Today, we’re thrilled to feature Charlotte Offsay in our How I Got My Agent series. It can never be stressed enough how important it is to research agents before submitting. Seeing Charlotte take that one step further and research the agencies behind the agents is a pro tip indeed.

Congratulations, Charlotte, on not only getting an agent, but landing multiple book deals! Can’t wait to see those books come out!

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

I wrote my first picture book manuscript in January 2016. I became inspired after an afternoon of baking challah with my two young children. The manuscript rhymed (sort-of), was a how-to centered around my two young children baking, and was complete with pictures of them as the illustrations. I enjoyed the process so much that I took my first picture book class through UCLA extension that summer. It was in this class that I really fell in love with writing picture books and began to understand how little I knew about what went into writing one. I spent the next couple of years taking classes, reading every picture book I could get my hands on and finding my invaluable critique partners.

In early 2018 I connected with my first agent via a twitter pitch party, but ultimately it wasn’t a good fit and we parted ways. At the beginning of 2019 I reentered the query trenches.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

I did a lot of research before submitting. I wanted to make sure that I found someone who understood and was focused on picture books, was backed by a reputable agency, could get my work read by editors and would advocate for my career as a whole. I spoke to critique partners and friends in the 12 x 12 community about their agencies and created a list of agencies I admired. I then researched the agents at each of those agencies (followed them on social media, read interviews, studied their wish lists etc.) to determine who would be a good fit for my work. I also took a closer look at which publishing houses they were selling to (through publishers marketplace).

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

Oh, this is a hard question – a lot. Probably 15-20. I cast a fairly wide net. I started to get requests for more work, so I knew that I was close, and sure enough, a request turned into an offer!

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

There are a lot of agents who are willing to represent authors focusing on picture books. The challenge I found was finding an agent who didn’t already have a very robust picture book author clientele, who liked my entire body of work (I have a wide range) and who had the capacity to take on new clients without my work competing with one of their current clients.

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

I am represented by Nicole Geiger of Full Circle Literary. I had admired Full Circle Literary for a long time and when I learned Nicole was joining the Full Circle Literary team, I jumped at the opportunity to submit to her. Nicole’s bio resonated with me and her wish list aligned with my body of work. When Nicole requested more work I was thrilled but tried not to get my hopes up as I had gotten to this stage a few times before without success. When I heard that Nicole wanted to sign me I was ecstatic to have someone of her caliber her in my corner. Working with her has been a dream come true. Nicole is thoughtful, communicative and her insight and feedback is invaluable.

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

I knew right away that Nicole was the one. She was a wealth of information and very open and honest from the beginning. I liked that she had ideas for my work, was working closely with the other agents at Full Circle, was a former editor and best of all could hear the excitement in her voice about my work!

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  )

I wouldn’t be where I am without 12 x 12 and the 12 x 12 community. Through 12 x 12 I have connected with my critique partners who have become some of my closest friends and strongest advocates. I have learned from the countless webinars and invaluable advice offered both on the forum and the Facebook group.

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

My agent is wonderful about giving me market insight and brainstorming with me when something in a manuscript isn’t working. She offers editorial feedback and helps take my polished work to the next level. That said, I mostly workshop my early drafts with my critique group and make sure they are fairly polished before sending them onto my agent.

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

Don’t give up! Make sure you find your support group because publishing picture books is an emotional rollercoaster, and remember it only takes one yes!

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

I think participating in social media has helped me in a number of ways but I don’t think my ‘following’ (which isn’t much to write home about) played a role in signing with my agent. I do think that it has helped me connect with the writing community, the future audience for my books, and helps me keep up with what agents and editors are seeking.

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  )

I would love to go on a safari – I adore wild animals and this is high on my bucket list. Right now my husband and I have a four and a half year old and a six year old so that trip is on the backburner until they are a bit older and can fully enjoy it with us!

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

I am thrilled to share that my debut picture book, THE BIG BEACH CLEANUP, is being published by Albert Whitman in Spring 2021, and HOW TO RETURN A MONSTER will be published by Beaming Books soon after. I have co-founded a promotion group, Picture Book Scribblers (follow us on twitter @PBScribblers), to promote both of these titles which is currently keeping me pretty busy. In addition, Nicole and I have some exciting news in the pipeline which I look forward to sharing more about when I am able!

You can find me on twitter @coffsay, on Instagram @picturebookrecommendations or learn more about me on my website www.charlotteoffsay.com.