Submissions Policy
Wernick & Pratt Agency specializes in children’s books. Our current client list includes authors and illustrators at all stages of their careers, from debut novelists to award-winning, experienced picture book creators. We are always open to finding and nurturing new talent, though we can take on only a limited number of new clients each year.
- WE REPRESENT: Authors and illustrators in all formats, genres, and age levels within children’s publishing, including board books, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, and graphic novels, both fiction and nonfiction.
- WE LOOK FOR: Voice-driven original storytelling, both verbal and visual, from creators who are committed to children’s books for the long term. We value professionalism and a collaborative spirit in our clients, to build and support relationships with us as agents and with the editors and art directors who acquire their work.
- WE ARE NOT THE RIGHT FIT FOR: Adult books (fiction or nonfiction), as well as any project for any audience that uses generative AI or other artificial intelligence tools in its creation. We represent people, not bots.
Please read our guidelines carefully, as we do not review or respond to submissions that do not follow them.
- Please send a cover email to submissions@wernickpratt.com, addressed to one agent only, Do not send the same submission to multiple agents at W&P.
- The email should include the following information:
- A description of your manuscript(s)
- Your publishing history, if any
- Your current contact information, including your website, if you have one
- Whether you were referred to us by a current client or other publishing colleague
- Whether your submission is exclusive to us (ideally for one month), or nonexclusive
- If you write for multiple ages/formats, please send the manuscript(s) you feel are the strongest. You can describe in your cover email any other manuscripts that are ready for submission.
- Please make sure to review your email and manuscript for spelling and grammar, as minor errors can affect our reading experience.
- We do not accept submissions via social media or snail mail, nor do we accept submissions on behalf of someone else (e.g., an “agent” sending us work by another writer).
Two (2) complete manuscripts, sent either as attachments (.docx or .pdf only; we cannot accept .pages) or embedded in the body of the email. In the current picture book market, manuscripts should be no more than 750 words.
- Why? Especially in picture books, we want to see the breadth of your work. A key to success as a picture-book writer is having many stories ready for submission and many more in development, since the market for manuscripts is limited. If you have only one picture-book manuscript that is ready to share with agents and editors, you are not ready to submit your work to us.
Please send one (1) or two (2) complete picture book dummies, as a .pdf attachment. The dummies may be full-color throughout, or sketches with 2-3 full-color sample spreads. If you have other manuscripts in development, you may either send one (1) additional manuscript (.docx or .pdf attachment) or describe said projects in your cover email. Please also send a link to your website, so we can see your full portfolio as well.
- Why? We want to see how you approach the standard picture-book format, using its unique rhythm and features (page turns, gutters, vignettes, spreads, type placement, etc.) to their full potential. We appreciate seeing how your work develops from sketch stage to final art, and we want to see the full range of your art and story ideas as well.
A full manuscript, as well as a synopsis including all plot points/spoilers, and an outline of any additional titles in the case of a proposed series, sent either as an attachment (.docx or .pdf only; we cannot accept .pages) or embedded in the body of the email. In the current chapter book market, manuscripts should range between 4,000 to 8,000 words, depending on the target age and reading levels.
- Why? Chapter books are a challenging format, with limited vocabulary and a small window of readership. We want to see how you craft a full story with memorable characters that can stand out in a crowded market. Not every chapter book is (or needs to be) part of a series, but if you are proposing multiple books, we want to see how you create the broader universe of your characters and stories.
The first three (3) chapters of the manuscript, as well as a full synopsis including all plot points/spoilers, sent either as an attachment (.docx or .pdf only; we cannot accept .pages) or embedded in the body of the email. In the current MG market, manuscripts should range between 25,000 and 60,000 words. For YA, our target range is between 50,000 and 90,000 words, depending on the topic and audience.
- Why? We want to understand how you write, at both the sentence and structural levels. Do your opening chapters grab us and make us want to read more? Can you summarize your story succinctly and clearly in a synopsis? Does the complete story fulfill the promise of the opening chapters?
Please send a sample of 8 to 12 illustrations, showcasing the style(s) in which you work and demonstrating your use of color, line, character development, and consistency. The most effective samples have a strong sense of narrative, inviting the viewer to question and respond to the image, rather than simply observe a static scene or character. If you are interested in creating jacket and/or interior art, please include a few samples thereof, including black-and-white line art. These samples can be compiled into a single PDF (preferred) or sent as individual .jpgs; all attachments should be less than 10MB total. Please also send a link to your website, so we can see your full portfolio as well.
- Why? We want to understand what you consider your best work, so the samples you send should reflect your preferences. We also want to see how you currently present your work online to potential clients and publishers, and get a better sense of the breadth of your illustration style(s).
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? If we are interested in seeing more of your work, we will contact you. We regret that the volume of submissions we receive precludes us from responding to every prospective client. If you have not heard from us within six (6) weeks of your submission, please consider our response a pass.