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The Directory of Literary Agents
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Literary Agent Directory
Important: Visit each agent’s website (links in their listings below) to see if they’re open to submissions before querying.
- The results are being filtered by the character: L
Biography
Albert LaFarge is a literary agent with the Albert LaFarge Literary Agency. He was born and raised in Manhattan. His publishing career began at Ballantine Books, where he made his first editorial acquisition and created The Official Directory to U.S. Flea Markets (1987), which went through eight editions. In 1987, he moved to Knopf, where he managed reprint rights. In the 1990s, as an editor at Henry Holt and then Harcourt, he acquired fiction by Amélie Nothomb, George V. Higgins, and Jean Thompson, among others. He moved to Boston in 2000, joining DoubleTake magazine as deputy editor, alongside founding editor Robert Coles; together they presided over a nomination for a National Magazine Award for general excellence and later coedited Minding the Store: Great Writing about Business, from Tolstoy to Now (New Press, 2008). Albert is editor of The Essential William H. Whyte (Fordham University Press, 2000) and has contributed articles and reviews to American Way, Antiques & the Arts Weekly, CommonWealth, DoubleTake, Publishers Weekly, and The New York Times; he originated the “Off the Shelf” book column for the Boston Metro in 2002. He is the translator (from French) of Arabia Felix from the Time of the Queen of Sheba: Eighth Century B.C. to First Century A.D., by Jean-Francois Breton (University of Notre Dame Press, 2000), and The Beatles and the Sixties, by Claude Meunier and Michka Assayas (Holt, 1996). He has worked as a freelance copyeditor and proofreader since 1999. (View a list of projects.)
Albert holds degrees from the University of Vermont (BA, philosophy & music), Columbia University (MA, classics), and Boston University (PhD, editorial studies; dissertation supervised by Christopher Ricks). He has taught writing and editing since 1999, first at Harvard College, where he earned a certificate of distinction from the Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, and more recently at Harvard Extension School, Wilkes University, and the Massachusetts College of Art & Design, where he has been an adjunct lecturer in Liberal Arts since 2012. (View Albert’s c.v.)
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Historical *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Design * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * History * Journalism * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Music * Narrative * Photography * Science * Sports * Travel *
58 Cushing Avenue Belmont MA 02478 USA
Biography
Jud Laghi is a literary agent with the Jud Laghi Agency. Jud Laghi formed his eponymous agency in 2010, after working as a Senior Agent at LJK Literary Management and at ICM, where he began his agenting career. He has represented, developed and launched a number of trendsetting and bestselling books throughout his career, and his clients include a diverse range of writers who contribute to The New York Times, Rolling Stone, New York, Spin, ESPN The Magazine, Wired, GQ, Sports Illustrated, The Atlantic Monthly, The Believer, Slate, Science and This American Life. He graduated from Trinity College with a B.A. in English and creative writing.
Jud works closely with his clients at every stage of the publishing process. His hands-on style includes significant editorial guidance on proposals and manuscripts for the strongest possible publisher submission, and an exploration of all potential opportunities for boosting the marketing and publicity of his clients’ books once they have been published, as well as foreign publishing, film, TV, merchandising rights, and the broad range of possibilities that continue to develop in digital and online media.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Humor Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Computers * Cultural/Social Issues * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * History * Humor *Journalism * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Pop Culture * Prescriptive * Science * Sports * Technology * Young Adult *
195 Hicks Street #5B Brooklyn NY 11201 USA
Natalie Fischer Lakosil
Irene Goodman Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Natalie Fischer Lakosil is a literary agent with Irene Goodman Literary Agency. Natalie began her career as a literary agent at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency and Bradford Literary Agency before joining the Irene Goodman Agency in 2021. An honors graduate of the University of San Diego, California, Natalie holds a B.A. in Literature/Writing. For over a dozen years she has championed and helped to build the careers of numerous award-winning, critically acclaimed and bestselling authors. Natalie represents adult nonfiction, adult cozy mystery/crime, female-driven thrillers, upmarket women’s/general fiction, illustrators, and all ages (picture book, chapter book, MG, YA) of children’s literature, both fiction and nonfiction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Design * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Gay/Lesbian * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * How-To * Humor * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Middle Grade * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Technology * True Crime * Women’s Issues * Young Adult *
Biography
Marie Lamba is a literary agent with the Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency. Marie Lamba (www.marielamba.com) is author of the young adult novels What I Meant… (Random House), Over My Head and Drawn, of the picture book Green Green: A Community Gardening Story (Farrar Straus Giroux), and of the upcoming picture book A Day So Gray (Clarion). Her articles appear in more than 100 publications, and she’s a frequent contributor to Writer’s Digest. Marie has worked as an editor, an award-winning public relations writer, a book publicist, and has taught classes on novel writing and on author promotion.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Humor Fiction * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Satire * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Art * Biography * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * Women’s Issues *
245 Park Avenue 39th Floor New York NY 10167 USA
Biography
Peter Lampack is a literary agent with the Peter Lampack Agency. Peter joined the William Morris Agency in 1967 through its now famous mail room training program, acceptance into which is said to be more competitive than Harvard. Peter was David Geffen’s first assistant when David was a rising star in the television department, then served as an assistant to Sol Leon and Lou Weiss, veteran TV agents and co-heads of the department before being promoted to an agent himself. His other mentors at WMA included President Nat Lefkowitz, and Executive VP and International Head of the Film Department Howard Hausman.
