Literary Agent Interview: Analía Cabello Interview and Query Critique Giveaway

Today I’m thrilled to have agent Analía Cabello here. She’s an associate agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency. 

Hi­ Analía! Thanks so much for joining us. 

About Analía: 

1. Tell us how you became an agent, how long you’ve been one, and what you’ve been doing as an agent.

 

Hi Literary Rambles! Thanks so much for having me. J 

Well, it’s funny—I didn’t start out intending to become an agent, but as I’ve been reflecting on my career in publishing so far, my first experiences in the industry were at literary agencies! My initial goal was to become an editor. I’ve been a huge reader for my whole life but knew I’d rather support authors than be one myself, and I love editorial work—but I also knew most of those jobs were located on the East Coast, and I was based in California at the time. Literary agencies were some of the only parts of publishing who were offering remote internships at that time, and I was super lucky to have the opportunity to connect with great folks at a couple different agencies who taught me a ton. 

I did eventually move to the East Coast briefly for a short stint at Candlewick—where I gained invaluable experience and worked with a lot of wonderful, talented people—but I was homesick and wanted to be closer to my family in California. That’s how I ended up at ABLA in 2021 as Kelly Sonnack’s assistant, and the rest is history! I’ve been an associate agent since January of 2025, so I’m very much in a building phase. I’ve been reading a ton of queries, doing work behind-the-scenes with my clients to get their work ready for submission, and trying to introduce myself to the industry a bit. 

About the Agency: 

2. Share a bit about your agency and what it offers to its authors.

The Andrea Brown Literary Agency is a mid-sized agency specializing in both kidlit and adult literature. It was founded in California over 40 years ago, and we now have agents in all different parts of the country. You can read more about the agency on our website and see more from us on Instagram and Bluesky. Our agents are so talented, hardworking, kind, and collaborative, and are excellent advocates for all ABLA clients. I’m so grateful to have joined them and to call them my colleagues! 

What She’s Looking For: 

3. What age groups do you represent—picture books, MG, and/or YA? What genres do you represent and what are you looking for in submissions for these genres?

I’m looking for anything from picture books through YA. In picture books, I’m particularly wanting narrative-driven stories featuring human characters. For novels, I’m primarily looking for contemporary stories with literary-leaning writing. I love characters who feel in-between in any sense (identity, friend groups, transitional period of life, etc.); stories of self-discovery and character growth; explorations of sibling relationships and intergenerational families; and stories from creators whose voices have been traditionally underrepresented in the industry. In illustrators, I look for art that I’d want to live in: pieces that are rich in texture, detail, and narrative, with joyful characters and color palettes that pop. 

4.  Is there anything you would be especially excited to seeing in the genres you are interested in?

Give me all the sapphic romances, please! I would love something with the vibes of Bend It Like Beckham or Ice Princess but queer. I also appreciate ensemble stories with high stakes (like The Bear or Vampires Vs. The Bronx). And I love the gorgeous, dreamy feel of Makoto Shinkai’s recent movies. I would love to see something with those vibes. 

What She Isn’t Looking For: 

5. What types of submissions are you not interested in?

I am typically not the right agent for the following types of projects:

·       Science fiction and most fantasy (particularly high fantasy and portal fantasy)

·       Graphic novels and nonfiction

·       Stories where trauma is part of the primary conflict (particularly trauma around coming out)

·       Rhyming picture book texts

·       Picture book texts about anthropomorphic animals

·       Novels told from the perspective of an animal 

Agent Philosophy: 

6. What is your philosophy as an agent both in terms of the authors you want to work with and the books you want to represent?

It's important to me that I’m connecting with the submitted manuscript and have a vision for how to help the creator bring it to readers. I’ve read gorgeous texts that, after much deliberation, I’ve ultimately decided that I wouldn’t be the right agent to work on them, even though I would absolutely grab them off the shelf in the future. (And, trust me, this is always a disappointing realization!) I also have a conversation with prospective clients about their other works and/or future career goals. If an author submits a YA contemporary to me, for example, but also aspires to write high fantasy novels, I’m probably not the best agent for them, even if I really love their YA contemporary manuscript. Ultimately, this is a partnership, and I want to make sure that I’ll be the best partner for a prospective client and their work! 

Editorial Agent: 

7. Are you an editorial agent? If so, what is your process like when you’re working with your authors before submitting to editors?

I do consider myself an editorial agent. I love the editorial process—there’s something so rewarding about digging into a manuscript and getting to work alongside the author to identify where the story is already singing and where it can be strengthened to give it the best chance once it’s in an editor’s inbox. The exact process varies from project to project but I generally aim to do revisions in two phases: tackling developmental edits, which can take a couple rounds depending on the project, and then a light line edit to polish everything up before going out. 

