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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: S
Biography
Dennis Schleicher is a literary agent with Talcott Notch Literary Services. He is currently the President of the Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. Schliecher is the best-selling author of Is He Nuts?: Why a Gay Man Would Become a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ. As an in-demand public speaker, specializing in devotionals and social media marketing with the LDS church, Dennis’s relationship with many acquisition editors gives him a unique edge.
Dennis says “I am the first to specialize as an LDS literary agent, willing to work with all. I am looking for unique ideas from writers. As the market has changed, so has many of the demands on the author. Your project has to be more than an extended magazine article. It has to have something unique that will make the publisher jump at the chance to invest in you and your work.” Dennis goes on to explain that the “something” can be your platform, it can be the power of your idea, or it can be that your writing.” And if you can bring all three? I’m confident we can find you a publishing house. What will set you apart? What will establish you as a thought-leader in your genre?”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Religious * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Celebrity * Christian * Gay/Lesbian * Gift/Novelty * Lifestyle * Reference * Religion * Self-Help/Personal Development * Women’s Issues *
215 Broad Street 2nd Floor Milford CT 06460 USA
Biography
John Schline is a literary agent with Writers House.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Historical *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * History *
Wendy Schmalz
Wendy Schmalz AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Wendy Schmalz is a literary agent with the Wendy Schmalz Agency. Wendy is also the principal and founder of the Wendy Schmalz Agency, founded in 2002. Representing a wide range of writers for both the children’s and adult markets for more than twenty-five years, her current client list includes Myla Goldberg, Julie Anne Peters Seymour Simon, and April Henry to name a few. She began her career at Curtis Brown before moving on to Harold Ober Associates, where she was a principal of the company.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * New Adult * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
Biography
Jessica Schmeidler is the founding literary agent of Golden Wheat Literary. Jessica has a B.A. in English, Literature, a B.A. in Political Science, Pre-law, and a Paralegal Certificate. Prior to becoming a literary agent she was the Managing Editor of a traditional press, a Professional Editor, a Paralegal, and a Ghostwriter. In addition to being a literary agent Jessica is also a Freelance Editor, a Ghostwriter, the Host of #JustPitchIt, the Co-host of #SecretShop, the Co-founder of Post Script Services, and the Co-host of #FromPitchToPublished workshop.
Jessica’s tastes are eclectic in genre and readership, but she consistently favors character driven plot with rich, atmospheric description.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Inspiration * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Religious * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Christian * Gardening * Juvenile * Memoir * Religion * Spirituality * Travel * True Adventure *
P.O. Box 777 Hays KS 67601 USA
Biography
Harold Schmidt is a literary agent with the Harold Schmidt Literary Agency. Literary fiction has been Harold’s primary focus. His clients have included Jessica Hagedorn, John Stewart Wynne, James Purdy, Rebecca Brown, Leonard Kastle, Norma L. Goodrich, Gershen Kaufman and Lev Raphael, John Wooley & Ron Wolfe, David Everitt, David M. Pierce, Ernesto Mestre, Gregory and Patricia Kishel, Bo Huston, Lawrence Chua, etc. He says: “I am a long-time member of the AAR (Association of Authors’ Representatives).
Harold Schmidt Literary Agency has co-agents worldwide for foreign language rights and for English-language rights outside the United States. We also partner with agents in Los Angeles and London for disposition of motion picture and dramatic rights.
Concurrent with agenting, I also worked as an audio books script writer for Simon & Schuster, Time Warner, Random House, Harper Collins, Bantam, etc.
Among the dozens of authors whose books I adapted to the audio format are: Stephen Ambrose, Sandra Brown, Ken Burns, Tom Clancy, Mary Higgins Clark, Jackie Collins, Michael Connelly, Clive Cussler, Jeffery Deaver, John Dunning, Vince Flynn, Tony Hillerman, Linda Howard, Robert Ludlum, Judith McNaught, Judith Michael, Ruth Rendell, Luanne Rice, Sidney Sheldon, etc.
