We are so proud of RG Spaulding and all that’s she accomplished so far. Once she decided to pursue picture books, she dove into learning about the craft of writing and illustrating, as well as connecting with the kidlit community. Now, that work has paid off. Congratulations, RG! Thank you for being such an active member of 12 x 12! We can’t wait to add your books to our personal libraries!

How long had you been writing before seeking an agent, and what made you decide it was time to look for one?
I worked as an engineer until 2017, and the only writing I did was one-page proposals (not creative in the least). After I quit my job, I started dabbling into my childhood hobby of drawing/painting. I started checking into writing only in 2018 when I joined SCBWI and, at the suggestion of another 12 x 12 member, joined 12 x 12. The enthusiasm of the 12 x 12 community inspired me to jump in.

Then I went into overdrive, learning to write creatively and illustrate picture books. The next few years were all about learning. I took SO many classes with The Storyteller Academy (I think I have taken almost all of their self-study classes), Society of Visual Storytelling (took most of the self-study illustration classes), 12 x 12 webinars were eye-opening and inspiring. The Writing Barn’s six-week classes are great. I truly feel blessed to have been able to do all this in a very short amount of time, but I had to because I didn’t have a writing or art degree.

Of course, like everyone else, I started querying before I was ready. We learn a lot more quickly when we make mistakes.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?
At first, I looked at all the authors I liked and their agents and started a spreadsheet with their names, websites, interviews, etc. Then I noticed that many new author/illustrators were signing up with newer agents in established agencies. So I thought that would be a good strategy, so I added some of them to my spreadsheet. But then I discovered social events #PBpitch, #DVpit, #APIPit on Twitter. So I thought I should give it a try because that would allow the agents to like my work and help me cut back on who I should query. I also subscribed to Publishers Market Place and noted agents and agencies with diverse clients and sold diverse stories.

The dreaded questions: How many queries? How many rejections?
I have queried 21 agents in total. The number is low because after I queried a few agents, I took more classes. I noticed that my work improved a lot with every class, and the more classes I took, the fewer finished dummies I had. I couldn’t use my old work to query without updating my work. Finishing a dummy takes a long time.

I heard back with a pass from some agents, never heard back from some. I assumed 20 rejections.

Was it difficult to find an agent who wanted to represent an author focusing on picture books?
Not really. Since I was querying as an author/illustrator, I think I was lucky because some agents were only looking for authors who illustrated.

Who is your new agent? Tell us about getting the news.
Elisa Houot of The Seymour Agency represents me.

I  found my agent through a Twitter pitch event. Elisa tweeted that their agency was doing a live Twitter pitch event called “Pitch Perfect Live,” and I thought, why not try it? The spots filled up super fast. A few of us were lucky enough to get spots. My spot was with Joyce Sweeney and her intern. When you sign up, you get a chance to pick up to 3 agents to pitch live to, and Elisa was one of them. I got nervous about pitching live in front of an agent and their intern, but I made myself go through with it because…why not? I figured I had to take a chance, and it is good to see and talk to agents and get their reactions live. I had so much nervous energy by the end of the event, but Joyce was very kind and made me feel good about pitching. I think she was surprised that I was an author-illustrator.

Another Twitter pitch event called #APIpit was happening for the first time. I participated in it because I hadn’t heard back from Joyce yet. I got likes from 3 agents, 2 editors, and 1 publisher. Joyce was one of the agents who liked my work, so I knew that their agency was still considering my work. I told her that she already had my work. That’s when she mentioned that since she had clients with similar projects, she shared my work with other agents in the agency and asked if I would be open to talking with Elisa Houot, a junior agent building her list. Of course, I was happy to speak with Elisa, and the rest is history.

How did you know your agent was “the one”?
I knew The Seymour Agency had very diverse clients and have represented diverse books. Since I shared my dummy on a google drive link, I could see that several agents collaborated on reviewing my dummy. I tried to google Elisa and found she is a published author in France. Joyce mentioned that she is very good at her work, has a very keen sense of the publishing business, is very good at what she does, and has been training as a Junior agent for a year. So, I had prepared several pages of questions before the call, and Elisa answered all of them patiently and most of all, she loved all of my work. We talked about other writing-related stuff I was working on. She also encouraged me to nudge other agents who have my work and then decide who I want to pick for an agent. But I felt like I got along great with Elisa and liked how easy it was to communicate with her. She is very transparent in her submission process and explained it well during the call. I also meditate frequently and would meditate for the right agent to connect with me instead of me wishing for my idea of the right agent. That’s how I knew she was the agent for me. The universe has a beautiful way of making things happen.

Since she lives in France, if I email her the night before, I usually have an answer before I wake up. Time zones work great. She also shares a spreadsheet with all the editors she subs your project to and updates it with feedback. She is very transparent and encouraging and always gently pushes us to improve. I couldn’t be happier to work with Elisa.

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 🙂 )
Of course, I feel like 12 x 12 is my family. It has helped me in so many ways. I knew nothing about writing picture books. It was a big confidence boost when I got my first ninja visit and feedback on my manuscript (from Julie Rowan Zoch). The monthly webinars are so eye-opening and full of inspiration. The lineup of speakers is impressive every year and well worth the membership fees. The Facebook group is usually hopping with information from other kidlit authors and illustrators. It could be overwhelming for new people, but you just take it at your own pace. I am at this stage of my writing journey because of 12 x 12. Julie and Kelli are the godparents and Marcie Colleen is the dancing queen every Friday. I met so many of my CP’s from 12 x 12.

Has your writing process changed at all since signing with an agent?
It has. I feel more confident now I have someone in my corner who believes in my work, cheers for me, and supports me. I don’t have to worry about anything other than creating work now, and that is a good feeling. Also, the time saved searching for an agent has allowed me to take more classes to improve my writing.

What advice would you give to picture book writers looking for agents today?
Don’t give up, and don’t compare (easier said than done-I did it too but realized it was not good for me) yourself to others in the query trenches. You just have to find that one agent who likes all your work. The agent who can sell your work will be your dream agent, so don’t dismiss the newer and younger agents from established agencies. Also, while you send your queries into the world, keep taking classes and keep improving. I love what Bethany Hegedus (The Writing Barn) says about creating. “Creativity is not a competition; It takes the time it takes.” We all have our own paths to getting published. Getting an agent is only the first step, then there is more waiting. Publishing is slower than molasses.

Do you think your platform (blog, social media) helped you find your agent?
I don’t think it hurt, but I didn’t use social media to get agents specifically. It was more to meet other authors and illustrators. I don’t worry about the number of followers I have, but I have made some awesome kidlit friends because of Twitter and IG. Social media is like a writer’s party. As an introvert, it has been easier for me to take breaks from the party and go into my own rabbit hole and hide. I think the quality of work attracts agents, so it is good to set time limits on social media to get some actual work done. I also love the opportunities for pitch parties and #dtiysawp (draw it your own style art swaps), and if you feel down, you can always catch the #cookiepitch to lift your mood. Sometimes even before you get agents, agents who like your work may follow you, which is a good indication that your work is getting better.

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 🙂 )
Hmm…I guess to go on a Mediterranean cruise! Only when the pandemic is well under control. Maybe years before that happens. I have never been on a cruise before and never felt comfortable stuck on a ship on the sea.
Also, go on a meditation retreat to explore the inner workings of my mind.

What’s up next/what are you working on now?
I have two PB projects on sub, and I am taking an MG class @ Gotham Writers with Erin Entrada Kelly and working on an MG novel. I can’t say much about it at this point. It’s at a baby stage marinating in my mind.

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