Literary agent Laura Zats at Red Sofa Literary seeks Middle Grade and YA, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Romance & Erotica

Red Sofa Literary

PO Box 40482

#2; St. Paul, MN 55104

www.redsofaliterary.com 

Note: Don't ever miss a post on Quick Brown Fox. Fill in your email in the box to the right under my bio, and get each post delivered to your Inbox. Also, if you’re not yet on my newsletter, send me an email, including your locale, to: brianhenry@sympatico.ca ~ Brian

Red Sofa has seven literary agents on staff and six of them are accepting new authors. Laura Zats has been with the agency since 2013, starting as an intern but getting hired on as an associate editor that same year. She’s now been promoted to literary agent.

Laura graduated from Grinnell College with degrees in English and anthropology. While completing her studies, she took advantage of her love of Young Adult (YA) literature and wrote a thesis on identity formation in YA. 

She’s been working as an editor since 2011 and has held positions at companies in both the US and the UK. In her free time, Laura likes to craft, swing dance, bake, and binge on Netflix marathons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Doctor Who.

Laura is looking for the following:

Young Adult — Fiction, especially contemporary. I love funny and gritty, especially when the two go together. Interested in geekery, retellings, innovative storytelling, and authentic voices. Please no paranormal romance, contemporary romance, dystopia, Chosen One plotlines, or didacticism.

Middle Grade — Fiction, especially contemporary. Prefers smart, literary writing disguised as adventures. Looking for books that are heavy with STEM and will appeal to girls and boys.

Science Fiction/Fantasy — Must pass either the Mako Mori or Bechdel tests. Love non-traditional settings, fast-paced storytelling, anthropological elements, and smart humor. Please no high fantasy.

Romance/Erotica — Especially contemporary. Must be feminist, have verbal consent throughout, and feature an independent, smart heroine. Please no vampires, werewolves, angels, demons, or mermaids.

Wish list for every genre and category: feminism, diversity (in all forms), unconventional storytelling techniques, and voice-driven narratives.

Query Laura at: Email: laura@redsofaliterary.com

Query only. Laura will request a partial or full manuscript if she’s interested. Full submission guidelines – including what each agent at Red Sofa is looking for – here.

Literary agent Cassandra Rodgers

Brian Henry will lead How to Get Published workshops on Saturday, Oct 15, in Burlington with literary agent Cassandra Rodgers of The Rights Factory (see here), on Saturday, Oct 22, in London with Stacey Donaghy of the Donaghy agency (details here), and on Saturday,  October 29, in Caledon, at the Bolton Public Library, with Martha Web of the McDermid Agency (see here). 

Then on Saturday, November 19, Brian will lead a Writing for Children and for Young Adults workshop in Mississauga with Anne Shone, senior editor, Scholastics Canada as his guest speaker (see here).

To register or for details, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

But the best way of getting your manuscript ready for publication, may be with a weekly writing course. This fall, Brian will offer a wide range of classes:

“Welcome to Creative Writing,” Thursday afternoons Sept 29 - Dec 8, in Oakville (see here).

“Writing Kid Lit ~ Picture Books to YA (new),Tuesday Tuesday afternoons, Sept 27 - Nov 22 (no class Oct 11), in Burlington (see here).

“Intermediate Creative Writing,” Wednesday evenings, Sept 21 to Nov 30 (no class Oct 12), in Burlington (see here)

“Intermediate Creative Writing,” Thursday evenings, Sept 29 - Dec 8, in Georgetown (see here).

“Intensive Creative Writing,” Wednesday afternoons, Intensive Sept 14 - Dec 14 (no class Oct 12) , in Burlington.

See details of all five classes offered this fall here.

To reserve a spot or for more details, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca

Brian Henry also has a number of other workshops coming up soon:  Secrets of Writing a Page-turner (tips for all story writers), Saturday, Sept 10, in Guelph (see here),  Writing with Style, Saturday, Sept 24, in Toronto (see here), and How to Write Great Dialogue, Saturday, Oct 1, in Kitchener (see here).

Finally, for those who love great food and a beautiful setting with their writing, Brian Henry will lead a Fall Colours Writing Retreat at Arowhon Pines Resort in Algonquin Park, Friday, Sept 16 – Sunday, Sept 18 (see here).

To register of for more information for any of the above, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

Read reviews of Brian’s courses and workshops here.

See Brian’s complete current schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Algonquin Park, Bolton, Barrie, Brampton, Burlington, Caledon, Georgetown, Guelph, Hamilton, Kingston, Kitchener, London, Midland, Mississauga, Newmarket, Oakville, Ottawa, Peterborough, St. Catharines, St. John, NB, Sudbury, Thessalon, Toronto, Windsor, Woodstock, Halton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Muskoka, Peel, Simcoe, York Region, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

“Homeless” by Janice L. Johnston

I must tell you that my nine lives finally ran out. I’m dead. I would like to report from circumstances beyond my control, but that would be a lie.

Before we go any further in this story, I better introduce myself. You can call me Blackie, for that is the name I gave myself. You won’t find any identifying license tag attached to my scruff to confirm my name; you’ll just have to take my word for it. You see, I never belonged to anyone. No welcoming family with arms wide open to claim me.

My birthplace was under a bridge down by the river that ran parallel to town. I was one of four in the litter that had the disadvantage of being born to a feline of mixed lineage. Unlike my brothers and sisters, my fur was entirely black. My destiny predetermined by the colour of my fur.

My mother went on to have another litter which she abandoned shortly after their births. Being the older sibling and scrappy beyond my years, I took on the responsibility for the new arrivals. Scrounging for food to sustain five hungry mouths was no easy feat, especially given my want of nourishment.

For shelter, we had scraps of discarded cardboard. Not much, but it kept the rain from dampening our matted fur. Huddled together we generated enough heat to withstand even the harshest weather. But I knew this could only be a temporary arrangement – I’d have to find safe havens for my siblings.

Casing the neighbourhoods of the town, I quickly learned which ones to avoid due to aggressive dogs that would bark or charge their owner’s fences when they spotted me. Other than the dogs, I could move undetected, my black fur making me almost invisible, especially on nights when the moon was obscured by charcoal skies.

Before too long, I began to find homes that seemed suitable. Then late at night I would take a kitten and leave it on the doorstep, with firm instructions to stay put for the family I’d selected to be my sibling’s forever home. I’d remain hidden in the shadows until I saw the kitten accepted into the family.

I placed my siblings one by one, jealous of the fact that I would not know the comfort of family, but satisfied that my siblings had a chance of security.

As a black cat, I’d quickly learned humans shunned me. All humans I came upon went out of their way to avoid me. Parents told small children not to let me cross their paths. I was bad luck, they said. I didn’t even know what bad luck was. I could go on and on about the injustice of being a black cat.

In my short lifetime, I had plenty of scrapes that left my poor body feeling tattered and abused. I found it impossible to keep my fur untangled from burrs and twigs. I was the favourite prey of the local dogs. I can’t begin to tell you how many of them chased me just out of spite. I found shelter in rickety abandoned sheds or under front porches to lick my wounds and heal as best I could without medical care.

Sometimes, though, if I meowed on back porches then stole away to wait, some kind soul might leave me some tuna or another morsel to tempt me inside. I couldn’t take the chance of them knowing the colour of my fur, so I hid until the house lights went out and it was safe to gobble the treats left for me. 

The night of my death was pitch black, befitting my colour. Earlier in the day, I’d gotten tangled in some rope and debris left in a back alleyway. I was exhausted and distracted at the time and did not have my wits about me to avoid the danger. Now my right front paw was swollen and it hurt to walk on it. Staggering across the darkened streets, I felt like an old tom rather than the young cat I was. I stumbled. The road, still wet from an earlier downpour, was slippery.

The sudden appearance of a black sports car swerving from side to side, apparently driven by some drunk, was upon me too quickly to avoid. I didn’t stand a chance. My body went flying, and the driver roared off into the night, leaving me in my final resting place under the thorny bushes at 38 Dundas Street.

I lay there unobserved for three days as the homeowners enjoyed the summer heat at their cottage. It seemed fitting upon their return that their family dog found my torn body, as during my lifetime I’d run from my fair share of such beasts. The husband, busy unpacking, the van was alerted to my resting place by the frantic barking of the dog.

“Frankie, down boy,” the man said walking towards the bushes. “Oh, my God, what do we have here?”

Drawn to the commotion, nosy neighbours gasped with startled breath upon seeing a rusty hammer beside my body. Instantly, they were all chattering and speculating about my death. Was it an accident? Was foul play involved? Was some sick pervert roaming the streets killing innocent cats? Not at all.

The hammer had bounced off a truck bed some days before I’d been hit by the car and has nothing to do with my death. And really, I wasn’t killed by any single person. It took the whole circumstances of my life to kill me off, one life at a time. Such is a soul’s fate when the world conspires against him.

Janice L. Johnston started writing a daily journal as a teenager and by now has filled too many volumes to count. Her passion for journaling and reading came from her mother and grandmother. Recently taking up creative writing again, she hopes to fulfill a dream to be published. Self-employed as a document specialist, she lives in Ancaster, Ontario.

See Brian Henry’s current schedule here, including writing workshops, retreats and creative writing courses in Algonquin Park, Bolton, Barrie, Brampton, Burlington, Caledon, Georgetown, Guelph, Hamilton, Ingersoll, Kingston, Kitchener, London, Midland, Mississauga, Oakville, Ottawa, Peterborough, St. Catharines, St. John, NB, Sudbury, Thessalon, Toronto, Windsor, Woodstock, Halton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Muskoka, Peel, Simcoe, York Region, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

Albert Whitman & Company seeks picture books, middle grade and young adult manuscripts ~ no agent required

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

Albert Whitman & Company has been publishing award-winning children’s books since 1919. Albert Whitman’s special interest titles address subjects such as disease, bullying, and disabilities. 

If you can get an agent, it’s usually a good idea and there are many agents representing authors of children’s books, especially middle grade and young adult. You can find many such agents on Quick Brown Fox here. But if you can’t get an agent, it’s good to know that Albert Whitman and Company currently has an open submissions policy and will read and review unagented manuscripts and proposals for picture books, middle-grade fiction, and young adult novels.

Specifically they are seeking:

Picture Books, fiction and nonfiction, for children ages 1 to 8. Word count:  Up to 1,000 words.

Middle Grade Novels for children up to age 12. Word count: Up to 35,000 words.

Young adult novels for ages 12-18. Word count:  Up to 70,000 words.

Email submissions only. Full submission guidelines here.

Jennifer Mook-Sang will be one of the guest
speakers at the Writing Kid Lit course

This fall, Brian Henry is offering a weekly course on Writing Kid Lit ~ Picture Books to YA, Tuesday afternoons, Sept 27 - Nov 22 (no class Oct 11), in Burlington (see here).

Brian regularly offers full-day workshops on Writing for Children and for Young Adults. The next one is Saturday, November 19, in Mississauga with Anne Shone, senior editor, Scholastic Books as his guest speaker (see here). 

Note: If you’re looking at this posting after No 19, 2016, check out current Writing for Children & for Young Adults workshops here.

Brian will lead How to Get Published workshops on Saturday, Oct 15, in Burlington with literary agent Cassandra Rodgers of The Rights Factory (see here), on Saturday, Oct 22, in London with Stacey Donaghy of the Donaghy agency (see here), and on Saturday, October 29, in Caledon, at the Bolton Public Library, with Martha Web of the McDermid Agency (see here). 

Note: If you’re looking at this posting after Oct 15, 2016, see current How to Get Published workshops here.

To register or for details, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

But the best way to get your manuscript ready for publicationmay be with a weekly course. This fall, Brian will offer a wide range of classes:

“Welcome to Creative Writing,” Thursday afternoons Sept 29 - Dec 8, in Oakville (see here).

 “Intermediate Creative Writing,” Wednesday evenings, Sept 21 to Nov 30 (no class Oct 12), in Burlington (see here)

“Intermediate Creative Writing,” Thursday evenings, Sept 29 - Dec 8, in Georgetown (see here).

“Intensive Creative Writing,” Wednesday afternoons, Intensive Sept 14 - Dec 14 (no class Oct 12) , in Burlington.

See details of all five classes offered this fall here.

To reserve a spot or for more details, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca 

Read reviews of Brian’s courses and workshops here.

See Brian’s complete current schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Algonquin Park, Bolton, Barrie, Brampton, Burlington, Caledon, Georgetown, Guelph, Hamilton, Ingersoll, Kingston, Kitchener, London, Midland, Mississauga, Newmarket, Orillia, Oakville, Ottawa, Peterborough, St. Catharines, St. John, NB, Sudbury, Thessalon, Toronto, Windsor, Halton, Ingersoll, Kitchener-Waterloo, Muskoka, Peel, Simcoe, York, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

3-Day Novel Contest & Ten Stories High contest, plus pieces about mental health and men's empowerment wanted

Chalk by Doug Diaczuk,

winner of the 2015 3-Day Novel contest,

available soon.

Note: Don't ever miss a post on Quick Brown Fox. Fill in your email in the box to the right under my bio, and get each post delivered to your Inbox, and to get on my newsletter list, email me at: brianhenry@sympatico.ca. (Mention where you are, as I have different newsletters for different locales.) ~Brian

The annual International 3-Day Novel Contest runs from September 3-5, 2016. Self-described as “a thrill, a grind, a 72-hour kick in the pants and an awesome creative experience.”

First prize: publication by Anvil Press; second prize: $500. Entry fee: $50.

Register by September 2, 2016. Rules and other information here.

Ten Stories High, 17th Annual Short Story Competition Open to all Ontario Writers.

Unpublished fiction & creative non-fiction.  Minimum 1,000 to a maximum of 3,000 words. For first Canadian rights, the top ten finalists will have their stories published in our anthology in March of 2017.

Entries must be typed and double-spaced with the title appearing on each numbered page. Please include a separate sheet with your name, address, phone number, email address, precise word count and title. Also, please indicate where you heard about our contest. The entrant's name must not appear on the manuscript itself.  

First Prize $300.00      Second Prize $200.00    Third Prize $100.00

The entry fee is $15 per story. Multiple entries are welcome. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Authors Association – Niagara and mailed with your submission to:  Canadian Authors Association - Niagara Branch, “Ten Stories High.” PO Box 1512, 4 Queen Street, St. Catharines, ON L2R 3B0.

Submissions will not be returned. However, entrants without internet access may include a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive contest results.

Deadline September 30, 2016. Complete guidelines here.

SickNotWeak is looking for writers in the following areas: current issues, LGTBQIA topics, Aboriginal mental health, holistic and self-care, & student mental health. Accepts freelance pieces, but are looking to expand their roster of regular writers (bi-weekly / monthly articles). Also interested in mental health video blogs and podcasts. Note: Positions are currently unpaid.

Deadline: Ongoing. Submission details here.

Hi, Brian.

I am looking for authors for the next anthology of "Sharing" stories. The anthology, the second of men's stories, is scheduled to be released in November, but to date I have had only two authors commit. I'd like to have 20.

If you are, or know of, a male who might be interested in sharing their story, please email me at lisa@onethousandtrees.com

The Sharing anthologies (volumes 1 through 3) have been so well received I'm hoping that the tradition can continue. You can see some background about this project on the Sharing website here.

With thanks,

Lisa

See Brian Henry’s current schedule here, including writing workshops, retreats and weekly courses in Algonquin Park, Bolton, Barrie, Brampton, Burlington, Caledon, Georgetown, Guelph, Hamilton, Ingersoll, Kingston, Kitchener, London, Midland, Mississauga, Newmarket, Orillia, Oakville, Ottawa, Peterborough, St. Catharines, St. John, NB, Sudbury, Thessalon, Toronto, Windsor, Halton, Ingersoll, Kitchener-Waterloo, Muskoka, Peel, Simcoe, York, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

Algonquin Fall Colours Writing Retreat, Friday, Sept 16 – Sunday, Sept 18

Algonquin Fall Colours Writing Retreat

Friday – Sunday

September 16 –  18, 2016

Arowhon Pines Resort, Arowhon Pines Rd, Little Joe Lake, Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada

Give yourself three days of writing time. Three days of instruction, inspiration and creativity. Award yourself with time away from distractions, with no dishes to do and wonderful food at every  meal, as you sit with your feet up and write in the most beautiful wilderness setting in Ontario. This is where the Group of Seven got its inspiration (Tom Thompson is buried just a couple of lakes over); it’s a wonderful place for you to find your inspiration, too.

The retreat will feature both instruction and guided writing exercises, plus one-on-one critiquing and coaching from Brian.  You’ll also have lots of time to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect with your creativity. 

All writing levels welcome. Whether you are just beginning or have a novel in progress, please join us. 

The setting: Arowhon Pines is a peaceful, quiet resort nestled in the woods on Little Joe Lake inside Algonquin Park. There are no motorboats on the lake, except for the resort’s own pontoon boat which takes guests on occasional wildlife tours.

The resort is without TV and is far from the roar of traffic. The cry of a loon is the loudest noise you’re likely to hear all day.

Rates include charming accommodation (cabins have a mix of queen beds for one person or couples or twin beds for two people rooming together; rooms also have private bathrooms and each cabin has a lounge with fireplace to share with your fellow writers). 

Three all-you-can-eat gourmet meals per day are provided, featuring an abundance of fresh food prepared by master chefs and an inspired kitchen staff. (Bring your own wine or beer!)

All activities included. When you’re not writing or for spouses who accompany you, there is plenty to do: canoe or kayak a series of lakes or hike trails to see wildlife (moose, loons, beaver, turtles, fox, deer), swim in the lake, sail, stand up paddleboard, play tennis, relax. For indoor activities there is a games room with table tennis, shuffleboard, books, board games. Your stay also includes access to all Algonquin Park programs and activities including a car pass for you to fully enjoy the park.

Check-in isn’t until 3 p.m., but guests can arrive in the morning to fully take advantage of the facilities (though the meals included in your package don’t begin until after check-in time, so lunch on Friday is extra if you arrive early). Each guest can borrow a day pass for Algonquin Park. The formal retreat will begin late Friday afternoon. On Sunday morning, we’ll have our last formal get-together ending at 12 noon. Check out time is at 1 p.m.  Most guests have lunch while the bellhops load the car. But once you’ve had lunch, don’t feel you have to rush off!

Participants are welcome to bring spouses, partners or friends, as there will be plenty to do while you’re writing – canoeing, kayaking or sailing, swimming if warm enough, tennis, reading and just plain resting and unwinding, enjoying the wilderness.

Read more about Arowhon Pines here.

Instructor Brian Henry has been a book editor and creative writing instructor for more than 25 years. He publishes Quick Brown Fox, Canada’s most popular blog for writers, teaches creative writing at Ryerson University and has led workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Sarnia to Saint John. But his proudest boast is that he has helped many of his students get their first book published and launch their careers as authors.

Read two reviews of our fall writing retreat at Arowhon Pines here. 
To see more reviews of Brian’s weekly courses and Saturday workshops, see here. 

Accommodation fee: 540 per person either single- or double- occupancy for the two nights. (Arowhon has kept their 2015 rates for us – about 5% off the new rate, and there is no single supplement!) Plus 15% service charge (in lieu of tipping, no extra tipping allowed), then 13% hst added to these rates.

Seminar fee (special June 2016 price): 123.89 plus hst = 140

Full receipts issued. Space is very limited.

For more information or to register, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

Who can attend the retreat?

Everyone interested in developing their writing skills is welcome to attend, whether you're aspiring writer or an accomplished author or simply enjoy writing as a hobby. There is no requirement for you to have been previously published or even to have an intention to publish.

I'm a poet / playwright / other writer. Is this retreat for me?

The retreat is open to anyone who enjoys writing. Instruction will focus on narrative writing; i.e., stories, whether fiction or memoir. But if you’re an essayist or poet or whatever, you’re entirely welcome.

Should I bring my work in progress?

Yes, if you have an on-going writing project, bring it with you! If you’re not currently working on anything, don’t worry, we’ll get you writing.

Should I bring my laptop?

Yes, if you prefer to work on your laptop. During the day, we’ll have use of tables by power outlets in the dining room for writing. If you prefer to work on paper bring that.

Can you cater to specific dietary requirements?

Yes, just let the staff at Arowhon Pines know beforehand about your needs.

I want to stay longer or arrive early. Is it possible to do that?

If you want to arrive early and stay longer, that is fine. Just arrange it with the resort. There is plenty to see and do in the park, and Arowhon Pines is a lovely place to base from.  Arowhon will keep the same rate throughout your stay.

Is there cell phone reception and WIFI?

Arowhon Pines is an island of luxury, but in the midst of wilderness, so no cell phone reception and no WIFI, though there are landlines and there’s access to the resort’s Internet connection. (Contact the resort for details.) But be sure to have your writing projects on your laptop when you come, not stored in the Cloud.

How about alcohol?

Arowhon doesn’t serve alcohol, but guests are welcome to bring their own wine, beer or whatever to have with meals or back at your cabin or wherever. (Though do note that Hemingway’s advice to write drunk, mostly produces drivel.)

Can I bring my spouse (or partner or friend)?

Certainly. Just let them know you’ll be spending most of your time writing, (though you will have some free time every day), and make sure they enjoy superb food, the beauty of the fall woods, and relaxing on the deck or the dock or out on a canoe as they glide past a moose munching on water lilies….

For more information or to register, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca 

To book your accommodation at Arowhon Pines, phone toll free: 1-866-633-5661

See Brian’s current complete schedule here, including writing workshops, retreats and weekly courses in Algonquin Park, Bolton, Barrie, Brampton, Burlington, Caledon, Georgetown, Guelph, Hamilton, Ingersoll, Kingston, Kitchener, London, Midland, Mississauga, Newmarket, Orillia, Oakville, Ottawa, Peterborough, St. Catharines, St. John, NB, Sudbury, Thessalon, Toronto, Windsor, Halton, Ingersoll, Kitchener-Waterloo, Muskoka, Peel, Simcoe, York, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.