More About Jesse Byrd (He/Him)
Languages: English
Jesse Byrd left his 9-5 in Tech to pursue his passion of creating and advocating for the children’s book stories he’s passionate about. Jesse’s worn the hats of editor, art director, agent, book packager, author and publisher within traditional and/or independent publishing.
Jesse’s time in the independent space helped him learned the business of publishing by having to engage in all aspects of creating, selling, and marketing books.
As a literary agent, he’s sold over 60 books to traditional publishers (including Marvel, Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, and more) in the last 30 months - most of which were from debut authors and illustrators from underrepresented communities.
The thing Jesse’s most proud of is helping to transform nearly 400 kids ages 7-12 into published authors, in collaboration with professional artists, in the last 4 years via his story-making workshops.
Jesse’s newly co-founded Moonbeam Literary & Media, alongside award-winning filmmaker and Sesame Street Writing Fellow, Rebecca Chu, which, in addition to literary agency representation, pursues adaptation opportunities for client IP in Film, TV, Gaming, Stage Plays, Merch, Toys, and more.
You can find Jesse online at:
www.jessebcreative.com | www.moonbeamlitmedia.com
Jesse’s strengths are…
Asking questions to help the author explore ways to strengthen specific elements of a script.
Giving examples to illustrate the variety of ways a note can be addressed.
Keeping YOUR manuscript YOUR manuscript. I want your narrative and voice to shine in a way that feels like your own and you’re proud of in the end.
Being sincere but supportive and encouraging. Confidence matters. We all have to learn how to receive and navigate notes but in the end my goal is to help you feel capable of improving the work and not defeated (indefinitely) by a deluge of redlines, should that be the case.
Though I know we aren’t querying, since I spend much of my time as a literary agent, I’m always talking to publishers about what they’re looking for. I try to bring this real-time market awareness to my work when I know an artist hopes to sell (possibly to those same houses). At the same time, I won’t use that knowledge to lead with what the industry is looking for but to give industry context, as I understand it.
What Jesse is looking for…
Jesse is looking for a mentee who is vulnerable in their work and interested in learning more about the art and business of publishing.
As such, he will give mentees the option to shadow him in 3 publisher pitch meetings throughout the program, if they choose.
Jesse hopes to connect with someone who is looking to convey concepts from personal experience with depth and nuance.
Jesse is looking for someone who loves children’s lit and is proactive in their learning curve as an artist and a book biz entrepreneur.
Beyond acquisitions, advances, and accolades (though all of these are great) Jesse is looking for someone who is committed to the craft and service to young audiences even if those things have and may continue to take longer than they hoped.
Someone who wants to be in the business of making art for kids more because of what they’re excited to give than receive. Not to neglect the desire to make a healthy living from their art but rather that their desire to be and stay in publishing isn’t tied most strongly to what the industry rewards them with and when.
If you are passionate, perseverant, have a service mindset to your art and audience, and love children’s media - Jesse would love the chance to work with you.
A Note from Jesse :
“I’m prioritizing vulnerability this year. I’m most interested in stories that have roots in personal experiences and feelings. This can 100% be mixed with imagination! But, I want to be able to discuss the art with you as a piece of your lived experience that you are ready to hone and offer to the world. I KNOW this is a big ask. Rest assured, I’m doing it with you and asking it of myself, to a deeper degree, in my art this year. Let’s do it together.”
Jesse’s Picture Books
MARINA: A STORY ABOUT PLASTIC AND THE PLANET, written by Jesse Byrd and illustrated by Andressa Meissner
SEEKING SHANTI: A FAMILY’S STORY OF CLIMATE MIGRATION, written by Jesse Byrd & Sandy Kaur Gill, and illustrated by Mónica Paola Rodríguez
MIGHTY MARA, written by Jesse Byrd & Carina Ho, and illustrated by Mónica Paola Rodríguez
SUNNY DAYS, written by Jesse Byrd and illustrated by Anastasiia Ku
BIG SISTER COCO: THE BIRTHDAY SURPRISE, written by Jesse Byrd and illustrated by Lau Moraiti
THE SWITCH, written by Jesse Byrd and illustrated by Yonson Carbonell
If Jesse created a Visual Wish List, it would be made up of…
*Unless otherwise stated, the below serves as a wish list only. Each mentor is excited about the opportunity to find a manuscript they can’t stop thinking about. Please apply if you think you’d be a good fit.
REMEMBER, written and illustrated by Dac Trung Tran
MAGIC: ONCE UPON A FARAWAY LAND, written and illustrated by Mirelle Ortega
AT NIGHT, THEY DANCED, written by Victoria Scott-Miller and illustrated by Toni D. Chambers
THE GHOST OF THE BLANES MUSEUM, written and illustrated by Lau Moraiti
BUNSO MEETS A MUMU, written and illustrated by Rev Valdez
BAO (Pixar Animated Short)
Jesse is a good fit for…
Fiction
Nonfiction
Stories that stem from personal experience (even if they have an execution not rooted in reality)
Stories that center heart. If your story is a tearjerker, that’s what Jesse is prioritizing at this time.
Economy in writing. Though Jesse will help you hone your script, which often leads to fewer words than an author started with, Jesse still loves to see authors attempt to use only as many words as necessary to illicit a feeling and communicate important information for the reader. Challenge yourself to ask, “How briefly can I say this without losing flavor or function?”
Jesse is not a good fit for…
While rhyme isn’t a dealbreaker, if rhyme as a vehicle doesn’t seem like the most effective or only way to execute your story - Jesse may ask what the script might look like in prose.
Who can apply to Jesse? Unagented authors.
Click below to register for our Mentee Announcement (on Zoom) on May 15, 2025 at 8:00pm Eastern Time!