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

Erzsi Deak of Hen&ink Literary Studio will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members June 1-15.  Christa Heschke of McIntosh & Otis, Inc. will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members June 16-30. Erzsi’s profile appears first, followed by Christa’s. Please read BOTH and then decide who would be the best fit for your work.

GOLD members: Please check the Submission Station section of the forum for additional instructions from each agent.

Erzsi Deak

A little bit about Erzsi from the Hen&ink Literary website:

“Hen&ink founder, Erzsi Deàk, brings her nearly 30 years of experience on the international stage, connecting individuals and companies with those around the globe who can make things happen – no matter where you find yourself. She is a member of the Association of Authors’ Representatives.

With her growing list of prize-winning writers & illustrators, and new voices from around the world, Erzsi Deàk meets often with publishers in the US and UK and aggressively markets domestic and foreign rights, attending the Bologna, London, and Frankfurt rights fairs.

Erzsi is also a writer. Her picture book, PUMPKIN TIME!, is illustrated by Doug Cushman and published by Sourcebooks; it is a Scholastic Clubs book. Erzsi’s book, PERIOD PIECES: STORIES FOR GIRLS, a Bank Street pick, will be published anew with MAB Media as BETWEEN YOU AND ME: TALES AND TRUTH ABOUT YOUR FIRST PERIOD.

Starting the French chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) in 1995, Erzsi eventually ran the international arm of the SCBWI for nearly ten years, developing and mentoring writers, illustrators and publishing programs in 28 countries. She founded and organized the SCBWI Bologna Conference and was awarded the SCBWI Member of the Year in 1999 and 2008. In 2009, she began working with La Martinière Groupe in France, acquiring approximately 40 titles a year for their Le Seuil and La Martinière Jeunesse imprints. Erzsi edits the SCBWI BULLETIN international page, ‘Here, There & Everywhere.’ ”

Here is what Erzsi had to say when asked what she is looking for in picture books today: “Please visit the henandink.com submissions page for details. At this time, we are looking for nonfiction picture books with STEM/STEAM themes and witty and heartfelt character-driven picture books with series potential. We are not looking for rhyme, cutesy or scatological humor. We are always looking for smart humor and stories written from the heart.”

• Erzsi is presenting at LA SCBWI on July 7th. More info HERE.
• Erzsi’s post from Picture Book Month 2016 HERE.
• Interview with SCBWI Eastern Pennsylvania HERE.
• Agent Confidential on Words & Pictures HERE.

Christa Heschke

A little bit about Christa from McIntosh & Otis, Inc.’s website:

“CHRISTA HESCHKE graduated from Binghamton University with a major in English and a minor in Anthropology. She started in publishing as an intern at both Writers House and Sterling Lord Literistic, where she fell in love with the agency side of publishing. Christa has been at McIntosh and Otis, Inc. in the Children’s Literature Department since 2009 where she is actively acquiring for all age groups in children’s.

For YA, she is especially interested in contemporary, thriller/mystery, fantasy and horror. She looks for a compelling voice and a strong hook that will set a YA novel apart in the flooded market. She is open to all types of middle grade and especially enjoys adventure, mystery, and magical realism. For both YA and MG, she is interested in unique settings and cultural influences, interesting structure, complicated romances, diverse characters, sister or friendship-centric stories, and stories that feature artists of any kind. In picture books she is drawn to cute, funny stories (as opposed to sweet and quiet) that will grab kids as well as the occasional nonfiction biography on a subject whose story has yet to be told.”

Christa was a 12 x 12 Featured Agent in 2014 and 2016. You can see our previous profiles HERE and HERE. See below for more up-to-date resources about Christa: