GOLD members! April submissions are nigh! Check out our 12 x 12 April Featured Agent profiles and decide who is the best fit for you and your work. Then read the guidelines on the forum as you prepare your submission. Be sure to double-check everything before you hit the send button.

Little GOLDen Book members can choose one of these two agents to submit their manuscript to in April. (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.)

Sally M. Kim of Andrea Brown Literary Agency will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members from April 1-15.  Jazmia K. Young of Curtis Brown Ltd. will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members from April 16-30. Sally’s profile appears first, followed by Jazmia’s. 

Here we go!

Sally M. Kim of Andrea Brown Literary Agency

A little bit about Sally:

Sally M. Kim is an Associate Agent with Andrea Brown Literary Agency. She is looking to represent a wide range of children’s book authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators in the picture book, chapter book, and middle grade categories. Across the board, Sally is eager to see authentic explorations of underrepresented cultures, relationships, and identities. She is drawn to stories with a distinct voice, unexpected wit, aggressive pacing, punchy and/or emotionally resonant endings. When it comes to illustration, she gravitates to versatile artists using traditional mediums and those with a unique take on color, texture, perspective, and thoughtful details.

Prior to becoming an agent, Sally spent more than fifteen years in children’s book marketing and publicity at a variety of publishers including Macmillan, Penguin, and Chronicle Books. More recently, she has worked as an independent consultant for global children’s book publishers and literacy-related non-profits. Sally lives in San Francisco, California.

When asked what she’s looking for in submissions, Sally replied:

“I’m currently eager to find picture books that are clever, witty, and/or laugh out funny, ones really center the child’s point of view more than the adults around them. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I also appreciate picture books that appear quiet on the surface but have emotional depth and will resonate with more sensitive, introverted children or ones trying to survive an especially tough day. Lastly, a really strong finish is a must! Please nothing cheesy or preachy.”

This is Sally’s first year as a 12 x 12 Featured Agent! She just became an associate agent this year at one of the most respected agencies in the industry. There are not a lot of interviews around the internet with Sally just yet, but here are some additional resources for your research: 

Jazmia K. Young of Curtis Brown, Ltd.

Jazmia K. Young is an associate agent at Curtis Brown Ltd. She received her bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing at the City College of New York and was a graduate of the Publishing Certificate Program at CCNY. She is interested in representing children’s books, picture books through YA, focusing on middle-grade fiction/non-fiction with the goal of amplifying underrepresented voices and experiences. She particularly loves stories with friendship ties, complicated family dynamics, and grief or loss. Being a New York native, anything based in the great NYC has her heart. Jazmia is also the Administrative Assistant of the Association of American Literary Agents.

When asked what she’s looking for in picture book submissions, Jazmia shared this:

“I am looking for PBs focusing on maximizing a child’s deep emotions like grief and loss. Anything enriched in culture and traditions automatically catches my eye. I love soft and lyrical language that feels like your heart is being cradled. Most importantly, give me little black girls and boys saving the world. I’m not the right fit for animal stories, but I’m a cat mom, so I’m bias towards them. I’m not a big fan of sports or historical books. I like more whimsical and fantastical work.”

Jazmia was a Featured Agent with 12 x 12 last year. You can find our profile here. Additional resources are below:

• Find Jazmia on Twitter/X
• Check out the Curtis Brown, Ltd. website
• Jazmia’s Manuscript Wish List (#MSWL)
• Jazmia will be a critiquer at Writing & Illustrating for Kids April 26-28, 2024. Find out more here.

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 Sally M. Kim from April 1st at 8am ET/5am PT through April 15th at 6pm EASTERN/3pm PACIFIC.
• Submissions will only be accepted for Jazmia K. Young from April 16th at 8am ET/5am PT through April 30th 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 to our GOLD members! We look forward to your success stories

Not a 12 x 12 member yet? Join our waiting list here.