TBA Monthly Wishlist - September 2016

It's time again for the Monthly Wishlist! Here's the ONE project that each TBA agent would love to see in their submission inbox. If you have something that fits with the below, please check out our submission guidelines and send it over. We can't wait to read!

Dreaming about some cool non-fiction! All types. Extra points if it has a pop-culture focus or a unique format – Louise Fury**

A light and fun YA romance that still has a good one line hook. I want to read about first love and romance; lots of kisses an added bonus. Think LOVE & GELATO, or LOVE, LIES & LEMON PIES - Gemma Cooper**

YA Contemporary complicated family drama, with totally captivating voices. Think Jandy Nelson’s I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN - Heather Flaherty 

I’m particularly interested in MG and YA projects that reflect the experience of the South Asian diaspora (#ownvoices alert!) - Molly Ker Hawn

I’m dying for a literary novel set during the thirteen-day span of the Cuban Missile Crisis in small town USA - Victoria Capello 

I’m still very interested in fantasy novels (for any age) with epic and/or intricate world-building. Think THE BOOK OF THREE by Lloyd Alexander, THE WRATH AND THE DAWN by Renee Adieh, the LOCKWOOD & Co. series by Jonathan Stroud, JONATHAN STRANGE & MR. NORRELL by Susanna Clarke, SIX OF CROWS by Leigh Bardugo, or THE MAGICIANS by Lev Grossman - Brooks Sherman**

**Louise, Gemma and Brooks are currently closed to queries, but if you have something that matches this wishlist, please send and add #TBAwishlist to your subject header

CLOSED -- Generalist Interns needed!

We are looking for an intern reader for generalist fiction. You do not need to have any kind of publishing experience, but we’re looking for someone who enjoys books by authors such as:

- Erin Morgenstern

- Tana French

- Eleanor Brown

- Jacqueline Sheehan

- Jodi Picoult

- Gillian Flynn

- Lori Roy

- Laurie Notaro

- Celia Rivenbark

- Elin Hilderbrand

- Kristin Hannah

- Jeannette Walls

- Kate Atkinson

This is an eclectic list, so obviously you don't need to like everyone on it. But basically, you should like at least two of the following genres: humor, memoir, upmarket women's fiction and literary suspense. 

You do not need to live in New York—this is a remote internship. We ask for a ten-hours-a-week commitment. Please note that it is unpaid. 

The internship is a great way to learn more about an agent’s work and decision-making process. Past interns have been writers for children, children’s librarians, elementary school teachers, MFA students, and passionate readers.

The agency runs a monthly educational chat for all of our interns, led by a different agent/on a different topic each time. (Past and upcoming topics include: How publishers create marketing plans, Do we need literary agents anymore?, Digital and social publishing, Literary scouts: What do they do? What are the entry-level jobs in publishing? -- we try to make them as useful as we can.) These are optional, and the days/times vary because all the interns have different 'day job' schedules.

Interested?

1. Send an email to intern@thebentagency.com and put “Generalist intern” in the subject line.

2. Tell us why you want the internship and something about yourself, or include a resume if you have one (although it's not necessary). 

3. Include two lists: the last ten books you've read and your top ten favorite books of all time.

If you've applied in the past, you're welcome to apply again. We usually get a great many applicants and the application period will close fairly quickly; watch this space for details! 

UPDATE on September 15th: Applications for this internship are now closed. Thank you so much to all who applied, I'll answer you shortly! -- John

STARRED REVIEW for THE INFINITY YEAR OF AVALON JAMES by Dana Middleton!

So happy to report that THE INFINITY YEAR OF AVALON JAMES has *starred review* attention from Kirkus Reviews!  They say:

"It’s Avalon’s 11th year—her Infinity Year—the brief period when she and her very best friend, Atticus, will discover and be able to use their shared magic power.

Or that’s what Atticus’ grandfather has told them, and the two credulous children believe him. It will be a year of excruciating challenges for Avalon (who, like Atticus, is depicted as a dark-haired white figure on the cover). Her father is in prison, and everyone in her small school is aware of her shame. She’s relentlessly bullied by classmate Elena and her pair of minions. Her beloved cat goes missing. A week later, Atticus dreams of where the cat may be trapped. When the dream turns out to be unfathomably correct, they’re both sure Atticus has acquired his magic. One of the few highlights of Avalon’s year is when she shares spelling-bee honors with a seventh grader and is bound for the regionals. Then she unwittingly reveals Atticus’ painful secret—that he wets the bed—and the story is shared schoolwide. Atticus abandons her; without his gentle, insightful support, Avalon retaliates against Elena with devastating consequences. All these painfully acquired life lessons are related in Avalon’s genial, evocative voice, convincingly illuminating many of the issues of a year that can offer infinite possibilities, even if the magic is imagined.

A fine, tenderly nuanced tale of the remarkable power of friendship."

I couldn't agree more!  Congratulations to debut author, Dana Middleton for this lovely review, and even lovelier book.  To see the full review, click here.

You can pre-order here:

Powells

IndieBound

Barnes + Noble

Amazon

To say congrats to Dana, visit her on twitter.