Author/editor Kate Foster, resident of the Gold Coast, was recently appointed as an associate literary agent at Storm Literary Agency in the US. SCBWI QLD ARA Ali Stegert speaks with Kate about her path to agenting and what she’s looking for.
How did this amazing development happen? Take us on a postcard journey. Did it start with a little Kate dreaming, “When I grow up, I’m going to be a literary agent...”
Ha ha! Not quite. It was all rather quick in how it came about, to be honest, but everything fell perfectly into place as if it were meant to be.
I’ve been working in publishing and pursuing my own writing career for a long while, and for many years have always known this was my home. I love (and often dislike immensely depending on what’s happening!) all aspects of this industry and thought how valuable, not to mention cool, it would be to gain some experience as a literary agent intern. I reached out to my friend Heather Cashman, who I’d gotten to know when I was a Pitch Wars mentor, to ask if she had any tips on finding an internship, and with some behind-the-scenes changes, Heather had been offered an additional role, which had not been announced yet. Instead of interning, I began working with her in the capacity of an agent-in-training. Recently, it was made official that Heather is also the Agent Mentor, where she assists with the training of readers, interns, and agents. Talk about fate! So, I leapt at the chance and got to work almost immediately.
During that time, Heather continuously updated Vicki Selvaggio about my progress and when Heather had finished her training, Vicki stepped in. After a little more training, Vicki and I had a discussion and we moved forward with making me an agent! Obviously it wasn’t quite that quick and plenty of hard work went on behind the scenes. It wasn’t a decision I made lightly either. Being an author’s agent is a huge responsibility and I know not at all easy. Especially as an author, I understand the rollercoaster of emotions and dealing with rejection. Overall, I needed to be sure that I was 100% the right person for this role before diving in. I think I am!
Tell us a bit about Storm Literary and the space they occupy in the publishing world. What drew you to them and them to you?
Storm Literary Agency LLC is relatively newer, founded by Essie White in 2014. It’s a boutique agency that specializes in children’s literature and select adult projects (they focus on children’s authors and illustrators but will consider select adult projects from time to time). Being an author who has queried on more than one occasion, I was already aware of the impeccable reputation Storm had from that side of things. Then, with several of my good writer friends signing with Essie White, who had joined forces with Vicki Selvaggio in the latter part of 2018, and the fact they had opened the agency to more agents with Heather Cashman becoming an agent, it was clear this agency was developing and heading in an exciting direction. I am so lucky to be on their team.
You’re an associate literary agent. Would you explain what that means for you and for your clients?
An associate literary agent is nothing to be alarmed about! It really means that I am a new agent working for Storm – in some agencies this might be called a Junior Agent, I think. I am creating my own list of clients, building up a rapport and relationship with editors, and working to establish myself in this industry. All of my authors will sign a contract with Storm, and both they and I will have the support and guidance of the entire agency at every step of our careers. I am not working alone at any time as I will have continuous mentorship from Heather and Vicki.
What has been the biggest surprise you’ve learned in your training with Victoria Selvaggio?
I don’t think there have been any new jaw-dropping surprises as of yet, as I’ve been fairly active in publishing for some time and experienced many eye-opening moments, but I think seeing firsthand just how down-to-earth, friendly, and enthusiastic the team at Storm are was one of the best moments. I’m not sure if I actually expected anything different since I was already aware of Storm’s reputation, but the warmth and kindness I received was above and beyond anything I anticipated. All agents are different, of course, but for me at least, I think my approach to nurturing writers and their careers makes Storm the most perfect fit.
I follow you on Twitter, and I’ve appreciated about your vibrant, positive interactions there. I admire how authentic you are about the ups and downs of the writing life and how encouraging and generous you are to fellow writers. Can you talk about how Twitter has figured into your success?
