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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.
Biography
Susan Schulman is a literary agent with the Susan Schulman Literary Agency. The Susan Schulman Literary Agency was founded in 1980 by Susan Schulman who, prior to establishing her own agency, was an agent at International Creative Management in the Literary Department. Prior to working at ICM, Susan taught History of the English Language and Linguistics as well as Renaissance Drama and American Literature courses on the college level. Additionally Susan served as Associate Publisher of Ohio University Press and acquired over 100 titles for the Press.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Religious * Romance * Science Fiction * Sports Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Computers * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Economics * Ethnic * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Juvenile * Law * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Photography * Politics * Psychology * Reference * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Technology * Travel * Upmarket * Women’s Issues *
454 W. 44th St. New York NY 10036 USA
Hannah Schwartz
Stuart Krichevsky Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Hannah Schwartz is a literary agent with the Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency. She started reading at age 5 and hasn’t stopped. She began her publishing career as an intern at Paper Lantern Lit and then Writers House Literary Agency after graduating from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in English Literature, Writing and Psychology. She landed at SKLA as the business manager in 2016 after spending four years at InkWell Management.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Literary *
NONFICTION: Humor * Memoir * Narrative * Pop Culture * Psychology *
Biography
Steve Schwartz is a literary agent with the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency. He has a varied background but very specific interests. He has written in many different genres: from corporate communications and screenplays, to television proposals and speeches. He has also written and published a number of books on widely-divergent topics.
He has been a communications consultant…a producer of large-scale meetings and conferences…a presentation coach for senior executives…and an award-winning video producer-writer-director. In addition to his work with the Agency, he is an Adjunct Professor of Communications at NYU’s Stern School of Business and Fordham University, and is a writing consultant at the School of Visual Arts.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Historical * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Business * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * Government * Humor * Money/Finance * Psychology * Self-Help/Personal Development * Sports * Travel *
59 W. 71st St. Suite 9B New York NY 10023 USA
Tina P. Schwartz
The Purcell AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery Method(s): Online Form *Biography
Tina P. Schwartz is the founder and owner of The Purcell Agency. Agent Tina P. Schwartz admits to being a reluctant reader as a child. In fact, she says she is still very picky when it comes to choosing a book, and isn’t afraid to judge one (at first) by its cover!
Ask her kids, and they won’t believe you! They’ll tell you her nose is constantly in a book, or staring at her Kindle Fire, her iPad mini, or even reading mss on her phone! When not reading manuscripts, marketing website, social media, or industry blogs, you can find Schwartz on her laptop enjoying her own writing time.
Schwartz is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI), and is the Co-Rep for her local chapter. She is also an active participant at THE BOOK BRIDGE in Grayslake, Illinois.
Tina says, “I’m thrilled to have founded The Purcell Agency, LLC and look forward to reading many wonderful submissions from talent all over the country!”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Romance * Sports Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Ethnic * Family * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * Juvenile * Middle Grade * Multicultural * Reference * Sports * Young Adult *
Biography
Lauren Scovel is a literary agent with the Laura Gross Literary Agency. She says: “I grew up outside of Seattle and graduated from Emerson College with a degree in Writing, Literature, and Publishing as well as Theatre Studies. I began my publishing career as an editorial intern at Aevitas Creative Management (formerly Zachary Shuster Harmsworth). My editorial work can be seen at The Millions and Pangyrus. I also worked as an indie bookseller for several years. I am looking to amplify underrepresented stories and voices, and am especially interested in both fiction and narrative nonfiction with a timely, distinctive story and a diverse cast of characters.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Current Events/Affairs * Gay/Lesbian * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * True Crime *
PO Box 610326 Newton MA 02461 USA
Biography
Dani Segelbaum is a literary agent with Carol Mann Agency. She joined the Carol Mann Agency in 2021 as a literary agent and subrights manager. She is interested in both fiction and non-fiction. Dani is seeking non-fiction titles with an emphasis on politics, women’s issues, popular culture, and current events. Dani also loves memoir, narrative non-fiction, lifestyle, and cookbooks. In fiction, she is looking for literary and upmarket adult fiction including debut, historical, rom-coms, mysteries, and women’s fiction. In both fiction and non-fiction, Dani hopes to work with authors from diverse backgrounds to tell stories that are important to them. She loves compelling narrators and is drawn to writing that is voice-driven, highly transporting, and features unique perspectives and marginalized voices.
Born and raised in Minneapolis, Dani is a graduate of Boston University’s College of Communication where she studied journalism and political science. She has been a voracious reader for as long as she can remember. Dani began her publishing career as an editorial assistant at HarperCollins Publishers, focusing primarily on highly designed non-fiction titles. She previously worked as a literary assistant at New Leaf Literary & Media, working with established and debut authors.
A few books she loves… A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, Girls & Sex by Peggy Orenstein, The Girl With The Louding Voice by Abi Daré, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, Save Me The Plums by Ruth Reichl, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong, Conversations With Friends by Sally Rooney, You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington by Alexis Coe, The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead, From The Corner Of The Oval by Beck Dorey-Stein, Coming To My Sense by Alice Waters, Who Thought This Was A Good Idea? by Alyssa Mastromonaco, Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Dani spends her free time exploring the streets of her neighborhood and trying the latest restaurants in town. Her guilty pleasures include cookbooks (seriously, she has way too many), reading the newspaper in the middle of the night, and baking dozens of delicious baked goods for friends and family (she does use the cookbooks).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Humor Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * Lifestyle * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Women’s Issues *
Biography
Cynthia Segraves is a literary agent with the Capital Literary Agency. Cynthia has been involved in the publishing industry for more than fifteen years, first as an editor and current as an agent. Cynthia has also written for national and international publications and has three books of her own: Take a Hike: The Best 50 Routes in the Community of Madrid (Ediciones La Libreria, May,2011), How To Communicate Like a Buddhist (Hierophant Publishing, April 2016), and Talk to Yourself Like a Buddhist (Hierophant Publishing, April 2018). She has served as a writing instructor at Politics & Prose bookstore here in Washington, DC, and offers writing workshops at the DC Public Libraries. Cynthia received her B.A. in Literature from Bard College and her M.F.A. in Creative Nonfiction from Sarah Lawrence. She is particularly interested in children’s books. “I’m looking for board books, flip books, slice of life books, and stories that promote kindness, compassion, and wonder. My favorite children’s book author right now is Todd Parr.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
419 South Washington Street Alexandria VA 22314 USA
Biography
Lynn Seligman is a literary agent with the Lynn Seligman Literary Agency in Upper Montclair, New Jersey. Lynn has a B.A. from Goucher College, a M.A. in French Literature from Columbia University, near completion of a Ph.D. in French Literature from Columbia.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Education * Ethnic * Gift/Novelty * Government * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Money/Finance * Music * Nature * Photography * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * True Adventure * True Crime *
400 Highland Ave. Upper Montclair NJ 07043 USA
Biography
Edythea Ginis Selman is the president of Edythea Ginis Selman Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction *
NONFICTION: History * Military/War * Multicultural *
14 Washington Place New York NY 10003 USA
Vicki Selvaggio
Storm Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery Method(s): Email *Biography
Vicki Selvaggio is a literary agent with the Storm Literary Agency. She was previously with The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency was drawn to the publishing scene first as an author. She is a prior Regional Advisor for SCBWI: Northern Ohio, where her desire to help writers and illustrators reach their publications goals inspired her to become an agent.
With over twenty-five years as a business owner, Victoria is excited to help grow the agency’s client base with talented writers and illustrators, while also helping build the agency from within with motivated agents who possess the same ideals, literary interests, goals, and approaches to the industry.
As a frequent presenter at conferences, library events, contests, etc., Victoria is always interested in meeting writers and illustrators, and hearing about unique projects!
