Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc.

		Agents Andrea Brown President andrea@andreabrownlit.com Andrea Brown is the President of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc. Founded in New York City in 1981, it was the first literary agency to represent both children's book authors and illustrators. Prior to opening her own firm, Andrea was an editor at Alfred A. Knopf, and worked in the editorial departments of Random House and Dell. In 1990, she moved her literary agency to Northern California. Her literary agency has sold over 2,000 books to just about every publisher, from toddler board books to serious, award-winning young adult. Andrea has published articles and published a chapter about the children's book field in THE PORTABLE WRITER'S CONFERENCE, published by Quill Driver Books. She has been quoted in the NEW YORK POST, CNN.com, Yahoo News, FORBES, GOOD HOUSEKEEPING and REUTERS NEWS SERVICE. President of the San Francisco chapter of the Women's National Book Association for four years, she was the National Pannell Award Chair that gives awards to booksellers at the Book Expo Association. She is also a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Andrea has had her own cable television show in New York City, An Afternoon with Children's Books, and has appeared on C-SPAN'S Book Notes, and public television's Authors and Critics. She is the Executive Director of the Big Sur Writing Workshops for children's books, held in March and December. Andrea speaks at many writer's conferences including the Singapore Book Council, Maui Writers Conference, Asilomar, San Diego State University, UCLA, Stanford University, Palm Springs Writers Conference, Southwest Writers Conference, Pikes Peak Writers Conference, Texas Writer's League, The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conferences, and she is Associate faculty at the Pacific Northwest MFA program in Whidbey Island. Some of Andrea's sales include bestselling titles such as MAMA DO YOU LOVE ME (Chronicle), THE BEANIE BABY HANDBOOK and TEACHER FROM THE BLACK LAGOON series (both with Scholastic), the BEVERLY HILLS 90210 series (HarperCollins), the SUNSET ISLAND series (Berkley), Olympic Silver medalist, Sasha Cohen's autobiography, FIRE ON ICE (HarperCollins), Neal Shusterman's DARK FUSION series (Dutton/Penguin), EVERLOST and UNWIND (Simon & Schuster), BRUISER (HarperCollins), and a forthcoming middle grade series with Disney-Hyperion. Andrea is also the author of WRITERS' AND ARTISTS' HIDEOUTS: Great Getaways for Seducing the Muse, the only travel/writer's guide available. Laura Rennert Senior Agent Query email address: lauraqueries@gmail.com (ALL queries must be sent here or they will not wind up in Laura's Query box) General email address: ljrennert@mac.com Representative Deals Laura's author website Laura Rennert has been a Senior Agent with Andrea Brown Literary Agency since 1998. She thinks of herself as a "literary omnivore" and specializes in all categories of children's books, from picture books to young adult, and in up-market women's fiction and narrative nonfiction. She represents award-winning and best-selling authors, including #1 NYT bestsellers Ellen Hopkins, Jay Asher, Lauren Kate, #1 NYT bestseller and Printz Honor Finalist Maggie Stiefvater, and National Book Award Finalist Kathleen Duey, as well as brand new, first-time authors. Some of her exemplary titles are THE RAVEN BOYS (Scholastic); THIRTEEN REASONS WHY (Razorbill/Penguin); CRANK series (Margaret McElderry/S&S); SHIVER (WOLVES OF MERCY FALLS series, Scholastic); MADAPPLE (Knopf/RH); THE FIVE ANCESTORS series (Random House); THE BODY FINDER (HarperCollins); MOSTLY MONSTERLY (Paula Wiseman Books/S&S); THE SCORPIO RACES (Scholastic); ROOTLESS (Scholastic); LET THE SKY FALL (Aladdin/S&S); THE LOST SUN (Random House); and COLLATERAL (Atria/S&S). Noteworthy sales include seven-figure deals to Simon & Schuster and Scholastic; deals for over half a million dollars to Random House, Scholastic, Penguin, and Simon & Schuster; and film deals to Nickelodeon/Paramount; Warner Bros; and Universal Pictures. Laura loves character-driven, page-turning fiction with real emotional power. The common thread in the diverse range of projects Laura represents is a strong voice and a propensity to make readers both feel and think. She has a special fondness for characters with an insider-outsider perspective; for narrative risk-takers; and for books that make her laugh and cry. Laura likes surprises, and would love to find a stunning, unexpected, can't-put-me-down novel with a swing for the fences literary voice and an amazing commercial hook in any genre. Right