GOLD members! September is just around the corner. (Where did August go? We have no idea.) Here are your Featured Agents for the new month! Our 2021 Little GOLDen Book members will be able to choose one of these two agents to submit their manuscript to in September. (If you are a SILVER member, you may use this info for research. Check out our How to Use 12 x 12 Featured Agent Posts article here.)
Beth Marshea of Ladderbird Literary Agency will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members September 1-15. Saba Sulaiman of Talcott Notch Literary Services will be accepting picture book submissions from 12 x 12 GOLD members September 16-30. Beth’s profile appears first, followed by Saba’s. Please read BOTH and then decide who would be the best fit for your work.
Beth Marshea of Ladderbird Literary Agency
A little bit about Beth:
Beth Marshea is the owner and Lead Agent at Ladderbird Literary Agency. She has a BA in Literature and a Masters in Business Administration and is always looking for new and exciting ways to bring more diversity into publishing and beyond. Outside of agenting, Beth, teaches writing in her local community with a focus on bringing reluctant writers and readers into the magical world of books. She loves the outdoors and is also a certified lifeguard.
When asked what she’s looking for in picture books, Beth replied:
“I’m dying to find books with really cute hooks like The Day the Crayons Quit, or nice messaging like Not Quite a Narwhal. I’d love to find a book that brings parents and kids together with language simple enough for a young child to read, but engrossing enough for an adult to enjoy. I want stories with lots of heart that comes through loud and clear. I’m not opposed to crying by the end of a story about overcoming obstacles, or finding family, or figuring out who you are. I tend to prefer a strong narrative.”
- Check out the Ladderbird Literary website
- Find Beth on Twitter
- #DVpit success story with Beth and her client Catherine Adel West
- Beth wrote “We Need Diverse Agents” for Publishers Weekly
- Please note: You will see in various places that Beth is not open to general submissions at this time. Your 12 x 12 submission through your GOLD opportunity is considered a requested submission and will be accepted by Beth during her 12 x 12 submission window.
Saba Sulaiman of Talcott Notch Literary Services
A little bit about Saba:
Saba Sulaiman is an agent at Talcott Notch Literary Services, a boutique agency located in Milford, CT. She holds a BA in Economics and Middle Eastern Studies from Wellesley College and an MA from the University of Chicago, where she studied modern Persian literature. Being an immigrant who is constantly negotiating her own identity and sense of belonging in a place she now calls “home,” she is committed to championing books by writers from marginalized communities with compelling stories to tell; stories that demonstrate the true range of perspectives that exist in this world, and address urgent and often underexplored issues in both fiction and non-fiction with veracity and heart.
In picture books, Saba is drawn most to stories with an emotional takeaway, wordplay, notes of whimsy, textual economy, and memorable characters. Saba is particularly on the lookout for stories that engage with environmental themes; stories with humor (preferably somewhat dark or tongue-in-cheek), and sharply observed; stories that ask (and perhaps poses answers to?) big questions about human behavior; deeply emotional stories that aren’t overly sentimental or saccharine; and creative nonfiction that almost feels like it could be shelved in the fiction section. She is not currently looking for animal narratives or bedtime stories.
Saba is a new 12 x 12 Featured Agent. Here are some additional resources for Saba:
- Saba’s bio on the Talcott Notch Literary website
- Follow Saba on Twitter
- Saba’s Manuscript Wish List (#MSWL)
- Video interview with Cardinal Rule Press
- Responding to queries and projects Saba is looking on the Middle Grade Ninja YouTube Channel here and here
- Real Talk interview on the SCBWI Winter Conference blog
- Interview on Wild Mind for Authors
- Interview on Learn with SJP
- Saba answers “How Do Literary Agents Approach Diversity?” on the Mehta Book Editing blog
Remember: Little GOLDen Book Members may only submit to ONE of these agents. Please choose the agent who is the best fit for you and your manuscript. Look for submission guidelines in the Submission Station on the 12 x 12 forum.
Submissions will only be accepted for Beth Marshea from September 1st at 8am ET/5am PT through September 15th at 6pm EASTERN/3pm PACIFIC.
Submissions will only be accepted for Saba Sulaiman from September 16th at 8am ET/5am PT through September 30th at 6pm EASTERN/3pm PACIFIC.
Please double check the times for your time zone on your submissions. Anything received before or after the submissions window is open will be disqualified and you will not be able to submit again this month.
Remember, it is NEVER okay to submit your manuscript twice. Contact Kelli if there is a problem with your submission.
Good luck!
