Two Agents at Azantian Literary seek books for young people, picture books to YA, plus graphic novels

Azantian Literary Agency

40509 Calla Lilly Street
Murrieta, California

http://azantianlitagency.com/

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Azantian is a young agency. Founded in 2014 by Jennifer Azantian, the agency has five agents altogether, four of them Associate Agents, relatively new to the business. Azantian does represent adult fiction and nonfiction, but leans toward kid lit: picture books to young adult, including graphic novels. Two Associate Agents at Azantian are actively seeking new authors:

Andrea Walker started her career in publishing through several internships, eventually joining Olswanger Literary as a contracts intern. It was there she first began building her client list. As a writer herself, Andrea isn't afraid to rework something several times to make it shine.

Before publishing, Andrea earned her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies focusing on Creative Writing and Education from UCF and is currently working towards her Masters. When she's not reading or writing, Andrea is enjoying time with her family.

Andrea represents Picture Books, Middle Grade, and Young Adults. Like everybody else, she is especially interested in seeing submissions from underrepresented voices.

Picture Books: “My tastes are very selective for Picture Books. I'm looking for high-concept stories with a great hook. Text that is so well written, I visualize the illustrations as I'm reading. I love to laugh in the PB space and enjoy anything quirky or fun like I WANT MY HAT BACK or filled with heart like in A SICK DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE. While, I love lyrical prose, I am not a good fit for rhyming text or anything that is overly sweet. Overall, I love to be surprised, if you've taken a concept and flipped it on its head, I'd love to see it!”

Middle Grade & Chapter Books: “I am eager to build my middle grade list and on the lookout for lower MG and chapter books too. I'm always interested in high-concept, but I'm really looking for voice and the ability to capture the complex feelings of this age. 

"I would love to visit lush worlds like THE NIGHT GARDENER with characters you can't help but root for a la GHOST, anything filled with heart and hope as in FR GarageBand ONT DESK or that helps kids deal with tough topics like THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF COYOTE SUNRISE or THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH. I'm not a good fit for high fantasy, but I'm open to all else.”

Young Adult: “I absolutely love YA, it's what really drew me to the world of publishing. Again, I'm really drawn to high-concept and commercial young adult works. I'm looking for stories that stay with you long after you finish them like SLAY and THE WILDER GIRLS. Beautiful prose that sweeps you into the world with no looking back like CARAVAL or THE HAZEL WOOD. Books that blend prose and epistolary like SADIE or RULES FOR VANISHING. Stories with standout voice like YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN A CROWN and explore tough topics or deeper truths as in THE GRACE YEAR. I'm always interested in stories where magic is real and hiding in plain sight, books with speculative elements, and mysteries.”

To query Andrea, fill out her submissions form

Alexandra Weiss joined the world of publishing in 2016, as an associate agent with the Jennifer De Chiara Agency. In 2021, she joined Azantian Literary Agency. She holds a BFA in creative writing and publishing from Columbia College Chicago and has written for Bustle and Buzzfeed, among others.

She regularly volunteers with literary organizations and has a soft spot for working with young readers. When she isn't reading or writing, she's probably baking up a storm or snuggling with her cat.

Alexandra is looking for fiction and nonfiction picture books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, and select adult nonfiction. Like everybody else, she’s looking for “marginalized creators and diverse stories. I'm actively seeking BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, genderfluid, neurodiverse, and disabled voices for all ages and genres.”

Graphic Novels: “Please send me your early reader, MG, and YA graphic novel proposals! I'm actively seeking contemporary projects but am open to all genres. Some recent favorites include THIS WAS OUR PACT, SEANCE TEA PARTY and GO WITH THE FLOW. I'd also love to see some nonfiction graphic novels that cover fascinating topics.”

Picture Books: “I love heartfelt, funny, and whimsical picture books. If you have a clever concept that's never been done before or provides a fresh twist on a classic tale (such as PRINCE AND KNIGHT), please send it my way.

"I'm also eagerly searching for picture books books that introduce STEAM concepts and make complex topics approachable (and fun!) for young readers. I'm also interested in representing more author/illustrators. I enjoy a lot of different styles but generally lean toward art that's unique, bold, and playful.”

Middle Grade: “I adore all types of adventurous, smart, and out-of-the-box chapter and middle-grade books. Silly schemes! Fantastic friendships! Ambitious adventures! If it has magic, science, or time travel, I'm all in. I'm also a big fan of contemporary middle grade that pulls at your heartstrings (think I'LL SEE YOU IN THE COSMOS and SONG FOR A WHALE). I'm particularly interested in finding more middle grade that isn't afraid to explore the complicated emotions and challenges preteens face today.”

Young Adult: “I'm most drawn to contemporary, light science fiction and fantasy, as well as magical realism in YA. I'm looking for strong, distinct, and diverse voices that authentically capture the coming-of-age experience. I'm a fan of angsty characters and stories that explore difficult situations, but I'd also love to see more lighthearted and fluffy romcoms. I'm also interested in YA stories that take place outside of the US or feature mythology from non-western cultures.”

Adult Nonfiction: “Currently, I'm seeking nonfiction proposals from scientists and experts in their field. Some topics I'm interested in include global warming, space exploration, and mental heath. I'm also open to unique gift books that bring something new to the table.”

To query Alexandra, fill out her submissions form

Literary agent Meg Wheeler 

If you’re interested in meeting an agent and in getting published, don’t miss our online How to get Published workshop Saturday, May 8, with literary agent Meg Wheeler of Westwood Creative Artists (see here).

If you’re especially interested in writing for children, don’t miss Writing Kid Lit and Young Adult Fiction course, offered online Wednesday evenings, April 21 – June 16 (see here) and Writing for Children and for Young Adults workshop with Orca Books editor Liz Kemp, offered online Saturday, April 24. Details here. 

Beyond that, Brian Henry’s schedule continues to take shape...

Online: How to Write a Bestseller, with New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong, Saturday, April 3.  Details here.

Online: How to Build Your Novel, with author Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, Sunday, April 11. Details here.

Spring classes:

Online: Writing Personal Stories, nine weeks of creativity and fellowship. Two sessions offered: Tuesday afternoons, April 13 – June 15 and Thursday afternoons, April 15 – June 24 {no class June 10}. Details here.    

Online: Welcome to Creative Writing, an introductory, low pressure course to get the creative juices flowing. Thursday evenings, April 15 – June 24 {no class May 27}. Details here.

More workshops:

Online: Beginning Right – How to open your novel, Saturday, May 15. Details here.

Online: Finding Your Voice, Sunday, May 30. Details here.

Writing retreat:

Algonquin Park: Writing Retreat at Arowhon Pines Resort, an island of luxury in the middle of a wilderness. Friday, June 11 – Monday, June 14.  Details here.

Summer classes ~ in person:

In-person: Exploring Creative Writing, Wednesday afternoons, July 7 – Aug 25, in Burlington. Details here.

In-person: Intensive Creative Writing, Wednesday afternoons, July 7 – Aug 25, in Burlington. Details here.  

Information about online summer courses to come.

For more details or to register for any workshop, retreat or weekly class, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca

See Brian’s complete current schedule here,  including online and in-person writing workshops, weekly writing classes, and weekend retreats in Algonquin Park, Alliston, Bolton, Barrie, Brampton, Burlington, Caledon, Collingwood, Georgetown, Georgina, Guelph, Hamilton, Jackson’s Point, Kingston, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Midland, Mississauga, Oakville, Ottawa, Peterborough, St. Catharines, Southampton, Sudbury, Toronto, Windsor, Woodstock, Halton, Muskoka, Peel, Simcoe, York Region, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

 Navigation tips: Always check out the Labels underneath a post; they’ll lead you to various distinct collections of postings. For more children’s and young adult publishers, see here {and scroll down}. For book publishers in general, see here {and scroll down}.