Welcome message…
7 Insider Secrets to Get a Top Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal
Press the play button below to listen.
Click here to view and/or download a free PDF transcript
of this audio program
* * *
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
Kelly Sonnack is a literary agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. For the past 18 years, Kelly has been championing writers and artists in nearly every category, format, and age group. She loves working with debut authors and illustrators as well as bestsellers and award-winning creators who are deep into their careers, and excels at developing strategies for clients at each stage of the creator’s journey. Kelly represents all categories and genres of children’s books but right now, she’s looking for the following categories: Graphic novel artists or author-illustrators (I am not open to representing new GN script writers) Illustrators and author-illustrators of picture books. This includes illustrators who want to illustrate another writer’s words, or artists who want to write and illustrate their own stories. Within these categories, Kelly is particularly interested in stories on the following topics, themes and story elements: Fiction and nonfiction unafraid to center queer and trans identities Stories celebrating alternative family structures Comedy/humor Innovative writing/storytelling (including visual storytelling) Kelly is on the board of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA). She is also on the AALA’s Membership Commitee and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee where she co-directs a mentorship program that provides support to agents from underrepresented backgrounds. Kelly grew up overseas, primarily in Singapore, and now lives in Southern California.
Notes
CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Arley Sorg is a literary agent with KT Literary. He is primarily interested in adult speculative titles, including science fiction, fantasy, and horror with speculative/fantastic elements, literary speculative fiction, and climate fiction. Arley is a two-time World Fantasy Award Finalist and a two-time Locus Award Finalist for his work as co-Editor-in-Chief at Fantasy Magazine. He is also a SFWA Solstice Award Recipient, a Space Cowboy Award Recipient, and a finalist for two Ignyte Awards: for his work as a critic as well as for his creative nonfiction. Arley is senior editor at Locus Magazine, associate editor at both Lightspeed & Nightmare, a columnist for The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, and conducts interviews for Clarkesworld. Arley grew up in England, Hawaii, and Colorado, and lives in the SF Bay Area. He is a 2014 Odyssey Writing Workshop graduate. Find out more on his personal site (arleysorg.com) and look for him on QueryTracker.
Notes
FICTION: Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction
Biography
Laura Southern is a literary agent with Wolf Literary Services. She joined Wolf Literary Services in 2021 as an assistant to Kirsten Wolf and is now building her list as an associate agent. Born and raised in Texas, Laura received her BA in English from Baylor University before moving to New York City, where she earned her MS in Publishing from New York University while assisting at Morhaim Literary. Laura loves lyrical prose and character-driven narratives. In adult, she is looking for fantasy, science-fiction, and horror with lush worldbuilding and voice that vibrates off the page. SheÕs a fan of villains, setting as character, and stories that dive headfirst into the weird or strange. Romcoms and romantasies with sharp, witty prose are also high on her list. As a Texan native, Laura has a soft spot for narratives set in the South, particularly when told from diverse perspectives and featuring LGBTQ+ narrators. In young adult, Laura is interested in speculative fiction across any subgenre, as well as select contemporary fiction. Laura loves the fae, magical animals, dark academia, marching band, new twists on quest narratives, genre-blending, found family, mythological retellings, and dragons. Laura is not open to picture book, middle grade, or unsolicited nonfiction queries at this time.
