Rebecca Sherman is a Writers House agent with 24+ years of experience who has built one of children's publishing's most distinctive rosters — heavily weighted toward picture book illustrators and author-illustrators, with a passionate secondary focus on character-rich middle grade fiction and grounded, emotionally resonant YA.
In brief
The deal record tells a story Sherman's bio undersells: picture books and illustrated works dominate recent sales, with imprints like HarperCollins, Balzer & Bray, Candlewick, FSG, Roaring Brook, Scholastic, and Viking all represented — a sign of broad, active relationships across the Big Five and beyond.
Middle grade is described as 'the arrow to the bull's-eye of my heart,' yet the confirmed recent sales tilt picture-book-heavy. Writers of MG fiction represent a real — and possibly underserved — opening on this list.
Sherman has cultivated a roster of illustrators and author-illustrators, not just writers: the current client list is strikingly visual-arts-forward, and picture book submissions are explicitly gated to illustrators and author-illustrators only — text-only PB writers should not query.
Repeat-client relationships are a notable feature: Dan Yaccarino appears on multiple recent deals (two separate book-plus-sequel sales), Katie Kordesh has two deals confirmed, and both Matt Phelan and Dan Yaccarino appear on multi-book arrangements — evidence of deep, ongoing partnerships.
Sherman is openly not the right fit for high fantasy, science fiction, or heavily issue-driven/edgy YA — but magical realism and urban fantasy within a contemporary realistic frame are welcome, a nuance that trips up many queriers.
Lately
Sherman's agency page states they are actively seeking new clients and that email is the correct submission route; no physical submissions are being accepted.
What Rebecca is looking for
Sherman calls MG the category closest to their heart and is hunting for timeless, potentially classic novels. Fresh retellings of folklore and fairy tales are a particular draw, as are contemporary friendship stories. Character-driven historical fiction set in underexplored historical moments can also land — though this is more occasional. Touchstone titles signal a taste for wit, warmth, and inventive structure over grim or high-concept fare. Highly illustrated MG projects — not necessarily graphic novels, but books where art is integral to storytelling — earn bonus consideration.
Sherman wants YA that captures the genuine strangeness and intensity of adolescence — contemporary coming-of-age, young love, and character-driven stories with something real to say. Fantastical elements woven into a contemporary realistic setting (urban fantasy, magical realism) are welcome; high fantasy and science fiction are not. Super-edgy or heavily issue-forward books are also a poor fit. The tone should be emotionally honest and often funny, not relentlessly dark.
Sherman is highly selective here and accepts picture book submissions only from illustrators or author-illustrators — writers submitting text alone are not the right match. The benchmark is a book that holds up to repeated nightly readings, ideally one that generates genuine laughter. Character-driven concepts with franchise potential (think enduring household-name characters) are especially welcome. Recent confirmed deals include work from Lian Cho, Leslie Patricelli, Jared Chapman, Kerilynn Wilson, Corey R. Tabor, and Dan Yaccarino, illustrating the breadth of visual styles Sherman champions.
The confirmed deal record includes multiple MG graphic novel and graphic memoir projects, suggesting Sherman actively pursues this hybrid format — even though it is not called out separately in the written wishlist. Projects in this space should still foreground the character-driven warmth and wit that defines the broader MG taste.
Not the right fit
On Rebecca's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Rebecca
Send to [email protected]; the current agency page confirms this as the correct submission address.
If you write picture book text only — without also being the illustrator — do not query Sherman. This gate is explicit and non-negotiable.
For MG, lead with what makes the story timeless and character-driven; Sherman responds to books that feel like instant classics, not trend-driven pitches. If your manuscript features original folklore, fairy tale reinvention, or inventive use of art, say so up front.
For YA, be explicit about tone: signal warmth, humor, and emotional authenticity. If your story has fantastical elements, clarify they exist within a contemporary realistic world — do not use the word 'fantasy' without the qualifier 'urban' or 'magical realism,' as high fantasy is a hard no.
Highly illustrated projects — MG or YA novels where artwork is integral to the storytelling structure, not just decoration — are a stated cross-category priority; if your manuscript fits this, name it clearly in the query.
Ensemble casts with richly developed individual characters and complex interpersonal dynamics earn specific mention in the wishlist as a bonus; if your cast fits this description, highlight it.
Physical submissions are not accepted; do not mail materials.
Sherman's tone and client list skew warm, funny, and emotionally generous rather than dark or edgy — your query letter's voice should reflect the manuscript's personality.