Agent Caitie Flum of Liza Dawson Associates Talks Dynamic Characters, Diversity in YA, and Being Crafty

by Lisa Gail Green

Caitie works at Liza Dawson Associates. Caitie graduated from Hofstra University with a BA in English with a concentration in publishing studies. Caitie interned at Hachette Book Group and Writers House and worked at Bookspan with almost every book club there, gaining valuable experience in sub rights. Caitie grew up in Ohio where she developed her love of reading everything she could get her hands on, played about every sport she could, and spent far too much time belting out showtunes with friends.

1. What advice do you have for writers getting ready to query you?

Do your research! It is so much easier now than ever to find out more information, take your time, and don’t just send to anyone.

I specifically say many places that I do not represent science fiction and fantasy, but I still get so many queries for them. Please make sure I am the right person for the project. I am all over social media and still have my book blog up at https://caitieflum.wordpress.com/ (even though I don’t post as many reviews anymore, less time to read for fun!). And don’t be scared – I am a person and I want to love what authors send me!

Have other people read your query before you send it, make sure it makes sense to people who don’t know your book. I reject a lot of queries because I have no idea what the book is about or what is going on.

2. Are you an editorial agent?

Of course! Is there anyone who isn’t now? I want it to have its best possible chance when we send it out to editors and work closely with authors.

3. What genres are you drawn to most?

I am really drawn to strong women’s fiction. I love dynamic characters who don’t always do what everyone else would do. I love stories that have strong friendships at their core. I also love a good romance with great characters.

Historical fiction is another genre I am actively looking for, especially when it is told from a perspective we often do not hear from. I would love some YA historical fiction!

I am also all about mysteries/thrillers of almost ever kind (the big exception is drug cartels). Amateur sleuths and cozy mysteries are really up my alley!

Finally, I adore YA contemporary books, especially when they have diversity.

4. Which is more crucial: emotional connection or current marketability?

It need to be a balance of both. If there is not emotional connection, it probably won’t go anywhere, but if there is no market, the same can be true. I would probably lean more towards emotional connection because the market is always changing.

5. What do you like to do for fun?

So many things! I watch so much TV, cook/bake whenever I can, I love movies and musical theater, and play board games with friends at least a couple times a month. I watch a lot of youtube too. I try to be as connected to the world as I can. I need to get back to cross stitching and other crafty things, there just doesn’t seem to be as much time lately!

Lisa Gail Green

Lisa Gail Green lives with her husband the rocket scientist and their three junior mad scientists in Southern California. She writes books so she can have an excuse to live in the fantasy world in her head. She likes to share these with readers. She has a parrot but would most definitely get a werewolf for a pet if she weren't allergic.

Post © Lisa Gail Green and/or Adventures in YA Publishing. All rights reserved.

Posted: Feb 26, 2015

Category: Imported from AYAP

Tags: Literary Agents | What Agents Want

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The first slide is an animation of a science/magic room in a castle. A cartoon character of a mad-scientist looking man in in the foreground says: “Hello! Dr. Frankenstein here to say, Well Done on kid lit zombie week! I’m an expert at reviving the dead, and let me assure you, with a little spark, you can bring dead projects to life. Especially if you dig up parts from other dead things. I’ll even let you have a sneak peek at my laboratory’s store room to consider potential parts for your dead project. If you see something with a yellow glow, that means you should click it. Have fun!”

He points to the right side of the screen and a new scene slides in of a castle science/magic storage room. There are various cartoon Frankenstein body parts scattered around. Some of them have a yellow glow. If you click on them, the images below appear (I’ve added alt text to them, so I hope it works).

The Heart of your story is the main character. The protagonist is the beating core that truly brings your story to life. If your MC doesn't make kids (and their grown-ups) care within the first few pages, your story will flatline. </p>
<p>Your main character needs to be:<br />
• Relatable enough for kids to see themselves<br />
• Unique enough to stand out in the slush pile<br />
• Active enough to drive the story<br />
• Memorable enough to survive multiple readings at bedtime</p>
<p>Where do you find this amazing donor heart? It might be the very thing you loved so much about the manuscript you want to revive. It might be the younger sister from your shelved YA novel. Or maybe it’s the hilarious kid you blogged about meeting at a school visit. Find a character beating with potential and place it in the center of your story.<br />

The Brain of your story is the theme or central message. The theme is the big idea that controls everything else. Picture books are more than stories - they're tiny life lessons disguised with humor and heart.</p>
<p>But your theme needs to be:<br />
• Subtle enough not to trigger the dreaded "didactic" rejection<br />
• Clear enough for a four-year-old to grasp<br />
• Universal enough to speak to both kids and adults<br />
• Fresh enough to prevent agents and editors from responding with "Not another sharing/bedtime/first-day story!"</p>
<p>Check your other dead manuscripts to see if there is a recurring theme, something that really seems to be speaking to you. Find the bit of poetry you scribbled on the back of a receipt to see what theme inspired it. Reread the pep talk you texted your critique partner at 1am. Pick the theme that will drive your story, giving it purpose, direction, and deeper meaning.<br />

The Legs of your story is the plot. Not to be confused with a grave plot.🤪 The plot is what keeps everything upright and moving, as well as providing support for all the other elements. You have very few words to use in a picture book, so you need to do a lot with each plot point.</p>
<p>In general, your plot should:<br />
• Hook readers fast<br />
• Build tension that a child can follow<br />
• Create page turns that feel natural<br />
• Wrap up in a way that satisfies</p>
<p>You can borrow a plot twist (a leg) from one manuscript and the opening (the other leg) from a different manuscript. Consider if the subplot of the middle grade novel you trunked would work better as a picture book. Or maybe your Facebook post about a disastrous camping trip could become a story for kids. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other until you have your storyline.

The Arms of your story are the side characters.

The Torso of your story is the setting. Setting helps a story breathe and connects all the elements of the story. It isn't just where your story lives, it's what makes your story ALIVE. It's the difference between "this happened in a park" and "this happened in that park, the one with the twisty slide that burns your legs and the creaky swing that sounds like a baby crying.”</p>
<p>Your setting should:<br />
• Make your character's world feel real<br />
• Contain your story in a way that makes sense to young readers<br />
• Connect different scenes and moments organically<br />
• Give your illustrator enough room to add visual subplots</p>
<p>Half-finished manuscripts are a great place to dig up settings, since you worked out the place details before the plot petered out. Or maybe you had to cut a second fantastic location from your chapter book. You can also revisit the detailed caption from your Instagram carousel documenting your tour of that delish candy shop. Disinter a robust setting that can house all of your story's vital organs.

After you press the Click When Done circle button, the lights flash with the sound of electricity buzzing. Then the screen goes black and lightning zaps across the screen with the sound of thunder.

The screen then lights up to show the storage room, and all the Frankenstein pieces have been assembled into the whole monster. An upbeat song plays in the background. Then a speech bubble pops up with the words, “I’m alive! I’M ALIVE!” Then the screen goes to black.

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