I’ve been loving all the PBParty cheers behind the scenes, and am thrilled to share some with you. It’s been such a magical experience. I love seeing all the agent and editor matches, but also happy dance for every step forward finalists take. Extra confidence. New advanced critique groups and writing buddies.
I’m always surprised by how many finalists almost didn’t enter. If you’re on the fence…there’s plenty of time to revise, revise, revise…and take the PBParty plunge. The judges and I can’t wait to see your entries. 💜
Here are some cheers from agents.
Joyce Sweeney – The Seymour Agency
I love PBParty because it has been great for finding talented, new clients! My first PBParty, I acquired my most successful client to date, Gabriele Davis. We just completed her second book deal and she is a rising star in PB! Also, Matt Tesoriero, who is doing amazing things in the PB and MG spaces. And also in 2020, at PBParty, I met author-illustrator Michele Ziemke whose art was so unforgettable I offered her representation later that year. In 2021, I discovered Jyothi Nookula, an amazing writer who is definitely going to be a name to watch. The judges do a great curation job! I can’t wait to see what gems are waiting for me in 2022!
Kaitlyn Sanchez – Context Literary
PBParty has been an absolute joy since I first learned about it in 2019. I was lucky enough to be a finalist, which gave me a huge confidence boost as a writer! Then starting in 2020, I got to be on the agent side of this wonderful contest. I connected with two of my clients through this event. I’m so thankful for Mindy and all the hosts and judges for putting on this wonderful event!
Alyssa Eisner Henkin – Birch Path Literary
“I was so fortunate to learn about PB Party last year, shortly after my new agency opened. I was so impressed by the talent pool and was even lucky enough to sign two wonderful clients!”
Here’s a bunch of cheers from PBParty finalists. So many reasons to happy dance!!!
PBParty literally changed my life and I almost talked myself out of participating. 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. My entry, MY BLOCK LOOKS LIKE, was selected out of a 1000+ entries. WOW! There was LOTS of interest…a whopping total of 11 agents and 7 editors. I participated in PBParty in March. I signed with Lindsay Auld from Writers House 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!
Read Janelle’s full Success Story with tips and a query that worked!
“I still remember the heart-skipping thrill of seeing my ORIGAMI SUPERSTAR entry listed as a #PBParty showcase finalist, and the extra joy as requests popped up. It was such an honor to consider multiple offers of representation. After much deliberation, I signed with Alyssa Eisner Henkin of Birch Path Literary in April 2021. #PBParty lifted me higher than I could ever imagine, and I’ll forever treasure the life-changing path #PBParty opened. Thank you #PBParty!”
Check out Sylvia’s PBParty Success Story with a query that worked…and how it morphed while revising with her agent.
Welcome to another year of PBParty excitement! PBParty changed my writing life in March 2020, and I hope it changes yours, too. After signing with my amazing agent, Joyce Sweeney, and selling my PBParty entry (Peaches, Spring 2024), a few months later, it was so rewarding–and so much fun!–to be able to give back by participating last year as a PBParty judge. Now, with another PB sale (Our Joyful Noise, Fall 2024) under my belt, I can’t wait to do it all over again and discover the gold in this year’s entries. Cheering for every one of you!
Check out Gabriele’s PBParty Success Story (with a query that worked)!
Being a PBParty finalist allowed me the opportunity to “cut the line” and get in front of agents and publishers. It was an incredible turning point in my career as a picture book author/illustrator: signing with an amazing agent at my dream agency, as well as the book dummy I submitted to PBParty (Jack the Library Cat) becoming my debut author-illustrator picture book, set to release Spring of 2023! The PBParty community is fun and supportive and a great way to meet other writers/illustrators.
Check out Marietta’s full PBParty Success Story (with a query that worked)!
#PBParty 2021 gave me everything and more! I never believed in my stories and PBParty gave me the reason to believe and I met a wonderful community of writers who continue to inspire me. I signed up with my agent Joyce Sweeney from The Seymour Agency through #PBParty. I got multiple agent offers and Mindy was gracious to become my sounding and brainstorming board during this difficult decision making process. I’m so glad with my choice and it’s opened several doors that I never thought were possible. Thank you Mindy for creating this platform for the PB community! I owe my success to #PBParty.
I never thought entering a contest like this could open the doors I was hoping to open and boy was I wrong! As with most aspiring writers, I was seeking the help of an agent, keeping my eyes open for the right editors and submitting to publishing houses when I could. After receiving the news of being a finalist, I was ecstatic to find TEN requests for my manuscript. It gave me confidence and shortly after I became agented by Marisa Cleveland of the Seymour Agency and signed the manuscript I pitched which comes out later this year. Thank you, Mindy and PBParty!
#PBParty 2021 was a career-changer! After it was suggested by a fellow critique mate, I submitted an entry to the #PBParty contest. I was thrilled to see that my story and illustrations were chosen to be in the Finalist Showcase, and elated that various agents and editors showed interest. Through the contest, I had multiple agent offers. I decided to sign with Katherine Wessbecher of Bradford Literary, who I was referred to by a different participating agent—she thought we would be a great match (we are!). Thanks to Mindy and #PBParty—not only did it make this dream seem possible, it also connected me to the undeniably positive and supportive online kidlit world of writers and illustrators. Good luck to everyone this year!
#PBParty 2020 was instrumental for my kidlit writing path–it gave me added confidence, new writer friends, and the connection to my fabulous agent, Lynnette Novak. While my PBParty finalist entry hasn’t sold (yet?), we’ve signed a MG nonfiction book and there’s more news coming! I look forward every year to cheering on and supporting #PBParty participants. Way to go kidlit writers, and thank you Mindy!
I found about PBParty 3 days before the deadline. I had been querying for a month with no success so I told myself: you have nothing to lose. It was an amazing surprise when weeks later I got that email in my inbox saying I was a finalist. I got interest from two agents that hadn’t even been on my radar before, one took a pass, but the other wanted to have a Zoom call. After I spoke with Alyssa Eisner Henkin of Birch Path Literary she gave me an R&R and later in June she offered me representation. Now my picture book is out on submission! I am super grateful to Mindy for putting this event together and being so helpful during the process. I also loved connecting with other authors/illustrators on the FB group that shared their valuable experience and tips.
I’ve heard others say this, and it’s true for me as well—I almost didn’t submit to PBParty in 2021. I was still new to the kidlit community and had just started working on my first novel, so I wasn’t sure how agents would respond. I ended up with 11 agent and 3 publisher requests on my entry.
After sending additional manuscripts to agents I felt could best represent my full body of work and continuing to query broadly, I ended up with multiple offers of rep. I ultimately signed with Tricia Lawrence of the Erin Murphy Literary Agency, who I had been in conversation with since the PBParty showcase.
I also met two of my most trusted CP’s here and my PBParty manuscript is currently on submission. What a difference a year makes. Good luck to this year’s applicants!
If you are hesitating to submit to PBParty, I recommend you take the plunge! I almost didn’t submit my illustrated picture book, but decided to do so at the last possible hour (really!). Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be selected, so you can imagine how thrilled I was to see my entry listed among the finalists. PBParty boosted my confidence, connected me with other wonderful kidlit writers and illustrators, and led me to sign with my agent Natalie Lakosil of Irene Goodman Literary Agency. PBParty is a wonderful opportunity; not only do you potentially get your work in front of agents and editors, you’re able to connect with others who are just as passionate about children’s literature too. I am forever grateful for Mindy’s positivity, encouragement, and efforts, as well as the experience of PBParty!
I was so excited when my story was chosen as a finalist. I did up my chances by doing one thing: looking at those seventy words we were allowed to submit. My story did not get to where I wanted it to in those first seventy words. So I tweaked it. I cut some things out so I could get to the good stuff within the parameters. At the time, I didn’t plan to keep it that way, but it was a great improvement! I felt even if nothing came of getting an agent or the attention of an editor, I had improved my story. And, the following December, I signed with Victoria Selvaggio of Storm Literary Agency. Although my PBParty story is still being perfected, I have a different book coming out this fall with Albert Whitman & Company: Malik’s Number Thoughts.
When writing opportunities like #PBParty come knocking I always say YES PLEASE! It forces me to put myself out there and always improves my writing one word at a time. The amazing challenge that #PBParty provides is the chance to take a look at your opening scenes and write them in a succinct, powerful, engaging and concise way written in the first 50-70 words. This contest has taught me the power of less is more! To choose each word intentionally. To understand that every word counts. And what a thrill it was when I saw I made it as a finalist. AND actually received some requests for the full manuscript! I’m grateful to have been chosen by Joyce Sweeney with The Seymour Agency.
A #PBParty “YES” in a sea of “NO’s” was the life preserver this writer/illustrator needed to keep going! Through this amazing event, I learned the power of the first 60 words, and the importance of creating an emotional powerful story in one illustration. It was also a connection to talented and positive writers/illustrators. I also began a relationship with agent Joyce Sweeney from The Seymour Agency, who later became my agent. Looking forward to more exciting things to come!
Thank you Mindy for such a life changing contest!
#PBParty accelerated my submissions process. Within a few months, I sold my first two books and signed with an agent. Although the Party didn’t directly lead to either, I connected with a group of amazing critique partners through the experience who have been invaluable to me during this process. And, the project selected for the showcase (Faith: The Bravest Cat) excited my agent so much that she took it out on full submission within a few weeks! Fingers still crossed!
PBParty turned me from a wannabe writer into an author. I have not (yet) signed with an agent, but when I do it will be because of Mindy and the judges believing in me and my MS. It gave me confidence when I felt low about my chances of breaking into the kidlit world. Through PBParty, I joined an incredible critique group that has pushed me and inspired me beyond what I thought myself capable of and met dozens of other amazing authors. I am so grateful for the relentless positivity that Mindy and the kidlit world at large brings. I hope you join this amazing community.
PBParty was definitely a stepping stone in the right direction for me. I was in tears when I saw my illustration was picked to be in the Illustration show case. I was trying different styles and had just settled on watercolor style on photoshop as my favorite when I entered PBParty. It was definitely a moral boost for me and solidified that my gut instinct was correct. I had some agent interest but no offers. But it gave me enough confidence to keep going and land a wonderful agent (@ElisaHouot) shortly after from a different twitter pitch event. I also made several wonderful friends because of PBParty. Thank you #PBParty, Mindy and all the other judges for your time and encouragement.
I will be forever grateful to the PBParty judges for seeing a spark in my excerpt/ query letter during last year’s competition! I submitted, nervously and at the last minute, on the advice of a writing friend: “Just press send, you never know!” Well, I am now the member of two amazing critique groups composed of PBParty finalists, and agented by the wonderful Dan Cramer at PageTurner Literary. I have one manuscript under consideration at a small press (PBParty requested submission) and one manuscript under contract at another publishing house! At the risk of calling my creativity into question, I will simply pass along good advice: just press send, you never know.
I love doing Twitter contests, never expecting to be a finalist of #PBParty! The prize for me was connecting with other writers. A friend emailed me that I was selected and I was thrilled! #PBParty taught me the importance of grabbing the reader right in the first few lines. It opened a door for me to have my work in front of agents and editors. It was also a wonderful insight to see what agents and editors were looking for from the stories they requested. I did not find my agent through #PBParty, but it gave me the confidence to keep going. A few months later I signed with Elisa Houot with the Seymour Agency! Thank you #PBParty! Cheering everyone on this year!
I’m very grateful for Mindy and #PBParty. I almost didn’t submit my concept book about Black American inventors, so I was pleasantly surprised to be selected as a 2021 finalist. I haven’t landed an agent or a deal yet, but I’ve definitely gotten closer. PBParty was a great boost for my confidence, and I connected with some amazing kidlit writers and illustrators. Thank you Mindy and judges! I look forward to sharing good news in the future.
Words cannot express how excited I was to see ACROSS THE FROZEN SEA on the list of #PBParty finalists last year! This story was my first attempt at non-fiction and it was such a confidence booster for it to be selected. Although I didn’t sign with my agent during #PBParty, it definitely helped me believe in my story. This story is currently out on submission with Kevin O’Connor from O’Connor Literary Agency.
I ❤️ PBPARTY!
I only learned about it the day before the deadline in 2021, and quickly applied. I was exuberant (and shocked) to be chosen as a finalist. Seven editors and agents requested to see my manuscript. I didn’t land an agent, but I do have a contract offer! PBParty really opened doors for me. Thank you!
Confidence, drive, inspiration? Check, check, check. Being a part of #PBParty with my manuscript The Happy Donkey Handbook has been a huge joy for me way beyond the contest’s closing. Through the Finalists (amazing!) Facebook page, I was thrilled to get to know the 2021 team and finalists. They are a diverse group of supportive and talented kid-lit creators, and I have loved cheering them on as they enjoy well-deserved success all year long. Mindy and her #PBParty community are truly rockstars. Don’t wait! Polish that pitch and join the party!!
I remember telling myself, “I am not going to win this PBparty contest, but again what have I got to lose.” And I went ahead and submitted my entry.
I can never forget that head-spinning moment when I saw my name on Mindy’s congratulatory email. That’s when something shifted in me: I realized I really could be an author, my self-doubts faded, a rejuvenated and confident spirit surfaced in me. I also connected with a community of talented writers, and it was through this platform I found my first amazing critique group.
I received interest from several agents, but my other manuscripts weren’t ready to submit. A few months later, I signed with Stephen Fraser from Jennifer De Chiara agency. Thank you Mindy and judges!
When 2021 #PBParty submissions opened, I was suffering from major imposter syndrome. So much so, I wouldn’t have entered if not for my supportive CPs! Though my holiday #PB, THE EXTRA STOCKING, didn’t land a contract (yet – more info hopefully soon!), being selected for PBParty boosted my confidence tremendously. Thanks to Mindy and her fellow judges, I believed in my writing enough to enter an international publishing contest…which eventually led to a traditional publishing contract for yet ANOTHER story! A WAY WITH WORDS will be out in the world in April 2022, and I truly believe I have PBParty to thank for it!
PBParty was a bright point in a very challenging year. I was surprised and grateful to be chosen as a finalist, and to also have my illustrations showcased. The support from Mindy and the community she’s built has helped carry me from a frantic pace of ‘trying to make it’ to a calm and deliberate creative space. I have become more grounded in my craft and persistent in my pursuit of growth and learning. Through PBParty I gained confidence in my work, a supportive community of authors and illustrators, and the patience to wait for my turn to shine.
I was so excited to discover I was selected as a PBParty finalist! I had written many manuscripts but questioned whether or not my stories were ready to go on submission to agents and editors. When my story was selected, I realized my query letter and first lines were gripping enough to garner some attention and interest. That was a huge confidence booster for me and encouraged me to start submitting! While I didn’t sign the story I submitted to PBParty (yet), I am thrilled to share that I signed my debut picture book, HOW TO HATCH A READER with Gnome Road Publishing shortly after. I am so grateful to Mindy for creating and hosting PBParty and to all of the inspiring, supportive and encouraging PBParty finalists who continue to cheer each other on!
Thanks to all the participating agents. And congrats to the PBParty finalists for their amazing news. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
I can’t wait to see the magic that will happen this year. 💜
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