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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): Commercial Fiction
Lynn Seligman
Lynn Seligman Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Postal Mail
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
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Education, Gift Novelty, Government, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Money Finance, Music, Nature, Nonfiction, Photography, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, True Adventure, True Crime, Women’s Issues
Charlie Serabian
Global Lion Intellectual Property Management, Inc.Accepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): EmailBiography
Charlie Serabian is a literary agent with Global Lion Intellectual Property Management, Inc. Charlie brings an eclectic mix of skills to the forefront of Global Lion. A graduate of SCADÕs film and television department, his focus on writing for the screen and stage slowly transitioned to the world of books. Having worked closely with Peter Miller for several years, heÕs taken the Literary LionÕs teachings to heart. He lives in Hollywood, Florida with his two black cats Bob and Betty, who he finds increasingly difficult to tell apart.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Art, Biography, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Film Entertainment, Health Wellness, History, Illustrated, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Sports, Technology, Travel, True Crime CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Katie Shea Boutillier is a literary agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency. Katie Shea Boutillier joined the Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2011. She is the Rights Director handling the agencyÕs translation and audio rights, and selected film/TV and electronic rights. In addition, Katie is focusing her list on womenÕs fiction and YA: realistic, contemporary, upmarket, historical (1920s +), domestic suspense, psychological suspense/thrillers, magical realism, light fantasy, light sci-fi. Memoir and narrative non-fiction only on referral. She loves books with big voices and strong hooks. She is a cum laude graduate of Marist College.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Charlotte Sheedy is a literary agent with and the founder of Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency. After working at the Dial Press for thirteen years, Charlotte established the Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency in 1974. In 1995, she joined Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc., as an affiliate agency.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Horror, Literary Fiction, Mystery NONFICTION: Art, Autobiography, Biography, Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, General Nonfiction, History, Humor Nonfiction, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Ken Sherman is a literary agent with Ken Sherman & Associates. Ken is also President of Ken Sherman & Associates. The company was established in 1989, and handles film, television, and book writers, as well as selling film and television rights for books and life-rights. An agent for more than twenty years, Ken is also a popular and accomplished speaker, having taught and lectured extensively at venues including UCLA, USC, Loyola Marymount University, both in New Orleans and Los Angeles, The Santa Barbara WritersÕ conference, the American Film Institute, The San Francisco Writers Conference, The Maui Writers Conference, The University of Oklahoma, Sherwood Oaks Experiment College, The Santa Fe Writers Conference, The Novelists, Inc. Conference in San Diego, The Aspen Institute, the Aspen Summers Words Writers Conference and The Eugene International Film Festival where he just received a lifetime achievement award. Since graduating from the University of California-Berkeley with a major in psychology, Ken has returned numerous times to the classroom to teach his course, ÒThe Business of Writing for Screen, Television and the Publishing Worlds,Ó at both USC and UCLA. He also co-taught a screenwriting class for many years at the Eugene International Film Festival. Ken maintains strong community involvement as well, serving as an Arts and Cultural Affairs Commissioner for the City of West Hollywood, is a founding member of the British Academy of Film and Television/Los Angeles (BAFTA), and is a member of both the Academy of Television Arts and Science and the International Advisory Board of the Christopher Isherwood Foundation.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Art, Autobiography, Biography, Celebrity, Film Entertainment, Fitness, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Pop Culture
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 Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Todd Shuster is a literary agent and partner with Aevitas Creative Management. He represents such authors as journalist Liza Mundy, author of the New York Times bestselling Code Girls; actress Grace Byers, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling picture book I Am Enough; Andrew McCabe, former Deputy Director of the FBI and author of the #1 New York Times bestselling The Threat; Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa, authors of His Name Is George Floyd, a Finalist for the 2022 National Book Award; Cody Keenan, Chief White House Speechwriter for President Obama and author of the New York Times bestselling Grace; Marisa Franco, author of the New York Times bestselling psychology book Platonic; and Martin ÒMartyÓ Baron, former Executive Editor of The Washington Post and author of the forthcoming investigative narrative Collision of Power (Fall, 2023). Todd has also represented major national newspapers in connection with group-reported books, including The Boston Globe on such titles as Last Lion, Whitey, and Long Mile Home and The Washington Post on such titles as the #1 New York Times bestselling The Mueller Report, the #1 NewYork Times bestselling The Afghanistan Papers, and Trump on Trial. As an agent, Todd has helped shepherd films to the big screen including Wild, starring Reese Witherspoon, and The Pursuit of Happyness, starring Will Smith. Todd recently served as Executive Producer of the Netflix-released feature film The Midnight Sky, directed by and starring George Clooney. Following college at Yale and law school at Northeastern University, Shuster practiced publishing and entertainment law at the law firms of Palmer & Dodge and Ropes & Gray. He co-founded the literary agency Zachary Shuster Harmsworth, which merged with Kuhn Projects to form Aevitas in 2016. Based in New York, Shuster represents both fiction and nonfiction. His nonfiction list primarily focuses on current affairs, politics and civil rights, health and wellness, memoir, business, and history. His fiction list includes both literary and commercial novels, including mysteries and thrillers.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller NONFICTION: Art, Autobiography, Biography, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Fitness, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Law Legal, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Psychology, Religion, Science, Spirituality, Sports, Technology, True Adventure, True Crime
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, Thriller NONFICTION: Current Events Affairs, Economics, Environment, General Nonfiction, History, Mind Body Spirit, Nature, Nonfiction, Politics, Science, Technology
Biography
Michael Signorelli is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. He represents literary and commercial fiction as well as nonfiction in cultural history, current affairs, memoir, politics, science, sports, and technology. He joined the agency after working as an editor at HarperCollins Publishers and a senior editor at Henry Holt & Company. He has published New York Times bestsellers and winners or finalists of the Booker Prize, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Phi Beta Kappa Science Award, the Commonwealth Book Prize, the Lambda Literary Award, and the Barnes & Noble Discover Prize. He has worked with authors such as Nicola Barker, Christopher Bonanos, Philip Caputo, Brandi Collins-Dexter, Dennis Cooper, Dan Chaon, Joan Donovan, Jack Devine, Woody Guthrie, Catherine Ryan Howard, Oksana Masters, Ian McGuire, Hannah Nordhaus, Lisa O’Donnell, Justin Taylor, Simon Van Booy, Marilyn Yalom, and many others. Signorelli graduated from Hamilton College with a BA in English Literature and lives with his family in Scarsdale, New York.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Western Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Celebrity, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Environment, Film Entertainment, Gardening, History, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Science, Sports, Technology, True Adventure, True Crime
Biography
Jeff Silberman is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. He says: “IÕm a new horizon hunter. My interests are wide, my passions run deep, and the books I represent cut a wide swath. A videogame impresario who has explored new technology, outer space, and the oceanÕs depths with equal passion. A neuroscientist who created ground breaking technology for studying the brain, and whose prose is utterly stunning. A rock and roll legend who bares his soul. A scholar in Timbuktu who risked his life to save ancient Egyptian and African manuscripts that helped pave the way for Western civilization. A biomedical engineer bridging the gap between art and science, and creating things that matter. An ingŽnue who left rural North Carolina and found womanhood as she became a part of the cultural explosion of FelliniÕs Rome and the French New Wave. A Hall of Famer the players nicknamed God. ThereÕs nothing quite like rich narrative non-fiction or a daring memoir. Making science and technology sing. Savoring food, diving deep into important social issues Ð or the animal kingdomÉ I havenÕt done a math book yet, but IÕd love to. History? IÕm in. Humor, health, pop culture – thereÕs pretty much no category of non-fiction that doesnÕt intrigue me and for which I wouldnÕt happily accept an invitation to take a ride. Fiction: I am currently representing a number of novelists working on their debuts, and their work runs the gamut from book club / commercial to literary, and in one case, literary hilarious. IÕd love more. I seek books that in some way leave us different than we were before. It could be because a new world was opened up to us, or our relationship to the one we thought we knew was changed, because we learned something, or had our hearts opened wide, or simply guffawed nonstop. I work closely with everyone I represent, from editorial input to deal making to marketing, and all points in between. Heart and soul.Ó
