If you gave us one word to describe Shannon Stocker, we would choose TENACITY. Shannon doesn’t know the word quit. That tenacity and determination saw her through the dissolution of her first agent relationship and gave her the strength to query again when she was ready. Be encouraged that while things may not go as you plan, that’s not the end of the story. We’re so happy for you, Shannon! Congrats on landing your agent! We can’t wait to see what you do next!

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

I fell in love with writing during a speech class in high school, then later through creative writing and poetry classes. For years, I wrote (and performed) songs as my creative outlet. Always more of a lyricist than a melody-maker, though, I collected dozens of notebooks with lonely lyrics that never found their way into a tune. Eventually, I became a mother and discovered picture books—stirring, lyrical, humorous, poignant stories in 32 pages. I began writing horrible drafts in 2013 and joined SCBWI in 2014, when I quit my job to be a present mother. I landed my first agent in 2016, but the relationship was unhealthy; discouraged, I stopped querying for the better part of the next two years. During this time, I focused on writing, revising, critiquing, and studying the art of picture book writing. I began querying agents again in 2018, but really amped up my efforts when two manuscripts went to Acquisitions at two different houses on the same day in March, 2019.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

Oh my gosh, I’m probably the research overkill queen. I love Publisher’s Marketplace; familiarity with both the agent and the agency felt important to me prior to submitting a query. I wanted to know my work was similar enough to at least one of their clients to catch their eye, yet different enough to stand out. I stalked people on Twitter. I found every interview that I possibly could, noting pertinent quotes along the way that I could use in my query (as a reason I chose them). If an agent blogged, I read it. If they wrote books, I read those, too. #MSWL, agency websites, and Facebook pages also offer a wealth of agent/agency information to writers.

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

LOL – I just sighed. Rejections are exhausting, but inevitable. That said, I only queried a handful of agents prior to signing the first time, and I’m embarrassed when I look back on those queries now. They’re targeted, but WAY too long. I may have queried two or three people after my first agent and I split, but I didn’t really dig back in until 2018. Last year, I probably queried about two dozen agents or editors, most of whom never responded. This year, I queried about fifteen agents/editors in January and February. Some politely rejected me, some never responded. Then, at the beginning of March, I wrote the manuscript that turned everything around for me. It went to Acquisitions the same morning I sent it to an editor I’d met at an SCBWI conference, and then a different manuscript went to Acquisitions with my current editor in the afternoon. I spent the rest of the day querying thirteen of my top agents/agencies, most of whom I’d queried before. In the end, five responded with some level of interest, four rejected me, and the others never replied.

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

It’s certainly not easy. Diligence, patience, and hard work are required if you’re going to land an agent who will fight for you. But I think that holds true for any genre, not just picture books. I got lucky with Allison, because I also write memoir and want to expand into other genres (MG/YA). She’s interested in everything.

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

Allison Remcheck with Stimola Literary! I’d actually queried Rosemary Stimola, because my writing didn’t seem to fit Allison’s online profile/wish list and Erica Rand Silverman was closed to queries. Rosemary passed my manuscript to Allison, who wrote shortly after I queried asking if I’d like to talk. My critique partners and I freaked out for a bit, since a call is typically reserved for offers of representation and she hadn’t asked to see additional work yet. We arranged to speak the next morning and Allison started the call by telling me she loved my writing, she’d been to my website, she believed in me, and she wanted to offer me representation. We chatted for two hours during that first call. It was surreal.

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

Oh this is such a funny question, given how everything unfolded! I asked to speak to two of her clients, both of whom gushed about her—particularly about her communication. They painted her as someone who is communicative and caring, but negotiates hard. Given my first agent relationship, I knew I wouldn’t sign with someone again unless I felt confident that we would have both mutual respect and honest communication. I asked Allison for two weeks, so that I could give other agents a chance to respond to my queries. She told me to take as much time as I needed. In the interim, she reviewed other manuscripts and emailed several times, outlining how she could see my career unfolding. Her passion for my writing—not just for a story or two—shone clearly through every email. My husband said, “If she’s fighting this hard for you, can you imagine how she’ll fight for your stories?” Within two days of her offer, I wrote back to the other agents again to apologize and withdraw my queries. Others had requested additional manuscripts, but I felt it would be disingenuous to take their time. My heart was decided.

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 . )

To me, this is like asking a concert pianist if practice helped them learn to play. Of course! You cannot succeed if you don’t practice, and 12 x 12 introduces an environment that is rife with writerly opportunities. The webinars are informative and social. The forum is a fantastic way to get and give critiques, and potentially even meet critique partners who have similar writing styles. The challenge of writing/revising a new manuscript each month is achievable, and certainly served to strengthen my writing skills. I, personally, never got a response from a 12 x 12 agent, but that doesn’t mean the process of querying was a waste. Every query letter is important. Every rejection is one step closer to an acceptance.

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

I can’t say that it has, necessarily, but I’m always open to change. I’m a firm believer in collaboration and revision. How can you improve if you’re stuck in your ways? I will continue doing everything I can to evolve and expand, and I plan to push myself into other genres over the coming years. I’m confident that Allison will serve as a strong guide and partner in that process.

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

I have three pieces of advice that I’d give my 2013 self if I could:

• When I first decided to write seriously, I remember reading that it can be harder to land an agent than a publishing contract. For me, this certainly proved true. I signed with my first agent after an editor expressed interest in my debut (CAN U SAVE THE DAY, which came out on August 15, 2019). I had interest from two houses before I queried Stimola Literary. Publishing interest screams, “Take me seriously!” When you’re willing to turn over a manuscript that’s garnered interest, it demonstrates a level of trust. You’re saying, “I know I could probably sell this on my own, but I think you could do better.” So I’d focus more on querying smaller houses than agents—and ALWAYS with a polished manuscript/query.
• Trust your gut. If an agent doesn’t feel right, don’t sign with them. It may take three years, but if you’re serious about writing and managed to secure an offer, another will come. There is no room for lukewarm in this industry.
• Get involved and give back. Join SCBWI. Join 12 x 12 (duh). Form a critique group, or two, or three, and then BE THERE for your partners. Be flexible. Maybe you’ve done five critiques this month and haven’t submitted anything, but you know what? If you keep it up, the day just might come when you need three revisions in one day (been there). Or when you need help polishing eleven pitches for a Twitter party (been here, too). Or when you need to query thirteen agents in one day (seriously. I love my CPs). If you’re there when your CPs need you, you won’t feel so guilty about asking them for help when you need it, too. This industry is tough. Support and friendship are paramount.

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

I know Allison went to my website before offering representation. If you’re going to be serious about writing, I do think you need to be present on social media. Twitter is huge in the writing community; I’ve used this platform to contact other writers multiple times, and pitch parties afforded me more than one opportunity to submit to editors/agents. Facebook has proven a great way to connect with and support other writers. All my critique groups are Facebook-based. I just recently started Instagram, but I did that at the encouragement of my publicist (for my debut). I know it takes time, but involvement matters. It’s just one more way of proving your dedication.

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 want to go skydiving and snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef! I want to finish and publish my memoir. I want to be a part of promoting ketamine use in the United States for patients with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (the disease that almost killed me). I want to find a cure for my daughter’s gastroparesis. And I want my children to grow into happy adults. Anything that can lead to that is on my bucket list.

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

I’m hoping to deliver some wonderful news in the near future, but in the interim, I want to keep writing things that matter. I recently established the blog, inHERview, which highlights pivotal moments in the lives of female kidlit authors (found on my website, www.shannonstocker.com). It’s one of the ways I feel I can “give back.” In that capacity, I’m also enjoying being a judge for Rate Your Story. Of course, I’m working on a few picture book manuscripts that hit close to home, and my memoir has been begging for attention lately (I’m about 50,000 words in). I’m also a regular contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul; my fourth story just came out last week (“Nurturing Ninja,” in Chicken Soup: Life Lessons from the Cat). Never a dull moment, that’s for sure!