Answering Ann's questions
As Victoria has pointed out...you can see my full resume on LinkedIn at
http://www.linkedin.com/in/publishorperishagency I am happy to discuss any of my experience.
As to my family members - My wife is YA and children's author Gina Cascone see
www.agcascone.com - Gina has also written two memoirs, PAGAN BABIES AND OTHER CATHOLIC MEMORIES and LIFE AL DENTE. She has ghostwritten for major children's series. All in all, over 30 books, over 2.1 million sold.
My older sister is Joan Williams, author UNBENDING GENDER. Oxford University Press. Google her. You will see that she is a highly regarded Law Professor at UC Hastings. I'm very proud of her. I am also very proud of my kid sister that just signed a major contract with HarperCollins - that will be her third book. For privacy purposes, I cannot reveal her name, nor her husband, who is an internationally renowned bestselling, but controversial, author. My niece is Laura Williams McCaffery, author of two YA novels published by Houghton Mifflin - proud of them too. Other than my wife, I have never represented any of family members as I was not, until now, a full time agent. Over the years, I could not even count the number of writers I've advised, with whom I've worked, nor the thousands of books, in all genres I've read, nor the millions I've sold to all channels. I've been urged, and congratulated, for opening my agency by heads of houses. But like many aspiring writers who have yet to prove themselves, I've yet to prove myself as an agent - I have been in business for six weeks. But I am confident that I will sell projects for the clients that I've signed (some of whom have asked me for years to agent their work), and yet to sign.
I am not yet a member of AAR as I have just opened my agency after having been in sales for over 30 years. But then again, Aaron Priest, founding member of ILAA (now the AAR) started his career in sales and wasn't a member of anything when he began either. I will pay special attention to Writer's Beware, for I think your organization is providing an important and valuable service. I don't know of any other agents that have my sales background.
Many have questioned my submission form. I totally understand that this process is quite different than most, if not every, agent. This comes from 1) my sales, marketing and publicity approach to understanding a writer's potential and 2) a process which I believe will help my clients understand the internal publishing process from the beginning. (and yes, every publicist worth their due will want to know where a writer goes to high school).
Any other questions? Happy to discuss.