Send a Query to Erin Murphy at Erin Murphy Literary Agency

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I am seeking middle-grade and YA fiction queries from writers who 1) have referrals from industry people I know, who are familiar with the writer and their work; 2) who attended conferences or writing events that included me on the faculty; or 3) whom I have corresponded with encouragingly in the past. I am not open to cold (unsolicited) queries, which will receive no response. I only represent children's books. I am not accepting picture book queries or submissions at this time, as that side of my list is quite full. Please include the first ten pages of your project with your query. Again, no picture books, please, and no works for adults.

Due to having a pretty full list and also managing an agency, I take on new clients rarely. In order to give as much time as possible to my current clients, I have always been closed to unsolicited queries. I occasionally open my form to writers working in specific genres that I have a hankering for, and accept unsolicited queries for those. I do not have any such requests at this time.

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Thank you for your interest in querying me! I am honored that you thought of me.

I hate how pedantic forms require me to be, but the details below are meant to help you succeed in providing what I need in order to best consider your query.

In the form below, fields marked "(required)" are required; all others are optional. This is not a test; truly, just include answers where you wish to. The sample pages from your work are the most important part.

In the bio, I'm looking for information pertinent to you as a writer and/or to the manuscript being queried (think of jacket flap bios), although if you wish to share more, feel free. Upon your request, any disclosures about neurodiversity, sexuality, or other marginalized identity mentioned in your query will be kept confidential.

I represent author-illustrators but not artists who do not also write. Because I am not currently considering picture book submissions, this means that when it comes to author-illustrators, I'm only considering those who are querying graphic novels. I am not seeking graphic novel texts from writers, but am open to those from author-illustrators who fit the criteria for referrals etc. that is outlined in the first paragraph above.

Please only upload art or dummies in the upload section, NOT full manuscripts or manuscript pages. Your sample manuscript pages should be pasted into the sample field, and if I am interested in reading more, I will specifically request the full manuscript. Art is not required (or desirable) from writers--only from artists.

If the form presents an accessibility issue, you may email your query to erin_submissions@emliterary.com.

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Step 1: Tell us about the author

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Have you ever been represented by a literary agent before?    
Have you previously published other books?    

Step 2: Tell us about the book

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Genre: (required)
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Query Letter:
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Is this book currently published or has it ever been published before?    
Paste the first 10 Pages of your book (or, if the book is nonfiction, include the full book proposal.): (required)
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Upload Sample Artwork or Illustrations (if applicable)


Optional: Sign in to QueryTracker

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Final Step: Submit Your Query

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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 agent would like to read more, they will contact you through that page as well as through email.
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