Alyssa Jennette, Agent at Stonesong Literary

Alyssa Jennette, Agent at Stonesong Literary

Alyssa Jennette joined Stonesong Literary in June 2015 after interning at Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency. She graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art with a BFA in Illustration. As a result, she has unique insight and expertise when it comes to design-heavy or illustrated works. Alyssa is a very editorial agent; she finds a lot of joy in shaping stories alongside the author and delights in building long-term partnerships.

Alyssa represents children’s and adult fiction and picture books, and has dabbled in humor and pop culture nonfiction. She is especially drawn to diverse voices, ensemble casts, and thorough world-building, plus any book with a format that is specific to the story and gives it its own context.

Member Reviews of Alyssa

Thoughtful and honest

My query letter review with Alyssa Jennette was fantatastic. She was laid back and kind and helpful. She listened to my questions and gave thoughtful, honest answers. It was one of those meetings that proves how much you can accomplish in ten minutes with the right person in the room.

Rachel Frederick

Each critique I’ve had with Manuscript Academy has provided new insights.

Each critique I’ve had with Manuscript Academy has provided new insights. Alyssa Jennette asked me numerous thoughtful questions to help me narrow down the main points for my query. She shared what attracts an agent and what is not necessary to mention. I found her critique extremely practical.

Diana S.

Positive feedback

Really good meeting with positive feedback, constructive critque, and ideas for the future.

Clare Golding

She offered feedback that will make my manuscript better.

I highly recommend a consultation with Alyssa! She asked questions to understand my manuscript and she offered feedback that will make my manuscript better. I also loved that her approach didn’t make the 10 minutes feel rushed.

Mandy Yokim

Money well spent!

Going into the query trenches is daunting no matter how many times you have edited, and re-edited your materials. While I totally respect the need for form emails when an agent feels your project is not the right fit for them, it does leave you wondering if something is WRONG with your query! Is something not up to par? Is that cuss word in the first chapter turning prospective agents off?! My Skype call with Alyssa was just what I needed. She gave some fantastic suggestions to tighten my query letter and it was great hearing from an agent in my field that the important things were there (she said the voice of the chapter was great 🥰) and that I’m not totally off track.Money well spent!!

Melanie Schubert

Friendly, approachable, supportive, and supremely knowledgeable

Alyssa was friendly, approachable, supportive, and supremely knowledgeable–my consultation with her was a genuine pleasure, and she gave me some great advice about improving my queries. 10/10 would recommend.

Charles Cohen

I will definitely be doing one of these again

Alyssa was awesome to talk with. I knew as soon as I saw her name on the list that I wanted to talk with her. It was so easy to ask her questions and an amazing help to hear a quick answer rather than deliberating for months about a certain aspect of my project. I will most definitely be doing one of these again and will also be re-reaching back out to Alyssa! Thanks for this opportunity!

Rachel DiNunzio

She totally helped reframe the plot description so it flows.

Alyssa was fabulous. Asked questions that helped me understand where I am in my development not so much in novel writing but in query skills. She totally helped reframe the plot description so it flows a little better.

Carol Campbell

I hope to work with her again in the near future.

Superb experience. Alyssa was knowledgeable, professional and invaluable in sharing guidance with me on publishing, my body of work and strategy for future publication. I hope to work with her again in the near future.

Brad Cameron

Kind complimentary and provided direction

Alyssa provided a wonderful critique of the first few hundred words of my picture book script. She was kind, complimentary, and provided direction. She has a solid confidence and understanding of the publishing world. Alyssa is also extremely personable and easy to chat with.

Thank you so much, Alyssa!

Melissa Stiveson

We had a very thorough and insightful chat.

We had a very thorough and insightful chat, not only about tips for the first 10 pages but the rationale behind it. I appreciated her insights suggestions. But for me, the best part was talking about the MS as a whole and how best to start readers on the journey, based on what I am trying to accomplish with the MS. It was a different conversation than what I expected–more discussion about the book and the industry than actual critique, which was exactly what I wanted, needed. Plus, she’s just great. So glad I did it.

Tom Hoover

Questions answered that really helped narrow down which paths to pursue

Alyssa was very easy to talk to. Although I was nervous, I had a great time and got questions answered that really helped narrow down which paths to pursue. I would recommend her for consults for sure.

Rachel Scott

Work with Alyssa

LIVE Meetings: Meet face-to-face, from home. Choose Zoom, Google Meet, or phone, and speak for the appointed time about your query, first page, and/or first ten pages (for longer meetings). Does not include written notes, but is a chance to have an honest discussion about your work, and to ask follow-up questions. International meetings welcomed.

WRITTEN Critiques: Get detailed, thoughtful notes on your work. Comes with large-scale edits (character, world, plot, tension, concept, conflict, and similar as needed) in an editorial letter and small-scale, line-by-line notes as needed (for longer critiques, an average of three per page). Work arrives in your inbox within 24 hours of the date on the calendar.

HYBRID is a live meeting at the appointment time, with written notes.