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How Carrie Finison Found an Agent

12/8/2013

61 Comments

 
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I've had the privilege of getting to know Carrie Finison this year by being in an online picture book critique group for 12x12. I was thrilled when Carrie recently landed an agent. Carrie is an excellent writer and writes a lot of great rhyming manuscripts and poetry from her home in Massachusetts. Welcome, Carrie!

How did you get started in writing?
I always liked to write and took many writing classes, both in high school and as an English major in college. After I graduated, I worked in educational publishing, first at a print-based publisher, and then at a software publisher. Writing and editing were regular parts of my job, but still I never thought of myself as a "writer."

When my son was born, I left work to be home with him. We had a subscription to Babybug magazine, and after reading each issue 20 or more times, I thought I could try to write some poems like the ones they publish for very young kids. So that's where I started.

Have you taken any writing classes that have helped you in your picture book writing?
Yes, after working sporadically on short pieces for magazines like Babybug and High Five, I found out about a picture book writing class that was being offered at the arts education center in town. By that time, with two kids, I had been reading picture books every day for several years and I thought I could try to write one (see a pattern?). I took that class and wrote my first picture book story. I spent a LOT of time reworking that one story. I took it to a conference where I got positive feedback from an editor, but when she asked what else I was working on, I didn't have much to say.

So at that point, the light dawned - I needed to write more than one story if I wanted to be a writer! I signed up for 12x12 in 2012 and wrote a story each month. That same spring I also took Anastasia Suen's online picture book course which gave me some great insights into plot structures for picture books.

How did you know which agents to submit to?
There are so many agents out there, but it's hard to get one as a picture book writer only (not an author-illustrator). While I do want to expand into chapter books and middle grade at some point, when I started querying all I had ready were picture books. So that narrowed the field considerably. Also, some of my stories are written in rhyme, so I wanted an agent who liked rhyme and had a good sense for it. I tried to pay attention to which agents repped authors who write in rhyme. But I didn't discount other agents, unless I found an interview where they were categorically against rhyme.

How did you nab an agent?
I had decided to lead with a non-rhyming story, just to avoid any knee-jerk 'no rhyme' reaction from agents. I had a story making the rounds, and I got some positive feedback on it but no offers. One agent literally said, "This story is going to get you an agent…but unfortunately not me." I was getting ready for a round of submissions to about 5 more agents from my list before going on vacation. A friend posted Jennifer Starkman's name to a Facebook group for writers focused on submission (SubItClub). I researched her a bit, and she seemed like a good match for me and my writing, so I added her to my batch and sent off my submission.

In my cover letter, I included a brief description of some of the other manuscripts I had available. I heard back from Jennifer quickly. She said she was on the fence about the story I submitted, but asked to see the other stories I had mentioned. At that point, vacations for both of us interrupted the whole process. Maybe three weeks later I heard from her again. She expressed interest in two of the stories, but requested some revisions. These were fairly minor, but I thought her suggestions were good and they made me feel we were on the same wavelength with regard to editing. I addressed her concerns and also took the opportunity to scrub the stories one last time. She liked the changes I made and at that point said she would like to represent me.

Any advice to writers who are looking for an agent?
First of all, write the best story you can, and get some external validation that it's good (and not from anyone related to you!).

Second, once you have written one good story - write another one! I caught my agent's interest with the first story I sent, but if I hadn't had any others to back it up, I might not have gotten an offer from her. The general rule is 2-3 additional picture book manuscripts, beyond the one you are submitting.

And, while you're doing all that writing, take the time to connect with other writers! You'll hear tidbits about agents and agencies, including  who's looking for new clients. There are many ways to connect. Facebook groups like the 12x12 group, PiBoIdMo, SubItClub, and WOW (for nonfiction) are great. I'm also a member of Verla Kay's Blueboards, and SCBWI. WriteOnCon is a great resource, too, especially if you can't attend an SCBWI conference in person. I'm not on Twitter much, but I know from others that it's a good way to find out what particular agents are seeking, and you can join in on pitch parties.

How do you know when your manuscript is ready to submit?
I rely on feedback from my critique groups and also my own feeling that I've done the most I can do with the story - further changes are making it different but not necessarily better. And - it's hard, but I try to avoid submitting too early. It helps to put things away for several weeks or months and come back with fresh eyes. That gives me more confidence that something is ready to submit.

