Martin Literary Management (Sharlene Martin)

Peter U · Apr 21, 2008

7. Members may not solicit or accept any payment or other thing of value in connection with their referral of any author to any third party for any purpose. . .

Of course seeing they aren’t members, this probably does not apply. But putting ghost writer’s names on your official web site, in my humbled opinion, is soliciting. I also have it through a fairly good source that ghost writing money goes through the agency and I’m assuming that they charge the ghost writer a percentage for their part in bringing the two together. Plus I’m reasonably sure, seeing they represent the ghost writer, that they also represent the finished project. Agents are not supposed to be book packagers as this, like reading fees and offering editing services—for a fee—is too easily abused and generally is. Of course as with all things publishing, when you get to be a certain size, things are overlooked aren’t they?

IceCreamEmpress · Apr 23, 2008

Peter U said:
I also have it through a fairly good source that ghost writing money goes through the agency

I don't understand what you mean here. Are you saying that the ghost writers give a kickback to the agency, over and above the usual agency fee?

and I’m assuming that they charge the ghost writer a percentage for their part in bringing the two together. Plus I’m reasonably sure, seeing they represent the ghost writer, that they also represent the finished project.

That's not a violation of AAR rules at all. Agents often match titular authors with ghosts or editors.

Agents are not supposed to be book packagers as this

I seriously don't think that this is a violation of the AAR Canon as long as all relationships are disclosed.

like reading fees and offering editing services—for a fee—is too easily abused and generally is. Of course as with all things publishing, when you get to be a certain size, things are overlooked aren’t they?

I think you're seeing violations that aren't there. I have a friend who is a freelance editor who often gets contracts from a well-known, well-respected AAR agent to work with clients of the agent who need help with polishing manuscripts.

Connecting clients with editors or ghostwriters is a pretty common strategy for literary agents. Where else would people who need that help find someone?

smallthunder · May 21, 2008

update on Ronnie Gramazio

honeycomb said:
For those of you waiting on a response from Ronnie Gramazio, what were the final outcomes? I believe this guy is working himself into a heart attack with the 72 hour deadlines.

Thx

FYI:

I just e-queried Gramazio, and received an e-mail back a few minutes later advising me thanks, but his client list is now full.

KC Sunshine · Jul 19, 2008

smallthunder said:
FYI:

I just e-queried Gramazio, and received an e-mail back a few minutes later advising me thanks, but his client list is now full.

I got the same response from Ronnie within around five hours. Strange- it seemed to come in the middle of the night!!!

Kilawher · Apr 14, 2010

I saw on New Agency Alerts that Bree Ogden just joined Martin Literary Management and will be representing YA and graphic novels. I was kind of put off, however, by their submission guidelines. Apparently they require a one-week exclusive on all work and only give a 48-hour window to accept if they offer you representation. Does anyone have any experience with them and their policy?

tedcohen · Apr 14, 2010

I wouldn't necessarily be put off by that. They do claim to have such a policy.
The good news is you should know soon whether they will take you on, so that is good, if they let you know within their specified time frame.
They seem to be a legitimate agency.
If you don't have any other irons in the fire, might be worth a try.

HapiSofi · Apr 15, 2010

Kilawher said:
I saw on New Agency Alerts that Bree Ogden just joined Martin Literary Management and will be representing YA and graphic novels. I was kind of put off, however, by their submission guidelines. Apparently they require a one-week exclusive on all work and only give a 48-hour window to accept if they offer you representation. Does anyone have any experience with them and their policy?

There's a lot to be said for a fast turnaround.

honoluluwriter · Apr 20, 2010

Could the fact that they have ghost writers be because they are primarily a nonfiction agency? In other words, there may be people out there that have interesting stories to tell about their life experiences but need someone to help them write it?

I write fiction and queried Bree as soon as I saw that she was accepting queries. I got a response back for a full. She asked for the 2 week exclusive and I agreed.

Roly · Jun 4, 2010

I queried Bree Ogden even though I have material out already. I figured it'd be like with other agencies when you tell them that you can't grant the exclusive for __ reasons.

Roly · Jun 4, 2010

Er now I'm wondering if that was a mistake. 48 hrs...

Kilawher · Jun 4, 2010

Roly said:
I queried Bree Ogden even though I have material out already. I figured it'd be like with other agencies when you tell them that you can't grant the exclusive for __ reasons.

Ooh, let me know how that works out. I've avoided querying her because I can't grant the exclusive either, but if she'd take something non-exclusively that would be great.

Dorothy · Jun 23, 2010

I won a contest and was able to send Bree my full manuscript. I already had a full and a partial out with other agents, so I mentioned this to Bree when I sent the full so as not to violate the exclusive policy. She was a real sweetheart and said that it was fine because it wasn't a normal query situation.