Notes
FICTION: Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Science CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Kerry Sparks
Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Online FormBiography
Kerry Sparks is a literary agent with the Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency. She joined LGR in 2008, coming to book publishing after several years in the film and television industry. With a love for all these mediums of storytelling, she gravitates toward books that have a cinematic feel or visual element that lend to film or television adaptation. She primarily represents fiction with a specific focus on novels for teens and young adults but regardless of age is always on the hunt for books that combine a solid hook and great writing and that have an undeniably fresh yet relatable voice. She also represents a select list of nonfiction writers. A few of her clients include NYT and International Bestselling author Jennifer Niven, National Book Award Finalist Carrie Arcos, illustrator and author Mark Pett, bestselling author Susan Wittig Albert, novelist Camille Perri, essayist and poet Shayla Lawson, and a robust list of JennifersÑ Jennifer Mathieu, Jenny Lundquist, Jennifer Gray Olson, and Jenny Torres Sanchez to name a few. Kerry grew up in the woods of Oregon as the extroverted early bird in a family of introverted night owls, and, as a middle child, learned how to negotiate while keeping the peace at a young age. She graduated with honors from California State University, Los Angeles with a degree in English, where she also published short stories and wrote and produced plays. After a decade in Manhattan, Kerry now heads up the LGR Oregon outpost in Portland where she lives with her husband and two daughters. Kerry is the co-author of the hipster baby name book Hello, My Name Is Pabst and will gladly help clients name their characters upon request.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, General Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Economics, Film Entertainment, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Lifestyle, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Poetry, Politics, Pop Culture CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Alice Speilburg is a literary agent and founder of the Speilburg Literary Agency. Her first editing gig was on the news desk of her college daily, and she is still drawn to compelling nonfiction stories, especially those written by journalists, that deepen our understanding of culture and society. In fiction, she loves a complete immersion read that takes her to another world through the eyes of unconventional characters. Alice previously worked at John Wiley & Sons, and Howard Morhaim Literary Agency. She has worked with bestselling and award-winning authors, literary and professional societies, and branded content. She spends her weekends hiking with her husband and two sons.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Western Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Cultural Social Issues, Dating Relationships Sex, Environment, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Sports, Technology, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime, Women’s Issues
Biography
Erica Spellman-Silverman is a literary agent at Trident Media Group. At 23 years old, Erica Spellman Silverman began her career at ICM. Coming from a family of writers and editors, sheÕs loved books all her life. She represented journalists Hunter S. Thompson, Tim OÕBrien, Robert Scheer, Robert Greenfield, Tim White, and Cameron Crowe, among others. Many went on to become novelists, screenwriters, and directors. After transitioning to the film side of the business, Erica found that she missed working with novelists and moved to The William Morris Agency (now William Morris Endeavor), where she became Vice President. There, she could work with writers in all categories: books, film, and theater. Lionel Schriver, Scott Spencer, Eve Babitz, and Robin Cook are among the many writers she represented. She was also responsible for their movie and TV deals. Having worked at ICM and William Morris, she made a transition to running United Artists in New York so she could see the other side of the fence. ÒI couldnÕt get back to being an agent fast enough!Ó Erica says. ÒI love finding my own writers and not being dependent on the committee mentality one needs as a buyer.Ó Erica has been at Trident for ten years, where she has had the wonderful opportunity to work with fantastic writers, including Andrew Mayne, Barbara Lynch, Cherise Wolas, Esther the Wonder Pig, Eve Babitz, Jennifer L. Scott, Rachel Van Dyken, Robin Cook, and many others. She also uses her knowledge of the movie business to handle book-to-film and TV rights for many of TridentÕs agents. Her client list is fairly eclectic. Her interest lies less in genre than in great storytellingÑErica says, Òanything that gets into your head and your heart, anything you canÕt stop thinking about, whether itÕs literary fiction, thrillers, young adult, or memoir. Books and stories that touch the soul, that make you laugh or cry or both. Stories that havenÕt been told before or are told in a different way: thatÕs what I am looking for.Ó
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Film Entertainment, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, Journalism, Lifestyle, Memoir, Nonfiction, Parenting CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Marya Spence is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. Raised in CaliforniaÕs Bay Area, Marya studied literature at Harvard, where she was Fiction Editor for the Advocate and specialized in creative writing. She went on to get her MFA at New York University and teach undergraduate creative writing there. She also spent these years in her 20Õs working and interning at The New Yorker, PAPER Mag, Travel & Leisure, Vanity Fair, Publishers Weekly, METROPOLIS Magazine, and moreÑwith a brief stint in equity research. As someone who values craft from the writerÕs perspective, Marya represents a diverse range in fiction and nonfiction, including, but not limited to, literary novels and collections, upmarket commercial fiction, cultural criticism and voice-driven essays, narrative journalism with a humorous or critical edge, and pop culture. She lives in Brooklyn.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Science Fiction, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Economics, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, History, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Politics, Pop Culture
Biography
Elaine Spencer is a literary agent with The Knight Agency. Elaine Spencer joined The Knight Agency in 2005, after graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in economics and literature. Originally serving as the agencyÕs submissions coordinator, Elaine then moved on to head the foreign rights department, before beginning to actively build her own individual client list. Over the last decade Elaine has placed over 500 titles in a wide variety of sub-genres across the market. Elaine continues to keep a focused author list as she believes it is important to work closely with her clients through each step of the publishing process. She relishes seeing her clientsÕ talents grow alongside their careers, and one of her favorite parts of the job continues to be educating authors about the market and business at large. Elaine lives in Athens, Georgia with her husband, daughter, and four-legged sons. Elaine is a member of RWA and the WFWA and is also an AAR recognized agent. She is interested in a wide-variety of categories including but not limited to womenÕs fiction, historical fiction, romance, contemporary fiction, and a multitude of nonfiction topics which align with her personal interests.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Erotic Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Sports Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Animals, Art, Beauty Fashion Style, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Celebrity, Cookbook Cooking, Crafts, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Design, Diet Nutrition, Family, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Food Drink, Gardening, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Reference, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Sports, Technology, Travel, True Crime, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction, Christian Nonfiction
Biography
Joe Spieler is a literary agent with The Spieler Agency. Joe has been a writer (The Village Voice, Penthouse, The SoHo Weekly News, HarperÕs Monthly) and an editor (The New York Times, The SoHo Weekly News). He began the agency in 1982 and represents nonfiction and fiction and books for children and young adults. Among the writers he represents are the cultural historian Thomas Frank (WhatÕs the Matter with Kansas?, One Market Under God, The Wrecking Crew ), the historian Walter Laqueur (A History of Zionism, Weimar, The Holocaust Encyclopedia, After the Fall: The End of the European Dream and the Decline of a Continent), the late Akio Morita, the founder of Sony (Made in Japan), Paul Hawken (Growing a Business, Blessed Unrest, Natural Capitalism), the historians Richard Breitman and Allan Lichtman (FDR and the Jews), Peter Senge (The Fifth Discipline), Joe Kane (Running the Amazon), and Marc Reisner (Cadillac Desert). His childrenÕs list includes Amy Ehrlich (With a Mighty Hand), David Martin (the forthcoming Shhh! Bears Sleeping), and Rebecca Rupp (After Eli).
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Religious Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Environment, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Psychology, Reference, Religion, Science, Travel CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Lauren Spieller is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. She says: “I represent an exciting and talented list of award winning and bestselling authors. Whatever the age category or genre, IÕm passionate about representing diverse and underrepresented voices, and IÕm always on the hunt for a new point of view. I consider myself an editorial agent. I provide support and insight at all stages of a bookÕs creation, tailoring the way I work to the clientÕs needs. I am also a fierce advocate and negotiator. ItÕs important to me that my clients not just succeed in selling one book, but many, and that I do everything I can to help them have a long, creatively satisfying career. That means being strategic about which projects they write, the brand they are developing, and the way we pursue foreign, audio, and film/TV deals. (I also have lots of random advice ready to go. Like that time I taught a client who lives in CA how to remove ice from her windshield using a credit card. IÕm full service!) I have a BA and a MA in English because I just couldnÕt get enough of books. IÕm also the author of two Young Adult novels entitled YOUR DESTINATION IS ON THE LEFT and SHE’S THE WORST. Both are published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. When IÕm not working, you can find me playing with my mini goldendoodle, Louise, or binge watching something funny or thrilling. WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR I love books that sit at the intersection of ÒcommercialÓ and Òtimeless,Ó especially if they pair a big hook with voicey, upmarket writing. I like to read books that keep me at the edge of my seat, that make me laugh out loud, that make me swoon, or that are simply so unputdownable that I stay up way too late reading. I also love smart genre-bending tales, books that tackle a familiar topic or time period from a new or surprising perspective, and stories that take big risks, whatever that means to you. But letÕs get more specific. In MG, IÕm looking for high concept contemporaries, magical fantasy and kid-friendly sci-fi, exciting historical, and spooky horror/mystery. IÕd also love to see MG graphic novels, especially if it’s set in our world. In YA, IÕm drawn to speculative stories (fantasy, sci-fi, and horror), contemporary novels with a big hook, romance and RomCom, suspense/thrillers, and graphic novels. In Adult, I’m seeking female-driven suspense/thrillers, immersive and upmarket/literary SFF and horror, hilarious RomComs and swoony upmarket romance, as well as the occasional unique non-fiction with an existing platform. For a list of (some of) my favorite recent books, check out manuscriptwishlist.com and my #mswl posts on Twitter.”
