Top Ten with Literary Agent Tricia Lawrence

TOP TEN: Info/Advice/& Fun Facts with Tricia Lawrence of Erin Murphy Literary Agency (EMLA)

The Rocky Mountain Region of the SCBWI looks forward to the wisdom of Tricia Lawrence. She will serve on this year's conference faculty for the September 20 & 21, 2014 LETTERS AND LINES CONFERENCE. If you haven't registered, we are accepting walk-in registration on September 20 at 7:45am or September 21 at 8:15 am at the Marriott Denver West, 1717 Denver West Boulevard, Golden CO 80401. 

Who is Tricia Lawrence? Tricia is the "Pacific Northwest branch" of Erin Murphy Literary Agency (EMLA)—born and raised in Oregon, and now lives in Seattle. After 19 years of working as a developmental and production-based editor (from children’s books to college textbooks), she joined the EMLA team in March 2011 as a social media strategist.

As associate agent, Tricia represents picture books/chapter books that look at the world in a unique and unusual way, with characters that are alive both on and off the page, and middle grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction that offers strong world-building, wounded narrators, and stories that grab a reader and won't let go.

You can find Tricia's writing about blogging, Tweeting, Facebooking, and other social media topics at http://authorblogger.net/ and at http://trishlawrence.com/

THE TOP TEN WITH TRICIA:

1.       SUCCESS STORY:  Hi, Tricia! Thank you for serving on the RMC SCBWI faculty and for agreeing to this interview. I love starting with dessert, so please tell us a yummy conference success story.

My first PB client is the past conference coordinator for Western WA, Kerri Kokias. I met her as a brand-new agent (not yet repping picture books) looking for a critique group and we hit it off. Of course, she will say I made her work. I made her write a ton. And I did. But when I was ready to sign PB clients, she was my first one. We are friends, crit buddies, and then author/agent. And it was the best decision I made! She is AWESOME! 

2.      PUBLISHING PATH: I’ll bet your experience as a social media strategist serves you and your clients well now that you’re an agent. What smart social media tips can you provide?

For my full-throttle social media for authors, you'll have to come to my workshop. In the meantime, look back over your social media content. Is it 80/20 (content/marketing)? For marketing, I mean "come buy my book" or "come to my book signing" and by content, I mean "there was this fascinating article I just read about bullying, which is one of themes of my next book" or "We need diverse books shared this article that really spoke to me about the important of diversity" and don't pitch anything. Just share, share, share. And if it has a theme to it, all the better. See you at my workshop!

3.      YOUR NEXT CLIENT: I understand you represent Picture Books, Chapter Books,  Middle Grade, and YA. At every conference—regardless of genre—agents say they are looking for great and compelling writing. Please give us more insight into your preferences.

I love all sorts of styles in kidlit. I do love a mystery, I love dark novels, dark young readers. For novels, I'm looking for the character I've never met  before, but I feel as if I know already. Someone who just walks off the page into my life. Laini Taylor's DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE series was that for me. Karou is someone I've never met before, but I now feel like she's someone important in my life. Challenge: how would you do a mystery PB?

4.      READING: I believe in order to be a great writer, a person should be prolific reader. I also believe when writers research and shop for an agent, they should read the agent’s client’s books in order to understand if the agent is a fit. Tricia, are you an editorial agent? Also, please tell us about some of your clients’ books.

I am an editorial agent. My books don't start coming out until Fall 2015, but in the meantime, on EMLA's website www.emliterary.com you can see what our agency is publishing month to month. Any of those would be a great idea to read. Robin LaFevers' HIS FAIR ASSASSIN series, GRAVE MERCY,  DARK TRIUMPH, and the third in the trilogy, MORTAL HEART. Anything by Deborah Underwood or Pat Zietlow Miller or Liz Garton Scanlon, picture  book wise. Anything by Trent Reedy, Conrad Wesselhoeft, Laurie Thompson, Laura Resau, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Ruth McNally Barshaw. I could go on  and on and on. I'm a huge fan of EMLA books!

5.      FAVORITE BOOKS: What were some of your favorite books as a child, and what are your current kid lit favorites (other than the ones you represent J)?

Favorite series: Narnia. Second favorite series: Little House on the Prairie. Current kidlit favorites are FLASHLIGHT by Lizi Boyd (a work of art), I WANT MY HAT BACK by Jon Klassen, LET'S GET LOST by Adi Alsaid, GAIJIN by Matt Faulkner (my client, but I didn't rep this one).

6.      What’s on your wish list of future projects to represent?

I'm looking for innovative picture books, using other genres to tell a story in that format (murder mystery, horror, etc.). I'm looking for retro illustrations that are just alive. I'm looking for a super-duper chapter book series or two a la Penderwicks or CLEMENTINE. I am hungry for more girl middle grade. I'm also looking for amazing YA fantasy, fractured retellings (so, instead of fractured fairy tales, take a classic work of literature and crack it open). I'm wild about anything Bronte, Dickens, Hugo, Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky. I was raised on these books, so if you're doing something innovative and new with them, bring it to me!

