Round 10 of the Amazon vs Everybody Wars: Amazon vs Japan

In this week's round of the Amazon vs Everybody Wars, Amazon is taking on Japan.

Amazon is exploiting its position as Japan's largest book retailer by ranking publishers according to how much they pay Amazon. The publishers with the highest ranking are given top billing on the Amazon Japan website.

Publishers are calling it "blackmail." 

Amazon is calling it "business as usual."

The manipulation of Amazon Japan is just one more in a long string of extortionist tactics that include removing pre-orders from books published by "uncooperative" publishing companies (Hachette and Macmillan), and removing new video titles from Disney and Time Warner. So far this year, Amazon has incurred the wrath of the FTC, the Author's Guild, Germany, and France as well as thousands of authors.

But in spite of being dissed by the German Minister of Culture, Amazon continues to expand. It has gobbled up Goodreads, where it immediately began deleting reviews it found unfavorable, and purchased Twitch, the video-game livestreaming site (where it will no doubt employ the same tactics). Meanwhile Amazon has cut royalty rates on audiobooks, leaving many self-publishers in the lurch.

And the year ain't over yet.

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Book publishers shout foul over Amazon Japan's new ratings

Asahi Shimbun, August 28, 2014

By Mayumi Mori/ Staff Writer

Online retail giant Amazon Japan introduced a new system this summer to rank book publishers, a decision that has not gone down well with its business partners.

Amazon Japan is the nation's largest book retailer for paper and electronic media. Its new system gives higher rankings to publishers that pay higher fees to Amazon Japan and to publishers with larger eBook catalogs.

Additionally, eBooks from publishers ranked higher are given more prominence on the Amazon.co.jp website.

Many publishers, including high-profile publishing houses, have protested the move, calling it a form of "blackmail" that exploits the company's considerable dominance in the book retailing industry.

"Wouldn't antitrust authorities start to wonder if Amazon Japan is taking advantage of its monopolistic position in the market?" said Bungeishunju Ltd. when it protested to Amazon Japan in June.

Japanese publishers are continuing to hold talks with Amazon Japan.

Disagreements between parent company, Amazon.com Inc., and publishers are intensifying worldwide.

In the United States, 900 renowned authors protested against Amazon for putting pressure on publishers that resisted the company's demands to lower eBook prices by delaying the shipping of their books.

Media analyst Satoshi Osawa said if publishers start to only focus on dealing with the retailing giant, "it could lead to lower quality of their products."

An official with Amazon Japan's public relations department said, "It's difficult to comment because the issue deals with individual contracts."

How to Research an Agent

The best way to find an agent is to either marry one, give birth to one, or go to conferences. There is no substitute for face-to-face communication.

Unfortunately, most writers can't make it to conferences. So, they are left with the task of writing query letters. (Even if you do find an agent at a conference, you are not off the hook. You still have to write a query.)

Whether you meet an agent in person, or look one up online, you have to do your research. Does the agent represent your genre? Is he/she willing to take on new clients? Does she/he have a good track record for sales? Which publishers has the agent worked with? How does he/she treat clients? 

All of these questions are important, and all can be answered by researching agents online. These are the steps to take for researching an agent.

1) Go to AgentQuery. Not all agents on agentquery are members of the AAR, but all are established. You can search on an agent's name, or you can search by genre. If you search by genre, make sure you do a full search and filter for agents who are actively seeking clients. As you find agents who are taking on clients in your genre, make a list. This site has lots of great resources, including a list of twitter handles for agents, how to write a query letter, and lists of publishers and literary magazines, to name a few.

2) Go to the agent's or agency's website. (You can do this directly from agentquery.) Is the agent still taking clients? Does the agent still represent your genre? How does the agent sound? Does he or she appear helpful. and supportive? Does the agent charge a "reading fee"? (If so, cross the agent off your list. No reputable agent will charge a fee for reading a manuscript. No reputable agent will use a submission as an excuse to offer "editing" services either.) Very few agents post their contract on their websites, but when they do, read those contracts carefully. Literary agents, unlike talent agents, do not represent you, they represent your book. (Only one.) Contracts that demand representation rights for all your work, or for prequels or sequels, should be avoided.

3) Google the agent. Look for "querytracker," and "absolute write" entries. Both of these will give you insights as to turnaround time, and whether authors have had positive (or negative) experiences. You can also go straight to querytracker and look the agent up directly. If there are interviews posted online, read them. Interviews are a great way to discover what the agent does and does not like in a query letter, which genres he or she is particularly interested in, and other useful details.

4) Join QueryTracker.  This is a great resource for finding agents. You can search for agents with the fastest response times and who reps whom (which agents represent specific authors). Unlike some other sites, Querytracker is up date to date. It will tell you which agents are closed to queries, and which agents are newly minted. (New agents are always actively seeking clients.)

5) Google "agent [agent's name]". When authors publish a book, they almost always thank their agent in the "acknowledgements" section. Often you will find something like this: "I want to thank my agent, [name of agent] for her tireless support and encouragement." If the book has been listed on google books, this search will find all such acknowledgements. This is a good way to see how many books the agent has represented, which is particularly useful if the agent does not include a list on his or her website.

Once you have assembled a list of agents who meet all your requirements, it's time to send queries.

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Also see:

What Agents Want: Making Sense of Submissions - Definitions of terms agents use

Agents Seeking Clients - An extensive list of agents with their preferred genres

Getting an Agent: Schmooze or You Lose - A guide to writers' conferences

Finding an Agent: Look Before You Leap - The best print guides for finding a literary agent

Writers Are from Venus, Agents Are from Mars - How agents think

Agents Seeking Paranormal Romance Writers

Updated 9/12/24

Paranormal romance is a genre that blends romance with fantastic elements - vampires, fairies, psychics, ghosts, anything in that category. (Think Buffy the Vampire Slayer.) It never really goes out of style.

That means your touching love story between a time-traveling intergalactic pirate and a kleptomaniac housewife can find representation.

There are a number of good solid agents looking to represent paranormal romance. Make sure you read the agency website and the agent's bio before submitting. Submission requirements frequently change, and agents may close their lists or switch agencies.

Note: Do not submit to more than one agent at the same agency simultaneously. (If one rejects you, you can try another, unless the agency shares. Be on the lookout for "a no from one is a no from all.") Bear in mind that agents can close (or open) to queries at any time. 

Also see: Agents Looking for Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers

You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients

Name of agency	Name of agent(s)	Submissions	Notes
3 Seas Literary Agency	Michelle Grajkowski Cori Deyoe	https://www.threeseasagency.com/submissions	This agency takes a very long time to respond to queries, if at all
The Axelrod Agency	Steven Axelrod	steve@axelrodagency.com	The agency's website is minimal. No submission instructions. But the agent has represented a number of well-known authors.
Meredith Bernstein Literary Agency	Meredith Bernstein	http://www.meredithbernsteinliteraryagency.com/ submission-guidelines/	Agent has a good track record.
Rees Literary Agency	Analieze Cervantes NO LONGER LISTED ON AGENCY WEBSITE	See individual agents for submission guidelines	Romance across categories, paranormal romance
Seymour Agency	Lesley Sabga Elisa Houot	https://www.theseymouragency.com/about-us See individual agents for submission guidelines	Romance across categories, paranormal romance
BookEnds	Jessica Alvarez Jenissa Graham	https://bookendsliterary.com/myauthors/jessica-alvarez/	Paranormal, and YA paranormal romance
Browne & Miller Literary Associates	Danielle Egan-Miller	https://www.browneandmiller.com/queries/	Adult fiction only
Dystel & Goderich Literary Management	Jim McCarthy Michael Bourret Michaela Whatnall Kendall Berdinsky	https://www.dystel.com/submission-guidelines	YA and Adult
Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency	Ethan Ellenberg	http://ethanellenberg.com/submission-guidelines/	This agent is listed as the #1 most non-responsive agent on query tracker
Sandra Dijkstra Agency	Jessica Watterson Jill Marr	https://dijkstraagency.com/submission-guidelines.php	Paranormal, Romantasy
Handspun	Courtney Miller-Callihan Cheyenne Faircloth	http://handspunlit.com/about/	Romantasy "warm and supportive"
Bradford Literary Agency	Laura Bradford Rebecca Matte Hillary Fazzari	https://bradfordlit.com/submission-guidelines/	Romance/speculative Romantasy
The Knight Agency	Deidre Knight Elaine Spencer Lucienne Diver Nephele Tempest Kristy Hunter	https://knightagency.net/submissions/	Over 2000 sales in major publishing houses
Marsal Lyon Literary Agency	Kevan Lyon Jill Marsal Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong	https://marsallyonliteraryagency.com/submissions/	Agency represents many romance writers
Nelson Literary Agency, LLC	Joanna MacKenzie Kristin Nelson	https://nelsonagency.com/joanna-mackenzie/ https://nelsonagency.com/kristin-nelson/	Romance/All genres Romantasy
Spencerhill Associates	Nalini Akolekar Ali Herring Bethany Hendrix Heather Osborn	http://www.spencerhillassociates.com/submissions	Romance/fantasy YA, NA
Donald Maass Literary Agency	Jennie Goloboy Kiana Nguyen Kat Kerr	http://maassagency.com/submissions/	This agency is highly respected
Root Literary	Taylor Haggerty	https://www.rootliterary.com/submissions/	Accepts both YA and adult
Park, Fine & Brower Literary Management	Peter Knapp Stuti Telidevara	https://parkfinebrower.com/agents/ Go to menu and click on Submissions	Their website is difficult to navigate
New Leaf Literary	Suzie Townsend Joanna Volpe	https://www.newleafliterary.com/submissions-3/	Paranormal and romantasy "fiction with speculative and/or fantastical elements" "loves YA and strong characters and voice-driven stories that break out of the typical tropes of their genres"
D4EO	Mariah Nichols	https://www.d4eoliteraryagency.com/p/agents-submissions.html	Paranormal romance
Holloway	Nikki Terpilowski	https://hollowayliterary.com/submissions/	Speculative fiction and romance
KT Literary	Kari Sutherland Maria Napolitano	http://ktliterary.com/submissions/	YA Paranormal Romance Broad range of adult fiction
Greenstone Literary Agency	Tanera Simons	https://www.greenstoneliterary.com/submissions	Represents UK and US authors Romantic fantasy
The Booker Albert Literary Agency (UK)	Rebecca Love	http://www.thebookeralbertagency.com/ representation.html	Sci-fi, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Ginger Clark Literary	Ginger Clark Nicole Eisenbraun	https://gingerclarkliterary.com/Submissions	Sci-fi, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
MacGregor & Luedeke	Colleen Oefelein	https://www.macgregorandluedeke.com/about /submission-guidelines/	Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, YA, NA
Serendipity	Ameerah Holliday	https://www.serendipitylit.com/2012-11-20-22-51-55/childrens-fiction	Paranormal Romance, YA, NA
Corvisiero Literary Agency	Catherine Ross	https://www.corvisieroagency.com/query-guidelines.html	Paranormal Romance
cell	cell	cell	cell

Round 9 of the Amazon vs Everybody Wars: Amazon vs Authors

In the latest round of the Amazon vs Everybody Wars, 900 American authors posted a letter in the NYT asking people to write to Jeff Bezos about his hardball tactics. More than 1000 German, Austrian and Swiss authors have done the same, accusing Amazon of manipulating its recommended reading lists and lying to customers about the availability of books as retaliation in its dispute with the Bonnier Group. To add clout to the protest, the German Minister of Culture, Monika Gruetters, has openly endorsed the letter.