As a novice agent still in his twenties, Peter discovered and sold a treatment/pilot script entitled, The Sign of the Tiger, the Way of the Dragon by Ed Spielman and Howard Friedlander, which became the iconic television series Kung Fu starring David Carradine. Peter’s other clients included head writers of The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, The Merv Griffin Show, The Ed Sullivan Show, Laugh In, and the comedian and talk show host Steve Allen.
Peter also represented The Negro Ensemble Company, a groundbreaking off-Broadway theater troupe which presented original dramatic plays about the social and economic conditions of African Americans. That company’s play, Ceremonies In Dark Old Men by Douglas Turner Ward won the Pulitzer Prize.
After 5 years in the television department, Peter transitioned into film where he represented actors, writers, directors and producers. He successfully packaged Gordon’s War, written by Spielman and Friedlander and produced by Robert Schaffel, also a client. The 20th Century Fox/Palomar Pictures film was actor Ossie Davis’ debut as a feature film director. Peter sold the first television script by Sylvester Stallone, a then-aspiring writer in New York. He also represented a production company which was a joint venture between Robert Schaffel and Academy Award winner Jon Voight.
Peter sold a first novel by Jeffrey Konvitz, his direct rival at the talent agency CMA. That novel, The Sentinel, became a New York Times Best Seller. Peter sold the film rights to head of Universal Pictures, Ned Tanen, as the largest book-to-film deal of the year with Konvitz writing the screenplay and producing the film. Peter sold The Mediterranean Caper by Clive Cussler, the first in the now famous ‘Dirk Pitt’ action adventure book series.
Cussler’s third novel, Raise The Titanic, hit the New York Times Best Sellers List and remained there for 24 weeks. (Peter sold the film rights to British entertainment tycoon Lord Lew Grade in the largest book-to-film deal of the year. (Many years later Peter sold film rights in the series to Denver billionaire Phil Anschutz for what was reputed to be the largest deal of its kind in Hollywood history.)
In 1977 Peter founded his eponymous agency. He has represented NYT Best Selling authors Sally Mandel, Doris Mortman, John Coyne, Warren Adler, Ted Bell, Martha Grimes and Clive and Dirk Cussler. His longtime client, J. M. Coetzee, won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2003. Non-fiction authors have included Laurence Bergreen, Gerry Spence, Judith Kelman and Peter Scardino, MD, the Head of Surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital. Peter continues to ply his trade every day.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Literary *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction *
350 Fifth Avenue Suite 5300 New York NY 10118 USA
Biography
Sarah Landis is a literary agent with Sterling Lord Literistic. She represents young adult and middle grade fiction, as well as genre fiction in the YA-adult crossover space. Sarah is particularly drawn to high-concept plots, inventive and distinctive world-building, novels with a strong emotional core, and sweeping fantasy. Her recent titles include Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin, House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig, Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez, and The Last Confession of Autumn Casterly by Meredith Tate. Before joining Sterling Lord Literistic in 2017, Sarah worked as an editor for fifteen years, holding roles at G.P. Putnam Son’s, Hyperion Books, HarperCollins Children’s Books, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. Over the course of her career, Sarah has had the pleasure of editing many talented and award-winning authors such as: Lauren Groff, Katherine Howe, Jodi Lynn Anderson, Kasie West, Michael Buckley, and Claudia Gray. Sarah graduated with a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Middle Grade Fiction * New Adult * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
115 Broadway Suite 1602 New York NY 10006 USA
Heide Lange
Sanford J. Greenburger AssociatesDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Heide Lange is a literary agent with Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. With over forty years of agenting experience, Heide’s books reflect her background, interests, and passions. An art major in college, her first bestseller was the now-classic book on creativity, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Dr. Betty Edwards. As the agency’s president, she has represented books that analyze and guide the roles of women in business as well as both serious and practical nonfiction about health and sexuality, psychology, family and parenting, social issues, nature and environment, journalism, history and biography, memoir, science, self-help and general reference. Heide has specialized in working closely with clients who have a compelling perspective, unique voice, and who offer fresh insight on important subjects that enhance people’s lives on all levels. She has a gift for creative negotiating and achieving long-term royalties.
