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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
Rachel Sussman is a literary agent with the Chalberg & Sussman Literary Agency. A graduate of Brown University, Rachel Sussman worked as an editor at Scribner and as an agent with Zachary Shuster Harmsworth before co-founding Chalberg & Sussman. She represents a wide range of nonfictionÑnarrative, memoir, psychology, history, lifestyle, and pop cultureÑand a select list of literary fiction. RachelÕs clients run the gamut from journalists like Mary Papenfuss (American Huckster: How Chuck Blazer Got Rich FromÑand Sold OutÑThe Most Powerful Cabal in World Sports) and Linda Hervieux (Forgotten: The Untold Story of the Only African-American Combat Unit at D-Day) to self-proclaimed mediocre mother Karen Alpert (I Heart My Little A-Holes) and DIY experts Sherry and John Petersik (Young House Love). Rachel enjoys developing Òbig thinkÓ booksÑclients include psychology professor Hal Herzog, author of Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It’s So Hard to Think Straight about Animals and Deborah Cohen, MD, author of A Big Fat Crisis: The Hidden Forces Behind the Obesity Epidemic and How We Can End ItÑand is proud to represent memoirists Matt Logelin (Two Kisses for Maddy), Jennifer Ridha (Criminal That I Am), and Tracy Slater (The Good Shufu). Her list of fiction writers include Natashia Deon, author of the award-winning debut Grace, Tiffany Hawk, author of Love Me Anyway, and Kristin Waterfield Duisberg, author of The Good Patient and After. RachelÕs projects, which include New York Times and USA Today bestsellers, Amazon Best Books of the Year, and Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selections, have been translated throughout the world and optioned by major studios and independent producers for both the big and small screens.
Notes
NONFICTION: Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Upmarket Nonfiction
Biography
Kari Sutherland is a literary agent with KT Literary. She is based out of Southern California. She began on the editorial side of publishing, first at Disney Press, then HarperCollins ChildrenÕs BooksÐwhere she had the honor of editing many talented authors, including Victoria Aveyard and Sara Shepard. Middle grade and YA are at the heart of her list, but she also represents picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, and upmarket fiction. She graduated from Williams College with a B.A. in English and Psychology and received a Masters in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice before pivoting back to her first loveÐbooks. With her editorial insight and experience with the entire publishing process, Kari is passionate about helping to polish each manuscript and equip her clients for success.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Margaret Sutherland Brown is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. She says: “I’m an agent at Folio representing literary and upmarket commercial fiction, psychological thrillers, select young adult fiction, and narrative non-fiction. Previously I was an agent at Emma Sweeney Agency, LLC, and transitioned to represent many of ESA’s clients at Folio in January 2020. Before becoming an agent, I spent the first seven years of my career in editorial, primarily at Thomas Dunne Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Press, where I worked on a wide range of fiction and non-fiction. As an agent, I use my insider knowledge of how a publishing house operates to my clients’ advantage, and my editorial background informs how unusually closely and thoroughly I work with clients to develop a project before we ever submit to publishers. I’m proud to work with immensely talented authors. Among many other accolades, my clients have won the American Book Award, been finalists for the National Book Award and the PEN/ Hemingway Award, and been awarded Guggenheim Fellowships. I grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, graduated from Wake Forest University as an English major with a double minor in journalism and Spanish, and now live in Brooklyn with my husband and two sons. When I’m not reading I love to take advantage of New York City’s art, dance, theater, and restaurant scene and go running. I also love to travel. I’m grateful every day to have the privilege of supporting writers in their work of bringing into the world literature that describes, enriches and transforms our lives.”