So where does this dispute leave authors who are just trying to get their novels onto a platform where it might have a chance of getting noticed?

The hard truth is that big publishers have let down authors. As an unpublished author, you have to jump through hoops to get an agent, and, when you do, the agent sometimes spends years attempting to sell your book. When your book finally does sell, the contract leaves you with next to nothing in royalties. The publisher does very little to market your book, so sales are poor. Then, you can't get your second book published because the first one was not successful.

That is why so many of us have turned to Amazon. At least we can publish on a platform that is well-trafficked. And we truly appreciate the opportunity. But, Amazon's battles with the large publishing houses have nothing to do with giving opportunities to writers, or with defending our interests.

Amazon's claim that it is forcing publishers to lower prices to make books more accessible is disingenuous at best. Amazon, unlike publishing houses, does not have to pay editors and proofreaders. It does not have to pay taxes on its stock. Nor does it have to shell out advances to authors, or pay for brick-and-mortar shelf space. And it gets the same deal on wholesale orders from publishing houses as every other retailer, but without the overhead, so its profits are higher. Still, Amazon isn't satisfied.

Amazon won't be content until it holds all the cards in the deck. That is why it is attempting to drive down prices. Book stores are already dropping like flies, unable to compete with Amazon's prices. And once Amazon has finished off the publishers, we're done.
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Amazon vs Hachette: It’s Getting Nasty

By Jim Milliot, Publishers Weekly, Aug 15, 2014

The two-page ad that ran in the Aug. 10 issue of the New York Times, which more than 900 authors signed calling for readers to email Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to air their displeasure at the company’s tactics in its terms dispute with Hachette Book Group, unleashed some of the harshest language yet in the months-long standoff.

Any pretense that this was a typical publisher-bookseller negotiation, as the parties said when news of the dispute first broke, has given way to statements by the Amazon Books Team in a blog post on Aug. 8 on the readersunited.com site that pointed to HBG’s role in colluding with other publishers to raise e-book prices. (The publishers’ switch to the agency model had the effect of setting prices for Amazon and all other retailers on many new titles at $14.99, well above Amazon’s preferred price of $9.99.) The Amazon post urged readers to email HBG CEO Michael Pietsch and ask him why the publisher was against lower e-book prices. Pietsch responded to the email campaign by noting that HBG sets its own prices, and saved his sharpest criticism for Amazon’s stance in the negotiations, writing that Amazon initiated the fight because it “is seeking a lot more profit and even more market share, at the expense of authors, bricks and mortar bookstores, and ourselves.”

“Once again,” Pietsch continued, “we call on Amazon to withdraw the sanctions against Hachette’s authors that they have unilaterally imposed, and restore their books to normal levels of availability. We are negotiating in good faith. These punitive actions are not necessary, nor what we would expect from a trusted business partner.”

For its part, the Amazon Books Team said it “will never give up its fight for reasonable e-book prices,” and said that it is HBG that has prevented a deal from getting done. According to Amazon, “Hachette spent three months stonewalling and only grudgingly began to even acknowledge our concerns when we took action to reduce sales of their titles in our store.” The company added that it is HBG that has rebuffed three attempts by Amazon to remove authors from getting caught in the crossfire.

The public fight over terms has caused a deep division between authors: those who believe the Amazon argument that lower e-book prices result in higher unit sales and thus more money for everyone, and others who support the HBG position that its ultimate goal in its discussions with Amazon is to preserve a bookselling environment that includes not just Amazon but a range of outlets including bricks-and-mortar bookstores.

Peter Hildick-Smith, president of the book research firm Codex Group, said that, given current market trends, the importance of the dispute between Amazon and HBG “goes well beyond a simple negotiation over selling terms.”

Based on Codex survey data, Amazon has more than tripled its book unit share, from 13% in 2008 to 40% in 2014, which has contributed to an estimated 30% loss of physical bookstore selling space over the same period. With that loss of bookselling space has come a 4% decline in U.S. households reading fiction from 2008 to 2012, according to research by the National Endowment for the Arts.

In Hildick-Smith’s view, just as Hollywood movie studios would be reduced to mere video producers without movie theaters to launch their latest blockbusters, trade publishers without physical bookstores to accelerate new book discovery would be robbed of their unique ability to make break-out bestsellers and author brands, and ultimately be reduced to the role of Amazon associates, reliant on daily deals to promote new titles.

Whether openly acknowledged or not, the book market is “now in a battle for both the survival of physical-world book selling and the trade publishing business model that depends on it,” Hildick-Smith said. “The choice is either to emulate the film industry, with its theaters and strong multiple channels of distribution, or else by default, go the way of the music industry, which has endured a massive revenue decline since it became dominated by digital distribution.”

Agents Looking for Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers

Updated 9/11/24

Science fiction and fantasy never go out of style, so if you write in either of these genres, you are in luck.

Here is a list of reputable agents who represent fantasy and/or science fiction novels. 

Please note: When there are several agents in one agency accepting SF/F, only query ONE of them. Read the agents' bios to determine which agent will be the best fit for your work, and tailor your query to that agent's interests. Make sure to use the agent's name in your salutation. (Not "Dear Agent.") 

As always, read the submissions policy carefully. Guidelines can change and agents may close their lists or switch agencies. 

Also see: Agents Seeking Paranormal Romance Writers

You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients

Name of Agency	Name of Agent(s)	Submissions	Genre/subgenre
Andrea Brown	Saritza Hernandez Laura Rennert	https://www.andreabrownlit.com/submissions	YA novels in any genre Sci-fi, Fantasy
Barry Goldblatt Literary	Barry Goldblatt	http://bgliterary.com/submission-guidelines/	Sci-fi and Fantasy for YA and Children
David Higham Associates	Molly Ker Hawn Veronique Baxter Martha Perotto-Wills Maddalena Cavaciuti Jemima Forrester Christabel McKinley	https://davidhigham.co.uk/submissions/	Science Fiction, Fantasy, YA and Children's
Bradford Literary Agency	Laura Bradford Hannah Andrade Hillary Fazzari Rebecca Matte	http://www.bradfordlit.com/submission-guidelines/	Urban fantasy, Fantasy, Science Fiction, YA, Romantasy, Children's
The Cooke McDermid Agency Canada	Ron Eckel	https://cookemcdermid.com/submissions	YA and New Adult
Curtis Brown, Ltd.	Jonathan Lyons James Farrell	http://www.curtisbrown.com/ submissions.php	Science Fiction, Fantasy
D4EO Literary Agency	Mariah Nichols	https://www.d4eoliteraryagency.com/p/agents-submissions.html	Science Fiction, YA, Epic Fantasy, Adult Fantasy
Donald Maass Literary Agency	Cameron McClure Michael Curry Jennie Goloboy Jolene Haley Kat Kerr Dylan Haston	http://maassagency.com/submissions/ (See individual agents)	Science Fiction, Fantasy, YA, Diversity
Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency	Evan Gregory Ethan Ellenberg	http://ethanellenberg.com/submission-guidelines/	Science Fiction, Fantasy
FinePrint Literary Management	Peter Rubie Lauren Bieker Christine Goss Morgan Hughes Laura Wood	http://fineprintlit.com/submissions/ (Also see individual agents' requirements)	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Heather Jackson Literary Agency	Irene Kaster	https://www.hjlit.com/contact	Fantasy, Speculative
Harvey Klinger, Inc.	Andrea Somberg David Dunton Rachel Ridout Cate Hart	https://www.harveyklinger.com/submission-guidelines	Science Fiction, Fantasy, YA SFF Romance
High Line Literary Collective	Victoria Marini Whitney Ross Margaret Danko Pam Gruber	https://www.highlineliterary.com/submissions	YA and MG fiction
JABberwocky Literary Agency	Eddie Schneider Joshua Bilmes Brady McReynolds Lisa Rodgers Bridget Smith Jordan Hamessley Valentina Sainato	https://www.awfulagent.com/contact-submissions/	Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy
Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency	Tori Sharp Zabé Ellor Katie Erickson	See individual agents for submission guidelines	Science Fiction, Fantasy
The Knight Agency	Lucienne Diver Nephele Tempest Kristy Hunter	https://knightagency.net/submissions/	Science Fiction, Fantasy YA Fantasy
KT Literary	Kate Testerman Maria Napolitano Kari Sutherland	http://ktliterary.com/submissions/	Adult, YA and Middle Grade, Speculative Fiction
Liza Dawson Associates	Caitlin Blasdell Hannah Bowman Lauren Bajek	https://www.lizadawsonassociates.com /submissions/ Click on individual agent's photo for submissions	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency	Thao Le Jennifer Kim	https://dijkstraagency.com/submission-guidelines.php	Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, YA, NA
Nancy Yost Literary Agency	Sarah Younger Nancy Yost	https://nyliterary.com/submissions	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Nelson Literary Agency	Kristin Nelson Referrals only	http://nelsonagency.com/ submission-guidelines/	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Prospect Agency	Rachel Orr	http://www.prospectagency.com/ boathouse.html	Science Fiction, Fantasy, YA, MG
Greenburger Associates	Matt Bialer	http://greenburger.com/submissions/	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Scovil Galen Ghosh	Russell Galen Anna Ghosh	http://www.sgglit.com/submissions.htm	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Spencerhill Associates	Nalini Akolekar Ali Herring	https://www.spencerhillassociates.com/submissions	Urban fantasy YA, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Sternig & Byrne Literary Agency	Jack Byrne	https://sternig-byrne-agency.com/submissions	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Stimola Literary Studio	Peter Ryan Allison Remcheck Pernetti	https://www.stimolaliterarystudio.com/submissions	Classic sci-fi MG and YA fantasy
Stringer Literary Agency	Marlene Stringer	https://www.stringerlit.com/ Online form, scroll down	Fantasy
Massie McQuilkin & Altman Literary Agents	Ashley Lopez	https://www.mmqalit.com/contact/	Speculative Fiction
Trident Media Group	Scott Miller Audrey Crooks Mark Gottlieb	https://www.tridentmediagroup.com/submissions/	Science Fiction, Fantasy "All genres"
Gillian MacKenzie Agency	Elizabeth Rudnick	https://www.gmalit.com/gmacontact	Science Fiction
Writers House	Lindsay Auld Stephen Barr Jodi Reamer Alexandra Levick Alexa Stark Catherine Bradshaw Courtney Donovan Rebecca Eskildsen Merrilee Heifetz Simon Lipskar	http://www.writershouse.com/ content/submissions.asp	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Zeno Agency Ltd UK	Stevie Finegan John Berlyne	http://zenoagency.com/submission-guidelines/	Fantasy, Sci-fi, Epic Fantasy and Crossover Science Fiction
Folio Literary Management	Michael Harriot John Cusick Katherine Odom-Tomchin Lauren Spieller Chelsea Eberly	https://www.foliolit.com/submit	Fantasy Literary fantasy Science Fiction
Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency, Inc	Jennifer Weltz	https://www.jvnla.com/submissions.php	Fantasy
McIntosh & Otis, Inc.	Christa Heschke	http://mcintoshandotis.com/submissions/	YA and Middle Grade, Fantasy and Science Fiction
Thompson Literary Agency	Samantha Wekstein	https://thompsonliterary.com/submissions/	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Corvisiero Literary Agency	Kendyll Drilling  Catherine Ross Lisa Gouldy Gabrielle Harbowy	https://www.corvisieroagency.com/query-guidelines.html	Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fabulist, Paranormal Romance