For the last two decades, Heide has focused on fiction. She represents Dan Brown, the worldwide bestselling author of The Da Vinci Code and most recently, Origin. She also represents Brad Thor, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Scot Harvath series including the latest, Spymaster and Backlash.
Heide is not considering queries unless they are by direct referral. She encourages prospective clients to consider the other talented agents she works closely with at Greenburger Associates.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Environment * Family * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Journalism * Memoir * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Practical * Psychology * Reference * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Women’s Issues *
Biography
Laura Langlie is a literary agent with the Laura Langlie Agency. Laura says: “After working for fourteen years for publishing companies and a literary agency, I launched my own literary agency in 2001. I work primarily with authors of fiction (commercial, literary, mystery), of nonfiction (narrative nonfiction and biography), and of children’s fiction (middle-grade and young adult novels). My clients include Renee Ashley, Mignon F. Ballard, Dan Begley, Jessica Benson, Meg Cabot, Joan Druett, Jack El-Hai, Sarah Elliott, Robin Hathaway, Mary Hogan, Lauren Lipton, Delia Ray, Cheryl L. Reed, and Meg Tilly, among others.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Humor Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Satire * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Art * Autobiography * Biography * Current Events/Affairs * Environment * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * History * Law * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Women’s Issues *
147-149 Green Street Hudson NY 12534 USA
Biography
Matt Latimer is a literary agent with the Javelin Literary Agency. He is a New York Times bestselling author with more than a decade of experience at senior levels in Washington, D.C. Latimer served as deputy director of speechwriting to President George W. Bush and chief speechwriter to former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. He was a senior communications staffer for Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Jon Kyl. Latimer is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University. He is an adjunct professor at the George Washington University.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Sports * True Crime *
203 S Union Street Suite 200 Alexandria VA 22314 USA
Biography
Oliver Latsch is a literary agent with and the founder of LatschLit Literary Agency and Translation. He says: “I am a literary agent, representing literature and non-fiction for children, young adults and grown-ups worldwide. I also translate German to and from English for fiction, non-fiction, as well as commercial and academic texts.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Science Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Science *
11224 Canton Drive Studio City CA 91604 USA
Biography
Katherine Latshaw is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. She says: “I joined Folio in 2013 after working as an agent at The Literary Group International with Frank Weimann. Prior to that, I worked at packager and literary agency Stonesong, where I participated in every facet of book production, from sales to photo shoots to edits and design. That unique perspective has allowed me to weigh in with authority on behalf of clients during every step of the publishing process. I relish working one on one with authors. For nonfiction, I will often brainstorm with clients who have the requisite knowledge and platform but aren’t sure how to harness that into a saleable concept. I will write, re-write, and edit behind a client to present the best possible pitch to editors. For fiction, my aim is the same, and I will provide whatever is necessary to achieve that result, from general editorial suggestions to line edits. My authors range very widely from celebrities like Burt Reynolds to ice cream sandwich empire Coolhaus to internationally bestselling poets like Iain S. Thomas and Upile Chisala.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Cooking/Cookbook * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Narrative * Photography * Pop Culture * Prescriptive * Technology * Women’s Issues * Young Adult *
630 Ninth Ave. Suite 1101 New York NY 10036 USA
Biography
Steve Laube is a literary agent with and the President and Founder of the Steve Laube Agency. He is a veteran of the bookselling industry with nearly 40 years of experience. In the 80s he was a bookstore manager and was awarded the National Store of the Year by the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA). He then spent over a decade with Bethany House Publishers and was named the Editor of the Year by AWSA. Over sixteen years ago he became an agent where he and his agency have represented nearly 2,000 new books and Steve was named Agent of the Year by ACFW. He was also inducted into the Grand Canyon University Hall-of-Fame by their College of Theology. He is married with three grown children and one grandchild.
Steve has very eclectic interests. He has represented everything from the sweet romance to the systematic theology. His clients are equally divided between fiction and non-fiction writers. (For a complete resume of his past work and editorial experience click here.)
He is the President of The Christian Writers Institute and publishes the annual Christian Writers Market Guide (also available online) and Book Proposal Tips and Tricks.
In addition, he is the owner and President of Enclave Publishing one of the premier publishers of Christian fantasy and science fiction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * Contemporary * Espionage/Military * Fantasy * Historical * Literary * Paranormal * Picture Book * Religious * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Christian * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Family * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Inspiration * Lifestyle * Money/Finance * Music * Parenting/Child Guidance * Philosophy * Politics * Psychology * Reference * Religion * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Women’s Issues *
24 W. Camelback Rd. A-635 Phoenix AZ 85013 USA
Biography
Jennifer Laughran is a literary agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Jennifer comes from a theatrical background, and began her career in agenting after working as a long-time children’s bookseller and buyer. She joined the Andrea Brown Literary Agency in 2007. Jenn loves quirky, warm illustration, and projects for all ages that have illustrated elements. Always on the lookout for sparkling YA and middle grade fiction with unusual and unforgettable characters and vivid settings, she is drawn to nearly all kinds of books, whether realistic comedies or richly imagined magical adventures. However, the common thread in her favorite stories is an offbeat world-view. Jennifer loves funny books, thrilling books, romantic books, books that make her cry, and all-around un-put-downable books … and her true favorites are all of the above.
