Upcoming Agent Spotlight Interviews & Guest Posts

  • CoCo Freeman Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 11/11/2024
  • Courtney Donovan Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 11/20/2024
  • Shannon Hassan Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 12/9/2024
  • Vicky Weber Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 12/11/2024

Agent Spotlight & Agent Spotlight Updates

  • Agent Spotlights & Interviews have been updated through the letter "K" as of 3/28/2024 and many have been reviewed by the agents. Look for more information as I find the time to update more agent spotlights.

Literary Agent Interview: Jen Newens Interview and Query Critique Giveaway

Today I’m thrilled to have agent Jen Newens here. She is a senior literary manager at Martin Literary & Media Management.

NOTE: Jen is temporarily closed to queries. Check the agency website to find out when she reopens. Literary Rambles' followers can query her through 10/7/2023 at jen@martinlit.com or hello@jennewens.com 

Hi­ Jen! Thanks so much for joining us.

About Jen:

1. Tell us how you became an agent, how long you’ve been one, and what you’ve been doing as an agent.

I was the publishing director at West Margin Press for 7 years when the parent company sold the press in October 2022. When I was winding down my job and contemplating what to do next, I had a lot of people say, “Have you ever thought about being a literary agent? You’d be really good at it.” That planted a seed. In early 2023 I saw a job posting on LinkedIn by Sharlene Martin, head of Martin Literary Management and we had a conversation and just clicked. I started at the agency in April 2023.

About the Agency:

2. Share a bit about your agency and what it offers to its authors.

Martin Literary Management has been around for 20 years. It offers authors a comprehensive suite of literary agenting services and works with publishers big and small. It also offers foreign rights representation and our founder has strong relationships with entertainment brands. When I was a publisher, I loved working with Martin Lit agents because they were so professional and delightful to work with—it’s part of the reason I wanted to join the team.

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 all kidlit age groups from board books through YA. All genres are fair game for me, but I’m not as keen on sci fi or fantasy. That hasn’t stopped me from signing them, however, when the story is good. I have a soft spot for underdog stories and historically excluded groups.

4.  Is there anything you would be especially excited to seeing in the genres you are interested in?

Something laugh-out-loud funny. Something I don’t want to put down. Something with a premise I’ve never seen before. Something that makes me cry.

What She Isn’t Looking For:

5. What types of submissions are you not interested in?

Horror, scifi, high fantasy. I’m a little tired of retellings of fairy tales, but I can see a place for them in certain circumstances.

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?

I’m pretty open as to who I want to represent. I love debut authors who have done their homework about how traditional publishing works and are keen to work with the system and not against it. (I’m aware that publishing has its challenges, but working with a client who wants to “disrupt” traditional publishing would be exhausting.)

I’m drawn to ideas that are unique, not derivative (which makes it hard to find comps, but I accept the challenge!)

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?

I am an editorial agent, but I’m looking at edits through the lens of what is going to help my authors get the best book deal. I leave it to the editors at the publishing houses to further edit the stories for the marketplace.

Query Methods and Submission Guidelines: (Always verify before submitting)

8. How should authors query you and what do you want to see with the query letter?

First and foremost, they should get my name right. After that, I’d like to see the following:

·       One paragraph pitch

·       Story synopsis

·       Author bio

·       Word count

·       List of previous published books (if applicable)

·       Note if author has been previously represented by a literary agent 

9.  Do you have any specific dislikes in query letters or the first pages submitted to you?

I prefer that authors do not send manuscripts with query letters; please wait until I specifically ask for them. I prefer to work on one story at a time, so please do not send multiple submissions (series submissions are fine).

Response Time:

10. What’s your response time to queries and requests for more pages of a manuscript?

My response time varies with the volume of queries I receive, the number of active clients on my roster, and the time of year. I wish I could be clearer on this question, but it really varies.

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?

Absolutely. I used to run a small press and I am a big champion of them. Self-publishing and hybrid can be fantastic for some types of books. Traditional publishing can be a good choice for other types of books. I think there is a time and place for all modes of publishing, and I believe authors can choose any of them depending on which ever mode best suits their book or their needs at the time.

