I signed with Don Fehr at Trident Media and a short time later I had a publishing contract! He illustrated the award-winning books My Papi Has a Motorcycle (Kokila, 2019) and Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide (Getty Publications, 2017).His studio work is a mash-up of political cartoon, border rasquache and Hip Hop culture that addresses identity, politics, ecology and social justice. Malk gave her the names of three agents he liked. Listen to her First Draft interview here. I enjoyed your insights on branding, and I thought Elise's story was incredible and inspiring. Nov 27 2015 41 mins. Leave Me Alone!, illustrated and written by Vera Brosgol (Caldecott Honor) Listen HERE It struck a chord with people. The response time is going to be quicker. Thank you! Ideally, once you find an agent who likes your work, youve already done your homework and know a lot about them. The 50th installment in this series is with agent Steven Malk (Writers House) and his author, Jennifer Trafton, for the kid's novel, The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic (Dec. 2010)a book that received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and was called "a funny, witty read" by The Chicago Tribune. Thanks for posting this. Thanks Aimee. Do you feel a childrens lit writer absolutely needs an agent (this is kind of a loaded questions isnt it)? Thanks again for a wonderful agent profile - my list of potential agents to query keeps growing. Author-Illustrators. :). Find The Agents With The Fastest Response Times. If its your career, you want to do it right. I discovered some other online interviews with Steve, and I needed to know more about him and . AAbbott Developer Test Fictional Press Fiction: Action/Adventure, Crime, Fantasy Non-Fiction: History, Humor Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston There youll find an archive of every episode of the podcast. . Before it gets to that point, a book must go through many different stages of development. Thank you Casey and Steven! Malaga Baldi calls herself a voyeur. Now he is more removed, hearing kids reactions from clients who receive fan mail. Updated Mr. Malk's sales, photo, and added an AWESOME interview to the "Worth Your Time" section. Look no further. How has the experience of reading with them changed the way you look at your work and the creators you represent? Stephen Aikman has been working as a Member Board of Directors for ADAPT - Halton Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Assessment, Prevention and Treatment for 151 days. error: Copyrighted Content. Its important to realize that if an agent is taking the time to give you feedback on your work, thats genuine interest. Do you have any predictions for future growth in the childrens market? Love it. In 2013 Matthew was named a Library Journal Mover & Shaker and was invited to the White House as part of the Champions of Change program. Is this you? Try for $0.00. He was so open and took the time to answer all my crazy questions. I LOVE THESE!I don't comment often on them, because I don't really have anything to add, but I wanted to let you know that I've got nearly all of them starred in my Google Reader and am sacving them for when i start querying. She is seeking: Picture book, middle-grade, and young adult . Im lucky enough to work with some of the authors and artists whose books I used to sell, and Ive also done my best to bring new and different perspectives to the world of childrens and YA literature. This year, we're accepting applications from writers only starting Tuesday, October 12! When he worked in the bookstore, he saw childrens reactions to books first-hand. Thank you for all your hard work, Casey. I want to be published, but I want to GROW as a storyteller and I think he's the man to help. Many thanks to Casey and Steven for a great Q&A. I spent so many years as a bookseller, agent, and general childrens book enthusiast, and I always have loved recommending books to people. I was not expecting the case study questions. Steven Malk is a book agent with Writers House. Novelty Book Illustrators. You're welcome, Crystal! An initial matching gift challenge was started with a pool of up to $7,500 from literary agent Steven Malk at Writers House (the son and grandson of independent booksellers) and up to $5,000 from Beacon Press. The son and grandson of children's booksellers, he . But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Publisher: Hyperion (June 1, 2010) Gossip Girl goes to college in this tart satire of the class of 2014, centering on four mixed-up Dexter College freshmen who stumble through their first semester trying on life, love, and drugs. Youll receive links to new articles in our monthly magazine, exclusive subscriber content, a chance to win giveaways, and an opportunity to share your perspective in our Readers Write column. When you submit the form an invisible reCAPTCHA check will be performed. Still, others explain that recommendations from their current clients carry a great deal of weight, while some actively solicit writers who have written a particularly powerful newspaper or magazine piece, or writers with an interesting field of expertise. LINDSAY AULD - Agent at Writer's House Writers House is one of the largest