She spends most of her free time … well, reading, what else?!
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile *
2225 E Bayshore Rd Suite 200 Palo Alto CA 94303 USA
Biography
Felice Laverne is a literary agent with and the cofounder of the ArtHouse Literary Agency. Her publishing career has always been rooted in championing bold voices and writers from marginalized communities. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in English, Creative Writing, from Georgia State University, she started her career at About Words Agency directly after college where she worked as an agent until leaving to complete her master’s degree in Publishing at Kingston University in London, England. There, Felice specialized in Diversity & Inclusion in Publishing, which drove her career-long passion for bold voices the world had never heard before.
After years of then partnering with major houses as a book editor and ghostwriter, including having edited phenomenal big-name books such as Zerlina Maxwell’s The End of White Politics (Hachette) and Paola Ramos’ Finding Latinx: In Search of the Voices Redefining Latino Identity (Vintage), among so many others, she is now back to her roots as a literary agent with a growing list of bold titles.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Dystopian * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * Humor Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Satire * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Ethnic * Food/Drinks * Humor * Multicultural * Narrative * Pop Culture *
3093 Broadway 363 Oakland CA 94611 USA
Tricia Lawrence
Erin Murphy Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Tricia Lawrence is a literary agent with the Erin Murphy Literary Agency. Tricia is the “Pacific Northwest branch” of EMLA—born and raised in Oregon, and now lives in Seattle. After 17 years of working as a developmental and production-based copyeditor (from kids book to college textbooks, but mostly college textbooks), she joined the EMLA team in March 2011 as a social media strategist hoping to learn from Erin and Joan about agenting.
As associate agent, Tricia represents picture books/chapter books that look at the world in a unique and unusual way, with characters that are alive both on and off the page, and middle grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction that offers strong world building, wounded narrators, and stories that grab a reader and won’t let go. Tricia loves hiking, camping out in the woods, and collecting rocks. She loves BBC America and anything British. She has way too many books and not enough bookshelves.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
Biography
Wendy Lawton is a literary agent with Books & Such Literary Agency. Wendy feels equally comfortable on a computer, at a writer’s conference or with a cool lump of clay in her hand. She’s been an artist, a writer and a literary agent. In her first career, as a sculptor and designer of porcelain dolls, she amassed more than 300 original editions. Lawton dolls were nominated for more than seventy industry awards, winning the coveted DOTY nine times, the Dolls Award of Excellence three times and receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.
“Running a collectible business provided the perfect foundation for being a literary agent,” she says. “I’ve spent years developing product, analyzing market trends, and being involved in every aspect of the product supply chain.” And she believes that product development is the perfect parallel to book development. “Speaking as an author, I know we cringe to admit it, but creating books is largely about creating product.”
What Wendy’s Clients Say…
“From Wendy’s business background she is a masterful negotiator and a diplomatic tactician; as a Christian she’s insightful, wise and judicious; and as a friend, she’s a joy.” -NYT Bestselling author and client, Debbie Macomber
Wendy joined Books & Such in 2005 and was named Vice-president of the firm in 2011. She represents a number of successful, bestselling authors. She enjoys helping her clients developtheir ideas and chart their careers. She’s adept at working with authors to discover the core of their writing style, leading to a brand recognition for each author in the marketplace of books.
No stranger to the literary market, she has served on the faculty of several major writers conferences and has written eight books in her young adult Daughters of the Faith series. These books were followed by a series of four teen books and a nonfiction adult book. She won the1999 Writer of the Year Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference. She also won the famous Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest for the intentional worst first line of a novel in the Children’s Literature category. In 2004 she received an honorary doctorate from Wilmington University, Delaware. American Christian Fiction Writers named her Agent of the Year in 2007.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Christian Fiction * General Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Mainstream * Multicultural Fiction * Religious * Romance * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Autobiography * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Christian * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Design * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Music * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Spirituality * Women’s Issues *
P.O. Box 1227 Hilmar CA 95324 USA
Biography
Daniel Lazar is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. Writers House is one of the largest literary agencies in the industry. As a company, we represent a wide range of adult and children’s fiction and non-fiction. Daniel says: “I’m always on the lookout for distinct fiction and great, lively non-fiction. I represent adult and children’s books (and for children’s books, I focus mainly on middle grade and YA). For fiction, I love stories that introduce me to new worlds—or even better, recreate the ones I may already know. I also especially love historical fiction of all kinds. For non-fiction, I enjoy memoirs, narrative non-fiction, all stripes and studies of pop-culture, and even small gifty books that strike my fancy and make me smile. I’m a huge fan of graphic novels and memoirs. And as the oldest child of six who has changed many, many diapers in his life, I’m equally intrigued by any book with unique views on parenting and family life.