now she's particularly seeking upper middle-grade and YA fiction. She's drawn to contemporary and multi-cultural fiction; genre fiction with emotional power; speculative fiction and alternate histories/realities; dystopian, fantasy, and paranormal; thrillers, science fiction and horror; neo-gothic novels and steampunk; subversive fairy tales; and other genres that hark back to her 19th century Brit Lit roots. She has a weakness for novels that turn her favorite classics (hint, Jane Austen, Shakespeare, original fairy tales, Dante, the Pre-Raphaelites) or myths inside out, give them an intriguing new context, and bring something unexpected to the table. She'd be thrilled to find a Hugo Cabret-like illustrated novel for older readers. Laura's work as an agent is enhanced by her experience on the other side of the table. She's the author of a picture book, BUYING, TRAINING, AND CARING FOR YOUR DINOSAUR (Knopf/RH), illustrated by Marc Brown, creator of Arthur. She's also the author of an illustrated chapter book, ROYAL PRINCESS ACADEMY: DRAGON DREAMS (Dial/Penguin). Laura has a Ph.D. in English Literature and was a faculty member in English Departments of the University of Virginia, Osaka University of Foreign Studies, and Santa Clara University. She speaks at writers' conferences and book festivals throughout the country and overseas. She loves helping to bring breath-taking, unforgettable books to readers, and believes she has the best job in the world. Caryn Wiseman Senior Agent caryn@andreabrownlit.com Representative Deals Caryn has been an agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency for ten years, and she has sold more than 200 books. She handles children's books only: young adult and middle-grade fiction and non-fiction, chapter books, and picture books (fiction and non-fiction). She represents NYT bestselling authors, award-winning authors, debut authors, and authors at every stage in between. No matter the genre, Caryn is looking for books with emotional depth and a strong voice; excellent writing in a tightly-plotted, commercial story; and characters that stick with her long after she has closed the book. In YA, she gravitates toward books that make her think and toward books that make her cry; in middle-grade and chapter books, laughter tends to be the common thread. She loves books that are intellectually challenging and take risks, but in a very logical way. Caryn is drawn to speculative middle grade or YA fiction—usually contemporary with a very smart science fiction or light fantasy element, but she also appreciates being carried away by great world-building in a unique story that isn't grounded in reality. Zombies, horror, and high fantasy will, most likely, not appeal. She would love to see a YA thriller with the pacing and twists of HOMELAND, and a YA Pitch Perfect or Big Bang Theory. She would be thrilled to see more contemporary multicultural middle grade or YA—books that deeply explore another culture, as well as books in which the ethnicity of the character is not the issue. She adores a swoon-worthy romance with an intelligent heroine who isn't simply swept off her feet by a hunky hero. A sweet, funny or poignant middle-grade novel, with a great hook that makes it stand out from the crowd, would hold great appeal, and she's partial to lyrical, non-institutional picture book biographies. She is always open to terrific children's work that doesn't fit these categories as long as it makes her laugh, makes her cry, and keeps her awake at night, either reading the manuscript or thinking about it. She does not represent adult projects. Please do not query her regarding adult work. Caryn represents Tom Angleberger, author of the NYT and national indie bestselling ORIGAMI YODA series (Amulet/Abrams), and Nate Evans, co-author of the NYT bestseller THE JELLYBEANS AND THE BIG DANCE and its sequels (Abrams). Award-winning books include RABBIT AND ROBOT: THE SLEEPOVER by Cece Bell (2013 Theodore Geisel Honor book), FAKE MUSTACHE by Tom Angleberger (2013 Edgar nominee), HORTON HALFPOTT by Tom Angleberger (2012 Edgar nominee), DARTH PAPER STRIKES BACK by Tom Angleberger (2011 ABC Best Books), THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA by Tom Angleberger (2011 ALA Notable and Kirkus Best Books of 2010), A YEAR OF GOODBYES by Debbie Levy (2010 Kirkus Top Ten Book of the Year and 2010 Sydney Taylor Notable Book), and ME, FRIDA by Amy Novesky (2010 Pura Belpre Illustrator Honor Award—illustrated by David Diaz and 2011 ALA Notable). 