Deborah Harris Agency

Tromboli · Dec 19, 2013

I couldn't find a thread for this agency. Anyone know anything about them? http://thedeborahharrisagency.com/index.aspx

I just canceled my Publishers Marketplace subscription so, unfortunately, I can't look at the kinds of things they usually sell.

They are based in Jerusalem and their website makes it seems like they are only interested in Israeli/Jewish writers or books involving Israel/jedaism but I just got a request for my MG novel on pitchmas (http://pitchmas.blogspot.com/) from Rena Rossner.

Any information would be helpful, thanks!

Spiritsong · Dec 19, 2013

I was going to ask the exact same thing for the same reason.

victoriastrauss · Dec 20, 2013

PM shows 35 deals in the past 12 months, most to foreign publishers on behalf of prestigious US agencies or publishers. Many of them are multiple rights sales. A wide variety of fiction and nonfiction, genre and non-genre, mostly adult but some children's and YA.

So this looks like a very active agency, but it's worth noting that only two of the deals were sold by Ms. Harris on her agency's own behalf.

- Victoria

Tromboli · Dec 20, 2013

Awesome! Thank you so much Victoria!

Spiritsong · Dec 20, 2013

Thanks, Victoria!

SportsScribe · Dec 22, 2013

The website is a little confusing, so I e-mailed them and asked if they wanted Israeli-only authors or content.

I got a pretty quick answer back that: "We represent all authors whose fits our list" then asked me to submit my manuscript, which I immediately did.
Hope this helps.

Tromboli · Dec 22, 2013

I found it confusing too but I assumed, based on the fact that Rena was requesting a lot from #pitchmas, that she wasn't too picky about the isreali connection in all her clients. But its good to kknow they're open to queries from everyone /all kinds of books.

tertia · Dec 23, 2013

Spiritsong said:
I was going to ask the exact same thing for the same reason.

Ditto!

Thanks for starting the thread Tromboli, and fingers crossed for all of us!

Michael Drakich · Feb 27, 2014

Rena Rossner

She is featured this week is Writer's Digest - http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.co...ght-rena-rossner-of-the-deborah-harris-agency

HLWampler · Mar 17, 2014

I just got a partial request from Rena from #pitchmas for my Na UF. Fingers crossed!

Michael Drakich · Mar 17, 2014

HLWampler said:
I just got a partial request from Rena from #pitchmas for my Na UF. Fingers crossed!

When did you submit?

HLWampler · Mar 17, 2014

Michael Drakich said:
When did you submit?

Initial query after pitchmas was sent on 12/24/13

Michael Drakich · Mar 19, 2014

HLWampler said:
Initial query after pitchmas was sent on 12/24/13

So at least ten weeks for a reply. A little above the norm, but glad to hear they asked for a partial.

HLWampler · Mar 19, 2014

Michael Drakich said:
So at least ten weeks for a reply. A little above the norm, but glad to hear they asked for a partial.

I'm super excited and anxious.

Liz_V · Apr 8, 2014

Queried Rena Rossner 2/25/14.
Polite form R 4/6/14.

HLWampler · May 5, 2014

Full request today!

So far it's been a little under 5 months from query to full request.

Michael Drakich · May 6, 2014

HLWampler said:
Full request today!

So far it's been a little under 5 months from query to full request.

Congrats!

Unfortunately, for me, I got a rejection.

HLWampler · May 7, 2014

Michael Drakich said:
Congrats!

Unfortunately, for me, I got a rejection.

I'm sorry about the R. I hope that there is an agent out there itching to say yes!

CheG · Sep 5, 2014

Well I JUST sent a query to Rena Rossner. I used the format on the website, and pasted in my first 50 pgs plus synopsis and bio. I have NO idea if I did it right!

I also asked her on Twitter if I could send the query directly to her and she said "yes" so I skipped going through the agency submissions...

She wasn't even on my radar until a kind AWer saw her Twitter wishlist included BIRD PEOPLE! OMG! I have a book about bird people!!!

Undercover · Sep 18, 2014

I got a full request a few weeks back. I'm curious, if she were to offer, since she's Jerusalem based, even if she were to connect with a U.S. pub, would the commission still be foreign rights?

Michael Drakich · Sep 18, 2014

Undercover said:
I got a full request a few weeks back. I'm curious, if she were to offer, since she's Jerusalem based, even if she were to connect with a U.S. pub, would the commission still be foreign rights?

Not as I understand it. Your contract to publish is with the US publisher. Your contract with the agent is for a percentage of what the US publisher pays you.

Cel_Fleur · Dec 12, 2014

Any recent interactions of note with this agency? I just got a pitchmas request from Rena, but I'm not whether my novel is what the agency are looking for.

Bo Balder · Dec 11, 2015

She's still liking a lot of pitches in #SFFPit. Any one have more recent experience with them than the last post?

magicalwhatever · Feb 24, 2016

I just received a full request through Sun vs Snow from Rena Rossner. Sent today 2/24/2016

Filigree · May 26, 2016

Any word back yet?

Deborah Harris Agency

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