YA Debut Gets Six-Figure Deal, Sold to 16 Territories and Jerry Bruckheimer
publishersweekly.com – Wednesday November 25, 2015
A six-figure deal for North American rights to The Cruelty is the latest in a string of good things that have happened to Scott Bergstrom’s debut novel in just the past month. The manuscript, self-published a year ago, caught fire in October at the Frankfurt Book Fair with sales, so far, into 16 territories. “Every morning I wake up to more exciting e-mails,” said his agent, Tracey Adams of Adams Literary.
Kalyna Review: Call for Submissions
firstwriter.com – Wednesday November 25, 2015
Kalyna Review, a celebration of language and translation, is seeking submissions for its Spring 2016 issue. They are looking for articles and creative work that explore how language creates the personal universe we each inhabit. They are also interested in marginalised and minority European languages, the languages of peoples who throughout most or all of their history had no state.

Alan Moore Advises New Writers to Self-Publish Because Big Publishers Suck
io9.com – Friday November 20, 2015

At an anti-library closure protest, local magician and comics legend Alan Moore had some surprising words for those who hope to break into the wide world of published writing.
With his wild-man Merlin’s beard and distinct Northampton tones, Moore’s speaking style is oddly comforting as he holds forth. “If you write every day, you are a writer,” the co-creator of Watchmen, From Hell andLeague of Extraordinary Gentlemen (to name my favorite Moore works) tells the crowd.

Literary Agents Address Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
publishersweekly.com – Friday November 13, 2015

For the second year in a row, the New School in Manhattan, in partnership with the SCBWI-Metro NY chapter, hosted a panel of agents to discuss their jobs, what manuscripts they’re interested in, and share with MFA students and other aspiring writers how best to query them and their colleagues. On the November 10 panel were Heather Flaherty of The Bent Agency, Alexandra Penfold of Upstart Crow Literary, and Alec Shane of Writers House. See below for some highlights from the discussion.

PW Talks with Global Kids Connect Speaker Ginger Clark
publishersweekly.com – Thursday November 12, 2015

Clark, a literary agent at Curtis Brown Ltd. and panelist at PW’s upcoming Global Kids Connect Summit, expounded on what U.S. children’s titles seem to be selling well abroad, the biggest mistakes publishers make in selling foreign rights, and how she thinks the business will change in the next five years.
ICM Partners Adds Lit Agent Anna Stein
hollywoodreporter.com – Wednesday November 11, 2015
ICM Partners has hired another top literary agent, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Anna Stein, who launched and heads the New York office of London-based Aitken Alexander Associates, is joining the agency on Dec. 1.
2016 Bristol Short Story Prize launched
firstwriter.com – Tuesday November 10, 2015
The 2016 Bristol Short Story Prize is open to all published and unpublished writers, UK and non-UK based, over 16 years of age.

Publishers open submissions for Author Day
thebookseller.com – Friday November 6, 2015

Publishers Pan Macmillan and HarperCollins, and the literary agency Peters, Fraser & Dunlop will provide authors with face-to-face advice and feedback as part of The Bookseller’s inaugural Author Day, taking place at 30 Euston Square on 30th November.
The three companies will run an open-submissions as part of the event. Authors will also be invited to submit unpublished manuscripts to editors and agents and spend 10 minutes each discussing the manuscript or publishing process.

Lit Agent Mike Esola Exits WME
deadline.com – Saturday October 31, 2015

Longtime WME lit agent Mike Esola has left the agency. Word is that Esola and the agency came to a parting of the ways over a number of issues, including wanting to become a partner right away.

Mitch Hoffman to Join Aaron Priest Agency
publishersweekly.com – Friday October 30, 2015

Mitch Hoffman, current v-p and executive editor at Grand Central Publishing, is joining the Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency as a senior agent. He will start his new position on November 30.
Hoffman has edited and published over 200 books, both fiction and nonfiction. His list of authors has included Jeff Abbott, David Baldacci, Harlan Coben, Jeffery Deaver, Raymond Khoury, Brad Meltzer, Tom Rob Smith and Don Winslow.
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