Comments on: Agents as Editors and Kidlit Newcomers

By: Rose

Rose — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:52:13 +0000

Um, yes, have seen this, too…

By: Kidlit.com · Agents Aren’t a Magic Bullet

Kidlit.com · Agents Aren’t a Magic Bullet — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:50:27 +0000

[...] full yet. But enough people wanted to sign me that I thought I was home free. (See my note about Kidlit Newcomers.) So it went out on a huge submission and… nothing. About a year after that, I was starting [...]

By: Traci Grigg

Traci Grigg — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:35:03 +0000

Thank you for all your great insight.

By: Eileen Feldsott

Eileen Feldsott — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:24:14 +0000

As someone getting ready to begin querying, it’s exciting to see so many more agents repping middle grade and YA than even a couple of years ago. But ultimately I want someone who knows the children’s publishing industry inside and out to help make my work the best it can be and to put it in the right hands.

By: Lois B.

Lois B. — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:42:44 +0000

I had heard that agents were doing a lot more editing than they used to do. It is interesting to learn from a reputable source that this is true. Though it makes your job harder, I think it is good because it helps weed out agents who are in the industry but who really know nothing about writing. Thanks for sharing.

By: Carol

Carol — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:17:39 +0000

I think it’s awesome that agents are willing to add editing to their busy schedules because of their love of good literature (and editors having less time for it). Do you enjoy that aspect of your work and did you ever want to be an editor?

By: C. L. Freire

C. L. Freire — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 11:49:22 +0000

I think it’s amazing that, in these times, children’s books are holding strong. It’s a true testament to the market. I hunger to see my manuscript, which is polished and ready to go, land in the hands of a great editor, and a great agent.

Great post! A fantastic look into the industry’s current affairs!

By: Mary

Mary — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:13:18 +0000

Terri — And I think that’s the attitude that leads a lot of people to greater success and fulfillment, whether through publishing or through their own expression, than the breakneck race for publication. Bravo.

Janet — Another healthy perspective here! It’s very important to be around your inspiration and to know the realities of the business, as you do.

Both of these posts are thoughtful, nuanced and intelligent ways of looking at writing (the art and the business of it)!

By: Becky Mushko

Becky Mushko — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:59:14 +0000

I’ve heard at a couple of conferences that many agents are providing editorial help that used to be done only by editors. Thanks to the Internet, it’s easier to find ones that have background in children’s literature.

By: janet

janet — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:53:09 +0000

A thoughtful discussion here. When I started writing my middle grade novel a couple of years ago, I was amazed at how many of my fellow teachers thought I was going to quit teaching and write for a living. They didn’t understand what a long shot it was and that even if I got published, the chances were I’d still need to teach to put food on the table. Besides, being around students all day is what inspires me to write about them in the first place.