Agent Spotlight: Christopher Schelling

This week's Agent Spotlight features Christopher Schelling of Selectric Artists Literary and Talent Management.
Status: Open to submissions.
About the Agent and the Agency: “Selectric Artists is a boutique literary and talent agency founded and run by Christopher Schelling. The agency roster runs from well-known bestselling authors to debut writers and illustrators in both fiction and nonfiction. Known as an agent for groundbreaking memoir and YA, Christopher is also interested in innovative, genre-defying novels and narrative nonfiction. He oversees and nurtures the careers of each client personally, and the editorial process is integral.
"Prior to opening Selectric Artists in 2011, he spent 13 years at Ralph M. Vicinanza Ltd, an iconic literary agency. Previously he was an editor at Dutton and Harper Collins. He also had a secret career as a book cover model.
"Christopher lives in Connecticut with four dogs and his husband, the memoirist Augusten Burroughs. ” (Link)
Web Presence:
Selectric Artists website.
Twitter @CRSRipley.
Roadswell Editions.
Publishers Marketplace page.
QueryTracker.
AgentQuery.
What He's Looking For:
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, young adult, narrative nonfiction, memoir, humor, pop culture. (Link, Link)
"Some categories have become tougher to sell - memoir, YA fantasy, science fiction (both adult and YA), domestic thrillers - so the bar is set even higher since I already have good writers in those areas. But I'm always looking for commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, graphic novels and graphic nonfiction." (Link)What He Isn't Looking For:
Romance, picture books, dramatic works.
Editorial Agent?
Yes-see his bio above.
Clients:
There is a page of clients on the agency website. These include G. Scott, Anna Shinoda, Danielle Henderson, Rainbow Rowell, Cinda Williams Chima, Augusten Burroughs, among others.
Query Methods:
E-mail: Yes (only).
Snail-Mail: No.
Online-Form: No.
Submission Guidelines (always verify):
“Email your query letter with manuscript attached as .doc, .pdf or .txt”
See the Selectric Artists website for complete, up-to-date submission guidelines.  
Query Tip:
"Here's a do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do tip: a cover letter with a personal touch explaining why we'd be a good match is more likely to get me into your manuscript." (Link)
Response Times:
He only responds if he's interested. If you have not heard from him within six weeks, consider it a rejection.
What's the Buzz?
Christopher Schelling is a successful literary agent, representing a number of best-selling and critically-acclaimed authors. His clients seem very happy with his representation, some of which have been with him for years.
Mr. Schelling keeps a relatively low profile online but can be found on Twitter @CRSRipley.
Worth Your Time:
Interviews:
Roadswell and THE CIPHER: Q&A with Christopher Schelling and Kathe Koja(06/2012).
A 1/2 Dozen for Christopher Schelling at Baggot, Asher, Bode (03/2011).
Contact:
Please see the Selectric Artists website for additional contact and query information.
Profile Details:
Last Updated: 5/29/2020.
Agent Contacted for Review?
Last Reviewed By Agent? N/A.
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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/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.