The State of Middle Grade Publishing with Maria Vincente

Jennifer Slagus and Josh Palange interview Maria Vicente, a literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency, who provides insight into the role of literary agents in the publishing industry and the nuanced agent-client relationship. Together, Slagus, Palange, and Vicente explore how literary agents act as gatekeepers, while also addressing the lack of diversity in the industry and emphasizing the need to represent diverse experiences in middle grade literature. Vicente also discusses the resilience of the middle grade market during the COVID-19 pandemic and shares current trends within the genre