Today we relaunch our How I Got My Agent series for 2019. We love celebrating with 12 x 12 members and since each story is unique, we always learn something new. Our featured member for 2019 is Lauren Kerstein. Lauren is a long-time member of 12 x 12 with her debut picture book coming out this year! Lauren, we know how hard you’ve worked and we ecstatic for your success! Congratulations. 

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

I have been writing since elementary school. In fact, my mom recently came across a book I wrote and illustrated for her for Mother’s Day in the 80’s. While my writing has come a long way since that cute Mother’s Day present, my illustrating… well, let’s just say… I think I’ll stick to writing. In 2008 and 2013, my professional books hit the shelves. Meanwhile, in 2011, I submitted my first picture book.

GULP!

It wasn’t ready. I mean, it really wasn’t ready. I DO NOT RECOMMEND SUBMITTING SO QUICKLY!

After a few more rejections, I went back to the “drawing board” and reassessed. Over the next couple of years, I attended workshops, met with a critique partner here and there and slowly carved out more writing time. In 2014, after submitting more manuscripts and receiving more rejections, I decided I wanted this “hobby” to become a career and I got really serious! I carved out specific writing blocks, joined 12 x 12, attended conferences, joined critique groups, and studied all things KidLit. I wrote and wrote and wrote! Throughout, I submitted to agents. The summer of 2016, I felt like I’d really grown as an author, had multiple submission-ready manuscripts, and was submitting higher quality work. I felt a difference and I began submitting with more confidence.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

I researched agents in a number of ways.

1. I studied their agency and personal (if they had one) websites in order to better understand their philosophies, preferences, and breadth of work.
2. I scoured the internet for tidbits of information that might help me “get to know” agents before submitting. There is so much chemistry in this work, and I found that you can begin to determine whether or not you might be compatible with an agent just from the information you find online. I also found answers to a lot of the “technical” questions I had about the ways agents ran their businesses online.
3. I read books that the agent represented. My local library has been a wonderful resource.

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

I am going to focus on my picture books as I answer this question (and not the rejections I’ve received for my MG, YA, and magazine submissions.) I submitted approximately 15 manuscripts to agents (and a few editors) over the past six years. My current rejection total (which includes “no response at all”) is around 130! In all fairness, a number of these submissions/ rejections happened WAY before I should have been submitting. The manuscript Deborah loved received seven rejections from other agents and editors. After two revise and resubmits, Deborah and I signed on version 53!

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

No, it wasn’t difficult finding an agent who wanted to represent an author focusing on picture books, but I was looking for an agent who also represented MG and YA since I write those genres as well. I also found it difficult to find an agent who represents “authors only” versus “author/illustrators.”

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

My agent is Deborah Warren with East/West Literary Agency!

The night I received the news was beyond exciting. Here’s what happened…

I’d melted into one of our comfy chairs in the basement for my treasured 15 minutes of “down time” after tucking my girls into bed. I was devouring The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson, and decided to save the last few delicious pages for right before bed in order to distract myself from checking my phone/email…again. (I’d been obsessively checking since I submitted my second revise and resubmit to Deborah).

As I closed the book, I peered at my phone on the off chance that there was a notification light.

Blink.

Blink.

Blink.

There was a light.

There was an email and…

it was from Deborah!

AAAAAHHH!

I froze. I couldn’t open it. What if it was bad news? What if it was good news? What if it was NO news?

I had my computer in the basement with me because I was going to write after reading. I waited for the email to appear on my computer. But it didn’t. Something was wrong with our internet. Somewhat irrationally, I decided I had to look at the email on my computer on a bigger screen, so I left my phone in the basement and ran upstairs—computer in hand. I waited for the internet to reconnect. But, it didn’t.

AAAAAHHHH!

My heart lodged itself in my throat. My breath quickened. My mind raced with possibilities.

The computer still didn’t connect to the internet.

I ran back downstairs, grabbed my phone, and opened the email.

I saw the words:

“LOVE LOVE LOVE!”

I nearly jumped out of my skin.

I ran back upstairs away from my husband to read the whole email in private. Then I ran back downstairs to read it to him. Then I called and texted friends and family. I worked myself into such a frenzy that I started wheezing.

HURRAY! HURRAY! HURRAY! I DID IT!

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

I knew Deborah was the one because she radiates warmth, knowledge and insight. Her passion for this industry shines through in everything she does. I also knew she was the one because I love the authors, illustrators, and books she represents. Finally, Deborah’s editorial suggestions were brilliant. She truly helped me elevate my manuscript to the next level.

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  )

Wow! 12 x 12 has helped me immeasurably. From the webinars to the forum, I’ve learned so much. The opportunity to submit to agents through 12 x 12 is invaluable! Deborah is typically closed to submissions so I counted down the days until I could submit to her through 12 x 12. That 12 x 12 submission led to signing with Deborah! Thank you!

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

Since signing with Deborah, I am able to spend more time writing, reading mentor texts, improving my craft, connecting with other authors, critiquing, and revising. I don’t have to divide my time as much since I’m no longer researching agents and querying.

The book Deborah accepted SOLD and ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE MAKE WAVES is swimming to shelves this June 2019. As a result, I am spending time on marketing in addition to writing.

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

• Participate as fully as possible in the KidLit community. There are so many opportunities out there from 12 x 12 to ReFoReMo to StoryStorm to NaPiBoWriWee. I talk about this more comprehensively in a blog post: https://laurenkerstein.wordpress.com/. As a 12 x 12 member, you’re already on the “write” track!
• Read mentor texts. LOTS and LOTS of mentor texts! Analyze what works and what doesn’t.
• Study the market and identify where your manuscript fits into the market.
• Participate in a critique group or two. (My critique partners are talented, patient and incredibly brilliant!) The act of critiquing someone else’s work is invaluable.
• Write unique manuscripts with emotion and passion, and then try to look at your work through objective eyes. Objectivity allows you to “kill your darlings” which is a critical part of the process.
• Remember, this business is tough! Rejections are the norm, not the exception. Learn what you can from rejections, and continue to write.
• Believe in yourself!
• Don’t cling to your first manuscript. Stretch yourself and write many different manuscripts!
• And most of all, try to trust this process… somehow!

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

I’m honestly not sure if my platform helped at all. I don’t think it did, but I don’t think it hurt either.

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 would love to ride a horse on the beach, see koalas in Australia, and visit Maui during whale season. I hope to make all of those wishes a reality someday!

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

I’m currently working on a number of projects across multiple genres. Since Rosie and Charlie spend a lot of time vying for attention, and make me smile, I’m working on more of their adventures. I am also working on a number of picture books from nonfiction to fiction; serious to subversive. In addition, my third professional book with AAPC Publishing (about emotion regulation) is in its final stages of revisions. Finally, I plan to tackle revisions on my middle grade novel, and young adult novels in 2019. I like to stretch my creative brain as far as possible!