Literary Agent Interview: Isabel Lineberry Interview and Query Critique Giveaway

Today I’m thrilled to have agent Isabel Lineberry here. She’s a junior agent at Perez Literary & Entertainment. 

Hi­ Isabel! Thanks so much for joining us. 

About Isabel: 

1. Tell us how you became an agent, how long you’ve been one, and what you’ve been doing as an agent.

 

I was getting my MLitt in Fantasy Literature at the University of Glasgow when I attended a panel with an agent, and something just clicked. I liked how much business and strategy were involved while the crux of the job still being creative. I sent out cold emails and found Kristina Pérez in my research and came on board for her new agency right from the start. I’ve been a Junior Agent & Rights Assistant for over a year now and I was an Agency Assistant for a year before that. A lot of my day-to-day is managing our foreign and audio deals but I have also had the opportunity to work closely with clients on their upcoming manuscripts and their submission strategies. 

About the Agency: 

2. Share a bit about your agency and what it offers to its authors. 

Pérez Literary & Entertainment, or PLE, is a full-service agency in London. We are collaborative and work as a team, making sure all of our authors are well cared for. We value backlist titles, are very editorial and truly believe in the projects we represent so we put everything we have into their submission strategies. We have a solid foundation in Fantasy and Horror but represent everything from children’s up through Adult and even serious nonfiction. We love to represent an author’s full career across all genres! 

What She’s Looking For: 

3. What age groups do you represent—picture books, MG, and/or YA? What genres do you represent and what are you looking for in submissions for these genres? 

We have the full spectrum – some picture books, we’ve done quite a few MG and YA, and then we also do adult, genre and serious nonfiction. Currently, I am most looking for contemporary and fantasy stories in the YA and New Adult spaces, all with a romantic throughline. 

4.  Is there anything you would be especially excited to seeing in the genres you are interested in? 

I want more diverse voices and perspectives – whether that is nonwestern fantasy, queer love stories or something else entirely. I love romance with a twist – tropey stories that still surprise you with how they use those tropes. I am picky with fantasy because of my background in it but always on the lookout. I need good worldbuilding and interesting character dynamics. 

What She Isn’t Looking For: 

5. What types of submissions are you not interested in? 

I think the biggest thing is there are trends that I am tired of –– I think recently we have exhausted the magic/military school trope and I’ve seen a lot of dragons and faeries just for the sake of dragons and faeries. I am not looking for picture books at the moment and it would take a really special MG project for me to consider seriously, just because of the current state of the market for that genre. 

Agent Philosophy: 

6. What is your philosophy as an agent both in terms of the authors you want to work with and the books you want to represent? 

I want to love the books I represent and truly believe in their potential. It honestly makes my job easier because I believe everything I say when pitching. I want to be on trend but thinking towards the future and how those trends will continue to develop. And I want to always keep in mind the author’s longevity and broader career – expanding them into different genres, making sure to continue pitching their previous books to foreign publishers and build the brand overall. I love the strategy of it all. Add in a romance plot that has me kicking my feet or a fantasy world that has me daydreaming? Ooh this job is so much fun. 

Editorial Agent: 

7. Are you an editorial agent? If so, what is your process like when you’re working with your authors before submitting to editors? 

As an agency we are very editorial. There is so much content right now in the market and on submission that a project has to be as close to perfect as possible. We work with our authors on plot, structure, pacing and characterization. Each project is different so there isn’t a straight process so we always tailor it to the individual manuscript and author. 

Query Methods and Submission Guidelines: (Always verify before submitting) 

8. How should authors query you and what do you want to see with the query letter? 

I use Query Manager and they should copy in their query letter and then attach first ten pages of their novel so I can get a sense of the project. In the query letter I want to see a good pitch line, at least two comp titles right at the top, a brief but detailed synopsis, and some biography of the author (background, where you live, what you do for work, if you have been published before). 

