About Kelly

 

ABOUT US

A Romance Writers of America Recognized Agency 

Member of the American Christian Fiction Writers

 

Kelly Mortimer started Mortimer Literary Agency with one thought in mind: There were too many great writers who couldn’t get their foot in the door. She’s only 5′4”, but she wears a size 8-1/2 shoe, so she thought she could help. And she has, selling manuscripts for her first two clients in the same week. 

In her agency’s first full year of business, the American Christian Fiction Writers nominated Kelly for their “Agent of the Year” award. Kelly finished as #11 on the Publisher’s Marketplace list of “Top 100 Dealmakers, 2007” – Romance Category. Boo-Yah!

Kelly has a background in business (she’s always giving everyone the business) and has a secret government clearance (really), so your dirty laundry is safe with her. 

She has a degree in contract law and has many character witnesses (at least 100 people will attest to the fact she’s a character). Being Italian, she loves to chat with editors, booksellers, and writers, unless, of course, her hands are full.

Kelly knows the literary business and will use her maniacal type-A personality to work her heart out (yes, some agents DO have hearts) for her select family of clients. In order to be accessible to her authors, her client list will remain short. As more clients need less of her time (sniffle, sniffle), she’ll be open to adding more writers.

She wants to ferret out those unpublished authors whose manuscripts are great as is, but no one’ll give them a chance, or those whose manuscripts are close, but need some work to catch an editor’s eye (she provides every client with a mitt).

Kelly’s personal service includes:

  • Returning her clients’ calls and e-mails within 24 hours (on weekdays) unless she didn’t receive the message, or she’s dead, in which case clients have her permission to seek other representation.
  • She’ll give a client’s first manuscript a full line edit, along with her best suggestions for making the work shine. Warning: She’s disgustingly honest (but not mean), and loves heckling (c’mon, she’s gotta have SOME fun). She’ll edit the client’s other manuscripts as needed until they sell and get an editor (who’ll be disgustingly honest in her stead).
  • She’ll send manuscripts out to pre-selected editors in a timely manner (usually a few days)
  • Kelly sends her clients a monthly report so they know who has what, where.
  • She’ll believe in you and give you pep-talks as needed, or slap you around–her choice.

Kelly can’t promise you’ll get published. The book-buying business is subjective. She might think your writing is the next best thing to a heaping bowl of pasta, but 100 editors might not (some editors have no taste!). Still, she’ll travel far and wide, search every newsletter, read every blog, scour every avenue (including Boardwalk and Park Place), to find the editor who wants to buy your manuscript.

Having a big-name agent from a large agency representing you might be great. Kelly feels: It’s not the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog.