After a fiasco with her first agent, Jilanne Hoffmann could have packed up her writing tools and left. No one would have blamed her. But, that’s not what this writer did. She double downed as she continued to work on her manuscripts, stretch her writing muscles, and dig even deeper into researching agents. Resilience and determination are two attributes every writer needs and Jilanne is overflowing with both. Congrats, Jilanne! We’re so happy you’re such an active part of the 12 x 12 community and can’t wait to celebrate your book’s arrival!

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

I’ve been a freelance writer for over 25 years and have an MFA in writing for adults, but I decided to write picture books when my son started third grade in 2012. That’s the year I joined SCBWI, and 12 x 12 shortly thereafter. Little did I know that writing PBs is a completely different animal from all others. But I took classes, watched webinars, and learned. My first agent in 2015 turned out to be a year-and-a-half disaster, that I won’t go into here. Suffice to say, it took me several years to recover and start submitting again.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

I followed agents on Twitter, read MSWLists, visited websites of all of the agents listed in SCBWI’s THE BOOK, attended workshops at Highlights, SCBWI conferences, and Rutgers One-on-One. I used the paid versions of QueryTracker and Publishers Marketplace to check out response times, wish lists, and recent deals. And when COVID-19 started, I attended The Writing Barn’s “Ask an Agent” webinars that are over-the-top fabulous, because you get such a deep understanding of what agents/agencies are really like and what would be a good fit for them. I also highly recommend the Writing Barn’s “Ask an Editor” webinars. They take a deep dive into the making of a current picture book while giving you an idea of what truly appeals to their taste.

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

I’m not going to go back through my spreadsheet and count the submissions for every year since 2013, but it’s definitely in the three digits for queries and rejections.

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

I think there are plenty of agents who rep PBs, but competition is STIFF. I definitely found that many are leaning toward repping author-illustrators, and plenty who asked me if I also had any middle grade in my back pocket. At the time, I wasn’t writing MG, but as of this past November, I wrote my first MG novel in verse and am currently revising it. Picture books take a long time to publish after they’ve been acquired, and with options for second books often in contracts, it helps to diversify, so you have a way to get around waiting for options.

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

I’ve been repped by Lori Steel at Raven Quill Literary for the past year. When I participated in the Writing Barn webinar where all of Raven Quill’s agents talked about the agency and their preferences, I really loved their vibe. Many of them and their clients are graduates of the Vermont College of Fine Arts children’s lit program, and I’m a kidlit nerd, so I loved how well-versed and immersed they are in this world. They really know the market. But I had also attended the Writing Barn webinar with Ruben Pfeffer’s agency and liked their approach, too, so they were on my shortlist.

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

When I heard Lori describe her preferences, including lyrical writing, during the webinar, I knew that she would be the best fit for my work. I also liked that she’s a kidlit librarian, so she’s got that added curriculum knowledge and putting-books-into-the-hands-of-kids street cred. When I approached her, I had a pending offer from a publisher, and I felt a sense of urgency to find someone who could negotiate the contract for me. I had also started a mentorship with Bethany Hegedus at the Writing Barn, and she suggested I simultaneously query Lori, Ruben Pfeffer, and another agent who had liked the story that had an offer pending, but had ultimately passed a few months earlier. So the queries went out with a referral from Bethany. I also pinged a couple of agents who were considering a different story. I heard from all of them almost immediately, saying they either passed or would read immediately and get back to me. But Lori wanted to schedule a call right away. We had a long conversation, and I felt an immediate kinship with her for many reasons, including her communication style and strategic planning approach. But there was also something intangible that made me feel like she was a perfect fit for me. She made me an offer at the end of our call, and I thought for less than a nanosecond before saying yes! And then I sent notes to all of the other agents who were reading, and told them that I had just  accepted an offer of representation. I knew it was the right choice. This became evident quickly when the first book that we submitted together went to auction. She created a wonderful spreadsheet analyzing offers, and helped me work through my decision, weighing the pros and cons of each. And she made it clear that she was there to advise me, but that the decision was ultimately mine to make. After I made my selection (Chronicle Books, yay!!), she continued to negotiate the finer points of the contract.  I am so grateful to have her in my corner.

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 learned much through 12 x 12 webinars and through other authors I’ve met through 12 x 12. I also owe Julie a personal “thank you” for some much-needed support after the agent fiasco. She’s developed a fantastic kidlit community, and I have no plans to leave it!

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

Oh, yes! I can now focus on writing again(!!!) and stop the incessant search for “the right fit.” Now, Lori can find the editors (along with whatever input I might have) who are the right fit for my stories, and she can take care of all the negotiating details. It’s a tremendous relief to not have that additional layer of work, and also a relief to know she’s there to help psychologically, too.

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

Ultimately, agents want to read a story that will linger in their thoughts or resonate in some way. Study craft, by reading, reading, reading. Read the kinds of books you want to write. Let them seep into your pores, your subconscious. Study individual elements. What works? What doesn’t? And then take all that you’ve learned and make it your own. Your own voice and unique perspective on the world. Let your weirdness and your loves shine through. It’s not enough to have a well-written story, anymore.

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

I think social media has helped me connect with others in the writing community. I don’t think it really helped me find an agent. And no agent has ever asked me about social media or my “platform.” I think they do, however, look at whether you participate in a variety of writing communities, including 12 x 12, SCBWI, and the Writing Barn. If you do, it sends a signal that you’re serious about your writing, and that you’re more likely to actively participate in book launch groups once you’ve sold a book. That said, I do participate on Twitter and Instagram, and I post picture book reviews in conjunction with Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday on my blog. My agent was aware of that when we first talked, because I include my social media handles and website on all of my emails.

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 🙂 )

Well, I’ve traveled around the world, and have many fond memories and some terrible photos. Things like roaming through southern Africa with a tent on top of a pickup truck, exploring the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica, trekking in New Zealand, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, hiking in the Lofoten Islands, sailing in the Caribbean, drinking too much grappa in Italy, and skydiving. But I’d really like to go camping in Denali, Alaska. Grizzlies and unadulterated nature would be a thrilling getaway from my current COVID-19 existence. That, and learning how to ride a skateboard without breaking anything.

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

I just submitted the final revision of back matter for the book that went to auction last year. It’s now in copyediting. I have a nonfiction PB biography out on sub right now, and I’m getting ready to submit an option picture book to my current editor. I am also revising a middle grade novel in verse that I want to submit widely later this year. The novel in verse is historical fiction and a book of my heart, so I can’t wait for it to be out in the world! And I continue to work on a variety of picture books in various stages of drafting and revision. And I’ve joined an ongoing book marketing group, Story Jammers, with my book, RIVER OF DUST, launching in Spring 2023. One needs to be an octopus in this business. Good luck to everyone!

My social media links:

Websites: https://jilannehoffmann.com/ and  www.storyjammers.weebly.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jill_SF and https://twitter.com/StoryJammers

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jilanne.hoffmann.96 (personal page)

https://www.facebook.com/jilannehoffmann/ (author page)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jilanne2694/