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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.
- You are searching within category(ies): Picture Book *
Biography
Claire Draper is a literary agent with the Jennifer Azantian Literary Agency. Claire says: “I fell in love with books later than some, when my high school best friend dragged me to the theater to see Twilight. I became a book fanatic after that. There was not a time you could catch me without a book on my person or fanfiction open on my phone. I read every YA novel available and quickly moved on to the adult romance section, which was decently larger at the local Borders. I decided I wanted to be involved in books any way I could. I ended up moving from California to New York to try and get a degree and weasel my way into book publishing.
After studying Queer Diversity in Children’s Literature at New York University’s Gallatin School and pursuing multiple internships, in 2016 I spent a fantastic (if short-lived) two weeks working as a bookseller for the Strand, before joining InkWell Management as a receptionist and agents’ assistant. In early 2019, I moved to the Bent Agency to start building my list with a collection of very queer books for kids of all ages, including graphic novels, picture books, middle-grade, and young adult. And then I embarked on books for adults, when I decided to return to my favorites with particularly queer memoir, queer romance novels, and select adult nonfiction.
For all the books I work with, I prefer to work with queer creators and BIPOC creators, and strongly encourage those creators to send me their work. Regardless of genre, age, or subject, I like lighthearted, emotional, hopeful, adventurous reads. I am largely genre-agnostic, but I do prefer books with a fast pace, high stakes, and strong emotional development for the main character(s). I do not want to see books from authors writing identity-based books not of their own identity.
For graphic novels, I like a diverse cast of characters, in nearly any genre or location. I love art that challenges traditional styles and is easily recognizable as belonging to a particular artist. I like stories for all ages, fiction and nonfiction, but especially love when a book has strong themes of love and/or friendship, and is extra queer.
For illustrator portfolios, I like to see a decent sampling of your work, including anything from character design, to fan art, to sequentials (any paneled work, webcomic, zine, etc., will suffice). Please let me know whether you are exclusively an illustrator or author/illustrator.
For YA and middle-grade contemporary, I love fiction where the main character has average, everyday challenges and we see how they overcome them. I love books that are lighthearted and emotionally poignant. I am especially interested in queer, disabled, and BIPOC protagonists, especially when the books are not issue-driven.
For YA and middle-grade genre, I love fast pacing and high stakes. I am generally not preferential to any specific genre (fantasy, horror, sci-fi, etc.) as long as the rules of the genre are respected and understood. Much like with contemporary, I am especially interested in queer, disabled, and BIPOC protagonists, especially when the books are not issue-driven. But above all, give me a good, page-turning adventure.
For queer adult romance novels, I want books with queer protagonists that have distinct personalities and a fast pace. I love nearly any genre, but require that the story is queer, feminist, and body-positive. I can’t bear to read dated ideals of partnership, relationships, femininity, and masculinity. I DO NOT want books where the characters participate in sexual acts without consent and/or while heavily intoxicated. Consent is key and a non-negotiable. Sweep me off my feet, please! I’ve been reading romance novels since I was a teenager, so make sure to respect the rules of HEA and give me some good trope-filled romance. To reiterate, I love a wide range of sub-genres in this space, so send it all.
For memoir, I am particularly interested in queer authors writing about their queerness and the intersections of their identity. I love books with humor and interesting perspectives, and enjoy a big personality or narration to go with the contents of the memoir. I do not want conservative or conservative-leaning memoirs.
For select adult nonfiction, I love creators with a fun and interesting platform, who are the experts in their field, and have something interesting and crucial to say. Subjects for this may include but are not limited to: plants, crafting, DIY, cleaning, homemaking, cooking, art, feminism, queer theory, parenting, and media criticism.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Erotica * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Art * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Design * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * Gift/Novelty * How-To * Humor * Journalism * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Multicultural * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Psychology * Women’s Issues *
New York NY USA
Biography
Tina Dubois is a literary agent with CAA/ICM. Her tastes are eclectic—most types of fiction, nonfiction, and even YA. Recent sales include the first two books in Susan Runholt’s mystery series, THE MYSTERY OF THE THIRD LUCRETIA and RESCUING SENECA CRANE (Viking), and commercial fiction sales including Donna Gephart’s AS IF BEING 12 ¾ ISN’T BAD ENOUGH (Delacorte), Robin Friedman’s THE GIRLFRIEND PROJECT (Walker), and Sanjay Patel’s THE LITTLE BOOK OF HINDU DEITIES (Plume). Prior to ICM she worked at the Ellen Levine Literary Agency, Trident Media, and Karpfinger Agency. Tina holds an MFA.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
65 East 55th Street 14th Floor New York NY 10022 USA
Biography
Jennie Dunham is a literary agent with Dunham Literary. Jennie has been a literary agent in New York, New York since May 1992. In August 2000 she founded Dunham Literary, Inc. She has been a member of AAR (Association of Authors Representatives) since 1993. She served on the Program Committee and was Program Committee Director for several years. She was also a member of the Electronic Committee. In 1996 she attended the US/China Joint Women in Business conference in Beijing where she gave a presentation about literary agents in the US. She also attended the NGO Forum at the International Women’s Conference.
