Tribe Literary Agency / Wheelhouse Literary Group

AryaT92 · Jan 14, 2010

She was with The Nashville Agency before I believe. When I queried them she is the one who made all contact with me on their behalf.

CaoPaux · Jan 14, 2010

Oho! Some illumination: The Nashville Agency is now split into founder Tim Grable's The Grable Group, Ron Miller's Single Source Speakers, and Jonathan Clements' Wheelhouse Literary Group.

victoriastrauss · Jan 14, 2010

So Nashville has broken into three. And possibly Foulks was an assistant or intern at Nashville prior to the split?

But I still don't understand the relationship between Wheelhouse and Tribe. If Foulks and Clement are working together (as certainly seems to be indicated by the fact that both their names are reportedly on Tribe's contract), why the need for two agencies? Is there a difference of focus? Does Wheelhouse provide more/different services? Is Wheelhouse an agency at all? Is Tribe a division of Wheelhouse? It's all really unclear.

It seems to me that this is the sort of thing that should be fully transparent before an agency starts recruiting clients.

- Victoria

SeanTPoindexter · Jan 14, 2010

CaoPaux said:
I'm glad we agree. What is Ms. Foulk's experience in publishing?

We do not agree. You claimed that agents only become so via internship with an established agency. I pointed out that this wasn't the case. You now pretend you agreed with this statement all along.

Do not twist my words. That is the unscrupulous tactic. I was apparently naive to expect better of you.

You contradicted yourself. Earlier in this thread, you concede that Cari Foulk was a freelance agent. Now, you pretend to be unaware of this fact.

If you are curious about Miss Foulk and Tribe Lit, you may do as any other writer and query the agency. If the agency is impressed with your work and finds you marketable, they will contact you and you can discuss her credentials and professional contacts at that time. If you do not find them sufficient, go elsewhere. It is your prerogative. I am surprised that I have to explain how the writer/agent partnering process works. I believed you to be an expert on the subject.

Again, I was naive. It will not happen again.

Allow me to ask, rhetorically, if you have any specific complaints by writers or publishing professionals regarding Cari Foulk or Tribe Lit. You don't, or you would have posted them by now.

As to Miss Victoria's comment: the relationship between Tribe Lit and Wheelhouse Group was as clear as a bell on the day I signed my contract. It was also clear to my attorney, who graciously agreed to look over the contract on a Saturday.

The Wheelhouse Group is a Group of agencies. Once again, the use of the world Group in the agency name makes this clear. Tribe is PART of that group. What, exactly, are you not getting?

I can't promise I'll respond to any further comments right away...I'm busy writing books.

eqb · Jan 14, 2010

Flounce. Why am I not surprised?

waylander · Jan 14, 2010

SeanTPoindexter said:
Allow me to ask, rhetorically, if you have any specific complaints by writers or publishing professionals regarding Cari Foulk or Tribe Lit. You don't, or you would have posted them by now.

No-one has suggested that there are complaints against Cari Foulkes or Tribe Lit. What has been suggested is that they are not able to do what is the primary objective of a literary agency - namely sell books. The suggestion grows stronger with each post.

SeanTPoindexter · Jan 14, 2010

That's a rebuttal? Really?

Wow.

SeanTPoindexter · Jan 14, 2010

waylander said:
No-one has suggested that there are complaints against Cari Foulkes or Tribe Lit. What has been suggested is that they are not able to do what is the primary objective of a literary agency - namely sell books. The suggestion grows stronger with each post.

How, precisely?

Momento Mori · Jan 14, 2010

SeanTPoindexter:
Cari was optimistic, but realistic about my chances of publication. She has high hopes for my work, but has given me a pragmatic estimation of the time involved in finding a publisher. In other words, no "pie-in-the-sky" promises often made by crooked agents.

Are you still at the stage where you are working on your manuscript with Cari, or is your manuscript out on submission? If it's out on submission or you've discussed likely markets for it with Cari, are you able to share where it has/is likely to be submitted to?

SeanTPoindexter:
As of my contract date, they had been in business for a month as per Cari's direct words to me. Cari Foulk was an independent editor, but is now a literary agent. She brings her contacts in the publishing world from her work as an editor,

Do you know with which publishing companies Cari has contacts? If so, are you able to share them?

SeanTPoindexter:
That some of Cari's clients have previously self-published their work is only "troubling" if one assumes that a writer would only self-publish because they wrote a terrible book, OR if the literary agency in question pushed the client towards self-publication with company to which they may be connected or receiving a kick-back.

