A fiction-first children's agent building a list around picture books, chapter and middle grade, and graphic novels — drawn to accessible, wide-appeal stories with heart, humor, and a fresh point of view.
In brief
Fiction is the primary focus, spanning picture books, chapter book and middle grade, and graphic novels.
For picture books and graphic novels, the door is widest for author-illustrators; prose chapter book and middle grade writers are wanted too.
Taste leans toward well-written, accessible, wide-appeal books — quirky characters, layered stories, real-kid life, nature, and the occasional fantastical escape.
Global perspectives, untold stories, and inclusive approaches are specifically welcomed.
Queries are accepted only during a monthly window that opens on the first of each month; submissions run through an online query portal.
Lately
Announced an upcoming query opening, inviting writers to ready their manuscripts and pointing them to the agency website and the full wishlist for details.
What Julie is looking for
A named priority. Sanders is actively seeking picture book author-illustrators and wants the complete text plus art samples or a dummy and a portfolio link.
Another named priority: graphic novel author-illustrators. For these, send the first ten pages along with art samples and a portfolio link.
Chapter book and middle grade writers are explicitly wanted — prose welcome here, no illustration required. The appetite runs to layered, accessible stories, clever mysteries, empowerment, real-kid life, and our relationship with nature and ourselves, with room for a fantastical escape.
A narrower door for writers who aren't illustrators: picture book texts that are humorous, character-driven, carry a unique point of view, or bring under-represented voices forward. Rhyme is welcome only if it is genuinely excellent.
Not the right fit
Taste fingerprint
How to query Julie
Time it: the window opens on the first of the month, so have the submission ready in advance and verify the current status before sending.
Author-illustrators (picture book and graphic novel) are the clearest priority — attach art samples or a dummy and include a portfolio link.
Send a complete text for picture books; send the first ten pages for novel and graphic novel projects.
Build a full query: hook or log line, brief intro, short synopsis, selling points, recent comps, and a short bio.
Note any referral, conference or critique connection, or special-event link on the referral line.
Lead with voice and accessibility — wide-appeal stories with heart, humor, and a fresh point of view land best.