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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
Ian Bonaparte is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. He is actively acquiring in the areas of popular history, science, outward-looking memoir, and narrative-driven nonfiction. He is looking for books that will shift paradigms, our understanding of the world, and/or ourselves. Within nonfiction, he is also interested in deeply reported or embedded stories, unruly obsessions, big idea, social justice, and projects that will move the Overton window of discourse.In fiction he is seeking a select list of literary (and literary-crossover) novels, particularly elevated horror or genre-inflected narratives. But he is interested in seeing any novel that is both moving and plot-driven. (“If you cry, you must buy!”)Ian began his career in publishing at Farrar, Straus & Giroux, where he worked at the nexus of sales, publicity, and marketing. Having booked tours, pitched and edited essays from authors across Macmillan, and rescued numerous readings from disaster and near-miss, he departed for the agency world, joining Janklow & Nesbit in 2016. A graduate of the Columbia Publishing Course at the Columbia Journalism School, Ian holds a B.A. in English with a focus in Creative Writing from Vanderbilt University.With his combined experience in the literary agency and publisher trenches, Ian brings a holistic understanding to the total endeavor of publishing, from proposal to indie bookshelf. He is fiercely committed to his authors and deeply grateful to assist in bringing new ideas, outlooks and worlds into existence. He hails from Portland, Oregon.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Investigative, Journalism, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Science, Self-Help, Sports, Upmarket Nonfiction
Biography
Sandra Bond is a literary agent with the Bond Literary Agency. She was the program administrator at the University of Denver’s Publishing Institute, where she now guest lectures each summer. She represents adult commercial and literary fiction, mystery/thriller/crime fiction, and YA fiction in all categories. She does not represent romance, adult science fiction, adult fantasy, poetry, children’s picture books, or screenplays. In nonfiction, she represents narrative, science for a general audience, business and history, and the authors she takes on must have great credentials, real expertise in their subject area, and some kind of platform from which they can actively promote their books.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, History, Lifestyle, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, ScienceCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Laura Bonner is a literary agent with WME Books. Laura is a Partner and Director of International Rights at William Morris Endeavor. Laura has been with WME since the 2009 merger between Endeavor and William Morris. She represents WME clients in the international space, including Glennon Doyle, Jhumpa Lahiri, John Boyne, Emma Straub, Amor Towles, and Jacqueline Woodson. Laura also represents a select list of international writers in translation, including German mega-bestseller Marc-Uwe Kling, Mexican web personality Luisito Comunica, and German author/illustrator team Heike Faller and Valerio Vidali. She is actively looking for writers that originate outside of the U.S.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, General FictionNONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Nonfiction
Biography
Brittany Booker Carter is a literary agent and the co-founder of The Booker Albert Literary Agency. She has a B.A. in English and a minor in journalism from The University of Arkansas at Monticello.She is looking for novels that keep her up at night and transport her into the pages.In YA and NA she is looking for well-written contemporary and paranormal romances. In NA she is looking for LOTS of sexual tension, and a sexy demanding hero never hurt anybody!As for adult works, she’s looking for witty contemporary, and slow burning friends to lovers romances.She’s always on the hunt for rich characters and unique plots. She is a big sucker for happy endings. (She doesn’t represent books without a HEA, they make her sad. She believes every person deserves a Happily-Ever-After. Maybe it’s just the Disney Princess inside?)She also has a passion for books set in the south. Bring on those big ole’ cowboys, ladies. I’ll take any man with a slow, southern drawl! She has working knowledge of Japanese and Spanish. Brittany is not looking for memoirs or MG novels at the time.
