Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Patricia Nelson promoted to literary agent; four newish agents at Marsal Lyon seek authors

Patricia Nelson
Marsal Lyon Literary Agency 
PMB 121
665 San Rodolfo Dr. 124
Solana Beach, CA 92075

Patricia Nelson joined the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency as assistant to Kevan Lyon in March 2014, and became an agent in September 2014. Previously, she interned at The Angela Rinaldi Literary Agency and in the children’s division at Running Press.

Patricia represents adult and young adult fiction, and is actively looking to build her list. On the adult side, she is interested in literary fiction and commercial fiction in the New Adult, women’s fiction, and romance genres. For YA, she is looking for contemporary/realistic fiction as well YA mystery/thriller, horror, magical realism, science fiction and fantasy. She is also interested in finding exciting multicultural and LGBTQ fiction, both YA and adult.

In general, Patricia loves stories with complex characters that jump off the page and thoughtfully drawn, believable relationships – along with writing that makes her feel completely pulled into these characters’ lives and worlds.

Patricia received her bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary in 2008, and also holds a master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in Gender Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. Before joining the world of publishing, she spent four years as a university-level instructor of literature and writing.

Follow Patricia on Twitter at @patricianels.

Put “Query” in the subject line of the email. “In all submissions, please include a contact phone number as well as your email address. If we are interested in your work, we will call or email you. If not, we will respond via email. Our response time is generally 1-4 weeks for queries and 4-8 weeks for sample pages and manuscripts. We welcome unsolicited materials and look forward to reading your work.

Marsal Lyon also has three other relatively new agents actively looking for authors:

Kathleen Rushall started as an intern at the Sandra Dijkstra Agency, and then spent almost two years at Waterside Productions

Kathleen is looking for writers for all age groups of children’s literature, including picture books (fiction and non-fiction), middle grade, and young adult novels. Kathleen is also looking for fresh new adult, women’s fiction, and romance projects. The most important element that draws Kathleen to any project is a strong voice and unforgettable characters.

Kathleen also represents select nonfiction and is interested in mind/ body/ spirit topics, yoga, alternative medicine, parenting, crafts, business, women’s interest, humor, pop-culture, and some how-to.

Read an interview with Kathleeen here.

Include “Query” in the subject of your email and include your phone number in your query. Full submission guidelines here.

Shannon Hassan brings a depth of business and editorial experience to her role as agent, having worked in publishing and law for more than a decade.

She represents authors of upmarket, women’s, and literary fiction, young adult and middle grade fiction, and select nonfiction.  

With respect to fiction, she is drawn to fresh voices, compelling characters, and crisp prose, and enjoys both contemporary and historical settings.  For nonfiction, she is interested in exceptional narratives from authors with strong platforms. 

Based in Boulder, Colorado, she is also eager to hear from authors with a unique perspective on the New West.

Read an interview with Shannon here.

Include “Query” in the subject of your email and include your phone number in your query. Full submission guidelines here.

Deborah Ritchken has a broad based knowledge of the book world. After college she managed a chain of bookstores in the Midwest; learned editing and production with a small LA-based publishing house, and had positions as a marketing manager at both Prentice-Hall and Harcourt Brace. Deborah was with the Sandra Dijkstra Agency and for the last four years, the Castiglia Literary Agency.

Deborah is currently looking for lifestyle books, specifically in the areas of food, design and entertaining; pop culture; women’s issues; biography; and current events.

Her niche interest is projects about France, including fiction.

Include “Query” in the subject of your email and include your phone number in your query. Full submission guidelines here.

Anne Shone, Senior Editor, Scholastic Canada
Brian Henry will lead "From the Horse’s Mouth: Strategies for Getting Published" at Ryerson University in Toronto on Saturday, Nov 29, with literary agent Rachel Letofsky of the Cooke Agency, senior editor Anne Shone of Scholastic Books, and Marketing and Publicity Manager Stephen Myers of Penguin Books (see here).

Brian will lead a "How to Get Published" workshop in Niagara on the Lake on Sunday, March 1, with literary agent Olga Filina (see here).

And Brian has a “Writing for Children & for Young Adults" workshop on Saturday, Nov 8, in Guelph (see here).

Other upcoming workshops, include: "How to Build Your Story," Saturday, Oct 18, in Peterborough (see here), "Writing With Style," Saturday, Oct 25, in Mississauga (see here), and “How to Write a Bestseller" with New York Times #1 bestselling author Kelley Armstrong, Saturday, Nov 22, in Burlington (see here) and Saturday, Dec 6, in London (see here). 

But the best way to get your manuscript ready for publication is with a weekly course. Come January, Brian will be offering “Writing Your Life & Other Personal Stories” on Tuesday mornings in Oakville (see here)  “Welcome to Creative Writing” on Tuesday afternoons in Burlington, “Intensive Creative Writing” on Wednesday afternoons in Burlington and “The Next Step in Creative Writing” on Wednesday evenings in Burlington  (see here), Thursday afternoons in Mississauga and Thursday evenings in Georgetown.

For details of any course or workshop or to register, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca

See Brian's full schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Barrie, Brampton, Bolton, Burlington, Caledon, Cambridge, Georgetown, Guelph, Hamilton, Kingston, London, Midland, Mississauga, Newmarket, Niagara on the Lake, Orillia, Oakville, Ottawa, Peterborough, St. Catharines, Stouffville, Sudbury, Toronto, Halton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Muskoka, Peel, Simcoe, York, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

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