Kirsti Call is not only a longer time member of 12 x 12, she’s one of our forum elves. She puts in the work to make her manuscripts great and then she helps other authors in our group understand the industry and be the best they can be. Kirsti is our go-to bibliotherapy expert and we are so excited she found her agent in 2018! Way to go, Kirsti! 

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

I joined 12×12 in 2013 and I’ve been looking for an agent ever since!

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

I researched what agents wanted. I met agents at workshops and conferences. I talked to people with agents to find out what they liked and didn’t like about their experiences.

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

Hmmm. This is a tough question. What’s twelve times six? And I need to add in another dozen or five for the agents I subbed to outside of 12 x 12. I’d say I queried at least 100 times. I had several interested agents who asked for more work and then eventually passed. So I got rejected 99 out of 100 times.

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

I also write MG and YA. My agent took me based on my picture books because my longer works are nowhere near ready to submit to editors, but I think she liked that I had longer works in the works. Hehe.

Who is your new agent? 

Emma Sector at Prospect agency is my new agent. She’s new, energetic and a former editor for Simon and Schuster.

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

I loved the way Emma responded to my original submission. She was enthusiastic, she loved it, and she thought it would sell. In subsequent emails, Emma wasn’t afraid to tell me what she thought wasn’t working with my manuscripts. I loved how she communicated in a positive yet helpful way. I knew that she was someone I wanted to work with.

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  )

Yes!  I sent my story to Rachel Orr at Prospect though 12 x 12! Rachel sent it to Emma, and the rest is history!

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

My writing is more focused. Emma and I talk about which manuscript I should be thinking about and revising. I now have an industry professional on my side who can help me decide what stories are worth pursuing. Also, the way I think about my manuscripts has changed. When I write a great story I think to myself. “I have an agent now.  This might actually sell to an actual publisher someday!”

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

Keep writing and revising, and especially keep submitting. This industry is not for the faint of heart, but persistence is key. I started writing picture books 7 years ago, and it took me this long to finally sign with an agent.

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

I know that Emma googled me and she found lots of blog posts and interviews. Jane Yolen told me that my positivity online definitely helped me when I applied to go to Picture Book Boot Camp with her. (I applied because of Julie Hedlund’s rave reviews here in 12 x 12!) I think everything we do to extend ourselves and help the kidlit community counts.

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’ve always wanted to go to Venice and ride in a gondola!

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

I’m revising a YA and a MG right now.  And of course I’m writing picture books along with the rest of my 12 x 12 family!