Notes
FICTION: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Western FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Anne Borchardt co-founded the New York-based literary agency, Georges Borchardt, Inc., in 1967. Georges Borchardt introduced to American readers major works by Roland Barthes, Samuel Beckett, Pierre Bourdieu, Gilles Deleuze, Marguerite Duras, Franz Fanon, Michel Foucault, Eugene Ionesco, Jacques Lacan, Alain Robbe-Grillet, Jean-Paul Sartre, Elie Wiesel and Monique Wittig. In 2010, he was awarded the insignia of Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, Literary FictionNONFICTION: Autobiography, Biography, Current Events Affairs, General Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Mind Body Spirit, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Science, Technology
Biography
Georges Borchardt is a literary agent with the Georges Borchardt Literary Agency. Georges is a well-respected literary agent in America; he has represented figures ranging from General Charles de Gaulle to Jane Fonda. Borchardt’s first job in New York was as an assistant in a literary agency specializing in foreign writers. In 1959, it was Borchardt who secured an American publisher for Elie Wiesel’s Night, following rejection after rejection by publishers who labeled the memoir of Wiesel’s internment in concentration camps too morbid for American readers. Night has sold more than six million copies in the United States alone.Borchardt is responsible for the American publication of the first works by Samuel Beckett. He also introduced to American readers major works by Roland Barthes, Pierre Bourdieu, Marguerite Duras, Frantz Fanon, Michel Foucault, Eugne Ionesco, Jacques Lacan, Alain Robbe-Grillet, Laurent de Brunhoff and Jean-Paul Sartre. Borchardt has lectured widely on publishing. He has served on the board of International PEN and as president of the Association of Authors’ Representatives (AAR). In 1967, Borchardt branched out on his own, establishing his New York-based literary agency, Georges Borchardt, Inc., with the assistance of his wife, Anne Bolton Borchardt. Their daughter, Valerie Borchardt, joined the agency in 1999.The Borchardt agency represents many important authors, including Elie Wiesel, Ian McEwan, Jerome Charyn, Robert Coover, and T. C. Boyle, who once described Borchardt as “the most wonderful man who ever lived on this earth.” The agency also handles the literary legacy of the estates of Tennessee Williams, Hannah Arendt, John Gardner, Stanley Elkin and Aldous Huxley. Among the agency’s more than 200 authors are eight Pulitzer Prize and two Nobel Prize winners.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Autobiography, Biography, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Reference, Science, Technology
Biography
Valerie Borchardt is a literary agent with the Georges Borchardt Literary Agency. She joined the agency in 1999. Several of her clients have appeared on The New York Times bestseller list. She is also the foreign rights director and a vice president. She has a BA from Wesleyan University and a Masters in Slavic Language and Literature from Columbia University.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Literary FictionNONFICTION: Current Events Affairs, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, PoliticsCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Michael Bourret is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC. He began his career as an intern at the agency while studying film and television production at New York University, joined full-time in 2000, opened the West Coast office in 2009, and became a partner in 2016. He represents a wide range of genres and age groups; his childrenÕs list is broad, spanning from picture books to young adult, while on the adult side he represents narrative nonfiction, memoir, and commercial and literary fiction. Across the board, he has a special affinity for offbeat projects that break the mold, and a particular interest in queer and BIPOC literature and writers. His diverse and critically acclaimed authors include several New York Times bestsellers, as well as winners of the National Book Award, the LA Times Book Prize, the Michael L. Printz Award, the Margaret A. Edwards Award, the William C. Morris Award, the Lambda Literary Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, the Stonewall Book Award, and finalists for many others. His clientsÕ works have been translated into over fifty languages and adapted into major motion pictures.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Satire, Speculative Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Western Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Gift Novelty, History, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Science, TechnologyCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Brenda Bowen is a literary agent with The Book Group. She represents authors and artists of books for young readers from preschool to young adult; she also represents some adult titles: fiction, humor, and cookbooks. Her clients have won the MacArthur Fellowship; the Newbery Medal and Newbery Honor; the Caldecott Medal and Caldecott Honor; the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent; the Sibert Medal; the Stonewall Award; the Geisel Honor; the William C. Morris Honor; the New York Times Best Illustrated Book prize; the Society of Illustrators Gold Medal; as well as many other awards and citations. BrendaÕs clients have been #1 New York Times bestsellers, and have been translated around the globe; she represents Oscar-, Emmy-, and Tony-Award winners; career authors and artists; and newcomers making their debuts. She canÕt decide which she loves more: a bold picture book, a lyrical middle-grade novel, or a sweeping work of historical fiction.Brenda has the unusual advantage of having seen publishing from all sides. As well as being an agent, she was a childrenÕs book publisher for many years; sheÕs an award-winning author of some forty books for children; sheÕs written one novel for adults, and is at work on another. She lives with her family in New York City, and spends August in a cottage in Maine, where the menu almost always includes blueberry corn muffins. Right now, Brenda is not accepting picture book manuscript submissions, but she is looking for adult historical fiction. More on her wish list, here.A few books I loved reading in my free timeÉ. Mel Fell, by Corey R. Tabor; Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone, by Tae Keller; Heartstopper, by Alice Oseman; Oh William!, by Elizabeth Strout, Things To Look Forward To, by Sophie Blackall, The Age of Phillis, HonorŽe Fanonne Jeffers, The Book of St. John, Fergus Henderson & Trevor Gulliver.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Dating Relationships Sex, Family, General Nonfiction, Humor Nonfiction, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Medical Medicine, Nonfiction, Parenting, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS 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
