I have a novel ready to submit, target age group 9-12. I am of mature years, shall we say, not a teacher or mother, only an aunt and godmother. What are my chances of getting an agent, as I understand they look at a writer's marketable value before considering the novel?
Thank you, Simon. That's encouraging.
First and foremost, the quality of the writing matters. If the story catches an agent's eye, none of the things you mentioned will matter. Marketability isn't a question of whether you have or work with children, either - it's more to do with how eager you are to share your story and build a career as a writer. You have as much chance as everyone else.
The writing is what counts. Good luck!