Erica Verrillo's Blog, page 64

6 Established Literary Agents Actively Looking for Clients

Here are six established agents actively seeking new clients. Each is from an established agency with a solid track record. Be sure to check out the agency's website before submitting!

For a full list of agents actively looking for writers go to: Agents Seeking Clients

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Melissa L. Edwards of Stonesong

Melissa Edwards joined Stonesong as a literary agent in August 2016. Previously, she was a literary agent at the Aaron Priest Literary Agency, where she managed the foreign rights for a 40-year backlist. After graduating from Washington University in St. Louis and Vanderbilt Law School, Melissa began her career as a litigation attorney before transitioning into publishing. She is a tireless advocate for her clients and a constant partner during the publication process and beyond.

What she is looking for: Melissa represents authors of children’s fiction, adult commercial fiction, and select pop-culture nonfiction. She is looking for warm and timeless middle grade fiction and accessible young adult fiction. For adults, she is looking for fast-paced thrillers and smart women’s fiction. She can be found on Twitter @MelissaLaurenE, where she often tweets her active Manuscript Wishlist requests under #MSWL.

How to submit: Submit your query addressed to Melissa at submissions@stonesong.com. Include the first chapter or first 10 pages of your work, pasted into the body of your email. Please do not send attachments.

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Sara Crowe of Pippin Properties

Sara is a senior agent at Pippin Properties. She began her career at The Wylie Agency, and worked in foreign rights for 8 years. For the last decade she has been at Harvey Klinger, Inc. building a list of children’s and adult fiction including many New York Times Bestselling and award winning authors and titles. She loves finding new talent to champion, and nurturing and developing careers.

What she is looking for:  Children's and select adult fiction.

How to submit: Send your query and the first chapter of your book in the body of an email to scrowe@pippinproperties.com.

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Margaret Bail of Fuse Literary

Margaret Bail has a BA in English and an MFA in Creative and Professional Writing. With years of experience editing manuscripts, as well as teaching university-level English and writing, she looks forward to working closely with new and established authors to help develop their voice and craft. Formerly agent at Inklings Literary Agency, she recently joined Fuse Literary as agent.

What she is looking for: Margaret is interested in adult fiction in the genres of romance (no Christian or inspirational, please), science fiction (soft sci-fi rather than hard), mystery, thrillers, action adventure, historical fiction (not a fan of WWII era), and fantasy. In nonfiction, Margaret is interested in memoirs with a unique hook, and cookbooks with a strong platform.

Fiction genres Margaret is NOT interested in: YA, MG, children’s books; steampunk, Christian/religious literature, chick lit, women’s fiction, literary, poetry, screenplays.

How to submit: To query Margaret, send a query letter, a brief synopsis, and the first 10 pages of your manuscript to: querymargaret@fuseliterary.com.

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Cathryn Summerhayes of Curtis Brown

Cathryn re-joined Curtis Brown in September 2016 having started her literary agency career there as an intern in 2004. She established an eclectic list of clients at WME, where she worked for ten years. Prior to that she work at DGA, DHA and Colman Getty PR – where she worked on a number of high profile book events including the Man Booker Prize and Samuel Johnson Prize.

What she is looking for: Literary and commercial fiction.


How to submit: Use the form on the website. In order to submit your work, you will need the following: COVER LETTER, SYNOPSIS OF UP TO 3,000 WORDS, SAMPLE MATERIAL OF UP TO 10,000 WORDS. "Once you have submitted your novel you should then hear from us within ten to twelve weeks. If you don’’t hear from us after this time, please get back in touch and let us know something is amiss."
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Peter Knapp of Park Literary & Media

Fueled by the thrill of reading a new story for the first time, Peter works creatively with clients and the PLM team on marketing, branding initiatives and promotions to get great books into the hands of readers. Before joining PLM, he was a story editor at a book-scouting agency working with film clients, and he continues to look for new ways to partner with Hollywood on adaptations and multimedia properties. Find him re-watching Studio Ghibli movies, playing board games with friends, or at PLM and on Publishers Marketplace to learn how to submit a new fiction query—he’s ready to add more authors to his growing client list!

What he is looking for: Middle grade, YA (realistic and fantasy), YA horror and adult fiction.

How to submit: To submit a manuscript for consideration, send a query letter and the first three chapters of your manuscript pasted within the body of the email to queries [at] parkliterary [dot] com. Please include "Query - Pete Knapp" or "Query - Peter Knapp" in the subject (this is important so that our mail system files it into my submissions folder) AS WELL AS THE CATEGORY AND GENRE OF YOUR WORK (i.e.: "YA FANTASY"). All material must be in the body of the email. NO ATTACHMENTS. Include all necessary contact information.You will receive an auto-response confirming receipt of your query.

"Unfortunately, due to the volume of submissions I receive, I am unable to give specific feedback on projects I am passing on, but you will receive a form reply to your query if I am passing. Please give 10 weeks before following up on your query. If I have requested your manuscript, please do not contact me for updates any time before 12 weeks from when you sent the full manuscript unless you have received an offer of representation and need a more immediate reply."
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JL Stermer of  New Leaf Literary & Media

Before joining New Leaf, JL Stermer was an agent at the Donald Maass Literary Agency. She is always looking for fresh and exciting projects, J.L. brings her enthusiasm to clients while helping them navigate the world of book publishing–she takes pride in being involved with her clients every step of the way. J.L. also teaches a class at the Gotham Writers Workshop: How to Get Published. Born and raised in New York City, and a graduate of Columbia University, she currently resides in Manhattan.

What she is looking for: YA and women’s fiction. She seeks voices that reflect the world as it changes, stories that share the human experience of life, love, growth and achievement. And they don’t have to be serious–having fun is very important to me!

How to submit: Send query to query@newleafliterary.com. Please do not query via phone. The word “Query” must be in the subject line, plus the agent’s name, ie – Query, JL Stermer. Please also include the category (ie, PB, chapter book, MG, YA, adult fiction, adult nonfiction, etc.) You may include up to 5 double-spaced sample pages within the body of the email.

PEN America Warns Writers, ���Prepare yourself���

PEN America is a non-profit organization devoted to protecting the right to free speech. Based in New York City, it was founded in 1922 and has over 3,000 members. (I am one.) The organization defends journalists and writers worldwide against harassment, legal actions (such as imprisonment and lawsuits), and attempts at censorship. PEN also awards prizes totaling over $150,000 to writers of fiction, poetry, translation, and nonfiction.
In light of Trump's many threats to journalists, as well as his administration's clear intent to silence them, PEN has issued the following statement. I suggest you take it seriously.
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“Prepare yourself.”

