Agent Workshop: Sean McCarthy w/Sheldon Fogelman Agency- 12/16/08

Enjoy!

Log file opened at: 12/16/08 5:08:30 PM
*** Verla has set the topic on channel #Kidlit to Workshop in session, post a "?" if you have a question, then WAIT for your turn.
Verla: Okay... first I will introduce Sean with his bio and submission information... then we will let him say a few introductory words (if you want to, Sean?) and then I'll ask for your ?'s so I can start the Q&A session.
SeanM: (I'd love to say a few words)
Verla: Good evening, everyone! (or day or night, depending on where you live)
Verla: This workshop is now in session! Please do not talk yet. Post one question mark if you have a question to ask. Then type your question but WAIT to post until you are told it is your turn. Then you may post your question.
Verla: Please do not ask personal questions about a manuscript you have sent or want to send to the Sheldon Fogelman Agency. "Generic" questions of interest to everyone are fine to ask.
Verla: If you have more than one question to ask, AFTER you have had one question answered, you may post another question mark in the room. You will be told when it is time to ask your next question.
Verla: If you start getting bumped out of the room, post a single period < . > every so often to keep yourself "active" in the room. This might help....
Verla: During the workshop, please DO NOT use any of the sounds buttons, or change the color of your text. Do NOT use bold, or other fancy fonts. Thank you for helping this workshop to be an enjoyable experience for everyone!
Verla: Sean McCarthy came to the agency as an assistant after an editorial internship. He has worked closely with all of the agents on their projects with clients and acted as submissions coordinator. He soon took on the additional responsibility of permissions manager, in which capacity he works with authors such as Richard Peck, Jerry Pinkney, and Mo Willems. 
Verla: In September 2007, Sean was promoted to an assistant agent, and is actively seeking to build his client list. While looking for clients in all genres for children, Sean is especially keen on edgy narratives with flawed, multi-faceted characters. He would love to find a few graphic novelists that don't delve too deeply into the "Superhero" side of comics. 
Verla: Outside of juvenile literature, Sean reviews adult fiction titles for a prominent trade magazine. He is a graduate of Macalester College, and is grateful that he no longer has to spend his winters in Minnesota.
SUBMISSION INFORMATION:
Verla: Sean prefers snail mail submissions.  For full submission guidelines, go to: <http://www.sheldonfogelmanagency.com/submissions.htm> 
Verla: To submit to Sean McCarthy, mail your submission to:
Verla: Sheldon Fogelman Agency
Verla: Sean McCarthy
Verla: 10E 40th Street, Suite 3205
Verla: New York, NY 10016
Verla: (This information will be repeated at the end of the session and it will be in the transcript that will be posted on my site, so you can get it later if you miss it now.)
Verla: And now... please everyone give a big welcome to Sean McCarthy!
llehn: clap
Raynbow: clap
robinwrite: clap
janeeeeee: clap
llehn: thank you Sean for coming
taradawn: clap
Verla: Thank you SO much for coming, Sean! We REALLY appreciate you taking the time to do this for us.
WriterRoss: Welcome
Soosaw: clap woot woot
Mimi: welcome
SeanM: Thank you, and hi everyone! I'm thrilled to be here, and thanks so much to Verla (and to Anne Marie) for setting this all up. I'm looking forward to your questions.
Ahsitan: welcome
Anne_Marie: Hi Sean!!!
Verla: Sean, we'd love to hear a few words from you now.
SeanM: Well, I've been with Sheldon Fogelman Agency for a little over 2 years now, and I've been actively seeking clients for the past year or so.....
SeanM: I work in all genres, although I feel that my strengths lie more within Middle Grade and Young Adult...
Verla: (Don't be shy, folks... if you have a question to ask, post your question mark in the room now)
SeanM: It's definitely an "interesting" time in publishing right now, and I'm looking forward to taking your questions on any topic (as best as I can)....
SeanM: and the last thing I want to say is that please feel free to pick and choose from my answers. If something doesn't feel right for you, it probably isn't....
SeanM: There are few absolutes in this business, and I don't expect that all of my responses will be a great fit for everyone
SeanM: Should we start?
Verla: Yep. Here we go....
llehn: we've been told that when looking for agents to query, that we should find someone who represents author's whose work is similar to your writing. but we've also heard of cases where writers are rejected because the agent has a client whose work is too similar.
llehn: what is your take on that?
SeanM: Hi llehn, and that's a great question....
SeanM: I think you want to be similar in terms of genre and subject material (e.g. high fantasy, or young adult)....
SeanM: but you don't want to have a project that, plot-wise, is really close, because it can create a conflict of interest for the agent....
SeanM: more often than not, though, finding an agent that represents someone you admire/idolize will be a good place to start...
SeanM: because sometimes it just comes down to timing of a submission, and if a client has written (or is trying pitch) something similar at the same time.
llehn: thanks sean
robinwrite: Sean, do you see any difference between picture books and picture story books? I keep hearing that pbs need to be less than 500 words, but would this apply to p story books - is there still such a category?
SeanM: HI Robin.... for us, we've been having a lot more success in the picture book category....
SeanM: I think that 500 words may be a little on the slim side, but we do try and keep the length under 800 words....
SeanM: and so for the moment, I think picture story books are a much tougher match to place in the current market....
SeanM: there are always exceptions, but we are having the most success with the word range of 500 - 800 words
robinwrite: thank you.
robinwrite: that's very helpful. thank you.
taradawn: I see your sub guidelines ask for 2 manuscripts for PB authors. How many manuscripts do you like a PB author to have in order to offer representation?
SeanM: Hi taradawn.... 2 picture books are a good starting place for us to start with representation.....
SeanM: ideally, I think we'd like to see at least 5 manuscripts that are viable...
SeanM: because or a combination of other material (e.g. 2 middle grade, or 1 YA).
taradawn: thanks
Verla: I'm going to insert a question here, Sean.... I was wondering if there are any specific categories of stories that you really do NOT want to see?
SeanM: For me personally, I am not the best match for high fantasy
SeanM: and I am feeling my interest waning with young adult novels that revolve around a summer and a "crush"....
SeanM: but I'm pretty open to most everything else!
Verla: Thanks, Sean. I thought that might help people market their stories efficiently (or not market them) to you.
Ahsitan: What genres do you prefer?
SeanM: Hi Ahsitan... I work with all genres (picture book to middle grade to young adult)....
SeanM: I feel more comfortable with middle grade and young adult, because my background as an English major and editorial intern....
SeanM: but I'm learning the art and craft of a picture book, and I'm currently most drawn to mystery/adventure Middle Grade (but that can change)
Ahsitan: thank you
Andi_W: Sean, do you have any interest in novels in verse? Any favorites? Thanks!
SeanM: Hi Andi W.... I do like novels in verse, although I can't think of any that jump out at the moment....
SeanM: I know that a client of our agency (Pat Brisson) will be publishing a novel in verse soon....
SeanM: but I don't have any specific titles. Sorry!
llehn: what are some of your favorite grahic novels / graphic novel writers?
SeanM: HI llehn... I love Adrian Tomine (of Drawn and Quarterly)....
SeanM: and I enjoy James Strum/Rich Tomasso.... LeUyen Pham's work with the Prince of Persia....
coffeeluvr: ?
SeanM: Blankets... Jellaby.....
SeanM: and American Born Chinese.... I pretty much like most graphic novels that I've read, actually.
SeanM: (James Hindle also does amazing comics)
llehn: thanks
taradawn: Who are your favorite picture book authors (and titles, if you can be specific)? Besides Mo Willems and George McClements?
SeanM: I loved Suzy Lee's The Wave....
SeanM: and (this is a bit of a cop out, since I just started working with her) Hyewon Yum's LAST NIGHT
SeanM: I adore Jackie Urbanovic's DUCK AT THE DOOR Series....
SeanM: and everything that Pham and Oliver Jeffers (in particular the Book-Eating Boy) touch
taradawn: thanks
Mimi: Sean, do you recommend a writer try to get some publishing credits--magazine maybe--before trying to look for an agent?
SeanM: Hi Mimi.... I think that credits can help, but only if they're applicable to the genre that you're writing for....
