ECW Press seeks fiction for adults and teens and nonfiction

As Little As Nothing by Pamela Mulloy
published by ECW

ECW Press

665 Gerrard Street East
Toronto, ON M4M 1Y2

https://ecwpress.com/

Note: You can hang out and chat with quick brown foxes and vixens on my Facebook page (here). Just send a friend request to Brian Henry.

Also, if you’re not yet on my newsletter, send me an email, including your locale, to: brianhenry@sympatico.ca ~ Brian

ECW Press publishes an eclectic list of nonfiction, poetry, and fiction, including YA fiction — but no books for children. ECW accepts fiction and poetry submissions by Canadians only; there are no citizenship restrictions on writers submitting nonfiction. Like everyone else, they are “are especially seeking submissions from underrepresented voices, including Black, Indigenous, and people of colour; LGBTQ2IA+ people; people living with disabilities; and women.”

ECW also has a BIPOC mentoring program. Details here.

Each of the acquiring editors has different interests. You might pitch your manuscript to the best match. Click on the name for a link to details of what they’re looking for:

Pia

Pia Singhal is the newest member of the team at ECW and like all new editors, she needs authors. She’s looking for “a lot” in both fiction and nonfiction. 

Jen Sookfong Lee is also a fairly new editor. She acquires fiction and nonfiction that “ that explores the complicated identities, intersections, and interests of our contemporary world, whether that’s a historical novel with a subversive twist, or a memoir that reveals a story we haven’t yet seen in literature, or a collection of short stories with a varied cast of characters who collide in unexpected ways.” 

Jack David, Co-Publisher. Acquires fiction and nonfiction. “I enjoy reading unsolicited proposals; I live in hope. I sometimes find myself reading a line or a passage to anyone who happens to be within earshot. I do this spontaneously because I like to share what I’m enjoying; and then I observe myself and register the fact that I want others to take pleasure in what I’m reading. That’s the impetus for signing up a book.”

David Caron, Co-Publisher. Mostly acquires fantasy and sci-fi.

Jen Albert

Jen Albert, Editor. Acquires speculative fiction of all kinds for adults and teens: innovative space opera, horror, fantasy, literary post-apocalypse, epic sci-fantasy, etc. “I’m especially taken by fiction that is uplifting and fundamentally good-hearted, as in Katherine Addison’s The Goblin Emperor, one of my favorite-ever novels.” 

Jen Knoch, Senior Editor. Acquires fiction (though generally not genre fiction, and nonfiction, including memoir, pop culture books, especially music books, health, social issues, women’s issues, and the environment. She especially loves when those things intersect.

Jennifer Smith, Acquisitions & Business Development. Acquires nonfiction, “with some emphasis on business, leadership, entrepreneurship, corporate history, and celebratory or commemorative books for organizations and institutions. And I never turn down the opportunity to consider a great cookbook!”

Michael Holmes, Executive Editor. Acquires literary fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. “I look for smart, culturally-, socially- and politically-engaged writing that takes risks, pushes limits, colours way outside the lines.” 

Query ECW at: submissions@ecwpress.com 

Put your manuscript’s title in the subject line. Include a sample of the manuscript 10–15 pages. For fiction and non-fiction, 15–25 pages. For nonfiction, please also send an outline of the entire work as you envision it. (For tips on writing a good nonfiction proposal, check out this sample from ECW author Michael Hingston.)

See full submission guidelines here.

An upcoming pop classic from ECW

ECW is also looking for Pop Classics: 

“You might be best known for writing about music, politics, primates, or the adventures of made-up people, but ECW wants to give you a chance to expound on something different. On that thing that makes an evangelist of you, that makes you hold party guests hostage long after the coffee has gone cold or has you giving a well-intentioned Skinny Puppy CD to your grandma or Empire DVDs to your dad.

“ECW staffers share your pop culture passion, and we’re looking to expand our successful pop culture list with a new series that gives you a soapbox to preach from. Pop Classics will offer intelligent but accessible arguments about why a particular pop phenomenon matters. Possible subjects include TV, music, books series/authors, film, and video games. It can be something nostalgic (Babysitters Club novels) or contemporary (Beyoncé), as long as it’s something meaningful: to you, to its genre, to pop culture, and maybe even to society as a whole.

“Running between 20,000 and 40,000 words, Pop Classics are short books that pack a big punch, and just might be the thing to give your dinner companions some peace . . . or give you a legitimate reason to keep on talking.”

To submit a Pop Classics proposal, send an email to Jen Sookfong Lee at: jenl@ecwpress.com

Put “Pop Classics Proposal: Friday Night Lights” (or whatever your subject may be) in the subject line.

