Picture Book Agents Open To Submissions
- Chelsea Tornetto
- Feb 6
- 3 min read
Updated: 13 hours ago
Finding agents open to picture books is its own part-time job. The searching, the tab-switching, the trying to figure out if that wishlist post is from last month or three years agoāit's a lot.
We've been there, so we put together this list of agents who have recently expressed interest in picture books. It's not exhaustive, and we update it when we can, so always verify directly with each agent before you query. Wishlists shift, inboxes close, life happens.
But hopefully this gives you a solid starting point and saves you a little of that frantic Googling.
Remember to read all submission guidelines carefully!
Picture Book Agents Open to Submissions Now
Sally has more than fifteen years of experience in childrenās book marketing and publicity at a variety of publishers including Macmillan, Penguin, and Chronicle Books. She has also worked as an independent consultant for global childrenās book publishers and literacy-related non-profits.
In picture books, she wants:
Stories with a distinct voice, unexpected wit, aggressive pacing, punchy and/or emotionally resonant endings.
No rhyming books
Authentic explorations of underrepresented cultures, relationships, and identities.
Erin graduated from Hamilton College with a B.A. in Creative Writing. She is open to all kid lit age groups, from picture books through YA, and is particularly drawn to work that shows the authorās world- and character-building ability.
In picture books she wants:
Humorous, character-driven picture books, especially if the main character(s) could carry a series.
Andie joined CMA in 2025. She is actively building her list and represents a wide range of genres in both adult and kidlit.
In picture books she wants:
Authors, author/illustrators, and author/illustrator teams
Cozy or campy stories that feel like a warm hug
Whimsy, delightful humor
Important/heavy topics touched on lightly, hope at the end of the tunnel
Nature/science/STEM!!
Sweet and sentient
šØNOTE: Only open to queries the 1st-7th of each month!
Alexandra has been with Writer's House since 2015. She is a senior agent and represents picture book, middle grade, young adult, and adult creators. She has a background in bookselling, publishing publicity, and media rights, she brings both editorial expertise and a broad understanding of the publishing industry to her work with authors and illustrators.
In picture books she wants:
writers from diverse backgrounds
distinctive voice and strong thematic point behind the work
AUTHOR-ILLUSTRATORS ONLY!
šØNOTE: Only open to picture book text-only authors on the 1st of each month!
šØNOTE: You must query with 3 completed texts.
After teaching middle school for five years, Jen came to agenting in 2005 and is now a veteran in the industry.
For picture books she wants:
funny, character-driven stories
beautifully imagined and written stories
milestone moments with a twist
šØNOTE: Only open to queries on the 1st-7th of each month!
Chelsea is a former senior editor at Penguin Random House Books for Young Readers, and represents graphic novelists, illustrators of picture books, and authors who write middle grade, young adult, crossover new adult, and the select adult novel.
For picture books she wants:
author-illustrators or illustrators
illustrators with a distinct, memorable style
I love a strong character, a clear conflict, and stories with a silly, laugh-out-loud voice and/or a surprising emotional twist at the end.
Want help querying?
Join our Profitable Picture Books program for a step-by-step guide to researching and querying agents, as well as a supportive community of fellow authors to cheer you on!
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