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Family, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Pop Culture, Religion, Science, Spirituality, Women’s Issues
Biography
Kristina Sutton-Lennon is the CEO, Co-Founder and a literary agent with Focused Artists. For Focused Artists, she has facilitated book deals with publishers, including HarperCollins, Hachette, and National Geographic. She pitches content to producers, studios and networks, and has projects in various stages of development with production companies. Kristina prides herself on her diverse slate of content and has a proven track record in sourcing material, script development, and talent scouting for the screen and page. Prior to delving into producing and management, Kristina was an actor (SAG-AFTRA) and educator, teaching acting and improv at the college level. She previously served as a film/tv agent and as the Director of the Louisiana Division for a talent agency headquartered in Atlanta. Kristina recently served as the Director of Media Rights at Context Literary Agency and currently serves as a Talent Manager for Citizen Skull. In 2022, Publishers Weekly named her an Honoree in their annual Rising Star Watch. Kristina earned her MFA in Acting from Louisiana State University. She is a proud member of NALIP (National Association of Latino Independent Producers), the Hollywood Radio & Television Society, the Oklahoma Motion Picture Alliance, and a board member of SPARK! Kristina is also a Board Member for the Seattle Latino Film Festival (SLFF).
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Crafts, Dating Relationships Sex, Family, Health Wellness, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Psychology, Self-Help, Technology, Travel, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Picture Book
Danielle Svetcov
Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Online FormBiography
Danielle Svetcov is a literary agent with the Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency. She is the author of Parked, a ÒquirkyÓ Òbig-heartedÓ middle-grade novel that Òexplores what happens when homelessness and helpfulness collide.Ó Before Parked, Danielle wrote for the New York Times, U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, and the Chicago Tribune Magazine. She joined LGR in 2002. Books she rereads for love: I Capture the Castle, Lone Pilgrim, Jane Eyre, Devil in the White City, Ladies and GentlemenÑthe Bronx is Burning. Audiobooks that sheÕs recently listened to (in the car) on rainy days: When You Reach Me, Naked, The Secret Garden, Undefeated. Her clients tend to be oppositional but reasoned, serious but amusedÑpreferring their rabbit holes deep. Her taste is reflected in the journalism and narrative nonfiction sheÕs sold, e.g. Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves; its natural follow-up Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art; a cultural history of our bodies under water, Why We Swim; a refusal to be grammatically cornered, Semicolon: The Past, Present, and Future of a Misunderstood Mark; a refusal to be artfully ignored Broad Strokes and She Votes; and a story of greed that threatens us all (where we least expect it), Kill Shot. Also, to offset the Victorian in her, she signs funny books, e.g. Skymaul: Happy Crap You Can Buy From A Plane; Look Big, a guide to surviving wild-animal close-encounters (which is funnier than you might think); What to Talk About; Bike Snob; and Minnesota-Book-of-the-Year nominee, The Annie Year, an ensemble novel that blurs heartland and heartburn. Of course, she has to eat, tooÉ She represents an incredible stable of chefs, restaurateurs, and food/ag-thinkersÑmany of them IACP and Beard Award winnersÑincluding Shalane Flanagan and Elyse KopeckyÕs New York Times bestselling Run Fast Eat Slow; Bryant TerryÕs Afro-Vegan and Vegetable Kingdom; Michelle PolzineÕs Baking at the 20th Century CafŽ; Russell Moore and Allison HopelainÕs This is Camino; Adrianna AdarmeÕs The Year of Cozy; Stuart Brioza and Nicole KrasinskiÕs State Bird Provisions; Brandon JewÕs Mr. JiuÕs in Chinatown; Sophie EganÕs OK to Eat; and many more. Some of her authors youÕll be hearing from soon: Rachel Gross, Nicole Perlroth, Sophia Vincent-Guy, Mark Bittman, Joanna Robinson, Dave Gonzales, Beth Rodden, Eugenia Viti, Diana Kapp, Diana Helmuth, Molly Huddle, Sara Slattery, Rick Easton, Melissa McCart, Andrew Hilleman, Colin Clancy, Jodi Angel, S.P. Miskowski, Mike Sacks and Jason Roeder. Danielle is based in the agencyÕs California office.