Agents

Tracey Adams, formerly of McIntosh & Otis, has started Adams Literary. She’ll continue to focus on chilren’s books. For more information about Adams Literary and how to query them…well, once again, we recommend directory assistance in New York. Calls to the McIntosh website were returned unanswered.

You know the old saying “it’s better to have no agent at all than a bad agent?” Sure, and how many authors take that advice when an agent finally deigns to notice them? I’m gonna go with “none” — first number that comes to mind, honest. Perhaps the new book Ten Percent of Nothing will inspire caution. A former FBI agent tells the story of fraudulent literary agent. Delving into scams involving paying your agent to travel to New York (hey, everyone knows this business has to be done face-to-face) and self-publishing, the author writes a story that should strike

The way I see it, it’s a great way to save on office supplies — three prominent New York agencies have combined to form a new super-company. Arthur Pine Associates, Witherspoon Associates, and Carlisle & Company will now be known as InkWell Management. Focus will be publishing, intellectual property licensing, brand building, and lectures with an international flair. Calls the the InkWell website were not returned; the Carlisle site had no additional revealing details. Hopefully, the New York operator will be able to provide a phone number or something. Pine, Witherspoon and Carlisle Form InkWell Management Carlisle & Company Website

I think it’s nice that there’s a book out there for just about every unpleasant task we humans must do. For authors, pitching is the root canal of our business (I’ve met very few who consider it to be fun). Agent Katharine Sands, in her book Making the Perfect Pitch, holds an author’s hand through the pitching process. Alas, it’s only a book — it gets you in the door, then leaves you do the hard work by yourself. Making the Perfect Pitch

I have to say that I’m a firm believer in supporting causes I believe in. And I don’t download free music (that’s what friends are for). MediaBistro is great about providing cool information, a lot for free. Man, I really do sound like a shill for the man. Alas, I’m just a writer who understands how things work. So as part of their ongoing service, the Bistro offers the lowdown on pitching the Robert E. Shephard Agency. Specializing in narrative non-fiction, they’ve sold some interesting titles. If I weren’t so shamed about my lack of Scrabble competitiveness (but, hey, I