Hi. Want to work together?
About 15 years ago, I decided to move from writing for businesses to writing for children. As a former early childhood educator and mom of three, I returned to my roots. 

Even though I was a confident writer, I spent the first few years of that decade learning how to write effectively for this market.

It took five years, but I sold my first two books--without an agent.

Then, in addition to improving my craft, I dedicated myself to learning the ins and outs of the industry. I learned:
  • the role of an agent and his/her value in the system
  • how publishing houses are different and alike, how they make their decisions to purchase a manuscript, and what their individual personalities are 
  • how editors spend their busy work days and how they select manuscripts to purchase
  • where money is allocated throughout the chain of making a book

And why, for the love of milk and cookies, decisions take so long. 

Most recently I've focused on learning about the people within the industry (this is where everything got interesting!) such as:
  • the genres, age categories, and sensibilities that different agents and editors invest in
  • which agents and editors (and publishing houses) lean toward commercial versus literary, awards potential, and/or and riding trends​
  • who would be great to work with -- or not -- and why

Over the years, in my role as a knowledge-seeker and an SCBWI Regional Advisor now Emeritus, I've attended, presented at, and/or coordinated over 30 international, national, and/or regional children's writing conferences and over 20 webinars on topics related to writing and submitting to agents and editors.

The bottom line? I've learned about and interacted with A LOT of editors and agents and continue to do so on a regular basis. 

You might wonder about my personal experience with agents. Since 2015, I've been represented by three literary agents.  Each has their own agenting model, interests, strengths, and methods for working within this crazy, wonderful world of children's books. Today, I am happily represented by Kelly Sonnack, owner and president of Andrea Brown Literary Agency, the number 1 selling children's book agency in the US in 2018.  

 I'm looking forward to putting these in-the-trenches insights to work for you!