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7 Insider Secrets to Get a Top Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal
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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: S
Biography
Lesley Sabga is the Media Rights Manager, Communications Manager, and a literary agent with The Seymour Agency. She has worked as an editorial assistant and freelancer for multiple publishing houses such as Entangled, Jolly Fish Press and Flux Books, as well as Sourcebooks. She’s been working for The Seymour Agency since 2014. Starting out as an eager intern, she worked her way up to being a literary assistant and in the fall of 2017, Lesley became an agent with The Seymour Agency. In 2020, she became the communications manager, handling author relations and agency administration. And in 2022, Lesley enthusiastically accepted the position handling media rights for the agency’s catalog, helping to option and place titles with numerous production companies to date. Lesley loves intricate and vivid world-building and character-driven plots with commercial pacing. She is currently acquiring young adult and adult fiction. She is always down to read a dark and twisty suspense/thriller featuring strong, female protagonists or mysteries where there is a large cast of characters and all the pieces slowly fall into place. She loves big, sweeping love stories that give you all the feels and she’s particularly interested in voice-driven fiction for millennial women that focus on the real-life romantic, humorous, and professional experiences they go through. Always open to diversity, Lesley is actively looking for marginalized authors to bring into the literary world.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Animals, Celebrity, Film Entertainment, History, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Self-Help, True Crime, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Maggie Sadler is a literary agent with the Corvisiero Literary Agency. She earned her joint Masters with honors in Comparative Literature and English from the historic University of St Andrews and her Masters in Literary Studies from Memorial University of Newfoundland, where her literary interests ranged from folklore retellings to nineteenth-century maritime adventure fiction, and interrogating audience reception across creative mediums. Outside of the agency space, Maggie also works as an editor and writing coach. Maggie marries these complimentary experiences with an intentional, intelligent, and growth-minded approach as a literary agent. Maggie primarily seeks literary and upmarket adult fiction with distinct character voices, lyrical prose, and propulsive plots. She loves books that unapologetically challenge and deconstruct genre, narrative, or structural conventionsÑbooks that take risks. She appreciates a careful, restrained hand with fabulist elements, one that gently asks the reader to reconsider the boundary between the real and the fantastic. Above all, Maggie craves stylish writing and wholly unique concepts that leave her feeling devastated over the palpable talent. A writer herself, Maggie draws inspiration from folklore, sweeping landscapes, and untamed femininity as she scribbles away at her debut novel. When not reading or writing, Maggie can usually be found exploring astride her rascally horse, admiring various species of moss on hikes with her partner, or taking up yet another hobbyÑcurrently, mounted archery.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, New Adult Fiction, Short Story Collection, Speculative Fiction, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Health Wellness, Medical Medicine, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Travel, Women’s Issues
Biography
Jacklyn Saferstein-Hansen is a literary agent with Renaissance Literary & Talent. She hails from Omaha, Nebraska and came to Los Angeles by way of Boston University. She’s on the hunt for fresh nonfiction in the following areas: wellness/nutrition/food, mental health, history, science, pop culture, and Jewish issues. She’s interested in helping academics make the jump to the trade market. In fiction, she’s partial to novels with a distinct voice (the weirder the better) and quirky characters in the genres of women’s fiction, historical fiction, thriller/mystery, and fantasy.
Notes
FICTION: Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Diet Nutrition, Economics, Education, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science
Biography
Rafe Sagalyn is an Agent with CAA Literary. He represents leading journalists, historians, novelists, business thinkers, and public intellectuals. Born and raised in Western Massachusetts, he graduated from Tufts University and started his publishing career at Simon & Schuster before moving to Washington D.C, where he founded The Sagalyn Literary Agency which merged with ICM Partners in 2019. He joined CAA in 2022 following the agencyÕs acquisition of ICM.
Notes
NONFICTION: Business Book, History, Journalism, Nonfiction
Biography
Jean Sagendorph is a literary agent with Mansion Street Literary Management. Jean is a twenty-year veteran of the entertainment industry whose award-winning work includes many New York Times bestsellers. She spent more than fifteen years at United Media, where she managed the firmÕs publishing, interactive, film, and music interests. While at United Media, her clients included Food Network, Peanuts, Dilbert, Fancy Nancy, Raggedy Ann & Andy, Rainbow Brite, hoops & yoyo, Dirty Dancing, Iron Chef, Iron Chef America, History Channel, Deadliest Catch, Ice Road Truckers, and more. Jean capitalized on her expertise within the publishing and entertainment industries when she launched Mansion Street Literary Management, a boutique literary agency that seeks exciting new authors and properties to represent. She recently spearheaded the creation of a Meals On Wheels cookbook, Made with Love: The Meals on Wheels Family Cookbook, which features recipes from renowned personalities like Martha Stewart, Mario Batali, Helen Mirren, Joan Rivers, Patti LaBelle, Al Roker, and more. Jean is the recipient of the Scripps Howard/William R. Burleigh award for community service for her work on the Peanuts book Why, Charlie Brown, Why?, which benefited Paul NewmanÕs Hole In The Wall Gang Camp. She has also been a featured speaker at leading industry conventions, like Comic-Con, NXNE, Crossroads, Activison/Atari Global Sales Meeting, Blogher, DFW Writers Conference, Undercurrents, and others.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, Graphic Novel NONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Design, General Nonfiction, Gift Novelty, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Reference, Sports CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Valentia Sainato is a literary agent with the Jabberwocky Literary Agency. She is an associate agent at JABberwocky assisting Eddie Schneider. She also handles all merchandise and third-party licensing proposals. They graduated from Cal Poly SLO with a B.A. in English and have lived in New York City ever since. Outside of her literary interests, Valentina is a dancer of many different styles, a video game lover, and a ~very~ amateur digital artist. Before joining JABberwocky, Valentina worked as an Events Manager with Barnes & Noble on the Upper West Side, where they hosted a huge variety of author events, book clubs, childrenÕs activities, and more. She has also interned at Foundry Literary + Media, Folio Literary Management, and the Feminist Press at CUNY.
Notes
FICTION: Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Science Fiction, Short Story Collection, Speculative Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Cultural Social Issues, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science
Biography
Jessica Saint Jean is a literary agent at Root Literary. She says “I’m a literary agent specializing in visual storytellers. I primarily represent illustrators and author-illustrators, along with a select number of writers, who work across all illustrated formats and genres in children’s publishing Ð from board books and picture books to middle grade and graphic novels. I’m drawn to creators who share my deep passion for children’s books Ð who appreciate the role of children’s literature as nourishment and entertainment for kids, and as a rich literary art form. I’m looking for writers and illustrators who work hard on their craft; who understand their books’ audience (kids!); who read widely and know how their work fits within the current market; and who hope to build a professional publishing career. Creatively, my tastes are wide-ranging but mostly “upmarket” Ð meaning books with literary depth and impeccable craft that are also accessible and entertaining. I like working on books that genuinely appeal to kids without talking down to them, and that their grown-ups can appreciate in their own way too.”
Notes
CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Des Salazar is a literary agent with Metamorphosis Literary. A graduate of Columbia College Chicago, she holds an MFA in Fiction having completed a thesis containing translations of stories and poems from an archived journal and reflection essays. Des has a passion for writing and working with other writers. All it took was a Sandra Bullock movie to make them want to read stories, and later, they realized that their nerdy editing could get them there (just not like Sandra Bullock level of editor). Their experience includes associate editing at Allium Literary Journal and their current position as a fiction editor at MASKS Literary Magazine.
Notes
FICTION: Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Mike Salisbury is a literary agent with Yates & Yates. He says, “My dad once told me the best days are the ones that include a trip to the bookstore. I couldnÕt agree more. And perhaps the best careers involve literature too, because every day I consider myself fortunate to work with extremely talented writers, editors, marketers, and sales professionals in the publishing industry. Biographical Information At Grand Valley State University I enrolled in an introductory creative writing class on a whim, thinking it would be fun. That class led to a minor and then a major. I was hooked. Being a double major in both creative writing and marketing, I had no idea how I would marry the two in a career. I always thought theyÕd be separate, writing being my passion and marketing my day job. Then one day I was offered an internship with ZonderKidz, the childrenÕs division of Zondervan. My first project was working on the movie tie-in release for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. My internship turned into a full-time role on the trade books team. I was responsible for developing author brands and marketing strategies for product launches. I worked with authors like Chuck Colson, Gary Thomas, Ann Voskamp, Jon Acuff, and Shauna Niequist. In December 2010, I moved from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs to pursue an opportunity with David C Cook. But not without first asking the love of my life, Amy, to marry me. After finishing the school yearÑsheÕs a teacherÑwe married that summer and she joined me on this Colorado adventure. During my time at David C Cook, I had the opportunity to market Francis Chan, Matt Chandler, Tullian Tchividjian, and many others. As I grew from a senior manager to the marketing director of trade books, I began helping with publishing decisions and guiding the companyÕs future initiatives. I also finished my Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Being a literary agent for Yates & Yates is the perfect opportunity for me to continue combining my passions for publishing and marketing. When IÕm not reading or writing, Amy and I love to run in the summer and ski the mountains in the winter. We enjoy listening to Detroit Tigers baseball and wandering bookstores. You can keep up with my reading list by friending me on Goodreads.”
