Literary Agent Interview: Syrone Harvey and Query Critique Giveaway

Today I’m thrilled to have agent Syrone Harvey here. She is a junior literary agent at Belcastro Agency. 

Hi­ Syrone! Thanks so much for joining us.

Thank you so much for the invite. I love the Literary Rambles platform and the amazing resources that it provides! 

About Syrone: 

1. Tell us how you became an agent, how long you’ve been one, and what you’ve been doing as an agent.

I actually started agenting in a not-so-conventional way. For years, I juggled roles- as a non-profit caseworker, and as a writer/journalist/magazine editor. I balanced things for a while, then merged into writing, editing and proofreading. I eventually interned with several independent publishers, before finally stepping into agenting. It’s been an awesome journey. I also successfully wrote and published a 4-book children’s series with my twin sister. 

About the Agency: 

2. Share a bit about your agency and what it offers to its authors. 

Belcastro Agency is an independent, full-service literary agency. We represent and support a wide array of genre. The agency’s individual, client-oriented approach is what I really appreciate. We are an editorial agency, and enjoy the process of development with our writers. Belcastro Agency is hands-on and career focused. Our clients and their projects truly matter. 

What She’s Looking For: 

3. What age groups do you represent—picture books, MG, and/or YA? What genres do you represent, and what are you looking for in submissions for these genres? 

Right now, my wish list is pretty open. I represent creative, imaginative, PB’s. MG and YA’s that are real, emotionally driven, and offer strong, marginalized voices. With Adult Fiction, I am interested in rich, compelling stories, with multi-layered, characters. I especially love a family and friendship trope with heart-stirring concepts. 

4. Is there anything you would be especially excited to seeing in the genres you are interested in? 

Anything with surprises, especially stories that catch me off guard is appealing. Like most agents, I am looking for the unique factor, stories that keep me hooked and pulled in from the beginning to the end. 

What She Isn’t Looking For: 

5. What types of submissions are you not interested in? 

I’m not interested in horror, paranormal or sci-fi. Absolutely no sexual assault, abuse, graphic violence or erotica. No short stories, novellas or poetry collections. My wish list is available on the Belcastro website. 

Agent Philosophy: 

6. What is your philosophy as an agent both in terms of the authors you want to work with and the books you want to represent? 

The author-agent relationship is a unique one. It’s important that share a great working connection. Communication is key. I love the collaborative process, especially with debut authors. It’s an honor and a thrill to support the work and dreams of debut authors. 

Editorial Agent: 

7. Are you an editorial agent? If so, what is your process like when you’re working with your authors before submitting to editors? 

I am a developmental agent. I work closely with my clients to ensure the success of their manuscript. I focus on making sure that the manuscript is solid and ready to go on submission. Because this is a collaborative process, it’s important that there is a good working relationship. It’s also essential that my clients and I share the same vision for their project. It definitely has to be mutual.   

Query Methods and Submission Guidelines: (Always verify before submitting) 

8. How should authors query you and what do you want to see with the query letter? 

We use a submission link which leads to a query form. I suggest that querying writers check out my wish list on the Belcastro website before submitting. The query link is available on the webpage. The query form will request a query, bio, synopsis and the first 20 pages. I will send a request for more, if I am interested in reading the full manuscript. 

9. Do you have any specific dislikes in query letters or the first pages submitted to you? 

Get to the point. Balance and flow are essential. The query letter is about the story. It’s a turn off for me, when a writer spends more time talking about their background and writing process before actually introducing the story. I want to engage with the concept of the story and need to be drawn in from the beginning. 

Response Time: 

10. What’s your response time to queries and requests for more pages of a manuscript? 

My response time is based on my work flow. I periodically close my query inbox to new submissions, simply because I want to give myself sufficient time to review and read through each project that I receive. I realize that waiting is nerve-wracking, but sometimes a little extra time could be a good thing. 

Self-Published and Small Press Authors: 

11.  Are you open to representing authors who have self-published or been published by smaller presses? What advice do you have for them if they want to try to find an agent to represent them?

While I don’t represent projects that have previously been self-published, I do work with authors who have previously published with smaller publishers, or have a new project needing representation. Don’t be afraid to submit new projects. On rare occasions, a publisher may offer a second glance at a previously self-published project, but it’s more desirable to receive something that has not yet been published or has been previously represented. 

Clients: 

12. Who are some of the authors you represent?

Many of the writers that I represent are debut authors. I love working with novice authors due to the developmental aspect of things. I currently represent a variety of genre, which I love. It’s so much fun working with different types of projects, and the authors with different writing styles. 

Interviews and Guest Posts: 

13. Please share the links to any interviews, guest posts, and podcasts you think would be helpful to writers interested in querying you. 

I often work with Writing Day Workshops- https://www.writingdayworkshops.com/ 

My wish lists can also be found on multiple websites: 

Query Tracker- https://querytracker.net/ 

Manuscript Wish List- https://manuscriptwishlist.com/ 

Links and Contact Info: 

14. Please share how writers should contact you to submit a query and your links on the Web. 

Use this link to follow my wish list and access my query form- 

https://www.belcastroagency.com/submit-a-story/ 

Additional Advice: 

15. Is there any other advice you’d like to share with aspiring authors that we haven’t covered? 

Make sure that your project ready and is well edited. When choosing people to review your work, be objective. Make sure that you choose beta readers that will be honest, and will openly share their thoughts. Family members and close friends aren’t always as objective as you might need. 

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Syrone! 

Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or email me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com 

Note: These agent profiles and interviews presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found here is subject to change.

 Giveaway Details

Syrone is generously offering a query critique to one lucky winner. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment through September 19th. If you do not want to enter the contest, that’s okay. Just let me know in the comments. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you follow me on Twitter or Bluesky or mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. This is an international giveaway. 

Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or email me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com 

Note: These agent profiles and interviews presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found here is subject to change. 

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops 

Monday, September 14th, I have an interview with M.K. England and a giveaway of her MG Riley Dare: Slightly Witchy Sleuth 

Wednesday, September 16^th, I’m participating in the Falling Into Leaves Giveaway Hop 

Monday, September 21st, I have an agent spotlight interview with Tali Shammas and a query critique giveaway 

Monday, September 28th, I have an interview with Isaac Fitzsimmons and a giveaway of his MG Astra Fox and the Rise of the Wonderworkers

I hope to see you on Monday!

 

 

 

 

Literary Agent Interview: Jackie Garcia-Morales and Query Critique Giveaway

Today I’m thrilled to have agent Jackie Garcia-Morales here. She is an associate literary agent at Storm Literary.
 
Query and Critique Giveaway Status Update: Jackie is offering a free picture book or graphic book through middle grade query critique giveaway. See the Giveaway Details for more info. She is also offering a special link for Literary Rambles followers to query her through DECEMBER 15: https://QueryTracker.net/query/JackieGarciaMorales/LiteraryRambles
 
Hi­ Jackie! Thanks so much for joining us.
 
About Jackie:

1. Tell us how you became an agent, how long you’ve been one, and what you’ve been doing as an agent.
 
I had the pleasure of interning at Writers House in 2025, where I developed a deeper understanding of the agenting process. Following that, I joined Storm Literary Agency in February 2026 and now serve in two complementary roles: Associate Literary Agent and Foreign Rights Agent.
Before moving into agenting, I worked in trade publishing across sales, promotion, publicity, and marketing. That experience shapes how I evaluate projects, consider their positioning, and identify opportunities for creators and their work.
As an associate literary agent, I am thoughtfully growing a list of authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators whose work I believe I can champion in the current market. As a foreign rights agent, I also pursue international opportunities for Storm clients and their work. Both roles require strategic thinking about how a project can reach the right editors, publishers, territories, and ultimately, readers.
About the Agency:
 
2. Share a bit about your agency and what it offers to its authors.
 
Storm Literary Agency is a boutique agency devoted to the long-term success of its clients. We represent authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators working across a wide range of genres, formats, and age categories.
 
