Agents looking for YA for boys...

[MttStrn]

Hi All,

both of my finished books are YA adventure/thrillers that would appeal mostly to boys. As I'm in the query process right now, I'm trying to find agents that are specifically looking for YA boy books but am finding this information hard to find. I did find the thread below that was for MG for boys.

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191692

I have used this as a starting off point but was wondering if people know of any agents specifically mentioning that they are looking for guy focused YA . So far all I have been able to find is Tina Wexler (Queried. She likes the premise but too close to another project she already has) and Lora Rivera (currently closed to subs).

Thanks is advance for any info you might be able to kick my way.

Matt

[Becca C.]

Query widely. Find maybe a few that are interested in these kinds of books, if you can, but make sure you don't limit your search to agents with those specific tastes. Query any agent interested in YA -- you never know who'll fall in love with it.

[Smish]

Pretty much EVERY YA agent wants to represent books that appeal to teenage boys.

[Giant Baby]

Oh, I was going to direct you to a similar search I did not too long ago, but I see it's the thread you've linked.

Michael Bourret of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management (http://www.dystel.com/) looks interesting. According to his Agent Query profile:

• He specializes in children's books, from picture books through young adult.

• He is actively seeking children's books of all kinds, but especially commercially-minded (though not necessarily commercial) young adult and books for boys.

The profile is here (http://agentquery.com/agent.aspx?agentid=79). AQ’s quite good for running quirky searches like this. I found this by punching in the word “boys” and 31 listings came up. Now, the majority of those will likely be agents who’ve sold books with the work “boys” in their titles (I haven't gone through them), but it’s a really good place to start.

Also, look at books already published that you think might seem consistent with what you’ve got going on and find out who’s represented them. Good luck!

[chancerychislett]

My answer: all of them. Few agents get boy YA, so they're all looking for it. That being said, Mandy Hubbard's blog says:
"
Boy YA is still tough, and needs to appeal to girls in at least some regard, or it may get shot down at acquisitions. "

[Erin]

My answer: all of them. Few agents get boy YA, so they're all looking for it. That being said, Mandy Hubbard's blog says:
"
Boy YA is still tough, and needs to appeal to girls in at least some regard, or it may get shot down at acquisitions. "

It seems tough right now. I've been querying a YA boy book with a romance element that should appeal to girls for 2 months with few nibbles. I still have a lot of agents to query, so I'm still hopeful. But I had prepared myself for this as I polished the book.

[agentpaper]

My crit. partner has a YA contemp. romance in boy POV. I think it took her about 4 or 5 months to find an agent and she's been on sub since Feb. It's a tough market to crack right now, so be patient.

But she used that list from the MG thread you listed to find hers. I think Kathleen Ortiz was/is looking for boy books. Not sure if that's still the case, but she was looking for them when my CP was querying.

[Giant Baby]

Hey, agentpaper! Your sig's changed! CONGRATS!!!

[agentpaper]

Thanks, Giant Baby! :D

[MttStrn]

Thanks everyone for their suggestions and comments. I knew that I'd hear the "all of them" answer and I am looking at all agents. But since they do say you should target and personalize your queries I was looking for others agents who specifically said they were looking for "boy YA" so I could mention it in my query. Anyway, thanks again for all the info everyone.

[Erin]

My crit. partner has a YA contemp. romance in boy POV. I think it took her about 4 or 5 months to find an agent and she's been on sub since Feb. It's a tough market to crack right now, so be patient.

But she used that list from the MG thread you listed to find hers. I think Kathleen Ortiz was/is looking for boy books. Not sure if that's still the case, but she was looking for them when my CP was querying.

I'm being patient, as I knew it was a tough sell! ;) But I couldn't not write this book! Kathleen's on my list, too. As soon as she re-opens to subs (closed sinse she moved to Nancy Coffey), I'll be subbing her.

Congrats on your book deal with Tor!!!! :snoopy:

[Libbie]

I believe Natalie Fischer has re-opened for submissions, but don't quote me on that. Check out her blog to be sure: http://adventuresinagentland.blogspot.com

[agentpaper]

Libbie, nope not yet. :) October, after her wedding and honeymoon, she'll be open again.

Erin, thanks! I didn't even know Kathleen moved. I probably should have. *shakes head*