It’s obvious how much Lee Brockman appreciates all the people she’s met along her journey, and how important they were as she developed her craft and learned about the industry. Now we get to celebrate her success and wish her the best in her relationship with agent Nicole Tugeau. Congrats, Lee! 

How long had you been writing before seeking an agent, and what made you decide it was time to look for one?

I have been writing for many years. I remember going to my very first SCBWI conference in NYC (over 10 years ago!) thinking I was ready to share my work with the world. LOL Boy, was I surprised to learn that I was nowhere near ready.

So, my journey began. I started taking classes on craft and signed up for a private mentorship with author Marcie Colleen. I kept attending conferences and workshops, and I found myself two critique groups. I knew I was finally ready to seriously look for an agent when my mentors were encouraging me and giving me the validation that I was in fact READY!

What kind of research did you do before submitting?

Being a member of the SCBWI, 12 x 12 Challenge (as a Gold member), taking classes through the Writing Barn, and completing a private mentorship with founder Bethany Hegedus really helped me to learn about agents and what they were looking for. Being a member of the Courage to Create community gave me access to a plentiful list of agents currently seeking picture book authors. This past year, I have been a Verge member with the Courage to Create community. This has given me the opportunity to get my work into the hands of many agents and editors. It’s been a gamechanger for me.

The dreaded questions: How many queries?  How many rejections?

My first year as a Gold member with 12 x 12 was in 2017. In 2025, I decided to switch to Silver, as I was really feeling like I was getting close to landing my YES! So, since 2017, I have sent out 203 queries! This sounds like a lot! But if I break it down, that’s only about 25-30 submissions per year.

Of these 203 submissions, some didn’t respond. I knew I was getting closer when champagne rejections were coming in. This was one of my favorites:

“I started smiling when I read the title and never stopped. This is so fun and clever. I don’t think it’s a perfect fit for my list at this time, but I would welcome future submissions from you. I don’t want to lose track of a writer as smart and funny as you.”

Was it difficult to find an agent who wanted to represent an author focusing on picture books?

I think because of my involvement with 12 x 12 and the Courage to Create communities, many agents gave an exception to receive submissions from authors only, even if they were usually only open to author/illustrators. So, for me, I have to say no. It wasn’t difficult.

Who is your new agent? Tell us about getting the news.

My new agent is Nicole Tugeau with the Tugeau 2 Agency. She’s wonderful! As a Verge member with the Courage to Create, we have an opportunity to attend two Pitch n’ Play events within our year and can sign up for additional 1:1 sessions with attending agents or editors. I signed up for a 1:1 with Nicole and we connected immediately. She had such positive things to share about my manuscript. She asked to see three more manuscripts and within a week, asked to connect over Zoom.

How did you know your agent was “the one”?

I knew Nicole was the one when she showed up wearing a blue sweatshirt for our 1:1 session together! She was a cheerleader for my manuscript right out of the gate! We shared laughs and ideas—it was like we had met before. I also knew Nicole was the one by how quickly she got the ball rolling. Within a little over a week, we had had our 1:1, she had asked to see more work, and had requested a Zoom call. Nicole didn’t need extra time to think and process my work. She had a vision and acted on it. The icing on the cake was knowing that her associate agents, Heather and Ethan Long were on board, too! (One of my son’s favorite board books is Ethan’s PB, Fright Club!)

If 12 x 12 helped you in any way during your agent search/development of craft, can you tell us how? (P.S. It is TOTALLY okay if the answer is no. I am not trying to “lead” you 🙂 )

For many years, 12 x 12 has helped me immensely! From the submission opportunities to webinars, and craft workshops, plus the Picture Book Summit…the list goes on. Besides signing up for the SCBWI, 12 x 12 was the first professional group that allowed me to connect with fellow creators from around the world! Julie and the 12 x 12 team have paved the way for many authors and illustrators of picture books. Without this incredible network, I don’t know where I would be today.

Has your writing process changed at all since signing with an agent?

The weight has lifted! It’s all very new to me and I’m taking it all in! But Nicole has given me my wings to fly! I no longer need to search for someone who believes in me and my body of work. Now, I can focus solely on my craft—which is what I love the most!

What advice would you give to picture book writers looking for agents today?

I have two mentors that have played a monumental role in my literary life. That’s Bethany Hegedus and Carmen Oliver. My advice to writers looking for an agent is to connect yourself with creators who have paved the way before you.

Here is something Bethany shared about me: “She is warm, gregarious, kind, and an incredible reviser. I hope someone fab snaps her up soon.”

And here is something Carmen shared about me: “You are an amazing writer, and you will be published one day with many, many stories to your name.”

Get yourself a mentor or two! These two incredible writers and human beings are one of the reasons I believed in myself and continued to go after my YES!

Do you think your platform (blog, social media) helped you find your agent?

I don’t think so. I have a website, Instagram account, and X/Twitter account. I think the main reason I found my agent was connection, networking, and timing. In this industry, there is a component of timing—call it Serendipity. We need to be aligned. In the right place at the right time.

Tell us something that is on your “bucket list.” Something you’ve dreamed of doing all your life but have yet to accomplish (besides publishing a book, which is inevitable at this point 🙂 )

This is a tough one! As an elementary educator, I’m always encouraging my students to set goals! My goal for SO long was landing my dream agent! Now that I have accomplished this (thank you, Nicole Tugeau) the next thing on my bucket list is taking my kids to England, where my family’s roots are. I was the first-born Canadian in our family. I’d love to take my kids to England to introduce them to family and heritage that they have never been exposed to. Family is everything! Nicole, I’m confident we will become an extended family!

What’s up next/what are you working on now?

Up next for me is getting my work into the hands of editors that Nicole feels are a match for my work. I trust her wholeheartedly and know that she will do everything she possibly can to make a match! I am always working on new ideas—sometimes they wake me up at three a.m.! I also hope to develop my craft as a chapter book writer—I hope to learn from one of the best (and one of my very first mentors: Marcie Colleen!)