Agent Spotlight: Charlie Olsen

This week's Agent Spotlight features Charlie Olsen of InkWell Management.
Status: Accepting submissions.
About: “Charlie Olsen started his publishing career at InkWell in 2007 and has been building his client list since. He is interested in fiction, children’s books, graphic novels and illustrated works, and compelling narrative non-fiction. Prior to Inkwell, Charlie studied print journalism at Rider University, covered a beat at a newswire in the District of Columbia, and wrote for two newspapers in New Jersey. He works with award-winning graphic novelists, including New York Times bestseller Matt Kindt, New York Times bestseller Jeff Lemire, and National Book Award finalist Noelle Stevenson; distinguished children’s book authors including New York Times bestseller Andrea Cremer, Amy Ewing, and Gus Gordon; and also represents non-fiction—both illustrated and traditional prose—like Whisk(e)y Distilled by Heather Greene (Viking, 2014); a book about the seven would-be assassins of Queen Victoria called Shooting Victoria by Paul Thomas Murphy (Pegasus,2012); and The Warren Commission Report: A Graphic Investigation into the Kennedy Assassination by Dan Mishkin, Ernie Cólon, and Jerzy Drozd (Abrams, 2014).” (Link)
About the Agency:
"InkWell is one of the world’s leading literary agencies, proudly representing major literary prize winners as well as many of the world’s bestselling and best-loved authors. We enjoy a considerable international reputation as a significant and innovative player in the industry.
“In addition to its full-time agents and their assistants, the InkWell team includes a tireless foreign rights department, a dedicated social media, marketing and publicity expert, and a meticulous contracts manager. We also join forces with leading literary agencies in every foreign market and have agents based in Australia, Boston, and Dallas. We continue to be excited by—and on the lookout for—original ideas, riveting stories and great writing.” (Link)Web Presence
InkWell Management website
Twitter
#mswl on Twitter
QueryTracker.
What He's Looking For:
Genres/Specialties:
Picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, illustrated works, narrative nonfiction, commercial fiction. (via e-mail 11/12)
What He Isn't Looking For:
Screenplays. (Link)
Editorial Agent?
“Yes. Nothing gets to the submission stage untouched.” (via e-mail 11/12)
Clients:
A list of InkWell Management clients is available on the website.
Mr. Olsen’s clients include: Heather Anastasiu, Andrea Cremer, Amy Ewing, Gus Gordon, Allison Gutknecht, Matt Kindt, Maureen McGowan, Ryan Oakley, Sarah Schauerte, Noelle Stevenson, among others.
Query Methods:
E-mail: Yes (only).
Snail-Mail: No.
Online-Form: No.
Submission Guidelines (always verify):
In the body of an e-mail include a query letter and short writing sample of one to two chapters.
Please see the Inkwell Management website for complete, up-to-date submission guidelines and terms of agreement.
Response Times:
The agency has a stated response time of up to two months (link) and Mr. Olsen usually responds within this timeframe. Stats on requested material are limited but show a range of 1-4 months.
“If you don’t hear from me in 8-10 weeks, ping me. This is a good practice for all agents you query.” (via e-mail 11/12)
What's the Buzz?
Charlie Olsen has been with InkWell since 2007. He is actively making sales for his select client list and his authors seem very happy with his representation. He represents picture books, chapter books, middle grade and young adult on the children's side and has a keen interest in graphic novels. I recommend following him on Twitter @ComicsisPeople.
Worth Your Time:
Interviews:
Charlie Olsen Interview on YouTube at Just Steve (10/2014)
Contact:
Please see the InkWell Management website for contact and query information.
Profile Details:
Last updated: 5/20/2020.
Agent Contacted For Review? Yes.
Last Reviewed By Agent? 11/15/12.
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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.