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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
Elisabeth Weed is a literary agent and partner with The Book Group. She began her publishing career at Curtis Brown in 1999. In 2007, Elisabeth opened her own agency, Weed Literary, where she began focusing primarily on upmarket fiction. She is especially attracted to plot-driven novels with a sense of place, and loves discovering new voices. Elisabeth is committed to working with authors not just on individual titles, but for the long term. Her clientsÕ novels have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists as well as international bestseller lists around the globe.A few books I loved reading in my free time… The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V. E. Schwab, My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite, Long Bright River by Liz Moore, In the Woods by Tana French, The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin, The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai, and Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction
Biography
Frank Weimann is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. He says: “I began my career in publishing at The Literary Group, which I founded in 1986. I merged my agency with Folio in 2013. Over the years, IÕve worked with a number of incredible authorsÑfrom soldiers to celebrities, from business leaders to fitness trainers. My clients have been experts in their fields and included Nobel Prize, Pulitzer, Caldecott and Medal of Honor winners. My list is diverse, yet all of my titles have one thing in common: They are written by authors who are passionate about their bookÕs subject. Whether itÕs how to live your dream (October Sky by Homer Hickam), win the Olympics (Grace, Gold and Glory by Gabby Douglas), or become a leader (First, Fast, Fearless: How to Lead Like a Navy SEAL by Ed Hiner); whether youÕre a rock star (My Cross to Bear by Gregg Allman) or you run a crime family (Man of Honor by Joe Bonanno)Ñif you can get your passion down on paper, IÕm interested.”
Notes
NONFICTION: Animals, Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Celebrity, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Diet Nutrition, Economics, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Government, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Reference, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Sports, Technology, True CrimeNONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Nonfiction
Cherry Weiner
Cherry Weiner Literary AgencyCLOSED to SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Postal MailBiography
Cherry Weiner is a literary agent with the Cherry Weiner Literary Agency. The Cherry Weiner Literary Agency ÒunofficiallyÓ started at the end of 1976 and officially in May of 1977. Criteria: Much as I always say I have no room, there is always room for one more. But that one more has to come from a TOTAL EXCITEMENT on the manuscript and knowledge that the author and I do have a chemistry that will allow us to work together. Usually that comes from meeting someone at a conference, or one of my authors and/or editors recommends that I take a look at someone’s work. No more than 50 clientsÉat this point it stands around 45. I don’t charge reading fees. Never have. Never will. I don’t handle children’s/ young adultÑexcept the occasional, limited to my already authors, poetry, most non-fictionÉbut there again you could hook me depending on the subject As for favoriteÉno matter the genre, if the writing is good and I can get excited I will handle it to the best of my ability. SALES: in both hardcover and paperback: Mainstream (whatever that is), Thrillers/suspense, Women’s novels, All the various romance categories, Westerns, Native American *big* novels and Nonfiction, Historical/contemporary mystery series, Military science fiction/General science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, Mainstream Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science FictionNONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Economics, General Nonfiction, How-To, Money Finance, Nonfiction
Biography
Ted Weinstein is a literary agent with Ted Weinstein Literary Management. Ted has broad experience on both the business and editorial sides of publishing. Before founding his agency in 2001 he held senior positions in licensing, marketing, publicity and business development with several major publishing companies. Also a widely published author, Ted has been the music critic for NPRÕs All Things Considered and a commentator for the San Francisco Chronicle, the Bay Guardian, SF Weekly and Might Magazine.Ted received his B.A. cum laude in philosophy from Yale College and his MasterÕs degree in Public and Private Management from the Yale School of Management.
Notes
NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Computers, Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, Education, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Journalism, Lifestyle, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Reference, Religion, Science, Sports, Technology, Travel
Biography
Jennifer Weis is a literary agent with and the founder of The Weis Agency. Jennifer has always had a passion for all things literary. After receiving her BA and MA in English from Yale University, she worked at St. MartinÕs Press, serving as an Executive Editor and publishing bestselling titles like Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris, Climate of Hope by Michael Bloomberg, Baby Teeth by Zoe Stage, and ReniaÕs Diary by Renia Spiegel. In the fall of 2019, she moved to the other side of the desk as an agent. After several years with Ross Yoon Agency, Jennifer decided to continue to take her hands-on approach to client development to the next level by founding her own agency.JenniferÕs areas of specialty include high-concept, cleverly plotted bookclub fiction of all categories and nonfiction with new voices and new angles on perennial subjects. Above all, Jennifer is looking for books with a hook, a strong voice, and a powerful plot.Outside of the literary world, Jennifer is the co-chair of Project Lyme, a non-profit based in NYC that focuses on awareness, education, and advocacy. She also chairs the UJA Executive Committee for Publishing and is a UJA board member. She is based in NYC, where she lives with her husband and four children.
