Paying it Forward: Part 7

• Colleen
• Paying It Forward Series
• 0 Comments

Yes, more information from the Rutgers Conference.
*Remember to check editors/agents submission requirements.

Joe Monti is a Literary Agent at Barry Goldblatt Literary, LLC. Joe has worked as a children’s fiction buyer at B&N, children’s sales lead at Houghton Mifflin, and as editorial director of paperbacks at little, Brown Books for Young Readers and thus has a unique and comprehensive view of publishing. While he’s best known for being an early advocate and promoter of young adult literature, his love for MG fiction is unabashed as is his interest in grown-up fantasy and science fiction as well as graphic novels. Notable clients include Charles Vess, Eireann Corrigan, Misako Rocks and Tobias Buckell’s upcoming children’s fiction. He’s particularly seeking out character driven fantasy and science fiction, particularly those aimed at male readers—Please! Boys will read if you write something for them!-and in genre or non-genre fiction that represents cultural diversity as both are sorely lacking.

Rachel Orr is an Agent at Prospect Agency. Rachel represents a wide range of children’s book authors, including those who write board books, PBs, chapter books, MG novels and YA novels. She also launched Prospect Agency’s artist representation service two years ago and is pleased to represent ten very talented illustrators. Some of Rachel’s clients include Sudipta Bardhan-Qiuallen, A.C. E. Nauer, Jason Chin, and Cori Doerrfeld. Prior to joining Prospect Agency in 2007, Rachel worked as an editor for eight years at HarperCollins Children’s Books.

Ammi-Joan Paquette is an Associate Agent at Erin Murphy Literary Agency. Joan represents all forms of children’s and YA literature. She works from her home in Massachusetts, and only accepts queries via referral or from attendees of conferences she has attended. At this time she is particularly interested in creative nonfiction, sports-related projects, novels that explore religious topics, “big feel” character-driven PBs, and anything that tickles her funny bone. She would love to see a great mystery. She is also the published author of The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies (Tanglewood, 2009)

Annette Pollart is an Assistant Editor at Simon pulse, Simon and Schuster. Annette acquires contemporary, commercial teen fiction and the occasional nonfiction title. Working with and editing paranormal romance writers like NYT bestselling author L.J. Smith and Jeri Smith-Ready, she is always interested in reading manuscripts in that genre that have inventive hooks and distinctive voices. Annette also edits the Once Upon a Time line, a series of retold fairy tales. She is interested in books based in—or out—of reality with complicated, engaging protagonists. Make her laugh—mesmerize her with your awesome manuscript! (No high fantasy please.)

Linda Pratt is an Agent at Sheldon Fogelman Agency. Linda works with authors and illustrators from PBs through YA. Her clients range from award winners and bestsellers, such as Sharon G. Flake, Denise Brunku, and Karen Beaumont to rising new talents like Eric Luper, Eileen Beha, and everything from chapter book to YA. Voice is the single most compelling draw for her. She’ll journey with a good voice through any genre. She loves timeless fiction that couples a sense of reality with elements of escapism or otherworldliness like Ingrid Law’s Savvy, and has become a fan of speculative fiction through novels like Suzanne Collin’s The Hunger Games. She’d love to find the author of a modern, American version of Rene Goscinny’s quintessential boy chapter book series Nicholas, too.

Emilia Rhodes is an Editorial Assistant at Simon and Schuster, Simon Pulse. Emilia works on commercial YA fiction at Simon Pulse. She has edited the upcoming Never After by Dan Elconin; Go Ahead, Ask Me. By Nico Medina and Billy Merrell; and At First Sight by Cathy Hapka. She has also worked on revising several backlist series, including Kissed by an Angel by Elizabeth Chandler and Thirst by Christopher Pike. She is interested in high-concept, commercial YA fiction of all genres, but particularly loves heroines you can root for, boys to swoon over, and laugh out loud moments.

Chris Richman is and Agent at Upstart Crow Literary. Chris joined Upstart Crow Literary in July of 2009 after cutting his teeth at Firebrand Literary. In his short time as an agent, Chris has sold several noteworthy projects, including Jacqueline West’s The Book of Elsewhere series and Matt Myklusch’s Jack Blank trilogy. Chris is actively building his list, enjoys working with debut writers, and is primarily interested in MG and YA, with a special interest in books for boys, books with unforgettable characters, and fantasy that doesn’t take itself too seriously. He is not looking for paranormal romance, books based around supernatural creatures such as fairies, vampires, or werewolves, chick-lit, or picture books.

Ruta Rimas is an Assistant Editor at Balzer and Bray, and imprint of HarperCollis Children’s Books. Ruta works on everything from PBs through YA for the Blazer and Bray imprint. She has assisted on the If You Give… series by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond, The Healing Wars, Book One: The Shifter by Janice Hardy; and The Everafter by Amy Huntley. Ruta is interested in commercial and literary (ideally, a blend of both) MG and YA fiction, and innovative PBs with interesting characters. Ruta is not looking for nonfiction or chick lit.

Elana Roth is an Agent at Caren Jounson Literary Agency. Elana works on everything from PBs through YA. She represents YA authors Pam Bachorz (Candor) and David Patneaude (Epitaph Road-Egmont, Spring 2010) and author/illustrator Darren Farrell (Doug –Dennis and the Flyaway Fib-Dial, Spring 2010). While open to books for all age ranges, she is particularly interested in high concept MG and YA fiction. She tends toward great hooks or twists combined with strong, honest voices. While she does like sci-fi and fantasy elements, high fantasy and sci-fi tend not to thrill her, nor do vampires, werewolves or fairies. She does like dark senses of humor, interesting family set-ups, and alternate realities. While she does represent PBs, she’s considering work from author/illustrators only, and prefers a quirky, whimsical style.