Agent Name: Jeff Kleinman
Agency Name/Location: Folio Literary Management
Agency Link: www.foliolit.com
Social Media Links:
Jeff FB: https://www.facebook.com/jmkagent
Jeff LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-kleinman-2542875a/
Folio Twitter: @FolioLiterary
Folio FB: https://www.facebook.com/FolioLit/
Folio Instagram: @folioliterary
Nonfiction Genres Represented:
Mostly narrative nonfiction (love projects with a historical or animal-related bent), but also memoir, health, parenting, aging, nature, pets, how-to, nature, science, politics, military, espionage, equestrian, biography.
What is your best tip for new writers looking for a book deal?
Develop a terrific, strong, distinctive voice.
What kinds of pitches catch your attention?
Projects that showcase unique voices, strong characters, unusual premises, and books that offer up some new perspective on something I thought I already knew something about or never even dreamed existed.
How important is platform in getting a deal?
Extremely, both for narrative nonfiction and memoir. Publishers really do expect an author who is very engaged in the world, who has a following and/or can tap into a following (10,000, 25,000, 50,000 readers) in a way that they didn’t even a couple years ago.
What do you look for in a writer’s platform?
Something that makes it clear that the author first has some kind of serious expertise in the subject. Then, once it’s clear that the author is the best author to write about the subject, anything else that makes the author unique in reaching potential readers. This could mean regular speaking engagements; publishing articles in journals, magazines, newspapers, etc.; a media presence (TV, radio, internet); very high engaged social media numbers (25,000+ followers), a strong newsletter following (10,000+), etc.
How should writers promote themselves right now (before approaching an agent)?
The author should really develop an area of expertise, and ideally a following of people interested in learning more about that area of expertise. If this is narrative/memoir, the author should also really focus on craft – on developing a great, vibrant, very strong writing style.
What should writers know about book proposals?
A book proposal really needs to be thoughtful and well thought out. I look to learn something in the first page (if not the first paragraph). Depending on the author (if it’s memoir, narrative nonfiction, etc.) I’ll be focusing on three areas: the proposal’s premise (i.e., is it something that feels fresh, interesting, compelling, etc.); the author’s writing ability (see note above); and the author’s platform. If all 3 are strong, I’ll be happy to work with the writer to polish/revise the proposal as necessary.
What other steps should writers take before approaching an agent?
Do your homework. Approach agents who seem to represent the kind of material you’re writing. For instance, I steer clear of memoirs about illness (leukemia, cancer, etc.) or travel memoirs – I just don’t handle them, and don’t really know the editors who know how to do them.
Jeff Kleinman is a literary agent, intellectual property attorney, and founding partner of Folio Literary Management, LLC, a New York literary agency which works with all of the major U.S. publishers (and, through subagents, with most international publishers). He’s a graduate of Case Western Reserve University (J.D.), the University of Chicago (M.A., Italian), and the University of Virginia (B.A. with High Distinction in English). As an agent, Jeff feels privileged to have the chance to learn an incredibly variety of new subjects, meet an extraordinary range of people, and feel, at the end of the day, that he’s helped to build something – a wonderful book, perhaps, or an author’s career. His authors include the New York Times bestsellers The Art of Racing in the Rain (Garth Stein), The Eighty Dollar Champion (Elizabeth Letts), The Snow Child (a Pulitzer finalist; Eowyn Ivey), Widow of the South (Robert Hicks), and Mockingbird (Charles Shields), among other books. In addition to his commitment to contemporary voices, Jeff is a custodian of the storied literary agency Harold Ober Associates, which became a part of Folio in 2018. He upholds their legacy, representing iconic titles such as Rosemary’s Baby (Ira Levin) and Watership Down (Richard Adams).
Nonfiction: especially narrative nonfiction with a historical bent, but also memoir, health, parenting, aging, nature, pets, how-to, nature, science, politics, military, espionage, equestrian, biography.
For more information about Jeff (including interviews, books sold, and so forth), please go to www.foliolit.com/jeffkleinman/.
Do you enjoy listening to audiobooks and podcasts? Check out our recordings for authors to learn about writing, publishing, and promoting nonfiction books.
Dear Mr. Kleinman,
I’m searching for a literacy agency that might be of interest in publishing my second edition of a novel written several years ago. I have made revisions and I am working to edit and develop the manuscript to improve on the first edition that was self-published. I realize that for my book to be a success I will need expert advice and guidance on this project. I have written a letter of Inquiry and have posted it below.
Thanks in advance if you or you agency would be interested.
In this groundbreaking book, Memoirs of a Dead Man; A Journey to Significance, the reader will discover the secret to one’s daily journey to find “Balance” in life! The novel would best be described as a fiction novel, written as an allegory, designed to introduce a didactic self-help type of strategy to find this “balance” or equilibrium in everyday lifestyles. The book’s purpose is to provide an opportunity to help the reader to find self-efficacy and success through a literary paradigm. The author’s descriptive narration, with strategic use of metaphors, prose, poetry, and character dialogue are designed to help readers to identify and prioritize the importance of balance. The novel focuses on explaining the idea of finding a life filled with harmonic equilibrium by controlling the nine different dimensions of life with mental and intellectual discipline. The novel reveals the theory of the Dimensional Hierarchy (DH) © and introduces the 9 Dimension’s of Life. © developed by the author in 1983.
Told through the eyes and actions of two main fictional characters, a university professor and his prized student of Philosophy, the DH is explained during an archaeological search for the ancient 9 Stones of Delos, Greece. The stones enable the owner to read the future and gain power and riches beyond belief. The reader is challenged to find the real purpose in one’s life filling it with spiritual enlightenment.
The settings and environment take the reader on a journey to Spain, Egypt, and Greece and culminate on a deserted Island in the Pacific Ocean.
Characters introduce the Dimensional Hierarchy concept in a rhetorical strategy designed around a parable form of literature to simplify the complex concept of the Dimensional Hierarchy for better understanding as it relates to personal development. In addition, three non-human characters, an owl, a shark, and a wolf are symbolic in nature and are personified to express the spiritual/mystical philosophies of the work. Each having the ability to provide the reader with their thoughts and serve as co-narrators for the story. The objective is to help the reading audience to establish a healthy “balanced” holistic spiritual lifestyle by understanding the principles of a unique philosophy, developed by the author, the “Dimensional Hierarchy (DH) © 1983” partially based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs and Hans Seyle’s General Adaptation Syndrome.
In the book, Memoirs of a Dead Man: A Journey to Significance,
A shipwrecked sailor (student) has been marooned on a mystical mountainous island realizing that he has been placed there for a divine purpose and sets out on a journey to find “enlightenment”. His prized possession is a journal given to him by the professor and the words guide him to seek his mystical goal at the top of an extinct volcanic snow-covered mountain. The journeyman encounters many obstacles along the way and reflects on the past failures and successes. Flashback scenarios are used to convey the philosophy of the DH in the form of memory or dreams. In a unique twist, readers realize in the last chapter how the concept impacts his life. Filled with excitement and discovery the journey contains philosophical discussions and psychological suspense with a surprise ending.
Audience & Marketing
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior, Illusion, Reading audiences searching for spiritual meaning would be an example of the type of audience one might find.
Note: Dan Millman author of the Peaceful Warrior series has been instrumental in developing the book along with Nancy Carleton, editor. I personally have met them face to face on many occasions and have taken their advice to apply to my work.
In life one will find that this book will affect their personal philosophy and provide them with a systematic plan to reach self-awareness and possibly self-actualization. (Maslow)
The DH program has been used for over thirty years to help prepare international and world class athletes, US Army Military senior officers, and fortune 500 corporate executives to perform at psychological optimum levels of performance. In addition, the author has used the concept to teach health classes at several universities, most recently at the university of Phoenix. The concept has been proven to be an effective goal setting program and has changed people’s lives both on the athletic fields, in the academic classroom and in corporate leader’s lifestyles.
Writing Experience
Initially, the author published an article on the DH concept over twenty years ago in a coaching periodical. In 1995 the concept was presented to the United States Olympic education Committee and was selected to present the theory at the International Olympic academy in Olympia, Greece. eighteen years later the DH was once again presented in Olympia at the IOA’s Participant’s Association’s seminar. In addition, several of his works have been published in several athletic technical periodicals.as a result of the success of the teaching/lecture series, the author was encouraged by colleagues, athletes, and students to present the theory in a book format. originally the first prepared manuscript was written as a self-help type of book. upon completion of the first draft, it was presented to author Dan Milman (Peaceful Warrior series) who suggested an editor who had worked with him on several occasions. after meeting with Nancy Grimley-Carleton who had advised the author to incorporate the Dimensional Hierarchy Theory into a work of fiction and have the characters in the book introduce the concept rather than develop a self-help or didactic non-fiction type of literary strategy.
Glen “Coach” Sefcik is an executive life coach and a former International level athletics coach, university academic affairs director. He served as the Olympic coach for the Saudi Arabian National Team, was the National Chairman for the USA Track and Field Coaching Education Committee and was selected by the US Olympic Committee to attend the International Olympic Academy in Olympia, Greece. He is the developer of the Dimensionalysis © and the Dimensional Hierarchy © 1983. He has coached International, national, level athletes as well as Senior Military and Fortune 500 Leaders with LWLIII Consultants based in San Antonio, Texas. Additional information can be found on Wikipedia.
—Glen “Coach” Sefcik
CEO
Championship Management Consultants LLC
8050 South Padre Island Dr. Apt. F01
Corpus Christi, Texas 78412
430.529.0202
coach@coachinet.net