New submission opportunities are blooming for our 12 x 12 GOLD members! Check out each agent’s guidelines on the forum as you prepare your submission. Then be sure to read all the posts in the Submission Station of the forum, before you hit the send button. Little GOLDen Book members will be able to choose one of these two agents to submit their manuscript to in May. (If you are a SILVER member, you may use this info for research. Check out our How to Use 12 x 12 Featured Agent Posts article here.)
Andrea Morrison of Writers House will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members May 1-15. James McGowan of BookEnds Literary will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members May 16-31. Andrea’s profile appears first, followed by James’s. Please read BOTH and then decide who would be the best fit for your work.
Andrea Morrison of Writers House
A little bit about Andrea:
Andrea Morrison started at Writers House as an intern and worked her way up to Agent. She’s had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of bestselling and award-winning authors and illustrators in genres ranging from picture books to middle grade and YA to adult literary fiction and nonfiction. Having studied Literature/Writing at the University of California, San Diego and having earned her MFA in Fiction from Columbia University,
Andrea is hands-on editorially. She’s particularly excited about author/illustrator picture books, and in terms of picture book manuscripts, she loves either incredibly heartfelt and lyrical texts…and fall-off-your-chair hilarious texts! Most importantly, she’s looking for unforgettable characters that need to be heard—for stories that grab your heart and don’t let it go, even after they’re finished.
When asked what she’s looking for, Andrea replied:
“I’m very open! In general, I’m all for the heartfelt, laugh-out-loud funny, social-emotional learning focused, and beyond. I’d say one area I’m not looking to see as much in at this time: but picture book biographies.”
Andrea was a Featured Agent in 2021. You can see our previous profile of her here. Here are a few more resources for Andrea:
- Check out the Writers House website
- Andrea’s Manuscript Wishlist (#MSWL)
- Find Andrea on Twitter
- A portfolio of illustrators she represents
- Interview on The Writer Experience Podcast
- Founding Member of Inkluded
James McGowan of BookEnds Literary
A little bit about James:
James McGowan began his career right where he is: at BookEnds. He joined the team as an intern in the summer of 2015, and as the joke goes, they couldn’t get rid of him. He has worked in all departments at the agency and is now a literary agent representing a talented list of award-winning authors and illustrators. James’ list focuses on illustrated projects for young readers (board books, picture books, chapter books, and middle grade) as well as adult nonfiction and mystery/suspense novels.
In addition to being an agent, James is a children’s author. His debut picture book Good Night, Oppy! launched from Astra BFYR in 2021. He is born, raised, and currently living in Staten Island, and read all the books they told him to in college. He is a professional snacker, a huge fan of Jeopardy!, and fluent in sarcasm. To learn more about James, his wishlist, or upcoming client books please visit the BookEnds website or his personal website. To find a growing archive of thoughts no one asked for, follow James on Twitter and Instagram.
When asked what he’s looking for in picture books, James replied:
“Right now, I’m really eager to find laugh out loud funny picture books, as well as nonfiction books about history or current events (not bios, please!). I’d love the next UNSPEAKABLE, or something in that vein.”
James has been a Featured Agent previously. You can see our previous profiles of him here, here, and here. Here are a few more resources for James:
- Check out James’s website
- The BookEnds Literary Agency website
- Interview on Only Picture Books
- Guest post on SCBWI blog
- BookEnds Literary YouTube Channel
Remember: Little GOLDen Book Members may only submit to ONE of these agents. Please choose the agent who is the best fit for you and your manuscript. Look for submission guidelines in the Submission Station on the 12 x 12 forum.
Submissions will only be accepted for Andrea Morrison from May 1st at 8am ET/5am PT through May 15th at 6pm EASTERN/3pm PACIFIC.
Submissions will only be accepted for James McGowan from May 16th at 8am ET/5am PT through May 31st at 6pm EASTERN/3pm PACIFIC.
Please double check the times for your time zone on your submissions. Anything received before or after the submissions window is open will be disqualified and you will not be able to submit again this month.
Remember, it is NEVER okay to submit your manuscript twice. Contact Kelli if there is a problem with your submission.
Good luck!
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One Response
Lovely to read about Andrea and James and keep informed.