We’re so excited for long-time member Sharon Giltrow! It’s always thrilling to see someone who’s been so diligent over the years realize their dream of becoming agented. We also enjoyed hearing how publishing works a bit differently down under! Congrats, Sharon!

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

I submitted my first manuscript to an agent in 2017. I now look back at that manuscript and ask myself “what was I thinking?” In no way was it strong enough to submit. But you have to start somewhere and it gave me something to work on. Not surprisingly I didn’t hear back from any of the agents or publishers I submitted to in 2017. Even though my manuscript wasn’t ready, I knew that I needed and, more importantly, wanted an agent.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

My initial research began by reading social media posts. Yep, that’s right. Whenever I read about an author getting a deal with an agent or a publisher, I would look up the publisher or agency. I also read a lot of interviews with authors and agents. Then I made a list of agents I wanted to submit to and which manuscripts I thought would suit them.

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

I actually had four picture books and two early middle grade books contracted before I got my agent. In Australia, many publishers have open submission policies. For my debut picture book, I had thirteen rejections. I had submitted a total of one hundred times over many manuscripts before my first deal. All up to date, I have submitted four hundred and twenty-two times with six book deals and now an agent deal. I am relieved that I don’t need to submit anymore and that I now have Fiona on my team.

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

Not really, as part of my research I only ever submitted to agents who represented picture books. Saying that I did have more options when I started to write early middle grade books too.

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

My agent is the amazing Fiona Johnson of Beyond Words Literary Agency. I submitted a picture book manuscript to Fiona when I saw a fellow picture book author had signed with her. Fiona contacted me saying that manuscript wasn’t for her but to send any others that I had. That night I sent my other submission-ready manuscripts. In the meantime, I received an offer for one of the manuscripts that I had sent. As a courtesy, I emailed Fiona with the words ‘Offer of Publication…’ in the subject line. The next day Fiona emailed me back and said she was interested and could we set up a call. So, after running around the house screaming excitedly, I emailed her back. We had ‘the call’ and Fiona offered to represent me. The next day Fiona sent through the contract.

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

I had researched Fiona before she made the offer so was confident that we would work well together. I also contacted the author who she had signed and asked her questions. Then after speaking with Fiona and listening to what she could offer I knew she was ‘the one.’

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 🙂 )

I can honestly say that I would not be a published or agented author without 12 x 12. In 2013, I started seriously thinking about writing picture books, but I knew I needed to develop my craft. I started searching for picture book courses to do. Somehow, I stumbled across 12 x 12. It looked amazing! Even with the Aussie and American exchange rate I knew it would be well worth the investment. 12 x 12 gave me the motivation to write a manuscript every month. Although I haven’t written a manuscript every month, I have developed many. Four of which have or will be published. But, the most valuable thing that 12 x 12 has given me is community. There is no way I would have ‘met’ so many talented KidLit people from all around the world without 12 x 12. Even though I am now a published and agented author I hope to forever remain a member of the 12 x 12 community.

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

Yes, in subtle ways. I now ‘see’ my manuscript as my agent sees them, that is how will this manuscript make it onto the book shelf. I am more aware of how the manuscript fits in the market place. Also, my writing schedule has changed I no longer block out a week each month to submit manuscripts. Now I use that week to work on my work in progress or to make my manuscripts even stronger. Finally, it is nice to know that I have another person on my team to bounce ideas off and to help build my career as an author.

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

Don’t be afraid of rejections. See them as one step closer to getting published. Whenever I received a rejection, I would send off another submission. If you stop submitting there is no chance of getting an agent. Don’t give up!

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

Yes, if I wasn’t on social media, I would never have seen who my agent was signing. Also, it helped my agent to see that I had a presence on social media and prepared to market myself.

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 🙂

After the last few years of lock down in Australia, my dream of travelling to Europe is even stronger. I would love to incorporate a writer’s retreat in this as well as a book tour. Oh, and I want to learn to play the piano.

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

My third picture book LET’S GO SHOPPING GRANDMA is almost ready for release through Dixi Books. Final design work is being completed for book one in my MG series and I am editing book two and writing book three. Releasing through Clear Fork Publishing. Fiona has secured my next picture book publishing deal, THE DREAMT ABOUT BABY, through Serenity Press.

Thank you Kelli and Julie for asking me to share ‘How I got my agent’, having a blogpost on 12×12 has been on my author bucket list 😊.

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