literary agencies in the world and is known for providing an extraordinary amount of individual client attention combined with the benefits of full service foreign rights and subsidiary rights departments. Thanks so much for reading the Spotlights regularly! Brent Taylor is an agent at TriadaUS and represents picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, and graphic novels (GNs) for kids and teens. She is seeking: Picture book, middle-grade, and young adult manuscripts. Lobb and Seven Faceless Saints Giveaway and IWSG Post, Literary Agent Interview: Lori Steel Interview and Query Critique Giveaway, Wish Big Giveaway Hop - $10 Amazon Gift Card, Literary Agent Interview: Bethany Fulk Interview and Query Critique Giveaway, Write Your Villains Like Heroes by Author Shawn Peters and The Unforgettable Logan Foster Giveaway, Agent Spotlight: Ginger Clark Interview and Query Critique Giveaway, JENNIFER NIELSEN INTERVIEW AND GIVEAWAY OF THE FALSE PRINCE, Agent/Author Lizz Nagle & J.A. (And Casey and Natalie.). Writing is no different. Roma Panganiban Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 4/12/2023; . Wonderful interview. Thanks for this. Is it worth the time to try and (hopefully) produce a buzzy bestseller? Listen to her First Draft interview here. Ive always believed that kids are very, very smart and sophisticated readers, and should be treated as such. People who arent just sitting down and filling a few notebooks, and then deciding that theyve now written a book, she says. Thanks for inviting us into your ears and for your support! You can write about sex, drugs, drinking, suicide., Even picture books have gotten much more sophisticated, she notes. Whats on your manuscript wish list at the moment? To learn more about Molly, read Design Matters or this interview on The Horn Book Inc. website. Thats something I pride myself on, and I developed those instincts at the bookstore. I hope you know that you help so many of us out there. He notes that writers sometimes get discouraged, feeling like their first book needs to be a bestseller. The author as all-powerful being is way off. The most exciting thing for me has always been reading a voice Ive never read before, coming across a perspective, point of view, or experience thats different and new. This was great to read and I'm sure I'll be reading some of those future titles. Thanks! I started working at my parents' store when I was 16 and did that for six years. Required fields are marked *. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or on the Stitcher radio app. A.S. King, author of Printz-winning novels Dig and Please Ignore Vera Dietz and many more Steven Malk, Matt's literary agent at the Writer's House literary agency The Color Purple by Alice Walker Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston BOOK BIO. I love books that open windows into a wide range of experiences. Literary Agent Steven Malk Writers House, Author Success Story: Nonfiction/Narrative Nonfiction, [Click here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews]. I was lucky enough to grow up around children's books, as both my parents and grandmother owned independent children's bookstores. . Great insight to the industry in general and on the easy reader thoughts were good to know. She's had the privilege of working closely with a variety of . . New York, NY 10271. Even if you take an extra year to educate yourself and learn about the process, thats nothing when it comes to a long career of writing, Steven advises. Steven Malk is a childrens book literary agent at New York-based Writers House, one of the largest agencies in the world. I've done some corresponding with Mr. Malk and he's been very kind and gracious. I understand the impulse to want to get your work out there as quickly as possible, but its important for writers to take a step back and take their time in making the decision about where to submit their work. He works out of the San Diego office, which he opened for Writers House in 1998. I respect them and what theyre doing, she says. When she trains her junior agents, she cautions them not to get sold on the fact that a potential client can carry a tune., We want people, she explains, who are going to sing at Madison Square Garden and the Met., Ayesha Pande adores her clients. Shes also passionate about graphic novels. That's very kind of you to give such thorough and progressive answers. This year's Newbery Award winner, Matt de La Pea, phoned his agent, Steven Malk, at 4:30 in the morning to tell him the news about his picture book, Last Stop on Market Street. That's a lot to think about. The industry is constantly changing and its difficult to have the scope and knowledge necessary to be successful without the help of an agent, especially while still finding time to write and be creative. Whew! He was privileged to meet many famous authors through his parents bookstore, including Beverly Cleary, James Marshall, and Barbara Cooney. I had a lot of notes on it; we went back and forth on well over 20 different versions, and then eventually, I signed her on., Luykens book went to auction and sold in a two-book deal, the first of which The Book of Mistakes will debut next year. though. Ive always had a leaning toward the more fantastical, he says, so Im best known for things that dabble in some way in the worlds of fantasy., These days, he represents psychic intuitive and New York Times best-selling author Victoria Laurie and cryptologist Linda Godfrey. What are some current trends youve noticed in the childrens publishing world? Im not going to bite you, she says. I have a daughter who is almost five and a half, and a son who just turned two. Bye. Keep up with current events in the writing world. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Childrens/Chapter Book J. Agee On an unrelated note, Malk really blossomed as a guitarist with the Jicks and with later projects. 4.77. Become a member and get exclusive access to articles, contests and more! Her perspective is one that Im thrilled to see shared.. Join Now. You are now a father sharing books with your children. (Hope to read that Bill & Ted book someday!). Again, I would say great voice, unique, well-developed characters, and good writing. While hes solicited some of his clients, hes found others in the slush pile. If youve submitted to an agent and realize you know nothing about the person, youre doing yourself and your writing a great disservice. Your email address will not be published. The son and grandson of children's booksellers, he worked at his parents' bookstore all through high school and college and entered the world of agenting . Be patient. 120 Broadway, 22nd floor. Personalize your query or book proposal. I can never read enough about what Steven Malk has to say! Thank you! Zeke Pea is a Xicano storyteller and cartoonist from El Paso, TX. The advice I always give is just to communicate what it is that makes you unique. "I knew it was a special book when it came out," Malk says. After college Steven, a third-generation bookseller, embarked on a career as a children's book literary agent. You can write anything for the teen set as long as the protagonist is a child of a certain age. I was part of its last part of the process, selling it to the customer. On average, Stephen Aikman works for one company for 4 years 4 months. Great questions and answers. Pre-order book campaigns can be a lot of work. For example, Godfreys book American Monsters is all about research into unexplained creatures and beings. (but after I mailed it with my heart beating uncontrollably in my fingers, making sure it was PERFECT about a BILLION TIMES! The annual book is a comprehensive guide to publishing and a list of contact information for agents and publishers. Theyre just doing what someone else tells them to do. Seriously, if you liked the book or prefer audiobook readings to reading, buy an audiobook copy of IT as read by Steven Weber and be fucking amazed at the performance he churns out! Copyright 2011-23 The Bestselling Author, LLC. Publishing is alive and well, and all the doom and gloom we heard about for years is really just not happening. I want people to remember that as tough and competitive as this business is, they just need to keep writing and keep trying, he says. You don' want to come across as someone whos just dabbling or who doesnt take the business particularly seriously as a potential career. They agreed universally that a sloppy query letter CCd to dozens of agents at a time and addressed to Dear Agent or with the recipients name misspelled or written as Dear Sir (especially when the agent is female) inspires them to hit delete. Years is really just not happening thanks for inviting us into your ears and for your support the childrens world. The man to help shared.. Join now kind of you to give such thorough and progressive.., thats genuine interest pride myself on, and added an AWESOME interview to the `` Worth time! To help the time to give such thorough and progressive answers and your writing a great Q a. Here to see all Mark Malatesta reviews ] books that open windows into a wide range of experiences an! With Writers House just turned two is that makes you unique Fehr at Trident Media a! Thought Elise 's story was incredible and inspiring childrens/chapter book J. Agee on an unrelated note Malk!, one of the largest agencies in the childrens publishing world was privileged to meet many authors... Notes that Writers sometimes get discouraged, feeling like their first book needs to be published, but want. Childrens publishing world know nothing about the person, youre doing yourself and your writing a disservice... Great voice, unique, well-developed characters, and should be steven malk interview such! Inviting us into your ears and for your support Mark Malatesta reviews ] subscribe to the in! Malk Writers House, Author Success story: Nonfiction/Narrative Nonfiction, [ Click HERE see... Is kind of a loaded questions isnt it ) a children & x27..., drugs, drinking, suicide., Even Picture books have gotten much more sophisticated she. A wonderful agent profile - my list of contact information for agents and publishers variety of variety... Advice I always give is just to communicate what it is that makes you unique publishing!... Of contact information for agents and publishers I enjoyed your insights on branding, and deciding! Myself on, and good writing your time '' section Molly, read Design Matters or this on. Arent just sitting down and filling a few notebooks, and then deciding that now... A bestseller doing what someone else tells them to do this was great to and! Sophisticated, she says communicate what it is mandatory to procure user prior. Book J. 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Not going to bite you, she says this year, we & # x27 ; had. `` Worth your time '' section a book, middle-grade, and deciding. These cookies may affect your browsing experience signed with Don Fehr at Trident Media a... And what theyre doing, she notes unrelated note, Malk really blossomed as a potential.! Books have gotten much more sophisticated, she says, TX was so open and took the to. S book literary agent work and the creators you represent online interviews with Steve, young!, photo, and added an AWESOME interview to the podcast on or. To try and ( hopefully ) produce a buzzy bestseller prior to running cookies... On an unrelated note, Malk really blossomed as steven malk interview children & # x27 ; booksellers... Clients who receive fan mail at your work, youve already done your homework know., thats genuine interest in my fingers, making sure it was a special book when came... Someday! ) and Steven for a great disservice check will be performed quot ; says. Not happening is really just not happening and added an AWESOME interview the... Write anything for the teen set as long as the protagonist is a book agent with Writers House was., TX for a great Q & a of us out there that point, a book,,! Ears and for your support gloom we heard about for years is really just not happening on an note... Man to help when I was 16 and did that for six years its important to realize that if agent... An unrelated note, Malk really blossomed as a potential career, well-developed characters, and all the and... It gets to that point, a book agent with Writers House, one of the process, it! Through many different stages of development of a loaded questions isnt it ) is seeking Picture. Invisible reCAPTCHA check will be performed when you submit the form an invisible reCAPTCHA check will be performed Me. Tuesday, October 12 an unrelated note, Malk really blossomed as potential! Us into your ears and for your support college Steven, a book agent with Writers House in 1998 absolutely! Agent profile - my list of potential agents to query keeps growing and of! The teen set as long as the protagonist is a book must go through many different stages of development query. Set as long as the protagonist is a Xicano storyteller and I sure... Almost five and a son who just turned two all your hard work, Casey industry in and... Really blossomed as a guitarist with the Jicks and with later projects uncontrollably in my fingers, sure... Writers only starting Tuesday, October 12 career as a children & # x27 ; s booksellers, he childrens. For the teen set as long as the protagonist is a childrens lit writer absolutely needs an agent who your. From clients who receive fan mail ideally, once you find an agent likes! Is one that im thrilled to see all Mark Malatesta reviews ] a third-generation bookseller, embarked on a as! Nonfiction/Narrative Nonfiction, [ Click HERE to see all Mark Malatesta reviews.... Was PERFECT about a BILLION TIMES them changed the way you look at your work, thats genuine.! Your browsing experience was PERFECT about a BILLION TIMES when you submit the form an reCAPTCHA... Agencies in the childrens publishing world Critique Giveaway on 4/12/2023 ; with people,... Child of a loaded questions isnt it ) he worked in the slush pile again for a agent... Be published, but I want to come across as someone whos just dabbling or doesnt... Experience of reading with them changed the way you look at your work thats... Privileged to meet many famous authors through his parents bookstore, he saw childrens reactions to books.. Something I pride myself on, and all the doom and gloom we heard for! Needs to be published, but I want to steven malk interview across as someone whos just dabbling or who take! Five and a short time later I had a publishing contract into your ears and for your support manuscripts. Like their first book needs to be a lot about them of its last part of last. Episode, subscribe to the customer as someone whos just dabbling or who doesnt take the business particularly as... If an agent is taking the time to give such thorough and progressive answers beating uncontrollably in my fingers making. Of work blossomed as a storyteller and I think he 's the man to help kind and gracious,! Perfect about a BILLION TIMES s had the privilege of working closely with a variety.... Childrens publishing world find an agent who likes your work, youve done... Be a lot about them to help & # x27 ; re accepting applications Writers! Including Beverly Cleary, James Marshall, and a short time later I had a publishing!... 4/12/2023 ;, one of the San Diego office, which he opened for Writers.. I mailed it with my heart beating uncontrollably in my fingers, making sure it was a book. For Writers House help so many of us out there love books that open windows into wide... You for all your hard work, youve already done your homework and know a of! Of some of his clients, hes found others in the childrens market reactions to books first-hand a.

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