NE-SCBWI Fall 2025 Virtual Agent Editor Day <UPDATE: Registration Opens Oct. 9th at 7:00PM>

Andrew Karre, (he/him) has been a children’s book editor for over twenty years and has had the privilege of working with numerous award winning and bestselling authors, including A.S. King, Malinda Lo, Joy McCullough, Cory McCarthy, and Ibi Zoboi, among many others. He lives in St. Paul, MN.

Rachel Orr (she/her) is celebrating her eighteenth year at Prospect Agency, where she represents both authors and illustrators in projects ranging from board books through YA. She previously worked for eight rewarding years at HarperCollins Children’s Books and uses those editorial skills to help prepare her clients’ work for submission. Her clients include Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Leeza Hernandez (CATS IN CONSTRUCTION HATS), Cathy Carr (LOST KITES AND OTHER TREASURES), Mike Ciccotello (LEONARD BUILDS A HAUNTED HOUSE), Cori Doerrfeld (THE RABBIT LISTENED), and Suzy Levinson (DINOS THAT DRIVE). In addition to frequently speaking at SCBWI events (which she loves!), Rachel has served on the Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature for over a decade. A native of Pittsburgh and a graduate of Kenyon College, she currently lives in Hoboken, New Jersey, with her husband and two children, where she enjoys dancing, running and reading, of course.

Rebecca Eskildsen (she/her) has been at Writers House since 2017, supporting Merrilee Heifetz, and she has been building her own client list since 2020. Her clients include Newbery Honor-winner Andrea Beatriz Arango, Triona Murphy, and Hannah Yang, among others. She lives in Brooklyn with her toothless and VERY demanding cat, Violet. Rebecca is actively seeking middle grade, YA, and adult projects. In middle grade, she is looking for contemporary books that make kids feel seen. She would like to see fresh, engaging voices, particularly narratives with a sense of humor and a strong emotional core. For YA, she’s open to anything, including darker themes; she would love to see something twisty or weird, with horror undertones. In the adult space, she is seeking horror, as well as contemporary rom coms.

Orlando Dos Reis (he/him) is a senior editor at Scholastic Press. He began his career at Abrams Books before moving to Scholastic, where he acquires primarily middle-grade and young adult fiction, as well as some graphic novels. He received his B.A. in creative writing from Virginia Tech and his M.A. in English with a concentration in children's and young adult literature from Kansas State University. He lives in New York City.

Carina Licon (she/her) is an Associate Editor at Holt BYR. She is interested in picture books, middle-grade, and YA with a focus on underrepresented stories and voices. She is especially reeled in by character-driven stories with whip-smart protagonists; spooky and atmospheric MG speculative fiction; contemporary YA thrillers in the vein of Courtney Summers; friendship breakup stories; romance with lots of angst and stories rich with diverse cultural traditions and storytelling. Born and raised in El Paso, TX, Carina enjoys trying local restaurants, movie podcasts, and spending time with her very intimidating 8-pound guard dog.

Charlotte Wenger (she/her) is a literary agent in the Boston area with Prospect Agency. Prior to joining Prospect, she was an associate editor at Page Street Kids. She has her Master of Arts in Children's Literature from Simmons and has since mentored a number of their MFA in Writing for Children students. When she's not working, you can find her occasionally crafting, randomly breaking into song, and most importantly, being a toddler mom. Charlotte represents authors and illustrators of children's books - ranging from board books through YA, but especially picture books. You can find her online at www.charlottewenger.com.

Shulokhana Khan (she/her) is on the 0-8 team at Scholastic with a primary focus on picture books and board books. 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.

Michaela Whatnall (they/them) is an agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, where they have worked out of the agency's West Coast office since 2019. They received a degree from Emory University in English and linguistics, completed the Columbia Publishing Course, and have experience in school & library marketing, bookselling, and reviewing for trade publications. In 2023, Michaela was named a Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree. They are most strongly interested in finding middle grade and young adult projects of all genres; upmarket adult fiction; and grounded fantasy. Michaela is also open to select adult romance; narrative nonfiction for both children and adults; graphic novels; and picture books.

Ramona Pina (she/her) began her career in the publishing industry in 2017 with an independent press. In 2021, she became an inaugural fellow with BookEnds and later became an agent at BookEnds in 2022. She is now growing her list of incredible authors. She represents adult and YA/adult crossover for speculative fiction and children’s literature. This includes fantasy, magical realism, sci-fi, the supernatural, paranormal romance, and horror. In YA and adult fantasy, she is seeking banned-worthy titles and stories with unlikely characters who break the mold. She is also looking for fast-paced adventure, lush world-building, character-driven stories with a strong, assertive voice.

Natalia Vázquez Torres (she/her) is a Latine assistant editor at Charlesbridge, where she works on fiction and nonfiction picture books, chapter books, middle-grade, and young-adult novels. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College. Natalia also manage Charlesbridge’s Bilingual-Spanish program. Recent frontlist titles she’s edited include Giddy Up, Unicorn! by Dani Gómez, Far, Far Away by Molly Beth Griffin, and Turtles Heading Home! by Liza Ketchum, Phyllis Root, and Jacqueline Briggs Martin. Spanish and bilingual editions include Abuelita y yo hacemos un flan by Adriana Bergstrom-Hernández, Estamos agradecidos: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell, and the Spanish-bilingual editions of the Storytelling Math series. Her taste in stories includes, but is not limited to, humor, unique family structures, environmental issues, and adventures.

Laura Gruszka (she/they) is a junior agent at Writers House actively growing her list of children's books: picture books, middle grade, YA, and graphic novels. They’re proud to have worked closely with talented creators including Ruth Chan, Lian Cho, Blanca Gómez, Corey R. Tabor, and Erin Stewart. Her favorite picture books are full of heart and don’t talk down to kids. In the MG and YA spaces, Laura is drawn to line-level writing that doesn’t disappear when you read, but rather is an essential part of the pleasure of reading. Most of all, they’re eager to work with creators whose books will be life-changing to a young reader, whether it’s by finally seeing an authentic representation of their own experience, learning about a subject not discussed in their everyday life, or igniting their lifelong love for reading.

Sera Rivers (she/her) is a Literary Agent at Speilburg Literary, an AALA member, and a writer. She represents books for the children’s and adult markets and is especially interested in inclusive narratives and welcomes queries by children’s authors and illustrators who identify as BIPOC, LQBTQIA+ and other underrepresented and marginalized identities and cultures. She holds an MFA in writing for children from Simmons University. Prior to agenting, she was an editor in educational publishing. She lives in Connecticut with her partner and their island rescue pups Jett and Marty. Sera is open to adult fiction the first 7 days of each month. She only accepts kidlit queries through referrals, conferences, and pitch events. Check out her full MSWL and status updates, and sign up for her newsletter W.R.I.T.E. Agent at SeraRivers.com. Follow her on socials @writeloudly.

Lauren Rille (she/her) is an Art Director at Simon & Schuster, where she works with the Beach Lane, Atheneum, and McElderry imprints. Before joining S&S, Lauren was a designer at Sterling and Harcourt Children’s Books. Some books she’s designed include the most recent edition of Are You There God, it’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume, cover illustration by Debbie Ohi; In Every Life by Marla Frazee; The Antlered Ship by Dashka Slater, illustrated by the Fan Brothers; Scraps by Lois Ehlert; Best In Snow by April Pulley Sayre; and the New York Times best-selling Bear Series by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman. Lauren's debut picture book, I Feel Teal, illustrated by Aimee Sicuro, published in 2018 by Beach Lane Books. Lauren loves the collaborative process of working with editors and illustrators, and she’s always on the lookout for new talent.

Christie Megill (she/her), joined The CAT Agency in 2022. She’s overjoyed to be working with artists and children’s book authors, offering long-term support in their careers and creative journeys. Storytelling is her passion, no matter the medium.

Nicole Fiorica is an Editor at Margaret K. McElderry Books, a division of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. She edits picture book, middle grade, and teen titles; and has had the pleasure of working with bestselling and acclaimed authors and illustrators including Amber Smith, Jonathan Graziano, Dan Tavis, Samantha Markum, Kit Frick, Leslie Barnard Booth, Shruthi Rao, and many more. Nicole graduated from Fordham University with a bachelor’s degree in communications & media studies and is always thinking about the relationship between a work and its audience. Nicole lives in New Jersey, where copies amounts of coffee fuels her love for pottery, Taylor Swift, and reality TV. The best place to find her online is on Instagram at @nicolefioricaedits.

Lori Steel (she/her) founded SteelWorks Literary in 2024, along with her talented list of both award-winning and debut authors and illustrators. Before she began working in the industry in 2012, Lori was a school librarian and educator where she found just-right books for young readers. She's a member of ALA, SCBWI, and AALA where she serves on the Illustration Committee. When not engaged in bookish pursuits, you can often find her on long walks with her pup sidekick, Juice, gardening, or whipping up a new recipe in their Washington DC-area home.

Eve Adler (she/her) 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!

Andrea Welch (she/her) is the Editorial Director at Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. She has the pleasure of working with a long list of wonderful authors and illustrators, including Liz Garton Scanlon, Amy Hevron, Maria Gianferrari, and Monica Brown. Books she has edited include What Do You Do With a Voice Like That? by Chris Barton, illustrated by Ekua Holmes; Life by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Brendan Wenzel; The Antlered Ship by Dashka Slater, illustrated by Terry & Eric Fan; and the New York Times bestselling LMNO Peas series by Keith Baker.

Matt Phipps (he/him) is an Editor at G. P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, acquiring picture books, middle grade, and YA, including graphic novels for all ages. Titles he has edited include At the Cookout by Nadia Fisher, The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez by Jasminne Paulino, The Crayon Stub by Marcus Cutler, Majestica by Sarah Tolcser, and Trapped in the Horror Dome by Matt McMann. Prior to joining Putnam in 2020, he spent several years in Penguin’s School and Library Marketing department. He was an Editor Mentor with The Word: A Storytelling Sanctuary and volunteered with the Representation Matters Mentorship Program, in addition to serving on the board of the Penguin Random House LGBTQ+ Network and the Children’s Book Council Early Career Committee. He has also worked as a bookseller, a Spanish-English translator, and a college writing instructor.

Aly Heller (she/her) is an Executive Editor with the Aladdin imprint, where she is lucky enough to acquire and edit a range of titles, focusing on commercial young middle-grade through upper middle-grade fiction and select non-fiction. Regardless of genre or age category, Aly aims to center diverse voices and underrepresented communities and explore intersectional identities in her acquisitions.

Carter Hasegawa (he/him) has been in the children’s book world for nearly 20 years—as a book seller for various indies across the US, as an editor at Candlewick Press, and now, as an Associate Agent at Tugeau 2 Art & Literary Agency. Some of his favorite books include Watercress, My Papi Has a Motorcycle, Big, Tar Beach, Wednesday Wars, Ender’s Game, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Notorious Benedict Arnold, and SO MANY others. Originally from Seattle, he now lives in Boston with his librarian wife and their two young sons.

Alexandra Hinrichs (she/her) is the Children's Book Editor at Islandport Press where she acquires everything from board books through young adult. She is also an award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction picture books. Alex has wanted to make children's books since she began reading them as a child. Her inner-10-year-old is quite pleased with her career path, which has included working as a librarian, a children's bookseller, and a historical researcher at American Girl. When she isn't buried in books, Alex can be found wrangling one of her three wild sons into playing a game, baking, hiking, or encouraging the growing friendship between her family's cats and tortoise. She lives in Bangor, Maine.