How I found my literary agent as an author-illustrator
Finding my agent was a huge moment in my career, but came at an unexpected moment. Here is how things happened for me and what I did to get to a point where I can pitch and write and illustrate!
Oh hi. It feels a bit odd to sit down and write this, because I associate these types of posts with people that have ‘made it’. I quotation-marked that, because I have no idea what I mean by that specifically. I just wanted to give the disclaimer that my art and writing practice is very much feeling like a work in progress, as it has been for 10 years, and will hopefully be forever. But I wanted to share these experiences anyway!
Achieving the milestone of having my very first children's book published, called "Tasty Tales" was a journey almost a decade in the making, and I want to share my story to help aspiring authors or illustrators like you take the next step toward being published. If you’re trying to get there and it seems like it takes ages… hang on!
From my early days as a freelance illustrator and user experience designer in companies, to finding my agent at David Higham Associates, this journey has been filled with some pretty valuable lessons and insights. And lots of dead ends, because what’s a good treasure hunt without the occasional mistake? Here are some key steps and tips that helped me find my agent and secure my first book deal. (wooo!)
Hone your craft
For nearly ten years, I worked as a freelance artist in the Netherlands while also working as a user experience designer. During this time, I dedicated myself to improving my skills and exploring various ways to break into the picture book industry. I drew a lot in my free time, took on diverse projects, and even self-published my first picture book in 2020, which did pretty well. Each project was a learning experience that helped me refine my style and build my portfolio.
Can never resist a good gallery. :)
I ended up focusing on collage art and creating lots of floral and food themed artwork, because I love to be outside and I love to cook. This naturally led me to explore self-initiated projects that were leaning in these directions, like illustrating seed packets and… coming up with a book idea about food history.
That leads me to my first tip…
Develop a unique pitch
The breakthrough moment came when I decided to put together a pitch for a children's book idea that had been brewing in my mind: "Tasty Tales." Inspired by my love of food and historical storytelling, I created a detailed pitch that included a synopsis, character sketches, and sample illustrations. This pitch showcased my collage art style and the heart of the story, which I believed would resonate with both children and parents. The book is all about connecting cultures through what they have in common, and explaining the roots of dishes and ingredients in an accessible way. The image below is the before: a screenshot of part of the pitch I sent to my agent that got me represented.
What this screenshot includes is a synopsis of the book idea in general, an outline of chapters it will include, a sketch of what the layout would look like, and not pictured: sales points. So why might it be interesting for publishers. for this book, it was something like: multi-cultural approach to food history, celebrating diversity, excellent classroom material for teachers, etc. Use your imagination here and pretend you have to pick from a list of book ideas to publish! What would you wage your money on?
Research and query agents
Finding the right agent was a critical step - someone needs to be a good fit on several levels in general in order to have a nice collaboration, right? I extensively researched agents who represented children's book authors and had a good track record. I sent out an (I think?!) well-crafted query letter, short but clear, including my pitch for "Tasty Tales".
It took me about 6 months to find representation. I had actually given up trying to find an agent for a bit, because I was just about to go on maternity leave, had switched on my out of office reply, when my now-agent emailed me that she wanted to meet with me. Woah. Remember that sometimes, things take a turn just as you’re about to give up!
Though this process can feel a bit daunting, here are some tips on querying agents:
Research: Know the agents you're querying and tailor your pitch to align with their interests. Find them on social media and their agency’s website and treat them like humans, because they are. Gasp. And I don’t mean to chat everyone up, but take some time to see what they might be like and what they are looking for.
Clarity: Your query letter should be direct and to the point, highlighting the best aspects of your work. Don’t be coy! This is your time to show what you got, but show it in a way that is respectful of their time.
Personalize: Make sure your pitch stands out by letting your unique style and voice shine through. And don’t send the same pitch and cover letter to just anyone. I think people can smell that disingenuine feeling from miles away.
Submission guidelines: Follow each agency's specific submission guidelines to the letter. Don’t be lazy with this one.
Persistence: The process can take time, and rejections are part of the journey. Keep refining your work and stay persistent! I was lucky to find representation relatively fast, and to find an agent I get along with very well.
Polish your pitch
With the support of my agent, we refined the initial pitch for "Tasty Tales," tightening the story and enhancing the illustrations. This collaborative process was incredibly insightful and helped me understand what makes a successful book pitch. Not all agents work like this. So be sure to check with your agent what they expect and what they like to work together like!
Submit to publishers
After polishing the pitch, my agent submitted "Tasty Tales" to several publishers. It was an anxious but exciting time, and after several interested publishers, UCLan Publishing decided to bring my book to life. The hard work and some revisions had paid off, and I was finally welcomed into the world of author/illustrators! I was nervous because now I had to do the work I was pushing so long for. A weird but satisfying feeling, for sure.
A note
Though finding a literary agent was the right fit for me, I definitely am not saying it's something everyone should pursue. It really depends on your plans for your career, skill set, general goals and personality, and for me it is the right fit. There is plenty of succesful writers and artists that DIY the collaborations with publishers, with great result. You do you.
Join me!
For a more detailed behind-the-scenes look at my journey, including tips on querying agents and my complete before and after pitch for "Tasty Tales," join my substack!
Your support helps me continue creating the kids’ books of my dreams and allows me to share my insights with aspiring authors like you.
Keep going & keep making things,
Anna Lena