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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
Janet Silver is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. She represents a roster of bestselling and award-winning authors of literary fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Her list of acclaimed clients includes Cheryl Strayed, author of the international bestsellers Wild and Tiny Beautiful Things; Anthony Marra, author of the New York Times bestsellers A Constellation of Vital Phenomena, The Tsar of Love and Techno, and Mercury Pictures Presents; Monique Truong, winner of the Asian American Literary Award for her novel The Book of Salt; Mecca Jamilah Sullivan, winner of a Lambda Award for her debut novel Big Girl; Hanna PylvŠinen, winner of a Whiting Award for her novel We Sinners; and Safiya Sinclair, award-winning author of the poetry collection Cannibal and the forthcoming How to Say Babylon: A Jamaican Memoir. Janet brings in-depth knowledge of the publishing industry and extensive editorial experience to her work as an agent. Before joining Aevitas, she was Publisher at the former Houghton Mifflin Company, where she worked with such renowned authors as Philip Roth, Jhumpa Lahiri, Tim OÕBrien, and Jonathan Safran Foer. At Aevitas, Janet represents authors whose fiction and nonfiction are notable for compelling storylines, singular voices, and unique perspectives. She has been a trustee of the Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center and is on the advisory board of Ploughshares magazine. She was featured in the Poets and Writers article ÒAgents as Editors.Ó
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, Literary Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, General Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Poetry, Women’s Issues
Biography
Eric Simonoff is a literary agent with WME Books. Eric has been at WME since 2009 where he represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction. His clients include Jhumpa Lahiri, Edward P. Jones, Yaa Gyasi, Megha Majumdar, Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, hurmat kazmi, Buzz Bissinger, Tina Brown, Peter Balakian, Stacy Schiff, Alton Brown, Stephen Chbosky, Martin Dugard, Jean Kyoung Frazier, Petina Gappah, Brian Greene, Phil Klay, Christina Baker Kline, Jonathan Lethem, Ariel Levy, Sarah Lewis, Sam Lipsyte, Ben Mezrich, ZZ Packer, Roger Reeves, Jessica Shattuck, Trenton Lee Stewart, Ian Toll, Calvin Trillin, Karen Thompson Walker, Carl Zimmer, and The New Yorker Magazine, among others.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Satire, Short Story Collection, Thriller NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Celebrity, Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Film Entertainment, General Nonfiction, History, Humor Nonfiction, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Money Finance, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Science, Technology CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Jennifer Simpson is a literary agent with CAA/ICM. Based in the New York office, she focuses on domestic subsidiary rights, including audio, magazine and newspaper journalism, first serial rights, and podcasting. Simpson began her career at ICM Partners as an assistant in the Publishing department. She was promoted to Agent in 2021, where she handled domestic subsidiary rights, with an emphasis on audiobook, podcast, and first serial rights. She has negotiated and sold rights on behalf of prize-winning and bestselling authors and journalists. She recently joined CAA after living overseas, where she began building her list and cultivating her taste as a Literary Agent at Paper Literary. She graduated from Duke University and is also a graduate of Columbia UniversityÕs Publishing Course in Oxford.