If you think your pages can make me hold my breath or miss my subway stop or even laugh out loud, please read my submission guidelines and check out some of my clients’ books listed below. I’d love to hear from you.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Literary * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Family * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * History * Humor * Juvenile * Memoir * Middle Grade * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Pop Culture * Young Adult *
120 Broadway 22nd floor New York NY 10271 USA
Sarah Lazin
Aevitas Creative ManagementDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Sarah Lazin is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Entertainment. Sarah Lazin began her publishing career on the editorial staff of Rolling Stone in 1971. In 1976, she established Rolling Stone Press, the book packaging division of the company, which she continued to represent for thirty years and which created hundreds of successful titles for Rolling Stone, Men’s Journal, and US Magazine. She also created book packaging divisions for Ms. Magazine, The Village Voice, Musician, Playboy, and Vibe Magazine, and created books for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum, The Experience Music Project, and The International Center for Photography.
She is the co-founder and past president of the American Book Producers Association, has served on the boards of the Women’s Media Group, and The Association of Authors’ Representatives. She has taught at publishing seminars including Rice, Radcliffe, Denver, and New York University, and has served on the staffs of the Jackson Hole Writers Conference and the Maui Writers Conference. She received an MA in history from New York University.
Based in New York, Sarah represents a range of nonfiction writers working in fields such as popular culture, biography, history, politics, journalism, memoir, parenting, health, practical nonfiction, contemporary affairs, social issues, and general reference. She also handles fiction from literary works and short stories to commercial novels, and represents some photographers and illustrators and several estates. She accepts submissions through referral only.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Environment * Family * Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Inspiration * Journalism * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Music * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Practical * Reference * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Technology * Travel *
Biography
Michelle S. Lazurek is a literary agent with WordWise Media Services. She says: “In 2009, I felt a calling on my life to start writing. Apart from some poems in high school, I had never written anything before. As I studied and wrote down my thoughts, I soon published my first book. Today, with nine titles in print and hundreds of articles (and a few awards along the way), I teach aspiring authors at writers’ conferences. Now I get the privilege to journey with aspiring writers and help them achieve their dreams of becoming published authors. I have a Master of Arts in Counseling and Human Relations from Liberty University.
When not occupied with literary pursuits, you can find me sipping a hot latte at Starbucks, reading a good book, or collecting records from the 1980s and 90s. I live in Pennsylvania with my husband, two children and our crazy dog, Cookie.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Picture Book *
NONFICTION: Christian * General Nonfiction *
4083 Avenue L Suite 255 Lancaster CA 93536 USA
Janine Le
Janine Le Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Janine Le is a literary agent with and the founder of Janine Le Literary Agency. She is pleased to announce the launch of Janine Le Literary Agency, a full-service agency representing authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults. Janine brings to her new venture the classic training of over twelve years working closely with leading children’s book agents, experience supporting the various career needs of children’s book luminaries and debut creators alike, and an entrepreneurial spirit to meet today’s challenges.
Janine was most recently Agent and Foreign Rights Manager at Sheldon Fogelman Agency, where she spent nearly twelve years negotiating contracts, bookkeeping, managing foreign rights, and otherwise supporting agency clients, while building her own client list. She was previously an intern in the children’s department at Sterling Lord Literistic and completed NYU’s Summer Publishing Institute. Janine graduated summa cum laude from Bucknell University with honors in English (Creative Writing), where she interned with literary magazine West Branch.
Janine enjoys the balance of creative-minded and business-minded work and loves pushing her clients to reach their projects’ potential in the developmental stages and advocating for them from submissions onward. Janine has served as faculty for events with The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and donated critiques for several charitable campaigns. She finds balance in life by adventuring with her husband, two young children, and new dog.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Graphic Novel * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
Thao Le
Sandra Dijkstra Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Thao Le is a literary agent at the Dijkstra Agency since 2011. She represents picture books and graphic novels by author-illustrators, Middle Grade fiction, and Young Adult across genres, as well as Science-Fiction/Fantasy and select Romance for adults.
In the picture book realm, she’s excited to work with illustrators who write their own picture books and is most drawn to art that is emotive and vivid. Her tastes tend towards stories that are character driven, witty, progressive, and ends with a twist.
In Middle Grade and YA, whether in prose or graphic novel format, she’s currently seeking contemporary stories that are witty, heartfelt, and authentic. She’s especially drawn to stories about family and friendships from the POV of diverse protagonists. She’s a fan of young characters who are passionate about the arts, sports, STEM, activism, and geeky fandoms. She adores stories with a touch of magic and whimsy, and is a fan of mythology and fairytales.