SeanM: so publishing a literary adult story may not be a great help if you're writing for the juvenile market...
SeanM: but I do like to see that people have been actively writing and publishing (even if its small) recently
Mimi: Thanks, Sean
Raynbow: How do you feel about YA series ... do they need to stand-alone or can they truly be the beginning of a series?
SeanM: Hi Raynbow... I think that for a debut or just starting author, YA Series can be very tricky.....
SeanM: Nine times out of 10, the first book in a trilogy will be the most successful....
SeanM: so if your first book is sold and published, it will be difficult to place it with another house if its in the same series....
SeanM: I would recommend that a book should be stand-alone....
SeanM: if you have designs for a series, and there's interest in it after it's been picked up, then that's a great bridge to cross at that time.
Raynbow: Thank you Sean
Ahsitan: How is the market for middle grade science fiction right now? Or a cross genre like sci-fi/ adventure or sci-fi/mystery?
SeanM: I think sci-fi (and more specifically, dystopian books) is a blossoming market right now...
(INSERT: Verla: dystopian definition for those who are like me and have no clue what that is:
Verla: as bad as can be; characterized by human misery)
SeanM: more generally, I think middle grade is ripe for a lot of "out of the box" projects...
SeanM: there are fewer and fewer boundaries in middle grade right now, which I think is very exciting (and probably a good place for mixing genres).
Ahsitan: thank you
coffeeluvr: Do you represent many authors who focus on rhyming picture books? Do you like them (rhyming pb)?
* SeanM: Hi coffeeluvr... I think rhyming picture books are inherently very difficult....
SeanM: I do like them when they are done right, but it's very hard to write them...
SeanM: because one false rhyme, or forced verse, and the magic is completely lost....
SeanM: there's really no room for error with rhyming manuscripts!
coffeeluvr: thank you
(Verla: I'll second that, Sean!)
SeanM: Hi Maggie!
MaggieStie: Do you think there is a strategy to the order that you release one of your client's books?
SeanM: I do try and come up with a long-term plan for each writer and illustrator that I work with....
MaggieStie: As in, how much business sense do you channel into what your clients write next?
SeanM: and I try to give my advice as best as I can...
Verla: (Ah ha! Did you hear that, illustrators? He DOES have illustrators as clients, too.... Someone asked me about that before the workshop began.)
SeanM: I think that this is a creative field, and I try not to place too many limits on the artistic process....
SeanM: but I do keep abreast of market trends, and if a client is thinking about what project to start next, I'll chime in....
SeanM: and of course, this is a business, so I do try to help with that side of the equation.
Soosaw: Regarding picture books, do you feel there is still a market for "sensitive" pbs? Or does only highly unusual/lively/silly sell these days? Thanks!
MaggieStie: Thanks, Sean!
SeanM: Hi soosaw.... I think the biggest movement in picture books right now is the character-driven movement...
SeanM: so that's what I'm looking for primarily... and as for the theme (sensitive, wacky, etc), it should fit with the character and the voice....
SeanM: and for me, at least, I am more drawn to the wacky, unusual characters.
taradawn: What were your favorite books as a child? And what new titles have you added to your favorites as an adult?
SeanM: So, don't laugh, but some of my favorite books as a kid were the Hardy Boys....
SeanM: even the "New" Hardy Boys, which were awful, and I recognized that at the time, but I still read them....
SeanM: I liked a lot of the classics, although I didn't know they were classics at the time (Roald Dahl, Harriet the Spy, My Father's Dragon).....
SeanM: recently, I've been blown away by Adam Rex's SMEKDAY and Anderson's OCTAVIAN NOTHING....
SeanM: and pretty much everything that Mo Willems does makes me laugh.... and I'm open to having more favorites.
lillian: which do you like better commerical or literary fiction
SeanM: Good question... nowadays, it seems that editors are looking for a combination of both....
lillian: in the same book?
SeanM: I prefer literary fiction, but I think it does need to have a commercial hook, or something to drive the plot....
SeanM: so I'm looking for great writing that will also keep me on the edge of my seat (pretty easy, right?)
lillian: :) thanks
WriterRoss: How much editorial work do you do with a mss and a client before you submit? Do you send out multiply or...? Thank you very much.