Notes
FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, Humor Fiction, Romance, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Dating Relationships Sex, Family, Food Drink, Health Wellness, Nonfiction, Science
Biography
Anjali Singh is a literary agent with and the founder of The Anjali Singh Agency. She founded her agency in 2024. Most recently, she was an agent at Ayesha Pande Literary for nine years; she has also worked as an editor at Vintage Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Simon + Schuster and as Editorial Director of Other Press. She is best known for having championed Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis after stumbling across it on a visit to Paris. She has always been drawn to the thrill of discovering new writers and among the literary novelists whose careers she helped launch are Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Samantha Hunt, Saleem Haddad and Nawaaz Ahmed. She focuses on literary fiction, memoir, and narrative nonfiction as well as representing graphic novel writers and illustrators across all age ranges.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Literary Fiction NONFICTION: Art, General Nonfiction, Illustrated, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Jessica Sinsheimer is a literary agent with the Context Literary Agency. Jessica has been reading and campaigning for her favorite queries since 2004. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she went east for Sarah Lawrence College and stayed for the opportunity to read soon-to-be books for a living. Before joining Context, she was an Associate Agent at the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Sports, Travel, True Crime, Upmarket Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Max Sinsheimer is a literary agent with Sinsheimer Literary, LLC. He says: “I represent a range of adult nonfiction, with a particular interest in food, science, and society. Sometimes those interests intersect, as in Larissa Zimberoff’s Technically Food (Abrams Press, 2021), about the lab-driven future of food. Many of my books have a policy or advocacy angle, including Marion Nestle’s Unsavory Truth (Basic Books, 2018), Michael Jacobson’s Salt Wars (MIT Press, 2020), and Catherine Donnelly’s Ending the War on Artisan Cheese (Chelsea Green, 2019). I’m on the lookout for more great place-specific food narratives, having sold a sake travelogue called Exploring the World of Japanese Craft Sake (Tuttle, 2022). There’s more on my plate (pun!) than just food and drink. I’m arguably representing the opposite of food and drink with a book about fasting called The Oldest Cure in the World (Abrams Press, 2022). I love working with investigative and longform journalists like Steve Hendricks. I’m also keen to represent more environmental and social issues books like Mario Ariza’s Disposable City (Nation Books, 2020), about Miami’s sea level rise crisis, and If I Don’t Make It, I Love You (Skyhorse, 2019), a collection of narratives from school shooting survivors. I’ve taken an interest lately in memoirs and memoir-ish projects, including Slow Cooked (University of California Press, 2022), in which Marion Nestle reflects on how she achieved late-in-life success as a leading advocate for healthier and more sustainable diets, and Missed Conceptions (Broadleaf Books, 2022), in which Karen Stollznow illuminates the shadow nation of the infertile throughout time and across cultures, and relates her own decade-long struggle to conceive. Prior to founding my agency I managed Oxford University Press’s influential food and drink Companion series, multi-authored, subject-defining works that included The Oxford Companion to Beer (2011), The Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets (2015), Savoring Gotham (2015), The Oxford Companion to Cheese (2016), and The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails (2021). The series has won or been nominated for James Beard, IACP, Gourmand, and other food writing awards. While I enjoyed my time at OUP immensely, I wanted to represent my authorsÕ interests more completely. Since founding my agency in 2016, I can! I have a BA in English lit from Middlebury College and an MA in liberal studies from Duke University. I live with my wife in Washington, D.C., and travel back and forth to NYC often to meet with editors and visit family. In my free time I play an unhealthy amount of online chess.
Notes
NONFICTION: Art, Biography, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Diet Nutrition, Environment, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, Investigative, Journalism, Lifestyle, Memoir, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Reference, Religion, Science, Spirituality, Sports, Technology, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime
Biography
Aiden Siobhan is a literary agent with the Laura Dail Literary Agency. They graduated from UNC School of the Arts in 2023 with a Filmmaking BFA specializing in Screenwriting and Animation. Before becoming an agent, they interned at LDLA and were an Author Mentor Match mentee in 2022. When theyÕre not binge reading an LGBTQ+ YA novel, they work as the Art Director for two alternative newspapers, attend film festivals for their documentary projects, and go on road trips with their fiancŽ and dog. Aiden loves any story that is diverse, heartfelt, beautifully written, and makes them stay up reading until 3 A.M. Send them your trope-filled, high-stakes, addicting novels that will hook them so well theyÕll have to draw fan art (and they will)!