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Espionage Military Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Animals, Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Celebrity, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Design, Economics, Environment, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Food Drink, Gardening, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Reference, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Sports, Technology, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Eric Simonoff is a literary agent with WME Books. Eric has been at WME since 2009 where he represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction. His clients include Jhumpa Lahiri, Edward P. Jones, Yaa Gyasi, Megha Majumdar, Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, hurmat kazmi, Buzz Bissinger, Tina Brown, Peter Balakian, Stacy Schiff, Alton Brown, Stephen Chbosky, Martin Dugard, Jean Kyoung Frazier, Petina Gappah, Brian Greene, Phil Klay, Christina Baker Kline, Jonathan Lethem, Ariel Levy, Sarah Lewis, Sam Lipsyte, Ben Mezrich, ZZ Packer, Roger Reeves, Jessica Shattuck, Trenton Lee Stewart, Ian Toll, Calvin Trillin, Karen Thompson Walker, Carl Zimmer, and The New Yorker Magazine, among others.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Satire, Short Story Collection, Thriller NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Celebrity, Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Film Entertainment, General Nonfiction, History, Humor Nonfiction, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Money Finance, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Science, Technology CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Jennifer Simpson is a literary agent with CAA/ICM. Based in the New York office, she focuses on domestic subsidiary rights, including audio, magazine and newspaper journalism, first serial rights, and podcasting. Simpson began her career at ICM Partners as an assistant in the Publishing department. She was promoted to Agent in 2021, where she handled domestic subsidiary rights, with an emphasis on audiobook, podcast, and first serial rights. She has negotiated and sold rights on behalf of prize-winning and bestselling authors and journalists. She recently joined CAA after living overseas, where she began building her list and cultivating her taste as a Literary Agent at Paper Literary. She graduated from Duke University and is also a graduate of Columbia UniversityÕs Publishing Course in Oxford.
Notes
FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, Humor Fiction, Romance, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Dating Relationships Sex, Family, Food Drink, Health Wellness, Nonfiction, Science
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 Fiction NONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Sports, Travel, True Crime, Upmarket Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Andie Smith is an Agent at Creative Media Agency, Inc. She has been obsessed with books from a young age. Growing up reading above her grade level in school, she was the girl who always had her nose in a book. When she discovered the agonizing pain of a book hangover after finishing a favorite series, Andie quickly learned she wanted to pursue a career in literature so she could be stuck in her favorite worlds forever. She has previously served as a writer and editor for several local newspapers and magazines in Central Florida. In 2022, she interned at Booker Albert Literary and was promoted to junior agent in 2023. After graduating with her MasterÕs in Public Administration, Andie joined the team at CMA in 2025. As an autoimmune advocate, she is passionate about working with authors who share a deep connection with their characters and embrace life through all disabilities, even the invisible ones. She is still growing her list and welcoming authors to join her team.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Latoya Smith is a literary agent with and the founder of LCS Literary Services.LCS Literary Services was founded by Latoya C. Smith in February 2016, offering an array of editorial, ghostwriting and management services. Latoya started her editorial career as an administrative assistant to New York Times bestselling author, Teri Woods at Teri Woods Publishing while pursuing her BachelorÕs Degree at Temple University. She graduated Cum Laude from Temple in August of 2005. She then attained a full-time position at Kensington Publishing in March of 2006. In October 2006, Latoya joined Grand Central Publishing, an imprint at Hachette Book Group. For the span of her eight years there, Latoya acquired a variety of titles from Hardcover fiction and non-fiction, to digital romance and erotica. She was featured in Publishers Weekly, Forbes and USA Today, as well as on various author, book conference, and book blogger websites. In early 2014, she appeared on CSpan2 where she contributed to a panel discussing the state of book publishing. From August 2014 to February 2016, Latoya was Executive Editor at Samhain Publishing where she acquired short and long-form romance and erotic fiction. She is the winner of the 2012 RWA Golden Apple for Editor of the Year, 2017 Golden Apple for Agent of the Year, and the 2017 Literary Jewels Award for Editor of the Year. Latoya is an editor, literary agent, and ghostwriter.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Celebrity, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Health Wellness, How-To, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Self-Help, Spirituality, Sports, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
