Jackie Kruzie is a literary agent with Focused Artists. Jackie fell in love with books when her elementary school hosted its yearly Young AuthorÕs Conference. For weeks leading up to the day, students were encouraged to write, draw, and create their books, and conference day was full of live readings, theatrical performances, and meet-and-greets with real authors. That early introduction to books prompted a life-long love of reading and writing.
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Jackie earned a masterÕs degree in library science and advocated for literacy in both school and public libraries while cultivating her writing skills. She joined many writerÕs groups participating in workshops and attending conferences and served as the regional advisor for her local chapter of the Society for ChildrenÕs Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Here she connected with agents and editors prompting a desire to shift from libraries to publishing. She was an acquisitions editor for an Indie publisher before completing a 6-month internship with Olswanger Literary and joining the team at Focused Artists.
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Jackie is the author of The Lousy Layup, a graphic novel published by Capstone Publishing, and a contributing chapter in Serving Patrons with Disabilities published by The American Library Association. She is the creator of the P.A.S.S. Approach, an innovative step-by-step guide designed to help librarians, and others, communicate more effectively with those who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices. This approach was featured in American Libraries Magazine receiving national recognition and earning her an invitation to present at the American Library Association conference in 2023.
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Jackie has taught numerous workshops on writing, literacy, and the value of open access to information at writing and library conferences nationwide. Jackie is open to queries for children and adult fiction across multiple genres.