I’m thrilled to have agent Kaitlyn Sanchez back at the Mixed-Up Files. I was beyond excited when she first became an agent and have loved watching her add clients and tons of sales. Kaitlyn has her finger on the pulse of the kidlit market and has endless enthusiasm and energy. She supports writers and illustrators through sharing her knowledge and running amazing contests. Kaitlyn is currently closed to queries…so this is a fantastic opportunity to see if your strongest MG pitch catches her eye. Please read all the pitch details at the bottom of the post before entering.
Kaitlyn’s Bio
Kaitlyn Sanchez (she/her) joined Bradford Literary in 2022 with two years of agenting experience under her belt. Kaitlyn is the proud co-creator and co-host of the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest and Kidlit Zombie Week as well as creator and co-host of the Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy Contest. As a mom, wife, and middle school math teacher, Kaitlyn enjoys playing soccer, binge-watching TV shows, and, of course, reading, especially when she’s all cozied up with her husband and daughter reading together. Kaitlyn is an editorial agent and always works with her clients to make sure we’re putting out their best work. She’s highly communicative and invested in every aspect of helping her clients have a strong and happy career.
Kaitlyn is looking for children’s books (picture books through middle grade) in all categories, including fiction, graphic novels, nonfiction, and illustration. She is incredibly eclectic in her tastes, with a great affinity for emotional stories as well as funny stories. Kaitlyn is always looking for diversity in all forms, including but not limited to BIPOC, neurodiversity, and LGBTQ+. Kaitlyn loves working with artists, so she’s always on the lookout for great author-illustrators and graphic novelists.
What do you want in middle grade novels, Kaitlyn?
For middle-grade stories (including author-illustrated graphic novels), I tend to lean toward fiction. I enjoy coming-of-age stories, friendship stories, adventurous fast-paced stories, mysteries, intergenerational stories, empowering stories, stories with a bit of magic (high fantasy isn’t generally my thing, but I always enjoy a little magic), and quirky stories. I love learning new things in non-didactic ways, and in humor, I run the gamut: from well-placed puns to slapstick to high brow humor. I’d also be interested to see some scary stories that aren’t gruesome. NOTE: I’m not seeking chapter books.
Check out Kaitlyn’s Manuscript Wish List here.
Is there anything else you’re seeking?
I’m currently focusing my list on picture books and middle grade. I’d love to add more funny stories to my list in both of these categories. I love adventure, heartfelt, and unique stories, especially from new perspectives and by underrepresented authors and author-illustrators.
What wouldn’t be a good match for you right now?
Great question! I’m not currently looking for MG NF or script-only GN, and though I do love historical fiction, it would only be a fit if takes place in a time that there’s not many stories about. I’m also not the best fit for high fantasy though I do enjoy some magic. I hope that helps!
Do you have any tips you’d like to share?
There are so many fun tips, but I’ll try to share something that I haven’t shared in an interview before. In writing, there’s a balance between the real world and the book world. Some things you need to include to ensure the story follows everyday logic for readers and other things you can leave out. Similarly, there are some things that wouldn’t necessarily happen in the real world but it helps to have them in a book. For example, in the real world, you may just come up with an idea seemingly out of thin air, but in a book, it helps to propel the plot forward, connect different parts of the story, and keep the reader intrigued if there’s something that shows the reader why this idea came about. From seeing a display in a window that reminds the character of something to a friend saying something adjacent that triggers an idea to your character literally tripping over an idea, it feels more satisfying to the reader if there’s a reason as to why they came up with the idea.
I’d love to find out more about some of the books you’ve repped that are out in the world.
I’m so proud to be a small part in the journey of all of my clients books. Here are a few with some extra special highlights.
Mushroom Rain by Laura K. Zimmermann illustrated by Jamie Green is an award winning, JLG selection, and starred review book.
Whatever Comes Tomorrow by Rebecca Gardyn Levington illustrated by Mariona Cabassa is being used for inspiration for a K-12 arts contest.
DK Ryland’s Giraffe is Too Tall for This Book is currently the Target pick of the month for picture books this November.
Huge congrats to you and your clients, Kaitlyn! I know you started super-strong with picture books and are actively building your middle grade list (and with MG in higher demand than it’s been in the past few years, I can’t wait to see all the sales you make…maybe one of them will come from this Pitch Party).
What are your favorite recent middle grade novels?
There are so many, it’s hard to choose! Some of my favorites are The Impossible Destiny of Cutie Grackle, What Happened to Rachel Riley, From the Desk of Zoe Washington, Front Desk, and Nevermoor.
Here’s more info about Kaitlyn’s contests!
Fall Writing Frenzy, which I started co-hosting with Lydia Lukidis, is open to all Kidlit writers (PB-YA) and instead of a hierarchy of winners, it’s a contest where each writer selected as a winner gets paired up with someone in the industry we hope they will work well with.
Spring Fling Kidlit, which I co-host with Ciara O’Neal, was the first contest created and is a blog contest for picture book writers to stretch their skills, create a community, and connect with industry professionals.
Kidlit Zombie Week: Are you ready to bring your dead manuscripts back to life? This is a revision week and pitch contest where you can work on manuscripts with tips and support of a wonderful community. It’s mainly for picture book writers because the hosts, which are a wonderful critique group I’m part of—six Ladies and a MANuscript—are picture book writers, but any Kidlit writer can participate.
Kaitlyn shouts out about these contests and other amazing opportunities on social media— make sure you follow her, so you’ll know the 2024 dates (and if you’re traditionally published, consider donating a prize!)
Twitter | Instagram | Bluesky
Rules for the Pitch Party
Before leaving your pitch in the comments, please read and follow all the rules.
- The pitch must be for a middle-grade manuscript or graphic novel (Kaitlyn isn’t currently looking for text-only graphic novels, so GN is only for author/illustrators).
- The work must be polished and complete.
- The pitch must be 60 words or less.
- Only one pitch per person.
- The pitch must be posted before Friday, December 1 at 11:59 PM (EST).
- Please remember, only the pitches that Kaitlyn comments on should be sent to her. Let’s be respectful of her time and the fact that she’s doing a special event just for us, even though she’s closed to queries.
- If you participate, please click the “Notify Me of Follow-Up Comments by Email” box so you’ll know if you received a response from Kaitlyn.
I’ll contact anyone Kaitlyn requests with info about what she’d like to see and how to submit to her. Good luck!
The adorable Team Sanchez logo is by Kaitlyn’s talented client, Maryam Khalifah.
A huge thank you to Kaitlyn for participating in this fun agent spotlight and Pitch Party! Now, you all know what she is and isn’t looking for. And I love her advice. 😊 To thank Kaitlyn for her generosity, please support her talented clients (Team Sanchez) by following them on social media and/or requesting their books from the library. You can find out more about her clients here.
Kaitlyn is such an amazing agent. I’m crossing my fingers and toes for lots of pitch requests—and an offer or two.
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Repped by Joyce Sweeney at The Seymour Agency.
A young witch and her magical familiar set out to prove themselves at the school and it seems to go well until someone kidnaps her familiar. If she wants to rescue her familiar she’ll have to figure out who took him and why.
The magic of HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE meets the whimsy of the UNMAPPED CHRONICLES and free-spiritedness of HILDA.
THE BOY FROM THE SEA
Found abandoned by the sea and raised in forest by supernatural beings, 13yo Bali’s only fear is water. When ill-luck befalls Pari, a brave but destitute girl from the village, Bali must overcome his fear and cross the sea to help her or lose his only human friend forever.
WELCOME HOME, WILLA MAGILL
When eleven-year-old Willa Magill discovers a lonely elephant in a mysterious neighbor’s barn, she must find her voice and the courage to save it.
THE ONE AND ONLY RUBY X WILDOAK
FINN CHAMPION AND THE DISASTER WIZARDS
Middle school vigilante, Finn Champion, spends his days making trouble for the troublemakers
of 6th grade, but when a strange woman with a dino nugget tattoo gives him an all-powerful magic, Finn finds himself in the crosshairs of a greedy CEO who will stop at nothing to steal his new powers.
I love a good vigilante! Please share the first three chapters or 20 pages here: QueryManager.com/2049/MixedUpFiles
Thanks for sharing your work with me!
JAKE AND THE ADVENTURES OF ED LIGHTNING: After accidentally time traveling to 1934 and landing in his great grandfather’s body, eleven-year-old comic book artist, Jake Simon, is asked to make a golem out of mud to stop “The Curse of the Burnt Rye Bread” from ruining the lives of the men in his family.
Iggy Crane vs. The Headless Horseman
In pursuit of a wish, twelve-year-old Isabella Crane accidentally awakens the Headless Horseman. Now to save Monster Hollow from his reign of terror and her beasties from wishes turned deadly, she must return the rider to the grave, or say goodbye to her home and friends forever. Goosebumps meets Nancy Drew.
I’ve never been super into spooky but the headless horseman has always intrigued me for some reason, and I always love a good mystery! Please share the first three chapters or 20 pages here: QueryManager.com/2049/MixedUpFiles
Thanks for sharing your work with me!