Also, I think the strongest stories for submission have a very strong and unique idea behind them. It's not just the good writing, but the idea that sells the manuscript. Before I submit, and sometimes even before I write, I try to get a sense of how my story stands out from others with the same topic or theme.

Good luck with submitting everyone! And thank you, Tina, for having me on your blog.

Thanks so much, Carrie, for sharing your wisdom! And congratulations, again! You can find Carrie at:
web site: http://www.carriefinison.com/

blog: http://storypatch.wordpress.com/

61 Comments
patientdreamer link
12/8/2013 08:47:07 pm

This is a lovely interview, ladies. I loved how we get to know a little more about someone, even though we have known each other for some time. A brilliant critique partner. Congrats Carrie.

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 09:57:48 am

Thanks, Diane, for stopping by. I agree, she's brilliant!

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Amber Hamilton link
12/8/2013 08:58:46 pm

Thanks for posting this interview. :)

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 09:58:15 am

Thanks, Amber, for visiting.

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Laura S. link
12/8/2013 09:31:25 pm

Great interview, ladies and congratulations on getting an agent, Carrie. You are a talented writer and I'm feel sure more good things are in store for you! (For Tina, too, for that matter =) )

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 09:58:46 am

You're very sweet, Laura. Thanks!

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Kirsten Larson link
12/8/2013 10:18:20 pm

Thans for sharing this wonderful story. Congrats, Carrie!

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 09:59:14 am

Thanks, Kirsten, for stopping by!

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Cathy Ballou Mealey link
12/8/2013 10:18:42 pm

I love this interview Carrie and Tina!
I'm lucky to live near enough to Carrie that we see each other from time to time and chat about writing. I am so happy that she has found a marvelous agent to help get more of her stories into the hands of young readers and their parents!

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Carrie Finison link
12/9/2013 10:01:17 am

And thank YOU, Cathy, for posting her name in the first place!

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 09:59:58 am

Oh, I'm jealous you live by her! How cool you meet once in a while!

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Carrie Finison link
12/8/2013 10:32:50 pm

Thanks everyone, and thank you for having me, Tina! It was fun.

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Sylvia Liu link
12/8/2013 11:01:39 pm

Great interview. I love your advice that the strongest stories have a unique concept.

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:00:56 am

Carrie gives great advice! Thanks for stopping by, Sylvia!

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Robin link
12/9/2013 01:34:17 am

Congratulations, Carrie! Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Please keep us posted on the success of your books.

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:01:34 am

I'm sure we'll be hearing real soon about a book by Carrie!

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Kristen Fulton link
12/9/2013 01:50:10 am

YAY Carrie! You absolutely deserve it! Great interview Tina.

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:01:59 am

Thanks for stoppin by, Kristen!

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Sandy Perlic
12/9/2013 01:57:43 am

What a great interview - I loved learning more about someone whose name I've seen often. So happy you found an agent, Carrie! I think that was a smart strategy to query with non-rhyming work. So... did she end up liking the non-rhyming manuscripts or rhyming, or both?

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Carrie Finison link
12/9/2013 09:58:45 am

Hi Sandy - She liked both! Which is great for me. I don't always write in rhyme, but I do enjoy it and want to keep that option open.

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:02:45 am

Glad the interview was helpful, Sandy!

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Darshana Khiani link
12/9/2013 02:59:55 am

Wonderful interview! Congratulations Carrie. Hope to hear more good news from you next year.

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:03:47 am

Thanks for reading Carrie's interview, Darshana!

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Evelyn Christensen link
12/9/2013 03:06:47 am

Thank you, Tina and Carrie, for the interesting interview. And congrats to you, Carrie, on your agent and on your excellent writing! Wishing you the best!

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:04:32 am

Thanks for reading the post, Ev, in spite of all that's going on.

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Mirka Breen link
12/9/2013 03:51:57 am

A hearty congratulations to Carrie!
As an aside- I hadn't imagined there was a club for those seeking an agent :D

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:05:05 am

Ya, Mirka, you should join the Facebook groups!

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Julie Rowan-Zoch link
12/9/2013 03:59:51 am

I feel privileged that I got to read one of Carrie's stories. This girl has skills!

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:05:31 am

Indeed, she does!

