Hollie Michaels is a Literary Manager, Author, Illustrator, Playwright. She grew up in South Florida, but now calls New England her home.
While working toward her M.A. in Creative Writing (Scripts) from City University of London, Hollie worked for the Blake Friedmann Literary Agency as a reader. When she returned to NYC, she joined the Gersh Agency as an assistant in the Theatrical Department. While working in indie theater as a director and producer, Hollie taught theater from grades K-12 and continued teaching when she moved to CT and had kids. During that time, Hollie ventured deeper into publishing, expanding her background from playwright to writing books for kids.
Hollie is the author of the chapter book series, Golda and Ezra, published by Capstone, as well as an early middle grade, The Bad News Bestie. Her youth play, Children of Hooverville is published and widely performed by middle schools around the country. Her short comic Wimbly can be found in the Let’s Go!: A Kids Comics Unite Anthology.
Hollie lives in commuting distance to NYC, with her husband, two kids and two fur babies. In her free time, Hollie works on building a green thumb, camping, baking sugar free treats, exploring indie bookstores and seeing Broadway shows.
Congratulations on your new role as an agent at Martin-Newens Literary Management. How did that all come about? What drew you to agenting?
Agenting has always been at the back of my mind as I enjoy connecting people and giving feedback on work. As someone who has worked as a teacher, producer and director, agenting felt like a natural next step for me. I see the work that people do and right away I’m thinking, you know who would be a great fit for this story. I naturally begin connecting the dots. I love to help writers and illustrators create their best work.
You worked as a reader for the Blake Friedmann Literary Agency while you were working on your MA degree in Creative Writing at City University London. What did you learn about queries from that experience?
Mostly I read screenplays there. But storytelling is storytelling. You learn very quickly what grabs you and what doesn’t.
You have an interesting background. Besides being a creative writing grad, you’re also an author and illustrator of traditionally published books, and you and I were most recently involved in contributing to and crowdfunding the Let’s Go: A Kids Comics United Anthology. You’ve seen multiple sides of the literary world, including the traditionally published route with your own chapter book series, plus your experience with self-publishing the anthology. How do all of these experiences inform your relationship with your clients?
I’m an editorial agent. I will always give my clients feedback but as an author myself, I understand not all feedback will feel right to the author. I would never push for changes that the authors don’t connect with. Another way that my experiences inform my relationships – when I am looking for clients, I want to find creatives who understand this is a collaborative process. I need to get the sense that they will work well with the editors or art directors.
I’ve also got to ask about being a theater teacher and writing a play for middle schoolers. How did all of that help you connect with the audience that you’re writing for? What do you wish more writers and illustrators knew about the children they’re creating books for?
When I wrote Children of Hooverville, I worked with a group of middle school students in Brooklyn. I devised the play for those actors. Working with middle school kids, you see their reactions in real time as you hand them dialogue to say out loud. You learn quickly if it feels authentic or not. When I read queries, I want the dialogue to feel authentic. That doesn’t mean using current slang, as that changes quickly. I mean, does the author really understand what life is like for this age. Are they talking down to them? Or at the other end of the spectrum, do they sound like adults. It’s a balance. You really need to tune into the age you are writing for.
What qualities does an ideal client possess?
I’m looking to work with folks who can work collaboratively, are honest with open communication and have a passion for what they are creating.
Okay, some “rapid fire” questions to help potential clients get to know you:
If your fairy godmother granted you three tickets to anything or anywhere (e.g. an item, concert, production, or destination, etc.), what would you choose?
Wish number one: Go on a fancy train journey somewhere in the world.
Wish number two – See that revival of Sunday in the Park on the west end next year.
Wish number three: Build a large cottage-like library and office space.
What extinct or mythical animal do you wish you could have as a pet and why?
A dodo!!! Because they remind me of corgis. A small woolly mammoth because I don’t know, they seem cute and a griffin because that feels right.
What is the perfect pizza for you?
Every Friday night I make pizza from scratch. (The dough I make the night before – sometimes I buy it). I usually put chicken, broccoli, garlic, fresh mozzarella, sauce I made, and sometimes prosciutto.
Favorite filling(s) in a box of chocolates?
More chocolate.
You are open to submission in picture books, chapter books, MG, YA, graphic novels– all ages, new Adult, select adult, and illustrators. What are you looking for in a query?
Strong writing, or illustrations. The query letter – I want to know who the story is about and what happens, not the tone or vibes. I also want to know who you are as the creator. I find it odd when the bio is super short and there is no web presence, just an email. I need a website or a hint of social media, or a larger bio as I am not just looking at the work, I am looking at the person I would be working with.
What do you wish you had on your desk right now, and how can people submit to you?
I have signed some amazing author / illustrators. I’d love to find a few more and sign some great novelists from middle grade to adult. But I am closing to adult novels July 1 as my queries have crept up to almost 1,000! I only take queries from query tracker.
https://QueryTracker.net/query/holliemichaels
johnell dewitt 