Halston Freeman Literary Agency

JeanneTGC · Jun 22, 2007

I've searched the Forum and Googled my little heart out (though I'm sure my Google-Fu leaves a bit to be desired), but I can't find any information on this agency, which Guide to Literary Agents just announced as a new agency. (http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/ scroll down a few for the entry of 6-19)

Halston Freeman Literary Agency; contact Molly Freeman, Betty Halston, member agents. 140 Broadway, 46th Floor, NY, NY 10005.

I was hoping to find something about what agencies either Ms. Freeman or Ms. Halston had been with before forming this agency, but I can't find anything on them as individuals, either.

Does anyone know if the principals at this agency have experience elsewhere that I just can't find?

James D. Macdonald · Jun 22, 2007

Nothing at agentquery.com. Nothing at AAR. A hotmail address. The only hit on Google is the bloq you quoted.

You could write them and ask them about their background. If they're legit I'm sure they'll understand.

Aprylwriter · Jun 23, 2007

I did a search too and I couldn't find anything about them besides the web site mentioned above.

victoriastrauss · Jun 23, 2007

Another concern: they seem to be interested in just about everything, from biography to true crime, from literary to romance. Successful agents, or people with publishing experience who are transitioning to agenting, usually have a much narrower range of interests.

Remember also that, like any print market guide, Guide to Literary Agents includes some bad agencies. The fact that an agency is listed in the guide isn't an indication of reputability.

I'd either follow Jim's advice, or wait and see if the agency makes any sales.

- Victoria

DerekJager · Jul 15, 2008

According to Jeff Herman's book on agents:

Halston Freeman charges NO READING FEES

Open to fiction/nonfiction by e-mail query or snail mail with SASE

They are a "new agency (2008) and will have a nice list for next year."

Their backgrounds are film, TV and advertising and both love books.

They plan to be "hands on and will work hard to build a solid list."

---
I plan to give them a try--along with 40 other agents--so I'll keep you posted.

Appalachian Writer · Jul 15, 2008

I came up with nothing, too. I've got their names and the name of their agency but no sales, no clients, no profiles indicating past experience. I'm stumped. Best advice? Ask them. Sorry I couldn't help.

CaoPaux · Jul 21, 2008

DerekJager said:
According to Jeff Herman's book on agents:

Halston Freeman charges NO READING FEES

Open to fiction/nonfiction by e-mail query or snail mail with SASE

They are a "new agency (2008) and will have a nice list for next year."

Their backgrounds are film, TV and advertising and both love books.

They plan to be "hands on and will work hard to build a solid list."

---
I plan to give them a try--along with 40 other agents--so I'll keep you posted.

Hmm. They actually opened mid-2007. I hope they aren't bumping up the date to mask their lack of sales....

nicolesingslave · Jul 26, 2009

http://www.litmatch.net/Literary-Agency-Info.asp?agcy_id=866
Responses Initial Follow -up Overall
Offers 0 0 0
Requests 0 0 0
Rejected 4 0 4
Withdrawn 2 0 2
Response Times Responses Fastest Slowest Average
Overall 6 0 days 132 days 62 days
Email 3 0 days 59 days 20 days
Postal Mail 3 74 days 132 days 103 days
Other/ Unspecified 0 N/A N/A N/A

nicolesingslave · Jul 26, 2009

Still no $ on P&E
http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/pealh.htm

TerryRodgers · Mar 12, 2010

Anything on this agency yet?

DreamWeaver · Mar 12, 2010

No, but a quick google of the address showed a lot of 'virtual offices' there. NY highrises are big, I know, but the sheer number of businesses that use that address is overwhelming. Not in itself a sign of bad things, just a data point.

CaoPaux · Feb 1, 2011

The only activity I'm finding is reports of bounced email beginning Jan '10. Anyone hear different?

fhinton · Jul 25, 2013

Halston Freeman

I queried them a couple of weeks ago. Molly Freeman was actually very complimentary and offered to give me the contact information for an editor to help "take my writing to the next level," as she put it. I am inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt. I replied and asked her to send the contact information. I would like to think that I'm close to having my work published.

LindaJeanne · Jul 26, 2013

fhinton said:
offered to give me the contact information for an editor to help "take my writing to the next level," as she put it.

Actually, it's a red flag when an agent refers you to an editor.

I'm not saying that's what's happening here, but disreputable agents & disreputable editors frequently team up, with the "agent" sending clients to the "editor" and getting a kick-back.

From what I've read on these boards, reputable agents generally don't recommend editors, to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.

I do hope that you are close to getting published

. But I'd think very carefully about whether you want to involve this editor and agent in that process.

Halston Freeman Literary Agency

JeanneTGC

I am Catwoman...and Gini Koch

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

Aprylwriter

i am dragon. roar.

victoriastrauss

Writer Beware Goddess

DerekJager

Appalachian Writer

Somewhere in the hills....

CaoPaux

Mostly Harmless

nicolesingslave

AW Addict

nicolesingslave

AW Addict

TerryRodgers

DreamWeaver

Shakespearean Fool

CaoPaux

Mostly Harmless

fhinton

LindaJeanne

On a small world west of wonder

Halston Freeman Literary Agency

I *am* Catwoman...and Gini Koch

Your Genial Uncle

i am dragon. roar.

Writer Beware Goddess

Somewhere in the hills....

Mostly Harmless

AW Addict

AW Addict

Shakespearean Fool

Mostly Harmless

On a small world west of wonder

I am Catwoman...and Gini Koch