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 Fiction CHILDRENÕS 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 Fiction NONFICTION: 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 Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
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 Fiction NONFICTION: 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
Erica Spellman-Silverman is a literary agent at Trident Media Group. At 23 years old, Erica Spellman Silverman began her career at ICM. Coming from a family of writers and editors, sheÕs loved books all her life. She represented journalists Hunter S. Thompson, Tim OÕBrien, Robert Scheer, Robert Greenfield, Tim White, and Cameron Crowe, among others. Many went on to become novelists, screenwriters, and directors. After transitioning to the film side of the business, Erica found that she missed working with novelists and moved to The William Morris Agency (now William Morris Endeavor), where she became Vice President. There, she could work with writers in all categories: books, film, and theater. Lionel Schriver, Scott Spencer, Eve Babitz, and Robin Cook are among the many writers she represented. She was also responsible for their movie and TV deals. Having worked at ICM and William Morris, she made a transition to running United Artists in New York so she could see the other side of the fence. ÒI couldnÕt get back to being an agent fast enough!Ó Erica says. ÒI love finding my own writers and not being dependent on the committee mentality one needs as a buyer.Ó Erica has been at Trident for ten years, where she has had the wonderful opportunity to work with fantastic writers, including Andrew Mayne, Barbara Lynch, Cherise Wolas, Esther the Wonder Pig, Eve Babitz, Jennifer L. Scott, Rachel Van Dyken, Robin Cook, and many others. She also uses her knowledge of the movie business to handle book-to-film and TV rights for many of TridentÕs agents. Her client list is fairly eclectic. Her interest lies less in genre than in great storytellingÑErica says, Òanything that gets into your head and your heart, anything you canÕt stop thinking about, whether itÕs literary fiction, thrillers, young adult, or memoir. Books and stories that touch the soul, that make you laugh or cry or both. Stories that havenÕt been told before or are told in a different way: thatÕs what I am looking for.Ó
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Film Entertainment, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, Journalism, Lifestyle, Memoir, Nonfiction, Parenting CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
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 Fiction NONFICTION: 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
Elaine Spencer is a literary agent with The Knight Agency. Elaine Spencer joined The Knight Agency in 2005, after graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in economics and literature. Originally serving as the agencyÕs submissions coordinator, Elaine then moved on to head the foreign rights department, before beginning to actively build her own individual client list. Over the last decade Elaine has placed over 500 titles in a wide variety of sub-genres across the market. Elaine continues to keep a focused author list as she believes it is important to work closely with her clients through each step of the publishing process. She relishes seeing her clientsÕ talents grow alongside their careers, and one of her favorite parts of the job continues to be educating authors about the market and business at large. Elaine lives in Athens, Georgia with her husband, daughter, and four-legged sons. Elaine is a member of RWA and the WFWA and is also an AAR recognized agent. She is interested in a wide-variety of categories including but not limited to womenÕs fiction, historical fiction, romance, contemporary fiction, and a multitude of nonfiction topics which align with her personal interests.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Erotic Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Sports Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Animals, Art, Beauty Fashion Style, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Celebrity, Cookbook Cooking, Crafts, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Design, Diet Nutrition, Family, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Food Drink, Gardening, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Reference, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Sports, Technology, Travel, True Crime, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction, Christian Nonfiction
Biography
Jessica Spitz is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She represents fiction across the literary and commercial spectrum, journalistic nonfiction, and select pop culture and criticism. On the fiction side, she is drawn to intimate narratives that examine complicated relationships Ð whether romantic, familial, or platonic Ð and are imbued with empathy and humor. She is also looking for great love stories, immersive fantasy worlds, and propulsive plots grounded by unforgettable characters. In terms of nonfiction, she is looking for fresh, thoroughly-reported stories on racial history and justice, womenÕs health and reproductive rights, and mental health. Jessica began her publishing career at William Morris Endeavor, where she spent four years before joining Janklow & Nesbit as a literary agent in 2023. She grew up in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, and has lived in New York City since moving there to attend Columbia University.
