About Ana

Ana Crespo, herself a picture book author, became an agent at East West Literary Agency in January of 2021. Prior to becoming an agent, Ana apprenticed with Deborah Warren and the E/W team for two years. She has a degree in journalism, a Master of Education in Adult Education, and is a 2020 graduate of the Denver Publishing Institute. Ana’s work experience includes Internal Communications, where she worked with different departments to promote their platforms, services, and client talking points to the sales force, and Academic Advising, during which she helped students from different backgrounds, needs, habits, and moods navigate the challenges of college. She brings these transferable skills to agenting and looks forward to helping her clients achieve their career goals in the publishing world. Ana is currently closed to queries.

Her Interests

In picture books, Ana is especially interested in representing author-illustrators, but will not pass up a well-written manuscript. She is drawn to lyrical texts and whimsical illustrations but enjoys a variety of illustration styles, and she loves works that speak with images and are spare with words. In board books, she likes innovative concepts that can easily be communicated in as little as eight colorful spreads. In chapter books, she enjoys action-filled pages, with clear illustration opportunities. As a Latina immigrant, she is particularly interested in representing creators from groups that have been historically underrepresented in the children’s book market.

Editors, art directors, and other industry professionals can reach Ana at acrespo [at] eastwestliteraryagency [dot] com.

Do not query Ana at her East/West e-mail. Ana is currently closed to queries.

About East West Literary Agency, Inc.

East West Literary Agency is, purposely, a boutique agency, to facilitate hands-on, personalized service and attention to our authors and illustrators, and their books. E/W represents a wide range of #1 NYT, #1 PW, IndieBound, USA Today, WSJ, and Amazon best-selling and best-illustrated books, Caldecott, Newbery, Pura Belpré, Sibert, Cook, Stonewall and Geisel medalists, as well as Andre Norton, Gelett Burgess, Children’s Choice, Parents’ Choice, Prism, Audie, Green Earth and Crystal Kite award-winner and nominee titles.

Ana's Clients

Patty Cisneros Prevo (she/her/ella)
Two-time Paralympic gold medalist Patty Cisneros Prevo’s work centers on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As a wheelchair user, first-generation Mexican-American, and DEI professional, Patty brings big topics like race/ethnicity, intersectionality, and disability to young readers.
Website coming soon! Meanwhile, learn more about Patty through her Team USA bio.

Caroline Dittmann
Illustrator
Caroline Dittmann loves creating whimsical, silly, and colorful illustrations that make people smile. She mainly works digitally but also enjoys experimenting with traditional materials, including gouache, color pencil, and collage.
www.carolinedittmannillustration.com

Kellie DuBay Gillis
Author
Kellie DuBay Gillis writes PBs about things you find in nature, things you might not find in nature unless you know the magical places to look, things that happen to most kids, and things most kids wish would happen. She also writes MG novels. Kellie is an environmental scientist and the SCBWI Ohio North Regional Advisor.
www.kelliedubaygillis.com

Lisa Johnston Hancock (she/her/hers)
Illustrator
Lisa Johnston Hancock blends digital and traditional elements to create textural, whimsical illustrations. Her inspiration comes from flora and fauna, ecology and long walks around her neighborhood, usually while listening to an audiobook or podcast.
www.lisajohnstonhancock.com

Stacy S. Jensen (she/her/hers)
Author
Former newspaper journalist Stacy S. Jensen is always searching for unique stories. She’s found many of them while volunteering, walking her Vizsla, or paper quilling.
www.stacysjensen.com

John Ledda (he/him/his)
Illustrator
John Ledda enjoys creating charming, humorous, and heartfelt images and stories for readers of all ages with the help of his trusty iPad, a hot cup of tea, and a good podcast.
www.john-ledda.com

Kristin Leffler
Author
Kristin Leffler writes imaginative, heartfelt middle grade novels that explore the beauty and complexity of being human. She draws inspiration from her brilliant and brave 8th grade students, her walks on the Maine coast, and each and every person she meets.
www.kristinleffler.com

Anna Ouchchy (she/her/hers)
Author
Anna Ouchchy (pronounced O-shee) has always loved nature and poetry. She writes picture books that are either spare and lyrical or rhythmic and rollicking. She lives in Wilmington, North Carolina, not far from the beach.
www.annaouchchy.com

Laura Perdew
Author
Laura Perdew's passion for nature, the environment, and environmental issues steered her toward writing for children. She writes both fiction and nonfiction for kids and is the author of over 40 books for the education market, including titles on animal adaptations, wetland conservation, biodiversity, and renewable energy. She lives in Boulder, Colorado.
www.lauraperdew.com

Kirk Reedstrom (he/him/his)
Author-Illustrator
Working with traditional and digital mediums, Kirk Reedstrom creates fun-filled characters with a little bit of mayhem. He enjoys writing books that make people laugh. Kirk lives in Shreveport, Louisiana with his wife, Sarah Duet and their cat, Nash.
www.kirkreedstrom.com

Andrew Root (he/him/his)
Author
Andrew Root writes fun and whimsical picture books that make people laugh out loud. He lives in rainy Portland, Oregon with his wife, two children, and a dog.
www.andrewrootbooks.com

Carmela McCain Simmons (she/her.hers)
Author
Carmela McCain Simmons is a Peruvian-American who writes stories to inspire children to explore our natural world. Her stories empower young readers to be nature heroes by taking small steps to help the environment. A former Teacher of the Year, Carmela lives in Texas, surrounded by books, butterflies, hummingbirds, and the occasional armadillo.
www.carmelamccainsimmons.wordpress.com

Kerstin Stock (she/her/hers)
Illustrator
Bright colors, distinct shapes, patterns, negative space and interesting lines are the life blood of Kerstin Stock's artwork. Kerstin’s work seeks to connect people with each other and our incredible world by featuring animals, community and nature. She is an alum of the Rhode Island School of Design.
www.kerstinstockart.com

Safa Suleiman (she/her/hers)
Author
Safa Suleiman (pronounced Saa-fa Soo-lay-man) is inspired by the history of her immigrant Palestinian family and by her children. Her stories focus on Palestinian culture and the diversity of the American Muslim community.
www.safasuleiman.com

Ariel Vanece (she/they)
Author
Ariel Vanece (pronounced Air-ee-l Vuh-niece) is inspired by her relationships with her great grandparents and grandparents. Her stories focus on Black-American culture and intergenerational friendships.
www.arielvanece.com

Sindhu Vijayasarathy (she/her/hers)
Author
Sindhu Vijayasarathy is a journalist and the 2016 SCBWI On-the-Verge Emerging Voices winner. Having lived in India, South Africa and Swaziland, her stories have a strong cultural context. She writes MG and YA across genres, from speculative to historical and sci-fi. Sindhu currently lives in Colorado.
www.sindhusays.com

Natasha Yim
Author
Natasha Yim is the author of seven picture books, many of which are inspired by her cultural upbringing in Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong. She is currently working on her first middle grade novel. Natasha lives in California with her family, a lovable pooch and a fat cat.
www.natashayim.com

Don't Wanna Hibernate! (PB)
Written by Anna Ouchchy
Illustrated by Raahat Kaduji
To Dana Chidiac at Macmillan/Henry Holt BYR
Announcement

Duck & Moose (GN)
Written and Illustrated by Kirk Reedstrom
To Regan Winter at Disney-Hyperion
Announcement

Free Museum Day (PB)
Written by Ariel Vance
Illustrated by Tatiana Gardel
To Lauri Hornik at Penguin/Rocky Pond
Announcement

Big Bike, Little Bike (PB)
Written by Kellie DuBay Gillis
Illustrated by Jacob Souva
To Luana Kay Horry at Harper Children's
Announcement

Hilwa's Gifts (PB)
Written by Safa Suleiman
Illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan
To Kaylan Adair at Candlewick
Announcement

Searching for Mr. Johnson's Song (PB)
Written by Ariel Vanece
Illustrated by Jade Orlando
To Lauri Hornik at Penguin/Rocky Pond
Announcement

Kiki Kicks (PB)
Written by Jane Yolen and Ariel Stemple
Illustrated by John Ledda
To Naomi Krueger at Beaming Books
Announcement

Big Truck Day! (PB)
Written by Rosanne Parry
Illustrated by Niki Stage (former client)
To Virginia Duncan at Harper Collins/Greenwillow
Announcement

Before I Lived Here (PB)
Written by Stacy S. Jensen
Illustrated by Victo Ngai
To Neal Porter at Holiday House/Neal Porter Books
Announcement

Deborah Warren
Owner and Founder
East West Literary Agency

Ana is CLOSED to queries.