An evening with Folio Literary Management

On 18 May 2016 the Columbia Fiction Foundry hosted literary agents Jeff Kleinman, Erin Harris and Dado Derviskadic of Folio Literary Management as part of the Foundry's "Distinguished Speakers" series. (Video production and editing by Bill Marden.)
In a fascinating 90-minute interview, Jeff, Erin and Dado talked about their work at one of the country's premier literary agencies and provided tips about what agents are seeking, whom to approach and when, and how to improve your query letters.

[@EDRISSALEXIS21]

Great discussion. Loved the realistic answers. Thank you for posting.

[@joymorrow8392]

Very good discussion. The video would REALLY benefit from having closed caption.

[@parkerworth]

Thank you for your time, it was well spent.

[@WellnessGardenToolShed]

Very informative. I only wish the sound was better... There's a lot of background noise , but I enjoyed it overall. Thank you, again.

[@brianoloo8927]

thank you for the video. publishing is a process, and its great to have more information

[@dianeblack2930]

Excellent! I found the information they shared to be very helpful!

[@billyalarie2841]

when they make the distinction between character-driven, and theme-driven, they don't seem to really... make a distinction between the two.
can anyone elaborate on this? i've heard of PLOT-driven vs. character-driven, but theme-driven VERSUS character-driven? aren't those usually thought of as being in tandem?

[@guitarloo]

Has anyone tried to Query one of these agents? Did you get anywhere?

[@Daniel12.4Ministry]

@ 28:30 of the video, it is stated that you shouldn't use a comp in your query that is too large of a comp, like the Bible! I am not sure what comp I might use in my new book, since my book is a translation of the New Testament of the Bible! Seriously, I do understand what you are saying and it makes complete sense. Make an honest comparison that is done in humility.

[@daygamedon2390]

someone may be a great writer without ever having published before just like an undiscovered singer in his fifties its happened before so I believe Erin in incorrect because her thinking is limited amd this is whats wrong with people who act like crabs in a bucket.

[@erawriter1651]

Daygame Don Very good point. I found myself feeling discouraged after looming at this interview. It has a condescending air to it. Nevertheless all great artists must make their own way instead of hoping for others to unlock the door we must create our own.

[@mvprindle]

This video is very discouraging to new authors. "Tell us about all the times you've been published."
IF I HAD BEEN PUBLISHED I WOULD NOT BE QUERYING YOU.

[@arahlark6692]

I dont know why they do this. To help writers? It is like if they need the publicity and just that. Considering they could not get 2000 likes, not even that, it is waste of time and my time

[@brandgardner211]

I would avoid EH and DD. They seem like jerks. JK seems like a straight forward guy though.

[@eso4lifemain]

The industry is so pretentious.

[@PomegranateStaindGrn]

This was appalling. I can’t begin to wrap my mind around it.