Agent Spotlight: Jennie Dunham
This week's Agent Spotlight features Jennie Dunham of Dunham Literary, Inc.
Status: Open to submissions.
About: "Jennie Dunham has been a literary agent in New York, New York since May 1992. In August 2000 she founded Dunham Literary, Inc.
She represents literary fiction and non-fiction for adults and children. Her clients have had both critical and commercial success. Books she has represented have appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers in adult hardcover fiction, children’s books, and children’s book series. Her clients have won numerous awards including: New York Times Best Illustrated Book, The Schneider Family Award, Boston Globe Horn Book Honor, and Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist.
"She has been a member of AAR (Association of Authors Representatives) since 1993. She served on the Program Committee and was Program Committee Director for several years. She was also a member of the Electronic Committee.
"She started her career at John Brockman Associates and then Mildred Marmur Associates. She was employed by Russell & Volkening for 6 years before she left to found Dunham Literary, Inc.
"She graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Anthropology and .has a master's degree in Social Work from New York University (although she only practices with characters on the page). (From the agency website)
Status: Open to submissions.
About: "Jennie Dunham has been a literary agent in New York, New York since May 1992. In August 2000 she founded Dunham Literary, Inc.
She represents literary fiction and non-fiction for adults and children. Her clients have had both critical and commercial success. Books she has represented have appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers in adult hardcover fiction, children’s books, and children’s book series. Her clients have won numerous awards including: New York Times Best Illustrated Book, The Schneider Family Award, Boston Globe Horn Book Honor, and Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist.
"She has been a member of AAR (Association of Authors Representatives) since 1993. She served on the Program Committee and was Program Committee Director for several years. She was also a member of the Electronic Committee.
"She started her career at John Brockman Associates and then Mildred Marmur Associates. She was employed by Russell & Volkening for 6 years before she left to found Dunham Literary, Inc.
"She graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Anthropology and .has a master's degree in Social Work from New York University (although she only practices with characters on the page). (From the agency website)
About the Agency:
"Quality fiction & nonfiction for adults & children since 2000" (From the agency website)
Web Presence:
Dunham Literary website.
AgentQuery.
QueryTracker.
"Quality fiction & nonfiction for adults & children since 2000" (From the agency website)
Web Presence:
Dunham Literary website.
AgentQuery.
QueryTracker.
Update on 1/26/2023:
Facebook
What She's Looking For:
From their website: "First and foremost, voice.A strong story. Memorable characters. Unusual premises. Heart and heartbreak.
Jennie Dunham represents picture books writers and illustrators, middle grade, young adult and for adults upmarket literary fiction and non-fiction."
What She Isn't Looking For:
Poetry, horror, westerns, romance, individual stories/articles (Link)
Editorial Agent?
Yes.
Clients:
Nick Bruel, Marlene Carvell, Fred Chapell, Leslie Connor, Sandra Dutton, Jody Feldman, Tod Goldberg, Shawna Kenney, Reeve Lindbergh, Barbara McClintock, Margaret Mcmullan, Matthew Reinhart, Robert Sabuda, Anna Shinoda among many others.
Query Methods:
E-mail: Yes.
Snail-Mail: No.
Online-Form: No.
Submission Guidelines (always verify):
E-mail: Send a query letter addressed to Ms. Dunham and the first five pages of your manuscript in the body of an e-mail. No attachments.
Snail-mail: Send a query addressed to Ms. Dunham and a SASE.
Query only one agent at the agency. Queries are read by all interested agents.
See the Dunham Literary website for complete, up-to-date submission guidelines.
Query Tips:
If you’ve received a request, see the "Requested Submission" page on the website.
Response Times:
The agency’s stated response time is 4 weeks for queries and 8 weeks for requested material
What's the Buzz?
Ms. Dunham has been a literary agent for over 20 years, is a member of the AAR and SCBWI, and continues to attend conferences. While she has a long-established list of clients, she remains open to submissions.
Worth Your Time:
Interviews and Podcasts (Updated 1/26/2023):
What She's Looking For:
From their website: "First and foremost, voice.A strong story. Memorable characters. Unusual premises. Heart and heartbreak.
Jennie Dunham represents picture books writers and illustrators, middle grade, young adult and for adults upmarket literary fiction and non-fiction."
