I'm updating and re-organizing my contacts database. I can now see that I've lost about 10% of children's editor contacts to retirements, imprints scaling back, lay offs, and mergers. That's not counting the ones that are currently unknowns as I wait to see if/where they land. #amagenting #kidlit

Heeellllooooo #kidlitartpostcard! STOP scrolling + please consider me for work on board + picture books, early graphic novels, + kid magazine commissions. I’m ready to roll! Rep by @jestrudel.bsky.social, @therightsfactory.bsky.social #kidlit #picturebooks #boardbooks #childrensbooks #GN

Happy May, #kidlitartpostcard ! 🤣😳 I'm an author-illustrator infusing humor and hope into stressful situations to create touchstones for anxious and inquisitive children. Rep'd by @jestrudel.bsky.social at @therightsfactory.bsky.social Portfolio RachelRCreates.com #picturebooks #scbwi

A relative started a conversation about abortion on Facebook with graphic descriptions of what an abortion would look like if you saw it happening outside the body, and of course conversations ensued. But at the end of the day, I think *this* is what everyone misses about the abortion conversation.

I have 3 submission packages to put together for exciting new children's projects, and the only thing that is bringing down my excitement level is knowing how much children's publishing has shrunk and how few editors there are left. I hope y'all don't get sick of me! I'll keep those emails coming!!

I've started texting screeshots from Google everytime my ex asks me basic life skills questions.

Someone just asked me, so I'll share this tip: don't hand any printed materials to me at TWW. If I want to see work from you, I'll ask you to email it. Illustrators can bring a portfolio to show, but I won't keep it. This happens every year and is a waste of paper. ♻️ @writingdaywksp.bsky.social

When it comes to agenting, I prefer to educate creators rather than ignore or block them, because I know that most make querying mistakes unintentionally. So when a creator errs in querying, I try to gently let them know what they did wrong. 1/

Just 4 days until I head to Toronto for TWW (@writingdaywksp.bsky.social). I've gone every year for 3 years and it's always a great time! I look forward to talking about the thought process of literary agents as we read queries, and listening to some live pitches! 📚

All this AI and Outlook still isn't smart enough to know that when I click reply on an email that got no response, I'm not trying to reply to myself. 😮‍💨

I say this to people all the time and they're always like, "I don't think that's true." It's not opinion, it's FACT.

My 17yo got into his first choice program at OCAD -- Illustration! So who knows...there may be a mini me joining the publishing industry soon(ish). So proud! He's been working so hard to develop his craft all through high school.

A weird thing happens when you submit an ms to an editor at a Big 5 but they move to a new imprint and keep the same email. They reply a year later and say, "I really love this story, but can't publish it here, sorry." Like, yeah, I knew you would love it and might acquire it WHEN YOU WERE THERE. 😭

🤩 AWWW. Someone bought me a coffee! And here I was getting frustrated fighting with technology today and thinking, "This isn't worth it." Thank you! 🥰

It always feels icky asking for money, but if you've ever enjoyed the coffee-fueled resources and advice through my website WritingCommunity.ca, consider buying me a coffee so I can keep supporting the #writingcommunity. :-) If you can't use the QR code, it links to: link.waveapps.com/fj3juq-auwq9a

Whoa. Why did 40 people follow me today? What list did I get put on? 😅

Thank you to everyone who attended the Query Unrequited webinar! All the technology challenges and scrambling that happened in the 24 hours leading up to the moment I turned my camera on all became worth it to hear you all say how valuable the experience was for you. Happy Valentine's! 🥰

I'm going to talk about something personal for a sec, which I don't do here very often because I try to keep things bookish, but it relates to my upcoming Valentine's Day webinar. It's a bit ironic, but when I started planning Query Unrequited, my life was in a very different place. Now... 1/4

Just 1 week until my Valentine's Day webinar QUERY UNREQUITED: Why I Didn't Fall in Love With Your Submission. I'll talk about these stats and more! Register here: next.waveapps.com/checkouts/42... #WritingCommunity #Writers #Illustrators

Just 10 days until Query Unrequited. If you're trying to land an agent, this workshop is for you! I'll be talking about what I look for in a query, and using real life examples (with permission). Register at WritingCommunity.ca! #writerlife✒️ #writerslifestyle #writingcommunity #amquerying #querytip

#querystatus: ~50 queries and submissions left to read. If you've received a query rejection from me, you now have the opportunity to get live, detailed feedback. Check out Query Unrequited on WritingCommunity.ca! writingcommunity.ca/2085-2/

Is anyone who queried me willing to partner with me on an upcoming workshop where I would explain to writers in attendance for educational purposes why I passed on your query? It would be gentle, constructive criticism, and you could attend the workshop for free. Email me at [email protected]

#amquerying #writers: Did you ever wonder what results in an ❌auto-reject❌ on your query? SPOILER ALERT: It's not typos. Here are the most common reasons: writingcommunity.ca/queryhacker-...

I emailed everyone who's ever queried me (1000 emails!) about Query Unrequited and didn't get a single response. Can those of you who have queried me in the past do me a favour and check your spam? I'm just curious if all those emails went into spam or not.

‼️ATTENTION WRITERS USING QUERY TRACKER‼️ As I'm going through archived queries preparing for Query Unrequited, I'm finding several queries that creators withdrew asking to resubmit a revised version. I never saw these messages! There's a setting in QM (the agent side of QT) that automatically 1/3

#querystatus: I have about 130 queries left to read. Still reading August submissions. If you've received a query rejection from me, you now have the opportunity to get more detailed feedback as to why. Webinar details just posted on WritingCommunity.ca! writingcommunity.ca/2085-2/

#querystatus I've signed another new client. Super excited to rep a fellow Canuck! 🇨🇦 Which means I reached my two goals this open season: signing a graphic novelist, and signing a Canadian. That also means my roster is just about buttoned up and I'll be even more selective with the queries left.

#querystatus: I'm reading queries sent in early August, so I'll be closing my query inbox tomorrow and spending December catching up. I signed one new client this week, which brings me to a grand total of 9 clients. Ideally, I'd have 10 clients (12 max), so I'm being extremely selective right now.

What does working with a literary agent look like? I just posted a few insights on my website: writingcommunity.ca/what-working... #writingcommunity #amquerying #writers

If you've received my "I only read your query, not your manuscript" form response, you might feel perplexed about where you went wrong. Here are two lists to give you a little insight into my thought process of what does and does not affect my evaluation of your query. #writingcommunityً #amquerying

Hi writers! I did a Spotlight Interview with @writeforkids.bsky.social as a bonus to GET TO YES: How to Land an Agent. Check it out! I'm open to queries right now, so maybe there's a little insight here that will help YOU get to yes! writeforkids.online/instructor-s... #writingcommunity #amquerying

It's thrilling when a client sends you their next manuscript and, halfway through the first chapter, you realize if this was a query, you'd be requesting the full instantly. But they're already your client, so you already have the full. And you're not competing with any other agents! 🤩😍🤯 #amagenting

I realized this issue of Kidlit Confusion was sitting as a draft of my website for weeks! 😅 Here you go, all. WARNING! This issue is more confusing than ever. #kidlit #amquerying #writers #querytip writingcommunity.ca/kidlit-confu...

Having fought through the worst infection of my life this week, I want to remind everyone to believe what your body is telling you. I went to emerge Monday and got the antibiotics I needed, but by Wednesday the infection wasn't improving. 1/3

literally happened to me yesterday!! a query was withdrawn with a very angry message attached to the notification. if waiting on agents to read your full and get back to you (while balancing clients, personal schedules, etc) is too difficult, the submission process is going to be excruciating.

Is it okay to nudge? Of course. But keep your emotions in check. If you're losing it after 3-6 months of not hearing from an agent, how are you going to handle 1+ years of no response from editors once you're on sub? I know it's hard, but be cool, calm, and collected. #querytip #writers #amquerying

Robin Williams' daughter has some quality thoughts on AI slop

Who doesn't love a good long hot bath? 🛀🍷📖

Me neither... 👀

"Florida woman shows why headline stereotype is 'Florida man'..."

TFW you find out a client fired you because they thought you failed to respond to an email that you never received...and they never followed up to ask if you received it. 🤔

😂 My clients tell me I give excellent notes.

How are ALL of my #BB27 Top 4 picks still in the game? That has NEVER happened before. Absolutely BONKERS they all keep saving themselves. Well, Vinny, Kelly, and Morgan keep saving themselves. Lauren just isn't a target. Yet.

Top 5 reasons I reject picture book texts: 1. Too long 2. Writer doesn't leave room for the illustrator 3. Rhyme/meter off, cliche, or uninteresting 4. Too didactic 5. Lacks style and grace Watch the video to learn more about each point! #picturebook #pb #kidlit #querying youtu.be/RQSmhr2tZ6A

Happy Labor Day 🙂

Multiple people have: 1. Queried me while a query is still open with one of my TRF colleagues 2. Sent 3-4-5 queries to me for 3-4-5 different manuscripts I'd rather not reject outright, so if this is you, now's a perfect time to withdraw one or more queries in QM to fix these issues. #querystatus

#writingcommunity: I'll be in Toronto in late October and am thinking about organizing a workshop of some kind (in-person & virtual access). What are your hot topics? 1. Comp Titles 2. Query Writing 3. How to Land an Agent 4. Mastering Story Arcs 5. Something else (suggest in comments)

Are people calling Netanyahu "Yahu" yet? If not, they should.

Help me decide on a new profile pic!

Got my to-do list down from 48 items to 21 today. 🥳