New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc	Suzie Townsend Joanna Volpe Trinica Sampson-Vera	https://www.newleafliterary.com/submissions-3/	Science Fiction, Fantasy
The Gernert Company	Seth Fishman	https://www.thegernertco.com/contact	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Victoria Sanders & Associates LLC	Bernadette Baker-Baughman	https://www.victoriasanders.com/submissions	Fantasy
Spectrum Literary Agency	Eleanor Wood Justin Bell	https://www.spectrumliteraryagency.com/ instructionsforsubmissions *Snail mail only	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Jill Grinberg Literary Management	Jill Grinberg Katelyn Detweiler Sam Farkas	https://jillgrinbergliterary.com/contact/	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Meredith Bernstein Literary Agency Inc.	Meredith Bernstein	http://www.meredithbernsteinliteraryagency.com/ submission-guidelines/	Science Fiction, Fantasy
John Hawkins & Associates, Inc.	Moses Cardona	http://www.jhalit.com/#Submissions	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Kimberley Cameron & Associates	Kimberley Cameron Lisa Abellera Dorian Maffei	https://kimberleycameron.com/submissions/	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Trellis Literary Management	Dana Murphy Danya Kukafka Amy Bishop-Wycisk Michelle Brower Nicole Cunningham	https://www.trellisliterary.com/submissions	Speculative fiction SFF written by women of color
Linn Prentis Literary	Leslie Varney Trodayne Northern	https://prentisliterary.com/submissions/	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Steven Literary	Pam Pho	https://www.stevenliterary.com/agents	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Janklow & Nesbit Associates	Luke Janklow (no fantasy) Lynn Nesbit Anne Sibbald Chad Luibl	http://www.janklowandnesbit.com/submissions	Science Fiction, Fantasy
L. Perkins Agency	Maximilian Ximenez Ben Grange	https://lperkinsagency.com/#submissions	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Talcott Notch Literary	Gina Panettieri	https://talcottnotch.net/?page_id=12	Science Fiction, Fantasy, Urban fantasy
Martin Literary Management	Charlie Serabian Lindsey Aduskevich Jeanne De Vita	https://www.martinlit.com/submission-policy	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Darhansoff and Verrill	Michele Mortimer	http://dvagency.com/submission-guidelines/	YA and children's (all genres?)
FinePrint Literary Management	Laura Wood Lauren Bieker Christine Goss  Morgan Hughes	https://fineprintlit.com/submissions.html	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Donaghy Literary Group Canada	Valerie Noble	http://www.donaghyliterary.com/submission-guidelines.html	Science Fiction, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, YA
Dunow, Carlson & Lerner	Arielle Datz Stacia Decker	https://www.dclagency.com/	Literary Science Fiction, Fantasy
Fox Literary Agency	Diana Fox	submissions@foxliterary.com	YA, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Context Literary Agency	Tamar Rydzinski Monica Rodriguez Jessica Sinsheimer	https://www.contextlit.com/submissions	YA Fantasy, Adult SFF
Full Circle Literary	Nicole Geiger Taylor Martindale Kean	https://www.fullcircleliterary.com/submissions/	YA Fantasy, Children's books
Friedrich Agency	Marin Takikawa	http://www.friedrichagency.com/submit	Speculative fiction
Gelfman Schneider Literary Agency / ICM	Penelope Burns (Has open periods)	http://www.gelfmanschneider.com/submission-guidelines.html	YA, all genres
BookEnds	Naomi Davis Jessica Faust Amanda Jain James McGowan	http://bookendsliterary.com/index.php /submissions/	YA, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Howard Morhaim Literary Agency	Kate McKean Eric Showers	https://www.morhaimliterary.com/submissions	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Irene Goodman Agency	Irene Goodman	https://www.irenegoodman.com/submissions	YA
Jane Rotrosen Agency	Jessica Errera Annelise Robey Amy Tannenbaum	https://www.janerotrosen.com/submissions	Fantasy, YA
Janklow & Nesbit Associates	Paul Lucas Chad Luibl Jessica Spitz	http://www.janklowandnesbit.com/submissions	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency	Lucinida  Tori Sharp  Zabé Ellor	https://www.jdlit.com/submission-guidelines	YA and MG Fantasy, Science Fiction
Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency	Jessica Felleman Jeff Ourvan	https://www.jenniferlyonsliteraryagency.com /submission-guidelines/	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Pippin Properties	Holly McGhee	https://pippinproperties.com/submissions	YA Fiction, Graphic Novels
Joëlle Delbourgo Associates	Joelle Delbourgo	https://delbourgo.com/submissions/	Fantasy
Stonesong	Kim Lindman	https://www.stonesong.com/submissions	Science Fiction, Fantasy
KT Literary	Arley Sorg Kate Testerman Savannah Brooks Maria Napolitano	http://ktliterary.com/submissions/	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Painted Fire Literary	Elisa Moles	https://paintedfireagency.com/submissions.html	Science Fiction, Fantasy
DHH Literary Agency	Harry Illingworth Emily Glenister	https://www.dhhliteraryagency.com/submissions	Adult Science Fiction, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
Williamson Literary	Katherine Estrada	https://www.esjwilliamson.com/submissions	Fantasy
Brandt & Hochman	Emma Patterson	http://brandthochman.com/contact	Speculative
Tobias Agency	Ann Rose Sarah N. Fisk	https://www.thetobiasagency.com/ann-rose	Science Fiction, Fantasy
DeFiore and Company	Rebecca Strauss Tamara Kawar	https://www.defliterary.com/opportunities#submission	Science Fiction, Fantasy Graphic novels
Dystel & Goderich	Sharon Pelletier  Jim McCarthy Michael Bourret	https://www.dystel.com/submission-guidelines	MG and YA Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Speculative Fiction
Fuse	Karly Dizon Connor Goldsmith Laurie McLean Tricia Skinner Ernie Chiara	https://www.fuseliterary.com/submissions/	YA and MG fantasy, science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction
Margret McBride Literary Agency	Faye Atchison	http://www.mcbrideliterary.com/submission-guidelines	Science fiction, fantast, YA,  paranormal
Rebecca Friedman Agency	Juliana McBride	https://rfliterary.com/submissions/	Speculative elements
Rees Literary Agency	Kelly Peterson	See individual agent bios for submissions	YA Science Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Hannigan Salky Getzler	Ellen Goff Jon Cobb Brianne Johnson Natalie Sun	https://www.hgliterary.com/submissions	YA and Adult Science Fiction, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy
P. S. Literary	Rose Ferrao Alexandra Grana Maria Vicente Marina Green	https://www.psliterary.com/submissions/	YA and Adult Science Fiction, Fantasy
Booker Albert Literary Agency	Jordy Albert Rebecca Love	http://www.thebookeralbertagency.com/ submissions.html	YA and Adult sci-fi and fantasy
Deborah Harris Agency Jerusalem, Israel	Rena Rossner	https://www.thedeborahharrisagency.com/submissions	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Speilburg Literary Agency	Eva Scalzo Alice Speilburg	https://www.speilburgliterary.com/agents	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Red Sofa Literary	Riley Jay Davis	https://redsofaliterary.com/submission-guidelines/	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Ginger Clark Literary	Ginger Clark	https://gingerclarkliterary.com/Submissions	Science Fiction, Fantasy
TriadaUS	Laura Crocket Uwe Stender Amelia Appel Lauren Spieller Ashley Reisinger Brent Taylor Moe Ferrara	http://www.triadaus.com/sub-guidelines.html	Science Fiction, Fantasy. MG SF/F
Veritas	Michael Carr	https://www.veritasliterary.com/submissions	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Dee Mura	Kaylee Davis	http://www.deemuraliterary.com/	Science Fiction, Fantasy, YA
Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency	Lisa Erbach Vance	https://aaronpriest.com/submissions/	Speculative fiction set in a recognizable near future.
WordWise	Dave Fessenden	https://www.wordwisemedia.com/submit	Science Fiction, Fantasy
LaunchBooks Literary Agency	David Fugate	http://launchbooks.com/submissions/	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Laura Gross Literary Agency	Laura Gross	https://lg-la.com/submissions/	"All genres"
MacGregor & Luedeke	Elisa Saphier Colleen Oefelein	http://www.macgregorandluedeke.com/about/submission-guidelines/	All genres Low fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal
Marsal Lyon Agency	Shannon Hassan Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong	https://marsallyonliteraryagency.com/submissions/	MG, YA, Adult Romance/ Fantasy
Ricia Mainhardt	Ricia Mainhardt	https://ricia.com/submit.html	Science Fiction and Fantasy
The Evan Marshall Agency	Evan Marshall By referral only	http://www.evanmarshallagency.com/	"All genres"
Looking Glass Literary and Media	Antoinëtte V. Sluytman Grace Milusich Lee O’Brien Patricia Nelson	https://www.lookingglasslit.com/contact-us	Fantasy, speculative fiction
The McCarthy Agency, LLC	Sean McCarthy	http://www.mccarthylit.com/submissions.html	Children's books only
Eyebait Management	Jane Putch	http://eyebaitmanagement.com/submission _guidelines.php	"All genres"
Seymour Agency	Joyce Sweeney Julie Gwinn	https://www.theseymouragency.com/copy-of-about-us	Speculative/fantasy novels, Kidlit
InkWell Management	David Hale Smith Stephen Barbara  Sidney Boker Hannah Lehmkuhl	http://www.inkwellmanagement.com/contact/	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Frances Goldin Literary Agency	Sam Stoloff Roz Foster	https://www.goldinlit.com/submissions	Speculative fiction, social justice slant
Jason Yarn Literary Agency	Jason Yarn	http://www.jasonyarnliteraryagency.com /submissions	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Virginia Kidd Literary Agency	Christine Cohen Vaughne Hansen	http://www.vk-agency.com/queries.html Has submission windows	Science Fiction, Fantasy
The Lotts Agency	Chris Lotts	querycl@lottsagency.com Send a brief query via querycl@lottsagency.com, including any information regarding previous publications; you may also include the first 5-10 pages of your manuscript in the body of the email (no attachments, please).	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Savvy Literary Services	Kathy Palokoff Leticia Gomez Bowen Gillings	https://savvyliterary.com/contact-3	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Emerald City Literary	Mandy Hubbard	https://emeraldcityliterary.com/submissions/	Young adult
Empire Literary	Andrea Barzvi	http://www.empireliterary.com/contact/ Website under construction	Kidlit
Upstart Crow	Susan Hawk	http://www.upstartcrowliterary.com/submissions/	Children's books only
Headwater Literary Management	Laura Zats Erik Hane	https://www.headwaterliterary.com/agents	Science Fiction, Fantasy
C&W (UK)	Susan Armstrong	https://cwagency.co.uk/page/submissions	Speculative fiction
Ampersand Agency (UK)	Jamie Cowen	https://theampersandagency.co.uk/submissions	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Mad Woman Literary Agency	Chelsea Hensley Alex Land	https://www.madwomanliterary.com/contact	Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction
Book Wyrm Literary Agency	Sandy Lu	https://www.bookwyrmlit.com/submissions	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Ultra Literary	Lane Clarke Joanna Rasheed	https://www.ultraliterary.com/about	Science Fiction, Fantasy
Lucinda Literary	Emma Hong?	https://lucindaliterary.com/submissions/	Fantasy
Greyhound Literary	Alexander Cochran	https://greyhoundliterary.co.uk/submissions	Speculative Fiction
Ki Agency (UK)	Helen Lane Miriam Cortinovis	https://www.ki-agency.co.uk/about-us	Fantasy
Starling Literary + Media	Paige Terlip Jennifer March Soloway	https://www.starlingliterary.com/submissions	Fantasy, Speculative, YA
The Caldwell Agency	Darryl Oliver Frannie Dove	https://thecaldwellagency.com/connect-with-us	Science fiction and fantasy
Neighborhood Literary	Eric Smith Rebecca Podos	https://www.neighborhoodliterary.com/submissions	Sci-fi and fantasy, MG, YA
Table Cell	Table Cell	Table Cell	Table Cell

What Writers Should Do During the Dead Month

August is affectionately known as the "dead month" in the publishing industry. During August all work comes to a virtual halt as editors, agents, proofreaders, typesetters, CEOs, dog walkers and everyone else on the planet takes a much-needed vacation.

So, all you aspiring authors, don't submit your manuscript to publishers, and don't send your queries to agents in the month of August. (To be fair, the two weeks up to and after the Frankfurt Book Fair in October are not so great either, and mid-November to mid-January is also a bad time, but for different reasons.)

If your manuscript is ready to go, you have several choices of what to do during the dead month. You can head to the beach, you can write your next novel ...

... or

You can do research!

August is the ideal time to gather publishing ammunition. This is how to do it:

1) Make a list of agents. To assemble your list of ideal agents, go to agentquery.com and do a search on your genre (i.e. the genre of the book you want to sell). Make a list of all agents who are accepting queries in that genre. Then, once your list is assembled, go to each and every agency's website to make sure the information you have garnered from agentquery is current. While you are there, read the website, and study the bios of the agents. Do you think the agent will be a good fit for you? If not, take the agent off your list. Next type the agent's name into a google search. Look for entries from "absolutewrite watercooler" and from "querytracker." Read what other writers say about these agents. If writers report bad treatment, then cross the agent off your list. (None of the agents on agentquery will charge a fee, but some who don't may recommend editing services for which they receive a kickback. Don't query an agent who also offers editing services.) Also check preditors&editors for complaints. It will take you at least a month to assemble your list, so have fun.

Sci-fi and fantasy writers, go here for a list of agents: Agents Looking for Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers

Paranormal romance writers, go here for a list of agents: Agents Seeking Paranormal Romance Writers

All other writers, go here for a long list of agents seeking all sorts of genres: Agents Seeking Clients

2) Make a list of reviewers. The time to contact reviewers is three to four months in advance of publication. So, if you have finished your manuscript and plan to self-publish as soon as the last word is written, STOP. Don't publish until you have reviewers lined up, and all your publicity in place. (Interviews, ads, etc.) Go to Top 12 Sites for Finding Reviewers for links to reviewers and review sites. Cull through these for reviewers who write reviews for your genre. Make a very long list. (You will need several hundred. Returns on review requests are modest.) Be sure to include their email address, or other contact information on your list.

3) If you have written short stories or poems, make a list of literary journals. Trust me, even those few journal editors who say they accept submissions all year round don't read in August. The best way to submit to literary journals is to have a list of 20 or 30 at the ready. If you are going for fame, then start your list with the journals that don't accept simultaneous submissions. If you simply want to get some writing credits under your belt, then make a list of those that do accept simultaneous submissions - and submit to all of them at once. In September. Go here to find short story markets: Top 5 Online Resources for Short Story Markets. Go here for poetry: Top 5 Resources for Publishing Poetry

4) Write templates of query letters and review requests. All letters, whether they are to an agent or a reviewer, need to be individualized. Always include the name of the agent or reviewer in your salutation, say how or where you found them, and tailor your initial pitch to that person's stated interests. That being said, there are some things that will not change from one submission to the next. Your blurb (for reviewers) or pitch (for agents) will be the same, as will your word count, genre, bio and other pertinent information. It is a lot easier to write a template query or review request and tweak it than to compose a new email for each submission. Once you are happy with your template, copy it and paste it into an email. Don't send. Just save it as a draft. Having a draft online will save a lot of time later.

Note: Writer's Digest has a great series on successful queries, which is one of the best resources you will find on how to write a winning query letter.

5) Make a submission packet. If you are submitting directly to publishers, you will need a submission packet. A submission packet typically includes a synopsis of your book, a bio, and a pitch (one paragraph), as well as sample chapters, and log lines, depending on the publisher. It also may include a proposal and a marketing plan if you are publishing a nonfiction book. If you don't know how to write a pitch, or a proposal, or a log line, or a query - now is the time to do some studying. Believe me - and I say this from bitter experience - you don't want to find out what these things are after you have begun contacting agents, publishers, or editors. There is a lot of information online about how to write all of the components of a submission packet. In fact, some agents and publishers are even kind enough to spell out what is involved on their websites.

