Carrie, could you tell us a little about yourself, and how you came into writing?

How does it compare to your previous profession? Do you still work a day job, and if so, how do you manage to juggle writing, day job and family obligations?

How about your agent search, could you describe that for the pre published readers?

Your book has done very well. How has it changed your life?

As an editor, what types of stories are you looking for at this time?

Right now I am focused on acquiring young adult fiction for Harlequin Teen. I am interested in stories targeted at girls, 12-18, across all teen genres. Paranormal, contemporary, historical, futuristic, science fiction, mystery, adventure, and across all tones--light, dark, funny, serious...whatever works for the story and characters.

What have you seen too much of lately, if anything?

I will never see too much of any particular story type when the story is well told, but, I do see too much derivative work, where the author is trying to create the next Twilight or House of Night type series, or some other current favorite author voice/story type, instead of developing his or her own story and voice.

What is your favorite part of being an editor? Least favorite?

My favorite part of being an editor is buying a project from a new author. It is thrilling to find a manuscript that reads fresh and original, such as the first wonderful faery story I acquired from Julie Kagawa, The Iron King, and Saving June, a contemporary story by Hannah Harrington. I also love having the chance to work with a pro author who is new to me, such as Douglas Rees, whose story Majix is one of the most heartfelt and truly funny books I’ve had the pleasure of working on. I am having the best time working with these exciting authors and can't wait to see their stories make it to the shelves in 2010 and 2011.

 My least favorite thing by far is saying No. I put rejections off sometimes; there is just nothing fun about disappointing hopeful writers. It is even less fun when I have to say no to a story I truly like--there is just so much competition and our program is small, so I find myself in that position fairly often. It's hard.

 Describe your dream author? And of course....the author from Hades?

My dream author is a consummate professional who is open to suggestions and is also not afraid to respectfully stand up for his or her work. He or she delivers manuscripts on time, or keeps me informed when things go amiss, and works as a team to create the best package possible for the story while being understanding of the challenges and timing faced by the in-house team. My dream author has his or her own Web site and does everything he or she can to self-promote, including anything from making connections with young adult fiction blogs and popular sites to taking advantage of local promotion opportunities. However, this author does not get so caught up in promoting that he or she stops writing!

 The author from down below…would be someone who is constantly worrying about/comparing his- or herself to other authors, focusing on what other authors are doing and getting, and is constantly complaining about it instead of focusing on his or her own work.

 What do you read for pleasure? Name three of your all time favorite books or authors.

I am partial to mainstream fiction. Lately, I’ve been reading almost all young adult stories—not just because I’m working in that field, but because I find them earnest, honest and unpredictable in ways other genres don’t always deliver.

 All time favorites:

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (all four and 1/3 books—I’ve read Twilight and the Midnight Sun partial too many times to count, and the rest of the books almost as often. They’re my go-to feel-good reads).

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

 Tell us about your new YA line at Harlequin, and the titles that will be kicking it off?

Harlequin Teen publishes young adult fiction targeted at girls, 12-18. Our stories feature extraordinary characters caught up in extraordinary adventures, told in authentic, memorable voices that will resonate with readers and be remembered after the covers are closed. HQ Teen is a single title program focused on building author names through individual and series titles and unique packages. Our first two titles, both by New York Times bestselling authors, will be published in 2009, and we’ve got about 14 books scheduled in 2010.

 MY SOUL TO TAKE by Rachel Vincent lands on shelves in trade paperback in August. The story features teen banshee Kaylee Cavanaugh, whose discovery of her secret banshee heritage coincides with the frightening deaths of several of her classmates—and when someone near her is about to die, Kaylee can’t help her urge to literally scream bloody murder. This is book one of Rachel’s Soul Screamers series.

 Gena Showalter’s INTERTWINED hits shelves in September in gift hardcover. The story features Aden Stone, a teenage boy who is a magnet for all things paranormal. Everyone thinks he’s crazy, which is why he’s sent to a halfway house for wayward teens.  But he doesn’t mind. For months he’s been having visions of a beautiful girl entering his life—a girl who will either save him or destroy him.  And even though he’s half in love with her before she ever arrives, he’s unprepared for the centuries-old secrets she brings with her.  Together, they’ll enter a dark underworld of intrigue and danger . . . and not everyone will come out alive. INTERTWINED is the first of four Intertwined novels.

 How does one submit to you and do you accept equeries?

I get so many e-mails that, from unagented authors, I am asking for hard-copy queries, including a detailed synopsis of the story. If I am interested in a project, I may invite the author to e-mail the manuscript, although I do sometimes prefer a hard copy (my in-box tends to fill up and create problems when I receive too many attachments). I do accept agented queries and projects via e-mail. I’m also happy to send updates if gently reminded about a project via e-mail. Currently I do not have an assistant and my response time is slower than optimal, and I understand that writers are anxious for news.

 Will you be attending any conferences this year?

I am not officially scheduled to attend any conferences as of today, but I will be lurking around RWA on Saturday and will also be making the rounds at BEA at the end of this month.

 In a year, what is your typical percentage of signing new writers? Do they typically come from slush, or referral, or conferences? How about the ratio of agented to unagented?

Hmm, percentage—I’m not sure how to calculate one, but, this year so far I’ve signed one new author and hope to find several more. All of the authors signed to Harlequin Teen have agents. However, we have no rule that an author must have an agent to sign or submit to us, and I’m happy to look at all submissions. So far, the authors I’ve signed have come to me through meetings with their agents or through referrals from other agents. But you never know where the next gem will be found.

 And Our new question section- an absolute take off of inside the actors studio-adapted for books (how's that for a switch)

 INSIDE THE Editors STUDIO

 Tell us your favorite movie

I have to pick ONE?! Twilight, The Princess Bride and Moulin Rouge. Sorry!

 Tell us your favorite protagonist-hero or heroine, your choice.

Bella Swan and Edward Cullen. And the Little Prince. And Elizabeth Bennett.

 What is your favorite word or phrase?