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?

I haven’t seen this yet, but I’ll keep watching.

Clients:

13. Who are some of the authors you represent?

Rob Broder

Tenisha Bernal  

Anne Broyles

Interviews and Guest Posts:

14. Please share the links to any interviews, guest posts, and podcasts you think would be helpful to writers interested in querying you.

https://www.pbspotlight.com/single-post/agent-spotlight-jen-newens

Links and Contact Info:

15. Please share how writers should contact you to submit a query and your links on the Web.

https://www.martinlit.com/jennewens

https://www.jennewens.com/

Additional Advice:

16. Is there any other advice you’d like to share with aspiring authors that we haven’t covered?

Don’t give up! I know it sounds cliché, but if you keep following your dreams, they can come true. One of my clients, a debut picture book author at age 50, had been trying to find an agent and get a story published for years. One day, she posted on Twitter that all she wanted for her birthday was to find an agent. I responded, “I’m an agent, let’s chat.” Three months later I got her a two book, five-figure deal with an option for a third book from a big-name publisher. You just never know when things are going to happen for you!

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Jen.

Giveaway Details

­Jen is generously offering a query critique to one lucky winner. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment through October 7th. If your email is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. If you do not want to enter the contest, that’s okay. Just let me know in the comments.

If you follow me on Twitter or 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.

Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or email 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.

 Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Wednesday, October 4 I have an interview with debut author Kellie Parker and a giveaway of her YA thriller Thin Air

Thursday, October 5 I’m participating in the Howl-O-Ween Giveaway Hop

Monday, October 9 I have an interview with debut author Sean O’Brien and a giveaway of his MG historical White House Clubhouse

Wednesday, October 11 I have an agent spotlight interview with Lane Clarke and a query critique giveaway

Monday, October 16 I have an agent spotlight interview with Jane Chun and a query critique giveaway and am participating in the Silly Pumpkin Giveaway Hop 

Monday, October 23 I have an interview with debut author Elisa Stone Leahy and a giveaway of her MG contemporary Tethered to Other Stars

Hope to see you on Wednesday!

 

 

81 comments:

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Always good advice to never give up! Nice interview. :)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this generous offer...and the encouragement to never give up!
snor@comcast.net

S. Lee said...

Another great agent interview! It's helpful to see new agents here!

Liz A. said...

It's always interesting to hear how various agents found their way to agenting.

Lauri Fortino said...

Jen seems like she'd be a joy to work with. I think I'll query her this week. Thanks for another fantastic giveaway opportunity. I've shared it on Twitter as well.

lkrichmanauthor said...

Thanks for the giveaway offer and l loved the interview!
lisakrichman@gmail.com

Julia said...

What an exciting opportunity! I love that Jen took the time to respond to a Twitter birthday wish. Excellent interview! I followed you on Twitter as well as shared this post. juliarich7@gmail.com

Greta said...

Great interview! Thanks

Julie Hauswirth said...

Thank you so much for sharing this interview! I've heard wonderful things about Jen from her clients.

I follow you on Twitter and RT'd this post!
My email in case it doesn't show is hauswirthwrites@gmail.com

Katie Lee Reinert said...

What a great interview. Thanks so much!
I also followed you on Twitter and reposted.
KatieLeeReinert@gmail.com

Elizabeth Seckman said...

What uplifting advice. Thank you!

KathleenAlexis said...

Thanks for the great interview, Jen and Natalie!

It's always interesting to know the level of editorial support an agent likes to provide.

- Kathleen

Anonymous said...

Wonderful!

Lynn Lovegreen said...

Great interview with Jen. I appreciate her advice "Don't give up!"

Anonymous said...

Great interview. Thank you.

Namrata said...

Jen granted a birthday wish to a writer who wished an agent on her 50th birthday. It's not my birthday but I still wish the same.
I found this interview very sweet and encouraging. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Great interview. I especially liked Jen's take on the editing she does vs the editing someone at the publishing house would do.