Thank you, Ali, this means so much. I find Twitter a place of true extremes. So much light and so much dark all at once. I joined about nine years ago and things weren’t anywhere near as busy as they are now within the writing community on there; but one thing I found back then as I navigated my way round all the accounts and chats and hashtags was just how much other writers’ and publishing professionals’ honesty and encouragement meant to me. Writing and pursuing publication can be lonely, it can be exhausting, and it can often make you wonder why you’re bothering. Imposter syndrome, as it’s well known, is so real and such a burden on some days. So for me, a person who suffers terribly with the lowest of self esteem, I wanted to offer other writers the same golden threads of hope and positivity to cling to.
Twitter has also offered me more opportunities to forward my career than any other platform. I’m not that confident in face-to-face situations, but on Twitter I will chat and interact until everyone else has finished their drinks and gone home! So, I gradually built up a network of friends and my own database of writer opportunities and websites, etc. The moment that really made a difference was becoming a Pitch Wars mentor, however. I met so many wonderful friends and contacts through those years, friends I still have and love dearly, and will forever be grateful to Brenda, Heather, and all of my mentees for taking a chance on me back then. They literally changed my life for the better.
Are you open for submissions? What kind of fiction and nonfiction projects would you like to see?
Yes! I opened on July 20, 2020 and any updates to this status will be added to the Storm submissions page and my Twitter. I am only open to children’s fiction at this time, and will be focusing my search very much on middle grade books in most genres. I will possibly be taking on a select few YA and chapter book authors as well, but I will be very picky about these. Of course if I sign an author on a MG project and they write in other categories too then I will represent those books. I want to sign authors for their careers, not just one book. For more details on my wishlist this link will help: https://www.stormliteraryagency.com/submissionguidelines
Are you an “editorial agent”?
Yes! I am an author and a developmental editor so will definitely be working closely with my authors to polish their projects before submission. I love brainstorming and developing concepts and bringing out the best in a story and character. My passion is editing and I am a nerd!
How do you feel about comparison titles in queries? Have you got any tips for making sure they work for rather than against the writer?
Comparison titles are funny things and I see many writers complaining about them, saying their books are like no other books or movies out there. But I think comp titles are helpful in showing an agent and editor (and reader) that you know your market and have identified the type of readership your book might be perfect for. People shouldn’t get so panicked about finding an exact match, though. It’s a guide. If your book is funny, find a book or movie that perhaps has a similar sense of humour. If your book is set in a futuristic world then find something that might have a similar setting or world building. The story arcs and concepts do not have to match exactly. Also, don’t be afraid to say that your book is perfect for fans of a particular author or series if your writing style or genre is similar. And the biggest tip I would offer is try your absolute hardest to use recently published and released books as your comps. You don’t have to necessarily avoid classics or older successful books, but if you are using one, add another comp that was published recently. Formats you could use might include: “Perfect for fans of Jessica Townsend’s NEVERMOOR series, my MG fantasy…” or “Fleur’ Ferris’ BLACK meets DEAR MARTIN in my powerful and gripping YA thriller…” or “The world of READY PLAYER ONE, the characterisation in PETA LYRE’S RATING NORMAL, and the chilling suspense of SMALL SPACES come together in my YA horror…”
Do you have any specific advice for Australian writers who are seeking representation in the US and UK markets?
Be confident, polish your work, research the agent before you query to make sure they represent your type of work, and query widely – much the same advice I would give any author anywhere in the world. The industry here is relatively small compared to the US, so looking for opportunities overseas is important if you want to spread your wings. There are plenty of Australian authors who have proved it’s possible and are making waves, so look them up, see what they’re doing, learn from them. I’m English, I live in Australia, and I snagged an agent located in London with a book set on the Gold Coast. The internet and ease of travel (perhaps not right at this moment!) makes location less of an issue, so don’t let it stop you.
Want to know more?
Many thanks to Kate for answering these questions. On behalf of SCBWI Australia East/New Zealand, we congratulate you on your appointment and we wish all the best in your new role.
You can hear from Kate on Zoom on 13 September when the Gold Coast branch of SCBWI QLD will be hosting her for their quarterly meeting. More information on this event can be found on the SCBWI website and Facebook.