Chelsea Eberly is a VP and agent at Folio Literary Management's children's/YA imprint (Folio Jr.), a former Random House senior editor with a bestseller-and-awards pedigree, who hunts for emotionally resonant middle grade, high-stakes young adult, graphic novels, picture book illustrators, and select upmarket women's fiction — with a particular passion for BIPOC and marginalized voices swinging for both commercial and literary fences.
In brief
Eberly's editorial background is unusually credentialed: she worked directly with authors whose books won the Newbery Medal and topped the New York Times list, giving her a publisher's-eye view that most agents simply don't have.
Her deal record and client roster skew heavily toward middle grade and YA — those two categories should be any querying writer's default assumption about where she spends most of her time, even though she also accepts graphic novels and upmarket women's fiction.
She is actively building out her graphic novel list, calling it out as an area she wants to grow — which means competition in that lane may be lower than in her more established MG/YA pipeline.
She does NOT represent picture book authors as a standalone category — only illustrators (or existing clients); writers without illustration portfolios should not query her with picture book manuscripts.
Her submission form was directly observed as closed on January 14, 2026 — verify the live form before querying, as this can change without notice.
Lately
Her wishlist emphasizes that she is actively expanding her graphic novel client list across MG, YA, contemporary, fantasy, romance, and autobiographical projects — signaling this as a genuine growth priority rather than a casual interest.
What Chelsea is looking for
Eberly is deeply passionate about MG with a powerful voice and a hook that grabs kid readers immediately. She gravitates toward found-family stories, emotionally rich 'big feels' narratives, and books that tackle large human truths with sincerity and heart. Stories where children form meaningful bonds with animals — the kind that move readers to tears — are a particular soft spot. She welcomes unconventional structures, ambitious POV choices, and MG that doesn't sidestep LGBTQ characters or crushes. She's also enthusiastic about highly illustrated MG and author-illustrators who operate in the space between graphic novel and chapter book. If a project has a breakout series character, she wants to see it.
Romance is a priority — she loves big, sweeping love stories. High-stakes fantasy with intrigue, action, and a strong romantic thread is equally welcome. She prizes craft: tight pacing, literary voice, and thoughtful structural choices (epistolary formats, closed settings, ticking-clock timelines). Projects with multiple commercial hooks and an uplifting, empowering sensibility have an edge. She is a self-described k-drama enthusiast, and YA with that genre's dramatic emotional intensity and relationship dynamics is exactly the kind of thing she wants in her inbox.
This is the area she is most actively looking to expand. She wants MG and YA graphic novels across a wide range of tones: contemporary, romance (straight and LGBTQ+), found family, friendship drama, fantasy, fractured fairy tales and retellings, and magical realism. Autobiographical or semi-autobiographical work — creators mining their own lives — genuinely excites her. Humor that makes readers lose it or emotion that wrecks them both have a place. She also has a noted soft spot for cats. Select historical and nonfiction graphic novels are possible if the hook is unmistakable. Illustrators whose work bridges graphic novel and chapter book formats are welcome.
Eberly represents picture book ILLUSTRATORS — not authors writing picture book text without illustration. She is looking for illustrators who can build a strong, distinctive character, establish a clear conflict, and deliver either a humorous voice or a surprising twist. Writers who are not also illustrators, and who are not already her clients, should not submit picture book manuscripts.
She represents a selective slate of upmarket adult fiction featuring female protagonists — the kind of character-driven, emotionally intelligent novels that thrive in book club settings. The sweet spot is literary sensibility married to genuine commercial appeal.
Not the right fit
On Chelsea's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Chelsea
Her form was closed as of January 14, 2026 — check the live submission page at Folio Literary Management (Folio Jr.) before doing anything else; windows can reopen without broad announcement.
Lead with your commercial hook and emotional core in the same breath — she explicitly values projects with both literary ambition and clear market appeal, so do not bury either.
For MG, name your structural or POV choice upfront if it's unconventional — she signals this as something that actively excites her, so a ticking-clock timeline or unusual narrator is a selling point, not a risk.
For YA fantasy, romance must be present and substantial; she is not looking for action-only or worldbuilding-heavy projects without a strong emotional relationship at the center.
For graphic novels, mention if the work is autobiographical or semi-autobiographical — she calls this out as something that genuinely thrills her, and it may differentiate your submission.
If your project features BIPOC, LGBTQ+, or disability representation among its creators or characters, say so clearly in the query — she prioritizes these submissions across all categories.
Do not query her with a picture book text unless you are also the illustrator or are already her client — she is explicit that she does not represent picture book authors in the traditional sense.
Avoid projects centered on suicide, sexual assault, or eating disorders — she states these are not the right fit regardless of category.
Her k-drama callout is unusually specific; if your YA has that emotional intensity, slow-burn romance, or dramatic misunderstanding energy, name it directly rather than reaching for Western comps alone.