Janine Le is a children's and YA specialist at her own boutique agency who hunts for emotionally resonant, voice-driven stories across picture books, middle grade, YA, and graphic novels — with a particular appetite for joyful narratives, diverse perspectives, and art that tells its own story.
In brief
Janine Le founded her own agency in February 2022 after nearly twelve years at Sheldon Fogelman Agency, bringing deep institutional knowledge of contracts, foreign rights, and the full arc of a children's book career.
Her stated wishlist skews toward contemporary, magical realism, narrative nonfiction, and novels-in-verse — categories that share an emphasis on voice and emotional texture over plot machinery or world-building.
She explicitly welcomes author-illustrators submitting picture book dummies and graphic novel proposals, making her one of the few agents who actively courts visual storytellers alongside prose writers.
Her professional background is almost entirely children's and YA — writers of adult fiction should look elsewhere.
Query status shifted to open in early May 2026, but her own submission form was observed as closed just days later on May 13, 2026 — writers must verify the live form before submitting.
Lately
Update May 2026 I am now open to queries. Please note a policy change that due to time limitations I will only respond if interested. I appreciate the chance to consider each submission as well as your understanding that I have very limited space on my list.
I donated two critiques to the Lit for Queer Liberation auction. This is a rare opportunity to get my feedback on your picture book manuscript or dummy or illustration portfolio. Auction runs March 1-7! queerliberationnetwork.auctions.networkforgood.com/auctions/Lit...
In early May 2026, Janine announced she was reopening to queries, while noting a policy change: going forward she will only respond to submissions she is interested in pursuing, citing limited bandwidth and very limited space remaining on her list.
What Janine is looking for
Janine wants picture books that lead with emotional resonance and a truly distinct voice. Joyful stories are especially welcome, though she is open to difficult subjects when handled with care. She favors expressive, character-driven illustration styles that are soft yet vivid, with strong handling of light, texture, and layout. She actively invites author-illustrators to submit full dummies and welcomes professional artists who are crossing into kidlit. Author-only manuscripts are considered but illustrators and author-illustrators are a clear priority.
Contemporary middle grade — including coming-of-age, adventure, and romance — is a priority. She gravitates toward shorter, swift-reading narratives powered by voice rather than relentless plot. Stories featuring diverse families, characters with jobs, middle-class or struggling households, and robust secondary characters who feel like full people rather than props stand out to her. Magical realism, mythology, and surreal elements are welcome; high fantasy and hard sci-fi are not what she is looking for here.
YA contemporary, historical (especially settings outside the commonly represented Western canon), and stories with fantastic elements woven in as texture — magical realism, mythology, mysticism — are all of interest. She wants complex relationships navigated honestly: friendships, romance, and family tension that feel real, not idealized or abusive. Novels-in-verse are specifically called out as appealing. Voice and pacing matter more to her than genre scaffolding.
Janine invites graphic novel proposals, particularly from author-illustrators. Visual storytelling that carries emotional weight and features expressive characters is the target. She has a clear eye for layout, backgrounds, and the interplay of light and shadow, which suggests she evaluates the art as rigorously as the script.
Story-driven narrative nonfiction for children that broadens young readers' understanding of science or culture is on her active list. The key qualifier is 'narrative': she wants the writing to read with the momentum of a story, not as a reference text. Subjects that bring underrepresented cultural perspectives or scientific concepts to life in an accessible, engaging way are the sweet spot.
She has singled out novels-in-verse as a form she finds compelling, which aligns with her broader appreciation for writing where form and content reinforce each other. This applies across age categories — MG and YA both qualify.
Not the right fit
On Janine's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Janine
Check the live submission form directly before querying — her form was observed closed on May 13, 2026, just days after she announced reopening, and she has emphasized very limited remaining list space.
Her query preference is specific: a one-sentence hook, one to two paragraphs summarizing the work, and one paragraph bio. Follow this exactly — deviating signals you did not read the guidelines.
Include a writing sample and/or illustration sample with your initial submission; she wants to assess voice and visual storytelling from the first contact, not just the pitch.
Lead with emotional resonance and voice in your hook and summary — these are her primary decision criteria across all categories.
If you are an illustrator or author-illustrator, make that identity prominent early; she actively courts visual artists and this is a genuine differentiator in your pitch.
Mention any personal connection to the themes of diversity, culture, or underrepresented experience if authentic — she has stated these perspectives matter to her and is herself part of a biracial, first-generation family.
She has flagged that she will no longer respond unless interested, so no response should be read as a pass — plan your follow-up timeline accordingly.
Avoid framing your story around a lone-wolf protagonist or a 'winning is everything' sports arc; she has been explicit that she cares more about community, sportsmanship, and growth than victory narratives.
If pitching historical fiction, lean into settings outside Western Europe or mainstream American history — she has specifically noted interest in less commonly represented historical settings.
She values writers who take revision seriously; if you have a strong revision history or workshop background, a brief mention in your bio is worth including.