SeanM: Hi Ross... both of your questions depend on the client, and his/her interests....
SeanM: I tend to give broad feedback, in terms of what's working and what isn't, but will leave the heavy lifting (read: line edits)....
SeanM: to an editor, once the project's been acquired, so that I don't suggest an editorial direction to my client that is the exact opposite of what the editor is looking for....
SeanM: for multiple submissions, it's done on a project by project basis, and also on the client's needs....
SeanM: although for unagented authors, I recommend sending out multiple submissions to editors/agents.
WriterRoss: Thank you Sean-- (Pamela here)
nandini: Sean, Is there a market for multicultural adventure/fantasy in middle grade?
SeanM: Hi nandini.... I think there is a market for adventure/fantasy in middle grade....
SeanM: I think the multicultural aspect is appropriate if it fits naturally within your story....
SeanM: and if there's a logic and reason to the multicultural aspect.
Raynbow: Sean, how many clients do you currently have? And how many are you looking for?
SeanM: I currently am working with 4 clients exclusively at my agency, and I assist the other agents on various projects....
SeanM: I'm looking for talented writers and illustrators, although there's no magic number for the total....
SeanM: but there are limits as to how many people I can work with at one time.
Raynbow: Thank you!
taradawn: What drew you to agenting as a profession? What do you feel are your particular strengths in this field?
SeanM: Ha! When I first interviewed for the job at Sheldon Fogelman Agency, I had to wikipedia "literary agent"
SeanM: because...
SeanM: I had no idea what a literary agent did... and wikipedia was NOT helpful....
taradawn: lol
Verla: lol Sean!
SeanM: but I have a unique skill set for agenting...
SeanM: because I have a passion for books, and I also have a background in accounting (both of my parents are CPAs - Thanks Mom and Dad)
SeanM: so it turns out...
SeanM: that agenting was a natural fit for both my creative and professional fields....
SeanM: and I think that having experience with literature and with the business world led me to a nice place in agenting.
taradawn: thank you, Sean
Ahsitan: What books do you wish you represented?
SeanM: I love that question, and there are so many...
SeanM: I think SMEDAY is near perfect... I also loved STORKY and GINGERBREAD....
SeanM: and more recently, THE NAME OF THIS BOOK IS SECRET, and THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY...
SeanM: i could go on!
Ahsitan: thank you, Sean
lillian: We've had a discussion on Verla's lately about religious themes/elements in fiction. What are your feelings about that.
SeanM: in what sense?
lillian: do you have any opinions on stories in which faith plays
lillian: a strong part or significant part
lillian: in the story?
SeanM: For me, it comes down to if it is appropriate to the character....
SeanM: I don't think faith (or any other theme) works if it is too convenient, or if it is presented in a didactic manner...
Verla: (didactic = preachy for anyone who needs to know)
SeanM: but if faith is important to the character, and I (as the reader) can see its importance as well, then I think that it's ok for faith to play a larger role....
SeanM: although personally, I would also like to know how the character views their faith, beyond the religious scope.
lillian: thank you Sean
Verla: I'm not sure I understand that last comment, Sean...
Verla: what do you mean by, "How the character views their faith?"
SeanM: I'm not sure I do either! I think that I would like to know how a character's faith affects them in a personal way, not just in a way that is taught to them....
Verla: ah... okay.Thanks
SeanM: I think I may be getting too specific for my own good!
Verla: lol
AM: Do you represent YA urban fantasy (as it seems that is the hot selling genre -- right now)?
AM: Thank you.
SeanM: I don't have anyone that I work with that does urban fantasy, but I am open to the genre.
SeanM: (... although I'm wary of vampires and magical boarding schools)
Verla: lol
Mimi: Earlier you mentioned that 2 pb would be a good start to consider representation. Would it matter if one or both had been submittetd to a publisher?
SeanM: As long as they haven't been published, multiple submissions are fine....
SeanM: but we would like to see 2 manuscripts that haven't yet been published to start
Mimi: Thanks
taradawn: Do you think there's a market for an anthology of short stories?
