New Client Alert- Audrey Perrott

Name: Audrey Perrott
What you Write: Picture Books
Agent: James McGowan
Why BookEnds? I love the collaborative family culture they have and their commitment not just to their clients, but to the writing community as a whole. 

What book do you wish you had written, and why? The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld. It approaches the topic of grief so beautifully and carefully in the most heartwarming and relatable way for kids and adults alike. 

If you’re not reading or writing, what would we catch you doing?  Everything from working on advertising campaigns at my day job to Family Fun Movie Night with my two kids and husband. Sometimes I find time to sew, and every once in a while, I sleep.

Where can readers find you on the web and social media? My website is Audreyperrott.com, and I’m especially active on Instagram at @audreywritesstuff and Twitter at @audreyperrott. 

What’s the last book you read? I recently finished We Are Okay by Nina Lacour and am currently in the middle of Fleishman is in Trouble by Tarry Brodesser-Akner.  We read Elephant and Piggie books nightly with the kids, and Llama Destroys the World by Jonathan Stutzman, illustrated by Heather Fox, makes a regular appearance.

If money were no object, what would be your dream writing location? There is a dreamy mid-century modern A-frame cottage in upstate New York that induces dreams of spending a whole summer reading and writing, unplugged. Picture it: walks in the forest, bird watching, swims during the day, fire pits at night, tea in the morning fog, a craft cocktail at night, and… quiet. In reality though, I’d probably last five days tops.

What’s your favorite quote about reading or writing? Write without fear; edit without mercy.

What’s your favorite piece of writing advice you’ve received? Consider your first draft a “down” draft – the draft where you get your idea and story down on the page and out of your head. It can only get better from here!

What excites you most about joining the BookEnds family? I have followed the BookEnds family ever since I started querying, and immediately I loved the way they connected with each other, their clients, and the writing community. They take their work seriously but don’t take themselves too seriously, and I can really relate to that! 

What advice would you give to other authors in the query trenches? Everyone says, “Keep going! Keep going!” and I don’t disagree, but I also think it’s important to allow yourself to take a breather to avoid burn out. Surround yourself with critique partners who are also cheerleaders, and when you get a rejection (and we all get them!), set your timer for 24 hours. Let yourself feel the sting until the timer goes off, and then, “Keep going! Keep going!”