The reason why people here consider agents with a lot of self-published authors to be a potential red flag is because a lot of the 'new' agents who pop up are themselves self-published authors who see publishing as 'broken' and decide they can do better. Usually they recruit clients from the avenues they know, i.e. those who have been self-published because those authors are either unlikely to know how the publishing industry works or are likely to be receptive to what the agent has to say.

It is not a reflection of the quality of the work produced by the author.

SeanTPoindexter:
Most crooked agents expose themselves as such right away by asking for money, trying to get you to pay for editing services, or urging you into self-publishing.

Absolutely - and no one has accused Cari of doing that here.

The reason concerns were raised is because there's another brand of agent 'the well meaning but clueless amateur' who has no intention of scamming an author but lacks the knowledge to sell a manuscript.

SeanTPoindexter:
If the agency is impressed with your work and finds you marketable, they will contact you and you can discuss her credentials and professional contacts at that time. If you do not find them sufficient, go elsewhere. It is your prerogative. I am surprised that I have to explain how the writer/agent partnering process works. I believed you to be an expert on the subject.

This is a discussion forum for people to ask questions about agencies, including whether anyone has any direct experience of them BEFORE submitting a query so that they can get an idea as to whether the submission is whether their time and trouble.

Obviously people are free to go make their own contact if they wish and many people do come here, like you have, to share their experiences - both good and bad.

SeanTPoindexter:
the relationship between Tribe Lit and Wheelhouse Group was as clear as a bell on the day I signed my contract. It was also clear to my attorney, who graciously agreed to look over the contract on a Saturday.

Is your attorney a publishing law specialist? Before I signed my representation agreement, I got a friend of mine who specialises in publishing law to take a quick look at it for me even though I have been a practicing lawyer for almost 10 years and specialise in commercial contracts.

SeanTPoindexter:
I can't promise I'll respond to any further comments right away...I'm busy writing books.

Good for you. I hope the agency sells them for you.

MM

waylander · Jan 14, 2010

Becuase no-one has come forward to say either 1. Tribe/Cari sold xxxx book to publisher yyyy for advance zzzzz
or 2. Cari worked at qqqq agency/yyyy publisher developing the skills and contacts required for being a succesful agent.

In the absence of such evidence I conclude that Cari/Tribe are not likely to prosper as literary agents

AryaT92 · Jan 14, 2010

Cari worked at The Nashville Agency alongside Jonathan Clements who is a partner / involved in the process I imagine. He has sales and connections that I'm sure are at her disposal.

Saskatoonistan · Jan 14, 2010

SeanTPoindexter said:
If you are curious about Miss Foulk and Tribe Lit, you may do as any other writer and query the agency. If the agency is impressed with your work and finds you marketable, they will contact you and you can discuss her credentials and professional contacts at that time.

PFFFFFT!!! Bwa hahaha hahah! Sorry... coffee just shot through my nostrils at that one. So rather than ADVERTISE the agent's/agency credentials to actually #$%ing attract writers, ya gotta #@&ing QUERY to find out?

Oh... dude, it is SOOOOO time for The Gorn...

SeanTPoindexter · Jan 14, 2010

Momento Mori said:
Are you still at the stage where you are working on your manuscript with Cari, or is your manuscript out on submission? If it's out on submission or you've discussed likely markets for it with Cari, are you able to share where it has/is likely to be submitted to?

Do you know with which publishing companies Cari has contacts? If so, are you able to share them?

I have written five books in a series in the last 13 months. You are well aware that I cannot discuss which specific markets my book has been sent to. Or, you should be well aware of that. When and if my agent sells my books, I will happily announce this on my official website and the people who run my fan page will likely announce it as well.

The reason concerns were raised is because there's another brand of agent 'the well meaning but clueless amateur' who has no intention of scamming an author but lacks the knowledge to sell a manuscript.

I understand. However, Mr. Clements' credentials are not in question at this time. Why would he go into business with a "clueless amateur"? It strains credulity, and calls into question the legitimacy of that claim.

Is your attorney a publishing law specialist? Before I signed my representation agreement, I got a friend of mine who specialises in publishing law to take a quick look at it for me even though I have been a practicing lawyer for almost 10 years and specialise in commercial contracts.

Click to expand...

As a matter of fact, yes he is. And he didn't take a "quick look" at my contract. He gave it a professional review and said it was above board and met with industry standards.

Good for you. I hope the agency sells them for you.

MM

Click to expand...

Thank you.

waylander · Jan 14, 2010

Mr Clements and the Nashville Agency has indeed sold some books, most of them appear to be into the Christian market. Has he contacts beyond this specialist area?

