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 August 1-15. Laura Biagi of Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 Gold members August 16-31. Erzsi’s profile appears first, followed by Laura’s. Please read BOTH and then decide who would be the best fit for your work.
Erzsi Deak
Well, what can I say? She’s my agent, and she’s awesome, as I have said in my previous two intros on her, which I encourage you to read. 🙂 Please remember I cannot give any special advice or recommendations to anyone regarding strategies for submitting to Erzsi. Thanks!
A little bit about Erzsi from the Hen&ink site:
“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.
With her growing list of prize-winning clients 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 with fellow Coop member Doug Cushman, PUMPKIN MAGIC was published by Sourcebooks in fall 2014. Erzsi’s book, PERIOD PIECES: STORIES FOR GIRLS, was a Bank Street pick and her articles on the world of children’s publishing have appeared in CHILDREN’S WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS’ MARKET. 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.
Erzsi returns for her third year as a Featured Agent for 12 x 12. You can see our previous profiles on her HERE and HERE. Plus, here are a few up-to-date online resources:
- How Erzsi became my agent HERE
- Erzsi was also a 12 x 12 Featured Author last year
- How Erzsi became 12 x 12 member Laura Gehl’s agent HERE
- Two part interview on Fall Fifteeners HERE and HERE
- Interview with Elizabeth O. Dulemba HERE
- Agent Confidential on Words and Pictures
Laura Biagi
I’m so thrilled to welcome Laura Biagi back to 12 x 12 after her “debut” as a featured agent last year. Although we (still) haven’t met in person (must change that!), I’m always impressed with how much knowledge and enthusiasm she expresses about picture books in her interviews. Welcome back, Laura!
A little bit about Laura from the Jean V. Naggar Literary website:
“Laura Biagi joined JVNLA in 2009. She is actively building her own client list, seeking adult literary fiction and young readers books. She also handles the sale of Australian and New Zealand rights for the agency. She has worked closely with Jean Naggar and Jennifer Weltz on their titles, as well as Jennifer Weltz on the submission of JVNLA’s titles internationally.
Laura’s writing background has honed her editorial eye and has driven her enthusiasm for discovering and developing literary talent. She studied creative writing and anthropology at Northwestern University. As a writer, she has participated in workshops at the Squaw Valley Community of Writers, the Juniper Summer Writing Institute, and the New York State Summer Writers Institute. She is the recipient of a Kentucky Emerging Artist Award for fiction writing.
Laura grew up in a small town in Kentucky and maintains a fondness for Southern biscuits and unobstructed views of the stars.”
When asked what she is looking for, Laura responded, “I’m most interested in finding picture books with unique characters and story lines, heart, and humor! High concept, laugh out loud books are wonderful, as are stories that make the reader go “Aww”–although they shouldn’t be too quiet either. I love big voices and magical tinges to stories. I’d be thrilled to find some more great author-illustrators too, as I think it’s really exciting when someone can do both well. In terms of dislikes, given editors’ current preferences, it’s very difficult to work with picture books that are 1000 words or more (ideally, a manuscript will be even fewer words).”
Laura was a Featured Agent in 2014. Please see our profile on her HERE. Below are a few more recent online resources:
- Interview with Valerie R. Lawson HERE
- Ask an Agent series on Fiction Southeast
- 7 Questions on Middle Grade Ninja
Full submission guidelines for Erzsi and Laura will be posted in the Membership Forum. Please note 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.
Submissions will only be accepted for Erzsi Deak from August 1st – August 15th at 6pm ET/3pm PT.
Submissions will only be accepted for Laura Biagi from August 16th – August 31st at 6pm ET/3pm PT.
