New Agency Alert: East/West Agency
Reminder: Newer agencies are golden opportunities for new writers because they’re likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you’re just wasting time and postage. Nonfiction areas of interest: Art/Architecture, Crafts, How-To, Humor, Interior design, Juvenile nonfiction, Language/Literature, Music/Dance, Photography, Popular Culture, Inspirational, Self-Help. Fiction areas of interest: Comic Books/Cartoon, Ethnic, Juvenile, Picture Books, Young Adult.
Reminder: Newer agencies are golden opportunities for new writers because they're likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you're just wasting time and postage.
East/West Agency
1158 26th St., Suite 462, Santa Monica CA 90403, Phone: (310)573-9303. Fax: (310)453-9008. E-mail: ewmdwarren@aol.com. Contact: Deborah Warren, founder. Member Agents: Deborah Warren; Lisa Rojany Buccieri; Susan B. Katz (writers/illustrators in the Latino market, representing Spanish-speaking clients). Established: 2000; adheres to AAR canon of ethics.
Represents 100 clients. 70% of clients are new/unpublished writers.
Specializes in: "EWA is, purposefully, a niche agency, to facilitate hands-on, personalized service and attention to our authors and their books. EWA provides career management for established and first-time authors and our breadth of experience in many genres enables us to meet the demands of a diverse clientele. Understanding the in-depth process of acquisitions, sales and marketing helps Ms. Warren and her co-agents attain the stated goals for each of the agency’s clients: to close the best possible deal with the best possible editor at the best possible publishing house."
Currently Handles: 25% nonfiction; 75% juvenile books.
Nonfiction areas of interest: Art/Architecture, Crafts, How-To, Humor, Interior design, Juvenile nonfiction, Language/Literature, Music/Dance, Photography, Popular Culture, Inspirational, Self-Help.
Fiction areas of interest: Comic Books/Cartoon, Ethnic, Juvenile, Picture Books, Young Adult.
How to submit: Query with SASE. Submit: first 3 sample chapters, table of contents (2 pages or fewer), synopsis (1 page). For picture books, submit entire ms. Responds in 2 months to manuscripts. Recent sales: Biz Words, by Gregory Bergman (Adams Media); Just For the Frill of It, by Sonya Nimri (Scholastic); Adrian Glamour: From Silver Screen to Ruby Slippers to Purple Label, by Christian Esquevin (Monacelli); Just Can't Get Enough: Toys, Games and Other Stuff from the 80's that Rocked, by Matthew Robinson and Jensen Karp (Image).
Terms: Agent receives 15% commission on domestic sales; 25% commission on foreign sales. Offers written contract. Termination notice: 30 days. Charges for out-of-pocket expenses, such as postage and copying.
Tips: "Send submissions to CreativeIdeaz@roadrunner.com, or snail mail (referrals only) to Requested Materials, EWA, 1543 Sycamore Canyon Drive, Westlake Village, CA 91361. Submit the manuscript as a Word document in Courier, 12-point, double-spaced, with 1.20 inch margin on left, ragged right text, 25 lines per page, continuously paginated, with all your contact info on the first page. Include an SASE and a manila envelope with appropriate postage to expedite our response."

Chuck Sambuchino is a former editor with the Writer's Digest writing community and author of several books, including How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack and Create Your Writer Platform.