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Leandra link
12/9/2013 04:14:46 am

I always like hearing these sort of tales- everyone's path is always so different. Congrats on becoming agented!

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:06:07 am

Yes! I love these agent stories, too!

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Hannah Holt link
12/9/2013 06:42:05 am

Carrie, this still makes me so HAPPY! Yay, you! Also, great advice on the preparation you need to do before querying agents. I think it's really important to try something new and polish several stories before querying agents.

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:06:39 am

Both of you give great advice!

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Jennifer Starkman
12/9/2013 06:57:18 am

What a lovely interview! I'm so thrilled to have Carrie as a client. She is an absolute pleasure to work with, and I think that her advice here is spot on!

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Carrie Finison link
12/9/2013 09:59:50 am

Thanks, Jennifer! :-)

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:07:27 am

Thanks, Jennifer, for stopping by. I can't wait to hear further news about Carrie's publishing career!

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Teresa Robeson link
12/9/2013 08:37:36 am

Huge congrats to Carrie! And thank you for some gems of advice in there.

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:08:03 am

I agree. Thanks for stopping, Teresa!

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Tracy Campbell link
12/9/2013 09:28:42 am

Hi Tina and Carrie,
I gleaned great advice here. Congratulations, Carrie. :-)

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:08:31 am

Glad it was useful, Tracy!

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Jarm Del Boccio link
12/9/2013 10:45:00 am

Carrie, thanks for sharing your journey with us. I loved BabyBug when my kids were small, although at that time, I wasn't even thinking of writing children's stories.
So happy for you!

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:14:49 am

Thanks, Jarm, for your comment for Carrie!

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Carrie Charley Brown link
12/9/2013 10:48:39 am

Congratulations, Carrie! Thanks for sharing your story, and thank you, Tina, for interviewing her!

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:09:01 am

You're welcome! Thanks for stopping by!

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Pam Brunskill
12/9/2013 11:00:22 am

Great interview, Tina. Congratulations, Carrie!

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:09:53 am

Thanks, Pam, for your words of congrats!

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Emily
12/9/2013 11:43:05 am

Great interview! Very helpful to hear the path you took to snagging an agent,Carrie.

Tina, thanks for this! 12x12 success stories are so encouraging!

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:10:28 am

I agree, Emily!

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Tara Lazar link
12/9/2013 12:21:07 pm

Congratulations, Carrie! And you're so right, it's the CONCEPT that really sells a picture book. Hope to hear more good news from you soon!

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:11:10 am

Thanks, Tara, for stopping by!

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Romelle Broas link
12/9/2013 03:11:45 pm

Congratulations again, Carrie! I like your approach of including a brief description of your other mss. I haven't thought of that since I've been thinking all along that I was supposed to submit only one project. Mentioning the others is a good idea though. Thanks, Tina, for the interview!

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:11:45 am

Ya, that is a good idea! I'll have to remember that, too.

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Dana Carey link
12/9/2013 04:52:08 pm

Carrie gives so much great advice here.
I'm so happy you got your agent, Carrie.
Great interview, Carrie and Tina!

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:12:15 am

Thanks, Dana!

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Barbara Etlin link
12/10/2013 06:37:12 am

Great interview! Congrats, Carrie, and much good luck to you and your book!

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:12:48 am

Thanks, Barbara, for your comment for Carrie!

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Stacy S. Jensen link
12/10/2013 03:18:23 pm

Congratulations Carrie. Thanks for sharing your story. I always learn something from these interviews. Thank you Tina and Carrie!

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:13:25 am

I think these interviews are so helpful, too. Thanks, Stacy!

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Penny Parker Klostermann link
12/11/2013 09:13:48 am

Great interview, Tina and Carrie!
Carrie, I am so happy for you. Since I have been lucky enough to read some of your stories in our poetry critique group I know they need to be in the hands of children. You're one talented lady!

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Tina Cho link
12/12/2013 10:14:04 am

That's neat you're also in a poetry group w/Carrie! Thanks for stopping by, Penny!

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Heather Ayris Burnell link
12/19/2013 01:09:29 am

Congratulations Carrie! So happy to read about your success! Looking forward to many books from you. :)

Reply



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    Tina M. Cho, children's author

    I'm a children's author and freelance writer for the educational market. Welcome!

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