One of the things I value most about Storm is the depth of experience across the team. Each agent has an individual list and distinct areas of expertise, but we can also draw upon one another’s knowledge and collaborate to maximize opportunities for our clients.
Our support extends well beyond submitting a single project. Depending on a client’s work and goals, that may include editorial development, career strategy, contract negotiation, domestic and international rights, and continued advocacy as their body of work grows. We want creators to build balanced, sustainable careers with a knowledgeable and supportive team behind them.
What She’s Looking For:
 
3. What age groups do you represent—picture books, MG, and/or YA? What genres do you represent, and what are you looking for in submissions for these genres?
 
I seek to represent authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators working across children’s and adult categories.
In illustrated children’s literature, I am especially interested in illustrators and author-illustrators who hope to build versatile careers across picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, and other visual formats. I am drawn to distinctive artwork, strong visual storytelling, and portfolios that demonstrate both a recognizable point of view and an understanding of the market. 
In middle grade, young adult, YA crossover, and New Adult, my tastes lean toward commercial stories with strong hooks, memorable voices, and meaningful emotional cores. I am especially drawn to mystery, suspense, epic adventure, complicated relationships, and stories that are hard to put down.
For adult nonfiction, I am interested in knowledgeable writers who can make complex, unconventional, or specialized subjects engaging and accessible to general readers. My interests broadly encompass science, health and wellness, the natural world, spirituality, and unexplained or thought-provoking phenomena. I may also consider select lifestyle projects.
Across every category, I am looking for books and artwork with a clear audience, confident execution, and a compelling reason to exist in today’s market.
4.  Is there anything you would be especially excited to seeing in the genres you are interested in?
 
I am most excited by work that has a strong, easily communicated premise but still offers emotional depth, substance, or something meaningful for the reader to carry away.
For younger readers, I love humor, imaginative mysteries, high-stakes plots, STEM and STEAM concepts, and culturally grounded stories that center the child’s experience rather than prioritizing a lesson. I am especially drawn to unusual protagonists, clever problem-solving, friendship dynamics, and children discovering their own agency or power.
For older readers, I enjoy edge-of-your-seat storytelling, genre blends, psychological tension, layered motives, complicated relationships, antiheroes, and morally gray characters on quests who make readers question where the story goes next.
Across age categories, I respond strongly to confident voice, witty or fast-paced dialogue, carefully planted clues, atmospheric writing, unexpected twists, and stories that balance entertainment with a deeper emotional or intellectual layer. I am also always interested in compelling, well-researched nonfiction and striking visual work that tells a story of its own.
Some of my random specific asks are:

• The next Dexter or Hannibal with FMCs

• Soulmates that aren’t sure why they’re soulmates

• An epic mystery/whodunnit

• A “How To” for an apocalypse and a guide to crunchy/non-tox life

• Something awesome with UFO/UAPs and aliens

• A silly kid graphic novel that makes you laugh so hard you can’t breathe

• Art with universe building 

 
What She Isn’t Looking For:
 
5. What types of submissions are you not interested in?
 
I am not currently considering text-only picture-book authors, rhyming picture books, or authors whose work is limited exclusively to chapter books or middle grade.
I am also not the best fit for period or historical fiction, poetry anthologies, short-fiction collections, high fantasy, portal fantasy, fae or vampire stories, or books centered on a monster-school premise.
I am generally not interested in highly political books or work that is primarily religious and intended to proselytize. I am also not the right fit for stories containing explicit sexual assault, endings in which the main character dies, or work that teaches its message in a belittling or overly didactic way.
Although I appreciate animal characters in the right project, I generally prefer human protagonists in fiction. I am also cautious about queries that draw heavily from the identities, cultural experiences, or meaningful motifs of real communities when the creator does not have the relevant lived experience or demonstrated expertise to approach them responsibly.
Writers should review my current wish list on the Storm Literary Agency website or my personal website before querying. A broad category appearing on my list does not mean every type of project within that category will be right for me.
One practical note: if a category is not available on my QueryTracker form, I am currently closed to it, even if it appears on my longer-term wish list.
 
