Last week I hinted on Twitter and Facebook that I have big news to share. A lot of clients, personal friends, colleagues and people who I’ve talked to at conferences already know this, as it has been in the works for a while, but now I want to make it official on the blog:
In July, I’m moving to Brooklyn to open up an East Coast office of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency!
Today is a fitting day for this announcement, as it finishes up my last week of classes for my MFA degree. (I’ll turn in my thesis over the summer, which I can do from anywhere, and then I’m done!) I’m typing up all my loose ends and getting ready for the big move.
Since not everyone knows how ABLit works, let me break it down. Our agency has a central office in the San Francisco Bay Area but we all work independently. That allows us to dedicate ourselves and all our attention to our clients. No daily office grind, no “big, imposing agency” vibe. Last year, we had an agent in Japan. Right now, one of our agents is in Chicago and three of our agents, a few interns and our subrights co-agent are in Southern California.
But it has been a while since we’ve had a dedicated presence on the East Coast. I’m very excited to be stepping up!
I’m making this move for a number of reasons, some personal, some career. I feel like it’s the right time for me to dive into NYC and immerse myself in the publishing scene. I’d love to make strong bonds, lasting relationships and more friends in the industry. It’ll be great to represent ABLit in New York and it’ll also be a fantastic asset for my clients. Finally, my boyfriend and I have been doing the cross-country long distance thing for a year and it’s time for me to finally join him.
I love being so close to Andrea and my Bay Area colleagues. They have been around the corner (some of them literally!) ever since I first started reading for ABLit two years ago and I have learned so much from being so close. I can’t imagine where I’d be without every single one of them. They are truly fantastic, inspiring and wise. I’ll miss them, my friends and my family — as well as my beautiful home city of San Francisco — so much, but this is the time for me to take my show on the road. I will still fly back all the time for meetings, family, friends, and the Big Sur conferences, which I absolutely adore.
Send a toast and well-wishes my way…I can’t wait to bring you more good news, more posts, more insight and more kidlit as I take this next step in my career!
(Okay, but I am still here in the Bay Area for a few months, so if anybody wants to make that a physical toast-and-well-wishes, you know where to find me!)
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A word about Sushi: Since Sushi has been such a presence on the blog in the last few weeks, I can now say that this is why her recent illness was so stressful. As I keep an eye on her, I need to know that her health is good enough to survive a taxing move across the country, too. She was always part of my plans in NYC and I hope she stays that way. All signs point to “yes” so far. Thank you for all your continued Sushi love!
Tennessee auction update: Where do I begin? My full manuscript auction ended last night, with a highest bid of $2,800. Demand for this item was so high that I offered a full manuscript critique and phone call to the top 5 highest bidders, at the lowest bid amount of the 5 ($2,125). If all 5 highest bidders want to participate, that means my item will raise over $10,000 for Tennessee flood relief. I am floored and more than happy to do the extra critiques. I immediately got on the phone with Victoria, one of the auction organizers, last night and we just kept going in circles of “Dude…” and “Thank you”/”No, thank you!” I really hope I can swing a trip to Nashville sometime this summer to meet the organizers. Mandy, Victoria and Myra are heroes. They are doing so much good, and I’m honored to be a part of that. Congratulations to the winners! I can’t wait to read your manuscripts!
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Tags: About Me
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Congrats! Awesome news… you have my best wishes and I wish you safe travels, too.
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Congratulations on all counts! Sorry to hear you’re leaving San Francisco, but it sounds like a great opportunity. Wishing you all the best.
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Congrats, Mary! Sounds so exciting, and really wonderful to be closer to your boyfriend. Happy adventures!
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Welcome to my neck of the words! So many agents and authors seem to live in Brooklyn, you’ll be in good company. So happy to hear that Sushi is on the mend and preparing for the big day. Wishing you health and a happy journey
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When you move to Brooklyn, I’ll be happy to do a physical toast in the Big Apple!
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Congrats, Mary! That’s wonderful news for you. I wish you the best.
And that’s one more win for the big Apple, taking away all our West Coast talent… (ha, ha).
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Fantastic and exciting news. Good luck with getting everything moved. Also, congratulations on raising such an incredible amount of money for the Tennessee auction. That’s incredible.
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Congratulations Mary! Welcome to the east coast!
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Congratulations on all counts, Mary. I’m so glad to hear that Sushi is better. I was worried, since I have five kitties of my own.
Hope NYC is everything you long for, and it all works smoothly.
You’re doing such amazing things with your life. Good for you – and everyone else who crosses your path.
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Incredible. Look at the things you are making possible in the world. That’s what it is all about; for real girl, you got it goin’ on.
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Sigh! My husband and I were just talking about how much I want to live in New York. Brooklyn is such a lovely little oasis of browstones and young people hanging out on stoops. Yes, I love my life in Tokyo, but you are pretty much headed for my dream life. Dealing with the business of books all day and living in New York.
Enjoy every minute- you’ve worked hard and given back to a large community of writers in a way that makes all of us happy for our successes.
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CONGRATS and best wishes on your upcoming New York adventure
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Congrats on your great news. Hope you enjoy your move.
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congratulations!!
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Yippee! on three pieces of great news! And great news for you – I’m moving to New York state too! Not a stalker move, honest, just a coincidence.
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As a native Tennessee girl. THank you.
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Congratulations on your news, Mary! Lots of exciting times ahead, I’m sure. I’m also very glad that you continue to give us updates on Sushi, since I’ve been thinking about her so much.
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I know I’m supposed to be all supportive and stuff, but I say boo to Brooklyn. Boo. It’s got snow, sleet, people who talk funny and a bridge that takes way too long to walk over.
Plus I’ll miss seeing you at all the local signings. Boo.
But I’m glad Sushi’s better -
Congratulations on the move! Going to NYC is such a big deal and will make you more marketable. I’ll have to get some updated info so I can query you when my next ms is done.
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Wow. Congratulations on all counts! That must be so exciting, and I’m very happy for you. And I watched your auction, my mouth dropping a little lower each time I refreshed. That is simply incredible, YOU are incredible for being willing to take on that many critiques. Kudos to you and Mandy, Myra, and Victioria. This has been such a good week!
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Franz/Siski — Ooh, where?
CJ — I’ll miss you, too. The lack of you local folk will be a major bummer.
Emily — We accept e-queries only, so luckily my query details will remain the same!
All — Thank you so much! I am still blown away from all the fantastic things that have happened recently.
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Congratulations! Hope it’s a smooth and stress-less move.
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Eeep! Real life stole me away so I’m just getting to this. Glad you can finally share the great news! And SUPER glad to hear about Sushi!! Super SUPER glad about the auction, I knew it would go great on your “item” donation.
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Congrats, Mary! Look forward to hearing more about the move when it happens. And that’s awesome about the Nashville fundraiser too. What an exciting time is ahead of you
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I’m late to the celebration, but since I live in Brooklyn, I wanted to say Welcome!
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