Christa Heschke is a New York-based children's and young adult specialist at McIntosh & Otis, Inc., with a roster that spans picture books through YA and a reputation for long-term author relationships.
In brief
Heschke's client list skews heavily toward illustrated and younger-age-range children's books — picture books and early readers are well-represented on the roster — suggesting strong editorial taste and publisher relationships in that space even if YA and MG are also welcomed.
Confirmed current clients include celebrated illustrators and author-illustrators (Ed Young, Vincent X. Kirsch) alongside text-focused picture book authors, signaling that Heschke navigates both sides of the picture book world.
As of March 7, 2026, the submission form is CLOSED — this is the most authoritative and recent signal available; writers should verify the live form before sending anything.
Heschke recently announced a return to SCBWI conferences and critiques after a period away, which suggests renewed active engagement with the writing community and a potential uptick in query openings.
The agency — McIntosh & Otis, Inc. — is a long-established New York house with subsidiary rights infrastructure (film, translation, university presses), meaning clients benefit from deal-making muscle beyond the initial book sale.
Lately
Heschke announced a return to SCBWI conferences — including presenting and doing manuscript critiques — after stepping back following the birth of a daughter. Heschke noted a longstanding enjoyment of connecting with authors at industry events.
What Christa is looking for
Picture books are at the core of Heschke's practice. The roster includes both text-only author clients and author-illustrators, indicating openness to either. Given the presence of celebrated illustrators among current clients, Heschke has clear editorial fluency with the visual side of the form — pitches that demonstrate an understanding of how text and art work together will resonate.
Middle grade is a listed category. Writers in this space should bring strong voice, emotional stakes, and a story world that feels both specific and expansive — the hallmarks of MG that travels well.
YA fiction is part of the active submission portfolio. No single subgenre is called out as a priority, so writers across contemporary, speculative, and other YA categories may query, though selectivity is likely high given the breadth of the list.
LGBTQ+ stories across the children's and YA spectrum are explicitly welcomed. This is a noted category, not a footnote — writers centering queer characters and experiences in picture books, MG, or YA should feel encouraged to mention it directly in their query.
Not the right fit
On Christa's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Christa
The form was closed as of March 7, 2026 — check the live form before doing anything else. Querying a closed form is wasted effort.
When the form does reopen, follow the submission guidelines on the agency's current page precisely; requirements can change between open periods.
Heschke has returned to SCBWI conferences and critiques — a paid or conference critique is a legitimate alternative path to getting work in front of them while queries are closed.
Mention LGBTQ+ themes explicitly if they are central to your work; it is a named interest, not an assumed one.
Picture book writers: signal your awareness of how text and art collaborate even in a query — Heschke represents author-illustrators and clearly thinks visually.
Keep your query letter tightly focused on the child's or teen's emotional journey; this is a children's-specialist agent, so developmental and emotional resonance should lead.
McIntosh & Otis has strong subsidiary rights arms (film, translation) — if your project has adaptation or international potential, that context is worth a brief mention.