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Kim Tomsic

@kimtomsic

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I HELP writers w/ story & publishing tips
✍🏼 Ink & Agave Kid-Lit Writing Retreat
✏️Award-Winning Author
🌟 Faculty - UCLA Extensions

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Here’s an easy way to get your child to read this summer, especially your fourth and fifth graders- pick funny books with short chapters and bonus Illustrations. Reviewers are saying “Get ready to crack up ! ☀️📚 “The Truth About 5th Grade” (by Kim Tomsic & Mark Parisi) is the perfect pick for reluctant readers. Here’s why: 1) It’s laugh-out-loud funny! 2) Short, fast chapters keep you hooked. 3) If you love Diary of a Wimpy Kid, you’ll love this!” #SummerReading #ReluctantReaders #FunnyBooks by @kimtomsic

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5 months ago

The truth…Mark and I love school visits more than burgers 🍔 by @kimtomsic

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2 years ago

Just heard the news!!! I’m so grateful for the librarians and teachers who nominated The Elephants Come Home, and the 500,000 students who voted!#california #teachers #librarians #cyrm 2024 California Young Readers Medal 🥇 by @kimtomsic

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2 years ago

What a fun and inspiring conference, plus epic friend reunion! Loved seeing everyone and sharing the collective knowledge. (I can’t tag Kate DiCamillo, but her keynote was 🤯. Amazing!) #kidlit #scbwi #childrensbooks by @kimtomsic

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6 days ago

My #outofcontextnotes for the @scbwirockymtn's #LettersandLines conference this past weekend for @kimtomsic's amazing intensive on Dynamically-Paced Stories! I'll be working hard on my story using what I learned this week!

#kidlitart
#caricature by @kimtomsic

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The highlight of Letters and Lines 2026 was seeing friends and making new ones. I needed that more than I realized! Thanks friends for the hugs, the conversations, the laughs, and the fun!

I also appreciated the wisdom and inspiration in all the sessions I attended. It gave me back a spark that had been flickering during my recent search for a new agent, reminding me why I write in the first place—for kids, for joy, for telling new stories. And my sweet friend @cicchese.art reminded me that all my big feelings are okay. (Plus, I can use them in my next story!)

I am SO tired but taking all my supplements and praying the crowds didn’t affect my immune suppressed health.

Today, I get to ride a horse which I’m pretty sure is a cure for everything!

Onward with joy! taken in Denver, Colorado by @kimtomsic

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7 days ago

SUBMISSION OPPORTUNITIES four literary agents looking for your manuscript!
COMMENT “October agents” and I’ll send you the submission details!

Writers, here are four literary agents to have on your radar this October—with opportunities for both adult and KidLit creators.

📚 Julie Gourinchas — Bell Lomax Moreton
Julie represents adult and new adult fiction and is especially interested in upmarket and literary work, including horror, speculative fiction, dark academia, gothic fiction, fantasy, romantasy, “weird girl lit,” and genre-blending historical fiction.

Her regular query window is the 1st–7th of every month, with submissions from BIPOC creators open year-round.

📚 Kelsey Evans — July First Literary
Kelsey is open to adult fiction, including high-concept horror, mystery, thriller, suspense, romance, fantasy, and paranormal.

📚 Eva Oakes — Transatlantic Agency
Eva is particularly interested in upmarket and literary fiction, including stylish thrillers, mysteries, and select speculative fiction. She also considers select narrative-driven nonfiction, including hybrid memoir, cultural criticism, and investigative reporting.

📚 Andi Twaddle — Spencerhill Associates
Andi represents adult and new adult fiction across a wide range of genres, with a particular interest in dark, gritty, visceral, and wonderfully unhinged stories.

And there’s something here for KidLit creators, too! Andi is seeking Author/illustrator graphic novels for early reader through young middle grade audiences; and from text-only authors or author/illustrators she is seeking picture books—especially those with a subversive, wry, or quirky bent.

⚠️ A quick reminder: Query windows can change quickly. An agent who is open today may close after receiving so many submissions that they have to close temporarily, so always check the agent or agency website for the most current information.

Want the submission information for these agents?

👇 COMMENT “October agents” and I’ll DM you the details.

SAVE this post for later and SHARE it with a writer who is getting ready to query! by @kimtomsic

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7 days ago

What a beautiful weekend of learning and connecting! The 50th annual Rocky Mountain SCBWI Letters & Lines conference was fabulous! So much gratitude to everyone who made it possible. 💖 by @kimtomsic

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RMC Rocks! The Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI is celebrating its 50 anniversary this weekend, and it was a joy to be part of the celebration! We shared insider tips on how to best use the many programs of this incredible chapter. @scbwirockymtn taken in Colorado School of Mines by @kimtomsic

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8 days ago

🎉📚 THE BIGGEST BOOK BIRTHDAY PARTY OF THE YEAR IS COMING! 📚🎉

Save the date: October 24 from 10 AM–12 PM at Literally, A Bookshop in Gilbert, Arizona!

