Erin was born and raised in Arizona, and founded EMLA in Flagstaff in 1999. She works with publishers of all sizes all over the U.S., and has placed clients' books with every major children's house in New York and Boston, but she cut her teeth in regional publishing. She began her career at Northland Publishing/Rising Moon Books for Young Readers (a beloved decades-old Flagstaff company that was bought out in 2007), eventually becoming editor-in-chief, and was a member of the board of directors of PubWest, a professional development organization for small and mid-sized publishers in the West.

Erin represents writers and writer-illustrators of picture books, novels for middle-graders and young adults, and select nonfiction. She is especially drawn to strong characters and heart-centered stories. In her spare time she loves walking, baking, kayaking, knitting, traveling, reading (often audiobooks), and powering through her Netflix queue. You can read more about Erin's tastes and background in interviews here and here.

Erin will be speaking at the following upcoming events and conferences:

• Feb. 17-18, 2012—Austin SCBWI, TX
• March 2-4, 2012—SCBWI Golden Gate Conference and Retreat, Asilomar

Joan joined EMLA in spring 2009 as an associate agent and was promoted to agent in fall 2011 after working in the editorial area of educational software development. In the last few years she has placed dozens of manuscripts with editors and is especially passionate about connecting with and launching the careers of debut authors. As the “East Coast branch” of EMLA, Joan works from her home office in Massachusetts, with long-distance support from the main Flagstaff office. She represents all forms of children's and young adult literature, but is most excited by a strong lyrical voice, tight plotting with surprising twists and turns, and stories told with heart and resonance that will stand the test of time.

An EMLA client herself, Joan is also the author of a picture book, The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Fairies (Tanglewood, 2009), a mid-grade novel Nowhere Girl (Walker, 2011), and several other books due out in the next few years. When she is not on the phone, answering email, or writing, you will most likely find Joan curled up with a book. Or baking something delicious. Or talking about something delicious she’s baked. Really, after books and food, what else is there worth saying?

You can read more about Joan's writing and agenting process here.

Joan will be on the faculty at the following upcoming conferences and events:

• February 17-18, 2012 – Austin SCBWI, TX
• April 20-21, 2012 – NESCBWI, Springfield, MA
  
• June 19-22, 2012 – Nebraska SCBWI retreat

Tricia is the "Pacific Northwest branch" of EMLA—born and raised in Oregon, and now lives in Seattle. After 16 years of working as a developmental and production-based copyeditor (from kids book to college textbooks, but mostly college textbooks), she joined the EMLA team in March 2011 as a social media strategist hoping to learn from Erin and Joan about agenting.

As associate agent, Tricia represents middle grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction. She's looking for strong worldbuilding, wounded narrators, and stories that grab a reader and won't let go. You can find Tricia's writing about blogging, Tweeting, Facebooking, and other social media topics (for authors and the publishing industry at large) here.

Tricia will be speaking at the following upcoming events and conferences:

• April 21-22, 2012—SCBWI Western Washington Annual Conference, Redmond, WA

Dennis is Erin's right-hand man in her Flagstaff office, assisting with accounting, organization, and development. He likes to claim the title of "bon vivant."

Co-agency for foreign and translation rights. Contact Alexandra Devlin with inquiries, moc.elpoepsthgir@nilvedardnaxela.

Co-agency for dramatic and performance rights. Contact Eddie Gamarra (moc.puorg-mahtog@eidde) and Luke Sandler (luke@gotham-group.com) with inquiries, 310-285-0001.

Co-agency for audio rights. Contact Rebecca Mancini (ten.nozirev@jrinicnam) with inquiries, 973-900-7876.

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