Please welcome Jamie Bills to the How I Got My Agent Series! Jamie thinks luck had a hand in landing her agent, but we know that luck is what happens when hard work meets opportunity. Because Amy worked hard to develop her craft AND continued to research, she landed a wonderful new agent!

Congrats, Jamie! 

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

This is a tough question because I have been writing my whole life. When I was little, I kept multiple journals, sometimes at the same time. In high school, I enjoyed writing poetry and was excited when we were given an assignment to write and illustrate a picture book. As an adult, I worked hard at picture book writing for a couple of years before we moved across the country and my third baby was born. I didn’t pick it up again until the pandemic. I wrote for about six months at that time before deciding to send something out.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

I have used the CHILDREN’S WRITER’S & ILLUSTRATOR’S MARKET book, Manuscript Wishlist online, the Literary Rambles Blog, and have read through many literary agency websites and agent bios. Recently I started looking into the agents listed on the Query Tracker weekly update emails.

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

If my spreadsheet is correct, I queried 72 times and was rejected 71.

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

Yes. The list of agents looking to represent author-only picture books is small. And it only gets smaller when you try to make sure the queries you send in are a good match for the agent.

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

My agent is Amy Nielsen with The Purcell Agency. I queried her on October 6^th during her 48-hr opening where she received over 600 queries. I received an email response from her October 17^th. She said my story was “absolutely adorable.” I continued skimming for the “but” and for the first time ever, it wasn’t there. She wanted to call and talk with me about that story and others I might have. Let’s just say there was a lot of jumping up and down and squealing.

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

Amy loves my writing the way any writer dreams an agent will love their work. She is an energetic and ambitious person who works hard and lifts those around her. I was touched by the way she interacted with the other writers on Twitter who queried her and by her determination to personally respond to each of the over 600 queries. When she gave me the option to nudge the other agents I was on query with, I declined. I knew she was new and that might be a risk, but I am also new to publishing, so I figured we can grow together.

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 🙂 )

I’ve not been the best at getting involved with the critique board or even remembering to ask for my badges, but I listen to the fabulous webinars every month and I try to write at least 12 new manuscripts a year. I’ve learned a lot from authors who post and reply on the Facebook forum.

When I talked to Amy Nielsen about the queries she received, she said the writers who were part of SCBWI and 12 x 12 had overall higher quality writing, so it sounds like 12 x 12 is helping a lot of people.

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

I feel an increased sense of responsibility to work as hard as I can to produce marketable, quality manuscripts. I am thankful Amy is taking time to help me and I want to make her job as easy as possible.

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

There was a good amount of luck involved in me connecting with Amy. I just happened to be searching through the Query Tracker weekly updates at the same time she opened her inbox. Because I had a story and query letter prepared that matched her wish list, I was able to get it in quickly and make it to the top end of her pile.

I wish I could remember who said it, but at one of my first conferences an author said something like, “The more opportunities you have to get lucky, the more opportunities you have to get lucky.” So, keeping writing time and budget in mind, make sure that you are putting yourself in situations where you might get lucky.

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

Yes and No. I spend a lot of time reviewing books for publishers and authors on Instagram. At first, I thought if I grew my account large enough it would be my golden ticket to publishing. Hahaha. I am wiser now. There are no golden tickets. Amy signed me because she liked my writing.

But, being highly involved in Instagram has helped me grow in many ways. I read picture books prolifically and am up to date on the latest releases and publishing trends. I’m pushed almost daily to think about the most marketable aspects of new picture books and summarize them in a way that is interesting for others to read. I’ve made friends with authors and bookstagrammers around the world who both uplift and inspire me. One Instagram friend became a great critique partner, who led to a new critique group. All these growth opportunities combined to help strengthen my ability to write, which then in turn helped land an 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 want my family take a photo next to every state line sign in the United States. We currently have forty-three.

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

While Amy and I get a few of my current picture book manuscripts out on submission, I am working to polish several more I am excited about. I’m also trying to give one of my query-failed pb characters another chance in a beginning chapter book series because I really like her. And if all goes well, I will be helping Amy launch a new writing competition for picture book pitches in the spring, so writers keep your eyes out.