Sharon Bowers is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. She began her career as an editor at HarperCollins and then partnered with Angela Miller in Miller Bowers Griffin Literary Management. She believes in a hands-on approach to working with authors and editors works with award-winning novelists such as Lori Rader-Day, Hilary Fannin, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Zukiswa Wanner, Miriam O’Callaghan and Kermit Lynch. She also represents a diverse list of non-fiction, including chefs and food writers such as Deborah Madison, Amy Chaplin, Tess “The Blender Girl” Masters, Tama Matsuoka Wong, Cal Peternell, Leah Cohen, Mads Refslund, Cathy Whims and Amanda Cohen, and organizations such as the Natural Gourmet institute and Pain D’Avignon.
Notes
FICTION: Crime Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Dating Relationships Sex, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, How-To, Lifestyle, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Religion, Spirituality
Biography
Brandi Bowles is a literary agent with United Talent Agency (UTA). She began representing authors in 2007, transitioning from Penguin Random House to represent a wide array of idea and platform-driven nonfiction, from memoirs and essay collections to cookbooks, comedy, pop culture, parenting, science, business, health & wellness, and narrative nonfiction.On the fiction side, Brandi also represents authors of select children’s fiction and upmarket genre fiction, particularly those with a focus on magical realism or psychological / scientific themes. She has had the pleasure of working with thought leaders, storytellers, innovators, and cultural icons ranging from Jennifer Grey to Joshua Weissman, Phil Rosenthal, Nick DiGiovanni, Tiffani Thessen, James Murray, Symone Sanders, Kelly Williams Brown, Meghan McCain, Iliza Shlesinger, Kevin Fredericks, Emma Chamberlain, Yvonne Orji, and Jennifer Coolidge, artists such as Alex Hirsch, Brady Smith, and the Ernie Barnes estate, and writers and journalists such as Baynard Woods, Jeannine Amber, Dina Gachman, and Kelly Williams Brown.A lifelong learner, Brandi is always looking for fresh perspectives, entertaining personal stories, and big-idea books that change the way we think about the world. Driven by a passion for storytelling, she is hands on through every stage of the process, from helping authors curate and refine ideas, write a compelling book proposal, sell and publish a bestselling book, and beyond.Brandi is a graduate of the University of Louisville, summa cum laude, and lives with her husband and two children just outside of New York City.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mainstream Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Art, Biography, Business Book, Celebrity, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Diet Nutrition, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Inspirational Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Philosophy, Politics, Pop Culture, Reference, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, TechnologyCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Sarah Bowlin is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. She joined Aevitas in early 2017 after a decade as an editor of literary fiction and nonfiction. She has worked on the international breakout novel How Should a Person Be? by Sheila Heti; the New York Times Notable Book, The Beautiful Bureaucrat by Helen Phillips; the National Book Award-nominated The End by Salvatore Scibona; and works by the award-winning novelist, Juan Gabriel V‡squez.Bowlin has a BA in American Literature from New York University. Originally from the South, she got her start in publishing at Riverhead Books and was most recently a senior editor at Henry Holt & Company.As an Aevitas agent based in Los Angeles, she is focused on bold, diverse voices in fiction and nonfiction. SheÕs especially interested in stories of strong or difficult women and unexpected narratives of place, of identity, and of the shifting ways we see ourselves and each other. SheÕs also interested in food history, wine, and dance.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Food Drink, History, Humor Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Women’s Issues
Biography
Hannah Bowman is a literary agent with Liza Dawson Associates. Hannah Bowman joined Liza Dawson Associates as an agent in 2011. She graduated from Cornell University in 2009, earning a B.A. in English and mathematics. While a student, she spent four summers working in particle physics at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. She is also an organist. She lives in Los Angeles.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance, Science FictionNONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Law Legal, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Medical Medicine, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Religion, Science, Spirituality, True CrimeCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult FictionNONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction, Christian Nonfiction
Biography
Rachel S. Boye is a literary agent with The DRS Agency. Rachel primarily represents the agencyÕs female Christian authors.
Notes
NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction, Christian Nonfiction
Biography
Katherine Boyle is a literary agent with the Veritas Literary Agency. A Bay Area native, Katherine attended Stanford and the Berkeley extension publishing program before working at a variety of independent publishers and literary agencies. She established Veritas in 1995. A member of the AAR and the Authors Guild, she loves books that explore the lesser-known territories of human experience.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, Environment, General Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Science, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Jaidree Braddix is the head of publishing at ARC Collective. She has over a decade of experience in publishing, first as a book publicist and then as a literary agent. She believes in the power of great stories and bold ideas to spark global movements, and she is an expert at helping authors to refine their message, find talented professional partners, and develop publication strategies that can turn those ideas and stories into successful literary careers and worldwide readerships.Prior to joining Arc Collective, she held positions at Park & Fine Literary and Media and Sterling Lord Literistic, where she represented a broad range of thought leaders, experts, and New York Times bestselling authors. Her clients have included Guinness World Record-holding athletes, Nobel Laureates, activists and influencers leading culture-shifting conversations, trailblazers who have created globally trending wellness movements, and acclaimed researchers in the fields of psychology, neuroscience, business, and organizational behavior. She has built her career helping authors turn their assetsÑbe they unique life stories, cutting edge research, foundations for social good, transformative programs, or online communitiesÑinto compelling proposals and noteworthy books.Jaidree is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents and Literary Agents of Change, where she serves as a co-director of the Fellowship Program. When she is not reading, she can usually be found dancing or in the weight room (sometimes both). Jaidree lives in Manhattan, surrounded by arguably too many house plantsÑand will likely buy more.
Notes
NONFICTION: Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Diet Nutrition, Education, Fitness, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Money Finance, Nonfiction, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Sports
Biography
Laura Bradford is a literary agent with the Bradford Literary Agency. Laura established the Bradford Literary Agency in 2001. She considers herself an editorial-focused agent and takes a hands-on approach to developing proposals and manuscripts with her authors for the most appropriate markets. During her own misadventures as a writer, Laura came to understand the importance of having a friendly but critical eye on your side, a career strategist in your corner and a guide who can lead you through the travails of publication. Her recent sales include books placed with Berkley, Grand Central, Harlequin, Kensington, Simon and Schuster, HarperCollins, Sourcebooks, Hyperion, Flux, Macmillan, Adams Media, Egmont USA, John Wiley and Sons and Mira Books. She continues to actively build her client list and is currently seeking work in the following genres: Romance (historical, romantic suspense, paranormal, category, contemporary, erotic), urban fantasy, women’s fiction, mystery, thrillers and young adult as well as some select non-fiction. She is a member of the Association of Authors’ Representatives (AAR) and Romance Writers of America, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and she is an RWA-recognized agent.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Erotic Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Art, General Nonfiction, History, Illustrated, NonfictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Catherine Bradshaw is a literary agent with Writers House. She is a junior agent at Writers House, building her adult, young adult, middle grade, and picture book lists. Catherine joined Writers House in 2018 as the front desk administrative assistant and reader for the agency at large. In 2019, she began supporting Senior Agent Susan GinsburgÕs diverse list of clients. Under SusanÕs guidance and mentorship, Catherine has worked closelyÑboth editorially and administrativelyÑwith a broad range of award-winning and bestselling adult and childrenÕs book authors, including Diane Chamberlain, Sara Farizan, Jessica B. Harris, Deborah Heiligman, Edward Humes, Pam Jenoff, Cedella Marley, Leonard Mlodinow, Sarah Morgan, and Alexandra Penfold. Prior to Writers House, Catherine worked for Alanna Feldman Scouting, advising international and domestic clients on acquiring translation and/or TV/film rights for upcoming releases. Before that, Catherine received her Bachelor of the Arts in English with a minor in Creative Writing from New York University, all the while interning in editorial at Scholastic Book Clubs, Viking ChildrenÕs Books, and Flatiron Books.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: Beauty Fashion Style, Dating Relationships Sex, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, NonfictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Mackenzie Brady Watson is a literary agent with the Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency. She’s focusing on narrative non-fiction for all ages and select Young Adult fiction. As a former genetics lab technician, she has a great passion for science books, especially if they are historically driven or revolutionize current theory, as well as sociology, investigative journalism, food writing, memoir, and business books. She particularly appreciates work that sheds light on marginalized experiences and helps contribute to the cultural conversation.Mackenzie began her publishing career as an intern at Fine Print Literary Management and Farrar, Straus & Giroux. She was an agent with Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency and New Leaf Literary & Media before joining SKLA in 2016.In addition to being an agent, Mackenzie is also a founding board member of INKLUDED (a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to increasing and celebrating the diversity within the publishing industry). She grew up outside of Philadelphia and is a graduate of Penn State University.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, Graphic Novel, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: Art, Biography, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, Investigative, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Poetry, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Sports, Technology, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime, Upmarket Nonfiction
Biography
Karen Brailsford is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. She spent more than two decades covering arts and culture, Hollywood, fashion, beauty and human interest as a staff writer and editor with Newsweek, Elle, In Touch and E! Entertainment. Her writing has also appeared in The New York Times Book Review, Interview, Black Enterprise and other publications.A native New Yorker, she is a graduate of The Brearley School and Yale where she earned a B.A. in English literature. Karen has been a licensed spiritual therapist with the Agape International Spiritual Center since 2009 and is the author of Sacred Landscapes of the Soul: Aligning with the Divine Wherever You Are (Wyatt-MacKenzie | 2020). Karen is based in Los Angeles and is especially interested in arts and entertainment, memoir, biography, health and wellness, spirituality and works of non-fiction that inspire and shine a light on contemporary conditions.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance, Short Story Collection, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Art, Biography, Celebrity, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Design, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Religion, Self-Help, Spirituality, Travel, Women’s Issues
Biography
David Bratt is a literary agent with BBH Literary. With over twenty years of experience in publishing, David co-founded BBH Literary after serving as executive editor at Eerdmans Publishing. He has developed, edited, and helped bring to market over a hundred books, including several that received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly and two that became cover stories for Christianity Today. With a PhD in American religion from Yale University, David has spent his career studying trends in the world of faith. He has presented at the Calvin Festival of Faith and Writing, the American Society of Church History, the Louisville Institute, and the University of Notre Dame, among other venues. He has been quoted in numerous articles on publishing trends in Publishers Weekly and other publications.
Notes
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Journalism, Nonfiction, Reference, ReligionNONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Nonfiction
Biography
Jordan Breindel is a literary agent with Literary Counsel. He grew up in New Jersey and has been reading ever since he learned how. As an agent, he’s interested in literary and commercial fiction including mystery/thriller, humor, YA and/or some awesome genre that combines all of the above. He graduated from NYUÕs Tisch School of the Arts and in addition to agenting, heÕs written for a variety of publications both online and in print. HeÕs also written some commercials you may have seen or fast-forwarded through.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, ThrillerNONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Memoir, Nonfiction
Helen Breitwieser
Cornerstone Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Postal MailBiography
Helen Breitwieser is a literary agent with Cornerstone Literary Agency. Helen is also the owner. Cornerstone Literary Agency in located in Los Angeles, CA. The agency represents a wide range of novelists with an emphasis on women’s fiction, children’s books, romance and suspense/mystery. Clients include Katherine Center, Beth Fantaskey, C.S. Harris, Rachel Lee, Sophia Nash, Ursula Vernon, Tracy Anne Warren and Ahmet Zappa. She is a member of the AAR, the Author’s Guild, Poets & Writers, RWA and PEN. Before founding Cornerstone Literary in 1998, she was a literary agent at the William Morris Agency in New York. She graduated Barnard College magna cum laude in 1990.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Horror, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Western Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, How-To, Lifestyle, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Pop Culture, Self-HelpCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Tracy Brennan is the founder and president of Trace Literary Agency, LLC. She received her B.A. from Indiana UniversityÕs College of Arts and Sciences and also received a certificate in secondary education from Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis. Before opening the agency, Tracy taught at the secondary level for over eleven years.Tracy decided to pursue her career as a literary agent after she saw a gap in the American market. Having undergone a lengthy process of introduction and research, she was able to secure some of IrelandÕs top contemporary writers, as well as writers from the UK and US.Tracy has worked with Mercier Press, IrelandÕs oldest independent publishing house, as well as publisher Jo OÕDonoghue of Londubh Books in Dublin.Tracy is also the US literary agent for Terry ProneÕs the Communication Clinic.Trace Literary Agency is a small agency which allows us to offer our clients the personal attention we feel they deserve. We pride ourselves in finding the perfect home for high quality, well written books.
Notes
FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Business Book, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Nonfiction, Politics, True Crime
Biography
Paul Bresnick is a literary agent with the Bresnick Weil Literary Agency. Paul established the Paul Bresnick Literary Agency in 2004 (now the Bresnick Weil Literary Agency). Prior to his tenure as Publisher at LiveREADS, the enhanced e-book publishers, from 2000-2002, Paul Bresnick was Fiction Editor at Penthouse, Associate Editor at Simon & Schuster, Editor at Henry Holt, Senior Editor at Doubleday, and Executive Editor at William Morrow. At Penthouse, he published fiction by a distinguished group of writers including Philip Roth, James Baldwin, John Hawkes, James Purdy, T.C. Boyle, Don DeLillo, and several others. At Simon & Schuster and Holt, he edited such major bestsellers as THE CINDERELLA COMPLEX by Colette Dowling, THE SECOND STAGE by Betty Friedan, and CATCH A FIRE: THE LIFE OF BOB MARLEY by Timothy White. Shortly after he arrived at Doubleday, Bresnick came up with the idea of doing a book called FATHERHOOD and succeeded in convincing Bill Cosby to write what would become a publishing phenomenon, with net hardcover sales of over three million copies. His other bestsellers at Doubleday included GRACE: THE SECRET LIVES OF A PRINCESS by James Spada, SEPARATED AT BIRTH? by the editors of Spy magazine, DRIVE by Larry Bird, and ON BOXING by Joyce Carol Oates. Some highlights at Morrow: FOREVER BARBIE by M. G. Lord, MODEL by Michael Gross, BLACK PROFILES IN COURAGE by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, JACKIE AFTER JACK by Christopher Andersen, KING CON by Stephen J. Cannell, HIT MAN by Lawrence Block, POACHERS by Tom Franklin, HELL’S ANGEL by Sonny Barger, AHAB’S WIFE by Sena Jeter Naslund.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Sports Fiction, Suspense Fiction, ThrillerNONFICTION: Autobiography, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Celebrity, Current Events Affairs, General Nonfiction, History, Humor Nonfiction, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Sports, True Crime, Women’s Issues
Biography
Sophie Brett-Chin is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. She assists Jeff Kleinman and Steve Troha, while also actively building her list. Prior to joining Folio, she received her MFA in Nonfiction from Columbia University. In nonfiction, sheÕs looking for narrative nonfiction across a variety of categories, including niche/overlooked histories; pop culture; memoir; and cultural criticism.In fiction, sheÕs drawn to propulsive plots that are beautiful on a technical and craft level, including big-hearted novels about family and/or coming of age; upmarket and literary thrillers; and upmarket horror that uses and subverts the genreÕs tropes to probe larger societal issues. In all genres, Sophie has a continuous soft-spot for works that interrogate adolescence, Ñ specifically teenage girlhood, treating this liminal and weird time with respect and levity Ñ as well as anything that explores religion and ritual; and books about the ocean.
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FICTION: Family Saga, Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Religious Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: Crafts, Cultural Social Issues, History, Humor Nonfiction, Investigative, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Religion, Science
Biography
Amy Brewer is a literary agent with Metamorphosis Literary. She is a senior literary agent and subsidiary rights assistant manager. Her intuitive human understanding can help writers bridge the communication gap and jump into the publishing world. Her experience in the mental health field and yoga training help her guide and assist clients with stress and anxiety in this highly competitive industry. All of this is pulled together with a multi-tasking and hyper-organized brain, so that at the end of every day she feels accomplished and grateful. She is seeking captivating stories of human connection and books that touch her heart.
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FICTION: Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, Humor Nonfiction, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Mind Body Spirit, Nonfiction, SportsCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction