I am looking for three Readers, to help me review middle grade and young adult manuscripts.Publishing experience isn’t necessary; I’m looking for keen, thoughtful readers, who love YA and MG fiction and whose personal taste isn’t wildly different than mine. Especially important is knowledge of recent award-winners and New York Times bestsellers. Readers will have a firsthand view into an agent’s work and decision-making process. Past readers have been writers for children, children’s librarians, elementary school teachers, MFA students. All of them have been passionate about books for children and teens.

Here are some details:

• Readers review and report on one manuscript every week.
• I ask for a minimum six-month commitment, though many readers have stayed on longer.
• Communication is largely via email, though I also plan periodic Q&A sessions with readers (via gchat/skype or another video chat format), so readers can live anywhere/in any time zone.
• Q&A sessions cover a variety of industry topics, as well as books we’ve been reading – both for work and ourselves – as well as any other questions about the publishing process I can answer.

I especially welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds.To see if our tastes are a match, have a look at my client list here: http://susanhawk.blogspot.com/p/my-clients.html. In addition, here are some writers and books I particularly enjoy (but don’t represent). If you see your favorites on this list, I encourage you to apply!Writers:MT AndersonHolly BlackJulie BerryAbby HanlonFrances HardingePolly HorvathGary SchmidtLaini TaylorRita Williams-GarciaNovels & Series:Laurie Halse Anderson’s Seeds of America seriesChime and Folk Keeper by Franny BillingsleyWhat I Saw and How I Lied by Judy BlundelThe War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker BradleyA Brief History of Montmaray by Michelle CooperThe Knife of Never Letting Go series by Patrick NessFangirl by Rainbow RowellWhen You Reach Me by Rebecca SteadThe Spectacular Now by Tim TharpTo apply, send an email to kidsintern@gmail.com with the following information:

• Why you’d like the position.
• A bit of information about yourself, including any relevant experience you have. (Attach a resume if you’d like to, though it’s not necessary.)
• List the last 10 books you’ve read in YA/MG, and a one or two line note about what you liked, or didn’t, about each book.
• Your 10 all-time favorites in either YA/MG, and a one or two line note about why each is a favorite.

Usually, I receive quite a few applicants and the application period will close fairly quickly; watch this space and twitter (@susanhawk) for more announcements.

Thank you!Susan