SCBWI Exclusive with... Lynette Novak

Although Lynnette was born and raised Manitoba, Canada, she now lives in Minnesota with her husband, twin girls, and many pets. Her personal interests include reading, writing, exercising at the gym (okay, that’s a love/hate relationship), working on an assortment of crafts, all things having to do with animals (if she could own a farm, zoo, and animal shelter, she would), and enjoying time with family and friends.

What was your path to becoming an agent?

Years ago, I divided my time between my elementary/middle school teaching jobs, freelance editing, and writing. I used to write romantic suspense and was starting to get somewhere, winning awards or finaling in big contests like The Daphne du Maurier and The Golden Heart. I even had an offer of representation from an agent for one of my manuscripts. So, you could say I know what writers go through and can totally relate to their side of the industry. 

In 2015 and 2016, as a freelance editor, I mentored in Pitch Wars (an online contest, where published and/or agented authors and freelance editors mentored writers). Going through the slush pile of entries was exhilarating. I fell in love with the idea of agenting back then, but I pushed that feeling aside. I believed you had to become an intern at an agency right out of university. I didn’t do that, so I figured I’d missed the boat.

However, a conversation I had with an agent while attending the RWA conference as a Golden Heart Finalist threw me for a loop! I told her how much fun I had as a Pitch Wars mentor, and I wished I could’ve been an agent too. She laughed. She said I could jump right into agenting because of my seventeen years freelance editing experience.

Who knew?

That simple conversation changed everything. I could become a literary agent. But, I had an offer of rep on my book… Starting two careers at the same time (agent and author) would have made my head explode, so I had to choose. Did I want to work on the same story daily for months or years, or did I want to read for a living? Easy answer. As an agent, I get to experience so many worlds, plots, and characters than I would’ve writing my own stories.

I contacted a handful of literary agencies, received three offers, and chose to work with The Seymour Agency in 2017. 

Best. Decision. Ever.

Not only do I get to read for a living, but I’m also able to channel my inner teacher and help my authors improve. I LOVE attending conferences, taking pitches, sitting on panels, teaching my workshops, and hanging out with authors—my peeps! I’m always looking for more conferences to attend, so please spread the word!

When you are reading a sub, what compels you to want to represent a manuscript/author?

As an agent, I receive a lot of queries and request a fair amount of partials and fulls from my slush pile as well as from social media pitch parties and virtual or in-person pitches. I can’t tell you how many of the manuscripts I’ve rejected were amazing, but I had to pass because I wasn’t IN LOVE with the work. I have to be that picky because if I wasn’t, I’d want to represent almost everyone. How do I know if I want to offer on a manuscript? If I’m obsessed with the story and can’t stop thinking about the characters, I know I MUST HAVE IT. 

What can a client expect once they sign with you?

My clients can expect my support, encouragement, and communication. We discuss ideas before they start writing to ensure their premise is unique and has a strong hook. If not, we brainstorm how to improve the concept. When editing, I first do a big-picture edit and then take a closer look with Track Changes on. I go over the editor list with my clients before I take their project out on sub, and I send them a spreadsheet at the end of the month that details the feedback we’ve received up until that point and who’s still considering. Periodically, I send a TeamNovak update to all, and I have an end-of-year Zoom with my team. If a revise-and-resubmit comes in, we discuss the editor’s suggestions and whether or not my client should rework the story. When we receive an offer, we discuss it as well as the contract details and devise a plan.

What’s on your manuscript wish list?

Technically, I’m currently closed to queries with the exception of adult nonfiction and authors who participated in the conferences I attended. I keep my #MSWL page updated, so authors can go there to see when I reopen to other genres. https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/lynnette-novak/

Here’s a list of what I normally would like to see in my inbox when I’m open to queries.

(Always looking for BIPOC, diversity of all kinds, and LGBTQ+!!!)

Illustrators: Board book, picture book, illustrated MG, illustrated covers for kid lit and adult.

Picture books: fiction and nonfiction picture books (non-rhyming preferred).

MG genres: contemporary, magical realism, contemporary/grounded fantasy, horror

YA genres: rom-com, romantasy, fantasy, magical realism, horror

Adult fiction genres: horror, contemporary romance, romcom, and romantasy

I’m not looking for: thrillers, mysteries, historical fiction, literary fiction, poetry, novellas, epic fantasies, sci-fi, or screenplays.

Adult nonfiction genres: memoirs, narrative, spirituality/New Age, self-help, health/fitness, parenting/family, motivational/inspirational, business, celebrity, lifestyle, pets, psychology, relationships & dating, and true crime. You must be an expert in the field and have a platform.

What kind of platform do you need for nonfiction? Are you a celebrity with a story to tell? An expert in the field (doctor, CEO, trainer, psychologist, etc.)? Do you have a direct route to the consumer? Are you a social influencer or public speaker?

I love dark and suspenseful, mysterious twists, unique worlds, light and funny, a good love story, and lots of voice.

When querying me, please send to: https://QueryManager.com/QueryLynnetteNovak 

Follow Lynnette: 

Threads: @lynnette_novak

Blue Sky: @lynnettenovak.bsky.social