In the Adult SFF realm, she’s a fan of character driven contemporary fantasy, near future science fiction, and romantic space operas. She is particularly excited about stories with fresh twists to common genre tropes.
Her favorite romantic tropes are: hate-to-love/enemies-to-lovers, slow burn, forbidden/doomed romance, fake dating/marriage of convenience, grouchy curmudgeon and bubbly optimistic, mistaken identities, and she is a sucker for beta second male leads who steal the show (and hopefully the heroine’s heart!).
In general, she loves beautiful literary writing with a commercial hook and tight plotting. She is actively seeking underrepresented voices (including, but not limited to, all ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental and physical health, and socioeconomic status) to her client list.
Thao’s clients include New York Times and Indie bestselling authors such as Roshani Chokshi, Sandhya Menon, Emily Duncan, Jessie Sima, Jessica Kim, and more…
Thao is NOT looking for: non-fiction, adult literary fiction, adult general fiction, mystery/thriller/suspense, memoirs, poetry, religious/spiritual books, screenplays, or short stories.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: N/A
Biography
Susanna Lea is a literary agent with and the founder of Susanna Lea Associates. She works in both the New York and Paris offices. She studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the University of Oxford. She was previously director of international projects at Éditions Fixot/Robert Laffont, supervising the publication and sale of rights for international bestsellers, before leaving to found Susanna Lea Associates.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Science * Upmarket *
331 West 20th Street New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Byrd Leavell is a literary agent with the United Talent Agency (UTA). He is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the Radcliffe Publishing Program, Byrd Leavell has been an agent for fourteen years and in that time has overseen dozens of bestsellers within multiple categories. He handles narrative and proscriptive non-fiction, sports, humor, and commercial fiction that reads like you just grabbed hold of a speeding train; his clients include Cat Marnell, Drew Magary, GloZell Green, Caroline Calloway, Steve Spurrier, Rich Roll and Julie Piatt, Justin Halpern, Jen Romolini, Jay Chandrasekhar, Donald Trump, the anonymous author of Diary of an Oxygen Thief, Babe Walker, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Pete Sampras, George Karl, Mike Sacks, and John. L. Parker Jr.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Politics *
888 7th Ave 7th Floor New York NY 10106 USA
Ned Leavitt
The Ned Leavitt AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Ned Leavitt is a literary agent with the Ned Leavitt Agency. Ned left William Morris in 1990 to open his own agency, his goal was to focus on really excellent writing and to be able to bring his personal attention to challenging, exciting and creative projects. Once on his own, a number of authors, both in fiction and non-fiction, came to him with projects distinguished by original, unique writing and cutting edge messages. A number of these books were in the areas of spirituality, creativity, alternative health and psychology. The agency was fortunate to see several of these books become major bestsellers. Ned is attracted to unusual fiction of all kinds and non-fiction with strong elements of soul and spirit. “I expect to always be involved with highly creative artists and soul journeyers – writers who explore and articulate all aspects of the soul’s journey – the light, the dark and all the colors in between. So whether it’s a breakthrough non-fiction book with a transformative impact or an exceptional novel, beautifully crafted with strong narrative integrity, if it has soul, it is what I am looking for.”
A graduate of Harvard University with an MFA in theater from the University of Hawaii, Ned has been at times an actor, singer, cab driver, theatrical director, choral conductor, poker player, drummer, and vision quest guide.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Religious *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Medical/Medicine * Mind/Body/Spirit * Narrative * New Age * Psychology * Religion * Spirituality *
Biography
Shannon Lechon is a literary agent with the Jennifer Azantian Literary Agency. She began her career with literary agency internships at P.S. Literary and Cake Creative, as well as an editorial internship with Penguin Random House. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in criminology and English from Florida State University and a master’s in publishing from New York University.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Fantasy * Graphic Novel * Horror * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Science Fiction * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Psychology * Medical/Medicine * Memoir *
Albert Lee
United Talent Agency (UTA)DO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Albert Lee is a literary agent with the United Talent Agency (UTA).
Albert Lee joined UTA in 2018 as a publishing agent from independent literary agency Aevitas Creative Management (formerly Kuhn Projects and Zachary Shuster Harmsworth).
Previously, he held executive-level titles at Wenner Media (parent company to Us Weekly, Rolling Stone and Men’s Journal), where he worked directly with such artists as Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber and forged exclusive partnerships with the US Olympic Committee, Lionsgate Studios, A&E and Warner Brothers during a two-decade career in entertainment and magazine publishing.
He began his career as a theater and dance journalist for The Village Voice; and graduated cum laude from Princeton University with a degree in religion. He is a native of Harlan, Kentucky, and currently lives in New York City.
Selected projects include:
— The NYTimes bestseller WE’RE GOING TO NEED MORE WINE: Stories That Are Funny, Complicated and True by Gabrielle Union
— The NYTimes bestseller STRENGTH IN STILLNESS: The Power of Transcendental Meditation by Bob Roth (teacher to Oprah Winfrey, Ray Dalio, Rupert Murdoch, Gwyneth Paltrow et al)
— 2017 Financial Times Book of the Year RESET: My Fight for Inclusion and Lasting Change by Silicon Valley diversity pioneer and former Reddit CEO Ellen Pao
— Major tentpole middle-grade series MAX EINSTEIN: The Genius Experiment by world’s bestselling author James Patterson
— GRACE WILL LEAD US HOME: The Hard, Inspiring Journey To Forgiveness after the Charleston Church Massacre, by Pulitzer winning journalist Jennifer Hawes.
Particular interests include diverse and outsider storytellers, bold and strong personalities on the page, and the curation and creation of original multiplatform intellectual property with franchise potential in all categories and formats (fiction and nonfiction, children’s and adult).
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Journalism * Juvenile * Memoir * Middle Grade * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Reference * Technology * Women’s Issues * Young Adult *
Biography
Christine J. Lee is a literary agent with The Leshne Agency. She has interest in a broad range of genres, including full-length literary fiction, sci-fi, thrillers, horror, true crime, and romance, YA, cookbooks, interior design and gardening, parenting, books on self-empowerment, and memoirs/biographies touching on race, sex, class, and identity. She has worked in the publishing industry for more than 13 years, beginning at Bedford/St. Martin’s, then moved on to Simon & Schuster. She earned a BA from Princeton University in English Literature and a MFA from the University of Houston in Fiction. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, son, and cat.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Horror * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Romance * Science Fiction * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Design * Ethnic * Gardening * General Nonfiction * Memoir * Multicultural * Parenting/Child Guidance * Self-Help/Personal Development * True Crime * Young Adult *
590 West End Avenue Suite 11D New York NY 10024 USA
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About Mark Malatesta
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company Literary Agent Undercover and The Bestselling Author. Mark’s authors have gotten six-figure book deals, been on the NYT bestseller list, and published with houses such as Random House, Scholastic, and Thomas Nelson. Click here to learn more about Mark Malatesta and click here for Reviews of Mark Malatesta.
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Author Coaching Testimonials
“Mark, finding you has been both a treat and a treasure—I just signed a contract with my new literary agent!
My career has spanned publishing, TV, and feature film. I’ve served as Creative Dir. for the Magazine Group, TIME Inc.; Dir. of Time World News Service, a Founding Dir. of TIME-Life Films; Exec. Prod. for both the CBS and NBC TV Networks; Prod./Dir.: Movies of the Week: CBS Cinema Center Films and Universal MCA.
In today’s publishing marketplace, agents come and go. They also very often seem to just want an easy pathway to make a buck. Many authors are let go by their agents because their last book didn’t do well enough and the agent doesn’t want to devote the time to help the author. That’s not what you’re about Mark. Even established authors need this type of support in today’s marketplace.”
Author of ten fiction and nonfiction books
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“I’m psyched to have this be official. After getting five different offers for representation from top literary agents, I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin!
Getting multiple agents interested in my work was really important to me. I’ve dealt with agents before and gotten screwed on things contractually so I wanted to do it differently this time. I wanted choices.
Having you help me create that, and navigate my options, was really helpful. I heard other authors talk about their great relationships with their agents and it made me want the same thing. Now I have that.”
Author of Woman on Fire
(Penguin Books)
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“After sending out the query Mark revised for me, I had the opportunity to speak with literary agents from top agencies such as Janklow & Nesbit, Trident Media, Anderson Lit, and Folio. I signed with Don Fehr at Trident and, a short time later I had a publishing contract with Berkley Books, which recently published my book in hardcover.
Before that, I sent my query letter out on my own to 30 or 40 agents and got a lot of rejections. I then found Mark online while I was researching agents. I was surprised that he offered so much during his initial consultation—for a very modest amount of money.
I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t worked with Mark. I can’t even imagine that now though, because of the grief and detours I experienced before we worked together. It was a time-consuming pain in the neck. If you want to get the attention of top literary agents and publishers, there is no substitute for working with an insider. You can’t beat experience. And having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable.”
Author of Single Handed
(Berkley Books, a Division of Penguin Random House)
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“AHHH! OMG, it happened! I got three offers of representation for my children’s picture book in the United States, even though I live abroad! When I woke up and found the first offer for representation in my email in box, I wanted to scream. But my family was still asleep so I couldn’t. 🙂
Just 8 minutes after I sent a query letter to one of my favorite agents, she replied and asked to see my manuscript. A short time later we had a lovely conversation. She was interested in representing me and sounded very positive and enthusiastic about my book. Since I also got offers from two other agents, I had to turn two of them down. One of them was upset and it felt like I was breaking her heart, but you just have to do it. I kept reminding myself that this is a good problem to have!”
