GOLD members! Welcome to March and another submission opportunity! Read the following profiles carefully, click the links for more info on each agent, and decide who is the best fit for you and your work this month. Then read the guidelines on the forum as you prepare your submission. Be sure to double check everything 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 March. (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.)

Christie Megill of The CAT Agency will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members March 1-15. Mary Cummings of Great River Literary will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members March 16-31. Christie’s profile appears first, followed by Mary’s. 

Polish those queries! You’ve got this!

Christie Megill of The CAT Agency

A little bit about Christie:

Christie Megill joined The CAT Agency as an Associate Agent in 2022 after interning with Writers House, Triada US, and Cardinal Rule Press. She previously worked in the editorial department at an academic press and as a children’s bookseller before gaining experience in elementary education as a classroom teacher, curriculum designer, and avid picture book reader. Born and raised in Connecticut, she now considers New York City her forever home.

Christie is eager to begin building a list of picture book authors and author/illustrators, offering long-term support in their careers and creative journeys. While her taste is extremely broad, she’s especially excited to find fresh stories from voices that have previously been underrepresented.

When asked what she’s looking for in submissions, Christie replied:

“I’m interested in a broad range of picture books and I’m especially hoping to support stories from groups that have historically been marginalized. 

This is Christie’s first year as a 12 x 12 Featured Agent. Here are a few additional resources for her:

• Check out Christie’s website.
• Read up about The CAT Agency here.
• Find Christie on Twitter.
• Find Christie on Instagram.
• Here’s Christie’s post on Medium. (Get ready to feel seen!)
• See Christie’s own writing work on Contently.

Mary Cummings of Great River Literary Agency

A little bit about Mary:

After thirteen years as an agent for kids’ books with Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises, in spring 2021 Mary Cummings opened her own agency: Great River Literary. Among her sales are board and picture books, chapter books and novels to such houses as Abrams; Little, Brown; Knopf; Chronicle; Candlewick; Imprint; Feiwel and Friends; Holt; FSG; Random House; HarperCollins; Balzer & Bray; WorthyKids; Holiday House; Wiseman S & S; Philomel; Nancy Paulsen; Viking and others. Articles and publishing tips, background on books sold, links to interviews, info on Mary’s conferences, a wish list, and submission guidelines can be found on greatriverliterary.com

When asked what she’s looking for in submissions, Mary replied:

“My tastes are pretty broad. I recommend that members look at my website (greatriverliterary.com), especially at the BOOKS section, to get a sense of what I tend to be excited about. I also have a wishlist on that site. All that said, I’d maybe emphasize that I really want to be seeing more character-based stories with a strong arc (and with series potential). I am especially hungry now for humor (quirky and wry, or warm and sweet). I’d like to see a story set in a small town. I welcome stories from and about traditionally underrepresented or marginalized people (identify your personal aspect in your query). Great read-alouds with bouncy, inventive language are winners. I really like nonfiction about the natural world and about the arts, though am veering away from biographies. I also would like to be seeing more picture books for very young children (just beyond board book age). 

Because I want to maximize the possibilities of a match and happy outcome for all, please AVOID sending me: – stories written in rhyming couplets   – manuscripts that could stand alone as short stories (rather than as picture books)  – stories featuring dogs or cats (just too many of them!) – stories about a grandparent with dementia or dying  – monsters under the bed, and related  – meta narration  – stories where the parent has more agency than the child character (example: a grandmother smiling wisely, knowingly, as she patiently guides a child to an outcome) – stories about moving to a new home or town “

Mary was a Featured Agent in previous 12 x 12 years. Read her past profiles here,  here, here, here, here, and here. Here are a couple of additional resources:

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 Christie Megill from March 1st at 8am ET/5am PT through March 15th at 6pm EASTERN/3pm PACIFIC.
• Submissions will only be accepted for Mary Cummings from March 16th at 8am ET/5am PT through March 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!

Not a 12 x 12 member yet? Registration is open through February 28, 2023. Don’t let another year go by without joining the friendliest writing community on Earth! Click here.