YA for Life: Writing Successful Novels for Real Teens...and YA-Loving Adults

Ginny Myers Sain is the author of DARK AND SHALLOW LIES, SECRETS SO DEEP, and ONE LAST BREATH, with WHEN THE BONES SING coming out in 2025. Although Ginny comes from a line of writers, her first love has always been the theatre. Ginny has a degree in theatre, and didn't really learn to love writing until she realized how similar it is. She grew up in Oklahoma, then went to school in Arkansas and lived there for the next twenty years. Ginny currently lives in St. Cloud, Florida, with her college-age son and a wild goldendoodle named Magnolia.

Sally M. Kim is an Associate Agent with Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Prior to becoming an agent, she spent more than fifteen years in children’s book marketing and publicity at a variety of publishers including Macmillan, Penguin, and Chronicle Books. Sally is looking to represent a wide range of children’s book authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators in the picture book, chapter book, and middle grade categories. Across the board, Sally is eager to see authentic explorations of underrepresented cultures, relationships, and identities. She is drawn to stories with a distinct voice, unexpected wit, aggressive pacing, punchy and/or emotionally resonant endings. When it comes to illustration, she gravitates to versatile artists using traditional mediums and those with a unique take on color, texture, perspective, and thoughtful details. Sally will do 5 critiques of the entire manuscript of a Picture Book or Board Book. Post webinar, Sally will accept submissions for Picture Books, Board Books, Chapter Books, Early Reader, Middle Grade, and Comic/Graphic Novel. Submission guidelines will be sent to you at the end of the webinar.

Kristin Ostby is a literary agent at the Greenhouse Literary Agency. She represents authors of middle grade, young adult, and adult fiction, as well as picture book author/illustrators. After graduating from the University of Michigan, where she majored in English and was a staff reporter for The Michigan Daily, Kristin began her career in publishing at Penguin Random House and rose to become a senior editor at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. She has edited children’s book legend Tomie dePaola; New York Times bestselling authors like Stuart Gibbs (Spy School) and US soccer star Alex Morgan (The Kicks); and award-winning creators including Daniel Miyares (Float), Jessica Lawson (Nooks & Crannies), and Heather Vogel Frederick (The Mother-Daughter Book Club). She also edited the bestselling I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy and Elizabeth Baddeley. She loves guiding authors and illustrators toward their best work and advocating for them in service of building successful, sustainable artistic careers. Kristin lives in Brooklyn, New York. Kristin will do critiques for Early Readers, Middle Grade, Young Adult, and New Adult. Post webinar, she will accept submissions in Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Comic/Graphic Novels. Submissions guidelines and details will be sent at the end of the webinar.

Alexandra Penfold is a literary agent and the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling book, All Are Welcome, illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman. She and Suzanne have also collaborated on Big Feelings, All Are Neighbors, Wherever You Go and several early readers including All Are Welcome: Welcome Back and All Are Welcome: Give What You Can. She is also the author of The Littlest Viking, illustrated by Isabel Roxas, We Are Brothers, We Are Friends, illustrated by Eda Kaban, Food Truck Fest, illustrated by Mike Dutton and Eat, Sleep, Poop, illustrated by Jane Massey. When she isn't writing and drinking strong iced coffee, she can be found perfecting her lattice crust. She lives in Brooklyn with her family. Alexandra will offer critiques for Picture Books, Board Books, Early Readers, Nonfiction, Comic/Graphic Novels, and Illustrator Only. Post webinar, Alexandra will accept submissions for Picture Books, Board Books, Chapter Books, Early Readers, Nonfiction, Comic/Graphic Novels, and Illustrator Only.