– Writer and PEN America Trustee Masha Gessen

"Autocracy: Rules for Survival,” The New York Review of Books, November 10, 2016
With an incoming U.S. presidential administration that has threatened to silence voices it cannot control—from demonization of the press, to divisive rhetoric against minorities, to threats to arrest or imprison political opponents—many in the PEN America community are looking for ways to respond. We have launched this Defending Free Expression: A Toolkit for Writers and Readers to help authors, journalists, artists, and others who exercise creative expression mount a defense of their craft and core freedoms.
We start by identifying the warning signs of a developing autocracy that is taking steps to curtail the rights of citizens. Then, we suggest specific actions writers and readers can take to protect our First Amendment rights. And finally, we share the advice of others with experience in countering anti-democratic forces hostile to free expression.
This toolkit is part of PEN America’s #LouderTogether campaign to stand as a bulwark defending free expression, free assembly, the diversity of voices, and the force of reason. It is a work in progress and we will update it regularly; we welcome your contributions at LouderTogether@pen.org.
KNOW THE WARNING SIGNSWhat are the telltale signs of an emerging autocracy? Be on the lookout for a leader who:
Condemns the press and limits its accessControls information by replacing a free press with media outlets he controls in order to corrupt public debate with one-sided coverage and disinformationLimits the freedom to gather peacefullyLimits the freedom to criticize government and other public figures and discourages a diversity of views through intimidation or legislationAllows or promotes the use of government surveillance of citizens, including journalistsKeeps political power and money in the familyFails to take responsibility for the consequences of his policies and decisionsLimits transparency of government deliberations, decisions, and spending, making it more difficult for citizens to assess government actions and participate in civic lifeBuilds fear of a common enemy and uses a state of emergency to justify exercising heightened power and tightening control over the citizenryInstructs the public not to worryRebuffs the Constitution and/or the rule of lawLimits participation in the political processPersecutes or ostracizes ethnic and religious minoritiesPunishes, eliminates, or marginalizes his enemiesSurrounds himself with government appointees who share his views on limiting free expression rights and other core freedoms
TAKE ACTIONThe ability to speak truth to power is a primary underpinning of a healthy democracy. It is also a core obligation for writers, journalists, and others who are committed to protecting free expression. Here's what you can do:
1. Ask your Representatives to protect your First Amendment rights and protections in all government policies and appointees.
Former Congressional staff members have put together Indivisible: A practical guide for resisting the Trump agenda, a comprehensive handbook for making members of Congress listen. Another set of tips has been collected on how to effectively talk to your representative. 

2. Support hard-hitting, investigative, and long-form journalism (and read it, too!).
Trump surrogates such as Sean Hannity and Mike Huckabee have argued that “journalism is dead” in the United States. While this is certainly not true, the demonization of the media in 2016 and the rise of a “post-truth politics” mean that probing journalists and day-to-day reporting are under increasing threat. Subscribe or donate to the news outlets that you believe are doing important reporting. Include your local newspaper—support its vital coverage of your community.
3. Educate yourself about your First Amendment rights and protections.
It is difficult to defend one’s rights without knowing what they are. There is no better way to understanding the First Amendment than to read it yourself. Education doesn’t stop there. Find an online course on free expression, such as Columbia University’s Freedom of Expression in the Age of Globalization, or UCLA/Berkeley’s Freedom of Speech and the Press.

4. Launch a petition.
The Constitution guarantees your right to petition your government. Exercise it. Petition sites such as Change.org, We the People, AVAAZ, and Care2 allow you to launch a petition for free. You can also add your name to the pledge to protect the First Amendment led by PEN America with other progressive organizations and signed by many thousands of supporters, including all the U.S. Poet Laureates.  

5. Mount or join a resistance event.
Writers Resist is a nationwide movement that seeks to tap creative energies to temper growing public cynicism and a cavalier attitude towards truth. On January 15, 2017, Writers Resist events will be held across the country, with the flagship event—sponsored by PEN America—occurring in New York City. Join us on the steps of the New York Public Library or click here to find a Writers Resist event in your city.

6. Protect yourself against government surveillance or hacking. 
Online privacy is an evolving challenge, and the debate about government monitoring vs. privacy rights remains unsettled – and vulnerable to calls for sacrificing a degree of privacy for greater national security. Know how to protect your data and your privacy rights:
Secure messaging:
Review Amnesty International’s rankings of the 11 most popular messaging apps and how secure each is from third-party hacking or surveillance.
E-mail encryption services:
A variety of free apps and add-ons provide encrypted e-mail services, including: ProtonMail, Tutanota, InfoEncrypt, Virtru, Mailvelope, Enigmail, Gpg4win, and Mymail-Crypt for Gmail.
Private internet browsing:
Tor Browser is an internet router for private browsing, keeping your location and the sites you visit private from anyone attempting to view your search history or collect your data.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation has developed a Surveillance Self-Defense Kit, with further tips on how to guard your privacy.
7. Exercise your right to free speech by using the power of words to counter disinformation, hate speech, and moves against the First Amendment.
Letters to the editors and opinion pieces have long been a tool for citizen activists. Newspapers and online media outlets serving your community will have information on how to submit. There are many other creative ways to commit to sounding the alarm against hate speech and disinformation, from skits to leafleting to skywriting. Google “creative ways to protest’’ to get ideas. You can also learn more about how to speak out against bigotry and counter hate speech online, and particularly on Twitter.
8. Learn how to identify “fake news” and disinformation, and help others to do so, too.
Read up on best practices in news literacy, including ways to spot false stories and how help to stop spreading this disinformation further. Use and support fact checking initiatives.

9. Seek out and share works that consider the growth of authoritarian regimes and how to defend free expression and press freedoms.
Whether you set out on a personal exploration or form a book club to widen the discussion, there are many titles to choose among. PEN America staff point to books such as Bad News: Last Journalists in a Dictatorship (on our 2017 Literary Awards longlist) or the more classic There’s No Such Thing as Free Speech (winner of the 1994 PEN Literary Award for the Art of the Essay).

LEARN FROM OTHERSAlas, there is experience to be shared by those who have fought for freedom expression under autocratic regimes and observed how they function. Here are places to start reading:
Autocracy: Rules for Survival
By Masha Gessen

How Can Journalists Protect Themselves During a Trump Administration?
ByKaveh Waddell

Why the Press Is Right to Freak Out Over Trump Sneaking to a Steakhouse
By Jeremy Stahl

10 Ways to Tell if Your President Is a Dictator
By Stephen M. Walt

What You—Yes, You—Can Do to Save America from Tyranny
By Timothy Snyder

I Watched a Populist Leader Rise in My Country. That’s Why I’m Genuinely Worried for America
By Miklos Haraszti

28 Calls for Submissions in February 2017 - Paying Markets

There are 28 calls for submissions in February. Every genre and every form is welcome! All are paying markets.

Many of these journals have recurring calls for submissions, so if you miss this window, you can always submit during the next reading period.

For more literary journals seeking submissions see: Paying Markets.
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The Southern Review. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $25 per page. Deadline: February 1, 2017.

Gothic Tales of Haunted Love. Genre: Gothic romance comic stories. Payment: $50 per page plus percentage of Kickstarter. Writers work with cartoonists. Deadline: February 1, 2017.

Tales from The Lake. Genre: Horror stories wanted for Volume 4. Payment: 3 cents per word. Deadline: February 1, 2017.

The First Line. Genre: Story beginning with the line: "Eddie tended to drift into whatever jobs were available that would pay the rent." Non-Fiction: 500-800 word critical essays about your favorite first line from a literary work. Payment: $25.00 - $50.00 for fiction, $5.00 - $10.00 for poetry, and $25.00 for nonfiction (all U.S. dollars). Deadline: February 1, 2017.

Skirt! Genre: Essay on theme: Stories about traveling, wandering, the wonder of our great big world’ - women's interests. Payment: $200. Deadline: February 1, 2017.

Planet Scumm. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: Revenue sharing. Deadline: February 5, 2017.

Ricky's Backyard. Genre: Short fiction or art on the theme of Floidoip. Payment: $10 (CAN). Deadline: February 8, 2017.

