An editorial, illustration-forward kidlit agent (picture book through YA) with a distinctive taste for historical settings, clever puzzle-mysteries, retellings, and unabashedly commercial series.
In brief
They represent picture books through YA with a strong emphasis on illustrated work, drawing on an editorial background at a major children's house.
Their appetites are specific: historical MG from underrepresented perspectives, contemporary in the vein of Kelly Yang, puzzle-mysteries à la The Westing Game, and fairy-tale/classic retellings.
On the older end they want highly commercial, low-page-count series and YA romantasy or historical romance with royal-court or academic settings.
Heads-up: Symonds opens only in short announced windows — the latest (spring 2026) has closed — so timing matters as much as fit.
Lately
Announcing a query window from April 15 to May 15, 2026, with a call for projects that are upbeat, escapist, and ultimately hopeful.
This is not a joke: I will be open to queries from April 15 to May 15, 2026. I'm looking for projects that are upbeat, escapist, and ultimately hopeful!
For that window: middle grade slice of life, historical fiction, and fantasy; contemporary and highly commercial upper-MG / lower-YA with series potential; and YA and crossover historical romcoms, romantasy, and mysteries.
What Laurel is looking for
Their richest lane. Historical MG set pre-1970s from underrepresented perspectives in classroom-friendly periods; contemporary in the vein of Kelly Yang and Corey Ann Haydu; clever puzzle-mysteries that resolve logically; and retellings of fairy tales, folktales, and classic literature.
Highly commercial, low-page-count series with series potential — Symonds invokes the early-2000s Princess Diaries, a Baby-Sitters Club energy, and Never Have I Ever.
Romantasy or accessible fantasy with royal-court or academic settings; historical romcoms in pre-1950s settings (ideally Regency or Victorian); and historical fiction from underrepresented perspectives.
A throughline across the whole list is illustrated work — Symonds came up in children's editorial and gravitates to the illustrated end of every age band, repping picture books and graphic novels alongside fiction. Also open to select nonfiction in the same kid-lit space.
Not the right fit
Threads through Laurel's deals
A clear pattern of puzzle- and mystery-driven middle grade among their authors — atmospheric whodunits that resolve cleanly. It lines up precisely with their stated love of Westing-Game-style puzzles.
Their list runs from grounded, diverse contemporary MG to high-energy commercial YA — mysteries, romance, and series-friendly hooks — reflecting both their own-voices commitment and their commercial instinct.
On Laurel's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Laurel
Watch for the next open window — Symonds takes queries only during short announced periods, so timing is as important as fit.
Match the current call: upbeat, escapist, hopeful. Bleak isn't the move right now.
If you write illustrated work, lean into it — illustration runs through the whole list.
For MG, a clever puzzle/mystery or a historical from an underrepresented perspective is a strong, specific fit.
For YA, royal-court or academic-set romantasy and pre-1950s historical romance are squarely in their wheelhouse.