She attended international meetings as the AAR representative to create the ISTC (International Standard Text Code) which is being created to ISO (International Standardization Organization) specifications. This business and tracking system will be based on titles not book formats (as is the case with ISBN) and will work in tandem with ISBN. She started her career at John Brockman Associates and then Mildred Marmur Associates. She was employed by Russell & Volkening for 6 years before she left to found Dunham Literary, Inc. She frequently speaks at writers’ conferences and events.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * History * Juvenile * Memoir * Middle Grade * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Religion * Spirituality * Upmarket * Young Adult *
110 William Street Suite 2202 New York NY 10038 USA
Biography
Melissa Edwards is a literary agent with the Stonesong Literary Agency. She joined Stonesong as a literary agent in August 2016. Previously, she was a literary agent at the Aaron Priest Literary Agency, where she managed the foreign rights for a forty-year backlist. After graduating from Washington University in St. Louis and Vanderbilt Law School, Melissa began her career as a litigation attorney before transitioning into publishing. She is a tireless advocate for her clients and a constant partner during the publication process and beyond. Melissa also acts as a contract consultant for authors and agents under the business MLE Consulting. She can be found on Twitter @MelissaLaurenE.
Melissa is currently highly interested in developing her adult commercial fiction list, with a particular eye out for vibrant and fun young women’s fiction, mysteries and thrillers featuring characters from underrepresented backgrounds, and upmarket book club fiction.
Melissa is not the best choice for horror, science fiction, or historical fiction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Pop Culture * Young Adult *
270 West 39th Street Suite 201 New York NY 10018 USA
Biography
Ethan Ellenberg is a literary agent with the Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency. Ethan opened his literary agency in late, 1984 after holding jobs at both Bantam and Berkley/Jove. At Berkley/Jove he was manager of the Contracts Department. At Bantam he was Associate Contracts Manager. He says: “I remain excited and committed to assisting Authors at different stages of their careers. I work with a number of talented people writing and illustrating many different kinds of books and that’s what I like. If you have something special in any of the commercial fiction genres I would be interested in hearing about it. For children’s books works of the imagination and beauty will always interest me. If I can’t help you, I will share your work with a colleague.
The business of book publishing has changed almost beyond recognition since I joined the industry. It’s as complex as any business I know and that makes it daunting for everyone involved. Our goal is to assist Authors where they need it most, passionate dedication to help them earn a living, and honest feedback about their work.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Paranormal * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Action/Adventure * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Military/War * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * New Age * Politics * Psychology * Reference * Science * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * True Adventure * True Crime * Young Adult *
155 Suffolk Street #2R New York NY 10002 USA
Biography
Sharon Norris Elliott is a literary agent with the AuthorizeMe Literary Agency. She is a substantive and developmental editor, award-winning author, popular speaker and Bible teacher, and the founder and CEO of Life That Matters Ministries and AuthorizeMe.
A graduate of Biola University with a doctor of theology degree from HSBN International School of Ministry (an affiliate of Gateway International Bible Institute), Sharon is the author of 12 books and the host of Life That Matters with Sharon Norris Elliott, on The Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network (HSBN.tv) and the Christian Women’s Word Network (CWWN.tv).
Through her AuthorizeMe Literary Firm, Sharon provides editing and author coaching, mentors up-and-coming writers and speakers, and conducts hands-on seminars about how to reach publishing goals. The latest exciting growth of her AuthorizeMe brand includes her work as a literary agent.
Sharon is retired from her esteemed 35-year teaching career and now focuses full time on her writing, editing, agenting, and broadcasting. She and her husband, James, serve at Christ Second Baptist Church in Long Beach, California, where Sharon is an assistant minister. They enjoy their empty nest, traveling, and visiting their children and grandchildren.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * Ethnic Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book * Religious *
NONFICTION: Christian * Ethnic * Family * Inspiration * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Multicultural * Parenting/Child Guidance * Religion * Spirituality *
Biography
Suzy Evans is a literary agent with and the founder of Suzy Evans Literary Agency. She says: “I’m an attorney, author and literary agent who holds a Ph.D. in history from UC Berkeley. My books include Machiavelli for Moms (Simon & Schuster) and Forgotten Crimes: The Holocaust and People with Disabilities. I’m also a ghostwriter for a #1 New York Times best-selling author with 30 million copies in print and my work has appeared in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal and other major publications, including USA Today, Newsweek, Parade, Forbes, Los Angeles Business Journal, Los Angeles Daily Journal, Orange County Register, McSweeney’s and The London Times.
In the adult market, I’m particularly on the hunt for great serious nonfiction, especially by historians who are looking to make the transition from an academic to trade readership and journalists who have something unique and significant to say. I’m also on the lookout for smart parenting books with truly useful, original hooks that fill a gap in the market (bonus points for humor!); food, health, and diet-related titles, especially culinary histories of all flavors and tastes; sports books with strong crossover appeal in other genres, especially history and philosophy (I’d LOVE to find the next Golf in the Kingdom or Zen and the Art of Archery); self-help of every stripe by authors with well-established platforms and riveting, elegantly-written memoir (recent favorites include William Finnegan’s Barbarian Days and Paul Kalanithi’s deeply-rendered When Breath Becomes Air), as well as cookbooks with inventive new twists; pop culture; humor, especially as it relates to parenting; and small, quirky books that make me smile or think about the world in entirely new and surprising ways. I’d also love to find a great legal thriller.
On the children’s front, I have a great love of middle grade and am particularly on the hunt for lively, engaging nonfiction that *pops* off the page and makes kids excited about reading and learning; wacky/hilarious/silly commercial MG fiction with series potential; fiction and nonfiction that explore diversity and disability in all their glorious manifestations; and graphic novels that bring history, great works of literature and fascinating historical figures (think Socrates! Machiavelli! Hamilton!) to life.
I also have a huge soft spot for classic literary works that explore the coming-of-age theme with a warm, honest voice that draws me in and makes me feel at home, contemporary YA fiction that tackles difficult issues in bold, daring ways and with inventive formats that can be brought into the classroom to stimulate meaningful discussion and debate (a la Walter Dean Myers’ Monster) and sweet, lyrical picture books that capture the imagination and call for multiple readings (favorite classics include Stellaluna and The Cat Who Walked Across France). I’d also LOVE to find an exciting, high-concept thriller that has “MOVIE!” written all over it.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * NoPB * Picture Book * Sports Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Diet/Nutrition * Ethnic * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Parenting/Child Guidance * Philosophy * Pop Culture * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Sports * Travel * Young Adult *
1155 Camino del Mar Suite 515 Del Mar CA 92130 USA
Sorche Fairbank
Fairbank Literary RepresentationAAR/AALA MemberQuery method(s): Email * Postal Mail *Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Sorche Fairbank is a literary agent with Fairbank Literary Representation. Since establishing Fairbank Literary Representation in 2002, Sorche has had the pleasure of working with a dynamic and varied list, representing best-selling authors, Edgar recipients, award-winning journalists, and many first-time authors. Her tastes in novels tend toward literary fiction, international voices, women’s voices, edgier work, wry voices, and sometimes darker topics.
On the nonfiction side, she is all about narrative. She has a strong interest in books that tackle current events and societal issues with a narrative treatment: women’s issues; class and race issues; plus the occasional memoir. She is also looking for quality lifestyle books (food, wine, and home design), humor, and pop culture. To date, she has signed on six terrific clients through Grub Street, the latest for whom she struck a deal worth over a million dollars for book and film. Subjects and genres not of interest include: sci-fi and fantasy, paranormal, children’s and YA, self-help, romance, sports fiction, and generally anything that opens with a dream scene and/or exhaustive descriptions of weather.
Notable authors and books represented by Fairbank Literary include: O. Henry Prize winner Charlotte Forbes; Pulitzer nominee and LA Times Cairo Bureau Chief Jeffrey Fleishman; Matthew Frederick and his best-selling 101 Things I Learned series; Travis Bradford, president of the Prometheus Institute for Sustainable Development and author of Solar Revolution; Ethan Gilsdorf (Fantasty Freaks and Gaming Geeks); Darci Klein (To Full Term, A Mother’s Triumph Over Miscarriage); Jonathan McCullough (A Tale Of Two Subs: An Untold Story Of World War II, Two Sister Ships, And Extraordinary Heroism); the estate of Robin Moore (The French Connection, The Green Berets, etc.); Xaviera Hollander (The Happy Hooker); syndicated cartoonist Man Martin; Edgar-winning mystery writer Rex Burns; Terry Border and his Bent Objects; and the fabulous Miroslav Penkov (East of the West).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Architecture * Art * Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Crafts * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Design * Ethnic * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gift/Novelty * History * How-To * Humor * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Multicultural * Narrative * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Reference * Science * Sports * Women’s Issues * Young Adult *
21 Lyman Street Waltham MA 02452 USA
Biography
Sam Farkas is a literary agent and foreign rights manager with Jill Grinberg Literary Management. She grew up in South Jersey and attended the College of William & Mary, where she received her B.A. in History and English. Upon graduation, she moved to New York to intern with Maria B. Campbell Associates, where she discovered her love for collaborating with agents and publishers around the world. She worked in the subsidiary rights department at Penguin before she joined the JGLM team in 2018. She handles foreign rights for all JGLM authors. An avid traveler, Sam has been to 14 countries spanning 4 continents, and dreams of visiting them all. She speaks Spanish, and can often be found on language-learning apps.
Above all, Sam is drawn to exemplary writing.
In Adult, Sam is looking for upmarket fiction of all stripes, but especially historical; fast-paced, high-concept speculative thrillers that make her heart race; lyrical and immersive fantasy; and single-title romance that simmers.
Sam is also open to Young Adult and Middle Grade of all genres, but she has a special fondness for thoughtful contemporary, often with a speculative twist; historical with modern sensibilities; fantasy with morally gray protagonists and complicated character dynamics; the very strange, and the very funny.
In all categories and genres, she is looking for diverse and underrepresented voices.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * History * Journalism * Juvenile * Memoir * Narrative * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Travel *
392 Vanderbilt Avenue Brooklyn NY 11238 USA
Biography
Esther Fedorkevich is the founder of The Fedd Agency. She launched her career in 1997 as a salesperson for a major book publisher. Within six months, Esther sold a million dollars in products. From there she went to work for Dave Ramsey, a New York Times bestselling author and television host with a nationally syndicated radio program. She worked in the publishing department, selling and marketing Dave’s books and other projects, and fell in love with book publishing. When Esther was pregnant with her first child, her entrepreneurial spirit was charged and decided to venture out on her own, selling books and ideas as a literary agent.
Esther founded The Fedd Agency in 2003 and began investing in authors. Her first client came to her for help when William Morris could not secure a book deal, even after pitching it for two years. With her innovative intervention and her acute business sense and selling skills, Esther got the author a three-book deal within two months. Esther continues to hone her innate marketing and sales talents, coupling that with a passion for selling life-changing books. Esther firmly believes she doesn’t just represent authors, she represents and builds futures.
Esther represents many New York Times bestselling authors. Among her clients are Pattie Mallette, Mark Batterson, Tim McGraw, Sara Evans, Lysa Terkeurst, Tommy Barnett, Matthew Barnett, George Barna, David Kinnaman, Jud Wilhite, Judah Smith, Steven Furtick, Crystal Paine, Carlos Whittaker Michael Franzese, Tom Delay, and Chris Seay. Using her natural entrepreneurial sensibilities, Esther also negotiates deals for film, television, and other derivative products. Additionally, The Fedd Agency offers agency guided publishing and audio book production services.
Esther lives in Austin, TX with her husband, Jimmy, and their two kids, Alexi Jane and Paul Gregory. In her spare time, you can find Esther shooting hoops, swinging a golf club or tennis racket, reading, or cooking gourmet meals for her family and friends.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Religious * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Celebrity * Christian * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * General Nonfiction * Inspiration * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Money/Finance * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Young Adult *
401 Ranch Road 620 South Suite 250 Austin TX 78734 USA
Biography
Don Fehr is a literary agent with Trident Media Group. After a twenty-year career in senior-level editorial jobs (Atheneum, Addison-Wesley, Viking Penguin, and Basic Books) and as a publisher (Smithsonian/Harper Collins), Don Fehr joined the Trident literary agency in 2010. “My reputation is that of an editor’s editor, intensely loyal, author-centered, and entrepreneurial in the publishing and marketing of my writers,” says Don. “While traditional publishers will always have an important role in the marketplace, exciting developments are occurring, and dynamic multi-platforms are evolving. I wanted to be an integral part of that action for my authors, and Trident was clearly the literary agency to go to make a significant impact.”
Don’s experience in working with authors in many genres and subject areas, ranging from bestsellers to award winners, has given him a sense of what works in the marketplace.
Don has published over a dozen New York Times bestsellers, and his authors and books have won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the P.E.N. Faulkner Award, and the Los Angeles Times Book Award. Prominent authors he has worked with over the years have included political and legal commentators Alan Dershowitz and Linda Greenhouse, medical writers Dr. Sherwin B. Nuland and Dr. Pauline Chen, psychiatrist Peter D. Kramer, historians Niall Ferguson, Christopher Andrew, W. Bruce Lincoln, Walter McDougall, Thomas Fleming, David Reynolds, William Chafe, Omer Bartov, and Richard Evans, novelists Charles Johnson and Ishmael Reed, science writers Carl Zimmer and Franz De Waal, theologian Harvey Cox, actors Simon Callow and Klaus Kinski, pianist Andras Schiff, and other authors, including Christopher Hitchens, Paul Berman, Thomas Sowell, Bruce Chatwin, Kevin Philips, John Yoo, Grover Norquist, Fred Waitzkin, and Brent Edwards.
“Now I am using my experience and insights as a book agent to help my authors navigate the internal and changing dynamics of the publishing processes to maximize the upside while still protecting their long-term interests,” says Don. “I roam widely in terms of subject areas and categories that interest me, but what always catches my attention first is the author’s voice. Just about everything flows from that. I must be pulled in by the author’s voice before I get interested in the story or subject.”
Don is aggressive in looking to build a list of authors with “strong voices” across a wide variety of areas: literary and commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoirs, travel, science, and health. Reading alongside his thirteen-year-old daughter, Don has now developed an interest in young adult fiction. “You’re never too old to be young again,” says Don.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * Business * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * Travel *
355 Lexington Ave 12th FL New York NY 10017 USA
Biography
Christopher Ferebee is a literary agent with and the founder of the Christopher Ferebee Literary Agency.
He has served as a literary agent since 1999. For the first 12 years he served at the firm of Yates & Yates in Southern California, working with a talented team representing an incredible array of Christian authors, speakers, and pastors. In late 2011, he left Yates & Yates to pursue additional opportunities both within and outside the Christian publishing market.
Today he is focused on representing thought-provoking, life-changing, and uplifting books from a variety of thought-leaders and world-changers. These are projects that seek to challenge the status quo in any number of arenas in our fast-changing world, lift up ideas that deserve your attention, or simply inspire you to be a better version of yourself.
As a small agency, he works with a select number of authors and organizations having an outsized impact in their sphere of influence.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Christian Fiction * General Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Picture Book * Religious * Romance *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Christian * Dating/Relationship/Sex * General Nonfiction * Inspiration * Memoir * Money/Finance * Pop Culture * Religion * Spirituality *
2834 Hamner Avenue Suite 456 Norco CA 92860 USA
Biography
Alexander Field is a literary agent with and the founder of The Bindery. Alex launched The Bindery after 20 years of work in book publishing and journalism as an editor and publisher, including a short stretch at the Los Angeles Times right out of college. Prior to launching The Bindery, he served as vice president and publisher for several imprints of Penguin Random House.
As a reader, he falls for books that rarely sit on the same shelf, including anything by Wendell Berry, James Baldwin, or Mary Oliver; the latest novel by N.K. Jemisin, Michael Chabon, Naomi Novik, or Dave Eggers; an obscure title about Radiohead and philosophy, a memoir about a pilgrimage, or the biography of a writer/director, entrepreneur, or bookseller. As a result, he represents authors writing in categories such as, religion & spirituality, memoir & biography, self-help, pop culture, parenting, advice and relationships, and very select fiction projects, including science fiction & fantasy.