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” (The fox, to the Little Prince)

 Least favorite word or phrase?

Currently, high fructose corn syrup is right up there with No you can’t do XYZ.

 If you werent an editor, you would be an Olympic-level dressage rider.

 
  ** Also...agents talk of voice. What kind of voice hooks your attention? One that makes you laugh, cry--in your own words.

 One that makes me so involved in the story, I lose track of reality. Sometimes through laughter, sometimes through heavy emotions, and always through a character who draws me in and doesn’t let go.

Bio:

    Anne Heltzel has been with Razorbill, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, for one year. Her authors include Tricia Mills, Suzanne Young, Yxta Maya Murray, and Kirsten Miller. Prior to her time at Penguin, she worked as an agent assistant in the children’s division of Curtis Brown Ltd. Anne graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. in Program of Liberal Studies and later obtained an M.F.A. in Writing for Children from The New School in New York City.  

As an editor, what types of stories are you looking for at this time?

 I’m interested in quirky, funny, and heartfelt middle grade for girls as well as high-concept, literary YA. I have a special fondness for dark humor and unsentimental prose. I’m open to paranormal and magical realism, but I tend to stay away from true sci-fi, historical fiction, and faeries.

What have you seen too much of lately, if anything?

 I’ve been seeing a lot of “issue” novels and coming-of-age tales. It’s hard to address themes of abuse, addiction, etc. in a fresh and different way.

What is your favorite part of being an editor? Least favorite?

 I love the creative aspects of being an editor, including brainstorming scenes and pitches with my authors, writing flap copy, and contributing to cover development. Like most editors, I have an analytical personality, so I very much enjoy identifying ways to help make a good story great. I also love the writing, editing, and agenting community. As a native Midwesterner, the children’s book community has made a huge, positive impact on my transition to life in New York.

Describe your dream author? And of course....the author from Hades?

 I am lucky to work with some talented and hard-working writers who are true professionals. I appreciate an author who revises thoughtfully, taking my editorial suggestions to heart. I love authors who are mindful of deadlines as well as authors who have a sense of professional boundaries (and who appreciate nurturing but don’t necessarily require coddling). Authors who can write across genres are a dream, but I also love authors whom I can help grow in a particular market. I want to know that an author is willing to put in the work required of her, and that she’s capable of doing so. Self-reliance, self-possession, dedication, work ethic, and professionalism are five qualities I admire in an author.

As for less-than-stellar qualities…I imagine there’d be nothing worse than getting back a revision that appears wholly unrevised, although this hasn’t actually happened to me yet. Being late on a deadline can really affect the production schedule and, in some cases, our ability to publish in a planned season. Being reliant on an editor for reassurance and personal motivation is (in my opinion) frustrating and inappropriate – although we editors do often form friendly relationships with our authors, it’s important to keep in mind that (while creative and supportive) this is first and foremost a business. Feelings and sensitivity often come into play in creative industries, but keeping an open-minded perspective is important. Bottom line, we all want the same thing: the success of the book and the author.

What do you read for pleasure? Name three of your all time favorite books or
authors.

 I love literary fiction, memoir, biography, and humor. The last book I read outside of work was A POCKET HISTORY OF SEX IN THE 20^th CENTURY by Jane Vandenburgh. It’s way too hard to name all-time favorites (so many!), but these three are up there:

 This Side of Paradise – F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Year of Endless Sorrows – Adam Rapp

The B.F.G. – Roald Dahl

Tell us about a few titles you have coming out you are excited about.

 I’m very excited about a new series I’m editing by Suzanne Young, called THE NAUGHTY LIST. It’s about a group of cheerleaders who double as secret, nighttime sleuths…but the purpose of their missions is to nab cheating boyfriends! It’s truly infectious: heartwarming, hilarious, bubbly. I also can’t wait for the release of THE GOOD GIRL’S GUIDE TO GETTING KIDNAPPED by Yxta Maya Murray. Yxta tells the story of her protagonist, Michelle Pena, with incredible wit and strength. Michelle is a former gang-princess who’s broken from the gang and created a new (Ivy-League bound) life for herself. When The Snakes and her former childhood sweetheart re-enter her life, kidnapping her and her best friend, Michelle’s forced to face up to her two identities (gang princess/liar/seductress versus star athlete/straight-A-student/foster daughter).  

How does one submit to you and do you accept equeries?

 I prefer to receive queries via email. It usually takes me about 4-6 weeks to respond. Please don’t attach your manuscript – if I think it’s right for me, I’ll request fifty pages.

Are you attending any upcoming conferences?

 Yes, I will be attending an SCBWI conference in Bethlehem, PA on June 2^nd.

and our new question section- an absolute take off of inside the actors
studio-adapted for books (how's that for a switch)
INSIDE THE EDITORS STUDIO

Tell us your favorite movie

 American History X – love it! I don’t know if I hold onto it as a favorite out of stubbornness, but I’ve managed to convince myself that nothing else compares!

Tell us your favorite protagonist-hero or heroine, your choice.

In kids’ books, it has always been Betsy Ray from the BETSY-TACY series by Maud Hart Lovelace. She is unremarkable, but her ongoings are a point of fascination. Everything sounds so idyllic: Sunday suppers with the Crowd, skating parties, dances, caroling. I really envy her.

What is your favorite word or phrase?

a posse ad esse – from possibility to being

Least favorite word or phrase?

“Pie,” as in pizza, as in, “I’ll take one sausage pie.”

If you weren’t an editor, you would be a __________.

Chef. I love food as much as I love literary pursuits; I just lack the talent.  

Also...editors talk of voice. What kind of voice hooks your attention? One
that makes you laugh, cry--in your own words.

Well, both! One that feels authentic and alive. I love crying (when I read, not in life); but I really love strong emotions that are provoked by a voice that’s (as I mentioned above) unsentimental, organic, and subtle in its emotional strength.

**on a side note---eablogs feels legitimized as it was mentioned on ABSOLUTE WRITE. We are also making large attempts NOT to have big line breaks in the interviews-- so as to avoid ridicule on the board in the future . LOL!

Jessica has been at the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency for six years, the Agency has been around for over thirty years. They represent a range of authors, including: Jean Auel, Mary McGarry Morris, Lily Prior, Phillip Margolin, David Levy, Carl Safina, Cecilia Galante, Ellen Potter, Nancy Springer, and Roger Duvoisin.

Jessica received her BA degree in English Literature from Hunter College. A few of her authors include: Rayo Casablanca, Cecilia Galante, Jillian Cantor, John Michael Cummings, Pamela Wells, Victoria Strauss, and Lesley Livingston.

Below is a list of the genres she's looking to represent and a comparative title in those genres-- that she wish she had worked on!

Memoir & Narrative Non-fiction (THE GLASS CASTLE)

Women's Fiction (TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE)

Modern Romances (MAYNARD AND JENNICA)

Literary Fiction (CASE HISTORIES)

Edgy Fiction (THE END OF MR. Y)

Multicultural: (FREE FOOD FOR MILLIONAIRES)

Middle Grade (BLUBBER)

Young Adult (STORY OF A GIRL)

BEGIN INTERVIEW

Hi. I'm starting a new set of blogs, along with the agent-editor interviews. When authors "break-out" (which should probably have a copyright symbol beside it with an ode to Donald Maas) meaning they hit a best seller list after some years of writing, I think its worth hearing about them. So to kick off this subject--please welcome Alyson Noel

********************************************************************************************

So how does it feel to BREAK OUT, as they call it in publishing? (again bow to Donald Maas)

Surreal, amazing, and definitely a dream-come-true moment! The day after EVERMORE was released and my publisher informed me it had gone into another printing and had a shot at the New York Times Bestseller list—I could hardly breathe! Then as the week progressed it went into two more printings and made the Bookscan, Borders, and Ingrams bestseller lists. At the same time, A TV option we’d been negotiating for the last three months seemed to be nearing a conclusion, so I spent most of the week glued to my computer and phone waiting for updates. And so, in the tradition of watched pots refusing to boil, the one day I’m forced to leave the house for a dental appointment is when all the good news came in! On my way to the dentist I learned that Spring Creek Productions and Warner Horizon had optioned the rights to all five books for a TV series, and I was literally in the dentist’s chair, mouth full of instruments, when my editor called to tell me I’d debuted at #3 on the New York Times Children’s Paperback list! (And yes, I answered the call—my hygienist is a kind and patient woman!). Then by the time I got home I learned it hit #84 on the USA Today bestseller list—and I nearly fainted!! Needless to say, a lot of champagne was consumed that night!
 
Could you tell us a little about your writing life--how you got started? Your agent tale, and ultimately, selling to houses?
 
The moment I finished reading Judy Blume’s, ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET, in the sixth grade I knew I wanted to be a writer too. But aside from really bad poetry penned in junior high, short stories written in high school, and the odd writing class taken as an adult, I mostly just talked about writing rather than actual doing it. It wasn’t until the events of 9/11, when I was working as a flight attendant in NYC and figured a career change might be in order that I finally got serious and enrolled in some online writing courses where I worked on expanding a short story I’d written a long time ago into a novel. It was through that class that a fellow student led me to my then agent, and after revising the book one more time, he sold my debut novel, FAKING 19, in a two-book deal to St. Martin’s Press.  So, all in all it took around 2.5 years from seriously sitting down to write to the first sell.

How will this affect your life? It’s said 75 % of writers still work a day job---will this new success permit you to write full time, if you aren’t already?
 
I’m not really sure what, if anything, will change, other than I get to put New York Times Bestseller next to my name (which, trust me, excites me beyond belief!). But I’ve been writing full time ever since my airline offered voluntary furloughs a few years back. And, in the grand scheme of things, the laundry will still have to be done, the dishwasher unloaded, the trash taken out, deadlines met . . .so I’m just enjoying the rush for as long as it lasts!

Tell us about your books, what inspires you?
 
I love writing in the young adult genre because I have a real affection for those years. I love how they’re so full of dichotomies: wanting to fit in versus wanting to be your true self, wanting to break free from your parents yet liking the security of home—those years are chock full of possibility and struggle and so ripe for story telling!

As for the inspiration behind EVERMORE, well, a few years ago I lost a three people I loved in five horrible months, and just when the dust began to settle from that, my husband was diagnosed with leukemia and it felt like my entire world was crashing down. A year later, when he was in full remission, I wrote SAVING ZOE and CRUEL SUMMER, both of which explore the subject of grief and unavoidable change. But when it came time to write my next book, I realized I wasn’t finished exploring those themes, though I wanted to do so in a much different way by giving it a paranormal twist and pushing the boundaries between life and death, and the story of EVERMORE came pouring out of me
 
 
Breaking in, let alone breaking out is so very difficult in publishing? How did you persevere and what kept you hitting the keys?
 
In the beginning it was a mixture of pure stubbornness, complete naivety, and a total aversion to the word no! Seriously. I was so green, I had no idea what I was up against, but I just kept plugging along, determined to see it done. Though I have to give my husband the bulk of the credit—he served as my number one cheerleader/dark cloud eraser, always boosting me up whenever I was tempted to quit!

And now: Well, I just love what I do—I love telling stories that, hopefully, readers will connect to. And while it requires a lot of time alone, a lot of time away from family and friends—I can’t imagine doing anything else!

Bio:
Alyson Noël is the New York Times and USA Today best selling author of: FAKING 19, ART GEEKS AND PROM QUEENS, LAGUNA COVE, FLY ME TO THE MOON, KISS & BLOG, SAVING ZOE, CRUEL SUMMER, FIRST KISS (THEN TELL)- an anthology, and the IMMORTALS series including: EVERMORE (Feb 09), BLUE MOON (Aug 09), and three more titles for 2010.  Her books have won the National Reader’s Choice Award, NYLA Book of Winter Award, TeenReads Best Books of 2007, Reviewer’s Choice 2007 Top Ten, and appeared on the CBS Early Show’s “Give the Gift of Reading” segment. Her titles have been translated into French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Hungarian, and Romanian. She lives in Laguna Beach, CA with her husband.