SeanTPoindexter · Jan 14, 2010

Saskatoonistan said:
PFFFFFT!!! Bwa hahaha hahah! Sorry... coffee just shot through my nostrils at that one. So rather than ADVERTISE the agent's/agency credentials to actually #$%ing attract writers, ya gotta #@&ing QUERY to find out?

Non Sequiter. I was offering a personal suggestion for writers interested in the agency, not stating Tribe Lit's policy. Tribe Lit has only been in business for a short time, and has not completed their website. And Clements has brought his clients with him from his prior agency.

I think you know better, and are intentionally misrepresenting my statements in order to get in your joke. Cute, but transparent...at least to me. I only hope most of the people reading this thread can see through it as well.

eqb · Jan 14, 2010

AryaT92 said:
Cari worked at The Nashville Agency alongside Jonathan Clements who is a partner / involved in the process I imagine. He has sales and connections that I'm sure are at her disposal.

Guesses are nice but what we're looking for are specifics. In other words, solid answers to the questions waylander posted: names of publishers she worked for, titles of books sold, etc.

regdog · Jan 14, 2010

Saskatoonistan said:
PFFFFFT!!! Bwa hahaha hahah! Sorry... coffee just shot through my nostrils at that one. So rather than ADVERTISE the agent's/agency credentials to actually #$%ing attract writers, ya gotta #@&ing QUERY to find out?

Oh... dude, it is SOOOOO time for The Gorn...

It's the Gorn :banana:

AryaT92 · Jan 14, 2010

http://publishersmarketplace.com/members/timgrable/

Are those all Christian books? Though I didn't end up signing with this agency I have the contract as well and it seemed to be in line with industry standards. I still have it on my desk.

Saskatoonistan · Jan 14, 2010

SeanTPoindexter said:
I think you know better, and are intentionally misrepresenting my statements in order to get in your joke. Cute, but transparent...at least to me. I only hope most of the people reading this thread can see through it as well.

Dude, there is nothing to misrepresent here because you're loud and clear to anyone with a pair of eyes. I'm curious, though... you did find out about their background before signing, right? And if you did, why not share with the forum?

AryaT92 · Jan 14, 2010

When I was considering signing with her she was working closely with Jonathan Clements and seemed to have connections in the publishing industry who she wanted to sub to. I can't give you specifics as I signed with someone else but maybe you should ask her?

Saskatoonistan · Jan 14, 2010

regdog said:
It's the Gorn

... AND his tiny Thermos filled with spiced rum

SeanTPoindexter · Jan 14, 2010

Saskatoonistan said:
Dude, there is nothing to misrepresent here because you're loud and clear to anyone with a pair of eyes. I'm curious, though... you did find out about their background before signing, right? And if you did, why not share with the forum?

I have already answered this question in my initial post to this forum. You know that, as well. You are attempting to make it seem like I didn't address this question already by pretending you didn't see it. I'm familiar with this tactic: it is common on political message boards.

Saskatoonistan · Jan 14, 2010

SeanTPoindexter said:
I have already answered this question in my initial post to this forum. You know that, as well. You are attempting to make it seem like I didn't address this question already by pretending you didn't see it. I'm familiar with this tactic: it is common on political message boards.

As is sock puppetry

waylander · Jan 14, 2010

AryaT92 said:
http://publishersmarketplace.com/members/timgrable/

Are those all Christian books?

From the ones listed on the PM page, out of 8 I checked only one was with a mainstream publisher so far as I can tell. I'm basing my opinion of publishers such as Abingdon and B&H on their websites as I'm not familiar with the US Christian market.
The one mainsteam book was non-fiction.

AryaT92 · Jan 14, 2010

Non-fiction:
General/Other
Chris Hudson, Tribune Media Services's BIBLE JUMBLE, the first in a program of puzzle and word game books incorporating the Chicago Tribune's scrambled word game brand Jumble with Bible facts, Bible promises, and trivia, to Jon Farrar at Tyndale, for publication in 2009, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency.
[email protected]
Posted: August 11, 2009 at 10:34 p.m. Eastern

Fiction:
General/Other
Author of A DOG NAMED CHRISTMAS Greg Kincaid's TUCKER'S CHRISTMAS, essentially the prequel to A DOG NAMED CHRISTMAS, a coming of age story a boy surrounding his relationship with his father and his dog Tucker on the family farm in the mid 1900's, to Gary Jansen and Linda Kaplan at Crown, for publication in 2010, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency (world).
Posted: August 11, 2009 at 10:32 p.m. Eastern

Fiction:
Women's/Romance
Things Left Unspoken author Eva Marie Everson's IN THE LAND OF COTTON CANDY SKIES, in which a young, single mother returns to the island where her parents' vacation home welcomes her with answers to questions she's yet to ask, helping her discover that treasures in life are often buried and mistakes can become redeemable, to Vicki Crumpton at Revell, in a three-book deal, for publication in 2010, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency (world).
Posted: May 1, 2009 at 2:39 p.m. Eastern

