Congratulations to Melissa Koch! Despite receiving rejection after rejection, she stayed the course and landed her perfect agent. If you’re wondering if getting an agent is ever going to happen to you, be encouraged by Melissa’s story. 

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

I’ve been writing children’s books since 2013. I started querying agents in 2015 and found an editor instead in 2016. I published two YA books at Lerner Publishing with editorial director, Domenica Di Piazza. I only queried a handful of agents before February 2021. With each rejection, I felt there was something wrong with my work. And sometimes, I thought there was something wrong with me. I worked on my craft (and my confidence) through critique groups, SCBWI, 12 x 12, and Writing Barn courses.

It was a combination of talking with other 12x12ers who shared how they stayed committed to finding an agent and joining the Writing Barn’s Courage to Create in 2020 that made the difference. In 2020, I realized I wasn’t believing in my books. If I didn’t believe, how would others?

I made the commitment in February 2021 to have a query out with at least four agents. When a rejection came in, I would consider it, learn from it, and send out another query. I received several champagne rejections (e.g. your writing and this topic is fabulous, amazing, innovative, beautiful, etc., but it’s not a fit for us.). So many champagne rejections that I asked the CTC community if it was possible to get drunk on these rejections. Their laughter helped, but when these champagne rejections continued, I started interpreting them as I would have in my previous life as an innovator of educational technologies: the market is saturated. My work is good but there’s no room for it. Bethany Hegedus, founder of the Writing Barn and Courage to Create, kindly but firmly, told me no, that’s not it. Keep going. She even asked my question (If I’m receiving lots of champagne rejections, does it mean the market is saturated?) of a panel of agents via a Zoom webinar. I felt Bethany’s gaze on me across the virtual space. The agents looked surprised and unanimously said “No! It means you are on the right track. Keep going!” So I did.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

I went to all the webinars with agents in 12 x 12 and Courage to Create. Listening to agents and editors helped me understand my work, the marketplace, and how my work fit in the marketplace. And then I became a stalker. I read everything I could find about their interests and their wish lists to make sure what I had to offer matched what they were looking for. I watched presentations or interviews they gave, and I looked at who they represented. Often agencies will list their clients on their websites. So, I did a bunch of research to get a feel for who they were as an agent and as a person. I also checked in with industry professionals to see that the agent as well as the agency had great reputations. I’d then go with my gut about whether or not I should submit to them. I needed to feel some connection so I could write a compelling query letter.

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

26 queries. 24 rejections.

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

No. The publishing industry fluctuates, but kids always need the books that only you can write. Finding the right agent is a lot like finding a significant other: focus on what you love to do (and write) and look for someone who shares that passion. I mentioned that I would go with my gut to determine whether or not I sent a query. That doesn’t mean I was looking for the perfect agent. I was looking for a connection: do I think this person will understand me and my work?

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

Laurel Symonds at the Bent Agency. Laurel expressed interest in seeing more work from me very quickly –within 48 hours of my sending my first manuscript to her. She was super about letting me know she received my two additional manuscripts and how long it would take her to get back to me (4-6 weeks). And she did exactly what she said she would do.

I got “The Email” that she’d like to set up “The Call” while I was on vacation. (Yes, I was definitely checking email on that vacation!)

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

I had a hunch she was the one based on all of her fabulous communication and doing exactly what she said she would do. That’s very important to me professionally and personally—to do what I say I’m going to do and to work with people who do the same. I knew Laurel was the one when she told me she could visualize each of the specific places I described lyrically in my nonfiction PB. (The actual names of the places are in the back matter.) I was all in when she said she wanted to represent whatever I wanted to write. I thought I might swoon when she told me she was an editorial agent who also liked to discuss book ideas. My dream.

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 🙂 )

Actually, it’s a little embarrassing. Laurel was a featured agent on 12 x 12 starting the year I joined 12  x12 in 2019. I didn’t connect the dots at that time. It took someone on 12 x 12 sharing a long list of agents looking for PB authors AND my searching 12 x 12 for her name (researching her and the Bent Agency’s reputation) for me to see Laurel as a fantastic connection.

I think I needed to grow as a writer more too before I was really ready to query and meet Laurel. The critique partners, webinars, and classes I’ve take in 12 x 12 and beyond led me to meeting my agent. Also when I saw Laurel as a featured agent in 12 x 12, I knew I could say yes to her without hesitation.

I’ve since shared that alphabetical list of agencies with many other PB authors because I only got to the B’s (Bent Agency) and look what happened!

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

Not much. It’s just fantastic to have Laurel as an editorial and sales & marketing voice helping me shape my work.

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

Get your craft and your manuscripts to the best they can be (lots of revision and critiques) then believe in your manuscripts and yourself. It worked for me to be very diligent—ms with 4-5 agents at all times. Pass comes in, acknowledge it, then send out manuscript to another agent that week.

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

Nope. Social media is a mixed bag and not for everyone. However, I do think having a strong website is important. It’s basic professionalism in our digital world. It’s the same as having a polished resume and showing up in appropriate clothing for an interview.

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 like to live in a democracy where everyone has a voice/vote and the majority (not capitalism or political influence) actually determines our laws and policies.

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

Lots of nonfiction writing: PBs and a YA novel, and manuscript submissions. Fingers crossed that they are all on the path to being published soon!

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