BARRY GOLDBLATT: The Journey of Leading Young Adult Fiction into Mainstream

We have literary agent Barry Goldblatt, founder of Barry Goldblatt Literary, on 88 Cups of Tea today.

In our conversation, Barry shares how he transitioned from an 11-year career in the rights and contracts departments at various publishing houses to opening his own literary agency. Barry walks us through the elements of a story that attracts him to a novel for representation, his manuscript wish list, the categories he represents and what he’s actively seeking. We discuss Barry’s relationship with his clients, how he meets their needs, and how he guides their work to publication.

Further into our conversation, we get into the nitty gritty of the technicalities like how literary agents match authors and their manuscripts with editors and publishing houses, and what happens to a manuscript after it’s sold to an editor and publishing house. Barry also walks us through what exactly subsidiary rights are in the publishing world.

If you’re about to query a literary agent, you’re in luck because Barry covers the do’s and don’ts of a query letter.

Happy listening!

Xo,

Yin

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“When I meet a character on the page that is someone I want to know everything about, then I know I’ve got something.”

-Barry Goldblatt

“If you write something that is really freaking good and I love it and I think I can sell it, I’m going to sell it.”

-Barry Goldblatt

“I do think this is a very intimate business. If you’re a writer, your manuscript is your baby.”

-Barry Goldblatt

“I call myself a big picture editor. I see my job as basically getting my clients’ manuscripts dressed as sexy for the ball as they possibly can, so they can have as many suitors as possible at the ball.”

-Barry Goldblatt

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

Barry Goldblatt’s manuscript wish list
Categories he represents and is actively seeking
How Barry became a literary agent for children’s literature
The nitty gritty of subsidiary rights in the publishing world
Why Barry expanded into representing fantasy and science fiction genres
Making time for both work and family
Why time management is crucial for a literary agent
The relationship between Barry and his clients
How Barry meets his clients’ needs and shepherds their work to publication
How literary agents match authors and their manuscripts with editors and publishing houses
What happens to a manuscript after it’s sold to an editor and publishing house?
The elements of a story that attracts Barry to a novel for representation
The do’s and don’ts of a query letter
How setting goals can encourage you to finish your manuscript

Learn More About Barry Goldblatt

Barry Goldblatt opened his literary agency in September 2000, after an 11-year career in the rights and contracts departments at various publishing houses, including Dutton, Dial, Putnam and Orchard Books.

He represents everything from very young picture books up through crossover YA fiction, as well as a limited amount of adult F&SF. Barry prefers character driven work, and also leans towards the quirky, edgy and offbeat. What matters most is the writing; if it’s brilliantly written, he’s interested.