[Agency] Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC (formerly Dystel & Goderich Lit. Mgmt.)

KC Sunshine · Jul 18, 2008

Kasey Mackenzie said:
Jim McCarthy at Dystel & Goderich liked my query and first chapter enough to request the full right away. He reviewed the full pretty quickly (within a couple of weeks) and really liked the premise and certain aspects of the manuscript, but ultimately passed. He had some great constructive comments, however, and invited me to re-submit when I revised or if I had another project. I've heard good things about his ability to sell in my genre so I'm excited about that.

As far as what I'm writing, I would consider them among the top-notch agencies. Maybe not one of the hugest, but very good nonetheless.

My full MS is with Jim at the moment too, which he requested after reading query and first chapter. Good to hear he offers great feedback. What genre are you writing in?

KC Sunshine · Jul 18, 2008

Maui Author said:
I sent a query to Miriam over 8 weeks ago and haven't heard anything. But I also think Jim McCarthy would be better for my piece of work.

They say they don't like it when you query more than one of their agents - but since I can assume they never got it in the first place, can I send a query to Jim now?

I originally sent my query to a different agent, and got a response from Jim, so I believe that if they think your MS is a better fit for an agent different to the one you queried they will happily pass it on.

GeoffNelder · Jul 18, 2008

Mr. Anonymous said:
I asked Michael how long it would take him to review my MS. He said a month.
*goes into a corner to cry*
I HATE waiting.

A month is lightning fast in this business!

Geoff
be astounded>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnr-135u84c

GeoffNelder · Jul 18, 2008

KC, I have an award for an unpublished novel too. That was last year with a Dutch Arts Academy and they have yet to do the promised publication. Who is your award with? Feel free to PM me with it if you like.

Geoff
be astounded>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnr-135u84c

Kasey Mackenzie · Jul 19, 2008

KC Sunshine said:
My full MS is with Jim at the moment too, which he requested after reading query and first chapter. Good to hear he offers great feedback. What genre are you writing in?

Good luck with your manuscript, KC! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. =) I was lucky enough to sign with a different agent in March, but Jim would definitely still be at the top of my list if I ever had to jump back on the query-go-round.

I write mostly urban fantasy (my current project is actually a YA UF) and paranormal romance, with some fantasy and historical romance thrown in.

JenWriter · Jul 20, 2008

My full manuscript is now officially with Jim.

It's a YA Paranormal, and he told me it seems right up his alley. *Crossing fingers*

Maui Author · Jul 20, 2008

JenWriter said:
My full manuscript is now officially with Jim. It's a YA Paranormal, and he told me it seems right up his alley. *Crossing fingers*

Yay Jen, that's awesome!! Fingers crossed!!

JenWriter · Jul 20, 2008

Thanks Maui! He's pretty much my top choice. So, I'm hoping it turns out well.

Mr. Anonymous · Jul 21, 2008

GeoffNelder said:
A month is lightning fast in this business!

Geoff
be astounded>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnr-135u84c

Yea well it's been a month and I've still yet to hear. Guess it was too good to be true.

JamieB · Jul 21, 2008

Add me to the list! Just got an e-mail from Jim responding to my query sent Saturday and he requested a full.

Good luck to all of us!

KC Sunshine · Jul 21, 2008

Jim rejected my MS- do not pass go, do not collect $200.

He had some very nice things to say though, and invited me to submit other work to him. I think he's a pretty rad dude.

JenWriter · Jul 21, 2008

It's great he gave you feedback plus the invitation for other work. So sorry about the full reject though.

brainstrains · Jul 28, 2008

Jim is now my agent, too. I sent him an e-query, he responded right away, and after I sent him a partial of my new work, he offered the next day.

He's fantastic! I had several offers of representation but after some heavy research I decided to sign with him.

JenWriter · Jul 28, 2008

Congrats!

(but I am jealous!

)

stormie · Jul 28, 2008

Mr. Anonymous said:
Inkspill, I'd status query if I were you. Michael requested a full from me and said he'd get back to me in a month (though he hasn't, big surprise, lol. Agents are so bad at keeping deadlines. )

Three years ago, Michael had my full for three months and I remember that was the norm for him. Don't know if it's any different now.

Stew21 · Jul 29, 2008

I just sent a query to Mr. McCarthy. fingers crossed, he sounds like a great agent.

Stew21 · Jul 29, 2008

Ha! Talk about fast. he already rejected me.

Christ! I prefer to get the pain over quickly, but I didn't think it'd be tearing-off-a-band-aid quick.

stormie · Jul 29, 2008

Ouch, Stew! Yep, that hurts a little.

KC Sunshine · Jul 29, 2008

brainstrains said:
Jim is now my agent, too. I sent him an e-query, he responded right away, and after I sent him a partial of my new work, he offered the next day.

He's fantastic! I had several offers of representation but after some heavy research I decided to sign with him.

Wow- several offers of representation? And he offered you representation on a partial? You must have the next Da Vinci code!

brainstrains · Jul 30, 2008

KC Sunshine said:
Wow- several offers of representation? And he offered you representation on a partial? You must have the next Da Vinci code!

That would be nice, but no... I do have another book coming out from Delacorte in Summer 2009 (which he read and loved), so that helps!

a2002 · Aug 13, 2008

Dystel, Stacey Glick, and Standard Contract

Hi everyone!

I'm currently considering signing with Stacey Glick, an agents at Dystel & Goderich. Do you guys have any experience with Stacey or Dystel? I saw some older threads about Dystel on the forum, but nothing about Stacey specifically.

I'm also reviewing their standard agreement. It looks, well, standard. I'm completely new to the game, so I have no idea what pitfalls to look out for.

Here are some of the key terms. Do these terms look pretty normal to you?

On the terms below set forth, I hereby engage you as my sole and exclusive representative and agent to negotiate for the disposition of any and all rights to my literary work(s), now entitled....

In consideration of your services hereunder, and as your compensation therefore, I irrevocably assign to you a commission of fifteen percent (15%) computed on the gross proceeds that I receive during or after the term hereof under all contracts covered by this agreement....

he term "disposition" or "exploitation" means the sale, leasing, licensing or any other disposition of any rights in the Work

The term "gross proceeds" means all monies, properties and considerations of every kind including but not limited to earnings, fees, royalties, bonuses, gifts, shares of stock, profit participations, and stock options received as a result of any contract in the course of the exploitation of the Work.

The phrase "contracts covered by this agreement" means

(i) every contract, oral or written, during the term hereof, directly or indirectly connected to or with the disposition of any rights in the Work, whether such contracts are procured or negotiated by you, me or any third party;

(ii) all modifications and extensions of such contracts, all additions thereto, and all replacements thereof.

Thanks!

Stacia Kane · Aug 13, 2008

A) It looks almost exactly like the contract I signed with my agent;

B) Dystel is a fantastic agency and I wouldn't hesitate to sign with any one of their agents if I were ever agent-hunting again.

Good luck and congrats!

a2002 · Aug 13, 2008

Thank you DecemberQuinn. That's really good to know.

Mr. Anonymous · Aug 13, 2008

Congrats a2002. If I were you, I'd go out to celebrate! You just got an offer from a great agent at a great agency!

stormie · Aug 13, 2008

Congrats and welcome to AW! Stick around. Great people here.

[Agency] Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC (formerly Dystel & Goderich Lit. Mgmt.)

KC Sunshine

KC Sunshine

GeoffNelder

GeoffNelder

Kasey Mackenzie

One Hit Wonder?

JenWriter

Word Count Slayer

Maui Author

Halfway between here and there

JenWriter

Word Count Slayer

Mr. Anonymous

Just a guy with a pen & a delusion

JamieB

KC Sunshine

JenWriter

Word Count Slayer

brainstrains

4-8-8-4

JenWriter

Word Count Slayer

stormie

storm central

Stew21

Stew21

stormie

storm central

KC Sunshine

brainstrains

4-8-8-4

a2002

Stacia Kane

Girl Detective

a2002

Mr. Anonymous

Just a guy with a pen & a delusion

stormie

storm central