August 24 Meet-Up Speaker: Kaitlyn Sanchez, Agent
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.
Ask an Agent Anything
A new email in your box catches your eye. You’ve been waiting (for months) to hear back from an agent you’ve queried.
“Although your story is delightful, it is not right for my list.”
You furrow your brow. What is a list?
When querying agents, some responses lead to questions.
If only I could talk to a literary agent and find out more about what they do for authors.
But you can…
Join us for our Monthly Meetup on Sunday, August 24, at 1:00 pm Pacific Time. Kaitlyn Sanchez, literary agent with Bradford Literary Agency, will join us for Ask An Agent Anything.
Bring your questions.
Sorry, not about the meaning of life, but about publishing children’s books.
BIO: Kaitlyn has been agenting for 5 years and has sold over 50 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.
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.
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/
Website: https://kaitlynleannsanchez.com/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kaitlynleann17.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaitlynLeann17
Please follow my clients on social media: https://kaitlynleannsanchez.com/literary-clients/
When: Sunday, Aug 24 1:00-2:00 pm
Where: Our meet-ups are virtual over zoom
The zoom link is provided in the bi-monthly email. If you'd like to be added to the email list, please contact Bev Plass at [email protected]
Cost: Free
SoCal welcomes you to join our monthly meet-ups to connect with other creative people and hone your craft. We mingle, have guest speakers, and celebrate writer successes. We generally meet on the fourth Sunday of the month from 1:00-2:00. Sometimes we change the dates due to holidays or other SCBWI events. We break into critique groups immediately following, using the same zoom link. Please read about the critique groups and submission deadlines for "SoCal Writers Group" below.
Critique Groups
SoCal Writer Critique Groups
SoCal Writers typically meet every fourth Sunday of the month via zoom immediately following the meet-up. The same zoom link is used for both meetings.
Inland Empire Writers Critique Group
Inland Empire Writers meet every third Saturday of the month via zoom for meet-up and critique groups.
Illustrator Meet-ups
Illustrators typically meet every second Saturday of the month in person and via zoom (hybrid).
Illustrator Accountability Sessions
One-hour motivational work sessions held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month via zoom
Writer Submission Guidelines:
Picture Book (PB)
Submission length - Send in one manuscript. 1,000 words or less.
Document type - Word document (NOT Pages or PDF.)
Document name - GENRE (PB), LAST NAME, FIRST, TITLE
Document formatting - Size 12 font, Times New Roman. Double spaced. 1 inch margin on all sides.
Document header - Title/author last name (on the far left) and page numbers (on the far right)
Middle Grade (MG) / Young Adult (YA)
Submission length - Send in five pages (double spaced)
Document type - Word document (NOT Pages or PDF.)
Document name - GENRE (MG/YA), LAST NAME, FIRST, TITLE
Document formatting - Size 12 font, Times New Roman. Double spaced. 1 inch margin on all sides.
Document header - Title/author last name (on the far left) and page numbers (on the far right)
Note: If you are submitting a chapter that is later in the novel (not chapter 1), it is helpful to provide a “here’s what has happened so far” summary. It is also helpful to the critiquer if you include a complete synopsis of the novel so they can judge the excerpt within the entire context of the novel. These are merely suggestions, not requirements, to help you maximize the quality of the feedback from your group. First-time submissions: It is highly recommended you attend a meeting once before participating in a critique group. That way, you will know the process we follow. It is important you know the process as this is a moment of vulnerability for members of the group. We want to guide and inspire, not crush our aspiring writers.
Future Meet-up Dates:
July: No Meet-up due to SCBWI National Conference
Aug 24 (submissions due 8/15) Speaker: Kaitlyn Sanchez, agent, Bradford- Ask an Agent
Sept 28 (submissions due 9/19) Speaker: Laura Stegman, author- Writing an Author Bio
Oct 26 (submissions du 10/17) Speaker: Lee Wardlaw, author- Poetry
Nov 23 (submissions due 11/14)