Today we get the pleasure of celebrating with Valerie Bolling! Valerie had only been a member of 12 x 12 for a short time before finding her agent, but with her attention to detail and keen writing skills, we are not at all surprised that she landed the fabulous James McGowan as her agent. With seven books coming out over the next two years, this is one powerhouse team to keep an eye on. Congratulations, Valerie!

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

I’d been seeking an agent ever since I started querying in June 2017. In retrospect, I started querying too early because I’d only started writing picture books at the beginning of that year. At any rate, I did manage to get a book published without an agent. My debut, Let’s Dance!, was acquired in the summer of 2018 and released in March 2020.

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

I considered all agents who represented picture books, but I wasn’t necessarily strategic when I first started querying. Later, I became quite selective about who I queried. In the fall of 2019, my writing partner and I pulled together a number of lists of agents from SCBWI and from Heather Ayris Burnell, and we created a Google Doc where we divided up the list and compiled our findings. Our list represented almost 90 agencies. We researched and wrote notes about each one as well as each of their agents, including information from Twitter, their manuscript wish lists, websites, and interviews as well as insights we gleaned from conferences and agent panels we’d attended. When our list was complete, I chose to query 21 agents between November and December 2019. In 2020, I had queried only four agents before receiving James’ offer.

The dreaded questions: How many queries?  

I sent out a total of about 150 queries before connecting with my agent. Not all of my queries were to agents though. I used what I called a three-pronged approach – querying agents, editors, and small presses. I also applied to contests and participated in Twitter pitches. Though my ultimate goal was to find an agent, I wasn’t going to stop trying to get books published because I was unagented.

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

There are a number of agents who represent picture books. What was difficult was finding an agent who was a match for me—one who loves my writing and will be a champion for my stories and for me. Fortunately, I found that in my agent.

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

I’m thrilled to share that my agent extraordinaire is James McGowan from BookEnds Literary Agency!

On June 1, I reached out to James, via DM on Twitter, in response to his offer to answer questions from Black writers in support of #BVM. I asked if he’d be willing to provide specific feedback about a story I’d sent him in December that wasn’t a fit for him. I was surprised when James promptly responded with, “Thanks so much for getting back in touch with me. Your name has been on my radar recently, since we share a publisher (and even an editor) … I’d love to reconsider and see more.” I sent James the manuscript for which I’d requested feedback as well as two others.

I was shocked when I received an email the next morning in which James said, “I still absolutely love your writing,” and he described the writing in one of my manuscripts as “utterly beautiful.” I was beaming, but the sentence that floored me the most was, “I would love the opportunity to speak with you about these manuscripts and possible representation if you’re interested?”

WHAT? How was that possible? I had simply reached out to James to get feedback on one manuscript that I knew didn’t interest him. In no way was I expecting an offer of representation. I was totally caught off guard!

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

James and I talked so freely during “The Call,” which occurred two days after that email. He shares my passion for picture books, values, and energy. He’s open, honest, professional, and personable.  He has a pleasant sense of humor, too.

What also impressed me about James is that he was true to his word. He’d said during our conversation that the next morning he would send me a contract to look over and would connect me with two of his clients. The contract was in my inbox when I logged onto email in the morning as were emails from his clients.

During our chat, James offered feedback on the three manuscripts I’d sent him. The next day I revised one of the manuscripts, based on his feedback, and a critique partner said that it was my best revision yet.

Finally, I’m a person who’s organized, task-oriented, and responds quickly when people reach out to me. Though I realize that not everyone shares these characteristics, my preference is that my agent possesses these traits … and, thankfully, James does.

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 🙂 )

Though I’m grateful to be a part of 12 x 12, that had nothing to do with me getting an agent.

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

No. I continue to revise and write new stories. An added benefit, however, is that in addition to feedback from my writing partner and two critique groups, I now also receive feedback from James.

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

Don’t give up. As I shared, my first book was published without an agent, but getting an agent was still my goal. If I was still unagented, however, I’d continue to query and participate in Twitter pitches and any other contest and mentorship opportunities.

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

Perhaps. My agent is active on Twitter, and he’d seen my tweets where I tagged our mutual editor. Thus, as I previously shared, he said, I’d “been on his radar,” and he was glad I’d reached out.

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’ve traveled to five of the seven continents. I haven’t been to Australia and Antarctica and would love to journey to those places.

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

I’m continuing to promote Let’s Dance!, doing a lot of interviews and events, and I’m revising manuscripts and writing new ones. Between 2022 and 2023 I have a total of seven books being released. Two have been announced: Together We Ride (Chronicle 2022) and Together We Swim (Chronicle 2023). In addition to my books, I had a poem published in the November/ December 2020 issue of Cricket Media’s Babybug magazine, and I had two articles published in March 2021, one by ILA and the other by NCTE.