Sheila Fernley is a literary agent with the Storm Literary Agency. She canÕt remember a time when she didnÕt love books. She began her literary career as a young girl, writing and producing neighborhood plays, casting local kids as characters.

After graduating with a degree in special education, Sheila taught elementary students with special needs. She went on to become an editor, an education consultant, and a project manager for large urban school districts and state education agencies.

As a childrenÕs book writer, Sheila is drawn to helping aspiring kidlit writers. Admiring literary agents she met along her literary journey, Sheila began her career as an agent, interning at Belcastro Literary Agency before joining the Storm Literary Agency family. Sheila looks forward to long partnerships with her clients, working together to build successful literary careers.

As a Mexican-American and special education teacher, Sheila is interested is supporting underrepresented voices, but first and foremost she looks for great stories that entertain and inspire children and young adults. Stories that beg to be read over and over. Sheila is primarily interested in picture books (fiction and nonfiction) and MG novels, but she is also open to YA fiction. From heartfelt to humorous, Sheila enjoys stories with strong, believable characters that have a distinct voice and emotional connection. She wants to be drawn into the story from the first line and held captive until the end. Sheila is looking for clients that study their craft and genre(s). Those who and are open to feedback to create the best stories possible.

Some of SheilaÕs favorite authors are Matt de la Pe–a, Jon Klassen, Kevin Noble Maillard, Joanna Ho, Beth Ferry, Yuyi Morales, Dan Santat, Jane Yolen, Jilanne Hoffmann, Ali Benjamin, Holly Black, Jaime Berry . . . not to forget authors like Shel Silverstein, Don Freeman, Dr. Seuss, and EB White.

Coffee sustains Sheila during the long hours she puts in each day. Saturday mornings she can be found at one of many local coffee shops, sipping a cup of cappuccino with a friend. When she isnÕt helping clients, reading, or writing, Sheila enjoys making most anything crafty, from sewing, to beaded bees, to painted rocks . . . always gifting what she creates.