Notes
NONFICTION: Business Book, General Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Money Finance, Nonfiction, Politics, Religion, Self-Help, Spirituality NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Nonfiction
Biography
Jesseca Salky is a literary agent with Salky Literary Management. Jesseca (she/hers) is an agent, founder, and attorney, with almost two decades of experience in the book publishing and adjacent industries. She represents a curated list of distinguished novelists, including Pulitzer Prize-winning and New York Times bestselling novelist Anne Tyler, and works with some of the leading literary agencies and agents in New York as contracts counsel and general business adviser. She has a 360-degree view of the industry as agent and attorney and is on the cutting edge of developments in formats and mediums, often formulating new standards on behalf of writers and agents in the industry. Jesseca keeps a curated client list of authors, thinkers, and industry disruptors. She is selectively looking for contemporary young adult romance (in the vein of Jenny HanÕs The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy), as well as literary fiction submissions that are family stories (she loves a good mother/daughter tale or a story of multiple generations of one family), or have a strong sense of place (where the setting feels like its own character), a magical or mystical element, or a daring or unique voice. She also represents narrative nonfiction in the wellness, social activism and Òliving a purposeful lifeÓ spaces.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Satire, Science Fiction, Short Story Collection, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Celebrity, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, History, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Technology, True Crime, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Nour Sallam is an associate agent at the P.S. Literary Agency. She represents adult fiction and non-fiction. She has a BA in English Literature and Political Science from the University of British Columbia and studied publishing at Toronto Metropolitan University. As an Arab woman and immigrant, she especially loves books that amplify joy and connection. Across genres, she is interested in stories that feature complex and nuanced histories, social dynamics, or underrepresented narratives.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, Health Wellness, Lifestyle, Nature, Nonfiction, Pop Culture
Biography
Bethany Saltman is a literary agent at Wave Literary. She has devoted her life to guiding writers in crafting books and literary careers that change livesÑtheir own and their readers.Õ As the founder of BOOKISH, a boutique book-development agency and co-host of the podcast BOOKBOUND, she has shepherded dozens of aspiring authors through the process of finding their unique authority and writing exceptional book proposals and bestselling books. Bethany is also a widely published poet who received an MFA from Brooklyn College where she worked with Allen Ginsberg; a popular essayist; and the author of the critically acclaimed book, Strange Situation: A MotherÕs Journey Into the Science of Attachment (2020, Random House). Strange Situation was named one of the Top Science Books of 2020 by New Scientist, published in five countries, and is included in psychology syllabi around the world. Bethany splits her time between the Catskills of New York and the Upper West Side of Manhattan. She is a longtime Zen practitioner, as well as a Brown-University certified leadership coach. Through Wave Studios, Bethany is available for VIP Deep Dive Days.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, Literary Fiction NONFICTION: Business Book, Health Wellness, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Science
Biography
Abigail Samoun is a literary agent with the Red Fox Literary Agency. Before co-founding Red Fox Literary, LLC with Karen Grencik in 2011, ABIGAIL SAMOUN was an in-house childrenÕs book editor for over ten years. Her books received such honors as the CCBC Charlotte Zolotow award, the New York Public Library Ezra Jack Keats award, the SCBWI Golden Kite, and the Pura Belpre Honor. As an agent, Abigail now represents authors and illustrators working in a range of genres, from board books to young adult novels. Her clients include author/illustrator Hannah Harrison whose debut, Extraordinary Jane, received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and School Library Journal. HarrisonÕs picture book was Red FoxÕs first project to go to auction. Fellow clients Chris Pallace and Kevin Serwacki wrote and illustrated Joey and Johnny, the Ninjas, an illustrated middle-grade series that received four offers before being bought by Donna Bray at HarperCollins/Balzer&Bray. In addition to agenting, Abigail is the author of several childrenÕs books, including Sterling PublishingÕs Little Traveler board book series illustrated by Red FoxÕs own Sarah Watts. Abigail likes to organize her library according to which authors would get along well together (the Brontes next to George Elliot, Lois Lowry next to Margaret Atwood). She lives in Sonoma, California with her entomologist husband, two dogs, a gaggle of chickens, and a curious little boy named Tristan.
Notes
CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Trinica Sampson-Vera
New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc.Accepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Online FormBiography
Trinica Sampson-Vera is a literary agent with New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc. She is passionate about championing diverse voices and particularly loves speculative fiction; adventurous, character-driven stories with largely emotional stakes; stories featuring Caribbean characters/settings; and stories where queer characters find happy endings. Trinica graduated from Antioch College with a degree in Creative Writing and French. After several editorial internships during college, she moved to Austin and found an unexpected home in social services, where she worked for five years as a case manager to those experiencing chronic homelessness. Prior to beginning at New Leaf, she worked as an independent editor with Salt & Sage Books and Writing Diversely.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Dani Sanchez is a literary agent with SBR Media. She has always been passionate about small business owners. Before coming to publishing, she spent many years working in business management, sales, and marketing for Fortune 500 companies. Since making the move to publishing, she has helped countless authors build their brands, strategize for success, and reach their dreams of hitting the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestsellers list. She loves to create marketing plans that target all aspects of an authorÕs business, with a strong focus on digital marketing, sales platforms, advertising, and long-term sales growth.
Notes
FICTION: Chick Lit, Contemporary Fiction, Erotic Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Satire, Thriller NONFICTION: Business Book, General Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Nonfiction
Biography
Kaitlyn Sanchez is a literary agent with the Bradford Literary Agency. She joined Bradford Literary in 2022 with two years of agenting experience under her belt. Kaitlyn is the proud co-creator and co-host of the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest and Kidlit Zombie Week as well as creator and co-host of the Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy Contest. As a mom, wife, and middle school math teacher, Kaitlyn enjoys playing soccer, binge-watching TV shows, and, of course, reading, especially when sheÕs all cozied up with her husband and daughter reading together. Kaitlyn is an editorial agent and always works with her clients to make sure weÕre putting out their best work. SheÕs highly communicative and invested in every aspect of helping her clients have a strong and happy career. Kaitlyn is looking for childrenÕs books (picture books through YA) in all categories, including graphic novels, nonfiction, and illustration. She is incredibly eclectic in her tastes, with a great affinity for emotional stories as well as funny stories. Kaitlyn is always looking for diversity in all forms, including but not limited to BIPOC, neurodiversity, and LGBTQ+. Kaitlyn loves working with artists, so sheÕs always on the lookout for great illustrators, author-illustrators, and graphic novelists. Note: Kaitlyn generally leans PG and PG-13 for most submissions, though some intensity here and there is fine.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Mystery, Thriller CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Rayhane Sanders is a literary agent with Massie & McQuilkin. Rayhane was raised in Los Angeles and New York City by Iranian and Greek-Cypriot parents. She began her career at Newsweek Magazine before moving to book publishing. She worked for Dutton, Gotham Books, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt before moving to the agency side, working for WME (William Morris Endeavor) and Wayne KabakÕs WSK Management. She is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents. Her clients have been finalists and winners of numerous grants and prizes, including the National Book CriticsÕ Circle Award, the PEN/Jean Stein Award, the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize, the Story Prize, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Lambda Literary Award, and the New American Voices Award. Works by several of her clients have graced the cover of The New York Times Book Review, and have appeared on national and international bestseller lists. She is particularly interested in representing a diversity of voices from around the world, and in fresh voices telling stories we havenÕt heard before. She is fond of immigrant tales and stories concerned with race, sexuality, cross-cultural themes, and notions of identity. You can find her WriterÕs Digest profile here.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Short Story Collection, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Dating Relationships Sex, General Nonfiction, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Science, True Crime CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Victoria Sanders is a literary agent with Victoria Sanders & Associates. She says: “I founded Victoria Sanders & Associates in 1992, following law school graduation, and after working in the legal/contracts department of Simon & Schuster, and at two literary agencies. I represent a multi-cultural roster of internationally bestselling and award-winning authors, I endeavor to seek out and champion new and diverse voices and viewpoints. As a literary agent for these 25 years, I’ve taken great pride in having represented many of my clients for their entire careers. I am honored to work with the extraordinary group of visionary writers and thinkers who grace this agency, the publishing marketplace, and their devoted readers.”
