November is almost here and with it our GOLD members’ last chance to submit to 12 x 12 Featured Agents in 2024. Read on to take advantage of your final submission opportunity and learn more about our November Featured Agents. Decide which one 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 November. (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.)
Sarah Stephens of Red Fox Literary will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members from November 1-15. Tanusri Prasanna of DeFiore & Company will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members from November 16-30. Sarah’s profile appears first, followed by Tanusri’s.
Here we go!
Sarah Stephens of Red Fox Literary
A little bit about Sarah:
Sarah Stephens is a children’s book enthusiast in every sense. She has worked as an editor, author, and indie bookseller, and before that she was a book-loving child. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Sarah moved to Rhode Island and got her first editorial job at Houghton Mifflin in Boston. When East Coast winters grew too long for the California native, Sarah returned to the San Francisco Bay Area where she continued her editorial career at Chronicle Books and then Lucasfilm Licensing. Though she eventually left the office for the flexibility of freelance, Sarah never left children’s books. She has continued her work as a freelance editor and authored numerous original (Maiden Voyage, Bug Girl, Rescue Dogs) and licensed (Curious George, Star Wars, DC) titles.
When asked what she’s looking for in submissions, Sarah replied:
“I am looking for humor, innovation, and kid-centric stories that are fascinating and beautifully written. I like quirky characters, good read-alouds, and narrative nonfiction. I like rhyme when it sings. I like picture books that need pictures. I do not like adult sentimentality or heavy lessons. I do like fresh voices and new takes on old tropes.”
Sarah has been a 12 x 12 Featured Agent in previously. Find her previous profile post here. Here are some additional resources for your research:
Tanusri Prasanna of DeFiore & Company
Originally from India, Tanusri Prasanna has been living in NYC for over fifteen years where she is an agent with DeFiore and Company. She is a graduate of the National Law School of India, holds an LLM from Harvard Law School and a PhD from Oxford University. Tanusri’s background in human rights law has helped shape her eclectic list, which features compelling new voices in the children’s and adult books spaces. For picture books, her list includes both meaningful, lyrical, stories as well as ones that bring alive the wonder and complexity of our world with humor and heart. She’s also interested in nonfiction that excites the imagination and curiosity of young readers.
Some picture books on her list include Natasha Khan Kazi’s MOON’S RAMADAN, Hope Lim’s MOMMY’S HOMETOWN, MY TREE, I AM A BIRD, and SOURGRASS, Alec Carvlin’s HOW TO BAKE A UNIVERSE, Simran Jeet Singh’s FAUJA SINGH KEEPS GOING, Deepa Iyer’s forthcoming WE ARE THE BUILDERS! and Anitha Rao-Robinson’s forthcoming SARI SISTERS.
When asked what she’s looking for in picture book submissions, Tanusri shared this:
“I’m primarily seeking Author-Illustrators these days. I’m happy to receive queries from text-only writers as well but I’m only taking those on if I absolutely fall in love with a text. I’m looking for narrative/story driven, and character-driven picture books. I love laugh-out-loud humor, understated dry wit and twisty endings as well as non-discursive, lyrical and meaningful stories. I like voice-driven non-fiction that helps us see something in a fresh light, but I’m not looking for picture book biographies.”
Tanusri was a Featured Agent previously. You can find her previous profile post here. Additional resources are below:
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 Sarah Stephens from November 1st at 8am ET/5am PT through November 15th at 6pm EASTERN/3pm PACIFIC.
- Submissions will only be accepted for Tanusri Prasanna from November 16th at 8am ET/5am PT through November 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.