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Computers, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Diet Nutrition, Economics, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Science, Self-Help, Sports, Technology CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Bonnie is an Agent at FinePrint Literary Mangement. She (the agent not the cartoon character!) is a former elementary school teacher who lives in Southern Illinois. She has a husband, three grown children, two bonus daughters, and three fur-babies who think they need to eat all the cat food. While she eagerly (and impatiently) awaits grandkids, she is lucky enough to have one granddog, Onix, and two grandkitties, Maki and Whiskey. Bonnie represents authors who cover all the age groups from picture books through adult, many of whom have their own furry overlords or small two-legged dictators commanding their households, too. When she is open to queries, here are a few of the things she looks for: General Across the board for all age groups, she wants to see underrepresented authors. (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, etc) She has very eclectic tastes and sometimes doesnÕt know what sheÕs looking for until she reads it. Adult/YA Likes: She is dying for a good speculative psychological horror mystery! (Think a gender-bent/gay Sherlock Holmes, set in Middle Earth or outer space, with all the creepy feels of Silence of the Lambs!) Normalized queerness where it isn’t the focus of the plot or subplot. SheÕs a sucker for a good romantasy (HEA required). Issue-driven stories that address timeless social issues and the people who fight to change them, stories where the underdog wins, non-traditional characters who feel real (even if they are in outer space), accessible literary prose, the Oxford comma. Dislikes stories with violence against women/children/animals, erotica, misogyny, alpha males, and romances where the heroine dumps the main love interest for no reason and goes for the villain. Picture Books The story must be child-centered and give them all the agency. They have enough grownups telling them what to do in their real lives; in books, kids should get to be the heroes. Fiction or Nonfiction is okay, and if it rhymes, it must be absolutely PERFECT! Middle Grade Bonnie is SUPER selective! But she likes stories based on kid-focused issues with a touch (or more) of magic. She would love to see an aged-up version of the Junie B. Jones series with a nonbinary main character in a magical school setting. No animal stories, please, where they are the characters.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Joyce Sweeney is the Director of Kid Lit and a literary agent with The Seymour Agency. Joyce Sweeney has been working in the Kidlit industry for four decades. First as an award-winning novelist, and soon after, leading invitation-only workshops for aspiring writers. Within the first two years, seven of JoyceÕs students had obtained traditional publishing contracts and a second career was born. Joyce and her students decided that everyone who could secure a contract should get a special ÒMagic BeanÓ to mark the achievement. Continuing to publish her own work, Joyce expanded into weekend writing retreats, conducted with Jamie Morris, under name NEXT LEVEL WORKHOPS. That led to ten years of online classes, taught by Joyce and produced by Cathy Castelli and CAFƒ CLASSES conducted in Fort Lauderdale. Using her contacts as an active SCBWI volunteer, Joyce continued to promote her students and help them find agents. The Magic Bean count continued to rise. By 2020, Nicole Resciniti, who is also JoyceÕs agent, offered them the chance to take this lifetime of mentoring to the next level and become a literary agent. Joyce finally found their dream job as a kidlit agent and the Magic Bean count is currently 83 and hoping for 100! At the agency, Joyce began to help and coach other agents who wanted to move into the kidlit space, and continues to represent authors and illustrators of picture books, middle grades and graphic novels. What they’re looking for: In Picture Books: Fiction or non-fiction. I am drawn to lyrical voices, fun syntax and offbeat concepts. I like unusual characters, and plots that make me cry or laugh out loud. Illustrator/authors welcome and rhyme (if you REALLY know how to do it) is fine. Diversity, please. Most of all, be unique. In Middle Grade: I am especially drawn to humor, fantasy and sci-fi, but a realistic novel that makes me cry will work too. Advocate of books for boys. Would love to see more LGBTQ as well.
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
Biography
Mark Sweeney is the owner of Mark Sweeney & Associates, Publishing Consultant and Literary Agency.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, Religious Fiction NONFICTION: Humor Nonfiction, Memoir, Nonfiction, Religion, Spirituality NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction, Christian Nonfiction
Biography
Becky Sweren is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. She has represented projects such as the New York Times bestseller From the Corner of the Oval by Beck Dorey-Stein, the LA Times bestseller Barons of the Sea by Steven Ujifusa, the New York Times bestseller The Secret Life of the American Musical by Jack Viertel, the National Book Award Longlist A Cure for Suicide by Jesse Ball, and acclaimed narrative nonfiction such as The Fox Hunt by Mohammed Al Samawi. Becky graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Duke University with a BA in English and in Theater Studies. Prior to joining Aevitas, she worked at Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She is most interested in investigative journalism, unexplored history, big ideas that challenge conventional wisdom, and voice-driven memoirs that shed light on cultures, places, or industries.
