Hooray for Claire! After 7 1/2 years and 96 queries she did not give up on her dream of finding an agent. (And, hooray for critique groups who support us when the chips are down.) We’re big fans of her new agent Rachel Orr and can’t wait to see what they bring into the world together! 

Congrats, Claire!

How long had you been writing before seeking an agent, and what made you decide it was time to look for one?
I’ve been writing for almost 7-1/2 years and submitting almost as long — a newbie mistake! But I quickly enrolled in every class, group, and workshop I could find to try and improve my craft.

At about the two-year mark, I started to get personalized rejections and champagne rejections, and then…things got worse. Form rejections, or no response at all.

So, I plunged into even more classes and workshops, until my critique partners gently suggested I stop studying and do more writing and submitting. I hitched up my britches and followed their sage advice, focusing on a handful of manuscripts and getting them into the best shape possible. I began to submit those stories widely, and a few years and one pandemic later, here we are.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?
In addition to reading 12 x 12 agent profiles and following kidlit bloggers who regularly profiled agents, I attended conferences whenever possible to meet and get to know agents on faculty. I also compared notes with my critique partners (many of whom I met in the classes I took) and joined other organizations, such as Courage to Create and Storyteller Academy. On top of that, I scoured websites such as Kidlit 411 for any and all agent resources.

The dreaded questions: How many queries? How many rejections?
From 2016 to 2023, I sent 97 queries and received 96 rejections. Some of my rejections were bizarre. I had one agent send me to Barnes & Nobles to study the promotion tables and write a brand-new manuscript based on what the hot sellers were. I did that. Rejection! I had another agent go back and forth with me on one single manuscript over a period of years. After they rejected the second revision and then asked me to send more work: radio silence. (But I got very nice note back, after informing them I had accepted an offer elsewhere and was withdrawing my submission!). Perhaps strangest of all, I had an agent pass one of my manuscripts to a colleague, who read and loved it. Then that colleague, who was building her pb list, requested practically everything I’d ever written. I sent it. Rejection! They decided they didn’t know enough about the pb market to feel confident representing me.

Was it difficult to find an agent who wanted to represent an author focusing on picture books?
Yes. So many agents are focused on author-illustrator only.

Who is your new agent? Tell us about getting the news.
Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency is my new agent. Ironically, she didn’t find me through a query at all. I paid for a critique with her at an online SCBWI conference, and she liked my manuscript so much, that got the ball rolling.

How did you know your agent was “the one”?
Well, to be frank, “the one” was the one who offered! But I would not have accepted if Rachel did not feel like a good fit, and she really, really did. First off, she loved the manuscript I sent for critique, which is very silly and very me. And then she loved my other stuff, in particular a pb bio I’ve been working on for years that is near and dear to my heart. It has received lovely feedback from a number of folks but always ended in a rejection. I was so thrilled to find someone who loves the subject and the story as much as I do.

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 was the first real community I joined, and it has been such an incredible source of information, education, and creative support. Everyone in 12 x 12 is so committed and dedicated to craft and to producing the best work possible for children. I have attended 12 x 12 webinars that have literally blown my mind. And although I’m a bit quiet on 12 x 12 these days, I’m definitely around — listening, learning, and cheering. I am honored and proud to be a part of this community!

Has your writing process changed at all since signing with an agent?
I’m learning to work faster. My agent does not mess around!

What advice would you give to picture book writers looking for agents today?
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, take the time to study your craft, read a ton of picture books, and find a critique group (or two). Take advantage of everything 12 x 12 offers and join other writing communities if you can. There are often opportunities to hear from agents and editors, and sometimes there are submission opportunities you simply cannot find elsewhere. Attend conferences, if possible, and watch the free digital webinars on the main SCBWI platform. (If you haven’t already done so, join SCBWI.) Take your time, submit your best work, but don’t wait for perfection — even the best work can always be improved.

Do you think your platform (blog, social media) helped you find your agent?
I don’t have a blog and I don’t think social media had any effect on my finding representation, other than educating me on which agents were open and which ones might be a match.

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 have always wanted to volunteer at a cheetah rescue center in Africa!

What’s up next/what are you working on now?
I’m working on a range of pb projects, from silly to lyrical to nonfiction. And I’m revising my first middle grade novel, a goofy action-adventure featuring an art-loving kid and a bunch of over-the-top villains. Pure heaven. 🙂