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Magical Realism, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Tricia Skinner is a literary agent with Fuse Literary. She is a Senior Agent at Fuse Literary, joining the company in 2015. She enjoys discovering fantastic writers who wish to establish long-lasting careers in publishing. She seeks to build a powerful client list of authors who produce original, extraordinary tales, especially writers from marginalized communities, because no one should feel excluded from their favorite fiction categories. Writing has consistently played a significant part in TriciaÕs life. After earning an undergraduate degree from the nationally acclaimed Journalism Institute for Media Diversity at Wayne State University, she started her writing career as a newspaper reporter for The Detroit News, InvestorÕs Business Daily, MSN, and The Houston Chronicle. SheÕs worked in academia and video games industry, later earning her graduate degree from Southern Methodist University. TriciaÕs experience as a published fantasy author informs her approach to agenting. She knows the highs and lows, the joy of accomplishment and the hurt of adversity. She communicates regularly with her clients, brainstorms ideas, gives feedback, and listens to their concerns. Tricia is Team Vader, listens to K-pop, loves everything Marvel, and finds great joy in learning a new language.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction
Victoria Skurnick
Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Online FormBiography
Victoria Skurnick is a literary agent with the Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency. Victoria came to Levine Greenberg after being at The Book-of-the Month Club for almost twenty years. As Editor-in-Chief, she relished the opportunity to devour every kind of book, from the finest literary fiction to Yiddish for Dogs. Anne Tyler, John LeCarre, Amy Tan, Tom Wolfe, Stephen King, Michael Lewis, Lee Child, Roddy Doyle, Alice Sebold, Tracy Kidder, Julia Child and Susan Elizabeth Phillips are just a few of the authors that make her deaf and blind to anyone around her when she’s reading. Victoria’s other addiction besides reading is music. She has sung in many choirs in New York City and spent a few ostensibly happy years singing rock in groups like Big and the Evolution. No, you haven’t heard of it-if you had, she wouldn’t be an agent. She also is the co-author (with Cynthia Katz) of seven novels written by “Cynthia Victor.” Raised in New Rochelle, NY, Victoria went to the University of Wisconsin where she studied political science with an emphasis on constitutional law, a subject that still fascinates her. Neither adventurous nor peripatetic, she has remained within a 20-mile radius of home since her day of birth.
Notes
FICTION: Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller NONFICTION: Biography, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Diet Nutrition, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Science, Self-Help, Sports, True Crime
Biography
Alexander Slater is a literary agent with Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. Alex has only ever worked for authors. A UConn graduate with a concentration in creative writing, he has experience in every area of literary agenting, from interning and assisting, to selling foreign rights and cultivating his own client list. After two years at the Maria Carvainis Agency, and twelve years at Trident Media Group, heÕs thrilled to be bringing his passion for publishing and his expertise in its business to SJGA and GreenburgerKids. As always, Alex seeks to launch careers, especially for writers who have been systematically held back. His clients today include several award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors. Please query him with smart and innovative thrillers, as well as witty and original rom-coms in the YA space. As for middle grade, he loves graphic novels and hopes to see more grounded sci-fi and fantasy, as well as books that aim for the highest literary prizes. Ultimately, all stories must have that sense of urgency that the best books for children share, and be from writers passionate about their own voice and eager to engage in the diverse and dynamic conversation already ongoing in contemporary literature.
Notes
CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Madison Smartt Bell is a literary agent with Ayesha Pande Literary. He is the author of twelve novels, including The Washington Square Ensemble, Waiting for the End of the World, Straight Cut, The Year of Silence, Doctor Sleep, Save Me, Joe Louis, Ten Indians, SoldierÕs Joy, Anything Goes, All Souls Rising (National Book Award and PEN/Faulkner finalist), Master of the Crossroads, The Stone That The Builder Refused, DevilÕs Dream, and The Color of Night. Bell has also published three collections of short stories: Zero db, Barking Man, and Zig-Zag Wanderer; two biographies: Toussaint-Louverture and Lavoisier in the Year One; and a memoir of travel in Haiti, Soul in a Bottle. With Wyn Cooper, the other head of the two-headed singer songwriter Bell & Cooper, he has released two albums: Forty Words For Fear and Postcards out of the Blue. Born and raised in Tennessee, he has lived in New York, Paris and London. A graduate of Princeton University and the Hollins College graduate creative writing program, he has taught in many other writing programs, including Goucher College, the Iowa WritersÕ Workshop, and the Johns Hopkins University Writing Seminars. For thirty years he has helped writers place their manuscripts on a pro bono basis. He is interested in literary fiction, noir, criminal procedurals, work from the Caribbean basin and other diasporas, and anything genuinely original and fresh.
