Agents/Editors Offering Live Pitches

(Note: SCBWI members registered for our Sat 9/21/24 in-person conference have the option of adding ONE live Pitch ($50) occurring at our Sun 9/22/24 Zoom Pitchfest and/or PLUS ONE Written Critique ($60). *** See Live Pitches - Process (Event main page) for full eligibility requirements, and process, and guidelines for Pitch preparation.

(1) Picture Book manuscripts (either fiction or non-fiction), (2) Middle Grade (non-fiction only), (3) Author-Illustrators (with PB Dummy), or (4) Illustrator Portfolios.***BIO: Ariel Richardson is a Senior Editor in Children's at Chronicle Books in San Francisco. She is a versatile bookmaker, working at the intersection of art and impact. She’s had demonstrated successes, from Invisible Things debuting on the New York Times bestseller list to Seen and Unseen: What Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adams’s Photographs Reveal About the Japanese American Incarceration winning the Robert F. Sibert Medal and Bologna Ragazzi Award. She has worked at three independent bookstores on two coasts, and has a masters degree in Children’s Literature from Simmons University.​

(1) Picture Book or Middle Grade or Young Adult (all fiction only), (2) will also look at Illustrator Portfolios and (3) will review an Author-Illustrator's PB Dummy (for 1 story) ***BIO: Lynnette Novak is an agent at The Seymour Agency and is building her list in several areas: illustrators, picture books, MG, YA, adult nonfiction, thrillers, mysteries, and more. She’d also love to see more diversity and inclusive projects. Prior to agenting, Lynnette spent seventeen years freelance editing, working with new and advanced writers, as well as New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors.

(1) Picture Book or Middle Grade or Young Adult (either fiction or non-fiction), (2) as well as Illustrator Portfolios. More details: BOOKS: I'm always interested in books that use unique storytelling methods and literary devices. Generally, I'm a good fit for paranormal, historical, romance of all kinds, contemporary, mysteries, thrillers, and adventures. * ILLUSTRATION: Some art and design styles I love include midcentury modern, Victorian anatomical and botanical drawings, and anything that manages to be both spooky and cute. ***BIO: A former criminal defense attorney and history major, she has worked in the publishing industry since 2013, including reviewing for publications such as Kirkus, and part-time bookselling at a local independent bookstore. Jennie’s passions include history (especially medieval European history), the criminal justice system, art, tarot, rock music, and cooking. She loves well-researched character-driven fiction, narrative non-fiction, and is particularly looking for Own Voices works and books from marginalized creators. Jennie is always looking for a phenomenal ghost or vampire story, regardless of children’s age group.

(1) Illustrator Portfolios geared to Picture Books, (2) Middle Grade novel covers, (3) Black & White interior art, and (4) Will also look at Graphic Novels but is not an acquiring editor for the story so will only look at the art/style not the content. (5) Will also look at Illustrator's Picture Book Dummy but is not an acquiring editor for the story so will only look at the art/style not the content. ***BIO: Over her decades-long career in publishing, Joann Hill has art directed illustrators and designed children’s books for Random House, Clarion Books, and now Disney Hyperion, where she is the Creative Director. Disney Hyperion publishes a wide range of books for children, from picture books to illustrated chapter books to middle grade, YA, and graphic novels. Joann enjoys discovering new talent, encouraging artists to do their best work, and mentoring the five designers on her staff. She has a history of collaborating on award-winning and best-selling books and has been fortunate to work with such amazing illustrators as Victo Ngai, John Rocco, Marla Frazee, Dan Santat, Matthew Cordell, LeUyen Pham, David Wiesner, and Lorena Alvarez Gómez. Joann has been a regular speaker at high schools and universities, such as Parsons School of Design, MICA, and SCAD; and trade organizations such as SCBWI and the Society of Illustrators.

(1) Picture Book manuscripts (fiction) or (2) Middle Grade manuscripts (fiction). ***BIO: Jaime Gelman (she/her) is an associate editor at Little Bee Books. She edits board books, picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, YA novels, and graphic novels. She lives in New York City.