GOLD members! We’re not sure how we’ve gotten to October already, but here we are and your October Featured Agent profiles are below. There are only two more submission opportunities left this year, so take a close look and decide who is the best fit for you and your work before you send your submission. Then read the guidelines on the forum as you prepare your submission this month. Be sure to double check everything before you hit the send button. Little GOLDen Book members will be able to choose one of these two agents to submit their manuscript to in October. (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.)
Rick Margolis of Rising Bear Literary Agency will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members October 1-15. Nicole Geiger of Full Circle Literary will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members October 16-30. Rick’s profile appears first, followed by Nicole’s. Please read BOTH and then decide who would be the best fit for your work.
Rick Margolis of Rising Bear Literary Agency
A little bit about Rick:
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, over 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 submissions, Rick replied:
“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. I don’t have any particular style in mind for picture books, and I’m open to both fiction and nonfictional, and to prose and poetry.”
Rick has been 12 x 12 Featured Agent in previous years. Please see our past profiles of him HERE, HERE, and HERE. Below are a few additional resources for Rick:
- The Rising Bear Literary website
- Interview with Katie Hesterman (one of Rick’s clients)
- Read Rick’s past interviews on School Library Journal
Nicole Geiger of Full Circle Literary
A little bit about Nicole:
Nicole Geiger has worked in just about every capacity in the publishing industry in her thirty-plus years plus career. As VP and Publisher of Ten Speed Press/Tricycle Press then VP and Publisher of Random House/Tricycle Press, Nicole was responsible for up to thirty children’s titles annually. In 2011, she founded Nicole Geiger Publishing, a consultancy for publishers, where she helped launch AMP! Comics for Kids and Beyond Words’ children’s publishing in partnership with Simon & Schuster. She currently manages the publishing program of Yosemite Conservancy, acquiring, producing, and marketing a curated list of both children’s and adult titles.
As a literary agent with Full Circle Literary, Nicole focuses on fiction and nonfiction for board books through middle grade. Curious, commercially minded, and very editorial, Nicole is looking for strong voices that tell stories for all children. Her clients include writers Carmen Bogan, Sara Fajardo, Michael Genhart, Alexandria Giardino, Laurel Goodluck, Eileen Kennedy-Moore, and Charlotte Offsay; graphic novelists Mercedes Acosta and Elijah Forbes; and illustrators Ashleigh Corrin and Bridget George. She is well known for making her clients stretch to create their best work.
The books on her own bedside table are usually middle grade graphic novels and adult nonfiction, especially popular science, though she’ll read about pretty much any topic as long as the writing is amazing.
Here’s what appeals to Nicole in picture book submissions right now: Humor. Non-descriptive texts that play to the strength of the form. Slices of life from any aspect or kind of life. Fiction or nonfiction.
This is Nicole’s first year as a 12 x 12 Featured Agent. Here are a few resources for Nicole:
- Full Circle Literary website
- Follow Nicole on Twitter
- How I Got My Agent post with Charlotte Offsay
- How I Got My Agent post with Sara Fajardo
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 Rick Margolis from October 1st at 8am ET/5am PT through October 15th at 6pm EASTERN/3pm PACIFIC.
Submissions will only be accepted for Nicole Geiger from October 16th at 8am ET/5am PT through October 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!
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