Typewriter Emergencies. Genre: Stories, book reviews, articles featuring furry characters. Payment: $0.01 per word. Deadline: February 10, 2017.

Splickety: Havok. Genre: Speculative flash fiction. Payment: $0.02 per word. Deadline: February 10, 2017.

49th Parallels. Genre: Science fiction set in Canada or which involve Canada and Canadians as the principal subject operating in the larger world (or beyond). Payment: Five cents (Canadian) per word for original short stories and poems (minimum $10 per poem). Reprints will be paid a flat rate of $100. Deadline: February 14, 2017.

Hippocampus Magazine: 'Air' anthology. Genre: True stories. "We’re looking for behind-the-scene stories about small town radio stations. We’re seeking personal stories about die-hard radio fans. We want to hear from (current/former) jocks, from program directors, from engineers, from the sales team, from ancillary characters like record reps and concert promoters—tales from every corner of the radio station and from everyone radio ever reached." Payment: $50 per piece. Deadline: February 15, 2017.

Brain Teen. Genre: Personal essay about parenting teens. Payment: $300 per piece. Deadline: February 15, 2017.

Transmundane Press. Genre: Short stories exploring humanity's ancient friend and foe, fire. Payment: $15-20, depending on length. Deadline: February 18, 2017.

Morel Magazine. Genre: Nonfiction about Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Payment: $25 per piece. Deadline: February 26, 2017.

For Books' Sake. Genre: Short stories of up to 7,000 words by women writers, responding to the theme of 'ghosts.' Payment: Token. Deadline: February 26, 2017. Reprints accepted.

The Lane of Unusual Traders. Genre: Speculative Fiction. "The Lane of Unusual Traders is a world building project. The aim is to bring The Lane, the City of Lind and the world of Midlfell into existence through stories, illustrations, music and whatever other creative means present themselves as the world grows."  Payment: $180 (AUD) per short story, $60 (AUD) for flash fiction. Deadline: February 28, 2017.

Literary e-clectic. Genre: Speculative Fiction. Theme: The Record Payment: $50 upon publication plus contributor copy. Deadline: February 28, 2017.

Strange Constellations. Genre: Speculative Fiction. Payment: $30. Deadline: February 28, 2017. Reprints accepted.

Triangulation Anthology. Genre: Speculative Fiction. This year’s theme: “Appetites.” Payment: $120. Deadline: February 28, 2017.

The 3288 Review. Genres: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. Payment: 1-5 poems published – $25.00, 6-10 poems published – $50.00, Prose 1,000 to 5,000 words – $25.00, Prose 5,001 to 10,000 words – $50.00. Deadline: February 28, 2017.

The Arkansas International. Genres: Prose, Poetry, Works in translation. Payment: $25/page. Deadline: February 28, 2017.

Ninth Letter. Genres: Prose and Poetry. Payment: $25/page. Deadline: February 28, 2017.

Parsec Ink. Genre: Speculative fiction on theme of Appetites. Payment: 2 cents/word. Deadline: February 28, 2017.

Flame Tree Publishing. Genre: Speculative fiction. Themes: Lost Worlds, Supernatural Horror, Time Travel & Heroic Fantasy. Payment: 6 cents per word. Deadline: February 28, 2017.

Imprimo. Genre: Short Fiction and poetry of any genre. Theme: Time. Length 2,000-6,000 words. Poetry: up to 40 lines. Payment: Revenue sharing. Deadline: February 28, 2017.

Mizna. Genre: Poetry and prose exploring Arab America. Theme: Surviving: Arabs & Muslims as Villains, Again. The presidential election in 2016 in the United States has reignited the narrative about Arabs and Muslims as expedient villains. This is nothing new, but perhaps there are a fervor and momentum this time around that are especially dangerous. How are we being affected, responding and not responding, surviving? Payment: Honorarium. Deadline: February 28, 2017.

L0W L1F3. Genre: The Political Issue is looking for speculative cyberpunk fiction focusing on the political systems of the present and future, dystopian cyberpunk fiction satirical fiction, thoughtful nonfiction pertaining to the worlds changing political climate (for we live in interesting time), and most importantly, hope. Payment: $20. Deadline: February 28, 2017.

The New Quarterly. Restrictions: Canadian authors. Genres: Fiction, poetry, CNF. Payment: $250 for a short story or non-fiction entry, and $40 per poem or postscript story. Deadline: February 28, 2017. No online submissions (yet). Mail to: 
The New Quarterly c/o St. Jerome’s University
290 Westmount Road N
Waterloo, ON
Canada 
N2L 3G3

46 Writing Contests in February 2017 - No Entry Fees

For such a short month, February hosts an inordinate number of free literary contests. Every genre is represented, from speculative fiction, to poetry, to creative nonfiction. Some of the prizes are substantial.

Be sure to check the submission requirements carefully, as some contests have age and geographical restrictions.

Many contests are offered annually, so if you miss a contest you may be able to catch it next year. For a full month-by-month listing of contests see: Free Contests.

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Thirdspace Short Fiction Contest. Genre: Short fiction stories that center on experience(s) of medical education. Prize: First prize: $350 and publication in Thirdspace. Deadline: February 1, 2017.

United States/Japan Creative Artists Residencies. This is a 3-5 month residency in Japan. Grant: $24,000. Deadline: February 1, 2017.

The John Gardner Fiction Award is sponsored by the Binghamton Center for Writers-State University of New York with support from the Office of the Dean of Binghamton University's Harpur College of the Arts & Sciences. Genre: Novel or collection of fiction published in 2016. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: February 1, 2017. How to enter: Read submission guidelines HERE.

Wednesday Club Junior Poetry Contest. Restrictions: High School Students in grades 10 through 12 in High Schools in St. Louis and the St. Louis area. Genre: Poetry. Two individual poems. Prizes: $100, $80, $60, $40, $20, $10 for all honorable mentions. Deadline: February 1, 2017.

Milt Kessler Poetry Book Award is sponsored by the Binghamton Center for Writers-State University of New York with support from the Office of the Dean of Binghamton University's Harpur College of the Arts & Sciences. Genre: Poetry book in English published in 2016. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: February 1, 2017. How to enter: Read submission guidelines HERE.

Wednesday Club Poetry Prize. Restrictions: Adults over 18; living within a 50-mile radius of St. Louis. Genre: Poetry. Two individual poems. Prizes: $500, $300, $150. Deadline: February 1, 2017.

Paterson Fiction Prize. Genre: Published novel or collection of short fiction.  Prize: $1,000.  Deadline: February 1, 2017.  More details are  HERE.

Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards. Genre: Poetry, up to five poems per person. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: February 1, 2017.  

Paterson Prize for Books for Young People. Genre: Most outstanding book for young people published in 2016. There is a $500 award in each category: Pre-K - Grade 3;  Grades 4 - 6;  Grades 7 - 12. Prize: $500. Deadline: February 1, 2017.  

Gannon University Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Entrants must be a US high school student or a home-schooled student in grades nine through twelve.Genre: Poetry. Each student may enter 1 or 2 poems; each poem may be no longer than 50 lines. Prize: First Place: $100.00 Second Place: $75.00 Third Place: $50.00. Deadline: February 1, 2017.

Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize. Restrictions: Open to women, US citizens only. Genre: Novel. All entries must be submitted by publishers who wish to have the work of their authors that were published in the year 2015 considered. No self-published works or works from vanity presses will be accepted. Prize: $7,500. Deadline: February 1, 2017.