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Christian * Computers * Cooking/Cookbook * Ethnic * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Inspiration * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Middle Grade * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Reference * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * Travel * Young Adult *
Biography
Zeynep Sen is a literary agent with WordLink, Incorporated. She is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College with a B.A. in Literature and Creative Writing, and she has worked as a foreign rights agent at the Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency in New York. Her own writings have appeared in publications such as the United Nations accredited The Society and Diplomatic Review, Culture Limited, the New York Journal of Books, and other literary journals. Fluent in English, Turkish, and Spanish, she is an experienced translator of fiction and nonfiction. She is based in Istanbul, Turkey.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Historical * Literary *
NONFICTION: Narrative *
PO Box 395 Enola PA 17025 USA
Biography
Tara Severance is a literary agent with and the President of The Amrosia Literary Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Horror * Paranormal * Suspense *
NONFICTION: Mind/Body/Spirit * New Age * Psychology * Spirituality *
PO Box 1227 Mount Vernon OH 43050 USA
Tessa Shaffer
Corvisiero Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Tessa Shaffer is a literary agent with the Corvisiero Literary Agency. She is a Literary Manager for screenwriters, a Sr. Literary Agent for authors, and the Vice President of the agency, supporting the staff and clients agency-wide. Heading Corvisiero’s Film & TV department, she’s heavily involved in the development of book adaptations whether it be book to screen, book to TV, or book to streamers.
In writing, she searches for universal truths that bleed through any genre. Whether it’s finding the humor in the hurt, the evil in the good, or the strange in the familiar—she searches for the stories that leaves audiences with a changed perspective. Recognized as an Indie Excellence Book Awards Finalist, Journey Awards Finalist, and by the Writer’s Digest Awards in 2019, 2018, and 2016, her own work has also appeared in GirlsLIFE magazine, Authors Publish, and Indie Chicks magazine.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Ethnic * Health/Wellness * History * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Multicultural * Science *
Biography
Alec Shane is a literary agent at Writers House. He says: “I began my career at Writers House as an intern in September of 2008 and simply refused to leave, so I was given the wonderful job of Assistant to Jodi Reamer. I am now also in the process of actively building my own list and currently represent a fairly eclectic mix of Children’s and Adult fiction and nonfiction. I’m eagerly looking for both.
On the fiction side, I love mysteries, thrillers (although I’m experiencing a bit of terrorist fatigue at the moment), bad-ass protagonists with a chip on their shoulders, beautifully told historical fiction (The Vietnam War, the Maccabees, and The American Revolution fascinate me in particular),well-researched adventure stories, and great horror – I haven’t been scared to turn off the light in far too long and something needs to be done about it. In terms of children’s books, getting boys to read again is especially important to me, and thus I’m particularly on the lookout for a fun middle-grade adventure series, ghost story, or anything else geared toward younger male readers.
On the nonfiction side, I’m attracted to odd, quirky histories, military history, biographies of people I didn’t even know existed (but definitely should have), “guy” reads, humor, narrative nonfiction that sheds light on under-the-radar events and lifestyles, and all things sports. I’m also currently up in the air as to whether or not I believe in ghosts, hauntings, and the supernatural, so if you have something that can convince me one way or the other, I’d love to see it.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Espionage/Military * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Sports Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * General Nonfiction * History * Humor * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Military/War * Narrative * Sports *
120 Broadway 22nd floor New York NY 10271 USA
Biography
Denise Shannon is a literary agent with the Denise Shannon Literary Agency. Denise formed her own agency in 2002 after sixteen years representing authors at Georges Borchardt, Inc. and International Creative Management (ICM). She is a frequent guest at writers’ conferences and publishing institutes, delivering talks and conducting workshops.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Literary * Mystery *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Journalism * Memoir * Narrative * Politics *
280 Madison Avenue Suite 308 New York NY 10016 USA
Lauren Sharp
Aevitas Creative ManagementDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Lauren Sharp is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. She represents award-winning journalists, historians, and academics from the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. House of Representatives, Georgetown University, Slate, VICE, Stanford University, the New America Foundation, and elsewhere.
Sharp graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelors in English, and from the University of Cincinnati with a Masters in English, Creative Writing. Prior to joining Aevitas, she worked as an agent and rights director at ICM/Sagalyn, and interned with the Ross Yoon Agency.