Non-fiction:
Religion/Spirituality
Amy Gaither Hayes's A COLLECTION OF WEDNESDAYS: Creating a Whole from the Parts, a collection of personal, yet practical musings penned by the middle child of music legends Bill & Gloria Gaither, set out to deconstruct and reassemble some of the thoughts, ideas, beliefs, and experiences which have made up who she is, to Angela Scheff at Zondervan, for publication in 2010, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency (world).
Posted: April 30, 2009 at 2:17 p.m. Eastern

Non-fiction:
Sports
Sporting News lead writer Sean Deveney'sTHE ORIGINAL CURSE, a detailed look at the 1918 baseball season as well as the World Series contenders the Cubs and the Red Sox -- also looking into whether the Cubs' string of futility can be traced back to a gambling fix in that series, to Ron Martirano at McGraw-Hill, for publication in 2009, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency.
Posted: October 24, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. Eastern

Non-fiction:
General/Other
Former championship-winning Nebraska football coach (and current Athletic Director) and Congressman Tom Osborne's untitled project outlining life lessons - as a parent, a coach, and a leader - drawing from experiences in both arenas, to Steve Lawson at Regal Books, for publication in 2009, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency.
Posted: October 6, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. Eastern

Fiction:
General/Other
Ariel Allison Lawhon's EYE OF THE GOD, the world's most spectacular museum heist, a cursed jewel, and a romance doomed to fail, all tied together with stunning historical fact, create the vast and intricate setting for the first-ever novel about the Hope Diamond, to Barbara Scott at Abingdon Press, for publication in Fall 2009, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency.
Posted: October 3, 2008 at 10:41 p.m. Eastern

Non-fiction:
Religion/Spirituality
Craig Gross and Jason Harper's JESUS LOVES YOU: This I Know, everything one ultimately needs to understand about a relationship with God is outlined in that simple song many learned as a 6 year old, "Jesus Loves Me, This I Know", to Chad Allen at Baker Books, for publication in 2009, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency (world).
Posted: October 3, 2008 at 10:39 p.m. Eastern

Non-fiction:
Advice/Relationships
The Spark authors and marriage experts Jay Laffoon and Laura Laffoon's POWERFUL WORDS YOUR SPOUSE NEEDS TO HEAR, explaining how all too often, what is said within a marriage is not exactly what is heard, with words wielding the power to devastate or invigorate a relationship, again to Chad Allen at Baker Books, for publication in 2010, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency (world).
Posted: August 20, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. Eastern

Non-fiction:
Religion/Spirituality
Jane Hampton Cook, John Croushorn, and Jocelyn Green's BATTLEFIELDS AND BLESSINGS: Stories of Faith and Courage from the Global War on Terrorism, an inspirational devotional from the men and women who have served on the frontlines in Iraq and Afghanistan and know first-hand what it means to live loudly for liberty, to Dan Penwell at AMG, for publication in 2009, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency, in association with Rebekah Clark at Sanford Communications (world).
Posted: June 18, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. Eastern

Fiction:
General/Other
Author of The Road to Unafraid Jeff Struecker's CERTAIN JEOPARDY, with Alton Gansky co-writing, on the relationships on the front lines, described as more Band of Brothers and less Platoon, to David Webb at B&H Publishing, for publication in 2009, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency, in association with Steve Laube at the Steve Laube Agency (world).
Posted: June 12, 2008 at 8:55 p.m. Eastern

Children's:
Picture book
Ariel Allison Lawhon, Kristee Mays, and Brian Gall's JUSTIN CASE, the first in a character series pitched as "MacGyver" in an eight-year old body, as Justin tackles the challenges of childhood with creativity and determination, armed only with his imagination and the contents in his pockets, to Jean Christen at Harvest House, for publication in 2009, plus Justin Case You're Mad and Justin Case You're Afraid of the Dark, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency (world).
Posted: June 5, 2008 at 8:31 p.m. Eastern

Non-fiction:
Religion/Spirituality
Jim Fletcher's IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT, a culturally relevant, pop-culture-savvy presentation of Biblical end-times prophecy issues for a general-market crowd from a non-theologian perspective, to Debbie Marrie at Strang Communications, for publication in 2009, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency (world).
Posted: May 13, 2008 at 8:39 p.m. Eastern

