Middle Grade

Twitter Alert

Carey Blankenship-Kramer at Belcastro Agency, MSWL and Carey's MSWL.

Agent Transfer Alert

Paloma Hernando | Ayesha Pande Literary

‘Paloma’s favorite books often have a bit of magic in them, and she loves being able to dive into any world, real or invented, presented on the page. She is looking for both graphic novels and prose fiction for YA or adult, including more mature stories, particularly ones that deal with difficult emotions and nuanced characters. She loves romance, particularly queer romance, science fiction that feels fresh, high fantasy, and middle grade with a good sense of humor.’’

Agency, Twitter and MSWL.

Deal Alert

Caryn Wiseman | Andrea Brown Literary Agency

“Social Justice and lifting diverse voices have always been at the heart of my list. I represent everything from picture books through Young Adult, both fiction and nonfiction. “Smart with heart” is my watchword, and I love fiction in all categories except high fantasy, paranormal, and horror. No zombies, fallen angels, or vampires, please! If I need a map to follow, or if I have to stop reading because of all the death and dismemberment, it’s not for me. I’m probably not the right person for witches, either. Darkness is fine in middle-grade or YA fiction or nonfiction, as long as there is hope or redemption in the end. I love a good, cathartic cry.

I represent authors, illustrators, and author/illustrators.

Currently, I am looking for the following:

• Middle-grade and YA Jewish-themed fiction by Jewish authors. I’m interested in themes of Jewish empowerment and battling anti-Semitism, settings such as Jewish camp or youth group, stories that celebrate being Jewish, and stories centering characters who just happen to be Jewish. I’m very interested in stories about and by Jews of color and queer Jews. I’d prefer contemporary stories, but I am also interested in historical fiction and nonfiction about lesser known settings or events like the Shanghai Ghetto or stories about Southern Jews.

• Untold Muslim stories.

• BIPOC illustrators and author/illustrators…

• Timeless, heartwarming middle-grade…”

Agency, Personal site, Twitter, Publisher’s Marketplace and MSWL.

Mary Cummings | About Great River Literary

“I represent fiction, literary nonfiction and poetry for children and teens, from board and picture books to middle grade (including chapter books) and young adult. (No adult projects, please)..”

‘‘Top of my list for middle grade novels:

• Contemporary, or historical (perhaps end of 19th/beginning 20th century, McCarthy Red Scare era, polio epidemic). I’d like to see a school story about an idealized relationship that develops more nuance (a crush, a best friend, a favorite teacher). Magical realism or light fantasy.’’

Agency, Personal site and Publisher’s Marketplace.

Lori Kilkelly | LK Literary Agency

“Now, with more than 100 books under contract and titles with every major trade publisher, she is dedicated to continue bringing meaningful, funny, informative, and moving children's and young adult literature to market, created by an incredibly talented group of authors and illustrators.”

“Recent titles:

• Forever Twelve (The Evers) by Stacy McAnulty

• Windswept by Margi Preus

• Revver the Speedway Squirrel by Duskey Rinker.”

Agency, Twitter and Publisher's Marketplace.

Rick Margolis | Rising Bear Literary Agency

“We specialize in what we most love: picture books, early- and middle-grade fiction, and young adult literature.”

“Recent titles:

• One Smart Sheep and A Long Road on a Short Day by Gary Schmidt and Elizabeth Stickney

• Out to Get You: 13 Tales of Weirdness and Woe by Josh Allen.”

Agency and Publisher's Marketplace.

Emily Van Beek | Folio Jr

‘‘MIDDLE-GRADE: I’m currently on the look-out for unique and distinctive voices. I’m open to almost anything within this genre and I’m eagerly looking for something new. Please send me your diverse, epic, cinematic, action-packed, adventuresome, mysterious, and fast-paced novels! I always bear in mind that readers in this age group are looking for fun and mischief, to learn something about life, and to escape and romp.’’

Agency, Publisher’s Marketplace and MSWL.

Allison Remcheck Pernetti | Stimola Literary Studio

“For middle-grade I am looking for a great voice, and a great main character who could potentially carry a series. This could be contemporary, or light fantasy. I like a bit of magic, suspended disbelief, and I do believe in fairies. I love dogs and horses—but not when bad things happen to them!”

Agency, Twitter, Publisher's Marketplace and MSWL.

Gwen Beal | UTA

“Gwen is actively signing authors and artists of books for young readers from preschool to young adult with an eye towards unforgettable voice and perspective.”

Agency and Twitter.

Brent Taylor | TriadaUS Literary Agency

“Middle Grade:

I love a wide range of middle grade, and the best way to describe what I’m looking for is to tell you about my favorite middle grade novels: Keeper by Kathi Appelt, The Best Man by Richard Peck, The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall, and The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill. Some of my middle grade clients include Newbery Honor author Rajani LaRocca; New York Times-bestselling author Sayantani DasGupta; best-selling author K.R. Alexander; and award-winning author Rex Ogle. Being between the ages of 8 and 12 is so difficult. Kids are on the cusp of what feels like a vast, overwhelming, and unwelcoming world. I want to represent middle grade that enlightens kids to all the love and joy that the world has to offer—books that make them feel excited for the future, not afraid of it.”

Agency, Personal site, Twitter, Publisher’s Marketplace and MSWL.

Samantha Fabien | Root Literary

“MG & YA

Genres: contemporary romance, mystery, thrillers, horror, speculative, and fantasy. (Don’t forget to send me all the genre blends!)

Elements/themes/tropes/vibes: fresh takes on familiar tropes; “how do I have the teen experience in a post-Covid world?”; body positive; sex-positive; BIPOC casts creating space in PWI; we have to fake kiss for “reasons”; LGBTQIA+ affirming; the spectrum and high emotions of firsts—first date, first kisses, etc.; friendship break-ups; all the shenanigans, hijinks, and lists; atmospheric and/or isolated settings; internal and external horror; generational reckonings; exploring grief; exploring hyper-specific fears; mixed media/social media; ensemble casts; academia; non-western mythology, folklore, and magic; competitions; prophecies from birth; healthy and toxic relationships (familial, platonic, or romantic).”

“In MG, I like diverse historical, contemporary, mysteries, and fantasy. I’m drawn to ensemble casts, so every reader can see themselves in the stories. In fantasy, rich characters, and world-building are essential, especially when seeing why one particular story stands out against another. In contemporaries, I want to see a range of light-hearted and issue-driven tackling any range of topics with care.”

Agency, Personal site, Twitter, Publisher’s Marketplace and MSWL.

Joanna Volpe | New Leaf Literary

“Joanna represents all brands of fiction (commercial, literary and genre) and has a soft spot for speculative and/or fantastical elements … Across the board, she’s looking for anything that highlights under-represented voices, both real and fictional.”

“Recent titles:

• Create Your Own Secret Language by David J. Peterson

• Heart of a Dolphin by Catherine A. Hapka

• Secrets of Selkie Bay by Shelley Thomas.”

Agency, Publisher’s Marketplace, Twitter and MSWL.

Jennifer Rofé | Andrea Brown Literary Agency, Inc.

‘‘Jennifer is currently accepting queries from only

1) middle grade writers (if in addition to middle grade you write in other children’s categories, you are welcome and encouraged to query) …

Overall, Jennifer seeks masterful writing, distinct voices and perspectives, and richly developed characters (if she is completely consumed by your characters, she will follow them anywhere). Middle grade has always been Jennifer’s soft spot and she’s open to all genres in this category – literary, commercial, contemporary, magical, fantastical, historical, and everything in between. She especially appreciates stories that make her both laugh and cry, and that offer an unexpected view into the pre-teen/teen experience.’’

Agency, Twitter, Publisher’s Marketplace and MSWL.

Holly McGhee | Pippin Properties

‘‘Pippin Properties, Inc. is an agency devoted primarily to picture books, middle-grade, graphic novels, and young adult novels, also representing adult projects on occasion. We are always on the lookout for writers and illustrators who take the challenge of creating books seriously and are willing to give the publishing world nothing less than their very best.’’

Agency, Personal site, Twitter and Publisher's Marketplace.

Erica Rand Silverman | Stimola Literary Studio

‘‘I am most interested in author-illustrator picture books, early readers, chapter books, heavily illustrated middle grade and interesting novelty formats. I am looking for a diverse array of voices, perspectives and styles and respond well to zany with heart, a celebration of the wonder of life and complex characters that explore our inner lives. More specifically, I am looking for:

• projects that focus on Jewish culture and the modern inclusive experience of being Jewish

• author-illustrators who take a creative approach to book making stories that explore cultural practices and beliefs as well as lived experiences of people from diverse backgrounds

• BIPOC and LGBTQ+ book makers

• clever, interactive and tactile novelty formats

• comics.’’

Agency, Twitter and Publisher's Marketplace.

Rebekah Von Lintel | Embolden Media Group

‘‘What Rebekah Loves

Rebekah loves compelling concepts, culturally significant trade books, and writers with wonderful storytelling abilities. 

CHILDREN’S

For children’s books, she focuses primarily on YA and middle grade, and her tastes vary broadly in those areas. She also considers select children's picture books.’’

Agency.

Tanya McKinnon | McKinnon Literary

“In children's books, I represent the gamut from picture books through chapter books and middle grade readers, to young adult.”

Agency, Twitter and Publisher’s Marketplace.

John Cusick | Folio Jr

“I’m seeking unique voices in middle-grade, young adult, and young adult/adult-crossover fiction. I want stories that move readers, moments that make me look up and say “Wow, yes. I’ve felt that.”

I want compelling page-turners that create life-long readers, stories that will inspire fandoms, characters readers will cosplay as, obsess over, and never forget. I want #ownvoices stories of all styles and genres, and am particularly interested in sci-fi, fantasy, and genre fiction from under-represented voices. I love the strange, iconoclastic, and unusual. Send me the books kids will sneak / steal / borrow in secret. Those intimate, dangerous, life-saving stories.

I love proactive protagonists, kids and teens chasing a dream or a hero who swings in with a song in her heart and a knife in her teeth.”

Agency, Personal site, Twitter, Publisher’s Marketplace and MSWL.

Jennifer Carlson | Dunow, Carlson & Lerner

“On the children’s side, her clients are primarily young adult and middle grade fiction writers.”

“Recent titles:

• Atlantis: The Accidental Invasion by Gregory Mone

• I Hate Reading: How to Read When You'd Rather Not and The Book No One Wants To Read by Beth Bacon.”

Agency and Twitter.

Rebecca Sherman | Writers House

“MG: Middle grade fiction is the arrow that goes to the bull’s-eye of my heart. I’m looking for timeless stories that could become instant classics. I have a soft spot for fresh retellings and inventive folklore, fairytales, etc. I’m equally excited by contemporary stories, particularly friendship stories. Occasionally I fall for character-driven historical fiction set in seldom explored settings.”

Agency, Twitter and Publisher’s Marketplace.

Chad Beckerman | The CAT Agency

“Chad’s greatest joy is working with illustrators, and as an agent he is busy curating and cultivating a unique group of artists who are inspiring and innovating in children’s literature. Chad represents illustrators and author/illustrators from all over the globe, who create artwork for all ages and genres.”

“Recent title:

• Alley & Rex by Joel Ross.”

Agency and Twitter.