Sharp is based in Washington, DC, and represents nonfiction in the areas of politics, history, current affairs, narrative nonfiction, and science.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Art * Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * History * Journalism * Memoir * Narrative * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Technology * True Crime *
Biography
Tori Sharp is a literary agent with the Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency. She joined The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency as an Associate Literary Agent in 2020 after interning for two years. Tori has a BFA in Sequential Art from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and her graphic memoir, JUST PRETEND, is forthcoming from Little, Brown in spring 2021. When she’s not reading, writing, or making comics, she can be found swing and blues dancing, playing tabletop games, or exploring coffee shops in beautiful Seattle, WA. Tori represents all manner of children’s literature.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Graphic Novel * Middle Grade Fiction *
NONFICTION:
245 Park Avenue 39th Floor New York NY 10167 USA
Greg Shaw
Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email * Online Form *Biography
Greg Shaw is a literary agent with the Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency. He is a devoted student of business and economics writing with a passion for both baseball and cricket (go figure), flyfishing and multi-volume works of history and biography. By now you should have clicked on someone else’s photo. He is also the founding writer and editor for Clyde Hill Publishing, and is an agent-at-large with LGR. Greg began his career as a journalist in Oklahoma, and more recently was co-author of the New York Times bestseller Hit Refresh by Satya Nadella (Harper Collins). He was editor and publisher of The Amazon Way books by John Rossman, and has worked on a range of publishing efforts including Bill Gates’ The Road Ahead as well as both the film and book aspects of the documentary, Waiting for Superman. He was CEO and publisher of Seattle’s Crosscut news, an independent editorial site that publishes long-form journalism and e-books. Greg has been a communications and advocacy executive both at Microsoft and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Although Greg loves novels, he does not represent fiction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Economics * History * Money/Finance * Sports *
Samantha Shea
Georges Borchardt Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Samantha Shea is a literary agent with the Georges Borchardt Literary Agency. After graduating from Colgate University, Samantha Shea joined Georges Borchardt, Inc. in 2010 and was made a Vice President in 2016. Her list includes literary fiction, memoir/narrative nonfiction, journalism, popular culture, essays, cultural criticism, and history. Samantha’s authors are regularly named for numerous awards and honors, including the “5 Under 35” honor from the National Book Foundation, the “Best of Young American Novelists” honor from Granta Magazine, the Kirkus Prize, the National Book Critics Circle Awards, the PEN/ Robert W. Bingham Prize, and others.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Literary *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Environment * Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * History * Journalism * Memoir * Narrative * Nature * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * Technology * True Crime *
Charlotte Sheedy
Charlotte Sheedy Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *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
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Graphic Novel * Horror * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Autobiography * Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * History * Humor * Memoir * Military/War * Narrative * Politics *
Biography
Madeline Shellhouse is a literary agent with Ultra Literary. Madeline joined Ultra after several years in the foreign rights department at Folio Literary Management. She is dedicated to placing Ultra’s authors with the best possible international publishers, working with an extensive network of co-agents around the world.
In addition to representing Ultra’s titles abroad, Madeline is building a select list of young adult and middle grade titles. She is a voracious reader with broad taste, seeking books in the YA and MG space with compelling writing that make her look at the world a little differently or introduce her to a new perspective.
She loves fantasy and retellings of classic stories, and is especially looking for those stories from underrepresented voices. Some of her favorite books and series include Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, Fablehaven by Brandon Mull, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han, A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown, Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley, Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, Starfish by Lisa Fipps, Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian, Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire, and so many more that it was very hard to stop the list there.
Madeline grew up in Colorado, and is happiest when curled up with a good book—ideally surrounded by mountains. She has a BA in English from the University of Miami, and an MA in English from the University of Colorado–Boulder.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Middle Grade Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
David R. Shepherd is a literary agent with The DRS Agency. The DRS Agency was founded by publishing veteran David R. Shepherd in 2009 after serving in a Nashville publishing house for 15 years, 10 of those years as Publisher. During that time he acquired and/or worked with such authors as Oliver North, Mike Huckabee, Chuck Norris, Beth Moore, Michael Reagan, Henry Blackaby, Vicki Courtney, Marian Jordan, Tom Doyle, and Calvin Miller. He also served as executive editor for the Holman Christian Standard Bible translation project.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Christian * Inspiration * Religion * Spirituality *
317 Main Street Suite 207 Franklin TN 37064 USA
Ken Sherman
Ken Sherman & AssociatesDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Postal Mail *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 Writers’ 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, “The Business of Writing for Screen, Television and the Publishing Worlds,” 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
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Horror * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Art * Autobiography * Biography * Celebrity * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Music * Narrative * Photography * Pop Culture *
Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Rebecca Sherman is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. She says: “Writers House is a leading full-service literary agency that offers the many resources of a large company and the personal attention of a small agency. It has been my home for over fourteen years now, where I’ve built a list of dynamic and award-winning picture book illustrators and author/illustrators, as well as middle grade and young adult novelists. Further information about clients’ work can be found below (sorry if it sounds like I’m bragging…#ProudAgentMama).
I have taken on clients who came to me as children’s book veterans and others for whom I’ve sold their debut works. Now, I am actively seeking additions to my client list again. In general, I am looking for stories that meet kids where they are (not those that talk down to them or go over their heads) and that genuinely can get them laughing. More specifically:
MG: Middle grade fiction is the arrow that goes to the bull’s-eye of my heart. I’m looking for timeless stories that could become instant classics. I have a soft spot for fresh retellings and inventive folklore, fairytales, etc. I’m equally excited by contemporary stories, particularly friendship stories. Occasionally I fall for character-driven historical fiction set in seldom explored settings.
Favorite childhood MG books: THE WESTING GAME, CHARLOTTE’S WEB, THE BFG, FROM THE MIXED UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWILER, and HOLES (actually I read this last one when I was an adult). Favorite contemporary MG books: THE WEDNESDAY WARS, THE TRUE MEANING OF SMEKDAY, EMMA JEAN LAZARUS FELL OUT OF A TREE, THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA, THE REAL BOY.
YA: I’m looking for books with something to say—books that make me laugh, and characters that truly remind me of how confounding and wonderful (ridiculous! frightening! glorious!) adolescence can be. I enjoy contemporary stories of young love and growing up. I am not the right person for your high fantasy/SF submission, however I am game for a novel with fantastical elements in the world we know/urban fantasy/magical realism). Super-edgy and/or issue-driven books aren’t for me either.
Favorite contemporary YA: STARGIRL, BLANKETS, ELEANOR & PARK, WHY WE BROKE UP, THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE LANDAU BANKS.
For all fiction, I’m very much looking for highly illustrated work—not necessarily graphic novels or illustrated diaries, but projects that include inventive uses of artwork to help tell the story. Also: bonus points for manuscripts that include an ensemble of characters in which the individuals as well as the dynamics between characters are complex and fully developed.
Picture Books: I want picture books that can hold up to readings night after night. I’d love to see something that can make me laugh embarrassingly loud. I want to find the next picture book household name like Madeline or Olivia or Harold (in other words, character-driven picture books are welcome). I’m highly selective in this category, and I accept illustrators and author/illustrators only—if you’ve just written picture book text, I’m not the best match for you.
Favorite childhood picture books: THE MONSTER AT THE END OF THIS BOOK, MISS NELSON IS MISSING!, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, anything by Richard Scarry. Favorite contemporary picture books: OLIVIA, ME…JANE, THE INCREDIBLE BOOK-EATING BOY, ORANGE PEAR APPLE BEAR, BALLOONS OVER BROADWAY, and THE ADVENTURES OF THE DISH AND THE SPOON. To get an even better sense of my taste in artwork, feel free to visit writershouseart.com.”
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 *
120 Broadway 22nd floor New York NY 10271 USA
Biography
Wendy Sherman is a literary agent with Wendy Sherman Associates. Wendy has been in publishing more years than she cares to admit. She has held senior, executive positions at Simon & Schuster, Macmillan, and Henry Holt. During her time at these major publishing houses, she worked in the areas of subsidiary rights, marketing, sales, and editorial. With a desire to work more closely with writers and help develop their careers, she founded Wendy Sherman Associates Literary Management in 1999.
Wendy loves voice and story-driven fiction. She is interested in women’s fiction that hits that sweet spot between literary and mainstream and has a passion for Southern voices, historical dramas, suspense with a well-developed protagonist, and has a weakness for family secrets, mother-daughter relationships, and realistic love stories.
She is also interested in non-fiction with a unique twist by authors with a strong, well-developed media platform. Memoir, narrative non-fiction, practical and prescriptive, self-help and mainstream psychology are also general areas of interest. Strong categories for her include parenting, relationships, spirituality, lifestyle, pop-culture, and just about anything to do with food or dogs.
