To Whom It May Concern:

How do you know if you’ve got the perfect query? What do agents really think about the publishing industry today? And, most importantly, what are three things aspiring writers should never do in their query letter? (Hint: knowing the agent’s name is a good start).

WordHustler sat down with Joanna Stampfel-Volpe, agent extraordinaire at Nancy Coffey Literary Agency. Joanna gave us the real deal on all things published, especially what she’s looking for as an agent. Are you the next author destined to knock her socks off? Read on to find out!

Love,
WordHustler

WordHustler: How did you get your start in the publishing industry?

Joanna Stampfel-Volpe: I think there are a few things that helped me get into the industry (beside my willingness to work for free and edit for free, I even ran a critique group—anything to get my name out there and to get experience).  Around the same time I was working very part time with a small Long Island publisher, Blue Marlin Publications, I was working at Barnes & Noble, and I was taking some night courses on editing with NYU’s publishing program.  And of course I interned.

WH: Why did you decide ultimately to become an agent?

JSV: As an agent, I get to do everything!  I work with authors, brainstorming and as a sounding board.  I edit manuscripts.  I network and meet with editors, book scouts, publicity people and even film producers.  I get to sell projects I’m genuinely enthusiastic about.  I even work on selling subrights like audio, merchandising and dramatic rights.  Not to mention, I can work on any type of book I want to…I just have to love it.

WH: You represent both children’s and adult authors. What draws you to children’s books and YA? What about an adult book catches your eye?

JSV: Well, from children’s to adult the most important part of a manuscript to me is the voice.  The characters really need to come alive for me on the page whether it’s a fast-paced adventure for kids, a beautiful, family-drama for women, or a dark, horror for teen boys.  I often look for more character-driven stories rather than strictly plot-driven (although plot is important, obviously).  So I guess my taste in children’s, YA and adult is the same: strong voice, no matter what it’s about.

WH: What are a few of your favorite books out there today? And feel free to include books/authors you rep- it’s only fair!

JSV: Oh, gosh…I could go on about this for a while.  Okay, I’ll try to keep this brief…OTTO GROWS DOWN by Michael Sussman (picture book), FABLEHAVEN series by Brandon Mull (middle grade), THE ROCK AND THE RIVER by Kekla Magoon (historical, young YA), CRACKED UP TO BE by Courtney Summers (edgy YA), EVERMORE by Alyson Noel (paranormal YA), BURNED by Ellen Hopkins (verse, YA), THE TORY WIDOW by Christine Blevins (historical fic, adult), JUST ONE OF THE GUYS by Kristan Higgans (contemporary romance, adult), CALLISTO by Torsten Krol (literary, adult), CITY OF JADE by Dennis McKiernan (epic fantasy, adult), THE THIRTEENTH TALE by Diane Setterfield (mainstream, adult)…I mean, I guess I’ll stop there, but that’s only what I’ve read recently and LOVED.

WH: What type of books are you looking for that you haven’t found yet?

JSV: I say this at every conference and in every interview but so far I haven’t found it!  But I’m dying to find a dark read for YA boys that’s THE CATCHER IN THE RYE meets STAND BY ME.  Really strong narrative voice, creepy, dark, yet coming-of-age, and realistic.  I recently heard about “hog harvesting” at a conference and thought it would be cool if that could be part of the plot…think dark, Southern…and throw in a little LORD OF THE FLIES type stuff.  Wow, am I sick or what?

WH: What’s your overall take on publishing today? In dire straights or blooming and flourishing?

[Read more →]

A New York University website has started an interesting project: helping to write the “the greatest mobile novel ever attempted,” PenUltimater.com says. The best part? You can help write it, too.

Check it out on NYU’s website.

Hey WordHustler, are you into short fiction? Like REALLY short fiction? Why don’t you send your story into the Kennesaw Review Flash Fiction Prize? The prize is $500 but the deadline is June 1^st so hurry, hurry, hurry!