Childrens Writers Chat 3-20-01

Subject: Childrens Writers Chat - agents

Author: writerbabe

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Date: 6/4/2001

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Childrens Writers Chat 3-20-01

Guest: Agent Barry Goldblatt

Tuesdays

9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT), Writers Workshop

Children's Writers chat - writers and illustrators of children's books meet for specific topics and special guest speakers, moderated by HOST WRTR WBABE & HOST WRTR CGaley, with HOST WRTR sUe & HOST WRTR Neely (Greeters).

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<HTML>Childrens Writers Chat Log 3-20-01

Guest: Barry Goldblatt, agent

WriterBabe: We are going into protocol...now.

BOEDEN: not this year. can't drive

BOEDEN: yet

WriterBabe: That means when it's time for audience participation, type ? for a question,

WriterBabe: ! for a comment, and wait your turn in the queue to be called on.

BGLiterary: I wanted to be in Seattle, but they scheduled it the same week as Bologna

WriterBabe: Type GA for Go Ahead (guests, too) when you've finished speaking.

WriterBabe: My co-host is Chuck Galey and he can butt in at will.

CGaley: (waving!!*)

WriterBabe: Wave, Chuck.

CGaley: (heh, heh... reading your mind, Marilyn!)

WriterBabe: Tonight I'm pleased to welcome a new agent--

WriterBabe: Barry Goldblatt.

WriterBabe: Welcome, Barry.

BGLiterary: Thanks...glad to be here

WriterBabe: I'm going to throw some questions at you, then open this to the audience.

BGLiterary: Fire away

WriterBabe: Last week we had Bob Stein, a literary lawyer, as our guest.

BGLiterary: Btw, if the red is annoying, please let me know

WriterBabe: We asked him what a lawyer can do that an agent can't.

WriterBabe: I have the same question--reversed--for you, Barry.

WriterBabe: The red's cool!

WriterBabe: GA

BGLiterary: Hmm, an interesting question.

BGLiterary: First off, lawyers can't sell your work for you. Their job is to negotiate a contract

BGLiterary: that's about it. No career guidance, no useful advice, and no friend in need

BGLiterary: An agent can offer many things, in addition to contract negotiation, some of which I mention

BGLiterary: I like to think of myself as an author's (or artist's) partner

BGLiterary: I'll help from the very beginning, placing a book

BGLiterary: then help during the negotiating process

BGLiterary: aiding with any problems that may arise pre-publication

BGLiterary: then also help with marketing and publicity post-publication

BGLiterary: GA

WriterBabe: Great answer!

WriterBabe: You've been in sub rights and contracts.

WriterBabe: How has that helped in your new role as agent?

WriterBabe: What made you decide to become an agent? GA

BGLiterary: That's easy...I'm a master negotiater now, thanks to having to negotiate

BGLiterary: hundreds of contracts in my previous incarnation

BGLiterary: I've heard all the things other long established agents ask for in a contract, and now I get

BGLiterary: to ask for all the things I use to tell them "no" about...

BGLiterary: some agents I know call that karma =)

BGLiterary: I decided to become an agent for several reasons

BGLiterary: First and foremost, I wanted to work for myself. I needed a change, and that seemed like

BGLiterary: the best opportunity for me to use the skills I had, and to get to pick and choose the books

BGLiterary: I'd be working with, which was a real plus

BGLiterary: Secondly, I had seen authors, many of whom have become friends, do terribly unwise things as

BGLiterary: unrepresented authors, and I thought I could help them and others avoid those in the future

BGLiterary: Finally, heck, it just sounded like fun!

BGLiterary: GA

WriterBabe: You are an excellent negotiator, I might add--one of the most pleasant contracts folks I've

WriterBabe: encountered.

WriterBabe: You struck me as very pro-author!

BGLiterary: Thanks...that was pretty much the Orchard philosophy

WriterBabe: What are some of the "terribly unwise things" authors do, Barry? GA

BGLiterary: Well, some authors don't even read their contracts! That's the worst thing I saw

BGLiterary: But mainly, it's that they don't educate themselves about the business side of what they've

BGLiterary: chosen as a career

BGLiterary: They actually, in many cases, forget this is business, because they're on such a friendly

BGLiterary: basis with their editor

BGLiterary: Many of them don't feel they can ask friends for more money, better royalties, or tell them

BGLiterary: that they no longer want to let the publisher handle their film rights

BGLiterary: That's where an agent can really help out...we get to be the heavy, and you still get to be

BGLiterary: friends with your editor =)

BGLiterary: GA

WriterBabe: Every agent we've had as a guest has said that authors show know their contracts--whether or

WriterBabe: not they have agents.

WriterBabe: I take it you agree? GA

BGLiterary: Absolutely. Just like you wouldn't buy a house, or a car, or any other major purchase withou

BGLiterary: reading the contract, and making sure you understood it. Sure, you have a lawyer or mortgage

Sezann: ?

BGLiterary: broker helping out, but YOU are the one responsible, not them.

BGLiterary: GA

WriterBabe: What distinguishes a good agent from a bad one? How can a writer know if an agent is good?

WriterBabe: GA

BGLiterary: That's tough to answer

BGLiterary: Agents come in all shapes, sizes and flavors, and what works for you may not work for

BGLiterary: someone else.

BGLiterary: Given that, though, I think you have to take the position of boss, because you (the author)

BGLiterary: IS the boss. I work for you, not the other way around. So, do what you'd do in hiring any

BGLiterary: employee...ask lots of questions.

BGLiterary: I do think there are some warning signs that an agent should be avoided, however.

BGLiterary: If they charge a reading fee, run the other way.

BGLiterary: If they say they don't want to represent your career, just this one book, run the other way.

BGLiterary: Most importantly, if you don't feel they will listen and support you, give you good advice,

BGLiterary: and generally help you make your career better, run the other way.

BGLiterary: I get interviewed regularly, even once I've contacted someone and told them I want to

BGLiterary: represent them. It's part of the process, and I welcome it, because that's the best way to

BGLiterary: get to know me.

BGLiterary: GA

WriterBabe: Last set of questions from me, then we'll open this to the audience:

WriterBabe: How does having an agent affect the writer/editor relationship?

WriterBabe: How fee is a writer to make contacts, call editors, etc.?

WriterBabe: How can writers and agents enhance each other's work? GA

BGLiterary: Good question.

BGLiterary: Every agent has different policies on this.

BGLiterary: If I'm representing someone, I will be the one who submits their work to their editor.

BGLiterary: However, I will in no way get between them and their editor in the editorial process

BGLiterary: I want to submit, because that's the best way for me to know the status of projects at all

BGLiterary: times.

BGLiterary: I certainly would never tell an author, especially a new one, not to make contact with

BGLiterary: editors at conferences and such, however, that's terribly helpful for me as an agent

BGLiterary: But I don't want them sending out work to people on their own, because then mistakes can

BGLiterary: happen.

BGLiterary: But authors must remember that they still will have the relationship with their editor, and

BGLiterary: they'll be a huge part of the process overall; I wouldn't have it any other way.

BGLiterary: As to how they can help me do my job better, well, they can keep me informed,

BGLiterary: and trust me

BGLiterary: Not blindly, of course, but if we don't have that trust, then I'm the wrong

BGLiterary: agent for them anyway.

BGLiterary: Oh, and I do think it helps editorial relationships a lot when you have someone else to

BGLiterary: step in and do the "dirty" work, so that you, as author, can concentrate on the writing

BGLiterary: GA

WriterBabe: Thanks for your great answers, Barry. I am now opening this chat to the crowd. Type ? or

RoxyanneY: ?

WriterBabe: !, gang.

KYMSS: ?

WriterBabe: Sezann, you're first in line.

Sezann: In my efforts to sell my work, I have found agents less approachable than publishers.

Sezann: After a huge mailing, I have had 4 publishers ask for MS and no agents.

Sezann: Now that I have garnered this interest, the agents seem very willing to talk turkey.

Sezann: It is a pattern in the field?

Sezann: GA

BGLiterary: Well, I can't speak for everyone, but I certainly don't have that kind of pattern.

BGLiterary: If I don't like something, actually if I don't LOVE something, I don't care if there IS an

BGLiterary: offer on the table, I'm not going to represent it.

BGLiterary: But you have to remember that there are fewer agents then there are publishers, and most

BGLiterary: well established agents have full client lists, and simply can't take on any more.

BGLiterary: GA

WriterBabe: Roxy, you're next.

RoxyanneY: Have you ever fired a client, and if so, why?

LesleyWrites: ?

BGLiterary: Fortunately, Roxy, that hasn't yet come up...

BGLiterary: GA

Aldertag: ?

RoxyanneY: ?

WriterBabe: Let's hope it never does, Barry!

WriterBabe: Kym, go ahead.

KYMSS: Are you handling only children's writers or will you also handle adult writers ? GA

BGLiterary: I'm trusting the old saying "Do what you know." For right now, I'm only handling children's

BGLiterary: Of course, there are certain genres which have some overlap, and I'm not going to close any

BGLiterary: doors permanently. One never knows what will happen.

BGLiterary: GA

KYMSS: ?

WriterBabe: Kym, do you have a follow-up question?

KYMSS: Different subject

WriterBabe: Okay, then Lesley's next.

MaryCronk: ?

LesleyWrites: Hi--When a prospective client sends you sample chapters, should they be the first few, or

LesleyWrites: chapters through out the book (if Middle grade) that give you over all idea?

LesleyWrites: Thanks, GA

BGLiterary: Good question, I'll outline all my submission policies.

BGLiterary: For picture books, send me the whole mss.

BGLiterary: For longer fiction, I like to see a summary and the first 3-5 chapters.

BGLiterary: As for your cover letter, short and sweet is best. Either the writing will speak for itself,

BGLiterary: or it won't.

BGLiterary: And don't forget a SASE. Even in these days of email, I'm not likely to respond without it.

BGLiterary: GA

WriterBabe: Barry, would you mind giving us your address?

WriterBabe: GA

BGLiterary: Sure

BGLiterary: PMB 266

BGLiterary: 320 7th Avenue

BGLiterary: Brooklyn, NY 11215

BGLiterary: And so you know, my response time is hovering around 6-8 weeks at the moment

BGLiterary: GA

WriterBabe: And it's BGLiterary or Barry Goldblatt Literary Agency? GA

BGLiterary: Right now, it's the long version, but I keep thinking about changing it. =)

BGLiterary: GA

WriterBabe: Thanks!

WriterBabe: Roxy, fire away.

RoxyanneY: Do you have a favorite genre? What's on your not-work reading table right now? GA

BGLiterary: Hmm, that's tough. Great writing can make me read a genre I don't love

WriterBabe: (Whoops, Alder--didn't mean to skip you. You'll be next)

BGLiterary: I like science fiction and fantasy, provided they're not the same old, same old

BGLiterary: And heaven forbid anyone send me "the next Harry Potter"

Rdpelleg: ?

BGLiterary: I like funny a lot; not slapstick so much as dark, edgy subversive humor

BGLiterary: The only thing I'm not particularly interested in is nonfiction

BGLiterary: GA

WriterBabe: The host is a bit gaga tonight. Actually, Kym is next. Then Alder.

WriterBabe: Kym, go ahead.

KYMSS: Some agents are hands on, some hands off editorially (They'll work with the author on a ms.

KYMSS: Which are you?

KYMSS: ga

BGLiterary: Depends on my client, but generally I'm fairly hands on.

RoxyanneY: ?

BGLiterary: For example, I represent Angela Johnson. Now, needless to say, Angie knows what she's doing

BGLiterary: Three CSK awards prove that

BGLiterary: And she's got long term relationships in place with most of her editors

BGLiterary: With her, I'll often comment on how much (or how little) I like something, but I'm NOT going

BGLiterary: to try and edit her work in any substantial way, maybe just make suggestions here or there

BGLiterary: With other clients, they WANT me to do more

BGLiterary: Now, I'm not formally trained as an editor, but I do know what I like, and I know the market

BGLiterary: So I do feel I can help shape things that are "almost there," provided that's what the

BGLiterary: client wants

BGLiterary: GA

WriterBabe: Alder, your turn.

Aldertag: Do you prefer dummy books from author-illustrators or...what? ..and why? Thanks GA

LesleyWrites: ?

BGLiterary: Definitely I like to see dummy books, if I can. They'll tell me much more than a manuscript

BGLiterary: and some sample art. They'll give me a sense of the author's knowledge, experience, design

BGLiterary: sense, all of which can help me decide whether it's a project I want to take on

KYMSS: ?

BGLiterary: That said, sometimes all it takes is a great mss and a brilliant illustration or two

GFA888: ?

BGLiterary: GA

WriterBabe: Mary, you're next.

MaryCronk: I read you prefer quirky, edgy, off-beat. Is that what it takes to sell right now? Also,

MaryCronk: do you want to see a body of work, or is one manuscript enough to sell you?

BGLiterary: That's not what it takes at all. There are lots of different editors out there, with many

BGLiterary: different needs.

BGLiterary: It's just what I generally prefer, but I'm not hardcore about what I like and dislike. Great

BGLiterary: writing is the only measuring stick I use. Blow me away with your writing and it could be a

BGLiterary: sweet Christmas story, or a knock me over backwards YA novel about sexual dysfunction.

Neely f: <><><><>< 15 MINUTE WARNING <><>><>><

BGLiterary: I generally do prefer to see a body of work, if the author feels it's all up to same quality

BGLiterary: standards...but I can be sold on just one great book

BGLiterary: GA

WriterBabe: Okay, everyone. Get busy on that sexual dysfunction novel!

MaryCronk: Thanks! GA

BGLiterary: LOL

WriterBabe: Rd, your turn.

LYPHIS: ?

LesleyWrites: A Christmas YA sexual disfunction novel!

WriterBabe: LOL

WriterBabe: Rd, you there?

Rdpelleg: Will ever agent be looking for that type of story now?

WriterBabe: (Please have your questions ready to send, folks)

Rdpelleg: oops sorry

BGLiterary: What type of story?

Rdpelleg: Harry Porter

BGLiterary: God I hope not

Rdpelleg: ga , sorry

BGLiterary: The simple fact is, HP is a fluke, and no one who tries to copy it will be able to pull it

BGLiterary: off. The "next big thing" will come from somewhere totally out in left field

BGLiterary: GA

WriterBabe: Roxy, you're next.

RoxyanneY: What's your best feel-good, God-I-love-my-job story? When did you you'd really "made" it? GA

BGLiterary: That's easy...the day Angela Johnson said she wanted me to represent her. But I also got a

BGLiterary: huge thrill from my very first sale, which happened to be for a previously unpublished autho

BGLiterary: GA

WriterBabe: That's a neat story, Barry.

WriterBabe: Lesley, fire away.

LesleyWrites: It seems (to me at least) that many pubs are actively looking for middle grade fiction--is

LesleyWrites: that an accurate impression? Thanks, GA

BGLiterary: Middle grade is always the most attractive for publishers, as it tends to be the best

BGLiterary: reading audience. However, YA is really hot right now.

BGLiterary: But it is true, you'll find more open reception for middle grade in general

BGLiterary: GA

WriterBabe: Everything's such a cycle! You could barely give away YA a few years ago.

WriterBabe: What will be the next big trend, do you think, Barry? GA

BGLiterary: Yup. The Printz has helped a lot, as has the growing power of the teenage market

BGLiterary: That's a tough one. THere's so much happening. I think poetry is seeing a nice rise

BGLiterary: in popularity lately, particularly in the novel format. Books like MAKE LEMONADE, KISS THE

BGLiterary: DUST, etc. have made a tremendous splash, and if you talk to teens these days, they all

BGLiterary: say they READ and LIKE poetry...bizarre but true.

BGLiterary: GA

Neely f: *&&*&*&* 10 MINUTE WARNING *&**&**&

WriterBabe: Oh boy! I'm glad to hear that since I write a lot of poetry!

WriterBabe: Kym, go ahead.

KYMSS: What happens if you like one piece from a client, but not another of his pieces? Thanks. GA

BGLiterary: That happens a lot. I then have to trust my instincts, and go by how much I

BGLiterary: like the one piece and dislike the other. I'll be honest, regardless.

BGLiterary: I have taken on clients whose total body of work didn't appeal, but the MAJORITY did.

BGLiterary: GA

KYMSS: ?

KYMSS: Do you just not try to sell the other one?

WriterBabe: GA?

KYMSS: Yes

BGLiterary: It would depend. If I really didn't like it, and I didn't think it would represent the

BGLiterary: author well, I'd try and convince them that it was better set aside for now.

BGLiterary: If I was lukewarm, I'd make them convince me of it's worth. If they could convince me, I'll

BGLiterary: give it a try. But I find it hard to sell something I don't love.

BGLiterary: GA

WriterBabe: Lyph, last question.

LYPHIS: Would you give examples of some dark, edgy subversive humor that you loved?

LYPHIS: Some of my work may just qualify and I'm quite excited...

BGLiterary: That's easy. The best example of it is Rob Thomas' RATS SAW GOD.

LYPHIS: Thanks

BGLiterary: I also think there's a lot in Patrice Kindl's OWL IN LOVE, Franny Billingsley's THE FOLK

BGLiterary: KEEPER

BGLiterary: and even in Annette Curtis Klaus' BLOOD AND CHOCOLATE.

BGLiterary: GA

Neely f: çççç 5 MINUTE WARNING çççç

LYPHIS: Are these all YA's?

WriterBabe: Good books, all!

BGLiterary: Yup

WriterBabe: We're about out of time.

LYPHIS: great

LesleyWrites: Thanks Barry!

WriterBabe: Barry, do you have any final remarks for us? GA

BGLiterary: Just one: don't give up. One agent's rejection is another's gold mine.

BGLiterary: The client whose book I sold first had been rejected by many major agents before I got her

BGLiterary: I've just sold her second picture book, and there are more sales on the way

BGLiterary: So, keep at it

BGLiterary: GA

WriterBabe: Thanks so much for being a great guest, Barry! A big round of applause, folks!

ChloeB23: ::::::::::::thank you:::::::::::::

CGaley: YEA!!! Great job, Barry!

KYMSS: Thanks for all the information. It was great.

Ekbruno: Thank you ... very interesting!

LesleyWrites: This was great!

Aldertag: Clap Clap......huzzah

MudderGG: Thanks for all the great advice...

Neely f: )()()()()(() CLAPPING ()()()()()

Wido Cliko: clap clap clap clap!

RoxyanneY: Great workshop - thanks very much.

BOEDEN: Ü

LYPHIS: Thank you Barry and thank you to all you good folk at CWC

SAHarazin: Great workshop, Barry

ShermanTL: Great info. Thank you.

MaryCronk: Thanks! Very interesting chat

GFA888: Thank you for your advice and support!!

LesleyWrites: Thanks CWC!

NV829: Thanks - I love the line about the gold mine!

BGLiterary: Thanks for letting me bend your eyes for a while =)

Neely f: lol

Neely f: clever. :)

WriterBabe: The novelists are here, so we have to depart. Next week, Open Chat. I won't be here, but

WriterRoss: Barry: Really great discussion tonight. Good to see you here. --- Pamela

WriterBabe: Chuck and Donna will hold down the fort.

BGLiterary: Hey, I can't expect my clients to be clever if I'm not

WriterBabe: If anyone's in Brooklyn, come here me read at the Brooklyn Heights Library!

BGLiterary: Hi Pamela! So good to see you

BrendaHB: Welcome, Novel Workshoppers! :)

CGaley: Yep, I'll be here! G'night, everyone!

WriterRoss: Barry {{}}

WriterBabe: Night, all!

Neely f: <-----Battening down the fort.

Khusoch: Evening, All! :-)

Neely f: See you all next week for OPEN CHAT.

END

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