Words and Pictures with Kesia Lupo
Discover her manuscript wish list and the biggest mistake writers make when submitting to an agent
This week we’re joined by agent, author and editor
We asked her about her different roles in the publishing industry, what she looks for when signing new clients and the biggest mistake authors make when approaching agents.
Kesia Lupo is a literary agent at Donald Maass Literary Agency, editor for hire at Reedsy, social media manager at Writing Day Workshops, indie bookseller, and published YA author.
Kesia has worked in the publishing industry for 11 years. She started out as an editorial assistant at Pan Macmillan London in 2013, transitioning to children’s fiction in 2015 when she moved to Chicken House (a UK imprint of Scholastic), where she worked her way up from junior to senior editor. In 2023 she transitioned over to the US and agenting, working with the Bindery Agency before finding a home with DMLA.
What do words and pictures mean to you?
Everything! Words and pictures are books and my whole life currently revolves around those - I’m agenting, editing, writing and even selling them (I started working as a bookseller a couple of months ago).
Why did you transition from being an editor to an agent?
Partly for practical reasons - I moved from my editorial job in the UK to California. There aren’t many publishing houses this side of the continent so I broadened my job hunt and ended up stumbling across an agenting job.
Why not? On a deeper level, many of the skills are similar - editorial skills, pitching books, forming relationships with authors and other publishing people, developing a depth of knowledge about the industry and publishing process - but this also allowed me to approach the industry from a new angle.
I’ve loved developing my sales-oriented skills and understanding of contracts, but also having the opportunity to seek out talent. Such a privilege.
How do you split your time between working as an agent, editor and author?
It’s chaotic and really varies! The one constant is that my writing sadly gets the short end of the stick right now - I try to keep it rumbling in the background but it’s hard to find time, even though it’s something I really love.
Agenting is my focus, as much as possible, but it doesn’t pay until I sell something! So, I also try to take on 2-3 editorial projects per month of various sizes. I also do some social media management for a brilliant writing conference organization (Writing Day Workshops) and spend 2+ days a week bookselling in my local indie bookstore, which I love!
Do you think these different aspects of your career compliment each other and if so, how?
Yes and no. Yes because they are all constantly helping me develop a holistic understanding of the industry, what’s working and what isn’t, so I’ve become (in very broad strokes) a bit of a book expert.
However, they do drain time from each other, so that I never feel that I’m able to give 100% to any of these jobs, even though I’m really passionate about each!
What one thing about the children's publishing industry do you think would be helpful for aspiring writers to know?
Swings and roundabouts. I’ve seen at least one full cycle of YA being ‘dead’ and then reviving spectacularly. The same is happening right now to MG. Just wait!
In your experience what is the biggest mistake people make when submitting to an agent?
Probably spending hours honing their opening chapters but then writing a query letter that isn't strong enough to even get agents to read those chapters. The query letter is SO important!
What makes you decide to sign a new client?
When I can’t stop thinking about their book! I know it’s a yes when I feel I HAVE to represent it!
Is there anything that writers can do to stand out when looking for representation?
Learn to write a brilliant one-line pitch. If you can do that, you’ll hook agents in and really increase your chances of them being impressed by your writing.
What is currently on your manuscript wish list?
I need to sign more middle-grade so that’s a must! I’d also love to find a spectacular epic fantasy for adult readers.
Are you writing anything at the moment?
Yes! I’m (very very slowly) writing a historical fantasy/horror/romance set in seventeenth-century England. My first adult book since 2010! (It’s really difficult.)
What advice would you give someone who wants to write their own children's book?
Read widely in the area you want to write in - and make sure the books you’re reading were published recently, roughly within the last 5 years. The best way to learn about writing is reading! And you will thank yourself later when you have a long list of comparison titles to draw from.
You can follow Kesia Lupo on substack, instagram, twitter and Bluesky.
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