The journey of submitting to agents can be stressful and all-consuming, so we love that Laureanna Raymond-Duvernell held space to just enjoy life. She connected with her agent based on one of the things she enjoys most is life: Yosemite National Park. You never know what common ground you’ll find with an agent! Congratulations, Laureanna!

We’re so glad you’ve included 12 x 12 in your writing journey! 

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

I published my book Under in the Mud in 2020 with a local hybrid publisher, Orange Hat Publishing, and learned that I really enjoyed writing picture books and learning about the publishing industry as a whole.

With a younger family at home and my own teaching work, I knew I wouldn’t have the time necessary to dedicate to going the hybrid route with another book. I wandered blindly around social media kidlit feeds, stumbled on #PBPitch, and submitted my first queries in February of 2021.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

At the beginning, it was a lot of following like-minded writers on social media and going down rabbit holes online. It was easy to get discouraged with the specificity of different agents’ MSWL, but I found that keeping a spreadsheet of possibilities helped keep my focus on the end goal.

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

Over the course of 2021-2022, I sent out 27 queries. I did them in bursts when I had time, and usually only about five at once. I felt that I needed that space between them to regroup mentally, distract myself with other writing or my teaching, or just enjoy life in general. I had seventeen rejections, some feedback in those, nine no responses, and one yes from a slush pile submission who did not end up being the agent with whom I signed.

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

I wouldn’t say it was difficult, but it does take time. I would scroll Literaryagencies.com, manuscriptwishlist.com, and SCBWI’s “The Book” to find agents and then I would search their websites or social media feeds to see if they would possibly be a good match. A good spreadsheet helped to keep it all organized!

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

Oh goodness. Can I gush on Stefanie Molina for just a bit? I was able to submit four pieces of writing to her through an event with SCBWI – Eastern Pennsylvania. In looking into her background, I saw that we had a shared love of Yosemite National Park. She loved all my pieces and gave feedback that made a lot of sense and that helped with additional revisions. She was also full of smiles and encouragement, and during every one of our meetings, everything just seemed to click!

Stefanie offered representation and then I had two weeks to nudge other agents. It was a long two weeks! I asked her to set up a Zoom call at the end of this time as I had one more clarification question to ask her.

My question was, “When can we start?!?”

Much squealing and jumping around followed on both sides of the screen!

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

Stefanie’s enthusiasm for my writing and that “gut feeling” are really the two reasons that the scales tipped in her favor. I also appreciated her vision for how she would handle my writing, and the way she made me feel as a new author.

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 🙂 )

So… I am the “no” answer! I have known about 12 x 12 for years but told myself I could only manage one professional organization at a time so SCBWI has been my home for the last few years. I have already learned so much just by reading others’ posts, blogs, and watching the webinars, and I can’t wait to make more connections as I write, revise, and review along with all of you.

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

Not a ton. I still search through my StoryStorm ideas, write terrible first drafts, run them by my amazing critique partners, and revise, revise, revise. I appreciate having Stefanie be my sounding board for what will maybe sell, which is often hard to judge as an author.

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

This is maybe not directly helpful for finding an agent, but I found that having a rotating picture album on my phone with encouraging quotes really helped when the querying trenches got too deep. Some of my favorites:

“Go out there and do the work.” – Susie Myerson (from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

“There is so much to learn and celebrate between each sunrise and sunset.” – Sasha Sagan

“Most of the important things on the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” – Dale Carnegie

“Enjoy the right now” – A. Meredith Walters

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

Perhaps not directly, but it does help me connect with the writing community and see how others handle all of the ups and downs that come along every step of the publishing journey.

Tell us something that is on your “bucket list.” Something you’ve dreamed of doing all your life but have yet to accomplish.

#VanLife! My husband and I would love to own a campervan after our kids leave the nest. Our dream would be to travel to all of our amazing National Parks, and my secret dream is to be an educational National Park Ranger one day too!

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

I have a manuscript out on submission (the wait continues in much the same way as the agent wait!) and I’m continuing to write/revise nature-based projects that will hopefully appeal to children of all ages.