Archive for the ‘Agents’ Category

Weronika Janczuk, agent with D4EO Literary Agency

Weronika Janczuk, agent with D4EO Literary Agency, has confirmed she will attend the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference.

Bio

As a literary agent at D4EO Literary Agency, Weronika represents a broad range of commercial fiction and non-fiction. She accepted the position after a wide array of experience in the industry, including work with acquisitions editor Brian Farrey at Flux and, in different capacities, with other literary agents.

In addition to agent, she is also a writer and student. Most recently a Midwesterner, Weronika now lives in NYC and, when she isn’t reading submissions, she enjoys ’80s music, witty novels, funky art, and time spent with good people.

Weronika will also teach this class:

Class: The Act(ion) Dilemma

Some of the largest problems for fiction writers to fix in their manuscripts are related to structure—plot and pacing—even though thousands of resources exist that draw on lessons from screenwriting and many bestselling and/or genre-defining novels.

Why is it, then, that writers face so many difficult challenges in putting together the puzzle of their novel? It takes a lot of practice to get it right.

This class will briefly break down possible novel “templates,” including the three-act structure, the eight-point story arc, and others, to help writers, first, write to a formula that guarantees conflict and action and, two, break genre boundaries and rules after these basics are learned. In addition, a variety of easy-to-apply techniques can guarantee increased success in plotting and rewriting for both the writer that outlines and the writer that “pantses.”

You can find Weronika’s website here: Weronika Janczuk Website

Elana Roth, literary agent at the Caren Johnson Literary Agency, has confirmed she will attend the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference.

Bio

Elana Roth began her career at Nickelodeon Magazine, which made her fall in love with children’s publishing.

Afterward, she spent nearly five years as an editor at Parachute Publishing, a packager specializing in children’s book series. There she was lucky to work on R.L. Stine’s ROTTEN SCHOOL among many other series for kids of all ages.

She joined Johnson Literary in September 2008, and is proud to represent such authors as Darren Farrell (DOUG-DENNIS and the FLYAWAY FIB) and David Patneaude (EPITAPH ROAD).

Elana is a graduate of Barnard College and the Jewish Theological Seminary, where she earned degrees in English literature and Bible.

Louise Fury, agent at L. Perkins Agency

Louise Fury, literary agent at the L. Perkins Agency, has confirmed she will attend the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference.

Bio

Louise believes in the power of marketing and is constantly on the lookout for authors who know how to promote themselves.

She is seeking high-concept Young Adult fiction and fun, imaginative, and engaging Middle Grade fiction–think humor, adventure and mystery. The characters must be authentic and original.

Louise really loves historical (especially Regency and Victorian), paranormal, steampunk romance, mystery and epic horror.

She’s passionate about connecting with South African authors–anything about South Africa, or by a South African author is on her wish list.

In non-fiction she is looking for pop culture, humor, gift books and witty memoirs.

For more information on Louise or to take a peek at her client list, visit her blog, or follow her on Twitter @louisefury.

Dawn Frederick, literary agent and owner at Red Sofa Literary

Dawn Frederick, literary agent and owner at Red Sofa Literary, has confirmed she will attend the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference.

Bio

Red Sofa Literary was established by Dawn Frederick in 2008.  Dawn brings a broad knowledge of the book business to the table—with over 10 years of experience as a bookseller in the independent, chain, and specialty stores; an editor for a YA publisher, a published nonfiction author, and her experience as an Associate Literary Agent at Sebastian Literary Agency from 2002 – 2007. She carries a B.S. in Human Ecology, and a M.S. in Information Sciences from an ALA accredited institution.

“Not only do I know what people like to read and are currently  reading;  I also have the experience of  working one-on-one with authors, book distribution centers, and literary organizations.”

Previous books sold include: I Love Rock & Roll (Except When I Hate It) by Brian Boone (Perigee), The Secrets of Skinny Chicks by Karen Bridson (McGraw-Hill), Finding Betty Crocker by Susan Marks (Simon & Schuster), Train to Nowhere by Colleen Bradford-Krantz (Ice Cube Press), and No Mercy: Roller Derby Life on the Flat-Track by Jules Doyle (Schiffer Publilshing).

Dawn is looking for nonfiction, and will be doing one-on-one consultations, a panel, and teaching a class during the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference.

Kate McKean, agent with Howard Morhaim Literary Agency

Agent Kate McKean, with Howard Morhaim Literary Agency, Inc., has confirmed she will attend the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference.

Bio

A native Southerner, Kate earned her Master’s degree in Fiction Writing from the University of Southern Mississippi before starting her career as a literary agent.

Her interests lie in literary fiction, contemporary women’s fiction, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, mystery, young adult and middle grade fiction, narrative non-fiction, sports related books, food writing, pop culture, and craft.

She is not accepting any epic fantasy, science fiction, or children’s picture books.

Jenny Bent, founding agent of The Bent Agency

Agent Jenny Bent, with her own The Bent Agency, has confirmed she will attend the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference.

Bio

In a career spanning 15 years, I have made a practice of making bestsellers — either by spotting new talent or developing careers for multi-published authors.

My list is varied and includes commercial fiction and nonfiction, literary fiction and memoir. All the books I represent speak to the heart in some way: they are linked by genuine emotion, inspiration and great writing and story-telling.

I was born in New York City but grew up in Harrisonburg Virginia in a house full of books where I spent many lazy afternoons reading in a sunny window seat. I went on to England to get a BA/MA with first class honors from Cambridge University.

After graduation I worked in magazines, bookselling and agenting, most recently at Trident Media Group, before founding THE BENT AGENCY in 2009. I now live in Brooklyn in an apartment full of books and while there are not quite so many lazy reading afternoons, I manage to fit one in now and then.

Jim McCarthy of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management

Agent Jim McCarthy, with Dystel & Goderich Literary Management, has confirmed he will attend the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference.

Bio

Jim McCarthy interned for DGLM while studying urban design at New York University. Upon graduating, Jim realized he would much rather continue working with books than make the jump (as he had originally intended) to the field of city planning.

As an avid fiction reader, his interests encompass both literary and commercial works. He is particularly interested in literary women’s fiction, underrepresented voices, mysteries, romance, paranormal fiction, and anything unusual or unexpected.  In addition to fiction he is also interested in narrative nonfiction, humor, memoir, paranormal nonfiction, and anything related to architecture, planning, or real estate.

Jim was raised just outside of NYC and currently lives in Brooklyn.

When we began planning the 2011 DFWcon back in the fall of 2009 (yes, it really does take that long when you grow as fast as we have, and you have to find a new venue), I wanted to replace agent/editor pitch sessions with consultations, no finished manuscript required.

But at the 2010 conference in April, we pulled the agents together as an impromptu advice panel, and they said in very clear and unanimous terms: No.

Their reasoning is abundantly clear if you think about writing as a business. Why do agents and editors come to writing conferences? As much fun as most of them seem to have hanging out with writers, they’re not doing it for laughs. They’re doing it to make money.

If you talk to them about a project they think they can sell, but you don’t have a finished manuscript to hand them, then they’ve got nothing to take to the bank. You’ve let them down. Were you an agent or acquisitions editor, would you like that? Not likely. (Note that nonfiction works a bit differently — you can get away with only a partial in that case. But with fiction, a finished manuscript is required by most agents and editors.)

Jason Myers, 2011 DFWcon co-director

The co-director for 2011 DFWcon, Jason Myers (who is in charge of acquiring agents and editors for the conference), wrote a good blog about this a few months ago. I recommend taking a look at it: Don’t Waste Their Time.

Meanwhile, we’re still putting together our list of agents and editors for 2011 DFWcon. We’ve got promises to attend from many, but we’re waiting for them to provide bio information and manuscript requirements before we post them to our site and announce them. As you can imagine, they’re busy and it takes a while to collect and verify all that updated information. Please bear with us.

Alex Glass, with the Trident Media Group

Agent Alex Glass, with the Trident Media Group, has confirmed he will attend the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference.

Bio

Alex Glass came to Trident as Chairman Robert Gottlieb’s assistant in 2001 and was promoted to literary agent shortly thereafter. He has a BA in political science from Johns Hopkins and an MFA in creative writing from American University, and has worked in the literature program at the National Endowment for the Arts and in the marketing department of the Putnam Berkley Publishing Group.

Alex’s clients include national best selling author Chad Kultgen (The Average American Male), international bestselling author Matt Bondurant (The Third Translation and The Wettest County in the World), Edgar Award-winning author Katherine Marsh (The Night Tourist), New York Times bestselling novelist and memoirist Da Chen, NFL legend Mark Bavaro (Rough and Tumble), the estate of Newbery Award-winner Ellen Raskin (The Westing Game), and High Times magazine (The Official High Times Potsmokers Handbook). Upcoming books of note for 2009 include Erick Setiawan’s debut literary fantasy Of Bees and Mist, Courtney Sheinmel’s middle grade novel Positively, Maggie Estep’s new novel Alice Fantastic, crime novelist Dennis Tafoya’s debut Dope Thief, award-winning mystery writer Brian M. Wiprud’s Feelers, Chad Kultgen’s The Lie, and Katherine Marsh’s The Twilight Prisoner.

Alex’s books have been sold to the movies, television, and to foreign publishers around the world. He is currently looking for debut literary fiction, crime fiction and literary thrillers, middle grade and young adult fiction, and pop culture, humor, and narrative nonfiction.

Jennifer Laughran, with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency

Agent Jennifer Laughran, with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, has confirmed she will attend the 2011 DFW Writers’ Conference.

Bio (from the Andrea Brown website)

Jennifer 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.

Jennifer attends several conferences each year. Past conferences include Willamette, Writer’s League of Texas, NE-SCBWI, Book Passage Children’s Writers Workshop, and Big Sur Children’s Writer’s Workshop. She spends most of her free time … well, reading, what else?!