Mary said...

Thanks again, Natalie, for introducing us to a new agent. Jen, so unique you went from being a publishing director to agent.
Natalie, I follow you on twitter and reposted this.

Tara Knox Cerven said...

I love the reminder to never give up. Thank you. taraknox0306@gmail.com

Katie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Chris_Shestak_Author said...

I appreciate your interest in interviewing agents interested in acquiring YA/MG novels. I have added her to my list of potential agents, and following her advice, I will never give up!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing! Polasek.lj@gmail.com

Kamilla said...

What a great story about signing an author :). I loved learning more about your thoughts on querying and what you're looking for. kamillab@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

What an awesome story to help teach to never give up! My birthday is next week and all I want is an agent to sign me too! 🤪😆 Jen recently signed two of my CPs, so I would love to hear her thoughts on my query letter. Thank you, Natalie! I also shared on Twitter and follow both you and Jen.

Anonymous said...

I thought I was signed in... The above comment is mine- Bri Lawyer brilawyer@gmail.com Thank you!

Nancy Garcia said...

I like that she said she is drawn to ideas that are unique, not derivative. Also, I hope you are still enjoying the afterglow of your daughter's wedding. Thank you for sharing pictures the other day of the flower arrangements - I enjoyed seeing them and hearing your happiness. I appreciate your work on the blog and your arranging and sharing these interviews.

Dlaide said...

Critique please! My agent left agenting and I'm back querying. I'd love to know if my newest pb is submission ready. Thanks. Kindest Regards Dee

Kellie Byrnes said...

Another great interview, thank you, and so great to learn about Jen and her approach to agenting. Fingers crossed for the critique win! :)

Dina Desveaux said...

Thanks for another great interview & opportunity to win a critique.
-Dina

ET Charles said...

Thanks for the great interview. Would love to win a critique. bethsbiblio@gmail.com

@melissa_trempe said...

I loved learning about Jen Newens. Thanks Natalie! I posted the link to the interview on Twitter (@melissa_trempe) and also on my facebook page (Melissa Luery Trempe). I also follow you on Twitter and subscribe to your blog (my email is Melisstrempe@gmail.com) Thanks for all the great interviews!

Laddy Lau said...

Great interview!

I follow you on Twitter @morgancreates and I retweeted about it.

Laya said...

Thank you Natalie and Jen for this great interview! I'd love a query critique! Thanks for these opportunities. lasword(at)rcn(dot)com

Nina Snyder said...

I'd like to enter the query critique for a PB :)

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks for another fine agent interview!

Sarah Meade said...

Thanks for the interview! I'm a blog subscriber. Thanks for the chance for a query critique! sjw2lilo@gmail.com

Karen Rafeedie said...

Another great agent spotlight. Thank you Jen Newens for supporting the writing community. I'd love a critique!

Karen

Eleanor Ann Peterson-author said...

Great interview, Natalie! Jen Newens had encouraging words for authors. I've shared on Twitter and FB and posted on my blog. https://eleanorannpeterson.com/interview-with-jen-newens-sr-lit-agent-at-martin-literary/
my email just in case: eleanorann.peterson@gmail.com
Good luck to everyone.

ptnozell said...

Insightful interview as always. Thank you! Interesting that Jen prefers queries only, with no manuscripts included. Presumably this enables her to clear her inbox in a more timely manner. I'd love a chance at the query critique!

Anonymous said...

Great interview. Thank you!

Mary Beth Rice said...

Great interview. Thank you for the possible critique with Jen! My gmail is rmbrice6@gmail.com and I follow both of you on Twitter and I re-posted this interview! Grateful!

Mary Rudzinski said...

Loved the interview! Thank you both Natalie and Jen for the opportunity!I will post on twitter and Faacebook- thanks!

Kim A. Larson said...

Another great interview! Thanks for this wonderful opportunity, Jen! Thanks for all you do for KidLit, Natalie!

Macy Lane said...

