It's a new year and more than ever, I'm determined to find the right agent to champion my writing career. Here's an update on my agent search:

Phase I: Last year, after a year of research on agents and one of my manuscripts winning two awards, including the 2010 SCBWI Barbara Karlin Runner-Up Grant (read about it here), I queried one agent that I'd targeted as a perfect fit for my writing style. After six weeks of consideration (squee), I received the most encouraging rejection.  YES, he actually considered representation, which is a HUGE thing. He praised my writing, saying he'd thought a lot about it, and he gave me a referral to an editor, saying I could use his name on the cover. Talk about a good rejection letter!!!  Not bad for my first agent rejection.

Phase II: I continued my research and narrowed down the list of agents that caught my eye and decided to send my work to two more. They're not only top children's book deal makers based on my research on Publisher's Marketplace, but seem to be a good fit for my writing style and career goals.  Since there was a chance I may see them at the 2010 SCBWI Summer Conference in August, I waited to query them. I did have the opportunity to see one of them, which was really exciting. I shook like a leaf as I introduced myself again (we'd met before), mentioning my award-winning manuscript.  She appeared excited and said she looked forward to reading my work. When I got home, I sent out my manuscript to those two agents and waited.

One of the agents replies, saying my writing was "beautiful" but ultimately, a rejection.

Eight weeks after my manuscript went out, I heard from the agent I'd seen at the conference. She asked to read more work (woo-hoo). After sending four additional picture book manuscripts, I waited again... And in November I received an email, praising my work but ultimately - a rejection. She must have a lot of faith in my potential because she passed my work to one of her colleagues.  WOW! So off it went... and now, I'm waiting.... again...

In the meantime, it's time for Phase III.  I have several prospects and a two-part plan for the next few months... So I'll be sending a few carefully targeted queries this week, then more later...
Coming soon: Phase IV will begin after I attend the 2011 SCBWI Agents Day in Newport Beach this May, where I'll have the opportunity to meet with and hear from agents I've been researching and considering for representation.