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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.
- You are searching within category(ies): Science Fiction
Biography
Sophie Sheumaker is the Global Rights assistant and literary assistant to Naomi Davis at the BookEnds Literary Agency. She studied writing, literature, and publishing at Emerson College, graduating in the spring of 2023 and has recently begun building her list of authors and illustrators. She can be found at the library checking out more books than she could ever possibly read, crocheting like it’s a full-time job, or taking her anxiety-ridden dog for a walk through the streets of Boston. She is a firm believer that everyone should read children’s books, walnuts should never be in banana bread, and the 2005 Pride and Prejudice is better than the BBC version.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Eric Showers is a literary anget with the Howard Morhaim Literary Agency. He is an agent at HMLA representing adult speculative fiction and nonfiction. HeÕs most drawn, in speculative fiction, to narratives that explore hierarchies of power, novel world-building in secondary world fantasy, and protagonists with unique voices. THE TRAITOR BARU CORMORANT by Seth Dickinson, THE UNSPOKEN NAME by A. K. Larkwood, and GIDEON THE NINTH by Tamsyn Muir are books that have hit some of these notes most recently. HeÕs also looking for stories on the cozier side of speculative fiction, along the lines of Becky ChambersÕs THE LONG WAY TO A SMALL ANGRY PLANET or Travis BaldreeÕs LEGENDS AND LATTES.In nonfiction, heÕs most interested in history and philosophy.
Notes
FICTION: Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Science Fiction, Speculative FictionNONFICTION: General Nonfiction, History, Nonfiction, Philosophy
Biography
Ella Marie Shupe is a literary agent with the Belcastro Agency. Ella Marie has been a literary agent since 2008. She was drawn to helping authors achieve their dreams after she studied English at Youngstown State University. She realized her biggest joy was recommending new books to fellow college students. She turned her dream into a career when she became a junior agent with the Belcastro Agency. As an agent, Ella Marie has discovered many new authors and she soon became a senior agent. She continues her hunt for new manuscripts with a voice that jumps off the page and a colorful plot. Her main goal is nurturing a collaborative relationship that will lead to publication and long lasting writing careers.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Anne Sibbald is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She found her professional home as an agent. AnneÕs interests are broad, but quintessentially encompass the classic Ògood readÓ and anything, be it fiction or nonfiction, that illuminates the world in a fresh way. She believes that we tell stories to understand ourselves and the world we live in, and that those stories can transport us to different worlds, times and places; as well as revealing the mysteries of nature and the truths and complexities of the human heart and mind.Anne grew up in the United Kingdom and lived in Germany and Belgium before moving to the United States. She worked in the investment banking and fashion industries before joining the agency in 1979. She received a B.A. in Economics, with a specialization in international and development economics, from Fordham University. Morton Janklow talked her out of going to law school, for which she is profoundly grateful.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, ThrillerNONFICTION: Current Events Affairs, Economics, Environment, General Nonfiction, History, Mind Body Spirit, Nature, Nonfiction, Politics, Science, Technology
Biography
John Silbersack is a literary agent with The Bent Agency. He says: ÒI am a publishing professional with a deep experience as editor, publisher and agent. Prior to joining The Bent Agency, I spent 17 years at Trident Media Group as Executive Vice President and represented bestsellers by a host of fiction and non-fiction authors. Prior to that I built a solid publishing background at companies such as HarperCollins, Warner Books, and Penguin Putnam. I founded six imprints and have worked with writers and media properties including Governor John Kasich, General Wesley Clark, Chuck Close, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Philip K. Dick, the Frank Herbert Estate, Dean Koontz, Ursula K. LeGuin, Major League Baseball, NASCAR, the NBA, the Obama Inaugural Committee, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, the Ellen Raskin Estate, Charles Schulz, and Denzel Washington.As a literary agent, I have enjoyed success with a diverse roster of clients. Drawing on my more than twenty years as an editor, I work closely with my clients to develop and refine their proposals and manuscripts, many of which have gone on to become New York Times and international bestsellers. This attention to detail and strong sense of the agentÕs role in the publishing process are the defining aspects of my success as a literary agent.I have an A.B. from Brown University and am the author of several books. I am married and have three children.Ó
Notes
FICTION: Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, ThrillerNONFICTION: Biography, Current Events Affairs, History, Memoir, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, ScienceCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Jessica Sinsheimer is a literary agent with the Context Literary Agency. Jessica has been reading and campaigning for her favorite queries since 2004. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she went east for Sarah Lawrence College and stayed for the opportunity to read soon-to-be books for a living. Before joining Context, she was an Associate Agent at the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Sports, Travel, True Crime, Upmarket NonfictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Aiden Siobhan is a literary agent with the Laura Dail Literary Agency. They graduated from UNC School of the Arts in 2023 with a Filmmaking BFA specializing in Screenwriting and Animation. Before becoming an agent, they interned at LDLA and were an Author Mentor Match mentee in 2022. When theyÕre not binge reading an LGBTQ+ YA novel, they work as the Art Director for two alternative newspapers, attend film festivals for their documentary projects, and go on road trips with their fiancŽ and dog.Aiden loves any story that is diverse, heartfelt, beautifully written, and makes them stay up reading until 3 A.M. Send them your trope-filled, high-stakes, addicting novels that will hook them so well theyÕll have to draw fan art (and they will)!