2013 titles include ART2D2 by Tom Angleberger (Amulet/Abrams), TIME AFTER TIME by Tamara Ireland Stone (Disney-Hyperion), INDIGO by Gina Linko (Random House), THE GATHERING DARK by Christine Johnson (Simon Pulse/S&S), CRANKEE DOODLE by Tom Angleberger and Cece Bell (Clarion/HMH), ON A BEAM OF LIGHT: The Story of Albert Einstein, by Jennifer Berne (Chronicle), IMPERFECT SPIRAL by Debbie Levy (Walker), DRAGON RUN by Patrick Matthews (Scholastic), HOPE'S GIFT illustrated by Don Tate (Putnam/Penguin), GOLDEN BOY by Tara Sullivan (Putnam/Penguin), ICE DOGS by Terry Johnson (Houghton Mifflin/HMH), RED KITE BLUE KITE by Ji-li Jiang (Disney-Hyperion), and more books in the BALLPARK MYSTERIES chapter book series by David Kelly (Random House) and in the JO SCHMO chapter book series by Greg Trine (Harcourt/HMH). Caryn holds an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA, and a BS from the University of Virginia. She is a member of SCBWI and she is a frequent speaker at writer's conferences. Jennifer Rofé Agent jennifer@andreabrownlit.com Representative Deals Jen's author website Jennifer handles children's fiction projects ranging from picture books to young adult. Middle grade is Jennifer's soft spot and she's open to all genres in this category, especially the tender or hilarious. She is always looking for fresh and distinct voices; stories that simultaneously tug at her heartstrings and make her laugh out loud; and "adorkable" heroes. As for YA, Jennifer is drawn to contemporary works; dramatic or funny romance; and urban fantasy/light sci-fi. She's especially interested in mind-blowingly smart projects that are layered, complex, and unexpected, and she appreciates big, developed worlds. In terms of picture books, early readers, and chapter books, she is interested in character-driven projects and smart, exceptional writing. Some of Jennifer's clients include Kathryn Fitzmaurice, author of THE YEAR THE SWALLOWS CAME EARLY and DESTINY, REWRITTEN (both from HarperCollins) and A DIAMOND IN THE DESERT (Viking/Penguin); Barry Wolverton, author of NEVERSINK (Walden Pond Press/HarperCollins); Nick James, author of the SKYSHIP ACADEMY trilogy (Flux); Samantha Vamos, author of the Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor recipient THE CAZUELA THAT THE FARM MAIDEN STIRRED and the forthcoming ALPHATRUCKS (both from Charlesbridge); Meg Medina, author of TIA ISA WANTS A CAR, THE GIRL WHO COULD SILENCE THE WIND, and YAQUI DELGADO WANTS TO KICK YOUR ASS (all from Candlewick); Crystal Allen, author of HOW LAMAR'S BAD PRANK WON A BUBBA SIZED TROPHY and THE LAURA LINE (both from Balzer & Bray/HarperCollins); Denise Doyen, author of the E.B. White Read Aloud Honor picture book ONCE UPON A TWICE and the forthcoming THE POMEGRANATE WITCH (both from Random House); and Lauren Strasnick, author of NOTHING LIKE YOU, HER AND ME AND YOU and THEN YOU WERE GONE (all from Simon Pulse/S&S). Jennifer is co-author of the picture book PIGGIES IN THE PUMPKIN PATCH (Charlesbridge). She has been on faculty for several conferences including the Big Sur Writer's Workshop and numerous SCBWI conferences. Jennifer earned a BA in English with a minor in Social and Ethnic Relations from UC Davis and has a background in secondary education. Kelly Sonnack Agent kelly@andreabrownlit.com Representative Deals Kelly represents writers for all age groups within children's literature (picture books, middle grade, young adult, and graphic novels), as well as illustrators. In picture books and middle grade fiction, Kelly looks for clever writing, a good sense of humor, stories that stretch a young reader's imagination, and fresh ideas. In young adult, she appreciates literary voices and character-driven stories with heart but is also drawn to thrillers, light science fiction, and well-crafted fantasy. She'd love to see a novel that has the feel of The Twilight Zone, Fringe, Lost, or The X Files. In non-fiction for children, Kelly looks for projects that inspire and stimulate the minds of our younger generations and that cross over from the school/library market into the trade market. Kelly is not accepting submissions of adult fiction or adult non-fiction. Some of the YA and middle grade novels Kelly represents include Steve Watkins' Golden Kite Winner DOWN SAND MOUNTAIN and his YA novel WHAT COMES AFTER (both with Candlewick); Anne Osterlund's YA novel, SALVATION (Speak/Penguin); Anna Sheehan's debut YA novel A LONG, LONG SLEEP (Candlewick); Sharon Cameron's debut YA novel THE DARK UNWINDING and its forthcoming sequel A SPARK UNSEEN (Scholastic); Carolyn Marsden's multicultural middle grade, THE WHITE ZONE (Carolrhoda/Lerner) and Ray Sabini's funny middle grade series SWEET FARTS (Amazon Encore). Picture books that Kelly represents include James Burks' BEEP AND BAH (Carolrhoda/Lerner); Diane