Tuesday From The Trenches: June Smalls

Hello wonderful readers! I hope you're having a wonderful summer. We're loving our summer days by the pool and sad that we only have 2.5 more weeks before school starts again. But then again, it will be nice to return to a routine as well. Anyways... as per usual, I digress. So...Welcome to another Tuesday From The Trenches! I'm thrilled to share June's story with you and I just know it will give you the boost you need!

Hi June! And welcome! Thank you so much for joining us today. I’m thrilled to share your story with my readers, so let's just jump right in. Can you share your query stats with us?

I started querying (way before I was actually ready or had enough information on the publishing industry) back in 2013 after I finished a MG manuscript and some picture book manuscripts. Over that first year, I joined SCBWI, attended classes, and really dedicated myself to learning more about craft and the business of writing.

Here is a snapshot of my numbers. (I didn’t track responses in detail that first year)

As you can see, I racked up a lot of rejections over a number of years, but this included picture books, chapter books, novels, and a few articles.

Time Spent in the Query Trenches: 5.5 to 6 years

Number of Agents Queried: MANY

Number of Requests for Additional Work/Full Manuscript: 28 times agents asked for more work.

Number of Twitter Pitch “Likes”: I did have a few of them, but they never got a sale, though I did get some nice personalized and encouraging responses.

Number of R&Rs: Zero

Number of Rejections: 486

Number of Offers: 2 from agents, 1 from an editor.

Agent and Agency: Golden Wheat Literary

I love that you didn't give up on your dream! Some of our recent stories have felt impossibly fast, so I always love hearing about someone who took maybe a bit longer in the trenches. I'm so inspired by the stick-to-itedness that you had.

How did you keep track of it all? What was your method for organizing queries? Spread sheet? Query Tracker? Etc.

I used a spreadsheet, even when I used Query Tracker I put the info into the sheet I already had since it also had all my notes.

Spreadsheets are the best! Tell me... How did you handle rejections? Did any sting more than others?

I didn’t take them personally. I used to be in sales and so rejection in general didn’t hurt much, but some of those personal rejections where I was “so close” and “almost” and “keep sending me more work” were hard since I felt like I was tripping at the finish line. It got frustrating, for sure.

That is so very relatable. Those close calls were the hardest for me, too.

How did you find agents to query/how did you decide who to query?

Sometimes I’d research books like mine to see who repped them. Or I’d see a MSWL on Twitter that sounded like something I was working on. I also sent work to those I’d met at conferences and classes. Finally, I spent lots of time on Google and reading interviews to see who would likely rep work like mine.

It's a lot of work to find good fits, but so worth it. Finding an agent who reps books like your really is the key. How did you ultimately connect with Golden Wheat? Did you cold query? Participate in a twitter pitch event? Or connect in some other way?

I cold queried Golden Wheat and I’d queried another agent that I attended a class with. Both offered rep, but I ultimately chose Golden Wheat. When my first agent left the industry, I moved to Jessica Schmeidler, the founder of Golden Wheat.

That's really nice that the agency made sure you were still taken care of. I like hearing that! How much time passed between querying your agent to getting “the call”?

I believe about one month, but I had received an offer on a different picture book from an editor at that same time, so I had reached out to all the agents who had my work to let them know I had an offer on the table. Then I asked for a response in two weeks or to let me know if they needed more time.

Note: I only sent work directly to editors I’d met or after I’d shopped them through all the agents that I thought would be interested.

A month isn't too terrible, but I know that can feel like an eternity. It's so great that you had an offer from an editor as well! Can you tell us more about “the call”? How did you know your agent was the right choice?

My first agent (who is no longer agenting) called me from her bathroom while construction was being done in her kitchen. She took the time to review the contract from the offer I’d received with me in detail, even though she knew I had multiple offers. Plus, she just ‘got’ my eclectic work and nerdy personality. It felt right.

It was a hard decision as both agents who offered were amazing, talented, and could be great advocates of my work. The anxiety of having to choose was more difficult than I’d imagined.

It really is so hard to choose between such great options. But I'm glad you felt that 'click' with your agent. I think that at the end of the day, that's what it comes down to. Could you tell us a little about your book that landed your agent?

I still have not sold that original picture book that interested her, though we sold others together. Including my debut, Odd Animal ABC’s with Blue Manatee Press and She Leads: The Elephant Matriarch with Familius Publishing.

SO exciting to have two books out in the world!! And I have no doubts that we'll see many more from you. If you could give querying authors a piece of advice, what would that be?

Be patient. There is a lot of waiting and you have to depend on lucky timing more often than not. Just keep steady on the things you can control. Learning the craft, actually writing (sometimes harder than you’d think), and sending out polished work.

