Upcoming Agent Spotlight Interviews & Guest Posts

  • Lane Clarke Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 10/9/2023
  • Jane Chun Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 10/16/2023
  • Morgan Hughes Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 11/6/2023
  • Ashley Reisinger Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 12/11/2023

Agent Spotlight & Agent Spotlight Updates

  • Agent Spotlights & Interviews have been updated through the letter "H" as of 5/11/2023 and many have been reviewed by the agents. Look for more information as I find the time to update more agent spotlights.

Literary Agent Interview: Eve Adler Interview and Query Critique Giveaway

Today I’m thrilled to have agent Eve Adler here. She is a literary agent at Red Fox Literary.

NOTE: Eve is closed to queries but has created a special submission form on Query Tracker for Literary Rambles followers that will be open until March 2023. You can find the link in this interview. 

Hi­ Eve! Thanks so much for joining us.

 

About Eve:

1. Tell us how you became an agent, how long you’ve been one, and what you’ve been doing as an agent.

I’ve been an agent for just about six months! Before that, I was an editor for over sixteen years. It was wonderful—I had the privilege of working with incredible authors and illustrators, and I learned a lot in my time at various publishing houses. Agenting had always been in the back of my mind, because I loved the idea of working more directly with authors and illustrators, developing ideas with them, finding the right publisher for each project, and helping clients build their careers. After many years of considering going over to the other side, I finally made the jump this year, and it’s been so fun! The creative opportunities feel limitless, and I’ve been so inspired by my clients and the submissions I’ve been getting. So far, I’ve signed on just a few clients (I’m being very selective!). I’ve also been doing a lot of workshops and critiques with various organizations, which I’m enjoying tremendously.

 

About the Agency:

 

2. Share a bit about your agency and what it offers to its authors.

Red Fox Literary is a boutique agency that specializes in children’s books, representing both authors and illustrators. We currently have eight agents spread out all over the U.S., and we work with Rights People for foreign rights. The agency was founded by Karen Grencik and Abigail Samoun in 2011, and since then has steadily built a stellar reputation as a welcoming, collaborative agency with friendly and knowledgeable agents. I was an admirer of the agency for years as an editor, and was delighted to join their ranks as an agent!

 

What She’s Looking For:

 

3. What age groups do you represent—picture books, MG, and/or YA? What genres do you represent and what are you looking for in submissions for these genres?


I’m looking for books for ages 0-12: board books, picture books, early readers, chapter books, early graphic novels, and young middle grade, fiction or nonfiction. For board books, I enjoy concept books or story-based books that feel fresh and exciting. For picture books, I’m interested in biographies, humor, cultural themes, social-emotional topics, Jewish-themed books, and nonfiction that’s approached in a relatable, kid-friendly way. For early readers and chapter books, I’m looking for simple, short stories aimed at ages 5-8, and longer, and more involved stories aimed at ages 7-10. I’d love to see graphic novels for this age range, too! Some genres/themes I'm interested in are funny/silly; adventure; mystery: friendship; and series based on one character. For middle grade, I love historical fiction, and powerful family/friendship stories. I also enjoy working with illustrators, and am always looking for artists looking to break through into children’s books!


For more details, my full wish list is here: https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/eve-adler/

 

4.  Is there anything you would be especially excited to see in the genres you are interested in?

In any genre and for any age group, I’m always looking for a strong voice. I have a workshop on voice that I love doing, because voice is such a mysterious—yet essential—part of writing. It’s fun to analyze it with authors! I’m also looking for originality—I want projects that are going to stand out in the marketplace, and that bring a new perspective or take on the subject matter. Ultimately, I’m looking for projects that make me feel something deeply. When I finish a manuscript or dummy and get chills or teary-eyed, I know it’s worth pursuing. 

 

What She Isn’t Looking For:

 

5. What types of submissions are you not interested in?

YA, adult books, horror, fantasy

 

Agent Philosophy:

 

6. What is your philosophy as an agent both in terms of the authors you want to work with and the books you want to represent?

I’m most interested in authors and illustrators who are eager to develop their craft, are continuously learning and exploring, and are receptive to feedback. Most importantly, they should understand that having an agent is being in a partnership based on trust and transparency. As for the books I’d like to represent, I’d love to find projects that open kids’ minds to new worlds and experiences, make them feel seen, heard, and understood, and also make them laugh (not all in the same book, necessarily!).

  

Editorial Agent:

 

7. Are you an editorial agent? If so, what is your process like when you’re working with your authors before submitting to editors?

Having been an editor for so long, I would definitely describe myself as an editorial agent. Depending on what a project needs, I’m always happy to provide editorial notes. After chatting with an author or illustrator and making sure we’re a good fit, we might go through a few revisions—usually big picture edits, followed by more specific line edits—before I feel something is ready to submit. Our goal is to get it in the best possible shape for an editor to see its potential; the editorial journey will continue with the editor, of course! I always do a lot of comp research, too, as that’s important in knowing how to pitch a project to editors.

 

Query Methods and Submission Guidelines: (Always verify before submitting)

 

8. How should authors query you and what do you want to see with the query letter?

I usually only consider submissions through industry referrals or conferences at which I present. That said, if you feel you have a manuscript, illustrator dummy, and/or portfolio that fits my wish list exactly, you can query me via QueryManager  (no emails please!). In a query letter, I expect a short summary of the project, some comps (so that I can see if authors have done their research and have a basic understanding of the marketplace), and a short bio, especially as it pertains to the project. I prefer to see a manuscript (full manuscript for picture books and 10 pages for a novel) or a dummy attached to the query.

 

9.  Do you have any specific dislikes in query letters or the first pages submitted to you?

Typos, of course, though they won’t necessarily make me stop reading—they just make it feel like authors and illustrators didn’t take quite enough time to look over their work. And not saying anything about yourself—I don’t need your resume, but a few lines about who you are and why your project is important to you is helpful to include.

 

Response Time:

 

10. What’s your response time to queries and requests for more pages of a manuscript?

I say three months, but I try to respond to queries sooner.

  

Self-Published and Small Press Authors:

 

11.  Are you open to representing authors who have self-published or been published by smaller presses? What advice do you have for them if they want to try to find an agent to represent them?

Yes, I’m certainly open to that, as long as it’s a new, unpublished project. I evaluate each project based on how I feel about it and what I know of the marketplace; an author’s previously published titles don’t come into play for me until after I’ve evaluated the project.

 

12. With all the changes in publishing—self-publishing, hybrid authors, more small publishers—do you see the role of agents changing at all? Why?

I think agents’ jobs are always evolving to adapt to the changing landscape (like any job, really!). It’s important for agents to keep up with the latest news and be aware of any new potential opportunities for their clients, but overall, the role of being an advocate for their clients, helping them develop the best projects, securing the best deals, and being a guide/resource throughout the publishing process remains the same.

 

Clients:

 

13. Who are some of the authors you represent?

Melissa Trempe and Kathryn Hagen, who both have really exciting projects that I’ll be submitting to editors soon!

 

Interviews and Guest Posts:

 

14. Please share the links to any interviews, guest posts, and podcasts you think would be helpful to writers interested in querying you.

Links and Contact Info:

Red Fox Literary’s website

My Manuscript Wish List

My Instagram

An interview I did when I was an editor


Update 1/18/2023:

Interview With SCBWI (11/2022)

 

15. Please share how writers should contact you to submit a query and your links on the Web.

I use QueryManager for queries.


Eva is currently closed to queries, but you can query her until March 2023 by using this link:

QueryManager.com/2518/Literary_Rambles_interview

 

Additional Advice:

 

16. Is there any other advice you’d like to share with aspiring authors that we haven’t covered?

Follow your passions, do your research, find a writing group, and have fun! It can be easy to get overwhelmed by the ever-changing trends and latest ‘it’ topics in publishing. As artists, I think it’s important to realize that publishing is a subjective industry, so write what you’re passionate about, believe in the value of your work, surround yourself with other writers and mentors who can help you hone your craft, and above all, enjoy the process!

  

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Eve.


Thank you so much for having me!

 

­Eve is generously offering a query critique to one lucky winner. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment through October 29th. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. If you do not want to enter the contest, that's okay. Just let me know in the comments.

 

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. This is an international giveaway.

 

Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or e-mail me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com

 

Note: These agent profiles and interviews presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found here is subject to change.

 

 


73 comments:

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Nice interview, Natalie!

Catie said...

Ms. Adler sounds like a perfect agent!

Laurie Calkhoven said...

Nice interview. What a great opportunity!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Yeah, typos really shouldn't be in a query letter.

abby mumford said...

Eve's editorial expertise + new agent enthusiasm sound like the perfect combo! Thanks for letting us get to know her and her MSWL interests better!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I project that makes you feel something. That's what I say, too, when going through submissions.

Carol Levin said...

Isn't kid-friendly what kidlit is all about? Way to go, Eve!

Judith L. Roth said...


Helpful interview, Natalie! Thanks!

Lauri Fortino said...

So nice to learn more about you, Eve! I wish you much luck in your agenting career!

Garden Girl said...

Thank you for spotlighting Eve Adler,in this interview, Natalie, along with an opportunity for the giveaway.

I am delighted to read Eve's wishlist. I appreciate her thoughts about a partnership between a writer and literay agent that is "based on trust and transparency."

I shared this blog post on Twitter and my Word Press accounts.

Sue Leopold
sleopold@gmail.com

Susan Schwartz Twiggs said...

Eve,
Welcome to the world of agenting. I am happy to learn about you and your interests and abilities.I hope that our paths cross soon.
Best,
Susan Schwartz Twiggs
reader@suetwiggswrites.com
suetwiggswrites.com

Claire B. said...

Thank you Natalie and Eve for this interview. Eve sounds like a lovely, collaborative agent!

Julianna said...

Thank you so much!

Christina Shawn said...

Wow! How exciting to learn more about Eve Adler. Thank you for a great interview and opportunity.
christinashawnbooks@gmail.com

Ana K said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

This was a wonderful interview. I appreciate that you like being an editorial agent. This was so helpful to hear from someone who has worn the "editor hat" as well. It was wonderful to learn more about Eve and MSWL. Thank you.

Ana K said...

What a great interview and opportunity. Thank you both.

Natalie, I also mentioned this interview on Twitter (posted on Melissa Trempe's announcement).

Mary Zychowicz said...

This is a great interview. It was wonderful to learn more about Eve. I will be checking out her MSWL. Thank you.

Biz said...

Is there a link to the workshop on voice? That sounds very beneficial.

Great interview and also good to learn more about Red Fox Literay.

Please enter me in the generous critique giveaway: elizabethchestney@gmail.com

Thanks!

Janet Frenck Sheets said...

I'd love to hear Eve's workshop on voice. And it's great to hear that her wish list includes humor.

Yangmama said...

How exciting to switch from being an editor to an agent! It allows you to do something fresh, yet it's definitely in your wheelhouse. Do you often hold workshops on voice? I'm sure a lot of us would love to know more :) Thanks so much for your i'view and congrats again on your new role!

(Jenny B -- buchetbooks@gmail.com)

Erika said...

Such an insightful interview! I’d love to enter the giveaway. Eromero @ evereducating . Com

Joy said...

Thank you for the interview! I've been seeing Eve's name a lot lately, it was good to learn more. joy.netanya [at] gmail

Heather Morris said...

I would love to be entered for a critique from Eve. Red Fox is top of my list!!

Laddy Lau said...

I enjoyed Eve's interview and hope to be a lucky recipient of a critique!

Megan Whitaker said...

Thank you for the interview! Always nice to have a new agent with loads of experience!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the interview. It’s always helpful to hear advise from an agent! Ashleyp128@gmail.com

Cathy Sheafor said...


Thank you for the interview! Advice is always cherished!

Ken said...

This is an amazing interview! Just loved to hear about her! Thanks for this!

Sarah Skolfield said...

Thanks for this interview. I am diving into querying and these profiles are so helpful!

Thelia said...

Thank you. That was a great and informative interview.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Great interview, as always! I always love reading about new agents! Eve sounds fantastic! ❤️

Writer.gorback@gmail.com

Soumi said...

Thank you for the interview. Currently in the query trenches and this is so helpful

soumiroy90@gmail.com

https://twitter.com/SoumiRoy1/status/1582354154491891715

Rose Cappelli said...

Great interview, and thanks for the opportunity!

Alexia Andoni said...