Non-fiction:
Sports
Jim Fletcher's THE DIE-HARD FAN'S GUIDE TO SOONER FOOTBALL, this first book in the Die-Hard Fan's Guide series will focus on the rich football tradition of Oklahoma Sooner football - providing highlights of the team's greatest players, seasons, and coaches, plus full statistics, little-known historical facts and entertaining insider anecdotes and information, to Marji Ross at Regnery, for publication in August 2008, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency (world).
Posted: October 18, 2007 at 6:55 p.m. Eastern

Non-fiction:
Sports
Geoff Ketchum, with Jim Fletcher ed.'s THE DIE-HARD FAN'S GUIDE TO LONGHORN FOOTBALL, the second in the Die-Hard Fan's Guide series will cover the football tradition of University of Texas football - with highlights of the team's greatest players, seasons, and coaches, plus statistics, little-known historical facts and entertaining insider anecdotes and information, to Marji Ross at Regnery, for publication in August 2008, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency (world).
Posted: October 18, 2007 at 6:48 p.m. Eastern

Fiction:
Debut
Greg Kincaid's A DOG NAMED CHRISTMAS, a rural family's quest to find a holiday home for all the unwanted dogs in the local shelter - spearheaded by the narrator's mentally disabled son - not only impacts his family, but the entire community, to Andrew Corbin at Doubleday Religion, in a nice deal, by Jonathan Clements and Taylor Joseph at The Nashville Agency (world).
Posted: October 2, 2007 at 10:09 a.m. Eastern

Non-fiction:
Religion/Spirituality
Comedian Thor Ramsey's A COMEDIAN'S GUIDE TO THEOLOGY, to Alex Field at Regal Books, in a nice deal, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency (world).
Posted: April 2, 2007 at 2:49 p.m. Eastern

Non-fiction:
Religion/Spirituality
Founders of www.xxxchurch.com Craig Gross and J.R. Mahon's STARVING JESUS, presenting insights and action points on how and why the modern church is dying, to Andrea Christian at Cook Communications, in a nice deal, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency (world).
Posted: February 20, 2007 at 8:07 p.m. Eastern

Non-fiction:
Advice/Relationships
Marriage and relationship experts Jay Laffoon and Laura Laffoon's THE INTIMACY DANCE, showing intimacy is found in the development of five life "facets" -- beyond simply the sexual element of finding intimacy and celebration in marriage, to Chad Allen at Baker Books, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency (world).
Posted: December 7, 2006 at 2:56 p.m. Eastern

Non-fiction:
Religion/Spirituality
Jane Hampton Cook's THE FAITH OF THE REVOLUTION: Devotional Revelations from the Revolutionary War, stories from the Revolutionary War meant to spark spiritual revolutions within readers, to Dan Penwell at AMG, in a nice deal, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency (World). [email protected]
Posted: June 19, 2006 at 11:18 a.m. Eastern

Children's:
Middle grade
John Thomas and Danita Thomas's KID CONCOCTIONS OF BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS, equiping parents to use these activities to communicate to their children in a fun way foundational moral lessons and values, to David Webb at Broadman & Holman, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency (world).
[email protected] [email protected]
Posted: May 12, 2006 at 9:34 a.m. Eastern

Non-fiction:
Advice/Relationships
Ariel Allison and Shelby Rawson's DADDY, DO YOU LOVE ME?, providing hope and healing for women that have been wounded by the lack of relationship with the most important man in their lives: their father, to Tim Dudley at New Leaf Press, in a nice deal, by Jonathan Clements at The Nashville Agency (world).
[email protected]
Posted: May 12, 2006 at 9:32 a.m. Eastern

Children's:
Middle grade
John Thomas and Danita Thomas's THE ULTIMATE BOOK OF KID CONCOCTIONS, THE ULTIMATE BOOK OF KID CONCOCTIONS 2, THE ULTIMATE BOOK OF HOLIDAY KID CONCOCTIONS, and KID CONCOCTIONS AND CONTRAPTIONS, using household goods to create popular children's toys for pennies on the dollar, to Broadman & Holman, to repackage the originally self-published books, by The Nashville Agency.
Posted: May 10, 2006 at 9:02 p.m. Eastern

Sales.

Tribe Literary Agency / Wheelhouse Literary Group

Mostly Harmless

Writer Beware Goddess

Praise Tiamat

I write novels

Who's going for a beer?

Praise Tiamat

Praise Tiamat

Tired and Disillusioned

Who's going for a beer?

Still the wrong side of Saskatoon

Praise Tiamat

Who's going for a beer?

Praise Tiamat

I write novels

The Scavengers

Still the wrong side of Saskatoon

Still the wrong side of Saskatoon

Praise Tiamat

Still the wrong side of Saskatoon

Who's going for a beer?