Agent Panel: Kirby Kim

Meet agent Kirby Kim!

Prior to agenting, Kirby Kim had been considering a career as a lawyer, but found he didn't have a passion for the law the way his fellow classmates did. Then 'literary agent' popped up on his radar as a possible job that could use his degree but with more creativity and advocacy than found in courtroom roles. He interned with an agency in California briefly before moving to New York and working with various agencies there (including his NY start with superstar agent Charlotte Sheedy) before joining Janklow & Nesbit.

What is Kirby looking for?

He likes high concept, high stakes, mostly contemporary fiction and does do a fair amount of crossover for adult/YA.

What's a good example book or client from his list? 

Kirby shares Golden Kite winner for YA Fiction, The Blossom and The Firefly, by historical fiction writer Sherri L. Smith. Kirby says Sherri writes more than great historical fiction, and his role as her agent is to just follow her in her incredible range. In addition to historical fiction, Sherri is also working on many other projects including a graphic novel and a contemporary teen noir. 

Kirby also shares Peter Bognanni's This Book Is Not Yet Rated, which Kirby was drawn to initially because it occupies that 'indie movie sad/funny space'. Kirby wants to represent books that make him feel moved or changed or surprised in some way. 

How many clients?

He currently represents 50-60 clients. Active projects balanced with natural lulls in production cycles mean not all clients are needing the same type or level of attention at the same time. 

Kirby's career advice: 

There're a lot of different roads to the same place. Comparing yourself to fellow writers is not helpful. Kirby shares a client's Edgar award winner who started writing in his 50s. There's an unhealthy obsession with youth, go by your compass not your clock. And be gentle on yourselves and try to define success by what you can control—the quality of your work and the people you work with.

Editor and Agent Panel: Kirby Kim, Alvina Ling, Marietta Zacker

With a panel of six industry leaders moderated by Lin Oliver, this post features highlights from literary agent Kirby Kim, editor Alvina Ling, and literary agent Marietta Zacker. 

left to right: Kirby Kim, Alvina Ling and Marietta Zacker

 Kirby Kim is an agent at the Janklow & Nesbit Literary Agency.

Alvina Ling is VP and editor-in-chief at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (a division of Machete Book Group).

Marietta Zacker is an agent at Gallt Zacker Literary Agency.

Things opened up with the question what do you look for in a submission:

Kirby wants writers to focus on one book at a time and do it well.

"I want to see stakes. I like high stakes in my novels. Create an urgency so your character is backed into a corner." 

Alvina gravitates to fresh concepts and voice.

"I’m a sucker for books that make me laugh and cry and important books. I’m always   looking for that feeling, that spark. I want to fall in love."

Marietta is looking for people who create stories and illustrations no one else can create.

"Something unique." 

On themes that are important to them:

Kirby believes forecasting is a difficult thing to do. So when a story idea comes, writers “should focus more on what they want to say and build out a world that encounters that.” Marietta stressed the importance of understanding that writing to trends does not work and to instead start thinking ahead. "What do you want young readers and young adults to be reading four years from now?"

On final thoughts:

Alvina:

            "Follow your compass, and not your clock."

Kirby:

            "Get way below the surface of what you are doing."

Marietta:

            

            "Make room for folks whose voices have always been there but have not been given a chance."