Query Submission

Kelly Dyksterhouse at The Tobias Literary Agency

To submit a query to Kelly Dyksterhouse, please fill out the form below.

A quick note about what I am acquiring:
For picture books, I am only accepting work by author-illustrators.

I am interested in GN, and will consider both text and proposals from author-illustrators.

For both MG and YA, I like to say that my tastes are high-concept plot with high-level writing. I love pace-y, escapist reads, but I also want well defined characters and themes.

I am looking for MG featuring ensemble casts, unlikely heroes, surprise friendships and complicated, yet hopeful family dynamics. High-concept, fast-paced adventure books with a commercial hook, as well as literary works with lush, lyrical writing. And I love all things spooky. I am particularly interested in books written by and featuring underrepresented voices in ways that showcase kids being kids in all the ways mentioned above.

For YA, I'd love a fun, escapist fantasy or a unique retellings. I enjoy romance, but prefer the romance to be the B plot rather than what carries the story. I'd also enjoy speculative fiction that is layered, has a distinct voice, and is grounded in a universal emotional desire and theme, literary works with a commercial hook, and genre mash-ups. I'm especially drawn to vivid and immersive settings and would love a smart, funny heist and a moving novel in verse. As with all age groups, representation matters, and I am particularly keen to showcase underrepresented voices.
More about my interests can be found on my MSWL page: https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/kelly-dyksterhouse/

Again, thanks for thinking of me for your work. I am looking forward to reading it!

Step 1. Tell us about the author

Fill in these author-related fields.

First Name: (required)

Last Name: (required)

E-Mail Address: (required)

Biography: (required) Tell us a little about yourself and any writing credentials you may have.

Website Address: (if you have one)

Twitter Handle (if you have one)

Have you previously published other books? Yes No

Have you ever been represented by a literary agent before? Yes No

If this query is a referral, who referred you?

Step 2. Tell us about the book

Fill in these book-related fields.

Title: (required)

Genre: (required) This agent only represents the genres shown in this list. Selecting an inaccurate genre will result in a rejection. If your book's genre is not shown here, please go to QueryTracker for a list of agents who do represent your genre.

Word Count: (required) Enter the approximate WORD count of your book. Enter numbers only. Do not include any letters or special characters.

Query Letter: (required) Tips for formatting and pasting text Enter your query letter for this book. (Tips for formatting and pasting text) Do NOT paste images into this field. Pasting large blocks of text can take several minutes. Please be patient.

Before you query, get your query letter critiqued for free at qtCritique.com

Synopsis: Tips for formatting and pasting text Enter a short synopsis of your book. (Tips for formatting and pasting text) Do NOT paste images into this field. Pasting large blocks of text can take several minutes. Please be patient.

Before you query, get your synopsis critiqued for free at qtCritique.com

The First 10 Pages of Your Book (or full book proposal if non-fiction):
(If your book is shorter than this (such as a picture book) please include the entire text.) Tips for formatting and pasting text Paste in the first 10 pages of your book, or your full book proposal if your book is non-fiction. (Tips for formatting and pasting text) Do NOT paste images into this field. Pasting large blocks of text can take several minutes. Please be patient.

Before you query, get your pages critiqued for free at qtCritique.com

Pitch: Enter a one sentence pitch for your book.

Describe the Potential Target Audience for Your Book: Who will want to read your book. For example, girls under 12, fans of John Grisham, etc. (500 characters or less)

Similar Books: List some books that are similar to yours. (500 characters or less)

Step 3. For Artists and Illustrators

Provide illustrations or art samples, if applicable.

Link to online art samples or portfolio: (if you have one)

Upload Sample Artwork or Illustrations

Acceptable file formats: doc, docx, pdf.
File Size Limit: 2 MB (same as 2,000 KB) (Get help for large files)

Optional: Sign into QueryTracker

A QueryTracker account is NOT required to send a query. If you are not a member of QueryTracker, you can skip this section.
Or join QueryTracker, a free service that helps authors find agents and keep track of queries.

Signing into QueryTracker will link this query to your QueryTracker account, allowing it to be automatically tracked and displayed in QueryTracker.

Your QueryTracker Username or Email Address: Your QueryTracker Password:

Forget your credentials? Recover them at QueryTracker.

Not a QueryTracker member? Join here (Free)

Learn more about auto-tracking queries.

Final Step: Submit Your Query

Sorry, your browser does not support JavaScript. You'll need to enable it before you can use this page properly.

Click here to learn how and why to enable JavaScript.

Important: After submitting your query, you will receive a personalized link to a special page that you can visit any time to check your query's status.

If the recipient of your query would like to read more, they will contact you through that page as well as through email.