OMM Publishing & Creative Consulting

Have a brilliant book idea but feel overwhelmed on where to begin? Preparing to query literary agents but unsure how to position your manuscript within the marketplace? Workshopping a book proposal and in need of a professional eye? Searching for an informed and experienced perspective on a multi-hyphenate creative career? Struggling to wrap your head around how the publishing industry even works?

Hello, writers and artists!

I’m Monica Odom, founder and literary agent at Odom Media Management, a literary agency dedicated to championing authors and illustrators whose work expands and deepens the cultural conversation. My core areas of expertise include: literary fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, graphic novels across all age ranges, children’s picture books. I specialize in working with multi-hyphenate creatives working across categories and creatives with existing platforms to grow and shape.

I earned my M.S. in Publishing from New York University and currently teach a publishing course at my local alma mater Montclair State University in collaboration with the Montclair Lit Fest and Watchung Booksellers. What delights me most about working in the book world is the shared passion and joy around the expressive entertainment engine of the written (or illustrated!) word. This coupled with the inherent word-of-mouth nature of the industry informs my community-driven approach to the work.

You can now consult with me!

In support of OMM’s mission to subvert the history of gatekeeping and continuously demystify the ever-evolving publishing industry, we now proudly offer creative career consulting for writers and illustrators at any stage. 

This isn’t a pitch session for representation, this is customized, strategic support from a publishing professional to help you refine your professional goals and next steps. From shaping a concept, to preparing to query, working through rejection, or switching gears on a project, OMM is here to share publishing strategies and help you write the next chapter in your professional journey.

What will we talk about?

Well, lots of things because I’m a fast talker, but here’s a sampling of how we might spend our time together:

• Exploring specific book ideas for strength & viability

• Identifying key aspects of your platform & positioning

• Workshopping a query letter or book proposal

• Strategizing how to ignite (or reignite) a work-in-progress

• Educating on the inner workings of the publishing process

• Gaining renewed confidence, inspiration and insight

What will it cost?

The cost for a consultation session with Monica is $400 for 90 minutes via phone or video call.

FAQs:

Q: I would strongly benefit from a consultation session but it is not in my budget right now. What are my options?

A: A sliding scale is available upon request for those for whom the full fee would be a financial hardship. OMM encourages you to reach out to us at consulting@odommediamgmt.com with the subject line “Sliding Scale Request.”

Q: What if I want to consult for more than one session?

A: If you are seeking continued access and accountability, we offer a 6-session package tailored to your goals and needs which can be discussed further during your initial consultation.

Q: I’m local to Montclair, NJ and would like to have my consultation session in-person. Is this possible?

A: Hey neighbor! I accept a limited number of in-person sessions per month and happy to meet in-person in Montclair as my schedule allows. 

Q: What if I want to be represented by OMM?

A: It is important for us to be clear that these consultations are not for pitching representation. While we are bringing our depth of knowledge, passion, and service to our consulting sessions, an agent is owed a commission on all of a clients’ literary works and associated subrights in perpetuity to compensate for the level of long-term engagement, advisement, and career partnership at play. In offering consulting services, we acknowledge that we cannot represent the volume of folks who reach out but we CAN share information and encourage those folks to continue the work towards their goal with our tailored industry advice in mind. This also increases real-life access to us as gatekeepers via a one-time fee offering instead of the query email or writers conference option.

If you feel you are a candidate for representation at OMM, please follow the submission guidelines here. If you are unsure, don’t let that stop you from signing up for a consultation session. If it is meant to be, it will be and we will sort it out accordingly. 

Q: What if I have a question that has not been answered here?

A: You can reach out to us at consulting@odommediamgmt.com. Please allow 5-7 business days for a reply.