Notes
NONFICTION: Art, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, History, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Science
Biography
Pieter Swinkels is a literary agent at the Transatlantic Agency. He started his literary publishing career at the premiere Dutch publishing houses De Bezige Bij and Meulenhoff Publishers in Amsterdam, where he published bestselling and critically-acclaimed authors such as Elizabeth Gilbert, Ann Patchett, Aravind Adiga, Damon Galgut, Sebastian Barry, Jhumpa Lahiri, Mohsin Hamid, Rachel Cusk, Paolo Giordano, Robert Harris and Karin Slaughter. Before joining Transatlantic Agency, Pieter worked as Chief Content Officer at Rakuten Kobo, leading KoboÕs global publisher relations, the self-publishing platform Kobo Writing Life, the Kobo Originals publishing program, and the launch of Audiobooks and Kobo Plus subscriptions. Pieter holds a Cum Laude MA degree in English Language & Literature from the University of Amsterdam, and a MPhil in Irish Literature from Trinity College Dublin. He lives and works in Toronto.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, Literary Fiction
Biography
Emily Sylvan Kim is a literary agent with the Prospect Agency. She says: “Reading has always been my addiction so I feel very fortunate that it is my career as well. After a childhood spent devouring books in Denver, Colorado I majored in English at Carleton College where I once electively took and enjoyed a class titled “Dickens and Scott, the Longer Novels.” I gave law school a try for a year after graduation but the lure of fiction was just too strong so I moved to New York City, the hub of the publishing industry. This was one of the best decisions in my life. I worked at Writers House literary agency for five years while also writing reviews for Publisher’s Weekly as well as my own fiction and poetry. I even met my husband in a poetry class! In 2005, I was thrilled to take the next step in my career by opening the doors to Prospect Agency. My inspiration in naming the agency came from Brooklyn’s beloved Prospect Park. With winding trails, woods and meadows, there is a place for everyone to find a bit of peace in the middle of a crowded city and I strive to provide just such a haven for our clients. I am proud to have built an agency composed of so many talented agents who represent a wide array of authors and illustrators. Even though a love of reading brought me to agenting, as my career has advanced, I found myself equally drawn to the business aspect of creating books. Publishing is the nexus of art and commerce. How we navigate that intersection is endlessly fascinating and of critical importance to the future of literature. By working and listening closely to both publishers and writers, I always strive to foster dialogue and create innovative opportunities. I understand that we are in a time of great change and that decisions we make now will have a lasting impact on our future. As an agent, I have taken a leadership role in helping to shape the digital landscape. By embracing and understanding technology, we can make sure we stay relevant and fresh for both long time readers and also attract new audiences.”
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Memoir, Nonfiction, Science, Travel CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Laurel Symonds is a literary agent with KT Literary. She began her publishing career in the editorial department of HarperCollins ChildrenÕs Books. She also worked in the marketing department at a small publishing house, in a library, and as a bookseller at one of the nationÕs best independent bookstores. She began agenting in 2018 and joined KT Literary in 2022, representing picture books, middle grade and young adult novels, graphic novels, and select nonfiction for children and teens. When Laurel is not reading, she enjoys baking, hiking, and spending time with her dog, Sherlock. Raised in rural New England and having spent a decade in New York City, London, and Chicago, sheÕs thrilled to have settled in the Pacific Northwest. Laurel is seeking middle grade and young adult fiction, picture books and graphic novels from author-illustrators, and select nonfiction for kids and teens.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, Graphic Novel NONFICTION: Biography, History, Illustrated, Nonfiction 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
Biography
Stephanie Tade is the President and Principal Agent with the Stephanie Tade Agency. Books have been at the center of Stephanie TadeÕs life since she was a little kid reading under the covers, with a flashlight, way past bedtime. It was no surprise to anyone that she went directly into publishing after graduating Cornell University with a degree in psychology. ÒThe degree will help with authors!Ó she heard, and having come from a family of artists, musicians and writers, she knew there was truth in that. She started her career in publicity and subsidiary rights at Bantam Books, learning how to negotiate rights, promote books, and becoming deeply familiar with all the moving parts of a publishing company. Her next chapter was a nearly two-decade stint at one of the most successful literary agencies in the world, the Jane Rotrosen Agency. There she managed her own list of authors while growing the agencyÕs international department tenfold as Director of film and international rights. From there, she answered the siren song of Rodale Books, and accepted the challenge of running the newly formed editorial book group, where she published such authors as Master Yogi BKS Iyengar, bestselling diet & fitness author Jorge Cruise, and many more. Rodale was boot camp in learning what would make a book profitable, and what levers needed to be pulled in order to make a publisher, and a general market, sit up and take notice. But the entrepreneur in Stephanie kept her up at night, and the ambition to form her own agency won out in March 2005, when she established the Stephanie Tade Agency, LLC. These days, Stephanie combines her strong business savvy with that childhood love of reading. She excels at strategic career and book planning as well as thoughtful and competitive negotiating. As the years have gone by, the list at STA has been marked by many intelligent, creative authors and experts with something fresh to say to the world. Motivated by an earnest desire to work with books that will benefit individuals, communities, and the world, she has been fortunate to represent and help to build many NYT bestselling authors, including Judith Beck, PhD, Will Bulsiewicz, MD, Frank Lipman, MD, Amy Myers, MD, Chade Meng Tan, and others. Currently, she is on the lookout for major authors on a mission to make the world happier, healthier, and more whole.
Notes
NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Diet Nutrition, Environment, Family, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Inspirational Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Technology
Biography
Michael Taeckens is a literary agent at Massie & McQuilkin. He received his MFA from the Iowa WritersÕ Workshop, and has been working in publishing since 1995. He co-founded Broadside PR in 2015, and his clients in that time have been awarded and shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, Booker Prize, National Book Critics Circle Award, PEN America Literary Award, Whiting Award, International Dublin Award, Windham-Campbell Prize, WomenÕs Prize, Story Prize, L.A. Times Book Prize, Young Lions Award, Lambda Literary Award, NAACP Image Award, and the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, and have been featured regularly in national media, including eight of his projects on the cover of the New York Times Book Review.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, Literary Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, History, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Science
Biography
Sabrina Taitz is a literary agent with WME Books. Sabrina Taitz joined WME in 2015. She represents upmarket and commercial fiction, as well as a broad swath of nonfiction, ranging from memoir to lifestyle to cookbooks. Her list includes New York Times bestsellers, B&N Book Club selections, Amazon Book of the Month selections, an ALA Award winner, a William C. Morris Award winner, and a Best American Writing selectee. Sabrina is looking for propulsive and dynamic writing that keeps her turning the pages. She lives in Manhattan with her husband and daughter.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Marin Takikawa is a literary agent with The Friedrich Agency. Before joining TFA in early 2021, I got my start as an assistant to three agents at Foundry Literary + Media, following internships at The Book Group, Folio Literary Management, and Triada U.S. Born in Tokyo and raised in Singapore and NYC, I graduated from the University of Rochester with degrees in English and Business. In addition to building my own list, I support Molly Friedrich and Lucy Carson, and handle audio rights for the agency. IÕm an eclectic reader, and hope that my list will showcase this range as wellÑin addition to adult fiction and nonfiction, I also am looking to represent select YA. For adult fiction, IÕm always seeking innovativeÑboth in idea and structureÑliterary/upmarket fiction thatÕs lush, evocative, and full of heart(break). IÕm also looking for family sagas, novels that subvert forms of power, specifically relating to colonialism/imperialism, and engages with social and environmental issues. IÕm also particularly enamored by genre-bending works: speculative concepts, ghost stories, magical realism, and anything that plays with myth and folklore will always catch my eye! For YA, IÕm looking for voice-driven and literary-leaning novels with the emotional breadth and depth in the tradition of authors like Emily X. R. Pan and Kelly Loy GilbertÑalthough I wonÕt say no to sweeter contemporary YA (my comfort reads are Anna & the French Kiss, Love & Gelato, and Better Than the Movies)! IÕm also excited by speculative concepts and am not afraid of going dark. Give me all your gothic, atmospheric, haunting books (especially with a sense of mystery and adventure)! Some of my recent favorite YA books are If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang, Anatomy by Dana Schwartz, and FirekeeperÕs Daughter by Angeline Boulley. In adult nonfiction, I gravitate toward community-oriented narrative nonfiction with engaging and insightful research, reportage, or cultural analysis. IÕm also looking for narrative nonfiction that is intersectional, resistant, and radical in nature, that questions why we have the institutions, ideas, and systems we have in place. I often think about the legacies of colonialism, how it haunts and perpetuates in various forms in the modern age (such as the environment and in capitalism), but also about collective action/liberation and its sense of possibilities and what an equitable future could look like. IÕd love to hear from you if your work is in this space. *Please note that IÕm not looking for memoir at this time, although IÕll be open to considering memoirs written by BIPOC. Regardless of category, IÕm looking for a singular voice that will guide me through any literary terrain and is not afraid of pushing against the status quo. And above all, itÕs of utmost importance to me that my list is filled with writers from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities, as well as diasporic voices. In my spare time, you can find me dancing, watching anime, or hiking. IÕm fluent in Japanese, and you also probably donÕt want to bad-mouth me in Mandarin 😉 Five non-agency books I loved: HOW HIGH WE GO IN THE DARK; SHARKS IN THE TIME OF SAVIORS; HEADS OF THE COLORED PEOPLE; GOODBYE, VITAMIN; THE SUBTLE KNIFE. P.S.: pronounced marine
