Katie Erickson is an associate agent at The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency whose decade-long career as a freelance illustrator gives her a distinctly visual eye — she gravitates toward author-illustrators across every category she represents, from picture books and graphic novels to middle grade, YA, and cozy adult fiction.
In brief
Erickson joined JDLA in 2024 as an associate agent, bringing a professional illustration background that heavily shapes her taste — she explicitly prioritizes author-illustrators in picture books, graphic novels, and nonfiction, making her a poor fit for text-only picture book writers.
Her submission materials reveal a clear hierarchy: Middle Grade is her most emphatic current focus, followed by YA with a specific gaming/RPG angle; picture books are welcomed but carry the author-illustrator gate.
There is no confirmed public sales record yet — she is a newer agent whose deal history is not yet documented — so writers should weigh her against the agency's broader track record and her own deep illustrated-book taste.
Her favorite authors list skews strongly toward children's fantasy, adventure, and contemporary fiction (Tamora Pierce, Garth Nix, Megan Whalen Turner, Kelly Yang, Angie Thomas), signaling the tonal register she is hunting for.
Her submission form was observed closed as of April 23, 2026 — verify the live form before querying, as this can change without notice.
Lately
Erickson updated her agency bio to note she has completed her Master's Degree in Creative Writing and Illustration — an earlier version described it as in progress — confirming her dual literary-and-visual academic credential is now finalized.
What Katie is looking for
This is Erickson's most explicitly emphasized category. She wants found-family dynamics, coming-of-age arcs, unexpected humor and wit, and puzzle-driven plots. Fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and gaming themes are all welcome. Stories should be high-stakes and fast-paced with a premise that lingers. Diverse casts are a plus.
She is particularly drawn to YA that incorporates tabletop gaming or video RPG elements — this is a specific, named priority, not a vague interest. Coming-of-age and found-family themes resonate here as well. Fantasy, science fiction, and mystery are her preferred genre lenses.
Erickson is open to picture books, but only from author-illustrators. She wants beautifully designed pages, lyrical language, tight text, strong page turns, and emotionally resonant stories. Writers submitting without illustration credentials will not be a match. Dummies with sample illustrations are required at query.
She is drawn to graphic novels centered on humor, family love, and coming-of-age — ideally witty and funny in tone. Author-illustrators only. Finished spread samples and character sheets should be ready to share upon request, though initial query is slim.
She has a narrow but genuine appetite for cozy adult fiction — stories that offer warmth and escapism from the real world. The emotional register is comfort and wonder, not grit or darkness. This is a secondary focus; she is not a broad adult fiction agent.
Erickson is interested in encyclopedic, knowledge-forward nonfiction — the kind that deep-dives into a subject with depth and breadth. Author-illustrators only; this is not a category for text-only nonfiction writers.
Not the right fit
Taste fingerprint
How to query Katie
Her form is the ONLY accepted submission channel — she states explicitly that queries sent anywhere else will be deleted unread. Do not email the agency directly.
Verify the form is open before drafting your query; it was observed closed on April 23, 2026, and can reopen without announcement.
Author-illustrators should include a link to their full dummy and two sample illustrations in the picture book query, and have spread samples plus character sheets ready for graphic novel submissions — she will ask for them.
Middle Grade queries should lead with the found-family or puzzle hook, and YA queries should make the tabletop/RPG element prominent in the first paragraph if that's your angle — she named these as specific wants.
Omit pagination from picture book manuscripts; she prefers to read the text as a clean flow.
The query package for MG, YA, and adult fiction requires a query letter, a 1–2 page synopsis, and the first 10 pages — have all three ready before the form opens.
Her aesthetic skews toward humor, wit, heart, and hope — a dark, grimdark, or issue-heavy pitch is unlikely to resonate. Frame your story's emotional register accordingly.
She aims to respond within six weeks; do not follow up before that window closes.