Webinar: Agent Says—Chapter Book & Early Graphic Novels with literary agent Rachel Orr
Nov 13, 2025
Online event
NEW FRONTIERS: EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SPACE BETWEEN PICTURE BOOKS AND MIDDLE GRADE NOVELS: Picture books and middle-grade novels will always be beloved mainstays in the world of children’s literature. Yet it’s exciting to see the new categories that have arisen in order to bridge the gap between these two genres. From early readers and chapter books—to a wide range of illustrated and paneled graphic novels—there’s more of a selection now than ever for any level and interest, especially for those kids who might not be so inclined to crack a spine. Rachel Orr of Prospect Agency will trace the journeys of several projects from her author and illustrator clients that have landed in this space—some intentionally, but many serendipitously. She’ll also provide some tips for forging one’s own way into this new frontier.
Quick Facts
HOST REGION: Eastern Pennsylvania
CONTACT: Heather Stigall [email protected]
COST:
- Premium Members: $15 USD
- Preview Plan: $25 USD
CRITIQUES: available at an additional cost; scroll down for more information
RECORDING
The webinar will be recorded, and the recording will be available for one month following the event. Attendees will receive a link and a password by email about two days after the event.
REGISTRATION CONFIRMATIONS
Upon completion of payment, you will receive a payment confirmation by email. You will also find a registration confirmation on the website that will include event-specific details. Go to your Member Home and click on My Events under the black bar at the top of the page. All events you have registered will be displayed on this page. If there are additional meeting details (i.e. Zoom links for virtual events or materials required for the event), this information will be found under the green Meeting Info button.
REFUND POLICY
Registration fees for webinars and virtual events are nonrefundable because recordings are available for 30 days following the broadcast. For more information on our refund policy, click here. By registering for this event, you agree that you have read and understand the refund policy for this event.
Meet the Faculty
Rachel Orr
Rachel Orr 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 (PURRMAIDS), Steve Breen (SKY AND TY), Mike Ciccotello (LEONARD BUILDS A HAUNTED HOUSE), Lauren Glattly (PROPER BADGER WOULD NEVER!), Jenn Harney (UNDERWEAR!) and Susie Lee Jin (KING OF THE MOUNTAIN!). In addition to 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.
CRITIQUES AVAILABLE (at an additional cost):
ADDITIONAL COST:
- Premium Members: $60 USD
- Preview Plan: $65 USD
For all submissions, format your work in 12 point font, with one-inch margins, and double spacing. (US Letter paper size-Include all materials in the same document; please don’t send two documents.)
- For Early Graphic Novels (EGN) or Chapter Books (CB): Please send up to 10 pages of your manuscript or dummy AND a one-page, single-spaced synopsis (in the same document). Translator submissions should include a brief note about the source work (also in the same document).
⇒Please include your name on every page of your work as a header or a footer, as well as identifying information on page one: first & last name, email address, title, genre.
⇒Please SAVE YOUR FILE as Webinar Faculty Last Name_Your Last Name_TITLE OF MANUSCRIPT as a PDF or DOC or DOCx.
Example: Orr_Stigall_THE THREE LITTLE WIGS
⇒Then send your file to Heather at [email protected]. The subject should read: Webinar Faculty Last Name_Your Last Name_TITLE OF MANUSCRIPT (same as saved file name).
Submission deadline: 11:59 PM (Eastern), Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
We anticipate critiques to be returned on or about January 11, 2026.