Erin Murphy Literary Agency

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There's always a lot going on at EMLA! Please check back regularly, or use our RSS feed.

Dec 4th, 2019

A couple of weeks ago, some very exciting news went out in the publishing world: HarperCollins Children’s is starting a Native-focused imprint, Heartdrum, helmed by VP & Editorial Director Rosemary Brosnan in consultation with the inestimable Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee Creek Nation), who is a generous supporter of all things children’s publishing and groundbreaking Native writer herself.

One of the many writers Cyn has mentored is EMLA’s own Dawn Quigley (Turtle Mountain Band Ojibwe Nation). When Cyn suggested that Dawn consider writing a chapter book series about a Native child, the manuscript that resulted completely delighted me with its spot-on kid viewpoint, humor, and loads of heart. We’ve been waiting to tell the world about it, but the world needed to know about Heartdrum first!

Rosemary signed three books about Jo Jo, a first grader living on a fictional Ojibwe reservation, with the first (which Dawn finished drafting at the 2019 EMLA retreat!) to publish in summer 2021.

I couldn’t be more excited. Congratulations, Dawn!

—Erin

Sara Levine Has a New Book Coming!

Dec 2nd, 2019

Well—it’s a post-holiday Monday, and I don’t know about you, but over here at my desk, it is all about catching up on all the things that have been piling up over the last week or so. And what better way to start the catch-up than with this fantastic new deal announcement for nonfiction maven and stellar author Sara Levine? Here’s the scoop:

Carol Hinz at Lerner/Millbrook has bought world rights to Strainers, Pliers, and Jackhammers by Sara Levine. The nonfiction picture book whimsically explores the many shapes of bird beaks—and the reasons for those shapes. Kate Slater will illustrate with mixed media collage artwork. Publication is planned for Spring 2021; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Erin Murphy Literary Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself.

This is going to be a brilliant and informative book, so mark your calendars accordingly. Congratulations, Sara!

- Joan

Nancy Raines Day’s APPLESAUCE IS FUN TO WEAR to inspire babies starting in 2021!

Nov 26th, 2019

Saving the Forests of Brazil

Nov 14th, 2019

Debbi Michiko Florence Whips Up a Food-Focused Picture Book for FSG

Oct 29th, 2019

Miranda Paul joins EMLA as Associate Agent

Oct 18th, 2019

Jean Reidy Does It Again!

Oct 17th, 2019