iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I just registered for CANSCAIP's (@canscaip.bsky.social) PYI conference in Toronto on October 24. Had a great time last year, and I'm looking forward to it again!

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Would a free weekly or bi-weekly writing workshop interest the #writingcommunity? Each session would cover a basic writing-related skill (e.g. writing dialogue, log lines, character arcs, etc.) with opportunities to discuss specific challenges matching the theme. Let me know!

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Proud of this deal! What a great series. Congrats to my client, Howard!! 📕📘📗📔 #picturebook #emotionbooks #kidlit

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

My summer social media hiatus is over! I had a rollercoaster of a summer, but managed to soak up the sun every chance I got. 🌞 Bluesky is my social hub for all writing, agenting, and workshop-related communications, so follow me here for relevant updates! #amagenting #amwriting #writingcommunity

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Nancy Goulet @nancygoulet.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Happy #Kidlitartpostcard Day + welcome back to school! It’s time to learn our ABCs! I'd love to illustrate your next board or picture book, early GN, or kid's editorial to help kids learn + grow. www.wordsandpicturesbynancygoulet.com Rep: @jestrudel.bsky.social @therightsfactory.bsky.social

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

I'm taking a summer hiatus from social media to recharge. Text, call, or email if you want to stay in touch. ✌️

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Negotiating publishing contracts over coffee. A great way to start the day! ☕ #amagenting

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Editor friends! I've been updating my contacts database to make tracking submissions and wishlists easier, and wanted to share a couple of cool things I see editors doing to keep their wishlists accessible and up-to-date:

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

I'm updating and re-organizing my contacts database. I can now see that I've lost about 10% of children's editor contacts to retirements, imprints scaling back, lay offs, and mergers. That's not counting the ones that are currently unknowns as I wait to see if/where they land. #amagenting #kidlit

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Nancy Goulet @nancygoulet.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Heeellllooooo #kidlitartpostcard! STOP scrolling + please consider me for work on board + picture books, early graphic novels, + kid magazine commissions. I’m ready to roll! Rep by @jestrudel.bsky.social, @therightsfactory.bsky.social #kidlit #picturebooks #boardbooks #childrensbooks #GN

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Rachel Rizzuto @rachelrcreates.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Happy May, #kidlitartpostcard ! 🤣😳 I'm an author-illustrator infusing humor and hope into stressful situations to create touchstones for anxious and inquisitive children. Rep'd by @jestrudel.bsky.social at @therightsfactory.bsky.social Portfolio RachelRCreates.com #picturebooks #scbwi

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

A relative started a conversation about abortion on Facebook with graphic descriptions of what an abortion would look like if you saw it happening outside the body, and of course conversations ensued. But at the end of the day, I think *this* is what everyone misses about the abortion conversation.

Original poster: "I just read everyone's comments. Thanks for keeping the conversation respectfuly, everyone, I appreciate it. And to clarify my position, I don't object to medically necessary abortions. But those are not the kinds of abortions people are generally advocating for." Jes responded, "I think the problem is most people ARE advocating for these types of abortions, but the point is that there is too much grey and nuance for us to say that THESE abortions are okay and THOSE ones are not. That would require us to allow the government to get involved the private health affairs of people where the government does not belong. So, we advocate for all abortions to be legal while also advocating for proper sex ed in schools, better social services, protections for victims of domestic violence, stronger penalties for sex crimes, etc. etc. etc. which all bring down abortion rates without putting the lives of childbearers at risk. THAT'S where people should focus their attention instead of in these scare tactic campaigns that in reality do not do ANYTHING to deter abortions to any significant degree."

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

I have 3 submission packages to put together for exciting new children's projects, and the only thing that is bringing down my excitement level is knowing how much children's publishing has shrunk and how few editors there are left. I hope y'all don't get sick of me! I'll keep those emails coming!!

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

I've started texting screeshots from Google everytime my ex asks me basic life skills questions.

