Dan Conaway is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. He says: “I’m a literary agent at Writers House and represent an extensive list of bestselling and award-winning novelists, crime writers, biographers, memoirists, journalists and historians.

Prior to joining Writers House I worked as Executive Editor at both Putnam and HarperCollins, and as Director of Literary Acquisitions at PolyGram Filmed Entertainment. I started my career as a College Traveler at W.W. Norton. I authored the blog BookAngst 101, a long-retired insider’s account of the publishing industry, writing under the pseudonym Mad Max Perkins.

***

I’m looking for contemporary literary fiction and smart, upmarket crime and suspense fiction that explores a diversity of voices and experiences, and stories about underrepresented cultures and identities. I am looking for a distinctive voice, compelling characters, a strong sense of place, and a gripping, propulsive plot. I don’t read a lot of science fiction or horror, but am open to both, if the writing’s great.

Novels IÕve loved recently: MY SISTER, THE SERIAL KILLER by Oyinkan Braithwaite; THE COLLECTIVE by Alison Gaylin; YOUR HOUSE WILL PAY by Steph Cha; RAZORBLADE TEARS by S.A. Cosby; THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT by Walter Tevis; THESE WOMEN by Ivy Pochoda.

What I’m NOT looking for: Police procedurals, fantasy, childrenÕs lit or anything in the YA space.

For non-fiction, I’m NOT looking for books in the self-help/self-improvement/business realms. I AM looking for books with ambitious themes, subjects that are topical and thought-provoking and conversation starting. My real love, always, is *narrative* nonfiction, driven by powerful story-telling–investigative journalism, true crime, history, music and pop culture, science, and gorgeously-written memoir.

Some non-fiction IÕve loved recently: HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD by Robert Kolker; ALSO A POET by Ada Calhoun; MEMORIAL DRIVE by Natasha Trethewey; YOUNG MEN AND FIRE by Norman Maclean; BENEATH A RUTHLESS SUN by Gilbert King.

Thanks for reading and good luck with your query process–look forward to hearing from you.”