Hooray for Heather Stigall! Heather connected with her agent through her 12 x 12 GOLD membership and that makes us SO happy! The key to Heather’s success? She put in the work of writing, researching, and persisting until she found the right person who connected with her work. If you are in the querying trenches, check out Heather’s Very Valuable Advice below. Congrats, Heather! May all your writing dreams come through. 

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

I had been writing for about five years before seeking an agent. After two years, I had plenty of ideas but very few complete picture manuscripts to show for it. Hoping it would motivate me to create more drafts out of all those ideas, I joined 12 x 12. It worked! But I knew I needed at least 3-5 polished manuscripts before submitting to agents. So, for the next two years, in addition to creating new drafts, I focused on polishing the stories I thought had the most promise. That’s when I felt prepared to dive into the querying pool.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

I collected information for years. Every time I read an interview with a children’s literary agent or a “how I got my agent” blog post or watched a webinar or attended a conference, I took notes, preparing for the day when I’d be ready to submit. I followed agents on Twitter, looked at their agency websites, viewed their MSWL (manuscript wish list) and Publishers Marketplace pages, and did google searches for any available interviews. When I was ready to submit, I compiled a list of all agents open to submissions by picture book writers and updated the list regularly.

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

Over about 4 years in the querying trenches, I submitted 11 different manuscripts and received 120 rejections before signing with my agent. I queried several agents more than once with different stories.

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

Yes, it was more difficult to find agents willing to represent clients who write but don’t also illustrate picture books.

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

My agent is Beth Marshea of Ladderbird Literary Agency. As a GOLD  member of 12 x 12, I was given the opportunity to submit to Beth, who was otherwise closed to queries. The day I sent her my manuscript, she replied with the most amazing email that said, “When I tear up at the end of a PB I have to talk to the author!” The next week we talked on the phone about many of the things I heard were discussed on “the call,” but she did not offer representation. She did, however, ask me to send her more work. I sent her four more picture book manuscripts as well as a synopsis for a chapter book and pitch for the chapter book series. A few weeks later she emailed me an offer of representation and asked to set up another call. About a week later I signed my Agency Agreement, and it became official!

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

Remember all that research I mentioned above? Ladderbird Literary wasn’t even on my radar because, until last year, Beth only represented novel writers. But when Julie listed her as one of the 12 x 12 Featured Agents, I knew that had changed. In my research, I learned that Beth has a background in literature, business administration, and teaching; she is an advocate for diversity and inclusion; and she has a strong sales record, which now includes picture books—all very appealing traits. After getting to know Beth a little more, I found her to be pleasant and easy to talk with, driven, enthusiastic, responsive, communicative, transparent, and business savvy. Above all, Beth seemed to really connect with my stories.

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 helped both directly and indirectly in my agent search and in the development of my craft. As I mentioned, I joined 12 x 12 primarily for the motivation to write more picture book manuscripts. I have joined every year since for the motivation, inspiration, community, education, and, eventually, the bonus opportunity to submit to agents. Ultimately, I did find my agent directly through a 12 x 12 Featured Agent submission, but even if I hadn’t, 12 x 12 has been a source of many of the “ingredients” (I list below) I needed to get to this point in my career.

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

I haven’t been with my agent long enough to know how my writing process will change over time, but I already feel a sense of relief knowing that I have an advocate to help me navigate the next stages of my career and knowing that I can focus more on the writing/revising, rather than agent researching and querying.

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

What everyone says is true, but in case you haven’t heard, some ingredients to finding an agent are:

Practice (read—a lot, write—a lot, revise—a lot).

Preparation (study your craft, get critiques, research agents, learn about the industry, find your community—a support system of other creators, mentors, and cheerleaders).

Positive Attitude (there will be rejection and hard times, but also times to celebrate; try to celebrate even the small achievements)

Persistence (you’ll only get an agent if you do the work and persist; it only takes one “yes,” and you won’t get that “yes” if you quit).

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

I’m somewhat active on social media, and I think following agents and other kidlit friends on social media played a role in my journey overall (see “prepare” above), but it certainly wasn’t the primary tool that led me to my agent.

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 don’t really have a bucket list, but at this point, I’d settle for being comfortable attending more in-person events again (conferences, visiting friends, and maybe even a few school visits once I do have books published!).

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

I hope to be able to officially share happy book news soon, but in the meantime, I will be out on submission with the picture book manuscript that caught my agent’s eye and will continue to read, write, revise, repeat.

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