The authors all had final approval of the scripts I adapted from their works.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Horror * Literary * Mystery * Paranormal * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Film/Entertainment * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * History * Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Reference * True Crime *
415 West 23rd Street #6F New York NY 10011 USA
Deborah Schneider
Gelfman Schneider/ICMDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Postal Mail *Biography
Deborah Schneider is a literary agent with the Gelfman Schnedier/ICM Literary Agency. Deborah Schneider grew up in Chicago. In 1981, seeking a less corporate environment, Deborah partnered with Jane Gelfman as an agent in the New York office of the venerable British Literary Agency, John Farquharson Ltd. Deborah began building her American client list and in 1992, she and Jane bought the agency and established the Gelfman Schneider Literary Agents Inc. that exists today. Deborah represents a large variety of prominent and bestselling writers, across all categories of literary and commercial fiction and nonfiction. She is a member of the AAR—the Association of Authors Representatives, served two terms on their Board, and has served on their Royalty Committee for twenty-five years.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Literary * Mystery * Paranormal * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * Women’s Issues *
Biography
Eddie Schneider is a literary agent with Jabberwocky Literary Agency. He is also is the Vice President of JABberwocky Literary Agency, which he joined back when the nerve center was still Joshua Bilmes’ living room.
These days, the agency is in a real office, sandwiched between Grand Central Station and Times Square in midtown Manhattan, and the bustling new digs only serve to motivate Eddie in his pursuit of great authors, both new and new to JABberwocky.
Eddie is an Iowa graduate, where he studied fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction. He has an M.S. in Publishing from New York University, and his client list includes Hugo, Andre Norton, Philip K. Dick, and Bram Stoker Award winners, as well as New York Times bestselling authors Brandon Sanderson, Daniel José Older, and Alison Wilgus.
When he isn’t agenting, reading, or editing, he has been known to run ultramarathons, and is technically an award-winner himself, although his form wouldn’t necessarily get rave reviews.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Cultural/Social Issues * Environment * Ethnic * Gay/Lesbian * History * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Middle Grade * Multicultural * Narrative * Nature * Photography * Science * Travel * Young Adult *
49 W. 45th St Suite #5N New York NY 10036-4603 USA
Biography
Kathy Schneider is a literary agent with the Jane Rotrosen Agency. Her long and varied publishing career has included managing an independent bookstore, overseeing publicity and marketing departments at major imprints, and holding publisher roles at Random House and HarperCollins. Having worked with bestselling and award-winning authors, she now brings her passion for authors and championing their work to her role as agent. Kathy applies her knowledge of current marketing strategies to help her clients achieve success, from the book’s conception through the entire publishing process. Kathy is looking for nonfiction with a focus on women’s interest, current affairs, business, pop culture, wellness, relationships, humor, and memoir. She is also interested in upmarket women’s fiction and psychological suspense.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Literary * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Current Events/Affairs * Health/Wellness * Money/Finance * Narrative * Pop Culture * Self-Help/Personal Development * Women’s Issues *
Jane Rotrosen Agency 318 East 51st St New York NY 10022 USA
Heather Schroder
Compass TalentDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Heather Schroder is the founder of Compass Talent. Before founding Compass Talent in 2014, Heather got her start at ICM in foreign rights and worked as an agent for over 25 years . Her clients include authors of literary and commercial fiction; upmarket non-fiction, including memoir, journalism, history, science and cookbooks; and a select list of middle grade and YA. Heather has represented numerous bestsellers, including Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain, Methland by Nick Reding, and The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by Bryan Mealer and William Kamkwamba, among others. She is also proud to represent Guggenheim fellows, MacArthur Geniuses, National Book Award winners, and TED Fellows. Heather has spoken at numerous workshops and writers’ retreats and is currently serving on the board of the Association of Author Representatives (AAR).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * General Nonfiction * History * Journalism * Memoir * Middle Grade * Science * Upmarket * Young Adult *
Biography
Susan Schulman is a literary agent with the Susan Schulman Literary Agency. The Susan Schulman Literary Agency was founded in 1980 by Susan Schulman who, prior to establishing her own agency, was an agent at International Creative Management in the Literary Department. Prior to working at ICM, Susan taught History of the English Language and Linguistics as well as Renaissance Drama and American Literature courses on the college level. Additionally Susan served as Associate Publisher of Ohio University Press and acquired over 100 titles for the Press.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Religious * Romance * Science Fiction * Sports Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Computers * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Economics * Ethnic * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Juvenile * Law * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Photography * Politics * Psychology * Reference * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Technology * Travel * Upmarket * Women’s Issues *
454 W. 44th St. New York NY 10036 USA
Hannah Schwartz
Stuart Krichevsky Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Hannah Schwartz is a literary agent with the Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency. She started reading at age 5 and hasn’t stopped. She began her publishing career as an intern at Paper Lantern Lit and then Writers House Literary Agency after graduating from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in English Literature, Writing and Psychology. She landed at SKLA as the business manager in 2016 after spending four years at InkWell Management.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Literary *
NONFICTION: Humor * Memoir * Narrative * Pop Culture * Psychology *
Biography
Steve Schwartz is a literary agent with the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency. He has a varied background but very specific interests. He has written in many different genres: from corporate communications and screenplays, to television proposals and speeches. He has also written and published a number of books on widely-divergent topics.
He has been a communications consultant…a producer of large-scale meetings and conferences…a presentation coach for senior executives…and an award-winning video producer-writer-director. In addition to his work with the Agency, he is an Adjunct Professor of Communications at NYU’s Stern School of Business and Fordham University, and is a writing consultant at the School of Visual Arts.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Historical * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Business * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * Government * Humor * Money/Finance * Psychology * Self-Help/Personal Development * Sports * Travel *
59 W. 71st St. Suite 9B New York NY 10023 USA
Tina P. Schwartz
The Purcell AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery Method(s): Online Form *Biography
Tina P. Schwartz is the founder and owner of The Purcell Agency. Agent Tina P. Schwartz admits to being a reluctant reader as a child. In fact, she says she is still very picky when it comes to choosing a book, and isn’t afraid to judge one (at first) by its cover!
Ask her kids, and they won’t believe you! They’ll tell you her nose is constantly in a book, or staring at her Kindle Fire, her iPad mini, or even reading mss on her phone! When not reading manuscripts, marketing website, social media, or industry blogs, you can find Schwartz on her laptop enjoying her own writing time.
Schwartz is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI), and is the Co-Rep for her local chapter. She is also an active participant at THE BOOK BRIDGE in Grayslake, Illinois.
Tina says, “I’m thrilled to have founded The Purcell Agency, LLC and look forward to reading many wonderful submissions from talent all over the country!”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Romance * Sports Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Ethnic * Family * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * Juvenile * Middle Grade * Multicultural * Reference * Sports * Young Adult *
Biography
Lauren Scovel is a literary agent with the Laura Gross Literary Agency. She says: “I grew up outside of Seattle and graduated from Emerson College with a degree in Writing, Literature, and Publishing as well as Theatre Studies. I began my publishing career as an editorial intern at Aevitas Creative Management (formerly Zachary Shuster Harmsworth). My editorial work can be seen at The Millions and Pangyrus. I also worked as an indie bookseller for several years. I am looking to amplify underrepresented stories and voices, and am especially interested in both fiction and narrative nonfiction with a timely, distinctive story and a diverse cast of characters.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Current Events/Affairs * Gay/Lesbian * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * True Crime *
PO Box 610326 Newton MA 02461 USA
Biography
Dani Segelbaum is a literary agent with Carol Mann Agency. She joined the Carol Mann Agency in 2021 as a literary agent and subrights manager. She is interested in both fiction and non-fiction. Dani is seeking non-fiction titles with an emphasis on politics, women’s issues, popular culture, and current events. Dani also loves memoir, narrative non-fiction, lifestyle, and cookbooks. In fiction, she is looking for literary and upmarket adult fiction including debut, historical, rom-coms, mysteries, and women’s fiction. In both fiction and non-fiction, Dani hopes to work with authors from diverse backgrounds to tell stories that are important to them. She loves compelling narrators and is drawn to writing that is voice-driven, highly transporting, and features unique perspectives and marginalized voices.
Born and raised in Minneapolis, Dani is a graduate of Boston University’s College of Communication where she studied journalism and political science. She has been a voracious reader for as long as she can remember. Dani began her publishing career as an editorial assistant at HarperCollins Publishers, focusing primarily on highly designed non-fiction titles. She previously worked as a literary assistant at New Leaf Literary & Media, working with established and debut authors.
A few books she loves… A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, Girls & Sex by Peggy Orenstein, The Girl With The Louding Voice by Abi Daré, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, Save Me The Plums by Ruth Reichl, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong, Conversations With Friends by Sally Rooney, You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington by Alexis Coe, The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead, From The Corner Of The Oval by Beck Dorey-Stein, Coming To My Sense by Alice Waters, Who Thought This Was A Good Idea? by Alyssa Mastromonaco, Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Dani spends her free time exploring the streets of her neighborhood and trying the latest restaurants in town. Her guilty pleasures include cookbooks (seriously, she has way too many), reading the newspaper in the middle of the night, and baking dozens of delicious baked goods for friends and family (she does use the cookbooks).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Humor Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * Lifestyle * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Women’s Issues *
Biography
Cynthia Segraves is a literary agent with the Capital Literary Agency. Cynthia has been involved in the publishing industry for more than fifteen years, first as an editor and current as an agent. Cynthia has also written for national and international publications and has three books of her own: Take a Hike: The Best 50 Routes in the Community of Madrid (Ediciones La Libreria, May,2011), How To Communicate Like a Buddhist (Hierophant Publishing, April 2016), and Talk to Yourself Like a Buddhist (Hierophant Publishing, April 2018). She has served as a writing instructor at Politics & Prose bookstore here in Washington, DC, and offers writing workshops at the DC Public Libraries. Cynthia received her B.A. in Literature from Bard College and her M.F.A. in Creative Nonfiction from Sarah Lawrence. She is particularly interested in children’s books. “I’m looking for board books, flip books, slice of life books, and stories that promote kindness, compassion, and wonder. My favorite children’s book author right now is Todd Parr.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
419 South Washington Street Alexandria VA 22314 USA
Biography
Lynn Seligman is a literary agent with the Lynn Seligman Literary Agency in Upper Montclair, New Jersey. Lynn has a B.A. from Goucher College, a M.A. in French Literature from Columbia University, near completion of a Ph.D. in French Literature from Columbia.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Education * Ethnic * Gift/Novelty * Government * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Money/Finance * Music * Nature * Photography * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * True Adventure * True Crime *
400 Highland Ave. Upper Montclair NJ 07043 USA
Biography
Edythea Ginis Selman is the president of Edythea Ginis Selman Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction *
NONFICTION: History * Military/War * Multicultural *
14 Washington Place New York NY 10003 USA
Vicki Selvaggio
Storm Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery Method(s): Email *Biography
Vicki Selvaggio is a literary agent with the Storm Literary Agency. She was previously with The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency was drawn to the publishing scene first as an author. She is a prior Regional Advisor for SCBWI: Northern Ohio, where her desire to help writers and illustrators reach their publications goals inspired her to become an agent.
With over twenty-five years as a business owner, Victoria is excited to help grow the agency’s client base with talented writers and illustrators, while also helping build the agency from within with motivated agents who possess the same ideals, literary interests, goals, and approaches to the industry.
As a frequent presenter at conferences, library events, contests, etc., Victoria is always interested in meeting writers and illustrators, and hearing about unique projects!
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Christian * Computers * Cooking/Cookbook * Ethnic * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Inspiration * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Middle Grade * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Reference * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * Travel * Young Adult *
Biography
Zeynep Sen is a literary agent with WordLink, Incorporated. She is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College with a B.A. in Literature and Creative Writing, and she has worked as a foreign rights agent at the Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency in New York. Her own writings have appeared in publications such as the United Nations accredited The Society and Diplomatic Review, Culture Limited, the New York Journal of Books, and other literary journals. Fluent in English, Turkish, and Spanish, she is an experienced translator of fiction and nonfiction. She is based in Istanbul, Turkey.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Historical * Literary *
NONFICTION: Narrative *
PO Box 395 Enola PA 17025 USA
Biography
Tara Severance is a literary agent with and the President of The Amrosia Literary Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Horror * Paranormal * Suspense *
NONFICTION: Mind/Body/Spirit * New Age * Psychology * Spirituality *
PO Box 1227 Mount Vernon OH 43050 USA
Tessa Shaffer
Corvisiero Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Tessa Shaffer is a literary agent with the Corvisiero Literary Agency. She is a Literary Manager for screenwriters, a Sr. Literary Agent for authors, and the Vice President of the agency, supporting the staff and clients agency-wide. Heading Corvisiero’s Film & TV department, she’s heavily involved in the development of book adaptations whether it be book to screen, book to TV, or book to streamers.
