State of the Children's Book Industry in 2026 -
with Erica Rand Silverman
TeMika: Please introduce yourself. Tell us about yourself, your accomplishments, but also, tell us what your favorite book was as a kid.
Erica: Erica is the VP of Children's Publishing and senior literary agent at Stimola Literary Studio. Background in education, having been a high school teacher, Erica has always been passionate about education. She taught in NY for 10 years, but wanted to teach outside of the school system. Erica fell into agency through interning, where she says she "didn’t know anything about publishing, and 20 years later is still here."
Erica: Erica is the VP of Children's Publishing and senior literary agent at Stimola Literary Studio. Background in education, having been a high school teacher, Erica has always been passionate about education. She taught in NY for 10 years, but wanted to teach outside of the school system. Erica fell into agency through interning, where she says she "didn’t know anything about publishing, and 20 years later is still here."
When asked what her favorite book was, she answered — No idea, but read everything! Basically whatever was on her parent's bedside table…Danielle Steele books, maybe? She remembers growing up with the Little Golden Books that she would read before bed and then would put them under pillow, in hopes of dreaming about the story.
"Books saved me," and Erica wants to do that for young people. She doesn't necessarily want to create them but wants to bring it to young people. She thinks she ended up in the right place.
Advice on social media:
Erica: Use the platforms you enjoy engaging on. You don’t have to be on all of them. “Don’t do it all, and not do it well.”
Social media doesn’t work for everyone but if it does for you, embrace it and engage with it. If social media isn’t for you, go to conferences, find local critiques, etc. The heartbeat of it all is Community.
TeMika: Are there things you are in love with and want to see more of, and are there things that you prefer not to see much?
Erica: Because she works mostly with illustrative work, she never knows what will capture her interest. Recently read a dummy book from her slush unlike anything she had read, and it excited her. She truly focuses on story. Erica wants to be taken on a journey, wants it to feel fresh, wants to be lost in story. She looks for engaging story, great rhythm, page turns, great read alouds, things that haven’t been done yet.
“Take the classes you can’t teach yourself”
Advice on social media:
Erica: Use the platforms you enjoy engaging on. You don’t have to be on all of them. “Don’t do it all, and not do it well.”
Social media doesn’t work for everyone but if it does for you, embrace it and engage with it. If social media isn’t for you, go to conferences, find local critiques, etc. The heartbeat of it all is Community.
TeMika: Are there things you are in love with and want to see more of, and are there things that you prefer not to see much?
Erica: Because she works mostly with illustrative work, she never knows what will capture her interest. Recently read a dummy book from her slush unlike anything she had read, and it excited her. She truly focuses on story. Erica wants to be taken on a journey, wants it to feel fresh, wants to be lost in story. She looks for engaging story, great rhythm, page turns, great read alouds, things that haven’t been done yet.
TeMika: Consultations, feedback... it's not easy to receive it. Sometimes its good, sometimes it's bad. Advice on receiving feedback?
Erica: Stay open to feedback. Though it is easier said than done. "It is brave to be here, and put yourself out there! It is brave that you can create and decide for yourself to follow through." As creators. you've taken these huge steps and you don’t want to cut yourself off from that when you receive hard feedback.
It is ket to balance your "knowing" with the critique. How do you stay true but remain openminded? And know this — you will do this through your entire year.
In the past, she's had people shut down during a consultation. "Stay open to conversation. Engage. Ask questions.We know it is a balance but remember it's a process and conversation."
Realize that your work might not worked for that person, but it doesn't represent "global rejection." Ask them why it didn’t work for them but look for even more critiques so you can see what the heart of the feedback might be. Remember, your goal is to engage with the reader. Approach it with curiosity.
TeMika: Entrepreneurship. Self promotion. What do you like to see in self-promotion and any advice?
Erica: There are other ways for promotion. It's not always about social media. Some of her clients, engage in other ways. Some are great on social media. Some are educators, engages with schools. "We are lucky that in the children’s world because you have access to the classroom."
Realize that your work might not worked for that person, but it doesn't represent "global rejection." Ask them why it didn’t work for them but look for even more critiques so you can see what the heart of the feedback might be. Remember, your goal is to engage with the reader. Approach it with curiosity.
TeMika: Entrepreneurship. Self promotion. What do you like to see in self-promotion and any advice?
Erica: There are other ways for promotion. It's not always about social media. Some of her clients, engage in other ways. Some are great on social media. Some are educators, engages with schools. "We are lucky that in the children’s world because you have access to the classroom."
Publisher are, of course, sending things out, but relationship building on your part is also important. There are so many ways to market yourself, not just on social media.
TeMika: Any advice on the business side of things?
Erica: Think of yourself as a small company, for you are an entrepreneur. Some creators don’t take that title on. Remember, you are a business!
Your agent is your business manager; think of your critique group as your colleagues where you workshop ideas. Set goals for yourself. Be money conscious. Keep records for taxes. Balance your income; use spreadsheets. Everything you do for your career is a a business endeavor.
TeMika: A lot is going on in the world… any suggestions to people who want to address difficult topics? Any advice on how they should address them in the work?
Erica: It’s important to not be too didactic. Find the humor, and levity in your work. Doesn’t mean that serious books aren’t important but remember that children, they live in a different mindset; the world looks very different to them. Find a way to do it in a way that will connect with your readers.
TeMika: The things we create, we can shape minds, families and communities? If you could reimagine yourself as superheroes, what would that look like?
Erica: In the context of her life and career, she’d like her superpower to be instilling 100% confidence in other people, adults and children. What could you do if you didn’t have any doubt? If you were not your own obstacle, what would you create?
Can't make it to the In-Person Winter Conference in New York City, join us online at the Virtual Winter Conference featuring inspirational talks, industry panels and deep-dive Creative Labs, taking place in February of 2026. Videos of all sessions are available to watch for approximately 30 days after the event.
Erica Rand Silverman (Agent) is VP of Children's Publishing and senior literary agent at Stimola Literary Studio. She has worked with some of the most exciting new talent and treasured mainstays in the industry as well as the estates of our favorite classics. She represents a highly selective list of authors and illustrators and is known for building a shelf of exceptional illustrated books for children that combine kid appeal with deep respect for the book as object. She is a tireless advocate for her clients and proud to work with bookmakers who are so thoughtfully shaping young hearts and minds. Learn more about Erica on instagram @ericarsilverman and visit Stimola Live on Youtube for valuable industry insights.
www.stimolaliterarystudio.com
