2019 Picture Book Party Agents and Editors

Introducing the agents and editors for the 2019 Picture Book Party! 

To see how to format your entry, check out this post. Submission is Tuesday, March 19th at 4:00 pm EST! The window will remain open for one hour. You may send two separate email entries. We can't wait to read them! 

Remember we recommend researching each agent to determine if they would be a good fit for you in the event that you are chosen and receive a request. Note: Listed agents have agreed to take part in the contest, but that doesn't mean they will make requests or that life won't happen and prevent them from appearing. Everyone will do their best.

Check out last year's entries here. 

Here are the talented agents and editors. Please thank their kindness by following them on twitter. 



Clelia Gore of Martin Literary Management


It was when Clelia first read Charlotte’s Web in the first grade that she got hooked by the magic of books. Her love of children’s books carried through adulthood and she is delighted to dedicate her life to bringing quality books and stories to young (and whimsical adult!) readers. 

Clelia is originally from the suburbs of New York City. She has a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Boston College. She received her J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law and practiced law as a corporate litigator in New York City. 

In 2011, she decided to dedicate her career to books and reentered graduate school at Emerson College, where she received a master’s degree in Publishing and Writing. While she was studying publishing and taking creative writing courses at Emerson, Clelia gained firsthand experience in the publishing industry working in the children’s book division at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and in academic books at Oxford University Press.  She also taught academic writing and research courses to freshman students as a graduate student faculty member at Emerson College. 

Clelia attends writing and publishing conferences. She also sits on the board of directors for Poetry Northwest magazine. In 2017, she was named one of Publisher’s Weekly Star Watch honorees.

Clelia acquires picture book, middle grade and young adult books. She is particularly interested in developing her nonfiction clientele. With apologies, Clelia is no longer accepting new adult fiction queries at this time.

To find out more about Clelia, check out her blog at www.cleliagore.com. She also tweets tips, news and musings related to writing and publishing at @MadmoiselleClel.



Tracy Marchini of Bookends Literary


After four years as a Literary Agents Assistant at Curtis Brown, Tracy Marchini left to pursue her own editorial business and to earn her MFA in Writing for Children from Simmons College. With ten years of experience either at an agency or working as a freelance children's editor, she joined BookEnds in June of 2016 and is excited to grow her list of both award-winning and debut authors and illustrators.
Growing up, Tracy made it a personal goal to read every Nancy Drew Case Files in her school’s library and still has a soft spot for a good girl detective story. As an adult, she loves the sense of possibility in children’s and young adult literature – and can still empathize with the soul-crushing feeling that is mandatory gym class.
As a children's author, her picture book debut Chicken Wants A Nap (Creative Editions) was called "A surprising gem" in a starred Kirkus review.
You can follow Tracy on Twitter at @TracyMarchini, or learn more about how to submit to her on our submissions page.
Tracy is looking for picture book, middle grade and young adult manuscripts across most genres, including contemporary, mysteries, thrillers, magical realism, historical fiction, graphic novels and non-fiction. She is also looking for picture book illustrators and author-illustrators.
She is not a good fit for YA horror, true crime, hard sci-fi, or high fantasy. At this time, she is not looking for board books or early chapter books.


Leslie Zampetti of Dunham Literary
Leslie joined Dunham Literary in June 2016. Previously, she was an intern for The Bent Agency.

A former librarian with over 20 years’ experience in special, public, and school libraries, Leslie has cataloged rocket launch videos and Lego rocket ship models, presented SEC documents and story times, and negotiated with organizations from Lexis-Nexis to the PTA. Her experience as a librarian has given her a distinct perspective on publishing and readers. A writer herself, Leslie is very familiar with querying from both sides of the desk.

Leslie graduated from Wake Forest University with a degree in English and has a Master’s of Library and Information Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
She is available to speak at conferences.

