Ballpoint Literary Agency
Toronto, Canada
Note: Don't ever miss what’s
happening with Quick Brown Fox. If you’re not yet on my newsletter, send me an
email, including your locale to: brianhenry@sympatico.ca ~Brian
The Ballpoint
Agency is a new, “artist-centred
literary agency with many enthusiasms, but mostly books.” They currently serve
a small roster of just 8 writers – so they certainly need authors .
The agency has made three sales so far: a memoir, Things I Came Here With by Chris MacDonald to ECW Press in Toronto,
a middle grade novel to Orca n Victoria (which has been optioned by Banger
Films), and a memoir to Random House Canada. They are also shopping around three
novels (one of which is fantasy) and have two nonfiction projects in the works.
The three founders have 75 years of professional experience between them,
but note that none of it is in the book-publishing side of the industry:
Dave Bidini is the only person to have been nominated for a Gemini, Genie, and Juno as well as CBC's "Canada Reads." A founding member of Rheostatics, he has written thirteen nonfiction books, including On a Cold Road, Tropic of Hockey, Around the World in 57 1/2 Gigs, and Home and Away.
He is a three-time
National magazine award-winner, and his play, The Five Hole Stories, was staged by One Yellow Rabbit Performance
Company, touring the country in 2008. He last book was Keon and Me and he is the publisher of the West End Phoenix community newspaper in Toronto. He’s spent 25 years writing books, earning
valuable insight into the industry from an artist’s perspective.
Query Dave at: dave@ballpoint.agency
Put “Query” in the subject line of your email and include a 2-page maximum
excerpt of your project in the body of your email.
Warren Sheffer has 20 years as a lawyer, representing authors
and performers and specializing in intellectual property law. He’s the Secretary
of the Board of Toronto’s West End Phoenix.
Query Warren at: warren@ballpoint.agency
Put “Query” in the subject line of your email and include a 2-page maximum
excerpt of your project in the body of your email.
 |
| Janet (on right) with The Billie Hollies |
Janet Morassutti has been both rhythm guitarist for Randwiches and occasional co-writer with Rheostatics – she narrated the band’s 2000 album, “The Story of Harmelodia.” She has copy-edited a wide range of editorial titles, including the National Post and Maclean’s.
Altogether, she has 30 years of publishing industry experience, most
recently as a founder and managing editor of Toronto’s West
End Phoenix community newspaper.
Query Janet at: janet@ballpoint.agency
Put “Query” in the subject line of your email and include a 2-page maximum
excerpt of your project in the body of your email.
Full submissions guidelines here.
 |
| Kids Can Press senior editor Patricia Ocampo |
Brian Henry’s schedule continues to take shape...
Online: How to Write Great Dialogue, Sunday, June 26.
Details here.
In-Person: Writing for Children and for Young
Adults, with Kids Can Press senior editor Patricia Ocampo, Saturday, July 16 Details here.
Online: Writing and Revising, Sunday,
August 14. Details here.
***
Weekly classes: {
Online: Exploring
Creative Writing, Wednesday mornings, 10 a.m. – 12 noon; July
6 – August 24. Details here.
Online: Writing
Personal Stories, Thursday afternoons, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m., July
7 – Aug 25. Details here.
Online: Intensive
Creative Writing, Wednesday afternoons, 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. First
reading sent June 27; classes July 6 – August
17 (or to Aug 24 if the class is full). Details here.
Online: Intensive
Creative Writing, Thursday
mornings, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. First readings sent June 28; classes
July 7 – Aug 18 (or to Aug 25 if the class is full).
Details here.
For more information or to register for any
class, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca
Writing
Retreats:
Summer in
Algonquin: Writing Retreat at Arowhon Pines Resort, July
8 – July 11, 2022. Join us for a weekend of creativity and fine dining in the
midst of the Algonquin wilderness. Details here. Waiting list only.
 |
| The Briars |
Lake Simcoe Writing Retreat at The Briars resort, Friday, Sept
16 – Monday Sept 19, 2022. Enjoy a weekend of writing at an elegant southern
Ontario resort. Details here.
Muskoka
Writing Retreat at Sherwood Inn, Friday, Oct
14 – Monday Oct 17, 2022. Details here. Reserve early before it fills up!
To reserve a
spot or for more details about any course, workshop or retreat, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca
***
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