It’s gonna be May! GOLD members, read on and get to know our 12 x 12 May Featured Agents. Decide which one is the best fit for you and your work. Then read the guidelines on the forum as you prepare your submission. Be sure to double-check everything before you hit the send button.

Little GOLDen Book members can choose one of these two agents to submit their manuscript to in May. (If you are a SILVER member, you may use this info for research. Check out our How to Use 12 x 12 Featured Agent Posts article here.)

Liz Nealon of Great Dog Literary will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members from May 1-15.  Rick Margolis of Rising Bear Literary will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members from May 16-31. Liz’s profile appears first, followed by Rick’s. 

Here we go!

Liz Nealon of Great Dog Literary 

A little bit about Liz:

Liz Nealon is the President and Founder of Great Dog Literary, where she represents both adult
and children’s books, largely non-fiction.

Previously Liz was an award-winning executive producer and media industry leader who played an integral role in shaping the indelible youth brands Sesame Street, Kidz Bop, and MTV. She
served as Worldwide Creative Director for Sesame Street and traveled the world as SVP of MTV International, launching channels in Europe, Brazil, Japan, and Australia.

Liz is drawn to illustrated books, for both children and adults. Her tastes skew to non-fiction and her instincts are decidedly commercial, so she’s always looking for just the right mix of pop appeal plus intellectual content. She likes nothing more than packaging serious non-fiction in an alternative, surprising frame. Liz is more interested in thought-provoking than provocative, though she’s been known to represent some deeply edgy content.

When asked what she’s looking for in submissions, Liz replied:

“I am always looking for quality non-fiction and informational fiction picture books. Biographies should be a fascinating slice of life, rather than cradle-to-grave retellings. Science is my jam.”

This is Liz’s first year as a 12 x 12 Featured Agent! Here are some additional resources for your research: 

Rick Margolis of Rising Bear Literary

For nearly 15 years, Rick Margolis worked for School Library Journal, the world’s largest reviewer of books for young readers. As SLJ ’s executive editor, he had the pleasure of interviewing many remarkable children’s book creators, including Kate DiCamillo, Mo Willems, Katherine Paterson, Gene Yang, Rita Williams-Garcia, Rebecca Stead, and Jon Klassen. One of the best parts of Rick’s job was writing a monthly interview column, which highlighted new and promising authors (like John Green and Suzanne Collins) who went on to have amazing careers. And for some reason, almost every year Rick was able to predict the winner of the Caldecott Medal, which honors the year’s best-illustrated book.

Although Rick loved his stint at SLJ, he was ready for a new challenge. But not just any job would do.

Rick wanted to find one that felt like his true calling—one that he was wild about—and that could contribute something of value to the world. He also wanted to stay connected to kids’ books—because he loves them and because he was once a reading specialist (working with students who struggled to read) and he knows firsthand what a profound difference the right book can make in a young person’s life.

To make a long story short, five years ago Rick launched Rising Bear Literary Agency, specializing in what he most loves: picture books, early- and middle-grade fiction, and young adult literature. Rick is constantly looking for outstanding picture books and novels for kids and young adults. He represents everyone from award-winning authors and illustrators, such as Gary D. Schmidt, Kate Banks, Ron Koertge, and Jennifer Yerkes, to gifted newcomers. Rick is especially attracted to people who have something to say to children and teens, and he admires creative risk-takers who aren’t afraid to try something new or to shake things up.

When asked what he’s looking for in picture book submissions, Rick shared this:

“I like to be surprised, and I’m a sucker for great writing and stories that are truly kid-friendly. I also prefer character-driven stories in which the message is an organic part of the story—rather than stories that are mainly message-driven. I don’t have any particular style in mind for picture books, and I’m open to both fiction and nonfictional, and to both prose and poetry.”

Rick has been a Featured Agent previously. You can find past profiles here, here, and here. Additional resources are below:

• Check out the Rising Bear Literary website
• Rick’s LinkedIn profile
• Interview with Rick by the BYU-Idaho English Department

Remember: 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. Look for submission guidelines in the Submission Station on the 12 x 12 forum.

• Submissions will only be accepted for Liz Nealon from May 1st at 8am ET/5am PT through May 15th at 6pm EASTERN/3pm PACIFIC.
• Submissions will only be accepted for Rick Margolis from May 16th at 8am ET/5am PT through May 31st at 6pm EASTERN/3pm PACIFIC.

Please double-check the times for your time zone on your submissions. Anything received before or after the submissions window is open will be disqualified and you will not be able to submit again this month.

Remember, it is NEVER okay to submit your manuscript twice. Contact Kelli if there is a problem with your submission.

Good luck to our GOLD members! We look forward to your success stories

Not a 12 x 12 member yet? Join our waiting list here.