I decided to pursue becoming a published illustrator in 2001. Back then the author-illustrator was an aberration. Advice was given to pick either being a writer or being an artist. Common knowledge said it was a rare animal who could both well. Because of that, my pursuit of Agents representing Author-Illustrators was really a pursuit for representation of one as a writer and one as an artist.

In 2007, I signed with a literary agent. She was only interested in representing a single title, one I co-authored with a friend. She didn’t represent picture book writers or illustrators of any flavor. But she belonged to a well respected and to remain unnamed literary agency who did have Agents representing Author-Illustrators. I decided it was an “in” to the agency and signed. My co-author and I spent months reshaping our 37,000 word manuscript to fit the agent’s vision, which seemed to not understand what I had in mind for the book. But my co-author assured me this was normal and since both she and the agent had more experience than I, I did what I was told without questioning either one.

Finally, the agent declared our sample chapters ready. Neither one of which I thought showed the strength of our book and both of which I felt had been made it seem bland and ordinary. She said she had a list of publishers in mind and would email us the names. Then she disappeared. For months and months. Not good.

She returned full of apologies and promised she was with the program now and would do right by the manuscript. She actually sent the manuscript off to a list of publishers (I still don’t know who) and started getting rejections. We heard back from her for a few months before she disappeared again. This time for good.

Needless to say, in 2010 when I began my search for agents representing author-illustrators in earnest again, I was a bit more cautious. Meanwhile agenting and the publishing industry had changed. Not only was the author-illustrator a thing, but such people were being sought after. Agents representing Author-Illustrators also became a thing.

I’ve done a lot of research collecting names of agencies and Agents representing Author-Illustrators. I wanted to make sure the people I presented my book babies to shared not only my vision but my passion for them, as well. I wanted an invested agent. I wanted a successful agent. And I wanted an agent who could grow with me as well as mold me into a more successful and saleable author-illustrator.

Every time a list popped up on the best picture book agents, I’d check it out. Most of the time, I’d have to sift through all the names on the list. Perhaps only a third or so of the people listed were Agents representing Author-Illustrators. The longer I researched, the longer my list of Agents representing Author-Illustrators became. Also, because of my past less-than-successful experience with an agent, I wanted to make sure the agents I approached had a strong track record. I read their blogs. Stalked their social network wishlists. Tracked their sales. I reviewed their clients, and their client’s sales, too.

This year I signed for representation with agent Natalie Lakosil, who fit most of my criteria. (She only represents to the book publishing industry, so I will at some point seek representation for a more traditional artist representative.) Before she signed with me, she made The Call. And we chatted like old friends. And giggled like school girls at one point, too. It was a good match. She’s already brokered a book deal for me. I’m looking forward to more.

I decided, since there isn’t a list of Agents representing Author-Illustrators out there (that I know of, please link to them in the comments if you have info) I would share mine.

Top Agents representing Author-Illustrators in Kid Lit *

* Please note this list was compiled from 2012 thought early 2015. Because the publishing industry is constantly in flux, some information may no longer be accurate. Some agents listed are closed to unsolicited submissions. Some agents require a personal introduction from someone whom they already represent. Some of the agents listed represent people as illustrators who also happen to be author-illustrators. As in all things in this industry, DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH before submitting your manuscript. Good luck!