What She Isn't Looking For:
Poetry, horror, westerns, romance, individual stories/articles (Link)
Editorial Agent?
Yes.
Clients:
Nick Bruel, Marlene Carvell, Fred Chapell, Leslie Connor, Sandra Dutton, Jody Feldman, Tod Goldberg, Shawna Kenney, Reeve Lindbergh, Barbara McClintock, Margaret Mcmullan, Matthew Reinhart, Robert Sabuda, Anna Shinoda among many others.
Query Methods:
E-mail: Yes.
Snail-Mail: No.
Online-Form: No.
Submission Guidelines (always verify):
E-mail: Send a query letter addressed to Ms. Dunham and the first five pages of your manuscript in the body of an e-mail. No attachments.
Snail-mail: Send a query addressed to Ms. Dunham and a SASE.
Query only one agent at the agency. Queries are read by all interested agents.
See the Dunham Literary website for complete, up-to-date submission guidelines.
Query Tips:
If you’ve received a request, see the "Requested Submission" page on the website.
Response Times:
The agency’s stated response time is 4 weeks for queries and 8 weeks for requested material
What's the Buzz?
Ms. Dunham has been a literary agent for over 20 years, is a member of the AAR and SCBWI, and continues to attend conferences. While she has a long-established list of clients, she remains open to submissions.
Worth Your Time:
Interviews and Podcasts (Updated 1/26/2023):
Podcast at Writers on Writing (11/2022)
What She's Lookng for at Writng and llustrating (09/2021)
Podcast at Picture Book Summit (07/2021)
Podcast at Writers League of Texas (06/2020)
Interview at Spirit of Story (05/2020)
Interview at 12 x 12 (02/2018)
Meet the Conference Faculty: Jennie Dunham at Scribe (05/2019)
Interview at 12 x 12 (02/2018)
Interview at Childrens Book Insider (6/2017)
Freefall Friday: Jennie Dunham Interview, Part 2 of Interview, and First Page Results at Writing and Illustrating (05/2017)
Agent Jennie Dunham on Finding Niche on YouTube (10/2016)
Contact:
Please see the Dunham Literary website for further contact and query information.
Profile Details:
Last Updated: 1/26/2023
Agent Contacted for Review? Yes
Last Reviewed By Agent? 8/12/13
***
Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or e-mail me at natalieiaguirre7(at)gmail(dot)com
Note: These agent profiles presently focus on agents who accept children's/teen fiction. They are not interviews. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found herein is subject to change.
Contact:
Please see the Dunham Literary website for further contact and query information.
Profile Details:
Last Updated: 1/26/2023
Agent Contacted for Review? Yes
Last Reviewed By Agent? 8/12/13
***
Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or e-mail me at natalieiaguirre7(at)gmail(dot)com
Note: These agent profiles presently focus on agents who accept children's/teen fiction. They are not interviews. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found herein is subject to change.
Wednesday's Word Count
Is it already Wednesday? Craziness. Here's the count...
Prior Goal: 5,500 words.
Achieved: 4786 words, I think.
Goal for new week: 4,000
Excuses / comments: Not much to say here. I totally could have met my goal but I slacked off a bit. I guess I wasn't too worried about taking a few days off since I've been running ahead on the 30k challenge. In fact, I have roughly 700 words left, which I'm off to write as soon as I post this. So I'll have my 30k two days early - woot! As for this next week... I'm going to slow down a little but I'd like to keep up a decent count since I'm still aiming to have this first draft done by the end of next month!
How are you doing with your writing goals?
Prior Goal: 5,500 words.
Achieved: 4786 words, I think.
Goal for new week: 4,000
Excuses / comments: Not much to say here. I totally could have met my goal but I slacked off a bit. I guess I wasn't too worried about taking a few days off since I've been running ahead on the 30k challenge. In fact, I have roughly 700 words left, which I'm off to write as soon as I post this. So I'll have my 30k two days early - woot! As for this next week... I'm going to slow down a little but I'd like to keep up a decent count since I'm still aiming to have this first draft done by the end of next month!
How are you doing with your writing goals?
Blogcation
I took a blogcation (blogvation?) and a writing break the last three days. I've been go-go-go for the last month with the 30k writing challenge, Agent Spotlight, and everything in between and amongst. I feel so behind now though - Twitter, blogs, comments, etc!
So what did I do? Other than the norms (work, taking care of the kids, cleaning, etc.) I spend an obscene amount of time researching my anestry. Talk about a black hole! Very addictive.
Anyways... a general update for today!
So what did I do? Other than the norms (work, taking care of the kids, cleaning, etc.) I spend an obscene amount of time researching my anestry. Talk about a black hole! Very addictive.
Anyways... a general update for today!
- 2800 words left for the 30k writing challenge. My goal is to finish TODAY.
- I'm still reading THE BOOK THIEF. Reading has been, most unfortunatly, low on the totem pole.
- New Flashy Fiction prompt up for today, Tuesday, and it's a fun one!
- Jennie Dunham is the next Agent Spotlight. Someone suggested her to me for a spotlight and I'm happy to deliver, though there isn't a lot out there on her. We'll need input from those of you who have experience with her and/or have heard her speak at conferences!
- Lots of catching up to do on your blogs and comments.
One-Year Blogiversary
Today is Literary Rambles' one-year blogiversary. Party at my blog! I'm thrilled with how far both the blog and I have come in the last year, and want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read and/or comment.
Virtual confetti and cake all around!
Also, head on over to The Bookshelf Muse. They are celebrating 50,000 hits today, and if you comment on their 50k post by Monday you have a chance to win a signed copy of WAITING TO SCORE by J.E. Macleod.
Woot! April 3rd is just a celebratory kind of day.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Virtual confetti and cake all around!
Also, head on over to The Bookshelf Muse. They are celebrating 50,000 hits today, and if you comment on their 50k post by Monday you have a chance to win a signed copy of WAITING TO SCORE by J.E. Macleod.
Woot! April 3rd is just a celebratory kind of day.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Agent Spotlight: Stephen Barbara
This week's Agent Spotlight features Stephen Barbara of InkWell Management.
Status: Open to submissions.
About: "Stephen was born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut, and graduated from the University of Chicago with a B.A. in English language and literature. He began his publishing career in 2005 as an editorial assistant at HarperCollins, and then worked for three years as the Contracts Director of the Donald Maass Agency. Following six years as a literary agent at Foundry Media, he joined InkWell at the start of 2015.
Stephen works with writers, storytellers, thinkers, and entertainers of talent and ambition. A sampling of his clients includes New York Times and international bestseller Lauren Oliver, USA Today bestseller and British Fantasy Award winner Paul Tremblay, Newbery Medal winner and New York Times bestseller Laura Amy Schlitz, National Book Award nominee Lisa Graff, USA Today bestseller Zoje Stage, bestselling fantasy graphic novelist Ethan Aldridge, and children’s author Minh Lê, whose picture book Drawn Together appeared on more than 20 “Best Of” Lists at the end of 2018; he also represents nonfiction authors Meghan Cox Gurdon, Eleanor Herman, and Tom Venuto. In his capacity as agent for media and content company Glasstown Entertainment, Stephen has worked with actress Krysten Ritter, activist Dylan Farrow, novelist Alma Katsu, singer and actress Jessica Jung, and bestselling fantasy author Sara Holland, among others. While selective in taking on new clients, he is always drawn to compelling stories that marry quality writing to bold, imaginative concepts."." (Link)
About the Agency:
"InkWell is one of the world’s leading literary agencies, proudly representing major literary prize winners as well as many of the world’s bestselling and best-loved authors. We enjoy a considerable international reputation as a significant and innovative player in the industry.
“In addition to its full-time agents and their assistants, the InkWell team includes a tireless foreign rights department, a dedicated social media, marketing and publicity expert, and a meticulous contracts manager. We also join forces with leading literary agencies in every foreign market and have agents based in Australia, Boston, and Dallas. We continue to be excited by—and on the lookout for—original ideas, riveting stories and great writing.” (Link)
Web Presence:
Mr. Barbara’s Twitter.
Publisher’s Marketplace page.
InkWell Management website.
InkWell Management Facebook.
InkWell Management Twitter.
AgentQuery, QueryTracker.
What He's Looking For:
Genres/Specialties:
Children’s books and select adult projects (commercial, literary; non-fiction).
What He Isn't Looking For:
Screenplays, Romance, Westerns.
Quotables:
“I think the basic theme of my career so far has been discovering – and launching – debut authors, particularly first novelists. I haven’t inherited any clients but have been open to taking on clients mid-career.” (via e-mail)
Editorial Agent?
Yes.
Clients:
There is a page of clients on the InkWell website. Mr. Barbara's clients include Atia Abawi, Ethan Aldridge, Lenore Appelhans, Kamilla Benko, Betsy Bird, Matt Bird, Julie Danielson, Glasstown Entertainment, Lisa Graff, Amy Guglielmo, Meghan Cox Gurdon, Eleanor Herman, Lexa Hillyer, Lynne Jonell, Travis Jonker, Minh Lê, Lauren Oliver, Jess Rothenberg, Leila Sales, Laura Amy Schlitz, Vivian Shaw, Zoje Stage, Lindsey Stoddard, Todd Strasser, Paul Tremblay, Kerry Winfrey, Trish Lundy, Clemence Michallon, and Allen Zadoff.
Query Methods:
E-mail: Yes (only)
Snail-Mail: No.
Online-Form: No.
Submission Guidelines (always verify):
Send a brief query letter and the first five pages in the body of an e-mail.
Please see the Inkwell Management website for complete, up-to-date submission guidelines and terms of agreement.
Response Times:
The agency has a stated response time of up to two months (link). Mr. Barbara tries to respond to all queries but does not guarantee a response due to the volume of submissions. (Link)
Stats on the web show Mr. Barbara responding to most queries within hours to a week. Requested material usually gets a response within days to a couple weeks.
What's the Buzz?
Stephen Barbara is a favorite among aspiring authors, well-respected for his lightning fast response times and wit. He has a strong list of clients and sales and his clients seem very happy with his representation. Conference goers report him as being rather funny and gracious.
I recommend following him on Twitter @Stephen_Barbara.
Worth Your Time:
Articles and Interviews:
Interview With Stephen Barbara at Presenting Lenore (01/2013)
Around the Web:
Literary Agent Stephen Barbara joins InkWell Management (12/2014).
Contact:
Please see the InkWell Management website for contact and query information.
Profile Details:
Last updated: 12/30/2022.
Agent Contacted for Review? Yes.
Last Reviewed By Agent? 2/3/2023.
***
Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or e-mail me at natalieiaguirre7(at)gmail(dot)com
Note: These agent profiles focus on agents who accept children's and/or young adult fiction. They are not interviews. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found herein is subject to change.
Status: Open to submissions.
Stephen works with writers, storytellers, thinkers, and entertainers of talent and ambition. A sampling of his clients includes New York Times and international bestseller Lauren Oliver, USA Today bestseller and British Fantasy Award winner Paul Tremblay, Newbery Medal winner and New York Times bestseller Laura Amy Schlitz, National Book Award nominee Lisa Graff, USA Today bestseller Zoje Stage, bestselling fantasy graphic novelist Ethan Aldridge, and children’s author Minh Lê, whose picture book Drawn Together appeared on more than 20 “Best Of” Lists at the end of 2018; he also represents nonfiction authors Meghan Cox Gurdon, Eleanor Herman, and Tom Venuto. In his capacity as agent for media and content company Glasstown Entertainment, Stephen has worked with actress Krysten Ritter, activist Dylan Farrow, novelist Alma Katsu, singer and actress Jessica Jung, and bestselling fantasy author Sara Holland, among others. While selective in taking on new clients, he is always drawn to compelling stories that marry quality writing to bold, imaginative concepts."." (Link)
"InkWell is one of the world’s leading literary agencies, proudly representing major literary prize winners as well as many of the world’s bestselling and best-loved authors. We enjoy a considerable international reputation as a significant and innovative player in the industry.
“In addition to its full-time agents and their assistants, the InkWell team includes a tireless foreign rights department, a dedicated social media, marketing and publicity expert, and a meticulous contracts manager. We also join forces with leading literary agencies in every foreign market and have agents based in Australia, Boston, and Dallas. We continue to be excited by—and on the lookout for—original ideas, riveting stories and great writing.” (Link)
Web Presence:
Mr. Barbara’s Twitter.
Publisher’s Marketplace page.
InkWell Management website.
InkWell Management Facebook.
InkWell Management Twitter.
AgentQuery, QueryTracker.
What He's Looking For:
Genres/Specialties:
Children’s books and select adult projects (commercial, literary; non-fiction).
What He Isn't Looking For:
Screenplays, Romance, Westerns.
Quotables:
“I think the basic theme of my career so far has been discovering – and launching – debut authors, particularly first novelists. I haven’t inherited any clients but have been open to taking on clients mid-career.” (via e-mail)
Editorial Agent?
Yes.
Clients:
There is a page of clients on the InkWell website. Mr. Barbara's clients include Atia Abawi, Ethan Aldridge, Lenore Appelhans, Kamilla Benko, Betsy Bird, Matt Bird, Julie Danielson, Glasstown Entertainment, Lisa Graff, Amy Guglielmo, Meghan Cox Gurdon, Eleanor Herman, Lexa Hillyer, Lynne Jonell, Travis Jonker, Minh Lê, Lauren Oliver, Jess Rothenberg, Leila Sales, Laura Amy Schlitz, Vivian Shaw, Zoje Stage, Lindsey Stoddard, Todd Strasser, Paul Tremblay, Kerry Winfrey, Trish Lundy, Clemence Michallon, and Allen Zadoff.
Query Methods:
E-mail: Yes (only)
Snail-Mail: No.
Online-Form: No.
Submission Guidelines (always verify):
Send a brief query letter and the first five pages in the body of an e-mail.
Please see the Inkwell Management website for complete, up-to-date submission guidelines and terms of agreement.
Response Times:
The agency has a stated response time of up to two months (link). Mr. Barbara tries to respond to all queries but does not guarantee a response due to the volume of submissions. (Link)
Stats on the web show Mr. Barbara responding to most queries within hours to a week. Requested material usually gets a response within days to a couple weeks.
What's the Buzz?
Stephen Barbara is a favorite among aspiring authors, well-respected for his lightning fast response times and wit. He has a strong list of clients and sales and his clients seem very happy with his representation. Conference goers report him as being rather funny and gracious.
I recommend following him on Twitter @Stephen_Barbara.
Worth Your Time:
Articles and Interviews:
Interview With Stephen Barbara at Presenting Lenore (01/2013)
Literary Agent Stephen Barbara joins InkWell Management (12/2014).
Contact:
Please see the InkWell Management website for contact and query information.
Profile Details:
Last updated: 12/30/2022.
Agent Contacted for Review? Yes.
Last Reviewed By Agent? 2/3/2023.
***
Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or e-mail me at natalieiaguirre7(at)gmail(dot)com
Note: These agent profiles focus on agents who accept children's and/or young adult fiction. They are not interviews. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found herein is subject to change.
Wednesday's Word Count
Happy (?) April Fool's Day!
Prior Goal: 7,000 words.
Achieved: 4643 words.
Goal for new week: 5,500
Excuses / comments: I slacked off a few days this week, and then yesterday I was having vertigo problems. It is not fun trying to write with a swimming head. Just sayin'. Shelli, if you read this, I can't beleive you've survived your vertigo issues this long! I was miserable! So far my head seems to be more agreeable today. Anywho, I have roughly 5,500 words left of my 30k, so I'm going to try to pump that out over the next few days. Woot! I must admit, my MS is quite the mess but it's all about getting the words down right now, right? Shh, internal editor, shhh.
Now, I want status updates (with excuses - ha!) for those of you doing the 30k challenge, and general writing updates/goals from everyone else. I hope everyone is having a great writing week!
Don't forget, tomorrow we're putting the spotlight on Stephen Barbara and there's some great flash waiting to be written over at Flashy Fiction!
Prior Goal: 7,000 words.
Achieved: 4643 words.
Goal for new week: 5,500
Excuses / comments: I slacked off a few days this week, and then yesterday I was having vertigo problems. It is not fun trying to write with a swimming head. Just sayin'. Shelli, if you read this, I can't beleive you've survived your vertigo issues this long! I was miserable! So far my head seems to be more agreeable today. Anywho, I have roughly 5,500 words left of my 30k, so I'm going to try to pump that out over the next few days. Woot! I must admit, my MS is quite the mess but it's all about getting the words down right now, right? Shh, internal editor, shhh.
Now, I want status updates (with excuses - ha!) for those of you doing the 30k challenge, and general writing updates/goals from everyone else. I hope everyone is having a great writing week!
Don't forget, tomorrow we're putting the spotlight on Stephen Barbara and there's some great flash waiting to be written over at Flashy Fiction!
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