Submission Shine 2025: Online Critique Intensive

Sheila is an Associate Literary Agent at Storm Literary Agency, actively building her client list. Specializing in children’s books (PB, MG, and select YA), Sheila applies her editorial and writing background to discover talented authors and author/illustrators. As a Mexican American agent and former special education teacher, Sheila loves to champion underrepresented voices, but the stories must be stellar. She wants to work with authors who study their craft and participate in one or more critique groups. Great openings are a must, but the rest of the story must also deliver. When Sheila makes an offer, it is to represent the author’s body of work—to champion her client and their literary career. SEEKING: Sheila is currently seeking fresh ideas in picture books and middle grade novels that resonate with today’s youth. She is drawn to quirky, memorable characters that make an emotional connection, and stories with heart and/or humor. Sheila specializes in picture books (fiction and nonfiction), fractured fairy tales, and folktale retellings. No board books, rhyming picture books, graphic novels, dragons, horror, or graphic violence, please.

Becoming a literary agent was fitting for the girl who, as a small child, begged her dad to buy her a book simply because "it has a hard cover." Growing up, she had a hard time finding YA books outside of Christopher Pike and R. L. Stine, and instead tackled Tom Clancy or her mom's romance novels. Though her career path zigzagged a bit—she attended college as a violin performance and music history double major, earned a JD from Pace Law School, and worked various jobs throughout the publishing industry—Moe was thrilled to join the BookEnds team in May of 2015. A Pennsylvania native, she is the mum of a rambunctious corgi who is a master at stealing treats and running agility courses. Moe's other big passion is theatre where she can often be found in a pit orchestra, playing violin for her favorite musicals (careful, don't ask her to pick her favorite show or you'll get a 90 minute dissertation on Stephen Sondheim and/or general Broadway trivia). She speaks fluent sarcasm, song lyrics, and movie quotes — and probably has Ted Lasso playing in the background while she works. If you want cute pictures of corgis or photos from down in the orchestra pit, follow Moe on Instagram (@inthesestones) where she's far more active than other social media sites. Moe is primarily interested in children's literature (PB, MG, and YA + graphic novels in those ages) though the right adult work might catch her attention. She loves most genres but her heart leans toward contemporary, fantasy, fabulism, horror, and romance/rom-coms. She's proud to represent numerous LGBTQ+ authors, and always looking to add more BIPOC, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and disabled voices to her list.

Alyssa Jennette joined Stonesong in June 2015 after interning at the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency. She grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art with a BFA in Illustration. Alyssa delights in building long-term partnerships with her clients, and her art background gives her unique insight and expertise when it comes to design-heavy, highly visual, or illustrated works. In addition to her talented authors, Alyssa has built a strong client list of successful illustrators and graphic novelists. She lives in New York City where, in her spare time, she takes her toddler to the local park and makes the occasional Tiktok over at @andsensibleshoes.

Based in San Francisco, California, Sally M. Kim is an Associate Agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency. She is looking to represent a wide range of children’s book authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators from picture books up through middle grade. Drawn to stories with a distinct voice and unexpected wit, Sally's favorite books showcase aggressive pacing and punchy, emotionally resonant endings. When it comes to illustration, Sally gravitates towards versatile artists using traditional mediums and those with a unique take on color, texture, perspective, and thoughtful details. Please send Sally fiction and non-fiction submissions in the following categories: picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and graphic novels. Across all categories, Sally is especially eager to see authentic explorations of underrepresented cultures, relationships, and identities. Prior to joining Andrea Brown, Sally spent more than fifteen years in children’s book marketing and publicity at a variety of publishers including Macmillan, Penguin, and Chronicle Books.

Sandra Proudman (she/her/ella) is a literary associate at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency, assisting Marietta Zacker and representing authors and illustrators. She is passionate about bringing underrepresented voices to the forefront and is also a committee member of #LatinxPitch. When not busily immersed in all things publishing, you can find her spending time with her amazing husband and adorable toddler, catching up on all her shows, and taking care of her vegetable garden. She is also the author of the YA fantasy, Salvación, (Wednesday Books) and the editor of the Latinx anthology RELIT: 16 Latinx Remixes of Classic Stories (Inkyard Press). Connect with her on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @SandraProudman.

Kari Sutherland (Pronouns: She/Her, Salutation: Ms.) is a literary agent at KT Literary Agency with almost twenty years of experience in publishing. She began on the editorial side—first at Disney Press, then HarperCollins Children’s Books—before moving to agenting in 2017. Middle grade and YA in all genres are at the heart of her list, but she also represents upmarket fiction, crossover titles, graphic novels, chapter books, and select picture books. Her clients include USA Today Bestselling author Isabel Cañas, Saadia Faruqi, Anna Sortino, and Rimma Onoseta. With her editorial insight and familiarity with the entire publishing process, Kari is passionate about helping to polish each manuscript and equip her clients for success.