June Agent of the Month: Kelly Dyksterhouse Interview Part three

JUNE AGENT OF THE MONTH

KELLY DYKSTERHOUSE, Literary Agent

Raven Quill Literary Agency

Kelly Dyksterhouse grew up with a book always in her hands and a story always in her head. The important role that books played in her early years developed into a passion for children’s literature in her adult life. Kelly holds an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults for Vermont College of Fine Arts and has interned as an editorial reader at leading literary agencies and worked as an independent developmental editor and writing mentor. She considers the opportunity to help bring books into existence to be a great honor, and it is a particular joy for her to work alongside authors as they develop their project from idea to polished manuscript. The best feeling of all is when those manuscripts end up as books in the hands of children.

I am looking to acquire middle grade and young adult novels and narrative nonfiction, as well as picture books and graphic novels.

For 2021, I am especially looking for graphic novels. I’ll consider text only, but am hungry for author/illustrators.

For picture books, I am drawn to books that are character driven with a strong narrative arc, and I particularly love books with a surprise or subversive twist to them that make me laugh. I also love lyrical texts with a classic feel, and am looking for nonfiction picture books about a little known period of history or that focus on the natural world. Author/Illustrators are always a plus.

In middle grade, I’m looking for a wide range of genres. I enjoy high-concept, fast-paced adventure books with a commercial hook, either contemporary or speculative, as well as literary works featuring lush, lyrical writing. I love ghost stories, magical realism, historical fiction and mysteries–books that get you to look at the familiar in a different light and to see the possible in the impossible. I enjoy books that feature ensemble casts, unlikely heroes, underdogs, surprise friendships and complicated, yet hopeful, family dynamics. I am particularly interested in books written by and featuring underrepresented voices in ways that showcase kids being kids in all the above scenarios. For nonfiction, I’m interested in projects that shed a light on a little known historical time period or discovery, projects that focus on the natural world, and issues of social justice. In all genres, I’m looking for beautiful writing and strong voice.

For YA, I’m looking for speculative fiction that is layered, has a distinct voice, and is grounded in a universal emotional desire. I seem to be drawn toward literary works that have a commercial hook, and I’m interested in genre mash-ups. So whereas I don’t love sci-fi, I’d jump at a mystery set in space; I would also really love a historical that feels relevant or that has a light magical twist. I find that I’m especially drawn to YA that has vivid, immersive and contained settings–settings that almost function as a character themselves (Think Scorpio Races or Frankie Landau Banks). As with MG, I enjoy books with ensemble casts and fast action. I’m not usually a great fit for straight romance, but I do enjoy a romantic thread. I always enjoy a good enemies to lovers story. A couple of specific wishes: I would love a smart, funny heist and a moving novel in verse along the lines of Poet X. 

Fun facts about me:On my nightstand right now: When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller, Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger, King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender, The Way Back by Gavriel Savit, You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson, and Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri.

What I miss most about life “Pre-COVID”: live music and breweries, soccer, traveling, working in coffee shops.

What I am thankful for during these months of social distancing: Long walks in the woods. Zoom. Chocolate. Books (duh). Animals-dogs, cats, birds, squirrels, foxes, deer, owls…anything living and breathing I can watch or talk to during the day.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions should be emailed to QueryMe.Online/KellyDyksterhouse https://querymanager.com/query/KellyDyksterhouse 

Submissions are only accepted through Query Manager. You may submit one project at a time to one RQLA agent at a time. If that agent passes on your query, you may then query another RQLA agent after a period of one month. For picture books, you may submit the entire manuscript in addition to your query. For novels, please submit a query, a one-page synopsis, and the first ten pages of your work. Authors and artists from underrepresented groups are invited to make note of that in the referral box.

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INTERVIEW WITH AGENT KELLY DYKSTERHOUSE – PART THREE

17. Have you noticed any common mistakes that writers make? 

The most common mistake is not reading submission guidelines.

I see a lot of writers who do not give proper weight to the query letter and instead of telling me what their book is about, they tell me why I should like it.

Another mistake I see is writers not taking the time to revise, and to do so deeply. I read a lot of projects that have promise in terms of concept and glimmers of great writing, but just are not ready and polished as a whole.

18. Any pet peeves?

Not really. But I do have 2 pet cats.

I’m pretty laid back, but I would say that it’s frustrating when people don’t follow guidelines.

19. Do you give editorial feedback to your clients?

Yes, I am very editorial. I really enjoy working with my clients to polish a piece and get it ready for submission. Other than making that phone call to let clients know they have an offer, editing manuscripts is my favorite part of my job.

20. How many editors do you go to before giving up on a manuscript?

This is a tough question to answer, as it really depends on the project and the feedback we get from editors. Unless editors uniformly point out something that’s glaringly wrong about the project and we need to consider another round of revision, I tend to be pretty persistent. It only takes one yes, and I have a lot of faith in the projects I choose to go out with.

21. What happens if you don’t sell a book?

I cry and eat chocolate and go for a long hike. Actually, it does happen, but it doesn’t mean the manuscript is dead in the water. It may be that it’s just not the right book for that moment, in terms of a change in the market or the author’s career. In that case, we shift our attention to another project, which is why I take on clients for the body of their work, not just a single manuscript. It happens frequently that another project is grabbed right up, and the first manuscript ends up being an option book or selling down the line.

22. What do you think of digital books? Are they always included in the contract, now-a-days?

Digital books are here to stay, and they have their place and their use. I don’t think they’ll ever displace print books, though. And yes, they’re standard in contracts these days.

23. What about audio books? Are you seeing an increase of interest with publishers?

Same with audiobooks. I happen to love them–they were great during my carpooling and long road trip days, and now I love listening to them when I get out and walk. Audio rights are also always included in contracts, and I have noticed an increase in effort for publishers to try to buy them (though of course, as with digital books, I do my best to retain those rights or negotiate for a reversion.)

24. Have you noticed any new trends building in the industry?

JOY! Publishers calling for books with a joyful feeling. In YA, I think romance is going to have a moment, fantasy with non-Western worldbuilding, and thrillers and horror are also big. In MG, I see a movement away from issue-driven books, and editors are calling for books by diverse creators writing from their own experiences and featuring kids being kids–in adventure, fantasy, mysteries and contemporary escapades. FUN books to read. In PBs, again, JOY! and there’s also a desire for unique angles in the storytelling.

25. Any words of wisdom on how a writer can improve their writing, get an agent, and get published?

Read, read, read. And read current releases, as well as classics. Study craft–there are so many resources readily available. Write regularly. After revising your manuscript several times, put it away for at least a couple of weeks. Work on something new. When you go back to it, read it OUT LOUD one last time. (Even better if you have someone who can read it out loud to you!) Once you’re convinced it’s ready to go, send it out with joy and start something new.

Would you like to be invited to other writer’s retreats, workshops, and conferences?

Absolutely! I am so looking forward to a time when we can all get together again IN PERSON to talk about books and writing craft!

CHECK BACK NEXT FRIDAY FIRST PAGE RESULTS WITH KELLY

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HERE ARE THE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR JUNE 2021 FIRST PAGE CRITIQUES:

In the subject line, please write “JUNE 2021 FIRST PAGE CRITIQUE” Example: Paste the text in the email, plus attached it as a Word document to the email. Please make sure you put your name, the title of the piece, and genre: a picture book, chapter book, middle grade, or young adult, Non-fiction, contemporary, historical, Sci-fi, fantasy, etc. at the top on both the email and the Word document (Make sure you include your name with the title of your book, when you save the first page).

PLEASE name the Word document file by putting 2021 JUNE – Your Name – Title of first page. Thank you.

REMEMBER: ATTACH THE WORD DOCUMENT AND NOT GET ELIMINATED! Your First Page Word document should be formatted using one inch margins and 12 point New Times Roman font – double space – no more than 23 lines – only one page.

Send to: kathy(dot)temean(at)gmail(dot)com. Sending it to my hotmail account will probably keep me from seeing it and including you in the running.

PLEASE FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES: Your submission will be passed over if you do not follow the directions for both the pasted email and the attached Word doc. This is where most people mess up.

DEADLINE: JUNE 25th. – noon EST

RESULTS: JULY 2nd.

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy