SCBWI CA: North/Central Critique Fall Fair

Angela Quezada Padron is the owner of Dream Jar Publishing, an independent publisher creating children's books that encourage self-expression, promote perseverance and resilience, and empower young readers to believe what’s possible. At Dream Jar Publishing, we believe stories have the ability to uplift and make a meaningful difference in the lives of young readers. We look for stories that captivate the imagination and ignite a sense of wonder, while having a high level of impact on our readers as they learn and grow. Our books capture readers’ imagination to dream big, to evolve from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset, and to transform their thinking from “what if I could...” to “I know I can!” Angela is also a multi-published children's book author-illustrator with over 18 years experience working as a freelance writer, illustrator, and developmental editor for various educational and trade publishers. Please visit Dream Jar's website to see the categories and genres of books we look for https://dreamjarpublishing.com/our-imprints/. OPEN TO: Picture book, chapter book, middle grade, nonfiction, book dummy, portfolio review

Julie Romeis Sanders began her publishing journey helping to launch Bloomsbury USA in 2001. There she kickstarted the careers of a number of memorable authors including Aaron Reynolds, Rick Yancey, and Victoria Jamieson. In 2007 she moved to Chronicle Books to develop their middle grade and YA program as well as edit picture books and gift formats. Her list included Caldecott Honor book Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle, NYT best-selling author Jennifer "JC" Cervantes first novel, Tortilla Sun, along with other favorites such as graphic novel Earthling by Mark Fearing, One Love by Cedella Marley, and Ganesha's Sweet Tooth by Sanjay Patel. In 2012 she changed course and began work as a freelance editor and consultant for organizations such as non-profit Room to Read where she developed courses for writers and illustrators around the world. Over the past 13 years she has also worked as a bookseller, writing teacher, and ranch hand! In her role as a literary agent at SteelWorks Literary, Julie hopes to bring all these experiences together to create a community of writers and illustrators who are as eager to create lasting contributions to children's literature as she is. To begin, she will be seeking authors and author/illustrators who are creating for ages 0-12, including graphic novels. OPEN TO: Picture book, chapter book, middle grade, nonfiction, book dummy, portfolio review

Adam is an acquiring editor for picture books for Cardinal Rule Press (https://cardinalrulepress.com/pages/imprints). Previously a consulting editor for middle grade with The Little Press (https://littlepresspublishing.com/home) and a former bookstore manager and nonprofit director, Adam earned his MFA in Fiction from Sarah Lawrence College and has written for both adults and children. He also works with writers on a freelance basis to shape and shine their stories. An active member of Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and regular presenter at writing conferences, Adam lives in a hutch in Brooklyn, NY with his tween son and seriously adolescent bunny. OPEN TO: PB, Middle Grade

Ammi-Joan Paquette is a Senior Literary Agent with Aevitas Creative Management, representing a wide range of children’s and young adult authors and illustrators, and a select list of authors writing for adults. Her clients’ books include New York Times and USA Today bestsellers, winners and finalists for the National Book Award, the Carnegie medal, the Kirkus Prize, the LA Times Book Award, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, the Printz Award, the Pura Belpre Award, the Coretta Scott King Award, the Walter Award, Ireland’s Great Reads Award, and many more. Joan is also herself the author of twenty books for young readers, and a book of short fiction for adults, Stories I Told My Dead Lover. She brings this unique dual perspective on writing and the publishing industry to her agenting career. OPEN TO: All

Kristine Brogno is a seasoned publishing professional with a breadth of experience in the children’s book market. She worked at Chronicle Books for many years as the Design Director of Children’s Publishing where she honed the crafts of enduring storytelling and excellence in design, illustration and production. Since then, she has helped other publishing companies grow their offerings and their businesses. Most recently, and with a very small-but-mighty team, she built a publishing imprint for the children’s product company KiwiCo from the ground up, publishing 55 titles for ages 0-12 in three years. When she’s not working, you can find her cooking, reading, thrifting, communing with nature and daydreaming. OPEN TO: Picture Book, Non-Fiction, Graphic Novel, Book Dummy, Portfolio Review

Kaitlyn Sanchez (she/her) is an agent with Bradford Literary Agency and a middle school math teacher. She's also the proud co-creator and co-host of the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest and Kidlit Zombie Week as well as creator and co-host of the Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy Contest. In her free time, she loves to play soccer, binge-watch TV shows, and, of course, read. Especially when she's all cozied up with her husband and daughter reading together. Kaitlyn has been agenting for 5 years and has sold over 60 books with her incredible clients. For critiques, Kaitlyn especially enjoys critiquing author-illustrated picture book dummies, picture book fiction, author-illustrated middle-grade graphic novels, and middle grade fiction novels. Please note: rhyme and verse are totally fine to submit for critiques in all categories. Kaitlyn always loves helping creators find the story that they’re meant to tell. For more information on what type of fantastic stories to submit to Kaitlyn for critiques, check out her MSWL: https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/kaitlyn-sanchez/ Representative titles are Mushroom Rain, Hattie Hates Hugs, Brave Like Mom, Trucker Kid, Old Friends, Whatever Comes Tomorrow, Platanos are Love, Giraffe is Too Tall for This Book, Same Love, Different Hug, Simply Skye, Too Much: An Overwhelming Day, Afikoman Where’d You Go?, Have You Seen My Acorn?, and Gloriana Presente. OPEN TO: Picture Book, Book Dummy

Jessica Levine is an Associate Editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, primarily working on picture books. Before joining LBYR in 2022, she worked in magazine, news, and art book publishing in Shanghai and Melbourne. She especially loves picture books that feature cross-cultural themes, that provide affirmation and belly laughs, that defy expectations, and that challenge and expand the reader’s view of the world. Outside of work, you’ll find her exploring restaurants, bookstores, and her local library in Brooklyn, New York. OPEN TO: Picture Book, Book Dummy

Sally M. Kim is an associate agent with Andrea Brown Literary Agency based in San Francisco, CA. She represents a wide range of children’s book authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators of picture books through middle grade. Sally is drawn to stories with a distinct voice, unexpected wit, aggressive pacing, punchy and/or emotionally resonant endings. When it comes to illustration, she gravitates to traditional mediums and is always on the lookout for versatile artists with a unique take on color, texture, perspective, and thoughtful details. Sally is especially eager to see authentic explorations of underrepresented cultures, relationships, and identities. https://www.andreabrownlit.com/Team/sally-m.-kim https://www.instagram.com/sallymkim/ https://bsky.app/profile/sallymkim.bsky.social OPEN TO: Picture Book, Book Dummy

Sophie Sheumaker is the Global Rights assistant and literary assistant to Naomi Davis. She studied writing, literature, and publishing at Emerson College, graduating in the spring of 2023 and has recently begun building her list of authors and illustrators. She can be found at the library checking out more books than she could ever possibly read, crocheting like it's a full-time job, or taking her anxiety-ridden dog for a walk through the streets of Boston. She is a firm believer that everyone should read children's books, walnuts should never be in banana bread, and the 2005 Pride and Prejudice is better than the BBC version.