Little GOLDen Book members of 12 x 12 will be able to choose one of two agents to submit their manuscript to each month.

Deborah Warren of East/West Literary will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 Gold members September 1-15. Linda Epstein of Emerald City Literary Agency will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 Gold members September 16-30. Deborah’s profile appears first, followed by Linda’s. Please read BOTH and then decide who would be the best fit for your work.

Deborah Warren

A little bit about Deborah from the East/West Literary website:

“Deborah Warren founded East/West Literary Agency LLC, after 17 years at Harcourt. With over 33 years’ of experience in the publishing industry, and over 14 years at the helm of the Agency, Deborah not only represents authors and illustrators of picture books including Jim Averbeck, Anna Dewdney, Kimberly and James Dean, Gianna Marino, and Antoinette Portis, she represents authors and illustrators—both debut and established–in the board book, concept, illustration, multicultural, non-fiction, middle-grade and young adult markets.

In all categories, she’s looking to fall in love with character-driven stories, enhanced by a hook, told in a unique, fresh or distinctive way. Her sweet spots: short, quirky picture books and smartly layered, accessible and compelling MG and YA fiction.“

When asked what she is looking for in picture book submissions, Deborah replied, “I’m eager to be introduced to fresh concepts – love quirky and bold — told in a new way.  Overall, what we’re seeking is quality:  a story–whether non-fiction or fiction–that will touch hearts (including ours); open a reader’s eyes to a fresh perspective; be that book you can’t put down.”

Below are some online resources for Deborah:

• Check out this interview with Deborah HERE.
• Fast Five Interview HERE.
• Deborah on Tara Lazar’s website HERE.
• Holly Schindler, one of Deborah’s clients, is interviewed HERE. (Look for Deborah in Question #6.)
• Alexandra Alessandri describes getting “The Call” from Deborah HERE.
• 12 x 12 Member Sylvia Liu interviewed Dow Phumiruk on how Deborah became her agent HERE.

Linda Epstein

A little bit about Linda from the Emerald City Literary website:

“Linda Epstein is an agent at Emerald City Literary Agency, where she represents children’s literature exclusively, from picture books through young adult, both fiction and nonfiction. She was previously an associate agent at Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency for almost five years. She’s a member of SCBWI and speaks frequently at writing conferences and retreats all over the country. Linda blogs at theblabbermouthblog.com and you can find her on Twitter @LindaEpstein.

Linda represents picture books, middle grade and young adult literature, both fiction and nonfiction.“

Here’s what Linda said she is looking for in picture books today: “I’m looking for quirky, funny picture books that either address a new topic or address an old topic in a new way. There’s a fine line between ‘quirky and original’ and ‘too weird to sell.’ If you’re using rhyme, make sure the rhyme is organic and unforced, and works for the story, rather than jamming a story into a rhyme scheme. I like sweet but not saccharine, and I’m open to both fiction and nonfiction.”