A 30-year publishing veteran and former editorial director who founded her own boutique children's-and-illustration agency in 2025, Andrea Colvin brings rare acquisitions depth—having shaped landmark titles like *Gender Queer* and *New Kid*—to a list focused on books and art for young people, from picture books through new adult.
In brief
Colvin is not a career-changer who wandered into agenting—she spent three decades on the editorial side, founding Little, Brown Ink (graphic novels), leading Lion Forge as editor in chief, and driving Andrews McMeel's children's push before launching her own agency in late 2025. She knows exactly what editors want because she was one.
Her most defining editorial credits are *Gender Queer* by Maia Kobabe (one of the most persistently banned books in the US) and a development role on Jerry Craft's *New Kid* (the first graphic novel to win a Newbery Award)—a track record that signals she gravitates toward bold, culture-shifting work, not safe middle-of-the-road titles.
Her agency page names illustrators, middle-grade/YA prose, and kids' creative nonfiction as her primary targets right now; writers in those lanes are her clearest priority.
Because the agency is newly launched (2025), Colvin has no extensive agent sales record yet—her credibility rests on her editorial history, which is exceptional. Writers are betting on her relationships with editors, not a long agenting track record.
She partners with KO Media Management for translation/foreign rights, giving clients international reach from day one despite the agency's small size.
Lately
Colvin launched her boutique agency in 2025 after three decades on the editorial side, with a stated focus on children's books and illustration from picture books through new adult—a deliberate narrowing that signals she is building a curated, expertise-driven list rather than casting wide.
What Andrea is looking for
Representing illustrators is called out as a top priority on her agency page. Given her career founding a graphic novel imprint and leading a comics publisher, this is the single category where her editorial background translates most directly. Picture book illustrators, graphic novel artists, and author-illustrators across children's age ranges are all welcome.
Middle-grade is among her named top priorities. She is interested in both prose fiction and creative nonfiction aimed at this age group. Her editorial background suggests an openness to stories that challenge conventions—quiet literary MG alongside bolder, culturally resonant work.
YA fiction across genre is actively sought, including romance and fantasy. Her background in inclusive, boundary-pushing publishing suggests she'll be drawn to YA that centers underrepresented voices or takes creative risks with form and subject matter.
Graphic novels sit at the core of her professional identity—she literally founded a graphic novel imprint and ran a comics publisher. This is the category where her institutional knowledge and editor relationships run deepest. Full graphic novel manuscripts and author-illustrator packages are both appropriate.
Picture books and early readers are listed as part of her scope, though her agency page foregrounds illustrators, MG, YA, and nonfiction as the sharpest priorities. Picture book author-illustrators likely have an edge over text-only submissions given her illustration focus.
New adult is included in her stated range, extending her list just beyond traditional YA. Romance and fantasy are the genres mentioned. This is a newer, smaller slice of her list—appropriate to query but not the core of her focus.
Creative nonfiction for young readers is explicitly named as a priority on her agency page. This includes nonfiction with a strong voice, narrative drive, or unconventional structure—not dry reference material. Her history with culturally significant books suggests she is drawn to nonfiction that takes a point of view.
Not the right fit
On Andrea's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Andrea
Confirm the live submission form status before querying — the agency is selective and that status can change without notice.
Lead with the age category and format up front (e.g., 'middle-grade graphic novel' or 'YA fantasy'). Colvin thinks in editorial categories; clarity here signals professionalism.
If you are an illustrator or author-illustrator, say so immediately and include a link to your portfolio or sample art. Illustrators are her stated top priority.
For graphic novel submissions, showing familiarity with the form matters — mention pacing, visual storytelling choices, or the artist you are working with if applicable. Her entire career was built in this space.
For creative nonfiction, lead with the cultural or emotional hook, not just the subject. Her track record (Gender Queer, New Kid) shows she gravitates toward work with a strong point of view, not neutral survey books.
Do not pitch adult fiction. Her list explicitly covers picture books through new adult — adult titles are outside her scope.
Because the agency is newly launched, there is no lengthy agent sales record to reference in your query. Instead, acknowledge her editorial background — demonstrating you know who she is and why her specific expertise matters to your book will distinguish your query.
Direct email contact is listed publicly (andrea@andreacolvincreative.com), but use the official submission form unless the form directs you otherwise — do not cold-email unless the form is down or explicitly instructs it.