Notes
FICTION: Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Thriller
Biography
Andie Smith is an Agent at Creative Media Agency, Inc. She has been obsessed with books from a young age. Growing up reading above her grade level in school, she was the girl who always had her nose in a book. When she discovered the agonizing pain of a book hangover after finishing a favorite series, Andie quickly learned she wanted to pursue a career in literature so she could be stuck in her favorite worlds forever. She has previously served as a writer and editor for several local newspapers and magazines in Central Florida. In 2022, she interned at Booker Albert Literary and was promoted to junior agent in 2023. After graduating with her MasterÕs in Public Administration, Andie joined the team at CMA in 2025. As an autoimmune advocate, she is passionate about working with authors who share a deep connection with their characters and embrace life through all disabilities, even the invisible ones. She is still growing her list and welcoming authors to join her team.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Bridget Smith is a literary agent with the Jabberwocky Literary Agency. She joined JABberwocky as an agent in May 2019. She grew up in Connecticut and graduated from Brown University with a BA in anthropology in 2010. After graduation, she interned at Don Congdon Associates, worked at a secondhand bookstore, and read submissions for Tor.com. In 2011, she started as an assistant at Dunham Literary, and she remained there as an agent for nearly eight years. In her spare time, she runs, plays Irish fiddle, and co-hosts the podcast Shipping & Handling with fellow agent Jennifer Udden of New Leaf Literary.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Ciara Smith is a literary agent with the Corvisiero Literary Agency. She was raised by an editor who instilled in her a love of reading and writing. In her youth, she penned short stories, but left writing behind when she joined the US Navy. But, of course, that love for words never wavered even during her service, and she readily volunteered to edit and review any and all paperwork, reports, and regulations she could get her hands on. After becoming a parent to two beautiful daughters, she decided to leave the military to pursue various creative arts and returned to her first love of writing and editing. Ciara earned her Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and joined a small press as a freelance editor. She provides editing and beta reading services to friends she’s made in the writing community and is elated at the chance to support authors even more as she builds her list at Corvisiero. Ciara is especially excited for the opportunity to champion diverse, ND, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ authors.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Espionage Military Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance, Satire, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Western Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Animals, Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Celebrity, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Design, Environment, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Food Drink, Gardening, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Nature, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Pop Culture, Psychology, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Technology, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction
Biography
Eric Smith is the founder and a literary agent at Neighborhood Literary. With over fifteen years of experience in publishing, both at a house and an agency, Eric Smith (he/him) has worked with numerous New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors across genres and categories.
Notes
FICTION: Fantasy, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Health Wellness, Memoir, Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Latoya Smith is a literary agent with and the founder of LCS Literary Services.LCS Literary Services was founded by Latoya C. Smith in February 2016, offering an array of editorial, ghostwriting and management services. Latoya started her editorial career as an administrative assistant to New York Times bestselling author, Teri Woods at Teri Woods Publishing while pursuing her BachelorÕs Degree at Temple University. She graduated Cum Laude from Temple in August of 2005. She then attained a full-time position at Kensington Publishing in March of 2006. In October 2006, Latoya joined Grand Central Publishing, an imprint at Hachette Book Group. For the span of her eight years there, Latoya acquired a variety of titles from Hardcover fiction and non-fiction, to digital romance and erotica. She was featured in Publishers Weekly, Forbes and USA Today, as well as on various author, book conference, and book blogger websites. In early 2014, she appeared on CSpan2 where she contributed to a panel discussing the state of book publishing. From August 2014 to February 2016, Latoya was Executive Editor at Samhain Publishing where she acquired short and long-form romance and erotic fiction. She is the winner of the 2012 RWA Golden Apple for Editor of the Year, 2017 Golden Apple for Agent of the Year, and the 2017 Literary Jewels Award for Editor of the Year. Latoya is an editor, literary agent, and ghostwriter.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Celebrity, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Health Wellness, How-To, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Self-Help, Spirituality, Sports, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Lindsey Smith is a literary agent with the Speilburg Literary Agency. She got her start in the publishing industry as an author. After her own publishing success, she started working with other writers to help launch their books and shape their careers. To date, Lindsey has worked with over 1,000 authors and negotiated book deals even before becoming an agent. Her unique perspective helps shape her passion for the industry and her role as an advocate for her clients. Formerly a publicist and hailing from the world of self-publishing, Lindsey understands the importance of branding, and she works with each client not only to sell a book but to build a career. Lindsey is excited to work with first-time authors as well as those who are established. She is seeking nonfiction only, specifically prescriptive nonfiction that is compelling, and voice-driven, with the ability to shed light on a topic that might be unknown. She especially loves projects and people that bring humor to serious situations. Lindsey is interested in cookbooks, lifestyle, health, pop culture, gender issues, self-help, true crime, and current events. She is especially interested in podcast-to-book ideas, journalists who specialize in specific research, and cookbooks that have a niche and/or narrative voice. Please do not send diet books. Lindsey lives in Pittsburgh with her punk rock husband and their adorable rescue pup, Ms. Winnie Cooper.
Notes
NONFICTION: Animals, Business Book, Celebrity, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Design, Fitness, Food Drink, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Self-Help, True Crime, Women’s Issues
Biography
Sarah Smith is a literary agent with the David Black Agency. She began her publishing career in 2008 working for Algonquin Books in Chapel Hill, NC as an editorial intern. Soon thereafter, she moved to New York City to work at Trident Media Group as an assistant in the literary and book-to-film departments. She joined the David Black Agency in 2012. Sarah represents award-winning and best-selling nonfiction. She is interested in books that teach readers something new or offer a novel perspective, in particular in the space of food and drink, health/ medicine/ wellness, narrative nonfiction, personal finance/ business, memoir, essays, and cultural criticism. She loves working with experts in their fields and is always interested in projects that concern pop culture, art/ design/ music, and the cultural zeitgeist. In addition, Sarah represents a number of collaborative writers who partner with authors on cookbooks, memoir, leadership and sports books, and more. Select titles include Salad Freak by Jess Damuck (Abrams), Rodney Scott’s World of BBQ (Clarkson Potter), Indian-ish by Priya Krishna (HMH), And Now We Have Everything by Meaghan O’Connell (Little, Brown), Poilane by Apollonia Poilane (HMH), The Suspect by Kent Alexander and Kevin Salwen (Abrams Press), A Table by Rebekah Peppler (Chronicle), and Meet the Frugalwoods by Elizabeth Willard Thames (Harper Business). Sarah has a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa with highest honors. After college, she lived and worked for a while in Argentina. She has spoken at conferences across the country, including AWP, IACP, and SDSU Writers Conference and is passionate about demystifying the opaque world of book publishing. For three years, Sarah curated the weekly True Story: Nonfiction at KGB reading series at KGB Bar in the East Village. She lives with her husband in Brooklyn.
Notes
NONFICTION: Art, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Dating Relationships Sex, Design, Economics, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Money Finance, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Self-Help, Sports, True Crime
Michael Snell
The Michael Snell Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Postal MailBiography
Michael Snell is a literary agent with and the founder of The Michael Snell Literary Agency. He has authored, co-authored, and collaborated on 50 books, including The New York Times best sellers Creating Excellence with Craig Hickman (New American Library), The Oz Principle with Roger Connors and Tom Smith (Prentice-Hall /Portfolio), How Did That Happen with Roger Connors and Tom Smith (Portfolio), Change the Culture, Change the Game with Roger Connors and Tom Smith (Portfolio) and Leadership IQ (Wiley) with Emmett Murphy. Other recent collaborations include Business at the Speed of Now with John Bernard (Wiley), Talent IQ with Emmet Murphy (Adams Media), Your Inner CEO with Allan Cox (Career Press), Iron Butterflies with Birute Regine (Prometheus), What Keeps Leaders Up at Night with Nicole Lipkin (AMACOM), The New Corporate Facts of Life with Diana Rivenburgh (AMACOM), Primal Teams with Jackie Barretta (AMACOM), Career Courage with Katie Kelley (HarperCollins), The Insider’s Guide to Culture by Siobhan McHale (Harper-Collins), and The Culture Puzzle by Mario Moussa (Berrett-Kohler). Specializing in business books, he has agented over 1000 titles since founding his agency in 1978. Successful titles include Journey To The Emerald City by Roger Connors and Tom Smith (Prentice-Hall/Portfolio), which appeared from Portfolio in 2011 as Change the Culture/Change the Game, Bargaining for Advantage and The Art of Woo by Richard Shell (Penguin), The Ultimate Sales Letter by Dan Kennedy (Adams Media), Topgrading by Brad Smart (Prentice-Hall/Portfolio), The Complete IdiotÕs Guide to MBA Basics by Tom Gorman (alpha), Why DidnÕt I Think of That? by Charles McCoy (Prentice-Hall/Portfolio), and Leading Self-Directed Work Teams by Kim Fisher (McGraw-Hill). He also collaborated on Sally EdwardsÕ Heart Zone Training (Adams Media) and many pet books, including Myrna MilaniÕs Body Language and Emotion in Dogs and Body Language and Emotion in Cats, (Morrow/HarperCollins). His Prima/Crown book From Book Idea to Bestseller has helped thousands of aspiring writers get their work successfully published. A frequent speaker at writersÕ conferences and workshops, Michael constantly promotes both his titles and those on which he has collaborated. His media contacts create feature articles in local and national newspapers and magazines as well as appearances on radio and television.
Notes
NONFICTION: Animals, Business Book, General Nonfiction, Money Finance, Nonfiction
Patricia Snell
The Michael Snell Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Postal MailBiography
Patricia Snell is a literary agent with The Michael Snell Literary Agency. Patricia Snell, Executive Vice-President and Senior Agent and at the Michael Snell Literary Agency, has worked as a book publishing professional since 1991. An accomplished agent, book developer and writing collaborator, she specializes in adult non-fiction, particularly self-help and how-to books in all subject areas. She has overseen the publication of successful titles on business, parenting, communication, travel, health, pets, and women’s issues. Successful books she has developed and sold include Jake Breeden’s Tipping Sacred Cows (Jossey-Bass), Donny Ebenstein’s Now I Get It (AMACOM Books), Julie HansenÕs Act Like a Sales Pro (Career Press), David Petersam’s Top MBA Programs (Jist), Paul ColemanÕs How to Say It To Your Kids, Richard Heyman’s How To Say It To Your Teens (Prentice-Hall Press), June Paris’ But I Didn’t Mean To Say That (New Harbinger), Joel Widzer’s The Penny Pincher’s Guide To Luxury Travel (O’Reilly), Jim McKenzieÕs The Five-Gallon Bucket Book (Andrews McMeel), Stacy Rubin’s The Happy Breast-fed Baby (AMACOM Books), Gincy Bucklin’s What Your Horse Wants You To Know, How Your Horse Wants You To Ride. More How Your Horse Wants You To Ride (Wiley/Howell) and The Gentle Art Of Horseback Riding (Human Kinetics), Joy RobertsÕ The Joy of Horses (Contemporary Books), Jay AhujaÕs Fields of Dreams and Speed Dreams (Kensington), Paulette DaleÕs Did You Say Something, Susan? (Kensington), Francis BudaÕs Holistic Sleep (Kensington), Jeanette Smith’s The Creative Wedding (Adams Media), Paul Coleman’s You, Him And The Other Woman (Adams Media), Paul ColemanÕs The Complete IdiotÕs Guide to Intimacy (alpha Books), and Finding Peace In Your Heart When Your Heart Is In Pieces (Adams Media), Rosanne Thomas’ Excuse Me (AMACOM Books). She has also consulted with Michael Snell on his guide to getting published, From Book Idea To Bestseller (Crown), and several New York Times bestselling business books, including Leadership IQ (Wiley) by Emmett Murphy, The Oz Principle, How Did That Happen and Change The Culture/Change The Game by Roger Connors and Tom Smith (Penguin/Portfolio), Business at The Speed Of Now (Wiley) by John Bernard, and What Keeps Leaders Up At Night (AMACOM Books) by Nicole Lipkin.
Notes
NONFICTION: Animals, Business Book, Dating Relationships Sex, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, How-To, Nonfiction, Parenting, Self-Help, Travel, Women’s Issues
Biography
Shannon Snow is a literary agent with Creative Media Agency, Inc. She worked in finance and marketing for 18 years before turning to her childhood first loveÉ books and writers. She started her career in publishing 2018 and then joined Creative Media Agency, Inc. in 2018, first as an intern, before moving up to an Associate Agent in 2020. Shannon has a B.A. in English Language and Literature. She manages the audio rights for CMA.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Erotic Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Lee Sobel is a literary agent with and the owner of the Lee Sobel Literary Agent. He says: “My name is Lee Sobel and I am a music promoter, literary agent and filmmaker. Music drives everything I do and first and foremost I consider myself a music fan. The first feature film I directed was released as ÒRockabilly VampireÓ and when I premiered the film in 1996 with seven bands from the soundtrack performing live it launched my career as a music promoter. To date I have put on thousands of events in clubs with as many as 1500 attendees but I love putting on shows in small bars too. I currently put on shows all over the country and always try my hardest to make these special events wherever possible. I invented something I like to call Òthe mini-festivalÓ where all the bands match up by genre. This helps bands to build a support system with other bands of the same style and to give the shows more impact. It has also enabled me to get some very nice press coverage. For many years I put on swing dancing events and IÕve recently started putting them on again under the name Arcadia Swing. In 2016 I launched the Lee Sobel Literary Agency and have made a number of deals for music driven memoirs and biographies. As a filmmaker I directed seven low budget features and am now developing a music-driven documentary.”
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Horror, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Illustrated, Lifestyle, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Pop Culture, Reference, Science CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Nat Sobel is a literary agent with Sobel Weber Associates. Nat founded the agency in 1970. He is a former bookseller, publisher’s sales rep., marketing director, and subsidiary rights agent. He holds a B.A. in English from the City College of New York. He is a founder of the New York Literary Writers Conference.
Notes
FICTION: Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, General Nonfiction, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Nonfiction
Biography
Shania Soler is a literary agent with the Metamorphosis Literary Agency. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Shania has been an avid book lover from the moment she picked up Richelle MeadÕs Vampire Academy. Ever since then, her TBR pile has steadily grown. Currently working on an MA at the University of Leeds, she has received her BachelorÕs of Arts in English from the University of Maine and plans to pursue a PhD in Japan, where she spent 7 months during her undergrad studying the language and culture. When not reading, she can be found lounging with her cat, Marlow, or studying for her degree.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Magical Realism, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Bonnie Solow is a literary agent with Solow Literary Enterprises. After many years as a journalist and film and publishing executive, Bonnie found her true calling when she established Solow Literary Enterprises in 1997. Curious and adventurous by nature, Bonnie has traveled and lived around the globe. She has kayaked in Alaska, trekked across New Zealand, salsa danced in Havana, communed with elephants in Laos, and lived for a year in a Calabrian village where the residents speak medieval French. Oh, and when she was younger she was kissed by Elvis, worked as Joe Cocker’s maid, and babysat for Bob Dylan’s kids. Her Italian is pretty decent. Bonnie has spoken to writers at the Stanford WriterÕs Workshop, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, and the California Institute of Integral Studies and is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents and The Authors Guild. Bonnie studied at the University of Copenhagen.
Notes
NONFICTION: Animals, Biography, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Education, Environment, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Reference, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality
Biography
Andrea Somberg is a literary agent with the Harvey Klinger Literary Agency. A literary agent for over twenty years, Andrea represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction, including projects for adult, young adult and middle grade audiences. Her clientsÕ books have been NYTimes and USA Bestsellers, GMA and Target Book Club Picks, winners of ALAÕs Alex Award and the Nebula, nominated for The Edgar Award, The Governor GeneralÕs Award, the Lambda Award, the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award, the Ohioana Award and the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, Junior Library Guild Selections, PublishersMarketplace’s Buzz Book Selections, and have been named best books of the year by NYPublic Library and Book of the Month Club. She also actively pursues film and tv rights, and has had projects optioned by 20th Century Fox, Imagine Entertainment, Warner Brothers and others. Andrea is a guest instructor for MediaBistro and Writers Digest.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Computers, Cookbook Cooking, Crafts, Cultural Social Issues, Design, Diet Nutrition, Economics, Fitness, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Psychology, Reference, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Sports, Technology, Travel, True Crime, Upmarket Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
DongWon Song is a literary agent with the Howard Morhaim Literary Agency. DongWon Song represents commercial fiction for adult, young adult, and middle grade readers as well as select nonfiction. He was formerly an editor at Orbit and a product manager for the ebook startup Zola Books. He has also taught as an adjunct instructor in the publishing program at Portland State University. He joined HMLA in 2015. For adults, he is currently looking for thrillers with either a speculative edge or a focus on technology. Non-fiction personal narratives, food writing, and science writing, in particular work that addresses race and culture in these disciplines. For children, he is looking for science fiction, contemporary thrillers, horror, or fantasy that focuses on the experiences of marginalized people.
Notes
FICTION: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction NONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction