This is the official list of agents and editors who attended PitchFest 2019 at ThrillerFest XIV. Please check back periodically for agents and editors who will be attending PitchFest 2020 at ThrillerFest XV.
*Use the buttons on the right to print the Agent/Editor/Producer list and bring it with you to PitchFest 2019.
2019 Agents/Editors/Producers:
EDITOR
Chantelle Aimee Osman, Agora Books
www.polisbooks.com
Bio: Chantelle Aimée Osman is the editor of Agora, an imprint of Polis Books. The former Editor-in-Chief of RT Book Reviews Magazine and a freelance editor for over ten years, and she also co-hosts the Crime Friction podcast. She teaches writing internationally, including with the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing, Authors at Large, and LitReactor. Chantelle is the author of the non-fiction series on writing The Quick and Dirty Guides To… and has also published numerous works of short fiction. She was named a Left Coast Crime Guest of Honor in 2016. Find her on Twitter @SuspenseSiren.
Currently Looking For: Agora focuses on crime novels that delve into the most important issues of our time—exploring society, economy, politics, culture, race, and gender in unique and different ways—from a roster of diverse authors from varying backgrounds.
Not Looking For: Non-Fiction, Poetry, or anything outside of the above categories.
Authors: John Vercher, Patricia Smith, Tori Eldridge, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Gary Phillips, and Gabino Inglesias.
AGENT
Chris Bucci, CookeMcDermid Literary Management
www.cookemcdermid.com
Bio: Chris Bucci is a literary agent, director, and full partner at CookeMcDermid Agency. He represents bestselling authors such as Bob Rae, Timothy Caulfield, Susan Delacourt, Jowita Bydlowska, James Grainger, and Kerri Sakamoto. Most recently senior editor at McClelland & Stewart, he worked primarily with non-fiction, bringing to the M&S catalogue the likes of Alain de Botton, Christopher Hitchens, Paul Watson, and Sir Martin Gilbert.
He began his career at the University of Toronto Press and soon became an acquisitions editor in social sciences and cultural studies. Bucci joined HarperCollins Canada in 2003 as a non-fiction editor. Moving to M&S in 2004, Bucci helped revitalize the McClelland & Stewart non-fiction program, establishing relationships with international authors, agents, and publishers.
Currently Looking For: Literary fiction, mysteries, thrillers, historical fiction, commercial literary fiction, and narrative nonfiction. For nonfiction, he seeks popular science, sports, popular culture, politics, memoirs, and history.
Not Looking For: Poetry, Screenplays, Picture books, graphic novels, and religions/spirituality.
Clients: Amy Stuart, David Casarett, Sam Wiebe, Martin Gibala, Larry Burns, Jessica McDiarmid, Kirstine Stewart, James Grainger, Andrew F. Sullivan, and Amy Jones.
EDITOR
Jenny Chen, Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Bio: Jenny began her publishing career in 2014 while obtaining BA/MA degrees in English literature, interning for Touchstone at Simon & Schuster, and Berkley/NAL at Penguin Random House. Shortly thereafter, she joined Writers House for an intensive education about all things publishing before infiltrating the Crooked Lane team to work with books from the one genre that has made her an unapologetic binger of macabre stories. Jenny has worked with New York Times, USA Today, and national bestselling authors in addition to award winners at Crooked Lane and is now on the hunt for raw stories that challenge and explore the resiliency of the human spirit. She is particularly interested in the fraught natures of intimate relationships, especially of those between parent and child, and siblings. Jenny’s list focuses on small town/rural mysteries (and the secrets that corrupt them) and domestic thrillers, with particular attention to family dynamics, serial killers, and the wilderness.
Currently Looking For: Small town set stories where the setting is as much a character as the people; strong and raw female leads; domestic thrillers featuring children/parent dynamics; Southern gothics.
Not Looking For: Paranormal mysteries; political (government, drugs, gangs, mafia), military/spy, and/or international thrillers.
Clients: J. G. Hetherton, Elena Hartwell, Kira Peikoff, Sheila Connolly, and Heather Blake.
AGENT
Marisa Corvisiero, Corvisiero Literary Agency
www.corvisiero.com
Bio: Marisa A. Corvisiero is the Founder and Senior Literary Agent at the Corvisiero Literary Agency, a New York City boutique literary management services agency representing authors around the world. Marisa is also a Corporate and Trust and Estates attorney with experience in top global firms and fortune 500 companies. She participates in and has taught several workshops and boot camps on writing and publishing for Writer’s Digest, at Conferences around the country, and various other Online Resources.
Currently Looking For: Marisa seeks creative stories with well-developed plots and rich characters with unique voices. She will consider Romance and Women’s Fiction, New Adult, Thrillers, Adventure, Paranormal, Fantasy, Science Fiction, and any combination thereof. She is actively seeking thrilling adventure stories for YA and MG.
Not Looking For: I’ll consider anything in my respective categories.
Clients: Tish Rabe, RJ Prescott, LP Dover, MJ Fields, Chelsea Camaron, JL Mac, Megan Erickson, Nicole Jacqueline, Ashley Suzanne, David Wallace, Stina Lindenblatt, Kevin James Boreaux, Kathryn Kupanoff, Kerry Adrienne, L.A. Cadieux, Ryk E. Spoor, Gwen Jones, Dan Kamin, Don Nardo, etc.
PRODUCER
Tony Eldridge, Lonetree Entertainment
No Agency Website
Bio: Tony Eldridge is a Los Angeles based film and television producer. He developed and produced The Equalizer feature film starring Denzel Washington for Sony Pictures (2014) and the sequel, The Equalizer 2 (2018) both opened at #1 and were box office blockbusters. His current projects include the feature film War Magician, starring Benedict Cumberbatch for Studio Canal and a television series Joe Ledger based on Jonathan Maberry’s book series for Sony Television. His production company manages or controls the media rights to a number of literary properties including works by bestselling authors Heather Graham, Raymond Benson, David Fisher, F. Paul Wilson, Jonathan Maberry and Eric Dezenhall.