Wendy is on the Board of Directors of the Association of Authors Representatives (AAR) and a member of The Women’s Media Group.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Family Saga * General Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * How-To * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Practical * Prescriptive * Psychology * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality *
138 W. 25th St. Suite 1018 New York NY 10001 USA
Adrian Shirk
Drift(less) LiteraryDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Adrian Shirk is a literary agent with Drift(less) Literary. She brings over ten years of experience as an author, editor and career mentor to dozens of emerging writers. She has two books of creative nonfiction, And Your Daughters Shall Prophesy: Stories from the Byways of American Women and Religion and Heaven is a Place on Earth: Searching for an American Utopia, both from Counterpoint Press. Her essays have otherwise appeared in The Atlantic, Lit Hub, and others, as well as Catapult, where she was previously a columnist and regular contributor. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Wyoming, and worked as an editor at Wilder Quarterly, as well as the erstwhile small press The Corresponding Society and its biannual journal Correspondence. Most recently, in addition to working with clients and developing manuscripts for Drift(less), she teaches in the BFA Creative Writing Program at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, serving as the Writing Lives Advisor and Internship Coordinator. She lives in the Catskills, where she helps run a cooperative artists’ residency called The Mutual Aid Society.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Short Story Collection *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Memoir *
Biography
Victoria Shoemaker is a literary agent with The Spieler Agency. Victoria joined The Spieler Agency in 1994 as the West Coast representative. Her areas of interest include environment and natural history, popular culture, memoir, photography and film, literary fiction and poetry, and books on food and cooking. With over 35 years in bookselling and publishing, her experience includes retail bookselling, book development, editing, promotion and publicity. Among her authors are Kate Horsley (The Confessions of a Pagan Nun, A Killing in a New Town, Careless Love), William Fox (Aereality: Essays on the World, Terra Antarctica: Looking into the Emptiest Continent), Kazuaki Tanahashi (The Heart of the Brush: Exploring East Asian Calligraphy, Selected Zen Chants, The Heart Sutra—Exploring Wisdom Beyond Wisdom), Peter Dale Scott (The Road to 9/11: Wealth, Empire, and the Future of America, American War Machine: Deep Politics, the CIA Global Drug Connection), Taigen Daniel Leighton (Cultivating the Empty Field: The Silent Illuminations of Zen Master Hongzhi). Forthcoming books include Mary Street Alinder (Group f.64: Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham…, Ansel Adams: A Biography, revised edition)
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Literary *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Film/Entertainment * Environment * Food/Drinks * History * Memoir * Nature * Photography * Pop Culture *
75 Broad St. Suite 304 New York NY 10004 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)
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“After sending out the query Mark revised for me, I had the opportunity to speak with literary agents from top agencies such as Janklow & Nesbit, Trident Media, Anderson Lit, and Folio. I signed with Don Fehr at Trident and, a short time later I had a publishing contract with Berkley Books, which recently published my book in hardcover.
Before that, I sent my query letter out on my own to 30 or 40 agents and got a lot of rejections. I then found Mark online while I was researching agents. I was surprised that he offered so much during his initial consultation—for a very modest amount of money.
I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t worked with Mark. I can’t even imagine that now though, because of the grief and detours I experienced before we worked together. It was a time-consuming pain in the neck. If you want to get the attention of top literary agents and publishers, there is no substitute for working with an insider. You can’t beat experience. And having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable.”
Author of Single Handed
(Berkley Books, a Division of Penguin Random House)
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“AHHH! OMG, it happened! I got three offers of representation for my children’s picture book in the United States, even though I live abroad! When I woke up and found the first offer for representation in my email in box, I wanted to scream. But my family was still asleep so I couldn’t. 🙂
Just 8 minutes after I sent a query letter to one of my favorite agents, she replied and asked to see my manuscript. A short time later we had a lovely conversation. She was interested in representing me and sounded very positive and enthusiastic about my book. Since I also got offers from two other agents, I had to turn two of them down. One of them was upset and it felt like I was breaking her heart, but you just have to do it. I kept reminding myself that this is a good problem to have!”
Author/Illustrator of Lon-Lon’s Big Night
and many other children’s books
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“Mark, after you helped me land a top literary agent, I got publishing offers from THREE well-known publishers: Amacom, Palgrave Macmillan, and McGraw-Hill (they’re publishing my book in hardcover)!
I was at Disneyworld with my family, in the Haunted Mansion, when I got the call. I went outside and listened to the voicemail message from my agent. A huge smile came over my face. It was a fantastic feeling. For a moment I felt like life was perfect and the angels were singing.
You’re filling an important need so I’ll say this to every other author reading this testimonial. Mark showed me that getting a top literary agent is a science. If you’ve written a book, or you’re in the process, you’ve already invested a lot—a lot more than money. Don’t stop yourself from getting out there to fulfill your purpose and dreams. Thank you so, so much, Mark!!!”
Author of Customer Focused Process Innovation (McGraw Hill)
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“I got a book deal! After I started sending out my new query letter I had 6 literary agents request my manuscript in a short amount of time, which is awesome. Then, within 2 weeks of my agent starting to pitch my story to publishers, we had an offer. I signed a book contract yesterday. A little while later my agent told me that a TV co-producer asked for more info about my book.
By the way, the acquiring editor that fell in love with the manuscript jumped in with both feet and we just worked out our timeline for publication. She’s as passionate about getting my book out as I am, and that means everything. She read the manuscript in two days and said she couldn’t put it down. And the book is going to be published as a hardcover!”
Author of A Chick in the Cockpit
(Behler Publications)
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“Thank you Mark! After you helped me get a well-known agent with Hartline Literary Agency (for my previously self-published murder mystery), he got me a deal with an American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) approved publisher. I’m hard-pressed to find anything that I had an expectation for that you didn’t deliver on.
Before I worked with you I sent out queries, but no one ever requested my complete manuscript. Comparing your new version of my query to the one I wrote before, I can see a vast difference.
I’ve been in business for 35 years so I’m not just saying this… what you’re doing is phenomenal. There are other people offering similar services, but the difference is your success. Others might say they do similar things but, if you research them, they don’t have your background or track record.”
Author of The Rector
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“Mark, you’re a miracle worker. Thanks to your help with my book, query letter, and synopsis… I now have a legitimate publisher who described my book as ‘Powerful Magic’ and it’s now available in bookstores and online!
I’m a lifelong academic writer who one day found myself writing inspired short stories that came to me in dreams and I began thinking of them as novels. That’s when I had a momentous conversation, an introductory coaching call with Mark Malatesta, the American creative writing coach, or rather, to be precise, a how-to-sell-yourself-and-your-work adviser. It was the best-spent money of my life apart (possibly) for my wedding ring.”
Author of The Black Inked Pearl
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“Within 4 minutes of sending out my query letter, a top literary called me on the phone (the #1 agent on my wish list). Less than 30 days later I had three major publishers making offers. A few days after that, I signed a deal with Random House. Mark, your query letter did that.
My agent talked about the query letter you helped me create for a long, long time. When he first called me on the phone, he hadn’t seen any of my sample chapters. It was just the query letter that did it. Communicating the right thing is so important. You are a wonderful medium helping authors find their voice and elevate their writing from just a hobby to a real business… a source from which they can both learn and earn.”
Author of Lights Out
(Random House)
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“MARK, MARK, MARK!!!!!!! Holy smokes… I just signed my book deal. First, two well-known literary agents asked to represent me. One of them responded to my query letter in less than 4 minutes!!
Then THREE different publishers wanted my book and started talking about making offers. The publisher I chose is perfect for me because they produce titles for the trade, educational, and scientific markets. And they agreed to publish my book as a hardcover!!!
When I met you, Mark, it was a pivotal time. I was under the belief that I could self-publish my book with a vanity press and then seek a publisher. I didn’t know what a literary agent was, why I needed one, or how to get one. I was wandering in the dark. You guided me in the right direction and gave me a solid plan.”
Author of Intestinal Health
(Rowman & Littlefield)
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“Boom!!! I just signed a contract with Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins for (what I’ve been told by several people) is a very large advance for a first-time author.
Before working with Mark I submitted my book to agents but didn’t get any interest. This time around I got a top NY literary agency (Fine Print Lit). What cloud is higher than 9?
I had several agencies interested before deciding to go with Fine Print. And, to be honest, all of the attention didn’t surprise me. The query letter and proposal that Mark helped me develop were incredible. Agents actually said things to me like: ‘Scott, I read your proposal and I’m just blown away by it!’ Mark is extremely talented at what he does. If you have the opportunity to work with him, take advantage of it.”
Author of The Unbreakable Boy
(Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson)