Trick or Treat with Agent Lynnette Novak!

Welcome to #SeasonsOfKidLit! We are officially closing Spooky Season and our Trick-Or-Treat event with a super-cool post featuring Literary Agent Lynnette Novak. Lynnette has sold countless books for her clients, is a champion of diverse voices, and has a passion for horror! If you follow her online, you will know she's truly what you'd refer to as a Super-Agent. Want to know more about Lynnette, the types of books she's interested in, and how to win a query letter critique from her? Read on...

Q: Hi, Lynnette. Thank you for joining #SeasonsOfKidLit! I’m absolutely thrilled to close Spooky Season with you. For anyone who may not know, you’re a top literary agent who LOVES to read and represent horror books for readers of all ages. How exciting! Can you share a little more about yourself with everyone?

A: Although I was born and raised Manitoba, Canada, I now live in Minnesota with my husband, twin girls, and many pets. My personal interests include reading, writing, exercising at the gym (okay, that’s a love/hate relationship), working on an assortment of crafts, all things having to do with animals (if I could own a farm, zoo, and animal shelter, I would), and enjoying time with family and friends.

Q: What were some of the books you read growing up that helped you develop your love for horror?

A: As a preteen, I read one horror series, a collection of horror books that weren’t related to each other and didn’t have the same author. I can’t remember the name of the series, but it was something like Dark Forces. Then, I moved into adult fiction once I was in seventh grade. I basically cut my teeth on Dean Koontz and John Saul with a few Stephen King books too.

Q: For anyone looking to read a spooky book, or looking for great comps, what are some recent releases you'd recommend?

A: I’ve been reading quite a few MG horror novels lately: Disney Chills Series, K.R. Alexander (I especially loved THE FEAR ZONE), and anything from Mary Downing Hahn. I also recently read SHADOW HOUSE by Dan Poblocki, and I really enjoyed it—plus, the cover for the hard cover version is awesome!!!

Q: What kind of manuscripts are you dying (bwahaha 💀) to see in your inbox?

A: I'm really looking to grow my MG list, especially in graphic novels as well as contemporary stories. I’d also like to see more YA and adult thrillers.

Q: Thanks so much for sharing all of this! Now, for a non-writing related topic: anyone who follows you on Twitter knows you LOVE quirky animals of all kinds. So, we must know...what’s your favorite animal of all?

A: Not fair! You know I can’t just pick one!!! LOL

Thanks for joining, Lynnette! It was a pleasure having you and hearing all about your love for horror (and animals)!

Q: Would you like to leave a Trick or a Treat for the readers?

A: I'd like to leave a treat: a query letter critique for one winner!

Thanks for such a fang-tastic treat!

Contest Details: For anyone who's interested in winning a query letter critique from the AMAZING Lynnette Novak, leave a comment below and let her know what your favorite book and/or animal is. Animal GIFs are always welcomed and appreciated too. ;) The winner will be announced on or about November 4th.

Reminder: Those who leave a comment on all posts will be eligible to win one (1) of ten (10) Rate Your Story Speed Passes.

About Lynnette Novak and her Wishlist:

Lynnette Novak is an agent at The Seymour Agency and is currently building her client list.

Prior to joining The Seymour Agency, Lynnette spent seventeen years freelance editing. She worked with new writers, advanced writers, as well as New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors. Lynnette earned a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Manitoba, where she specialized in English and French. She excelled in Advanced Creative Writing in university and studied writing for children and teens through the Institute of Children’s Literature. She was a Pitch Wars mentor in 2015 and 2016. Both her mentees acquired an agent. Lynnette has since closed her editing business and is excited to bring her passion for the written word to agenting.

She loves dark and suspenseful, mysterious twists, unique worlds, light and funny, a good love story, and lots of voice.

Lynnette's Wishlist:

Always looking for own voices, diversity, and LGBTQ+!!!

In adult fiction: thrillers, psychological suspense, contemporary romance, romantic comedy, and mysteries (traditional, amateur sleuth, and cozy).

In young adult fiction: thrillers, psychological suspense, horror, contemporary, mysteries, and fantasy.

In middle grade fiction: contemporary, horror, fantasy, action/adventure, mystery, humor, and novels in verse.

In children’s fiction: picture books (non-rhyming preferred).

In graphic novels: chapter books, early readers, MG, and YA.

For more about Lynnette:

Agency Website: https://theseymouragency.com

Twitter: @Lynnette_Novak