I focus on middle grade and young adult novels, and am also taking on a very select number of grownup projects.

For middle grade I’m seeking hopeful, commercial and plot-driven manuscripts. I’d love to find a textured and character-driven mystery novel in the vein of Elise Broach’s Masterpiece. An adventure novel about kids facing extraordinary circumstances, like Ingrid Law’s Savvy would be exciting to find too.  A tween version of The Friday Night Knitting Club, not about knitting, but about friendships made through creative expression is definitely up my alley!

For YA, I’m actively looking for epic romances in the vein of Nicholas Spark’s The Notebook; if they’re set in the South or America’s Heartland, all the better! I also seek plot-driven “clean teen” in the vein of Ally Carter’s I’d Tell You I’d Love You but Then I’d Have to Kill You.

For adults, my wish list includes historical romance as well as contemporary-set commercial novels with great hooks in the vein of The Jane Austen Book Club. I also enjoy anything pertaining to mothers & daughters, weddings, food/cooking, and momtrepreneurs—either for fiction or nonfiction/memoir.

What have you seen too much of lately, if anything?

A lot of demon/zombie/vampire stuff has come my way and it’s not so much my thing. I’ve also seen a lot of lyrically written but “quiet”= read not very plot-driven middle grade novels that feel dated.

What is your favorite part of being an agent? Least favorite?

I love seeing the grist in the mill begin to churn—signing on a book that I believe in, doing editorial work with the author, crafting the perfect pitch, and selling it to an editor whom I can just tell will be a great advocate for the project. I also love seeing my clients get great reviews, or the day you find out B&N may take a big floor display for a series you believe in, and of course the day they give out major awards and your client is on the list! Three cheers for my Caldecott-honor winning author Jen Bryant for River of Words.

 My least favorite is probably the lack of control and the “down time” that sometimes ensues, between the time I send out a project and sell it. It’s altogether antsy!

Describe your dream author? And of course....the author from Hades?

My dream author is someone who has matchless ideas, an imaginative way with words, killer plotting/pacing skills, and a desire to market his or her work through innovative and often interactive online formats. The author I would not work well with is likely a legend in his or her own mind, who isn’t receptive to new ideas, even if his or her own ideas aren’t really working.

What do you read for pleasure? Name three of your all time favorite books or
authors. I read a mixture of tween fiction, commercial women’s fiction, and entrepreneurial success stories and biographies.

My favorite titles that I’ve read in the last two years include ELEVEN by Lauren Myracle, WHEN EMMA JEAN LAZARUS FELL OUT OF A TREE by Lauren Tarshish, THE AMERICAN WIFE by Curtis Sittenfeld, and Laura Claridge’s now biography, EMILY POST.

Tell us about a few titles you have coming out you are excited about.

I am very excited about my client Lisa Greenwald’s awesome debut, MY LIFE IN PINK & GREEN, which is already an IndieBound top 10 pick for spring and releases in March. It walks the line between commercial and literary tween fiction with great deftness. I’m very pumped for my client Sarah MacLean’s YA book THE SEASON, a delightful romp in regency England for YA, as well as Sarah’s adult regency set romance trilogy, which we sold at auction to Avon/Harper Collins entitled NINE RULES TO BREAK WHEN ROMANCING A RAKE. I’m also thrilled for my client Carolyn McCullough’s ONCE A WITCH series, a tale of romance, witches, and sisters, which, we sold at auction last spring, and comes out from Houghton Mifflin this fall.

How does one submit to you and do you accept equeries? How about conference you will be attending this year?

I strongly encourage e-mail submissions to ahenkin@tridentmediagroup.com Please include a description of your book, any relevant work, writing, platform-building and promotional experience, a synopsis of your book, and the fist five pages in the text body of the e-mail. If it seems like a right fit I will then request more to be sent as an attachment.

Leslie Kaufmann has been with Kneerim & Williams for nearly three years, focusing mostly on YA and Middle Grade literature, as well as titles for Twentysomethings and select non-fiction. Genres she likes to explore are travel and unlikely adventures, narrative non-fiction in the style of Bill Bryson, food/lifestyle, music, multi-cultural stories, and historical fiction with a modern voice. She has a background in political journalism and has worked for such publications as The Village Voice. She is a graduate of Brown University. 

 As an agent, what types of stories are you looking for at this time? 

Exciting ones! Both in stories grounded in realism -- travel, adventure, humor -- and in a more offbeat, David Schickler sort of way (I’m thinking specifically of "Wes Amerigo's Giant Fear"). Encountering and surmounting adversity is always a compelling thing, but I don't want to see anything too dystopian; the world is scary enough as it is right now. Also, as a native New Yorker I have to say that I definitely have a soft spot for anything NYC-related. I would love to find the new From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.  

What have you seen too much of lately, if anything? 

Middle Grade books that talk down to the readership. Kids are not dumb; if you haven't been hanging out with a nine year old lately, I'll be able to tell based entirely on your sense of dialogue.

What is your favorite part of being an agent? Least favorite? 

My favorite part has to be the sense of possibility, whether it's when you're going through the slush pile or you're reading a new book from a longtime client. You never know -- the next manuscript you pick up may be the greatest thing you've ever read. Then, you get to experience the thrilling feeling of knowing that you're in the presence of a project that no one else knows about but that, in time, will influence thousands of readers. 

 My least favorite part is, hands down, really believing in a project that just won't sell. Naturally, timing in life is key, and it's just heartbreaking when you have a passion project that no one can get behind.

Describe your dream author? And of course....the author from Hades?

My dream author is someone who can be patient with the ins and outs of publishing. Long waits are commonplace and it helps to have a clear head about it all.

It must be the journalist in me, but I try and stay away from authors who get defensive when approached with edits. I think that as a writer you really have to go into this process with open eyes. From the moment you get an agent until the day your book is sold you are going to be approached with suggestions. While I don’t necessarily recommend taking them all if you don’t believe in them, do know that the process will go a lot smoother if you trust our judgment. We’re all on the same team!

What do you read for pleasure? Name three of your all time favorite books or authors.

I read a lot of YA. Gary Schmidt's The Wednesday Wars really blew me away, as did John Green's Paper Towns. In terms of Adult literature, I most recently enjoyed Joshua Ferris' Then We Came to the End and Azar Nafisi's Reading Lolita in Tehran. Three of my all time favorites, though, are A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers, anything by Salinger and anything by Edward Eager. 

Tell us about a few titles you have coming out you are excited about.  

I'm excited about Monte Montgomery's The Young Person's Guide to Grown-Ups, which is a very funny manual for kids on how to "handle" the grown-ups in their lives. Elsewhere in the agency we have some really wonderful things coming up this Spring, including a novel by Courtney Sullivan called Commencement, which documents four friends from Smith from the time they meet Freshman year through the many years after graduation, and We Two by Gillian Gill, which offers a fascinating look at the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.  

How does one submit to you and do you accept equeries? (for newbies obviously!!) (provide links) 

E-queries are preferred, actually. Please send a cover letter, CV, and the first two chapters of your submission. You can find all of our submission guidelines at www.fr.com/kwfr.

And our new question section- an absolute take off of inside the actors studio-adapted for books (how's that for a switch) INSIDE THE Agents STUDIO

Tell us your favorite movie : The Big Chill.  

Tell us your favorite protagonist-hero or heroine, your choice.  Jo March.

What is your favorite word or phrase?  Success.

least favorite word or phrase?  "I loved this project but marketing feels the subject matter is too risky." 

If you weren’t an agent, you would be a __________.   Wistfully, a scientist. Realistically, a journalist.

Also...agents talk of voice. What kind of voice hooks your attention? One that makes you laugh, cry--in your own words. 

A witty voice, which is such a tricky thing in literature because it requires an understanding of the fine line between humor and poignancy. I think this is why I mentioned Gary Schmidt and John Green above – both guys are brilliant at presenting you with amusing characters and situations that make you think, "Damn, this is so creatively smart and funny," but at the same time kind of make you want to cry. If you can strike that balance, I'm in. 

Biography

I mostly work with commercial fiction; romance (all subgenres including category), mystery, thrillers, urban fantasy, women's fiction, young adult. I do work with some select non-fiction as well.

Brendan Deneen has been working in the publishing and feature film/television industries for the past eight years. He began his career as an Assistant Literary Agent at the William Morris Agency in New York City, and went on from there to be an executive for acclaimed producer Scott Rudin. After two years with Rudin, Brendan accepted an executive position at Dimension Films, which segued into a position with Miramax Films as well as The Weinstein Company. In July 2007, Deneen left the Weinstein Company/Dimension Films and joined Objective Entertainment, representing novelists and screenwriters for publishing & film/television, as well as producing select feature film and television projects.

 
As an agent, what types of stories are you looking for at this time?

****I'm primarily looking for young adult fiction, science-fiction, and thrillers (both supernatural and non-supernatural).
 
What have you seen too much of lately, if anything?

****Not so much "too much" of it, but certain things are just not to my taste, like non-fiction and historical fiction.
 
What is your favorite part of being an agent? Least favorite?

****My favorite part is discovering raw, unknown talent and breaking it out to the masses.  My least favorite is phone call solicitations from authors.
 
Describe your dream author? And of course....the author from Hades?

****My dream author is someone who understands the business, even if they've never published before.  Patience is the key word.  An author from Hades is someone who's impatient and unrealistic about the business.
 
 
What do you read for pleasure? Name three of your all time favorite books or authors.

****I don't do a lot of reading for pleasure, though I am addicted to comic books.  Three of my all time favorite books are GEEK LOVE, GRENDEL (by John Gardner) and pretty much anything by Faulkner.
 
 
Tell us about a few titles you have coming out you are excited about.

****The first book I sold is coming out within the next month or so.  It's entitled DEATH'S DAUGHTER and it's by Amber Benson.  I also continue to be stoked by L. Divine's DRAMA HIGH series.  She's a force of nature and that series just keeps getting bigger and bigger.  Finally, PRIME by Nate Kenyon is a perfect novella.  It's BLADE RUNNER meets THE MATRIX.  I love it.
 
How does one submit to you and do you accept equeries? (for newbies obviously!!)

****The best way to query me is via email: Brendan@ObjectiveEnt.com   

And make it short and sweet.  Wow me right away.  Surprise me.  Make me laugh.  And please, don't call me "Mr. Deneen."  That's my dad.
 
and our new question section- an absolute take off of inside the actors studio-adapted for books (how's that for a switch)
INSIDE THE Agents STUDIO
 
Tell us your favorite movie

****Tough one.  It changes every day.  But I can watch THE PRINCESS BRIDE over and over again, so I'll say that one today.
 
What is your favorite word or phrase? 

****"I'd like to make an offer on the book you submitted."
 
least favorite word or phrase?
****"I'm passing because..."
 
If you werent an agent, you would be ... a teacher .
 
 
 
Also...agents talk of voice. What kind of voice hooks your attention? One that makes you laugh, cry--in your own words.
 
****It's all about authenticity.  Also, brevity.  Short and sweet.  There's nothing worse, in my opinion, than an over-written novel. 
 
thanks brynn chapman
 

Kevan has been with the Dijkstra Agency since 2004.  She handles women’s fiction, with an emphasis on commercial women’s fiction and all genres of romantic fiction.  Her particular interest is historical fiction of all types and commercial women’s fiction.  She is also interested in non-fiction, representing authors in the areas of memoir, environment, parenting, pets and current events.  Kevan holds an MBA from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA and comes to the agency with 17 years of experience on the retail and distribution side of the publishing business.  Her background on the buying and retail side of publishing affords her unique insight into what types of books will sell and how to market them.

She is particularly drawn to stories that draw the reader in and loves a sweeping, complex story with strong female characters.  Her authors in women’s fiction span a broad range of genres from more literary, commercial projects to all genres of romance including historical, contemporary, suspense and paranormal.  She loves to be surprised by a unique plot or characters and is always looking for a new, fresh voice or approach.  With non-fiction projects she looks for topics that she is passionate about or that speak to issues of particular concern to women and families.

Some of Kevan’s recent and soon to be published books include THREAD OF FEAR, by Laura Griffin (Pocket Books, 2008); EARLY BRIGHT, by Ami Silber (Toby Press, 2008);  LOST IN YOU, by Alix Rickloff (Kensington, 2008); HAUNTING JORDAN, by PJ Alderman (Bantam 2009), DARK HIGHLAND FIRE, by Kendra Leigh Castle (Sourcebooks, 2009); HER LADYSHIP’S COMPANION by Evangeline Collins (Berkley, 2009); SOUNDS LIKE CRAZY by Shana Mahaffey (NAL, 2009); RESCUE WARRIORS, by David Helvarg (Thomas Dunne, 2009); FIERCE HEART:  THE STORY OF MAKAHA AND THE SOUL OF HAWAIIAN SURFING (St. Martins, 2009) and ALTERNATIVE ED. (Knopf) by LouAnne Johnson to name a few.

 Thanks for joining us! Below are some of Kevan's author's new releases.

Andrea Somberg

Previously an agent at Vigliano Associates and the Don Maass Agency, Andrea Somberg joined Harvey Klinger Inc in the spring of 2005. She's actively seeking both fiction and non-fiction, including literary, commercial, young adult, genre (romance, mystery, sf/fantasy) memoir, pop- culture, how-to, self-help, humor, interior design, cookbooks, business, diet, and health & fitness.

For fiction, any book with an engaging narrative voice, and compelling protagonists. For nonfiction, projects that fill a need in the marketplace.

I'm still getting quite a few queries for chick-lit, which, unfortunately, is not selling these days.

I love helping authors with their careers. I also love that feeling I get when I am swept away by a new manuscript. My least favorite is all of the rejection, which is inherent to the industry. I know how hard authors work on their manuscripts, and it pains me when I have to pass on a project, either because I don't think I can sell it, or because it's not the best fit for my list.

My favorite authors are those who realize that this is a collaborative business, and clearly communicate to me their hopes and expectations.  As for authors from Hades... hmmm. I'd have to say those authors who interpret my passing on a project as a personal slight. This is very much a business, and oftentimes my decision comes down to one thing: can I sell this manuscript? If the answer is no, the project would be much better off in the hands of someone who believes they can bring it successfully to market.

This is so very tough! I'm going to cheat, and instead name three books that I"ve read recently that I've enjoyed:

Sarah Addison Allen's Garden Spells, Milan Kundera's The Unbearable Lightness of Being, and Jeffrey Toobin's The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court

Rachel Keener's The Killing Tree (Center Street/Grand Central, March '09), a beautiful debut novel that has been receiving a lot of buzz.

PW has described it as and "intensely lyrical, emotional debut."
 

The description from the Publisher: You have to creep around the silence to survive it.

Mercy Heron learned that growing up in the household of her domineering grandfather and a grandmother whose behavior has always been erratic, some folks even call it crazy. They've raised Mercy since her mother died giving birth to her under the June apple tree in the garden on a stormy night, the night Father Heron locked her out and ignored her pleas for help. Mercy's days are spent working at the local diner, and hanging out with her wild best friend Della. Unlike Della, she's never seriously considered leaving the insulated community on Crooked Top mountain. Not until that summer when she meets Trout, a man who opens Mercy's eyes to a world beyond what she's known both physically and emotionally. Their relationship must be kept secret, because Father Heron won't approve of his granddaughter being involved with a migrant worker. But when Mercy tries to escape, she'll learn just how powerful, and ruthless, her grandfather can be. And the truth of her past will threaten to forever bind her to the mountain.�

Another project I'm very excited about, which I think is going to have a huge impact on many people's lives, is Diane Kress's The Metabolism Miracle: A Revolutionary, Proven Diet Program to Overcome Insulin Resistance and Lose Weight Permanently (Da Capo, March '09).

Pre-order @ amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Metabolism-Miracle-Revolutionary-Resistance-Permanently/dp/0738212776/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225400706&sr=8-1

It is a diet book, but, even more intriguing, it presents a fail-safe program to help people prevent and actually reverse Type 2 Diabetes. There's nothing else like it out there -- it really is revolutionary.

Kyra Sundance, bestselling author of 101 Dog Tricks, The Dog Rules:14 Secrets to Developing the Dog You Want (Touchstone/Fireside, March '09).

Pre-order @ amazon- http://www.amazon.com/Dog-Rules-Secrets-Developing-Want/dp/1416588655/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225400629&sr=8-1

Kyra is wonderful - you might have caught her on Bravo or one of her other television appearances with her dog, Chalcy. This book prevents an easy-to-follow, unique, and highly effective approach to helping your dog be the best he can be.

How does one submit to you and do you accept equeries?

Yes, equeries are my favorite. Please send an email to andrea@harveyklinger.com, including your query letter and the first five pages of your manuscript pasted into the body of the email. �

********************************************************************

Once again, I'm going to have to cheat - this is such a tough question! Instead, I'm going to have to name my favorite TV shows at the moment: Mad Men and Arrested Development

of Mortimer Literary Agency represents clients in both the ABA and the CBA. Kelly gives each client personal attention, including manuscript editing. She made the top 10 (#6) of the Publisher’s Marketplace Top 100 Dealmakers - Romance Category in 2007, and is the American Christian Fiction Writers current “Agent of the Year.” Her agency is Romance Writers of America recognized. Kelly writes a monthly column for Christian Fiction Online magazine called “Gotta Get It,” as well as the “Ask an Agent” column for Romance Writers United.

Kelly Mortimer

As an agent, what types of stories are you looking for at this time?

