We’re so pleased to bring you Jennifer Concepcion’s How I Got My Agent story. Jennifer was one of 2021 12 x 12 Scholarship recipients and we couldn’t be more pleased to celebrate this milestone with her. Be sure to check out Jennifer’s advice for “The Call!” Congratulations, Jennifer!

How long had you been writing before seeking an agent, and what made you decide it was time to look for one?
I have been jotting down ideas and dreaming up plotlines since I was old enough to write! I didn’t give myself “permission” to think of myself as a writer until 2020. In the middle of the pandemic, while working full time as a kindergarten teacher and parenting three young kids, I finished my Masters in Education. When I handed in my final thesis, I had a good hard look at my dreams moving forward and came to the conclusion that if I could achieve a Masters under those conditions I could do anything! I registered with SCBWI, read all of “The Book”, found a critique group, got on twitter (#kidlit for the win!), started entering every possible contest, and set the intention to find an agent.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?
I looked through Publishers Weekly to find out more about agents who were involved in the sales of some of my favorite picture books. I combed through Manuscript Wishlist to find agents who would represent both picture books and middle grade (the two categories that I currently write in), I watched YouTube interviews of agents whenever possible, and followed as many of them as I could on twitter. I paid close attention to how agents seemed to communicate and their sense of humor.

The dreaded questions: How many queries? How many rejections?
From October 2020 to March 2021 I sent a total of 57 queries for 3 different manuscripts. Of those I received 6 requests to see my full submission package.

Was it difficult to find an agent who wanted to represent an author focusing on picture books?
I did not find it difficult! Manuscript Wishlist is a wonderful resource for this as you can filter results to show you only the agents who are currently accepting picture book manuscripts. Then you can filter who to submit to down further by looking at who is seeking manuscripts thematically similar to yours.

Who is your new agent? Tell us about getting the news.
My agent is Dan Cramer at the PageTurner Literary Agency! When he officially offered I clapped so hard that the phone we were zooming on fell onto the floor!!! It was a little embarrassing at the time but we had a good laugh about it. Then it was time for root beer float cheers with my kids, and a bottle of champagne a little later with my partner.

How did you know your agent was “the one”?
We had a long conversation on zoom, where I asked a long list of questions. By long I mean literally like 35 questions that I had come up with in google doc! My agented CPs were very helpful in suggesting questions that I should ask. We discussed my manuscript in depth, and I felt that Dan really understood the heart of the story. He was patient, communicated clearly, and was committed to full transparency throughout the submission process. I asked if it would be okay to contact some of his current clients, and when I did, they all expressed that my initial impressions of Dan were 100% true.

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 absolutely helped me in terms of craft development and finding the right agent! Each webinar that I attend is better than the last, and uncanningly seems to be on the exact topic that I am struggling with from month to month. I am honored to be the recipient of a scholarship [in 2021], and feeling connected to the 12 x 12 community has helped both my confidence as a writer and my sense of belonging to the kidlit community as a whole. We are a delightfully strange, quirky, warm and welcoming bunch – I truly feel that I have found my people!

Has your writing process changed at all since signing with an agent?
It has in that after my manuscripts go through my CPs, I have another collaborative partner to share with in Dan. I really trust his experienced feedback and opinions. It has also changed in that I am currently working on a couple of revise and resubmits from publishers: exciting, terrifying and really, really, really fun.

What advice would you give to picture book writers looking for agents today?
First and foremost – to trust your intuition. If you just have a feeling that you would work well with someone, but you can’t explain why you have that feeling, go for it! Send that query. Do your research and understand what you want in an agent – there are advantages and disadvantages to having an experienced agent with a long client list, and advantages and disadvantages to working with a newer agent who is actively acquiring. Remember that on “The Call” you are interviewing the agent more than they are interviewing you. Write the stories of your heart, believe in them, make them the very best that you can with trusted CPs, then press send! For every rejection, send out 5 more queries. All it takes is one person who gets your voice, and you have to ask for the results that you want!

Do you think your platform (blog, social media) helped you find your agent?
Twitter definitely played a part in me finding Dan. I followed him after seeing some of his punny jokes (I am fairly punneriffic myself) and on a whim I commented on one of his MSWL posts asking if he would be interested in reading bilingual manuscripts. He answered “Of course, send away!” and I did! The trick is to follow as many KidLit folk (writers, agents, editors, publishers) as possible, so that the algorithms recognize that’s the content you are interested in.

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 would love to run a half marathon! I am currently training for one in December with Leia and Chewbacca (my dogs not the real life characters, although how cool would that be???)

What’s up next/what are you working on now?
Revise and Resubmit is the name of the game! I am also whipping my middle grade novel into reasonable shape to send it on submission.

Ready to be part of a writing community that has your back? We’d love for YOU to join us in 12 x 12! Registration is open through 2/28/22! Click here!