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cookbook Cooking, General Nonfiction, History, Multicultural Nonfiction, Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Katharine Sands is a literary agent with the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency. Katharine has worked with a varied list of authors who publish a diverse array of books. Highlights include Sell Your Story in a Single Sentence: Advice From the Frontlines of Hollywood by Lane Shefter Bishop of Vast Entertainment; Spiritual Pregnancy: Nine Months that Change Your Life Before You Give Birth by Dr. Shawn Tassone and Dr. Kathryn Landherr; Talk to Strangers: How Everyday Random Encounters Can Expand Your Business, Career, Income and Life by David Topus; The New Rules of Attraction: How to Get Him, Keep Him and Make Him Beg for More by Arden Leigh; Stand Up for Yourself: Resolve Workplace Crises Before You Quit, Get Axed or Sue the Bastards by Donna Ballman; Dating the Devil ( by Lia Romeo; XTC: SongStories; Chasing Zebras: THE Unofficial Guide to House, MD by Barbara Barnett of LetÕs Talk TV; CityTripping: a Guide for Foodies, Fashionistas and the Generally Style-Obsessed; Writers on Directors; The Apothecary’s Curse: Girl Walks Out of a Bar; Ford model Helen LeeÕs The Tao of Beauty; Elvis and You: Your Guide to the Pleasures of Being an Elvis Fan; New York: Songs of the City; Taxpertise: Dirty Little Secrets the IRS DoesnÕt Want You to Know; The SAT Word Slam, Divorce After 50; Trust Your Gut; The Little Book of Healthy Beauty: Simple Daily Steps to Get Your Glowing by Dr. Oz guest, Dr. Pina LoGuidice; Make Up, DonÕt Break Up with Oprah guest Dr. Bonnie Eaker Weil to name a few. She is the agent provocateur of Making the Perfect Pitch: How to Catch a Literary AgentÕs Eye, a collection of pitching wisdom from leading literary agents. Recently contributed ÒGrey is the New BlackÓ to Fifty Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey, a nonfiction look at the cultural phenom of the bestselling novel. Actively building her client list, she likes books that have a clear benefit for readersÕ lives in categories of food, travel, lifestyle, home arts, beauty, wisdom, relationships, parenting, and fresh looks, which might be at issues, life challenges or popular culture. When reading fiction she wants to be compelled and propelled by urgent storytelling, and hooked by characters. For memoir and femoir, she likes to be transported to a world rarely or newly observed.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Beauty Fashion Style, Biography, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Dating Relationships Sex, Design, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Psychology, Reference, Science, Travel
Biography
Elisa Saphier is a literary agent with MacGregor & Luedeke. From her first job in a library, to being the editor-in-chief of her high school literary magazine, to working in four bookstores (and owning one), Elisa has always managed to surround herself with books and writers. Elisa long dreamed of opening her own bookstore and in 2012, after her wife decreed that no more bookshelves were allowed in their house, she took the leap. Elisa and her bookstore, Another Read Through, quickly became known as champions of local writers and local small publishers, and as community builders. She works toward equity in publishing and in writersÕ career development with the nonprofit she is co-launching in 2022, Amplify Writers. She believes that books and writers have important things to say, and she wants to help writers get their work out there, and for readers to find them. As a reader and as an agent, she is open to most genres, as long as the novel or memoir is well-written, but she is partial to character-heavy stories that tell her something about herself or the world around her. She is hoping specifically to represent marginalized writers and their stories, doing her small part toward equalizing the publishing playing field. She is almost never interested in religious or experimental writing, but is otherwise open to being won over by just about any piece of excellent writing.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story Collection, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Nonfiction, Travel, Upmarket Nonfiction, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Pronoy Sarkar is an Agent at the Georges Borchardt Literary Agency. Pronoy Sarkar joined in 2025, focused on non-fiction. He is interested in bold, ambitious, and conversation shifting projects across a range of areas, including history, biography, popular science, politics and current affairs, economics/law, high concept/big think, investigative journalism, culture, and paradigm-defining works focused on feminism, race, sexuality, and the intersections thereof. Also, cultural tastemakers and critics with fresh perspectives and points of view. Above all, projects should be imbued with strong writing of the highest quality. Previously, he worked at Little, Brown as a senior editor, where some highlights include publishing the New