Linda Camacho - The Outlook for Children’s Publishing in 2023

Linda Camacho has worked in various positions in publishing having spent time at Penguin Random House, Dorchester, Simon & Schuster, and Writers House before becoming an agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. 

Growing up Linda was like the rest of the panel who all also fell in love with books as kids, but as a kid Linda didn't know anyone in the publishing industry or that books could be a career. When she left college she had no idea what she wanted to do but luckily stumbled into adult publishing, and after that it was a 'series of fortunate events.'

Linda loves helping creators get their stories to kids so they, too, can fall in love with books. She also loves the meeting and talking to different people aspect of agenting and being a connector of sorts. "It's so much fun even when it's not."

Three words that describe Linda's taste: entertaining, meaningful, and universal. Resonance with a book/creator is important to all of the agents and Linda adds that if it isn't a hell yes, it's a no. Linda passing on a person's manuscript doesn't mean that person is not publishable or talented, it's all back to the matter of resonance.

The Panel Begins! "The Outlook for Children's Publishing in 2023"

 

Moderated by Martha Brockenbrough (standing at left), the panelists are (left to right): Regina Brooks (Agent at Serendipity Literary Agency); Linda Camacho (Agent, Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency); Patricia Ocampo (Senior Editor, Kids Can Press); Kate Egan (Executive Editor, Pixel + Ink Books); and Arthur A. Levine (Founder and Publisher, Levine Querido).

#SCBWISummerSpec Agent Panel: Linda Camacho of Gallt & Zacker

Linda Camacho has a background in the adult side of publishing as well as an MFA in children's writing with our conference sponsor, VCFA. She wanted to get closer to the talent side of things, though, and feels she has achieved that goal now as an agent with Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency where she represents picture book, middle grade, YA, and adult authors as well as author-illustrators.

Linda says she is definitely an editorial agent, the market is so saturated and competitive that you need that extra level of polish right now before submitting.

When asked what elements make for a successful book right now, Linda says: Escapism is Key.

This can all change tomorrow, but right now not only are people looking for 'happy' stories, they are also looking for 'creepy horror.' Even in middle grade, which is still a hot in general, and graphic novels are definitely being considered true literature and remain in demand. But these 'asks' are just to give you a sense of what editors have been looking for lately, Linda reiterates that no matter what trendy or non-trendy genre or category you are interested in writing in, "Amazing work will always rise to the top." 

Fresh ideas that only you can tell your way is the starting point, the next most important focus is CHARACTER. Linda talks about Brandi Reissenweber's 'Desire Line' concept. You should be able to define a character's internal and external desire lines, for example:

Alice in Wonderland

External desire line: Alice wants to join her family's tea party.

Internal desire line: Alice wants to grow up.

Knowing a character's internal and external desires makes for great suspense when conflict is introduced.

Questions about diversity in publishing: It's not just about bringing diverse author or illustrators to the table, but to the other parts of the publishing industry, too. Linda is a former steering committee member of POC in PUB and continues to serve as a mentor for that group. She'll also be involved with her client Sofia Chang's new mentorship group, Unlock Her Potential.

Questions about how agencies get their illustrators to be 'seen' while there're no publisher offices to mail promo pieces to: To promote illustrators at Gallt & Zacker during the pandemic they send monthly email newsletters/spotlights out to editors and art directors, they also advise their illustrators on their personal illustrator websites.

The Agents Panel Begins!

The Agents Panel at #SCBWISummerSpec

A screen shot of Lin Oliver (top left, moderating) and the panelists Regina Brooks (top right), Linda Camacho (center left), Brooks Sherman (center right), Rosemary Stimola (lower left), and interpreter Jennye Kamin (lower right.)