Adams' forthcoming TWO HANDS TO HOLD YOU (Chronicle); Elizabeth Rusch's forthcoming ELECTRIC WIZARD: THE REMARKABLE STORY OF NIKOLA TESLA (Candlewick); and Bridget Heos' nonfiction picture book series starting with WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING LARVAE (Millbrook/Lerner). Kelly is a frequent speaker at conferences, including SCBWI's national and regional conferences, and can be found talking about all things children's books on Facebook (agentsonnack) and Twitter (@KSonnack). Jennifer Laughran Agent jennL@andreabrownlit.com Representative Deals Jennifer began her career in agenting after working as a long-time children's bookseller and buyer. She is also the founder of the extremely popular YA event series "Not Your Mother's Book Club". She joined Andrea Brown Literary Agency in 2007. Always on the lookout for sparkling YA and middle grade fiction with unusual and unforgettable characters and vivid settings, she is drawn to all kinds of books, whether realistic comedies or richly imagined magical adventures. However, the common thread in her favorite stories is an offbeat world-view. Jennifer adores simplicity, but she is not interested in the conventional, predictable, mechanical, gimmicky or ordinary. Jennifer loves funny books, thrilling books, romantic books, books that make her cry, and all-around un-put-downable books... and her true favorites are all of the above. Clients include: National Public Radio's own "children's book ambassador" and the author of over 100 books for young readers, Daniel Pinkwater, whose latest novel is BUSHMAN LIVES! (Houghton/HMH). His wife, the talented artist Jill Pinkwater, who did the vibrant illustrations for their book BEAUTIFUL YETTA (THE YIDDISH CHICKEN) (Feiwel & Friends). Author/illustrator Calef Brown, whose whimsical drawings and poems have garnered him praise and the number one spot on the NYT bestseller list. Ilsa J. Bick, author of ASHES (Egmont), who is quickly becoming one of the most gripping voices in YA thrillers. Jackie Dolamore, whose fantasy worlds are so gorgeously wrought in books like BETWEEN THE SEA AND SKY (Bloomsbury). Edgy debut YA novelists like L.K. Madigan, whose FLASH BURNOUT (Houghton/HMH) was an ALA Morris Award Winner. And Erin Lange, author of BUTTER (Bloomsbury). These are to name just a few. Jennifer attends several conferences each year. Past conferences include Willamette, Writer's League of Texas, SCBWI-NY, NE-SCBWI, Oregon Coast Children's Book Writers Workshop, Book Passage Children's Writers Workshop, and Big Sur Children's Writer's Workshop. She spends most of her free time... well, reading, what else?! You can find out more about Jennifer and her clients on her blog. Jamie Weiss Chilton Agent jamie@andreabrownlit.com Representative Deals Jamie Weiss Chilton represents children's books exclusively, specializing in teen novels and picture books. For teens, she is interested in literary/commercial fiction with intense emotional content (character driven, not issue driven plots); smart thrillers and mysteries; science fiction and futuristic fiction; surreal stories and magical realism. "I'm looking for a YA writer who is reinventing and re-envisioning the genre, the way Francesca Lia Block did with her WEETZIE BAT series in the 1990s. I'm looking for the Lady Gaga of YA fiction." As for picture books, Jamie gravitates towards character-driven texts and illustrations. Jamie's career in children's books began in 1998, with an editorial internship at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, followed by positions as an Editorial Assistant and Assistant Editor at Bantam Delacorte Dell and Knopf & Crown Books for Young Readers. After returning to her hometown of Los Angeles, Jamie pursued her love of children's books in a new arena, as Conference Manager and Golden Kite Award Director at the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) before joining the Andrea Brown Agency in 2008. Titles Jamie represents include STRUCK, a YA debut by Jennifer Bosworth (FSG/Macmillan); ORCHARDS and A LANGUAGE INSIDE, YA novels in verse by Holly Thompson (Delacorte/RH); THE BEGINNING OF AFTER and YOU LOOK DIFFERENT IN REAL LIFE by Jennifer Castle (HarperCollins); WOLVES, BOYS, AND OTHER THINGS THAT MIGHT KILL ME and GIRLS DON'T FLY by Kristen Chandler (Viking/Penguin); genre-reinventing YA horror/psychological thrillers BLEEDING VIOLET and SLICE OF CHERRY by Dia Reeves (Simon Pulse/S&S); BAD FOR YOU, a graphic novel by co-creators Kevin C. Pyle and Scott Cunningham (Holt/Macmillan); EVERY COWGIRL LOVES A RODEO, a picture book by Rebecca Janni (Dial); HOW TO BABYSIT A GRANDPA, by Jean Reagan; Salina Yoon's picture book series beginning with PENGUIN AND PINECONE (Walker); Tracey E. Fern's nonfiction picture book BARNUM'S BONES (FSG/Macmillan); and Janee Trasler's forthcoming board book series beginning with BEDTIME FOR CHICKIES (HarperFestival/HC). Jennifer Mattson Associate Agent jmatt@andreabrownlit.com Representative Deals Jennifer comes to Andrea Brown Literary Agency after nearly five years of reviewing children's literature as part of the Books for Youth staff of Booklist magazine. That adds up to close readings of around 1,000 books, lending Jennifer a wide-angle view of the tastes of individual houses. Prior to Booklist, Jennifer was an Associate Editor at Dutton Children's Books, where she acquired and edited titles that included CHICO, by retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor; and THE HEROIC ADVENTURES OF HERCULES AMSTERDAM, by Melissa Glenn Haber. (She also enjoyed an amusing turn on the other side of the desk as a coauthor of THE OFFICIAL EASY-BAKE COOKBOOK). In the picture-book arena, Jennifer is interested in authors and author-illustrators who bring a distinctive, well-developed point of view to their work; at this time, she is not acquiring illustration-only clients. She loves picture books that are story time-ready stories (no one-joke tales or mood pieces) that resonate with universal childhood experiences and concerns; fables and folktales aren't for her. For the older set, she is drawn to richly imagined fantasies that depart from old-hat heroic quests (alternate realities, magical realism, and steam-punk are all styles/premises to have recently caught her notice). She has a special interest in dystopian fiction for middle graders and in sprawling, atmospheric tales with Dickensian twists and satisfying puzzles. But as much as high-concept novels pique her interest, the most mind-blowing premise can't hide a flat narrative that rarely reaches for unexpected descriptions, fully fleshed characterizations, or a zinging narrative voice. Recent fiction sales include Tom Leveen's third contemporary-realistic YA novel MUSTARDSEED, following up PARTY and ZERO (all Random House); and Jenny Meyerhoff's comic middle-grade THE BARFTASTIC LIFE OF LOUIE BURGER (FSG/Macmillan), to be illustrated by Jason Week, and her chapter book SAMI'S SLEEPAWAY SUMMER (Scholastic). Recent picture book sales include three manuscripts by noted poet Linda Ashman: PEACE, BABY!, to be illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff (Chronicle); Linda Ashman's nearly wordless, graphic novel influenced story, RAIN! (Houghton Mifflin/HMH); and a lyrical ode to the rhythms of the natural world, ALL WE KNOW (HarperCollins). Past sales include author-illustrator Gail Page's HOW TO BE A GOOD CAT, the latest entry in her picture book series about Bobo the dog (Bloomsbury); and TEN ON THE SLED, a picture book written by Kim Norman (Sterling). Jennifer enjoys writers' conferences, and has appeared at the Big Sur Writing Workshop, the Big Sur of the Rockies Writing Workshop, the Willamette Writers Conference, the SCBWI-Missouri Confluence Conference, and SCBWI-IL Prairie Writer's Day, among others. Jennifer has a degree in English from Amherst College and currently lives in Chicago. Lara Perkins Associate Agent lara@andreabrownlit.com Lara Perkins is an Associate Agent and Digital Manager at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. She has been with the agency for nearly three years, working closely with Senior Agent Laura Rennert, with whom she jointly represents a number of clients. Lara is a fan of smart and raw young adult fiction, character-driven middle grade fiction with a totally original, hilarious voice, and so-adorable-she-can't-stand-it picture books, preferably with some age-appropriate emotional heft. She's a sucker for a great mystery and is passionate about stories that teach her new things or open up new worlds. More than anything, she has a soft spot for the wonderfully weird, the idiosyncratic, and the entirely unexpected. Recent deals, together with Laura Rennert, include Matthew Ward's middle grade novel, THE FANTASTIC FAMILY WHIPPLE, sold in a two book, six-figure deal to Razorbill, and P.J. Hoover's young adult novel, SOLSTICE, forthcoming with Tor Teen in June 2013. Lara has a B.A. in English and Art History from Amherst College and an M.A. in English Literature from Columbia University, where she studied Victorian Brit Lit. In her pre-publishing life, she trained to be an architect, before deciding that books, not bricks, are her true passion. She spent over a year at the B.J. Robbins Literary Agency in Los Angeles before coming to Andrea Brown Literary.