Kelly Sonnack is a veteran children's book agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency whose deal record reveals a rare dual power: she sells both #1 NYT-bestselling picture books driven by high-profile illustrators and award-decorated middle-grade and YA novels, with graphic novels as her deepest personal passion.
In brief
Sonnack's submissions are closed as of December 2024 — confirm the live form before querying.
Her deal record skews heavily toward illustrated and visual work: multiple #1 NYT-bestselling picture books, indie-bestselling graphic novel series, and a deep roster of illustrator clients place her among the agency's most illustration-centric agents — even though her stated wishlist foregrounds novels.
Graphic novels are her longest-running specialty (12+ years), and her sales span every age level from early chapter books to YA, with a clear preference for humorous adventure at the younger end and emotionally layered contemporary at the teen end.
Queer, trans, and nonbinary representation is not a nice-to-have for her — it runs through her wishlist, her award wins (Stonewall Award for NOT HE OR SHE, I'M ME), and her off-desk advocacy work, making her one of the more credibly committed agents in this space.
She has deep repeat relationships with several clients (Joy Ang, James Burks, Kim Smith, Marissa Valdez, Alastair Heim, Sharon Cameron), signaling that she invests in long-term career building rather than one-book deals.
Lately
Her submission form was directly observed as closed in mid-December 2024. Writers should monitor her agency page for any reopening announcement before preparing a query.
What Kelly is looking for
This is Sonnack's most passionate, longest-tenured category — she has been building a graphic novel list for more than twelve years. At the younger end, she favors humorous or fantastical adventures; for pre-teen and teen audiences she gravitates toward personal, emotionally layered contemporary stories. Nonfiction graphic novels are also explicitly on her radar. Her sales include celebrated series (Bird & Squirrel, Witches of Brooklyn, Agent Nine) and indie bestsellers, confirming this is where she has the most publisher relationships.
Sonnack actively scouts dynamic illustrators — both those who create their own books and those seeking author manuscripts to illustrate. Her illustrator roster is unusually deep and commercially proven: she represents the illustrators behind multiple #1 NYT bestsellers and a Wings of Fire cover artist. She is equally interested in author-illustrators who work across formats, from picture books to young graphic novels.
Sonnack wants contemporary MG novels centered on memorable, flawed protagonists navigating challenges that feel emotionally universal. She particularly prizes comedy and humor, bicultural or biracial stories grounded in the author's own experience, and stories that foreground queer, trans, or nonbinary identities without apology. Rich friendship and sibling dynamics are a recurring draw.
Contemporary YA is listed as a favorite sub-genre, though her deal record in prose YA leans toward established clients (Sharon Cameron, C.L. Herman, David Elliott, Court Stevens). She is drawn to emotionally complex stories, joyful queer romance and friendship, and innovative narrative approaches including novels-in-verse. New YA voices rooted in lived bicultural or LGBTQ+ experience stand the best chance.
Nonfiction is welcomed within the graphic novel and illustrated book spaces. Her sales include illustrated nonfiction (The Atlas Obscura Explorer's Guide) and she cites nonfiction graphic novels as a specific interest. Straightforward prose nonfiction is not emphasized.
Sonnack's picture book list is extensive and commercially powerful, but her current wishlist does not position her as actively seeking picture book writers. Her existing picture book clients are predominantly author-illustrators or illustrators she pairs with established authors. Writers without illustration credentials should not submit picture book manuscripts; author-illustrators may still be relevant given her illustrator search.
Not the right fit
On Kelly's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Kelly
Submissions are closed as of December 2024 — do not query until her agency page signals a reopening; submitting to a closed agent rarely produces results and may delay you with other agents.
When she reopens, make your category explicit in the first line: she runs three distinct lists (graphic novels, illustrators, contemporary MG/YA prose) and a query that doesn't immediately self-sort will lose her.
For graphic novels, include sample pages or a link to a portfolio — visual work requires visual evidence, and her illustrator search makes showing your art essential.
Queer, trans, and nonbinary representation is a genuine priority for her, not a trend signal — if your work centers these identities authentically, say so plainly and early; don't bury the lede.
Humor and comedy are listed with consistent emphasis across categories; if your work is funny, let that voice come through in the query letter itself rather than just claiming 'this is a funny book.'
Bicultural and biracial stories should be grounded in the author's own lived experience — she specifically flags this qualifier, so mentioning your personal connection to the material is relevant and appropriate.
She has a stated openness to submissions from Black creators and writers/artists from underrepresented backgrounds; if this applies to you, it is worth noting briefly in your query.
Her repeat-client pattern suggests she values long-term relationships; framing your query around a single book you want to sell is fine, but mentioning a broader vision for your career may resonate with her stated interest in 'long-term relationships with writers and illustrators.'