We are excited to announce that Kira Barrett, CTCer and Writing Barn student, has signed with Agent Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary! Kira writes stories for all ages (board books to YA) and is a VCFA alumni. Keep reading to hear more about her writing journey!
How long have you been writing/pursuing an agent/publishing deal?
I began writing in 2018. I queried my first MS that year and after multiple rejections decided to publish and print the book (a board book) on my own. From 2021-2023, I spent time getting my MFA in Children’s Writing/Literature and have been querying agents since 2022.
What fears/hopes did you have before working with Bethany privately or taking a Writing Barn class?
That the children’s literary market had become oversaturated, making it difficult for my varied manuscript ideas to find the right home with an agent.
How did the WB programming aid you in both the craft and business of picture book writing?
I like getting as much information as possible – about agents, about the industry, etc. The panels that the WB hosts have been extremely useful in understanding the landscape of the market and how it applies to my writing journey.
What Writing Barn class(es) or other programs (WSS, CTC, VERGE, etc.) have you participated in?
I am a member of Courage To Create and have participated in various Pitch & Play events.
What is a takeaway you will carry with you far beyond this good news as you continue to build and develop your career?
This is a slow-moving industry (whether we like it or not!). A writer’s journey is not just about perseverance. You must have patience to tolerate delays, problems, and hiccups along the way. It took me years to get to the point of perseverance + patience, and I’m making sure that those skills are #1 in my writer’s tool kit moving forward.
Any advice you have for writers/creatives having trouble staying the course in pursuing their goals?
Be strategic. Writing and honing your craft is one piece of the puzzle. Make sure to network and research. Use all the tools available to find out what agents are interested in and what projects they’ve been selling to publishers and how that syncs with your titles in development.
About Kira Barrett
Inspired by life experiences and her two children, Kira writes for all ages — from board books to YA. She is a former dual-business owner who has parlayed her marketing background into the literary industry. She holds a BS from Cornell University and an MFA in Children’s & Young Adult Writing from VCFA.