Kids and teens ages 1–18 are invited to grab a Passport to Reading and join the fun!

✨ Meet Arizona SCBWI authors & illustrators
✍️ Snag autographs
🎁 Score FREE swag
📚 Celebrate books and reading
🏆 Enter to win amazing prizes—with drawings EVERY 15 MINUTES!

Last year, more than 200 kids joined us in just two hours—and this year we’re ready to make it even BIGGER! 🎉

Bring your kids. Bring your grandkids. Bring your neighbor’s kids 😅 Bring every young reader you know!

📅 October 24
⏰ 10 AM–12 PM
📍 Literally, A Bookshop | Gilbert, AZ
🎟️ Ages 1–18

This is THE book party of the year—and you don’t want to miss it! 📚🥳

👉 SHARE this post with your friends, neighbors, teachers, parents, and anyone who loves books! by @kimtomsic

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11 days ago

LITERARY AGENT SUBMISSION OPPORTUNITIES. COMMENT “I’M READY” and I’ll DM you information on where and how to submit.
Looking for a literary agent? Here are four agents currently open to queries—representing everything from picture books and middle grade to YA and adult fiction and nonfiction.

📚 Katherine Odom-Tomchin — Folio Literary Management
Currently seeking adult fiction and nonfiction. Her fiction tastes lean toward dark, mind-bending stories, horror, science fiction, psychological thrillers, unique world-building, and LGBTQIA+ romance.

📚 Josey Dunham — Kimberley Cameron & Associates
Seeking Middle Grade, Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult projects, including contemporary, crime/police mystery, romance, women’s fiction, and chick lit.

📚 Daniele Hunter — McIntosh & Otis
Calling all children’s writers! She represents Picture Books, Middle Grade, and Young Adult, with a particular love for contemporary stories, contemporary fantasy, and ghost stories.

📚 Cece Lyra — Wendy Sherman Associates
Seeking Adult Fiction and Nonfiction, including upmarket, literary, book club, thriller, historical, romance, speculative, and love stories. She’s especially drawn to compelling relationships, family secrets, dark humor, competitive subcultures, rich settings, and strong hooks.

Want the submission details for all four agents?

👇 COMMENT “I’M READY” and I’ll DM you information on where and how to submit.

And remember: agents can close their inboxes at any time when they have many queries to manage, so always double-check their current status before submitting. by @kimtomsic

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14 days ago

LITERARY AGENT ALERT for querying authors
COMMENT: “INBOX OPEN” and I’ll DM you with where to send your query letter!
📬 AGENT INBOX UPDATE — September 28, 2026

At the time of writing this, these literary agents are open—or getting ready to open—to query letters!

1. TAJ McCOY — Starling Literary + Media
When: OPEN NOW!

Seeking Adult, YA & Middle Grade, including romance, rom-coms, mysteries, thrillers, fantasy, adventure, memoir/biography, cookbooks and more.

Taj is especially interested in BIPOC and queer creators, body positivity, intersectionality, cultural experiences, Black joy and stories celebrating love without limitations.

2. SYRONE HARVEY — Belcastro Agency
OPEN NOW!

Seeking Picture Books + Adult Fiction, also listing Children’s, Middle Grade, YA, Graphic Novels, Romance, Historical, Contemporary, Humor, Thrillers/Suspense, Upmarket, Women’s Fiction and more.

3. MONICA ODOM — Odom Media Management
OPEN NOW!

Seeking Adult Literary & Upmarket Fiction + Nonfiction, including pop culture, food/cooking, humor, history, social issues, narrative nonfiction and some memoir.

She is primarily looking for adult projects but is also open to YA and MG, particularly nonfiction and illustrated projects.

4. JULIE ROMEIS SANDERS — East West Literary Agency
KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN!

Julie recently moved to East West Literary Agency, and her inbox may be opening soon.

She represents children’s books for ages 0–14 only—no YA or adult manuscripts.

A quick reminder for querying writers: agents open and close their inboxes regularly. An agent may receive thousands of queries, so closing temporarily gives them time to read and respond before accepting another wave.

If you discover an agent is closed, don’t panic! Keep checking back. Agents reopen because they want to discover new talent.

👇 COMMENT “INBOX OPEN” and I’ll DM you the query information!

And SAVE this post so you can check back when you’re ready to query. by @kimtomsic

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