THANK YOU! 🙏😭 It's a long one, but I really hope it will be helpful and maybe even encouraging when people are querying—the process can feel so mysterious.
This is awesome. And relatable. At least up until the point of actually querying because I keep saying I'm going to do that and I keep not doing it. Story of my life. And congrats on getting the dummy together! I hope it becomes a magnificent new shiny book in the not too distant future!
Ah thank you—that means a lot! It took a while to write and organize, so I'm glad it's actually helpful! 😄 Reading back over it...there is just so much waiting around in the querying process...it's maddening.
A friend invited me to a picture book Discord group a couple years ago and it just so happened that 5 of us were planning on querying lit agents around the same time this year. So we made a smaller "querying pals" group to check in and offer support. It was instrumental to my mental health through it all. But if it hadn't worked like that, I would have put out a call on socials asking "who's querying now? want to help each other?" haha
Great job with this Kayla! Lots of amazing information!
Thank ya!! I crammed so much into it haha
This is top notch and super helpful. Will share far and wide 👍💪
THANK YOU! 🙏😭 It's a long one, but I really hope it will be helpful and maybe even encouraging when people are querying—the process can feel so mysterious.
100% agree. I was thinking about writing up my experience too, but will come at it from a different direction. You captured it perfectly.
Haha the waiting around and questioning of everything. 😅
Oh I def want to read about your experience!
Wow thanks for writing all this up Kayla! This is super useful!
Thank youuuu! I hope it helps people! I was on the fence on if it was too much or not enough. ha!😅
Hi Kayla! I know this post is a bit old but I have to tell you, I’ve come back to it about 15 times as I enter my querying era! Thank you!!!
Ah! I'm really happy it's been useful!!! And good luck, let me know how it goes!!
Extremely helpful, Kayla! Thank you for sharing! I’m still in the querying trenches for 2 years, but not willing to give up
I'm glad it was helpful!
2 years! You deserve an award for mental fortitude! I'm wishing you luck and good responses very soon!
I finally sat down to read this beautiful gem of a post! Thank you for sharing. 💐😸 And congrats on your new journey!
Aww thank you! It was such a long post! haha. I'm absolutely loving working with Lara so far! Working more on my picture book pitch today! :)
Organized Virgos unite! I’ve used coda the last few years :) Fully relate!
Loved this journey & congrats on your new agent! One day I’d like to jump in the arena, but still getting my ducks in a row.
This is awesome. And relatable. At least up until the point of actually querying because I keep saying I'm going to do that and I keep not doing it. Story of my life. And congrats on getting the dummy together! I hope it becomes a magnificent new shiny book in the not too distant future!
This is the most helpful guild I’ve ever read on agents! Thank you so much!! The specificity of your experience is so valuable.
How did you find your querying group? I think that’s such a brilliant way to support one another!
Ah thank you—that means a lot! It took a while to write and organize, so I'm glad it's actually helpful! 😄 Reading back over it...there is just so much waiting around in the querying process...it's maddening.
A friend invited me to a picture book Discord group a couple years ago and it just so happened that 5 of us were planning on querying lit agents around the same time this year. So we made a smaller "querying pals" group to check in and offer support. It was instrumental to my mental health through it all. But if it hadn't worked like that, I would have put out a call on socials asking "who's querying now? want to help each other?" haha
Oooo, I'm so curious of who you queried as I feel like I recognize some of the code names hah.
And gosh, it's such a timing game as well with applying.
I'll definitely share as I've had some friends that have wanted to switch from illustration agencies to literary agencies.
Thank you!! I hope it’s helpful to anyone jumping in the querying pool! 🙌 And can we DM on Substack? I’ll tell you who all I queried. 😬
Sure!
Messaged you on IG because I don’t know how to do it here 😅
Haha! 💪 I haven’t heard of Coda. And THANK YOU! Once you’ve organized your ducks, let me know! 😊
Thank you!! Getting that dummy together was a feat! 😬 but one step at a time, right? 😄 I’m cheering you on! Do you have a story idea already?