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Someone just asked me, so I'll share this tip: don't hand any printed materials to me at TWW. If I want to see work from you, I'll ask you to email it. Illustrators can bring a portfolio to show, but I won't keep it. This happens every year and is a waste of paper. ♻️ @writingdaywksp.bsky.social

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

When it comes to agenting, I prefer to educate creators rather than ignore or block them, because I know that most make querying mistakes unintentionally. So when a creator errs in querying, I try to gently let them know what they did wrong. 1/

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Just 4 days until I head to Toronto for TWW (@writingdaywksp.bsky.social). I've gone every year for 3 years and it's always a great time! I look forward to talking about the thought process of literary agents as we read queries, and listening to some live pitches! 📚

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

All this AI and Outlook still isn't smart enough to know that when I click reply on an email that got no response, I'm not trying to reply to myself. 😮‍💨

Screenshot of Facebook post where Jes says, "All this AI and Outlook still isn't smart enough to know that when I click reply on an email that got no response, I'm not trying to reply to myself. *Tired emoji*" and a follower says "And don't you dare try and search for an email lol." Jes replies, "OMG, don't get me started on that one! *cry emoji*"

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

I say this to people all the time and they're always like, "I don't think that's true." It's not opinion, it's FACT.

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

My 17yo got into his first choice program at OCAD -- Illustration! So who knows...there may be a mini me joining the publishing industry soon(ish). So proud! He's been working so hard to develop his craft all through high school.

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

A weird thing happens when you submit an ms to an editor at a Big 5 but they move to a new imprint and keep the same email. They reply a year later and say, "I really love this story, but can't publish it here, sorry." Like, yeah, I knew you would love it and might acquire it WHEN YOU WERE THERE. 😭

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

🤩 AWWW. Someone bought me a coffee! And here I was getting frustrated fighting with technology today and thinking, "This isn't worth it." Thank you! 🥰

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

It always feels icky asking for money, but if you've ever enjoyed the coffee-fueled resources and advice through my website WritingCommunity.ca, consider buying me a coffee so I can keep supporting the #writingcommunity. :-) If you can't use the QR code, it links to: link.waveapps.com/fj3juq-auwq9a

Image of a QR code with words "WritingCommunity.ca is a social enterprise. If you’ve benefited from my free resources and advice, consider buying me a coffee. No obligation! I’m happy to help." QR leads to link: https://link.waveapps.com/fj3juq-auwq9a

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Whoa. Why did 40 people follow me today? What list did I get put on? 😅

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended the Query Unrequited webinar! All the technology challenges and scrambling that happened in the 24 hours leading up to the moment I turned my camera on all became worth it to hear you all say how valuable the experience was for you. Happy Valentine's! 🥰

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

I'm going to talk about something personal for a sec, which I don't do here very often because I try to keep things bookish, but it relates to my upcoming Valentine's Day webinar. It's a bit ironic, but when I started planning Query Unrequited, my life was in a very different place. Now... 1/4

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

Just 1 week until my Valentine's Day webinar QUERY UNREQUITED: Why I Didn't Fall in Love With Your Submission. I'll talk about these stats and more! Register here: next.waveapps.com/checkouts/42... #WritingCommunity #Writers #Illustrators

Infographic with funnel showing query Stats since I became an agent. Out of total queries received: 98.4% responded to, 11.6% requested, 1.2% offered on, .9% signed, and .3% lost. Find out more during Query Unrequited. Visit WritingCommunity.ca.

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Just 10 days until Query Unrequited. If you're trying to land an agent, this workshop is for you! I'll be talking about what I look for in a query, and using real life examples (with permission). Register at WritingCommunity.ca! #writerlife✒️ #writerslifestyle #writingcommunity #amquerying #querytip

10 days until this workshop. QUERY UNREQUITED: WHY I DIDN’T FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR SUBMISSION. GoogleMeets webinar will be held February 14, 2026 2:00 p.m. EST. Register WritingCommunity.ca. Real queries. Real talk. Real answers.

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

#querystatus: ~50 queries and submissions left to read. If you've received a query rejection from me, you now have the opportunity to get live, detailed feedback. Check out Query Unrequited on WritingCommunity.ca! writingcommunity.ca/2085-2/

QUERY UNREQUITED: WHY I DIDN’T FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR SUBMISSION, GoogleMeets webinar will be held Saturday, February 14, 2026, 2:00 pm EST. Register: www.writingcommunity.ca. Real queries. Real talk. Real answers.

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Is anyone who queried me willing to partner with me on an upcoming workshop where I would explain to writers in attendance for educational purposes why I passed on your query? It would be gentle, constructive criticism, and you could attend the workshop for free. Email me at info@writingcommunity.ca

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

#amquerying #writers: Did you ever wonder what results in an ❌auto-reject❌ on your query? SPOILER ALERT: It's not typos. Here are the most common reasons: writingcommunity.ca/queryhacker-...

media.tenor.com

an hp printer is sitting on a desk next to a shredder

ALT: an hp printer is sitting on a desk next to a shredder

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

I emailed everyone who's ever queried me (1000 emails!) about Query Unrequited and didn't get a single response. Can those of you who have queried me in the past do me a favour and check your spam? I'm just curious if all those emails went into spam or not.

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

‼️ATTENTION WRITERS USING QUERY TRACKER‼️ As I'm going through archived queries preparing for Query Unrequited, I'm finding several queries that creators withdrew asking to resubmit a revised version. I never saw these messages! There's a setting in QM (the agent side of QT) that automatically 1/3

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

#querystatus: I have about 130 queries left to read. Still reading August submissions. If you've received a query rejection from me, you now have the opportunity to get more detailed feedback as to why. Webinar details just posted on WritingCommunity.ca! writingcommunity.ca/2085-2/

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

#querystatus I've signed another new client. Super excited to rep a fellow Canuck! 🇨🇦 Which means I reached my two goals this open season: signing a graphic novelist, and signing a Canadian. That also means my roster is just about buttoned up and I'll be even more selective with the queries left.

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

#querystatus: I'm reading queries sent in early August, so I'll be closing my query inbox tomorrow and spending December catching up. I signed one new client this week, which brings me to a grand total of 9 clients. Ideally, I'd have 10 clients (12 max), so I'm being extremely selective right now.

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

If you've received my "I only read your query, not your manuscript" form response, you might feel perplexed about where you went wrong. Here are two lists to give you a little insight into my thought process of what does and does not affect my evaluation of your query. #writingcommunityً #amquerying

Query "mistakes" I don't care about: typos, using the wrong name, accidentally using the wrong pronoun or salutation, no comps provided, an amateur book blurb, or lack of personalization about why you chose me.

Query mistakes I actually care about: Submitting in an audience category I don't rep, submitting in a genre I don't rep, not telling me about the plot of your story, no providing metadata, going way over or under established wordcounts, or submitting an early draft not beta read by others.

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

It's thrilling when a client sends you their next manuscript and, halfway through the first chapter, you realize if this was a query, you'd be requesting the full instantly. But they're already your client, so you already have the full. And you're not competing with any other agents! 🤩😍🤯 #amagenting

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

I realized this issue of Kidlit Confusion was sitting as a draft of my website for weeks! 😅 Here you go, all. WARNING! This issue is more confusing than ever. #kidlit #amquerying #writers #querytip writingcommunity.ca/kidlit-confu...

writingcommunity.ca

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 12/10/2025

Having fought through the worst infection of my life this week, I want to remind everyone to believe what your body is telling you. I went to emerge Monday and got the antibiotics I needed, but by Wednesday the infection wasn't improving. 1/3

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lit agent tasneem motala @seraphecda.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

literally happened to me yesterday!! a query was withdrawn with a very angry message attached to the notification. if waiting on agents to read your full and get back to you (while balancing clients, personal schedules, etc) is too difficult, the submission process is going to be excruciating.

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

Is it okay to nudge? Of course. But keep your emotions in check. If you're losing it after 3-6 months of not hearing from an agent, how are you going to handle 1+ years of no response from editors once you're on sub? I know it's hard, but be cool, calm, and collected. #querytip #writers #amquerying

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Brendan @chibdm.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

Robin Williams' daughter has some quality thoughts on AI slop

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

"Florida woman shows why headline stereotype is 'Florida man'..."

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Jes Trudel 🇨🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ @jestrudel.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

TFW you find out a client fired you because they thought you failed to respond to an email that you never received...and they never followed up to ask if you received it. 🤔

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