Congratulations to Ellen Ramsey on landing an agent! Ellen’s new agent, Liza Fleissig, has been a huge supporter of 12 x 12 and we’re thrilled these two found each other. As Ellen will tell you, success doesn’t happen overnight, but if you persevere, great things will happen!

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

I’ve always loved stories—reading and writing them. My mom, an artist and art teacher, inspired my lifelong love of picture books. As a child, I wrote stories and poems. As a junior high and high school teacher, I loved teaching creative writing and made up absurd stories using the spelling words of the week. Definitely not publication quality, but fun. In my current job as a technical editor, I edit technical reports about environmental contaminants and cleanup options. In 2000 when I joined SCBWI and became part of a critique group, I started writing creatively again. I wrote short stories, articles, and poetry for magazines. Later, I started several picture book manuscripts. My picture books garnered rejections, but several of my magazine submissions were accepted so I had a chance to celebrate. I kept writing for magazines and writing and revising picture book manuscripts. When I had several picture book manuscripts revised and re-revised, I submitted them for critique by agents and editors at SCBWI conferences. Once I had received encouraging comments from editors and agents, I started seriously seeking an agent.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

I’m a list maker, so I had a list of agents I’d met at SCBWI events, Rutgers One-on-One, and other writing workshops. When I joined 12 x 12, I added more agents to the list, including agents on a list that Julie Hedlund provided. Other writing friends and 12 x 12 members, including Carrie Tillotson, shared their agent lists with me. I did further research by reading the books of authors represented by specific agents.

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

I’ve queried about 25 different agents, and many of these queries were submissions to agents who participated in 12 x 12.

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

My agent list focused on agents interested in representing picture book authors. After filtering out the agents interested only in author-illustrators, I still had a number of agents to query.

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

My agent is Liza Fleissig of Liza Royce Agency. I was thrilled when Liza asked to see more examples of my work and even more thrilled when she wanted to schedule a call. During the call, Liza took the time to explain how she and her partner Ginger Harris-Dontzin work, and I was impressed by Liza’s love of books and of working with authors.

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

Before the call, I had prepared a detailed list of questions. As Liza talked about how she and Ginger work, she answered virtually every question on my list. In addition, I know several authors Liza represents, and love their books. Most of all, I appreciated Liza’s enthusiasm and her upbeat and encouraging attitude. She is a splendid cheerleader! She clearly loves assisting authors in writing the best possible books and in marketing their work to reach readers.

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 played a significant role in my finding an agent. The resources on the 12 x 12 site and the contacts with other authors helped me improve my writing and provided information about agents’ preferences.

One of the best parts of my writing journey has been the friends I’ve made along the way. In attending conferences and workshops, I’m always excited to meet other 12 x 12 members I’ve known only online. Being part of a community of writers and reading posts about their successes as well as their disappointments makes it easier to persevere.

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

My writing process hasn’t really changed, but signing with an agent has inspired me to spend more time writing and revising. It’s also inspired me to develop a website and to spend more time on social media.

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

Research and persevere! My writing journey has been a multi-year saga. I have a T-shirt from an Eastern PA SCBWI conference that has the motto “Persevere!” I’m a banner child for perseverance.

Think positively. Be confident that you’ll sell a book—and many other books. In a recent 12 x 12 webinar, Julie emphasized the importance of establishing a website and a strong social media presence before you sell your first book. I was a slow starter on social media, and now find I’m enjoying the process.

Don’t get bogged down in the rejection doldrums. Concentrate on the positives—what you enjoy about writing and researching and about participating in writing groups, SCBWI conferences, and other writing workshops. In my writing journey, I’ve collected lots of rejections, but I’ve also found many amazing writing friends.

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

When I started seeking agents, I didn’t have an active Twitter presence or an up-to-date website. Participating in social media helped me research agents. I’ve learned so much from the friends I’ve met online as well as at conferences and workshops. Thanks to all of you!

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’d love to go to New Zealand and see little blue penguins. The blue penguins are the smallest penguins, and they live only in Australia and New Zealand. A biologist who works with these penguins says that the little blues are curious and personable and pack “a lot of attitude into their 12-inch bodies.” I’d like to meet these spunky penguins “in person.” I also have a writing friend who is working in Australia, so I plan to visit her on the same trip.

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

I’m revising several humorous fiction picture books and two creative non-fiction books that feature birds. I’m also continuing to write poems and articles for magazines. In my nonfiction writing, I enjoy sharing with kids my enthusiasm for birds, bees, butterflies, and other animals. I love collecting “gee-whiz” statistics about animals.

For more information about my writing and for samples of my poetry accompanied by slow-motion videos of birds, bees, and butterflies, check out my website at the link listed below.

Website: https://www.EllenLRamsey.com

Facebook: Ellen L Ramsey

Twitter: @ellenlramsey1

Not a member of 12 x 12? Find out about our next registration period and get a free webinar replay here!