7.      What can you tell us about the state of the publishing industry?

In total flux. Indy bookstores are growing. The industry seems to be able to handle the massive changes being thrown at it. It's a great time to be an author or illustrator. If you're hesitating, why? Go for it! Write!

8.     How does the answer above influence you as an agent?

Always figuring out how to represent my clients better, how to inspire more authors/artists, how to be more creative myself! I feel as if I'm in a continual college semester, with always changing classes and I'm always carrying too many credits and wanting to learn more.

9.      A benefit for attendees of the Letters and Lines Conference is getting to walk away knowing the faculty on a more personal level. One fun fact about Tricia is that she Tricia loves hiking, camping out in the woods, and collecting rocks. She loves BBC America and anything British. She has way too many books and not enough bookshelves. Please give us one more fun fact!

 

If I am at a beach, I pick up pockets full of rocks and shells. If I am in a parking lot, I pick up rocks. If you show me a rock, I will want it. I have now shared my rock obsession with my neighbor's 3-year-old and she comes up to me now and asks for rocks. :) Funny how I always have one to give her.

10.  What’s your final word (for today) of advice that you would like writers to walk away with?

Writing is not easy. You are walking in footsteps of so many great writers and also great souls! Do not be discouraged! Press on! Don't give up!  Write, write, write.

Thank you, Tricia!

For submission guidelines, please visit the EMLA website and follow the guidelines. 

Submission Policy: Good news-- if-- you attended the Letters and Lines Conference! 

EMLA is closed to unsolicited queries or submissions BUT Tricia is open to queries from attendees of conferences where she speaks. If you met Tricia at the conference or have a referral, please paste your query into the contact form on our contact page. Please note that EMLA is no longer responding to queries or submissions from those who do not have a referral or have met them at a conference. Those sent in hard copy form via post or other means will receive no response from EMLA, and those sent via email will receive an automated form rejection.

***This is your big chance to query, so take the time--polish your prose--use advice your received at the conference--seek out a critiquing group--repolish your work--read the submission guidelines carefully--polish one more time--AND THEN send your query. Good luck!  

So You Want to Write or Illustrate Children's Books and Magazines

Illustration by Roberta Collier-Morales

SCBWI Colorado and Wyoming (Rocky Mountain Region) will host the annual Letters and Lines Conference

Conference for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators

WHEN:  Sept 20-21, 2014.

Where:   Marriott Denver West
1717 Denver West Blvd - Golden, CO

Who:  This conference for those interested in children's book publishing serves both BEGINNER and EXPERT. Whether you simply dream of writing or illustrating, or you're actively pursuing a career, this conference is for you. It will help you make connections, learn from classes, and get you positioned for next-steps. Here you'll meet editors, agents, award-winning authors and illustrators ; you’ll actually connect on a personal level because the RMC SCBWI offers an intimate conference experience. Stop mulling over “wouldn’t it be great…” and launch your aspirations into action today! Learn or Pitch or Connect or Polish--it's up to you. There is something for everyone. Beginners feel included and find this conference a nice way to break-into the industry, while experts find sessions and get ideas to help polish their pieces.

If you’re actively writing or illustrating (or both!), there is also an opportunity for you to participate in a critique-connect session with peers…perhaps you’ll find your future critiquing group, or perhaps you’ll get a fresh perspective. Feeling shy…no problem, you’re also welcome to sit in and see how critiques with peers works.    

This year’s faculty features three editors, two literary agents, and several award-winning authors and illustrators.

Confirmed featured faculty:

Salina Yoon, Author/Illustrator

AVI, Newbery Award-winning author

Terrie Wolf, AKA Literary

Tricia Lawrence, Erin Murphy Literary

Carter Hasegawa, Candlewick Press

Lanie Davis, Alloy Entertainment

Sarah Miller, Sleeping Bear Press

And others! For full faculty listing and bios please click here: FACULTY

SAMPLING: Below please take a glimpse at some of the many sessions available during this year’s conference. For the full schedule please click here: SCHEDULE:

A brief glimpse is listed below:

·       Creating the Buzz-Worthy Novel-Donna Cooner

·       Children’s Publishing 101-Lindsay Eland

·       From Pages to PR: What a Literary Publicist Offers-Jen Hailligan

·       Crafting Picture Books for Illustrators-Salina Yoon…also Illustrating a concept picture book with Salina Yoon

·       Writing for the Children’s Magazine Market-Cheryl Reifsnyder

·       Creating Picture Book Hooks and Endings- Sarah Miller

·       Narrative Non-fiction-creating the award winner-Carter Hasegawa

·       The Magic of Motivation-Jeannie Mobley

·       First pages

·       And more!!!

HOW TO ENROLL: *Update* you can register on September 20th at 7:45 am or on September 21 at 8:15 am at the Marriott Denver West, 1717 Denver West Boulevard, Golden CO 80401
Cash or credit cards only, please.

For details about the event visit our web page: https://rmc.scbwi.org/events/2014-letters-lines/

COST:  

Saturday and Sunday Registration: $290 non member or $240 SCBWI Member Price*

Saturday ONLY Registration: $235 non-member or $185*SCBWI Member Price 

Sunday ONLY Registration: $175 non-member or $125*SCBWI Member Price *

Preeminent Opportunity for Picture Book Writers and Illustrators

Today I would like to introduce you to Julie Hedlund, owner of the blogsite Julie Hedlund, Author, Freelance Writer . Julie is also the founder of the sensational picture book writing event and community 12x12. 

If you are an aspiring picture book writer or illustrator, listen up! This event could change your career quicker than a conference! You'll hear how you'll be inspired, motivated, and even discovered (you'll read about the agents involved at the end).

 

Hi, Julie!

Welcome! And thank you for agreeing to this interview about your 12x12 event. You’ve created an incredible forum and opportunity for picture book people, and I’m excited to share this knowledge and chance with aspiring authors.

Thanks to YOU Kim, for having me. You always give so generously of your time and talent to other writers, so it's an honor to be here.

Let's start with the basics: What the heck is 12x12?

We are a group of  picture book writers who've come together with the goal of writing one picture book draft a month - hence 12 x 12. There are other fringe benefits (see answers to your questions below), but at it's heart, it's all about motivating each other to write more picture books.

I've heard 12x12 participants refer to this as a "community".  What makes it a community?

We're a group of 400+ writers with a passion for picture books. We share resources and opportunities. We cheer for each other when there's good news and support each other when there's bad news. It's a 24x7, 365-day a year writing community that never closes. Have a question? Post it and you'll have 5 answers in an hour. We encourage and nurture each other's creativity.

Why should I participate instead of just getting the BIC (butt in chair) and doing it alone?

Last year, I conducted a survey of 12 x 12 participants. Of those who responded, 90% said they wrote more in 2012 than they would have without the challenge. Those monthly check-ins and the encouragement of fellow participants helps provide the motivation to get it DONE.

But I think participant Tim McCanna summed it up nicely in this video he created for me last fall!
Can illustrators participate, too?

Of course! 12 x 12 has a thriving illustrator community. Some of them have even formed their own illustrator critique groups.

How did 12x12 get started?

It started when, at the end of 2011 and my second year of participating in PiBoIdMo, I realized I'd only written one PB draft over the past year. I knew I needed a much higher output if I was ever going to succeed at this writing thing. So I challenged myself to write 12 in 2012. Then it struck me that I should invite others to join me. I never could have imagined the response I got with more than 400 people signing up! Clearly there was a need for a picture book community and I happened to tap into that need at the right time.

What success was met when you launched 12x12 last year and how has it expanded in 2013?

I keep going back to videos, but I think this one I put together celebrating the 2012 challenge winners shows the success better than anything I could say. Think of all the picture book drafts written in one year and all the writers who now feel confident and proud to call themselves such. That's the greatest reward, for me.

In 2013, the challenge has expanded significantly. One of the features participants liked best last year was the Facebook group. It was a place to commune, share resources, and chit chat at all hours of the day/night. But not everyone is on Facebook. So I created a Membership Forum this year that allows everyone to partake of the great community. The Forum also includes areas where members can post their queries, pitches and excerpts of their own manuscripts for direct feedback. So it's also become a virtual critique group.

For Little GOLDen Book members, there is also the option to submit to one agent or editor per month outside of the slush pile.

Who are the agents whom you will feature in this year’s 12x12 promotion, and what can you tell me about the depth of their involvement? 

I'll reveal a few of the agents, since I don't want to spoil all the surprises. :-) Stephen Fraser of Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency is this month's agent. Tricia Lawrence of EMLA is up for March and Susan Hawk of the Jenny Bent Agency is on deck for April. 

The agents are accepting submissions from 12 x 12 members through a special email address so they rise above the regular submissions/slush pile. Although the participating agents are not required to respond to each and every submission, they did commit to reading each one. Stephen Fraser has been very responsive so far, and several members have already received requests to send more!

What do past/current participants have to say about their experience?

I've been lucky in that past participants have been so effusive in their praise for 12 x 12 that I have a whole page of testimonials! Some of this year's members also helped me to create - you guessed it - a promotional video urging others to join.

How do I register?

Right here! http://www.juliehedlund.com/registration-for-2013

Deadline??? When does registration closed?

February 28th. After that, you'll have to wait until next year!

Thank so much for hosting me, Kim! I very much appreciate you helping to spread the word about 12 x 12 and all that you do for us kidlit folk. 

Awwww, shucks (insert photo of me blushing)