Sounds like a recipe for a dream agent to me! Thank you Eve and Natalie! Good luck everyone!

alexiamandoni [at] gmail.com

Kim A. Larson said...

Wonderful interview! Thank you, Eve and Natalie. It sounds like you'll be a great agent, Eve!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this interview. Glad to read there is another great agent out in the kidlit world! Congrats!

Joyce Frank said...

Great profile. Thank you! I happily boosted on Twitter.

Weaver said...

Another good interview, Natalie!

Anonymous said...

Great interview! Shared on Twitter as well 😊 emilyholewczynski@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Fantastic interview and thank you for sharing
@trunkythetree

Rosi said...

This is one of the best interviews you've had. Thanks so much for it and for a chance at a query critique.

Anonymous said...

Lovely interview and thanks for the critique contest opportunity. (I retweeted on Twitter.) Looking forward to attending Eve’s workshop on voice at the KS/MO SCBWI conference!

Hollie Wolverton said...

Loved learning more about Eve! Thank you both for this interview and the query critique opportunity. hgwolverton@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

This is great, Eve! Thanks for sharing

Anonymous said...

Great insights!

Dina Hodara said...

Great interview, thanks for the opportunity for a critique!

Jany said...

Thanks Eve for inspiring me to keep writing!!!

Jany said...

janycampana@gmail.com

Ashley Sierra said...

Thank you again for spotlighting another author. I shared on Twitter and receive you blog in email.

Kate Pellegrino said...

Thank you so much for posting this!
kathleen (dot) kacevich (at) gmail (dot) com

Leela said...

I'm an email subscriber.

Anonymous said...

Thank for the opportunity!
Amyhillmanwrites@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this article. Couldnt find the link to join from iphone. Please join me and enter into query contest. Great content sevenswebdesign (at) g mail

Andrea Strahan said...

Thanks for the great interview with Eve Adler. I, too, read Babar as a young child--I had completely forgotten!

Unknown said...

Love this article. Thanks, Eve, for sharing your story and insights into children's book publishing!

Tonja Drecker said...

What an interesting switch, and here's wishing you many fun years to come! (no giveaway for me this time)

Jennifer P. said...

Thanks for the great interview and query critique opportunity. I'd love to benefit from Eve's expertise!

Angie Quantrell said...

Great interview! Thanks so much for sharing with us, Eve. Congratulations on becoming an agent!

I tweeted this post, Natalie. :) angelecolline at yahoo dot com

Rachael said...

Great article! I appreciate the specific mention of board books. It can be hard to know whether agents are open to them are not. ~Rachael rjmrights@gmail.com

Andi Chitty said...

Wonderful interview, Eve sounds like a fantastic agent to work with. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!

Lauri Meyers said...

I love when an experienced editor brings her contacts and knowledge of the industry over to agenting.

Michelle Steinberg said...

Thanks for the great interview Natalie and Eve.

Michelle Mullen said...

Wonderful article! Thanks so much for sharing your story, Eve. Congratulations on your new role as an agent!

Bri Lawyer said...

Great interview! It's always helpful hearing from agents.

Rebecca Gardyn Levington said...

Great Interview! Thanks so much for sharing!
Rebecca Gardyn Levington
rgardyn@hotmail.com

Katie TheLogonauts said...

What an amazing interview, thank you for sharing!
1logonaut @ gmail

EmPowGil said...

A relationship built on trust and transparency--I LOVE that!

Ann Harrell said...

Terrific interview and insights! Thank you for this opportunity. I also shared on Twitter.

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing about another fantastic agent, Natalie! My SCBWI group is going to be talking about queries tomorrow, and I plan to recommend that they all follow your site for great information and chances to win query critiques!

Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

Natalie Aguirre said...

Thanks so much for recommending your critique group follow my blog, Nicole. I really appreciate it.

Ishta Mercurio said...

This is a great interview! Thanks so much to you for taking the time to pull it together, Natalie, and to Eve for taking the time to share.

Unfortunately, the Query Manager link in the interview says that Eve has closed to queries. It might be appropriate to delete the part at the top of the interview saying that she will be open to readers of this blog until March 2023. May the odds be in our favor when she reopens!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your time and all the tips. You sound fun. The contest wow. What a wonderful opportunity. Ordene.parris@icloud.com
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