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7 Insider Secrets to Get a Top Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal
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Literary Agent Directory
Important: Visit each agent’s website (links in their listings below) to see if they’re open to submissions before querying.
Biography
Pronoy Sarkar is an Agent at the Georges Borchardt Literary Agency. Pronoy Sarkar joined in 2025, focused on non-fiction. He is interested in bold, ambitious, and conversation shifting projects across a range of areas, including history, biography, popular science, politics and current affairs, economics/law, high concept/big think, investigative journalism, culture, and paradigm-defining works focused on feminism, race, sexuality, and the intersections thereof. Also, cultural tastemakers and critics with fresh perspectives and points of view. Above all, projects should be imbued with strong writing of the highest quality. Previously, he worked at Little, Brown as a senior editor, where some highlights include publishing the New York Times bestselling, Heat Will Kill You First by Jeff Goodell, finalist for the Helen Bernstein Award for Excellence in Journalism, LA Times Book Prize, and PEN/EO Wilson Prize for Literary Science Writing; San Francisco Chronicle bestseller, If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal by Justin Gregg; The Everything War by WSJ reporter and Pulitzer winner Dana Mattioli, a finalist for the Financial Times Book Prize, and acquiring forthcoming books by bestselling historian Rick Perlstein, Washington Post op-ed columnist Dana Milbank, Congressman James Clyburn, and bestselling management professor at MIT, Andrew McAfee, among many others. He was also an editor at St. MartinÕs Press, where he published 2030 by Mauro F. Guillen, a Wall Street Journal bestseller and Financial Times Best of the Year pick, New York Times bestselling The Fund by NYT reporter Rob Copeland, Aftershocks by Biden officials Colin Kahl and Thomas Wright, Profit and Punishment by 2019 Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Messenger, among others. If you have a non-fiction project that fits, Pronoy is open to queries. Please include a brief description of the project and your credentials. Some notable authors he’s worked with include Olivia Laing, Jonathan Franzen, Jonathan Safron Foer, Nobel Laureate Mario Vargas Llosa, Lucia Berlin, Daryl Pickney, Andre Aciman, Dean Erwin Chemerinsky, economist Linda Yueh, diplomat Phillip Gordon, Eric Posner, Edmund Richardson, playwright Andre Gregory, and the Wu-Tang Clan. He’s also held jobs at Picador US and Simon & Schuster.
Notes
NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Economics, History, Investigative, Journalism, Law Legal, Nonfiction, Politics, Science, Women’s Issues
Biography
Jenna Satterthwaite is a literary agent with the Storm Literary Agency. She reached agenting sideways, as many do. She didnÕt know agenting existed until she wrote her first novel back in 2014 and learned she had to do this thing called Òquerying.Ó Fast forward many years during which she wrote many novels and became agented herself, and she had an aha moment. Agenting was the nexus where her two decades of business experience in sales, pitching, project management and contract negotiation met her decade of bookish experience. After completing internships with Liza Dawson Associates and Rees Literary, Jenna joined Storm as an agent in 2024. SheÕs looking to represent authors over the course of their careers who are passionate about their work and willing to arm themselves with the tenacity that it takes to succeed in the world of publishing. She is an editorial agent who wants to help make your manuscript the best and most sellable version of itself, and then pitch the heck out of it to the right editors. Jenna is here to help you navigate this career that can unfold in so many different ways, advocate for you, and seek your best interests. SheÕs not afraid of multi-genre writers, (sheÕs one herself!) and she is ready to try and break your name into as many genres and age groups as you want to write. YOU are your brand! Omnivorous in her taste, Jenna is seeking to represent adult, Young Adult and Middle Grade commercial fiction in most genres, graphic novels from middle grade to young adult, adult non-fiction, and very select picture books. (See submission guidelines for more details.) Jenna is also fully bilingual English/Spanish, so dual language projects are most welcome! Jenna lives in Chicago with her family, and when she’s not agenting, reading or writing, you can find her trying a Milk Street recipe, making music in living rooms with friends, or plotting when she can get sushi next.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, Religious Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Nonfiction, Parenting, Religion, Self-Help, Spirituality, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Nonfiction
Biography
Abby Saul is a literary agent with The Lark Group. With over 15 years of publishing experience, Abby Saul is an editorial expert with a passion for fantastic reads. Abby founded The Lark Group in 2016 after a decade in publishing at John Wiley & Sons, Sourcebooks, and Browne & Miller Literary Associates. She’s worked with and edited bestselling and award-winning authors as well as major brands. At each publishing group she’s been a part of, Abby also has helped to establish ebook standards, led company-wide forums to explore new digital possibilities for books, and created and managed numerous digital initiatives. A zealous reader who loves her iPad and the ebooks on it, she still canÕt resist the lure of a print book. AbbyÕs personal library of beloved titles runs the gamut from literary newbies and classics, to cozy mysteries, to sappy womenÕs fiction, to dark and twisted thrillers. SheÕs looking for great and engrossing adult commercial and literary fiction and is a member of the AALA. A magna cum laude graduate of Wellesley College, Abby spends her weekendsÑwhen sheÕs not readingÑcooking and hiking with her husband and children. Find her @BookySaul on Twitter.
