Let’s celebrate with the effervescent Hannah Lorenzo! We love how brave and bold Hannah was in her agent search, but none of it would have happened had she not been preparing herself for her career ahead. And we offer a special shout-out to Hannah’s critique group for getting her where she is today!

Congratulations, Hannah! 

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

I had written seriously for about a year and a half before I began querying. I had focused on one story that I had planned to illustrate myself, and I spent a lot of time revising that story and working on sketches. That was before I really knew about the online writing community.

Then I got into Twitter and discovered 12 x 12 and SCBWI, and things like PBParty, PBRisingStars and pitch contests. I was all starry-eyed like Charlie stepping inside the chocolate factory. I had found my people!!! I began learning so much more (including the fact that my first manuscript was just not going to cut it! Oh well, we all have to start somewhere!)

After a Twitter event called Kidlit Critique Day, I hadn’t won any of the prizes but I left a tweet that I was interested in starting a critique group, and I connected with a handful of people who wanted to join. So, I started my first critique group and two years later, several of the original members are still going strong, some others left and a few other amazing writers joined. Our group is solid now and let me tell you—my critique group is out of this world amazing. Looking back, two big takeaways from that experience were that Twitter events are as much about building community as they are about winning prizes or hearts, and the other was that critique groups are crucial!

After focusing on a few new manuscripts with my critique group for about 6 months, I began querying two of them. Neither of them are the ones that helped me get my agent, but I learned so much from working on those.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

So much research! I read blogs, listened to podcasts, and participated in webinars to learn about the querying process and about market needs. I also researched agents thoroughly. For better or worse, there are only so many agents seeking picture book submissions at any given time but for each one I came across on MSWL, Twitter, or QueryTracker, I read up on them to figure out if we’d really be a good match. There were absolutely agents who I skipped over because I just didn’t think we’d vibe.

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

Including both agents and small presses, I sent about 50 queries. I had two requests for additional manuscripts that ended in passes. Then, my YES came!

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

Yes, and it seems to ebb and flow. Some months it felt like I had ten or more agents to research and consider, and other months it seemed that there was no one open to consider.

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

My new agent is the brilliant superstar Kaitlyn Sanchez of Bradford Literary Agency. Kaitlyn and I connected in such a serendipitous way.

Ever since attempting to illustrate that first manuscript several years ago, I’ve practiced illustration and taken online courses. In January, I wrote a new draft (thanks for the monthly motivation 12 x 12!). I decided I wanted to try to illustrate this one myself and create a full dummy.

I still have major imposter syndrome when it comes to illustrating, but I decided to post my illustration on Twitter anyway. Then, one of my critique partners from my group retweeted it, and Kaitlyn left a compliment on the retweet! Sadly, I knew she was closed to queries. But, I decided to be bold and I sent Kaitlyn a message asking if I could send her the manuscript that went with the illustration. She said yes!

Her QueryManager form asked for several manuscripts, so I hemmed and hawed and spent a constant 24 hours bothering my critique group about which manuscripts to send and what to do about not having a full dummy ready. Finally, I clicked SEND on a Saturday morning.

Two hours later I got an unknown call from California. I thought to myself “wouldn’t it be awesome if that was actually Kaitlyn Sanchez calling me just two hours after I queried?!” but I told myself that was CRAZY and it was probably a telemarketer. Then a voicemail popped up…THE voicemail! She said she liked all three manuscripts I’d sent her and she wanted to chat. WHAT?! I hyperventilated at my husband and kids. My 7-year-old son said, “Mom! You’re going to be famous! Well, not that famous. Maybe a little famous.” Ha! It took me about an hour to gain some chill and call Kaitlyn back. We spoke briefly and set up a longer call (“the call”) for the next day!

I absolutely have my critique group to thank for helping me get my writing to the place it is, for giving  me confidence in my stories, and for that one fateful retweet that landed me my agent! Critique groups are everything! If you’re not in one, join one, help each other grow, cheer each other on and talk each other up!

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

I had recently heard an interview with Kaitlyn on the Writers with Wrinkles podcast, so I already knew I loved her vibe! I was over the entire moon when she said she wanted to offer representation!

During our initial phone calls, I could absolutely tell that we would work well together. We had very similar visions for my work, she reps everything I want to get into across the kidlit landscape, and we have similar communication styles. Talking to her felt easy and she shared my excitement for my stories in such a genuine way.

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 absolutely helped get to where I am right now. I ate up the all of the video interviews and learned so much from them. I also connected with several critique partners through 12 x 12. I’ve used the forum to search for information and I’ve left feedback on manuscripts and posted some of mine for feedback as well. I’ve also enjoyed leaving feedback on dummies, and hope to post one of my own soon! In addition to the website, I also enjoy utilizing the super helpful Facebook group. I’m terrible at claiming my monthly badges, but I’m trying to remember to do it consistently this year 🙂

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

It has allowed me to gain some focus. Talking with Kaitlyn and deciding on our plan of action allowed me to put certain stories on the back burner, and focus on revising one, and possibly illustrating another, while a third is on sub. I tend to be all over the place with different projects (picture books, middle grade, young adult, illustrations, OH MY!), so having Kaitlyn in my corner to help me prioritize has been excellent.

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

I’ve only been agented for a short while, and although I’m on submission, I’m still pre-published. But from my short journey so far, and from my atypical path to becoming agented this would be my advice:

Write, write, write. It sounds obvious, but an agent needs to love several of your picture book manuscripts before signing, not just one, so it’s important to have several incredible stories in your portfolio.

Read, read, read! As many classic and recent picture books as you can.

Join a critique group! If the first one isn’t the right fit for you, find a new one. In my opinion, this step is not optional!

Be bold, be brave, put yourself out there! There are so many unexpected ways to connect with agents, editors, fellow writers and other professionals… but only if you show your stuff! I wouldn’t have an agent if I hadn’t posted my illustration, or had the nerve to reach out to Kaitlyn to ask to submit!

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

In my case, absolutely. Twitter has its problems (oh so many problems), but it’s where I connected with my critique group, and where I connected with Kaitlyn.

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 🙂 )

Illustrating a book! Writing across the kidlit age range (MG & YA in addition to PB). And traveling, traveling, traveling! I have so many cities and countries on my Travel Bucket List!

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

As always I’m chatting almost daily with my critique partners about at least one of our projects. I’m also taking in as many podcasts, webinars and articles as I always have. There’s always more to learn.

I’m working on illustrating, and revising one picture book manuscript. Then I’ll hopefully get back to my middle grade novel which I am in love with but have neglected for the past few weeks.

And of course, my fingers stay crossed that my stories end up in children’s hands soon!