Winning a critique in an auction was a giant step in Joy’s search for an agent “to walk alongside me as I navigated the children’s book industry.”

We’re so excited for you, Joy!

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

I started drawing and storytelling when I was a young child who loved the smell of a library book. After receiving my master’s degree in early childhood education and starting my career as a child life specialist working with the oncology population, I was looking for a creative outlet (in addition to being a freelance florist for events on weekends) to essentially fill my cup, especially on the tough, emotional days.

So in 2020, I made the leap and began a children’s book illustration certificate program. I loved every bit of learning visual storytelling and decided by 2022 that I would start jotting down some stories, not really thinking anything would come of it.

By this time, I had been using books in my daily practice to educate children about cancer, empowering them with knowledge and coping skills to support them through the good and bad days in the hospital. There was one independently published book that inspired me to pick up my art materials and start creating stories for children again. This particular book normalized hair loss for children in a silly, playful, yet honest way. This book helped me reach for my dreams and soon, I hoped to one day help all children feel seen with picture books.

I felt ready to stop sitting on my skills as a children’s book author-illustrator and start querying in 2023 (without any idea what I was doing). I targeted querying agents because I knew I needed a partner, a guide to walk alongside me as I navigate the children’s book industry. I still work part-time at a children’s hospital, so I am eternally grateful for having an agent to be my cheerleader, advocate, and professional partner.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

I see my querying experiences in rounds. The first time I began querying (round 1), I did little to no research, which then resulted in quite a few passes from agents. I learned from these passes and started researching extensively about agents, the children’s book industry, and queries. I used tools such as: SCBWI, QueryTracker, Publisher’s Weekly, MSWL, Publisher’s Marketplace, and podcasts — tons of podcasts (my favorites are: Writers with Wrinkles, You May Contribute a Verse, The Manuscript Academy, My Creative Life, Picture Book Summit, Literaticast, and Kidlit Love). Simultaneously, I also focused on my craft, finding my voice in words and my style in art.

During round 2, I was ready to release my much-improved queries, and I also applied for a mentorship program. It was such a surprise and delight to learn that I was awarded a mentorship through PB Rising Stars with Michelle Jing Chan. I honestly did not mind putting my queries on hold during round 2 because I was ready to learn from other picture book professionals. I just wanted to soak up all the knowledge that summer. I felt like being a part of PB Rising Stars helped me look at queries in a different way and empowered me to go at my own pace. I knew that one day, all my research and willingness to learn would all pay off.

Round 3 began shortly after I completed the summer mentorship program with PB Rising Stars. I was prepared in every way. I had a spreadsheet and researched wish lists with a passion. I queried in small batches, starting with the PB dummy I polished over the summer. Then, with advice from my mentor, I started querying a separate polished manuscript for a story I also developed over the summer. I finished the year still waiting on several query responses and receiving multiple passes. Just as I was about to take a break for January 2025, I heard from Daniele about a Literary Agents of Change (LAOC) auction prize I won from months ago and the rest was history.

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

Between three rounds, there were almost 40 queries, about 30 passes, and an endless amount of anxiety waiting for those responses. This was all worth it for my one “yes.”

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

I noticed that there are many agents representing picture books; however, many of these incredible professionals have very full lists with star creators. So, it can be tricky to find the right picture book agent for an author. I have a different experience because I am an author-illustrator, but there are agents searching for picture book authors; it’s just about knowing where to look and finding the right person for you.

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

My incredibly thoughtful and kind agent is Daniele Hunter from McIntosh & Otis. Daniele was at the top of my list for agents, and I was waiting to query her because 1) I was too afraid of querying her too early and 2) I won the LAOC auction for her to critique my picture book. I thought it might be helpful for her to give me feedback on the dummy I created through PB Rising Stars before I officially queried her. Long story short, I heard from Daniele about my picture book at the end of the year, and she mentioned she loved my art style as well as my manuscript! We scheduled a call for January and immediately clicked. Not only do we have so much in common (including a love for flowers, Gilmore Girls, and Pushing Daises), but we also have similar values in creating meaningful picture books for children that are issue-driven and diverse.

After our call, Daniele asked me to send additional manuscripts and pitches to her. The next email from her was entitled “Pushing Daises…and Offer of Representation!” I cried immediately. I had such a gut feeling that Daniele was the perfect match for me as an author-illustrator, and I cannot be more grateful to have her on my side.

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

The first moment I felt Daniele to be “the one” was while reading her initial email about the LAOC auction. She is a clear communicator and very intentional about her words, which resonated with me deeply. Then we had the initial call where we clicked, and it felt like we were on the same page about many topics. (I could’ve talked to her forever about anything and everything.) This was the second time I felt she was “the one.” The third and final time that solidified my decision was when Daniele sent me feedback for all my manuscripts, pitches, and dummy. The enthusiasm that Daniele had for me as an author-illustrator made me feel genuinely seen as a creator.

I had only ever heard advice about choosing an agent that is the right fit for me. While in the trenches, I was always under the impression that my agent would be the one to choose me. (That’s why I did so much querying, right?) When I met Daniele, she helped me feel like I had a choice — that I was choosing her just as much as she was choosing me. This is how I know in my heart this is going to be a great partnership.

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 honestly missed the window for joining 12 x 12 in 2024 and was bummed about it. However, I continued to read the 12 x 12 blog, especially while conducting research about agents. (How amazing is it that this is a free resource?!) I read and re-read many “How I Got My Agent” blog posts, which is why writing one is a “full circle” moment for me.

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

Quite honestly, it hasn’t truly settled in for me that I am an agented author-illustrator. Like, what do you mean?! I am still in awe that I have the opportunity to change the world with children’s books.

I feel like having an agent has given me the determination to have every story editorially ready for submission, but not much of my process has changed. I still continue creating at my own pace, drawing an image first for inspiration and then creating a story from there.

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

1. Write stories from your heart, one day those books will be as important to a child as it is for you.
2. Keep reaching for your dreams and when you need a break, that’s okay. Take a break.
3. If you ever have second thoughts about cold emailing a creator, applying for a picture book program/contest, or querying your top agent/editor — just do it. You miss 100% of the chances you do not take. Be bold, be kind, be you.
   
   

There’s a quote that has stuck with me through this entire process, and I wouldn’t be the same without these words of advice:

“Have dreams and goals and ambitions and ideas – those are so, so good for your soul, so keep creating and scheming and brainstorming. But be open to the possibility of the unknown. So much beauty resides there, and you’ll miss it if you’re buried in your calendar or caught up in your own mind. You cannot predict your future, which is a great thing, because it’s going to end up to be so much fuller and richer than you could have imagined or planned.” – Rachel Brown, Touch a Life Foundation

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

I felt like having social media has only enhanced my getting an agent because it was a place for me to showcase my work. However, I mostly relied on the resources and tools I mentioned above to help me find my 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 🙂 )

A bucket list item for me is visiting a children’s hospital as an author-illustrator to facilitate a reading of my own published book!

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

Celebrating that I am agented now! Then I am working on a number of stories (manuscripts and picture book dummies) to go on sub. (Fingers crossed!)