Success Story Spotlight with Kris Kuykendall

Please share your exciting news (agent signing, book sale, etc)

I am over-the-moon excited to share that I’m now represented by the fabulous Kathleen Ortiz of New Leaf Literary & Media! I met her during the 2018 fall SCBWI North Texas (Dallas) Conference. She was part of the fabulous faculty! I went to her break-out session and was impressed with her and the content of her presentation. Post conference, I submitted to her.

But here’s the whole story: A week after I submitted to Kathleen, I received an Offer for Representation from a different Agent (someone who had ‘hearted’ a story during an earlier Twitter Pitch Party). I was floored! And excited! This is what I had been waiting for!

I called Bethany with my good news. I told her I was going to immediately sign. She said, “No you’re not.” And I said, “I’m not? What do you mean?” And then she said something I will never forget. Bethany said, “You don’t necessarily marry the first boy who says you’re pretty.” I laughed. She suggested I reach out to agents I’d recently submitted to, let them know the situation, and ask where their interest lies.

I listened to Bethany (even though it was sooooo hard to hold-off on signing with the first agent).

THE VERY NEXT DAY, I had two agents respond with interest, one being Kathleen! She quickly set up ‘The Call’ and offered representation!  

After evaluating both offering agents, I ultimately thought the best fit was with Kathleen and not the first agent who offered representation. So Bethany was right. I didn’t end up marrying the first boy who said I was pretty – haha.

How did studying/retreating at The Writing Barn support you in achieving this goal? What workshop/intensives/or classes have you taken with us?

Bethany Hegedus and the Writing Barn helped me reach my goal of getting an agent in several ways. First, the spring 2017 and fall 2017 PB Weekend Intensives were fabulous! I loved the small group (25 attendees). Both had seasoned knowledgeable faculty, including an editor, an agent, and a published author or author/illustrator. The faculty presentations were hands-on, visual, full of examples, and interactive. I’m a visual learner, so the format helped the concepts ‘click’ in my brain. In addition, the faculty interacted with the attendees (25 of us) – talked with us, ate with us, and hung-out with us. And after the weekend, we could submit!

Another way the Writing Barn helped me reach my goal of getting an agent was Bethany. She and I worked one-on-one as Mentor/Mentee for a year-and-a-half. We dug deep into many of my PB stories and CB stories, from voice and page turns, to story arc and endings.

Finally, Bethany became a friend, champion of my work, and an expert voice I could turn to with questions, news, and more.

How long have you been writing/pursuing an agent/publishing deal?

Eight years. I had been writing off and on, and then became super serious about the craft in 2016 after attending the spring SCBWI Austin Conference where I was selected as a Finalist for the Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentor Award, with more recognition at the fall 2016 Houston SCBWI Conference, where I was named Honorable Mention Finalist for the Joan Lowery Nixon Memorial Mentor Award. These two recognitions, as well as all the learning that happened at the faculty presentations sparked my brain and things just started to click from there. It propelled me into new manuscripts, new ways of telling a story, more humor, and experimentations with different narration styles.   

What fears/hopes did you have before attending the WB class, intensive/or working with Bethany privately?

I feared everyone knew everything about writing, except me. I feared I wasn’t creative enough. I feared I’d never be able to write really great stories. My hopes were that I could learn and springboard off all the information. And I did!

I also hoped that by working one-on-one with Bethany, she could steer me through the necessary problem-solving and bring my stories to publication-ready manuscripts! And she did!

How did the atmosphere of The Writing Barn aid you in achieving this goal?

The atmosphere is a montage of creativity, which helps me think creatively! Books, objects, and pictures sit everywhere! Creative energy flows all around.

Have you made friendships/colleagues as well? How has that supported you?

Yes, I’ve made friendships with colleagues. Several have become critique partners. I see others at the Austin SCBWI Conferences.

Why do you think attending workshops/classes is important to writers at all stages of their career?

We have the privilege of writing for children, and they deserve our very best! It’s important to show children how characters (their age) have problems, and that these characters can solve their problems, often with a little humor. Haha.

Workshops/classes are also important to keep a handle on a dynamic changing market.

What is a takeaway you will carry with you far beyond this good news as you continue to build and develop your career?

Do the work. Learn the craft. Never give up. It CAN happen!!!

Any advice you have for writers/creatives having trouble staying the course in pursuing their goals?

Attend writing workshops and classes, like at The Writing Barn. Join writing platforms, like 12×12, ReFoReMo, Rhyme Revolution, etc. Go to your local SCBWI conference(s). Watch webinars about craft. Make contacts/meet as many people as possible. Try something new – you never know where it will lead, whether it’s a new webinar, new critique partner, or new writing platform. Participate in critique groups. Pitch in Twitter Pitch parties. And never hesitate to SUBMIT if a submission opportunity is available to you. You just never know, it may be the one – the right story for the right agent or editor at the right moment!

More about Kris:

Kris Kuykendall was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but has been a Texan for the last twenty years. She holds degrees in Business, Marketing, and Art. She’s always adored picture books and spent hours each day reading to her three young boys. Her first writing attempts were also for her boys – she hand-made tiny 4” x 3” books out of construction paper and wrote simple stories along with simple illustrations. Not only did Kris enjoy reading picture books, but she also worked in licensed character publishing for years. Kris is a member of SCBWI, 12×12, ReFoReMo, Rhyme Revolution, KidLit 411, and Sub It Club. She leads two critique groups in San Antonio, Texas, and partners with several one-on-one critique partners. Her recent honors include the 2016 October Houston, Texas SCBWI Conference when she was named Honorable Mention Finalist for the Joan Lowery Nixon Memorial Mentor Award, and the 2016 May Austin Texas SCBWI Conference when she was named a Finalist for the Cynthia Leitich Smith Writing Mentor Award. Kris is also an avid tennis player, gardener, craft dabbler, and travel enthusiast. She lives in San Antonio, Texas with her husband and college-age boys who pop in and out as their very busy lives permit.