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Satire, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Economics, Environment, General Nonfiction, History, Journalism, Memoir, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Science, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
John Talbot is a literary agent with the Talbot Fortune Agency. John has over twenty-five years of book publishing experience as an editor and literary agent. As an agent, he has placed books at all of the major publishers and their imprints. His clients include New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and ABA Indiebound bestsellers, as well as several winners of national literary awards. He is a member of the AALA. Prior to becoming an agent John spent over a decade with Pocket Books and Putnam Berkley. At Putnam Berkley he was named Senior Editor and had the honor of working with such global bestsellers as Tom Clancy, W.E.B. Griffin, and Jack Higgins, as well as then-rising literary stars such as Tom Perrotta. He edited dozens of national bestsellers and several New York Times Notable Books. He began his editorial career at Simon & Schuster. John received his B.A. in English Composition from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, and spent semesters at Washington University in St. Louis and Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan. After graduating from college he lived in Japan and traveled the Pacific Rim before settling in New York to work in book publishing.
Notes
FICTION: Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Current Events Affairs, General Nonfiction, History, Journalism, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Sports, True Crime
Biography
Bailey Tamayo is a literary agent with Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. She is seeking middle grade, YA, and adult speculative fiction, fantasy, sci fi, horror, and anything in betweenÑespecially when the genre is a unique setting for the deeply human stories underneath. She is drawn to poignant coming of age narratives like The Graveyard Book, I Am Not Okay With This, and any given Ghibli film. Her favorite stories are those that are gently heartbreaking, hopeful, or (ideally) both. She enjoys sharp humor, lyrical prose, lovable and complex characters, and rich worldbuilding. She is eager to advocate for underrepresented authors, and especially to explore these viewpoints through horror, such as Welcome to Night Vale, The Magnus Archives, and Mexican Gothic. Some of her favorite authors/creators are Neil Gaiman, Emily St. John Mandel, Taika Waititi, Noelle Stevenson, Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples, and ONE. Bailey joined Greenburger Associates after internships with Writers House and the Carol Mann Agency. She is now an associate agent and the assistant to Matt Bialer, aiding him with his talented list of fantasy, sci-fi, thriller, literary, and nonfiction authors. She graduated from Emerson College with a degree in Writing, Literature & Publishing and Communication Sciences & Disorders.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Ann Tanenbaum is a literary agent with Tanenbaum International. She has been in book publishing for over 50 years, working for Viking Press, Random House, ABRAMS, Doubleday International, and Newsweek Books. SheÕs held executive positions in marketing, editorial, and management. Her career highlights include planning and escorting Norman and Molly Rockwell on the publicity tour for what became the best-selling ABRAMS book, Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator. Ann published the first American book on Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Madame Prime Minister by Allan J. Mayer at Newsweek. In 1980, Ann established Tanenbaum International Publishing Services (TIPS), an agenting and consulting practice that created alliances between art, illustrated, and reference book publishers worldwide. In 2000, Ann founded with two partners LTD Editions LLC, a visual book agenting and packaging company. In 2010, Ann folded TIPS and LTD Editions into what is now Tanenbaum International Literary Agency. In addition to representing books on the arts and illustrated childrenÕs books, Ann has a commitment to nurturing non-fiction projects on current affairs and humanitarian concerns. Ann serves on the boards of The Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University, the Jewish Foundation for the Education of Women, and the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.
Notes
NONFICTION: Art, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Environment, Film Entertainment, General Nonfiction, History, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Politics, Reference CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Children’s Books, Picture Book
Biography
Amy Tannenbaum is a literary agent with the Jane Rotrosen Agency. She is a passionate author advocate with over 20 years of book industry experience. Amy represents clients who write across a variety of genres including womenÕs fiction, contemporary romance, thriller and psychological suspense. She is particularly interested in those categories, as well as fiction that falls into the sweet spot between literary and commercial and works by marginalized voices. After graduating from Wesleyan University, Amy worked at Harlequin then Simon & Schuster where she edited a diverse list of bestselling fiction and nonfiction projects. Given AmyÕs background, she is able to provide valuable insight into both sides of the business, as well as editorial support to her clients. While Amy represents many bestselling and prolific authors, she prides herself on her ability to find talented debut authors and help them launch successful careers. She also selectively takes on established self-published authors and enjoys adding value to the creation, release, and promotion of their works.
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FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, True Crime
Biography
Alice Tasman is a literary agent with the Jean Naggar Literary Agency. Alice Tasman has been agenting for over 20 years. Alice represents a wide variety of writers with an emphasis on fiction. Her writers have earned numerous awards, honors, and fellowships, including the Calvino Prize, the C. Hugh Holman Award, the Henfield/Transatlantic Review Award, the Mary Roberts Rinehart Award, the O. Henry Prize, the Saint Francis College Literary Prize, the Willie Morris Award, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Her clients’ writing has appeared in The New York Times, Best American Short Stories, McSweeney’s, One Story, Oxford American, Prairie Schooner, The Normal School, and A Public Space. Awards and honors for her children’s writers include a Caldecott Honors Winner, an ABA Indie Choice E.B. White Read Aloud Honor Award, Midwestern Booksellers Association Award, The Monarch Award, Texas Bluebonnet Award, Newbery Award nominee, Cybils Award nominee. She loves finding debut writers and is committed to working with authors over the long term. She is very hands-on in every stage of the publishing processÑfrom editing manuscripts and refining proposals, to amassing the perfect list of editors for the project and negotiating contracts, to actively working with publishers on the publicity and marketing of the books. Alice earned her BA from Brown University and her MFA from Sarah Lawrence College.
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FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Biography, General Nonfiction, Memoir, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Science, Technology CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Kim Tatum is a literary agent with SBR Media. She is a Director of a child care facility and has been for 20 years. She has been in the book community for 9 years as a reader, beta reader for several authors and blogger for StephanieÕs Book Reports also assisted in AITC book convention. She has attend many book conventions as Golden CzermakÕs PA. Kim likes nothing more than getting lost in a good story which isnÕt anything new it all started with The Nancy Drew Mysteries as a child. She is very excited to have this opportunity given to her by Stephanie Phillips to join SBR Media to help authors get their stories out all over the world.
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FICTION: Action Adventure, Chick Lit, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Erotic Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, LGBTQ Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance, Short Story Collection, Suspense Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Picture Book NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction
Biography
Mark Tavani is a literary agent with the David Black Agency. He started his publishing career in 2000 with Ballantine Books and spent over 23 years with Penguin Random House, Bantam, Del Rey, and G.P. Putnam’s Sons. He edited bestsellers and award-winners across numerous categories of fiction and nonfiction, including books by Jim Abbott, Steve Berry, C.J. Box, Robert Crais, Justin Cronin, Clive and Dirk Cussler, Jeffery Deaver, George Dohrmann, Lisa Gardner, Jack McCallum, Lisa Scottoline, Bill Simmons, and R.L. Stine. He is now thrilled to have joined the David Black Literary Agency, where he represents both fiction and nonfiction. Mark is interested in a wide range of literary and commercial fiction, including book club novels, thrillers, mysteries, speculative fiction, and historical fiction. He is looking for fiction that entertains and enriches the lives of readers. He is keen to discover nonfiction that illuminates or inspires. He looks forward to working with experts, journalists, and memoirists, especially those in the spaces of sports, history, wellness, narrative nonfiction, and big ideas. Mark also represents collaborative writers who partner with authors in such spaces. Mark has a degree in Creative Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. He circumnavigated the globe as a student on Semester at Sea and later worked as a forestry aid in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. He is an adjunct professor with NYU’s School of Professional Studies and lives with his wife, his daughters, and a headstrong dog in Rutherford, New Jersey.
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FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Speculative Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Health Wellness, History, Inspirational Nonfiction, Journalism, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Sports, Upmarket Nonfiction
Biography
Brent Taylor is a literary agent with Triada U.S. Literary Agency. His tastes can best be described as upmarket: stories that are extremely well-written, robust with emotion, and appeal to a wide, commercial audience. He is seeking new clients in the following categories: picture book (author-illustrators only; text-only manuscripts will not be considered); middle grade; young adult; graphic novels; and adult fiction (fantasy; romance; beach reads; thrillers; LGBTQ fiction).
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FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Stuti Telidevara is a literary agent with Park, Fine & Brower Literary Management. She works on sharp, commercial adult, young adult, and middle grade fiction. She is looking for diverse storytellers and vivid, detailed worldbuilding across genre, and fiction with a strong, high-concept hook. She is especially interested in fantasy and speculative fiction and is actively building her list. Prior to joining Park & Fine in 2021, she held positions at Raven Quill Literary, Orbit Books, and Transatlantic Literary. She holds a B.A. in English from Harvard University and spends her free time watching ice hockey, listening to history podcasts, and brewing perfect cups of tea.
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FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mainstream Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Nephele Tempest is a literary agent with The Knight Agency. Nephelejoined The Knight Agency in January, 2005, opening the Los Angeles-area office. As an agent, she loves to help her clients hone their skills and build their careers. Nephele initially worked on the editorial side of the publishing business before leaving to try other industries, including sales and finance. She spent a number of years at several major New York investment firms, first as a financial advisor and later a marketing and communications writer. This broad experience provided her with insight into multiple aspects of the publishing industry. Nephele continues to actively build her client list and looks for fiction with both strong, well-developed characters and a story that pulls her in and wonÕt let go. She primarily represents womenÕs contemporary or historical fiction; contemporary, paranormal, and historical single-title romance; and adult fantasy and science fiction. More generally, Nephele always looks for work with diverse cultural influences, #ownvoices projects, and stories that inspire and/or make her think.
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FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Women’s Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Paige Terlip is a literary agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. She represents all categories of childrenÕs books from picture books to young adult, as well as select adult fiction and nonfiction. She is also actively building her list of illustrators and is especially looking for author-illustrators and graphic novel illustrators. Across age categories, Paige is drawn to high concept novels with captivating hooks, snarky characters with hearts of gold, creative magic systems, complicated relationships, and found families. She loves well-plotted twists, being a little bit scared, and stories that explore the fluidity of gender and bring queer experiences to light. Regardless of genre, she is seeking inclusive, intersectional voices and gorgeous line-level writing with emotionally compelling narratives. On the adult side she is open to thrillers/psychological suspense, fantasy/sci-fi, upmarket fiction, cozy mysteries, as well as narrative nonfiction and self-help that centers the mind, body, and spirit. She loves stories that make her feel a range of emotions, even if that means she ugly cries while reading. She wants a narrative that will stick with her long after reading. Prior to becoming an Associate Agent, Paige was a Senior Assistant for Executive Agent Laura Rennert, and has been with ABLA for over three years. She comes to agenting with a background in marketing, design, and freelance editorial. SheÕs worked at Charlesbridge Publishing, The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and a ranch in the Rockies. She has an MA in Children’s Literature and an MFA in Writing for Children from Simmons University. If sheÕs not reading, you’ll find her practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, re-watching the Great British Baking Show, or hiking with her Husky-Shepherd mix. You can find her on Twitter @pterlip and Instagram @pterlip. For more wishlist information visit: http://www.paigeterlip.com
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FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Dating Relationships Sex, Fitness, Health Wellness, Illustrated, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Science, Spirituality, True Adventure, True Crime CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction