After a few months of website updates and upgrades, we’re thrilled to bring back our How I Got My Agent series! We’ll be posting a new agent story every Tuesday. Our goal is to not only celebrate with our members as they enter a new phase of their writing career, but to remind writers at different places in their own journey that there’s no such thing as an overnight success. Most of these celebration stories come after years of writing and years of querying. So, if those rejection letters keep coming in, sit back and read these stories and know that it only takes one yes!

Angela Dalton has been super patient waiting for her turn in the spotlight! So patient that we are not only celebrating her signing with an agent, we’re also dancing for her new book RUBY’S REUNION DAY DINNER coming out in May. Way to go, Angela! We love seeing your stories taking their place in the world. 

How long had you been writing before seeking an agent, and what made you decide it was time to look for one?

I self-published my first book, If You Look Up to the Sky, the winter of 2017. It did well, but it was also a lot of work. I had more stories that I really loved in the works, so I decided to try traditional publishing. I learned a lot from self-publishing, but the collaborative nature of having an agent was appealing. It’s nice not feeling like you’re completely going it alone and having someone champion your work for you.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

I took the advice from a few agented author friends to get a Publisher’s Weekly subscription. This was incredibly helpful in understanding who agents were representing and the types of books they were able to sell; I still use it to research what types of titles editors are acquiring. I also started combing through #mswl and following those agents who were looking for the types of stories I was writing. I was working on three different manuscripts, so I kept an updated Google spreadsheet of potential agents for each individual project. If one happened to feel like a good fit across all three, they went on my query list.

I also kept notes on publishers and agents of picture books I was reading that either I liked, or thought were good mentor/comp books. And I went to as many conferences and SCBWI agent events that I could. I took every opportunity to meet agents in person. That really helped me to understand just how different agents, agencies, and publishers are and what I really wanted in an agent-client partnership. There were a few agents I had to “nope” off my list because of how they conducted themselves at events.

This was also pre-COVID, so I know it’s a little harder to have that brief one-on-one chat, but even just seeing how they are on panels or answering Q&As is really valuable.

The dreaded questions: How many queries?  How many rejections?

This is a two-parter: In 2018, I queried about thirty agents with a manuscript I was in love with at the time. I heard back from one agent who expressed interest and then ghosted me. I didn’t take it personally, things happen. I then sent it to three publishers accepting unagented work and heard nothing. I put that away and really questioned whether I should be doing this.

After a short break, I developed a few new ideas that I really liked. I submitted them to Writing with the Stars mentoring program, which I didn’t get selected for, but the author I submitted to offered to give a critique on one – and that change everything. This amazingly kind-hearted author gave me great feedback and said that, with a few tweaks, she felt it was ready to query. Her agent was closed to queries but was open to referrals. She offered to do an email introduction, to which I quickly replied, “Yes, please!” The introduction was made, and I queried the agent. While I was waiting for a response, I thought it might be a good idea to query a few other agents, just in case. So, I opened my spreadsheet and selected my “Top Five” and quickly tailored and sent queries to them. Out of the six agents queried, I received four rejections, and two offers of representation (not from the agent I had the referral).

Was it difficult to find an agent who wanted to represent an author focusing on picture books?

I wouldn’t say it was difficult finding agents representing picture books, but many of the ones who do expressed they were only seeking author-illustrator projects. That made my search a little more difficult.

There was also the filter of the types of picture books an agent is looking to represent. I would say my work falls in the quiet book category, so that narrowed the search even more.

Who is your new agent? Tell us about getting the news.

I signed with agent Mary Cummings of Betsy Amster Literary in May of 2019. After I had sent out the queries, I braced myself that it would be a while before I heard something…or nothing. To my absolute surprise, Mary contacted me the next day asking if I’d like to have a call to discuss representation. To which I, once again, quickly replied, “Yes, please!” We had a call two days later, and she was wonderful.

How did you know your agent was “the one”?

Both agents offering representation were very kind, supportive, and transparent. In Mary’s initial reply email, she gave notes on the manuscript. They were detailed, thoughtful, and honest. When we had our call, we talked through the notes, even though I hadn’t formally accepted the offer. It was in this discussion that I could envision how we would work together and how she would regard my vision. Afterwards, I felt that she not only would represent my work well, she would make me a stronger writer. So far, both have proven true.

If 12 x 12 helped you in any way during your agent search/development of craft, can you tell us how?

Yes! I wasn’t a very disciplined writer prior to joining 12 x 12. It’s helped me to focus on writing more first drafts (no matter how terrible), find great critique partners, and learn more about the craft of writing (the webinars are awesome!). It’s also just such an incredibly supportive and talented community. I’m so grateful to be a part of it.

Has your writing process changed at all since signing with an agent?

I wouldn’t say my process has changed, but my perspective around writing has. Shortly after I signed, I experienced the worst writer’s block. EVER. (Again, pre-COVID. These last few months of attempting to write has been like trying to start a fire with soggy matches.) I think because I realized that my writing wasn’t just about what I was interested in anymore; I now had to be mindful of specific intentions and expectations coming from someone else. That was kind of an unnerving realization. It took a bit to work through, but I have a more balanced perspective and get excited to submit my projects to Mary for her notes.

What advice would you give to picture book writers looking for agents today?

Be very clear with yourself on the direction you want your published work or writing career to go and what you need from an agent to get there. There are so many different personality types and strategies, I think it’s important to have a solid understanding of the ones that will really champion you and your work the way you want them to.

Do you think your platform (blog, social media) helped you find your agent?

No, I burned out on social media promoting my book last year, and this year I wanted to focus on writing. So, I’ve kind of been on a social media sabbatical this year. I’ve been working through a lot of FOMO with that decision.

Tell us something that is on your “bucket list.” Something you’ve dreamed of doing all your life but have yet to accomplish.

Pre-COVID, I would have loved to live and write abroad for a few months. I didn’t have a specific place in mind, there just needs to be good food, weather, and wine.

What’s up next/what are you working on now?

I have two forthcoming books with HarperCollins. RUBY’S REUNION DAY DINNER (illustrated by Jestenia Southerland) releases May 18^th, which is coming up very quickly; and a picture book bio about Nichelle Nichols called TO BOLDLY GO: How Nichelle Nichols and Star Trek Helped the Civil Rights Movement (illustrated by Lauren Semmer) which releases in 2023. SHOW THE WORLD! (illustrated by Daria Peoples-Riley) with Philomel comes out in 2022.

Thank you so much for inviting me to share my experience. I hope 12 x 12 writers know that there are so many different paths to publishing; it can be frustrating but enjoy it as much as you can. Please feel free to connect with me on Twitter (@ADalton_author) or through my website (angeladalton.com) if you ever have questions or need help.