Q&A: Literary Agent Ginger Clark

Ginger Clark is a literary agent who joined Curtis Brown in 2005 and is actively building her list.

Here, she answers some questions for Editor Unleashed readers, including what the trendy genres are, and the best way to get her attention in a query.

Stay tuned for an announcement: Ginger will be visiting the forum next week for a live chat.

What genres do you represent and what kind of query are you most hoping to see in your inbox right now?
On the adult side of my list, I represent mostly SF, fantasy, literary horror, and paranormal romance. On the children’s side of my list, I represent middle grade and YA fiction, all kinds. On the adult side, I’d like to see specifically: urban fantasy, military SF, and paranormal romance that does not involve vampires. On the kids side: middle grade fiction in general, but more MG fantasy; YA urban fantasy that does not involve overdone magical creatures; SF for both age groups.

Have you noticed any trends recently in what publishers seem to be buying?
Lots of YA urban fantasy. A LOT. Also, on the YA side, post apocalyptic/dystopias, steampunk, epic fantasy too.

What’s the best way to get your attention in a query letter?
Besides proofreading it and calling me by the right name and not addressing it “to whom it may concern” and…etc. etc. etc.? Knowing your market. Is it YA urban fantasy? Then tell me how it compares to writers in that field. And a paragraph plot summary that is clear and focused is always something I appreciate.

Who are some of your up-and-coming writers we should be reading and why?
I would name my whole list if I could! And to pick out some authors over others would be very unfair. So let me just give you the most recent ones I have taken on: I have two Australians new on my list. Rhiannon Hart has a YA epic fantasy I’m going to be submitting shortly that is in the Tamora Pierce vein. Steph Bowe is 15 years old and has written a heartbreaking novel of first love which I will also be submitting soon.

I have two new writers of YA urban fantasy I took on in the past year, Gretchen McNeil and Tina Connolly. Gretchen’s is about a girl who goes to Ireland and gets caught up in a war between different sides of the Irish supernatural; Tina’s is about a girl who is living with her guardian who is an evil witch and … there’s a dragon in the garage. And finally, Mark Del Franco is a writer of adult urban fantasy (his Conor Grey series is with Ace) and he just signed up two new books with his editor there.

Are you a proponent of authors blogging? Why or why not?
Yes, as long as it doesn’t take away from your writing time. It’s a great way to connect with other writers, and to establish yourself in the community.

What is one piece of advice you’d like to share with writers who are hoping to break into this challenging marketplace?
Know the field you are trying to break in to. Read it voraciously, and have a critical eye towards it.

You can read more about Ginger Clark on Publishers Marketplace.

-Maria Schneider