Field grew up on the beaches of Southern California. Today, he and his family live along the front range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Religious * Science Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Christian * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * How-To * Inspiration * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Technology *
2727 North Cascade Avenue Suite 170 Colorado Springs CO 80920 USA
Biography
Melanie Figueroa is a literary agent with Root Literary. She says: “I want to work with the kind of stories that both create and sustain life-long readers—books that make me sigh with contentment, learn something new, or take delight in the unexpected. Those stories stay with you, and they’re a gift I want to help give readers by lifting up the voices of talented and hard-working creatives.
I’m actively looking for fiction and narrative nonfiction. I’m especially excited to find high-concept commercial and literary leaning general fiction, young adult novels with a strong voice and propulsive pacing, and heartfelt and humorous middle grade novels across genres. I was born and raised in Southern California in a multi-cultural, blended family, so I have a soft spot for books that shine a spotlight on the nuances of family relationships and identity.
In all cases—no matter what genre you’re writing in—I want to read books that are inclusive and that accurately reflect our world. I like characters who aren’t your typical lead and to be surprised by the unexpected.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Commercial * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * NoPB * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Narrative *
3727 W. Magnolia Blvd #205 Burbank CA 91505 USA
Biography
Julia Fink is a literary agent with Sheldon Fogelman Agency. An Alabama native, Julia Fink graduated summa cum laude from Auburn University, where she studied marketing, journalism, and creative writing. There, she served as editor-in-chief of Auburn’s literary and arts magazine and a lead consultant at the university’s writing center. Starting with a focus in business, these experiences lead Julia to delve more into literary agency work. Working toward this, she completed an internship with Folio Literary Management as a publishing intern and worked as a freelance copyeditor for Rare Bird Books during her undergraduate program, and completed the Columbia Publishing Course in the summer of 2022. She enthusiastically joined Sheldon Fogelman Agency as a Literary and Foreign Rights Assistant in September 2022.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
Biography
Seth Fishman is a literary agent with The Gernert Company. Seth joined The Gernert Company in 2010. Head of the Los Angeles office, Seth is a Vice President and agent at The Gernert Company, which he joined in 2010 after beginning his career as an agent at Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc. Born in Midland, Texas, he graduated from Princeton University and earned an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. His interests are wide-ranging, but in particular he’s looking for the new voice, the original idea, the entirely breathtaking creative angle in both fiction and nonfiction. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and son, and is the author of the award-winning picture book, A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars, along with Power Up and The Ocean In Your Bathtub, as well as two YA books.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction *
8440 Warner Drive Culver City CA 90232 USA
Biography
Liza Fleissig is a literary agent with the Liza Foyce Agency. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business with a degree in Finance, and the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law with a JD, Liza brought 20 years of litigation and negotiation experience to the publishing field when she and her partner, Ginger Harris-Dontzin, decided to open their own literary agency. With strong ties to this community, becoming an agent was inevitable, and as Liza says, she “couldn’t be happier.” A “Top 100 Dealmaker” by Publisher’s Marketplace, Liza represents established authors of fiction and nonfiction, along with writers in the earlier stages of their development.
Looking for: Liza loves a good thriller/suspense/mystery that keeps her guessing until the end. She also gravitates to commercial women’s fiction and loves a sarcastic comic voice. On the children’s side, she handles all categories, though is looking mostly for young adult and middle grade. Most of all, she loves being surprised. Nothing is more exciting that being over the moon for a book she’d never expected to like. So at the end of the day, just grab her attention, and she won’t care what the book is about!
Not looking for: Just make sure the writing is strong, and please watch out for unnatural dialogue and word repetition. When every character “cranes their neck,” “wheels around” or “steels themselves” she does tend to roll her eyes. Also, as much as she loves paranormal and dystopian, she is not taking any of those on at the moment.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Juvenile * Middle Grade * True Crime * Young Adult *
1049 Park Ave New York NY 10028 USA
Biography
Amy Flynn is a literary agent with Rubin Pfeffer Content, LLC. She represents books for children.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
648 Hammond Street Boston MA 02467 USA
Biography
Jacqueline Flynn is a literary agent with Joelle Delbourgo Associates. Jacqueline Flynn represents both fiction and non-fiction in a broad range of categories. She is particularly interested in authors who offer unique perspectives that counter conventional wisdom and cookie-cutter solutions. She now uses her finely-developed editorial acumen to guide authors through the process of positioning their books for the marketplace, preparing proposals, and marketing their work. Jacquie specializes in coaching authors to use Social Media and other marketing tools to build and connect with their reader community. A former editor with two decades experience, she is also available to work with authors as an editor on proposals and manuscripts, both nonfiction and fiction.
Recent sales include Joseph Kelly’s MAROONED (Bloomsbury), Laura Sobiech’s memoir FLY A LITTLE HIGHER (Thomas Nelson), Jennifer Alvarez middle-grade trilogy RIDERS OF THE REALM (HarperCollins), Sue Scheff SHAME NATION written with Melissa Schorr (Sourcebooks), Anne Brown’s SUMMER GIRL (Entangled), and Gleb Raygorodetsky’s ARCHIPELAGO OF HOPE (Pegasus).
She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bucknell University where she majored in International Relations and rowed on the Women’s Crew team. She is also a Hockey/Volleyball/Band Mom, knitter, and avid hiker who lives in Northern New Jersey with her husband and two sons. Like Joelle she also speaks French, but not nearly as well.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Picture Book * Religious * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Computers * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Ethnic * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Psychology * Reference * Religion * Science * Sports * Technology * Travel * Young Adult *
101 Park St. Montclair NJ 07042 USA
Biography
Sheldon Fogelman is a literary agent with the Sheldon Fogelman Agency. Uniquely equipped to serve as agent and attorney, Sheldon Fogelman has worked with many of the most distinguished authors and illustrators in children’s books throughout his career. As agent his clients include Jerry Pinkney, Diane Stanley, Richard Peck, T.A. Barron, and Peggy Rathmann, among many others. And as attorney, his clients include Maurice Sendak and Mildred Taylor. He has worked on several literary estates including James Marshall’s, for which he currently acts as trustee. In addition, Sheldon was one of the earliest agents to attend Bologna children’s Book Fair regularly, and he has represented various publishers including William Morrow children’s Division and Albert Whitman & Co., with regard to dramatic/motion picture/television rights. He has also been a featured speaker at many conferences including the Annual SCBWI Conference in Los Angeles and New York.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
420 E 72nd Street New York NY 10021 USA
Biography
Abigail Frank is a literary agent with Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. She is passionate about stories for young people, especially those that are hilarious, poetic, quietly heartbreaking, and/or swoon-worthy, and she cares about voice, above all. She gravitates towards picture books that feel entirely original, chapter books with big personalities, and novels about unforgettable teens falling in love. She is committed to advocating for the work of marginalized authors and artists, and she’s actively looking for stories that allow young readers to recognize themselves in the books they love. She is also looking for select adult projects, including narrative nonfiction (especially if it explores pop culture, healthcare, or higher education) and rom-com-y commercial fiction. You can view her wishlist here.
Abigail joined the Greenburger team in 2017 after interning at Writers House. Formerly an assistant to Brenda Bowen, she now assists Faith Hamlin with her extraordinary and eclectic list of clients. Abigail graduated with a degree in English Literature from Swarthmore College and worked in healthcare before pursuing her passion for books. Find her mostly retweeting @abigailcrfrank
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Narrative *
55 5th Avenue New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
Stephen Fraser is a literary agent with the Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency. Stephen joined the Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency as an agent in January 2005. He worked most recently at HarperCollins Children’s Books, where he edited such creative talents as Mary Engelbreit, Gregory Maguire, Michael Hague, Ann Rinaldi, Kathryn Lasky, Brent Hartinger, Stephen Mitchell, and Dan Gutman. He began his career at Highlights for Children and later worked at Scholastic and Simon & Schuster. A graduate of Middlebury College in Vermont, he has a Master’s degree in Children’s Literature from Simmons College in Boston. He represents both children’s and adult books in a wide range of genres.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Paranormal * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction *
299 Park Avenue 6th Floor New York NY 10171 USA
Biography
CoCo Freeman is a literary agent with the Linda Chester Literary Agency. She recently joined the agency. She is a graduate of Bard College with a B.A. in Written Arts. Before joining Linda Chester, CoCo worked for Tom Yoon Productions developing projects and editing existing material. She is looking for smart adult commercial fiction, mysteries, thrillers, historical fiction, young adult, middle grade and select picture books.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Historical * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Jessica Friedman is a literary agent with Sterling Lord Literistic. Jessica joined Sterling Lord Literistic in 2020, having worked previously as an agent at The Wylie Agency. She represents literary fiction and nonfiction, and is interested in distinctive voices and writing that challenges the expected — stylistically, formally, or otherwise. She is particularly drawn to incisive, voice-driven writing and underrepresented narratives. Jessica graduated from the University of Chicago with a BA in English and an MA in the humanities.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Literary * Picture Book *
NONFICTION: Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Narrative * Politics * Upmarket *
115 Broadway Suite 1602 New York NY 10006 USA
Biography
Shannon Gallagher is a literary agent with the Wernick & Pratt Agency. She spent more than twelve years in the marketing departments at various adult trade publishers, including Rodale, Macmillan, Penguin Random House, and Simon & Schuster. After moving from Brooklyn to upstate New York, she spent several years as a book reviewer and copywriter. When she saw an opening at Wernick & Pratt, she was intrigued at the thought of learning about both literary agencies and children’s literature, two facets of publishing she had not yet had the opportunity to explore. After two years learning as much as she possibly could from the accomplished, dedicated agents here, Shannon was thrilled to become an Associate Agent, where she could utilize her marketing experience -– getting the right information to the right people –- to better identify, encourage, and promote authors and illustrators. Shannon is interested in both fiction and nonfiction in all categories of children’s literature, from picture books to young adult, and she especially welcomes underrepresented perspectives. A graduate of Bryn Mawr College (go, Seven Sisters!), Shannon lives with her husband and daughter in the beautiful Hudson Valley.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
4455 Douglas Avenue Riverdale NY 10471 USA
Biography
Susan Ginsburg is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. Susan says: “I’ve been in the business for over 35 years, and with Writers House for 25. I got my start on the editorial side, as editor-in-chief of St. Martin’s and Atheneum Books and Executive Editor of Pocket Books at Simon & Schuster, where I had the fortune to publish such wonderful writers as Alice Walker (THE COLOR PURPLE) and John Irving (THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP). My agenting career has spanned both fiction and non-fiction, and I continue to work closely with all my authors editorially. Right now, I am especially looking for fiction—particularly, literary voices who have a great story to tell, filled with emotionally compelling characters—but would also love to see the commercial fiction, unique memoirs, and rich narrative non-fiction that I’ve enjoyed working with throughout the years. I am not the right agent for picture books, science-fiction, or epic fantasy (though fantastical elements and magical realism are welcomed!).”
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * History * Juvenile * Memoir * Middle Grade * Money/Finance * Narrative * Politics * Science * Young Adult *
120 Broadway 22nd floor New York NY 10271 USA
Biography
Amy Giuffrida is a literary agent with the Belcastro Agency. After Amy earned her BA at the University of Kutztown and a M.Ed. from Lock Haven University, she incorporated her love of reading and books with being a middle school teacher. Amy’s biggest joy was to put the perfect book in the hands of a teen and change their minds about reading. Amy turned this love into a career by reading romance slush for a publishing company, then interned for various literary agencies, until she became an associate literary agent in 2020. In her spare time, you can find Amy either listening to, reading, or talking about books. She also loves binge-watching teen and reality TV shows—all while snuggling with one or more of her three rescue dogs.
Some of Amy’s favorite books: It by Stephen King; The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas; Looking for Alaska by John Green; Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston; The Grace Year by Kim Liggett; The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid; The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V. E. Schwab. Her favorite TV shows are Buffy, The Boys, Schitt’s Creek, Stranger Things, and anything remotely like Married at First Sight.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Horror * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * How-To * Journalism * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Photography * Pop Culture * Psychology * Spirituality * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
245 Park Avenue 39th Floor New York NY 10167 USA
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About Mark Malatesta
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company Literary Agent Undercover and The Bestselling Author. Mark’s authors have gotten six-figure book deals, been on the NYT bestseller list, and published with houses such as Random House, Scholastic, and Thomas Nelson. Click here to learn more about Mark Malatesta and click here for Reviews of Mark Malatesta.
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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)
* * *
“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)