9.  Do you have any specific dislikes in query letters or the first pages submitted to you? 

Please don’t jump right into the synopsis! Give me the title, the word count, the pitch line and two comps first. I like to have a sense of what I am looking at before diving into the synopsis. It helps me to see the potential strategy, where it fits into the market and also how it would fit on our agency list. When queries go straight into the synopsis I sort of mentally flail around trying to figure out what I am looking at! 

Response Time: 

10. What’s your response time to queries and requests for more pages of a manuscript? 

I am quick with my first round, I have to say. I keep on top of my Query inbox because otherwise it gets out of hand very quickly. My first pass –– looking based on what we already have on our client list, basic themes, etc. –– happens in the first few days after the submission and am known for a quick response rate for that. But if a hook interests me or I like what I read in the sample chapters, then it can take a month or more for me to really dig into it. 

Self-Published and Small Press Authors: 

11.  Are you open to representing authors who have self-published or been published by smaller presses? What advice do you have for them if they want to try to find an agent to represent them? 

Definitely! Like I said, we love a backlist. My advice is to know what you are getting into. I think a lot of self-pub or indie authors really value how much control they have over their publishing and I respect that wholeheartedly, but if you seek out an agent we will want to be your partner in this. I also would want to make sure you understand how the trade publishing world is different from the self-pub space. But I would love to work with a self-pub author to bring their backlist into more territories and move some of their future projects into the trad space! 

Clients: 

12. Who are some of the authors you represent? 

Right now, my list is the agency list and I work across the wide range. We are lucky enough to have authors such as Josh Winning, Vincent Tirado, Johanna van Veen and Cristin Williams, all working in the fantasy and horror spaces. We also have some projects that I’ve taken a lead on coming soon but I can’t tell you about those yet! 

Interviews and Guest Posts: 

13. Please share the links to any interviews, guest posts, and podcasts you think would be helpful to writers interested in querying you. 

Links and Contact Info: 

14. Please share how writers should contact you to submit a query and your links on the Web. 

I use QueryTracker/QueryManager for all of my queries so please use that to contact me. More information can be found on our website: https://www.perezliterary.com/submit/submit-to-isabel/ 

Additional Advice: 

15. Is there any other advice you’d like to share with aspiring authors that we haven’t covered? 

I can’t stress this enough – rejections in this industry are not personal. Many rejections are done on the basis that it is too similar to something else we have, or it isn’t a genre/trend we are looking for, it is a personal taste decision, etc. The first book you query with might not be what gets you an agent, and the manuscript that gets you an agent might not sell on submission! It is all so subjective and unpredictable. 

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Isabel.

 Giveaway Details

­Isabel is generously offering a query critique to one lucky winner. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment through May 31st.  If you do not want to enter the contest, that’s okay. Just let me know in the comments. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you follow me on Twitter or Bluesky or mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. This is an international giveaway. 

Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or email me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com 

Note: These agent profiles and interviews presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found here is subject to change.

 Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Sunday, June 1st I’m participating in the Berry Good Giveaway Hop

Wednesday, June 4th I have an interview with author Aaron Starmer and a giveaway of his YA Night Swimming and my IWSG post

Monday, June 9th I have an interview with author Nancy McCabe and a giveaway of her MG Fires Burning Underground 

Wednesday, June 11th I have an agent spotlight interview with Mark O’Brien and a query critique giveaway

Monday, June 16th I’m participating in the Dad-o-Mite Giveaway Hop

Monday, June 23rd I have an interview with author Michael Spradlin and a giveaway of his MG Threat of the Spider

I hope to see you on Sunday, June 1st! 

 

 

How to Get Your Book Published With a Small Press: Author Carol L. Pauer Guest Post and Rowley Peters and the Lumberjack Ghost Giveaway

Happy Monday Everyone! Today I’m excited to have author Carol L. Pauer here with a guest post to share the release of her MG Rowley Peters and the Lumberjack Ghost. It involves a mystery, which I always like, and I’m looking forward to reading it. 

Here’s a blurb from Amazon:

 

A campground full of ghosts?

When Rowley Peters goes camping with her family at Black Hawk State Park, she learns it's the site of mummy excavations, ghostly frog behavior, and the legendary lumberjack ghost Chicken McGee. Rowley never liked camping, but when her best friend, Huey, and her family join them she's stuck facing these spooky creatures. With frogs to follow, copper antiquities to learn about, and Chicken McGee's axe to dodge, Rowley and Huey realize there's something more dangerous at the campground than ghosts. Unfortunately, following the clues leads them in different temper-flaring directions. Solving the mystery of Chicken McGee might just be the only way to save their friendship.

 

Now here’s Carol! 

Six Steps I Used to Get My Book Published by Chicken Scratch Books 

“The End,” you write and excitedly dream of signing copies of your book at a filled-to-capacity author event. Wake up. Before your book-signing events, you need to get your work published. Often finding a publisher is more difficult than authoring a book. 

My latest middle-grade novel, Rowley Peters and the Lumberjack Ghost, was in the same position about three years ago. I was finished and wondering what to do next. I had indie-published three books and traditionally published two. Indie-publishing was an option but I had success finding two publishers for my other kids’ books, so I took the traditional path. 

Before setting out on my publishing journey, I mapped out a plan, one that I had used for the other two books. Many authors have their own paths to publication, but I’ve met many who don’t. This blog is for them and for anyone curious about how Chicken Scratch Books took on Rowley Peters and the Lumberjack Ghost. 

One: Join a professional writing group.

Years ago, an agent I followed on Twitter (X), tweeted that if you want to write for children, join SCBWI. I messaged him and asked what SCBWI meant. He replied, “Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.” I joined and it was what helped me get my first children’s book published. I learned where my original short story – Snoring Beauty – fit into the kidlit world. The story had to be converted into a proper page count for an early middle-grade book. This was something I had no knowledge of prior to joining SCBWI. I changed my 2,000-word short story Snoring Beauty to Isasnora Snores, a 30,000-word book. I also connected with other kitlit authors and figured out how to pitch my book. Writer’s Digest offers a list of professional groups to help get you started. (https://www.writersdigest.com/be-inspired/writing-organizations-for-writers-to-check-out)  

Another benefit to joining SCBWI was their free or low-cost classes. I attended one by Kiri Jorgensen, author and publisher of Chicken Scratch Books. I don’t recall the topic of the class but I liked her and her company. I began taking some courses from Chicken Scratch and learned more about writing middle-grade books. There was no guarantee that Chicken Scratch would publish my books but I learned a lot about middle-grade fiction and middle-grade readers. One thing that has stuck with me is that middle-grade readers are fussy readers. 

Two: Work with beta readers.

When you’re working on a book, beta readers or critique partners are those additional eyes to examine your work. They don’t edit your book but provide insights that may clarify your writing. It’s advisable to find readers in your genre. I once belonged to a local writing group. Most of the writers were poets and they didn’t grasp my fiction writing. It wasn’t helpful. Once I joined SCBWI, I was linked to beta reading groups in the genre I was writing in. Most of the groups offered great ways to improve my manuscripts. 

When working with beta readers, know that they do not have the final word on your book. Sometimes the feedback feels harsh or discouraging. Typically, I set the feedback aside for about a week and then return to it. My rule of thumb is if all the beta readers question something in my book, I need to clarify or remove it. If a beta reader wants you to change everything, you don’t have to do that (unless you think it’s a great idea). 

You may find beta readers through your professional writing group, like I did through SCBWI. You might also find them on Facebook. I have a writing friend who uses Fiverr to find beta readers. I tried that but it didn’t work for me. 

Three: Hire a copy editor.

