*Acadian* Literary Agents? (Bangor, Fort Kent, Allagash: movies, live, relocation)

[Purplecow]

I'm encountering something here at the tip-top of Maine that I'm very surprised by. I used to have a literary agent before that profession took a major hit from the internet in the early part of last decade. My agent and I mutually parted ways, and I spent the last decade taking care of an aging parent whose passing allowed my relocation here to Maine.

I'm amazed that Canadian literary agents and other creative personnel will not look at work from Acadian writers (you can substitute Aroostook and points north of Bangor for "Acadian"). The state of Maine has some wonderful opportunities for homegrown writers--the Maine Literary Award, and lots of regional but southern social groups devoted to writing.

I got my former agent on the strength of a mystery screenplay, and that's all I write--two measly mystery novels, but otherwise, regional mystery screenplays. The word "region" here means Northeast U.S.

Anyway, this is just another surprise I'll have to adjust to about Canada. But since it's the weekend and other writers might be visiting CD, I'll just ask if anyone knows if Northern Maine has ever sort of "unionized" in an artistic sense.

Think this pretty much covers all my relocation questions. I've covered all the bases now but have to say the U.S. of A. and Northern Maine are the clear winners in the friendly country contest.

[Coaster]

Is it possible that Canadian literary agents simply aren't interested in repping a Maine writer? You might try contacting Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance about both agents and other writers in northern Maine. In addition, "regional" seems to be a bad word in fiction writing these days. I know of a few successful regional writers in Maine, but nowhere near the numbers we used to see back in the 1990s, when publishers such as Down East Books and Tilbury Books were turning out dozens of books a year. Down East Books is now owned by an out-of-state company, and Tilbury seems to have scaled back its list significantly. Screenplays with regional in their description are even more difficult to market these days, or so it seems.

[slyfox2]

There is a guy who uses the name Acadian Lion who has written three adventure novels that are quite good. He lives down east and you may be able to get some information from him. He doesn't come here very often but he can also be found on facebook.

[Purplecow]

Thanks to you both.

I know regional fiction isn't riding a high now, not the way it did in the late 90's and early Aughts. However, Lifetime or made-for-t.v., L.A.-financed screenplays often get made north of the border for reasons other than production costs, and it's not unusual to find literary agencies with offices in both Toronto and SoCal. There's an unsung and relatively unknown--but profit-making--ring of production companies that specialize in made-for-cable (i.e., Lifetime or Hallmark) films; and while many scripts originally written for northern exposure can be re-cast for palm trees and bright sunshine, others can't. The free melancholy of northern weather (Stephen King built his fortune on it) doesn't translate to L.A. Anyone familiar with the 90's series The X-Files will know that what is brilliant in Vancouver mist often seems downright ridiculous in California sun.

[maineguy8888]

Cathy Pelletier has done very well writing several screenplays, and a bunch of fiction works. Her stuff is typically set in the the Fort Kent area. Her stuff has been made into movies, etc.
She is from Allagash.