This was insightful and quite helpful. Thank you for sharing!
-Macy

Amy Miller said...

I’ve been super curious about Jen and this interview didn’t disappoint! Thank you Natalie & Jen ☺️ (I follow on Twitter)

Alicia J Novo said...

Such an insightful interview. It is great to see agents who are flexible and clearly kind. Adding her to my list! aliciajnovo@gmail.com

Jen Fier Jasinski said...

Jen sounds wonderful, love her advice! Thanks for the interview. jen.jasinski.author@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed the interview and appreciate the critique opportunity!
Ann Harrell
amhizmir@triad.rr.com

Michelle Steinberg said...

Thanks for the great interview. Jen sounds like a kindred soul. Thanks, too, for the critique opportunity.

Sandra Cox said...

Oh, I love the story about the 50 yr birthday wish. You should add fairy godmother to your creds:)
'Lo, Natalie.

Sheree Tomba said...

Enjoyed the interview! Please enter me in the giveaway. shereetomba@gmail.com

Alicia said...

Thanks for sharing Jen!!!

Mary Warth said...

Thanks for the informative post!

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous post full of inspiration and motivation. Thank you for sharing!

Katie Walsh said...

What a wonderful interview! Thanks for sharing!

Genesis of the Mind said...
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Jamie Bills said...
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Jamie Bills said...
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T Painter said...

I would love to work with Jen!

Aileen Stewart said...

What an amazing offer. And so great to have a reminder to keep hanging in there. I'm 54, have been trying to get an agent since 2007, and have received lots of champagne rejections in the past two years. I'm so close I can almost taste it.

Leela said...

I'm an email subscriber.

Jennifer P. said...

Love the encouragement and insights. Thanks for sharing and offering a query critique to a lucky person!

Lauri Meyers said...

Great interview with Jen! I follow on twitter as well.

Anonymous said...

Another insightful and substantive interview! Thank you for the query critique opportunity. I follow on Twitter.
Ann Harrell
amhizmir@triad.rr.com

Shanti Thirumalai said...

Thank you for this interview. I'd like to be included in the query critique lottery please.
Good wishes,
Shanti

Ronda Roaring said...

It's nice to hear that Jen open to unique ideas. I hope that means that publishers are, too.

Karin Larson said...

Terrific post and advice. Thank you for the reminder to never give up and for your giveaway opportunity.

Susan Santone said...

Thank you for this insightful interview and the critique opportunity.

Kelly said...

What an inspiring story about your 50-year old client! So happy to hear it.

abby mumford said...

These interviews are always fresh and fun and are always so helpful! Thank you, Jen, for sharing your story!

Shutta said...

Thanks, Natalie & Jen. Good info, and I love it that Natalie has always been so dedicated to bringing in good folks to interview.

Tracey said...

Jen sounds like a dream agent! I love her "never give up" advice. What an amazing story about the 50-year-old birthday dream come true. Thank you for this opportunity.

Tracey said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Janice Woods said...

Great interview! Thanks for sharing your advice and the critique opportunity!☺️

Amy Houts said...

Thank you for sharing and for the opportunity for a critique. amysase@gmail.com

Anne said...

Thank you very much for this introduction to a new-to-me agent, Natalie. I appreciate all the information. annieyoung2@gmail.com

Wendy said...

Thank you for sharing this post, Natalie! I enjoyed learning about Jen and her editorial style and MSWL. I reposted on Twitter (@wendygreenley) and I'm already following you and Jen on Twitter and you on FB. I follow your blog. Thank you for this great opportunity. wbgreenley (at) gmail (dot) com

S. L. Peterson said...

Was looking to see if Jen was open for queries when I came across this interview and offer to query by the 7th. Now to decide which of my four "laugh out loud" PBs to send.

slpetersonbooks (at) gmail (dot) com

Thelia said...

Jen sounds amazing. Thank you for sharing your expertise.

Kristi Mahoney said...

Thanks so much for this great interview!

Robin Blankenship said...

Follow on Facebook and Twitter. Thanks for the chance