YA, middle grade, and picture books
Emily van Beek
Partner
I moved to New York City from Toronto armed with dual citizenship, a dream to work in children’s publishing, and inspiration from my favorite (if clichéd) Zen magnet, “Leap and the net will appear”. I’m a partner and literary agent at Folio. Some of the New York Times bestselling and award-winning clients I represent include Kendare Blake, Lauren Castillo, Amina Luqman Dawson, Jenny Han, Rachael Lippincott, Lois Lowry, Cherry Mo, Sydney Smith, Philip & Erin Stead as well as striking debut and emerging voices. I am an editorial agent passionate about negotiating the best deal possible, working with our esteemed subsidiary and contracts teams to squeeze as much juice out of a property as it will yield, and helping my clients to publish books that will stand the test of time.
A few of the authors & illustrators I represent...
Please note that my colleague, Estelle Laure, and I work very closely together. Any queries to me should also be considered queries to her.
NEW ADULT: We would LOVE a coming-of-age story with series potential; a romantasy series with a new, delicious hook; a cozy mystery with series potential; a high-concept speculative; a juicy family drama. We're always on the lookout for a comedy, rom-com, or otherwise hilarious romp. There is so much to work with in terms of first attempts at adulthood, and we're actively adding to our list in this sphere.
YOUNG ADULT: We're eager to find novels that are high-concept and also incredibly well written. We want to be in the marrow of human experience here. Give us something bold and fresh with a voice that’s impossible to put aside. We're probably not the best choice for “message” books or hard science fiction. What we're really looking for is the intersection between stellar writing and plot — something that leaves us puffy-eyed or laughing out loud. We're looking for emotional connection, for drama, for hope. Oh! Something else — we would love, love, LOVE to discover a FUNNY manuscript like RAYNE & DELILAH’S MIDNITE MATINEE by Jeff Zentner.
Other favorite YA includes (takes deep breath): TYRELL by Coe Booth, I WILL SAVE YOU by Matt de la Peña, I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN by Jandy Nelson, THE FIREKEEPER’S DAUGHTER by Angeline Boulley, STRANGE THE DREAMER by Laini Taylor, MOSQUITOLAND by David Arnold, GIRL IN PIECES by Kathleen Glasgow, DAMSEL by Elana K. Arnold, TOKYO EVER AFTER by Emiko Jean, A MILLION JUNES by Emily Henry, THE BELLES by Dhonielle Clayton, THIS SAVAGE SONG by Victoria Schwab, DIG by A.S. King, KILL THE BOY BAND by Goldy Moldavsky, ALL BOYS AREN’T BLUE by George M. Johnson, and FABLE by Adrienne Young.
MIDDLE GRADE: We're very judiciously on the hunt for exquisitely imagined middle grade. We’d love a middle grade crush/first-tremors-of-love book. We’d be thrilled to find a comedy or a humorously mischievous story. We're looking for a plot that works with the middle grade attention span, which is always top of mind. We aren't a great fit road trip or questing-through-the-forest-type adventures. Favorites include: FAR FROM HOME by Jasmine Warga, AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS by B.B. Alston, THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN by Katherine Applegate, KEEPER by Kathi Appelt, ROOFTOPPERS by Katherine Rundell, and PET by Akwaeke Emezi.
PICTURE BOOKS: At this time, we're exclusively interested in AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATORS, especially award-worthy artwork, character-driven series, and work by diverse creators featuring diverse stories.
We aren't looking for board books, novelty, picture book texts, or chapter books at this time.