Agent Philosophy:
 
6. What is your philosophy as an agent both in terms of the authors you want to work with and the books you want to represent?
 
I view the creative-agent relationship as a professional partnership built on trust, communication, flexibility, and shared long-term goals. Writers and illustrators who are still learning how that relationship works should speak with other represented creators and consult reputable industry resources before seeking representation.
Because I come from a trade-publishing background, I value creators who understand the industry or are actively learning about it. I do not expect anyone to know everything before signing with an agent, but I do want clients who respect publishing’s realities: long timelines, a competitive market, the need for resilience, and the importance of receiving feedback thoughtfully.
I want to work with creators who care deeply about their craft, communicate openly, and remain receptive to thoughtful feedback. They should also feel comfortable explaining which elements of their work are especially meaningful to them and recognizing when a strategic pivot may serve the project or their broader career.
I also believe creators should develop their own platform presence over time. That does not mean everyone needs an enormous social-media following. It means finding thoughtful, sustainable ways to connect with readers, peers, educators, booksellers, librarians, or others relevant to their work. An agent is an advocate and strategic partner, but a lasting career is something we build together.
My role is not to take control of a client’s work or career. It is to offer informed guidance, protect their interests, advocate for their goals, and help them recognize or access opportunities they might not have reached alone.
The books and artwork I represent should have something meaningful at their center while also understanding and connecting with their intended audiences. I am looking for stories, projects, and art I can champion enthusiastically and position clearly in the marketplace.
Editorial Agent:
 
7. Are you an editorial agent? If so, what is your process like when you’re working with your authors before submitting to editors?
 
I consider myself moderately editorial, although the level of editorial involvement depends on the project and what it needs.
In my view, signing with an agent should not be the starting point for learning one’s craft. I am not a writing coach, introductory craft teacher, or art instructor. I am seeking writers and illustrators who have already invested in developing their skills and who are committed to continuing that growth throughout their careers.
That professional development can look different for every creator. It might include classes, critique groups, portfolio reviews, SCBWI webinars, wide reading and visual study within the category, trusted readers or art directors, careful study of comparable books and portfolios, or meaningful participation in the creative community to the best of one’s capacity.
Before submission, I review manuscripts and portfolios work through both craft and market lenses. For manuscripts, my feedback may address pacing, structure, characterization, audience, positioning, or clarity. For illustration portfolios and book projects, I may consider visual storytelling, consistency, range, character development, market fit, and how effectively the work communicates its intended audience and format.
I am kind but frank. When I believe something is weakening a manuscript, portfolio, or project, I will explain what I am seeing, why I think it matters, and what possibilities we might explore. I encourage clients to remain flexible without compromising the elements that are truly meaningful to them.
Ultimately, I would rather a client receive difficult but constructive feedback from me while we still have the opportunity to address it than encounter the same concern for the first time from an editor.
Query Methods and Submission Guidelines: (Always verify before submitting)
 
8. How should authors query you and what do you want to see with the query letter?
 
When I am open, creatives should query me exclusively through the QueryTracker. They should always verify my current status and submission guidelines immediately before submitting because my open periods, wish list, and requested materials may change.
I know there is considerable pressure to personalize every query with several lines about the agent. As someone who has also queried as an author, I do not expect everyone to produce a dissertation proving how thoroughly they researched me. Your time is valuable too!
The most meaningful form of personalization is sending work that genuinely aligns with my wish list and respecting the stated submission process. 
In a query letter: I want the project’s essential information presented clearly. Title, age category, genre, word count, and whether it is a standalone or has series potential. I also want a compelling elevator pitch, relevant comparison titles, and a true synopsis that includes the ending rather than a teaser that withholds it. For short work, I ask for the full manuscript. For longform work, I ask for 50 pages or a proposal. 
In opening pages, I am looking for confidence and control. I love a hook in the first line. I love being placed right in the action or the hypothesis. Always show, don’t tell! Shared pages should give me a reason to care, create curiosity, and establish a clear sense of voice and direction.
I value a strong, relevant biography section as well. Help me understand why you are the right person to create this book or body of work. Share the experience, expertise, lived connection, professional background, publication history, client work, platform, or credentials that meaningfully contextualize you and the project. Don’t be afraid to brag.
 
9.  Do you have any specific dislikes in query letters or the first pages submitted to you?
 
Although it is not an automatic deal-breaker, I strongly recommend learning the standard presentation expectations for your submission type. A manuscript or portfolio does not need elaborate design, but professional, readable presentation demonstrates familiarity with industry expectations.
In the query itself, I prefer clarity over cleverness. Do not bury the premise beneath a long introduction or rely entirely on vague promotional language. Phrases such as “nothing is what it seems” or “everything changes forever” tell me very little unless they are followed by concrete information about the characters, conflict, and stakes.
Personal details can be charming, but a bio focused primarily on pets or unrelated hobbies does not help me understand your creative background or connection to the work, or if you are marketable as a whole. Prioritize information that is relevant to you as a professional and to the project you are submitting.
Typos happen, and an occasional mistake will not cause me to reject an otherwise compelling project. What matters more is whether the submission is thoughtful, professional, appropriate for my list, and responsive to the stated instructions.
Response Time:
 
10. What’s your response time to queries and requests for more pages of a manuscript?
 
I ask querying creators to allow approximately four to six months for a response.
My QueryTracker form asks whether the creator would prefer the submission to be automatically declined after six months so they can move forward rather than wait indefinitely. Requests for additional material may come much sooner, depending on the project and my reading schedule.
If another agent offers representation while I am considering the work, the creator should follow the notification instructions included in the form.
Self-Published and Small Press Authors:
 
11.  Are you open to representing authors who have self-published or been published by smaller presses? What advice do you have for them if they want to try to find an agent to represent them?
 
Absolutely. I believe strongly in supporting independent authors and small presses. A history of self-publishing or working with a smaller publisher does not prevent someone from pursuing literary representation.
My first piece of advice is to be clear about what you are asking an agent to represent. Are you querying a new, unpublished manuscript for traditional publication? Are you seeking audio, translation, or other subsidiary-rights opportunities for a successful self-published book? Are you traditionally published but currently unrepresented and looking for support with audio, translation, or other world rights? These are different requests and require different information.
For a new manuscript, query it clearly as a new project and include your previous publishing experience in your bio. For an already self-published title, be prepared to provide meaningful sales figures, formats, pricing, publication history, distribution information, reviews, audience growth, and a clear account of which rights remain available.
On a case-by-case basis, I may consider successful self-published authors seeking audio or translation opportunities, as well as traditionally published but unrepresented authors seeking audio, translation, or other world-rights support. The book’s performance, available rights, and the creator’s long-term goals all factor into whether that partnership makes sense.
Do not hide your publishing history. Explain it accurately and confidently. Help the agent understand what you accomplished, what you learned, and what you hope to achieve next.
 
Clients:
 
12. Who are some of the authors you represent?
 
I am honored to represent a select cohort of amazingly talented illustrators. However, I don’t want to steal their thunder before they formally announce their agented status to the public. Thus, instead of listing them here, I’ll direct you to peek at the Storm website over the next few weeks to see the list of people I represent!
 
Interviews and Guest Posts:
 
13. Please share the links to any interviews, guest posts, and podcasts you think would be helpful to writers interested in querying you.
 
