Literary Agent Interview: Sheila Fernley Interview and SPECIAL Agent Critique Giveaway

Today I’m thrilled to have agent Sheila Fernley here. She’s an associate literary agent at Storm Literary Agency. You can find out details about her special agent critique giveaway at the end of her interview. Should the winner be for a picture book, the critique would be for the full manuscript, and should the winner be a MG or YA novel, the critique would be for the first three chapters.

Hi­ Sheila! Thanks so much for joining us.

Sheila: Thank you, Natalie, for inviting me to be interviewed by  Literary Rambles. I’m thrilled to share with your subscribers about Storm Literary Agency and me.

About Sheila:

1. Tell us how you became an agent, how long you’ve been one, and what you’ve been doing as an agent.

As an agented picture book writer and former editor, I learned long ago that writing great stories isn’t easy. Neither is querying and landing the right agent. I’ve always loved helping other writers on their journeys, so just over a year ago I decided to pursue a career as a literary agent. I completed an internship with Belcastro Agency, where I learned so much about what it takes to be a great agent. While seeking my next internship, I was honored to be offered an agent-in-training position with Storm Literary Agency. After extensive training, on March 26, 2024, the Agency officially introduced me as its newest Associate Literary Agent. My inbox opened on April 2nd and within 10 days I received nearly 500 queries. I started reading queries every day, actively building my client list. Right now, my days are spent reading client projects and providing feedback, as well as preparing sub lists, packages, and pitching projects to editors. I feel very fortunate to represent Storm Literary Agency and my very talented clients.

About the Agency:

2. Share a bit about your agency and what it offers to its authors.

Storm Literary Agency represents quality literature from exceptional authors and illustrators. What most people who research our Agency don’t see is the passion and heart of our leadership, agents, and staff. We work tirelessly as a team to champion our clients and their projects, across most genres. Storm is fortunate to have a talented marketing coordinator, editorial assistant, and partnerships in film, television, stage, foreign, translation, and audio rights.

What She’s Looking For:

3. What age groups do you represent—picture books, MG, and/or YA? What genres do you represent and what are you looking for in submissions for these genres?

I represent authors and author illustrators. The genres that I represent include picture books (fiction, informational fiction, nonfiction biographies, fractured fairy tales, and folktale retelling with a cultural twist), MG (contemporary fiction and fantasy), and YA (also, contemporary fiction and fantasy). Currently, I am seeking mostly picture books and middle grade novels.

4.  Is there anything you would be especially excited to see in the genres you are interested in?

I am not looking for the next version of a classic. I want fresh ideas, with great openings that grab the reader and don’t let go until the end. I love heartfelt stories, humor, and unique or quirky characters. I’m drawn to lyrical writing, but the character and story arc are a must, as are voice and emotional connection.

What She Isn’t Looking For:

5. What types of submissions are you not interested in?

That’s easy. I am not a fan of dark themes, horror, violent content, dragons, science fiction, rhyming picture books, or board books. Otherwise, in the genres that I represent, surprise me!

Agent Philosophy:

6. What is your philosophy as an agent both in terms of the authors you want to work with and the books you want to represent?

First, let’s talk about authors that I want to work with. As a Mexican American writer and former special education teacher I like to champion underrepresented voices, but the stories must be stellar. I want to work with authors who study their craft and have a critique group that can help them hone a story before we work to polish the manuscript and send it out on submission.

When I make an offer, it is to work with an author’s body of work and not one book. I must be as passionate about the author’s projects as they are. And I must be just as passionate about working with that person.

Editorial Agent:

7. Are you an editorial agent? If so, what is your process like when you’re working with your authors before submitting to editors?

Because of my editorial background, those skills stay with me. I know that I can help make a good story great, and a great story even better, so I want to work with authors who are open to feedback. However, I am an agent and not an editorial coach.   

When a client and I decide on a project for submission, I read the manuscript with both my agent and editorial hats. I make suggestions and discuss them with my client. The final decision on changes to the manuscript is made by my client.

Query Methods and Submission Guidelines: (Always verify before submitting)

8. How should authors query you and what do you want to see with the query letter?

Authors who are interested in Storm Literary Agency and me for representation can learn more about my submission guidelines at https://www.stormliteraryagency.com/submission-guidelines. I only accept queries through QueryManager. The link can be found at the end of my submission guidelines. I do not accept submissions via snail mail or email. Following my submission guidelines speaks volumes to me. Sometimes I receive queries where the author fails to upload their manuscript (full manuscript for picture books and the first three chapters for MG and YA). Always check and double check all fields in QueryManager before pressing the submit button.

Query letters are important to me. Although an author doesn’t need to be formal, using a greeting and salutation tells me something about the author’s professionalism. Some queries include neither. Feel free to remind me if we met at a recent event. First, I look for a strong, concise pitch that tells me who, when, what happens, and why in one to two brief sentences. In the marketing paragraph I look for a sentence or two that tells what the story is about and why the audience should connect with the story. I should be able to tell from the pitch and premise if the story idea is fresh, if it will connect with readers, and if it will likely sell in today’s market. In the bio, I look for the person’s current or former profession and writing credentials, writing honors, published work (not a list of memberships and courses). I do like the author to briefly explain why they are the person to tell this story, and it never hurts to add something personal (i.e., family or interests other than writing). A query letter also tells me something about the person’s writing, although I never judge a book by its cover.

9.  Do you have any specific dislikes in query letters or the first pages submitted to you?

I’m not fond of schmoozing. These sentences are best replaced with information about your story or you.

Openings need to grab the reader's attention and compel them to read the story. The first page tells me so much about the story and the author’s writing. It should set the voice of the main character and create a connection with the reader, establish the setting, hooks, and draw the reader into the story. For picture books, the first spread or two should show what the protagonist wants, and the problem that is relatable to young children.

Response Time:

10. What’s your response time to queries and requests for more pages of a manuscript?

I post a 2-3 month response time to queries but try to get back sooner than that, whenever possible. An author who is querying an agent should have at least three polished projects ready to submit if more work is requested. However, I am open to fewer polished projects, along with works in progress, and pitches for future story ideas. It could take a few months to read the additional projects and respond to the author, but I always try to get back as quickly as possible.

Self-Published and Small Press Authors:

11.  Are you open to representing authors who have self-published or been published by smaller presses? What advice do you have for them if they want to try to find an agent to represent them?

I am certainly open to representing any author or author/illustrator seeking traditional publishing or who is published. This includes authors who have self-published books, or who have been published by a small press. However, I don’t represent previously published works. Any unpublished projects or future projects would certainly be considered. Although I want to know if an author has been previously represented, I don’t see this as a negative thing. I recognize that agent/client relationships may end for many different reasons.

Clients:

12. Who are some of the authors you represent?

Erin Cleary

Kimberlee Gard

J.J. Howard

Christina Rogriguez-Unalt

To learn more about my clients, refer to https://www.stormliteraryagency.com/ourauthors.

Interviews and Guest Posts:

13. Please share the links to any interviews, guest posts, and podcasts you think would be helpful to writers interested in querying you.

Manuscript Wish List – https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/sheila-fernley/

Children’s Book Insider: Agent Spotlight Interview (August 2024) – https://cbiclubhouse.com/

Links and Contact Info:

14. Please share how writers should contact you to submit a query and your links on the Web.

Please submit all queries to me through QueryManager. The best and most up-to-date location to learn about my current interests, submission guidelines, and when I am open to submissions, visit https://www.stormliteraryagency.com/aboutus.

X: https://x.com/home/SheilaFernley

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sheila.Fernley.2024

Additional Advice:

15. Is there any other advice you’d like to share with aspiring authors that we haven’t covered?

Although revisions are only finished with an editor determines they are, please avoid querying an agent with a manuscript that is still being reviewed by a critique group or professional critiquer. Make sure the manuscript is polished and you feel strongly that it is ready for submission. Also have at least two to three other projects that are in the same state. Focus on other projects and ideas that you can work on next. Always continue to learn how to improve your writing and read books in the similar genres in which you write. Apply what you learn, be patient, and never give up!

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Sheila.

Special Agent Critique Giveaway Details

­Sheila is very generously offering one lucky winner an agent critique and a one-hour Zoom call to discuss any questions about the project. Should the winner be for a picture book, the critique would be for the full manuscript, and should the winner be a MG or YA novel, the critique would be for the first three chapters. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment through August 10th. If your email is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. If you do not want to enter the contest, that’s okay. Just let me know in the comments.

If you follow me on Twitter or mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments, and I'll give you an extra entry. I hope you will shout out about this contest on your social media sites to spread the word about Sheila’s incredibly generous giveaway contest. This is an international giveaway.

Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or email me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com

Note: These agent profiles and interviews presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found here is subject to change.

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Thursday, August 1st I’m participating in the Apple a Day Giveaway Hop

Wednesday, August 7th I have an interview with co-authors Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows and a giveaway of their YA My Salty Mary

Monday, August 12th I have an agent spotlight interview with Erica McGrath and a query critique giveaway

Friday, August 16th I’m participating in the Old School Giveaway Hop

Monday, August 19th I have an interview with author Julie Abe and a giveaway of her MG Tessa Miyata Is So Unlucky

 I hope to see you on Thursday!