Agent Editor Spectacular II

Lori began her career in young people’s literature first as an educator and school librarian, later as a freelance editor and writing instructor. She has degrees in history, education, and an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA), where she also received certification in the Picture Book, and was honored with the Alumni Gift Award. After graduating in 2012, Lori coordinated the VCFA Summer Residency Abroad (Bath, UK) for four years, initiated the kidlit writing class program at her local indie, Politics & Prose, and entered publishing as an Agency Assistant at Greenhouse Literary. She interned at two other kidlit-focused agencies before taking on her own clients first at Raven Quill Literary, then at Red Fox Literary. She founded SteelWorks Literary in 2024 with her talented list of authors, illustrators, and graphic novelists. Lori is a longtime member of ALA and SCBWI, and is a member of AALA where she serves on the Illustration Committee. Her clients include both debut and award-winning authors, and she continues to seek diverse perspectives, literary approaches, and unique story experiences for her list. Lyrical language, compelling voices, evocative settings, and evergreen stories told with heart are areas of particular interest in any genre/audience.

Claire Tattersfield is an Associate Editor at Viking Children's Books and Flamingo Books, both imprints of Penguin Young Readers Group. She's edited picture books such as Tim Kleyn's Grilled Cheese, Yes Please, Lauren Glattly and Rob Sayegh Jr.'s Proper Badger Would Never! and Dudolf's Piggle the Pig Books. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of Cupig, which was illustrated by Rob Sayegh Jr.

Lydia Gregovic is an Associate Editor at Delacorte Press (Random House Childrens Books), where she is currently growing her list of Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction. She loves high-concept stories with characters that draw you in and plot twists that keep you guessing, and has edited a number of titles including THOSE WE DROWN, by Amy Goldsmith, THE GIRL WITH NO REFLECTION, by Keshe Chow, and many more. In addition to editing, Lydia is also a writer, and is the author of the YA fantasy THE MONSTROUS KIND, which released in Fall 2024.

Sophie Sheumaker is a literary assistant at BookEnds Literary Agency, working alongside Jessica Alvarez and Naomi Davis as she builds her own list of authors and illustrators. She graduated from Emerson College in 2023 with a degree in Writing, Literature, and Publishing and currently lives in Boston with her anxiety-ridden dachshund. She's drawn to narratively-driven art styles that play with texture, movement, and color as well as whimsically magical stories.

Andy is an assistant editor on the 0-8 team at Scholastic with a focus on board books, picture books, and early readers and early chapter book series. She is interested in stories by and for marginalized creators/communities; stories with fun, lightly-irreverent, laugh-out-loud humor; and bilingual books in any of our 0-8 categories. For early reader and chapter books, interested in a bilingual series that is made for newly independent reader, and stories with an outerspace or lite-horror themes.

Anum Shafqat joined Simon & Schuster in 2021 and is an assistant editor to Sarah McCabe at McElderry Books and Julia McCarthy at Atheneum Books for Young Readers. A fan of lovely queer stories, slasher plots, and everything in-between, she is on the lookout for rich worlds with earnest tropes. While on the hunt for powerful fantasy, horror, and contemporary romance in the young adult space, she is also seeking whimsical and electric upper middle grade (think spy worlds, heists, and first crushes). And finally, sweet character-driven picture books that celebrate underrepresented identities are right up her alley. She also has an interest in graphic novels, with a soft spot for stubborn, loveable protagonists and stories of grand adventure. When she’s not reading, you’ll find her in an obscure Wikipedia rabbit hole, calling her mom about some Pakistani drama, or making a fairly respectable cup of chai.

Brian LaRossa (he/him) is an executive art director in the hardcover picture book group at Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books. After hours he teaches a course on design criticism for The City College of New York and is a mentor in the We Need Diverse Books mentorship program. He has written many essays for publications such as Design Observer and AIGA’s Eye on Design. He also manages his own display font foundry, which developed a typeface for Google Fonts. In his spare time he writes fiction. His work has won awards from the Type Directors Club, Society of Illustrators, American Illustration, Print Magazine, and his conceptual poetry is included in the permanent collection of The Museum of Modern Art. He lives and works in New York City.

Carolina Mancheno Ortiz is a senior editor at HarperCollins Children’s. She acquires middle grade, young adult, and graphic novels by creators that reflect the diverse world around us. She enjoys stories that center on unbreakable friendships, the bonds within families, the nuances of coming-of-age, and the highs and lows of newfound love. Her list includes Lambda Literary Award finalist Keith F. Miller Jr. (Pritty), New York Times bestselling author Axie Oh (ASAP), Tamika Burgess (Sincerely Sicily), Harvey nominated creators Jes and Cin Wibowo (Lunar Boy), and Eisner nominated creators Julio Anta and Jacoby Salcedo (Frontera). Carolina is passionate about titles that speak to underrepresented experiences; historical fiction that turns one’s focus outward to the larger world; and genre fiction, from fantasy to horror, that explores the questions and experiences of today in a fresh and enticing ways.

Deeba Zargarpur is a senior editor at Simon & Schuster BFYR and Salaam Reads. Her aim is to acquire commercial books that empower young people from diverse backgrounds. She is always on the hunt for stories that inspire a sense of magic and wonder, plot lines that challenge traditional assumptions about morality, and strong character arcs that redefine what it means to be the hero of your own story. Visit her at deebazargarpur.com and follow her on X/Twitter and Instagram at @deebazargarpur

Karen Boss is a senior editor at Charlesbridge where she works on fiction and nonfiction picture books and MG and YA novels and nonfiction. She holds an MA in Children's Literature from Simmons College. She published Traci Sorell's award-winning debut, We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, and has worked with many authors, including more debuts than she can count as well as veterans Jane Yolen, Sarah Albee, and Tami Charles.

Shulokhana Khan is on the 0-8 team at Scholastic with a primary focus on picture books and board books. Open to books for all age ranges, she is particularly interested in books with strong voices that are funny, empowering, dark, or touching, with special interest in the variety of BIPOC experiences. She is trying to expand her roster of funny books in the picture book genre, and for upper-grade and YA, has a special interest in speculative fiction, queer fiction, zombies (that function as an allegory for our sociopolitical climate), pirates (heavily anti-colonial bent is very welcome!), lesser known fairytales eg. Donkey Skin, King Thrushbeard, and The Six Swans, and settings which are not primarily American or Euro-centric.

Christie Megill joined The CAT Agency in 2022 after interning with Writers House, Triada US, and Cardinal Rule Press. She’s overjoyed to be working with artists and children’s book authors, offering long-term support in their careers and creative journeys. Christie comes from a background in elementary education and before pursuing education, she previously worked as an editorial assistant at an academic press in New York City, as a volunteer at the Housing Works Bookstore in SoHo, and as a bookseller at the bygone Borders Books and Music in Columbus Circle. She holds a BA in English Literature from Fordham University. When she’s not losing herself in a good book, she can be found making butter-laden desserts, exploring new museums, and hiking in the woods with her three children.

Eve Adler worked as an editor for over sixteen years before becoming an agent. She's building her list with authors and illustrators of board books, picture books, early readers, chapter books, and select middle grade projects. She’s drawn to stories that make kids feel comforted, loved, and understood; to diverse voices; to ideas that break the mold; to projects that meet kids where they are developmentally; and to books that expand kids’ worlds while helping them understand their own. She loves developing ideas with authors and illustrators, and finding the right home for each project!

During Jim’s 25 years in publishing, he has worn many hats: award-winning author and author/illustrator of numerous, critically acclaimed picture books along with a middle grade novel, SCBWI Regional Advisor (SF/South), knowledgeable conference and workshop presenter, and SCBWI critique group facilitator. Among his books are the popular Sophia series (introduced with One Word from Sophia) as well as the original, serialized, illustrated version of the perennial NYT best seller A Long Walk to Water by Newbery medalist Linda Sue Park.

Samantha Wekstein is a Senior Agent at Thompson Literary Agency. She has a BA from the University of Maryland. She began her career in 2013 at Writers House and joined TLA in 2019 where she represents young adult, middle grade, picture books, romance, historical fiction, women’s fiction, Sci-Fi and Fantasy, as well as select narrative nonfiction. She is particularly drawn to feminist stories, high concept hooks, and commercial voices. She lives in Westchester with her husband, daughter and dog.

Sandra Proudman (she/her/ella) is a literary associate at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency, assisting Marietta Zacker and representing a small list of authors and author-illustrators. She is passionate about bringing underrepresented voices to the forefront and is also a committee member of #LatinxPitch. When not busily immersed in all things publishing, you can find her spending time with her amazing husband and adorable toddler, catching up on all her shows, and taking care of her vegetable garden. She is also the author of the YA fantasy, Salvación, (Wednesday Books) and the editor of the Latinx anthology RELIT: 16 Latinx Remixes of Classic Stories (Inkyard Press). Connect with her on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @SandraProudman.

Victoria Doherty Munro is a junior agent at Writers House, representing middle grade, young adult, and adult authors. She started at Writers House as an intern in 2010 and, after graduating from Wellesley College with a degree in English, was hired as the assistant to senior agent Daniel Lazar in 2012. She began building her own list in 2015.

Vicky Weber has always loved literature, even from a young age. In 2015, she began her career as an elementary school teacher and earned her Masters in Teaching & Learning with a concentration in ESL. Her first children’s was published in late 2019, and she’s never looked back! She founded At Home Author, a coaching company to help other aspiring picture book authors learn the industry. As a Latinx agent and author, she prefers to work with traditionally underrepresented voices whenever possible. She firmly believes that growing her author list is like growing her little family and she does so with intention.