• Home
  • About
    • Reflections & Call To Action
      • Learn
  • Podcasts
    • Authors
      • Adult Fiction
      • Award Winners
      • Memoirist
      • Middle Grade
      • New Adult
      • Picture Books
      • Poetry
      • Young Adult
        • Crime / Mystery
        • Fantasy / Sci-fi
        • Historical
        • Realistic / Contemporary Fiction
        • Romance
    • Literary Agents
    • Film & TV
      • Actors
      • Directors
      • Producers
      • Writers
    • Interests
      • Activism / Social Change
      • Business
      • Collaboration
      • Finances / Money Talk
      • Personal Growth
      • Querying
    • Top 10 Most Listened To
    • All Podcast Guests
  • Articles & Essays
  • Shop Our Book Picks
  • Contact
More About Us
  • Kind Words
  • Select Press
  • Spotify
  • Apple Podcast
  • Player FM
  • Stitcher
88 Cups of Tea
88 Cups of Tea
  • Home
  • About
    • Reflections & Call To Action
      • Learn
  • Podcasts
    • Authors
      • Adult Fiction
      • Award Winners
      • Memoirist
      • Middle Grade
      • New Adult
      • Picture Books
      • Poetry
      • Young Adult
        • Crime / Mystery
        • Fantasy / Sci-fi
        • Historical
        • Realistic / Contemporary Fiction
        • Romance
    • Literary Agents
    • Film & TV
      • Actors
      • Directors
      • Producers
      • Writers
    • Interests
      • Activism / Social Change
      • Business
      • Collaboration
      • Finances / Money Talk
      • Personal Growth
      • Querying
    • Top 10 Most Listened To
    • All Podcast Guests
  • Articles & Essays
  • Shop Our Book Picks
  • Contact

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

  • 3 minute read

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

PS. If you enjoyed this episode, I’d really love your support in growing our community by subscribing to us on iTunes, and leaving a rating and review. These specific steps help to increase our visibility on iTunes which really helps new listeners discover us. A huge heartfelt thank you for your time and support! You can click here to go directly to our iTunes page!

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

“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 GoldblattTweet:

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

-Barry GoldblattTweet: I do think this is a very intimate business. If you’re a writer, your manuscript is your baby. @BarryGoldblatt via @88cupsoftea #writerslife

“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

Barry-Goldblatt-Literary-Agency

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.

Books & Resources Mentioned in Barry’s Episode:

Reader Con

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne

Interstellar Pig by William Sleator

The Baby-Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin

Goosebumps by R.L. Stine and J. Lussier

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Angela Johnson

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

George Saunders

Kelly Lincoln

Watership Down by Richard Adams

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

Clarion Writing Workshop

Say ‘Hi!’ to Barry

Twitter

Previous Article

100 Episodes with 88 Cups of Tea

View Post
Next Article

Ruta Sepetys on Authenticity in Researching Historical Novels & Writing Multiple POVs

View Post
We have a feeling you'll also love...
View Post

Victoria ‘V.E.’ Schwab on Cultivating Stubborn Hope

View Post

Tomi Adeyemi On Storytelling with Heart and Soul

View Post

Tochi Onyebuchi on Finding Joy in your Writing Process

View Post

Stacey Lee on Uncovering Untold Stories

View Post

Kat Cho on Writing as a Source of Solace and Joy

View Post

Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam in Conversation with Lelina Chang

View Post

Molly O’Neill on the Roles of a Literary Agent

View Post

Elizabeth Acevedo On Disrupting Priorities

Join Our Community

Want updates about our brand new podcast episodes, featured articles, special giveaways, and overall news about 88 Cups of Tea? Sign up for our announcements below :)

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up, you lovely Storyteller, YOU!

88 Cups of Tea
  • Spotify
  • Apple Podcast
  • Player FM
  • Stitcher
Digital Platform and Podcast for Storytellers and Creative Writers

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Explore Podcast Episodes

  • Author
    • Adult Fiction
    • Award Winners
    • Middle Grade
    • New Adult
    • Picture Books
    • Poetry
    • Young Adult
      • Crime / Mystery
      • Fantasy / Sci-fi
      • Historical
      • Realistic / Contemporary Fiction
      • Romance
  • Literary Agents
  • Film & TV
    • Actors
    • Directors
    • Producers
    • Writers
  • Interests
    • Activism / Social Change
    • Business
    • Collaboration
    • Finances / Money Talk
    • Personal Growth
    • Querying
  • Top 8 Most Downloaded Episodes
Menu
  • Author
    • Adult Fiction
    • Award Winners
    • Middle Grade
    • New Adult
    • Picture Books
    • Poetry
    • Young Adult
      • Crime / Mystery
      • Fantasy / Sci-fi
      • Historical
      • Realistic / Contemporary Fiction
      • Romance
  • Literary Agents
  • Film & TV
    • Actors
    • Directors
    • Producers
    • Writers
  • Interests
    • Activism / Social Change
    • Business
    • Collaboration
    • Finances / Money Talk
    • Personal Growth
    • Querying
  • Top 8 Most Downloaded Episodes

Follow Our Social

Instagram Twitter Patreon