DECODING THE MOON
Rock climber Levi’s thinks his newfound fear of heights shook up his twelve-year-old life until his mother’s death fractures his world. With Dad lost in grief, Levi must connect with his autistic brother and help him say goodbye to their mom. Can the combination of an outdoor climbing slab, secret codes, and the Supermoon heal Levi’s family?
I’m really intrigued by the layers here (and I’m terrified of heights myself)! Please share the first three chapters or 20 pages here: QueryManager.com/2049/MixedUpFiles
Thanks for sharing your work with me!
I Want a REAL Unicorn!
A spoiled brat princess demands the impossible from her father – a real unicorn with long sparkly hair and a golden horn. After days of searching, the kings’ servants bring home a unicorn that fits the princess’s description exactly, although the unicorn’s attitude is less than desired, and the princess is in for the shock of her life. The spoiled brat gets her comeuppance in this funny adventure story.
Unaware he’s a Time Tumbler, 12yo Sherlock fan, Tom Clarke, collides with Will Bell in London and lands back in 1834—arrested for a crime they didn’t commit. Sentenced to Transportation to Australia for seven years, the boys endure a dangerous sea voyage and prison bullies who threaten their lives. Tom’s risky escape plan is their last chance of survival.
I love the history element of prisoners being sent to Australia and the mystery/time travel/escape all sounds intriguing! Please share the first three chapters or 20 pages here: QueryManager.com/2049/MixedUpFiles
Thanks for sharing your work with me!
GIRLS WITH SHOVELS
Chubby, bullied, 12-year-old Jenna wants to audition for the school musical but lacks confidence. She befriends Sofie by the cemetery. A former talent at Jenna’s school, Sofie teaches her to sing and demand her space. Their friendship blossoms, except, Sofie’s dead. Discovering the killer may still be lurking in school, Jenna’s determined to find her friends’ murderer.
I’m intrigued by the ghost twist on a bully story! Please share the first three chapters or 20 pages here: QueryManager.com/2049/MixedUpFiles
Thanks for sharing your work with me!
14-year-old, light-skinned, brown-haired, Rekha Townsend rarely thinks about being different. A transformational trip to India, helps her discover her ‘Indian-ness’ is more than just her name. Returning to America, things that never bothered her before, like friends being culturally insensitive to another student, force her to speak up, especially when she’s dismissed for not conforming to expected interactions with boys.
This sounds like a beautiful coming of age story that really speaks to our times. Please share the first three chapters or 20 pages here: QueryManager.com/2049/MixedUpFiles
Thanks for sharing your work with me!
The Crickets of River Crossing:
Micah and the other new kids must race against time to uncover the mystery of the River Crossing treatment that transforms normal kids into “model students” who never question authority, revere the school’s mascot, and submit mindlessly to the cricket creed: Obedience leads to contentment. Follow the pathway already forged. STEPFORD WIVES X HOLES
Ohh, I was totally intrigued by the pitch and love both comps! Please share the first three chapters or 20 pages here: QueryManager.com/2049/MixedUpFiles
Thanks for sharing your work with me!
WEAVERS OF THE GREAT LIGHT WAY: FINDING LIBERTY is a middle grade fantasy about Hildy Isere, a courageous eleven-year-old foster girl who joins an intergalactic mystery school in order to rescue her parents and the kidnapped Statue of Liberty. Hildy must learn to harness the power of her own thoughts before a dangerous sorcerer destroys everyone she loves.
When a 12-year-old retro video game champ is forced to unplug by his parents for the summer, he makes a deal with Olivia, the new girl next door. Henry can use her Dad’s gaming equipment in exchange for being her dance partner in a talent show. How far will Henry go to defend his title? Especially because Henry can’t dance.
Maggie, Addison, Ellery and Tamara are haunted. Maggie by the loss of her mother. Addison by the loss of her father. Ellery by the loss of your little brother, and Tamara by the loss of her parents. They come together every week as The Sorrows. A small grief support group. When Maggie begins receiving strange letters, she and Addison try to figure out who is sending them, and why! Maggie and the other Sorrows will leave behind her small town of Hattie Springs, Mississippi, and find themselves in the secret world of Effugium. With fantastic new friends and some old ones, Maggie will fight alongside the Arbor Guard, a band of mischievous squirrels, to save this secret new world, her town, and maybe even her own life!
I feel a bit of Narnia here, and would be interested to take a peek. Please share the first three chapters or 20 pages here: QueryManager.com/2049/MixedUpFiles
Thanks for sharing your work with me!