YOUR GRAPHIC NOVEL DESERVES TO BE READ.
WE’LL HELP YOU CREATE PAGES PEOPLE CAN’T PUT DOWN.

Emily is the CMO for the ITSme Society agencies. In this role she assists Astound, Advocate, Illo and CWLA in achieving a unique global presence. Prior to ITSme, Emily was the Global Manager at Astound from its inception to late 2020. At Astound, she helped innovate their marketing strategy, rising to one of the top illustration agencies in the USA in just a few short years, growing the agency into a multi million dollar business. She agented countless titles, including #1 NY Times Bestselling picture books and celebrity series, and was named one of the top 100 literary agents in the USA. She brings her unique ability to understand marketing and PR needs from an agent’s perspective, and her PR experience within the film industry; having assisted on major press events for award winning films at top International Film Festivals (Cannes, Venice, and NohoIFF). Emily is passionate about bringing attention to artist and agent achievements via foundational and innovative methods. In her (rare) spare time Emily enjoys visiting local bookshops, galleries, cuddling with her cats, going to the movies, and riding horses.

Kate has over 20 years experience in children’s publishing, giving her invaluable insight into what makes a best-selling children’s book. After graduating with a first in illustration from the University of Brighton, Kate joined Advocate, one of the world’s leading illustration agencies. Now a senior sales agent at both Advocate Art and Collaborate Design Agency, Kate has worked on over 5,000 children’s books during her career, and worked with over 300 illustrators including Tom Percival, Sarah Horne, Simon Mendez, Nikki Dyson and Katie Abey. As well as curating and developing illustrator portfolios, Kate also uses her skills to work with major international publishers as and brands as an Art Buyer – assisting and directing on commercial style choices and helping clients make their illustration selections, including numerous graphic novel jobs. Kate is excited to share her vast experience in children’s content creation, and help you become a pro, doing what you enjoy.

Erin is an NYC based Agent for Advocate Art. Before starting with Advocate Art, most of her work experience was in art Museums and Galleries. Being an artist herself, Erin wanted to work closely with other artists and gain more experience in the commercial side of the industry. Since joining Advocate, she has had the opportunity to be a part of some wonderful graphic novel projects, included two big titles with publishers First Second and RH Graphics that will be out next year. Other graphic novel projects include “It’s Herstory: Amelia Earhart”, illustrated by Alan Brown for Sunbird Books, “The Library of Doom” series, illustrated by Juan Calle for Capstone, and “Ghostly Graphics” series, illustrated by Jason Millet and Maurizio Campidelli for Capstone.

Aurora is an agent at Illo Agency, and prior to that she worked as Senior Agent at Astound US Inc for many years. Her background in illustration and education gives her special insight into both the creative process and target audience for children’s products, especially when she’s helping artists write and illustrate her favorite medium—graphic novels. Aurora has a degree in illustration from RISD and then worked as a painting and drawing instructor. She keeps learning herself, including completing the Comics Experience course Comic Editing and Project Management. Some key highlights include representing illustrators for celebrity titles Major Makes History, by Jill Twiss illustrated by Maribel Lechuga (HarperCollins) and The Seed of Compassion by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, illustrated by Bao Luu (Penguin Random House, Kokila) and loves helping illustrators develop their portfolios.