INTRO

Congratulations, Pradeep!

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

Growing up in India, I didn’t read many picture books as a child. However, when I became a father, I made a point of reading them to my kids every day. Soon, it became our bedtime routine.

In 2018, my then four-year-old asked if we could write our own story. That innocent question prompted me to start writing. But before I knew it, I fell in love with picture books. I was fascinated by the magic of wordplay, creativity, and the vivid stories that filled the pages.

After researching, I joined SCBWI, a local critique group, and 12 x 12. Now, I write picture books that often highlight the rich & diverse Indian culture and unique experiences of immigrants. I hope to promote cross-cultural understanding by creating meaningful stories that resonate with children of all backgrounds.

As I continue to write, a few manuscripts received consistent feedback indicating that they are ready to go. That’s when I knew it was time to get an agent. However, to get there, I had to complete several writing courses, attend a working retreat at the Highlights Foundation, and go through many, many revisions with the help of my amazing critique group.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

I believe following the agents on social media will improve the odds of getting the right agent. It helped me to learn about their interests, working style, and more importantly, recent deals.

In addition, attending 12 x 12 webinars and reading member forums helped me get ready for the submission process.

When I was ready to submit, I opened accounts in the publisher marketplace to further my research on the agents and agencies. I used the query tracker to keep track of my queries. I also signed up for the Children’s Book Insider (CBI) newsletter, which I wish I had done it sooner.

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

In the last four years, I queried less than 30 times and most of them were rejections. Fortunately, I received some good feedback along with the rejections, which helped me significantly.

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

It wasn’t that difficult to find an agent. However, the most challenging part for me was bringing the manuscripts to the submission-ready state. With polished manuscripts, careful research, and some patience, I believe getting an agent is quite achievable.

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

A year ago, I queried Joyce. They liked the concept but suggested that my writing could be a little more polished. With that feedback, I continued to work on my manuscript.

When CBI opened the above-the-slushpile submission opportunity for Joyce, I took a chance and queried them again.

I was elated when I received a full manuscript request. From there, it went to request for R&R, additional manuscripts, and then the call.

During the call, they revealed that I will be represented by not one but two agents.

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

I feel fortunate to have found my agents. Both of them are very friendly, and approachable. I have learned so much from them.

Joyce is editorial. Their feedback has helped me to take my manuscripts to the next level. I also love Joyce’s communication style.

Marisa is detailed and thorough in her approach. And she is creative too.

The combination of Joyce and Marisa made the perfect team for me. Being represented by this dynamic duo has given me a renewed sense of optimism and excitement about my writing career.

If 12 x 12 helped you in any way during your agent search/development of craft, can you tell us how?

For the past three years, I’ve been a 12×12 member. It is a great resource for picture book writers. The member forms and the Facebook page are excellent places for asking questions and getting answers. Webinars and book chats have helped me to gain insights into the publishing industry. I’m grateful to the 12 x 12 community for all the inspiration and support.

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

Honestly, it has not changed much for me. I continue to use a process to create stories and rely heavily on feedback from my wonderful critique partners. I must note, however, that I do get to see editors’ feedback with each rejection and I take that into account as I work on my next manuscripts.

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

• If I can get an agent, you can get an agent.
• To improve your chances, prepare 2 or 3 well-polished manuscripts.
• Check the MSWL and follow the submission guidelines.
• Signup for the CBI newsletter, if possible, to stay informed about the industry.
• Also, BookEnds Literary Agency’s YouTube channel has some great information about querying agents.
• Finally, don’t be alarmed about rejections. As we know, they are a part of the journey. Keep polishing and keep querying!

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

I’ve been active on Twitter lately. It has helped me to learn about the industry and the agents. It also gave me a chance to cheer for other writers when they announced the good news.

It is not uncommon for agents to check the author’s socials if they like the submission they received. That being said, the most important factor in finding an agent is the quality of the work.

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’m not sure if this qualifies as a bucket list but the last time I was in India during summer was a very long time ago. Summers are special to me because of the delicious mangoes.

I tried many store-bought mangoes here in the USA but they didn’t quite taste the same. One of these days, I will visit India in summer in the hope to enjoy juicy mangoes, sitting under a mango tree, and reliving my childhood memories.

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

I am currently working on new picture books. A few of my manuscripts are currently out on subs and I’m waiting to hear back.

I’m grateful for this journey and excited to see where it will take me next.