Little GOLDen Book members of 12 x 12 will be able to choose one of two agents to submit their manuscript to each month.

John Cusick of Folio Literary Management will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members August 1-15.  Erica Rand Silverman of Stimola Literary Studio will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members August 16-31. John’s profile appears first, followed by Erica’s. Please read BOTH and then decide who would be the best fit for your work.

GOLD members: Please check the Submission Station section of the forum for additional instructions from each agent.

John Cusick

A little bit about John from the Folio Literary Management website:

“I represent a diverse list of iconoclastic voices in young adult, middle-grade, picture books, and everything in between.

IN MY FIFTH-GRADE BACKPACK: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, Dogs Don’t Tell Jokes by Louis Sachar, The Indispensable Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson, chewing gum, a notebook filled with drawings of robots.

ON MY NIGHT STAND TODAY: The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner, The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig, Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry, Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, an empty coffee mug, a notebook filled with slightly-better drawings of robots.

HOW I WORK: As an author myself, I bring both a creative and commercial sensibility to my agenting style. I’m an editorial agent who works closely with my clients, whether it’s developing a debut project or helping a seasoned author achieve that breakout novel. My goal is always to match authors with their dream editor, to secure the best deals possible, and grow an author’s readership over a long career.”

Here is what John had to say when asked what he is looking for in picture books today:

“I am looking for character-driven picture books with strong story arcs and surprising endings. I do not represent projects with strong faith-based or religious elements, and am less interested in ‘message’ driven or didactic texts than in a great story and characters.”

John was a 12 x 12 Featured Agent in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Please see our previous profiles on John HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Here some recent references for John:

• Here’s a great post on John’s blog about why publishers don’t want good books HERE.
• John’s MSWL HERE.
• John will be at the Red Hot Carolinas SCBWI event HERE.

Erica Rand Silverman

A little bit about Erica from the Stimola Literary Studio website:

“Erica’s primary interest is in books for and about children. She has worked with some of the most exciting new talent and treasured mainstays in the industry as well as the estates of our favorite classics. Erica represents picture books through young adult and the occasional adult nonfiction project in parenting, humor, and wellness. She received her degree in Secondary English Education from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and a Master of Arts degree in Theater from Hunter College. Before joining the studio in 2016, she was an English and Theater Teacher and Dean at a NYC public high school and a Senior Literary Agent at Sterling Lord Literistic. Erica is a tireless advocate for her clients and proud to be a part of an industry that is so thoughtfully shaping young minds.”

When asked what she’s looking for in picture books, Erica replied, “I really enjoy fun read alouds, character driven texts, thoughtful and thought provoking stories, clever retellings, interesting subject matter, books with a strong narrator voice, novelty or interactive elements and wordless books as well. Some favorites right now that are not client books include Sidewalk Flowers, Today, Interrupting Chicken, The Snurtch, Last Stop On Market Street and How Little Lori Visited Times Square.”

Erica was a 12 x 12 Featured Agent in 2016. You can see our previous profiles HERE.

Here are a few newer resources for Erica:

• An interview with SCBWI HERE.
• Erica was featured on Kathy Temean’s blog HERE.
• On Published to Death’s list of Picture Book Agents HERE.

Please note Little GOLDen Book Members may only submit to ONE of these agents. Please choose the agent who is the best fit for you and your manuscript.