Agency Advice (East West Literary)
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@Melanie-Ortins Publishers Marketplace.
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Good luck, Melanie!
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@Coley Thanks!
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@Melanie-Ortins not much to add, but if you do sign up with the agency keep up updated in the future as to how it goes if you can. It would be interesting to see the kind do work that comes from it.
Also had a quick look at your website and you have some lovely illustrations!
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@Gary-Wilkinson Thank you! I'll keep this thread updated with what happens now and if I do sign with them, then I might make a follow up post in the future!
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@Melanie-Ortins Congrats on getting a feeler, that's great! Just FYI they represent Brian Bowes who is someone I know. He taught a kids lit class I took in the Bay Area, Cali and now he's an instructor at SCAD. Not sure of his publishing creds but he's a real human who might respond to an instagram question.
https://www.instagram.com/studiobowesart/
Good luck!
Emma T.
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@Emma-T Thanks for the heads up!
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This is a respected agency and I have interacted with several of the represented illustrators as online colleagues. They are successful and have no public complaints—and they are getting work. As I compiled my list of potential agents, immediate visual connection between me and my work was something I looked for, for me personally, but it is not a sign of incompetency. I'll let you in on a secret about the industry: illustrators still don't get the recognition they deserve but we're working to change that. Think about all the cover reveals and book birthdays you've seen on social media without the illustrator's name. (By the way, I often politely ask for this information and each time the poster has apologized for their oversight and posted more carefully the next time.) Take note that for MG and YA, the illustrator's name still appears only in tiny print on the back and on the copyright page, yet they have a huge impact on how well the book sells. (Remember, book making is a team sport. The editors and art directors often get even less recognition than that.) LOL, give non artists a break, they just don't think visually—yet. Here are some things to keep in mind: 1. You can always request that your portfolio link or even a single image be placed within one click of the homepage or some such. Communication is your most important tool with your future agent. Let them know this is important to you and you feel it is important for their entire client list. 2. This is not an art rep, this is a literary agency. If your number one goal in the current stage of your growth is getting illustration contracts and manuscripts are not in your near future, then you may want to look elsewhere. The colleagues I mentioned earlier all had immediate aspirations of writing and illustrating and gained projects quickly on both sides of the manuscript. 3. Note that while ADs sometimes look at agent websites, they more often troll your social media output and respond to requests, to postcards, and to previously published work. They hear from agencies without having to waste their time going to the agent's website. 4. Are their current clients getting the kind of work you want? You'll know by talking to other illustrators and also looking at their goals and career trajectory to see if this is a good fit for you. 5. Are you willing to switch agents if you are unhappy or down the road when your goals change? or are you the kind of person who will stress about switching? It makes a difference when you consider if the website is a deal breaker. Sorry I talk so much (can you tell I over analyze everything?) These are just some of the things I think about as I evaluate potential agent partners. Hope this helps you choose your path with joy and confidence
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Hi @Joanne-Roberts, you’re right!
And that’s why I love seeing artists like Dan Santat name same size as the Author.
Hopefully you don’t have to win a Caldecott to have your name on the cover the same size as the authors.
This is great book by the way!
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UPDATE: I've been emailing with them and talked to Deborah on the phone yesterday. Seems like it's going to work out!
Just a quick question for anyone who knows contract/tax stuff: At the end of the contract, it asks for my Social Security Number or Federal Tax ID, since the money would be going through the agent in California. However, I'm based in Canada and don't have this info. For any illustrators getting work outside of their own county, do you know if I have to pay US taxes? Canadian taxes? Both? What info do I need to provide for my agent?
I followed up with her but since I'm waiting for a reply, I thought I'd ask in the forum and see if anyone knows.
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After some googling, it seems I would just have to pay Canadian income tax as normal and declare any foreign income in Canadian dollars. But if anyone knows any other business/legal things related to working in other countries, please let me know!
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@Melanie-Ortins I ran into the exact same situation with my agent! I'm in Canada and my agent is based in New York. You only need to pay Canadian taxes. As your agent, they will need you to fill a W8-BEN form. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw8ben.pdf
They need this so they can tell the US government they are not going to keep taxes from your payments because you're already paying them in Canada. The US has arrangements with several countries including Canada so that people don't end up being taxed twice. In the form they will ask you the precise line of the agreement with Canada that says you don't have to pay taxes in the US. You can find this online with a quick Google.I'm surprised your agent did not send you this form. They may have momentarily forgotten your are not in the US. Remind them you don't have a US social security number and that you will fill a W8-BEN for them.
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@Melanie-Ortins Congrats by the way, I'm very happy for you that this is working out!
It's a amazing new chapter in your career!vanessastoilova.com
instagram.com/vanessa.stoilova/Check out my Youtube channel for tips on how to start your career in illustration! www.youtube.com/c/ArtBusinesswithNess
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@NessIllustration Thanks! I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where this goes
Thanks for the info too, that's very helpful! The agent just sent me the contract yesterday so I was going over that and by default it asked for SSN at the bottom. I followed up with her to ask about that as well as another point in the contract so I'm waiting to hear back. I know she represents other artists outside of the US so I'm sure she'll send me that form and stuff after I sign on!
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@Melanie-Ortins so happy for you!!!
happy dance! 
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@Coley Thanks!
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@Melanie-Ortins Yay!!! Congrats!!!!
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@carolinebautista Thanks!