That is such good advice! It can be so tempting to push things faster than we should, but you are absolutely right. Learning the craft and being patient in the waiting game are both so important. Before I let you go, where can we connect with you online?

Website: www.junesmalls.com

Twitter: @June_Smalls

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18320008.June_Smalls

Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?

Fun Fact: My fastest rejection was in three minutes. The longest came a whole year after I’d already published the book (and that took about a year and a half) so maybe 2+ years after sending.

Three minutes?? Woah! I've never heard of such a fast response! At least you weren't waiting! haha. And too funny about a rejection after the book was already published! Their loss, clearly!

June, Thanks so much for joining us today! I’ve had a blast chatting and learning more about your journey. Best of luck to you! I can’t wait to see more of your books in the world.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY!

June is offering the winner's choice of a signed copy of one of her books or a non-rhyming PB critique of less than 1000 words. To enter, follow June and Kailei on Twitter and Retweet THIS tweet.

About June Smalls

June Smalls has been making up stories since she only had pets and stuffed animals to share them with. June Smalls the author of fiction and nonfiction such as He Leads: Mountain Gorilla, a Gentle Giant and Odd Animal ABC’s as well as books for the educational market. June is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and resides in Northern Virginia with her family and an ever-growing assortment of animals.

About Kailei Pew

Kailei Pew is a wife, mother, and picture book author represented by the amazing Emily Forney of Bookends Literary. She is an active member of SCBWI, a 2019 Write Mentor Mentee, and a finalist in Susanna Leonard Hill's 2019 Holiday Writing Contest. She loves writing picture books that help kids see they can do anything they set their minds to.

Kailei can't wait to get her stories into your hands.

Tuesday From The Trenches: Lindsay Leslie

Hello wonderful readers! Can you believe how consistent I'm being with these Tuesday From The Trenches posts?? Neither can I! haha. But believe it, because we are officially scheduled out for the rest of 2021!! How exciting is that?? Interviews and giveaways every week for 6 months straight. And depending on how my life and deadlines look, I might even continue with the weekly schedule through 2022... If not, at least every other week. Because I love these interviews way too much to give them up. Anyways... I digress.

But before I let you jump into this awesome story from Lindsay Leslie, I have to ask... did you see the announcement that Valerie Bolling, Kaitlyn Sanchez, and I are hosting another #KidLitDanceParty?? Because we are and it's going to be awesome. Make sure to register HERE.

And now... join me in welcoming the inspiring Lindsay Leslie to the blog!

Thank you so much for joining us today, Lindsay! I was so excited to see that you recently signed with Charlotte Wenger! I know that you worked with her as an editor, and I’m thrilled to share your story of connecting again down the road with my readers.

Can you share your query stats with us?

Time Spent in the Query Trenches: About two weeks, but there is perspective here. I had just left my first agent and I’m previously published with three picture books under my belt and one on the way.

Number of Agents Queried: 6

Number of Requests for Additional Work/Full Manuscript: 2

Number of Twitter Pitch “Likes”: This time around I did not participate in any Twitter pitch events.

Number of R&Rs: None

Number of Rejections: 5, three of those came after reaching out to say I had an offer of representation

Number of Offers: 1

Agent and Agency: Charlotte Wenger with Prospect Agency

Huge congrats, Lindsay! I know that we don't talk a lot about the process of finding a second agent, so it's nice to be sharing that side of things. I'm so glad to hear that you landed with Charlotte so quickly after jumping back into the trenches. To any readers who are seeking new representation after previous representation, I hope this interview will give you a lot of hope!

Lindsay, how did you keep track of it all? What was your method for organizing queries? Spread sheet? Query Tracker? Etc.

It’s all spreadsheet for me and I make a folder in Outlook for all correspondence.

I'm a big spreadsheet lover myself, so I feel you there. You didn't have may this time, but how did you handle rejections? Did any sting more than others?

I’m used to rejection and have a tough skin. OK, I do a little moping, but I get back out there. I can’t get a “yes” if I don’t keep going.

That's a fantastic point... a "yes" will never come if you don't keep pushing forward. How did you find agents to query/how did you decide who to query?

Through research and any interactions that I’ve had, whether catching them on a webinar or knowing their track record and who they currently represent.

That's wonderful. Lots of great resources available! How did you ultimately connect with Charlotte? Did you cold query? Participate in a twitter pitch event? Or connect in some other way?

My agent was my editor of my first three books: This Books Is Spineless, Nova the Star Eater, and Dusk Explorers. We worked really well together in that capacity. When I found out she had transitioned to agenting, I thought it would be a wonderful and known working relationship. Also, I know the agency and have friends who are represented by them, so I felt this decision would be an absolute win-win.

That is such a unique experience and I love it so much! How wonderful that you can transition from an editor/author relationship to an author/agent relationship and go into it knowing what to expect.

How much time passed between querying your now agent to getting “the call”?

About a week, if I recall correctly.

Wow, that is fast! I love when the waiting isn't too excruciating... But then again, even a day can feel like a year when your in the trenches.

Can you tell us more about “the call”? How did you know Charlotte was the right choice?

The call was like catching up with an old friend. There was an absolute comfort and transparency. I didn’t feel like I was intimidated in any form or fashion. I also knew in my gut that Charlotte would go to bat for me and that she really connects and enjoys my work.

That is so so wonderful. I am loving that you knew Charlotte already and had that comfort level. I am thrilled to see all you do together.

Could you tell us a little about your book that landed your agent?

There are two that she really enjoyed and they are on submission right now. Both are picture books. One is more conceptual in nature and focuses on a growth mindset. The other is a traditional narrative focusing on the pains and pleasures of growing up.

Those both sound wonderful!! And best of luck on submission... that is a whole different ball game and stressful in its own way.

If you could give querying authors a piece of advice, what would that be?

I’d say it’s hard to know what the right fit would be until you’ve been in an agent/creator relationship before, and you don’t really know how it will all go until you are in it. I think my best advice is to be clear as to your expectations of the relationship and to understand how those line up with what the agent is thinking. And communicate! Keep communicating. This is a partnership and both sides should be reaching out and touching base.

That is truly fantastic advice! I couldn't agree more. There is a lot of "unknown" in an author/agent relationship and making sure your visions line up and that communication is strong is absolutely essential. Wonderful advice, Lindsay! Is there anything else you'd like to say to our readers?

The process of finding and connecting with an agent seems so mysterious. I guess it’s because there is no one way to do it. Your journey is yours. Just keep learning along the way about yourself and what you need in a client/agent relationship. I think that is the key. You may not get it right the first time, but you are learning and that’s what is right.

I love that! Before I let you go... where can we connect with you online?

I’m mostly on Twitter at @lleslie. You can also find me on Instagram (@lindsaylesliewrites) and at my website: www.lindsayleslie.com

Thanks so much for joining us today! I’ve had a blast chatting and learning more about your journey. Best of luck on this journey! I can’t wait to see more of your books in the world.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY!!!

Lindsay is offering a PB Critique to one lucky winner! Just retweet THIS tweet, Follow Lindsay on Twitter, and Follow Kailei on Twitter!

Make sure to enter, KidLit friends! Lindsay's books are wonderful, and you'd love her eyes on your work!

About Lindsay Leslie

A diary keeper, a journalism major, a public relations executive, now a children’s author—Lindsay Leslie has always operated in a world of written words. She likes to bring her unique outlook on life, quirky humor, and play with words to the page in picture books. Lindsay is the author of This Book Is Spineless, Nova the Star Eater, and Dusk Explorers. (Page Street Kids), and the upcoming SO YOU WANT TO BUILD A LIBRARY (Capstone Editions/August 2021). She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, two kiddos, two fur-beasts, a guinea pig, and a tortoise.

About Kailei Pew

Kailei Pew is a wife, mother, and picture book author represented by the amazing Emily Forney of Bookends Literary. She is an active member of SCBWI, a 2019 Write Mentor Mentee, and a finalist in Susanna Leonard Hill's 2019 Holiday Writing Contest. She loves writing picture books that help kids see they can do anything they set their minds to.

Kailei can't wait to get her stories into your hands.

Tuesday From The Trenches: Juli Beck

Hello wonderful readers!! Welcome back to Tuesday From The Trenches! I am THRILLED to tell you that we are fully scheduled through the end of the year. I'll be sharing a new author interview every Tuesday through the rest of 2021! These authors range in time wading through the query trenches from 1 Month to 15 YEARS and I am just so excited to share every single story. I hope they inspire you all to keep pushing along and keep putting yourself out there. You only need one yes!

Today, I'm excited to share Juli Beck's story with you all. I love this story and I love that she is hosting a giveaway specifically in honor of PRIDE Month. As we round out these last two days of the month, I hope you know that I stand as a true ally to all of my LGBTQ+ friends and hope you can find a safe place in me if ever you need it.

Read through to the end to find details on Juli's giveaway.

And now... here's Juli!

Thank you so much for joining us today, Juli! I was so excited to see that you recently signed with Hannah! I’m thrilled to share your story with my readers!

Thank you! I am so excited to share as well!

Can you share your query stats with us? (as far as you know/remember. It’s okay if some of these numbers are zero):

Time Spent in the Query Trenches: From first query ever to last, it was 1 year 11 months, 15 days. I took a few breaks in between to work on craft and queried multiple PBs.