Notes
FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction
Biography
Carolyn Savarese is a literary agent with Calligraph. She came to agenting after 18 years as a publishing executive overseeing sales, marketing, legal affairs, business development, and domestic and international licensing, working on behalf of such authors as Elizabeth Warren, Samantha Power, Henry Louis Gates, George Soros, and Rick Steves. SheÕs negotiated newsworthy deals at European book fairs, established and run a London office for the Perseus Books Group, and helped develop that companyÕs platform and polices in eBooks, negotiating directly with Amazon, Apple, and Google on behalf of all Perseus imprints, as well as their 400 independent distribution clients. Her client list includes U.S. Representative Katie Porter whose memoir, I Swear: Politics Is Messier than My Minivan, was an instant New York Times Bestseller; privacy and media law expert Amy Gajda whose Seek & Hide: The Tangled History of the Right to Privacy was a 2022 New York Times Notable Book of the Year; and MIT Atmospheric Scientist Susan Solomon whose forthcoming book, Solvable: How We Repair Our Planet, draws on her work with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an effort awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. With insider knowledge of worldwide book sales, marketing and promotion, as well as extensive experience representing distinguished individuals, Carolyn is positioned to negotiate exceptional deals for journalists, activists, politicians, scientists, historians and entrepreneurs, providing them with wise counsel and strategic advice throughout the publishing process. She believes that while good agenting often means seeing the potential others might miss, it always means maximizing whatever potential is there. She brings both these aspects of creativity to the job, because great publishing successes donÕt just happen. They need a knowledgeable and tenacious guide.
Notes
NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Current Events Affairs, Economics, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Journalism, Law Legal, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Psychology, Science, Technology
Biography
Eva Scalzo is a literary agent with Speilburg Literary Agency. Eva Scalzo was born in New Jersey, but has lived in Houston, Buenos Aires, San Juan, and Boston before settling down outside of Binghamton, New York. She has a B.A. in the Humanities from the University of Puerto Rico and a M.A. in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College. Since graduating, she has spent her career in scholarly publishing, working for Houghton Mifflin, Blackwell Publishing, John Wiley & Sons, and Cornell University in a variety of roles. She has been with Speilburg Literary since 2013, and started accepting clients in 2017. Eva is a member of SCBWI and the AALA. She serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the AALA Newsletter and is a member of the Communications and USBS Committees. In Adult Fiction, Eva represents Romance (all subgenres but inspirational), as well as select Upmarket, Thrillers, and Science Fiction/Fantasy. She also represents all subgenres of Young Adult Fiction and select Middle Grade.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Frank Scatoni is a literary agent with Venture Literary Agency, a founding partner, and heads the San Diego office. He had worked in book publishing for ten years, including stints at Doubleday and Simon & Schuster in New York, before relocating to Solana Beach, California, in 2000. Having been in the position of acquiring books for publishers, he knows what sells and why, and he uses that experience to shape manuscripts and proposals to meet the standards of publishing houses. In addition to having reviewed, acquired, and edited hundreds of manuscripts as both an editor and agent, Frank is also the author of two pop culture books – Who Can It Be Now? and Say Anything – as well as Saratoga: The Ultimate Racing Experience and Six Secrets of Successful Bettors. He also served as the editor of Finished Lines, an anthology of memorable writing about horse racing.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, General Fiction NONFICTION: Business Book, General Nonfiction, History, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Sports
Biography