I think if you query her directly it would be a different situation though.

Ultimately, she passed on my ms, but with kind words about my work.

AlishaS · Aug 7, 2010

I sent Bree a Query today, after reading many of the comments on Querytracker, it seems she does not always stick to the whole exclusive policy. Lots of people mentioned that upon recieving a request that they had material already out to other agents, as it would seem it wasn't a big deal and she was fine with it.
So I am taking the chance anyways.

ether · Aug 24, 2010

Queried Bree today. She seems so nice, and her preference in YA fiction is right up my alley. Really keeping my fingers crossed for her.

angelfrancis · Sep 2, 2010

Querying her as well. Ether, looks like we're on the same path of agents lol

ether · Sep 7, 2010

Got an email back from Bree last night! She'll be busy critiquing MSs for a SoCal writer's conference this month, but said she'd like to see my MS when she's done with it. Gives me some time to do (yet another) read-through.

C.T. Richmond · Sep 7, 2010

Oh, congrats, Ether! Very exciting! I spoke with Bree a couple months ago and she's great. Best of luck!

rebelcheese · Sep 9, 2010

I'm going to query Bree and pray. I wish I could send sample pages, though. My query's been good enough to get to partial by itself twice before but I've had more success when I send sample pages.

ether · Sep 14, 2010

C.T. Richmond said:
Oh, congrats, Ether! Very exciting! I spoke with Bree a couple months ago and she's great. Best of luck!

Thanks! Very excited. She reps darker stuff a lot, so I'm really, really, really keeping my fingers crossed.

angelfrancis · Sep 15, 2010

ether said:
Got an email back from Bree last night! She'll be busy critiquing MSs for a SoCal writer's conference this month, but said she'd like to see my MS when she's done with it. Gives me some time to do (yet another) read-through.

I recieved the same response! Which is great. I queried her on my last project and recieved a straight R, so this is exciting

C.T. Richmond · Sep 15, 2010

Oh, good luck Ether and Angel! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you guys!

angelfrancis · Sep 16, 2010

Thanks!!

ether · Sep 22, 2010

Well, damn. I'm beginning to think that response was an automated one, as it looks like several people on QT are getting it, too? I'm not seeing where anyone's gotten a rejection from her the last few weeks.

Vandal · Sep 22, 2010

I got a query rejection from her earlier in the week. Nine-day turnaround.

type3secretion · Oct 1, 2010

So, P&E still has a "Not recommended. Editing conflict. $" The full entry there looks like this:

Martin Literary Management: Not recommended. Editing conflict. $ AAR Represents: Nonfiction Books. Considers these nonfiction areas: Biography/autobiography; business/entrepreneurial; child guidance/parenting; current affairs; health/medicine; history; how-to; humor/satire; memoirs; popular culture; psychology; inspirational; self-help/personal improvement; true crime/investigative; women’s issues/studies.
This agency has strong ties to film/TV. Actively seeking nonfiction that is highly commercial and that can be adapted to film. Under no circumstances do we accept fiction, screenplays, children’s books, or poetry. Please review our Web site carefully to make sure we’re a good match for your work.
How to contact: Completely electronic—emails and MS Word only. No attachments on queries. Place letter in body of email. See submission requirements on website. Do not send materials unless requested. We give very serious consideration to the material requested. We are actively seeing new submissions. We only ask to see materials that we intend to offer representation for - IF the work is saleable. Therefore, in exchange for that close evaluation, we require a 72 hour exclusive consideration period, whereby your agree if we offer representation, you are already certain you are willing to accept.
Terms: Agent receives 15% commission on domestic sales; 25% commission on foreign sales. Offers written contract, binding for 1 year; 1 month notice must be given to terminate contract.
Tips: “Have a strong platform for nonfiction. Don’t call, use e-mail. I gladly welcome e-mail. Do your homework prior to submission, and only submit your best effort.”
Does not charge reading fees.

I wondering if there is any reason to think there is a problem with this agency? There was some debate about them having an editorial service and ghost writers. They clearly still have this.

Martin Literary Management (Sharlene Martin)

Peter U

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

smallthunder

Ruled by Dachshunds

KC Sunshine

Kilawher

Chronic Semicolon Overuser

tedcohen

HapiSofi

Hagiographically Advantaged

honoluluwriter

Roly

silly puppy monster

Roly

silly puppy monster

Kilawher

Chronic Semicolon Overuser

Dorothy

AlishaS

Is swimming with creativity frogs

ether

angelfrancis

I got this!

ether

C.T. Richmond

Sloths are awesome

rebelcheese

ether

angelfrancis

I got this!

C.T. Richmond

Sloths are awesome

angelfrancis

I got this!

ether

Vandal

In the Center of things

type3secretion