Number of Agents Queried: 47

Number of Requests for Additional Work/Full Manuscript: 6 across 4 different MSs

Number of Twitter Pitch “Likes”: In ~10 Twitter pitch events, I received 8 agent likes, 8 editor likes.

Number of R&Rs: 1

Number of Rejections: 46

Number of Offers: 1!

Agent and Agency: Hannah VanVels at Belcastro

I love that you know the very specific year, month, day of time! That is amazing. I also think it's so wise to take time to work on craft between query batches. I did that myself and really saw a difference in my responses. How did you keep track of it all? What was your method for organizing queries? Spread sheet? Query Tracker? Etc.

Query Tracker was my serious tracking tool. But for fun, I made my own little color coded visual query tracker that stayed on my refrigerator! (R = rejection, PR/FR = partial/full request, O = offer, Q = query, RR = revise & resubmit)

That is so fun!! I love the hand drawn, color coded visual! But also using query tracker. I haven't had a lot of guests on the blog who used it, so it's fun to hear of someone else who did (I loved it myself, paired with an excel sheet).

How did you handle rejections? Did any sting more than others?

What helped me the most to handle rejections was knowing that in the end, an agent is making a business decision and that does not make my story or my writing are any less valid.

I think the earliest queries stung the most because I started querying WAY too soon (like only one “polished” PB, no critique group too soon!). And when I was in that place of still developing as a writer, I didn’t have the perspective or information that I did at the later stages of querying.

I feel that querying too soon thing. But perhaps it's all part of the process! haha. How did you find agents to query/how did you decide who to query?

I found many agents via Query Tracker or through a deal announcement on the free PW Children’s Bookshelf newsletter. I decided who to query using the Manuscript Wishlist website, searching the #MSWL hashtag on Twitter, and by directly researching the agent on their personal or agency website. If they had a public Publishers Marketplace page, I’d check that out too!

I love all those resources! There truly are so many places to find agents. How did you ultimately connect with Hannah? Did you cold query? Participate in a twitter pitch event? Or connect in some other way?

We ultimately connected through #PBPitch, though it was not my first time querying Hannah!

That's so great!! I am also a pitch party success story myself, so I'm a big believer in putting yourself out there. Could you tell us a little about your book that landed your agent?

I think that #PBPitch for it sums it up best:

LITTLE CHEF x MASTER CHEF JR.

For Passover, Maya gets sugar-coated rotten reviews from the ultimate food critics — her family. When matzo meal turns to matzo mess, she learns that a true chef’s talent can shine even in the toughest moments.

That sounds absolutely amazing!! I can't wait to hear where it takes you!! If you could give querying authors a piece of advice, what would that be?

1. Consider setting yourself a checklist or goal for what “query-ready” looks like to make sure you aren’t querying too soon.

2. Practice self-compassion. If you are ever in a spot where you receive a rejection and think “I give up” or “I’m a terrible writer,” ask yourself, “What would I tell a friend of mine saying that?”

That is really great advice, Juli! I think we are hardest on ourselves for sure.

Where can we connect with you online?

You can find me on Twitter @juli_writes!

Is there anything else you'd like to say to our readers?

To all the writers in the query trenches, I am cheering you on! Hitting “send” on a query is a huge achievement. Not only does it mean you’ve written a book (!!!), but it also means you are putting yourself out there—and that can be one of the hardest things to do.

So true. Readers, you should be truly proud of yourselves.

Thanks so much for joining us today, Juli! I’ve had a blast chatting and learning more about your journey. Best of luck on this journey! I can’t wait to see your books in the world.

Thank you again for having me, Kailei!

Would you like to offer a giveaway with your interview?

In honor of PRIDE month, I would love to offer a query critique to a fellow queer author.

Wow, thanks so much, Juli!! And happy PRIDE month!

To allow for all to enter in a safe way without the potential of publicly outing anyone who is not ready for that, we will not be hosting this giveaway on Twitter like we have in the past. Instead, please enter by filling out this Google Form HERE.

NOTE: This giveaway is ONLY open to members of the LGBTQ+ community. Please only enter if you are LGBTQ+. Happy Pride!

About Juli Beck

Juli is a kid lit author and an aspiring fancy-braided challah baker. She currently works as a copywriter, though she used to work as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). This is where she discovered her love for picture books and began to write her own. She is a member of SCBWI, 12x12PB, and ASHA (American Speech-Hearing Association).

About Kailei Pew

Kailei Pew is a wife, mother, and picture book author represented by the amazing Emily Forney of Bookends Literary. She is an active member of SCBWI, a 2019 Write Mentor Mentee, and a finalist in Susanna Leonard Hill's 2019 Holiday Writing Contest. She loves writing picture books that help kids see they can do anything they set their minds to.

Kailei can't wait to get her stories into your hands.