The Levis Reading Prize is sponsored by the Department of English and its MFA in Creative Writing program at Virginia Commonwealth University. Restrictions: The prize is given annually for the best first or second book of poetry published in the previous calendar year. Genre: Poetry.  Prize: $5000.  Deadline: February 1, 2017.

The Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award. Genre: Short story of no more than 8,000 words that shows the near future (no more than about 50-60 years out) of manned space exploration. Prize: Publication as the featured story on the Baen Books main website paid at the normal paying rates for professional story submissions. Deadline: February 1, 2017.

$1000 for 1000 Words Creative Writing Contest is sponsored by the Leyla Beban Young Authors Foundation. Restrictions: Students enrolled in grades 6-12. Genre: Short fiction of exactly 1000 words. Prize: Two $1,000 scholarship prizes will be awarded, one for grades 6-8 and one for grades 9-12. Seven $100 cash prizes will also be awarded for winning entries, one per grade level. Deadline: February 1, 2017. How to enter: Read submission guidelines HERE.

Paterson Poetry Prize. Genre: Poetry. Book of poems, 48 pages or more in length, published in 2016. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: February 1, 2017.

'Philosophy Through Fiction' Short Story Competition. Genre: Speculative fiction short story. The aim of this competition is to encourage philosophers to use fiction to explore philosophical ideas, thereby broadening our scope and toolkit. Prize: $500 top prize and publication. Deadline: February 1, 2017. Questions/submissions: philosophythroughfiction@gmail.com

Central PA Writing Contest. Restrictions: Open to legal residents of Pennsylvania who are at least 18 years old. Genre: Short fiction, 1500 words max. Original, unpublished, work of fiction only; no poetry or nonfiction. Prize: $500, runner-up $200. Deadline: February 3, 2017.

Charles Crupi Memorial Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to high school students in Michigan. Genre: Poetry. Prize: 1st place - $250 and publication in The Albion Review, 2nd place - $150 and publication in The Albion Review; 3rd place - $100 and publication in The Albion Review. Deadline: February 4, 2017.

White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails Prize in Southern Poetry. Restrictions: Open to all poets who currently reside in and have had residency in one of the following states for a minimum of 12 consecutive months: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia. Genre: Poetry. "WOKC invites poets from across the South to explore the depths of nature this Valentine’s Day." Prize: $1,500. Deadline: February 5, 2017.

Bethesda Literary Festival Essay and Short Story Contest. The Bethesda Urban Partnership & Bethesda Magazine have partnered to honor local writers at the Bethesda Literary Festival. Genres: Essays and poetry. Adult and high school student categories. Restrictions: Residents of Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia are eligible. Prizes: First Place: $500 and published in Bethesda Magazine. Second Place: $250. Third Place: $150. Honorable Mention: $75. Deadline: February 10, 2017.  For more details click HERE .

Library of Virginia Literary Awards. Restrictions: Open to writers who were born in or are residents of Virginia or, in the case of nonfiction, books with a Virginia theme, are eligible. Genre: Books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction published in the previous year. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: February 10, 2017.

AP 2017 New Year Writing Contest. Genres: Fiction/Poetry/Art: Max 5000 words for Anthology "Rules of Life." No non-fiction. Prize: FIRST PRIZE: $200 CASH plus 2017 WRITER’S MARKET (print) plus publication and 2 copies of published anthology. SECOND PRIZE: $100 CASH plus publication and 2 copies of published anthology. THIRD PRIZE: $50 CASH plus publication and 2 copies of published anthology. OTHER PRIZES: $10 CASH plus 2 copies of published anthology for other submissions that have been chosen for publication. Deadline: February 10, 2017.

Federation of BC Writers Literary Writes Awards. Genres: Short fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, and writing for children. Prize: $100 top prize per category. Deadline: February 12, 2017.

Writers' & Artists' Yearbook Short Story Competition. Genre: Short story. All entries must be original unpublished prose of 2,000 words or fewer. Prize: £500 and publication. Deadline: February 13, 2017.

Harold Morton Landon Translation Award. Genre: Poetry collection translated from any language into English and published in the previous calendar year. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: February 15, 2017.

The Lindquist & Vennum Prize for Poetry is an annual regional prize, presented in partnership by Milkweed Editions and the Lindquist & Vennum Foundation. Restrictions: Open to residents of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $10,000 as well as a contract for publication to the author of the winning manuscript. Deadline: February 15, 2017.

New York City Emerging Writers Fellowship. Restrictions: "Applicants must be current residents of one of the five boroughs, and must remain in New York City for the entire year of the fellowship. Students in degree-granting programs are not eligible to apply, even if the focus of study is not directly related to writing. This program supports emerging writers whose work shows promise of excellence. Applicants can be of any age, but must be in the early stages of their careers as fiction writers and will not have had the support needed to achieve major recognition for their work. We define “emerging writer” as someone who has not yet had a novel or short story collection published by either a major or independent publisher and who is also not currently under contract to a publisher for a work of fiction. Eligible applicants may have had stories or novel excerpts published in magazines, literary journals or online, but this is not a requirement." Genre: Fiction. Grant: $5,000. Deadline: February 15, 2017.

New England Youth Outdoor Writing Contest. Restrictions: The contest is open to students in New England. Submissions from students in grades 6-8 will be entered in the Junior Division; grades 9-12 will be entered in the Senior Division. Genre: Prose or poem, The topic must be outdoor-oriented (fishing, hunting, boating, canoeing, hiking, camping, nature, ecology, etc.). 500 words max. Prize: $125, $150. Deadline: February 15, 2017.

Raiziss/de Palchi Translation Award. Genre: Poetry - translation into English of a significant work of modern Italian poetry. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: February 15, 2017.

Scotiabank Giller Prize. Restrictions: Open to books published in Canada in English. Books must be published in Canada in English between October 1, 2016 and February 28, 2017 to be eligible for the 2017 Prize. Must  be nominated by publisher. Genre: Fiction. Full-length novel or collection of short stories published in English, either originally, or in translation. Prize: $100,000 to the winner and $10,000 to each of the finalists. Deadline: February 15, 2017.

Al Smith Individual Artist Fellowships. Restrictions: Open to Kentucky poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. Genre: Literary arts. Prize: $7,500. Deadline: February 15, 2017.

Haiku Society of America Merit Book Awards for Excellence in Published Haiku, Translation, and Criticism. Genre: Published book. Books must have been published in 2016 and must clearly contain a printed 2016 copyright. A member, author, or publisher may submit or nominate more than one title. At least 50 percent of the book must be haiku, senryu, or haibun, or prose about these subjects (books mostly of tanka, for example, are not eligible). Prize: $500. Deadline: February 15, 2017.

Black Caucus of the American Library Association Self-Published E-Book Literary Award. Restrictions: Open to African-Americans. Genre: Self-Published E-Book in fiction and poetry. Prize: $500. Deadline: February 17, 2017.

Wiley-Silver Prize in Civil War History. Genre: First book or monograph in Civil War history published in the previous year. Books or monographs published by scholarly or popular presses are eligible. Prize: $2,000. Deadline: February 17, 2017.

Christopher Tower Poetry Competition. Restrictions: Open to UK students between 16-18 years of age. Genre: Poetry, one poem, maximum 48 lines. Theme is "wonder." Prize: £3,000. Deadline: February 17, 2017.

Lex Allen Literary Festival Prizes. Restrictions: Open to undergraduate college students. Genres: Poetry and fiction. Prize: $100. Deadline: February 21, 2017.

The Matthew Power Literary Reporting Award supports the work of a promising early-career nonfiction writer on a story that uncovers truths about the human condition. Genres: Nonfiction journalism works in progress with “strong, character-driven narratives with detailed scene writing and lyrical description.” Restrictions: The award will not fund proposals to report on armed conflicts where journalists are already imperiled, nor projects that are mainly investigatory. Prize: $12,500 grant and use of the NYU library. Deadline: February 21, 2017.

"It's All Write!" Teen Short Story Contest. Restrictions: Open to Grades 6-12. Genre: Short story, and flash fiction, unpublished. Prize: 1st Place $250, 2nd Place $150, 3rd Place $100. Deadline: February 24, 2017.

The Lakefly Writers Conference. Restrictions: Open to residents of Wisconsin. Genres: Short story fiction:  1500 words or less. Any genre. Theme: Wisconsin Choices. Flash fiction:  500 words or less. Any genre. No theme. Poetry:  All poems, free verse to formal and everything in between—75 lines max. Theme: Wisconsin Choices. The Jean Nelson Essay for Young Adults: For young adult writers (ages 12 through 17). 2500 words or less. Theme: Notable Wisconsin figure (living or dead) who most inspires me. Prize: First place winners will receive a cash prize of $100; second place winners will receive $75; and third place winners will receive $50. Winners must be able to attend an awards ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday, May 13, 2016 at the Oshkosh Public Library. Deadline: February 27, 2017.

Emily Dickinson First Book Award. Restrictions: Open to any American citizen forty years of age or over who has not previously published a book-length volume of poetry. Genre: Poetry collection. Prize: In addition to publication and promotion of the manuscript by Graywolf Press, the winner will receive a prize of $10,000. Deadline: February 27, 2017.

Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing. Restrictions: Open to first-generation residents of the United States. “First-generation” can refer either to people born in another country who relocated to the U.S., or to American-born residents whose parents were born elsewhere. Genre: Unpublished fiction and nonfiction books. Prize: $10,000 and publication. Deadline: February 28, 2017. Read details HERE.

Outlet Publishing Young Writers' Short Story Competition. Restrictions: Open to ages 16-25, UK residents only.  Genre: Short story. Prize: £150 top prize. Deadline: February 28, 2017.

The Gabo Prize for Literature in Translation & Multi-Lingual Texts. Genre: Literary translations and multi-lingual texts. Prize: $200. Deadline: February 28, 2017. How to enter: Read submission guidelines HERE.

Diana Woods Memorial Award in Creative Nonfiction. Genre: Essay, maximum 5,000 words. Prize: $250 top prize. Deadline: February 28, 2017.

Poetry Matters Literary Prizes. Restrictions: Several categories, from middle-school to senior citizens. Genre: Poetry. Prize: 1st prize- $75; 2nd prize- $50; 3rd prize-$35; Honorable Mention- $25. Deadline: February 28, 2017.

SLF Working Class Writers Grant is sponsored by the Speculative Literature Foundation. Genres: Speculative fiction, magical realism. Restrictions: Applicants must be working class (see guidelines page for definition) and demonstrate financial hardship. Available to international writers. Prize: $750. Deadline: February 28, 2017.

13 Writing Conferences in February 2017

February, a month best known for being "short and brutal," doesn't lack for writing conferences, some of which are large annual events featuring speakers, workshops, readings, and ample opportunity to mingle. Several of these conferences focus specifically on getting published, so if that is your goal, these are worth checking out.

If you have never been to a writers' conference, I encourage you to attend one. In addition to providing valuable professional contacts, nothing will make you feel more like a writer.

Many conferences are offered annually, so if you miss a conference in your area this year, you can always catch it next year. For a full month-by-month list of conferences go here: Writing Conferences.

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Moravian College Writers' Conference. February 3 - 4,2017, Bethlehem, PA. Workshops, craft talks, and more on the theme of Writing & Sustainability. Writers of all genres & at all career stages welcome! Keynote speaker Alison Hawthorne Deming and special guest faculty including Julia Kasdorf, Paul Acampora, Mary Heather Noble, and Chuck Wendig. Fiction, memoir, poetry, documentary studies, children's/YA writing, and more. Costs: $125. Includes workshop, craft talk, and faculty roundtable; faculty readings and book signings; Fri. welcome reception and Sat. lunch. Hotel discounts in historic Bethlehem, PA. 

Association of Writers & Writing Programs Conference. February 8 to February 11, 2017, Washington, DC. "The AWP Conference & Bookfair is an essential annual destination for writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers. Each year more than 12,000 attendees join our community for four days of insightful dialogue, networking, and unrivaled access to the organizations and opinion-makers that matter most in contemporary literature. The 2016 conference featured over 2,000 presenters and 550 readings, panels, and craft lectures. The bookfair hosted over 800 presses, journals, and literary organizations from around the world. AWP’s is now the largest literary conference in North America."

The Writers Studio, sponsored by the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, February 9- 12, 2017, Los Angeles, CA. The conference offers workshops in fiction and creative nonfiction, as well as writing for television and film. Offered by the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, the Writers Studio brings together a community of writing students to workshop with some of Southern California’s most accomplished writers and teachers. From among the 10 offered, participants choose one workshop in which they work closely with a professional writer in classes limited to no more than 15 people.

Minnesota Writers Workshop.  February 11, 2017, St. Paul, MN. A full-day “How to Get Published” writing event. "We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome." Attending Agents: Laura Zats (Red Sofa Literary), Gemma Cooper (The Bent Agency), Kaylee Davis (Dee Mura Literary), Mary Cummings (Betsy Amster Literary), Jennie Goloboy (Red Sofa Literary), Abby Saul (The Lark Group), Samantha Fountain (Corvisiero Literary), Dawn Frederick (Red Sofa Literary), Lauren Kukla (editor Mighty Media Press Children's Books), Kimiko Nakamura (Dee Mura Literary), Erik Hane (Red Sofa Literary), and more.

Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference, February 16 - 18, 2017, Tempe, AZ. "The conference features lectures, panel discussions, readings, and craft classes in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and publishing. The faculty includes poets Matthew Olzmann and Eric Wetheimer; fiction writers Paolo Bacigalupi, Dean Bakopoulos, Kate Bernheimer, Adrienne Celt, Elizabeth Evans, Sanderia Faye, Benjamin Percy, and Dominic Smith; and nonfiction writers Paul Morris and Virgil Renzulli. The cost of the conference is $350 until December 31 and $400 thereafter. Boxed lunches are available for an additional $14.99 per day. Registration is first come, first served; the deadline is February 9.

San Francisco Writers Conference, Feb. 16-19, 2017, San Francisco, CA. The SFWC presenters list includes bestselling authors, literary agents, editors, and publishers from major publishing houses. There will be experts on self-publishing, book promotion, platform building, social media, and author websites. Attending Agents: Peter Beren (Peter Beren Literary), Jennifer Chen Tran (Fuse Literary), Amy Cloughley (Kimberley Cameron & Assoc), Mark Gottlieb (Trident Media Group), Sarah Levitt (Zachary Shuster Harmsworth), Laurie McLean (Fuse Literary), Paula Munier (Talcott Notch), Andy Ross (Andy Ross Literary), and more.

South Coast Writers Conference, Feb 17 - 18, 2017, Gold Beach, Oregon. "The South Coast Writers Conference is an eclectic gathering of writers of various genres, novice and published authors, returning and first-time attendees. It is our goal that participants and presenters leave the conference inspired and renewed, with new insights and skills, and better connected to fellow writers and resources. Participation in workshops is limited to 30 students or fewer, so register early to secure a seat in the workshops you want."

31st Annual Southern California Writers’ Conference (and Retreat). February 17-20, 2017, San Diego, CA. Faculty: 60+ working, professional authors of fiction, nonfiction & screen, editors & agents. "Founded and run by professional writers the SCWC provides veteran and emerging talent with authoritative guidance to help distinguish those manuscripts that are ready for market consideration." Cost: $350-$425. Manuscript critique & one-on-one consultation additional. Limited to 175 conferees.

Sleuthfest. February 23 - 26, 2017, Boca Raton, FL. Sponsored by the Florida Chapter of Mystery Writers of America a conference for writers and fans. Features writing workshops, social events, and pitch sessions, including:
* Agent Appointments to pitch your finished work
* Critiques of your 10 page manuscript submission
* Forensic track with current forensic techniques & hands-on workshops
* Social events to mingle with agents, editors and your favorite authors
* Auction to purchase critiques of your work by bestselling authors
* Sessions on the craft of writing
* Sessions on marketing and promoting your work
* Practice your Pitch sessions with experienced authors

Alabama Writers Conference. February 24, 2017, Birmingham, AL. A full-day of “How to Get Published.” Attending literary agents Marisa Corvisiero (Corvisiero Literary), Mark Gottlieb (Trident Media Group), Latoya C. Smith (L. Perkins Agency), Eric Smith (P.S. Literary), (Corvisiero Literary). Kensington Publishing) and more agents & editors to be announced soon.

4th Short Story America Festival and Conference. February 24 - 25, 2017, Beaufort, South Carolina. Featured presenters and panelists at the 2017 SHORT STORY AMERICA FESTIVAL AND CONFERENCE include acclaimed storytellers Mathieu Cailler, Gregg Cusick, John Engell, Tim Johnston, Douglas Campbell, Katherine Tandy Brown, Cora McCaston Newcomb, Niles Reddick, Atwood Boyd, and many others. The weekend begins Friday evening with a catered reception at the historic Lewis Reeve Sams House overlooking the water, followed on Saturday by all-day presentations, readings and book signings at Old Bay Marketplace Loft, a beautiful rooftop facility in downtown Beaufort overlooking one of America's oldest towns and the Beaufort River. The celebration of short fiction continues with a Saturday night pub crawl through Bay Street, and then a Sunday daytime gathering at the home of Short Story America editor and publisher Tim Johnston. Price: $40.

Atlanta Writing Workshop, February 25, 2017, Atlanta, GA. A full-day of “How to Get Published.” Attending literary agents: Mark Gottlieb (Trident Media Group), Cherry Weiner (Weiner Literary), Marisa Corvisiero (Corvisiero Literary), Janell Walden Agyeman (Marie Brown Associates), Sally Apokedak (Leslie H. Stobbe Literary Agency), Latoya C. Smith (L. Perkins Agency), Eric Smith (P.S. Literary), Elizabeth Copps (Maria Carvainis Agency, Inc.),Vanessa Eccles (Golden Wheat Literary), editor Elizabeth May (Kensington Publishing), Kristy Hunter (The Knight Agency), and more to come.

St. Augustine Author-Mentor Novel Workshop, Feb 25 - 28, 2017, St. Augustine, Florida. "The St. Augustine Author-Mentor Novel Workshop creates an intimate and professional environment that combines private meetings with small-group workshops, thus enabling aspiring authors to wisely approach the writing and publication of their novel. At the St. Augustine event, aspiring authors will:
1) Work one-on-one with top authors and savvy market professionals.
2) Apply advanced story and narrative technique to their novel-in-progress.
3) Hone and improve their writer voice and style.
4) Learn the necessary inside mechanics of the publishing business.
5) Leave the workshop with a detailed plan to work towards publication of their novel.
Group workshop sessions will be interspersed with agent and author consultations, workshop assignments, as well as consults with workshop leaders."

7 Literary Agents Seeking Women���s Fiction NOW

Here are seven agents who are currently seeking women's fiction. All seven are from established agencies with good track records. Be sure to read the agency website before submitting.

Note: You can find a list of dozens of new and established agents seeking clients here: Agents Seeking Clients

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Suzie Townsend (New Leaf Literary + Media)

Prior to joining New Leaf, Suzie graduated film school, earned her Masters of Education, taught high school English, and coached a swim team. In her spare time, she read everything she could, which prompted her move to publishing. She got her start as an intern at FinePrint Literary Management where she was hired as an assistant before making the move to literary agent. She’s been part of the team at New Leaf Literary & Media since its inception in 2012.

What she is looking for: “Looking for upmarket women’s fiction, including novels that would generate great book club discussions, in the vein of Jodi Picoult and novels with an element of mystery or suspense, in the vein of Liane Moriarty.”

How to Submit: Send queries to query [at] newleafliterary.com, and take a look at the agency’s full submission guidelines.

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Katie Grimm (Don Congdon Associates)

Katie joined Don Congdon Associates in 2007. She focuses on vivid literary fiction, transportive historical fiction, up-market women’s fiction, cohesive short story collections, graphic novels, and mysteries with faraway or historical settings. Most importantly, she's looking for projects with emotional resonance and longevity.

What she is looking for: “Looking for women’s fiction with a literary bent, ideally with a social/cultural issue that necessitates a conversation. Unusual structures or concepts are welcome, and I’m open to a wide range of styles – with the intensity of feeling of Elena Ferrante or the irreverence of Maria Semple.”

How to Submit: Take a look at the agency’s full submission guidelines.

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Tamar Rydzinski (Laura Dail Literary Agency)

Tamar Rydzinski worked at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates prior to joining the Laura Dail Literary Agency. She graduated from Yeshiva University in 2003 with a major in literature and a minor in business. Tamar is interested in anything that is well-written and has great characters. A fantastic query letter is essential. “You need to make me want to read your book, and be excited to read it,” she says, “with those first couple of paragraphs.”

What she is looking for: Seeking upmarket commercial women’s fiction.

How to Submit: Send queries to queries [at] ldlainc.com, and take a look at the agency’s full submission guidelines.

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Patricia Nelson (Marsal Lyon Literary Agency LLC)

What she is looking for: In general, Patricia looks for stories that hook her with a unique plot, fantastic writing and complex characters that jump off the page. On the adult side, she is seeking women’s fiction both upmarket and commercial, historical fiction set in the 20th century, and compelling plot-driven literary fiction.

How to Submit: Send queries to patricia [at] marsallyonliteraryagency.com, and take a look at the agency’s full submission guidelines.
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Sarah Bush (Trident Media Group)

Sarah’s love of books was the driving force that brought her to New York City to pursue an M.A. in Literature. After that, she decided that the best way to build a career in books was as a literary agent. However, Sarah realized that she had to learn her craft and get broad-based experience if she was going to be in a position to excel.

What she is looking for: “Looking for women’s fiction with original, well-developed plotlines and strong female protagonists.”

How to Submit: Take a look at the agency’s submission guidelines.
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Bibi Lewis (Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency)

Bibi is actively acquiring clients in young adult and women’s fiction. She currently manages subsidiary rights for the agency in addition to her duties as an agent and general office manager.

What she is looking for: “Looking for smart and sharp writing. Humor, wit, and mystery are big pluses.”

How to Submit: Take a look at the agency’s full submission guidelines.

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Quressa Robinson (D4EO Literary Agency)

Quressa Robinson is an Associate Agent with D4EO Literary agency actively building her client list. Formerly she was an acquiring editor for St. Martin’s Press, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers where she edited both fiction and nonfiction.

What she is looking for: “I’m particularly interested in women’s fiction from #ownvoices authors; stories that are upmarket as well as commercial, but with book club appeal. Would love to see nerdy female protagonists.”

How to Submit: Send queries to quressa [at] d4eo.com, and take a look at Quressa’s full submission guidelines.

3 New Literary Agents Seeking Clients NOW

Here are three new literary agents seeking clients. Ed Maxwell (Sanford J. Greenburger Associates) is seeking expert and narrative nonfiction authors, novelists and graphic novelists, and children’s book authors and illustrators. Aimee Ashcraft (Brower Literary) is interested in literary and upmarket fiction, historical and women’s fiction, and young adult fiction (all genres). Shana Kelly (Einstein Literary) is looking for novels with great writing and surprising plots; her favorite books fall between commercial and literary. She has a soft spot for well written thrillers and psychological suspense.

Note: You can find a list of dozens of new and established agents seeking clients here: Agents Seeking Clients

____________________ Ed Maxwell of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates

About Ed: Associate agent Ed Maxwell joined Greenburger Associates in 2011. Previously, he interned in various political offices on Capitol Hill and in New York. Ed graduated from New York University with a degree in history. Starting as the assistant to Faith Hamlin, he distinguished himself as a close reader with an eclectic range. In addition to agenting on his own, he continues to co-agent certain titles and authors while assisting Faith in managing her list.

What he is seeking: Ed is seeking expert and narrative nonfiction authors, novelists and graphic novelists, and children’s book authors and illustrators. His aim as a literary agent is to help authors grow their intellectual properties into compelling books. He is especially interested in working with authors who may publish across different genres and formats—scholarly and trade—over the course of their careers. Ed believes in popular media as a living cultural record and hopes to connect with authors of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and voices.

How to submit: Please email emaxwell [@] sjga.com with your submission under the subject line “QUERY: [Project Title].” Include a query letter in the body of the email and attach a proposal or a sample from your project (40 pages maximum).
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Aimee Ashcraft of Brower Literary

About Aimee: Aimee has always loved books. She loved them so much that as a child, she was often caught sneakily reading Roald Dahl and Harry Potter under her desk at school. As an adult, she’s thankfully managed to make reading part of her job and is busy seeking out novels that feature engrossing worlds as well as compelling and complex female characters. She loves stories that are told from an original point of view and are as addictive as a good Netflix binge. After earning her BA from Transylvania University, Aimee moved to New York and received her Master’s from NYU. She is based in New York City and is thrilled to be a part of Brower Literary and Management.

What she is seeking: Aimee is specifically interested in literary and upmarket fiction, historical and women’s fiction, and young adult fiction (all genres).

How to submit: Queries should be emailed to aimee@browerliterary.com with the subject line: QUERY [Manuscript/Project Title] and include a query letter, full synopsis, and the first chapter pasted directly in the e-mail.
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Shana Kelly of Einstein Literary

About Shana: Shana started her publishing career in the literary department of the William Morris Agency, where she worked for ten years. She began in foreign rights in the New York office and later worked out of the London office for two years. Shana was the signing agent for many successful authors, including New York Times bestseller Curtis Sittenfeld, author of PREP and ELIGIBLE. For the past eight years, Shana has worked as a freelance editor and publishing consultant.

What she is seeking: Shana is looking for novels with great writing and surprising plots; her favorite books fall between commercial and literary. She has a soft spot for well written thrillers and psychological suspense.

How to submit: Please submit a query letter and the first ten double-spaced pages of your manuscript in the body of the e-mail (no attachments) to submissions@einsteinliterary.com. Please put Shana’s name in the subject line of your e-mail.

Free Speech vs Free Market

When Chicago Review of Books editor Adam Morgan made the decision that he would refuse to review any Simon & Schuster titles for 2017, he was kicking the proverbial hornet's nest. What resulted was a string of abuse, profanity, and even death threats. 

Why on earth should the rank and file care what goes on in the literary world? Especially given the fact that the vast majority of the people hurling expletives at Morgan had never read - or even heard of - his publication.

The answer is that a Simon & Schuster imprint, Threshold,  has offered a $250,000 advance to Milo Yiannopoulos, a notorious right-wing "troll" and editor of Breitbart Tech, for his book, Dangerous. Yiannopoulos has made his fame with outrageous racist, misogynist statements that are so beyond the pale that young white men (his main audience) eventually decided that he was "cool." (Not so Twitter, which banned Yiannopoulos for hate speech after his racist tirade against Ghostbusters actress, Leslie Jones.)

In his refusal to review Dangerous, and in his boycott of S&S titles, Morgan incurred the wrath of "alt-right" (aka white supremacist) Yiannopoulos fans who, among other things, accused Morgan of denying free speech. But Morgan claims that refusing to review a book has nothing to do with free speech, because Yiannopoulos has not been in any way prevented from expressing his views. Nor has S&S been prevented from publishing their books. Morgan is simply refusing to promote them.

What is Freedom of Speech?

Interestingly, many people don't know what freedom of speech actually means. Most assume that it is the right to say whatever they please. Actually, the First Amendment only guarantees that federal laws (and, by extension, state laws) will not be passed inhibiting the expression of individuals or the press.

This is the amendment in full:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.As you can see, the statement is fairly open-ended, which means that courts have had their hands full interpreting what "freedom of speech" actually entails. And in some cases, while the federal ban on passing laws restricting free speech has been upheld, laws have been amended to include civil and criminal infractions. Here are the main speech infractions that can land a person in court.

1) Slander. Any spoken statement that defames someone's character or spreads false or malicious information, especially when it results in financial loss or some other tangible harm, is slander. Slander is a civil offense, which means it can result in a lawsuit.

2) Libel. While there are no federal laws covering libel, anyone who knowingly publishes false statements that damage a person's reputation can be sued in civil court. Parody does not constitute libel, and there has to be an element of "malice" involved.

3) Hate speech. Speech that incites hatred against a specific group is prohibited by many local codes and statutes. Although hate speech is not curtailed under the First Amendment, if the content of the hate speech includes incitement of actions that are illegal, and which result in imminent danger or threat to people or property, it is not protected.

4) Violent threats. Threats can be considered assault if directed against an individual. Threatening the President of the United States is a class E felony under United States Code Title 18, Section 871.

Free Speech vs Free Market

So, where does this leave Simon & Schuster and Adam Morgan? Morgan is absolutely correct when he states that a refusal to review a book is not an inhibition of free speech. The First Amendment does not state that a person has a right to be published in any medium (as writers, we all know that publishers aren't obliged to publish what we send them), or that it must be advertised (through reviews or paid ads), or sold.

The bookstores that have refused to carry Yiannopoulos' book are likewise not infringing on free speech, because there is no law requiring that books - of any kind - must be sold. The First Amendment only has bearing on whether a person can be punished via legal means for expressing an opinion. Once that opinion has been expressed, anyone may feel free to endorse or ignore it.

Why is this important?

The Yiannopoulos case is important for writers because it demonstrates how law and ethics collide. There is nothing illegal about publishing right-wing hatred of minorities and religious groups, and, conversely, there is nothing illegal about refusing to publicize or market it. Neither one has any bearing on free speech, or on the Constitution. However, the maelstrom surrounding Simon & Schuster's decision raises some questions for writers. Do publishers have an ethical obligation to turn down books that are repugnant? Do writers need to watch what they say?

The answer to both of those questions is no. Although we live in a time in which hate speech, racist attitudes, and overt misogyny are becoming normalized, we should not, as writers, call for restrictions on what people can write or publish, because that is a double-edged sword. Those restrictions would inevitably come back to haunt us. However, as consumers, we have the perfect right not to purchase anything espousing those views. And, as writers, we are perfectly free to criticize and oppose them.

From an ethical standpoint, we should.

Informative articles:

Provocateur or Punk? How publishing houses weigh tricky ethical and commercial decisions like giving Milo Yiannopoulos a book deal. (Slate)

Publishing Milo Yiannopoulos’ book is wrong. My magazine is fighting back Adam Morgan announces that his publication will not be reviewing Yiannopoulos' book.

The Booksmith Boycotts Alt-Right Memoir, Takes Financial Aim At Publisher The Booksmith announces it will not sell Yiannopoulos' book, or any other book published by Threshold, and that it intends to cut back on orders of all Simon & Schuster publications.

Milo Yiannopoulos Book May Not Be Coming To a Store Near You Many independent booksellers are planning not to stock Yiannopoulos' book.

Free Speech Groups Defend S&S Yiannopoulos Deal The American Booksellers Association, Association of American Publishers, Authors Guild, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, National Coalition Against Censorship, Freedom to Read Foundation, Index on Censorship, and the National Council of Teachers of English release a statement that, while supporting the right to boycott a book or company for any reason, argues that to do so risks "undermin[ing] intellectual freedom."

Milo Yiannopoulos' book deal is publishing business as usual An LA Times article explores the financial decisions behind publishing controversial books.

S&S Children's Authors Protest Yiannopoulos Deal More than 160 children's book authors and illustrators have signed a letter to S&S CEO and president Carolyn Reidy protesting the deal.

2 Literary Agents Seeking Writers of Children's and YA Books

Here are two literary agents seeking children's and YA books. Molly O'Neill (Waxman Leavell Literary Agency) is most actively seeking young adult and middle-grade fiction. She is also seeking a select number of children’s illustrators. Ayanna Coleman (Quill Shift Literary Agency) is seeking young adult and middle-grade fiction in all genres.

Note: You can find a comprehensive list of new and established agents seeking clients here: Agents Seeking Clients Molly O'Neill of Waxman Leavell Literary Agency

About Molly: Prior to becoming an agent, she spent thirteen years working in various roles inside the publishing industry: as an editor at HarperCollins Children’s Books, where she acquired Veronica Roth’s juggernaut Divergent series, among many other fantastic projects; as head of editorial at Storybird, a publishing/tech start-up; and in school and library marketing at both HarperCollins and Clarion Books. She loves the creative process and early-stage project development, is invigorated by business strategy and entrepreneurial thinking, and is fascinated by the intersections of art, commerce, creativity, and innovation. Molly is especially passionate about the people behind books, and she takes pride in discovering and evangelizing talented authors and illustrators, expanding the global reach of their work, and finding new ways to build connections and community among creators, readers, stories, and their champions.

Molly is an alum of Marquette University, an erstwhile Texan, and a current dweller of Brooklyn, New York. She is drawn to authors and artists who constantly challenge themselves, who are adept at communicating with their audiences, who are creative and flexible thinkers, and who have as much enthusiasm for their readers as for their own successes. Wit, strong writing, vivid settings, a passion for craft, or a well-timed reaction gif will always catch her eye.

Currently Seeking: Currently, Molly is most actively seeking young adult and middle-grade fiction. She is also seeking a select number of children’s illustrators (illustrators who write are especially welcome), as well as authors of kidlit nonfiction, early readers/chapter books, and kidlit graphic novels. She is not currently seeking picture book texts unless the author is also a professional illustrator, a writer of nonfiction, or a direct referral from an industry contact that she knows personally.

How to Submit: To submit a project, please email your query to mollysubmit [at] waxmanleavell.com with the word “Query” as the first word in the subject line. Your short email query should include a description of your project; biographical information (including details about any relevant credentials, subject area expertise, stats, or existing platform); and a summary, if applicable, of prior published works, agent representation, and/or publisher submission history. If you don’t have special credentials or previous publishing history, no worries: Molly welcomes debut talent! Please also be sure to include your phone number, email address, and any relevant Internet/social media links. Below your query letter paste the first 10 pages of your manuscript, or entire picture book text.
_______________________ Ayanna Coleman of Quill Shift Literary Agency


About Ayanna: Ayanna Coleman founded Quill Shift Literary Agency in 2013 to help usher inclusive stories worthy of inspiring a passion for reading in children through the publication process.

What she is seeking: She is looking for middle grade and young adult fiction in all genres. Bring her stories with plucky, realistic characters that represent our multicultural society who grow throughout an engrossing plot in a setting that sucks the reader in.

How to Submit: To submit, please follow the instructions on the Agency website and complete the author submissions form.

Top 10 Publishing Posts of 2016

Last year I decided to review my posts to see which ones had attracted the most readers. (I posted them here: Top 10 Publishing Posts of 2015.)

Not surprisingly, the posts which garnered the most readers were about major publishers (notably HarperCollins) opening their doors to unagented writers. (HarperCollins' brief excursion into democratic operations has since been abandoned.)

This year, I encountered a problem when I simply looked at numbers of views per post. My Free Contests posts, and Calls for Submissions posts, had gotten so many views that they encompassed all of my Top 10. So, I moved down to the next category, which was Agents Seeking Clients. These also had gathered many thousands of views. (You can see all the agents looking for writers by clicking on the link.) 8 Literary Agents Seeking Horror NOW, for example, had gotten 5,060 views.

In all fairness, I had to discount all of those posts as well, and move on to my next category, which had to do with marketing and promotion. Without further ado, here are those top ten posts, in descending order. I hope you will find them useful.


#10 8 Ways to Use Goodreads to Promote Your Book (1310 views)

#9 How to Use Pinterest to Build an Audience (For Writers) (1370 views)

#8 15 Magazines That Pay $500 or More (1740 views)

#7 13 Paying Markets for Personal Essays (1897 views)

#6 6 Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishers Accepting Unagented Manuscripts from Writers (2074 views)

#5 Promoting Your Scifi or Fantasy Novel on Social Media (2084 views)

#4 Top 10 Sites for Indie Authors (2189 views)

#3 82 UK Literary Agencies Seeking Clients (3249 views)

#2 175 Literary Magazines Accepting Reprints (5294 views)

And my top post was (drum roll) ...

#1 272 Paying Markets for Short Stories, Poetry, Nonfiction (7326 views)


Runners-up

Mega-List of Agents Looking for Memoirs (and other Nonfiction)

What a Trump Presidency Means for Writers 

18 Paying Markets for Humor