Eve Adler is a Red Fox Literary agent with 16+ years of in-house editorial experience at major houses, now building a focused children's list from board books through middle grade — with a particular warmth for author-illustrators and stories that meet kids exactly where they are.
In brief
Adler brings unusually deep editorial credibility to agenting: 16+ years at Macmillan, Penguin Random House, and Union Square Kids, with a track record that includes a New York Times bestseller, an Amazon Best Book of the Year, a Sydney Taylor Notable Picture Book, and multiple starred-review titles — before she made the jump to representation.
Her current agency page has expanded her stated wishlist beyond what older profiles show: she now explicitly includes graphic novels and middle grade alongside board books, picture books, and chapter books. Writers who only consulted older sources may be undershooting what she wants.
She has a strong affinity for author-illustrators and actively welcomes them; writers-only submissions are accepted but the author-illustrator pairing is a clear priority signal.
Red Fox Literary is not accepting open submissions as of June 2024 — the agency accepts queries only during periodic submission windows announced via social media. Writers should monitor those channels rather than querying cold.
Her editorial background in series, formats, and publishing programs (board book series, early readers, chapter book series) suggests she is well-suited to clients with franchise or series ambitions, not just standalone picture books.
Lately
Adler's current agency biography has been updated to include graphic novels and middle grade as active interests — categories absent from earlier wishlist profiles — signaling a deliberate expansion of her list into longer-form and visual-sequential children's work.
What Eve is looking for
Adler has hands-on editorial history with board book series and is actively building in this space. She wants concepts that are developmentally precise for the youngest readers and that deliver genuine emotional warmth or discovery — not just abridged picture books. Author-illustrators are especially encouraged.
Her core category and the one with the deepest track record. She is drawn to stories that give children a sense of being seen and understood, voices that reflect genuine diversity, and concepts that break from formula. Projects with emotional resonance and a clear developmental hook are her sweet spot. Author-illustrators are a priority, though author-only submissions are welcomed.
Adler has experience with early reader and chapter book formats, including series programming. She is interested in projects that honor the developmental leap these readers are making — stories that respect young readers' intelligence while remaining accessible and engaging.
Graphic novels are a newer, explicitly stated addition to her wishlist on her current agency page — a meaningful expansion from earlier profiles. She is building in this area, and author-illustrators or illustrator-writer teams working in this format for the 0–12 age range should take note.
Also a newer addition to her current stated interests, extending her reach to age 12. Her editorial instincts around developmental appropriateness and emotional resonance apply here too. Given that she is still building this part of her list, exceptional projects with a strong voice and clear audience fit are most likely to stand out.
Not the right fit
On Eve's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Eve
Do not query cold — Red Fox Literary only accepts submissions during announced windows. Follow their official social media presence to catch the next open period before submitting anything.
Author-illustrators should make that dual role explicit and prominent in the first line of their query; Adler actively prioritizes this pairing.
Lead with the emotional core of your story — what will a child feel reading this, and why does that matter developmentally? Adler's stated criteria are all affect- and development-centered, so matching that language in your pitch is a strong signal of fit.
If you are submitting a graphic novel or middle grade project, note that these are newer additions to her list — frame your pitch to show clear genre/audience alignment, since she is still defining what she wants in these spaces.
Her editorial background means she responds to craft and intentionality. A query that demonstrates you understand your audience's developmental stage — not just the age range — will resonate more than one focused on plot summary alone.
Series potential or franchise thinking is worth flagging: her editorial history includes board book series and branded chapter book programs, suggesting she is comfortable with and attracted to scalable concepts.
Diverse voices are explicitly named as a priority. If your project reflects an underrepresented perspective, make sure that comes through clearly and authentically in the query.