Agent of the Month – Linda Camacho Part One Interview

LINDA CAMACHO IS JUNE’S AGENT OF THE MONTH

FIRST PAGE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AT BOTTOM OF POST

Before Linda Camacho moved to Gallt & Zacker Literary, she was with Prospect Agency and held various roles on the publishing side. After She graduated from Cornell with a B.S. in Communication. She’s held various positions at Penguin Random House, Dorchester, Simon and Schuster, and Writers House literary agency. She’s done everything from foreign rights to editorial to marketing to operations, so it was amazing to see how all the departments worked together to bring books to life. Somewhere in between all that (and little sleep), Linda received her MFA in creative writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Now at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency, Linda continues to work with colleagues and clients who inspire her every day in both the children’s and adult categories.

Besides books, she loves chocolate, travel, and far too much TV. In terms of submissions, She’s pretty omnivorous and indulges in a variety of categories and genres, ranging from picture book to adult, from clean and lighthearted contemporary to edgy and dark fantasy.

Seeking:

• MG and YA, both commercial and literary
• Graphic novels (writer-illustrators only)
• Select Picture Books (writer-illustrators only)
• Adult fiction across all genres (particularly romance/women’s fiction, upmarket/book club fiction, and literary horror)
• Diversity of all types (ethnicity, disability, sexuality, etc.)

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HERE IS PART ONE OF MY INTERVIEW WITH LINDA:

How long have you been an agent and how long have you been with Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency.

I’ve worked in publishing for about thirteen years. This is my fourth year of agenting, the last seven months of which I’ve been with Gallt & Zacker Literary.

Do you have a limit on the amount of clients you will represent?

There isn’t an amount I’m looking to specifically hit. So long as I can continue to successfully manage my clients’ careers, the number isn’t as important.

What are your favorite genres?

I’m pretty omnivorous, so I can’t really choose one!

Any story or themes you wish someone would submit to you?

I’m open to all kinds of stories—creepy ones, romantic ones, heartbreaking ones, humorous ones, and everything in between.

Do you consider a book with a character between 18 and 25 years old an adult book?

For 18/19, it really does depend on the voice and perspective of the story. For anything above that age, though, I generally consider it adult.

Since you do not represent picture book, would you represent one of your clients who wrote one you liked?

I represent picture books, but very few! And even then, they tend to be writer-illustrators. I’m definitely more of a mind to rep someone who writes in other categories along with picture books and I have several clients who do just that.

Do you think it’s okay for an author to write picture books, middle grade novels, and YA novels? Or do you feel it is better to focus on one age group and genre?

In children’s books in particular, it’s perfectly okay to write across the categories! One of my clients, for instance, has two picture books and a middle grade under contract, and we’re about to shop her YA.

How important is the query letter?

The query letter is important, so do your best! Having said that, the sample pages are even more so.

Any tips on how an author can get you to ask to see more?

Make those opening pages shine! Make those pages so good that I can’t resist requesting more. I wish I could be specific in the how, but it’s all subjective. What I might love another agent might not, and vice versa.

How far do you normally read before you reject a submission?

It really varies. I try to read more a page (sometimes a couple), but sometimes I know from the first few lines whether I’m the best person for a project.

Have you ever rejected a manuscript, but gave the writer the option to revise and resend?

Absolutely. I don’t do it as often now because I’ve gotten busier, but I’ve done it in the past. And if a project feels special, I’d do it again.

Any pet peeves?

A pet peeve is when people don’t follow submission guidelines.

Do you let people know if you’re not interested?

Yes, it’s Gallt & Zacker’s policy to respond to all submissions.

How long does it usually take to respond to requested material?

I have to admit, I’m currently a bit behind, but ideally 4-6 weeks.

CHECK BACK NEXT FRIDAY FOR PART TWO OF MY INTERVIEW WITH LINDA.

HERE ARE THE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR JUNE FIRST PAGE CRITIQUES:

In the subject line, please write “JUNE 2018 FIRST PAGE CRITIQUE” and paste the text in the email, plus attached it as a Word document to the email. Please make sure you include your name, the title of the piece, and whether it’s a picture book, middle grade, or young adult, etc. at the top on both the email and the Word document (Make sure you include your name with the title of your book, when you save the first page).

REMEMBER: ATTACH THE WORD DOCUMENT AND NOT GET ELIMINATED!Your First Page Word document should be formatted using one inch margins and 12 point New Times Roman font – double space – no more than 23 lines – only one page.Send to: kathy(dot)temean(at)gmail(dot)com.

PLEASE FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES: Your submission will be passed over if you do not follow the directions for both the pasted email and the attached Word doc. This is where most people mess up.

DEADLINE: June 22nd.
RESULTS: June 29th.

Please only submit one first page a month, but do try again if your first page wasn’t one of the pages randomly picked. Thanks!

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy