Agent Spotlight: Sean McCarthy

This week's Agent Spotlight features Sean McCarthy of Sean McCarthy Literary Agency.
Status: Open to submissions.
About: “Sean McCarthy began his publishing career as an editorial intern at Overlook Press and then moved over to the Sheldon Fogelman Agency.  He worked as the submissions coordinator and permissions manager before becoming a full-time literary agent.  Sean graduated from Macalester College with a degree in English-Creative Writing, and is grateful that he no longer has to spend his winters in Minnesota.
He is drawn to flawed, multifaceted characters with devastatingly concise writing in YA, and boy-friendly mysteries or adventures in MG. In picture books, he looks more for unforgettable characters, off-beat humor, and especially clever endings. He is not currently interested in high fantasy, message-driven stories, or query letters that pose too many questions.
“You can follow Sean on Twitter for his thoughts on publishing news, the inevitable hipsterfication of Astoria, and the Mets' starting lineup.” (Link)
About the Agency:
“Sean McCarthy Literary Agency is a full service literary agency specializing in children's books of all ages.  It was established in 2013 by Sean McCarthy, and emphasizes a comprehensive approach in assisting clients with their literary careers.  We guide authors and illustrators through all phases of the publishing process, from developing manuscripts to negotiating contracts to managing foreign and subsidiary rights and everything in between.” (Link)
Web Presence:
Sean McCarthy Lit website.
Twitter @McCarthyLit.
#MSWL on Twitter
Facebook.
SubItClub (Blog Where He Posts With Others)
Pinterest.
AgentQuery.
QueryTracker.
What He's Looking For:
Genres / Specialties:
Children’s picture books through young adult, illustrators.
From His Bio (as above):
“He is drawn to flawed, multifaceted characters with devastatingly concise writing in YA, and boy-friendly mysteries or adventures in MG. In picture books, he looks more for unforgettable characters, off-beat humor, and especially clever endings.” (Link)
Via Twitter (09/2013):
“I'd love to see more funny MG or YA, though not necessarily zany or wacky. Humor via character development has a more lasting impact.#MSWL” (Link)
“For YA sci-fi, I love ms that use genre to explore contemporary themes via new perspective. More than just "cool world-building, bro" #MSWL” (Link)
“I'd also love to see a subversive literary detective ms for MG or YA along the lines of Paul Auster meets THE HARDY BOYS. #MSWL” (Link)
Via Twitter (06/2013):
“I'm still looking for a concussion-sports themed YA, or anything that's as passionate about sports as THE ART OF FIELDING #MSWL” (Link)
Middle Grade: I love adventure/mysteries with exceedingly clever word games (think THE WESTING GAME) that lets the reader play along. #MSWL” (Link)
What He Isn't Looking For:
"I tend not to be the best match for issue-driven stories, but other than that, I’m open to all genres." (Link)Editorial Agent?
Yes.
Clients:
There is a page of recent titles on the agency website.
Mr. McCarthy’s clients include: Mark Fearing, Hillary Homzie, Zachariah O’Hora, Jamie Swenson, Hyewon Yum, among others.
Query Methods:

E-mail: Yes (only).
Snail-Mail: No.
Online-Form: No.
Submission Guidelines (always verify):
“Please include a brief description of your book, your biography, and any literary or relevant professional credits in your query letter.
“If you are a novelist: Please submit the first three chapters of your manuscript (or roughly 25 pages) and a one page synopsis in the body of the email or as a Word or PDF attachment.
“If you are a picture book author: Please submit the complete text of your manuscript.  We are not currently accepting picture book manuscripts over 1,000 words.
“If you are an illustrator: Please attach up to 3 JPEGs or PDFs of your work, along with a link to your website.”
See the Sean McCarthy Literary Agency website for complete, up-to-date submissions guidelines.
Query Tips:
"I’m really looking for the author to showcase their work, and demonstrate how much they know about the trade children’s market. Other than that, I’m just looking for the basics – what the book is about, why it will stand out, and a little bit about the author’s background and qualifications as a writer. The writing is still the thing for me." (Link)

“I know it's hard to keep up and track queries, but a little personalization in the cover letter will go a long way with me. I'd much rather be addressed as ‘Dear Sean’ than ‘Dear Agent,’ and I'd also like to know why you think I'd be a good match for your work. Form query letters tend to get form rejections. (Link defunct)
“In terms of pet peeves, I'm not a big fan of query letters that pose too many questions about the work (please just tell me what happens).” (Link defunct)
“For picture books, I'd like to see 3 manuscripts at once, assuming that they're all under 850 words. And then, if there was a connection to the work, I'd ask to see more.” (Link defunct)
“#QueryTip If you send illustrations with your pb text, I assume that's the only way you see it. The art has to be professional if included.” (Link defunct)
Response Times:
The agency’s stated response time is six to eight weeks.
What's the Buzz?
Sean McCarthy founded the Sean McCarthy Literary Agency in November of 2013 after seven years with the Sheldon Fogelman Agency. The agency specializes in all genres and age ranges of children’s literature.
Worth Your Time:
Interviews and Posts:
Literary Agent Sean McCarthy on Memorable Characters at Inked Voices (09/2019)
Interview with Agent Sean McCarthy at SCWBI Wisconsin (08/2018)
Interview with Literary Agent Sean McCarthy at Justin Colon Books (05/2018)
Sean McCarthy at 12 x 12 (03/2018)
Introducing Sean McCarthy at the Sub It Club (05/2017)
Queries That Make You Go Hmm at the Sub It Club (05/2017)
A Cafe Chat With Literary Agent Sean McCarthy at EasternPennPoints (03/2016)
Interview with Sean McCarthy at SCBWI on YouTube (10/2014)
Contact:
Please see the Sean McCarthy Literary Agency website for contact and query information.
Profile Details:
Last updated: 5/17/2020.
Agent Contacted for Review? Yes.
Last Reviewed By Agent? 11/11/13.
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Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or e-mail me at natalieiaguirre7(at)gmail(dot)com

Note: These agent profiles presently focus on agents who accept children's and/or teen fiction. They are not interviews. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found herein is subject to change.