Presenters

In-Person Conference

As a Literary Agent/Senior Content Development Editor at Folio Jr., Estelle edits picture books,
middle grade, young adult, and new adult, and acquires and develops existing talent alongside
Emily van Beek. Since 2012, Estelle has been working as an editorial consultant and
developmental editor with established authors, many of whom are bestsellers and award winners.
As both an agent and the critically-acclaimed author of books for young adults and children, she
has a unique understanding of publishing. While she loves working with established creators, she
has also developed a keen eye for new talent and a passion for working to bring a fresh
perspective to emerging voices. She strives to assist as they move toward publication confidently
and with the highest level of artistic creativity.

Please note, Estelle works in lockstep with Ms. van Beek. Any query to Estelle should also be
considered a query to them as a team.

From their wishlist:

PICTURE BOOKS: We’re exclusively inviting submissions from AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATORS.
We want goofy, fun, wild, imaginative, child-centric, character-driven work; the kind of picture
books kids will ask parents to read again and again, laughing all the while. Meaningful, more
serious stories are also welcome, however we are not the right fit for heavy-handed, didactic
SEL. We’re also not looking for board books, novelty books, or text-only picture book
manuscripts.

MIDDLE GRADE: Stellar, exquisitely imagined stories please; a middle grade crush, first-
tremors-of-love book; a comedy, or a humorously mischievous story (but we’re not the right fit
for broadly silly); original fantasy; undeniable characters; hilarity. We love the idea of doing
something unexpected with illustration or hybrid approaches to storytelling, as well as genre
benders such as rom-com or locked room mysteries for the younger set. We also love
speculative, high concept, and magic in middle grade. We’re totally open to shorter middle grade
geared toward reluctant readers, with plenty of fun included. We want to be taken by story as
much as any ten-year-old, and we would love to shepherd authors who are focused on wonder,
joy, and revealing the world to young readers.

YOUNG ADULT: We’re eager to find novels that are high concept and also masterfully
conceived. Give us something bold and fresh with a voice that’s impossible to put aside, and
romantic stories to make readers ache and long. We’re not the best choice for “message” or hard
science fiction. We’re also not right for straightforward contemporary realistic without a
speculative twist or original frame, or for derivative high fantasy. Regardless of genre, we dream
of the intersection between stellar writing and plot, something that leaves us puffy-eyed or
laughing out loud. Comedic and undeniable voices are more than welcome, as are whimsy and
sparkle.

NEW ADULT/ROMANTASY: We’re on the hunt for stories that include original magical
systems, frothy love, cozy worlds of unexpected small magic, characters who take big chances,
strong voices, and adventure-driven stories connected by heart.

In all cases, we enthusiastically welcome projects from authors and illustrators of diverse
backgrounds, as well as the LGBTQ+ community. If you feel we’re the right team for you,
please submit your query letter and the first five pages of your manuscript, or your dummy in its
entirety to estelle@foliolitmanagement.com. Please note, we are not interested in any AI-
generated material, as we are passionately committed to human artists.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Presentations