I feel lucky to be living in the same city as my agent, Jen Rofé, and we were recently able to take advantage of our proximity with a face-to-face meeting. Jen came over for a little “studio” visit, to discuss some work in progress, reflect on this summer’s SCBWI conference (which Jen was highly involved in), and have some fun with a drawing lesson. This was too valuable of an experience not to document and share! I’ve never given anyone a drawing lesson before and wasn’t sure where to start. Jen, the eager student, right away asks “Why the…

Have I told you yet that I have an agent? No?? You guys, I have an agent! She’s Jen Rofé. And, she’s awesome. Here’s the story: Getting into the business of illustrating and writing for children, I knew early on that I would benefit from a literary agent. Some people are comfortable negotiating their own projects, but I wasn’t born with fast-talking, business-savvy genes. Aside from contract negotiations, many agents also help with career building, as well as editing your work and promoting that work to editors – many of which only accept submissions through a literary agent. I spent…

    I met Pat Cantor at my very first Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Summer Conference in 2009, where she was among many of the wonderful illustration comrades I’ve made. Ever since meeting her I have looked up to her as an illustrator and person, feeling like she’s been something of a trail-blazer for those of us starting out. She won the SCBWI National Portfolio Showcase grand prize award in 2008, and was able to give me advice on the experience before my own prize trip to NYC to meet with publishers. And as I work right…