About Karen Grencik

California native Karen Grencik makes her home in Shell Beach, midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.  A court reporter by training, Karen initially launched her own literary agency in 1999 to champion writers and manuscripts she discovered on the Central Coast of California.

The opening chapter of The Karen Grencik Literary Agency was an astounding success, propelled largely by Karen’s major sale of the middle grade memoir Double Luck, Memoirs of a Chinese Orphan by Lu Chi Fa with Becky White.  Karen quickly found herself on the New York publishing circuit, in regular contact with editors and publishers, while also finding time to be a favorite presenter at several west coast writers’ conferences.

Karen signed new clients and sold award-winning titles.  Among the awards garnered by her authors are the Parents' Choice Gold Award for Best Non-Fiction, the Golden Kite Award for Best Picture Book, and the Benjamin Franklin Award for Best New Fiction.

After a short hiatus during which Karen reorganized her agency’s platform, the Karen Grencik Literary Agency has returned with renewed enthusiasm.  Karen’s goals as a representative of children’s literature have never wavered, and she is committed to assisting authors of quality children's books bring their stories to life.

Karen regularly consults with Emma D. Dryden, former children’s book publisher and founder of the children’s editorial consultancy company, drydenbks.  Karen’s mentor, San Francisco agent Linda Allen, will partner on special projects with the Agency as needed.

Karen’s philosophy is simple: “When you choose to write children’s books, it’s just that—it’s a choice.  You do it because you love it.  You do it because it fills you with passion.  You do it because it brings you joy.  You are among the lucky ones who live life with purpose.  But you also must do everything you can possibly think of to achieve your goals. 

“And you must be nice.”