The Rise of the Sistah Agents

My writing group is away attending a writer’s conference this weekend, while I attend my daughter’s first ballet recital, and my baby sister’s high school graduation. Yet, as my home is filled to capacity with relatives, friends, and my fiance, I can’t stop thinking about what I’m missing at this conference. What are agents looking for? Which agent is right for me?

So I did some snooping of my own and found a wealth of information that I will pass on to you. More importantly, I will pass on an interview I had with literary agent, Sha-Shana Crichton.

Crichton & Associates, Inc. represents writers of fiction and non-fiction works, including materials with African, African-American, Caribbean and Latin American themes.

Sha-Shana N.L. Crichton, president, is a publishing and entertainment attorney. She counsels artists, authors, musicians, photographers, and other creative entities regarding drafting, and negotiating contracts, copyrights, wills, small business management, permits and employment issues relating to intellectual property, such as work-for-hire and non-competition clauses. Sha-Shana frequently lectures on negotiating publishing contracts and author-editor-agent relationships. She is licensed to practice in New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia and is a member of the Litigation and Arts, Entertainment and Sports sections of the DC Bar.

Dee: How old is Crichton & Associates, Inc.? Sha-Shana: Three years old

Dee: When you became an entertainment lawyer were your aspirations only in assisting artists? Sha- Shana No. I was also a commercial litigator representing large companies and I did a great deal of pro bono work.

Dee: Once you began to work in entertainment law did you see a great need for African Diaspora representation? Sha- Shana: No. There are a number of excellent black entertainment lawyers

Dee: Were there many black and/or Caribbean agents to guide you along the way? Sha- Shana: NO

Dee: You take submissions from in many genres of romance fiction. Why is that? Sha- Shana: Yes. From Romantic Suspense to Inspirational Romance.

Dee: Is there a particular genre that you think is more trendy than most? Sha- Shana :Trendy - this would need a lot of clarification as there are a number of qualifiers. Dee: What do you look for in a client? Sha- Shana: A hard working person who is not opposed to changes / suggestions.

Dee: What do you look for in authors writing nonfiction books? Sha- Shana :Qualification in the area and a clear writing style.

Dee: If a potential client want's to write a single Christian parent handbook, do they have to a certain pedigree to write this or is their personal experiences enough?

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