How long have you been agent and how did you get your start Amy?
I joined FinePrint Literary Management (formerly the Peter Rubie Literary Agency/Imprint Agency) in the Summer of 2006. I came to the agency after working as a literary assistant and office manager at several literary agencies including JCA Literary Agency, Diana Finch Literary Agency, Gina Maccoby Literary Agency, and Liza Dawson Associates. Peter encouraged me to start agenting a little over a year ago and I couldn't be happier.
What makes your agency different than any others?
We are a full service agency, and do both foreign and dramatic sales for our clients when they are available (though many agencies do this). We also have an eclectic group of agents—each of us slightly overlapping in literary taste—who support and work well together. All of us at FinePrint are editorially inclined and hands-on with our authors. We definitely believe in providing editorial input; our role as an agent is both career guidance and editor.
What are you looking for specifically that you wish you would see more of?
Of course I'm looking for well-written books! I am attracted to strong characters, and projects with cool concepts. I am always on the lookout for unusual and remarkable (reality-based) YA and middle grade.
Amy what are you tired of receiving?
I hate books that jump on already-tired bandwagons—like right now, it's vampires; a while ago it was wizards.
How can a new writer get your attention in a good way?
There's no formula for an attention grabbing query; for me it's about the story being presented, the fact that there is an attention grabbing voice, and, of course, it helps if you have writing credits but it's not at all necessary.
How can a signed writer stay in your radar without driving you insane?
I love my clients! Usually, they do not drive me insane. I welcome communication—I enjoy hearing from them.
What do you wish more writers understood about you as an agent Amy that they don't seem to?
That one of the biggest misconceptions is that all an agent does is sell the book—that's only a small part of the job. When I take on a project, I'm a big believer in that author and that book. I do more than just sell; I'm a champion and advocator for writers and reading. What's the best way for a writer to reach you? I accept email queries: amy@fineprintlit.com or queries by snail mail: 240 W. 35th Street, Ste. 500, NY, NY 10001. |
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