Workshop Success Story: Mary Vander Plas Signed with Agent Jackie Kruzie!

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Congratulations, Mary! We are now agent sisters, too!

​How exciting that you found your agent match through one of the workshops that I host, led by publishing professionals. I'd love to hear all the juicy details, and I'm sure my blog audience is curious to know more, too, so here are my questions for you...

RJP: What was your situation before you signed up for the workshop? (Agented in the past, querying but not able to get a yes etc.)
 
MVP: I lost my agent at the end of 2023 when he left the business, so I found myself back in the query trenches. When I came across your workshop, I was happy to see an above the slushpile submission opportunity paired with an agent who was speaking on topics that were of interest to me.
 
RJP: What made you decide to sign up for this workshop?
 
MVP: I write humor, so any time I see that an agent is offering insight on that topic my ears perk up. I was intrigued by the fact that Jackie was a new agent who might be building a list of clients. The timing of this particular workshop was perfect! I also liked the fact that there was a replay available, and the cost didn’t break the bank.
 
RJP: How did you connect with me/found out about these workshops in the first place?
 
MVP: I believe I saw it come across my social media.

(RJP: Note to aspiring authors: make sure you follow me on social media or subscribe to my newsletter, so you don't miss out on future opportunities like that.)
 
RJP: What was your experience as a workshop attendee?
 
MVP: The workshop was terrific! It was well run, packed with great information, and personally gave me a really good sense of the exact manuscript I wanted to send to Jackie. I’m not new to kidlit and I’ve attended many workshops. Oftentimes information is repeated, but I found value in her fresh perspective and took lots of notes! 
 
RJP: Walk us through the process from that moment, then getting the offer, and deciding to sign with Jackie... How did you feel? What did it mean to you reaching that goal? What are you excited about for the future and with this partnership?
 
MVP: The process began like most, with Jackie asking to see more work. We then went through revisions on some of my manuscripts. We talked a couple of times on the phone to make sure we were on the same page with the revisions. She gave me wonderful editorial feedback that elevated my work without drastically changing it. After offering representation she gave me time to think about it and follow up with outstanding queries. But in the end, I felt confident that Jackie was the right agent for me. I’m excited to get back on submission, and Jackie is working hard to establish herself in the industry. She is kind, diligent, and knowledgeable. Most of all I’m excited to be one step closer to seeing more of my books out in the world. And with the ups and downs we all feel as creators in the publishing industry, that’s a good feeling.
 
 RJP: What would you say to other writers who might be holding back? 
 
This can be a tough one. There are many reasons writers or artists might be holding back. So, take the time to back away a bit if you need to. This industry can be crushing. But it can also be beautiful and make dreams come true. Hold on to your dreams. Look for opportunities to nurture them. Surround yourself with people who understand. And don’t be afraid to invest in yourself. Whether it’s with time, energy, money, habits, boundaries, (lots of snacks/coffee/tea!) …you’re worth it!

Thank you, Mary! Wishing you all the best with this agent/author partnership, your submissions, and all of your projects! Looking forward to celebrating more of your success stories in the near future!

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Could You Be Our Next Success Story?

​Register to attend our upcoming workshop with Charlesbridge Publishing Senior Editor, Karen Boss. Click HERE for more details and to sign up!

(Psst, a direct submission opportunity comes with this workshop, too!!!)