Stephanie Fretwell-Hill

I’m an agent at Red Fox Literary, representing authors and illustrators across the full spectrum of children’s publishing: picture books, middle grade, YA, graphic novels, and nonfiction. Having said that, I am probably most passionate about picture books and middle grade, and there are certain areas I am specifically looking to increase on my list.

For picture books, I’m looking for:

• Quirky humor
• Child-centered stories
• Emotional heart
• Added classroom value
• Elevated stories with strong hooks and commercial potential
• Key titles I’ve represented: Stalactite and Stalagmite by Drew Beckmeyer, Faith Takes the Train by Kesi Augustine and Mokshini, How to be a Proper Ogre by Kelly DiPucchio and Janie Bynum, The Art of How Dogs Sleep by Alison Kim, Jayden Noticed by Carolyn Crimi and Shamar Knight-Justice

For middle grade, I’m looking for:

• Literary novels
• Strong voice
• Humor mixed with emotional heart
• Compelling hooks and central conflicts
• Contemporary or historic settings
• Magical realism and fantasy grounded in the real world
• Puzzles, mysteries, ghosts, or a little bit of darkness
• Connections to folk tales, fairy tales, classic literature, or other cultural traditions
• Entertaining books that are equally fun to read as they are thought-provoking
• Key titles I’ve represented: A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat, The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat, Secondhand Dogs by Carolyn Crimi

For graphic novels, I’m looking for:

• GNs that meet all of the literary criteria of novels as described above
• Early chapter book series in GN format
• Key titles I’ve represented: The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat, I’m a Dumbo Octopus! by Anne Lambelet

For nonfiction, I’m looking for:

• Picture books or middle grade
• Narrative nonfiction with page-turning, engaging storytelling
• Hopeful or inspiring stories that encourage readers to see the world in a new way
• Thoughtful, compelling subjects that teach me something new
• Key titles I’ve represented: All Thirteen by Christina Soontornvat, Thomas Jefferson’s Battle for Science by Beth Anderson and Jeremy Holmes, Follow the Water by Ellen Cochrane, I’m a Dumbo Octopus! by Anne Lambelet

For illustrations, I am looking for:

• A distinctive visual voice
• Expressive, emotional, thoughtful images
• Key titles I’ve represented: Scamp by Anden Wilder, The First Week of School by Drew Beckmeyer, Daisy the Daydreamer by Jennifer P. Goldfinger, Erno Rubik and his Magic Cube by Kerry Aradhya and Kara Kramer

*Across all genres, I am looking for projects from a diverse range of creators, including BIPOC and other traditionally underrepresented voices.*

I am not the right agent for:

• Saccharine sweetness
• Didactic stories
• high fantasy
• Serious “issues” books that aren’t also fun to read
• Purely commercial work that lacks a literary quality

Submission Guidelines

Submissions of middle grade novels:

I am currently open to unsolicited submissions (MG novels only) via QueryManager. Please submit a cover letter, first three chapters, and synopsis at the following link:

https://querymanager.com/query/StephanieFretwellHill/MGNovelsOnly

Submissions of everything that isn’t a middle grade novel:

I’m unable to accept unsolicited submissions at this time and am only considering industry referrals or submissions in association with conferences, pitch parties, or other circumstances in which I’ve extended an invitation to submit.

Consultations