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The Directory of Literary Agents
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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.
- You are searching within category(ies): Picture Book *
Biography
Kortney Price is a literary agent with Belcastro Agency. She graduated with a B.A. in English from Greenville University in 2014. Since then she has interned with several prominent literary agencies and worked as an agency assistant and associate at several leading kid lit agencies. She found her home with Belcastro Agency in June of 2022 and is building up her list of wonderfully talented authors. Kortney specializes in books for children from picture books through young adult with an eye for all things dark and spooky to light and fluffy. She also works on titles in the adult romance space. To connect and learn more about Kortney, check out her Twitter, Pinterest, or MSWL page.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Graphic Novel * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction *
Saint Louis MO USA
Biography
Jodi Reamer is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. Jodi says: “I’m an agent and an attorney and have been at Writers House for 25 years. I handle both children’s books, from young -adult to picture books, and adult books. My focus is commercial fiction. I would love to represent a legal thriller.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * General Nonfiction * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
120 Broadway 22nd floor New York NY 10271 USA
Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Laura Rennert is a literary agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Laura Rennert has been with the agency since 1998. She specializes in all categories of children’s books, from picture books to YA. She also represents literary-commercial fiction, thrillers, and psychological suspense/horror on the adult side.
Laura gravitates toward books with a masterful voice and an unusual point of view. She’s captivated by conflicted, charismatic characters who invite empathy, whether we like them or not; strong, fresh idiosyncratic voices; and stories that make readers think and feel deeply. She’s category agnostic, but right now she’s particularly seeking middle grade fiction, YA fiction, author-illustrator picture books, and literary-commercial thrillers and psychological suspense/horror in the adult space.
She’d especially love to find a diverse, Own Voices fantasy or thriller that draws on an underrepresented history/culture for its mythology or world-building. She’s drawn to narrative risk-takers, and would like to find a middle grade, YA, or adult novel, or even unconventional narrative nonfiction, that tells an emotionally compelling story in an unexpected way (like Jay Asher’s contemporary YA THIRTEEN REASONS WHY, which reads like a mystery). In thrillers and psychological suspense/horror, she gravitates toward unreliable narrators and morally ambiguous characters. She looks for street cred and authenticity (whether of tradecraft, investigative technique, historical/geographical setting, culture, or psychology). She’s fascinated with hidden worlds and secret knowledge.
Some of the YA books Laura represents include Maggie Stiefvater’s #1 NYT and USA Today bestselling series The Raven Cycle and Printz Honor Finalist THE SCORPIO RACES (both Scholastic); Jay Asher’s #1 NYT and USA Today bestselling THIRTEEN REASONS (Razorbill/PRH) on which the Netflix Thirteen Reasons Why series is based; #1 NYT and USA Today Bestseller Ellen Hopkins’s THE YOU I’VE NEVER KNOWN (Margaret K. McElderry/S&S); and award-winning author Mitali Perkins’s forthcoming YOU BRING THE DISTANT NEAR (FSG/Macmillan). Middle grade titles include Shannon Messenger’s NYT and USA Today bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series (Aladdin/S&S).
Picture books include Lisa Mantchev’s STRICTLY NO ELEPHANTS (Paula Wiseman/S&S), a 2016 NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Honorable Title; Tammi Sauer’s YOUR ALIEN, an NPR Best Book of 2015; and NYT bestselling author Nina Laden’s just released IF I HAD A LITTLE DREAM (Paula Wiseman/S&S) and her Peek-A-Who series (Chronicle).
Some adult titles include NYT bestselling and award-winning author Catherine Ryan Hyde’s forthcoming ALLIE AND BEA (Lake Union/Amazon), #1 NYT bestselling author Lauren Kate’s forthcoming DOVE (Putnam/PRH); Wall Street Journal bestselling author Joe Hart’s forthcoming OBSCURA (Thomas & Mercer/Amazon), and NYT bestselling and award-winning thriller writer Barry Eisler’s LIVIA LONE (Thomas & Mercer/Amazon).
Laura’s work as an agent is enhanced by her familiarity with what it’s like on the author’s side of the table. She’s married to an author; she’s raising a young author; and Laura herself is the author of a picture book, BUYING, TRAINING, AND CARING FOR YOUR DINOSAUR (Knopf/PRH), illustrated by Marc Brown, creator of Arthur; and of an illustrated chapter book, ROYAL PRINCESS ACADEMY: DRAGON DREAMS, illustrated by Melanie Florian (Dial/PRH).
