Stephanie Fretwell-Hill

I’m an agent at Red Fox Literary, representing authors and illustrators across the full spectrum of children’s publishing: picture books, middle grade, YA, graphic novels, and nonfiction. Having said that, I am probably most passionate about picture books and middle grade, and there are certain areas I am specifically looking to increase on my list.

*Across all genres, I am looking for projects from BIPOC creators and other traditionally underrepresented voices.*

For picture books, I’m looking for:

• Child-centered stories
• Emotional heart
• Added classroom value
• Social and Emotional learning
• Quirky humor
• Key titles I’ve represented: The Little Blue Bridge by Brenda Maier and Sonia Sanchez, Where Three Oceans Meet by Rajani LaRocca and Archana Sreenivasan, To Change a Planet by Christina Soontornvat and Rahele Jomepour Bell, Tell Me a Lion Story by Kara Kramer, Sometimes I Cry by Jess Townes

For middle grade, I’m looking for:

• Literary novels
• Strong voice
• Humor mixed with emotional heart
• Compelling hooks and central conflicts
• Contemporary or historic settings
• Magical realism and fantasy grounded in the real world
• Puzzles, mysteries, ghosts, or a little bit of darkness
• Connections to folk tales, fairy tales, classic literature, or other cultural traditions
• Key titles I’ve represented: A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat, The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat, Secondhand Dogs by Carolyn Crimi

For graphic novels, I’m looking for:

• GNs that meet all of the literary criteria of novels as described above
• Early chapter book series in GN format
• Key titles I’ve represented: The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat

For nonfiction, I’m looking for:

• Picture books or middle grade
• Narrative nonfiction
• Page-turning, engaging storytelling
• Hopeful or inspiring stories that encourage readers to see the world in a new way
• Key titles I’ve represented: All Thirteen by Christina Soontornvat, Lizzie Demands a Seat by Beth Anderson, The Brilliant Calculator by Jan Lower

For illustrations, I am looking for:

• A distinctive visual voice
• Expressive, emotional, thoughtful images
• Key titles I’ve represented: Milk and Juice by Meredith Crandall Brown, I am a Tornado by Drew Beckmeyer, Desert Girl, Monsoon Boy by Tara Dairman and Archana Sreenivasan, Make Meatballs Sing by Matthew Burgess and Kara Kramer, Because I’m New by Brad Sneed

I am not the right agent for:

• Saccharine sweetness
• Didactic stories
• high fantasy
• Serious “issues” books that aren’t also fun to read
• Purely commercial work that lacks a literary quality

Submission Guidelines

Submissions of middle grade novels:

I am currently open to unsolicited manuscripts via QueryManager. Please submit a cover letter, first three chapters, and synopsis at the following link:

https://querymanager.com/query/StephanieFretwellHill/MGNovelsOnly

Submissions of everything that isn’t a middle grade novel:

I’m unable to accept unsolicited submissions at this time and am only considering industry referrals or submissions in association with conferences, pitch parties, or other circumstances in which I’ve extended an invitation to submit.

Consultations