Angela Scheff is a literary agent with the Christopher Ferebee Literary Agency. Angela has worked in the publishing industry since 2000. For the first 10 years she worked as an Editor and then Associate Publisher at Zondervan, a Christian imprint of HarperCollins in Grand Rapids, Michigan, acquiring and editing a variety of well-known authors. For the next five years, Angela became a freelancer, working with different Christian publishers, editors, and authors, in addition to focusing on her young family. In 2015, Angela joined Christopher FerebeeÕs agency to represent a select number of authors to help bring their voice, passion, and expertise to their readers.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, General Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Religious Fiction NONFICTION: Dating Relationships Sex, General Nonfiction, History, Inspirational Nonfiction, Memoir, Nonfiction, Parenting, Religion, Spirituality, Sports NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction, Christian Nonfiction
Biography
Christopher Schelling is a literary agent with Selectric Artists. Christopher provides a unique level of personal service, strategically managing and nurturing the careers of each client personally, and the editorial process is integral. With over four decades of publishing experience, he has a wide network of deep connections. Prior to opening Selectric Artists in 2011, he spent 13 years at Ralph M. Vicinanza Ltd, an iconic literary agency. Before this, he was an Executive Editor at Dutton and HarperCollins. He also had a clandestine career as a book cover model. Christopher lives with his husband, the author Augusten Burroughs, and their three dogs.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Literary Fiction, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, General Nonfiction, Illustrated, Lifestyle, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Pop Culture CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Rebecca Scherer is a literary agent with the Jane Rotrosen Agency. She began her publishing career at JRA in 2010 while earning a BA in English Literature, Political Science, and German from the Macaulay Honors College at Hunter. Immediately upon graduating, she was offered the unique opportunity to work within each department at the agency to gain a deep understanding of the business before going on to become an agent. She represents commercial fiction across genres, with particular interest in womenÕs fiction, crime/mystery, suspense, book club fiction, and upmarket/literary-leaning fiction. A lifelong New Yorker with a true head for numbers, Rebecca bridges her taste in literature with her business acumen to comprehensively advocate for her authors.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction
Biography
Ethan Schlatter is a liteary agent with United Talent Agency (UTA). He began at UTA in 2022 after a mercifully brief stint working in intellectual property law. He works with the Translation Rights team, where he has helped bring the work of NYT best-selling authors like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Elliot Page, and Ashley Flowers to readers across the globe. On the domestic side, Ethan is currently building his list of authors across both fiction and non-fiction. On the fiction side, he likes heartfelt and witty stories about unique communities, complicated families, or anything where the premise can best be described as Òcoo-coo bananas.Ó With non-fiction, heÕs drawn to cultural criticism (both serious and frivolous), ancient history, humorous essays, and memoirs that reflect a greater cultural conversation. Also, just in case itÕs not apparent already, he has a soft spot for anything LGBT+. A recovering theater kid, Ethan grew up in Southern California and attended the University of California, Berkeley (Go Bears!). Upon completing his pre-med courses, he took a hard pivot and graduated with a B.A. in Media Studies and Rhetoric, much to the confusion of his parents. Unsurprisingly, he lives in Brooklyn.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, General Fiction NONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, General Nonfiction, History, Humor Nonfiction, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Nonfiction
Biography
