Lori Kilkelly is the owner of LK Literary Agency, a Chicago-based boutique focused exclusively on children's publishing, with a roster built almost entirely around author-illustrators and illustrators working across picture books, middle grade, and graphic novels.
In brief
LK Literary is a children's-only shop — Kilkelly does not represent adult fiction, nonfiction, or any category outside the kids' space.
The client roster skews heavily toward illustrators and author-illustrators; writers querying without illustration credentials should check current submission guidelines carefully before querying.
Roster depth in picture books is the agency's clearest strength, with multiple working illustrators whose portfolios span board books through middle grade.
Named current clients include Julia Denos, Kate Berube, Lori Richmond, Cale Atkinson, and E. B. Goodale — a concentration of talent that signals strong relationships with picture book imprints at major publishers.
Young adult and graphic novel appear in the listed genres, but the visible client roster is picture-book and middle-grade dominant — writers in YA or GN should query with calibrated expectations.
Lately
LK Literary's current agency page presents a roster composed almost entirely of illustrators and author-illustrators, signaling that visual storytelling talent is at the heart of what Kilkelly is building.
What Lori is looking for
Picture books are the agency's core strength, and the depth of the current illustrator roster suggests Kilkelly is actively building in this space. Given the concentration of author-illustrators on the client list, picture book submissions from creators who both write and illustrate are likely a strong fit. Text-only picture book writers should verify current submission guidelines, as the roster skews heavily toward the visual side.
Middle grade is a listed category and several current clients work across the MG range, suggesting openness to both illustrated and prose projects at this level.
Young adult appears among Kilkelly's listed genres, but the current client roster does not show a strong YA presence. Writers querying in this category should approach with the understanding that it is not the agency's primary focus area.
Graphic novel is a listed category. Given the agency's visual-art orientation and its illustrator-heavy roster, graphic novel projects from creator teams or author-illustrators may be better positioned than prose-only GN pitches.
Not the right fit
On Lori's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Lori
LK Literary is a children's-only agency — do not query with adult projects under any circumstances.
The roster is dominated by illustrators and author-illustrators; if you are querying as a text-only writer, confirm whether that is currently welcome before submitting.
If you are an author-illustrator, lead with your visual work — include a portfolio link or sample art prominently, as the agency's primary orientation is toward the visual side of children's publishing.
Address your query to Lori Kilkelly by name; they are the agency's sole owner and primary point of contact.
Keep your query focused on a single project; specify the age category and format (picture book, MG novel, graphic novel, etc.) in your opening line.
Verify the live submission guidelines immediately before sending — status and category preferences at boutique agencies can shift, and the most recent public observation may not reflect the current form requirements.