Saturday, January 29, 2022

Groundwood Books seeks middle grade and young adult fiction

No Vacancy by Tziporah Cohen
published by Groundwood 

Groundwood Books

128 Sterling Road
Lower Level
Toronto, Ontario

https://houseofanansi.com/

Groundwood Books is an independent Canadian children's publisher and is part of House of Anansi Press. (See more about Anansi here.) Groundwood aims to publish award-winning literary picture books, fiction, poetry, nonfiction and graphic novels from Canada and around the world. 

Groundwood is not accepting Picture Book submissions at this time but is always looking for new authors of novel-length middle grade and young adult fiction.

Fiction: “Our mandate is to publish high-quality, character-driven literary fiction with a strong narrative voice. We do not generally publish stories with an obvious moral or message, or genre fiction such as thrillers or fantasy.”

Query with several sample chapters and a brief synopsis of the entire manuscript to: submissions@groundwoodbooks.com

Nonfiction: Groundwood publishes nonfiction for all ages, from informational picture books to issues- driven works for middle-grade and young adult readers. 

A Boy Is Not a Bird by Edeet Ravel
published by Groundwood

For middle-grade and YA nonfiction, Groundwood does not require a completed manuscript. Please submit a proposal that includes a compelling introduction to and argument for the book, followed by a chapter outline that conveys the proposed content of the work, plus one or two sample chapters that convey the proposed tone and approach. 

Please also include a bio and/or previous publishing credits that demonstrate credentials relevant to your book or give you authority on the proposed subject.

Query Groundwood at:   submissions@groundwoodbooks.com

Full submission guidelines here.

Illustrators: Groundwood is looking for Canadian illustrators. Their emphasis is on stories of memorable characters in convincing situations and milieus, both contemporary and historical, for all ages from infants to teens. Art may be realistic or abstracted and stylized to any degree, but conventional cartoon and animation styles are not needed. Accomplished drawing and execution in the final chosen medium and a skill for storytelling are important, as is accurate and thorough subject and period research. 

Send a link to your portfolio site, blog or Instagram account to:  submissions@groundwoodbooks.com

You may also send digital samples (PDFs, JPEGs, TIFFs) as e-mail attachments. 

Literary agent Marie Lamba

If you’re interested in meeting an agent and in getting published, don’t miss our online How to Get Published workshop Sunday, February 20, with Marie Lamba of the Jennife De Chiara Literary Agency (see here).

Beyond that, Brian’s schedule continues to take shape....

Workshops:

Online: Raising the Stakes ~ How to increase your story’s tension, Sunday, February 27. See here.

Writing Retreats:

Jackson's Point on Lake Simcoe: Writing Retreat at The Briars Resort and Spa.  Get away to this modern lakeside resort built around a historic country estate.  Friday, March 4 – Monday, March 7. Details  hereStill space in this retreat.

Algonquin Park: Writing Retreat at Arowhon Pines Resort, June 3 – June 6. Join us for a weekend of creativity and fine dining in the midst of the Algonquin wilderness. Details  here. This retreat is full. 

Muskoka Writing Retreat at Sherwood Inn, Friday, Oct 14 – Monday Oct 17, 2022. Details here. Mark your calendars and reserve early before it fills up! 

Weekly classes starting in April:

In-person: Welcome to Creative Writingan introductory, low-pressure course to get the creative juices flowing Thursday evenings, April 14 – June 21. Details here.

Details of online spring classes coming soon.

For more details or to register for any workshop, retreat or weekly class, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca

Navigation tips: Always check out the Labels underneath a post; they’ll lead you to various distinct collections of postings. For more Children’s and Young Adult publishers, see here {and scroll down}. For book publishers in general, see here {and scroll down}.

Thursday, January 27, 2022

House of Anansi Press seeks novels, short story collections, nonfiction and poetry ~ but only in February and August

Annabel by Kathleen Winter
published by House of Anansi

House of Anansi Press

128 Sterling Road
Lower Level
Toronto, Ontario

https://houseofanansi.com/

House of Anansi is open to submissions only two months a year: in February and in August. {Note: Anansi also has a children's division, Groundwood Books, which is always open to submissions. See here.}

Anansi accepts works of fiction, narrative nonfiction, and poetry. Eligible writers must currently not have an agent and must not have previously published a book. Please note that Anansi is only able to consider submissions from Canadian citizens or residents.

Fiction: Anansi publishes literary fiction that has a unique flair, memorable characters, and a strong narrative voice. Anansi fiction writers have read widely, studied their craft, and often have previously published in reputable literary journals and/or magazines.

White Resin by Audree Wilhelmy
published by House of Anansi

Short stories: Anansi publishes award-winning and high-calibre short-story collections under the Astoria imprint. Anansi short fiction has compelling and memorable premises and strong narrative voices.

Nonfiction: Anansi publishes compelling narrative nonfiction and strong, meticulously researched thesis-driven works. Our nonfiction books avoid dry, jargon-filled academic prose and have literary twists that will interest general readers and experts alike.

Poetry: Anansi publishes poets who have already established a strong reputation. Anansi poets usually have had poems previously published in book form or in reputable literary journals and/or magazines.

Like everyone else, Anansi is particularly looking to engage with work by writers from “historically underrepresented communities, including — but not limited to — those who are Black, Indigenous, POC, disabled, neurodivergent, trans and LGBTQIA+.”

Unlike other publishers, Anansi is also particularly seeking writers debuting after age forty, and writers without an M.F.A.

February 1 – 28 and August 1 – 31, submit your work through their online portal here.

Consult their full submission guidelines here.

Literary agent Marie Lamba

If you’re interested in meeting an agent and in getting publihsed, don't miss our online How to Get Published workshop Sunday, February 20, with Marie Lamba of the Jennife De Chiara Literary Agency (see here).

Beyond that, Brian’s schedule continues to take shape....

Workshops:

Online: Raising the Stakes ~ How to increase your story’s tension, Sunday, February 27. See here.

Writing Retreats:

Jackson's Point on Lake Simcoe: Writing Retreat at The Briars Resort and Spa.  Get away to this modern lakeside resort built around a historic country estate.  Friday, March 4 – Monday, March 7. Details  hereStill space in this retreat.

Algonquin Park: Writing Retreat at Arowhon Pines Resort, June 3 – June 6. Join us for a weekend of creativity and fine dining in the midst of the Algonquin wilderness. Details  here. This retreat is full. 

Muskoka Writing Retreat at Sherwood Inn, Friday, Oct 14 – Monday Oct 17, 2022. Details here. Mark your calendars and reserve early before it fills up! 

Weekly classes starting in April:

In-person: Welcome to Creative Writingan introductory, low-pressure course to get the creative juices flowing Thursday evenings, April 14 – June 21. Details here.

Details of online spring classes coming soon.

For more details or to register for any workshop, retreat or weekly class, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca

P.S. The 2022 Canadian Writers’ Contest Calendar is still available. For details, see here.

Navigation tips: Always check out the Labels underneath a post; they’ll lead you to various distinct collections of postings. For more Canadian book publishers, see here {and scroll down}. For book publishers in general, see here {and scroll down}.

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Canadian agency P.S. Literary has 7 agents looking for manuscripts: picture books to adult, fiction and nonfiction

Trash Lands by Alison Stine
represented by P.S. Literary

P.S. Literary Agency

2010 Winston Park Drive
2nd Floor
Oakville, Ontario
Canada

http://www.psliterary.com/

Note: Don't ever miss a post on Quick Brown Fox. Fill in your email in the Follow Brian by Email box to the right under my bio, and get each post delivered to your Inbox. ~ Brian

All seven agents at P.S. Literary are looking for new authors – fiction and nonfiction, for adults and young people.

Cecilia Lyra is an associate agent and the newest member of the team at P.S. Like all new agents, she needs authors.

Cecilia is acquiring a wide range of both fiction and nonfiction for adults.

In terms of nonfiction, no title is too serious or too accessible for her taste, and she is seeking original and provocative expert-led proposals in psychology, history, current affairs, science, politics, narrative journalism, nature and the environment, wellness, spirituality, business and economics, mathematics, parenting, lifestyle, pop culture, and memoir.

As for fiction, Cecilia gravitates towards intelligent, complicated protagonists facing a high-pressure situation escalated by power dynamics and moral ambiguity. She is primarily drawn to literary and upmarket fiction with thoughtful writing, although she is also open to commercial fiction with strong hooks and smooth storytelling. She enjoys novels in all genres – as long as the dog does not get hurt. Above all else, Cecilia is looking for a story she can’t put down.

Cecilia is not a good fit for the nonfiction categories of true crime, sports, and music, and she does not represent children’s books or YA

Query Cecilia at: query@psliterary.com

Include the first 10 pages of text. If your work is illustrated, please include a link to your portfolio or sample are. Address your query to Cecilia’s attention.

Maria Vicente is acquiring fiction for kids and teens and nonfiction for all ages. She is actively seeking:

Graphic novels, graphic memoirs, and graphic nonfiction in all genres and age ranges.

Young adult and middle grade fiction

Illustrated picture books and chapter books

Nonfiction for kids, teens, and adultsasbout pop culture, history, science and lifestyle

Like everyone, she encourages submissions from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled creators.

You can view her detailed manuscript wish list here

Query Maria at: query@psliterary.com  

Your subject line should include: “Query for Maria” and the title of your project. Include the first 10 pages of text. If your work is illustrated, please include a link to your portfolio or sample are. No attachments.

Eric Smith is eagerly acquiring fiction and nonfiction projects. 

He’s actively seeking out new, diverse voices in young adult (particularly sci-fi and fantasy), middle grade, and literary and commercial fiction (again, loves sci-fi and fantasy, but also thrillers and mysteries).

In terms of nonfiction, he’s interested in cookbooks, pop culture, humor, middle grade, essay collections, and blog to book ideas.

You can view his detailed manuscript wish list here

Query Eric at: query@psliterary.com  

Include the first 10 pages of text. If your work is illustrated, please include a link to your portfolio or sample are. Address your query to Cecilia’s attention.

Stephanie Winter is acquiring adult fiction, nonfiction and graphic novels. She’s actively seeking titles with diverse and inclusive representation that offer smart, culturally aware, and enriching narratives.

In fiction, she particularly enjoys commercial and upmarket projects (Rom-Coms, Thriller/Suspense, etc) that offer millennial and/or queer-affirming perspectives.

In nonfiction, she’s on the hunt for pop culture, cultural criticism, millennial business and finance, narrative non-fiction, how-to, and lifestyle projects.

Overall, she’s looking for stories that will engage with and change the way we view the world around us.

Query Stephanie at: query@psliterary.com  

Include the first 10 pages of text. If your work is illustrated, please include a link to your portfolio or sample are. Address your query to Stephanie’s attention.

Claire Harris is acquiring both fiction and nonfiction projects for adults. She’s actively seeking projects that spotlight people, places, and events that are often overlooked or not given the attention they deserve. 

In fiction, she’s looking for adult rom-coms, contemporary fiction, psychological thrillers, select horror, and cozy mysteries – for millennial audiences. Claire is happiest when reading manuscripts with unexpected endings or new twists on classic genre tropes.

For nonfiction, Claire is seeking a range of projects, including lifestyle guides, pop culture celebrations, pop psychology, cultural criticism, humor, true crime, essay collections, and illustrated books for adults.

Claire tweets here.

Query Claire at: query@psliterary.com

Include the first 10 pages of text. If your work is illustrated, please include a link to your portfolio or sample are. Address your query to Claire’s attention.

Carly Watters is currently acquiring both fiction and nonfiction.

In terms of fiction, she is seeking women’s fiction, upmarket adult, commercial adult, domestic suspense, literary mystery & thrillers, historical, contemporary romance, and smart book club fiction.

In terms of nonfiction, she is looking for pop science, business, psychology, cookbooks, unique memoirs, lifestyle (health, wellness, relationships, parenting), narrative, and platform-based nonfiction (must have demonstrable expertise and a quantifiable market). 

Query Carly at: query@psliterary.com  

For fiction queries, format your email subject line as: Fiction: TITLE / GENRE / AUTHOR NAME

For nonfiction queries: TOPIC / TITLE / AUTHOR NAME

Include the first 10 pages of text. If your work is illustrated, please include a link to your portfolio or sample are. Address your query to Carly’s attention.

Curtis Russell is currently acquiring both fiction and nonfiction. 

In terms of fiction, he is seeking literary, commercial, mystery, thriller, suspense, romance, young adult, middle grade, and picture books. In terms of nonfiction, he is looking for business, history, politics, current affairs, memoir, health, wellness, sports, humor, pop culture, pop science, and pop psychology.

Query Curtis at: query@psliterary.com  

Include the first 10 pages of text. If your work is illustrated, please include a link to your portfolio or sample are. Address your query to Claire’s attention.

See P.S. Literary’s full submission guidelines here.

Literary agent Marie Lamba

If you’re interested in meeting an agent and in getting published, don’t miss our online How to Get Published workshop Sunday, February 20, with Marie Lamba of the Jennife De Chiara Literary Agency (see here).

Beyond that, Brian’s schedule continues to take shape....

Workshops:

Online: Raising the Stakes ~ How to increase your story’s tension, Sunday, February 27. See here.

Writing Retreats:

Jackson's Point on Lake Simcoe: Writing Retreat at The Briars Resort and Spa.  Get away to this modern lakeside resort built around a historic country estate.  Friday, March 4 – Monday, March 7. Details  here. Still space in this retreat.

Algonquin Park: Writing Retreat at Arowhon Pines Resort, June 3 – June 6. Join us for a weekend of creativity and fine dining in the midst of the Algonquin wilderness. Details  here. This retreat is full. 

Muskoka Writing Retreat at Sherwood Inn, Friday, Oct 14 – Monday Oct 17, 2022. Details here. Mark your calendars and reserve early before it fills up! 

Weekly classes starting in April:

In-person: Welcome to Creative Writingan introductory, low-pressure course to get the creative juices flowing Thursday evenings, April 14 – June 21. Details here.

Details of online spring classes coming soon.

For more details or to register for any workshop, retreat or weekly class, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca

Navigation tips: Always check out the Labels underneath a post; they’ll lead you to various distinct collections of postings. If you're searching for more interviews with literary agents or a literary agent who represents a particular type of book, check out this post.