When you’ve done several rewrites and you feel ready to pitch, hire a copy editor. When you’re searching for an editor, be clear on your requirements. I hired an editor for my first indie-book not realizing she was a developmental editor. She tore the book apart in ways I didn’t really accept. It cost me $1,600. My current copy editor checks for grammar, spelling, and punctuation. She’ll do two rounds of edits. There’s nothing wrong with a developmental or copy editor – just know the difference and what you require. 

Four: Read submission guidelines carefully.

Every publisher has guidelines on their web pages outlining the procedures they wish authors to follow. They get inundated with queries daily. There have been instances where I submitted something only to get a reply that says, “I only accept…” Awkward. Not only that, but I might also have ruined future chances to pitch that publisher (though it has never stopped me before). You will greatly enhance your chances of securing a publisher if you simply follow the instructions. 

Five: Turn a no into a yes.

When I pitched Rowley to Chicken Scratch Books, I got a "No" with a list of reasons for the rejection. I wanted to say, “Thank you,” and crawl under a rock. Instead, I asked if I made some changes, would she look at it again? She agreed. I resubmitted and she offered me a contract. If it’s a firm no, then I usually move on but I certainly would pitch that publisher with a different book. 

Six: Respect the publisher.

Manners do count in this industry. I’ve been told by agents and publishers horror stories of rude writers. Yes, it’s challenging to find someone to pitch or publish your book, but don’t take your frustrations out on them. 

Also, once you sign with a publisher, work with the company’s revision requests and market your book. The best way to show your gratitude for the publisher taking a risk on your book is to do the revisions and market the book. 

These are the steps I took to get Rowley Peters and the Lumberjack Ghost published. They’re not all inclusive but they were the springboards to getting Chicken Scratch Books to offer me a contract. I hope you'll find them helpful in carving out your path to publication.  

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Carol. You can find Carol at: 

Website: www.clpaurauthor.com

Book links: 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rowley-Peters-Lumberjack-Ghost-Carol/dp/B0DZBGFY1W

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rowley-peters-and-the-lumberjack-ghost-carol-l-paur/1147058847

Chicken Scratch Books: https://chickenscratchbooks.com/product/rowley-peters-and-the-lumberjack-ghost/

Podcast - 

YouTube Talking to Myself: https://youtu.be/9huZsby4oUM

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorclp?utm_source=qr&igsh=a3M1a2o0MmV6YTVq 

Giveaway Details 

Carol is generously offering a paperback of Rowley Peters and the Lumberjack Ghost for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by May 31st. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media sites and/or follow me on Twitter or Bluesky or follow Carol on her social media sites, mention this in the comments, and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This book giveaway is U.S.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Greg Pattridge. You can find the participating blogs on his blog.

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Wednesday, May 21st I have an agent spotlight interview with Isabel Lineberry and a query critique giveaway

Sunday, June 1st I’m participating in the Berry Good Giveaway Hop

Monday, June 2nd I have a guest post by authors Alichia Dow and Tracy Badhua and a giveaway of their MG Their Just Desserts

Wednesday, June 4th I have an interview with author Aaron Starmer and a giveaway of his YA Night Swimming and my IWSG post

Monday, June 9th I have an interview with author Nancy McCabe and a giveaway of her MG Fires Burning Underground

Wednesday, June 11th I have an agent spotlight interview with Mark O’Brien and a query critique giveaway

Monday, June 16th I’m participating in the Dad-o-Mite Giveaway Hop

Monday, June 23rd I have an interview with author Michael Spradlin and a giveaway of his MG Threat of the Spider

I hope to see you on Wednesday!

 

 

Moms Rock Giveaway Hop

 

Happy Friday! Today I'm excited to participate in the Moms Rock Giveaway Hop hosted by MamatheFox and Mom Does Reviews. I hope you’re doing well. This is a happy time of year for me. The weather is beautiful, and everything is finally blooming. I planted my vegetables and flowers already. And I had a fun trip with my father-in-law to celebrate his birthday. Plus I celebrated Mother’s  Day with my daughter. It’s been a great start to the month.

Book of Your Choice or Amazon Gift Card 

I am offering a book of your choice that is $20 or less on Amazon. I’m looking forward to seeing what books everyone is looking forward to reading.  

If you don’t have a book you want, you can win a $10 Amazon Gift Card.

Giveaway Details

To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by May 31st telling me whether you want a book, and if so, which one, or the Amazon gift card and your email address. Be sure to include your email address. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address. 

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media sites and/or follow me on Twitter or Bluesky, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. The book giveaway is U.S. only and the Amazon gift card giveaway is International.

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Monday, May 19th I have a guest post by author Carol L. Pauer and a giveaway of her MG Rowley Peters and the Lumberjack Ghost

Wednesday, May 21st I have an agent spotlight interview with Isabel Lineberry and a query critique giveaway

Sunday, June 1st I’m participating in the Berry Good Giveaway Hop

Wednesday, June 4th I have an interview with author Aaron Starmer and a giveaway of his YA Night Swimming and my IWSG post

Monday, June 2nd I have a guest post by authors Alichia Dow and Tracy Badhua and a giveaway of their MG Their Just Desserts

Monday, June 9th I have an interview with author Nancy McCabe and a giveaway of her MG Fires Burning Underground 

Wednesday, June 11th I have an agent spotlight interview with Mark O’Brien and a query critique giveaway

Monday, June 16th I’m participating in the Dad-o-Mite Giveaway Hop

Monday, June 23rd I have an interview with author Michael Spradlin and a giveaway of his MG Threat of the Spider

I hope to see you on Monday!

 And here are all the blogs participating in this blog hop:

1.	Mom Does Reviews, WW	10.	Angel's Book Nook, WW
2.	Ana Jolene, WW	11.	Mocha Girls Read, US
3.	Versatileer, WW	12.	Sharing Life's Moments, US
4.	It's Free At Last, WW	13.	The Frugal Grandmom, US/CAN
5.	Reading Reality, WW	14.	Celebrate Woman Today
6.	Literary Rambles, WW	15.	Healthy Living- Free of Gluten & Dairy, US
7.	Says Me Says Mom, US	16.	Jody's Bookish Haven, WW
8.	Powered by Mom, US/CAN	17.	My UnEntitled Life Blog, US
9.	The Candid Cover, WW	18.	Mom Does Reviews, US

(Linkup closed)

MamatheFox, Mom Does Reviews, and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations.

 

Literary Agent Interview: Analía Cabello Interview and Query Critique Giveaway

Today I’m thrilled to have agent Analía Cabello here. She’s an associate agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency. 

Hi­ Analía! Thanks so much for joining us. 

About Analía: 

1. Tell us how you became an agent, how long you’ve been one, and what you’ve been doing as an agent.

 

Hi Literary Rambles! Thanks so much for having me. J 

Well, it’s funny—I didn’t start out intending to become an agent, but as I’ve been reflecting on my career in publishing so far, my first experiences in the industry were at literary agencies! My initial goal was to become an editor. I’ve been a huge reader for my whole life but knew I’d rather support authors than be one myself, and I love editorial work—but I also knew most of those jobs were located on the East Coast, and I was based in California at the time. Literary agencies were some of the only parts of publishing who were offering remote internships at that time, and I was super lucky to have the opportunity to connect with great folks at a couple different agencies who taught me a ton. 

I did eventually move to the East Coast briefly for a short stint at Candlewick—where I gained invaluable experience and worked with a lot of wonderful, talented people—but I was homesick and wanted to be closer to my family in California. That’s how I ended up at ABLA in 2021 as Kelly Sonnack’s assistant, and the rest is history! I’ve been an associate agent since January of 2025, so I’m very much in a building phase. I’ve been reading a ton of queries, doing work behind-the-scenes with my clients to get their work ready for submission, and trying to introduce myself to the industry a bit. 

About the Agency: 

2. Share a bit about your agency and what it offers to its authors.

The Andrea Brown Literary Agency is a mid-sized agency specializing in both kidlit and adult literature. It was founded in California over 40 years ago, and we now have agents in all different parts of the country. You can read more about the agency on our website and see more from us on Instagram and Bluesky. Our agents are so talented, hardworking, kind, and collaborative, and are excellent advocates for all ABLA clients. I’m so grateful to have joined them and to call them my colleagues! 

What She’s Looking For: 

3. What age groups do you represent—picture books, MG, and/or YA? What genres do you represent and what are you looking for in submissions for these genres?

I’m looking for anything from picture books through YA. In picture books, I’m particularly wanting narrative-driven stories featuring human characters. For novels, I’m primarily looking for contemporary stories with literary-leaning writing. I love characters who feel in-between in any sense (identity, friend groups, transitional period of life, etc.); stories of self-discovery and character growth; explorations of sibling relationships and intergenerational families; and stories from creators whose voices have been traditionally underrepresented in the industry. In illustrators, I look for art that I’d want to live in: pieces that are rich in texture, detail, and narrative, with joyful characters and color palettes that pop. 

4.  Is there anything you would be especially excited to seeing in the genres you are interested in?

Give me all the sapphic romances, please! I would love something with the vibes of Bend It Like Beckham or Ice Princess but queer. I also appreciate ensemble stories with high stakes (like The Bear or Vampires Vs. The Bronx). And I love the gorgeous, dreamy feel of Makoto Shinkai’s recent movies. I would love to see something with those vibes. 

What She Isn’t Looking For: 

5. What types of submissions are you not interested in?

I am typically not the right agent for the following types of projects:

·       Science fiction and most fantasy (particularly high fantasy and portal fantasy)

·       Graphic novels and nonfiction

·       Stories where trauma is part of the primary conflict (particularly trauma around coming out)

·       Rhyming picture book texts

·       Picture book texts about anthropomorphic animals

·       Novels told from the perspective of an animal 

Agent Philosophy: 

6. What is your philosophy as an agent both in terms of the authors you want to work with and the books you want to represent?

It's important to me that I’m connecting with the submitted manuscript and have a vision for how to help the creator bring it to readers. I’ve read gorgeous texts that, after much deliberation, I’ve ultimately decided that I wouldn’t be the right agent to work on them, even though I would absolutely grab them off the shelf in the future. (And, trust me, this is always a disappointing realization!) I also have a conversation with prospective clients about their other works and/or future career goals. If an author submits a YA contemporary to me, for example, but also aspires to write high fantasy novels, I’m probably not the best agent for them, even if I really love their YA contemporary manuscript. Ultimately, this is a partnership, and I want to make sure that I’ll be the best partner for a prospective client and their work! 

Editorial Agent: 

7. Are you an editorial agent? If so, what is your process like when you’re working with your authors before submitting to editors?

I do consider myself an editorial agent. I love the editorial process—there’s something so rewarding about digging into a manuscript and getting to work alongside the author to identify where the story is already singing and where it can be strengthened to give it the best chance once it’s in an editor’s inbox. The exact process varies from project to project but I generally aim to do revisions in two phases: tackling developmental edits, which can take a couple rounds depending on the project, and then a light line edit to polish everything up before going out. 

Query Methods and Submission Guidelines: (Always verify before submitting) 

8. How should authors query you and what do you want to see with the query letter?

Please query me via QueryTracker! The materials will vary based on the type of submission; for illustrators, for example, I’d like to see either a portfolio uploaded or linked, in addition to a website link. For picture book texts, just paste your manuscript into the form where instructed. For novels, I’d like to see the first 20 pages of your manuscript in addition to a synopsis. (These instructions should also be present in the query form at the link.) 

9.  Do you have any specific dislikes in query letters or the first pages submitted to you?

Not necessarily! Of course, a polished query letter definitely helps make a good first impression, but we’re all human and mistakes aren’t the end of the world. I will also say that if your query materials are externally linked (for example, a link to a portfolio/website), please check your links, check your share settings, and make sure agents will be able to access your work! Broken links, links to locked website portfolio pages (without passwords included in the query letter), or links to file-sharing platforms (like Google drive/docs) that don’t allow folks to view unless they expressly have permission can be tough. 

Response Time: 

10. What’s your response time to queries and requests for more pages of a manuscript?

I make it a point to respond to every query in my query box, but my response time varies greatly and depends on when something is received and what else I have going on. Sometimes I answer a query the day it lands in my inbox because I happen to be in there already; sometimes it takes a bit longer. And sometimes I hold on to things for longer because I’m still making a decision, of course! 

Self-Published and Small Press Authors: 

11.  Are you open to representing authors who have self-published or been published by smaller presses? What advice do you have for them if they want to try to find an agent to represent them?

When I’m considering a client, the most important thing to me is whether I’m connecting with their work; I don’t see things like being self-published or previously published by smaller presses as a deterrent at all, as long as you’re querying with new, unpublished work. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend doing anything differently in your query process; just be honest and up-front about this when you’re querying. One of the really cool things about this industry is all the various paths people have taken on their journey; this is just another type of path!

Clients: 

12. Who are some of the authors you represent?

I currently represent about a dozen super cool, super talented creators. They range from picture book authors to MG authors to illustrators, and I’m so thrilled they’ve trusted me with their work. You can see more about them here. 

Interviews and Guest Posts: 

13. Please share the links to any interviews, guest posts, and podcasts you think would be helpful to writers interested in querying you.

None yet, but keep an eye on my website—I hope to be adding some links in the coming months! 

Update on 5/23/2025:

Agent of the Month at Writing and Illustrating Part 1, Part 2 (5/2025)

Links and Contact Info: 

14. Please share how writers should contact you to submit a query and your links on the Web.

I only accept queries via QueryTracker. You can see more about what I’m looking for on my website and my ABLA page. I’m also on Bluesky and Instagram. (I’m not super active in either place yet, but I’m trying to get better about it!) 

Additional Advice: 

15. Is there any other advice you’d like to share with aspiring authors that we haven’t covered?

Find community—writing/creating and querying can feel isolating, and it can be helpful to connect with other folks who are on this journey. But also—easier said than done, I know—try to avoid the comparison game. Everyone’s path looks different. Keep writing, keep revising, get connected, find critique partners, and remember that it just takes one yes. J 

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Analía.

Giveaway Details 

­Analía is generously offering a query critique to one lucky winner. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment through May 24th. If you do not want to enter the contest, that’s okay. Just let me know in the comments. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you follow me on Twitter or mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. This is an international giveaway. 

Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or email me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com 

Note: These agent profiles and interviews presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found here is subject to change.

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Friday, May 16th I’m participating in the Moms Rock Giveaway Hop

Monday, May 19th I have a guest post by author Carol L. Pauer and a giveaway of her MG Rowley Peters and the Lumberjack Ghost

Wednesday, May 21st I have an agent spotlight interview with Isabel Lineberry and a query critique giveaway

Sunday, June 1st I’m participating in the Berry Good Giveaway Hop

Wednesday, June 4th I have an interview with author Aaron Starmer and a giveaway of his YA Night Swimming and my IWSG post

Monday, June 9th I have an interview with author Nancy McCabe and a giveaway of her MG Fires Burning Underground 

Wednesday, June 11th I have an agent spotlight interview with Mark O’Brien and a query critique giveaway

Monday, June 16th I’m participating in the Dad-o-Mite Giveaway Hop

Monday, June 23rd I have an interview with author Michael Spradlin and a giveaway of his MG Threat of the Spider

I hope to see you on Friday!