You can follow her on Twitter @leslie_zampetti.
For children’s books, Leslie seeks middle grade and young adult novels, especially mystery and contemporary. Historical fiction set in the recent past, novels in verse, and off-the-beaten path romances are on her wish list. For picture books, Leslie wants unusual true tales, biographies of unsung heroes and heroines, or stories that show everyday diversity to mirror under-represented readers and open windows to others. She is drawn to books about Florida, baseball, and kids with book smarts and big hearts.
​
For adult fiction, Leslie is interested in literary mysteries, upmarket romance and women’s fiction, and historical fiction from lesser-known eras and places. For nonfiction, Leslie finds narrative nonfiction that straddles the boundaries between crime, memoir, and literature especially appealing. An armchair adventurer, Leslie enjoys experiencing wild places and extreme challenges from the comfort of her chair.



Emma Sector of Prospect Agency


Reading has always been a certain kind of magic for me. As a kid, I was sure I could make things move with my mind like Matilda and I waited patiently for my Hogwarts letter to arrive when I turned eleven. As an adult, I've shifted my magical studies a bit. Now I help these wonderful things we call books come into the world, and it's almost as amazing as moving things with my mind.I majored in English at the University of Vermont and moved to New York City just a week after I graduated for my first job in publishing, an internship in Hachette's advertising and promotions department. When the summer was over, I knew I had found my people. I worked for Simon & Schuster's Children's Division for the next six years, first in marketing and later in editorial. Then I moved west to California in 2017 where I was a freelance editor while working as a publicist for an independent bookstore.Now, as a children's book agent with Prospect, I use all my past publishing experiences to help new authors and illustrators develop their work and find their editorial match.I'm open to middle-grade and YA of all types, but I'm especially drawn to fantasy adventure, magical realism, and historical fiction. I love picture books with big ideas and few words and chapter books with quirky, vibrant characters.


James McGowan of Bookends Literary Agency
Since interning at BookEnds as an undergrad in the summer of 2015, James has (basically) never left. He's just continuously level-up-ed inside of BookEnds. Now he is the Literary Assistant and Social Media Manager for the team.
James is a Staten Island native, and just recently graduated with his Master's Degree in English from the College of Staten Island. He’s been a reader since his mom gave him the first A Series of Unfortunate Events book, and ordered the sequels regularly through Scholastic book orders. When he’s not reading/working, James can usually be found watching an unhealthy amount of sitcoms.
James is seeking submissions in adult literary and upmarket fiction, mystery, thrillers, and suspense including, but not limited to, psychological and domestic suspense/thrillers, literary and upmarket thrillers, and historical mystery. He is also accepting submissions in all sub-genres of Young Adult fiction, and is actively looking for Picture Books. James is actively looking for #ownvoices and diverse characters and stories in all genres.He’s eager to find an adult fiction with the same feel as Station Eleven, The Road or The Book of M. He loves all things dark and creepy in adult fiction, and all things funny and silly in picture books.
Some of James’ favorite authors include Celeste Ng, Edwidge Danticat, Jesmyn Ward, and Tana French on the adult side; Jason Reynolds and Sabaa Tahir in YA; and picture book authors like Jason Carter Eaton, author/illustrator Elise Parsley, and our very own Tara Luebbe and Becky Cattie.
Follow him on twitter at www.twitter.com/jamerrson!

Adria Goetz of Martin Literary Management Adria Goetz is a Literary Manager, currently accepting queries for picture books, middle grade, young adult, as well as lifestyle books, quirky gift books, graphic novels, cookbooks, adult nonfiction, Christian Living, and devotionals. She represents books both for the general market, and the Christian market. 
Adria is a 2016 graduate of the Columbia Publishing Course in New York City, a six-week intensive course on all aspects of book, magazine, and digital media publishing. She is also a graduate of the University of Washington in Seattle with a B.A. in English with a creative writing emphasis. Adria worked for the Pierce County Library System for two years. Prior to becoming a Literary Manager, Adria fostered her knack for developing creative work during her three years as an intern and assistant at Martin Literary & Media Management with Sharlene Martin and Clelia Gore. 
Adria is specifically looking for:​Young Adult: Adria loves anything from slice-of-life contemporary realistic stories to fantasy stories with richly built worlds. She trends toward the speculative side, or books with just a dash of magic. Please send her anything creepy, as she is known to be a true crime junkie who has read nearly every Wikipedia page on every known serial killer. Right now she is specifically looking for a sweet YA romance in the vein of When Dimple Met Rishi, a funny, voicey contemporary realistic YA in the vein of Robyn Schneider’s work, a lush, atmospheric mystery in the vein of Truly Devious, a thriller in the vein of One of Us is Lying, and magical realism in the vein of The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender. Above all else, Adria loves an atmospheric setting-driven book where the author draws the reader into the rich world they’ve built—whether that world is the bakery down the street, or an island in the sky. It’s also important that the cast of characters reflects the beautifully diverse world we live in.Middle grade: In middle grade fiction, Adria mostly wants to embark upon a fantastical adventure. She’d also love a summer camp story, an epistolary novel, mystery, and historical fiction.Picture books: She’s looking for anything from a fun, poppy, commercial picture book (Dragons Love Tacos), or a dazzling lyrical picture book biography about a lesser known person from history (The Noisy Paintbox). Some of her favorite recent picture books have been The Night Gardener and virtually anything else created by Eric and Terri Fan, Miss Hazeltine’s Home for Shy and Fearful Cats, and The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore.
Adria lives in an old Victorian home in the Seattle area with her husband Alex and their two darling kittens, Maple and Mulberry.

To learn more about Adria and what she is (and isn’t) looking for, check out her wish list.
She tweets at @AdriaMGoetz. 

Alyssa Eisner Henkin of Trident Media Group


“There’s no greater professional joy than championing a book that you believe in and watching the world delight in it.”After earning her Bachelors from the University of Pennsylvania, Alyssa fulfilled a childhood dream that she professed on a home video at the age of six: move to New York and work with books. In 1999, Alyssa began her career in editorial at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. Here she found “kindred spirits” who loved Anne of Green Gables as much as she did and a kids book space that was rapidly growing. In late 2006 Alyssa (and her inner-entrepreneur) headed to Trident to expand the firm’s children’s book business.Over twelve years, hundreds of deals and numerous bestsellers and award-winners later, Alyssa still delights in nurturing her books at every stage. From editing and idea-honing to collaborating with marketing, foreign, dramatic, merchandising, and audio partners, Alyssa works hard to ensure longevity for her authors’ work.Actively seeking new clients, Alyssa represents all forms of literature and illustration for children and young adults.Alyssa’s primary focus for new projects is middle grade. She is fond of both fiction and nonfiction: from illustrated and graphic novels and memoirs to series with the interactive spirit of a trivia game. A lover of underdogs, school stories, humor, heart, mysteries, and regional and ethnic flavors, Alyssa looks to spice up the cannon with projects that break new ground. She also enjoys select young adult projects, especially when they champion social justice or have an intriguing family or romantic dynamic. And with picture books, rollicking read-alouds and fascinating biographies are always intriguing.
Follow her on twitter at @AgentHenkin.
Mary Cummings of Betsy Amster Literary Mary Cummings represents fiction, literary nonfiction, and poetry for children and teens, from picture books to middle grade and young adult novels, including contemporary and historical, humor, mystery, fantasy, and multi-cultural. She is particularly seeking middle grade novels as well as picture books with strong story arcs, a spunky central character, and warmth, humor, or quirky charm. In literary nonfiction, her areas of interest include picture book biographies as well as lyrically written science, nature, mindfulness, and social awareness issues. (Read more about Mary here.)Cummings served for fourteen years as education director at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, where she organized an annual festival of children’s literature and selected judges for the prestigious McKnight Award in Children’s Literature. She represents both career writers and newcomers.