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Magical Realism, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Tricia Skinner is a literary agent with Fuse Literary. She is a Senior Agent at Fuse Literary, joining the company in 2015. She enjoys discovering fantastic writers who wish to establish long-lasting careers in publishing. She seeks to build a powerful client list of authors who produce original, extraordinary tales, especially writers from marginalized communities, because no one should feel excluded from their favorite fiction categories.Writing has consistently played a significant part in TriciaÕs life. After earning an undergraduate degree from the nationally acclaimed Journalism Institute for Media Diversity at Wayne State University, she started her writing career as a newspaper reporter for The Detroit News, InvestorÕs Business Daily, MSN, and The Houston Chronicle. SheÕs worked in academia and video games industry, later earning her graduate degree from Southern Methodist University.TriciaÕs experience as a published fantasy author informs her approach to agenting. She knows the highs and lows, the joy of accomplishment and the hurt of adversity. She communicates regularly with her clients, brainstorms ideas, gives feedback, and listens to their concerns. Tricia is Team Vader, listens to K-pop, loves everything Marvel, and finds great joy in learning a new language.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Romance, Science FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction
Biography
Bridget Smith is a literary agent with the Jabberwocky Literary Agency. She joined JABberwocky as an agent in May 2019. She grew up in Connecticut and graduated from Brown University with a BA in anthropology in 2010. After graduation, she interned at Don Congdon Associates, worked at a secondhand bookstore, and read submissions for Tor.com. In 2011, she started as an assistant at Dunham Literary, and she remained there as an agent for nearly eight years.In her spare time, she runs, plays Irish fiddle, and co-hosts the podcast Shipping & Handling with fellow agent Jennifer Udden of New Leaf Literary.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Ciara Smith is a literary agent with the Corvisiero Literary Agency. She was raised by an editor who instilled in her a love of reading and writing. In her youth, she penned short stories, but left writing behind when she joined the US Navy. But, of course, that love for words never wavered even during her service, and she readily volunteered to edit and review any and all paperwork, reports, and regulations she could get her hands on. After becoming a parent to two beautiful daughters, she decided to leave the military to pursue various creative arts and returned to her first love of writing and editing.Ciara earned her Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and joined a small press as a freelance editor. She provides editing and beta reading services to friends she’s made in the writing community and is elated at the chance to support authors even more as she builds her list at Corvisiero. Ciara is especially excited for the opportunity to champion diverse, ND, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ authors.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Espionage Military Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance, Satire, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Western Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Animals, Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Celebrity, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Design, Environment, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Food Drink, Gardening, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Nature, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Pop Culture, Psychology, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Technology, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult FictionNONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction
Biography
Eric Smith is the founder and a literary agent at Neighborhood Literary. With over fifteen years of experience in publishing, both at a house and an agency, Eric Smith (he/him) has worked with numerous New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors across genres and categories.
Notes
FICTION: Fantasy, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: Health Wellness, Memoir, NonfictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Shannon Snow is a literary agent with Creative Media Agency, Inc. She worked in finance and marketing for 18 years before turning to her childhood first loveÉ books and writers. She started her career in publishing 2018 and then joined Creative Media Agency, Inc. in 2018, first as an intern, before moving up to an Associate Agent in 2020. Shannon has a B.A. in English Language and Literature. She manages the audio rights for CMA.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Erotic Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Lee Sobel is a literary agent with and the owner of the Lee Sobel Literary Agent. He says: “My name is Lee Sobel and I am a music promoter, literary agent and filmmaker. Music drives everything I do and first and foremost I consider myself a music fan. The first feature film I directed was released as ÒRockabilly VampireÓ and when I premiered the film in 1996 with seven bands from the soundtrack performing live it launched my career as a music promoter. To date I have put on thousands of events in clubs with as many as 1500 attendees but I love putting on shows in small bars too. I currently put on shows all over the country and always try my hardest to make these special events wherever possible. I invented something I like to call Òthe mini-festivalÓ where all the bands match up by genre. This helps bands to build a support system with other bands of the same style and to give the shows more impact. It has also enabled me to get some very nice press coverage. For many years I put on swing dancing events and IÕve recently started putting them on again under the name Arcadia Swing. In 2016 I launched the Lee Sobel Literary Agency and have made a number of deals for music driven memoirs and biographies. As a filmmaker I directed seven low budget features and am now developing a music-driven documentary.”
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Horror, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, ThrillerNONFICTION: Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Illustrated, Lifestyle, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Pop Culture, Reference, ScienceCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Andrea Somberg is a literary agent with the Harvey Klinger Literary Agency. A literary agent for over twenty years, Andrea represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction, including projects for adult, young adult and middle grade audiences. Her clientsÕ books have been NYTimes and USA Bestsellers, GMA and Target Book Club Picks, winners of ALAÕs Alex Award and the Nebula, nominated for The Edgar Award, The Governor GeneralÕs Award, the Lambda Award, the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award, the Ohioana Award and the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, Junior Library Guild Selections, PublishersMarketplace’s Buzz Book Selections, and have been named best books of the year by NYPublic Library and Book of the Month Club. She also actively pursues film and tv rights, and has had projects optioned by 20th Century Fox, Imagine Entertainment, Warner Brothers and others. Andrea is a guest instructor for MediaBistro and Writers Digest.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Computers, Cookbook Cooking, Crafts, Cultural Social Issues, Design, Diet Nutrition, Economics, Fitness, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Psychology, Reference, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Sports, Technology, Travel, True Crime, Upmarket NonfictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
DongWon Song is a literary agent with the Howard Morhaim Literary Agency. DongWon Song represents commercial fiction for adult, young adult, and middle grade readers as well as select nonfiction. He was formerly an editor at Orbit and a product manager for the ebook startup Zola Books. He has also taught as an adjunct instructor in the publishing program at Portland State University. He joined HMLA in 2015.For adults, he is currently looking for thrillers with either a speculative edge or a focus on technology. Non-fiction personal narratives, food writing, and science writing, in particular work that addresses race and culture in these disciplines. For children, he is looking for science fiction, contemporary thrillers, horror, or fantasy that focuses on the experiences of marginalized people.
Notes
FICTION: Fantasy, Fiction, Science FictionNONFICTION: General Nonfiction, NonfictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Arley Sorg is a literary agent with KT Literary. He is primarily interested in adult speculative titles, including science fiction, fantasy, and horror with speculative/fantastic elements, literary speculative fiction, and climate fiction. Arley is a two-time World Fantasy Award Finalist and a two-time Locus Award Finalist for his work as co-Editor-in-Chief at Fantasy Magazine. He is also a SFWA Solstice Award Recipient, a Space Cowboy Award Recipient, and a finalist for two Ignyte Awards: for his work as a critic as well as for his creative nonfiction. Arley is senior editor at Locus Magazine, associate editor at both Lightspeed & Nightmare, a columnist for The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, and conducts interviews for Clarkesworld. Arley grew up in England, Hawaii, and Colorado, and lives in the SF Bay Area. He is a 2014 Odyssey Writing Workshop graduate. Find out more on his personal site (arleysorg.com) and look for him on QueryTracker.
Notes
FICTION: Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction
Biography
Laura Southern is a literary agent with Wolf Literary Services. She joined Wolf Literary Services in 2021 as an assistant to Kirsten Wolf and is now building her list as an associate agent. Born and raised in Texas, Laura received her BA in English from Baylor University before moving to New York City, where she earned her MS in Publishing from New York University while assisting at Morhaim Literary.Laura loves lyrical prose and character-driven narratives. In adult, she is looking for fantasy, science-fiction, and horror with lush worldbuilding and voice that vibrates off the page. SheÕs a fan of villains, setting as character, and stories that dive headfirst into the weird or strange. Romcoms and romantasies with sharp, witty prose are also high on her list. As a Texan native, Laura has a soft spot for narratives set in the South, particularly when told from diverse perspectives and featuring LGBTQ+ narrators.In young adult, Laura is interested in speculative fiction across any subgenre, as well as select contemporary fiction. Laura loves the fae, magical animals, dark academia, marching band, new twists on quest narratives, genre-blending, found family, mythological retellings, and dragons.Laura is not open to picture book, middle grade, or unsolicited nonfiction queries at this time.
Notes
FICTION: Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, ScienceCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Alice Speilburg is a literary agent and founder of the Speilburg Literary Agency. Her first editing gig was on the news desk of her college daily, and she is still drawn to compelling nonfiction stories, especially those written by journalists, that deepen our understanding of culture and society. In fiction, she loves a complete immersion read that takes her to another world through the eyes of unconventional characters. Alice previously worked at John Wiley & Sons, and Howard Morhaim Literary Agency. She has worked with bestselling and award-winning authors, literary and professional societies, and branded content. She spends her weekends hiking with her husband and two sons.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Western Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Biography, Cultural Social Issues, Dating Relationships Sex, Environment, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Sports, Technology, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime, Women’s Issues
Biography
Marya Spence is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. Raised in CaliforniaÕs Bay Area, Marya studied literature at Harvard, where she was Fiction Editor for the Advocate and specialized in creative writing. She went on to get her MFA at New York University and teach undergraduate creative writing there. She also spent these years in her 20Õs working and interning at The New Yorker, PAPER Mag, Travel & Leisure, Vanity Fair, Publishers Weekly, METROPOLIS Magazine, and moreÑwith a brief stint in equity research.As someone who values craft from the writerÕs perspective, Marya represents a diverse range in fiction and nonfiction, including, but not limited to, literary novels and collections, upmarket commercial fiction, cultural criticism and voice-driven essays, narrative journalism with a humorous or critical edge, and pop culture. She lives in Brooklyn.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Science Fiction, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Economics, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, History, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Politics, Pop Culture
Biography
Lauren Spieller is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. She says: “I represent an exciting and talented list of award winning and bestselling authors. Whatever the age category or genre, IÕm passionate about representing diverse and underrepresented voices, and IÕm always on the hunt for a new point of view.I consider myself an editorial agent. I provide support and insight at all stages of a bookÕs creation, tailoring the way I work to the clientÕs needs. I am also a fierce advocate and negotiator. ItÕs important to me that my clients not just succeed in selling one book, but many, and that I do everything I can to help them have a long, creatively satisfying career. That means being strategic about which projects they write, the brand they are developing, and the way we pursue foreign, audio, and film/TV deals. (I also have lots of random advice ready to go. Like that time I taught a client who lives in CA how to remove ice from her windshield using a credit card. IÕm full service!)I have a BA and a MA in English because I just couldnÕt get enough of books. IÕm also the author of two Young Adult novels entitled YOUR DESTINATION IS ON THE LEFT and SHE’S THE WORST. Both are published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. When IÕm not working, you can find me playing with my mini goldendoodle, Louise, or binge watching something funny or thrilling.WHAT I’M LOOKING FORI love books that sit at the intersection of ÒcommercialÓ and Òtimeless,Ó especially if they pair a big hook with voicey, upmarket writing. I like to read books that keep me at the edge of my seat, that make me laugh out loud, that make me swoon, or that are simply so unputdownable that I stay up way too late reading. I also love smart genre-bending tales, books that tackle a familiar topic or time period from a new or surprising perspective, and stories that take big risks, whatever that means to you.But letÕs get more specific. In MG, IÕm looking for high concept contemporaries, magical fantasy and kid-friendly sci-fi, exciting historical, and spooky horror/mystery. IÕd also love to see MG graphic novels, especially if it’s set in our world. In YA, IÕm drawn to speculative stories (fantasy, sci-fi, and horror), contemporary novels with a big hook, romance and RomCom, suspense/thrillers, and graphic novels.In Adult, I’m seeking female-driven suspense/thrillers, immersive and upmarket/literary SFF and horror, hilarious RomComs and swoony upmarket romance, as well as the occasional unique non-fiction with an existing platform.For a list of (some of) my favorite recent books, check out manuscriptwishlist.com and my #mswl posts on Twitter.”
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Crafts, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop CultureCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Michael Stearns is a literary agent with Upstart Crow Literary Agency. Michael is the founder of Upstart Crow Literary. Formerly editorial director and foreign acquisitions manager for HarperCollins ChildrenÕs Books, before that he was Senior Editor, Director of Paperback Publishing for Harcourt ChildrenÕs Books. He has worked on hundreds of books for children and adults during his more than twenty years in the industry. Among the many bestselling and award-winning books heÕs edited and published are A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly; Gone and Hunger by Michael Grant; Tangerine by Edward Bloor, East by Edith Pattou, The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls by Elise Primavera, Whales on Stilts by M.T. Anderson, Fly By Night by Frances Hardinge, the Young Wizards series by Diane Duane, and the Chet Gecko Mysteries by Bruce Hale, as well as a whole slew of books by Bruce Coville, Jane Yolen, Vivian Vande Velde, Andrew Auseon, and Ursula K. Le Guin, among others. He has taught a dozen classes on writing, published three anthologies of original stories, and is an award-winning writer of fiction for both children and adultsÑmost recently The Blood Guard series under the pen name Carter Roy.
Notes
FICTION: Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science FictionNONFICTION: General Nonfiction, NonfictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Stephanie Steiker is a literary agent with Regal Hoffmann & Associates. She joined Regal Hoffmann in 2015. From 2008 to 2015 she was Associate Director of the New York Institute for the Humanities at NYU, working with prominent figures in literature, academia, and the arts. Previously she has worked for the online magazine Words Without Borders; the journal East European Politics and Societies; and the New School’s Transregional Center for Democratic Studies. A native New Yorker with a degree in comparative literature from Brown University, she lived in Poland from 1999 to 2001, has a background in documentary film, and for several years wrote about the downtown NY music scene for The New Yorker. Stephanie is open to submissions in serious and narrative non-fiction, as well as literary fiction (including graphic novels). In non-fiction, her interests are history, philosophy, current affairs, literary and cultural studies; biography and memoir; music, photography, and issues of racial and economic justice. She’s enthusiastic about international writing (reads in French, Spanish, and Polish), and has a thing for prose written by poets.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Economics, General Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Photography, Science, Upmarket NonfictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Peter Steinberg is a literary agent with United Talent Agency (UTA). He is now at United Talent Agency (UTA) after he joined Fletcher & Company in 2021 from Foundry Literary + Media. HeÕs represented numerous New York Times bestsellers (including three #1 New York Times bestsellers) and clients have been nominated for or awarded Edgars, The Pulitzer Prize, The Story Prize, The Paris Review Discovery Prize, PEN/Faulkner and National Book Awards.Most recently, The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont was selected for ReeseÕs Book Club, and The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio was a finalist for the National Book Award. His list includes commercial and literary fiction, sci-fi and fantasy, narrative non-fiction, memoir, self-help, history, true crime, pop culture, humor, and sports.Steinberg is a graduate of NYU film school and worked briefly in the film business prior to becoming a literary agent.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, ThrillerNONFICTION: Biography, Film Entertainment, General Nonfiction, History, Humor Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Science, Self-Help, Sports, True CrimeCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Julie Stevenson is a literary agent with Massie & McQuilkin. She was an agent at Sobel Weber Associates and Waxman Leavell Literary before joining Massie & McQuilkin. She received her bachelorÕs degree in English Literature from Washington University in St. Louis and an M.F.A in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College in New York. She also worked in the editorial departments of Tin House and Publishers Weekly. She is drawn to fiction with unforgettable characters, an authorial command of voice, and a strong sense of narrative tension. She loves outsiders, weirdos, and innovators. She looks for work that explores the depths of human experience and the many facets of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, social class, and regional backgrounds. Julie loves editing and contemplating craft and storytelling with clients. She takes pride in connecting writers with editors and ultimately with readers. SheÕs agented books that have won the Pulitzer Prize, the MWA Edgar Award, the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, the Carnegie Medal for Excellence, and the Tim McGinnis Award for Humor. She represents literary and upmarket fiction, suspense and thrillers, memoir, narrative nonfiction, and YA.