Laura has a Ph.D. in English Literature and was a faculty member in the English departments of the University of Virginia, Osaka University of Foreign Studies, and Santa Clara University. You can find the latest about Laura on Facebook.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative *
2225 E. Bayshore Road Suite 200 Palo Alto CA 94303 USA
Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Paul Rodeen is a literary agent with Rodeen Literary Management. Paul discovered his love of writing, editing and publishing at Knox College where he was the fiction editor and a contributor to the award winning college literary journal Catch. Paul was graduated from Knox College with a Creative Writing major in 2001. Later that summer, he attended the Denver Publishing Institute where he was encouraged to move to New York City to officially start his publishing career.
In late 2001, Paul received his first job with the highly respected literary agency Sterling Lord Literistic, Incorporated. He began his career as an assistant to Jody Hotchkiss, a film agent with Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc. at the time. After a few months of reading and evaluating scripts, Paul was informed that a position was available in the children’s book division of Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc. as an assistant to George Nicholson, the legendary children’s book publisher turned literary agent. Paul welcomed the opportunity to work for such a respected figure in the publishing business and he quickly found that he still loved many of the genres he had enjoyed when he was a child and a teenager. During his three years working as an assistant to George Nicholson, Paul Rodeen signed his first client (the writer/illustrator Peter Brown) and he also closed his first book deal FLIGHT OF THE DODO.
In 2004, Paul Rodeen moved back to his home state of Illinois where he opened up a small satellite office in Chicago for Sterling Lord Literistic, Incorporated. Between 2004 and 2008, Paul expanded his list of clients to include over a dozen talented writers and illustrators of picture books, middle grade novels and young adult fiction. This group of talented artists became the backbone of what would become Rodeen Literary Management. In late 2008, with much encouragement from his clients, editors, publishers and other agents, Paul Rodeen established Rodeen Literary Agency an agency devoted to supporting the careers of children’s book writers and illustrators.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
3501 N. Southport #497 Chicago IL 60657 USA
Biography
Monica Rodriguez is a literary agent with the Context Literary Agency. Her solution-driven strategies support our clients’ books before and after they’ve hit the shelves. She loves maximizing the career potential for our authors and brainstorming new ways to discover life-long readers.
In addition to her Director of Brand Management role, Monica is also a Junior Agent. She is on a mission to help uplift underrepresented voices in publishing, specifically within the Latinx community.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Paranormal * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Ethnic * Film/Entertainment * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * Humor * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Travel * Women’s Issues *
Biography
Peter Rubie is a literary agent with FinePrint Literary Management. Peter specializes in a broad range of high-quality fiction and non-fiction. In non-fiction he specializes in narrative non-fiction, popular science, spirituality, history, biography, pop culture, business and technology, parenting, health, self-help, music, and food. He is a “sucker” for outstanding writing. In fiction he represents literate thrillers, crime fiction, science fiction and fantasy, military fiction and literary fiction, middle grade and some boy oriented young adult fiction.
Rubie is a former BBC Radio and Fleet Street journalist and for several years was the director of the publishing section of the New York University Summer Publishing Institute. He was a member of the NYU faculty for 10 years, and taught the only university-level course in the country on how to become a literary agent.
Prior to becoming an agent he was a publishing house editor for nearly six years, whose authors won prizes and critical acclaim. He has also been the editor-in-chief of a Manhattan local newspaper, and a freelance editor and book doctor for major publishers. He was a regular reviewer for the international trade magazine Publishers Weekly, and is a published author of both fiction and non-fiction. He is a member of AAR, and regularly lectures and writes on publishing and the craft of writing, and was once a professional jazz musician.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Espionage/Military * Fantasy * General Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Family * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Juvenile * Memoir * Middle Grade * Money/Finance * Music * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Romance * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Technology * True Crime * Young Adult *
207 W. 106th St. Suite 1D New York NY 10025 USA
Biography
John Rudolph is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC. John Rudolph joined DG&B in 2010 after twelve years as an acquiring children’s book editor. He began his career at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers as an Editorial Assistant and then moved to the G. P. Putnam’s Sons imprint of the Penguin Young Readers Group, where he eventually served as Executive Editor on a wide range of young adult, middle-grade, nonfiction, and picture book titles. He graduated from Amherst College with a double major in Classics and Music. While John’s list started out as mostly children’s books, it has evolved to the point where it is now half adult, half children’s authors —and he’s looking to maintain that balance. On the children’s side, John is keenly interested in middle-grade and young adult fiction and would love to find the next great picture book author/illustrator. For adults, he is actively looking for narrative nonfiction, especially in music, sports, history, popular science, “big think”, performing arts, health, business, memoir, military history, and humor. He is also interested in commercial fiction, but is very selective in what he takes on.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Business * Celebrity * Current Events/Affairs * Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Music * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * Sports * Upmarket *
One Union Square West Suite 904 New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
Robin Rue is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. Robin began her career as an editor at Dell, but has since spent more than 30 years as an agent.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Paranormal * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
120 Broadway 22nd floor New York NY 10271 USA
Biography
Zoe Sandler is a literary agent with Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. Prior to joining SJGA, Zoe spent over 11 years at ICM (now CAA), first as a royalties assistant, then after apprenticing with a literary agent, she began representing her own author clients. She started her career in publishing at an academic press in North Carolina after graduating from McGill University with a joint BA in English Literature and Hispanic Studies.
Zoe represents a mix of adult fiction that could be classified as commercial yet unconventional (she especially loves when a novel takes her by surprise), and narrative nonfiction largely by female journalists who specialize in fields such as science, the environment, medicine, and untold women’s history. Within children’s, Zoe specializes in voice-driven middle grade that leans more literary, and the occasional picture book, especially those that have a strong message.
Born in England, raised in California, Zoe is delighted to call New York home, where she and her family split their time between Upper Manhattan and the Catskills.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Environment * General Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * History * Journalism * Medical/Medicine * Narrative * Science * Women’s Issues *
55 5th Avenue New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
Jessica Schmeidler is the founding literary agent of Golden Wheat Literary. Jessica has a B.A. in English, Literature, a B.A. in Political Science, Pre-law, and a Paralegal Certificate. Prior to becoming a literary agent she was the Managing Editor of a traditional press, a Professional Editor, a Paralegal, and a Ghostwriter. In addition to being a literary agent Jessica is also a Freelance Editor, a Ghostwriter, the Host of #JustPitchIt, the Co-host of #SecretShop, the Co-founder of Post Script Services, and the Co-host of #FromPitchToPublished workshop.
Jessica’s tastes are eclectic in genre and readership, but she consistently favors character driven plot with rich, atmospheric description.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Inspiration * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Religious * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Christian * Gardening * Juvenile * Memoir * Religion * Spirituality * Travel * True Adventure *
P.O. Box 777 Hays KS 67601 USA
Biography
Susan Schulman is a literary agent with the Susan Schulman Literary Agency. The Susan Schulman Literary Agency was founded in 1980 by Susan Schulman who, prior to establishing her own agency, was an agent at International Creative Management in the Literary Department. Prior to working at ICM, Susan taught History of the English Language and Linguistics as well as Renaissance Drama and American Literature courses on the college level. Additionally Susan served as Associate Publisher of Ohio University Press and acquired over 100 titles for the Press.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Religious * Romance * Science Fiction * Sports Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Computers * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Economics * Ethnic * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Juvenile * Law * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Photography * Politics * Psychology * Reference * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Technology * Travel * Upmarket * Women’s Issues *
454 W. 44th St. New York NY 10036 USA
Biography
Cynthia Segraves is a literary agent with the Capital Literary Agency. Cynthia has been involved in the publishing industry for more than fifteen years, first as an editor and current as an agent. Cynthia has also written for national and international publications and has three books of her own: Take a Hike: The Best 50 Routes in the Community of Madrid (Ediciones La Libreria, May,2011), How To Communicate Like a Buddhist (Hierophant Publishing, April 2016), and Talk to Yourself Like a Buddhist (Hierophant Publishing, April 2018). She has served as a writing instructor at Politics & Prose bookstore here in Washington, DC, and offers writing workshops at the DC Public Libraries. Cynthia received her B.A. in Literature from Bard College and her M.F.A. in Creative Nonfiction from Sarah Lawrence. She is particularly interested in children’s books. “I’m looking for board books, flip books, slice of life books, and stories that promote kindness, compassion, and wonder. My favorite children’s book author right now is Todd Parr.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
419 South Washington Street Alexandria VA 22314 USA
Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Rebecca Sherman is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. She says: “Writers House is a leading full-service literary agency that offers the many resources of a large company and the personal attention of a small agency. It has been my home for over fourteen years now, where I’ve built a list of dynamic and award-winning picture book illustrators and author/illustrators, as well as middle grade and young adult novelists. Further information about clients’ work can be found below (sorry if it sounds like I’m bragging…#ProudAgentMama).
I have taken on clients who came to me as children’s book veterans and others for whom I’ve sold their debut works. Now, I am actively seeking additions to my client list again. In general, I am looking for stories that meet kids where they are (not those that talk down to them or go over their heads) and that genuinely can get them laughing. More specifically:
MG: Middle grade fiction is the arrow that goes to the bull’s-eye of my heart. I’m looking for timeless stories that could become instant classics. I have a soft spot for fresh retellings and inventive folklore, fairytales, etc. I’m equally excited by contemporary stories, particularly friendship stories. Occasionally I fall for character-driven historical fiction set in seldom explored settings.
Favorite childhood MG books: THE WESTING GAME, CHARLOTTE’S WEB, THE BFG, FROM THE MIXED UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWILER, and HOLES (actually I read this last one when I was an adult). Favorite contemporary MG books: THE WEDNESDAY WARS, THE TRUE MEANING OF SMEKDAY, EMMA JEAN LAZARUS FELL OUT OF A TREE, THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA, THE REAL BOY.
YA: I’m looking for books with something to say—books that make me laugh, and characters that truly remind me of how confounding and wonderful (ridiculous! frightening! glorious!) adolescence can be. I enjoy contemporary stories of young love and growing up. I am not the right person for your high fantasy/SF submission, however I am game for a novel with fantastical elements in the world we know/urban fantasy/magical realism). Super-edgy and/or issue-driven books aren’t for me either.
Favorite contemporary YA: STARGIRL, BLANKETS, ELEANOR & PARK, WHY WE BROKE UP, THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE LANDAU BANKS.
For all fiction, I’m very much looking for highly illustrated work—not necessarily graphic novels or illustrated diaries, but projects that include inventive uses of artwork to help tell the story. Also: bonus points for manuscripts that include an ensemble of characters in which the individuals as well as the dynamics between characters are complex and fully developed.
Picture Books: I want picture books that can hold up to readings night after night. I’d love to see something that can make me laugh embarrassingly loud. I want to find the next picture book household name like Madeline or Olivia or Harold (in other words, character-driven picture books are welcome). I’m highly selective in this category, and I accept illustrators and author/illustrators only—if you’ve just written picture book text, I’m not the best match for you.
Favorite childhood picture books: THE MONSTER AT THE END OF THIS BOOK, MISS NELSON IS MISSING!, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, anything by Richard Scarry. Favorite contemporary picture books: OLIVIA, ME…JANE, THE INCREDIBLE BOOK-EATING BOY, ORANGE PEAR APPLE BEAR, BALLOONS OVER BROADWAY, and THE ADVENTURES OF THE DISH AND THE SPOON. To get an even better sense of my taste in artwork, feel free to visit writershouseart.com.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
120 Broadway 22nd floor New York NY 10271 USA
Biography
Britt Siess is a literary agent with and the founder of Britt Siess Creative Management. Britt focuses primarily on graphic novels and illustrated works. She also represents select middle grade fiction and Adult science fiction and fantasy. Prior to founding BSCM, Britt earned her English Literature degree at the University of Washington and trained with the Taryn Fagerness Agency, the Wales Literary Agency, and Martin Literary & Media Management. She also worked in the sales division of the UK based publisher, The Quarto Group, selling both foreign and domestic rights. Britt has a passion for comics and sequential art, as well as a keen editorial eye that she brings to every project.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Graphic Novel * Picture Book *
NONFICTION:
Seattle WA USA
Biography
Erica Rand Silverman is a literary agent with Stimola Literary Studio. Erica has always been committed to the social and emotional wellbeing of children. First, as a high school teacher and dean, then as a consultant for the Inner Resilience Program, and now as a literary agent in children’s publishing. In her 10+ years in publishing, Erica has worked with some of the most exciting new talent and treasured mainstays in the industry as well as the estates of our favorite classics. She is currently focused on representing authors and illustrators of illustrated books for children and the occasional adult nonfiction project in parenting and wellness. She received her degree in Secondary English Education from the University of Wisconsin—Madison, and a Master of Arts degree in Theater from Hunter College. Erica is a tireless advocate for her clients and proud to be a part of an industry that is so thoughtfully shaping young hearts and minds.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Ethnic Fiction * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book * Religious * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * Ethnic * Gay/Lesbian * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * Juvenile * Middle Grade * Mind/Body/Spirit * Multicultural * Parenting/Child Guidance * Religion * Young Adult *
11 Briarwood Lane PO Box 1066 West Tisbury MA 02575 USA
Biography
Eric Siminoff is a literary agent with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment. Eric graduated from Princeton University in 1989, with a degree in Classics. He began his publishing career at W.W. Norton as an editorial assistant. He joined Janklow and Nesbit 1991 and rose to co-director. He left Janklow & Nesbit for William Morris Endeavor in 2009. His switch in agencies was considered a major event in the publishing industry. He represents three Pulitzer Prize winners, as well as over a dozen New York Times bestselling authors.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Horror * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Satire * Short Story Collection * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * History * Humor * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Music * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * Technology *
11 Madison Avenue 18th Floor New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Nat Sobel is a literary agent with Sobel Weber Associates. Nat founded the agency in 1970. He is a former bookseller, publisher’s sales rep., marketing director, and subsidiary rights agent. He holds a B.A. in English from the City College of New York. He is a founder of the New York Literary Writers Conference.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Literary * Mystery * Picture Book * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * General Nonfiction * Mind/Body/Spirit *
146 East 19th Street New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
Jennifer March Soloway is a literary agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Jennifer joined the Andrea Brown Literary Agency in 2016, after a career in marketing and public relations. Agenting is her dream job. She loves working with writers and illustrators, and nothing gives her greater joy than to help an author elevate their story. She is most drawn to emotionally compelling voices and fresh perspectives underrepresented in literature.
Please send Jennifer:
Adult literary thrillers and horror (she is a suspense junkie, who loves to be scared). Throw in dash of (bad) romance, and she’s hooked!
YA novels in any genre (thrillers, gothic, humor), but especially literary stories about ordinary teens, focused on family, relationships, sexuality, mental illness, or recovery.
MG novels full of humor and heart, including adventures, mysteries, spooky-but-not-too-scary ghost stories, contemporary, and grounded fantasy.
Stories that blurs the lines between the real and the imagined in any category.
Picture books with surprise endings that make her laugh.
Eye-catching illustration with a distinct style.
That’s her wish list, but you might have something she has never considered before, and it might be absolutely perfect for her. Surprise her!
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Horror * Literary * Picture Book * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
2100 Geng Road Suite 210 Palo Alto CA 94303 USA
Kerry Sparks
Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary AgencyAAR/AALA MemberQuery method(s): Email * Online Form *Biography
Kerry Sparks is a literary agent with the Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency. She joined LGR in 2008, coming to book publishing after several years in the film and television industry. With a love for all these mediums of storytelling, she gravitates toward books that have a cinematic feel or visual element that lend to film or television adaptation. She primarily represents fiction with a specific focus on novels for teens and young adults but regardless of age is always on the hunt for books that combine a solid hook and great writing and that have an undeniably fresh yet relatable voice. She also represents a select list of nonfiction writers. A few of her clients include NYT and International Bestselling author Jennifer Niven, National Book Award Finalist Carrie Arcos, illustrator and author Mark Pett, bestselling author Susan Wittig Albert, novelist Camille Perri, essayist and poet Shayla Lawson, and a robust list of Jennifers— Jennifer Mathieu, Jenny Lundquist, Jennifer Gray Olson, and Jenny Torres Sanchez to name a few.
Kerry grew up in the woods of Oregon as the extroverted early bird in a family of introverted night owls, and, as a middle child, learned how to negotiate while keeping the peace at a young age. She graduated with honors from California State University, Los Angeles with a degree in English, where she also published short stories and wrote and produced plays. After a decade in Manhattan, Kerry now heads up the LGR Oregon outpost in Portland where she lives with her husband and two daughters. Kerry is the co-author of the hipster baby name book Hello, My Name Is Pabst and will gladly help clients name their characters upon request.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Dating/Relationship/Sex * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * How-To * Humor * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Young Adult *
307 Seventh Ave. Suite 2407 New York NY 10001 USA
Biography
Erica Spellman-Silverman is a literary agent at Trident Media Group. At 23 years old, Erica Spellman Silverman began her career at ICM. Coming from a family of writers and editors, she’s loved books all her life. She represented journalists Hunter S. Thompson, Tim O’Brien, Robert Scheer, Robert Greenfield, Tim White, and Cameron Crowe, among others. Many went on to become novelists, screenwriters, and directors. After transitioning to the film side of the business, Erica found that she missed working with novelists and moved to The William Morris Agency (now William Morris Endeavor), where she became Vice President. There, she could work with writers in all categories: books, film, and theater. Lionel Schriver, Scott Spencer, Eve Babitz, and Robin Cook are among the many writers she represented. She was also responsible for their movie and TV deals. Having worked at ICM and William Morris, she made a transition to running United Artists in New York so she could see the other side of the fence. “I couldn’t get back to being an agent fast enough!” Erica says. “I love finding my own writers and not being dependent on the committee mentality one needs as a buyer.”
Erica has been at Trident for ten years, where she has had the wonderful opportunity to work with fantastic writers, including Andrew Mayne, Barbara Lynch, Cherise Wolas, Esther the Wonder Pig, Eve Babitz, Jennifer L. Scott, Rachel Van Dyken, Robin Cook, and many others. She also uses her knowledge of the movie business to handle book-to-film and TV rights for many of Trident’s agents.
Her client list is fairly eclectic. Her interest lies less in genre than in great storytelling—Erica says, “anything that gets into your head and your heart, anything you can’t stop thinking about, whether it’s literary fiction, thrillers, young adult, or memoir. Books and stories that touch the soul, that make you laugh or cry or both. Stories that haven’t been told before or are told in a different way: that’s what I am looking for.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Literary * Mystery * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Parenting/Child Guidance *
355 Lexington Ave 12th FL New York NY 10017 USA
Biography
Myrsini Stephanides is a literary agent with and the founder of Arc Literary Management. She founded Arc Literary in Fall 2021. A publishing professional with over 20 years of experience in the industry, she spent the first 10 years of her career as an editor at book packagers, Indie, and Big 5 publishers specializing in illustrated non-fiction. From 2009 to 2021 Myrsini was a literary agent at the Carol Mann Agency, where she built an eclectic roster of clients while managing day-to-day operations. She brings her clients and her passion for fostering a supportive community around colleagues, affiliates, and budding creatives to her next chapter at Arc Literary.
Myrsini’s personal reading habits and professional interests are broad, ranging from popular science, business, and investigative journalism to self-care, illustrated humor, and photography. She gravitates toward authors and creators with strong voices, unique perspectives, and unbridled passion for their work, and will consider adult and children’s projects across categories (except genre fiction).
Myrsini is currently looking for projects in the following adult categories: voice-driven business/tech books with clear perspectives from experts in their fields; scientist-storytellers writing accessible narratives for a general, non-academic audience; women’s health, self-care, and progressive parenting books geared toward a millennial audience; narrative humorists and/or illustrators with unique voices and a strong platform/community of supporters (on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc).
In the children’s world, she is looking for early readers, middle grade and young adult fiction; graphic novels for all reading levels; narrative or illustrated non-fiction for all reading levels; picture books by writer-illustrators (no scripts without illustrators already attached).
Myrsini welcomes submissions (adult and children’s) from authors and creators with diverse backgrounds who have been misrepresented or marginalized and want to share their work with the world.
Partial client list: John Doerr, Matthew Inman (creator of The Oatmeal), Claire Belton (creator of Pusheen), Hannah Shaw (aka Kitten Lady), Jarrett Lerner, Emily McDowell and Kelsey Crowe, Jen Waite, Mary Gauthier, Cyndy Etler, and Elizabeth Schneider.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Humor Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book * Satire * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Art * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * Humor * Journalism * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Military/War * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Technology * Women’s Issues *
2838 29th Street Long Island City NY 11102 USA
Biography
Amy Stern is a literary agent with the Sheldon Fogelman Agency. Amy Stern started at the Sheldon Fogelman Agency in 2010 and works with clients who write and illustrate all kinds of children’s literature, from picturebook through young adult, in poetry, prose, and graphic formats. She joined the Sheldon Fogelman Agency in 2010 as an agent assistant after receiving masters degrees in children’s literature and library and information science from Simmons College and completing an agency internship. Since then she has worked her way up to managing clients on her own, while also handling all agency permissions. Before she began her journey to agenting, Amy double majored in English and Creative Writing at Bryn Mawr College and worked at libraries and bookstores. She has served as a mentor for the Simmons College Center for the Study of Children’s Literature’s MFA program, and regularly participates in conferences and conventions.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
420 E 72nd Street New York NY 10021 USA
Biography
Julie Stevenson is a literary agent with Massie & McQuilkin. She was an agent at Sobel Weber Associates and Waxman Leavell Literary before joining Massie & McQuilkin. She received her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Washington University in St. Louis and an M.F.A in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College in New York. She also worked in the editorial departments of Tin House and Publishers Weekly. She is drawn to fiction with unforgettable characters, an authorial command of voice, and a strong sense of narrative tension. She loves outsiders, weirdos, and innovators. She looks for work that explores the depths of human experience and the many facets of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, social class, and regional backgrounds. Julie loves editing and contemplating craft and storytelling with clients. She takes pride in connecting writers with editors and ultimately with readers. She’s agented books that have won the Pulitzer Prize, the MWA Edgar Award, the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, the Carnegie Medal for Excellence, and the Tim McGinnis Award for Humor. She represents literary and upmarket fiction, suspense and thrillers, memoir, narrative nonfiction, and YA.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Science * Young Adult *
27 West 20th Street Suite 305 New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Douglas Stewart is a literary agent with Sterling Lord Literistic.Doug has been an agent at Sterling Lord Literistic since 2003. His list is made up primarily of fiction for all ages, from the innovatively literary to the unabashedly commercial. Recent bestselling and award-winning books from Doug’s list include The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin, Slade House by David Mitchell, The Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg, Harmony by Carolyn Parkhurst, Delicious Foods by James Hannaham, Bobcat by Rebecca Lee, and The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida. On the children’s side, Doug is proud to represent Jane O’Connor of Fancy Nancy fame, the author of the Stick Dog and Stick Cat series Tom Watson, as well as the team behind the bestselling Ladybug Girl series, Jacky Davis and David Soman.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Narrative * Politics *
115 Broadway Suite 1602 New York NY 10006 USA
Biography
Kristina Sutton-Lennon is a literary agent with the Context Literary Agency. She was named a Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree in 2022. As Executive Director of Focused Artists, which she co-founded, she served as a Talent and Literary Manager. Kristina has worked as a Film/TV Agent . She is excited to build her list while securing Media and Translation Rights deals for authors . She takes pride in her diverse slate of content . Kristina earned her MFA from Louisiana State University. She is a proud member of NALIP (National Association of Latino Independent Producers).
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Ethnic Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Ethnic * Health/Wellness * Multicultural * Parenting/Child Guidance * Psychology * Self-Help/Personal Development * Women’s Issues *
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, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Doubleday International, and Newsweek Books. She’s held executive positions in marketing, editorial, and management. Her career highlights include editing Random House’s children’s history program, “The Landmark Series”, 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, 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 LTD Editions into what is now Tanenbaum International Literary Agency. In addition to representing books on seasoned gallery artists and museums, the theatre, and children’s books, Ann has a commitment to nurturing projects on current affairs, politics, the environment, and history.
Ann serves on the board of The Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University, the Jewish Foundation for the Education of Women, the San Francisco Asian Art Museum and Colorado University Art Museum.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Picture Book * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Environment * Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * History * Juvenile * Middle Grade * Narrative * Photography * Politics * Reference *
1035 Fifth Avenue Suite 15D New York NY 10028 USA
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 Stephanie’s Book Reports also assisted in AITC book convention. She has attend many book conventions as Golden Czermak’s PA.
Kim likes nothing more than getting lost in a good story which isn’t 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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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Erotica * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Picture Book * Religious * Romance * Short Story Collection * Suspense *
NONFICTION:
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About Mark Malatesta
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company Literary Agent Undercover and The Bestselling Author. Mark’s authors have gotten six-figure book deals, been on the NYT bestseller list, and published with houses such as Random House, Scholastic, and Thomas Nelson. Click here to learn more about Mark Malatesta and click here for Reviews of Mark Malatesta.
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Author Coaching Testimonials
“Mark, finding you has been both a treat and a treasure—I just signed a contract with my new literary agent!
My career has spanned publishing, TV, and feature film. I’ve served as Creative Dir. for the Magazine Group, TIME Inc.; Dir. of Time World News Service, a Founding Dir. of TIME-Life Films; Exec. Prod. for both the CBS and NBC TV Networks; Prod./Dir.: Movies of the Week: CBS Cinema Center Films and Universal MCA.
In today’s publishing marketplace, agents come and go. They also very often seem to just want an easy pathway to make a buck. Many authors are let go by their agents because their last book didn’t do well enough and the agent doesn’t want to devote the time to help the author. That’s not what you’re about Mark. Even established authors need this type of support in today’s marketplace.”
Author of ten fiction and nonfiction books
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“I’m psyched to have this be official. After getting five different offers for representation from top literary agents, I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin!
Getting multiple agents interested in my work was really important to me. I’ve dealt with agents before and gotten screwed on things contractually so I wanted to do it differently this time. I wanted choices.
Having you help me create that, and navigate my options, was really helpful. I heard other authors talk about their great relationships with their agents and it made me want the same thing. Now I have that.”
Author of Woman on Fire
(Penguin Books)
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“After sending out the query Mark revised for me, I had the opportunity to speak with literary agents from top agencies such as Janklow & Nesbit, Trident Media, Anderson Lit, and Folio. I signed with Don Fehr at Trident and, a short time later I had a publishing contract with Berkley Books, which recently published my book in hardcover.
Before that, I sent my query letter out on my own to 30 or 40 agents and got a lot of rejections. I then found Mark online while I was researching agents. I was surprised that he offered so much during his initial consultation—for a very modest amount of money.
I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t worked with Mark. I can’t even imagine that now though, because of the grief and detours I experienced before we worked together. It was a time-consuming pain in the neck. If you want to get the attention of top literary agents and publishers, there is no substitute for working with an insider. You can’t beat experience. And having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable.”
Author of Single Handed
(Berkley Books, a Division of Penguin Random House)
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“AHHH! OMG, it happened! I got three offers of representation for my children’s picture book in the United States, even though I live abroad! When I woke up and found the first offer for representation in my email in box, I wanted to scream. But my family was still asleep so I couldn’t. 🙂
Just 8 minutes after I sent a query letter to one of my favorite agents, she replied and asked to see my manuscript. A short time later we had a lovely conversation. She was interested in representing me and sounded very positive and enthusiastic about my book. Since I also got offers from two other agents, I had to turn two of them down. One of them was upset and it felt like I was breaking her heart, but you just have to do it. I kept reminding myself that this is a good problem to have!”
Author/Illustrator of Lon-Lon’s Big Night
and many other children’s books
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“Mark, after you helped me land a top literary agent, I got publishing offers from THREE well-known publishers: Amacom, Palgrave Macmillan, and McGraw-Hill (they’re publishing my book in hardcover)!
I was at Disneyworld with my family, in the Haunted Mansion, when I got the call. I went outside and listened to the voicemail message from my agent. A huge smile came over my face. It was a fantastic feeling. For a moment I felt like life was perfect and the angels were singing.
You’re filling an important need so I’ll say this to every other author reading this testimonial. Mark showed me that getting a top literary agent is a science. If you’ve written a book, or you’re in the process, you’ve already invested a lot—a lot more than money. Don’t stop yourself from getting out there to fulfill your purpose and dreams. Thank you so, so much, Mark!!!”
Author of Customer Focused Process Innovation (McGraw Hill)
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“I got a book deal! After I started sending out my new query letter I had 6 literary agents request my manuscript in a short amount of time, which is awesome. Then, within 2 weeks of my agent starting to pitch my story to publishers, we had an offer. I signed a book contract yesterday. A little while later my agent told me that a TV co-producer asked for more info about my book.
By the way, the acquiring editor that fell in love with the manuscript jumped in with both feet and we just worked out our timeline for publication. She’s as passionate about getting my book out as I am, and that means everything. She read the manuscript in two days and said she couldn’t put it down. And the book is going to be published as a hardcover!”
Author of A Chick in the Cockpit
(Behler Publications)
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“Thank you Mark! After you helped me get a well-known agent with Hartline Literary Agency (for my previously self-published murder mystery), he got me a deal with an American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) approved publisher. I’m hard-pressed to find anything that I had an expectation for that you didn’t deliver on.
Before I worked with you I sent out queries, but no one ever requested my complete manuscript. Comparing your new version of my query to the one I wrote before, I can see a vast difference.
I’ve been in business for 35 years so I’m not just saying this… what you’re doing is phenomenal. There are other people offering similar services, but the difference is your success. Others might say they do similar things but, if you research them, they don’t have your background or track record.”
Author of The Rector
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“Mark, you’re a miracle worker. Thanks to your help with my book, query letter, and synopsis… I now have a legitimate publisher who described my book as ‘Powerful Magic’ and it’s now available in bookstores and online!
I’m a lifelong academic writer who one day found myself writing inspired short stories that came to me in dreams and I began thinking of them as novels. That’s when I had a momentous conversation, an introductory coaching call with Mark Malatesta, the American creative writing coach, or rather, to be precise, a how-to-sell-yourself-and-your-work adviser. It was the best-spent money of my life apart (possibly) for my wedding ring.”
Author of The Black Inked Pearl
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“Within 4 minutes of sending out my query letter, a top literary called me on the phone (the #1 agent on my wish list). Less than 30 days later I had three major publishers making offers. A few days after that, I signed a deal with Random House. Mark, your query letter did that.
My agent talked about the query letter you helped me create for a long, long time. When he first called me on the phone, he hadn’t seen any of my sample chapters. It was just the query letter that did it. Communicating the right thing is so important. You are a wonderful medium helping authors find their voice and elevate their writing from just a hobby to a real business… a source from which they can both learn and earn.”
Author of Lights Out
(Random House)
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“MARK, MARK, MARK!!!!!!! Holy smokes… I just signed my book deal. First, two well-known literary agents asked to represent me. One of them responded to my query letter in less than 4 minutes!!
Then THREE different publishers wanted my book and started talking about making offers. The publisher I chose is perfect for me because they produce titles for the trade, educational, and scientific markets. And they agreed to publish my book as a hardcover!!!
When I met you, Mark, it was a pivotal time. I was under the belief that I could self-publish my book with a vanity press and then seek a publisher. I didn’t know what a literary agent was, why I needed one, or how to get one. I was wandering in the dark. You guided me in the right direction and gave me a solid plan.”
Author of Intestinal Health
(Rowman & Littlefield)
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“Boom!!! I just signed a contract with Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins for (what I’ve been told by several people) is a very large advance for a first-time author.
Before working with Mark I submitted my book to agents but didn’t get any interest. This time around I got a top NY literary agency (Fine Print Lit). What cloud is higher than 9?
I had several agencies interested before deciding to go with Fine Print. And, to be honest, all of the attention didn’t surprise me. The query letter and proposal that Mark helped me develop were incredible. Agents actually said things to me like: ‘Scott, I read your proposal and I’m just blown away by it!’ Mark is extremely talented at what he does. If you have the opportunity to work with him, take advantage of it.”
Author of The Unbreakable Boy
(Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson)