Today I’m thrilled to have agent Melissa Richeson here. She is an
associate literary agent at Apokedak
Literary Agency.
Hi Melissa! Thanks so much for joining us.
About Melissa:
1.
Tell us how you became an agent, how long
you’ve been one, and what you’ve been doing as an agent.
About the Agency:
2. Share a bit about your agency and what it offers to
its authors.
We’re a small, boutique agency, which I think gives us an
edge in terms of personal service for and personal interaction with our
clients. We’re also editorial, which means we like to help authors shine up the
little things in the manuscript before submission. You only get one shot when
it comes to submissions—might as well make it the best it can be! We also
request the full manuscript and synopsis at time of query in an effort to
really immerse ourselves in the storyline. We recognize that a story is more
than its first pages (though first pages are still very important!).
What She’s Looking For:
3. What age groups do you represent—picture books, MG,
and/or YA? What genres do you represent and what are you looking for in
submissions for these genres?
I represent PB through YA. I’m drawn to witty wording and
whimsical design for picture books, humor and quick pacing for chapter books,
charming mysteries or low fantasy in middle grade, and lyrical, magical,
character-driven stories in young adult.
4. Is there
anything you would be especially excited to see in the genres you are
interested in?
In YA, I’d love to see more clean contemporary that’s aimed
at younger readers, a smart, non-violent mystery, or a lighthearted rom-com
with a witty, unpredictable twist. I’d also love fresh, hook-y MG—extra bonus
points for non-bathroom humor.
What She Isn’t Looking For:
5. What types of submissions are you not interested in?
No
horror, graphic violence, or erotica, please. Paranormal and sci-fi don’t
usually fit my taste either, but I can be persuaded with a strong character
arc.
Agent Philosophy:
6. What is your philosophy as an agent both in terms of
the authors you want to work with and the books you want to represent?
My philosophy—altruism, happiness, and fun! I want to
represent authors who want to make the world a better place. I want to
represent projects that make children feel happy and loved. And making books
for kids should be fun!
Editorial Agent:
7. Are you an editorial agent? If so, what is your
process like when you’re working with your authors before submitting to
editors?
Yes. I make suggestions at both a concept level and a line
level, usually based on my perceptions of marketability. Many times there will
be multiple back-and-forth documents as we work together toward a final
version. But the ultimate say goes to the author, of course.
Query Methods and Submission Guidelines: (Always verify
before submitting)
8. How should authors query you and what do you want to
see in the query letter?
I accept queries over e-mail (see below). I like short and
sweet query letters that give me a good taste for the story in just a few
sentences. Also, I think it’s best to keep the bio portion relevant to the
project at hand. I really enjoy reading queries, so don’t be nervous! :)
9. Do you have any
specific dislikes in query letters or the first pages submitted to you?
I dislike it when people aren’t nice—a bullying tone
(telling me I have to take a project on or else) is a turn off. It tells
me that the author will not be pleasant to work with. I also dislike an
impatiently worded followup. And I especially dislike a rude response to my
polite, personal decision. (I was once told to squeeze a pair of sea urchins,
among other things. Not nice.)
Response Time:
10. What’s your response time to queries and requests for
more pages of a manuscript?
Our official agency line is twelve weeks or less for a
decision, since the full manuscript should be attached in the first place.
Because I’m still building my list, I try my best to keep it under the four
week mark personally…but that’s not a promise. ;)
Self-Published and Small Press Authors:
11. Are you open
to representing authors who have self-published or been published by smaller
presses? What advice do you have for them if they want to try to find an agent
to represent them?
Sure! But it’s in your best interest to query something new.
Moving a previously published book to a different house is not my area of
expertise. A new manuscript allows for a fresh start!
12. With all the changes in publishing—self-publishing,
hybrid authors, more small publishers—do you see the role of agents changing at
all? Why?
Time will tell, I suppose. Right now I see myself as an
advocate for authors while also looking out for editors. That’s why I take the
editorial part of my role so seriously—I want to give authors the best chance,
AND I also want to give editors a story worth falling in love with.
Interviews and Guest Posts:
13. Please share the links to any interviews and guest
posts you think would be helpful to writers interested in querying you.
Links and Contact Info:
14. Please share how writers should contact you to submit
a query and your links on the Web.
Please
submit a query letter plus the first ten pages pasted into the body of the
email; add the full manuscript and synopsis as attachments.
Email: melissa.richeson at apokedakliterary dot com
Twitter: @MelissaRicheson
Additional Advice:
15. Is there any other advice you’d like to share with
aspiring authors that we haven’t covered?
Never underestimate the power of a critique group. I know it can be
scary to have other people look at and pick apart your work, but the experience
is so valuable. (In fact, those who mention being part of a critique group in
their query letter always get a little extra attention from me, honestly.) Also,
don’t give up! Rejections will happen at every level—learn from them and press
on. Your story will not resonate with everyone—that’s just the nature of this
subjective business. Keep going until you find the right people to champion
your work.
Thanks for sharing all your advice, Melissa.
If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. This is an international giveaway.
Profile Details:
Last updated: 5/25/2020.
Agent Contacted for Review? No
Last Reviewed By Agent? N/A
Comment: Confirmed her agency and submission status
Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or e-mail me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com
Note: These agent profiles and interviews presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found here is subject to change.
I was very interested with the above interview. Great read.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Great interview! And YES to critique groups- scary to jump in but the most valuable learning experience.
ReplyDeleteI would love a critique from Ms. Richeson! (rfremmer@gmail.com)
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, thank you!
ReplyDeleteNice article and nice agent: happiness, altruism, and fun! Please enter me in the critique giveaway. Also, good tip about mentioning that you're a part of a critique group in one's query letter.
ReplyDeleteI just completed my profile, so this comment is from me (Brandon Breen; brandonmbreen AT hotmail.com)
DeleteGreat interview and advice! I agree that there is a need for more 'light' contemporary YA - my students always enjoy that type of story.
ReplyDelete(I'm not currently writing MG or YA so please let someone else win the crit)
Thanks for the great interview! I agree about critique groups - my SCBWI group has been so helpful and supportive!
ReplyDeleteGreat info. Sadly, I'm not a YA author.
ReplyDeleteGreat info as I continue my querying journey!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a boutique agency. And no matter how much I learn about publishing, there are still things I'd like to have an agent to run to for help.
ReplyDeleteYes, I also like the idea of a boutique agency, Melissa, and the fact that you can give children's writers individual attention. I've just completed a master's degree in creative writing, but sadly I am on the other side of the pond. Wishing you every success 🌹
ReplyDeleteFantastic interview! I had to laugh at the "non-bathroom humor."
ReplyDeleteBut but butt potty humor can't go to pot lol yeah, sometimes it is a bit much.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed getting to know Melissa through this great interview. Thanks for the tip to mention critique group membership in the query. Would love to win Melissa's critique giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! Thanks Melissa. Creating books that make children happy and feel loved is a great ambition for all writers.
ReplyDeleteNice interview. I love that she gives "extra bonus points for non-bathroom humor" in MG. A lot of MG books have bathroom humor. I like the ones that don't follow that trend!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same. :-)
DeleteWould love to work with an editorial agent. Please enter me for the Query Critique give-away. verojorg@rcn.com
ReplyDeleteLovely interview!
ReplyDeleteGreat article!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing the great interview
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Thank you for a great interview, and the reminder that rejections happen to everyone.
ReplyDeleteAfter receiving multiple rejections, I'm encouraged by the reminder that agents are kind and compassionate human beings, not intimidating kings and queens on high thrones ultimately defining my work as good or bad. Thank you, Melissa! (nikkireynolds@sbcglobal.net)
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have my query crritiqued.
ReplyDeleteforgot to add that I tweeted about the query giveaway. CarolynChambersClark
ReplyDelete@DrCCClark
AGENT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW WITH MELISSA RICHESON AND QUERY CRITIQUE GIVEAWAY http://literaryrambles.com/2019/08/agent-spotlight-interview-with-melissa.html
via @Casey_McCormick
6:08 PM · Aug 27, 2019·Twitter Web Client
Thank you so much for this interview. It has been a while since I've considered searching for a literary agent. Getting a chance to read interviews like this one is extremely helpful.
ReplyDeleteAlso, as a writer, I'm so sorry, Melissa, that someone from our community said such a rude thing to you. I understand we can be sensitive about our work, but respect is the way to go since this is also a business.
Thank you for this interview. I think it’s so helpful that Ms. Richeson is an agent interested in editing and helping an author shine!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this interview. It helped renew my determination to not give up! I would love to have one of my manuscripts critiqued.
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie, Thanks for a great interview with Melissa. I can verify her politeness when responding to a query. I am excited to have a chance for the critique giveaway and also to submit more queries in the future. laurastewartstories@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteNice interview. I agree about the critique group. Sometimes they can be full of people who aren't really that supportive, but when you find one that lifts as well as teaches, that's priceless.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your time Melissa. I love learning about agents who enjoy picture books. Please enter me in the query critique giveaway. achernek@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy reading these interviews you do with agents, Natalie. It helps me understand a bit more about the process and how they work - all have individual approaches.
ReplyDeleteMy query is for my travel memoir, which I've sent out to over 50 agents so far. If Melissa's critique goes across genres, I happily enter to receive a free critique. All of us, writers, could benefit from that! :-)
I would love an entry! amyleskowski at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI also tweeted about the contest.
Thanks for a great interview. Love Melissa's energy!
ReplyDeleteI would be aggravated with a bully approach in query letters, too. A little humility goes a long way!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview!
I love how she makes the business seem more personal. Great interview!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great interview! She sounds terrific!
ReplyDeleteAlways fascinating to learn more about the publishing world. Wonderful interview! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGood interview! I like your answer to the IWSG question, too. I write from home, love everything you like about it. There's nothing better than working from home, no traffic, no distractions, no expensive lunches!
ReplyDeleteThis interview provides good insight into the agent process, and Melissa sounds like a sweetheart. Thanks, Natalie!
ReplyDeleteThank you for doing this interview. Melissa sounds like a great up-and-coming agent.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Mara, your book sounds really good. Congrats on your new release.
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie, I've heard so many people say they prefer to write at home. There are definitely advantages to it.
I am so happy to hear Melissa's request for clean contemporary YA for younger readers. There's a definite need!
ReplyDeleteSorry--I'm having trouble commenting as me.
ReplyDelete