SeanM: Hmm... I know that we've had success in placing short stories in "themed" anthologies....
SeanM: like BASEBALL CRAZY or "Crazy
SeanM: First Dates"....
SeanM: I think placing your own collection would be a challenge, but not impossible...
SeanM: especially if you've been published within that genre...
SeanM: and I have always liked short stories, so that may be why I'm optimistic about them.
taradawn: thanks, Sean
Anne_Marie: What is your take on the current shake-ups in the publishing world? What do you see happening in children's publishing short- and long-term because of the economic crisis?
(WriterRoss: Good Question)
SeanM: That's a good question, and I'm not sure if anyone really knows the answer yet....
SeanM: I'm not sure yet if the publishers are over-correcting their mistakes, and are now taking a too conservative approach....
SeanM: or if this is more of a market corrrection, and this is where publishing houses need to be in order to stay in business....
SeanM: short-term, I think it will be more difficult to place projects, simply because there are fewer houses and editors around....
SeanM: but the good news is that, for the most part, children's publishing has been one of the few bright spots for many publishers...
Verla: oooh, that IS good news!
SeanM: and I think that things will improve (although I don't know if it will be 6 weeks, 6 months, or 6 years from now).
Raynbow: I noticed on your submission guidelines that your agency requests a query and chapters. I've always wondered how agents handle that if they don't like the query. Do you still read the chapters?
SeanM: If a query letter is really bad, then I will be less likely to read the chapters....
SeanM: but a query is only supposed to pique my interest....
SeanM: if you have a great query, but the chapters aren't as strong, then you're in the same place as a bad query....
SeanM: overall, I put more emphasis on the writing in the chapters than the query.
Raynbow: Thanks Sean that's good to know.
bookwriter: what is the chance of getting an offer in december, esp. this december, for agented subs on pbs? is jan more realistic?
SeanM: I think that the window for offers is closing rapidly (a lot of publishing people - including us, hooray!) will be closed from Christmas Eve until 1/5/09....
SeanM: so I would say that january is more likely, but there's still some time left.
bookwriter: oh, well i guess i can relax then. thanks!
taradawn: Any particular niche you see in children's publishing just waiting to be filled? Emerging hot areas?
SeanM: I think Middle Grade is going to be the next hot area.....
SeanM: particularly boy-friendly Middle Grade....
SeanM: and anything that's a hybrid prose/graphic project....
taradawn: follow up: what's cooling off?
SeanM: I think YA (other than Stephanie Meyer) might cool down, if only because it's been so hot for the past few years, and this industry is cyclical....
SeanM: but I'm most excited to see character-driven, clever MG.
Visitor_99: This is close to taradawn's-- I saw your interest in graphic novels, that is the type. Are there other ms types you find yourself hoping to see more of when you sit down to read-. Ie boy characters
SeanM: Recently, I'm looking for "high-concept" projects....
SeanM: and what I mean by that are projects that can be summarized within a couple of sentences, but are immediately compelling.
lillian: As a fellow English major, I'm curious as to which areas of literature you most enjoyed..what was the best part
lillian: of being
lillian: an English major?
SeanM: beyond the smoking cigarettes and trying to grow facial hair?.....
lillian: LOL...
taradawn: lol
NOTE: LOL = Laughing Out Loud
Verla: LOL... I bet that's a question you don't get asked very often, Sean!
WriterRoss: (I didn't do either. Esp the facial hair part.) <g>
SeanM: I've always loved books, so I kind of always knew that I wanted to be an English major, since it seemed like a good opportunity to read lots of different books....
SeanM: for adult, I'm most drawn to DeLillo, Lethem Auster... but I also love some Early American Empire Lit (Emerson, Douglass, Hawthorne).
lillian: thanks.
Anne_Marie: I think people are often curious about the process a manuscript goes through after it reaches an agent's desk. Could you comment on how things work at Sheldon Fogelman in terms of slush piles and offers of representation and so forth?
SeanM: Sure! My first job at Sheldon Fogelman was as submissions coordinator....
SeanM: everything that's submitted to us is read by our submissions coordinator, who gives it the primary read, and then goes over the submissions with the particular agent....
SeanM: at which point a decision is made whether to ask for more material....