As for genres, the list is on the agency Web site. As to stories, anything that makes me wanna turn the page and keep reading. Sadly, I don’t get too many of those.

What have you seen too much of lately, if anything?

Vampire stories. They suck the life outta me.

What is your favorite part of being an agent? Least favorite?

My favorite part of being an agent? I have a few: calling a writer to offer representation, negotiating deals, and calling a writer to tell them we got an offer.

My least favorite part is telling writers I can’t represent them, and telling my clients we’ve got a rejection.

Describe your dream author? And of course...the author from Hades?

My dream author is easy to deal with (no divas allowed), doesn’t take offense at my suggested edits, and writes something I can sell. Laughing at my dumb jokes is a plus.

The author from Hell? I wouldn't put it that way. Let’s go with “less desirable.” A writer who complains about editing or has a decrepit learning curve on editing (I don’t have the time to read the same thing three times), who goes overboard with back and forth e-mails, and doesn’t give me new stuff to sell if their old stuff has made the rounds.

What do you read for pleasure? Name three of your all time favorite books or authors.

Define “pleasure.” Sorry. I prefer Medievals, Suspense, Thrillers, and some Paranormals.

Tell us about a few titles you have coming out you are excited about

I’m excited about the second book in Julie Lessman’s inspirational historical “Daughters of Boston” series, A Passion Redeemed. I was her editing partner when I was writing, and edited her first manuscript, A Passion Most Pure, but only edited the partial of the second book. Can’t wait to read it.

Anything my clients write excites me, or I wouldn't have signed them.

How does one submit to you and do you accept e-queries?

I only take queries under limited circumstances. I keep a small list in able to give each client personal attention. My submission guidelines are on the agency site at www.mortimerliterary.com E-queries only, when applicable.

I only sign pre-published writers. To be exact: Those who haven’t sold a book to a traditional publishing house in the last three years. I don’t count e-pub, self-pub, or houses like Avalon that sell to libraries. Basically, if your book is on a shelf at Barnes & Noble, I’m not your gal. I’m here to give the little guy a shot. (Sorry, Nora, the answer is still no….)

And-- our new question section- an absolute take off of inside the actors studio-adapted for books (how's that for a switch)

INSIDE THE Agents STUDIO

Tell us your favorite movie

Rebecca, Sound of Music, Lord of the Rings, Medievals, and anything where Bruce Willis is blowin’ somethin’ up

Tell us your favorite protagonist-hero or heroine, your choice.

I’ll give ya both. Edlynne Winterbourne and Pierce de Godfrey (No, you’ve never heard of them because they’re my characters.)

What is your favorite word or phrase?

Boo-Yah!

Least favorite word or phrase?

“Pop,” as in, “That color of eye-shadow makes your eyes pop.”

If you weren’t an agent, you would be a __________.

Full-time handbag, briefcase, laptop carrier designer (my other business), instead of part-time.

Thanks for taking the time!!!!!

Leah Hultenschmidt has been with Dorchester Publishing for eight years.  After several years in Public Relations and Promotions, she’s now back to doing what she loves most—editing books.  She works on mystery romances, historicals, paranormals, futuristics, time-travels, and romantic suspense. Some of her most recent projects include the USA Today best-selling Immortals series and Angie Fox’s The Accidental Demon Slayer, a debut that hit the New York Times list in August. Leah has been named among the Who’s Who of Professional Management, and in 2006 was a finalist for PASIC’s Editor of the Year Award.  She currently posts industry news, upcoming titles and a daily blog at www.romanticreads.net. 
Brynn; As an editor, what types of stories are you looking for at this time?

 Leah: I’m a sucker for a fast-paced or really atmospheric opening that gets me hooked into the story right away.  I love having that immediate sense of “Ooh, I haven’t seen this before.”

Brynn: What have you seen too much of lately, if anything?

Leah: For a while it was demons.  But I think that may have just been a timing issue.  Right now, our list is really full on romantic suspense and mystery romances.

Brynn: What is your favorite part of being an editor? Least favorite?

 Leah: My favorite part is discovering new voices, being able to share an amazing story with thousands of other readers. But I also really love celebrating with my authors their successes.  My least favorite part is tracking down payments and writing rejection letters.

Brynn: Describe your dream author? And of course....the author from Dantes Inferno?

Leah; My dream author turns in her books on time (or gives me as much notice as possible if it won’t be making deadline), is communicative, and has some fun ideas for promotion.  I really don’t ask for a lot.  ;-)  I have yet to work with a truly horrible author, but I will say that an author who’s pleasant to work with and appreciative of extra efforts usually gets just as much if not more in the way of attention and promotion than the author who starts making demands.  Not that authors should be afraid to ask for things, but it’s all in the phrasing--that whole “catching flies with honey” deal.

Brynn: What do you read for pleasure? Name three of your all time favorite books or authors.

Leah; I jump around a lot in my pleasure reading—romance (Laura Kinsale, J.R. Ward, Suzanne Brockmann), historical fiction (Philippa Gregory, Sharon Kay Penman, Robert Harris), fantasy (Jacqueline Carey, Charlaine Harris, Patricia Briggs), thrillers (Michael Connelly, Lee Child).  Usually I’m up for just about anything.

Brynn ; Tell us about a few titles you have coming out you are excited about.

 Leah: The new wave of Immortals books are hitting shelves now. In THE REDEEMING by Jennifer Ashley, we finally get Tain’s story.  After 700 years of torture and an aborted attempt to take over the world, he definitely needs a woman.  Then comes Joy Nash’s THE CROSSING and Robin Popp’s THE HAUNTING, both of which are more stand-alone books from the series.  Readers should feel free to dive in.

Kathryne Kennedy’s DOUBLE ENCHANTMENT is another new-to-the shelves novel that readers will want to check out.  Eloisa James has raved about Kathryne’s magical blend of Victorian London and high fantasy. 

 Leslie Langtry adds another “Greatest Hit” to her Bombay-family-of-assassins collection with STAND BY YOUR HITMAN.  If you like your humor dark and wild, this is for you.

Gerri Russell’s Scottish historical WARRIOR’S LADY is full of action.  Gerri always has a great twist on a true legend, which part of what I think makes her stories so fun.

And Alissa Johnson makes her debut this month with AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, a Regency featuring a host of unforgettable characters.  If you like Julia Quinn or Stephanie Laurens, you’ll definitely want to check this out.  In fact, I’m so behind this series, that we’re scheduling Alissa’s releases four months apart so readers don’t have to wait so long between books.
 

Brynn: How does one submit to you and do you accept equeries? Do you accept unagented? (for newbies obviously!!)

Leah: At this time, I do not accept electronic submissions unless I’ve made a specific request for it.  However, I gladly accept unagented work.  In fact, I’ve recently made offers for at least three authors who weren’t agented at the time.

Brynn: And our new question section- an absolute take off of inside the actors studio-adapted for books (how's that for a switch)

INSIDE THE EDITORS STUDIO

Tell us your favorite movie

THE PRINCESS BRIDE

Tell us your favorite protagonist-hero or heroine, your choice.

Jamie Fraser (Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series)

What is your favorite word or phrase?

seventeen – for some reason it’s the number I always turn to in hyperbole

least favorite word or phrase?

No

If you werent an editor, you would be an __________.

international spa-tester

Thanks Leah, for visting us!!

Hi all. Here's another original interview with a newer literary agency.

 

Verna Dreisbach is an award winning published author who has been featured in books, literary journals, magazines, and newspapers.  Currently, she is working on an anthology for Seal Press about women and horses due for publication in spring 2010.   Verna serves on the board of directors for the CSUS Writers Conference in Sacramento, CA. and is the founder and president of Capitol City Young Writers, an educational writing program for young writers in northern CA.  Verna is currently looking for emerging and experienced writers to build her list and has a particular interest in books with a political, economic or social context.  With over 13 years of law enforcement experience, Verna has a genuine interest and expertise in the genres of mystery, thriller and true crime.   Her bachelor’s degree in English, with honors, gives her an edge in the editorial and review process.  She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in English with a focus in creative writing and composition. 

As an agent, what types of stories are you looking for at this time?

I am looking for writing with a distinctive voice, one that is unique to the writer.  Don’t confuse this with an overuse of adjectives or something elaborate, it is merely a certain style, the voice.  I want a story with characters that I either love or hate, but I want to feel the story and the struggle that flows throughout.  I am not all that interested in action or event driven manuscripts without the strong character base. 

My tastes vary and I can be persuaded.  It doesn’t mean I will like everyone’s writing just because I will look at a variety of genres.  I will look at literary, commercial, mystery, thriller, and some YA.  I will sometimes look at romance, fantasy or sci-fi. My persuasion comes from an unbelievable query letter that compels me to request a partial.   I also accept submissions for non-fiction with a strong proposal and platform. 

What have you seen too much of lately, if anything?

I receive a lot of queries from writers who have the next DaVinci Code.  For awhile it was soccer and more soccer.  A soccer mom romance, a soccer mom mystery, YA kids playing soccer, and I really don’t care much for soccer – sorry.    

What is your favorite part of being an agent?

I enjoy helping writers achieve their dream and feeling that I had a part in it somehow.  I like having connections to people all over the world and traveling to conferences.  I am able to work from home and create a schedule around my family, which is the most important part of my life.      

From your previous experience, what do you feel are your unique contributions as an agent?   

I have always been exceptionally strong in heart and morals, even as a young child.  Add 13 yrs of law enforcement to my characteristics and you get a strong and determined woman.  I am not deterred by a challenge; I speak what is on my mind and stand up for what I believe in.  I do have tact and act professionally, 99% of the time at least.  For the most part, I think that writers appreciate the honesty and directness I bring into a relationship. 

What do you read for pleasure? Name three of your all time favorite books or authors.

First, I would like to have more time to read for pleasure.  Between manuscripts and assigned reading in the MA program, I don’t have much time for books of my choice.  Three of the assigned titles I will be reading over the course of the next couple of months are: In A Glass Darkly/Sheridan Le Fanu, The Beetle/Richard Marsh, and The Picture of Dorian Gray/Oscar Wilde.  My absolute favorite book is Candide by Voltaire.  And, to tell the truth, I love to peruse used book stores for those books that are no longer in print.  I feel as if I am discovering a new writer somehow. 

Tell us about a few titles you have coming out you are excited about.

I am excited about Claudine Wolk’s It Gets Easier!..and Other Lies We Tell New Mothers coming out in the Spring by both Amacom and Helion SA Publishing in Poland.  I fell in love with Claudine’s passion and her relentless pursuit in marketing herself and knew there was no stopping her, now or in the future. 

Personally, I am putting together an anthology about women and horses that will be published by Seal Press in spring 2010.  My love of horses along with my love of writing made this a perfect combination.  I am accepting submissions until January 15, 2009.  For more information visit   http://horsesandwomen.blogspot.com. 

How does one submit to you and do you accept equeries?

(provide links)

I prefer to receive e-mail queries at verna@dreisbachliterary.com. 

And our new question section- an absolute take off of inside the actors studio-adapted for books (how's that for a switch)

Tell us your favorite movie:

The kid in me will always favor The 7^th Voyage of Sinbad.  I do love those classic love stories such as Out of Africa, The English Patient and The King and I.  I admit that I am a James Bond fan.  

what is your favorite word or phrase?

“I love you.”  Best when said by my husband and children.

least favorite word or phrase?

“my bad”  Really, is this even necessary?  What ever happened to “I’m sorry”, “please excuse me”, “pardon me.”  Is this a sign that I am getting old? 

If you weren’t an agent, you would be: 

Traveling the world as a doctor working with an organization such as Doctors without Borders.  Second choice would be, again traveling the world, as a photojournalist. 

thanks'

brynn

So the last section was life imitating art, imitating life...I'm lost already.

In case you live on the moon- here is inside the actors studio....(james lipton)

will ferrell AS james lipton.

have a great writing day--no page fright.