Susan Hawk of Upstart Crow Literary
Susan Hawk has worked in children’s books for over twenty-five years. She comes to Upstart Crow from the Bent Agency, and her clients include Alison Oliver, illustrator of the bestselling Baby Lit board books and the forthcoming picture book Moon; Ruth Spiro, author of the Baby Loves Science board book series; Marcie Colleen, author of the Super Happy Party Bears chapter book series and the forthcoming picture books Love, Triangle and Penguinaut!; Lisa Tyre, whose debut middle-grade novel, Last in a Long Line of Rebels, was a BEA Buzz Book title; Sarah Lariviere, whose middle-grade novel The Bad Kid is an 2017 Edgar Award Nominee; and Rachael Allen, author of the YA novels 17 First Kisses, The Revenge Playbook and the forthcoming A Taxonomy of Love.Before agenting, Susan worked in the Children’s Marketing departments of Penguin Books for Young Readers, Henry Holt Books for Young Readers and North-South Books, where she managed campaigns for many books and authors including Eric Carle, Mary E Pearson, Richard Peck and Joan Bauer. She’s also been a children’s librarian and bookseller, and spent some time in Dutton Editorial, acquiring select picture book and YA projects for that list.Susan represents books for children and teens only: picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and young adult, along with some non-fiction for children and teens too.  She’s committed to building a diverse list of books and authors, and welcomes submissions in this area.She’s looking for books that grab her by the heart and don’t let go! Complex, layered, flawed, and lively characters are irresistible to her. She loves writing that acknowledges and explores the way humans can hold opposing feelings—sometimes lots of them—all at one time.Plot is equally important. She wants to be drawn deeply into your story, and even if it isn’t an adventure, she wants to feel like she’s on the edge of her seat, waiting to see what will happen next.  Humor is key—she likes wry, witty humor (not so much gross-out humor). Even if your book isn’t meant to be a knee-slapper, a bit of something funny is very welcome. She wants writing that’s sharp, focused, thoughtful and inventive. She’s a sucker for bittersweet and soulful.  Literary or commercial, high concept or character-driven, she wants to be surprised by your book.She’s omnivorous when it comes to genre and loves reading mystery, fantasy, scifi, humor, boy books, historical, contemporary — you name it.In picture books, she’s currently looking only for author-illustrators and is drawn to work that’s vibrant and emotional, indelible characters, and succinct, expressive texts that tell a real story.  The non-fiction she represents relates to kid’s daily lives and their concerns with the world.Follow her on twitter @SusanHawk.
Alexandra Levick of Writers House Literary I started at Writers House as an intern for Brianne Johnson and was quickly pulled from the program to begin working for Senior Vice President, Merrilee Heifetz. Later, I covered senior agent, Stephen Barr's, paternity leave and began working as an assistant to senior agents Brianne Johnson and Rebecca Sherman. I have also worked as a bookseller in both the adult and children’s markets, as well as on the house side of the publishing business in publicity. In 2015, I graduated from New York University with my Masters of Science in Publishing: Digital and Print Media, with a specialization in Media Content Development.
I am actively growing my picture book, middle grade, young adult, and adult lists.
She is looking for picture book author-illustrators, a wide range of middle grade and YA, and more speculative-leaning or genre-bent upmarket adult works. I’m committed to working with writers from diverse backgrounds and am looking to put forth a list of outstanding creators who will be able to provide windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors (thank you, Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop) into all kinds of experiences. I’m particularly looking for own-voices stories about historically underrepresented characters, identities, and cultures.
No matter the genre or age-range, I crave a distinctive voice and strong thematic point behind the work—I want to run screaming to my friends and family about your book because there is so much to discuss. I love character-driven stories that revolve around BIG topics (discussing things like mortality or grief in a new and hopefully somewhat uplifting way is always an instant lightbulb!). One might say that I have a great affinity for what used to be known as ‘issue books,’ however, I would argue that I’d like to represent authors and stories that stand for more than just a good yarn; I’d like to represent authors who provoke conversations around important and necessary topics in our world today. I don’t just want contemporary versions of these stories, either. Send me your fantasy, your sci-fi, your genre-bender!
Follow her on twitter @AllieLevick.


Asia Citro of The Innovation Press
ASIA CITRO, M. Ed, is a former classroom science teacher with a Master's in Science Education. She is the author of 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids, The Curious Kid's Science Book, and the Zoey and Sassafras chapter book series, among others. She is also the creator of the popular blog Fun at Home with Kids, the owner of (and an editor at) The Innovation Press, and the founder of the Seattle Children's Book Festival. Her work has been featured on Apartment Therapy, The Chicago Tribune, Today, Disney Baby, MSN, King 5 TV, and Highlights, among others.
I love quirky and creative manuscripts that aren't iterations of children's books that currently exist; an ideal manuscript either covers a new subject or uses a new presentation or approach to cover a perennial topic.  Manuscripts that make me laugh are a huge plus.  As a former classroom teacher, I also appreciate having some form of learning tied in and definitely have a penchant for manuscripts that promote STEM skills/learning.  We love diverse characters (and are VERY interested in any #OwnVoices manuscripts) and characters who challenge traditional gender roles.  The Innovation Press is open to all kinds of submissions (board books, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and graphic novel), so long as the target audience falls in the PreK-5th grade range.
Follow her on twitter at @AsiaCitroAuthor.


Alayne Kay Christian of Blue Whale Press
Alayne Kay Christian is the content and developmental editor for Blue Whale Press and an award-winning children’s book author. She is the creator and teacher of a picture book writing course, Art of Arc. She shares more or her knowledge and tips for writers through her Writing for Children Webinars. She has been a professional picture book and chapter book critique writer since 2014, and she worked as a 12 X 12 critique ninja for three years. Alayne is a graduate of the Institute for Children’s Literature. In addition, she has spent the last eleven years studying under some of the top names in children’s literature. Alayne’s focus at Blue Whale Press is content editing, creative direction, and working with authors and illustrators to coordinate the path to quality books.
Blue Whale press is looking for unusual characters, strong narrative arc, strong voice, fresh/unique premises, and surprise twists. We are drawn to unique stories that standout from all the rest. We gravitate toward humor, but we would love some stories that tug at the heartstrings, but again, in a unique, standout way. Clever and/or humorous informational fiction that is written with young readers in mind tends to get our attention.
Note from Alayne: Some have asked what we are not interested in, so I will offer that we are not interested in trends. Trends eventually lead to an abundance of similar stories. If you haven’t seen it before, your chances are probably better with us. We aren’t able to produce board books at this time, so manuscripts for the newborn to three age range are not for us. We are not against faith-based stories that give a mild universal message. However, heavy messages about specific beliefs based on specific religions aren’t a good fit for us. We are currently not looking for young adult manuscripts.
I’m excited about the many talented picture book and chapter book writers in our kid lit community, and I look forward to spotting some gems in your entries! Let the party begin!
Blue Whale Website: https://www.bluewhalepress.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/alayne_kay Alayne’s Website: https://alaynekaychristianauthor.com/

Charlotte Wenger of Page Street Kids
I love picture book biographies, sports narratives, and global stories. Additionally, topics and themes surrounding the performing arts as well as social awareness and justice pique my interest. I'm especially looking for debut (or newer talent) authors and author-illustrators with strong writing skills and distinct art styles.
In narrative picture books (fiction and nonfiction), I look for well-developed characters with distinct voices; a strong plot with an earned resolution; and a clever, unexpected, yet satisfying ending. I'm always open to stories that break formula and just work – that have that special something that you can’t quite put your finger on – either in the art or the words. I like both prose and poetry, but I'm typically not a fan of rhyme unless it feels authentic to the tone of the story.
I'm always on the lookout for what hasn't been done yet – stories that haven't been told and voices that haven't been heard.
Follow her on twitter at @WilbursBF_Char.

Callie Metler-Smith of Clear Fork Publishing
Hi! I am Callie Metler-Smith. I am the CEO and founder of Clear Fork Media Group in Stamford, Texas. I answer to the following titles: Publisher of Books, Newspaper Chick, Bookstore Owner, Writer, Illustrator, Wife, Mom, and Friend.

I am the illustrator for the Enchanted Snow Globe Chapter Book series written by Melissa Stoller. I have also written two other books: Swensons, Penick, and the TCR and Ben’s West Texas Snow. My third book, How to Babysit a Logan, tells the reader about autism from the perspective of my son Logan’s cat has a release date of April 2019.
When I'm not working on my corner of the Stamford Square, I love spending time with my husband, Philip and two sons, Logan and Ben.
CFP's Mission statement is to publish books that promote creativity, diversity, and books that expand your mind for adults and children. Our adult titles include poetry, non-fiction, and science fiction books. Our children's titles include board books; picture books; chapter books; and young adult.
Follow her on twitter at @CallieMetler.