SeanM: and then the process begins again, although typically several people in our office will give requested manuscripts a read....
SeanM: because of the size of our agency, we do prefer that authors and illustrators only query one agent...
SeanM: and a response from one agent typically applies to the agency as a whole.
Ahsitan: So, does this mean that although a submission is addressed to a particular agent, it still goes through the coordinator?
SeanM: In our agency, the coordinator reads all of the submissions, and then reviews them with the agent...
SeanM: all submissions that are addressed to a particular agent are shared with him or her.
Ahsitan: thank you
bookwriter: can you name some character-driven, high-concept boy MG, other than wimpy kid books and graphic novel/bone-type books. thanks.
SeanM: Ha! I think that's why that genre is a hot spot...
SeanM: there's not a lot out there right now....
SeanM: I think the Alvin Ho books (although not high-concept) are delightful....
Verla: What about Blood Brothers by Shirley Harazin?
Verla: Would that fit this category?
SeanM: Thanks, Verla! yes, I think it would.
Verla: :-)
bookwriter: how about andy griffiths' butt books?
bookwriter: the day my butt went psycho, butt wars and something like butts from uranus
SeanM: I'm not familiar with the butt books... I'll have to check them out!
SeanM: (the covers look pretty great for the butt books, btw)
taradawn: This is going to sound like a question from a singles dating site...but could you describe your ideal client?
SeanM: I want a client that is passionate about writing, prolific, and thick-skinned....
SeanM: and more generally, knows what he/she is looking for (whether its only business advice, or a heavier hand in feedback)....
Verla: (I can see that client, now... a writing walrus....)
lillian: LOL
SeanM: and being a Mets fan wouldn't hurt either...
SeanM: LOL
taradawn: lol
Verla: (Sorry. I couldn't resist....)
taradawn: thanks, Sean
SeanM: (a writing walrus would have a unique angle)
WriterRoss: Did your 4 clients come from your submissions pile or from referrals? (An aside: I love the authors you listed as favorites on the adult side.) By the way, does being a sister of a Mets fan help? ;> (and it's cold tonight in NY, like Minnesota)
SeanM: The majority of our clients come from referrals, but it could be something as small as seeing an agent speak at a conference, or something as big as a recommendation from a current client.....
SeanM: referrals are a huge asset for representation.
SeanM: (and yes, a sister to a Mets fan qualifies)
WriterRoss: (smiling)
LiteraryMo: When reading sample chapters, across genres, is there anything specific you tend to see that will immediately signal to you that the manuscript shows promise?
SeanM: If I put down the first three chapters and immediately want to read more, then that helps....
SeanM: I don't particularly care for submisisons that purposely end on a cliffhanger....
SeanM: I like to know what I should expect for the rest of the submission by the time I've read 3 chapters.
Verla: Even if they have a synopsis with them, Sean?
SeanM: A synopsis will help, and that's a good point....
SeanM: but please keep synopsis short (one page is ideal, and 2 is the max for me)
LiteraryMo: Thanks, Sean!
robinwrite: Based on your earlier recommendation to send at least 2 manuscript, do you recommend that a new author or author/illustrator complete a second manuscript/dummy prior to submitting his/her first manuscript?
SeanM: For an agent, we will want to see as much as your work as possible, so I would recommend completing 2 manuscripts....
SeanM: if you're looking for a publisher (which is harder and harder without an agent) you have more leeway, and don't need to complete 2 projects prior to submission.
Verla: (This is ONLY picture books, right, Sean? You don't want two NOVELS at once?)
SeanM: Yes, only for picture books!
Verla: Whew!
robinwrite: Yes I should have said picture books!
Verla: sheri, It's now your turn to ask your question. Please post it now. Thank you.
sheri: Any other advice for a picture book writer? Is it best to wait to query agents until an offer is in hand?
robinwrite: Thanks, Sean.
SeanM: For a picture book writer, prolificness (not sure if that is a word) is key....
SeanM: because there are so many shifts and trends in the market, its important to have lots of material....
SeanM: in terms of waiting for an offer at hand, I actually prefer not to get a query with an offer in hand...
