Happy Book Birthday to Paul Greci!

A while back I interviewed Paul Greci for a series I really loved doing called

Okay, my while may be longer than other's whiles but we're talking the publishing world here. Anyway, today is a day to celebrate as Paul has moved into the ranks of The Read! Paul's debut novel, SURVIVING BEAR ISLAND is out today! Not only that, his book is a 2015 Junior Library Guild Selection. I am so thrilled and cannot wait to read this book!

Paul really does live the type of lifestyle that leads to adventure so he knows about what he writes! Go read Paul's Unread interview to learn about him and his writing. You won't be disappointed. 

And go help Paul celebrate his book release and enter to win a copy of his book. Paul is giving away not one, but 10 copies of SURVIVING BEAR ISLAND on his blog!

If you want to know more about SURVIVING BEAR ISLAND check out this from Kirkus Review:

A fateful kayaking trip forces Tom to grow up fast while he faces dangers he only ever dreamed about. When his mother died in a biking accident three years ago, Tom had to struggle to find his way back to a normal life. Dad was no help, as he reacted to the loss of his wife by shutting down and shutting out the rest of the world. But a kayaking trip in Alaska’s Prince William Sound seems to be a turning point for the two of them, a chance to start living the rest of their lives as a family again. Unfortunately, a choppy sea and a bad accident rip them apart, and Tom is forced to struggle for his own survival on Bear Island. Facing starvation, injury and the eponymous bears, Tom relies on the hope of finding his father to get him through his ordeal. Greci delivers a compelling narrative that manages to keep a quick pace despite being built around one character alone in the wilds. Flashbacks to the moments before the accident and memories of life before the trip work well to explain certain plot points and to add texture and meaning to the first-person narrative. The tension is well-crafted and realistic. Bear Island is a challenging environment to survive but a terrific thrill on the page. (Adventure. 9-14)

Pub Date: March 25th, 2015

Page count: 192pp

Age Range: 9-14

Publisher: Move Books

Review Posted Online: Jan. 10th, 2015

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15th, 2015

Can't wait to read it? You can go read a preview of chapter 1 on Paul's blog to tide you over! 

Monster List of Picture Book Agents - Linda Pratt of Wernick & Pratt Agency

by Dana Carey                                          

Today's Monster List post features agent Linda Pratt of Wernick & Pratt Agency. Marcia Wernick and Linda Pratt started Wernick & Pratt Agency in 2011 after both agenting at the renown Sheldon Fogelman Literary Agency. Together they have years of experience in the industry. Wernick & Pratt is a career agency, meaning the agents are looking to represent writers and illustrators for the long term.

I had the pleasure of receiving my very first professional critique from Linda a long time ago at the first SCBWI conference I ever attended. She was so kind and helpful, I could just feel that I was in the right industry. I know that critique, as well as the feedback she gave me on the subsequent submission, helped me leap forward in terms of my writing and I will always be appreciative of the time she gave me.

To learn about Linda Pratt, read her bio on the Wernick & Pratt website and be sure to read Linda's Q & A as well to learn what she likes to see in submissions.

You will definitely want to read the interview with Linda at Quirk and Quill. It's really informative. 

Middle Grade Ninja did a 7 Questions with Linda. One of her top three favorite books is a picture book. And she talks about the qualities of her ideal client.

Read about some of the tips Ms. Pratt gave at a Kansas City Agent's Day. There's quick ones on picture book setup and deciphering standard rejection lines.

Joyce Shor Johnson has a NESCBWI Sneak Peek interview with Linda on her website.

Author Ann Marie Pace talks about working with Linda in her post called Agent Love!

You can find Wernick & Pratt Agency on Facebook and on Twitter. Linda Pratt is on Linkedin.

Linda represents picture book writers Ann Marie Pace, Karen Beaumont, and Hannah Rainforth, among others. 

If you think your work might be a good fit for Linda, read the very specific Submissions Policy posted on the Wernick & Pratt website. While the agency states they are most interested in picture book author/illustrators they do take submissions from picture book writers who do not illustrate as well at the time of this posting. Picture book writers are asked to send 2 different completed manuscripts of less than 750 words when submitting.

This post is part of the Monster List of Picture Book Agents. If you have any changes that you think should be made to this listing, please contact me or leave them in the comments. Thanks!