Your proposal should include the following elements:

1. Who: A CV that details your writing experience and includes links to previously published work

2. What: An outline of your proposed book: Your central thesis and a proposed table of contents to show us how that argument would develop

3. Why: Some basic information on the subject, target audience and why the time is right for writing about this topic

See full guidelines for a Pop Classics proposal here. 

Anne Shone, Executive Editor,
Scholastic Books, Canada

If you’re interested in meeting an agent and in getting published, don’t miss our online How to Get Published workshop, Sunday, February 26, with literary agent Erin Clyburn of Howland Literary Agency. Details here.

If you’re particularly interested in writing for children, be sure to sign up for our online Writing for Children & for Young Adults workshop Saturday, January 28, with Anne Shone,  Executive Editor of Scholastic Books Canada. Details here. 

And most especially, don’t miss our online Writing Little Kid Lit course Tuesday afternoons, Jan 24 – March 21. Details here.

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

Still space in these weekly classes:

Online: Writing Little Kid Lit, Tuesday afternoons, Jan 24 – March 21. Details here. –Still room in this course!

In-person: Exploring Creative Writing, Thursday evenings, 7 – 9 p.m, Jan 26 – March 30. {no class, March 23}, in Burlington.  Details here. – Still room in this course!

Writing Retreats: 

March in Muskoka Writing Retreat at Sherwood Inn, Friday, March 24 – Monday, March 27, 2023. Details here.

Algonquin in June Writing Retreat at Arowhon Pines Resort, Friday, June 9 – Monday, June 12. Details here. 

***

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

Exploring Creative Writing class starting in January ~ offered online and in-person

Exploring Creative Writing

 ~ Discovering your creative side

In-person: Thursday evenings, 7 – 9 p.m.
January 26 – March 30, 2023 {No class March 23}
St. Elizabeth’s Church, 5324 Bromley Road  Burlington, Ontario {Map here} – Still room in this course 

Or

Online: Monday afternoons, 1 – 3 p.m.
January 23 – March 20, 2023
 – Waiting list only for this course

This is your chance to take up writing in a warm, supportive environment. We’ll explore writing short stories and writing true stories, writing in first person and in third person, writing technique and getting creative, getting down your very best writing and just for fun writing.

You’ll get a shot of inspiration every week and an assignment to keep you going till the next class. Best of all, this class will provide a zero-pressure, totally safe setting, where your words will grow and flower.

Fee:  $176.11 plus 13% hst = $199

To reserve your spot, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

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’s has helped many of his students get published. 

Read reviews of Brian's various courses and workshops here (and scroll down).

See all of Brian’s upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and weekend retreats here.

New book: St. Agnes and the Selkie by Mark Baker {writing as GM Baker}

Hi, Brian.

St. Agnes and the Selkie is the second book of my historical series set in 8th century Northumbria in the time of the first Viking raids. It is the sequel to The Wistful and the Good and tells what happened to Elswyth after she left home. Here is the blurb:

Mother Wynflaed of Whitby Abbey rules a joint house of monks and nuns, and many layfolk besides. Her office forbids her to have favorites, but when a young woman appears on the doorstep, soaked from the sea and too terrified to speak her name, Wynflaed comes to see her not only as a potential postulant, but as a daughter. She names her Agnes, but before Agnes can become part of the community, Wynflaed must discover her secret.

Mark

Though Wynflaed finds it impossible to think ill of Agnes, Agnes herself keeps pulling down one penance after another on her head, as if trying to expiate some grave crime. As some in the abbey begin to fear her, Agnes becomes Wynflaed's obsession, upsetting the harmony of the abbey, and leading Wynflaed to question her own fitness to rule.

When Eardwulf, the young king of Northumbria, comes to Wynflaed seeking counsel, he too becomes infatuated with Agnes. As Wynflaed begins to unwind Agnes' secret, she realizes that Agnes is a danger to both the abbey and the king, and plans to send her away. But Eardwulf has other ideas, and Agnes has other admirers.

 I also be releasing the third book in the series, The Needle of Avocation, at the end of January.

Thanks,

Mark

 St. Agnes and the Selkie and The Wistful and the Good are both available now and The Needle of Avocation is available for pre-order here.

See Brian Henry’s upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and weekend retreats here.

Three agents at Context Literary seek new authors

Context Literary Agency

125r Cedarhurst Ave Ste B
Cedarhurst, NY 11516

https://www.contextlit.com/

Note: You can hang out and chat with quick brown foxes and vixens on my Facebook page (here). Just send a friend request to Brian Henry. Also, if you’re not yet on my newsletter, send me an email, including your locale, to: brianhenry@sympatico.ca ~ Brian

Context Literary is a New York City area (headquartered on Long Island) literary agency, with four literary agents, three of whom are looking for authors:

Tamar Rydzinski is the president of Context Literary. Her goal for her authors is to reach their audience wherever they are, and she is proud of helping them stay ahead of the curve. Tamar began her career at Sanford Greenburger Associates. She then joined Laura Dail Literary Agency, where she became vice president and director of subrights.

Tamar is looking for Middle-grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction of all types; adult commercial fiction (political espionage is not a good fit); adult narrative nonfiction.

Query Tamar at: querytamar@contextlit.com

Paste 5- 10 pages of text into the body of the email.

Monica Rodriguez is a junior agent, and like all new agents, she needs authors. Monica gravitates towards stories about identity, family relationships, and travel. Like everyone else, she is looking to uplift underrepresented voices, including, (but not limited to) authors who identify as People of Color (BIPOC), disabled, neurodiverse, and LGBTQ+. 

In children’s literature, she is actively looking for PB, MG, YA & Graphic Novels. She is also open to adult and nonfiction submissions.

Query Monica at: querymonica@contextlit.com

Paste 5- 10 pages of text into the body of the email.

Kristina Sutton-Lennon was named a Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree in 2022. As Executive Director of Focused Artists, which she co-founded, she served as a Talent and Literary Manager.  Kristina has worked as a Film/TV Agent. She is excited to build her list while securing Media and Translation Rights deals for authors. She takes pride in her diverse slate of content. Kristina earned her MFA from Louisiana State University. She is a proud member of NALIP (National Association of Latino Independent Producers).

Kristina is drawn to upmarket fiction, Picture Books (especially illustrated), and nonfiction self-improvement books focusing on mental wellness, career advancement and motherhood. She is not a good fit for true crime or horror.

Like everyone else, Kristina champions underrepresented narratives and is particularly scouting multicultural content and Latiné voices.

Query Kristina at: querykristina@contextlit.com  

Paste 5- 10 pages of text into the body of the email.

See submissions page here.

Literary agent Erin Clyburn
was our guest speaker in January 2023

If you’re interested in meeting an agent and publishing your book, join us for an upcoming How to Get Published workshop. See here.

And if you’re particularly interested in writing for children or for young adults, join us at an upcoming one-day Kid Lit workshop or weekly course. See here {and scroll down).

See details of all upcoming writing retreats, one-day workshops, and weekly classes here. 

***

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 a literary agent who represents a particular type of book, check out this post.  

 

New: Online Writing Personal Stories class, Monday evenings, Jan 30 – March 20

Writing Personal Stories 

 ~ A wealth of writing and sharing

Online: Monday evenings, 6:30 – 8:30,
January 30 – April 3, 2023 (No class March 27)
Offered on Zoom and accessible from anywhere there's internet 

"Exploring Creative Writing" and "Writing Little Kid Lit" are also offered starting in January. Details here.

If you've ever considered writing your personal stories, this course is for you. We’ll look at memoirs, travel writing, personal essays, family history ~ personal stories of all kinds. Plus, of course, we’ll work on creativity and writing technique and have fun doing it. 

Whether you want to write a book or just get your thoughts down on paper, this weekly course will get you going. We'll reveal the tricks and conventions of telling true stories, and we’ll show you how to use the techniques of the novel to recount actual events. Weekly writing exercises and friendly feedback from the instructor will help you move forward on this writing adventure. Whether you want to write for your family and friends or for a wider public, don't miss this course.

Guest speaker Sue Williams lives in Guelph, Ontario, with her husband. She worked as an occupational therapist and never dreamt of being a writer. But, after a life altering experience, she found herself with a story she felt needed telling and set about learning how to tell it.

The first of many creative writing courses Sue took was Brian Henry’s ‘Writing Personal Stories’. It was exactly what she needed, and she has never looked back.

Sue’s memoir, Ready to Come About (Dundurn Press, 2019) is endorsed by Miriam Toews, New York Times Best-Selling author of Women Talking, and Cate Cochran, CBC Radio producer of The Sunday Edition. It has been promoted by The Globe and Mail, Canadian Yachting, Good Old Boat, and her professional magazine, Occupational Therapy Now. And it has been a staff pick at many independent bookstores. Also, it was recently released as an audiobook by Scribd and has been translated into Portuguese for release in 2023.

Sue is now working on a novel set in the largely invisible world of home care. 

You can read more about Ready to Come About at Dundurn Press 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’s has helped many of his students get published.  

Read reviews of Brian's various courses and workshops here (and scroll down).

Fee: $176.11 plus 13% hst = $199

To reserve your spot, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

 See all of Brian’s upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and weekend retreats here.