You can learn more about my background, publishing philosophy, manuscript and illustration interests, and current work through:
·       JackieGarciaMorales.com 
·       My Storm Literary Agency profile
·       The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast
 
Again, because interests and availability can change, writers should prioritize my current Storm profile, website, and QueryTracker form over older interviews or social-media posts.
Links and Contact Info:
 
14. Please share how writers should contact you to submit a query and your links on the Web.
 
When I am open to submissions, creators should query me exclusively through the QueryTracker form linked from my Storm Literary Agency profile and website. I do not accept queries through personal email, agency email, social media, or direct messages. 
Storm asks authors and illustrators not to submit to more than one Storm agent at the same time, so anyone considering querying our team should carefully determine which agent is the strongest match before querying.
You can find me through:
·       Storm Literary Agency
·       QueryTracker
·       JackieGarciaMorales.com
·      Instagram: @hellojaymorales
 
 You’ll also find me (less actively) here: LinkedIn | BlueSky | Newsletter 
*Important security notice: Storm Literary Agency has received reports of individuals impersonating me and other Storm agents. All initial query communication will take place through QueryTracker, and any legitimate email from me or another member of the Storm team will come from an official @stormliteraryagency.com address. Please use caution with messages from any other domain or unofficial channel.
 
Additional Advice:
 
15. Is there any other advice you’d like to share with aspiring authors that we haven’t covered?
 
Always. Here are a few things I’ve learned that I keep in my back pocket as an author myself:
Take craft seriously. Read extensively within your category, seek thoughtful feedback, revise carefully, understand the market, and remain willing to learn. Understand that, at some point, however, you must allow the work to leave your hands. 
Querying requires courage because it means inviting someone else to respond to something you have worked hard to create. The rejections that follow are unavoidable, but it is not always a judgment of your talent or potential. A manuscript, portfolio, or project may not fit an agent’s list, the market may be crowded, the timing may be wrong, or the agent may simply lack the right vision or relationships for that particular work.
Remain open to feedback, but do not reshape yourself or your work in response to every individual opinion. Look for patterns. Protect what is meaningful to you. Learn to distinguish between a change that serves the book or artwork and one that removes the reason you created it.  
As a professional, I also encourage creators to think beyond a single manuscript, portfolio piece, or project. Develop new ideas, explore your range, and consider the body of work and career you hope to build. A sustainable publishing career rarely rests on one project, one submission round, or one opportunity.
Lastly, always remember that publishing can move slowly, and the need for growth never truly ends. Build a professional presence that feels authentic and sustainable, remain resilient, learn to pivot with purpose, and keep creating as you adapt and evolve. 
 
Thanks for sharing all your advice, Jackie!
 
Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or email me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com
 
Note: These agent profiles and interviews presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found here is subject to change.
 

Giveaway Details

Jackie is generously offering a query critique free picture book or graphic book through middle grade to one lucky winner. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment through August 29th. If you do not want to enter the contest or don’t write picture books or middle grade grade graphic novels, that’s okay. Just let me know in the comments. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.
If you follow me on Twitter or Bluesky or mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. This is an international giveaway.
 
Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or email me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com
 
Note: These agent profiles and interviews presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found here is subject to change.
 

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

 
Monday, August 25th, I have a guest post by Paige Classey and a giveaway of her MG Anna-Jane and the Endless Summer
 
Monday, August 31st, I’m participating in the Glam and Glitz Giveaway Hop
 
Wednesday, September 2nd, I have an interview with Dinesh Thiru and a giveaway of his YA My Killer Family Reunion
 
Monday, September 7th, I have an agent spotlight interview with Syrone Harvey and a query critique giveaway
 
Monday, September 14th, I have an interview with M.K. England and a giveaway of her MG Riley Dare: Slightly Witchy Sleuth
 
Wednesday, September 16^th, I’m participating in the Falling Into Leaves Giveaway Hop
 
I hope to see you on Monday!

Literary Agent Interview: Justina Ireland and Query Critique Giveaway

Today I’m thrilled to have agent Justina Ireland here. She’s a junior literary agent at Handspun Literary Agency. 

Hi Justina! Thanks so much for joining us. 

About Justina: 

1. Tell us how you became an agent, how long you’ve been one, and what you’ve been doing as an agent. 

I started agenting beginning of 2026, but I’ve been a published author since 2013 when my first book came out. I’ve worked in a number of different parts of publishing as an author and have had a number of agents that were less than stellar, especially as a queer Black woman. I wanted to give authors the kind of honest, dedicated representation they deserve. Luckily, the fine folks at Handspun gave me a chance. 

About the Agency: 

2. Share a bit about your agency and what it offers to its authors. 

Handspun Literary Agency is a boutique agency led by Courtney Miller-Callihan who has been in the business for two decades (!) a feat for anyone familiar with publishing. There are only five of us and we meet twice weekly, which means authors represented by anyone there don’t just get the benefit of one person’s experience they get everyone’s, with Courtney of course being the most knowledgeable. 

The best thing about being repped by Handspun is our commitment to diversity and inclusion, especially at a time when more and more people are content to let equity fall by the wayside. And I think a look at our author list bears out Handspun’s commitment to doing better. I’m proud to be an agent there! 

What She’s Looking For: 

3. What age groups do you represent—picture books, MG, and/or YA? What genres do you represent, and what are you looking for in submissions for these genres? 

I represent MG and YA and adult speculative fiction, which means science fiction, fantasy, and horror and any intersections thereof. 

4.  Is there anything you would be especially excited to seeing in the genres you are interested in? 

Anything that feels fresh and fun. I’m especially looking for horror across the board and I love when it crosses with other genres like science fiction or fantasy. 

I also love fantasy that revolves around common people living their lives. It’s 2026. Give me your messy, Democratic worlds and revolutions. If your main character is secretly royalty, that’s probably not for me. 

For science fiction I love a smart premise that’s based on real science but feels magical. I also love space fantasy, especially if it’s doing things that are different from what we’ve seen in the past. Cozy SFF is always welcome, just remember it still needs stakes and a plot. 

For horror I’m really enjoying the spate of femme focused horror. Queer horror is always something I’m interested in, along with horror that focuses on marginalized groups. Haunted house? Meh. Haunted house owned by A Black family in a narrative that unpacks generational trauma? Tell me more. 

Folk horror is also great and I love when writers build off of their experiences. 

I’m also looking for work that’s well executed. I want writers to take their time and send me their best work. There’s no expiration date on a dream, so take your time! I know I rushed into querying when I was starting out and it was a very frustrating experience. Save yourself some grief. Only query when the manuscript is the absolute best you can make it. 

What She Isn’t Looking For: 

5. What types of submissions are you not interested in? 

I do not represent straight contemporary anything or romance focused SFF/H. A romantic subplot is fine, as long as it doesn’t hijack the narrative. Any project with a central romance as the driving force will not be for me, but you can look at the other agents at Handspun. 

I also do not like portal fantasy (this includes isekai, sorry) or anthropomorphic animals as the main character. Talking animals as a whole are a bit of a hard sell for me, but I can overlook them as secondary characters if the storytelling is good enough. 

Anything that feels like DnD based storytelling is going to be a hard no from me. I’m also not a fan of fantasy that relies on upholding a monarchy. 

For sci-fi, I’m not a fan of human colonization, even if overturning it is the crux of the plot. There are a million more interesting things that can happen in space other than oppressing aliens. Let’s explore that. Also not a fan of alien invasions. 

I’m a hard sell on time travel and the multiverse, so query with caution. 

Also a big nope on any horror that focuses on serial killers. I vastly prefer otherworldly monsters. 

And watch those word counts. A bloated word count is usually a good sign that a book needs a good edit or isn’t focused. 

Agent Philosophy: 

6. What is your philosophy as an agent both in terms of the authors you want to work with and the books you want to represent? 

I want to represent writers for their career, not just a single project. And I just want to represent people who love stories as much as I do. 

Editorial Agent: 

7. Are you an editorial agent? If so, what is your process like when you’re working with your authors before submitting to editors? 

I think I am, but it honestly depends on the writer and what they need. I’m here to guide and assist, not foist my vision upon a work. So my notes are always “take what works, leave what doesn’t” in philosophy. That being said, I probably would not sign or stick with a writer who feels their words cannot be edited or revised. I’m not sure what service I can provide to someone who believes they know it all. 

Before submitting to editors I do think a round of revisions is a good thing, just pointing out the things I’m seeing and where the manuscript could be stronger. And ultimately I’m only going to take on/submit projects that I think can sell. 

Query Methods and Submission Guidelines: (Always verify before submitting) 

8. How should authors query you and what do you want to see with the query letter? 

https://handspunlit.com/about-submit/ 

For queries I like the general three paragraph query format (easily searchable). The query should tell me: who, what, when, where, why, and the stakes. It should also tell me category and genre, or at least a writer’s best guess. A read alike is also nice just to give me the idea of what the writer is aiming for, and to demonstrate they’ve done at least a little reading in the space they want to create in. 

Example: In a small, war torn country Little Red Riding Hood must take a basket of goodies to her poor, sick grandmother. But Red has never left the safety of her town and there is a wolf in the woods devouring young girls. If Red doesn’t make the trip her favorite grandmother will die and Red’s mother will fall into a deep depression. Does she have what it takes to get through the woods, or will she become just another tasty snack? 

Red’s Journey is a 35,000 word MG Horror perfect for fans of Kathern Arden’s Small Spaces 

I always read the sample pages but I’ve learned that queries that are too long or never really describe the manuscript are usually rejections for me. The same problem usually exists in the pages. 

9.  Do you have any specific dislikes in query letters or the first pages submitted to you? 

Tell me about the story. The actual story, not broad themes and your inspiration. Writers also shouldn’t feel the need to write paragraphs of praise of my past work.  I don’t need flattery. I need a story I can’t put down. 

Oh, and getting my name correct is always a plus. It’s J-U-S-T-I-N-A. Being called Christina/Christine/Justine/Justin makes it clear you probably didn’t read my guidelines. This is your career. I want people who are going to treat it as seriously as I will. 

Response Time: 

10. What’s your response time to queries and requests for more pages of a manuscript? 

It varies. Queries always take a back seat to actual client work. Six to eight weeks seems to be where I’m currently landing. 

Self-Published and Small Press Authors: 

11.  Are you open to representing authors who have self-published or been published by smaller presses? What advice do you have for them if they want to try to find an agent to represent them? 

Yes, but only for new projects. My advice is always and forever the same for most questions: 

1. Write something new.
2. Research the agents you think might be a good fit.
3. Follow general query guidance.
4. Realize that rejections happen for lots of reasons. Be flexible. 

Rinse. Repeat. 

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Justina! 

Giveaway Details 

Justina is generously offering a query critique to one lucky winner. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment through July 18th. If you do not want to enter the contest, that’s okay. Just let me know in the comments. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address.

If you follow me on Twitter or Bluesky or mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. This is an international giveaway. 

Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or email me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com 

Note: These agent profiles and interviews presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found here is subject to change.

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops 

Monday, July 13th, I have an interview with Amy Tern and a giveaway of her MG Sneaks 

Thursday, July 16th, I’m participating in the Sip Sip Hooray Giveaway Hop 

Monday, July 20th, I have an interview with Emma Otherguy and a giveaway of her MG Adventure in the City of Stories 

Wednesday, July 22nd, I have an agent spotlight interview with Sam Farkas and a query critique giveaway 

Saturday, August 1st, I’m participating in the Apple a Day Giveaway Hop 

Wednesday, August 5th, I have an interview with Lindsey Olsson and a giveaway of her YA To Drown a Witch and my IWSG post 

Monday, August 10th, I have an agent spotlight interview with Riley Jay Davis and a query critique giveaway 

Sunday, August 16th, I’m participating in the Old School Giveaway Hop 

I hope to see you on Monday!