Rachel Orr

Like most agents, I've always been a reader. When I was a child, reading inside on a beautiful summer day, my parents would tell me to go outside. So I would go outside—and read my book. (Maybe they should have been a little more specific.)

I began my publishing career while I was still a student at Kenyon College, interning for both the Kenyon Review and Highlights for Children magazine. After graduation, I had a short stint as a bookseller in the children's department at Barnes & Noble, and then worked for eight years as an editor at HarperCollins Children's Books. I joined Prospect Agency in 2007, and I continue to edit my clients' work before sending their projects out on submission. My favorite part of my job is the chance to collaborate with such talented authors and illustrators, and to work with them for the duration of their career. I also love working with clients who have more than one idea and are willing to revise.

Since I really value the importance of a personal connection with authors and illustrators, I love meeting potential clients at conferences and through classes. I also really enjoy the opportunity to teach and to share information about the industry. As a result, I love speaking at SCBWI conferences across the country, as well as serving on the faculty of the OCCBWW in Oceanside, Oregon. In addition, I've taught novel-writing classes through both Mediabistro.com and the California State University's Summer Arts program, and I have served as a Mentor Committee Co-Chair for the Rutgers One-on-One Conference for the past seven years.

Country & Year Established

United States

Agent since 2007

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