Query Methods and Submission Guidelines: (Always verify before submitting) 

8. How should authors query you and what do you want to see with the query letter?

Please query me via QueryTracker! The materials will vary based on the type of submission; for illustrators, for example, I’d like to see either a portfolio uploaded or linked, in addition to a website link. For picture book texts, just paste your manuscript into the form where instructed. For novels, I’d like to see the first 20 pages of your manuscript in addition to a synopsis. (These instructions should also be present in the query form at the link.) 

9.  Do you have any specific dislikes in query letters or the first pages submitted to you?

Not necessarily! Of course, a polished query letter definitely helps make a good first impression, but we’re all human and mistakes aren’t the end of the world. I will also say that if your query materials are externally linked (for example, a link to a portfolio/website), please check your links, check your share settings, and make sure agents will be able to access your work! Broken links, links to locked website portfolio pages (without passwords included in the query letter), or links to file-sharing platforms (like Google drive/docs) that don’t allow folks to view unless they expressly have permission can be tough. 

Response Time: 

10. What’s your response time to queries and requests for more pages of a manuscript?

I make it a point to respond to every query in my query box, but my response time varies greatly and depends on when something is received and what else I have going on. Sometimes I answer a query the day it lands in my inbox because I happen to be in there already; sometimes it takes a bit longer. And sometimes I hold on to things for longer because I’m still making a decision, of course! 

Self-Published and Small Press Authors: 

11.  Are you open to representing authors who have self-published or been published by smaller presses? What advice do you have for them if they want to try to find an agent to represent them?

When I’m considering a client, the most important thing to me is whether I’m connecting with their work; I don’t see things like being self-published or previously published by smaller presses as a deterrent at all, as long as you’re querying with new, unpublished work. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend doing anything differently in your query process; just be honest and up-front about this when you’re querying. One of the really cool things about this industry is all the various paths people have taken on their journey; this is just another type of path!

Clients: 

12. Who are some of the authors you represent?

I currently represent about a dozen super cool, super talented creators. They range from picture book authors to MG authors to illustrators, and I’m so thrilled they’ve trusted me with their work. You can see more about them here. 

Interviews and Guest Posts: 

13. Please share the links to any interviews, guest posts, and podcasts you think would be helpful to writers interested in querying you.

None yet, but keep an eye on my website—I hope to be adding some links in the coming months! 

Update on 5/23/2025:

Agent of the Month at Writing and Illustrating Part 1, Part 2 (5/2025)

Links and Contact Info: 

14. Please share how writers should contact you to submit a query and your links on the Web.

I only accept queries via QueryTracker. You can see more about what I’m looking for on my website and my ABLA page. I’m also on Bluesky and Instagram. (I’m not super active in either place yet, but I’m trying to get better about it!) 

Additional Advice: 

15. Is there any other advice you’d like to share with aspiring authors that we haven’t covered?

Find community—writing/creating and querying can feel isolating, and it can be helpful to connect with other folks who are on this journey. But also—easier said than done, I know—try to avoid the comparison game. Everyone’s path looks different. Keep writing, keep revising, get connected, find critique partners, and remember that it just takes one yes. J 

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Analía.

Giveaway Details 

­Analía is generously offering a query critique to one lucky winner. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment through May 24th. If you do not want to enter the contest, that’s okay. Just let me know in the comments. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you follow me on Twitter or mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. This is an international giveaway. 

Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or email me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com 

Note: These agent profiles and interviews presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found here is subject to change.

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Friday, May 16th I’m participating in the Moms Rock Giveaway Hop

Monday, May 19th I have a guest post by author Carol L. Pauer and a giveaway of her MG Rowley Peters and the Lumberjack Ghost

Wednesday, May 21st I have an agent spotlight interview with Isabel Lineberry and a query critique giveaway

Sunday, June 1st I’m participating in the Berry Good Giveaway Hop

Wednesday, June 4th I have an interview with author Aaron Starmer and a giveaway of his YA Night Swimming and my IWSG post

Monday, June 9th I have an interview with author Nancy McCabe and a giveaway of her MG Fires Burning Underground 

Wednesday, June 11th I have an agent spotlight interview with Mark O’Brien and a query critique giveaway

Monday, June 16th I’m participating in the Dad-o-Mite Giveaway Hop

Monday, June 23rd I have an interview with author Michael Spradlin and a giveaway of his MG Threat of the Spider

I hope to see you on Friday!

Literary Agent Interview: Sally Kim and Query Critique Giveaway

Today I’m thrilled to have associate agent Sally Kim here. She’s an agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

Hi Sally! Thanks so much for joining us.

About Sally:

1. Tell us how you became an agent, how long you’ve been one, and what you’ve been doing as an agent.

In 2023, after many years working in children’s book marketing I took a moment to regroup, think about my career path thus far, and determine what the future might hold for me. I felt that there was another proverbial mountain to climb but I wasn’t sure what that might be. Thankfully, I’m surrounded by brilliant friends and colleagues who nudged me in the direction of agenting. Fast forward to several incredible conversations with agents at Andrea Brown Literary Agency and the rest is history! Depending on what you count as my start date, it’s been roughly a year since I joined ABLA, and I’m thrilled with how it’s going so far. I’m learning every day, and I am so happy with my growing client list.

About the Agency:

2. Share a bit about your agency and what it offers to its authors.

I couldn’t be more biased, but I think Andrea Brown Literary Agency is the absolute best, and I count myself lucky to have joined this incredible group of talented agents. All my colleagues are wise, hardworking, and uber collaborative.

ABLA was founded more than 40 years ago here in California. Today, our agents span the country and represent hundreds of gifted authors and illustrators of both children’s and adult literature. To learn more, please go to https://www.andreabrownlit.com/ and follow us on Instagram and Bluesky. 

What She’s Looking For:

3. What age groups do you represent—picture books, MG, and/or YA? What genres do you represent and what are you looking for in submissions for these genres?

I am open to authors and illustrators of board books, picture books, chapter books, and middle grade, fiction and nonfiction. As a newer agent, I am actively looking to grow my client list and find talented people from all walks of life. Lots more below.

4.  Is there anything you would be especially excited to seeing in the genres you are interested in?

My taste leans a bit more literary and it’s not surprising that my current client list is strong in that category. To balance things out, I’m also looking for authors and illustrators whose projects have a more commercial bent. But ask me again in a couple months and that could change!

I’ve been telling folks that I’m hungry for smart or goofy (or smart AND goofy!) humorous picture book projects from authors and author-illustrators. I’m also eager to find an author who really understands what it takes to craft an exceptional chapter book story—this is high on my wish list. Also, my profile states I’m not the best fit for rhyming picture books but it’s more accurate to say that I’m waiting for the right one. I feel like it’s coming for me soon! Oh, and I also have a soft spot for wordless picture books.
Lastly and most importantly, I’m trying very hard to build a client list that is diverse in all possible ways. I jump for joy inside when I see someone with a unique background or underrepresented perspective.
What She Isn’t Looking For:

5. What types of submissions are you not interested in?

I’m pretty quick to pass on submissions that fail to center the child’s perspective or those that try to teach a lesson or reinforce a common platitude like ‘just believe in yourself.’

Agent Philosophy:

6. What is your philosophy as an agent both in terms of the authors you want to work with and the books you want to represent?

I remind myself pretty often that there are many talented writers and artists out there, but that’s not reason enough to offer representation. Equally important are 1) my connection with the work. Not only should the project be publishable, but I must also feel genuine and enduring enthusiasm for it; and 2) a connection with the creator. When we meet and get to know each other in that first Zoom call, it’s important that we’re compatible in how we communicate, how we envision working together, and a similar vision for their future in publishing.

Editorial Agent:

7. Are you an editorial agent? If so, what is your process like when you’re working with your authors before submitting to editors?

If you had asked me this a year ago when I first started, I would’ve said no. But I’ve been rapidly developing my own approach to editorial feedback. While I’ll probably never be that agent that gives you a 10-page editorial letter, I do strive to give thoughtful feedback on both the big picture and smaller details of any given project. The format in which this feedback is delivered varies, depending on the project and the client and can include email, in-line comments, and/or video conference call.

Query Methods and Submission Guidelines: (Always verify before submitting)

8. How should authors query you and what do you want to see with the query letter?

Please query me through QueryTracker (link here). I read and reply to every query!

A standard query letter is great. Tell me about yourself, about the project, a short pitch and/or positioning statement, and comps. Anything more is great, but not necessary.  

9.  Do you have any specific dislikes in query letters or the first pages submitted to you?

I don’t have hard rules against anything, but I’ll admit I notice when folks skip over the letter, if there are multiple typos, and it’s also not uncommon that people mistakenly query me with an adult book or re-query me with the exact same manuscript, maybe hoping I don’t notice.

Response Time:

10. What’s your response time to queries and requests for more pages of a manuscript?

This varies wildly depending on what else in happening in my world. There are times when I can respond within a few days. Other times, it’ll take 6-8 weeks. In rare exceptions, I take even longer but that’s usually when I’m on the fence about a project and I want to give myself a break to come back and get a second, first impression.

Self-Published and Small Press Authors:

11.  Are you open to representing authors who have self-published or been published by smaller presses? What advice do you have for them if they want to try to find an agent to represent them?

Yes, I’m open to authors who have been published before, and I don’t recommend they do anything differently in the querying process. Honesty and fully transparency about one’s background is recommended for everyone.

Clients:

12. Who are some of the authors you represent?

My author clients include Britt Crow-Miller, Amy Reitz, Emilie Boon (author-illustrator), Talitha Morena Moniz, Nicola Schofield (author-illustrator), and Tom Witkowski. I look forward to adding to this list in 2025!

Interviews and Guest Posts:

13. Please share the links to any interviews, guest posts, and podcasts you think would be helpful to writers interested in querying you.

N/a

Links and Contact Info:

14. Please share how writers should contact you to submit a query and your links on the Web.

Read about me on Andrea Brown Literary Agency: https://www.andreabrownlit.com/Team/sally-m.-kim

Query me at https://querymanager.com/query/sallyabla

Follow me at
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:lh7ha7unltwskpvaqh27yzo3
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sallymkim

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Sally.

Giveaway Details

Sally is generously offering a query critique to one lucky winner. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment through April 5th. If your email is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. If you do not want to enter the contest, that’s okay. Just let me know in the comments.

If you follow me on Twitter or mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. This is an international giveaway.

Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or email me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com

Note: These agent profiles and interviews presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found here is subject to change.

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Tuesday, April 1st I’m participating in the Honey Bunny Giveaway Hop

Wednesday, April 2nd I have an interview with debut author Lucia Damisa and a giveaway of her YA A Desert of Bleeding Sand and my IWSG post

Monday, April 7th I have an agent spotlight interview with Etsy Loveing-Downes and a query critique giveaway

Monday, April 14th I have an interview with author Mia Araujo and a giveaway of her MG Afia In the Land of Wonders

Wednesday, April 16th I’m participating in the Raindrop in Roses Giveaway Hop

Monday, April 21st I have an agent spotlight interview with Carey Blankenship-Kramer and a query critique giveaway

Wednesday, April 23rd I have an agent spotlight interview with Rebecca Eskildsen  and a query critique giveaway

Monday, April 28th I have an interview with debut author Alby Williams and a giveaway of their MG Where There Be Monsters

I hope to see you on Tuesday!

Agent Spotlight: Paige Terlip Interview and Query Critique Giveaway

Today I’m thrilled to have agent Paige Terlip here. She is a literary agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency

Status: Open to submissions

Hi­ Paige! Thanks so much for joining us.

About Paige:

1. Tell us how you became an agent, how long you’ve been one, and what you’ve been doing as an agent.

I had a bit of circuitous path to agenting, but I like to think all the varied jobs I’ve had support my career as an agent. I have always been a reader. When I was in high school, I severely injured my back and was on bed rest for most of my junior year. Books were my escape and my connection to the outside world. Since then, it was always a dream to somehow work with books someday. But before finding my way to agenting, I worked in marketing and communications at the National Renewable Energy Lab; web and graphic design for behavioral health businesses; and even at a ranch in the Rockies. Something was still missing, so I went back to school—getting an MA in Children’s Literature and an MFA in Writing for Children from Simmons University. After that, I worked in a variety of jobs across publishing before landing at Andrea Brown Literary Agency. I have been with the agency since 2017 and have been an Associate Agent for over a year.

 

After my promotion to Associate Agent in early 2021, I focused on building my list of incredibly talented authors and illustrators. I also sold some amazing projects, and I can’t wait until we can announce them all!

About the Agency:

2. Share a bit about your agency and what it offers to its authors.

The Andrea Brown Literary Agency specializes in children's and adult literature, celebrating thousands of titles sold since our founding in August 1981. We work to bring to light the voices and perspectives of new writers as well as to nurture and develop the careers of experienced authors. Our goal, whether seeking to secure a publishing contract for a first book or a fiftieth book, is to make sure that clients are not only published, but published well.

Our philosophy is to remain a "small" agency at heart. We invest a great deal of personal care and attention in each project and in each client, and we are hands-on in all aspects of our interactions. We work closely with clients and devise a strategy at every stage of the writing process - from conception to editorial to submission - that is tailored to the client and that will enable us to find the best publisher for each book. In doing so, we think about both short term and long term goals for our clients, always keeping the trajectory of a successful career in mind.

Our agents have backgrounds in New York publishing, editing, academia, business, teaching, writing, design, marketing, and film, and one of our strengths as an agency is that we work collaboratively. Our clients have the benefit not only of their individual agent's expertise but of the combined experience and vision of the group.

As a West Coast based agency, we follow a tradition of West Coast innovation in our passion for discovering new voices, in our efforts to make New York publishing more accessible and inclusive of voices from other parts of the country, and in our attempt to see publishing trends that result from this broader perspective. We combine this approach with access, standing, and visibility in the publishing community at large. Our agents make regular trips to New York, attend industry conventions, and participate as faculty at writers' conferences all over the world.

With the personal client attention of a small agency and the business acumen and clout of a larger one, the Andrea Brown Literary Agency brings the best of both worlds to the table.

What She’s Looking For:

3. What age groups do you represent—picture books, MG, and/or YA? What genres do you represent and what are you looking for in submissions for these genres?

I represent authors and illustrators in picture books, MG, YA, and select adult fiction. Across age categories, I am drawn to high concept novels with captivating hooks, snarky characters with hearts of gold, creative magic systems, complicated relationships, and found families. I love well-plotted twists, being a little bit scared, and stories that explore the fluidity of gender and bring the queer experience to light. Regardless of genre, I am seeking inclusive, intersectional voices and gorgeous line-level writing with emotionally compelling narratives.

4.  Is there anything you would be especially excited to seeing in the genres you are interested in?

I am particularly looking for funny MG and YA. Something with an unforgettable voice, banter, and wit—something that perfectly balances snark and heart. In MG something that feels like Stand Up, Yumi Chung! or That Thing About Bollywood or in YA something like Not My Problem. I love seeing characters finding their individuality and owning their truth. In YA, I especially love to see characters doing this while also navigating hormones and first loves.

I’d also love to see a twisty YA thriller that not only surprises through the plot but also delves into the dark complexities of the human mind. For me it’s not just about the “who” but the “why” of it all, which is often more compelling. If it borders on horror or comments on our current social/political struggles, all the better.

Some other random things I love to see in books across age groups and genres: kids who love cooking or baking; girls who excel in martial arts; unapologetic protagonists; dogs; crystals and tarot; kids who love or are learning to love nature / gardening; mysteries and puzzles; old houses with their own secrets; multi-generational narratives (especially if it involves magic); old books in old libraries; and when kids challenge entrenched ideology.

What She Isn’t Looking For:

I am still open to the perfect picture book—especially if it’s an author-illustrator—but I am being very selective right now.

5. What types of submissions are you not interested in?

I am not the best agent for memoirs, sci-fi set only on spaceships, or books about eating disorders. I am also very selective and PB and that rhyme. Though sometimes the right project will change my mind. If you think we would be a good fit, go ahead and surprise me!

Agent Philosophy:

6. What is your philosophy as an agent both in terms of the authors you want to work with and the books you want to represent?

My mission as a literary agent centers on prioritizing an author's career, not just an individual title. I work with authors at every step of the publishing pipeline from the spark of an idea, to negotiating contracts, to post-publication marketing efforts. Together we will strategize benchmarks to secure long and short-term goals. I am also an editorial agent and believe in creating as strong a manuscript as possible before going on submission.

I approach agenting with a background in graphic design and marketing. I love utilizing these skills to make my clients' projects stand out. I gravitate toward books that instantly conjure a mood and visual in my mind, and I use this inspiration to pitch projects in unique ways. I am also dedicated to helping my clients strategize their marketing efforts pre- and post-publication. I believe that each book and author have a unique marketing angle and I strive to help my clients find the best approach to supplement a publisher's efforts. Overall, my goal is to help maximize a client's career with editorial, branding, and marketing support, as well as to open doors for film/TV, foreign, audio, and dramatic rights. 

Editorial Agent:

7. Are you an editorial agent? If so, what is your process like when you’re working with your authors before submitting to editors?

Yes, I am an editorial agent. I think it makes sense to have a strong manuscript before going to editors. It’s a very competitive market and a more polished project has a better chance to stand out in a crowded inbox. However, it’s a balance. I don’t want to burn out my authors—there will still be more revision once it’s acquired—and there should also be room for an editor to put their stamp on a project.

I truly think revision is magical. Stories evolve in amazing ways during the revision process, and I like to think of myself as your revision guide. With that in mind, I am pretty direct with my feedback, but I always try for balance—it’s just as important to know what is working as what might need more attention. I focus on big picture critique combined with specific examples and line level notes where changes might make the most impact. My goal is to ask the right questions which inspire the creativity to take your story to the next level. And I will add, an agent (even an editorial agent) is not a replacement for a critique group!

Query Methods and Submission Guidelines: (Always verify before submitting)

8. How should authors query you and what do you want to see with the query letter?

Please query me via Query Manager. The link is https://querymanager.com/query/PaigeTerlip/. A query is meant to hook a reader and force them to read more. Make sure your query showcases your story in a captivating way—highlighting the global issues and the personal stakes—and ensure your sample pages are as polished as possible. Additionally, use comps that show you have a good grasp of where your book will fit in the market.

9.  Do you have any specific dislikes in query letters or the first pages submitted to you?

I’m pretty understanding about typos or small errors, but if the query is riddled with mistakes or grammar errors it can be a red flag. Additionally, the main reason I say no to a query is because the story or sample pages don’t feel ready yet. The premise might have amazing promise, but if the pages aren’t grabbing me, it’s a no—at least for now. Maybe the story isn’t starting in the right place or maybe the voice isn’t engaging enough, or the line level writing isn’t quite there yet. But these are all things that can be fixed.

One other thing to remember is that I often say “no” to projects I love. It’s honestly brutal to pass sometimes, but as much as I loved reading a project it doesn’t always mean I would be the best agent for it.

Response Time:

10. What’s your response time to queries and requests for more pages of a manuscript?

I try to respond to queries within 4-6 weeks, and for full manuscripts 6-8 weeks. I am the only one in my query box, I don’t currently have an assistant, so it’s just me reading. This means that there are times I might fall behind, but I always try to keep writers updated on my timeline. And remember I respond to everything so if you haven’t heard back, it just means I’m still considering.

Self-Published and Small Press Authors:

11.  Are you open to representing authors who have self-published or been published by smaller presses? What advice do you have for them if they want to try to find an agent to represent them?

I am open to repping all authors, but if you are querying a project that has been self-published or published at a small press, it is difficult for me to work on that title. If it’s already out in the world, it is more challenging to sell it somewhere else. It can happen but the circumstances tend to be extraordinary. If you are self-published or publishing with a small press, I would recommend querying something that hasn’t been published yet.

12. With all the changes in publishing—self-publishing, hybrid authors, more small publishers—do you see the role of agents changing at all? Why?

Publishing is always changing and yet also not changing. The role of agents seems to be following the same pattern, but as long as there are traditional publishing deals happening Agents have an important role in pitching projects, negotiating deals and contracts, and supporting authors as they cultivate careers.

Clients:

13. Who are some of the authors you represent?

I represent a variety of authors, from author-illustrators to novelists. I also work with people at various stages of their career from debuts to established names. If you are interested in seeing some of my deals you can visit Publishers Marketplace or my personal website paigeterlip.com.

Interviews and Guest Posts:

14. Please share the links to any interviews, guest posts, and podcasts you think would be helpful to writers interested in querying you.

Some resources include:

Authors Guild
Publishers Marketplace
Publishers Weekly
Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators
Writers Digest
Writers Market
Manuscript Wishlist
Literaticat: Ask the Agent

Update on 4/7/2023

Agent of the Month at Writing and Illustrating Part 1, Part 2

Links and Contact Info:

15. Please share how writers should contact you to submit a query and your links on the Web.

Please only query me through Query Manager. I get a lot of emails and if you send a query to my email, it won’t reach me.

My website is: https://paigeterlip.com/index.html

My agency website: https://www.andreabrownlit.com

My query manager: https://querymanager.com/query/PaigeTerlip

Follow me on social media:

https://twitter.com/pterlip

https://www.instagram.com/pterlip/

Additional Advice:

16. Is there any other advice you’d like to share with aspiring authors that we haven’t covered?

Persistence is key! The publishing process is a roller coaster. The people who are successful keep working and revising and persisting through all the ups and downs. I wish you all the best on your journey!

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Paige.

­Paige is generously offering a query critique to one lucky winner. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment through March 5th. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. If you do not want to enter the contest, that's okay. Just let me know in the comments.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. This is an international giveaway.

Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or e-mail me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com

Note: These agent profiles and interviews presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found here is subject to change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAIL SHEPHERD INTERVIEW AND THE TRUE HISTORY OF LYNDIE B. HAWKINS GIVEAWAY ANDS IWSG POST

Happy Wednesday Everyone! Today I’m excited to have debut author Gail Shepherd here to share about her MG historical THE TRUE HISTORY OF LYNDIE B. HAWKINS. It’s got a great setting—1985 Tennessee—and sounds like a story that will really pull at your heart. It releases on March 26

Before I get to today's interview, I've got my IWSG post.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday is officially Insecure Writer's Support Group Day.

The co-hosts this month are:  Fundy Blue, Beverly Stowe McClure, Erika Beebe, and Lisa Buie-Collard!

Optional Question: Whose perspective do you like to write from best, the hero (protagonist) or the villain (antagonist)? And why?

I have never written from dual POVs and have always written from the hero's perspective. I think it's easier to get close to the protagonist, at least for me. But I do think about my villain and like to know about his life and not just make him the bad guy because I need a villain. I want that person to be a complex character too and have motivations for doing what he/she does.

What about you? Whose perspective do you write from?

Now let's to Gail's interview. Here’s a blurb of her book from Goodreads: 

Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.

A Southern MG debut about a history-loving girl, Lyndon Baines Hawkins, whose relentless, hilarious, and heartbreaking search for the truth puts her in direct opposition to her fusspot grandmother’s need to keep up appearances. Lyndie knows lots about history: she can tell you who President Lincoln’s best friend was, the gruesome diseases of Civil War soldiers, and where her Hawkins ancestors built log houses near her home town of Love’s Forge, Tennessee. But when it comes to her Ma and Daddy, her knowledge is full of holes. Nobody talks about what happened to her veteran Daddy during the Vietnam war and why he “came home different,” or why her Ma stays locked in her room for days, or how come they had to sell the house Lyndie grew up in and move in with her strict grandparents. And Lyndie’s grandma, Lady, is determined to mold Lyndie into a “nice” southern girl who knows how to keep quiet about family secrets.

Lyndie struggles with universal questions: How can you help your daddy fight a battle with himself? What’s the difference between charity and love? When can you tell your grandmother exactly where she can stick all her well-I-nevers and don’t-you-dares? For fans of THREE TIMES LUCKY, BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE, THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE and WISH, this is an affecting novel with an irresistible and irrepressible voice.

Hi Gail! Thanks so much for joining us.

Hi Natalie, I’m thrilled to be here!

1. Tell us about yourself and how you became a writer.

My first literary effort was the school Thanksgiving play, Poor Mr. Turkey, presented to the whole school in 4^th grade, to mixed reviews. I wrote a lot of pretty good poetry in elementary school, lots of bad poetry in high school, and finally ended up with a creative MA in poetry/creative writing. After that I wrote anything anybody would pay for: book reviews, articles about rebar, ads for ladies’ underwear, catalogue copy for skateboards. I did some real journalism as a stringer for People magazine and Agence France-Presse. I published an indie newspaper with my brother, and then I got hired at Village Voice Media. I wrote long form crime stories and investigated our local white supremacist group for them; my favorite job there was as a restaurant critic. But I gained 20 pounds and regularly got food poisoning, so that was not a great long-term career option. The whole time I was writing fiction. When I got laid off from the paper eight years ago, I turned to writing a middle grade novel.

2. Awesome that you've always written. Where did you get the idea for THE TRUE HISTORY OF LYNDIE B. HAWKINS?

I started this story about 30 years ago as an adult novel. I grew up in the shadow of the Vietnam

War, which profoundly influenced my view of American history. I wondered what it would be like to grow up as the child of a veteran who was still suffering in the aftermath of that war. My mom’s family is deep south, from Alabama and Florida, so I wanted to put Lyndie in a southern family grappling with notions of truth, loyalty, and secrets that can be dangerous to keep.

3. Your story is set in Love’s Forge, Tennessee in 1985. What made you decide on this setting and time period? How did it shape your story?

The fictional town of Love’s Forge in the Smoky Mountains sits right at the crossroads of some pretty contentious history—The Trail of Tears, the vast Cherokee lands, white settlement, the Civil War where families were often split and fighting on opposite sides. Lyndie is struggling to make sense of that history—she knows what she’s been reading in her school textbooks doesn’t tell the whole story of her town or her country. And similarly, she’s not getting the real story about what happened to her daddy in the war, either. She’s a kid beginning to make sense of the world, to figure out who her family is and how she fits into it, and to find her own truth. Love’s Forge is riddled with historical conflict, with pride of place, so it mirrors what Lyndie is feeling.

4. This story is definitely character-driven and about Lyndie’s struggles with her family situation and her relationships with friends. How did you plot out her character growth or did that come to you as you wrote her story?

I’m definitely a pantser (or a plodder, although I’d love to be what my friend Maika Moulite calls a “prancer”). In other words, I really never know where a book is going until I’ve written the first (or sometimes second or third) draft. Lyndie was composed over several years, and questions about what knowledge is true, and how we shape our telling of history, became more and more pressing over time. So I wanted to show how she grappled with those questions. I’m also interested in how we misjudge or misunderstand people, even people we are very close to. And what charity is required of us. And how our friends can help us find the best parts of ourselves. I kind of grew with Lyndie as I wrote and revised her story, so I was making emotional and personal discoveries right along with her.

5. I love your term "prancer." What was a challenge you faced when writing this? How did you overcome it?

Originally I conceived Lyndie as Vietnamese American; her mom was a Vietnamese woman evacuated at the end of the war. As time went on and the #ownvoices movement began to evolve, I realized that writing a story about a biracial child of war was not my story to tell. And in fact, I’d been using that filter as a way to distance myself from my own story. You have to dig deep to write middle grade fiction as much as adult fiction, and it requires you to revisit some sad and confusing childhood places you may prefer not to. So the challenge was to let go of my original conception and go to places in my own history that were less than comfortable. My editor, Kathy Dawson, encouraged me to take up that challenge, and I’m boundlessly grateful to her for it.

6. That's great that you could make such a drastic change. Share about your road to publication. Did you represent yourself or do you have a literary agent?

I queried my first book, a middle grade sci-fi, widely and was signed by a generous and intelligent young agent, Kristin Miller, at D4EO, when the agency had a satellite group of kidlit agents. Kristin got out of the business to focus on her own writing—she’s now a successful MG author herself, writing as K.D. Halbrook. The head of the agency Bob DiForio kindly agreed to take me on when she left.

7.What social media platforms have you decided are the right ones for you? Why? How are you connecting with authors, bloggers, and readers on them?

I’m still working out my relationship with social media. I decided to be active on Twitter just with author-related content—craft stuff, writing news, giveaways, boosting other authors. I’m mainly connecting with authors, teachers, and librarians on that platform. But social media can, at times, make me feel a kind of existential nausea—it’s a lot of information to process. It’s kind of the opposite of the deep work you have to do as a writer. So balance is important, and it can be tough to maintain. I have to be very strict with myself to keep from being sucked into the vortex. But I’ve made a ton of online friends who have opened up countless opportunities for me. I’m particularly grateful to the ARC tour groups of teachers, authors and librarians, groups like #bookexcursion, #bookvoyage, and many others, who pass advance copies from reader to reader and are a bedrock of support for middle grade authors.

8. I"ll have to check them out. How are you planning to market THE TRUE HISTORY OF LYNDIE B. HAWKINS? What advice do you have for other authors who are planning for the release of their debut book?

I think debut authors tend to swing wildly at first—trying to do it all, marketing-wise, until they find that’s completely untenable. But the number one thing debut authors MUST do is join a debut group. The Novel19s (novel19s.com) have been invaluable. I’ve learned so much about the publishing business from that group, I haven’t even been able to absorb all of it yet. The Novel19s have a subgroup for middle grade writers, and we are pretty much all madly in love with each other. I’m also a member of the Class of Y2K Books (classY2kbooks.com), twenty YA and MG authors who have pooled financial resources to market our books—including placing ads, creating mailings, running social media contests and giveaways, and organizing events and conference proposals. They are an incredibly generous and talented group of people. And some Latinx debuts are also in yet another group, Las Musas (lasmusasbooks.com). I can’t recommend connecting with these groups highly enough. They will save your sanity in your debut year and give you all the tools you’ll need to market yourself and your books for years to come.

9. What are you working on now?

I’m drafting what I hope will be my next published middle grade novel, a historical story set in a Florida sawmill town in 1937. It’s about a trio of kids—a herbalist, a forensics nerd, and a young WPA photographer--who set off to rescue a mysterious creature and save the swampland they love. I’m also planning to write some short-ish middle grade stories to dramatize as podcasts with my sister, who is an amazingly talented screenwriter. And I have a couple of ideas for picture books I may fool around with. I was lucky to hear the novelist Sarah Aronson talking about the power of author “play” recently. I plan to do a lot of playing.

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Gail. You can find Gail at:

Website: www.gailshepherdauthor.com

Twitter: @gailshepherd@gailshepherd

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gail.shepherd.fiction/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gailshepherdauthor/

Gail has generously offered an ARC of THE TRUE HISTORY OF LYNDIE B. HAWKINS for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (just click the follow button if you’re not a follower) and leave a comment through March 23rd. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter either contest.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This giveaway is U.S. and Canada.

Here's what's coming up:

Monday, March 11th I have a  guest post by debut author Victoria Lee and her agents Holly Root and Taylor Haggerty with an ARC giveaway of Victoria's YA fantasy THE FEVER KING and a query critique giveaway by Holly and Taylor

Thursday, March 14th I'm participating in the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop

Monday, March 18th I have an interview with debut author Sabina Khan and a giveaway of her YA contemporary/multicultural the love & lies of rukhsana ali 

Monday, March 25th I have an agent spotlight interview with Katelyn Uplinger and a query critique giveaway

Wednesday, April 3rd I have an interview with debut author Gillian McDunn and a giveaway of her MG contemporary CATEPILLAR SUMMER and my IWSG post

Hope to see you on Monday!