Notes
FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, Law Legal, Medical Medicine, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Women’s Issues
Biography
Anna Sproul-Latimer is a literary agent with Neon Literary. She is also a founding partner and president of Neon Literary. She has over the course of her many years in book publishing sold multiple New York Times bestsellers, major book-to-film deals, and foreign translations in more than 50 languages. She represents all types of adult nonfiction–from memoir and history to pop culture, science, and parenting–as well as select literary fiction. (For existing clients, Anna represents just about everything, but all of her clientsÕ careers start and primarily consist of work in one of her two focus areas.) Anna is drawn to buzzing, bright, curious, and slightly demented authors driven by enthusiasm so infectious that (inter)national audiences are already paying attention. She seeks authors motivated by a true mission–a clear answer to the question, ÒWhat is the legacy I want to leave in the world?Ó Of particular interest are those whoÕve made moral leadership lemonade from the lemons of trauma: authors who are whistleblowers, Cassandras, ÒunelectableÓ elected officials, and survivors. A lifelong resident of the Washington, DC area, Anna has spent her whole life watching power, money, and media interact to shape the line of history. With Neon, she intends to take the full weight of her access, experience, and privilege and use it to lie down in traffic, forcing that line to turn somewhere brighter. Prior to founding Neon, Anna spent nearly 15 years as a literary agent, foreign rights director, and developmental editor at DCÕs Ross Yoon Agency. A graduate of Columbia University (BA magna cum laude, English) and the University of Oxford (MSt with distinction, also English), Anna lives in the DC suburbs with her family and travels to New York frequently.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Science
Biography
Cullen Stanley is a literary agent with and the founder and president of The Cullen Stanley International Agency. She began her career in international publishing working in the New York office of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore and later as a scout for Maria B. Campbell Associates where she advised major publishing houses across Europe and Asia as well as Hollywood film companies. In the 1990’s Cullen joined Janklow & Nesbit Associates where she managed the foreign rights business and represented and worked with many authors across all genres. Cullen’s interests are broad and eclectic, and her list is focused on narrative nonfiction, history, biography and memoir as well as commercial and book club fiction.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Biography, Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Design, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Politics, Religion, Science, Spirituality
Biography
Amy Stapp is a literary agent with the Wolfson Literary Agency. Amy Stapp received her BA from Samford University and MA from Georgia State University before beginning her publishing career at Macmillan, where she was an editor for seven years and had the privilege of working with numerous New York Times bestselling authors. Amy joined Wolfson Literary in late 2018 and is actively building her list, with interest in womenÕs fiction, mystery, suspense, upmarket book club fiction, historical fiction, young adult, and select nonfiction. She is particularly drawn to a high concept hook, well-paced prose, immersive settings, and smart, multidimensional characters. As an editorial agent, she enjoys working hand-in-hand with authors to take their work to the next level.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Cookbook Cooking, Crafts, Family, Fitness, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Psychology, Religion, Spirituality, Travel, True Crime, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Alexa Stark is a literary agent with Writers House. Alexa joined Writers House in 2022, after ten years at Trident Media Group. She represents a range of literary and upmarket fiction and select nonfiction. On the fiction side, she is seeking bold voices, novels that engage with social issues, coming-of-age stories, historical fiction with a modern edge, smart book club reads, and fiction that delves into the surreal or plays with genre in fresh or subversive ways. She is particularly drawn to relationship-driven fiction: novels that center dysfunctional friendships or families, complicated love stories, or stories about obsession. She also enjoys elevated suspense and social thrillers. She gravitates towards the humorous, the psychologically probing and the tender. On the nonfiction side, she is seeking memoir, cultural criticism, popular science, psychology, parenting, and women’s issues. Alexa also enjoys helping her authors place fiction and essays in a range of publications including the New Yorker, HarperÕs, Paris Review, the Atlantic, Tin House, N+1, Playboy, McSweeneyÕs, and the New York Times. Her authors have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list and have been recognized by the PEN/Faulkner Award, National Book Foundation’s 5 under 35, Rona Jaffe Award, NYPL Young Lions Fiction Award, Scotiabank Giller Prize, Lambda Literary Award, Ernest J. Gaines Award, Philip K. Dick Award, Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, and more. Raised in New York City, Alexa earned her BA in comparative literature and society at Columbia University. Prior to joining Writers House, she worked at Curtis Brown and Trident Media Group, spending the first few years working with Ellen Levine before building her own list. She lives in Brooklyn.
Notes
FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, General Nonfiction, Humor Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Psychology, Science, Women’s Issues
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, Thriller NONFICTION: Biography, Film Entertainment, General Nonfiction, History, Humor Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Science, Self-Help, Sports, True Crime CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction