Agents and Editors in Attendance
PITCH YOUR BOOK TO A LITERARY AGENT:
These one-on-one meetings at the 2021 Atlanta Writing Workshop are an amazing chance to pitch your book face-to-face with an agent, and get personal, individual feedback on your pitch/concept. If the agent likes your pitch, they’ll request to see part/all of your book — sending you straight past the slush pile. It also gives you an intimate chance to meet with an agent and pick their brain with any questions on your mind. More 2021 agents to be announced as they are confirmed. You can sign up for pitches at any time, or switch pitches at any time, so long as the agent in question still has appointments open.
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Maura Kye-Casella is a literary agent with Don Congdon Associates. Maura represents writers of narrative nonfiction, women’s fiction, thrillers, young adult, middle grade and cookbooks. She is seeking literary works, women’s fiction, thrillers/suspense and she is especially interested in works for both the young adult and middle grade markets. Maura is looking for diverse voices across the various genres she represents. As to non-fiction, Maura is seeking books on popular science (especially space), cookbooks, lifestyle, and fun/interesting works that fall into the humor category. Learn more about Maura here.
Kortney Price is a literary agent with Raven Quill Literary Agency. “I work primarily on children’s books — stories from board book up through young adult. My tastes in stories are pretty broad, but here’s a rundown of what I’m most excited about seeing in my inbox. I am committed to building a list that reflects the diversity of our world and so I am passionate about diverse representation in the books I work with. I would love to see a vast array of characters and own voices writers writing them. Because of my experience working with the special needs community, I’m especially excited for books featuring all of those uniquely special brains or bodies that don’t operate like everyone else’s.” Kortney seeks all ages of children’s nonfiction and fiction, including picture book, graphic novel, early reader, middle grade, young adult. Learn more about Kortney here.
Lori Galvin is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. Lori represents both adult fiction (especially women’s fiction and crime fiction) and nonfiction (memoir, food writing, and cookbooks). Prior to joining Aevitas, Lori was executive editor at the multimedia publisher America’s Test Kitchen, where she led a team that produced dozens of landmark cookbooks. Galvin was also an editor at Houghton Mifflin, a restaurant cook, and ran a bed-and-breakfast in Maine. Learn more about Lori here.
Megan Barnard is an associate literary agent at The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency. She is seeking book for adults in the following genres: historical fiction, women’s fiction (upmarket/commercial is fine too), literary fiction, family sagas, thrillers, and fairy tale retellings. In adult nonfiction, she is only looking for memoir and narrative nonfiction right now. Learn more about Megan here.
Caitlin McDonald is a literary agent with Donald Maass Literary Agency. She is seeking all science fiction and fantasy fiction for adult, young, and middle grade, especially secondary world fantasy and alternate history. She loves genre-bending or cross-genre fiction, and stories that examine tropes from a new angle; and also seeks diversity of all kinds, including (but not limited to) race, gender, sexuality, and ability, in both characters and worldbuilding. Learn more about Caitlin here.
Lynnette Novak is a literary agent with The Seymour Agency. In adult fiction: thrillers, psychological suspense, horror, contemporary romance, romantic comedy, and mysteries (traditional, amateur sleuth, and cozy). In young adult fiction: thrillers, psychological suspense, horror, contemporary, mysteries, fantasy, and sci-fi. In middle grade: contemporary, horror, fantasy, sci-fi, action/adventure, mystery, and humor. In children’s fiction: picture books (non-rhyming preferred). Learn more about Lynnette here.
Nicole Payne is a literary agent with Golden Wheat Literary. Nicole is currently hoping to find: Young Adult historical romance set in the Middle East; Young Adult literary fiction about love, family and hope and will make me ugly cry; Women’s Fiction involving a Rosie the Riveter influenced story; Adult contemporary about a cut-throat fashion industry and the romance that shouldn’t be a priority over creativity; Adult Action and Adventure that centers around elderly women putting down knitting needles and picking up nunchucks. Both Christian and secular themes welcome. Learn more about Nicole here.
Susana Alvarez is a literary agent with Park & Fine Literary. As first-generation Mexican-American, she is especially drawn to and excited to reflect multicultural experiences and perspectives. Her interests range from narrative nonfiction, where she has a penchant for memoirs, to voice-driven Journalism, cultural commentary, big idea society-moving books, to the health and wellness industry; particularly among women and under-represented communities. Outside of nonfiction, her love of the literary world first arrived through the great American novel, which evolved into a passion for fiction rooted in themes of: the self, coming of age, complex human relationships, and multi-generational stories against the backdrop of multiple nations and cultures. Learn more about Susana here.
Jackie Williams [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent at The Knight Agency. “I love a broad range of commercial and genre fiction, especially stories with psychological suspense, gritty voices, speculative elements, multi-generational plots, and intricate world-building; even better if the stories are set in space. And I’m interested in collaborating closely with writers throughout all stages of their careers and bringing more multicultural representation to the publishing landscape. I’m interested in all types of science-fiction, fantasy, and horror in middle grade, YA, and Adult.” She also likes fiction with a unique take on sports, dance, and hip-hop; mysteries, thrillers, and suspense with smart female protagonists and/or unreliable narrators, and literary fiction with a commercial appeal. For nonfiction, she seeks food, lifestyle, wellness, and memoirs that are culture-related stories expanding readers’ empathy and self-awareness. Learn more about Jackie here.
Garrett Alwert is a literary agent with Emerald City Literary Agency. Garrett is looking for: smart, funny, contemporary stories with fresh voices, a strong hook and awesome dialogue. “Emerald City Literary represents picture books, middle grade, young adult, and children’s nonfiction. We welcome submissions with LGBTQ+ themes and/or diverse characters as well as traditionally underrepresented authors.” He enjoys romance and stories that focus on friendship, family, and all the ways those relationships come together. He also likes well paced psychological thrillers as well as stories with unique story structures and timelines. He is actively looking for projects by POC authors or with LGBTQ+ themes. Learn more about Garrett here.
James Mustelier is a literary agent with The Bent Agency. “I’m looking for both literary and commercial adult fiction. In literary fiction, I’m specifically drawn to visceral honesty coupled with a dark sense of humor. In commercial fiction I’m looking for horror, mystery, and thrillers. My favorite books have distinct and memorable voices that grab the reader’s attention, and a narrative gravity that permeates every action in the story.” Pitch him literary fiction, crime, mystery, suspense, horror, humor, young adult, and short story collections. Learn more about James here.
Jemiscoe Chambers-Black is a literary agent with Andrea Brown Literary Agency. In middle grade, se seeks contemporary, fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, horror, graphic novels, and novels in verse. In young adult, she seeks romance, contemporary, fantasy, mystery, and novel in verse. She seeks illustrators and author-illustrators of picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and YA. For adult fiction, she seeks romance, rom-coms, upmarket psychological thrillers & mysteries, literary fiction, and fantasy (not high fantasy). Jem is especially open to BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent voices and stories in all the above categories. Learn more about Jemiscoe.
Becky LeJeune is a literary agent with Bond Literary. Becky spent 5 years as an acquisitions editor at The History Press before joining Sandra at BLA in 2014. She is interested in adult and teen general fiction, horror, mystery/thriller, historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy, and cookbooks. Learn more about Becky here.
Markus Hoffmann is a literary agent with Regal Hoffman Associates. Markus joined Regal Literary in 2006 and was made a partner in the agency in 2014, when it became Regal Hoffmann & Associates. His main interests as an agent are international and literary fiction, unusual speculative fiction, crime, literary memoir, philosophy, history, music, popular science, and travel literature. He also looks after the agency’s foreign rights. Learn more about Markus here.
Grace A. Ross [NO LONGER AVAILABLE] is a literary agent with Regal Hoffman Associates. Grace is interested in literary and upmarket fiction that engages with current social issues; character-driven stories; unlikely heroines; international narratives; dynamic plots that bridge genres; and propulsive psychological suspense. In nonfiction, she is looking for socially and politically conscious narratives, especially those that engage with cultural conversations about gender, race, and class in an accessible way; but she’s also drawn to popular science, biography, cultural theory, and memoir. Learn more about Grace here.
Leah Pierre is a literary agent with Ladderbird Literary. In young adult as well as adult fiction, she is seeking some fantasy, romantic meet-cute stories, realistic and raw family-centered novels, mysteries, psychological thrillers, fairy tale retellings, espionage/heist, historical fiction and fantasy, social justice inspired stories, romance (ideally interracial or at least something out of the ordinary). In new adult fiction, she seeks romance (again, interracial or at least something out of the ordinary), coming of age, F/F friendship, and books about the college experience as well as the post-college experience. Learn more about Leah here.
Erin Clyburn is a literary agent with The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency. She seeks middle grade and young adult. In adult fiction, she seeks upmarket and book club fiction, sharp women’s fiction, domestic and psychological thrillers (especially by BIPOC authors), mystery, humorous and satirical novels, horror of all stripes, multigenerational family sagas (I would love one by a BIPOC author set in the South), grounded stories with magical or speculative elements, and Southern Gothic. In adult nonfiction, she seeks narrative nonfiction or memoir about sports or adventure, pop science, high-interest nonfiction, cookbooks and culinary histories, and science- or culture-focused memoirs and narrative nonfiction. Learn more about Erin here.
Kim Lindman is a literary agent with Stonesong Literary. Kim is interested in representing narrative nonfiction, select short story collections, commercial and literary fiction in adult and young adult age groups, with special interest in contemporary fiction and magical realism. She is highly collaborative and particularly seeks to represent a diverse client list. People from underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to submit their work. Learn more about Kim here.
Ayla Zuraw-Friedland is a literary agent with David Black Agency. “I am interested in acquiring adult literary fiction and nonfiction that inspect queerness, disability, race, class, and community in fresh new ways. I have a soft spot for short story collections with magical elements, and essay collections that look at identity through an interesting and specific cultural lens (motorcycles, rock climbing, pottery, you name it). Some pitches I’ve read and loved: a memoir of coming out as trans later in life, a case against high school football from a sociological standpoint, a collection of essays about mental health and climate change, a novel about immigrant ghosts.” Learn more about Ayla here.
Charlotte Wenger is a literary agent in the Boston area with Prospect Agency. Prior to joining Prospect, she was an associate editor at Page Street Kids, where she acquired and edited fiction and nonfiction picture books. Charlotte is drawn to children’s literature and art for all ages—board books through young adult, but especially picture books—as well as select adult nonfiction biographies and memoirs. Learn more about Charlotte here.
Amanda Leuck is a literary agent with Spencerhill Associates. Amanda is currently seeking strong, character-driven stories with an unforgettable voice. She’s looking for literary and commercial YA, select sci-fi and fantasy, and romance in all genres, including edgy romantic suspense, contemporary, and paranormal with a fresh twist. Among other things, she is excited about YA fantasy based in mythology across cultures; historical novels that spark my need to know more; characters with disability, chronic illness or mental illness – that doesn’t necessarily drive the plot; and #ownvoices. Learn more about Amanda here.
Gordon Warnock is a literary agent founding partner at Fuse Literary. In nonfiction, he seeks platform-heavy authors in the categories of memoir (Adult, NA, YA, Graphic), cookbooks/Food Narrative/Food Studies, Illustrated/Art/Photography (especially graphic nonfiction), Political and Current Events, Pop-Science, Pop-Culture (especially punk culture and geek culture), Self-Help, How-To, Humor, Pets, Business and Career. In fiction, he seeks High-Concept Suspense, Book Club Women’s Fiction, Literary Fiction for Adults through YA, and Graphic Novels for Adults through MG. Learn more about Gordon here.
Reiko Davis is a literary agent with Defiore and Company. Reiko’s interests are varied, but she is particularly drawn to narrative journalism on the topics of pop culture, science/psychology, and current events as well as memoir that focuses on social justice, issues of race and gender, and the history and experiences of women and people of color. For fiction, she’s primarily looking for upmarket and literary novels, specifically set in contemporary times. She loves young, underrepresented voices, magical realism, and voice driven coming-of-age stories. On the children’s side, she’s actively looking for YA and middle grade projects that aren’t afraid to tackle big questions or important emotional truths, and do so through remarkable storytelling, humor, and heart. Right now she’s especially on the lookout for middle grade nonfiction projects (STEM focused, DIY, inspirational, activist driven, historical) and for adult rom com. She’d also love to connect with promising writers of short fiction with a strong initial publication record with magazines/literary journals who are now at work on a story collection and/or a debut novel. Learn more about Reiko here.
Suzie Townsend [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is Vice President and Literary Agent at New Leaf Media. Suzie represents all brands of children’s and adult fiction. She loves women’s fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and debut fiction. On the children’s side, she is interested in select young adult and middle grade. Suzie loves strong characters and voice-driven stories that break out of the typical tropes of their genres, and she’s always looking for unique new voices in stories. Learn more about Suzie here.
Heather Cashman is a literary agent with Storm Literary. Heather is currently seeking submissions for middle grade and young adult. For MG and YA fiction, she’ll consider all genres and loves a good genre splice. For MG and YA nonfiction, anything that takes her back to those days in the library when she wanted to learn about someone, something, and somewhere new. For all writing, Heather enjoys unique characters formed from their own experiences in a unique world. Learn more about Heather here.
Stacey Graham is a literary agent with 3 Seas Literary Agency. Current wish list — I will only be taking pitches from these categories at this time: Adult Romance; I never met a trope I didn’t like. Middle grade – spooky and/or hilarious. Nonfiction — I’m looking for fun, quirky, fascinating topics with strong commercial appeal and a great platform. Specifically looking for how-to books, antiques, and craft books. Learn more about Stacey here.
Paige Terlip [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Paige represents all categories of children’s books from picture books to young adult, as well as select adult fiction and nonfiction. She is also actively building her list of illustrators and is especially looking for author-illustrators and graphic novel illustrators. On the adult side she is open to thrillers/psychological suspense, fantasy/sci-fi, upmarket fiction, cozy mysteries, as well as narrative nonfiction and self-help that centers the mind, body, and spirit. She loves stories that make her feel a range of emotions, even if that means she ugly cries while reading. She wants a narrative that will stick with her long after reading. Learn more about Paige here.
Amanda Orozco is a literary agent with Transatlantic Agency. For fiction, she’s looking for YA contemporary romance and fantasy, as well as literary and upmarket adult fiction in the contemporary, speculative, horror, and romance genres. She has a soft spot for coming-of-age stories, short story collections, and the occasional urban fantasy. For nonfiction, she’s interested in stories that offer fresh cultural, political, and/or social critiques along with personal narratives on art, pop culture, tech, and forgotten, unexamined history. She is looking for perspectives from the margins or from emerging artists and academics with original ideas and sharp commentary. Learn more about Amanda here.
Matt Belford is a literary agent with The Tobias Literary Agency. A lover of all things science fiction and fantasy, Matt accepts his nerd status readily. Matt is interested in receiving submissions for both graphic memoirs and graphic novels, as well as adult science fiction and fantasy, and some popular nonfiction. He is not interested in young adult novels. Learn more about Matt here.
Darlene Chan is a literary agent with Linda Chester Literary Agency. Darlene is interested in stories by and about BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), women’s fiction, chick lit, crime fiction, young adult novels. In nonfiction, she is actively seeking pop culture books, and books on film and the entertainment industry. Learn more about Darlene and what she seeks here.
Leticia Gomez is a literary agent and the founder of Saavy Literary. At the present time, Savvy Literary Agency is interested in reviewing compelling and commercially viable book proposals and manuscripts written in English or Spanish. Fiction areas of interest: adventure, chick lit, fantasy, historical, humor, multicultural, mystery, paranormal, romance, young adult, and middle grade. Nonfiction areas of interest: advice/relationships, biography, cooking, diet, health, history/politics/current affairs, how-to, humor, lifestyle, memoir, parenting, religion/spirituality and true crime. Learn more about Leticia here.
Eva Scalzo is a Literary Agent with Speilburg Literary. In Adult Fiction, Eva represents Romance novels (all subgenres except inspirational) and Science Fiction/Fantasy novels. She also represents all subgenres of Young Adult Fiction. She is interested in submissions from diverse authors. Learn more about Eva here, as well as her specific interests and what is seeking from writers.
Tori Sharp is a literary agent with The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency. Tori represents all manner of children’s literature. “Please send me all genres of children’s graphic novels. I love comics that are heartfelt and gestural, and I tend to like art styles that look animated and soft, but bright. I would jump at a raw but playful MG graphic memoir or stories that feel like fairy tales. For middle-grade and young adult prose, my heart is in SFF. PLEASE send me WITCHES! I adore magical realism, and I will consider portal fantasy if it has a strange and fun new take on the genre. For nonfiction, I am exclusively looking for MG memoir and how-to books that introduce a craft.” Learn more about Tori here.
Paul S. Levine is a literary agent and the founder of Paul S. Levine Literary. He is also an attorney. His fiction interests include adventure novels, mainstream fiction, mysteries, romance, thrillers, and women’s fiction. His nonfiction interests include business/commerce, pop culture, how-to, self-help, politics/law, relationships, and sports. Learn more about Paul here.
Carlisle Webber is a literary agent at Fuse Literary. Carlisle is looking for: high-concept commercial fiction in middle grade, young adult, and adult. If your book is fresh and exciting, tackles difficult topics, reads like a Shonda Rhimes show, or makes readers stay up late turning pages, she’s the agent for you. Diverse authors are encouraged to submit their fiction. Within the genres she represents, Carlisle is especially interested in stories by and about people of color; with both visible and invisible disabilities and illnesses; who are economically disadvantaged; who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer; or who are members of religious minorities. Pitch her: Middle grade (any genre), Young adult (any genre), thriller, mystery, suspense, horror, women’s fiction, and popular/mainstream fiction. Learn more about Carlisle here.
Cate Hart is a literary agent with Harvey Klinger Literary Agency. She is particularly drawn to oft forgotten stories of the past and underrepresented voices, and especially personal to her is unexplored Southern history and culture. In nonfiction, she seeks narrative stories, history, film/TV/theatre, pop culture, and music. In fiction, she seeks historical, commercial, women’s, romance, fantasy, mystery, psychological thriller, middle grade, and young adult. Learn more about Cate here.
Carrie Howland founded Howland Literary after thirteen years as an agent, most recently at Empire Literary. Carrie is accepting submissions for: adult literary, upmarket, and commercial fiction as well as memoir, narrative and prescriptive nonfiction. Learn more about Carrie here.
More 2021 agents to be announced as they are confirmed. You can sign up for pitches at any time, or switch pitches at any time, so long as the agent in question still has appointments open.
These one-on-one meetings are an amazing chance to pitch your book face-to-face with an agent, and get personal, individual feedback on your pitch/concept. If the agent likes your pitch, they’ll request to see part/all of your book — sending you straight past the slush pile. It also gives you an intimate chance to meet with an agent and pick their brain with any questions on your mind.
(Please note that Agent/Editor Pitching is an add-on, separate aspect of the day, for only those who sign up. Spaces are limited for these premium meetings.)
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