Literary Agent – Page 2 – My Pilgrimage to Publication and Beyond

The Juggle Struggle

Jemma in gold, sequined Mouse ears with a red bow, Jen in pink sequined mouse ears with a pink bow, at Chef Mickey's at Walt Disney World

The month of April was nearly more than I could juggle! Submitting to contests, a big family Disney World Vacation, and my first ever SCBWI Conference were some of the most brightly highlighted in my calendar. First, I applied for the #PBChat Mentorship program. Boy, did I put my whole heart into that application! AndContinueContinue reading “The Juggle Struggle”

Onward & Yonward

A cup of coffee in a teal-colored coffee mug, a "cinderella" pumpkin, bright orange with some green, a container of candy corn, and a pumpkin apple candle burning, surrounding a book titled Illustrating Children's Books

I feel better when I’m moving forward. It doesn’t have to be much, even baby steps in what I think is the right direction gives me complete satisfaction. Sitting and waiting I can survive. Not a big problem. But when I have a perceived set-back, no matter how small to someone else, I stumble intoContinueContinue reading “Onward & Yonward”

Death of the Storybook

Jen's vast collection of Little Golden Books, Board Books, and other Story Books, most of which were from Jen's childhood. Divided out semi-organized on black shelves.

Yes, it’s very dark and depressing. And, no. No one told me until now. I completely missed the funeral. There was no kindly written obituary or eulogy. Just a collective decision among the publishing world, I suppose. Apparently, the concept and therefore the genre of Storybook is dead. Extinct. I grew up reading storybooks. TheseContinueContinue reading “Death of the Storybook”

Bad News/Good News/Great Views

Jen riding the Ferris Wheel at the Wheeler District in Oklahoma City with the Devon Tower standing high in the background above the Oklahoma River

I went to bed last night mid anxiety attack. I received a rejection email yesterday in the early evening on this new, very personal picture book manuscript, and there was some feedback that I struggled to understand. It wasn’t until the middle of the night that I actually made sense of her words. Then IContinueContinue reading “Bad News/Good News/Great Views”

Witching & Waning

A waxing crescent moon surrounded by white and yellow clouds in a pitch black night sky

Photo Credit: Vino Li / Unsplash Momma and I love the back porch, especially when October comes. She sits in her dark navy rocker, swaying slow to the sounds of the croaking frog. I sit in my rattan rocking chair. I’m 12 now, but just a few years ago, I sat in it like itContinueContinue reading “Witching & Waning”

Our Pond Runneth Over

The view of Jen's favorite pond from her back yard after a plentiful rain storm. Cotton Wood, Wheeping Willow, and Bald Cyprus trees line the pond's bank.

Thank you, JESUS, for this glorious rain!!! Apparently, there’s even more where this came from! I’ll take it. I’ll take my clothes and hair being completely drenched because of the sudden downpour as I arrived home after errands. Then, there was no power because it’s THAT big of a storm…and I couldn’t open the garageContinueContinue reading “Our Pond Runneth Over”

Rainbows and Rubato

A beautiful rainbow shooting out from a cloud on a dark blue and grey day in our neighborhood

Last time, I briefly mentioned my Dangerous Hope. Well, it continues. My inbox is nothing but crickets. No rejections, but also no offers. It’s hard to feel motivated to query when there’s so much out there just dangling in the wind. “What is Rubato?” you’re wondering. It’s a Musical Symbol for when the musician disregardsContinueContinue reading “Rainbows and Rubato”

Fortunate Finds

Jen's laptop computer with a stack of picture books from the library with two new books, "Guide to How to Hook an Agent" and another new book about writing for children

Now, back to my Pilgrimage… I mentioned in Whimsy and Whiskey Part 2 that I’d discovered some helpful resources. They were things I found along the way that then brought my querying to a halt – at least until I could say, Ok, I am educated on this matter now. Because apparently, I didn’t haveContinueContinue reading “Fortunate Finds”

The Shocking Illustration Negation

Water color by Jennifer Anyong including a great blue heron in a cowboy hat and a lasso and a turtle with a hankerchief

And in a strange turn of events, I just had a literary agent give me FEEDBACK, which completely negated my last post, Illustration Experimentation! She said, “I would continue looking at ways for you to illustrate your own work – that would be a great tool for you as you build your career.” WHAT!!!!!???? IContinueContinue reading “The Shocking Illustration Negation”

Illustration Experimentation

Water color paintings by Jennifer Anyong including a great blue heron, a turtle, a duck, and a monarch butterfly

Seth Godin is to blame. He gave me the confidence to visually bring life to my picture book. I began reading Godin’s book, The Practice: Shipping Creative Work at the beginning of the summer and my creativity just got away from me! I started with these nice colored pencils I got for my birthday aContinueContinue reading “Illustration Experimentation”