Literary Agent – Mohamed Shalabi

Tags

Literary Agent, Talcott Notch Literary Agency, Writing, Writing Conferences

Mohamed Shalabi, of the Talcott Notch Literary Agency, will be attending the GLVWG Write Stuff™ Conference on March 25, 2017. Mohamed took a few minutes to describe what he’ll be looking for during Saturday’s agent pitch sessions.

Interview by GLVWG’s Charles Kiernan.

**********

 

CK: Can you share with us a bit about your journey to all things literary?

MS: As a schoolteacher, my mother encouraged me to be inquisitive and curious all the time even if it meant I would be the annoying kid in class, which I was. She used to say in accented English that “There are millions of answers to a single question, and millions of questions to a single answer” and she was right.

After ten years in Palestine, I returned to the United States to start college. I earned my B.S. and M.S. from the University of Texas at Dallas and was on a Pre-med track before realizing that medicine was not my calling. So, I taught science for three years while interning at three fine literary agencies, Veritas, Folio, and Talcott Notch where I picked up the skills to become an efficient literary agent.

Meet Literary Agent – Megan Close Zavala

Tags

Keller Media, Literary Agent, Writing, Writing Conferences

Charles Kiernan spoke with Megan Close Zavala, literary agent at Keller Media. Megan will be at the the Write Stuff Conference™ on Saturday, March 25, to take pitches from conference attendees (advance registration is required).  Her passion lies not only in getting great books published, but in working closely with the authors who write them. Nothing is more exciting than a great new idea or story!

Megan is interested in working with both debut and previously published authors and enjoys forming long-lasting collaborations with them.

She looks forward to meeting talented writers who are offering something new and exciting and/or fresh takes on pre-existing subject matter.  While she represents books in all genres, she is currently most interested in the following genres: Self-Help, Relationships, Pop Culture, Pop Psychology, Parenting, Management, Career, Entrepreneurship, Business, Personal Finance, and Fiction (especially Crime, Mystery/Suspense, and Literary).

**********

CK: As an agent, you work with writers, hopefully long-term, but who are strangers to you at first. Do you look at more than the work submitted to determine that relationship?

MCZ:  Yes.  Obviously a great book projects gets us the most excited, but we want to be able to have positive working relationships with our authors as well.  Hopefully we will have gotten to know them a little via their query letters or book proposals, but it’s important that we work with people who are ready to do as much work for their book as we are.  If it seems that an author is not ready to go the extra mile with their book (be open to revisions, continue to grow their platform, etc.), that may make us reconsider whether or not we take them on as clients.  I think authors forget sometimes (or perhaps are not aware) that when we sell their books we are also selling them.  Just as agents want to have successful long-term relationships with the authors they represent, so do editors.

Jordy Albert – The Booker Albert Literary Agency

Tags

Literary Agent, MG, Romance, The Booker Albert Literary Agency, Writing, YA

Jordy Albert, Literary Agent and cofounder of The Booker Albert Literary Agency, will be attending the GLVWG Write Stuff Writers Conference™ , March 25, 2017. Jordy will be taking pitches for fun, witty Middle Grade, and contemporary or action/adventure (think awesome 80s movies). She’s also interested in YA contemporary romance, sci-fi, fantasy (MUST have romance), smart, sexy contemporary romance with fantastic chemistry between the characters that sparks off the pages. She is also looking for Historical Romance (she definitely has a soft spot for a fantastic Regency).

GLVWG member, Suzanne Mattaboni, had a chance to interview Jordy for what’s hot in the market these days.

*****

Q: As an agent, you provide hands-on, editorial guidance that your clients value. What is it about a manuscript—especially an imperfect one—that motivates you to invest your editorial vision, long-term? And what is it about a borderline manuscript that tips the scales against you taking it on?

A: I look for a balance between plot/narrative and character. For instance, if I love the characters but the story needs a little attention, I’d be more motivated to work on edits. If I just can’t get past a character’s attitude and/or there is unrealistic dialogue (or dialogue that just doesn’t fit)—that would really tip the scales against me deciding to work on a project.

Meet Amara Hoshijo

Tags

agent, author, GLVWG "Write Stuff", Writing, Writing Conference

GLVWG’s Suzanne Mattaboni spoke with Amara Hoshijo of Soho Press, an independent book publisher based in Manhattan’s Union Square. Founded in 1986, Soho publishes 90 books a year across its Soho Press, Soho Crime and Soho Teen lists, and is known for introducing bold new literary voices, award-winning international crime fiction, and compelling young adult mystery and thrillers.

Amara will be taking pitches at the GLVWG Write Stuff Conference on Saturday, April 9. Advance Registration is Required.

**********

 

Suzanne: I see from your background you’ve spent part of your life in Hawaii, France, and California. What drew you to New York, and what has made it worth staying?

Amara: I was first drawn to New York at the age of five, based on little more than that it was the biggest city I knew. (I’ve always preferred big cities—more specifically regarding the above, I’ve lived in Honolulu, Paris, and LA.) Hawaii remains a special place for me, but growing up, I didn’t see any industries there that I wanted to be a part of. I came to New York the summer after college with no prospects and the sole objective of breaking into publishing. It is certainly a literary epicenter, which was the deciding factor in my cross-country move, but I was lucky in that my personality meshed well with the city itself. New York has the diversity and integration I’ve craved my entire life; I’d say the people there have been brought together by a similar drive.

Meet Anjali Singh

Tags

agent, author, GLVWG "Write Stuff", Writing, Writing Conferences

GLVWG’s Geoffrey Mehl had a chance to interview Anjali Singh of the Ayesha Pande Literary Agency. Anjali will be joining us at the GLVWG “Write Stuff” Conference to take pitches from attendees (Advance Registration is Required).

 **********

 GLVWG: Thank you for sharing some time with us today, and we’re looking forward to having you as one of the agents at the Write Stuff Conference in April.

 Anjali Singh: You’re welcome and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone at the conference.

 GLVWG: Authors are often urged not to submit until their manuscript is “ready.” Careful proofreading is understandable, but what other indicators tell writer it’s time to query?

 Anjali Singh: I think it’s incredibly useful to be part of a writer’s group, to have engaged readers that you trust read and give you feedback. Even if you’re not part of a group, it’s worth asking friends and family who are avid readers to read on your behalf. Proofreading is important, but even more important is whether the first 5-10 pages grab and hold a reader’s attention (as that is what most agent’s will see first and be the basis on which they decide whether or not to read more), whether or not the characters come alive and make readers care about them and their plight, whether or not there’s enough at stake in the story to keep someone turning the pages, and to hear if there were places where the reader got bored, confused, or felt like skimming. These are all great questions to ask your early readers! An agent should never be the first person to whom you show your MS, and by the time you send it to one you should feel that you’ve perfected every aspect–opening, plotting, character development and pacing–that you can on your own. I think that’s when it should feel ready.

Meet Vanessa Robins

Tags

Corvisiero Literary Agency, Genre Fiction, Social Media, Writing, Writing Conference

Vanessa Robins of the Corvisiero Literary Agency is a writer, reader, and lover of food.   From Lancaster — no, she’s not Amish — she graduated from York College of Pennsylvania in May of 2015 with a degree in English literary studies and a minor in professional writing. Vanessa was Managing Editor of her college’s undergraduate literary magazine for two years, where her love of literature thrived, and her passion for the publishing world was created. When she isn’t reading or working, Vanessa can be found playing rec league softball (her team is called (Na)16 Batmen (and Women) in case you were wondering), experimenting in the kitchen, knitting, or screaming at her favorite sports teams (go Eagles!). Her submission preferences include sports-centric, accurate or alternative history, thought-out thrillers, heavily based science sci-fi, and reimagined fairytales. She gravitates towards a strong independent female POV with humorous, but socially relevant dialogue. Depending on her relationship status, she might also like romance novels.

*****

 Interview by Geoffrey Mehl

 

GLVWG: Thank you for sharing some time with us today, and we’re looking forward to having you as one of the agents at the Write Stuff Conference in April.

Vanessa Robins: You’re welcome. I’m looking forward visiting with everyone at the conference.

 GLVWG: Genre fads come and go, yet we hear that the process of producing a book is a lengthy one. This begs the question: what is the industry moving toward, say a year or two from now? What trends are fading? Which appear to have staying power?

Vanessa Robins: Working in a bookstore allows me to see what the customers are currently gobbling up. Aside from the normal fiction purchases I’m seeing a huge interest in humor based memoirs. For example, Aziz Ansari’s Modern Romance, Mindy Kaling’s Why Not Me, Yes Please by Amy Poehler. Now all of these people are famous, yes, but there’s a trickle down method going on. We’re seeing it with the “sort-of-famous” online stars such as Miranda Sings who take their online fame and turn it into written fame. My projection is that in two to three years the shelves are going to be filled with memoirs all containing a hint or more of humor.

Meet Veronica Park

Tags

agent, Writing, Writing Conferences

GLVWG member, Judith Mehl, recently interviewed Veronica Park, an agent, author, journalist and marketing consultant with more than seven years of experience writing and editing for publication. She is a literary agent and marketing consultant with Corvisiero Literary Agency. She graduated with a BA in print journalism with an emphasis in linguistics and business marketing from Brigham Young University and went on to expand her writing skills as a broadcast journalist and independent film producer, before running away with her husband to work on cruise ships in the Caribbean as a port lecturer and luxury goods marketing specialist. In publishing, she has finally found an arena that requires her entire assortment of professional skills, while allowing her to read and write every single day.

*****

GLVWG: Thank you for sharing some time with us today, and we’re looking forward to having you as one of the agents at the Write Stuff Conference held by the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group in April.

Submission requirements that invite a sample often specify just the first five pages or so. What are some red flags in the query and the first five pages that result in a thumbs down or full manuscript look?

Meet Alexander Slater, Literary Agent from Trident Media Group

Tags

Alexander Slater, GLVWG, Trident Media Group, Write Stuff

by Tammy Burke

Hi Alex,

We are thrilled to welcome you to this year’s GLVWG’s “Write Stuff” conference which is in its 22nd year. Your expertise both internationally and domestically makes you such a wonderful addition to our conference faculty.

Alexander Slater: Thank you! It’s an honor to be here.

So… Can you tell us what your favorite thing about being an agent is? What is your least favorite thing?

Alexander Slater: My favorite thing about being an agent is being blown away by outstanding fiction that millions of people deserve to read but haven’t yet. I truly can’t think of a least favorite thing.

How would you describe your ideal relationship between an author and yourself? What are your expectations? And what “sparks” you most when working on a project?

Alexander Slater: My ideal relationship would be one with an author who respects my time as much as I respect hers. I look for clients who are hardworking, creative, and willing to fight for their work as much as I am. I want authors who have something to say in a new and amazing away, writers who have faith, and writers who can teach me something I did not expect. What sparks me most is usually a story that insists I keep turning the pages, and language that makes my mind crackle. I am continually surprised by how many writers there are, so I’m looking for a partner who knows why her voice deserves to contribute.

Meet David E. Fessenden, literary agent from WordWise Media Services

Tags

agent, David E. Fessenden, Fessenden, GLVWG "Write Stuff", WordWise

By Tammy Burke

Hi David,
We are delighted to have you join us for the 22nd annual GLVWG “Write Stuff” Conference. With your twenty-something years of experience with editorial management, in addition to your writing, speaking, consulting, and also representing — you indeed wear many hats and obviously bring a lot of knowledge for our conferees to enjoy. Welcome!

If I might say your blog “Concept to Contract, Tips on Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book” is a wonderful resource. What was the inspiration behind it? How does it tie in with your book “Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book?” Any new topics coming up soon?

David E. Fessenden: The blog/website (www.fromconcepttocontract.com) is an outgrowth of my book, Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book: Concept to Contract. That book, in turn, was the result of 20 years in book publishing, and is sort of my magnum opus. I sometimes say, “It’s everything I know about writing—and more!” Some of my blog posts are borrowed from the book, but others are things I wish I had included in the book.

Speaking earlier of hats, you list the different “ones” you currently wear (editorial coach, publishing consultant and academic literary agent) in your blog. I’m sure you find enjoyment wearing all three but if you had to choose a favorite “hat” which one would it be? And why?

David E. Fessenden: I really like all of those roles, because in each of them, I am helping authors craft their message and get it published. If I had to choose the one I like best, it might be literary agent. And don’t be scared off by the “academic” label. I am representing some academic authors, but I am trying to work with authors of more popular material as well.

Meet Patricia Nelson from Marsal Lyon Literary Agency

Tags

agent, GLVWG "Write Stuff", Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, Patricia Nelson

by Tammy Burke

I want to thank you for taking time out for this interview. With your background in literature along with your experience in the publishing world our conferees are certainly getting a well-informed resource with you. It is my delight to welcome  you aboard to our 22nd annual GLVWG “Write Stuff” conference.

Patricia Nelson: Thanks so much for having me!

I was wondering, in your opinion, how much does talent play into good writing and how much is it a learned skill that anyone can pick up?

Patricia Nelson:  The myth of the solitary genius who sits down at his or her computer and writes the Great American Novel by sheer instinct is just that–a myth! But that doesn’t mean it’s easy to pick up the skills to write a publishable book. In my view, writing is like any other craft: a person develops their talent by putting in a whole lot of time. In this case, that means reading and writing as much as possible. Maybe (probably!) your first book won’t land you an agent or a book deal, but if you write another book, and another–reading widely and working with a critique group for the whole process–chances are good that eventually your skills will grow and you’ll be able to produce writing at a level that you couldn’t when you were starting out.

I know you probably get this question often but what was your inspiration to become an agent? Was it always something you wanted to do?

​Patricia Nelson:  I always knew that I wanted to work with books in some capacity. When I was in high school I imagined that I would be an editor. Instead, after college I ended up going to graduate school, and for a time pursued a career as an English professor. There were aspects of teaching college students that I loved: helping talented people develop their writing, championing creative thinking, and figuring out what individual students needed and giving them the support system to grow and take risks. But ultimately, after getting the chance to teach many amazing, life-changing books, I realized that I really wanted a career on the other side of the literary world, where I could have a role in helping great books get made. As soon as I discovered agenting, I knew it would be a perfect fit for me.