6) Last, but not least - don't read your manuscript. I am aware that everybody under the sun will tell you to read your manuscript once again to check for typos, logic errors, and awkward syntax that you swear you did not write. (The syntax gremlins did it.) But, if you read your manuscript too many times in succession you will develop manuscript blindness. 

Have you ever noticed that when you look at a word too many times, the spelling no longer makes sense? That is exactly what happens when you read your manuscript too often, especially if you read it from beginning to end. After several readings you can't see your mistakes. If you really must read your book -  yet again - make spot checks. Simply scroll down to a random spot on your manuscript and read whatever paragraph your cursor lands on. I will guarantee you that nine times out of ten you will find something that needs fixing.

So, while your future agent/publisher/editor/reviewers are on a beach enjoying themselves during the month of August, you will be hard at work, proving to them that you are worth their time and attention.

2 Agents From Established Literary Agencies Looking for Clients

Here are two agents looking for clients. Both of them work for large, well-respected literary agencies that have represented numerous best-selling authors. For information on how long it takes for these agents to respond to queries, as well as other important details, check Query Tracker. (You have to sign up, but it's free.)

________________________

Stacy Testa of Writer's House

About Stacy: Stacy joined Writers House in 2011 as an assistant to senior agent Susan Ginsburg and has been actively building her own client list since 2013. Previously, she interned at Farrar, Straus & Giroux and Whimsy Literary. Stacy graduated cum laude with a BA in English from Princeton University. Follow her on Twitter:@stacy_testa.

What she is seeking: Stacy is looking for literary fiction and upmarket commercial women’s fiction, particularly character-driven stories with an international setting, historical bent, or focus on a unique subculture. She also represents realistic young adult (no dystopian or paranormal, please!). For nonfiction, she is particularly interested in young “millennial” voices with a great sense of humor and a strong platform, startling and unique memoirs, and voice-driven narratives about little-known historical moments.

How to submit: Please submit your query, including the first five pages of your manuscript pasted into the body of the email (no attachments), to stesta [at] writershouse.com. Please do not query multiple Writers House agents simultaneously.

____________________

Catherine Luttinger of Darhansoff & Verrill

NO LONGER AN AGENT

What she is seeking: Catherine is primarily interested in science fiction and fantasy. To her, that includes anything that could even remotely be labeled as such. Viable submission material includes everything from classic space operas to the apocalypse; alternative universes, dystopias, and eco-thrillers—as well as the paranormal, horror, zombies, plagues, and time travel. She is also willing to look at historical fiction, mythology re-told, YA, thrillers and mysteries. You may also pitch her pop-science nonfiction.

How to submit: Send queries to submissions@dvagency.com. Put “Query for Catherine: [TITLE]” in your subject line.

Please note that Catherine is not yet listed on the agency's website.

Amazon Kindle Best-Seller List Balloons with New Subscription Service

For those who do not know what a subscription book service is, now is the time to expand your knowledge.

Back in the old days, when there were still physical books- and dinosaurs read them - people joined the Book of the Month Club. For a set fee, you would be sent books on their list.

As you might guess, authors were very keen on getting their books chosen, because subscriptions meant guaranteed sales to thousands of people.

Book clubs have gone the way of literate dinosaurs, but the concept did not completely fade away. Instead it evolved into subscription services. Much like the Netflix model, you can read an unlimited number of ebooks for a monthly fee. The most popular of these services are Scribd ($8.99/mo) and Oyster ($9.99/mo).  

Now Amazon is throwing its hat into the ring with Kindle Unlimited. For $9.99 a month you can read as many of Amazon's 600,000 titles as you like. As with any newly announced Amazon program, there is already some speculation among the cynics in the industry as to whether Amazon is using its new service to manufacture best-sellers, thereby getting the edge on other publishers.

While subscription services are on the rise, there is one important consideration that may limit their benefit to authors. Unlike movies, which absorb 90 minutes of your time, books take a while to read. According to recent statistics the average American read 17 books a year in 2011. So, given a generous two books a month, it would cost $5 to read a book through a subscription service. For readers accustomed to obtaining ebooks for free through Amazon's KDP Select Program, a subscription may not be worth the price.
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How Kindle Unlimited Is Changing the Amazon Kindle Best-Seller List

Digital Book World, July 23, 2014 | Jeremy Greenfield

Kindle Unlimited is minting best-sellers.

According to Publishers Lunch, the number of ebooks on the Kindle best-seller list that are Kindle Unlimited titles has just about tripled since the launch of the all-you-can-read service from Amazon last week. Amazon is counting Kindle Unlimited reads as well as Kindle store sales in its best-seller rankings.

Last week at this time, there were 15 ebooks that would have been part of Kindle Unlimited that were top 100 best-sellers on Kindle; this week, that number has ballooned to 45.

As the chart shows, Amazon Publishing titles (which are in Kindle Unlimited), titles by other publishers included in the service, and Kindle Direct Publishing Select titles (those by self-published authors who only sell on Amazon and not other platforms like Nook and iBooks, which are included on KU), seem to have all benefited greatly from being a part of Kindle Unlimited. Books by self-published authors who aren’t exclusive to Amazon and those from publishers not participating in Kindle Unlimited have suffered — at least when it comes to hitting top-100 Kindle best-sellers.

While Kindle Unlimited it still new, the reason for its big influence could be the clever way in which Amazon is marketing the service to readers.

Read the rest of this article here.