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Crafts, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Jessica Spitz is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She represents fiction across the literary and commercial spectrum, journalistic nonfiction, and select pop culture and criticism. On the fiction side, she is drawn to intimate narratives that examine complicated relationships Ð whether romantic, familial, or platonic Ð and are imbued with empathy and humor. She is also looking for great love stories, immersive fantasy worlds, and propulsive plots grounded by unforgettable characters. In terms of nonfiction, she is looking for fresh, thoroughly-reported stories on racial history and justice, womenÕs health and reproductive rights, and mental health. Jessica began her publishing career at William Morris Endeavor, where she spent four years before joining Janklow & Nesbit as a literary agent in 2023. She grew up in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, and has lived in New York City since moving there to attend Columbia University.
Notes
FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, Law Legal, Medical Medicine, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Women’s Issues
Biography
Anne-Lise Spitzer is a literary agent with the Philip Spitzer Literary Agency. She is President of Spitzer Agency. Spitzer was previously Vice President and Director of Marketing at Knopf, Pantheon, and Schocken Books.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Short Story Collection, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Current Events Affairs, General Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Sports, True Crime
Biography
Anna Sproul-Latimer is a literary agent with Neon Literary. She is also a founding partner and president of Neon Literary. She has over the course of her many years in book publishing sold multiple New York Times bestsellers, major book-to-film deals, and foreign translations in more than 50 languages. She represents all types of adult nonfiction–from memoir and history to pop culture, science, and parenting–as well as select literary fiction. (For existing clients, Anna represents just about everything, but all of her clientsÕ careers start and primarily consist of work in one of her two focus areas.) Anna is drawn to buzzing, bright, curious, and slightly demented authors driven by enthusiasm so infectious that (inter)national audiences are already paying attention. She seeks authors motivated by a true mission–a clear answer to the question, ÒWhat is the legacy I want to leave in the world?Ó Of particular interest are those whoÕve made moral leadership lemonade from the lemons of trauma: authors who are whistleblowers, Cassandras, ÒunelectableÓ elected officials, and survivors. A lifelong resident of the Washington, DC area, Anna has spent her whole life watching power, money, and media interact to shape the line of history. With Neon, she intends to take the full weight of her access, experience, and privilege and use it to lie down in traffic, forcing that line to turn somewhere brighter. Prior to founding Neon, Anna spent nearly 15 years as a literary agent, foreign rights director, and developmental editor at DCÕs Ross Yoon Agency. A graduate of Columbia University (BA magna cum laude, English) and the University of Oxford (MSt with distinction, also English), Anna lives in the DC suburbs with her family and travels to New York frequently.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Science
Biography
Cullen Stanley is a literary agent with and the founder and president of The Cullen Stanley International Agency. She began her career in international publishing working in the New York office of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore and later as a scout for Maria B. Campbell Associates where she advised major publishing houses across Europe and Asia as well as Hollywood film companies. In the 1990’s Cullen joined Janklow & Nesbit Associates where she managed the foreign rights business and represented and worked with many authors across all genres. Cullen’s interests are broad and eclectic, and her list is focused on narrative nonfiction, history, biography and memoir as well as commercial and book club fiction.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Biography, Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Design, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Politics, Religion, Science, Spirituality
Biography
Amy Stapp is a literary agent with the Wolfson Literary Agency. Amy Stapp received her BA from Samford University and MA from Georgia State University before beginning her publishing career at Macmillan, where she was an editor for seven years and had the privilege of working with numerous New York Times bestselling authors. Amy joined Wolfson Literary in late 2018 and is actively building her list, with interest in womenÕs fiction, mystery, suspense, upmarket book club fiction, historical fiction, young adult, and select nonfiction. She is particularly drawn to a high concept hook, well-paced prose, immersive settings, and smart, multidimensional characters. As an editorial agent, she enjoys working hand-in-hand with authors to take their work to the next level.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Cookbook Cooking, Crafts, Family, Fitness, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Psychology, Religion, Spirituality, Travel, True Crime, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Alexa Stark is a literary agent with Writers House. Alexa joined Writers House in 2022, after ten years at Trident Media Group. She represents a range of literary and upmarket fiction and select nonfiction. On the fiction side, she is seeking bold voices, novels that engage with social issues, coming-of-age stories, historical fiction with a modern edge, smart book club reads, and fiction that delves into the surreal or plays with genre in fresh or subversive ways. She is particularly drawn to relationship-driven fiction: novels that center dysfunctional friendships or families, complicated love stories, or stories about obsession. She also enjoys elevated suspense and social thrillers. She gravitates towards the humorous, the psychologically probing and the tender. On the nonfiction side, she is seeking memoir, cultural criticism, popular science, psychology, parenting, and women’s issues. Alexa also enjoys helping her authors place fiction and essays in a range of publications including the New Yorker, HarperÕs, Paris Review, the Atlantic, Tin House, N+1, Playboy, McSweeneyÕs, and the New York Times. Her authors have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list and have been recognized by the PEN/Faulkner Award, National Book Foundation’s 5 under 35, Rona Jaffe Award, NYPL Young Lions Fiction Award, Scotiabank Giller Prize, Lambda Literary Award, Ernest J. Gaines Award, Philip K. Dick Award, Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, and more. Raised in New York City, Alexa earned her BA in comparative literature and society at Columbia University. Prior to joining Writers House, she worked at Curtis Brown and Trident Media Group, spending the first few years working with Ellen Levine before building her own list. She lives in Brooklyn.
Notes
FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, General Nonfiction, Humor Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Psychology, Science, Women’s Issues
Biography
Nancy Stauffer Cahoon is a literary agent with Nancy Stauffer Associates Literary Agency. Nancy began her career in book publishing in 1978, holding positions in the editorial, marketing, business, and subsidiary rights departments of The New York Times, McGraw-Hill, and Doubleday. Before founding Nancy Stauffer Associates in 1989, Mrs. Stauffer Cahoon held the position of Foreign and Performing Rights Director, Doubleday, and, later, Director, Subsidiary Rights, Doubleday, where she worked with a wide array of authors. She has lectured in book publishing at numerous writer’s conferences across the country and at UCLA and Radcliffe.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction NONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Michael Stearns is a literary agent with Upstart Crow Literary Agency. Michael is the founder of Upstart Crow Literary. Formerly editorial director and foreign acquisitions manager for HarperCollins ChildrenÕs Books, before that he was Senior Editor, Director of Paperback Publishing for Harcourt ChildrenÕs Books. He has worked on hundreds of books for children and adults during his more than twenty years in the industry. Among the many bestselling and award-winning books heÕs edited and published are A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly; Gone and Hunger by Michael Grant; Tangerine by Edward Bloor, East by Edith Pattou, The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls by Elise Primavera, Whales on Stilts by M.T. Anderson, Fly By Night by Frances Hardinge, the Young Wizards series by Diane Duane, and the Chet Gecko Mysteries by Bruce Hale, as well as a whole slew of books by Bruce Coville, Jane Yolen, Vivian Vande Velde, Andrew Auseon, and Ursula K. Le Guin, among others. He has taught a dozen classes on writing, published three anthologies of original stories, and is an award-winning writer of fiction for both children and adultsÑmost recently The Blood Guard series under the pen name Carter Roy.
Notes
FICTION: Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction NONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Lori Steel is the founder and a literary agent at Steelworks Literary. Lori began her career in young peopleÕs literature first as an educator and school librarian, later as a freelance editor and writing instructor. She has degrees in history, education, and an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA), where she also received certification in the Picture Book, and was honored with the Alumni Gift Award. After graduating in 2012, Lori coordinated the VCFA Summer Residency Abroad (Bath, UK) for four years, initiated the kidlit writing class program at her local indie, Politics & Prose, and entered publishing as an Agency Assistant at Greenhouse Literary. She interned at two other kidlit-focused agencies before taking on her own clients first at Raven Quill Literary, then at Red Fox Literary. She founded SteelWorks Literary in 2024 with her talented list of authors, illustrators, and graphic novelists. Lori is a longtime member of ALA and SCBWI, and is a member of AALA where she serves on the Illustration Committee. Her clients include both debut and award-winning authors, and she continues to seek diverse perspectives, literary approaches, and unique story experiences for her list. Lyrical language, compelling voices, evocative settings, and evergreen stories told with heart are areas of particular interest in any genre/audience. Originally from the Washington DC area, Lori has also called Appalachia and England home. When not at her desk, you can often find her plotting her next travel adventure, testing out a new recipe, or pottering in her Washington DC garden with her English husband and Secret Agent pup sidekick, Juice (see bio below).
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, New Adult Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Pattie Steele-Perkins
Steele-Perkins Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Postal MailBiography
Pattie Steele-Perkins is a literary agent with the Steele-Perkins Literary Agency. Pattie has been an agent for romance writers for ten years. She considers s career planning as well as marketing her clients books an essential part of her job as an agent.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Women’s Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction
Biography
Stephanie Steiker is a literary agent with Regal Hoffmann & Associates. She joined Regal Hoffmann in 2015. From 2008 to 2015 she was Associate Director of the New York Institute for the Humanities at NYU, working with prominent figures in literature, academia, and the arts. Previously she has worked for the online magazine Words Without Borders; the journal East European Politics and Societies; and the New School’s Transregional Center for Democratic Studies. A native New Yorker with a degree in comparative literature from Brown University, she lived in Poland from 1999 to 2001, has a background in documentary film, and for several years wrote about the downtown NY music scene for The New Yorker. Stephanie is open to submissions in serious and narrative non-fiction, as well as literary fiction (including graphic novels). In non-fiction, her interests are history, philosophy, current affairs, literary and cultural studies; biography and memoir; music, photography, and issues of racial and economic justice. She’s enthusiastic about international writing (reads in French, Spanish, and Polish), and has a thing for prose written by poets.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Economics, General Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Photography, Science, Upmarket Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Anna Stein is a literary agent with CAA/ICM. She has been a literary agent for over twenty years, representing literary and upmarket fiction, as well as narrative non-fiction. Her clients include Booker Prize winners and New York Times and international bestsellers. She opened and ran the New York office for Aitken Alexander Associates before joining ICM Partners in 2015. She transitioned to CAA in 2022 following the agencyÕs acquisition of ICM.
Notes
FICTION: Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Pop Culture, Reference, Religion, Science, Spirituality, Technology CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Peter Steinberg is a literary agent with United Talent Agency (UTA). He is now at United Talent Agency (UTA) after he joined Fletcher & Company in 2021 from Foundry Literary + Media. HeÕs represented numerous New York Times bestsellers (including three #1 New York Times bestsellers) and clients have been nominated for or awarded Edgars, The Pulitzer Prize, The Story Prize, The Paris Review Discovery Prize, PEN/Faulkner and National Book Awards. Most recently, The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont was selected for ReeseÕs Book Club, and The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio was a finalist for the National Book Award. His list includes commercial and literary fiction, sci-fi and fantasy, narrative non-fiction, memoir, self-help, history, true crime, pop culture, humor, and sports. Steinberg is a graduate of NYU film school and worked briefly in the film business prior to becoming a literary agent.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Biography, Film Entertainment, General Nonfiction, History, Humor Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Science, Self-Help, Sports, True Crime CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Dr. Uwe Stender is a literary agent with Triada U.S. Literary Agency. Uwe is a Full Member of the AALA (Association of American Literary Agents). He is interested in all kinds of non-fiction and fiction. In non-fiction, he is completely open to any project, from (ESPECIALLY) Popular Science, (but also) Pop Culture, and Health to How-to, Gardening, History and everything in between. In Children’s fiction, he is looking for YA, Graphic Novels, and MG. In adult fiction, his tastes trend towards Women’s Fiction/Romance, Psychological Suspense, Mysteries, and Romantasy. As an immigrant to the USA himself, he is always eager to bring projects from underrepresented voices into the world. So surprise him, his tastes are eclectic, and he may just love what you wrote!
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Cookbook Cooking, Crafts, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Diet Nutrition, Family, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, Gardening, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Pop Culture, Reference, Science, Self-Help, Sports, Technology, Travel, True Crime CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Myrsini Stephanides is a literary agent with and the founder of Arc Literary Management. She founded Arc Literary in Fall 2021. A publishing professional with over 20 years of experience in the industry, she spent the first 10 years of her career as an editor at book packagers, Indie, and Big 5 publishers specializing in illustrated non-fiction. From 2009 to 2021 Myrsini was a literary agent at the Carol Mann Agency, where she built an eclectic roster of clients while managing day-to-day operations. She brings her clients and her passion for fostering a supportive community around colleagues, affiliates, and budding creatives to her next chapter at Arc Literary. MyrsiniÕs personal reading habits and professional interests are broad, ranging from popular science, business, and investigative journalism to self-care, illustrated humor, and photography. She gravitates toward authors and creators with strong voices, unique perspectives, and unbridled passion for their work, and will consider adult and childrenÕs projects across categories (except genre fiction). Myrsini is currently looking for projects in the following adult categories: voice-driven business/tech books with clear perspectives from experts in their fields; scientist-storytellers writing accessible narratives for a general, non-academic audience; women’s health, self-care, and progressive parenting books geared toward a millennial audience; narrative humorists and/or illustrators with unique voices and a strong platform/community of supporters (on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc). In the childrenÕs world, she is looking for early readers, middle grade and young adult fiction; graphic novels for all reading levels; narrative or illustrated non-fiction for all reading levels; picture books by writer-illustrators (no scripts without illustrators already attached). Myrsini welcomes submissions (adult and childrenÕs) from authors and creators with diverse backgrounds who have been misrepresented or marginalized and want to share their work with the world. Partial client list: John Doerr, Matthew Inman (creator of The Oatmeal), Claire Belton (creator of Pusheen), Hannah Shaw (aka Kitten Lady), Jarrett Lerner, Emily McDowell and Kelsey Crowe, Jen Waite, Mary Gauthier, Cyndy Etler, and Elizabeth Schneider.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Satire, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Animals, Art, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Food Drink, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Pop Culture, Psychology, Reference, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Technology, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Jenny Stephens is a literary agent with Sterling Lord Literistic. Jenny represents nonfiction in a variety of categories including cookbooks; practical lifestyle projects; prescriptive books particularly in the wellness and mindfulness spaces; and narrative writing on environmental, social, and economic justice; natural sciences; history; food; and cultural criticism. For both adults and kids, she is often drawn to visual books that inform and explore through both text and image. Her clients include Ariel Aberg-Riger, Andrea Bemis, Khiara Bridges, Paco de Leon, Mary L. Gray, Debbie Hines, John Holl, Alicia Kennedy, Gina Rae La Cerva, Chelsey Luger and Thosh Collins, Olivia McGiff and Sammi Katz, Desmond Patton, Nicole Stott, and Wei Tchou. In addition, Jenny is honored to represent select literary estates on behalf of the agency, including the estate of National Book Award winning author Gloria Naylor and the estate of novelist Ken Kesey. Jenny grew up in Maine and studied English and film at Colby College. She joined Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc. in 2012.
Notes
NONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Economics, Environment, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Politics, Science CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Picture Book, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Sarah Stephens is a literary agent with Red Fox Literary. She is a childrenÕs book enthusiast in every sense. She has worked as an editor, author, and indie bookseller, and before that she was a book-loving child. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Sarah moved to Rhode Island and got her first editorial job at Houghton Mifflin in Boston. When East Coast winters grew too long for the California native, Sarah returned to the San Francisco Bay Area where she continued her editorial career at Chronicle Books and then Lucasfilm Licensing. Though she eventually left the office for the flexibility of freelance Sarah never left childrenÕs books. She has continued her work as a freelance editor and authored numerous original (Maiden Voyage, Bug Girl, Rescue Dogs) and licensed (Curious George, Star Wars, DC) titles. As an agent, Sarah is looking to champion books that make her laugh out loud, delight her with new wonders or quirky surprises, or speak deep truthsÑbooks that make her want to say Òyes.Ó She is interested in elevating the voices of marginalized individuals, amplifying stories that need to be heard, and connecting children to nature. She likes authors and illustrators who know their craft and tell their own unique tales with humor, heart, and integrity. Though she enjoys everything from board books to YA, if forced to pick favorites, picture books, early chapter books, and middle-grade fiction would be top of the heap.
Notes
CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction