As promised, here’s the second installment of my agent spotlight for Backspace 2012. I’m including Janet here, because although she hasn’t traditionally represented YA, she is now! Her latest YA is Unraveling, by Liz Noris, set to release next week.
Again, if you haven’t registered for Backspace yet and would like to attend, you can do so here.
Agent Profile: Janet Reid, agent at Fine Print Literary Management
I think Ms. Reid likes her privacy, because it’s darn hard to find a picture of her on the internet. So, although I found a few… I’ll respect her privacy and instead add a picture of her favorite animal!
Status: Not accepting submissions as of 4/18/12; Open to queries again on 07/01/12
About: Janet Reid, of FinePrint Literary Management, specializes in compelling fiction, particularly crime fiction; and narrative non-fiction. She’s always on the lookout for fabulous projects. Her publishing background includes fifteen years in book publicity with clients both famous and infamous. In her spare hours she drinks scotch and stalks Jack Reacher.
She is actively looking for projects that show mastery of craft and originality. Recent sales include Faithful Unto Death by Stephanie Evans (Berkeley), Unraveling by Liz Norris (Harper), Purgatory Chasm by Steve Ulfelder (Minotaur); The Man in the Empty Suit by Sean Ferrell (Soho); Die Twice by Andrew Grant (Minotaur); The Breach by Patrick Lee (Harper); Q A (Timeless) Love Story by Evan Mandery (Harper); Crashers by Dana Haynes (Minotaur); County Line by Bill Cameron (F&W Crime); All Roads Lead Me Back to You by Kennedy Foster (Pocket); Final Evolution by Jeff Somers (Orbit); Siesta Lane by Amy Minato (Skyhorse); Declarations of a Dinosaur by Dr. Lucy Hornstein (Kaplan); The Pericles Commission by Gary Corby (Minotaur); Brains by Robin Becker (Harper) The Little Book of Curses and Maledictions for Everyday Use by DawnRae Downton (Skyhorse).
Ms. Reid is a member of the literary agents professional association AAR. She’s an associate member of Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. She belongs to the American Library Association, Biographer’s International Organization, the American History Association and is a member and past board member of the NYC chapter of the Women’s National Book Association. (Source: Backspace Writers Conference page)
Genres Janet is currently seeking (as of 04/18/12):
Crime Fiction
High-Concept Thrillers
Narrative Non-Fiction
History
Where to find Janet on the web:
Her blog (which I’ve been haunting quite frequently lately, due to entering a certain contest): JetReidLiterary.blogspot.com
Haven’t you heard? Janet is the infamous “Query Shark.” If you write one poorly enough, and make mistakes she hasn’t seen before (god help you), you just might find your query chomped on the internet, for all to see. QueryShark.blogspot.com.
Author and submission information: http://www.jetreidliterary.com/
FPLM website: FinePrint Literary Management
Great interview at WOW: http://wow-womenonwriting.com/15-20questions.html
Notable YA clients:
Liz Norris, author of Unraveling (Harper)
Submission Guidelines (as of 04/18/12 –please verify before submitting!):
Query via email preferred
- Type “Query for [Your Project Title]” as the subject of your email and send with NO attachments.
- Paste the query and your first 3-5 pages in the body of the email
While Janet prefers email, she will accept snail mail submissions with a SASE
For more information, see her submission guidelines, here: http://www.jetreidliterary.com/page4.html
I am so far behind on my blogging, but I really want to nose through some of your blog entries and see what I’ve missed. I doubt my genre would fit into Ms. Reid’s range, but suspect I can still learn a few things from some of your posts. I don’t have an agent right now. For now, I’m trying to put out a couple of books, while learning something about internet marketing (DYI marketing), and helping with my grandchildren. Whew, there’s not enough time in the day, it seems.
I appreciate your many visits to my site, and will be checking more of your blog out as time allows. It is wonderful that you post this sort of information, Erin. Thank you for your time and effort.
That’s okay–keeping on top of a blog is like running on a hamster wheel sometimes. LOL. Thanks for stopping by, Marcy. I always love to see your pictures, and your little Orples are super cute.
Thank you Erin. I really am a lot more appreciate of yours (and everyone’s) visits than I let on. Lately, between trying to get my next book out, printer problems, and a sick grandchild, I really do feel like a hamster on a wheel. But alas, the printer is replaced, my book is ‘almost’ ready to submit, and Caleb is feeling a lot better, so maybe by this time next week, I’ll be back on track! Time will tell!
You have some really interesting titles here I seriously want to snoop though, so I’ll be visiting you a lot more often in the ‘near’ future. 
Thanks for the encouragement on my orples. I am so hoping they will catch on with the kids. My grandchildren seem to like them well enough.
Janet is a fantastic agent and her bark is definitely worse than her bite. She sent a kind, personalized rejection to me (so many agents don’t do that).
Thanks for sharing your experience, Lauren! I’ve been following her quite a bit this past month because of a contest I entered, and she seems like one sharp lady –definitely on top of her game. It’s great to hear that she’s not sharky in real life.
Best of luck in the contest!
Thanks for sharing this valuable info… that shark looks scary… Okay, I know it’s not Janet.