We’re back with another How I Got My Agent post! Ashlee MacCullum hit the magic number 100 before connecting with her new agent. So, if you’re getting rejection after rejection, take Ashlee’s advice not be discouraged. Your time will come! 

Congrats, Ashlee!

How long had you been writing before seeking an agent, and what made you decide it was time to look for one?
I started writing in the summer of 2021. After I wrote my first picture book, I queried right away. I didn’t have any knowledge of the querying world and didn’t even realize I needed a picture book submission package. Like many others, I queried WAY too soon. After joining Twitter and starting to mingle in the writing community, I figured things out quickly. I participated in writing contests, took classes, and signed up for 12 x 12. I then wrote two picture book submission packages. I was totally unsuccessful with the first (I didn’t even get a request), but something “clicked” with my second package and the requests started to roll in.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?
Before sending a query to an agent I looked up their agency and kidlit sales. I would read the agent’s bio, their MSWL, and snoop around on their social media to see if we’d be a good match. I also have some great writing friends who I would sometimes reach out to for opinions and advice.

The dreaded questions: How many queries? How many rejections?
Oh, man! I have never kept solid records of all my picture book queries but I glanced at my old QueryTracker and would have to say I hit just over 100 picture book queries in a two-year period. Below are my stats for the picture book that landed me my agent. I queried a lot of different agencies with this story after I began to get requests.

Total queries: 46
Total requests: 7
Rejections: 35
Closed No Response: 4
Request rate: 15%
Total offers: 2

I want to highlight that this was NOT the norm for my picture book querying journey. I had two previous offers in 2022 for a Middle Grade story that I declined, but other than that, I did not get many requests for my picture books. If you haven’t gotten a request yet, don’t be discouraged.

Was it difficult to find an agent who wanted to represent an author focusing on picture books?
I do think it’s more difficult to get an agent if you exclusively write text-only picture books. I also write Middle Grade and Young Adult and I think mentioning that in my queries benefited me.

Who is your new agent? Tell us about getting the news.
My agent is the fabulous Taj McCoy from Rees Literary! I can’t tell you how excited I am to be working with someone who knows the industry so well and to have an agent I have a great connection with. Taj “liked” one of my pitches during a Twitter pitch contest and I queried her with the story shortly after. I am a high school Dean of Students and I got Taj’s full request during a code yellow lockdown at my site. It was a WILD day but her email was definitely the highlight. I sent Taj my full almost right away and in less than 12 hours, she was requesting a call. I woke up to her email and couldn’t believe it. I think I actually might have cried because I could tell her excitement over my stories was genuine and it felt so good.

How did you know your agent was “the one”?
I had a great feeling about Taj immediately, but it was amplified during our call. It has always been important to me to find an agent I feel comfortable with. I have had other calls where the vibe just wasn’t right, but with Taj, it most definitely was! She was knowledgeable, kind, organized, and passionate about my work. Taj is also an author, so she understands the process and what it’s like to be on sub. She offered great feedback on a work-in-progress that I knew was spot-on and she had a solid plan for getting my stories out into the world. I left the call feeling excited about what was to come!

If 12 x 12 helped you in any way during your agent search/development of craft, can you tell us how? (P.S. It is TOTALLY okay if the answer is no. I am not trying to “lead” you 🙂 )
12 x 12 has most definitely helped me develop my craft. I love watching the webinars (usually the playbacks) and have benefited from the forums. I have definitely gotten some use of the “Manuscript Makeover” section and the “Pitch Perfect” support. I also credit 12 x 12 for helping me write a strong query letter. Finally, the other great thing about 12 x 12 is the community and the support. I have so many friends on Twitter that belong to the organization and it’s fun to all be in this together.

Has your writing process changed at all since signing with an agent?
The only big change is sharing ideas and concepts in the early stages whereas before, I was only putting my polished, complete work into the world (besides my critique group, of course). For example, I just sent Taj a blurb for a new YA book and it was very much like, “hi um I think this sounds cool, what do you think?” Ha! Not my typical process but it’s nice having someone to run things by.

What advice would you give to picture book writers looking for agents today?
One, don’t give up. I know it can be extremely discouraging, but your time will come. Two, don’t be afraid to take a break. If you are feeling burned out and you aren’t enjoying the process, give yourself some grace and take a time out. I know a decent number of picture book writers (myself included) who took a lengthy break before landing an agent. Timing is everything.

Do you think your platform (blog, social media) helped you find your agent?
100% because I found Taj through a pitch contest! Shout out to #KidLitPit for hosting their event and connecting us. If I didn’t have Twitter, I likely wouldn’t have queried Taj because she was closed to unsolicited picture books at the time.

Tell us something that is on your “bucket list.” Something you’ve dreamed of doing all your life but have yet to accomplish (besides publishing a book, which is inevitable at this point 🙂 )
Ohhh what a fun question. I would really love to perform in a musical when my kids are older and life slows down a little. I got cast in a community production of Annie but it got canceled because of COVID and by the time the show came back the following spring, I had a newborn. One day I’ll make it happen!

What’s up next/what are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on a synopsis for a YA novel that will soon be my work in progress. I’m a big plotter so I like to outline everything before I start writing.