Articles

Meet Katie Monson, Literary Agent

By Susan Koehler on March 31, 2025 / Articles, Editor / Agent Spotlight

Katie Monson loves kids, and she also loves books. For 12 years, Katie was a self-employed childcare provider, watching children in her home and enjoying the privilege of being home to raise her children. But recently, she decided to massively change up her life and find a new path that still allowed her to work from home and be with her kids. That new path led her to SBR Media.

SBR Media is a literary agency for all genres. It was established in April 2016 by Stephanie Phillips. Today, SBR Media has 11 agents representing over 300 clients. As one of those agents, Katie Monson is known to be self-motivated, organized, and ready to represent clients and help lead them to success. We’re grateful she took the time to share a little bit about herself and her work with our MUF readers.

Welcome, Katie! Your path to becoming an agent is fascinating and not all that typical. What led you to the world of books and publishing?

I’ve always had a passion for reading, ever since I was a little girl. Over the years, I developed a strong interest in reading indie romance books, which naturally led to blogging, beta reading, and editing small manuscripts for authors.

It sounds like agenting was a natural fit. Now that you’ve been in this role for a while, what do you find to be the best and worst parts of being an agent?

The best part about being an agent is working with my authors and making their dreams come true!

The worst part is how I cannot possibly take on all the manuscripts that I read. I would love to be able to help everyone but it’s just not possible. Sending the rejection letters and knowing how the author is going to feel is the worst.

Here at MUF, we’re all about middle grade. As an agent who represents this category of work, what do you love most about middle grade novels?

I love middle grade novels because they are multifaceted. They can be for pure entertainment, but while they are being enjoyed, there can also be underlying themes that help kids navigate through life and challenges they may face. Middle grade books can help make kids feel less alone and know that what they are going through is normal!

Which middle-grade book(s) influenced you most as a child?

I loved the Wayside School books! They were so funny to me, and I still remember them to this day. I shared them with my own kids, and they loved them too!

What are some of your favorite current middle grade novels?

I really love any of Raina Telgemeier books! My kids loved them too!

Which genres/themes/subjects are you drawn to/not drawn to?

I am not a big sci-fi and fantasy reader, so I lack the experience needed to represent these. I love themes of being true to yourself, being a great friend/person, subtle lesson-teaching (not being in your face about it). I also love when a novel explains big feelings!

What do you look for in a query, and what types of queries do you hope to find?

A query needs to be brief and engaging. I want to be drawn in so quickly that I can’t wait to get my hands on the manuscript. Don’t give away too much, but don’t be vague either.

I’m on the hunt for another middle grade to add to my list. I’m looking for an engaging plot with a twist no one sees coming. I want to keep the kids reading on their toes (as well as the editor we are pitching to).

What are the top reasons you pass on a submission?

There are many reasons why but the top ones I would pass on are:

Word count is not where it needs to be
Not an exciting query that makes me NEED to read more
I couldn’t connect with the writing/story/characters

Do you ever participate in pitch parties, and if so, what do you love about them?

I participate in events when I find the time! LOL! I love to see how authors are able to explain their entire manuscript in such a short amount of words. I love these events so much that I have even set up a pop-up event of my own!

That sounds interesting! Can you tell us a little more about this pop-up event?

YES! I will randomly set up my own personal pop-up pitch event. I ask for a brief description of their manuscript (I usually have these open to all authors) and a mood board if they have one. From there, if I like their post then I have them contact me for more information on how to submit to me.

We know you’re closed to submissions right now, but can you give us an idea of when you’ll reopen?

The plan is this spring for a week. This is a really busy season for me, so I am unsure of the exact time, but it will most likely be sometime in May. My best advice is to watch my socials!

You can check out my Manuscript Wish List here: https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/katie-monson/

My Instagram handle is https://www.instagram.com/litagentkatiem/ and you can follow me on X at https://twitter.com/.

Before you go, we’d love to learn about your life outside of work. What are your favorite things to do that have nothing to do with being an agent?

I love to get lost in a good book. What agent wouldn’t love reading for pleasure? (Although, it’s harder to come by these days!) I also love traveling! Seeing the mountains in Tennessee and the beaches in Florida are two of my most favorite things. And I love spending time with my family.

So, when I’m not reading, sitting by the pool, or complaining about the cold Rochester winters, you can probably find me traveling to the beaches of Florida, the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, and spending time with my husband and four children in Rochester, New York.

Books, beaches, mountains, and family – that sounds great! Thanks so much for joining us, Katie. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, and we’ll be watching for you to open for submissions.

Rebellion 1776: A Chat with Author Laurie Halse Anderson

By Natalie Rompella on March 28, 2025 / Articles, Author Interviews

As a contributor to from the Mixed-Up Files, I get the opportunity to interview various authors. When I heard that Laurie Halse Anderson had a new book coming out, I jumped at the chance. I had first discovered her books at a children’s writers and illustrators conference where she spoke. I loved her talk so much that I bought a copy of her book Fever 1793 and had her sign it for me. It was an amazing book, and I was hooked and had to read Speak—one of her contemporary young adult books. I am excited to share that she has a new middle grade historical fiction novel, Rebellion 1776, coming out April 1. Here’s a brief summary:

In the spring of 1776, thirteen-year-old Elsbeth Culpepper wakes to the sound of cannons. It’s the Siege of Boston, the Patriots’ massive drive to push the Loyalists out that turns the city into a chaotic war zone. Elsbeth’s father—her only living relative—has gone missing, leaving her alone and adrift in a broken town while desperately seeking employment to avoid the orphanage.

Just when things couldn’t feel worse, the smallpox epidemic sweeps across Boston. Now, Bostonians must fight for their lives against an invisible enemy in addition to the visible one. While a treatment is being frantically fine-tuned, thousands of people rush in from the countryside begging for inoculation. At the same time, others refuse protection, for the treatment is crude at best and at times more dangerous than the disease itself.

Elsbeth, who had smallpox as a small child and is now immune, finds work taking care of a large, wealthy family with discord of their own as they await a turn at inoculation, but as the epidemic and the revolution rage on, will she find her father?

About Laurie Halse Anderson & Her Books

I am fascinated on your range of topics. You’re known for writing honest and relatable contemporary YA as well as accurate and engaging historical fiction.If you were to sum up your books/style of writing in four words, what would that be?

Photo credit: Susanne Kronholm

Books that open conversations.

What was your favorite book to write and why?

That’s like asking me which one of my kids is my favorite! Choosing one is impossible. Each book creates a unique journey through fascinating research and magical imagination.

About Rebellion 1776

You have some very vivid descriptions as to what smallpox was like. I’m curious of what types of sources you found most useful.

I started with modern information about the disease from the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control. Then I dove into 18th-century primary sources: letters written by people going through the inoculation process, and doctors’ records.

How did you choose the emphasis for the book as well as the lifestyle of the protagonist?

The dramatic events of Boston in the early days of the Revolutionary War dictated the emphasis. I like writing about ordinary kids caught up in extraordinary events; that’s why Elsbeth is a kitchen maid with big dreams.

Is Elsbeth based on a real person?

Her situation as a kitchen maid whose father is missing, and mother is dead was inspired by almshouse records and indentures that legally bound unfortunate children to strangers. I also found a thirteen-year-old maid who was interviewed by the imposing Committee of Inspection which suspected the girl’s master of being a spy for the British.

Research/Writing

What was your favorite tidbit you discovered while doing research for Rebellion 1776?

The food! I combed through letters and newspapers to find out what was available and what was hard to find after the British fled, then I found recipes that were used back then. Writing about food allows authors to create a feast for the sense of their readers.

It’s always fun to learn the-behind-the-scenes for a great book. Thanks for sharing, Laurie! Rebellion 1776 comes out April 1.

To learn more about Laurie Halse Anderson, find her on X (previously known as Twitter) @HalseAnderson or visit her at MadWomanintheForest.com.

To request an appearance for a school, university, conference or other opportunities, please fill out the request form at the Author Village.

A Spring-Vibe Booklist

By Patricia Bailey on March 21, 2025 / Articles, Book Lists

Yesterday was the first day of Spring here in the US, and goodness am I ready for some renewal, rebirth, and growth.

In the spirit of all things new and hopeful, I thought I’d round up a list of books with a Spring-vibe for you all.

Nature: Let’s get outside.

Here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker

Ware can’t wait to spend summer “off in his own world”—dreaming of knights in the Middle Ages and generally being left alone. But then his parents sign him up for dreaded Rec camp, where he must endure Meaningful Social Interaction and whatever activities so-called “normal” kids do.

On his first day Ware meets Jolene, a tough, secretive girl planting a garden in the rubble of an abandoned church next to the camp. Soon he starts skipping Rec, creating a castle-like space of his own in the church lot.

Jolene scoffs, calling him a dreamer—he doesn’t live in the “real world” like she does. As different as Ware and Jolene are, though, they have one thing in common: for them, the lot is a refuge.

But when their sanctuary is threatened, Ware looks to the knights’ Code of Chivalry: Thou shalt do battle against unfairness wherever faced with it. Thou shalt be always the champion of the Right and Good—and vows to save the lot.

But what does a hero look like in real life? And what can two misfit kids do?

One Small Hop by Madelyn Rosenberg

Perfect for fans of Carl Hiaasen’s classic Hoot, this humorous adventure story set in a not-so-distant future celebrates the important differences we can make with small, brave acts.

When Ahab and his friends find a bullfrog in their town — a real, live bullfrog, possibly the last bullfrog in North America — they have several options: A. Report it to the Environmental Police Force. Too bad everyone knows the agency is a joke.B. Leave it be. They’re just a bunch of kids — what if they hurt it by moving it?C. Find another real, live bullfrog on the black market. Convince their parents to let them bike to Canada. Introduce the two frogs. Save all of frogkind.Ahab convinces the rest of the group that C is their only real option. Because if they don’t save this frog, who will? Their quest, which will involve fake ice cream, real frog spawn, and some very close calls, teaches Ahab that hope is always the logical choice and that science is always better with friends.With humor and empathy, acclaimed author Madelyn Rosenberg builds an all-too-imaginable future ravaged by climate change, where one kid can still lean on his friends and dream up a better tomorrow.

Romance: Let’s fall in love – or at least like.

Redwood and Ponytail by K. A. Holt

Kate and Tam meet, and both of their worlds tip sideways. At first, Tam figures Kate is your stereotypical cheerleader; Kate sees Tam as another tall jock. But the more they run into each other, the more they surprise each other. Beneath Kate’s sleek ponytail and perfect facade, Tam sees a goofy, sensitive, lonely girl. And Tam’s so much more than a volleyball player, Kate realizes: She’s everything Kate wishes she could be. It’s complicated. Except it’s not. When Kate and Tam meet, they fall in like. It’s as simple as that. But not everybody sees it that way.

From the author of House Arrest and Knockout, this unforgettable novel in verse shares the story of two girls discovering their feelings for each other–a story that will appeal to anyone who’s ever been unsure about the self they’re becoming. Sometimes you know who you’re meant to be with before you know who you’re meant to be.

Keep It Together, Keiko Carter: A Wish Novel by Debbi Michiko Florence

Fans of Wendy Mass and Lisa Greenwald are sure to fall head-over-heels for this sweet story about first crushes, friendship drama, and finding the courage to stand up for yourself.

Seventh grade is supposed to be a game changer. And Keiko thinks she’s got it covered, especially with Audrey and Jenna by her side to shop for a new look, pick out a prime lunch spot, and even hit up that cute new bubble tea place after school. Her trio is ready to tackle life as they always have… together.But when Audrey decides they need boyfriends before Fall Ball, it looks like things may be changing in all the wrong ways. Jenna is sick of caving in to Audrey’s demands, and soon Keiko’s besties are barely talking, leaving her caught in the middle. While she’s been dreaming about triple-dates, first kisses, and a boy she really shouldn’t have a crush on, the friendship she’s always thought was rock-solid is beginning to crumble.Keiko feels pulled in two directions. Should she try to help her friends — even if it means losing one of them — or follow her heart? When it comes to flirting, friendships, and fallouts, how is Keiko supposed to keep it all together?

Hope: Let’s make it all a little bit better.

The Chance to Fly (the Chance to Fly #1)

Perfect for fans of Wicked and anyone who has ever dared to dream big, The Chance to Fly is a testament to the magic of believing in yourself and the importance of representation in the arts.

The Chance to Fly by Tony Award-winning actress Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz is an inspiring middle grade novel about Nat Beacon, a theater-loving girl who uses a wheelchair. Nat’s passion for musicals knows no bounds, and she dreams of performing on stage despite never having seen an actor with a disability in a leading role.

When Nat’s family moves from California to New Jersey, she discovers auditions for a kids’ production of her all-time favorite musical, Wicked.

Thrilled by the opportunity, Nat lands a spot in the ensemble. As she navigates new friendships and the challenges of rehearsals, Nat draws strength from the empowering themes of Wicked, particularly the song “Defying Gravity.”

But as opening night approaches, unexpected obstacles arise. Nat must confront her fears and insecurities, channeling the spirit of Elphaba to truly “defy gravity” both on and off the stage.

This heartfelt story celebrates resilience, inclusion, and the transformative power of theater.

The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore

It’s Christmas Eve in Harlem, but twelve-year-old Lolly Rachpaul and his mom aren’t celebrating. They’re still reeling from his older brother’s death in a gang-related shooting just a few months earlier. Then Lolly’s mother’s girlfriend brings him a gift that will change everything: two enormous bags filled with Legos. Lolly’s always loved Legos, and he prides himself on following the kit instructions exactly. Now, faced with a pile of building blocks and no instructions, Lolly must find his own way forward.

His path isn’t clear—and the pressure to join a “crew,” as his brother did, is always there. When Lolly and his friend are beaten up and robbed, joining a crew almost seems like the safe choice. But building a fantastical Lego city at the community center provides Lolly with an escape—and an unexpected bridge back to the world.

I hope you find something to enjoy and maybe inspire you in this Spring-vibe book list. If you did, or if you have a Spring read I might like, please share in the comments below.