a variety of industries, including financial services, health care, and toys. She has an MFA in English and Creative Writing from Mills College, and was a fellow at the San Francisco Writer’s Grotto in 2012. She lives in San Francisco with her husband, their two sons, and an English bulldog.

Jennifer regularly presents at writing conferences all over the country, including the San Francisco Writers Conference, the Northern Colorado Writers Conference, and regional SCBWI conferences.

For her latest conference schedule, craft tips and more, follow Jennifer on Twitter at @marchsoloway.


And now Jennifer March Soloway faces the 7 Questions:


Question Seven: What are your top three favorite books?

This question is always so very hard for me. I have wide-ranging taste, and there are so many good books, it's difficult to choose. So I'm just going to list three of my favorites I've read in the past year, starting with my most recent fave:

You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins

Genuine Fraud by e. lockhart

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

(I love YA.)

And my favorite picture book is Grace For President by Kelly DiPucchio, with illustrations by LeYuen Pham. (I choke up every time I turn to the last page.)

                               
Question Six: What are your top three favorite movies and television shows?

Again, so hard to choose! Here's my current favorites from the last few years (I have eclectic taste):

TV: Mr. Robot; People of Earth; and Insecure

Movies: The Big Sick; Embrace of the Serpent; and It Follows


Question Five: What are the qualities of your ideal client?

First, I want to fall in love with someone's writing and/or illustrations, and then I speak to that writer/illustrator to see if we click editorially. I also look for open and easy communication. If my suggestions resonate and inspire a prospective client and we are able to talk freely, then chances are the two of us are a good fit.


Question Four: What sort of project(s) would you most like to receive a query for?

I am open to any good story that is well written with strong, authentic voices of all kinds, but I'd love to find the following:

I am actively seeking MG, and I'm open to anything. I like boy and girl protagonists, adventure, spooky-but-not-too-scary ghost stories, puzzles, mysteries, funny contemporary stories, fantasy, etc.

Young adult is my sweet spot. I am always looking for a good psychological horror that blurs the lines between the real with the imagined. I love the question: Is it real or is it all in my head? Action-packed thrillers and mysteries, full of unexpected twists. I am also drawn to literary stories about ordinary people, especially those focused on family, relationships, sexuality, mental illness, or addiction.

For picture books, laugh-out-loud stories are my favorite. I like sweet picture books too, but I always appreciate a dose of humor.

That’s my wish list, but the truth is an author might have something I have never considered before, and it might be absolutely perfect for me. Please query me!


Question Three: What is your favorite thing about being an agent? What is your least favorite thing?

My favorite thing about agenting is the editorial process and helping writers elevate their work, but I also like many other aspects like writing pitches, working with editors, negotiating terms, thinking strategically about a client's career, and so on.

My least favorite thing is writing rejections.


Question Two: What one bit of wisdom would you impart to an aspiring writer? (feel free to include as many other bits of wisdom as you like)

A bit of wisdom:

Writing stories is all about asking questions and solving problems—for better or worse—and there are so many directions a story can go. If something isn’t working, think about the other possible outcomes. You will discover exciting new possibilities through revision that you would have never found otherwise.


Question One: If you could have lunch with any writer, living or dead, who would it be? Why?

Also, a really hard question. Maybe Sherman Alexie. I just had the good fortune to see him on his recent book tour for his memoir, You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, and he was engaging and funny and heartbreakingly honest. I could have listened to him for hours. Plus, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is one of my favorite books.

andreabrownlit.com

7 Questions For: Literary Agent Marcy Posner

Marcy Posner is a literary agent with Folio Literary. She is seeking: “I straddle the line between adult and children’s books (middle grade and young adult only). In the adult world, I’m looking for: commercial women’s fiction, historical fiction, mystery, biography, history, health, and lifestyle – and, especially, thoughtfully written commercial novels, thrillers with international settings, and narrative nonfiction. In the children’s world, I’m looking for smart, contemporary YA and middle-grade novels. A great new juvenile mystery series for boys would be fun.” She does not represent genre books of any kind (no romance, mystery, sci-fi or fantasy), nor does she seek memoirs.

In her own words: “I have spent a lifetime in books. I started out with a brief stint as a librarian, but found it a bit too staid, so moved on to publishing. My first job was at Pinnacle Books where as assistant to the President I was given a book to edit the third week of my employment. I then moved on to Rodale Press and then Salem House where I helped bring British books to the US, finally moving up the publishing ladder to Pantheon’s Associate Publisher, where I worked with some of the major cultural icons of our time, including Noam Chomsky, Studs Terkel, Matt Groening and Art Spiegelman. After fifteen years on the editorial side of the business, I made the jump to agenting – spending twelve years as at the William Morris Agency as an agent and as Vice President and Director of Foreign Rights; five years as president of my own agency; five years at Sterling Lord Literistic as an agent and Director of Foreign Rights; and I’m now here – and very happy – at Folio.

“Editorial skill and a deep knowledge of the publishing industry sets me apart from many of my colleagues. When I work with my authors, I’ll focus editorially on how to make the book as strong as it could be – whether that book be terrific women’s fiction or an extraordinary YA debut (or any of the other categories I represent). During that process, I’m able to bring to bear all the institutional memory I possess, knowing which editors and which publishing houses have a penchant for a certain subject, or a different voice, or a particular kind of author. My clients include Newbery Honor winner and New York Times bestseller Jacqueline Kelly, other New York Times bestsellers, Sheri Reynolds and Jill Barnett, along with Kristi Cook, Christopher Grant, Georgia Bockoven and Jerri Corgiat.”

And now Marcy Posner faces the 7 Questions:

Question Seven: What are your top three favorite books?

A Wrinkle in Time 
Rebecca 
The Alienist

Question Six: What are your top three favorite movies and television shows?

TV:
Bosch 
the first season of True Detective
Outlander

Movies:
The Drowning Pool 
Serial Mom

Question Five: What are the qualities of your ideal client?

My ideal client loves what they do and excels at it, and they are open to receiving feedback.

Question Four: What sort of project(s) would you most like to receive a query for?

I love receiving queries for beautifully written fiction, middle grade/YA, and interesting platform nonfiction.

Question Three: What is your favorite thing about being an agent? What is your least favorite thing?

My favorite thing about being an agent is getting to work with so many talented writers. 

My least favorite thing is receiving queries from people who aren’t serious about the craft. Remember: just because you can type doesn’t mean you can write!

Question Two: What one bit of wisdom would you impart to an aspiring writer? (feel free to include as many other bits of wisdom as you like)

Read more! As a writer, reading is research. Read as much as you can in every genre, but especially in the area you would like to write in.

Question One: If you could have lunch with any writer, living or dead, who would it be? Why?

I would have lunch with Jane Austen, because so much of modern fiction has grown from the model she established.

foliolit.com

7 Questions For: Literary Agent Caryn Wiseman

Caryn has been an agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency since 2003, and she has sold over 325 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 NYT bestselling authors, award-winning authors, debut authors, and authors at every stage in between. No matter the genre, Caryn is looking for books with emotional depth and a strong voice; excellent writing in a tightly-plotted story; and characters that stick with her long after she has closed the book. In YA, she gravitates toward books that make her think and toward books that make her cry; in middle-grade and chapter books, laughter tends to be the common thread; in picture books, it's lyrical story-telling and heart. She loves books that are intellectually challenging and that take risks, but in a very logical way. 

Caryn is drawn to contemporary YA and middle-grade with a strong voice, multi-faceted characters, complex relationships, beautiful writing and a well-developed hook. Great world-building is essential, whether it's a real time and place that becomes almost a character in a book, or a light fantasy element in a unique story that's grounded in reality. Zombies, horror, and high fantasy will, most likely, never appeal. She would love to see a YA thriller with the pacing and twists of The Americans, and a YA Pitch Perfect, Downton Abbey, or Big Bang Theory. 

Caryn is particularly interested in books for children and teens that explore themes of diversity and social justice. She would be thrilled to see more books that deeply explore another culture, as well as books in which the ethnicity of the character is not the issue. She adores a swoon-worthy romance with an intelligent heroine who isn't simply swept off her feet by a hunky hero. A sweet, funny or poignant middle-grade novel, with a hook that makes it stand out from the crowd, would hold great appeal, and she's partial to lyrical, non-institutional picture book biographies and character-driven, not too sweet picture book fiction. The common denominator in Caryn's list, no matter the category, is "smart with heart." She is always open to terrific children's work that doesn't fit these categories as long as it makes her laugh, makes her cry, and keeps her awake at night, either reading the manuscript or thinking about it. She does not represent adult projects. Please do not query her regarding adult work. 

Caryn represents Tom Angleberger, author of the NY Times, USA Today, PW and national indie bestselling ORIGAMI YODA series (Amulet/Abrams), Cece Bell, author-illustrator of the Newbery Honor Award, Eisner Award and NYT bestselling graphic novel memoir EL DEAFO, Nate Evans, co-author of the NYT bestseller THE JELLYBEANS AND THE BIG DANCE and its sequels (Abrams), and Tamara Ireland Stone, author of the NYT bestseller EVERY LAST WORD. 

And now Caryn Wiseman faces the 7 Questions:

Question Seven: What are your top three favorite books?

A WRINKLE IN TIME by Madeline L'Engle, THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH by Norton Juster, FEED by MT Anderson, and THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater (in addition to my own clients' books, of course).  Those are my favorite kids'/YA books, anyway.  

I would have to include TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and Leon Uris' EXODUS, as those are books that I go back to and re-read, time and time again, ever since childhood.  More recent adult titles that I love include Colum McCann's LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN, M.L. Stedman's  THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS and Ann Patchett's STATE OF WONDER. 

Okay, that was a lot more than three.

Question Six: What are your top three favorite movies and television shows?

I adore THE AMERICANS!  SMASH was one of my favorites but, sadly, it's gone (I love musical theater!), so now I love NASHVILLE.  My kids and I watched all of the WEST WING re-runs, and I was amazed (once again) at the quality of the writing, the snappy dialgoue, and the relevance of this show years later.   I also love MODERN FAMILY and THE BIG BANG THEORY for making me laugh out loud. More than three again.  Oops! 

Movies are tougher to choose favorites - there are too many.  Many of my favorites are probably from the 1940's!

Question Five: What are the qualities of your ideal client?

My ideal client is an incredibly talented writer who always strives to be even better; who isn't afraid to get his or her hands dirty and revise in a big way.  Someone who cares deeply about craft, but also understands the business of marketing his or her books.

Question Four: What sort of project(s) would you most like to receive a query for?

A YA thriller with the intrigue and heart-stopping twists and turns of THE AMERICANS.  A middle-grade with heart that makes me laugh hysterically and sob uncontrollably.  Jewish/Muslim or Israeli/Palestinian themes with hope.  Diverse themes in any genre/category.  YA SF/F with the grand scale of an opera or family saga that doesn't feel like SF/F.

Question Three: What is your favorite thing about being an agent? What is your least favorite thing?

Favorite things:  

Falling in love with a new character or voice for the first time

Telling a debut author that I have an offer(s) for their manuscript

Walking into a bookstore and seeing a book that I helped get there (still!)

Least favorite thing:

When amazing books aren't discovered, despite heroic efforts of both the publisher and the author.  

Question Two: What one bit of wisdom would you impart to an aspiring writer? (feel free to include as many other bits of wisdom as you like)

Read all the books you can in the genre and category in which you aspire to write.   

Support your fellow authors.

Develop patience and a thick skin.

Question One: If you could have lunch with any writer, living or dead, who would it be? Why?

Louisa May Alcott, because she was kind of a bad@$$.

andreabrownlit.com

7 Questions For: Literary Agent Lara Perkins

Lara Perkins is an Associate Agent and Digital Manager at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. She has been with the agency for over three years, working closely with Senior Agent Laura Rennert, with whom she jointly represents a number of clients, in addition to building her own list.

Lara is a fan of smart and raw young adult fiction, character-driven middle grade fiction with a totally original, hilarious voice, and so-adorable-she-can't-stand-it picture books, preferably with some age-appropriate emotional heft. She's a sucker for a great mystery and is passionate about stories that teach her new things or open up new worlds. More than anything, she has a soft spot for the wonderfully weird, the idiosyncratic, and the entirely unexpected.

Recent deals, together with Laura Rennert, include Matthew Ward's middle grade novel, THE FANTASTIC FAMILY WHIPPLE, sold in a two book, six-figure deal to Razorbill, and P.J. Hoover's young adult novel, SOLSTICE, forthcoming with Tor Teen in June 2013.

Lara has a B.A. in English and Art History from Amherst College and an M.A. in English Literature from Columbia University, where she studied Victorian Brit Lit. In her pre-publishing life, she trained to be an architect, before deciding that books, not bricks, are her true passion. She spent over a year at the B.J. Robbins Literary Agency in Los Angeles before coming to Andrea Brown Literary.

And now Lara Perkins faces the 7 Questions:


Question Seven: What are your top three favorite books?

Three is a cruelly small number, which I'm sure everyone says! But here are three books that I return to a lot:
George Eliot's Middlemarch
Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go
Ellen Raskin's The Westing Game (my favorite book as a kid, tied with E.L. Konigsburg's From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.)
 

Question Six: What are your top three favorite movies and television shows?

Movies: Hot Fuzz, Fritz Lang's M, and Lost in Translation. With an honorable mention for Vertigo. 

TV shows: Mad Men, The Walking Dead, and Friday Night Lights. But after a hard day, I turn to Psych, which is total silliness...wonderful total silliness.  

(I'm pretending no one noticed that I snuck an extra title into each category.)

 
Question Five: What are the qualities of your ideal client?

I'm looking for an exceptionally talented writer, of course, which to me means a combination of a great ear for language, a honed sense of story and tension, a fearlessness both in writing towards pain/conflict and in revising, and an intelligent and compassionate curiosity about other people that's reflected on the page. Beyond that, my ideal client is dedicated, savvy, and a good communicator.  


Question Four: What sort of project(s) would you most like to receive a query for?

For MG, I'm looking for compelling, unexpected mysteries like The Westing Game or When You Reach Me, stories set in clever, fascinating alternate worlds centered on lovable and unforgettable characters like The Golden Compass or The Graveyard Book, and voice-driven stories that hit home in their depiction of ending/changing friendships or family shifts, like Wonder or The One and Only Ivan. 

For YA, I'd be thrilled to find a heart-breaking, but at times very funny, voice-driven contemporary work, like The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian or The Fault in Our Stars. I love a bittersweet romance when it's solidly grounded in reality between believable, memorable characters, like Eleanor & Park. I'd love to find a character-driven fantasy with striking world-building, like The Scorpio Races or Seraphina. I’m definitely on the hunt for a page-turning psychological mystery. I love unreliable narrators, and I'd be delighted to find a Tana French-style mystery for teens. 

For picture books, I’m a big fan of quirky, deadpan, wry picture books, like This is Not My Hat or This Moose Belongs to Me. A lovable, intriguing, relatable main character is usually central for me in picture books, too. I’d also love to find an author/illustrator who uses unexpected materials or textures. Two of my very favorite picture books are Blackout and Me Want Pet, so I’m also drawn to books that take a small but universal experience of childhood and draw out something beautiful or hilarious in that experience.

 
Question Three: What is your favorite thing about being an agent? What is your least favorite thing?

I feel like I have the best job in the world, so a favorite thing is hard to pick. I love the process of discovering a new favorite author or illustrator, someone whose work I'm truly passionate about, and then advocating for them and helping shepherd their work out into the world. For a bookworm, what could be better?

A least favorite thing is tricky for the same reason, but I do wish I had the time to give detailed feedback on every query I receive. It's just not feasible, but I always wish it were. 

 
Question Two: What one bit of wisdom would you impart to an aspiring writer? (feel free to include as many other bits of wisdom as you like)

Read widely in your category. Every great writer is also a great reader.  

Support other writers. It's fun and good karma. 

Start a new project or turn to another WIP when you send something out on submission. It will help distract you while you're waiting and help keep this one submission in perspective. 

Remember that patience and perseverance are as important as talent or skill. 

The writing always comes first, so stay connected with what you love about writing, whatever that is for you. 



Question One: If you could have lunch with any writer, living or dead, who would it be? Why?

George Eliot (Marian Evans). She defied convention and expectations in so many ways, not least because she didn't start writing fiction until she was in her late 30s. Her work is imbued with so much philosophy and astute political thought, but it's also psychologically insightful and deeply compassionate. She communicates many different types of intelligence on the page;  I'd love to meet the person behind that literary brain.

www.andreabrownlit.com

7 Questions For: Literary Agent Laura Rennert

Laura Rennert has been a Senior Agent with Andrea Brown Literary Agency since 1998. She thinks of herself as a "literary omnivore" and specializes in all categories of children's books, from picture books to young adult, and in up-market women's fiction and narrative nonfiction. She represents award-winning and best-selling authors, including #1 NYT bestsellers Ellen Hopkins, Jay Asher, #1 NYT bestseller and Printz Honor Finalist Maggie Stiefvater, and National Book Award Finalist Kathleen Duey, as well as brand new, first-time authors. 

Some of her exemplary titles are THIRTEEN REASONS WHY (Razorbill/Penguin); SHIVER (WOLVES OF MERCY FALLS series, Scholastic); CRANK series (McElderry/S and S); MADAPPLE (Knopf/RH); THE FIVE ANCESTORS series (Random House); THE BODY FINDER (HarperCollins); MOSTLY MONSTERLY (Paula Wiseman Books/S and S); THE SCORPIO RACES (Scholastic); KILL ME SOFTLY (Egmont); BLOOD MAGIC (Random House); ROOTLESS (Scholastic); THE KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES (Aladdin/S and S); and TRIANGLES (Atria/S and S). Noteworthy sales include seven-figure deals to Simon and Schuster and Scholastic; deals for over half a million dollars to Random House, Scholastic, Penguin, and Simon and Schuster; and film deals to Nickelodeon/Paramount; Warner Bros; and Universal Pictures.

Laura loves character-driven, page-turning fiction with real emotional power. The common thread in the diverse range of projects Laura represents is a strong voice and a propensity to make readers both feel and think. She has a special fondness for characters with an insider-outsider perspective; for narrative risk-takers; and for books that make her laugh and cry. Laura likes surprises, and would love to find a stunning, unexpected, can't-put-me-down novel with a swing for the fences literary voice and an amazing commercial hook in any genre.

Right now she's particularly seeking upper middle-grade and YA fiction. She's drawn to contemporary and multi-cultural fiction; speculative fiction and alternate histories/realities; dystopian, fantasy, and paranormal; thrillers, science fiction and horror; neo-gothic novels and steampunk; subversive fairy tales; and other genres that hark back to her 19th century Brit Lit roots. She has a weakness for novels that turn her favorite classics (hint, Jane Austen, Shakespeare, original fairy tales, Dante, the Pre-Raphaelites) or myths inside out, give them an intriguing new context, and bring something unexpected to the table. She'd be thrilled to find a Hugo Cabret-like illustrated novel for older readers.

Laura's work as an agent is enhanced by her experience on the other side of the table. She's the author of a picture book, BUYING, TRAINING, AND CARING FOR YOUR DINOSAUR (Knopf/RH), illustrated by Marc Brown, creator of Arthur. She's also the author of an illustrated chapter book, ROYAL PRINCESS ACADEMY: DRAGON DREAMS, forthcoming with Dial/Penguin in 2012. Laura has a Ph.D. in English Literature and was a faculty member in English Departments of the University of Virginia, Osaka University of Foreign Studies, and Santa Clara University. She speaks at writers' conferences and book festivals throughout the country and overseas. She loves helping to bring breath-taking, unforgettable books to readers, and believes she has the best job in the world. 

For more information, check out my friends Natalie Aguirre and Casey McCormick's wonderful blog, Literary Rambles.

And now Laura Rennert faces the 7 Questions: 

Question Seven: What are your top three favorite books?

There are so many more than three, and I have so many different criteria for "favorite," that it's almost impossible to answer the question. For this reason, I'm annotating my response and giving reasons these three are favorites. Ask me another day, and I'll likely have other answers.

Possession, by A.S. Byatt

Even with my 19th century Brit Lit background, I found the poetry and voices in this book so completely believable and captivating. It felt like Byatt had actually discovered the works of two real poets from the period.

Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen 

A gem of a novel, from voice to characterization to construction. Each beautifully turned sentence is a joy. For all my years of graduate school, I relished the treat of reading the novel once a year. 

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis

As an agent who specializes in children's and YA, I feel like I have to include a story that I returned to over and over as a child (and even as an adult). 


Question Six: What are your top three favorite movies and television shows?

Shakespeare in Love 

I love this witty, passionate, funny, wry look at the way life and art might have converged. What a brilliant way to breath new life into some of the most beautiful poetry in the English language! 

Blade Runner

To me, this film is a remarkable achievement. It presents a haunting vision of the future that still, even after thirty years, feels real. I love its brilliant combination of sci-fi and noir and also that, at its heart, it ponders what it means to be human. 

Modern Family

Always hilarious, at times touching, pure catnip.


Question Five: What are the qualities of your ideal client?
 
My ideal client has breath-taking talent (goes without saying), passion, professionalism, intelligence, good communication skills, and a gift for engaging people both on the page and in life. 


Question Four: What sort of project(s) would you most like to receive a query for?
 
Surprise me! 

I'm looking for works with what are, for me, the essentials: 

revelatory, fresh voice

real emotional power

vivid, empathetic, memorable, conflicted characters

engagement with universals

rich, idiosyncratic world building

page-turning power

a shapely structure

an ability to keep the reader thinking and feeling beyond the turning of the last page

These are my criteria for the work I take on in all of the categories I represent. I should add that I'm a literary omnivore, with wide-ranging interests. You can find more information about what I represent on my website, wwwlaurajoyrennert.com, and our Andrea Brown Literary Agency website, www.andreabrownlit.com. 


Question Three: What is your favorite thing about being an agent? What is your least favorite thing?

 

One of my favorite things about being an agent is reading a client's manuscript that transports me and moves me to such a degree that, when I'm finished, I feel bereft that I've turned the last page, -- and then knowing that I get to shepherd that work out into the world. 

One of my least favorite things is having a brilliant client manuscript that readers would respond to (and editors do!), but that editors can't successfully acquire because a space in the market is perceived as saturated.


Question Two: What one bit of wisdom would you impart to an aspiring writer? (feel free to include as many other bits of wisdom as you like)
 
Believe. In. Yourself. 

As a writer, your responsibility is to do everything you can to control all parts of the process that lie within your control. Practice your craft. Read voraciously. Write voraciously. Be open (truly open) to considering feedback from critique partners, strong beta readers, agents, and editors. Put yourself in the way of gaining such feedback. Attend conferences and workshops where industry professionals critique your work. Revise. Revise again. And again. 

But the first step, the one that makes it all possible, is that you believe in yourself. You keep going, even in the face of rejection, because this is inevitably a business with a lot of rejection. 

Keep the faith!


Question One: If you could have lunch with any writer, living or dead, who would it be? Why?

I would choose to have tea (seems more appropriate than lunch) with Jane Austen. I love her novels, and she seems like such a remarkable mystery to me. It's fascinating that a woman who lived such a relatively quiet life, achieving some recognition in her own time, could become a literary force of the 20th century. My fear is that she might turn her satirical pen and eye on me, but it would be worth the risk!

www.andreabrownlit.com

7 Questions For: Literary Agent Jennifer Rofé

Jennifer Rofé handles children's fiction projects ranging from picture books to young adult. Middle grade is Jennifer's soft spot and she's open to all genres in this category, especially the tender or hilarious. She is always looking for fresh and distinct voices; stories that simultaneously tug at her heartstrings and make her laugh out loud; and unassuming, "adorkable" heroes. As for YA, Jennifer is drawn to contemporary works; dramatic or funny romance; and urban fantasy/light sci-fi. She's especially interested in mind-blowingly smart projects that are layered, complex, and unexpected. In terms of picture books, early readers, and chapter books, she is interested in character-driven projects and smart, exceptional writing. Jennifer also enjoys how-to and sports-related nonfiction.

Some of Jennifer's clients include Laurie David and Cambria Gordon, authors of the critically acclaimed nonfiction THE DOWN TO EARTH GUIDE TO GLOBAL WARMING; Crystal Allen, author of HOW LAMAR'S BAD PRANK WON A BUBBA SIZED TROPHY; Kathryn Fitzmaurice, author of THE YEAR THE SWALLOWS CAME EARLY and the forthcoming DIAMOND IN THE DESERT; Denise Doyen, author of the E.B. White Read Aloud Honor picture book ONCE UPON A TWICE; Cynthea Liu, author of PARIS PAN TAKES THE DARE and founder of Authors Now!; Barry Wolverton, author of NEVERSINK: A PUFFIN SAGA; and Lauren Strasnick, author of NOTHING LIKE YOU, HER AND ME AND YOU, and DAKOTA WEBB IS MISSING.

Jennifer is co-author of the picture book PIGGIES IN THE PUMPKIN PATCH (Charlesbridge). She has been on faculty for several conferences including the Pacific Northwest Writers Association and San Diego State University conferences, the Big Sur Writer's Workshop, and multiple SCBWI conferences. Jennifer earned a BA in English with a minor in Social and Ethnic Relations from UC Davis and has a background in secondary education.

For more information about Jennifer Rofé, as always I recommend checking out her page on my friends Casey McCormick's and Natalie Aguirre's amazing blog, Literary Rambles.

And now Jennifer Rofé faces the 7 Questions:

Question Seven: What are your top three favorite books?

I'm sure everyone gives you a hard time about this question because it's so hard, so I'll chime in, too. Three?! Top?! Ack. Too hard! But I'll give it a go:

As of right this moment (April 2011), my top three favorite, non-client and non-ABLA books are

Adult: The Known World by Edward P. Jones

YA: The Dairy Queen (entire series) by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

MG: Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Question Six: What are your top three favorite movies and television shows?

Movies:

1. Dirty Dancing

2. Sweet Home Alabama

3. Rushmore

Television shows:

1. Sister Wives on TLC

2. Chopped on The Food Network

3. The Soup on E!

Question Five: What are the qualities of your ideal client?

Someone who always strives to grow and learn in his or her craft; someone who works toward staying relevant in a constantly changing market; someone who tirelessly promotes his or her work; someone who is an active member in the kids' lit community; and someone who isn't overly high maintenance.

Question Four: What sort of project(s) would you most like to receive a query for?

First, I'm going to tell you the generic "anything with strong voice and strong writing." The caveat being that I'm definitely *not* interested in horror or adult projects. Now, I'm going to give some specifics: For YA, mind-blowingly smart projects that experiment with format (something in the vein of Jonathan Safran Foer) and swoony romances; any kind of middle grade (I love it all); nonfiction for boys of any and all ages; and funny character-driven or beautifully written picture books, especially by author-illustrators.

Question Three: What is your favorite thing about being an agent? What is your least favorite thing?

Rejection's a bummer, and excellent books that don't receive the attention they deserve is also disheartening.

My favorite thing is helping an author build a career. Some of the first clients I ever signed on are now on their third and fourth books. Amazing!

Question Two: What one bit of wisdom would you impart to an aspiring writer? (feel free to include as many other bits of wisdom as you like)

Read the kinds of books you want to write and study them! Figure out how successful authors craft their stories and apply those tactics to your own work. Also, join SCBWI.

Question One: If you could have lunch with any writer, living or dead, who would it be? Why?

Living would be Toni Morrison. By no exaggeration, she is a brilliant storyteller.

Dead would be Shakespeare, followed closely by the Bloomsbury Group authors like Katherine Mansfield, Virginia Woolf, E.M. Forster. Can you imagine a sit-down with them?! Mark Twain would probably also be fun. I suspect the lunch would be an adventure. Maybe we'd even meet on a steamboat.

 

www.andreabrownlit.com

 

www.piggiesinthepumpkinpatch.com

7 Questions For: Literary Agent Jennifer Laughran

Jennifer Laughran began her career in agenting after working as a long-time children's bookseller and buyer. She is also the founder of the extremely popular YA event series "Not Your Mother's Book Club". She joined Andrea Brown Literary Agency in 2007. Always on the lookout for sparkling YA and middle grade fiction with unusual and unforgettable characters and vivid settings, she is drawn to all kinds of books, whether realistic comedies or richly imagined magical adventures. However, the common thread in her favorite stories is an offbeat world-view. Jennifer adores simplicity, but she is not interested in the conventional, predictable, mechanical, gimmicky or ordinary. Jennifer loves funny books, thrilling books, romantic books, books that make her cry, and all-around un-put-downable books... and her true favorites are all of the above.

Clients include: National Public Radio's own "children's book ambassador" and the author of over 100 books for young readers, Daniel Pinkwater, whose latest novel is ADVENTURES OF A CAT-WHISKERED GIRL (Houghton). His wife, the talented artist Jill Pinkwater, who did the vibrant illustrations for their book BEAUTIFUL YETTA (THE YIDDISH CHICKEN) (Feiwel & Friends). Author/illustrator Calef Brown, whose whimsical drawings and poems have garnered him praise and the number one spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Illustrator and graphic novelist Matt Faulkner, who draws picture books for authors such as Laurie Halse Anderson and Judith St. George, as well as his own books and graphic novels. Series author Linda Joy Singleton whose popular YA paranormals include THE SEER series and the DEAD GIRL series, both from Flux. Jackie Dolamore, whose wonderful debut MAGIC UNDER GLASS (Bloomsbury) has been described as "Libba Bray meets Charlotte Bronte". Edgy debut YA novelists L.K. Madigan (FLASH BURNOUT, Houghton) and Tara Kelly (HARMONIC FEEDBACK, Holt). Kate Messner, who made a splash in 2009 with her warm and wonderful family story BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z (Walker)... these are to name just a few.

For more information about Jennifer Laughran, as always I reccomend checking out her page on my friend Casey McCormick's amazing blog, Literary Rambles.

And now, Jennifer Laughran faces the 7 Questions:

Question Seven: What are your top three favorite books?

It changes depending on my mood. And I will assume you mean books that I do NOT rep. :-) But the first ones that come to mind:

FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E FRANKWEILER by EL Konigsburg; BALLET SHOES by Noel Streatfeild; THURBER CARNIVAL by James Thurber (also the dictionary, and Elements of Style.)

Question Six: What are your top three favorite movies and television shows?

Movies: THE APARTMENT; THE PRINCESS BRIDE; BRINGING UP BABY.

TV Shows: GILMORE GIRLS; MODERN FAMILY; DR. WHO

Question Five: What are the qualities of your ideal client?

I tend to like people who are funny, smart,fairly low drama and really good communicators. And good writers, obviously.

Question Four: What sort of project(s) would you most like to receive a query for?

I would really like to get some queries for epic romance, a la TEA ROSE or GONE WITH THE WIND, but for YA.

I would like to have a real tearjerker of a story for either middle grade or YA (recent tearjerkers that I've loved include A DOG'S WAY HOME by Bobbi Pyron and THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by Jandy Nelson. Bonus points if the story can make me laugh and cry at the same time.

I also always love stories set in the world of of the stage (singing, dancing or drama) - I love-love-love great "behind the scenes" stuff. And I tend to be drawn to ensemble pieces. I'd love a great comedy.

But mostly, I just want to read things that are totally different than all the same-old-same-old that I get in the inbox. I really want to be surprised.

Question Three: What is your favorite thing about being an agent? What is your least favorite thing?

I love working with authors. And my favorite thing has to be telling an author that an editor wants to buy their book! Least favorite would have to be saying no to so many people. :-/

Question Two: What one bit of wisdom would you impart to an aspiring writer? (feel free to include as many other bits of wisdom as you like)

Be patient. Publishing is slow, and there is no shortcut.

Question One: If you could have lunch with any writer, living or dead, who would it be? Why?

Probably Ina Garten - I'd make her cook.

 

www.andreabrownlit.com