Notes
FICTION: Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Art, Business Book, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Family, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Journalism, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Rob Weisbach is a literary agent with Creative Management. Rob attended Phillips Academy Andover and Stanford University, where he studied American literature and poetry. Weisbach began his publishing career as an editorial assistant at Bantam Doubleday Dell in 1989 and was named Senior Editor in 1992. There he published three consecutive #1 New York Times bestsellers: Seinlanguage by Jerry Seinfeld; Couplehood by Paul Reiser; and My Point…And I Do Have One by Ellen DeGeneres. His other titles at BDD included Feeling the Spirit by New York Times photographer Chester Higgins, Jr. and Alice, an urban fairy tale by Whoopi Goldberg.In 1996 Weisbach was named President and Publisher of Rob Weisbach Books at William Morrow, where he oversaw the editorial, publicity, and sales strategy for a list of highly original fiction and nonfiction. The imprint’s first title, The Tenth Justice, launched the career of lawyer turned novelist Brad Meltzer and became an instant New York Times bestseller, as did Babyhood by Paul Reiser and Book by Whoopi Goldberg. Other bestselling and critically acclaimed writers Weisbach published at the imprint included The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart; literary fiction stars A.M. Homes, Dale Peck, and Amanda Davis; director and screenwriter Ethan Coen; humorist Sandra Bernhard; painter and nature writer James Prosek; and U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky.Rob Weisbach Books received industry honors for innovation in marketing and jacket and catalogue design. The imprint also became known for reaching the next generation of readers through its Virgin Fiction series for first-time writers and cutting edge visual books including The Pop-Up Book of Phobias; Tim Burton’s cult classic The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy; and the companion to Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Rent. Other imprint titles included The Nazi Officer’s Wife, the Holocaust memoir by Edith Hahn; Openly Bob, the award-winning collection of essays by pioneer gay comedian Bob Smith; and Use Me, the acclaimed literary fiction debut of Vanity Fair contributor Elissa Schappell.In 2002 Weisbach was named Vice President and Editor-at-Large at Simon & Schuster. There he developed cross-platform projects with other divisions of parent company Viacom and published select fiction and nonfiction titles with the Simon & Schuster adult trade division, among them the New York Times bestsellers The Know-It-All by Esquire contributor A.J. Jacobs; The Funny Thing Is…by Ellen DeGeneres; and Without You by Anthony Rapp.In 2005 Weisbach was named to the dual role of President and CEO of Miramax Books and President and CEO of The Weinstein Company’s new book division. There he oversaw the publication of the existing Miramax Books list and built a new infrastructure and publishing program for Weinstein Books. Miramax Books titles he published included the New York Times bestsellers The Debutante Divorcee by Plum Sykes and Ptolemy’s Gate by Jonathan Stroud as well as Lighting the Way by Karenna Gore Schiff, My Father’s Secret War by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Lucinda Franks, and SPY: The Funny Years by Graydon Carter, George Kalogerakis, and Kurt Andersen. Weinstein Books titles included the Giller Prize-winning Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures by Dr. Vincent Lam; the New York Times bestseller Quantum Wellness by Kathy Freston; The Gift of Rain, the Man Booker-nominated literary debut by Tan Twan Eng; We Bought a Zoo, a family memoir by Guardian columnist Benjamin Mee, and The Journal of Helene Berr, the recently discovered Holocaust diary published in fifteen countries in fall 2008.In 2008, Weisbach represented his first project as agent, the literary survival memoir Crazy for the Storm by Norman Ollestad, selling world rights to HarperCollins’s Ecco imprint. Ollestad’s extraordinary book became a New York Times bestseller, has been sold around the world, was chosen by Starbucks as their summer selection and by Amazon as one of the Ten Best Books of 2009, and was optioned by Warner Brothers for film.Over the course of his twenty-year career in entertainment Rob Weisbach has developed and published a diverse list of high-caliber talent including New York Times bestselling authors Jon Stewart, Brad Meltzer, Jerry Seinfeld, Whoopi Goldberg, Ellen DeGeneres, Paul Reiser, A.J. Jacobs, Bob Schieffer, Anthony Rapp, and Kathy Freston; US Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky and Pulitzer Prize-winner Lucinda Franks; literary stars A.M. Homes, Bruce Wagner, and Elissa Schappell; filmmakers Tim Burton and Ethan Coen; rights advocates Karenna Gore Schiff and Evan Wolfson; photographer Chester Higgins, Jr., painter and nature writer James Prosek, and chef Padma Lakshmi.”My mother and father, a psychologist and an editor, instilled in me the importance of marshalling one’s intellect, compassion, and will to help others achieve their aspirations. For twenty years, my professional life as a publisher has been devoted to promoting my authors’ talents. That hands-on experience, along with relationships I’ve built in national media, film, and television, now will enable me to offer my clients sophisticated, broadly informed representation from the other side of the desk.””In these times, more than ever, creative artists will need to become the architects of their own success. Over the years I’ve experienced great satisfaction from helping authors shape their work, focus on what they can do independently to ensure exposure in the marketplace, develop opportunities for themselves beyond the book page, and think beyond the traditional limits of publishing to build an audience in the digital age. Now, I’m looking forward to discovering and developing a new stable of distinctive, dynamic talent and empowering them to marry a rich creative life with good business strategy.”
Notes
FICTION: Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Science Fiction, ThrillerNONFICTION: Art, Autobiography, Biography, Celebrity, Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, True AdventureCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Alexandra Weiss is a literary agent with the Jennifer Azantian Literary Agency. She joined the world of publishing in 2016, as an associate agent with the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency. In 2021, she joined Azantian Literary Agency where she represents fiction and nonfiction picture books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, and select adult nonfiction. She holds a BFA in creative writing and publishing from Columbia College Chicago and has written for Bustle and Buzzfeed, among others. She regularly volunteers with literary organizations and has a soft spot for working with young readers. When she isn’t reading or writing, she’s probably baking up a storm or snuggling with her cat.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Speculative FictionNONFICTION: Animals, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Environment, Film Entertainment, Gift Novelty, History, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Science, Technology, Travel, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Jamie Weiss Chilton is a literary agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. She represents childrenÕs books in all categories, with a focus on preschool, picture books, novelty, and real-world-based middle grade and YA. Genre interests include thrillers, science fiction, and speculative fiction.Jamie looks for an intense emotional experience, in all categories. She’s seeking manuscripts that stay with her. This could mean the sweet pang of an “I love you” picture book, or the shock of recognition of an honest window to the tween or teen psyche. For the younger age groups, she looks for the hook that will make a book a must-have parenting or educational resource.Prior to joining Andrea Brown Literary Agency in 2008, Jamie was Conference Manager and Golden Kite Award Director at the Society of ChildrenÕs Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), and prior to that held editorial positions at Random House ChildrenÕs Books and an internship at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers.Jamie received her BA in English from Columbia University. She lives in Los Angeles with her family.
Notes
CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Larry Weissman is a literary agent with and the founder of Larry Weissman Literary. Random House veteran Larry Weissman operates his company from his Brooklyn apartment, where a comfy place to orchestrate six-figure book deals.
Notes
NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Celebrity, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Journalism, Lifestyle, Memoir, Money Finance, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Pop Culture, Reference, Religion, Science, Spirituality, Sports
Biography
Tess Weitzner is a literary agent with the Frances Goldin Literary Agency. She joined the Frances Goldin Literary Agency in 2023 after more than three years at Trident Media Group. A graduate of Middlebury College, she previously interned at Macmillan, The New England Review, and O/R Books. She was also a 2019 Bread Loaf student-scholar in fiction, as well as a research assistant for the author and journalist Charles Glass. And, after a long stint coaching and performing with a youth circus, she is drawn to anything that flies high, plays with fire, and embraces difference.She is primarily looking for literary fiction and narrative nonfiction narrow and deep in scope that might play with unreliable narrators, interrogations of power and violence, reclamations of identity, or dark-as-night humor. Fresh takes on horror, magical realism, camp, and kitsch will always be met with zeal. In the childrenÕs space, she is looking for contemporary middle grade and YA stories that are fun, engaging, and seemingly ÒquietÓ that crack open larger questions or underrepresented experiences. Some of her favorites include Sandra Cisneros, Louis Sachar, Carl Hiaasen, Katherine Applegate, Kelly Yang, and Jason Reynolds. As part of their brilliant storytelling, they respect young readers and approach tough topics with warmth, humor, and edge. She is not accepting queries in science fiction, fantasy, or picture books at this time. Her clients include Sara Cody, Berinna Chambers, David Dabel, Christina Frigo, Leora Fridman, Davey Lawson, Kathryn Kramer, and Suchi Rudra.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, Graphic Novel, Horror, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Satire, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Humor Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, NonfictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Samantha Wekstein is a literary agent with the Thompson Literary Agency. She grew up in Westchester, NY. She attended the University of Maryland, College Park and received a B.A. in English. She now lives in NYC with her husband and dog. After internships with Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency and Rowman & Littlefield, she began her career in 2013 at Writers House LLC. She then briefly worked as an assistant at The Agency Group (now UTA) before returning to Writers House for the next 5 years where she began supporting the CEO, and then the Founder, before becoming an agent. SheÕs been lucky to work with a variety of best-selling and award winning authors across all genres. She joined TLA in 2019 where sheÕs excited to grow her list. In YA, she loves creative and epic fantasies, but she is also drawn to realistic stories with multi-dimensional female characters. She is always interested in elevating diverse voices, particularly through feminist narratives. She is seeking middle grade of all stripes, but especially stories that deal with themes of friendship, adventure, or encountering tragedy for the first time. She is also on the lookout for whimsical, meaningful, and funny picture books. On the adult side she is drawn to commercial voices in Romance, WomenÕs Fiction, Historical Fiction, Sci-Fi and Fantasy.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Western Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, History, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Victoria Wells Arms is a literary agent with HG Literary. She began her publishing career as an editor at Dial Books for Young Readers, moved to G. P. Putnam’s Sons and then Bloomsbury USA’s Children’s Division, where she was the founding Editorial Director and Associate Publisher and worked with Shannon Hale, Nikki Grimes, Renee Watson, E D Baker, and many other award-winning and bestselling authors. In 2013 Victoria started her own agency, Wells Arms Literary LLC, which joined in association with HG Literary in 2018. She represents authors of children’s books for all ages, a few adult authors, and many talented picture book illustrators including E. D. Baker, Nora Shalaway Carpenter, Alan Cumyn, Patrick Downes, Han Nolan, Maria Padian, Marcella Pixley, Susan L. Roth and more. She also works closely in partnership with the agent Edite Kroll and her clients.Victoria has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and is a member of the AAR, PEN America, and SCBWI.
Notes
FICTION: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Graphic Novel, LGBTQ Fiction, Multicultural FictionNONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Food Drink, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Nonfiction, ParentingCHILDRENÕS 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
Jennifer Weltz is a literary agent with the Jean Naggar Literary Agency. As President of JVNLA, Jennifer Weltz has sold books domestically, internationally, and for film for nearly two decades. Coming from a mediation background, Jennifer sees herself as a liaison between her author and the editor and publishing house that acquire her author’s work. This role takes on a myriad of formsÑbusiness manager, confidant, task master, preliminary editor, and matchmakerÑto name a few. Since Jennifer takes up an author’s career and not just a project, she is very careful and selective about signing on new authors.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Horror, Magical Realism, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Art, Dating Relationships Sex, General Nonfiction, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Science, Self-Help, TechnologyCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Lauren Wendelken is a literary agent with Susanna Lea Associates. She is a Midwesterner and a neuroscientist by training. She began working with Susanna Lea Associates in New York in 2007. After a six year hiatus in San Francisco, where she worked at UCSF with Dr. Victor ValcourÕs NeuroAIDS research group, she was thrilled to return to the SLA fold in 2016. Lauren is passionate about nonfiction books with a social mission, or those which aim to make science accessible to all, as well as upmarket commercial fiction, literary fiction, and speculative fiction.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Biography, Cultural Social Issues, History, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Science
Biography
Charlotte Wenger is a literary agent with the Prospect Agency. She says: “Although my parents didn’t intentionally name me after Charlotte A. Cavatica, as a child, I imagined that my white semicircle headboard transformed into a spiderÕs web at night. From a young age, I was aware of the impact of words and a well-crafted story. Now IÕm delighted to work with clients to weave book webs that leave their mark on readers.I honed my love of stories by getting a BA in English and theatre from Eastern Mennonite University. After graduating, I worked as a project manager and editor for Scribe, a Philadelphia-based publishing services company, for three years. To follow my passion for books and children, I moved to Boston to earn a masterÕs in ChildrenÕs Literature from Simmons College (now University). I interned at Charlesbridge (editorial) and Candlewick (sales), and after grad school, I interned with literary agent Rubin Pfeffer for a year. Prior to joining Prospect Agency, I was an associate editor for just over two years with Page Street Kids, where I acquired and edited more than twenty picture books and grew relationships with authors, illustrators, agents, and other editors.As an agent, I enjoy the editorial work and the relationship building; so I love attending conferences and leading workshops. I’ve mentored Simmons MFA students and also serve on the national advisory board of the Mazza Museum, the world’s largest collection of original children’s book art, in Findlay, Ohio.I’m interested in working with authors and illustrators of children’s booksÑboard books through YA, but especially picture booksÑas well as adult nonfiction, particularly biographies and memoirs.”
Notes
NONFICTION: Art, Biography, Dating Relationships Sex, Family, General Nonfiction, History, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Nonfiction, Poetry, Science, Sports, 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
Marcia Wernick is a literary agent with the Wernick & Pratt Agency. After working and traveling around Europe after college and working in different jobs in New York City, Marcia Wernick finally found her calling in childrenÕs publishing. She began working at the Sheldon Fogelman Agency in subsidiary rights, advancing to director of subsidiary rights. She has attended the Bologna ChildrenÕs Book Fair more than a dozen times, enjoying the international camaraderie of the childrenÕs book industry. When she realized that working directly with the authors and illustrators brought her the most joy, she focused on the agenting side of the business. She became a fulltime agent, bringing in many authors and illustrators to the agency. Among the clients she brought in are Bryan Collier, Diane Stanley, Alexandra Boiger, and Mo Willems, whom she introduced to the childrenÕs book publishing world. Her clients now range from the well-established to those just beginning their careers. She continues to use her subsidiary rights experience in the foreign rights side of Wernick & Pratt Agency and working with film agents on the licensing of motion picture/television rights. She has had great fun licensing merchandising rights such as ringtones, game apps, plush dolls, pajamas, backpacks, toys, and games.
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
Alisha West is a literary agent with Victress Literary. She resides in Washington State. SheÕs had a life-long love affair with stories, earning a BA in English and an MA in WomenÕs and Gender Studies. Her thesis, Exploring the Missing Pieces: Readers, Religion and Societal relations in One Magazine, 1954-1963, concerns one of the first widely circulated gay and lesbian magazines published in the U.S. (downloaded 300+ times). Her personal essay, ÒWalking Sweet Dee,Ó took third place in the Adult Short Topic category of the Pacific Northwest WriterÕs AssociationÕs Literary Contest in 2022.After bonding with Lizz during the after party of the PNWA awards ceremony, Alisha jumped at the chance to join Victress Literary as an editorial assistant in November 2022. Because of her commitment, cheerleading, and creativity, she was promoted to Junior Agent in May 2023. Her favorite tasks include reading submissions and editing manuscripts from Victress clients.When Alisha isnÕt reading, editing or writing about womenÕs rights and queer history, she enjoys playing with her fur babies (Roary Gilmore, Sweet Dee and Charlie Kelly), practicing guitar, gaming, and watching all the best stories film has to offer with her partner, Matt.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Erotic Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Environment, Fitness, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Self-Help, True Crime, Women’s Issues
Biography
Kimberly Whalen is a literary agent with and the founder of The Whalen Agency. Before founding The Whalen Agency, Kimberly Whalen worked at a major New York City literary agency for 15 years, where she represented dozens of New York Times bestselling clients. Those clients delivered over 40 New York Times bestselling books, multiple #1 New York Times bestsellers, dozens of international bestsellers (including #1 international bestsellers) and netted several eight-figure deals.Prior to her renowned career as a literary agent, Kimberly Whalen worked as the foreign rights director at St. MartinÕs Press. The experience of working at a publishing company as well as her background in selling international rights for over 20 years provides her clients with a truly unique and global expertise that is unparalleled in the industry.
Notes
FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Celebrity, Dating Relationships Sex, Film Entertainment, General Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop CultureCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Michaela Whatnall is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC. She joined Dystel, Goderich & Bourret in 2019 as the assistant to Michael Bourret in the West Coast office. After graduating from Emory University with a degree in English and linguistics, Michaela completed the Columbia Publishing Course. Her background in school and library marketing accounts for her strong interest in childrenÕs literature, from picture books up through middle grade and young adult novels and graphic novels. In the adult space, she is particularly interested in character-driven fantasy and science fiction.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Animals, Cultural Social Issues, Film Entertainment, Gift Novelty, History, Illustrated, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, SportsCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Natanya Wheeler is a literary agent and director of digital rights with the Nancy Yost Literary Agency. She is looking for literary, upmarket, and commercial fiction. She is particularly interested in books that help us understand our world. SheÕs looking for multicultural voices, psychological thrillers, suspense, book club fiction, romance, and humorous fiction. She loves to find new writers and does not shy away from debut talent.For nonfiction, Natanya is interested in authors with strong platforms who write about nature, the human mind, women’s issues, or animals.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Satire, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Animals, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Food Drink, Mind Body Spirit, Multicultural Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Psychology, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction
Biography
Paige Wheeler is a literary agent with Creative Media Agency, Inc. As the founder of Creative Media Agency, Inc., Paige Wheeler has artfully merged her creativity and business savvy to create an agency that is dedicated to maximizing author potential. With over twenty years of experience in the publishing industry, Paige is propelled by an entrepreneurial spirit, ignited by the thrill of discovery. Through all of her professional endeavors, Paige has ventured to support her clients and their unique voices in an unprecedented way. In 2006, Paige also became a founding partner of Folio Literary Management, LLC. Through CMA, she is now able to provide the ability to manage intellectual property rights of authors by selling both domestic and foreign rights, and co-agenting film and audio rights.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Business Book, Dating Relationships Sex, Economics, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Travel, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult FictionNONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction, Christian Nonfiction
Biography
Maria Whelan is a literary agent with InkWell Management. Maria graduated from University College Dublin with a BA in English and Drama then obtained a MSc in Modern Literature from the University of Edinburgh. With bright-eyes, she moved from Dublin to New York in the hopes of pursuing a career in publishing. Before joining InkWell, she worked as a Foreign Rights Assistant at Janklow & Nesbit and interned at Akashic Books. Maria enjoys literary fiction, especially if macabre and written with a strong narrative voice. SheÕs also fond of non-fiction, revolving around peculiar or overlooked facets of society.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Short Story Collection, Speculative Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Art, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, History, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Psychology, True Crime
Biography
Caitlin White is a literary agent with the Emerald City Literary Agency. She is a writer and editor who was previously the Interim Books Editor for Bustle, and she has written about YA books for HelloGiggles, Bustle, Elle, and Glamour. Caitlin brought her passion for YA and MG to Emerald City Literary Agency in 2019 as an intern before being promoted to Associate Agent. She currently lives in Ottawa, Ontario, but is from the Boston area.Caitlin is starting to build her own list, and so she is now open to select submissions in YA and MG fiction and will represent projects alongside ECLA agents Mandy Hubbard and Linda Epstein.As an Associate Agent, she also works on office management and helps with reading queries sent to ECLA agents.Caitlin is looking for whodunnits that harken back to Agatha Christie (think: Maureen JohnsonÕs Truly Devious series), pretty much anything that makes her feel like summer (her favorite book is Judy BlumeÕs Summer Sisters), rom-coms with an original hook, stories about non-toxic groups of friends, magical realism that feels grounded (like Anna-Marie McLemoreÕs When the Moon Was Ours), unabashedly feminist POVs, and contemporary witches set in a real-life world, like These Witches DonÕt Burn by Isabel Sterling. (If itÕs similar to The Craft or Practical Magic, she will likely read it.) She is always interested in seeing submissions from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors. Sorry, but she is not the right person for high fantasy. Follow Caitlin on Twitter @caitforestell to see more of her #MSWL.
Notes
CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Essie White is a literary agent with the Storm Literary Agency. She started her literary career by focusing on those for whom the literature was written: Children. She received her BA in Education with her primary focus in Special Education. When working with special needs children, struggling with language, she discovered the beauty of words, and the rhythm of a well composed story, engaged them. She later went on to teach traditional elementary students and found that reading was best achieved, when a good book was the focus, not the specific skillset.Essie later completed her MA in Education, specializing in Curriculum and Instruction for Early Childhood Education. ThatÕs when her real journey with books began. Using quality childrenÕs literature as the foundation, she began creating curricula for local and national homeschool groups as well as independent preschool organizations. For each subject, each topic, each thematic unit, she used a book as the starting point. Essie used this combination of skills and passions, to start her own early childhood development program. Still in operation today, after 20 + years, the school serves young children in Seattle. Although Essie is no longer managing the school on site, each lesson, each day, still begins with a quality childrenÕs book.After relocating to Minneapolis, Minnesota, Essie entrenched herself in the local childrenÕs book community. She started receiving inquiries from local authors, asking about the path to publication. A lot of research later, as well as a lot of work, Essie opened her small agency with the hope of ensuring capable artists and authors, could eventually get their work seen by editors and publishers. Storm Literary Agency was subsequently launched in 2014. Essie loves strong writing that hits an emotional core. For her, the writing must be unforgettable, as should the characters and the place. Whether a snippet of life, or a full life, the story should not be easily forgotten. She wants to represent literature that leave an impact on childrenÕs lives, and she wants to represent artists who know how to speak to the child, with their art. Essie is fond of many authors and artists, some of whom she feels fortunate to call clients. But some of her favorite classic publications include Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney, Where the Wild Things are by Maurice Sendak, Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel. More recent favorites include: I talk Like a River by Jordan Scott and illustrated by Sydney Smith. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell, The Funeral by Matt James and Once, a Bird (Orca Books) Essie currently lives in Southern California where sheÕs blessed to be near family and an ocean that provides endless inspiration.
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CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book
Biography
Melissa White is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. She says: ÒWhat I love most about being an agent is finding new voices that can express something in a fresh way or new subject matter that makes me view the world differently, whether itÕs through fiction or non-fiction. One of the most thrilling aspects of my job is the constant exposure to a wide variety of topics; itÕs truly thrilling to play a part ushering innovative projects into the world.In addition to representing authors, I am the Director of International Rights at Folio and attend all the major international book fairs, keeping my finger on the pulse of what’s working in book markets worldwide.Ó
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Diet Nutrition, Economics, Food Drink, Health Wellness, History, Investigative, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-HelpCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Alice Whitwham is a literary agent with The Cheney Agency. Alice Whitwham grew up in London and studied literature at Cambridge University before moving to the US for a masterÕs degree in poetry and interpretive theory at the University of Chicago. In graduate school, she interned at The Chicago Review, and after relocating to New York, at The Paris Review. In 2011, she was the buyer at 192 Books and, from 2012 to 2016, the marketing director at McNally Jackson Books, where she programmed readings and festivals for authors and publishers and founded Writers In Public, a not-for-profit organization that brings writers and artists to give workshops at public schools and prisons. She began her agenting career at The Zoe Pagnamenta Agency, where she handled UK rights, before she moved to The Cheney Agency to build her own list. She represents a wide range of nonfiction, including voice-driven narrative non-fiction, cultural criticism, reportage, social and cultural history, and memoir; literary fiction; and a select list of poets. Her authors have been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, finalists for the National Book Award and PEN/Hemingway awards, and winners of George Polk, Whiting, and Rona Jaffe awards.
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FICTION: Fiction, Literary FictionNONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, History, Journalism, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Biography
Chandler Wickers is a literary agent with Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency. She joined Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency in 2021 after an early career working in tech. She graduated from Washington and Lee University, where she played Division III soccer and earned a degree in English and Film, then going on to complete the Columbia University Publishing Course. She is interested in representing adult fiction and non-fiction.She is drawn to voice-driven literary and upmarket fiction with a strong sense of place, novels featuring darkly funny narrators, flawed protagonists, coming of age stories, and family sagas. SheÕs especially excited about writing that plays with form, stories that explore visceral experiences of body and mind, and characters grappling with philosophical questions about faith and desire.In non-fiction, she looks for novelistic journalism, comprehensive histories, war reporting, wilderness adventures, and journeys to the edges of the Earth. As a San Francisco native and Brooklyn transplant she is keen on stories that intersect tech and pop culture, converge scholarly with personal narratives, and those that demystify a subculture or reveal an underbelly.
Notes
FICTION: Family Saga, Fiction, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Satire, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Education, History, Journalism, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Technology, Travel, True Adventure