When your work ranges from “extremely weird and funny to extremely sad,” is it even possible to find an agent? With the goals and motivation Steph Lau has, yes. Yes, it is.

Congrats, Steph! We can’t wait to read your range of work!

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

I like to say that I’ve always been writing, except that before I re-discovered picture books, I’d found some very bizarre outlets to do so (e.g., Fake over-the-top secret admirer letters to unsuspecting classmates. You’re welcome, and also, I’m sorry.).

But it took becoming a parent and some soul-searching during a particularly difficult news cycle before I made writing picture books an actual, concrete goal. I thought, “Hey! I should write a picture book! How hard could it be?” (HA HA HA. Don’t answer that. :weeps profusely:)

I started querying right away (see monthly goals below). But I wasn’t particularly serious about finding an agent until after I completed my first illustrated dummy. This was about a year into the process.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

I dove straight in! You see, I’m a terrible perfectionist, so to get over my “first draft jitters,” I forced myself to finish and submit a story, once a month. So, at first, I’d just submit to meet my quota, often using submission passes from conferences, blogs, or pitch events.

Eventually, I got more specific and targeted with my queries, using a mix of MSWL (Manuscript Wish List), social media, agent websites, and Publishers Marketplace for research.

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

In total, I submitted 14 different manuscripts and/or dummies.

To be fair, I forced myself to query regularly (especially at the beginning), so many of my projects never went to more than one person, and many of them probably weren’t ready.

By the time I signed with Allie, I had sent 93 queries (9 of which were directly to editors or publishers). Out of those, I received 74 form rejections/no responses, 13 champagne rejections, and 6 requests to see more work. Those 6 requests resulted in 2 offers (at least, if you’re counting the agent who wanted to offer, but couldn’t get their agency on board! Even when it’s a Yes, it’s still sometimes a No!).

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

Sorta. At the time I was querying, there were plenty of picture book agents open to submissions. But I found it difficult to find an agent who REALLY LOVED picture books, matched my specific criteria, and who would appreciate my large body of work (which ranges from extremely weird and funny to extremely sad).

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

My agent is Allie Levick from Writers House.

After I sent my query, I waited a couple of months to hear back. She was intrigued by my style and asked to see more work. I tried not to get too hopeful since I’d been here before (requests for more work that went nowhere). But after some back and forth, on a Friday pandemic morning where I was convinced that the world was terrible and why-do-I-even-bother-writing and I-should-just-hide-in-a-hole, Allie sent an email asking to talk, THAT DAY.

Here’s where I wept. I fist-pumped. I victory-posed. I bounced around the house so exuberantly that I pulled a calf muscle (all while my family looked at me with concern, since I hadn’t shown them the email I was reacting to). After my fingers stopped tingling, I replied and asked to chat next week, when I was ready to be human again (after double and triple and quadruple-checking my work schedule).

At this point, I still wasn’t sure if she was going to offer and spent the night before the call furiously googling “call that is not THE CALL” and “what not to say on agent call” and “questions agent call.” I wanted to pass out all morning, but I made it through, and at the end of the call, Allie offered!

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

I found myself really drawn to Allie’s MSWL, which included dark, funny, and weird picture books (“a touch of whimsy” was the phrase that jumped out at me), as well as books about teenage grief (since I was working on this super sad graphic novel at the time). I hoped that if anyone would get my body of work, it might be her. She also matched my agent criteria: at the time, she was a newer agent from a super legit agency, she already had a few sales under her belt, and I liked that she was progressive and highly editorial. I wanted an agent who had some experience, but who was new enough that they’d still have time for little old me!

I had a good feeling about Allie already, but after chatting with her and a couple of her clients, I knew that I was in good hands!

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 🙂 )

Yes! It was great to absorb random tidbits of information from the Facebook page, whether it was craft-related or submission-related, and to be in a group with equally motivated writers. Some of the webinars were pretty fantastic as well.

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

A bit. I spend more time ideating on projects vs. finishing projects these days. It’s been great having an agent who can help prioritize what projects to focus on next.

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

Keep creating, keep revising, and keep querying! You won’t necessarily know when you’re ready, because rejections due to (highly subjective) taste or market fit can look suspiciously like rejections due to craft. Above all, believe in your voice and your unique perspective on the world, and find a way for that voice to shine.

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

No, I don’t think so. I did have several close calls due to pitch events, but those agents didn’t end up being the one I signed with.

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 would love to take a ride in a hot air balloon. And do some voice-over work! And when I’m fabulously successful, I’d love to buy a mini-farm and create art scholarships with my bucket-loads of cash.

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

My debut picture book, THE ABOMINABLE SNOW DANCER, about a yeti who dreams of dancing, is coming out Fall 2025 from Penguin Workshop. And I’ve got more exciting things on the horizon that I can’t talk about just yet. You can follow me at www.stephlaubooks.com to see what’s next.