I did a search on this agency but found nothing (except their address). Are they legit? The info in Writer's Market is very sketchy.
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Founded in 1948, member of AAR. No reading fee. No unsolicited MSS. Mysteries, women's fiction, history, biography, science fiction, fantasy. No screenplays.
Hmmm... I wonder if she mistook my book for a mystery. 
Edit: she does accept mainstream/contemporary. And that's what my ms. is.
Edit: she does accept mainstream/contemporary. And that's what my ms. is.
Let me get this straight, maestrowork ... you sent a query to this agent, not knowing anything at all about her except her mailing address?
Didn't look to me like there was a no in front of that list of genres. Only in front of the screenplays.
You said their information in the Writer's Market looked very sketchy, but that dosen't mean much because it is basically a form letter that is filled out by publishers and returned to WM. Sketchiness shouldn't be equated with a shady publisher. Email them and judge it from that.:grin
Does anyone know any authors they have represented? I am sending in to them, and would like to have a reference. Like the original poster I have scoured the resources and come up empty-handed. I know they are a long-standing agency and a member of the AAR.
What is the best approach to inquire about status? I sent them a partial in April, and they said they would spend about 6 weeks reviewing it. Well, it's almost July, and still no word.
I don't want to appear to be impatient. But they did ask for exclusive read, and I'd really like to submit to other market if they're going to pass or nonresponsive.
I don't want to appear to be impatient. But they did ask for exclusive read, and I'd really like to submit to other market if they're going to pass or nonresponsive.
Personally, I would call. It feels intimidating, but actually in reality many firms are very open and friendly (as long as you are). Just inquire in a calm, inquisitive manner about their progress on the MS. Usually what will happen is they won't tell you much over the phone, but you'll get your SASE back soon after.
Another tip, this one given by the Writer's Market but not tested by me, is simply to write a short, polite letter letting them know that their time with exclusivity is up (or will be up in 2 weeks, or whatever you're comfortable with) and that you intend to begin sending samples elsewhere.
(An aside: While exclusivity with MSs is standard, exclusivity with samples has always struck me as a little excessive.)
Another tip, this one given by the Writer's Market but not tested by me, is simply to write a short, polite letter letting them know that their time with exclusivity is up (or will be up in 2 weeks, or whatever you're comfortable with) and that you intend to begin sending samples elsewhere.
(An aside: While exclusivity with MSs is standard, exclusivity with samples has always struck me as a little excessive.)
I know she handled a cook book many years ago that did very well. National bestseller. That was the late 60's early,70's. I suspect she's winding down her business, hence the slow replies.
I agree with Mark's assessment. Been in business since 1948 (!).
http://www.francescollin.com/queries.htm
http://www.francescollin.com/queries.htm
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Frances Collin is listed as attending this conference in June 2007. Her info there says:
Frances Collin: Frances Collin, Literary Agent, P.O. box 33, Wayne PA 19087-0033
Represents: Nonfiction books and novels.
Considers these nonfiction areas: Memoir, biography and strong narrative nonfiction.
Considers these fiction areas: Fiction: any well-written fiction,especially ethnic or historical.
Does not represent westerns, poetry, cooking or craft books.
She's also listed on Bloomsbury's website, in their agent list:
Frances Collin Literary Agent PO Box 33, Wayne, PA 19087-0033 Tel No: 610-254-0555 Full-length MSS (specialisations of interest to UK writers: mysteries, women's fiction, history, biography, science fiction, fantasy) (home 15%, overseas 20%), performance rights (20%). No screenplays. Works in conjunction with agents worldwide. No reading fee. No unsolicited MSS please. Letter queries must include sufficient IRCs. Founded 1948; successor to Marie Rodell-Frances Collin Literary Agency.
Publishers Marketplace lists Sarah Yake as an agent for Frances Collin - that's the only mention on PM that I could find.
Collin is the agent for the estate of Rachel Carson. I'm not much good at finding out who agents handle, but I've found some mention of her as agent for:
Barbara Hambly (maybe just the biographies?)
Caroline Stevermer
Marilyn Hacker.
She may be winding down, as suggested. The conference above is in Pennsylvania, where she lives.
-Barbara
Frances Collin: Frances Collin, Literary Agent, P.O. box 33, Wayne PA 19087-0033
Represents: Nonfiction books and novels.
Considers these nonfiction areas: Memoir, biography and strong narrative nonfiction.
Considers these fiction areas: Fiction: any well-written fiction,especially ethnic or historical.
Does not represent westerns, poetry, cooking or craft books.
She's also listed on Bloomsbury's website, in their agent list:
Frances Collin Literary Agent PO Box 33, Wayne, PA 19087-0033 Tel No: 610-254-0555 Full-length MSS (specialisations of interest to UK writers: mysteries, women's fiction, history, biography, science fiction, fantasy) (home 15%, overseas 20%), performance rights (20%). No screenplays. Works in conjunction with agents worldwide. No reading fee. No unsolicited MSS please. Letter queries must include sufficient IRCs. Founded 1948; successor to Marie Rodell-Frances Collin Literary Agency.
Publishers Marketplace lists Sarah Yake as an agent for Frances Collin - that's the only mention on PM that I could find.
Collin is the agent for the estate of Rachel Carson. I'm not much good at finding out who agents handle, but I've found some mention of her as agent for:
Barbara Hambly (maybe just the biographies?)
Caroline Stevermer
Marilyn Hacker.
She may be winding down, as suggested. The conference above is in Pennsylvania, where she lives.
-Barbara
P&E doesn't list her with a $ sign.
There's this reference to her representing at least three horror writers:
http://www.horror.org/writetips-sawyer.htm
There's this reference to her representing at least three horror writers:
http://www.horror.org/writetips-sawyer.htm
I sent her a query yesterday and got a response back today asking for a synopsis and sample pages from the manuscript. Seems she's still around and still looking for writers to represent. Maybe she's just being selective.
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I know someone (YA fantasy) who was recently taken on by her. So she's active. Certainly Hambly and Stevermer are being published.
-Barbara
-Barbara
No personal experience, but here's her PM page: http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/slyyake/
Just got a request for a full from Sarah Yake after not hearing anything on my partial for a month and sending a follow-up e-mail.
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http://www.francescollin.com/queries.htm
We now accept email queries (NO attachments, please) to the following address: [email protected]
You may mail queries to the post office box address below, with an enclosed stamped self-addressed reply envelope.
For queries from outside the United States, please note that you will need to send sufficient International Reply Coupons instead of stamps.
Please note that we cannot respond to telephone or fax inquiries.
Successor to Marie Rodell Frances Collin Literary Agency
Established 1948 – Member AAR
P.O. Box 33, Wayne, PA 19087 0033 • Tel 610 254 0555 • Fax 610 254 5029
We now accept email queries (NO attachments, please) to the following address: [email protected]
You may mail queries to the post office box address below, with an enclosed stamped self-addressed reply envelope.
For queries from outside the United States, please note that you will need to send sufficient International Reply Coupons instead of stamps.
Please note that we cannot respond to telephone or fax inquiries.
Successor to Marie Rodell Frances Collin Literary Agency
Established 1948 – Member AAR
P.O. Box 33, Wayne, PA 19087 0033 • Tel 610 254 0555 • Fax 610 254 5029