Jamie Schlansky Evans is ✨seeking new rep✨

I want to add that I know everyone is stressed, and those who are looking for work can easily lose track of who they've contacted. But my lizard brain wants to think I just wasn't helpful and they never want to talk to me again. 😅

I am always happy to talk with folks looking to break into publishing, whenever I can. My career counselor from undergrad has me listed as a key contact.

But it kinda hurts when someone emails me questions and I spend over an hour answering, and then never hear from them again.

Seeing this in one of the categories of the Free in Kindle Store is just making me 🥹

Unbroken: A Collection of Stories Amazon.com: Unbroken: A Collection of Stories eBook : Rosen, J.S.: Kindle Store

It's true that my main focus (and love) is writing for young readers. But I also write for the adult space!

And I'm pleased to share that my collection of short stories (which received a starred review from Kirkus) is free for a short time!

www.amazon.com/Unbroken-Col...

Please don't settle for anything less than a partner who will offer to carve your Halloween pumpkin for you because you're just too tired to do it—after he's already carved your daughter's AND his. 🧡🎃🖤

I just figured out my costume for the company Halloween party...and I'm quite excited. 👀

Haha well thank you!

Sunday night I had Word read my MG revision back to me with the voice feature, thinking it would help me review it fresh. I put on headphones, lay down, listened to a couple chapters, and when I opened my eyes…it was 5am.

Welp, not sure what that says about me OR my writing! 😂

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, but parting ways with your agent truly feels like an actual breakup. You ask yourself what you did wrong, what you could have done differently or better. I avoid my previous agent’s social media posts. It just hurts. Even if it wasn’t the right fit.

Me: Finishing out revisions on one of my middle grades because I refuse to give up on this age category and it's so important to keep these books going.

Also me: Thinking about an older speculative YA manuscript I've revised multiple times. Worth revisiting?

The pain of decisions...

Haha true!

My husband and I are taking a trip to Europe next fall, and he is letting me plan it because he's planned literally every trip we've ever taken...

...and omg, the sheer willpower it is taking me to not just turn this into a literary tour of England, you guys.

Glad to be here! ☺️

I was officially diagnosed with ADHD this week, and all I can say is...even though it's a late diagnosis (I'm 34), I'm glad I'm finally getting some answers now.

A Baby-sitter's Club poster

My parents are cleaning out their basement, which is full of 40 years of stuff, so they can finally redo it. My mom has been sending me pictures of my old things that she's been finding, stories I wrote, pictures I drew.

Anyways, look what I’m going to be hanging in my office at work.

Aw, thank you!

Four photos showing: a piano, a stage, a grandmother holding hands with her grandchild, and a girl who's incredibly stressed.

BAND NERD x ALL THE ANSWERS

When Ellie discovers her grandma's piano has magical notes that answer her questions, she finds hope: to get her dad a job and win a showcase so she can still study music. But when the magic goes awry, Ellie must win on her own, or lose what she loves.

#QuestPit #MG #Q

After parting with my agent on good terms, I’m optimistic about querying the next book we had been working on together.

If you’re interested in repping a MG with:

*A magical piano
*A huge arts competition
*Parents dealing with job loss
*Supportive siblings & friends

…let me know. 💛

#amquerying

Thank you so much. 💛

Thanks so much for any support, referrals, or puppy photos you may have. I wish my agent the best, and here’s to a new chapter of writing for young readers.

SOUND OFF:

A contemporary MG following Dani, who’s just developed misophonia—a severe sensitivity to sound. When the opportunity of a lifetime presents itself, she must navigate her condition to unlock her dreams.

Great for fans of MUFFLED and FISH IN A TREE.

FROM THE TOP:

A lightly magical MG about Ellie, a brilliant pianist whose family has fallen on hard times. But when she discovers that playing a specific combo of notes on her grandma’s piano sends answers right to her head, maybe she can dig her way out.

Great for fans of ALL THE ANSWERS.

I have not-great news. I am headed back to the querying trenches.

It makes me sad for me, of course, but also for the state of middle grade overall.

With that said, if you’re an agent actively seeking middle grade stories, please do let me know. Some tidbits about my completed manuscripts: 👇

St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake Recipe Legend has it that the St Louis gooey butter cake originated by accident in the 1930s, when a baker mixed up the proportion of butter in one of his coffee cakes Rather than throw it out, he sold it by...

As a native St. Louisan, I highly encourage you to make this recipe. (Aka, make it right now please and invite me over.)

cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014...

Other Ways to Work in Publishing When the Search Feels Hopeless Not hearing back from those traditional publishing houses or literary agencies? Here are some ideas.

My latest topic on Substack: Other ways to work in publishing when the search feels hopeless.

Especially in today's volatile job market, I hope some of these ideas help!

Read it here: open.substack.com/pub/jamiesev...

This is my origin story.

Does working in publishing actually help you get a book deal? I realize this can be a very sensitive topic, but in this post I've tried to be as helpful and open as possible.

My latest topic on Substack:
open.substack.com/pub/jamiesev...

Time for a little reminder, folks!

Introduction from a Writer and Editor Working on both sides of the publishing industry.

I’ve started a Substack!

Working on both sides of publishing has been interesting, to say the least. So I’m sharing my experience and trying to shed some light on an industry that isn’t always accessible.

Anything you want me to discuss? Comment below!

jamiesevans.substack.com/p/introducti...

Thank you! That means so much. 💛