Janelle had such an exciting PBParty experience. I’m thrilled to share her amazing PBParty Success Story. I’m still happy dancing and can’t wait for everyone to shower her in congratulations. 🙂
She also shares her query that worked and awesome tips. Thanks so much, Janelle.
PBParty literally changed my life and I almost talked myself out of participating. I reviewed the list of agents and editors. Some of the agents I either already queried, received a champagne rejection, and/or was waiting to hear back from their request for additional manuscripts. That’s when the voice of self doubt started to speak loudly. “What’s the point? The odds aren’t in your favor. Nothing’s come from other Twitter events.”
I took a chance anyway, submitted my entry and didn’t think twice about it until days later when my phone started to ding out of control. I was receiving messages of congratulations. My entry was selected out of a 1000+ entries. WOW! Even with this accomplishment, self doubt was still present. “That’s great but it doesn’t mean you’ll get any interest.” And then it happened… There wasn’t just interest but LOTS of interest! A whopping total of 11 agents and 7 editors. I felt a flood of emotions. Happiness, disbelief, excitement, and yet self doubt persisted. “What if nothing comes from all this interest? How embarrassing would that be?”
I made the decision not to send my manuscript to any editors. Let’s face it. Contracts and negotiations are intimidating. I believed I would be better served to first have an agent who understood the industry and could advocate on my behalf. If an editor was truly interested in my story, they would wait for me to secure an agent. I researched the interested agents. I decided who to query based on the personalities I thought I would gel with, their reputation, sale records, a commitment to BIPOC authors and a passion for #OWN voice stories. This is the query letter I sent to agents who I believed would be a good fit for me.
Dear Agent,
Thank you for participating in #PBParty and for your interest in my manuscript. MY BLOCK LOOKS LIKE is a 404-word picture book written in verse for ages 5-8.
This is a love letter. To the hustle. To the bustle. To the grit of those who sparkle under street lamps. Bodegas, subways, and Hip Hop are some of the hidden gems that bring this New York City neighborhood to life. The Bronx! Take a lyrical journey through the coolest place I’ve ever been. MY BLOCK LOOKS LIKE will appeal to fans of If Dominican were a Color by Sili Recio and I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes.
I am a Bronx native who teaches in New York City public schools. I have taught dance to diverse populations and learners for 14 years. I am an active member of #BlackCreatorsInKidLit, Storyteller Academy, Julie Hedlund’s 12X12, and SCBWI. I was selected as a winner of the 2020 #FallWritingFrenzy contest, a winner of the 2020 389 Literary Project, and a 2021 #PBParty finalist. I am also a scholarship winner and graduate of Children’s Book Academy.
Please note that this is a simultaneous submission. I also have other picture book manuscripts, should you be interested. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Janelle Harper
The publishing industry can be a waiting game but the responses to my queries came quickly. I received a total of 5 offers of rep. As exciting as this is, I wasn’t prepared for the whirlwind that ensued. Five agent phone calls (some agents I had more than one call with), calls with clients of agents (I strongly suggest this!), researching each agent and their agency, looking over client contracts, etc. I was physically, mentally and emotionally overwhelmed and exhausted. I’m grateful that Mindy and Gabriele Davis (PBParty judge) provided me with so much support, encouragement and advice throughout this time.
With offers from 5 amazing agents, it was important that I made the right choice for me. Over those 2 weeks, I prayed, analyzed my notes from the calls and trusted my gut. Based on her passion, commitment to being my advocate, communication style, experience, support from her mentor, and the prestigious history of Writers House, I knew Lindsay Auld was the one. I have been beyond ecstatic with my decision.
To my shock, my agent believed my manuscript was already prepared to go on submission. One week after signing my agency contract, we sent off MY BLOCK LOOKS LIKE to editors. The whirlwind continued. Many editors were interested and my story was going to auction. I spoke with 6 editors in a matter of one week to discuss their vision for the story, their editorial style, ideas for illustrators, etc. I participated in PBParty in March. I signed with my agent in April. And by May, I was offered a two book deal with one of the major publishing houses. All these doors opened because I took a chance and participated in PBParty. Take a chance on yourself!
Querying has its ups and downs. Sometimes downs and rock bottoms. The following helped me make it through the query trenches.
Research: “No agent is better than a bad agent!” I know this sounds like a privileged statement often said by agented authors but it is so true. There are many amazing agents but there are also some horror stories. Don’t rush to accept any offer. Take your time, research and trust your instincts.
Participate: There are a lot of Twitter events. It is easy to feel tapped out. Participate in what you’re able to. Don’t feel bad about the ones you can’t. Regardless of how things turn out, you will build some amazing connections within the writing community.
Persistence: “If at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again.” Sometimes you need to take a break before you try again. That’s absolutely ok but keep going. All you need is one yes! And who knows, maybe you’ll get several yeses.
Self Care: Twitter has a wonderful writing community but it’s easy to go down the rabbit hole comparing yourself to other writers. Unplug. Write. Don’t write. Eat that bar of chocolate or bowl of ice cream. Spend time with loved ones. Binge that new show. Go for a hike or bike ride. You can’t pour out creativity from an empty well. Fill your soul up!
Stay in contact with me and keep posted with my publishing updates through Twitter, Instagram, and my website.
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