York Times bestselling, Heat Will Kill You First by Jeff Goodell, finalist for the Helen Bernstein Award for Excellence in Journalism, LA Times Book Prize, and PEN/EO Wilson Prize for Literary Science Writing; San Francisco Chronicle bestseller, If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal by Justin Gregg; The Everything War by WSJ reporter and Pulitzer winner Dana Mattioli, a finalist for the Financial Times Book Prize, and acquiring forthcoming books by bestselling historian Rick Perlstein, Washington Post op-ed columnist Dana Milbank, Congressman James Clyburn, and bestselling management professor at MIT, Andrew McAfee, among many others. He was also an editor at St. MartinÕs Press, where he published 2030 by Mauro F. Guillen, a Wall Street Journal bestseller and Financial Times Best of the Year pick, New York Times bestselling The Fund by NYT reporter Rob Copeland, Aftershocks by Biden officials Colin Kahl and Thomas Wright, Profit and Punishment by 2019 Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Messenger, among others. If you have a non-fiction project that fits, Pronoy is open to queries. Please include a brief description of the project and your credentials. Some notable authors he’s worked with include Olivia Laing, Jonathan Franzen, Jonathan Safron Foer, Nobel Laureate Mario Vargas Llosa, Lucia Berlin, Daryl Pickney, Andre Aciman, Dean Erwin Chemerinsky, economist Linda Yueh, diplomat Phillip Gordon, Eric Posner, Edmund Richardson, playwright Andre Gregory, and the Wu-Tang Clan. He’s also held jobs at Picador US and Simon & Schuster.
Notes
NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Economics, History, Investigative, Journalism, Law Legal, Nonfiction, Politics, Science, Women’s Issues
Biography
Jenna Satterthwaite is a literary agent with the Storm Literary Agency. She reached agenting sideways, as many do. She didnÕt know agenting existed until she wrote her first novel back in 2014 and learned she had to do this thing called Òquerying.Ó Fast forward many years during which she wrote many novels and became agented herself, and she had an aha moment. Agenting was the nexus where her two decades of business experience in sales, pitching, project management and contract negotiation met her decade of bookish experience. After completing internships with Liza Dawson Associates and Rees Literary, Jenna joined Storm as an agent in 2024. SheÕs looking to represent authors over the course of their careers who are passionate about their work and willing to arm themselves with the tenacity that it takes to succeed in the world of publishing. She is an editorial agent who wants to help make your manuscript the best and most sellable version of itself, and then pitch the heck out of it to the right editors. Jenna is here to help you navigate this career that can unfold in so many different ways, advocate for you, and seek your best interests. SheÕs not afraid of multi-genre writers, (sheÕs one herself!) and she is ready to try and break your name into as many genres and age groups as you want to write. YOU are your brand! Omnivorous in her taste, Jenna is seeking to represent adult, Young Adult and Middle Grade commercial fiction in most genres, graphic novels from middle grade to young adult, adult non-fiction, and very select picture books. (See submission guidelines for more details.) Jenna is also fully bilingual English/Spanish, so dual language projects are most welcome! Jenna lives in Chicago with her family, and when she’s not agenting, reading or writing, you can find her trying a Milk Street recipe, making music in living rooms with friends, or plotting when she can get sushi next.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, Religious Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Nonfiction, Parenting, Religion, Self-Help, Spirituality, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Nonfiction
Biography
Abby Saul is a literary agent with The Lark Group. With over 15 years of publishing experience, Abby Saul is an editorial expert with a passion for fantastic reads. Abby founded The Lark Group in 2016 after a decade in publishing at John Wiley & Sons, Sourcebooks, and Browne & Miller Literary Associates. She’s worked with and edited bestselling and award-winning authors as well as major brands. At each publishing group she’s been a part of, Abby also has helped to establish ebook standards, led company-wide forums to explore new digital possibilities for books, and created and managed numerous digital initiatives. A zealous reader who loves her iPad and the ebooks on it, she still canÕt resist the lure of a print book. AbbyÕs personal library of beloved titles runs the gamut from literary newbies and classics, to cozy mysteries, to sappy womenÕs fiction, to dark and twisted thrillers. SheÕs looking for great and engrossing adult commercial and literary fiction and is a member of the AALA. A magna cum laude graduate of Wellesley College, Abby spends her weekendsÑwhen sheÕs not readingÑcooking and hiking with her husband and children. Find her @BookySaul on Twitter.
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FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction
Biography
Carolyn Savarese is a literary agent with Calligraph. She came to agenting after 18 years as a publishing executive overseeing sales, marketing, legal affairs, business development, and domestic and international licensing, working on behalf of such authors as Elizabeth Warren, Samantha Power, Henry Louis Gates, George Soros, and Rick Steves. SheÕs negotiated newsworthy deals at European book fairs, established and run a London office for the Perseus Books Group, and helped develop that companyÕs platform and polices in eBooks, negotiating directly with Amazon, Apple, and Google on behalf of all Perseus imprints, as well as their 400 independent distribution clients. Her client list includes U.S. Representative Katie Porter whose memoir, I Swear: Politics Is Messier than My Minivan, was an instant New York Times Bestseller; privacy and media law expert Amy Gajda whose Seek & Hide: The Tangled History of the Right to Privacy was a 2022 New York Times Notable Book of the Year; and MIT Atmospheric Scientist Susan Solomon whose forthcoming book, Solvable: How We Repair Our Planet, draws on her work with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an effort awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. With insider knowledge of worldwide book sales, marketing and promotion, as well as extensive experience representing distinguished individuals, Carolyn is positioned to negotiate exceptional deals for journalists, activists, politicians, scientists, historians and entrepreneurs, providing them with wise counsel and strategic advice throughout the publishing process. She believes that while good agenting often means seeing the potential others might miss, it always means maximizing whatever potential is there. She brings both these aspects of creativity to the job, because great publishing successes donÕt just happen. They need a knowledgeable and tenacious guide.
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NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Current Events Affairs, Economics, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Journalism, Law Legal, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Psychology, Science, Technology
Biography
Eva Scalzo is a literary agent with Speilburg Literary Agency. Eva Scalzo was born in New Jersey, but has lived in Houston, Buenos Aires, San Juan, and Boston before settling down outside of Binghamton, New York. She has a B.A. in the Humanities from the University of Puerto Rico and a M.A. in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College. Since graduating, she has spent her career in scholarly publishing, working for Houghton Mifflin, Blackwell Publishing, John Wiley & Sons, and Cornell University in a variety of roles. She has been with Speilburg Literary since 2013, and started accepting clients in 2017. Eva is a member of SCBWI and the AALA. She serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the AALA Newsletter and is a member of the Communications and USBS Committees. In Adult Fiction, Eva represents Romance (all subgenres but inspirational), as well as select Upmarket, Thrillers, and Science Fiction/Fantasy. She also represents all subgenres of Young Adult Fiction and select Middle Grade.
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FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Frank Scatoni is a literary agent with Venture Literary Agency, a founding partner, and heads the San Diego office. He had worked in book publishing for ten years, including stints at Doubleday and Simon & Schuster in New York, before relocating to Solana Beach, California, in 2000. Having been in the position of acquiring books for publishers, he knows what sells and why, and he uses that experience to shape manuscripts and proposals to meet the standards of publishing houses. In addition to having reviewed, acquired, and edited hundreds of manuscripts as both an editor and agent, Frank is also the author of two pop culture books – Who Can It Be Now? and Say Anything – as well as Saratoga: The Ultimate Racing Experience and Six Secrets of Successful Bettors. He also served as the editor of Finished Lines, an anthology of memorable writing about horse racing.
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FICTION: Fiction, General Fiction NONFICTION: Business Book, General Nonfiction, History, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Sports
Biography
Angela Scheff is a literary agent with the Christopher Ferebee Literary Agency. Angela has worked in the publishing industry since 2000. For the first 10 years she worked as an Editor and then Associate Publisher at Zondervan, a Christian imprint of HarperCollins in Grand Rapids, Michigan, acquiring and editing a variety of well-known authors. For the next five years, Angela became a freelancer, working with different Christian publishers, editors, and authors, in addition to focusing on her young family. In 2015, Angela joined Christopher FerebeeÕs agency to represent a select number of authors to help bring their voice, passion, and expertise to their readers.
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FICTION: Fiction, General Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Religious Fiction NONFICTION: Dating Relationships Sex, General Nonfiction, History, Inspirational Nonfiction, Memoir, Nonfiction, Parenting, Religion, Spirituality, Sports NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction, Christian Nonfiction