More addressing woes...

Elektra · Apr 24, 2007

I've just gotten a request for a full from...well, somebody. The query packet in question was addressed to Sterling Lord Literalistic, ATTN: Charlotte Sheedy. However, the request comes from one Meredith Kaffel of the Charlotte Sheedy Agency (an affiliate of S.L.). There's no Meredith Kaffel on their website. A Google search gets a lone Yale newspaper, saying she works for the agency, though it doesn't mention in what capacity. Should I address the letter to her or Ms. Sheedy?

jodiodi · Apr 24, 2007

I'd address it to her. She's likely their submissions gatekeeper, or Ms Sheedy's assistant.

job · Apr 24, 2007

If the request for a manuscript comes from Ms Halley Comet, address your response to Ms Halley Comet.

When Ms Comet uses her name and address to ask for the ms, it is a broad hint that she is the one who should receive it.

Chumplet · Apr 24, 2007

Request. For. A. Full. Yay.

Rolling Thunder · Apr 24, 2007

Here's some info on Meredith Kaffel, Elektra.

http://www.yaleherald.com/article.php?Article=4666

ORION · Apr 24, 2007

If you have a question call them.
The people at Lord Literistic are really nice. I ended up calling them (you can find their number easily) and asking them for more information about one of their agents I was submitting to. They will let you know who is working there and how to address requested material. Are they asking you to mail though? The Full they requested from me they asked to have it electronically sent. The agent ended up offering but I chose to go with Dorian at William Morris instead.

lostlore · Apr 27, 2007

Just curious Orion, what went into your decision? Was it the agent who seemed to care about the work more, or personal chemistry, or something else?

BTW, congrats---take a look at today's Miss Snark if you haven't already. Your book is going to be big!

ORION · Apr 27, 2007

Well that's a really good question. I talked to Dorian first on the phone. She got back to me faster and we just had an instant connection. On Publishers Marketplace I noticed she had more sales of books that could be considered similar to mine. At the time I thought EITHER agent would have been fine -- BUT in retrospect I am thrilled with Dorian. We both are enthusiastic and energetic so we do not drive each other crazy!! (I call myself: "Your pesky author from Hawaii!" and they all just laugh).
Thanks so much for the Congrats!

Elektra · Apr 27, 2007

If you don't mind telling us, what sorts of questions did you and your agent ask when you got The Call?

ORION · Apr 27, 2007

My agent asked where I envisioned my career going. She asked which authors I saw shelved with me (Sue Monk Kidd, Jackie Mitchard, John Irving) She asked if I had other completed manuscripts and I told her yes three others. She chatted about the premises a bit. She asked why I wrote the book and what inspired me. I had already checked out William Morris Agency. To me it was a no brainer. I asked how much contact she liked. Whether she helped edit or just took on projects that were good to go.
She let me know about the agency contracts and what William Morris could do for an author.
It was very low key and comfortable.

Hopcus · Mar 4, 2008

I would really love to submit directly to Meredith Kaffel at Charlotte Sheedy Lit but I can't find info for how to send just to her. I'm also a little confused as to whether Charlotte is still with Sterling Lord or if she has started her own agency. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

ORION · Mar 4, 2008

You can call Lord Literistic and ask- as I said before they are really nice and helpful on the phone --
This was on publishers Marketplace:
Meredith Kaffel
Agency: Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency (from most recently reported deal)
Most recent deal: February 6, 2008
Categories of these deals:
Children's: Young Adult (1)

It is possible they are working with Lord Literistic as LL has a great foreign rights dept...

IceCreamEmpress · Mar 4, 2008

Hopcus said:
I would really love to submit directly to Meredith Kaffel at Charlotte Sheedy Lit but I can't find info for how to send just to her. I'm also a little confused as to whether Charlotte is still with Sterling Lord or if she has started her own agency. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Charlotte Sheedy had her own agency for years and years, and then Sterling Lord bought her out (at least partially) about 15 years ago. Her agency exists as a semi-autonomous boutique agency within the Sterling Lord colossus.

And, yes, she is actress Ally Sheedy's mother. And quite a trip.

Meredith Kaffel seems to be someone who's talked about as a young on-the-move agent...

Hopcus · Jul 3, 2008

Update

I sent off the query and got a call from Meredith just a few days later. She was very excited about looking at the manuscript, and after I let her know it was out with one other agent she went full steam ahead and got back to me in less than a week. We set up a phone interview and she was fantastic, really nice and very professional. She gave my work much praise and a few revision notes. I have a very good feeling about her and I can't wait to see where it all goes.

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