Karly Dizon is a KidLit-specialist agent at Fuse Literary who aggressively champions marginalized voices, building long-term careers with diverse picture books, graphic novels, middle grade, and young adult—always hunting for a killer first-page hook.
In brief
Karly is closed to queries as of June 4, 2026 — check the live submission form before doing anything.
Her agency page now lists graphic novels as a represented category, an addition absent from her older wishlist posts — author-illustrators and graphic novelists should note this expansion.
Her stated priority is amplifying marginalized, underrepresented voices: mythology and folklore from Asian, African, and Latin traditions are a genuine obsession, not a checkbox.
Her clients have earned Kirkus Best Books of the Year, SLJ Best Book of the Year, NCTE Notable Books, and a Kirkus Prize finalist nomination — she has real awards muscle despite a mid-sized list.
She functions as a full editorial-plus-marketing partner: she has a freelance editing background plus graphic design and social media experience, meaning she offers more hands-on support than a typical agent — ideal for debut authors who need that runway.
Lately
#mswl Chapter book series with such fun read-out-loud characters and story like in Murray and Bun by Adam Stower and The Great Puptective by Alina Tysoe
Keep an eye out. Going to open to adult fiction queries for a few days sometime in June or July. Announcement soon. 👀
In the middle of watching Pursuit of Jade and am absolutely obsessed. Anyone have a manuscript with such a lovable and awesome cast set in a fantasy realm? Gimme all that slow burn, badass yet lovable main cast.
Karly shared that she's deep into watching a show called Pursuit of Jade and is completely captivated by it — she put out a direct call for manuscripts featuring a similarly lovable, badass ensemble cast set in a fantasy world, with slow-burn tension throughout.
What Karly is looking for
Karly wants nonfiction picture books that read like fiction: a real person, event, or retelling told with emotional warmth and story momentum, not just facts. The subject should feel alive on the page. If it also makes her laugh or teaches her something surprising, all the better.
She is actively seeking picture books that draw on Asian, African, or Latin mythology and folklore, rendered in language that is simple yet lyrical. The reimagining should feel fresh, not derivative, and the cultural roots should be honored rather than flattened.
Funny picture books that also deliver genuine learning get an enthusiastic yes. Separately, she wants stories featuring inventive, resourceful kids who use STEM thinking to solve problems or reach their goals — smart protagonists, real-world relevance, playful execution.
For MG she wants mythology retellings and SFF with a strong, distinctive voice audible from the opening line, an immersive world, and plot tension that keeps pages turning. Grand adventures with imperfect, lovable characters are her sweet spot. Diverse and underrepresented perspectives are a priority.
She is actively searching for a YA romcom that delivers genuine emotional range: swoon, heartbreak, and righteous frustration, all grounded in the real complexity of young adult life today. Depth and authentic voice matter as much as the romance mechanics.
YA SFF must earn her attention on the first page with a voice she can't put down. World-building should feel immersive rather than expository. She recently signaled excitement for ensemble casts in fantasy settings with slow-burn dynamics and characters who are both formidable and emotionally resonant.
Her current agency page lists graphic novels as a represented category — a meaningful addition beyond her older submissions profile. Author-illustrators and graphic novelists writing in the MG or YA space should note this. The same voice-first, diverse-stories priority applies.
Karly also represents illustrators directly, which is relatively rare among KidLit agents. If you are a children's book illustrator seeking representation, she is a legitimate contact — though her submission guidelines still apply.
Not the right fit
Taste fingerprint
How to query Karly
Check the live submission form before doing anything — it was closed on June 4, 2026, and submitting while closed will be ignored.
Do NOT query via email; her agency page states that unsolicited submissions to her email address or social media are deleted without being read.
If you submitted a full manuscript and have not heard back after three months, a follow-up through the online form is acceptable per her own guidelines.
Lead with voice — her single most repeated criterion across every format is a strong, hooky voice on the first page. If your opening doesn't land, the rest won't matter.
Make the cultural specificity of your mythology or folklore retelling central to your pitch, not a footnote. She is drawn to stories where the cultural roots are honored and specific, not generalized.
For YA SFF, her May 2026 signal is a gift: she wants an ensemble fantasy cast with slow-burn dynamics and characters who feel both powerful and emotionally vulnerable. If that describes your book, say so explicitly and briefly in the query.
She is building toward long-term author relationships, not one-book deals. If you have a series vision or a planned backlist, it is worth mentioning — but don't pad the query; one focused sentence on your broader vision is enough.
She coordinates the KidLit track at the San Francisco Writers Conference — attending that conference is a legitimate route to a professional introduction if queries are closed.