Wendy Schmalz is a literary agent with the Wendy Schmalz Agency. Wendy is also the principal and founder of the Wendy Schmalz Agency, founded in 2002. Representing a wide range of writers for both the children’s and adult markets for more than twenty-five years, her current client list includes Myla Goldberg, Julie Anne Peters Seymour Simon, and April Henry to name a few. She began her career at Curtis Brown before moving on to Harold Ober Associates, where she was a principal of the company.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, New Adult Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Jessica Schmeidler is the founding literary agent of Golden Wheat Literary. Jessica has a B.A. in English, Literature, a B.A. in Political Science, Pre-law, and a Paralegal Certificate. Prior to becoming a literary agent she was the Managing Editor of a traditional press, a Professional Editor, a Paralegal, and a Ghostwriter. In addition to being a literary agent Jessica is also a Freelance Editor, a Ghostwriter, the Host of #JustPitchIt, the Co-host of #SecretShop, the Co-founder of Post Script Services, and the Co-host of #FromPitchToPublished workshop. Jessica’s tastes are eclectic in genre and readership, but she consistently favors character driven plot with rich, atmospheric description.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Religious Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Gardening, Memoir, Nature, Nonfiction, Religion, Science, Spirituality, Sports, Travel, True Adventure CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction, Christian Nonfiction
Biography
Harold Schmidt is a literary agent with the Harold Schmidt Literary Agency. Literary fiction has been Harold’s primary focus. His clients have included Jessica Hagedorn, John Stewart Wynne, James Purdy, Rebecca Brown, Leonard Kastle, Norma L. Goodrich, Gershen Kaufman and Lev Raphael, John Wooley & Ron Wolfe, David Everitt, David M. Pierce, Ernesto Mestre, Gregory and Patricia Kishel, Bo Huston, Lawrence Chua, etc. He says: “I am a long-time member of the AAR (Association of AuthorsÕ Representatives). Harold Schmidt Literary Agency has co-agents worldwide for foreign language rights and for English-language rights outside the United States. We also partner with agents in Los Angeles and London for disposition of motion picture and dramatic rights. Concurrent with agenting, I also worked as an audio books script writer for Simon & Schuster, Time Warner, Random House, Harper Collins, Bantam, etc. Among the dozens of authors whose books I adapted to the audio format are: Stephen Ambrose, Sandra Brown, Ken Burns, Tom Clancy, Mary Higgins Clark, Jackie Collins, Michael Connelly, Clive Cussler, Jeffery Deaver, John Dunning, Vince Flynn, Tony Hillerman, Linda Howard, Robert Ludlum, Judith McNaught, Judith Michael, Ruth Rendell, Luanne Rice, Sidney Sheldon, etc. The authors all had final approval of the scripts I adapted from their works.”
Notes
FICTION: Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Economics, Film Entertainment, General Nonfiction, History, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Nonfiction, Reference, True Crime
Biography
Deborah Schneider is a literary agent with the Gelfman Schnedier/ICM Literary Agency. Deborah Schneider grew up in Chicago. In 1981, seeking a less corporate environment, Deborah partnered with Jane Gelfman as an agent in the New York office of the venerable British Literary Agency, John Farquharson Ltd. Deborah began building her American client list and in 1992, she and Jane bought the agency and established the Gelfman Schneider Literary Agents Inc. that exists today. Deborah represents a large variety of prominent and bestselling writers, across all categories of literary and commercial fiction and nonfiction. She is a member of the AARÑthe Association of Authors Representatives, served two terms on their Board, and has served on their Royalty Committee for twenty-five years.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal Fiction, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Science, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Eddie Schneider
Jabberwocky Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Online Form or Postal MailBiography
Eddie Schneider is a literary agent with Jabberwocky Literary Agency. He is also is the Vice President of JABberwocky Literary Agency, which he joined back when the nerve center was still Joshua BilmesÕ living room. These days, the agency is in a real office, sandwiched between Grand Central Station and Times Square in midtown Manhattan, and the bustling new digs only serve to motivate Eddie in his pursuit of great authors, both new and new to JABberwocky. Eddie is an Iowa graduate, where he studied fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction. He has an M.S. in Publishing from New York University, and his client list includes Hugo, Andre Norton, Philip K. Dick, and Bram Stoker Award winners, as well as New York Times bestselling authors Brandon Sanderson, Daniel JosŽ Older, and Alison Wilgus. When he isnÕt agenting, reading, or editing, he has been known to run ultramarathons, and is technically an award-winner himself, although his form wouldnÕt necessarily get rave reviews.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Science Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Environment, History, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Photography, Science, Travel CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Kathy Schneider is a literary agent with the Jane Rotrosen Agency. Her long and varied publishing career has included managing an independent bookstore, overseeing publicity and marketing departments at major imprints, and holding publisher roles at Random House and HarperCollins. Having worked with bestselling and award-winning authors, she now brings her passion for authors and championing their work to her role as agent. Kathy applies her knowledge of current marketing strategies to help her clients achieve success, from the bookÕs conception through the entire publishing process. Kathy is looking for nonfiction with a focus on womenÕs interest, current affairs, business, pop culture, wellness, relationships, humor, and memoir. She is also interested in upmarket womenÕs fiction and psychological suspense.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Business Book, Current Events Affairs, Economics, Health Wellness, Memoir, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Self-Help, Women’s Issues
Biography
Heather Schroder is the founder of Compass Talent. Before founding Compass Talent in 2014, Heather got her start at ICM in foreign rights and worked as an agent for over 25 years . Her clients include authors of literary and commercial fiction; upmarket non-fiction, including memoir, journalism, history, science and cookbooks; and a select list of middle grade and YA. Heather has represented numerous bestsellers, including Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Billy LynnÕs Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain, Methland by Nick Reding, and The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by Bryan Mealer and William Kamkwamba, among others. She is also proud to represent Guggenheim fellows, MacArthur Geniuses, National Book Award winners, and TED Fellows. Heather has spoken at numerous workshops and writersÕ retreats and is currently serving on the board of the Association of Author Representatives (AAR).
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, Thriller NONFICTION: Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, Economics, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, History, Journalism, Lifestyle, Memoir, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Reference, Religion, Science, Spirituality, Sports, Technology, Upmarket Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Susan Schulman is a literary agent with the Susan Schulman Literary Agency. The Susan Schulman Literary Agency specializes in representing motion picture, television and allied rights, foreign rights, live stage including commercial theater, opera and dance adaptations, new media rights including e-book and digital applications, and other subsidiary rights on behalf of North American publishers and literary agents. The agency also represents its own clients domestically and internationally in all markets. The agency has a particular interest in fiction and non-fiction books for, by and about women and women’s issues and interests, as well as all levels of childrenÕs books including picture books, middle-grade and young adult, history, science, pop culture, and memoir. Our primary interest however is in authors and their projects which explore big ideas about the world and being human.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Religious Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Sports Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Computers, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Economics, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Law Legal, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Reference, Religion, Science, Spirituality, Sports, Technology, Travel, Upmarket Nonfiction, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
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
FICTION: Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Business Book, Current Events Affairs, General Nonfiction, Government, Humor Nonfiction, Money Finance, Nonfiction, Psychology, Self-Help, Sports, Travel
Biography
Tina P. Schwartz is the founder and owner of The Purcell Agency. She 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. (She’s written 10 traditionally published books.) Schwartz is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI). 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 world!”
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Sports Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Family, General Nonfiction, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Reference, Sports CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Lauren Scovel is a literary agent with the Laura Gross Literary Agency. She says: ÒI 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.Ó
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, History, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, True Crime CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Marleen Seegers is a literary agent with the 2 Seas Agency. She says: “I was born and raised in the southern Dutch town of Maastricht, in a family of -mostly- chemical engineers. At age 18, I had outgrown my home town and engineering destiny, and moved to London for a year. There I developed a passion for reading: I fell in love with Virginia Woolf and her Bloomsbury Group, devoured 19th-century fin de sicle novels, read French classics by Voltaire, Maupassant, Flaubert, and Gide. After having studied a semester at Hull University in the north of England, I went south-bound to take part in a research project on Welsh literature in English translation at Swansea University in Wales. I graduated in Liberal Arts at Utrecht University back in the Netherlands, majoring in Modern European Literature, and obtained a post-graduate diploma in Comparative Literature at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris, France. Apart from my two mother tongues (Dutch and Limburgish, a dialect spoken by natives of the Maastricht area), I am fluent in English and French. I also have good working proficiency in German and have started learning Spanish. Italian and Russian are also on my wish-list. Work Experience: It All Started in France I settled in Paris and started interning with several French publishing houses and agencies, including Editions Jean-Claude Latts and Agence Michelle Lapautre. With my international profile and language skills, working in foreign rights was a natural fit. I was offered a position at the Rights & Licenses department of FranceÕs oldest publishing house Editions Stock, part of Hachette Livre. For over five years, I represented foreign and domestic rights in their entire catalog, which consisted of literary fiction and books in the humanities and social sciences (and, on a side note, several books by Virginia Woolf). I knew I had found my calling Ñ I loved combining my passion for books and languages with my strong communicative, interpersonal and organizational skills. Throughout my years at Editions Stock I sold and bought translation rights, developed lasting relationships with publishers, agents, literary scouts and translators throughout the world, and attended international book fairs (Frankfurt, London, Beijing, Prague, Thessaloniki, Bucharest). I was also given the opportunity to participate in a number of inspiring projects and events concerning international publishing, as diverse as teaching a post-graduate class in Written Heritage and Digital Publishing at Tours University, France, and speaking at a conference organized by the French Embassy in Beijing about the translation rights trade between France and China (click here to read my presentation in French). Founding 2 Seas Agency When I left France and the Old Continent to move to California in 2011, the Òforeign rights bugÓ that had bitten me in France naturally came along. It made me discover many great books and wonderful authors, meet innumerable kind, curious and passionate bibliophiles, and travel the world. I was set on continuing this adventurous and inspiring path. My partner Derek Dodds and I founded 2 Seas Agency together just a few months after I had settled in the beautiful town of Ojai. DerekÕs positive, inspiring energy is one of the cornerstones of 2 Seas Agency, and I am grateful to be able to share this highly contagious energy and our common passion for books, reading and languages with you.”
Notes
FICTION: Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Thriller NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Dating Relationships Sex, General Nonfiction, History, How-To, Lifestyle, Memoir, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Religion, Science, Spirituality, Technology, True Crime CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction
Biography
Dani Segelbaum is a literary agent at Arc Literary Management. She has nearly a decade of experience working in the publishing industry. She joined Arc Literary in 2024 after three years at the Carol Mann Agency. She 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. Dani has worked on bestselling and award-winning books by authors including Justin Timberlake, Iris Apfel, Ann Patchett, and Jacqueline Winspear. Born and raised in Minneapolis, Dani is a graduate of Boston UniversityÕs College of Communication where she studied journalism and political science. In college, she worked as an intern for Marie Claire Magazine and as a writer for Boston Common Magazine and the Milford Daily News. Dani has been a voracious reader for as long as she can remember. She represents a wide range of both fiction and non-fiction in the adult and children’s spaces, working with New York Times bestselling and debut authors, and is passionate about collaborating with authors from diverse backgrounds to tell stories that are meaningful to them. InÊnonfiction, she is particularly drawn to books in the areas ofÊwomenÕs issues, popular culture, illustrated/photography, history, politics, self-help, and current events. She also lovesÊnarrative non-fiction, biography, business, lifestyle, andÊcookbooks. Dani collaborates with a diverse range of authors, includingÊillustrators, photographers, academics, psychologists, andÊjournalists. InÊfiction, Dani seeksÊcontemporary and upmarket adult fiction, historical fiction,Êrom-coms, andÊwomenÕs fiction. She loves compelling narrators and is drawn to writing that is voice-driven, highly transporting, and features unique perspectives and marginalized voices. Outside of her professional life, Dani enjoys spending time with herÊAussiedoodle, trying out new restaurants with her husband, and indulging in her cookbook collection (which has officially reached “too many” status). Her guilty pleasures include reading the newspaper late at night and baking a never-ending array of treats for family and friendsÑmany of which come straight from her extensive collection of cookbooks. Dani is a member of the AALA. For more details about her, listen to DaniÕs interview on This Podcast Needs A Title and Manuscript Wishlist. Follow Dani on Instagram and X.
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FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, Journalism, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Science, Self-Help, Sports, True Crime, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book
Lynn Seligman
Lynn Seligman Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Postal MailBiography
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.
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FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Education, Gift Novelty, Government, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Money Finance, Music, Nature, Nonfiction, Photography, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, True Adventure, True Crime, Women’s Issues
Biography
Vicki Selvaggio is a literary agent with the Storm Literary Agency. For Victoria, books have always played an important role in her life. From an early age, she could easily be found reading in a corner with stacks of books or the opposite, crafting her own. In her early teens, anything written by Stephen King became a must readÐÐthe thickness of those books was not intimidating. Those perfect words linked together to create such thought-provoking scenes. She was hooked! So hooked that she began writing constantly. Though, to the dismay of her high school college writing course teacher, Victoria did not pursue writing in college. She also did not pursue her vocation of becoming a CPA, even with the high recommendations (and grades) of her teachers, parents, and peers. Instead, upon graduation Victoria obtained her Real Estate License and after matching her very first homebuyer with the very first house she toured with him (that she selected out of hundreds), she quickly realized she could sell. This empowered her. She changed the trajectory of her path by combining all of her passions and skills and started her own business at the age of twenty. Within the first year of operation, she had expanded from having no employees to ten. Running a successful business never replaced her love for reading and writing, which she shared consistently with her children. Curling up with them to read and enjoying all of those classics again, through their emotions compelled Victoria to revisit writing. Becoming traditionally published, though, was not something that she knew much about and after self-publishing two books, Victoria was introduced to SCBWI (The Society of ChildrenÕs Book Writers and Illustrators). Once again, she was hooked! There was so much to learn about the publishing industryÐÐ and learn she did! From query letters to submissions (with snail mail!). Like all passions, Victoria immersed herself in all things publishing. She participated in any and all writer-related events and volunteered for her local SCBWI chapter and within time, became the Regional Advisor for SCBWI: Northern OhioÐÐa role that she was honored to master for many years. A role that also empowered her and provided a new path. Becoming a literary agent. After interning for The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, she joined the agency in 2013 as an associate agent. Within six months of agenting, she had sales under her belt and a growing list of very talented clients. Additionally, she accepted numerous invitations to present at conferences and eventsÐÐthrilled to have the opportunity to meet like-minded creatives, while also building her reputation in the industry. Grateful for her earlier agenting days, Victoria missed the behind-the-scenes business side. The running of the business. In 2018, she joined Storm Literary Agency as a co-owner where she devoted her time to building the agency from within with talented agents and a supporting staff. With over thirty years of business-ownership and publishing experience, Victoria became the owner of Storm Literary Agency in 2022. Her list features both debut and award-winning authors. She represents all age categories and all genres except Erotica Romance. Currently, she is closed to submissions but does plan to open for a limited time in 2024 (Victoria does accept and opens for submissions as a presenter at conferences). Her favorite authors include: Stephen King, Judy Blume, Shel Silverstein, Lois Lowry, Margaret Atwood, E. B. White, C. S. Lewis, Suzanne Collins, and so many more. In her spare time, Victoria can be found on a sixteen-foot ladder painting or knocking down a wall in one of her remodeling/flipping home projects.
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FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Computers, Cookbook Cooking, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Inspirational Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Reference, Religion, Science, Spirituality, Sports, Technology, Travel CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction, Christian Nonfiction
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.
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FICTION: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction NONFICTION: Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction
Charlie Serabian
Global Lion Intellectual Property Management, Inc.Accepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): EmailBiography
Charlie Serabian is a literary agent with Global Lion Intellectual Property Management, Inc. Charlie brings an eclectic mix of skills to the forefront of Global Lion. A graduate of SCADÕs film and television department, his focus on writing for the screen and stage slowly transitioned to the world of books. Having worked closely with Peter Miller for several years, heÕs taken the Literary LionÕs teachings to heart. He lives in Hollywood, Florida with his two black cats Bob and Betty, who he finds increasingly difficult to tell apart.
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FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Art, Biography, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Film Entertainment, Health Wellness, History, Illustrated, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Sports, Technology, Travel, True Crime CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction