Christa Heschke

Literary Agent

McIntosh & Otis

Christa Heschke
@ChristaHeschke
Literary Agent
Children's Literary Agent, @McIntoshandOtis , movie-fanatic, dreamer, kid-at-heart, #GoPackGo , Western NY born and bred.
78 MSWL
13 Tips

PB – I’m not really looking much for NF bios these days, as the market is so saturated, unless it somehow ties into present times (I am only looking for bios on women and/or underrepresented and diverse subjects). Author-illustrators always!

Christa Heschke
@ChristaHeschke
Literary Agent
Children's Literary Agent, @McIntoshandOtis , movie-fanatic, dreamer, kid-at-heart, #GoPackGo , Western NY born and bred.
78 MSWL
13 Tips

PB – I’m interested in holidays stories that feel unique from what’s already out there. I’m partial to Halloween, and books with a seasonal hook interest me.

Christa Heschke
@ChristaHeschke
Literary Agent
Children's Literary Agent, @McIntoshandOtis , movie-fanatic, dreamer, kid-at-heart, #GoPackGo , Western NY born and bred.
78 MSWL
13 Tips

PB – Stories with environmental tie-ins (I’m especially drawn to stories about protecting oceans and the animals that live there). I also am a fan of unlikely friendship stories, especially with two very different animals—I really enjoy the ones that are true stories especially!

Christa Heschke
@ChristaHeschke
Literary Agent
Children's Literary Agent, @McIntoshandOtis , movie-fanatic, dreamer, kid-at-heart, #GoPackGo , Western NY born and bred.
78 MSWL
13 Tips

Picture books – I have a full picture book list, so I'll be looking very selectively. I like humor, character-driven stories, inclusive stories, diverse representation, fiction with a fun educational aspect (i.e. A PLACE FOR PLUTO).

Christa Heschke
@ChristaHeschke
Literary Agent
Children's Literary Agent, @McIntoshandOtis , movie-fanatic, dreamer, kid-at-heart, #GoPackGo , Western NY born and bred.
78 MSWL
13 Tips

Christa (Heschke) Cifelli @ChristaHeschke

Authors! I’m excited to tell you about my #MSWL for 2023. Some big changes this year! A thread:

This year, I’ll be looking first for MG, then YA, then adult, then PB. My preference is for dark genre work (fantasy, horror, suspense) and rom-coms/lighter contemporary! I’m newly open to adult rom-coms after falling in love with a few last year. 😁

Christa Heschke
@ChristaHeschke
Literary Agent
Children's Literary Agent, @McIntoshandOtis , movie-fanatic, dreamer, kid-at-heart, #GoPackGo , Western NY born and bred.
78 MSWL
13 Tips

PB:

-The ocean (I love dolphins & beluga whales!)

-Climate change, recycling, etc.

-The outdoors (e.g. camping/hiking)

-Sharing experiences of kids from nonwhite/non-Western cultures and backgrounds

-Tackling serious topics like grief for young readers

Christa Heschke
@ChristaHeschke
Literary Agent
Children's Literary Agent, @McIntoshandOtis , movie-fanatic, dreamer, kid-at-heart, #GoPackGo , Western NY born and bred.
78 MSWL
13 Tips

PB: I'm looking for PB much more sparingly than before, as my list is very full in this area. I'm not looking for rhyming PB.

Chapter books/early readers: Not looking for new authors here, I already have amazing clients writing these!

Christa Heschke
@ChristaHeschke
Literary Agent
Children's Literary Agent, @McIntoshandOtis , movie-fanatic, dreamer, kid-at-heart, #GoPackGo , Western NY born and bred.
78 MSWL
13 Tips

YA, MG, or PB that aren't afraid to go outside the box. Genre-bending, unique structure, twists and turns. Keep me guessing! #MSWL

Christa Heschke
@ChristaHeschke
Literary Agent
Children's Literary Agent, @McIntoshandOtis , movie-fanatic, dreamer, kid-at-heart, #GoPackGo , Western NY born and bred.
78 MSWL
13 Tips

Funny. All things funny! I especially love smart humor, witty, slightly sarcastic. No gross out or over-the-top please. #MG #YA #PB #MSWL

Christa Heschke
@ChristaHeschke
Literary Agent
Children's Literary Agent, @McIntoshandOtis , movie-fanatic, dreamer, kid-at-heart, #GoPackGo , Western NY born and bred.
78 MSWL
13 Tips

#PB #MG #YA set in an exotic or unique location (i.e the jungle, mountains of Nepal, Morocco, Thailand etc. etc.) #MSWL