What Literary Agents Look for in Kidlit Submissions, with Erin Casey Westin

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Note: For the most up-to-date information on Erin’s submission status, interests, and availability, visit https://erincaseywestin.com.

Episode Summary

In this episode of Writers With Wrinkles, Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid talk with Erin Casey Westin, associate agent at Galt & Zacker Literary Agency, about the current kidlit market and how agents evaluate queries and manuscripts. Aspiring authors will gain insight into writing stronger query letters, understanding agent decision-making, and knowing when a manuscript is truly ready to submit.

Guest Bio

Erin Casey Westin is an associate agent at Galt & Zacker Literary Agency, where she represents children’s literature. She is especially drawn to projects with strong voice, vivid worldbuilding, and authentic, thoughtful representation. Erin is passionate about stories that allow every child to see themselves reflected on the page. She is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Key Discussion Points

• The state of the kidlit market
  Erin shares what she’s hearing from editors, including cautious optimism around middle grade and continued demand for humorous, character-driven picture books.
• How sales track records affect authors
  Why prior sales aren’t everything, how agents strategize around them, and when switching publishing houses can make sense.
• What makes a query letter stand out
  Clear, specific stakes; strong voice; and careful attention to submission guidelines—plus why vague, high-level stakes often fall flat.
• Common query mistakes to avoid
  Writing queries in first person as the character, misquoting agents, careless personalization, and over-reliance on AI-generated text.
• How Erin evaluates manuscripts
  The step-by-step mental checklist: polish, voice, character connection, plot and pacing, and whether the story sustains momentum beyond the opening pages.
• When a manuscript isn’t ready yet
  Why rushing to query out of frustration can hurt your chances, and when putting a book away for a few months can actually help.
• What Erin wants to see more of
  Middle grade and YA survival stories—especially fresh, modern takes featuring underrepresented protagonists.

Conclusion

This episode reminds writers that strong queries and manuscripts are built on clarity, specificity, and patience. Erin Casey Westin offers a transparent look at how agents read, evaluate, and decide—helping authors approach querying with more confidence and intention.

Links & Resources

• Erin Casey Westin: https://erincaseywestin.com
• Galt & Zacker Literary Agency: https://www.galltzacker.com/
• QueryTracker: https://querytracker.net

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