At every Passover
Seder, we put out an extra
cup of wine for Elijah, just in case he should happen by, bringing with him
hope and redemption ~ which this year, we need more than ever. This year also
we have an extra place setting at the Seder table for the 133 hostages still
held in bondage. We can’t fully celebrate a festival of freedom until they,
too, are free.
Hi, Brian.
My
novel Sparkles and Karim was
published this week and is available on Amazon. My sincere thanks to you and
all folks in the Thursday afternoon “Extreme” class who definitely helped
sandpaper off the rough edges, and enabled me to realize every writer’s dream
of actually getting published!
Dave
Sparkles
and Karim
Iraq, 2014. ISIS is on a roll and Sparkles and Karim need to find a
dangerous cache of radioactive material before it's used to make some western
city glow.
Major
Michelle Wilson, age 32, callsign Sparkles, a US fighter pilot, and
Karim Hamid, age 21, callsign Black Flag, a US soldier of Iraqi
descent, raised in the US and planted inside ISIS by the CIA have both committed
serious infractions, breaking away from their assigned duties, albeit for
reasons readers will applaud.
To atone
for their dereliction, they find themselves forced to team up on a perilous
mission from Baghdad to Mosul – a city already taken by ISIS – posing as an
ISIS couple.
He’s an
impulsive risk-taker with little sense of fear, she’s a driven, uptight
perfectionist. They’re sceptical of each other initially, but as they face
betrayal and the barbarity of jihad, they learn to value each other and become
a team in ways they had never imagined.
Dave Moores
Raised in
Bristol, UK, Dave now lives in Oakville, Ontario. Dave’s first novel, Windward Legs, was set in the sailing milieu of Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe.
His second novel, Attitude, was a young adult crime
fiction novel. But although wildly disparate in content, all of Dave’s novels
share the same page-turning intensity.
Sparkles and Karim is available from Amazon here.
Note: If
you’re interested in getting published, come to our in-person “How to Get Published” workshop on May 11 in Niagara on the Lake
(details here).
See all my upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and four-day
retreats here. ~Brian
See more new books by your fellow authors – and invites to their book launches – here (and scroll down).
“Writing
Personal Stories 101”
~ A class dedicated to the pleasures of writing your stories & insights
Online: Tuesday
afternoons, 1 – 3 p.m.
July 2 –
Aug 13, 2024
Offered on Zoom and accessible from anywhere there's internet
If you've ever considered writing your personal stories, this course
is for you. We’ll look at memoirs, travel writing, personal essays,
family history ~ personal stories of all kinds. Plus, of course, we’ll
work on creativity and writing technique and have fun doing it.
Whether you're writing a book or just get your thoughts down on paper, this weekly
course will get you going. We'll reveal the tricks and conventions of
telling true stories, and we’ll show you how to use the techniques of
the novel to recount actual events. Weekly writing exercises and
friendly feedback from the instructor will help you move forward on this
writing adventure. Whether you want to write for your family and friends or for
a wider public, don't miss this course.
We’ll also
have a published author as a guest speaker.
Instructor Brian
Henry has been a book editor and creative writing instructor for more
than 25 years. He publishes Quick Brown Fox, Canada's most popular
blog for writers, taught creative writing at Ryerson University (now Toronto
Metropolitan University) and has led workshops everywhere from Boston to
Buffalo and from Sarnia to Saint John. But his proudest boast is that he
has helped many of his students get published.
Read reviews
and other pieces about or inspired by Brian's writing courses, workshops, and
retreats here (and scroll down).
Fee: $212.39
plus 13% hst = $240
To reserve
your spot, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca
See all of Brian’s upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and weekend retreats here.
“Writing Little Kid Lit”
Board
Books, Picture Books & Middle Grade Books
Online: Wednesday evenings,
7 – 9 p.m.
July 3 – Aug 14, 2024
Offered on Zoom and accessible from anywhere there's internet
This course
is for adults {or
teens} interested in writing board books, picture books, Chapter Books, or
Middle Grade books. This course is accessible for beginners and meaty enough
for advanced writers. Through lectures, in-class assignments, homework, and
feedback on your writing, we’ll give you ins and outs of writing for younger
readers and set you on course toward writing your own books.
We’ll also
have a published author as a guest speaker for this course.
Instructor Brian Henry has been a
book editor and creative writing instructor for more than 25 years. He
publishes Quick Brown Fox, Canada's most popular blog for writers, taught
creative writing at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University)
and has led workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Sarnia to
Saint John. Brian is the author of a children's version of Dr. Jekyll
and Mr. Hyde (Tribute Publishing). But his proudest boast
is that he has helped many of his students get published.
Read
reviews and other pieces about or inspired by Brian's writing courses, workshops, and retreats here (and scroll
down).
Fee: $212.39
plus 13% hst = $240
To reserve
your spot, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca
See all of Brian’s upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and weekend retreats here.
 |
| Daughter by Claudia Dey represented by CookeMcDermid |
CookeMcDermid Literary Management
219 Dufferin Street
Unit 208B
Toronto, Ontario
Note: You can now get new postings on Quick Brown Fox delivered straight to your Inbox as I publish them. Subscribe to the new Quick Brown Fox page on Substack here: https://brian999.substack.com/
You can also get an email about twice a month about what’s coming up in terms of writing classes, workshops, and retreats, plus providing links to the other material on the Quick Brown Fox blog. For that, add your name and email in the Sign-Up box in the righthand column. ~Brian
CookeMcDermid was created in 2017 by the amalgamation
of two preeminent Canadian agencies, The Cooke Agency and The McDermid Agency.
CookeMcDermid is a
full-service literary agency, representing authors in Canada, the U.S., and
throughout the world. The agency represents literary, commercial and
speculative fiction, a broad range of nonfiction, and middle-grade and young
adult books. These books have been adapted into major motion pictures and
translated into more than 60 languages.
CookeMcDermid sells
directly into Canada, US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and India and sells
translation rights in conjunction with 35 co-agents around the world.
CookeMecDermid also has an in-house film/tv division that sells these rights
directly or works with associates to do so.
Six of the nine agents with CookeMcDermid are
seeking new authors:
Ron Eckell is a literary agent and co-owner of CookeMcDermid. A
graduate of Simon Fraser University’s Master of Publishing program and a twenty-nine-year
veteran of Canadian publishing, Ron worked with Penguin Canada, Westwood
Creative Artists, and Random House of Canada before joining CookeMcDermid in
2009. He also co-owned Cooke International, an agency specializing in foreign
rights management for a diverse group of publishing clients, until the end of
2021.
Ron’s client list at CookeMcDermid includes
international bestselling author, RUSH bassist, and Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer
Geddy Lee, culture writer, broadcaster and bestselling author Scaachi Koul, CBC
Radio columnist, writer, broadcaster and producer Jesse Wente, horror writers
Michael Wehunt and Adam Pottle and the Women’s Prize longlisted author Alicia
Elliott.
Ron is a former president and current member
of PACLA (the Professional Association of Canadian Literary Agents) and you can
find him on Twitter @roneckel
and on Instagram at @eckelron.
Ron is particularly drawn to dark fiction, both commercial and literary, in
the areas of horror, science fiction and fantasy, suspense, and psychological
thrillers that terrify.
He is also seeking story-driven narrative
nonfiction in the areas of pop culture, music, sports, pop science, and story-driven current affairs that start
conversations.
In both fiction and nonfiction, he wants strong,
unique voices that have a compelling, engaging story to tell.
Query Ron through his Query Manager here.
Note: If you’re interested in getting published, come to our in-person “How to Get Published” workshop in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario. Learn how it all works and get some help with your query letter. Details here.
Rachel Letofsky joined the agency in 2010, and specializes in children’s literature (middle-grade and YA, fiction and nonfiction), narrative driven nonfiction, and literary, commercial, contemporary and historical fiction for adults.
Her clients include National and International
bestsellers, and nominees and winners for many prestigious awards. She
frequently travels throughout North America to writers’ festivals and literary
events to moderate panels, take part in quick-pitch sessions, and host
workshops for authors.
When not travelling or
reading for pleasure or work, Rachel loves spending time with her family, going
on hikes, inventing new recipes under the strict supervision of her cats, Mimsy
and Frodo, listening to true-crime podcasts, planning for the upcoming alien/zombie
invasion, and swimming in lakes and oceans as much as possible. She is on
Twitter at @rachelletofsky.
Rachel is actively seeking
ground-breaking and heart-breaking middle grade and YA titles in all genres.
She is drawn to works with a whimsical nature or a grounded, gritty edge in
equal measure, though in either instance, unforgettable characters and original
concepts are a must.
Rachel also has a natural
soft spot for exquisite literary fiction, and thought-provoking, high-concept
speculative fiction.
In nonfiction, Rachel is
looking for narrative-driven memoirs and anything quirky, life affirming or
mind blowing.
Specifically, Rachel is
seeking Middle Grade & Young
Adult Fiction and nonfiction (but not prescriptive nonfiction).
For adults, she’s looking for Commercial
Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, and Speculative Fiction.
She also wants Narrative nonfiction or Essay-driven
nonfiction in the areas of politics, pop culture, true crime, humour, personal
history
Query Rachel through her Query Manager here.
Note: If you’re interested in writing kid lit, don’t miss our upcoming online “Writing for Children and for Young Adults” workshop with Erin O’Connor, senior editor at Scholastic Books, Saturday, June 15. Details here.
Also, this summer, we’ll offer an online “Writing Little Kid Lit” course on Wednesday evenings, July 3 through August 14. Details here.
Hana El Niwairi
is a literary
agent and the Rights Manager at CookeMcDermid. She leads the rights team in
representing the works of agency authors outside of North America: in
Asia, Europe, the UK, and more. Since 2017, Hana and her team
have placed agency books into over 50 territories around the globe.
Prior to joining the
publishing industry, she worked in the non-profit, arts, and culture sectors
with organizations such as the Book and Periodical Council, Culture Days, and
Paprika Festival. She is a graduate of Humber College's Arts Administration and
Cultural Management program and holds an Honours BA (Specialization in Creative
Writing and English Literature with a Major in Psychology) from Western
University. Outside of her role at the agency, Hana is also one of the
co-founders of BIPOC of Publishing in Canada.
Hana's tastes are eclectic
and she reads widely across genres. She’s drawn to character-driven stories,
featuring morally grey protagonists, “difficult” women, and commercial fiction
written by and about marginalized communities.
Additionally, in her
(somewhat futile) pursuit to learn everything, ever, Hana is an avid reader of
nonfiction, particularly politics, social science, media criticism, science,
and history. She is keenly interested in nonfiction exploring systemic issues
and how they play out in the day-to-day lives of the average person.
Specifically, in fiction, Hana
is seeking Science Fiction & Fantasy
(adult and YA), Romance: works in the vein of Emily Henry's Beach Read
or Mia Sosa's The Worst Best Man, Book Club fiction, and Thrillers
For nonfiction, Hana wants well-researched projects
in various topics including but not limited to: politics, social justice
issues, pop culture and media, sciences, and history.
Examples of her recent favourites include:
Elaine Castillo’s How to Read Now, Ethan Cross’s Chatter, Johnny
Pitts’s Afropean, Chanda Prescod-Weinstein’s The Disordered Cosmos
Query Hana through her Query Manager here.
Suzanne Brandreth is a co-owner of CookeMcDermid and a hands-on
agent who works with her clients to help them turn their ideas and books into
conversation-shifting, enduring commercial successes. Her clients’ books have
been published across the globe, in English and into over 40 languages, and
have appeared on numerous international bestseller and “Best of” lists.
Suzanne is the agent for #1 New York Times
bestselling poet Rupi Kaur’s global hits the sun and her flowers and home
body, Ritu Bhasin’s instant bestseller We’ve Got This: Unlocking the
Beauty of Belonging, and thinker and bestselling author Charles
Montgomery’s forthcoming book on how the modern world kills our trusting
relationships, and what we can do to revive them.
Suzanne has worked as a bookseller, an editor,
and most recently ran and co-owned Cooke International, one of the few agencies
worldwide focused solely on foreign / translation rights. Suzanne has a keen
understanding of what succeeds in international markets and works closely with
a network of editors, publishers, and scouts around the world.
In fiction,
Suzanne s seeking voice-led
(upmarket and literary) novels with indelible characters, unexpected plot
points, and compelling perspectives.
In
nonfiction she wants idea-driven
narrative non-fiction that grapples with what it is to be human (especially in
the 21st century), particularly in the areas of economics, nature,
organizational behavior, psychology, philosophy, and science.
She’s also seeking practical nonfiction from
authors with well-established platforms in all areas of personal development,
including work life / finance / health / wellness / transformation.
Query Suzanne through her Query Manager here.
Cody Caetano began his agenting career at Transatlantic Agency, where he worked as an
Associate Agent, Editorial Agent, Agent Assistant, Receivables Clerk, and
Contracts Administrator before joining CookeMcDermid in 2022. He has an MA in
English in the field of Creative Writing and a BA in Professional Writing and
Communication from the University of Toronto.
As an agent, Cody represents writers of
original literary fiction and nonfiction, poets transitioning into prose, and
storytellers who take risks for the betterment of their readerships.
Cody is Anishinaabe, Portuguese, and an
off-reserve member of Pinaymootang First Nation. His mother’s family comes from
the Manitoba Interlake and his father’s family emigrated from the Azores in the
1960s. Cody’s memoir, HALF-BADS IN WHITE REGALIA, sold in a seven-bid auction,
received two Indigenous Voices Awards, was longlisted for Canada Reads 2023 and
the 2023 Leacock Medal for Humour, and debuted as a national bestseller via
Penguin Canada’s Hamish Hamilton imprint.
Cody is seeking literary fiction.
In nonfiction he’s looking for memoir,
investigations, and book-length essays.
Query Cody through his Query Manager here.
Martha Webb is an agent and co-owner of CookeMcDermid. Her list comprises literary fiction, upmarket commercial fiction and a broad range of nonfiction, including investigative journalism, memoir with a particular focus, popular science, history and philosophy, and some self-help.
She is drawn to rebels and contrarians with a
good sense of humour, and to books that are topical, deal with important
issues, or strive for social betterment while also being great reads. She
values distinctive voices and good storytelling, in whatever form.
Her clients include: Elamin Abdelmahmoud, Jen
Agg, Michael Crummey, Claudia Dey, Robyn Doolittle, Cathal Kelly, Sonya Lalli,
Carol Off, Saleema Nawaz, Joan Thomas, Shannon Lee Simmons, and Britt Wray.
Martha began her career in publishing in 2005
with The McDermid Agency, of which she later assumed co-ownership prior to the
creation of CookeMcDermid. She holds an MA in literature from the University of
Edinburgh, and was born and raised in Montreal.
Martha is currently seeking upmarket
commercial fiction and literary fiction.
She’s also looking for narrative nonfiction of
all kinds, but especially investigative reporting, adventure, and science &
nature.
Query Martha through her Query Manager here.
See CookeMcDermid’s submissions page here.