SeanM: because that can sometimes lead to a "Knocked Up" scenario, where your author/agent relationship is born out of convenience and necesity, and not because it is a great match....
SeanM: but it is a great hook to get interest from agents to show that you're viable.
taradawn: So for PB authors you would recommend an agent rather than submitting manuscripts directly to editors? By prolific, how many ms a year would you like to see from your PB clients?
NOTE: PB = Picture Book
sheri: Thanks, Sean! I'll work on my prolificness... :)
SeanM: For most authors of any genre, I would recommend an agent, because it's tough to find houses that are open to unsolicted materials....
SeanM: for authors, I think its important to always keep writing...
SeanM: there are so many variables in this industry...
SeanM: and there are a lot of factors that are out of your control in terms of getting a manuscript published....
SeanM: but the one thing you can control is how many projects that you have, so this is why I advocate a prolific lifestyle
Visitor_99: Is there a certain type of picture book that makes you sit up and take notice in the current market? (Prolificness...good word! so in the query maybe good to mention other completed PBs?
Visitor_99: Thanks
SeanM: It's good to mention other completed works....
SeanM: but that may a second paragraph item....
SeanM: in terms of picture books today, I'm drawn to character-driven narratives that are clever and funny...
SeanM: and have a clear beginning, middle, and end...
SeanM: and a central conflict that is resolved by the main character.
bookwriter: we keep hearing about editors' desires for 500 word pb, how is the market for 700-1,000 word pbs? also, can you comment on the market for themed poetry books? thanks.
SeanM: poetry books (and I'm pretty sure this is true for adult and juvenile) are very, very difficult....
SeanM: and the market right now for longer fictional picture books (e.g 900 - 1000 words) is not that great....
SeanM: and I don't see that trend going away anytime soon.
bookwriter: wow, 900 is LONG. yikes
Verla: Sean... that ends our session's questions for tonight... you answered over 40 questions!
SeanM: Wow! Thanks, everybody! I had a blast.
Verla: and we'd all like to say a HUGE thank you for all your time!
llehn: thanks Sean!
bookwriter: thank you so much sean and verla!
Verla: (now is the time, folks!)
llehn: claps
Amishka: thanks Sean
janeeeeee: Thank you, Sean!
LiteraryMo: Thanks Sean! Thanks Verla!
Visitor_99: Thanks for you time, Sean!
taradawn: thank you, Sean! and Verla!
robinwrite: thank you, Sean and Verla!
SeanM: And thanks especially to you, Verla, for all of your help tonight!
Ahsitan: Thank you, Sean and Verla!
melhig: Thank you Sean. Very helpful.
Verla: I'll post the submission info one more time for everyone...
taradawn: Great info
Soosaw: Thank you Sean!
sheri: Thank you, Sean and Verla! Great session!
lillian: Thank you Sean!
SUBMISSION INFORMATION:
Verla: Sean prefers snail mail submissions.  For full submission guidelines, go to: <http://www.sheldonfogelmanagency.com/submissions.htm> 
Verla: To submit to Sean McCarthy, mail your submission to:
Verla: Sheldon Fogelman Agency
Verla: Sean McCarthy
Verla: 10E 40th Street, Suite 3205
Verla: New York, NY 10016
Anne_Marie: Thanks, Sean and Verla!
nandini: Thanks, Verla and Sean!
SeanM: Have a great night, everyone, and thanks again for having me!
taradawn: :-)
AM: Thank you so much for your time tonight!!
Verla: we REALLY appreciated all your time, Sean
Visitor_99: And Verla. Thankyou for hosting another great session-Good night!
llehn: lesley bows to verla
llehn: thank you!
Mimi: Thanks--and Good night to all!
Soosaw: Thanks so much, Verla!
taradawn: Thanks Verla!
Verla: thanks for coming everyone
*** SeanM has left channel #Kidlit
Verla: He was great,wasn't he?
llehn: :)))
WriterRoss: Great chat, Verla. He was thorough, witty and patient.
Anne_Marie: Great session, Verla!!
Verla: Yep.
Verla: He certainly was.
AM: Thanks, Verla, that was very informative! (And fun!)
End of Workshop Session