Old North, A Literary Agency (G. Mac Mackie)

It doesn't look like he has any experience with agents-- no internships or anything. Just publishers.

PM lists no sales, which makes sense because he's new. But a deal search for "Mackie" turns up zero results, which makes me wonder if he actually acquired anything as an editor.

No experience as an agent but the editorial stints more than make up for it.
He should know to whom to submit what and be able to help a manuscript shine.
Plus, as a new agent on the block, he should be willing to work extra hard on behalf of his authors.
Give the man a try, I would say.

Stacia Kane said:

PM lists no sales, which makes sense because he's new. But a deal search for "Mackie" turns up zero results, which makes me wonder if he actually acquired anything as an editor.

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So, he was trained as an editor but never got any real experience, or what? At least his website is cute.

Pilot, I agree that he might be worth a try. From my point of view, the worst that can happen is that he expresses a strong interest in your book, you question him thoroughly about his contacts and ask which editors/publishers he has in mind to submit it to, and you decide he doesn't sound like a good enough risk and tell him thanks anyway. Another possibility, of course, is that he knows a fair number of editors, does have one or two in mind, and is able to sell your book.

Maybe I'm naive but I don't find his lack of experience on the agent-side troubling. He worked as an editor at some great places. He must have great connections, which is half the battle for an agent. Also, he probably has a great editorial eye, as well as a real sense of what publishers want.

I think it's jumping the gun to assume this guy was an editor. From the About Us page of the agency website:

"During my time in New York City, I gained experience in the editorial departments at both Farrar, Straus and Giroux and William Morrow/HarperCollins, with a brief interlude in the marketing department of Harper Perennial."

Prestigious publishers indeed. However, he doesn't say what kind of editorial experience, or how long these jobs lasted. He may have been an administrative assistant, or possibly a temp (if he actually worked as an editor, why not simply say so?), or held the jobs for only a few months (saying that he moved to NY "during the most difficult time to find a job in publishing since the inception of the printing press" suggests sometime during the economic downturn of 2008, which in turn suggests pretty short tenures)--in which case I'd question the amount of relevant experience he gained.

I'm not questioning the intent here, just the level of expertise.

- Victoria

See, this is why I go on this site. Everyone's so insightful!

TheAnter, I received a request for my full MS and I am sending it, so I'll let you know how it goes. Also, someone has written on their blog that Mackie is her rep and spoke very highly of him:

"Thanks to the leadership and guidance of our literary agent, G. Mac Mackie of Old North Agency, TJ and I feel confident that The Human Candidate will be placed in the hands of the best editors and publishers in the literary industry. Mr. Mackie has gone above and beyond what we expected in an agent, and TJ and I feel very blessed to have him on board."

Here's the link to the blog: http://toryminus.blogspot.com/

I have had a full out with Mr. Mackie for nearly six months. Haven't heard a peep, even after several nudges. I'm closing this one out.

popgun62 said:

I have had a full out with Mr. Mackie for nearly six months. Haven't heard a peep, even after several nudges. I'm closing this one out.

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I've had a full out with Mr. Mackie since early 2011. I wrote this agency off a long time ago, even after he confirmed receipt, and promised to get back to me within a certain time frame. Oh, well. Does anyone know if this agency is still active, or has been successful in sales?

I couldn't find anything on Publisher's Marketplace either for him or his agency. And while that doesn't meant there aren't any sales, it's also not exactly comforting.

Thedrellum said:

I couldn't find anything on Publisher's Marketplace either for him or his agency. And while that doesn't meant there aren't any sales, it's also not exactly comforting.

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I couldn't find anything related to Old North on PM as well.

I personally know some authors that are repped by him. One is still writing her non-fiction book: http://toryminus.blogspot.com/

Also, according to the website, Mr. Mackie has made a sale: http://www.oldnorthagency.com/?page_id=21

in doing my research on Publishers Marketplace I came across G. Mac Mackie and Old North Literary Agency. Per his contact sheet on that site it says he pepresents:
General fiction Mystery Juvenile fiction Biography Business/investing/finance History Religious Travel Cookbooks Sports Science Horror Fiction

He is active on twitter and seems adequately jacked-in to the NY publishing scene even though he is based in NC. I'm still on the fence as to whether or not I will submit to him, but I will update this thread on the happenings should I choose to.

Good luck everyone!

I queried him a few months ago and haven't heard a peep yet. Going to mark it as a non-response.