Today we bring you Namita Mehra’s How I Got My Agent story. Namita proves that intense agent research (and/or stalking) helps you focus your queries with laser precision and gets you closer to finding the perfect agent for you. Now, we’re off to grab a snack because Namita’s post made us hungry. You’ve been warned!

Congrats, Namita!

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 for children since 2015 (I’m an entrepreneur and an editorial/freelance food and parenting writer.) and had some luck getting published here in Asia…working directly with publishers. Agents aren’t as common in this part of the world and the publishing business works quite differently. Living in Singapore and working with publishers in India and Asia, I didn’t really see the need for an agent.

It took me some time to realize that in order to be able to take my writing career to the next level and break into the North American/global market, it was going to be an inevitable step for me to find an agent.

I was so busy running my business and having kids, that it wasn’t until late last year, after many meetings and conversations with my lovely critique group here in Singapore, that I decided to begin the querying process. My critique group taught me the ropes and we got super lucky because a well-known agent from the US moved here to Singapore on an expat assignment and she joined our critique group! She taught us a lot about the querying process and even critiqued our query letters! During this time I also joined 12 x 12 and soaked in lots of wisdom!

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

I spent a LOT of time researching the #mswl websites (I really like https://mswishlist.com/) and following kidlit agents and agencies on Twitter. Because I’m a food writer and my stories are primarily about food, I decided I was going to try and find a foodie agent. I think this focused approach in my search (I specifically searched for food and food-related keywords) really helped.

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

I submitted about 25 queries and received about 15 rejections.

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

Not really! There are tons of them out there…

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

Naomi Davis is with BookEnds and she is a big foodie! At first, she asked to see more work and so I submitted 3 more stories. I didn’t hear from her for a few weeks so I started to assume it was a pass but then suddenly I got an email for “the call” and I was in complete shock! We had a Skype call the next morning and I signed a contract soon after! I really couldn’t believe that I had found an agent, and that it’s a BookEnds agent too!

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

I LOVE BookEnds and have been a fan of their informative content. I consider them to be a thought-leader in the industry and really supportive of the querying process. I followed Naomi on Twitter for a while and watched her videos online and basically read everything that the internet had to offer on her. I liked her a LOT even before we spoke. I thought she was funny and real and empathetic. Qualities I really value. She is someone I could totally have dinner with and be friends with…we have the same kind of vibe. When we skyped (I’m in Singapore, she is in Canada) we had instant chemistry (sorry if that sounds creepy lol) and I knew right away that she was the perfect agent for me. I mean I kind of knew that she was perfect even before I spoke to her, but once we chatted, it instantly sealed the deal.

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 🙂 )

After signing up for 12 x 12 at the beginning of 2020, I got pretty serious about writing and revising.

12 x 12 helped me stay committed to writing at least one new story a month and I revised a ton as right through 2020 my critique group still met once a week (mostly on Zoom!). 12 x12 created great accountability for me and kept me writing at a good and consistent pace.

Lockdown/Covid began early here in Singapore (March 2020) and I used the shelter-in-place months to watch a ton of 12 x 12 webinars and Julie’s mini lessons, plus I read a lot of the Facebook posts on mentor texts, querying advice, and witnessed the incredible success of many members.

12 x 12 has been incredibly inspiring and motivating. I have learned a TON from Julie and listening to authors like Mac Barnett, Candance Fleming, Kate Messner, agents like Adria Goetz etc.

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

I think as writers, we’re constantly learning and evolving our craft. We’re looking more closely at revision techniques and page break techniques, etc. There is much to learn and I’m really grateful to Julie and the 12 x 12 group for being such a wealth of knowledge. I feel like I have so much growing to do as a writer… with or without an agent this would still hold true. Having an agent has given me the confidence to spend more time on my writing and finally be confidently able to say, “I’m a writer!”

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

Don’t stop querying! Rejections can be a real downer, but for every rejection you receive, send another query out the same day. I think of it as a game of tennis…thwack that ball right back! I would recommend spending a lot of time on researching the right agents for your stories. Stalk agents. Finding the right fit and a matching profile can save a lot of time and effort. Stay organized, with color coordinated spreadsheets, and set goals for yourself. And take a break when you need to. After a period of too many rejections in a row, I was feeling really low about myself and my writing and so I took a few weeks off from querying to just recover and heal from it.

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

Absolutely. I’m a food entrepreneur (my brand is ‘Indian Spicebox”) and I had already published two ‘informational fiction’ books with Scholastic and HarperCollins India…so I already had an active social media presence and a robust website for my business which more than anything validates and adds to your story/brand as a writer. It adds dimension to you and your work…”the whole package works together nicely” my agent said.

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 never been on a writer’s retreat so I would love to do that some day! And also, I would love to buy a house in a dream location (Bali or Goa) where I can grow my own herbs and veggies, and cook and write until I’m a hundred years old!

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

I just had my debut picture book deal announced. ANNI DREAMS OF BIRYANI has been acquired by Amazon/Two Lions and will be out summer 2022. It was a two-book deal and the second book will be out the following year and I still need to work on that story!

We have a few other things on submission and I am working on a non-fiction proposal at the moment.

I’m occasionally doing marketing events and talks here in Singapore and in India, for my book that came out at the end of 2020, SUPERFOODS FOR SUPERHEROES, published by HarperCollins India.

I still have a lot to learn and I’m trying to be a good student by keeping up with all the conferences and webinars and podcasts, plus in the name of “research” I’m buying way too many picture books…I have a 2-year-old and a 8-year-old, so everyone wins!