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, Dating Relationships Sex, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, ScienceCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Sam Stoloff is a literary agent with the Frances Goldin Literary Agency. Sam is also the Principal and President of the agency. He joined the Agency in 1997, after completing an MFA in poetry and a doctoral dissertation in American cultural history, both at Cornell University. He is interested in books that advance the public conversation on crucial issues and groundbreaking work of all kinds, including literary fiction, memoir, history, accessible sociology and philosophy, cultural studies, serious journalism on contemporary and international affairs, and narrative and topical nonfiction with a progressive orientation. Among his particular interests are literary graphic fiction and nonfiction, works on environmental sustainability, books on legal affairs and the justice system, works that dissect the right wing and American imperialism, the history of race in America, the history of science and technology, and books on food culture and history. His taste in fiction ranges from the psychologically realistic, to first-rate speculative literature. His clients include Susan Bordo, Monica Byrne, Mandy Catron, Pratap Chatterjee, David Cole, Cliff Conner, Dessa Darling, Ray Douglas, Mark Edmundson, Shelley Fisher Fishkin, Bruce Grierson, Deborah Harkness, Kristin Henderson, Michael Hudson, Lynn Hunt, Margaret Jacob, Steven Jaffe, Barbara Kingsolver, Michelle Kuo, Anna LappŽ, Eleanor Lerman, Evan Mandery, Stephanie Mencimer, Rutu Modan, Carla Peterson, Sam Polk, Janisse Ray, Gretchen Reynolds, Clancy Sigal, Siva Vaidhyanathan, Mike Wallace, and Helene Wecker.
Notes
FICTION: Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Satire, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, ThrillerNONFICTION: Biography, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Environment, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Government, History, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, Law Legal, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Sports, Technology
Biography
Rebecca Strauss is an agent at DeFiore and Co. and focuses on literary and commercial fiction, women’s fiction, fantasy, science fiction, romance, mystery, YA, pop culture and select non-fiction. In all genres, she’s looking for a compelling story, clear concept, fresh voice and emotional heartÑa work that grabs you from the first page. She’s especially interested in emerging writers and underrepresented voices; and, she’s looking to develop long term relationships.Before joining DeFiore and Co., Rebecca was at McIntosh and Otis for seven years where she was an agent and Director of Subsidiary Rights. Prior to M&O, she was a foreign rights associate at Trident Media Group, and a book scout and development assistant at Sony Pictures. She’s originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina and earned her degree in English Literature from Duke University.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Economics, General Nonfiction, Humor Nonfiction, Money Finance, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop CultureCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Marlene Stringer is a literary agent with and the found of The Stringer Literary Agency. Marlene Stringer was raised and educated in NYC, and started her publishing career as a proofreader. She eventually became an in-house publisher for a corporate magazine before taking a detour to have her family, move to NJ, and write and edit for local publications. Following a move to Florida, she founded TSLA after eight years with Barbara Bova Literary Agency. Mother of four, she lives in Lakewood Ranch with her husband and two very spoiled toy poodles.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Biography, Health Wellness, Lifestyle, NonfictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction