New literary agents at Donald Maass seek women's fiction & memoir and sci-fi, fantasy & mystery

Donald Maas

Donald Maass Literary Agency
Suite 801
121 West 27th Street
New York, NY 10001

http://www.maassagency.com/

The Donald Maass Literary Agency in New York City is a well-known literary agency for professional novelists. In addition to being an agent, Donald Mass is the author of "Writing the Breakout Novel" and other books for writers.

The Donald Maass Literary Agency specializes in commercial fiction but also represents literary fiction with commercial potential. "All genres are welcome. We handle many authors of science fiction, fantasy, mystery, suspense, horror, romance, historical, literary and mainstream novels.”

Do they work with previously unpublished writers? "Yes, all the time."

Two relatively new agents at Donald Maass Literary are especially eager to find new authors:

Katie Shea

Katie Shea joined the Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2011. She was previously an agent with the Johnson Literary Agency. She specializes in fiction and memoir, especially women’s fiction and commercial-scale literary fiction. 

She is also seeking memoir, narrative non-fiction, food, pop culture, health and lifestyle, and realistic YA.  She is most interested in coming-of-age stories and stories of unique relationships.

Some of her favorite authors include: Joan Didion, Mary Karr, Michael Cunningham, Alice Sebold, and Jean Kwok (Girl in Translation). She is a graduate of Marist College.

Query Katie at kshea@maassagency.com 

Include a synopsis, and the first five pages pasted into the body of the email. No attachments. Include the word Query in your subject line.

Fantasy author, Emma Newman,
one of Jennifer Udden's clients

Jennifer Udden joined the Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2010. She represents science fiction, fantasy, and mysteries, and is particularly interested in finding works that creatively combine aspects of all three genres. She graduated from Mount Holyoke College and previously worked in nonprofit arts fundraising.

Query Jennifer at judden@maassagency.com 

or at info@maassagency.com   

Include a synopsis, and the first five pages pasted into the body of the email. No attachments. Include the word Query in your subject line.

See full submission guidelines here.

Brian Henry will be leading "How to Get Published” workshops on March 16 in Peterborough (details here) and on March 17 in Kingston (details here).  To register, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

But probably the best single step you can take toward creating a manuscript that’s ready for publication is to join one of the “Next Step” or “Intensive” creative writing courses. Starting in January, Brian will be leading “Next Step” courses in Mississauga (details here) and in Georgetown (details here), and he’ll be leading   “Intensive” courses in Burlington (details here) and in Mississauga (details here).

See Brian's full schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Milton, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Newmarket, Barrie, Orillia, Gravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond. 

Room magazine seeks writing on dirty deeds; The Fieldstone Review wants environment themed pieces

Room, a print magazine by and about women based in British Columbia, seeks writing on crime: sin, wrongdoing, injurious acts, murder, deceit, lust, etc. Open to the “‘shameful and heroic, terrifying and the grand.” Accepting poems (up to 5), nonfiction and short stories (3500 words max.) and art.

Deadline: January 31, 2012.

Submission guidelines here.

The Fieldstone Review (University of Saskatchewan) is accepting submissions for the 2013 issue. Theme: “environment.” Open to creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and reviews.

Deadline: January 31, 2013.

Submission guidelines here.

See Brian Henry’s schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Milton, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Newmarket, Barrie, Orillia, Gravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

Intensive Creative Writing course, June 25 to Aug 13, in Burlington

Intensive Creative Writing

An adventure in creative growth

Summer session

Tuesday afternoons, June 25 to August 13, 2013

12:15 to 2:45

First set or readings emailed June 18
Appleby United Church, 4407 Spruce Ave, Burlington, Ontario. (Map here.)

Note: "Intensive Creative Writing" is also offered Thursday evenings in Mississauga. See here.

This course is for people who are working on their own writing. Over the eight classes, you’ll be asked to bring in four pieces of your writing for detailed feedback. All your pieces may be from the same work, such as a novel in progress, or they may be stand alone pieces. You bring whatever you want to work on.

Besides critiquing pieces, the instructor will give short lectures at the start of each class, addressing the needs of the group.

In addition to learning how to critique your own work and receiving constructive suggestions about your writing, you’ll discover that the greatest benefits come from seeing how your classmates approach and critique a piece of writing and how they write and re-write. This is a challenging course, but extremely rewarding.

Instructor Brian Henry has been a book editor and creative writing teacher for more than 25 years. He teaches at Ryerson University and has led writing workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Sarnia to Charlottetown. But his proudest boast is that he's helped many of his students get published.

Fee: $132.74 plus 13% hst = $150 Payment in advance by mail or Interac.
Note: These courses usually fill up, so enroll early to avoid disappointment.

To reserve a spot now, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

See Brian’s full schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Milton, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Newmarket, Barrie, Orillia, Gravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

How to Make Yourself Write workshop, Saturday, April 20, in Burlington

How to Make Yourself Write
A creativity workout
Saturday, May 11. 2013
(Previously this workshop was scheduled for April 20)
10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Appleby United Church,  4407 Spruce Ave, Burlington, Ontario (Map here.)

Let's get motivated! This workshop is designed to help you find the time and the inspiration to write. No more staring at a blank screen. Come to this workshop and give yourself a kick-start, and then learn how to keep going. This creativity workout will get your words flowing and help you make the breakthrough into the next level of writing.

Workshop leader Brian Henry has been a book editor and creative writing teacher for more than 25 years. He teaches creative writing at Ryerson University and has led workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Sarnia to Charlottetown. But his proudest boast is that he has helped many of his students get their first book published.

Fee: $38.94 + 13% hst = $44 paid in advance by mail or Interac
or $42.48 + 13% hst = $48 if you wait to pay at the door

To reserve a spot now, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca

See Brian's full schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Milton, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Newmarket, Barrie, Orillia, Gravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

Writing for Children and for Young Adults workshop, April 13, Guelph

"Writing for Children & for Young Adults,
the world's hottest market"
Saturday, April 13, 2013
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Harcourt United Church, 87 Dean Ave, Guelph, Ontario. Map here.

Whether you want to write the next best-selling children’s books or just want to create stories for your own kids, this workshop is for you. Learn how to write stories kids and young adults will love, and find out what you need to know to sell your book.

Special option: You may, but don't have to, bring 2 or 3 copies of the opening couple pages (first 500 words) of your children’s book or young adult novel. (Or if 1,000 words will get you to the end of your picture book or to the end of your first chapter, bring that.) If you’re not currently working on a children’s story, don’t worry, we’ll get you started on the spot!

Workshop leader Brian Henry has been a book editor and creative writing instructor for more than 25 years. He is also the author of a children’s version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Tribute Publishing Inc).

"Brian’s the real deal. He isn't just an inspiring teacher – he's plugged into the publishing world! He got me an agent who sold my first novel, Bitten, to publishers around the world. More recently, my young adult novel, The Awakening, hit number 1 on the New York Times bestsellers' list. And Random House Canada, Bantam U.S. and Little Brown in Britain have contracted my next seven books."
~ Kelley Armstrong, Aylmer, Ontario, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Calling and other supernatural thrillers for teens and adults.

Fee: $38.94 + 13% hst = $44 paid in advance (by mail or Interac)
or $42.48 + 13% hst = $48 if you wait to pay at the door
To reserve a spot now, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca  

Photos: Two books by Brian's students – The Calling, a young adult novel by Kelley Armstrong and Business in Bangkok, a picture book by Lynn Westerhout.

See Brian's full schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Milton, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Newmarket, Barrie, Orillia, Gravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

Love letters – where your fellow authors are getting published

Hi, Brian.

I just thought I'd let you know that I saw your post about the Best New Writing Contest some months ago and submitted a short story.

A couple of months ago I was notified that my story had been short-listed and today I received a copy of the book with my printed story shown as a finalist. So I'm pleased about that and thank you for the tip.

All the best,

Name with held by request

Hi, Brian.

Just a quick update: I've signed a contract with Liquid Silver Books (USA) for my romantic suspense novel Undercover Lover. It will be out in the spring as an e-book. I'm quite pleased!

Sincerely,

Karen Anderson,

North Bay

P.S. Thank you for all your advice – especially when you said keep writing and be persistent.

By the way, the whole working with an editor/editing the manuscript is all new. It's exciting, but also quite daunting.

Nancy Kay Clark,
publisher of CommuterLit

Hi, Everyone.

My short story, "The Milky Story," got published on CommuterLit.

Check it out here.

Sincerely,

Ali Lawati

For information about submitting to CommuterLit, see here.

See Brian Henry's schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Milton, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Newmarket, Barrie, Orillia, Gravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

Three new e-books from Crimson Romance

Hi, Brian.

I'm happy to say that the book you had a hand in editing, Love of Her Lives, has been published by Crimson Romance!

Here’s the blurb:

Calum and Beth are soul mates who have lived many lives together, lusting, loving and dying for each other. While their lives are often turbulent, their eternal bond is secure—or so Calum thinks—until Beth decides to live a life on her own. Left behind in the Upper World, he sees a wrongful imprisonment in her future, so he bargains with Finn, an elven trickster to return to Earth, rescue Beth and reclaim her heart.

Love of Her Lives is available at Crimson Romance here.

Your workshops were my first introduction to writing. I loved every one and met some of my best friends in your classes. Thank you for your expertise and inspiration!

Sharon Clare

Romance and Beyond

SharonClare.com

P.S. I now have a second book coming out Dec. 24th with Crimson Romance – Rhapsody, a sensual paranormal novella.

Hi, Brian.

This November saw the release of my zany romantic comedy Catch of the Year from Crimson Romance. Check it out here.

All the best,

Brenda Hammond

http://www.brendahammond.ca

http://www.brendahammond.blogspot.com

Catch or the Year 

Serendipity Jade Jellicoe leads a double life. At work she’s a sober, driven marketing director, determined to succeed in business and create security for herself. Other times she climbs astride her motorcycle and lets her wild child break free. Jade’s two identities clash on a long summer weekend when a colleague from work shows up at Jade’s backwood's retreat. Paul “the Dimple” Johnson is way stressed out. Maybe Jade should introduce him to the concept of R&R?

Note: Brenda is also the author of the beautiful YA novel Cape Town. See more here.

For information about submitting to Crimson Romance, see here.

See Brian Henry's schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Milton, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Newmarket, Barrie, Gravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

Literary agent Laura Biagi seeks literary fiction, young adult and middle-grade novels and picture books

Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency

216 East 75th Street

Suite 1E

New York, NY 10021

http://www.jvnla.com/

The Jean V. Nager Literary Agency has seven agents on staff, six of whom are accepting new clients. The newest member of the team – and the one most eagerly seeking authors – is Laura Biagi. Laura studied creative writing and anthropology at Northwestern University and is the recipient of a Kentucky Emerging Artist Award for fiction writing.

Laura is seeking adult fiction and books for young readers.

In adult fiction, she is particularly interested in literary fiction, magical realism, cultural themes, and debut authors. She is drawn to strong voices, complex narrative arcs, dynamic and well-developed characters, psychological twists, and dystopian/apocalyptic literary fiction.

For young readers, Laura is seeking young adult novels, middle grade novels, and picture books. She loves books for young readers that have a magical tinge to them and vivid writing. She also looks for titles that incorporate high concept, dark/edgy, and quirky elements, as well as titles that challenge the way we typically view the world.

Queries to Laura and to other agents at JVNLA must go through their on-line query form here.

Brian Henry will be leading a "Writing for Children and for Young Adults" workshop in Hamilton on February 9 (details here). Also, he'll lead "How to Get Published” workshops on March 16 in Peterborough (details here) and on March 17 in Kingston (details here).  To register, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

But probably the best single step you can take toward creating a manuscript that’s ready for publication is to join one of the “Next Step” or “Intensive” creative writing courses. Starting in January, Brian will be leading “Next Step” courses in Mississauga (details here) and in Georgetown (details here), and he’ll be leading   “Intensive” courses in Burlington (details here) and in Mississauga (details here).

See Brian's full schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Milton, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Newmarket, Barrie, Orillia, Gravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

Coach House Books publishes literary fiction, poetry, drama, and books about Toronto

The coach house

Coach House Books
80 bpNichol Lane
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5S 3J4

http://www.chbooks.com/home

Coach House publishes innovative poetry, literary fiction, drama, and books about Toronto. Coach House does not publish children’s books, memoirs, cookbooks, historical romances, mysteries or science-fiction.

The editors say:

We receive about a thousand submissions per year and accept only ten or so. Poet Bob Cobbing says, ‘The only excuse for being a poet today is to add to the quality of poetry, to add a quality which was not there before.’ We agree. We are interested in work that reconsiders or pushes against convention.

If you would like to submit, please take the time to familiarize yourself with the books on our list to make sure that you are a good fit. It sure won’t hurt your case to show that you know what we do and that you support it – maybe even by buying a book!

Please note that we publish only Canadian authors.

To submit:

Please send your complete manuscript, along with an introductory letter that describes your work and compares it to at least two current Coach House titles, explaining how your book would fit our list, and a literary CV listing your previous publications and relevant experience. We prefer electronic submissions. Full submission guidelines here.

Brian Henry will be leading "How to Get Published" workshops on March 16 in Peterborough (details here) and on March 17 in Kingston (details here).  To register, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca 

But probably the best single step you can take toward creating a manuscript that’s ready for publication is to join one of the “Next Step” or “Intensive” creative writing courses. Starting in January, Brian will be leading “Next Step” courses in Mississauga (details here) and in Georgetown (details here), and he’ll be leading   “Intensive” courses in Burlington (details here) and in Mississauga (details here).

See Brian's full schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Milton, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, Orangeville, Newmarket, Barrie, Gravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.