In writing, she searches for universal truths that bleed through any genre. Whether it’s finding the humor in the hurt, the evil in the good, or the strange in the familiar—she searches for the stories that leaves audiences with a changed perspective. Recognized as an Indie Excellence Book Awards Finalist, Journey Awards Finalist, and by the Writer’s Digest Awards in 2019, 2018, and 2016, her own work has also appeared in GirlsLIFE magazine, Authors Publish, and Indie Chicks magazine.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Ethnic * Health/Wellness * History * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Multicultural * Science *
Biography
Alec Shane is a literary agent at Writers House. He says: “I began my career at Writers House as an intern in September of 2008 and simply refused to leave, so I was given the wonderful job of Assistant to Jodi Reamer. I am now also in the process of actively building my own list and currently represent a fairly eclectic mix of Children’s and Adult fiction and nonfiction. I’m eagerly looking for both.
On the fiction side, I love mysteries, thrillers (although I’m experiencing a bit of terrorist fatigue at the moment), bad-ass protagonists with a chip on their shoulders, beautifully told historical fiction (The Vietnam War, the Maccabees, and The American Revolution fascinate me in particular),well-researched adventure stories, and great horror – I haven’t been scared to turn off the light in far too long and something needs to be done about it. In terms of children’s books, getting boys to read again is especially important to me, and thus I’m particularly on the lookout for a fun middle-grade adventure series, ghost story, or anything else geared toward younger male readers.
On the nonfiction side, I’m attracted to odd, quirky histories, military history, biographies of people I didn’t even know existed (but definitely should have), “guy” reads, humor, narrative nonfiction that sheds light on under-the-radar events and lifestyles, and all things sports. I’m also currently up in the air as to whether or not I believe in ghosts, hauntings, and the supernatural, so if you have something that can convince me one way or the other, I’d love to see it.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Espionage/Military * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Sports Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * General Nonfiction * History * Humor * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Military/War * Narrative * Sports *
120 Broadway 22nd floor New York NY 10271 USA
Biography
Denise Shannon is a literary agent with the Denise Shannon Literary Agency. Denise formed her own agency in 2002 after sixteen years representing authors at Georges Borchardt, Inc. and International Creative Management (ICM). She is a frequent guest at writers’ conferences and publishing institutes, delivering talks and conducting workshops.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Literary * Mystery *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Journalism * Memoir * Narrative * Politics *
280 Madison Avenue Suite 308 New York NY 10016 USA
Lauren Sharp
Aevitas Creative ManagementDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Lauren Sharp is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. She represents award-winning journalists, historians, and academics from the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. House of Representatives, Georgetown University, Slate, VICE, Stanford University, the New America Foundation, and elsewhere.
Sharp graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelors in English, and from the University of Cincinnati with a Masters in English, Creative Writing. Prior to joining Aevitas, she worked as an agent and rights director at ICM/Sagalyn, and interned with the Ross Yoon Agency.
Sharp is based in Washington, DC, and represents nonfiction in the areas of politics, history, current affairs, narrative nonfiction, and science.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Art * Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * History * Journalism * Memoir * Narrative * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Technology * True Crime *
Biography
Tori Sharp is a literary agent with the Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency. She joined The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency as an Associate Literary Agent in 2020 after interning for two years. Tori has a BFA in Sequential Art from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and her graphic memoir, JUST PRETEND, is forthcoming from Little, Brown in spring 2021. When she’s not reading, writing, or making comics, she can be found swing and blues dancing, playing tabletop games, or exploring coffee shops in beautiful Seattle, WA. Tori represents all manner of children’s literature.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Graphic Novel * Middle Grade Fiction *
NONFICTION:
245 Park Avenue 39th Floor New York NY 10167 USA
Greg Shaw
Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email * Online Form *Biography
Greg Shaw is a literary agent with the Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency. He is a devoted student of business and economics writing with a passion for both baseball and cricket (go figure), flyfishing and multi-volume works of history and biography. By now you should have clicked on someone else’s photo. He is also the founding writer and editor for Clyde Hill Publishing, and is an agent-at-large with LGR. Greg began his career as a journalist in Oklahoma, and more recently was co-author of the New York Times bestseller Hit Refresh by Satya Nadella (Harper Collins). He was editor and publisher of The Amazon Way books by John Rossman, and has worked on a range of publishing efforts including Bill Gates’ The Road Ahead as well as both the film and book aspects of the documentary, Waiting for Superman. He was CEO and publisher of Seattle’s Crosscut news, an independent editorial site that publishes long-form journalism and e-books. Greg has been a communications and advocacy executive both at Microsoft and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Although Greg loves novels, he does not represent fiction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Economics * History * Money/Finance * Sports *
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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)