Author/Illustrator of Lon-Lon’s Big Night
and many other children’s books
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“Mark, after you helped me land a top literary agent, I got publishing offers from THREE well-known publishers: Amacom, Palgrave Macmillan, and McGraw-Hill (they’re publishing my book in hardcover)!
I was at Disneyworld with my family, in the Haunted Mansion, when I got the call. I went outside and listened to the voicemail message from my agent. A huge smile came over my face. It was a fantastic feeling. For a moment I felt like life was perfect and the angels were singing.
You’re filling an important need so I’ll say this to every other author reading this testimonial. Mark showed me that getting a top literary agent is a science. If you’ve written a book, or you’re in the process, you’ve already invested a lot—a lot more than money. Don’t stop yourself from getting out there to fulfill your purpose and dreams. Thank you so, so much, Mark!!!”
Author of Customer Focused Process Innovation (McGraw Hill)
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“I got a book deal! After I started sending out my new query letter I had 6 literary agents request my manuscript in a short amount of time, which is awesome. Then, within 2 weeks of my agent starting to pitch my story to publishers, we had an offer. I signed a book contract yesterday. A little while later my agent told me that a TV co-producer asked for more info about my book.
By the way, the acquiring editor that fell in love with the manuscript jumped in with both feet and we just worked out our timeline for publication. She’s as passionate about getting my book out as I am, and that means everything. She read the manuscript in two days and said she couldn’t put it down. And the book is going to be published as a hardcover!”
Author of A Chick in the Cockpit
(Behler Publications)
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“Thank you Mark! After you helped me get a well-known agent with Hartline Literary Agency (for my previously self-published murder mystery), he got me a deal with an American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) approved publisher. I’m hard-pressed to find anything that I had an expectation for that you didn’t deliver on.
Before I worked with you I sent out queries, but no one ever requested my complete manuscript. Comparing your new version of my query to the one I wrote before, I can see a vast difference.
I’ve been in business for 35 years so I’m not just saying this… what you’re doing is phenomenal. There are other people offering similar services, but the difference is your success. Others might say they do similar things but, if you research them, they don’t have your background or track record.”
Author of The Rector
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“Mark, you’re a miracle worker. Thanks to your help with my book, query letter, and synopsis… I now have a legitimate publisher who described my book as ‘Powerful Magic’ and it’s now available in bookstores and online!
I’m a lifelong academic writer who one day found myself writing inspired short stories that came to me in dreams and I began thinking of them as novels. That’s when I had a momentous conversation, an introductory coaching call with Mark Malatesta, the American creative writing coach, or rather, to be precise, a how-to-sell-yourself-and-your-work adviser. It was the best-spent money of my life apart (possibly) for my wedding ring.”
Author of The Black Inked Pearl
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“Within 4 minutes of sending out my query letter, a top literary called me on the phone (the #1 agent on my wish list). Less than 30 days later I had three major publishers making offers. A few days after that, I signed a deal with Random House. Mark, your query letter did that.
My agent talked about the query letter you helped me create for a long, long time. When he first called me on the phone, he hadn’t seen any of my sample chapters. It was just the query letter that did it. Communicating the right thing is so important. You are a wonderful medium helping authors find their voice and elevate their writing from just a hobby to a real business… a source from which they can both learn and earn.”
Author of Lights Out
(Random House)
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“MARK, MARK, MARK!!!!!!! Holy smokes… I just signed my book deal. First, two well-known literary agents asked to represent me. One of them responded to my query letter in less than 4 minutes!!
Then THREE different publishers wanted my book and started talking about making offers. The publisher I chose is perfect for me because they produce titles for the trade, educational, and scientific markets. And they agreed to publish my book as a hardcover!!!
When I met you, Mark, it was a pivotal time. I was under the belief that I could self-publish my book with a vanity press and then seek a publisher. I didn’t know what a literary agent was, why I needed one, or how to get one. I was wandering in the dark. You guided me in the right direction and gave me a solid plan.”
Author of Intestinal Health
(Rowman & Littlefield)
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“Boom!!! I just signed a contract with Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins for (what I’ve been told by several people) is a very large advance for a first-time author.
Before working with Mark I submitted my book to agents but didn’t get any interest. This time around I got a top NY literary agency (Fine Print Lit). What cloud is higher than 9?
I had several agencies interested before deciding to go with Fine Print. And, to be honest, all of the attention didn’t surprise me. The query letter and proposal that Mark helped me develop were incredible. Agents actually said things to me like: ‘Scott, I read your proposal and I’m just blown away by it!’ Mark is extremely talented at what he does. If you have the opportunity to work with him, take advantage of it.”
Author of The Unbreakable Boy
(Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson)