Talk about picking yourself up, dusting yourself off, and starting all over again! Heather Stigall has done it. After losing her agent, and taking a couple months to regroup, Heather got right back to researching and subbing. With success!

You’re a great example for us all, Heather. Congrats!

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

Before seeking an agent, I had been writing for about five years. It took four years of querying before I signed with my first agent. We sold a book and worked together for about a year and a half until she decided to no longer represent writers. I took about two months to adjust to the news and research agents before diving in the querying pool again.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

I pulled out the list I had created when querying the first time around, which I had compiled over the years. I looked up each of the agents to find out if they were open to submissions from picture book writers and if they were even agents anymore! I did a sort-of ranking system (color-coded, LOL) to prioritize which agents and agencies I thought were the best fit for my work and had what I wanted in an agent/agency. I also coded which were “maybes” (or those I didn’t find enough information on to rank or were not open at the time, but might be later), and which were “nos.” I also registered for a Query Manager account to help keep track of my submissions and get updated information on agents.

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

I queried 34 agents over about six months. Four requested more work, and one offered representation.

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

It was definitely challenging to find agents who wanted to represent picture book writers (I don’t illustrate) who were open to submissions, but I also write chapter books which may have helped. Two of the agents who asked to see more work specifically asked me to send more about my chapter book work-in-progress.

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

My new agent is Amy Nielsen of The Purcell Agency. After Amy responded to my initial query, and she had a chance to review more of my work, we “met” in a video call during which she offered me representation.

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

During our video call, Amy and I talked for two hours! She shared her vision for my work and career, and she answered all my questions. She was complimentary of my writing, enthusiastic about agenting, and easy to talk to. I felt a connection to her immediately.

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 has been instrumental in my career as a picture book author. Being a part of 12 x 12 has helped motivate me to write and revise more consistently, educate me (I love those monthly webinars!), inspire me to keep going despite challenges and setbacks, and connect me to the kidlit community.

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

As I mentioned, I transitioned from being agented to unagented and back to agented in a span of about 9 months. In the 6 months I was querying, I was reminded of how time consuming and exhausting that is! Now I can spend more time writing, revising, and promoting my books while letting Amy worry about researching and querying editors for future submissions. I also love that I have an agent in my corner to preview ideas and help me strategize which manuscripts to prioritize. Plus, she’s so supportive of my work! With all the rejections we get in this industry, it’s nice to have a cheerleader in my corner!

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

Find your community and keep going. You won’t find an agent if you don’t get your work out there. You’ll probably get rejected. Probably more than once (that’s one of the reasons to find your kidlit support system). But while you’re collecting rejections, keep working on your craft. Give and receive critiques (another reason to find your community). Your work will get stronger, and when you are asked for more work or for “the call,” you’ll be even more prepared.

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

In my particular case, yes! I happened to see Amy’s tweet saying she was open to submissions for only 48 hours, and 24 hours had already gone by. I did a quick check to make sure she accepted the kind of work I wrote, tweaked my query letter, and hit send! That ultimately led to an offer of representation. When Amy responded to my query, not only did she compliment my manuscript, she complimented my website and the educator guide I had available for my debut picture book. I don’t think she signed me because of those things, but they certainly didn’t hurt.

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’m not a huge bucket list person, but there are a few places I’d like to visit. One place is New Zealand, and I will be doing that this December, thanks to my husband who qualified for IronMan 70.3 World Championships this year!

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

My next book (a book deal my first agent brokered for me), GILBERT AND THE GHOST (Beaming Books/illus. Jess Mason) is due out August 2025. Amy has a couple of my picture book manuscripts on submission now, and I hope to query with a chapter book soon as well. In the meantime, I am working on several other picture books. I hope to find publishing homes for a few of my stories soon