Currently Looking For: Thrillers (suspense, crime, supernatural, horror, erotic), mysteries, paranormal, futuristic, science fiction, true stories and any type of procedurals. Focused on character driven properties that have all of the essential elements needed to successfully make the transition from book to screen.
Not Looking For: Anything with zombies, vampires, or werewolves.
AGENT
Stephany Evans, Ayesha Pande Literary
www.pandeliterary.com
Bio: For thirty years, Stephany Evans has represented nonfiction writers in the areas of health and wellness, spirituality, lifestyle, memoir and narrative nonfiction. She represents a wide range of primarily women’s fiction, from literary to commercial, to romance; and mysteries, from cozy to mainstream.
Currently Looking For: Any of the above categories, but at Thrillerfest I’m particularly looking for mysteries, crime capers, and romantic suspense. Looking for a fresh story, and voice – can be either dark or humorous – and love a vivid or unique setting.
Not Looking For: Children’s books, and screenplays.
Clients: USA Today bestseller Gretchen Archer (Davis Way crime capers), Maia Chance (The Discreet Retrieval Agency series), Suzanne Chazin (Jimmy Vega mysteries), Jassy Mackenzie (Jade DeJong thrillers), cozy authors Tina Kashian (the Kabob Kitchen mysteries) and Jane Willan (Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn mysteries), Hammett Prize- and Nero Award-winner Stephen Mack Jones (August Snow crime fiction), as well as NBCC award-winner Sam Quinones (Dreamland, nonfiction, New York Times “Crime” bestseller).
AGENT
Jessica Faust, BookEnds Literary Agency
www.bookendsliterary.com
Bio: Jessica Faust cut her teeth on Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden. She was riveted by Hannibal Lector and wanted to read The Alienist a thousand times over. These books, and many others, helped shape her love for mystery and desire to work in publishing. Jessica is the founder and president of BookEnds Literary Agency and BookEnds, Jr., a 20-year-old agency representing authors of adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction. Prior to opening the doors at BookEnds, Jessica worked at Berkley Publishing, Macmillan and Wiley. A Minnesota girl at heart, she now lives in New Jersey with her family and their large-headed dog Buford.
Currently Looking For: Jessica is looking for fresh voices and stories in all genres. She is currently representing and seeking authors of suspense and mystery, psychological & domestic suspense and thrillers, edgy female protagonists, literary and upmarket fiction, and women’s fiction. In nonfiction she’s seeking experts in all areas of business and personal development.
Not Looking For: Science Fiction or Military Thrillers.
Clients: Include 2016 ThrillerAward winner Michelle Painchaud, ThrillerAward nominee Shelley Coriell, New York Times bestselling authors Sheila Connolly and Ellery Adams, as well as Kia Abdullah, Heather Webber, Rosemary Simpson and Susan Furlong.
AGENT
Liza Fleissig, Liza Royce Agency, LLC
www.lizaroyce.com @lizaroyceagency
Bio: Liza Fleissig, with her partner Ginger Harris-Dontzin, opened the Liza Royce Agency (LRA) in early 2011. Their goal was, and remains, to represent authors in all stages of their careers, from the most established to those developing their craft, as well as debuts. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business with a degree in Finance, and the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law with a JD, Liza is a former partner in a NYC based litigation law firm and brings more than 20 years of negotiating experience to the field. This background, along with connections rooted in publishing, movies and television, allowed them to focus and build on a referral based clientele. From picture books through adult projects, fiction and non-fiction, LRA welcomes strong voices and plot driven works. Their inaugural books became available in stores January 2013. Their first was an Edgar nominee, another was an Indie Next Pick, and two others were optioned for film. LRA’s success began right out of the gate. Here’s to more great books!
Looking For: Liza loves a good thriller/suspense/mystery that keeps her guessing until the end. She also gravitates to commercial women’s fiction/domestic suspense and loves a sarcastic/comedic voice. Most of all, she loves being surprised. Nothing is more exciting that being over the moon for a book she’d never expected to like. So at the end of the day, just grab her attention, and she won’t care what the book is about!
Not looking For: Just make sure the writing is strong, and please watch out for unnatural dialogue and word repetition. Also, as much as she loves repetition, she is not taking any of those on at the moment. Also, although she never says never, at the moment she is not looking for high fantasy, non-medical sci fi or political thrillers.
Current Authors: Robert Bailey II, Linda Stasi, Walter Gragg, Estate of Marc Olden, among others.
AGENT
Gail Fortune, Talbot Fortune Agency
www.talbotfortuneagency.com
(Will be sitting with John Talbot)
Bio: Gail Fortune is a literary agent and former book editor with over twenty five years of publishing experience. Prior to becoming an agent she spent sixteen years at Putnam Berkley (now part of Penguin Random House), where she rose from Assistant to the Editor-in-Chief to Executive Editor. Her authors won RITAs and Agatha’s and were nominated for Edgar and Anthony Awards. She has edited and agented New York Times bestsellers and Publishers Weekly Books of the Year. She is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.
Currently Looking For: Domestic suspense, psychological suspense, thrillers, crime novels, espionage novels, mysteries of all types, historical thrillers, women’s fiction, historical fiction with suspense elements. I’m a big fan of duel narratives, different time periods and multiple POV.
Not Looking For: Child in Jeopardy or serial killers.
Clients: Include New York Times bestseller Jodi Thomas, Vivien Chien, Kylie Logan and signed at last year’s Thrillerfest—debut author Colleen Winter.
AGENT
Lori Galvin, Aevitas Creative Management
www.aevitascreative.com
Bio: Lori Galvin is a literary agent at Aevitas Creative Management. She started her publishing career in the manuscript editing department in Trade at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, then later moved to America’s Test Kitchen, where she edited many landmark cookbooks. Moving to the agency side has allowed her to expand her expertise into fiction and nonfiction. Among her book deals, she has sold a debut author’s thriller in a 2-book deal to Ballantine and a debut author’s memoir to Knopf.
Currently Looking For: Thrillers/psychological suspense, contemporary noir, cozy culinary mysteries, horror, true crime, and commercial fiction.
Not Looking For: Science fiction, romance, or children’s.
Clients: Cambria Brockman, Eleanor Goodman, Hannah Kirshner, Kim Nelson, Kwame Onwuachi, Sandy Pool.
AGENT
Josh Getzler, HSG Agency
www.hsgagency.com
Bio: Josh left Harcourt in 1993 to get an MBA from Columbia Business School. After Business School, Josh spent 11 years owning and operating a minor league baseball team (the Staten Island Yankees). He left baseball in late 2006 and rejoined the book world on the agent side. Josh worked at Writers House until November 2009, then joined Russell and Volkening. In May 2011, he partnered with Carrie Hannigan and Jesseca Salky to create HSG, and has been actively and happily running his list.
Currently Looking For: Josh is looking for foreign and historical thrillers and mysteries. He’d LOVE a good French Revolution novel. Strong atmosphere pieces are always welcome, especially if they teach the reader about another time or place—and that can be in the near future—Josh has been seeing a lot of speculative fiction these days.
Not Looking For: Religious fiction, illness memoirs, or picture books.
Clients: Rob Hart, Michael Ledwidge, Chris Mooney, Elaine Powell, Dana Cameron, SJ Rozan, Linda Hull, Keir Graff, Shawn Cosby, Eryk Pruitt, Steph Post, Sergey and Marina Dyachenko, Julia Hersey, Jeff Cohen, Toni LoTempio, Diane Stuckart, Paul Goldberg, Todd Moss, Karen Odden.
AGENT
Doug Grad, Doug Grad Literary
www.dgliterary.com
Bio: Doug’s path on the road to publishing may have been set early. His first job in the industry came in 1978, walking up and down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan wearing a sandwich board advertising a new book during the 1978 New York City newspaper strike…for $5 an hour. The next year, he took creative writing at Stuyvesant High School with Frank McCourt. He studied creative writing at Northwestern University with Reginald Gibbons. Doug opened the Doug Grad Literary Agency, Inc. in May 2008. This is his 33rd year as a publishing professional.
An editor with imprints at Simon & Schuster, Random House, Penguin and HarperCollins for 22 years, Doug acquired and edited fiction and nonfiction bestsellers, including Jeff Shaara’s first two New York Times bestselling novels. He also edited NYT bestsellers by historical novelist John Jakes. On the nonfiction side, Doug has worked with astronauts, generals, war heroes, gangsters, politicians, sports stars, journalists, musicians, historians and humorists.
Since becoming an agent, Doug has taken on a number of high profile clients, including Kerri Rawson—the daughter of serial killer Dennis Rader (known as BTK), world-renowned concert pianist Byron Janis, jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Hugh Shelton, NBA Hall of Famer Bernard King, New Orleans Times-Picayune sports columnist Jeff Duncan, and NHL Hall of Famer Mark Howe, as well as a number of novelists in the mystery/thriller genre.
Currently Looking For: On the fiction side, Doug’s looking for mysteries (cozy, contemporary or historical) and all stripes of thrillers. On the nonfiction side, Doug’s looking for military, narrative nonfiction, celebrity memoir, history, politics, travel, music, science, language, and sports.
Not Looking For: YA, science fiction, fantasy
Clients: Some of Doug’s clients are: Kerri Rawson (New York Times bestselling author of A Serial Killer’s Daughter), Jerome Preisler (New York Times bestselling author currently writing the relaunch of the Net Force series created by Tom Clancy and Steve Pieczenik), Sue Pethick (light romantic fiction), Ellen Byron (Agatha Award winner, Left Coast Crime Award Winner and USA Today bestselling cozy mystery author), Joseph L. Galloway (New York Times bestselling author and famed war correspondent), Bennie Adkins (Medal of Honor recipient), and Terrence McCauley (thriller and Western writer).
EDITOR
Bob Gussin, Oceanview Publishing
www.oceanviewpub.com
Bio: Robert Gussin is the CEO of Oceanview Publishing and Oceanview Vineyards. Prior to that, he was Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of Johnson and Johnson. Oceanview is a traditional publisher of thriller, mystery and suspense novels. Titles are published in all formats: hard cover, paper, digital, and audio.
Currently Looking For: Suspenseful and gripping story line, a strong sense of place and setting, compelling protagonists and supporting characters, tension that builds throughout a books narrative, and authenticity.
Not Looking For: Worn out topics and stories that do not fit our genres.
Clients: Raymond Benson, Miles Corwin, Ward Larsen, Matt Coyle, and approximately one hundred others.
EDITOR
Michaela Hamilton, Kensington Publishing Corp
www.kensingtonbooks.com
Bio: Michaela Hamilton, executive editor at Kensington, acquires and edits thrillers and mysteries for hardcover, paperback, and e-book formats.
Currently Looking For: Serial-killer thrillers; CIA/spy thrillers; Washington-based thrillers; black ops thrillers; psychological suspense; SF and fantasy; true crime.
Not Looking For: Noir fiction; previously published or self-published works; new books in a series that was previously published at another house or self-published.
Current Authors Working With: John Gilstrap, Lisa Black, Suzanne Chazin, Max Allan Collins, Barbara Allan, John Lutz, Leo J. Maloney, Dave Zeltserman, Rick Reed, and David McCaleb.
AGENT
Sandra Harding, Spencerhill Associates
www.spencerhillassociates.com
Bio: Sandy Harding joined Spencerhill Associates in late 2015. Before that she worked for fifteen years at Penguin Random House and Penguin Group, USA, most recently as a Senior Editor at NAL, where she edited crime fiction, mystery and women’s fiction. As an editor she was fortunate to work with New York Times bestselling authors including T. Jefferson Parker and Victoria Laurie, and critically acclaimed authors such as Marcus Sakey and D.P. Lyle. But she also loved discovering new voices in unexpected places.
Currently Looking For: Psychological suspense, thrillers, crime fiction, mysteries of all sorts (mainstream, upmarket, historical, paranormal, cozy), upmarket commercial women’s fiction, historical fiction and book club fiction. She has a weakness for complicated protagonists, stories told from multiple POVs and intriguing settings/worlds, but mostly she seeks a book with a voice so riveting and a plot so compelling you simply cannot stop reading.
Not Looking For: Westerns, horror, poetry, middle grade, picture books, screenplays, and nonfiction.
Clients: As a newer agent Sandy is building her list, which currently includes Los Angeles Times bestselling author Patricia Smiley.
AGENT
Lane Heymont, The Tobias Literary Agency
www.thetobiasagency.com
Bio: As Literary Assistant at the Seymour Agency, Lane led the marketing efforts for their authors and enjoyed connecting clients with readers. As a lover of literature since childhood, and at the prodding of his mentor Nicole Resciniti, he decided to pursue his passion as a literary agent. He went on to help found The Tobias Literary Agency. He strives to bring incredible and thought-provoking books to the masses, culminating in reaching the number one spot on Publishers Marketplace for agents representing horror, and the Top Ten for women’s fiction and romance. Lane represents a broad range of commercial fiction including romance and all its sub-genres, fantasy, science fiction, horror, celebrity/memoirs, pop culture, serious nonfiction, and true crime. You can find Lane on Twitter at @LaneHeymont.
Currently Looking For: Adult and Young Adult fiction in the fantasy (Tolkienesque, low-magic), horror, thriller, mystery, and romance (especially suspense) genres. As well as non-fiction projects in the areas of science, history, philosophy (by top researchers in their field), Judaica, memoirs, and true crime. Lane enjoys fresh stories, powerful, entertaining voices, diverse protagonists, and edge-on-your seat tension.
Not Looking For: Picture books, middle grade, and self-help/relationships.
Clients: Josi Kilpack, Jeff Johnson, Dr. Paul M. Sutter, Dr. Carder Stout, Danica Winters, Claire O’Dell, Jessica Pack, David Irons, Matt Hayward, John Harrison, Michael Hodges, Warren Lewis, Sacha Wunsch.
AGENT
Weronika Janczuk, D4EO Literary Agency
www.d4eoliterayagency.com
Bio: Weronika Janczuk serves as a literary agent with D4EO Literary Agency. She broke into publishing in 2009, working with a small imprint in Minnesota (Flux, now North Star), followed by a series of internships with high-quality agents. She built a list of award-winning novelists from 2010-2012, including Hugo-nominated debut Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone (Tor/Macmillan) and Sekret by Lindsay Smith (Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan), before taking a break in publishing following her mom’s death. She is daughter to Polish immigrants, has a self-designed B.A. in the philosophy of the human person from NYU, and spent the years in between working on educational, cultural, and health programming in the non-profit sphere.
Currently Looking For: Young adult, fantasy & sci-fi, literary fiction, commercial fiction, women’s fiction, romance, crime, mystery & thrillers, memoir, and non-fiction (innovative ideas & research; projects with a potential for social & cultural impact, etc.)
Not Looking For: Picture books, middle grade, overly explicit romance/erotica
Clients: Hayley Stone, Jill MacKenzie, Jen Oleniczak Brown, Dr. Donald Hilton, and others.
AGENT
Andrew Lampack, Peter Lampack Agency
www.peterlampackagency.com
Bio: Andrew Lampack was born and raised in New York City. He graduated from Skidmore College with a BA in English and interned at Simon & Schuster before moving to Los Angeles where he worked in film and television production for six years. He returned to New York and joined the Peter Lampack Agency in 2002. In addition to literary representation, he has also negotiated a number of theatrical rights deals based on existing client’s work.
Currently looking for: Commercial and literary fiction as well as non-fiction by recognized experts in a given field.
Not looking for: Horror, Westerns, Science Fiction, Romance, and Children’s Books.
Clients: Agency clients include: Patrick Foss, Michael Levine & Laura Kavanau-Levine, Dr. Richard Cytowic, Clive Cussler, Gerry Spence and J.M. Coetzee among others.
AGENT
Sarah Landis, Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc.
www.sll.com
Bio: Before joining Sterling Lord Literistic in 2017, Sarah worked as an editor for fifteen years, holding roles at G.P. Putnam Son’s, Hyperion Books, HarperCollins Children’s Books, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. Over the course of her career, Sarah has had the pleasure of editing many talented authors including the likes of: Lauren Groff, Cathy Marie Buchanan, Jodi Lynn Anderson, Claudia Gray, Eileen Cook, Michael Buckley, and Megan Shepherd. Sarah graduated with a BA in English from the University of Virginia.
Currently Looking For: Adult and Young Adult thrillers with a strong female protagonist and historical suspense. Books I wish I represented: THE DRY, anything by Tana French, THE ALICE NETWORK, IN A DARK DARK WOOD, SALT TO THE SEA, A STUDY IN CHARLOTTE.
Not Looking For: Techno or military thrillers, cozy mysteries.
Clients: Meredith Tate, Shelby Mahurin, Julie Abe, Erin Craig, Jessica Rubinkowski, Leah Johnson, Zilpha Snyder estate
AGENT
Sandy Lu, L. Perkins Agency
www.lperkinsagency.com
Bio: Sandy Lu joined L. Perkins Agency in 2009 and is actively building her client list. She holds BAs in psychology and sociology from Queens College, with minors in music, business, and Japanese. Prior to becoming an agent, she attended the Ph.D. Program in Social and Personality Psychology at the CUNY Graduate Center and worked as a business manager in the theater industry. Originally from Taiwan, she is fluent in spoken and written Mandarin Chinese.
Sandy is looking for submissions that will draw her in with a unique voice, make her miss her subway stop and keep her up all night. She especially loves historical fiction and anything dark, twisted, or with a supernatural bent. For more information, please visit www.lperkinsagency.com.
Currently Looking For: Fiction: mystery/crime, thriller, horror, sci-fi/fantasy, psychological suspense, upmarket women’s fiction, and YA. Non-fiction: narrative, history, biography, science, and pop culture.
Not Looking For: Picture books, graphic novels, religions/spirituality, politics/current affairs, sports, and how-to/self-help.
Clients: Jennifer Harlow, Michael Boccacino, Dot Hutchison, Kim Foster, Robin Riopelle, C.V. Wyk, M. H. Boroson, and Randall Silvis.
AGENT
Gina Maccoby, Gina Maccoby Literary Agency
Publisher’s Marketplace Profile
Bio: Gina Maccoby is a New York literary agent representing authors of literary and upmarket fiction and narrative nonfiction for adults and children, including New York Times bestselling and award-winning titles. Gina is a member of the AAR, served four terms on the AAR Board of Directors, and is a member of both the Royalties and Contracts Committees. She belongs to SCBWI and is a long-time member of the Authors Guild. Prior to establishing her own agency in 1986 she was a literary agent at Russell & Volkening for six years where she handled her own clients as well as first serial, foreign, and movie rights for the agency. Gina grew up mostly in Northern California and graduated with Honors from Harvard College.
Currently Looking For: First and foremost she is captured by an engaging narrative voice; across all forms she is looking for strong storytelling and fresh perspectives. In fiction she is looking for upmarket novels, mysteries and thrillers, middle grade, and young adult. Areas of interest in nonfiction include history, biography, narrative journalism, current events, and popular science. She’d love to find a mystery with series potential, featuring an appealing protagonist (unusual background and skills?) and interesting setting.
Not Looking For: Picture books, science fiction, genre romance, cannibalistic serial killers, horror, or true crime.
Clients: Linda Barnes, Rick Riordan, Janet Taylor Lisle, Prof. Donald L. Miller, Lono Waiwaiole, Elizabeth Lim, Patricia Polacco, among others.
EDITOR
Matthew Martz, Crooked Lane Books
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Bio: Matt Martz launched Crooked Lane Books in 2014 after eight years at Minotaur Books and St. Martin’s Press. During his career he has published New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestsellers and award-winning titles.
Currently Looking For: He enjoys crime fiction, ranging from traditional mysteries to psychological suspense and high concept thrillers and all points in between. He is particularly drawn to small town settings, stories with compelling family dynamics, and seemingly ordinary characters who harbor dark and explosive secrets. Books that cross over to other genres, especially reading group fiction, or that take the traditional crime fiction genres to a whole new level are always welcome.
Not Looking For: Romantic suspense.
Clients: The authors he has published include New York Times and USA Today bestsellers P. J. Tracy, Wendy Corsi Staub, and Sheila Connolly as well as award winning and acclaimed authors Cate Holahan, Margaret Mizushima, and Vicki Delany.
AGENT
James McGowan, Book Ends Literary Agency
www.bookendsliterary.com
Bio: Since interning at BookEnds as an undergrad in the summer of 2015, James has (basically) never left. He’s just continuously level-up-ed inside of BookEnds. Now he is the Literary Assistant and Social Media Manager for the team. James is a Staten Island native, and just recently graduated with his master’s degree in English from the College of Staten Island. He’s been a reader since his mom gave him the first A Series of Unfortunate Events book and ordered the sequels regularly through Scholastic book orders.
Currently Looking For: James is currently growing his own list and is actively seeking submissions in adult literary and upmarket fiction, mystery, thrillers, and suspense including, but not limited to, psychological and domestic suspense/thrillers, literary and upmarket thrillers, and historical mystery. He is also accepting submissions in all sub-genres of Young Adult fiction and is actively looking for Picture Books.
Not Looking For: James is NOT currently looking for romance for any age group, middle grade fiction, science fiction or fantasy for adults.
Clients: James represents Cheryl Hollon, James Queally and Kym Roberts in the adult Mystery/Thriller space, and several picture book and YA authors including Susan Cunningham, Jessica Kulekjian, Becky Scharnhorst and Debbie Zapata.
EDITOR
Anna Michels, Sourcebooks, Inc.
www.sourcebooks.com
Bio: Anna Michels is a graduate of St. Olaf College, where she double-majored in English and Norwegian, and the Denver Publishing Institute. She is a Senior Editor at Sourcebooks and over the course of more than five years with the company has worked on a wide variety of projects, most recently focusing on acquiring adult fiction and nonfiction. She is also the author of one YA novel, 26 Kisses.
Currently Looking For: Fiction that hits the sweet spot between commercial and literary with interesting settings and a strong narrative voice; mystery (particularly cozies and crossover literary—think Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger), literary thriller, and psychological suspense; and memoir by writers who connect the events of their lives to readers through incredible storytelling, as well as a wide variety of prescriptive and narrative nonfiction and gift books.
Not Looking For: Children’s books, poetry, fantasy, sci-fi, or romance.
Current Authors: NYT bestselling Craig Carlson, NYT bestselling Denise Swanson, USA Today bestselling Carter Wilson, USA Today bestselling Kelli Estes, Randall Silvis, Radha Vatsal, Cuyler Overholt, Cheryl Honigford, Derrick Levasseur, Kelly Grey Carlisle, Thomas W. Phelan, Kelly Simmons, and many more.
AGENT
Paula Munier, Talcott Notch Literary Agency
www.talcottnotch.net
www.paulamunier.com/
www.careerauthors.com/
Bio: Paula Munier brings twenty years’ experience as a writer, acquisitions editor, and content specialist for such media giants as Disney, WGBH, and Quarto to her work as Senior Literary Agent and Content Strategist at Talcott Notch Literary. She specializes in all manner of crime fiction, women’s fiction, upmarket fiction, MG and crossover YA, and high-concept SFF; in nonfiction, she represents pop culture, mind/body/spirit, science and technology, self-help, and health. She’s the Mary Higgins Clark Award-nominated author of A Borrowing of Bones, the first in her Mercy Carr mystery series for Minotaur, as well as three popular books on writing: Plot Perfect, The Writer’s Guide to Beginnings, and Writing with Quiet Hands.
Currently Looking For: Crime fiction of all kinds, true crime, women’s fiction, literary fiction, high-concept SF/fantasy, YA, and nonfiction.
Not Looking For: Paranormal, picture books, memoir, and poetry.
Clients: USA Today bestselling author Cate Holahan (One Little Secret), Lefty winner and Agatha nominee Alexia Gordon (the Gethsemane Brown series), Agatha nominee Bruce Robert Coffin (the Detective Byron series), James R. Benn (the Billy Boyle WWII mystery series), Cynthia Riggs (the Victoria Trumbull Martha’s Vineyard mysteries), Thriller and mulitple Pushcart Prize nominee Richard Thomas (Breaker), Tony Hillerman Award winner Carol Potenza (the Nicky Matthews series), Roger Johns (the Wallace Hartman series), and many more.
AGENT
Eric Myers, Myers Literary Management
www.myersliterary.com
Bio: Eric Myers founded his own literary agency, Myers Literary Management, in 2017, after working as an agent for several companies including Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret, LLC and The Spieler Agency. He entered agenting through the back door–as an author himself, having written UNCLE MAME: THE LIFE OF PATRICK DENNIS (St. Martin’s Press, 2000) and co-authored two other books. His journalism has appeared in THE NEW YORK TIMES and TIME OUT.
Currently Looking For: Young Adult, Middle Grade, Thrillers, Pop Culture, Historical Fiction, and some memoir.
Not Looking For: Memoir from writers without a pre-existing platform; literary fiction, poetry, mysteries, unless the thriller aspect is very strong.
Clients: Jack Barsky, Bryan Batt, Alonso Duralde, John Anthony Gilvey, Chris Grabenstein, Lydia Kang, Derek Taylor Kent, August Norman, Kim Stagliano, Anne Thompson, Robert Hofler, David Neilsen, Beverley McLachlin, and many more. He is pleased to have discovered Simon Gervais (HUNT THEM DOWN, THE THIN BLACK LINE) and Ryan Wick (the upcoming LAWBREAKER) at Thrillerfest.
AGENT
Lynnette Novak, The Seymour Agency
www.theseymouragency.com
Bio: Lynnette Novak is an associate agent at The Seymour Agency and is currently building her list. Prior to joining The Seymour Agency, Lynnette spent seventeen years freelance editing. She worked with new writers, advanced writers, as well as New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors. Lynnette earned a bachelor of education degree from the University of Manitoba, where she specialized in English and French. She excelled in Advanced Creative Writing in university and studied writing for children and teens through the Institute of Children’s Literature. She was a Pitch Wars mentor in 2015 and 2016. Both her mentees acquired an agent. Lynnette has since closed her editing business and is excited to bring her passion for the written word to agenting. Although Lynnette was born and raised Manitoba, Canada, she now lives in Minnesota with her husband, twin girls, and many pets. Her personal interests include reading, writing, exercising at the gym (okay, that’s a love/hate relationship), working on an assortment of crafts, all things having to do with animals (if she could own a farm, zoo, and animal shelter, she would), and enjoying time with family and friends. She loves dark and suspenseful, mysterious twists, unique worlds, light and funny, a good love story, and lots of voice. Follow Lynnette on Twitter: @Lynnette_Novak
Currently Looking For: In adult fiction: thrillers, psychological suspense, fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary romance, romantic comedy, adult horror, and mysteries (traditional, amateur sleuth, and cozy). In young adult fiction: thrillers, psychological suspense, horror, contemporary, mysteries, sci-fi, fantasy, and historical.
In middle grade fiction: horror, contemporary, fantasy, sci-fi, action/adventure, mystery, and humor.
Not Looking For: Historical romance, inspirational romance, paranormal romance, or romantic suspense.
Clients: Christine Clemetson, Natasha Neagle, Dr. Josh Michaels, Rachel Russell, Delara Adams, Hannah Kates, and more.
AGENT
Jeff Ourvan, The Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency
www.jenniferlyonsliteraryagency.com
Bio: Jeff joined the Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency in 2011 after practicing law for many years. He’s lived in New York, Los Angeles and Japan and is a published author, editor and writing instructor. He is also the founder of The WriteWorkshop NYC.
Currently Looking For: Page-turning thrillers, mysteries, YA, sports, science and narrative nonfiction.
Not Looking For: Illustrated childrens’ books
Clients: Christina Farley, Christopher Knowlton, Jessica Jiji, and Kat Ross, among others.
AGENT
Gina Panettieri, Talcott Notch Literary Services
www.talcottnotch.net
Bio: Gina Panettieri is Founder of the Milford, Ct-based Talcott Notch Literary, a three-member literary agency seeking the freshest voices in adult and juvenile fiction and nonfiction. Some of her more prominent recent sales includes the WSJ-bestselling WAR SHADOWS by Andrews & Wilson (Thomas & Mercer), the Hillerman Prize-winning THE HOMEPLACE by Kevin Wolf (St. Martin’s Press), and her auction of Talcott Notch’s own Paula Munier’s A BORROWING OF BONES in a six-figure sale to Minotaur, debuting in September.
Currently Looking For: Fiction – mystery, thrillers, suspense, psychological suspense, upmarket women’s fiction, action-adventure and historical fiction; nonfiction – memoir, true crime, history, career, cookbooks, medicine and fitness, travel, parenting, self-help, coffee table books, juvenile fiction and nonfiction for middle-grade and young adult, particularly books that address timely and topical issues.
Not Looking For: Poetry, short story collections by new writers, novellas, and textbooks.
Clients: Jeffrey Wilson and Brian Andrews, Scott Deitche, Dr. Seth Meyers, Drew Eric Whitman, Paula Munier, Kevin Wolf, A.E. Rought, Sara O’Shaughnessy, Peter Tupper, and Rick Morris.
AGENT
Mel Parker, Mel Parker Books LLC
www.melparkerbooks.com
Bio: Mel Parker has worked in virtually every area of trade book publishing, from mass market and trade paperback to hardcover and book clubs. Before launching Mel Parker Books, LLC, a book packaging firm and literary agency, Mel was Senior Vice President and Editorial Director of Bookspan, the book club partnership formed by Time Warner and Bertelsmann. Mel came to the book clubs from Time Warner Trade Publishing, where he served as Senior Vice President of Warner Books and Publisher of its paperback division, working with bestselling authors such as Dean Koontz, James Patterson, David Morrell, and Nelson DeMille. Prior to joining Warner, Mel was Editor-in-Chief of the Berkley Publishing Group, where he acquired many bestselling books, most notably The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy.
Currently Looking For: Psychological suspense, crime fiction, international thrillers, political thrillers, military thrillers, espionage fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoirs. Topical nonfiction in categories such as science, technology, health, business, politics and current affairs.
Not Looking For: SF/fantasy, horror, true crime, graphic novels, illustrated books, poetry, screenplays, or romantic suspense.
Clients: Robert McCaw, Dickson Despommier, Amy Cortese, Linda Adams, Mick Cornett, Jennifer Grayson.
EDITOR
Liz Pelletier, Entangled
www.entangledpublishing.com
Bio:Liz is the Chief Executive Officer and Publisher of Entangled. Coming out of the dot com era, serial entrepreneur Liz Pelletier has more than thirty years of experience in software engineering, systems analysis, and business management. In 2011, Liz channeled her love of romantic fiction and co-founded Entangled Publishing, with more than 2000 titles released to date and numerous New York Times and USA Today bestsellers to their credit. Liz lives in Colorado, is supporting her twins through college, and has an unwavering love of Game of Thrones.
Currently Looking For: She’s looking for mainstream thrillers, anything from the next Dan Brown to Paula Hawkins.
Not Looking For: We’re not looking for any picture books, chapter books, or middle grade.
Clients: USA TODAY bestselling authors Amy Andrews, Stefanie London, and Avery Flynn, and NEW YORK TIMES bestselling authors Cherrie Lynn, Pintip Dunn, and Victoria James.
AGENT
Sharon Pelletier, Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret LLC
www.dystel.com
Bio: Born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, Sharon Pelletier moved to New York in 2009 and joined Dystel, Goderich & Bourret in 2013 after working for Europa Editions, Vantage Press, and Barnes & Noble and brings experience in marketing and production as well as extensive editorial experience to her work as an agent. At DG&B, in addition to growing her own client list, Sharon oversees digital projects and social media.
Currently Looking For: That upmarket sweet spot where a literary focus on craft meets a commercial attention to a propulsive plot. I always want realistic, fully developed characters with relatable emotional tensions, even when their circumstances are unusual, and in genre suspense I love to see a strong sense of place or an unexpected element to enliven the procedural tropes. I am especially eager to work with voices we haven’t always seen in the suspense categories, such as writers from marginalized communities. Whether upmarket suspense, genre thriller/mystery, or book club/women’s fiction, give me a great hook I can’t stop talking about! I am also eager for compelling reported narrative nonfiction and emerging voices with a growing platform who can speak to pop culture, feminism, sports, social justice, and/or religion.
Not Looking For: In general I don’t do high fantasy or scifi, practical nonfiction (cookbooks, crafts…), or children’s books (picture books or middle grade). I take on YA and romance very very very sparingly.
Current Authors: Megan Collins, Layne Fargo, Amy Gentry, TJ Martinson, Rena Olsen, and Bernard Schaffer.
AGENT
Kelly Peterson, Rees Literary Agency
www.reesagency.com
Bio: Kelly received her B.S.Ed. in English and Literature from West Chester University. Since realizing that teaching was not her cup of tea, she pushed her way into the publishing industry as an intern and has worked her way up to Literary Agent over the last three years. She recently moved to Rees Literary Agency, finding a new home and continuing to grow her client list, searching every day for the fit that’s right for her.
Currently Looking For: Kelly is searching for compelling stories that bring something new to the table with a unique voice and a good amount of action. She thoroughly enjoys strong female characters, well developed plots, continuous character development, and a good amount of cunning wit. She is actively seeking Middle Grade, Young Adult, Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Historical, Steampunk, and any combination of the above. She thoroughly enjoyed The Haunting of Hill House, Bird Box, A Quiet Place, and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, so any manuscripts that could comp these titles will probably be a great fit for her. Ghost stories and grit are a plus.
Not Looking For: Gruesome Horror, Crime Scene, Mystery, Picture Books, Memoirs, or Psychological Thrillers.
Clients: Katie Golding, Emm Cole, Bruce Battle, Shanna Hughes, and Erica Lucke Dean.
EDITOR
John Raab, Suspense Publishing
www.suspensemagazine.com
Bio: Born and raised in Ohio, I relocated to Los Angeles, California in 2007. It was that same year my wife, Shannon, and I created Suspense Magazine, which spawned Suspense Publishing onto the literary scene. Currently publishing #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Paul Kemprecos, along with publishing award winning authors Joseph Badal, the writing team of Gary Williams and Vicki Knerly, and Tom B. Sawyer, who was the executive producer of “Murder, She Wrote”. Suspense Publishing is also a partner of the ITW, CWA, HWA and IACW organizations.
Currently Looking For: What we are looking for are unique novels that fall in the genres (or tangents of the genres): Suspense, Thriller, Horror and Mystery. Solid writing and strong characters are the main factors we look for when choosing to go ahead with new authors. A clear, concise knowledge of both plot and central ideas are necessary to become part of the Suspense Publishing mission of excellence.
Not Looking For: N/A
Currents Authors Working With: Paul Kemprecos, Joseph Badal, the writing team of Gary Williams and Vicki Knerly, and Tom B. Sawyer, who was the executive producer of “Murder, She Wrote”.
AGENT
Nicole Resciniti, The Seymour Agency
www.theseymouragency.com
Bio: Follow Nicole on Twitter, @niclitagent
Currently Looking For: In adult fiction: thrillers, suspense, procedurals, fantasy, sci-fi, romance (particularly romantic suspense), romantic comedy, women’s fiction, and mysteries (traditional, amateur sleuth, and cozy). In young adult fiction: thrillers, psychological suspense, horror, mysteries, sci-fi, fantasy, and contemporary. Especially interested in projects that are high concept and feel really fresh. Would love to find something that focuses on: search and rescue, survivalist suspense, forensic or investigative thrillers with series potential.
Not Looking For: Stories that are obviously derivative of other popular works
Clients: NYT Bestsellers and Award-Winning Authors— Cindy Dees and Dr. Michael David Evans, Karna Small Bodman, Julie Ann Walker, Lauren Layne, Shelley Shepard Gray, Julie Cross, Melissa Landers, Kate Meader, Sara Driscoll, and Jen J. Danna.
AGENT
Claire Roberts, Claire Roberts Global Literary Management
www.clairerobertsglobal.com
Bio: Claire Roberts is President of Claire Roberts Global Literary Management, a literary agency she founded in late 2018 after having spent over a decade at Trident Media Group, one of the largest literary agencies in the US. As Vice-President at Trident she developed her own list while handling many of the agency’s top clients in international markets, such as Justin Cronin, Marlon James and Marilynne Robinson. She began her publishing career at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and held executive positions at William Morrow/HarperCollins and Penguin Random House US before becoming an agent.
Currently Looking For: Claire is actively seeking to build her client list. In fiction she looks for literary fiction, upmarket crime fiction and thrillers, and upmarket commercial fiction. In nonfiction she is interested in history, memoir and narrative nonfiction.
Not Looking For: Claire does not handle science fiction, romance, westerns, self-help, how-to, diet and fitness titles, poetry, screenplays or sports titles.
Clients: J.P. Smith, Anissa Bouziane, Radhika Swarup, Askold Melnyczuk, Cecilia Miller, Nemat Sadat, Brian Sousa, Mark Sennen, Jim Tolisano, and David Beasley.
AGENT
Katharine Sands, Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency
www.sarahjanefreymann.com
Bio: A literary agent with the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency, Katharine Sands has worked with a varied list of authors who publish a diverse array of books. She is the agent provocateur of, “Making the Perfect Pitch: How to Catch a Literary Agent’s Eye”, a collection of pitching wisdom from leading literary agents. She has been a guest expert on writing and publishing for Poets and Writers, The American Society of Journalists and Authors, New York University, and the New York State Council on the Arts. Recently contributed “Grey is the New Black” to Fifty Writers on Fifty Shades of Grey, a nonfiction look at the cultural phenom of the bestselling novel.
Currently Looking For: When reading fiction Katharine wants to be compelled and propelled by urgent storytelling, and hooked by characters.
Not Looking For: N/A
Clients: Dr. Shawn Tassone, Dr. Kathryn Landherr, David Topus, Arden Leigh, Donna Ballman, Lia Romeo, Barbara Barnett, Helen Lee, Andy Partridge, Dr. Bonnie Eaker Weil, Laura Levin and John O’ Hara, Marvin Woods, Dr. Brenda Brasher, Sue Woodman, Dr. Nancy Groce, among others.
AGENT
Alec Shane, Writers House, LLC
www.writershouse.com
Bio: Alec majored in English at Brown University, a degree he put to immediate use by moving to Los Angeles after graduation to become a professional stunt man. Realizing that he prefers books to breakaway glass, he moved to New York City in 2008 to pursue a career in publishing. Alec quickly found a home at Writers House Literary Agency, where he quickly began building his own list. He is still aggressively looking for new talent across a wide variety of genres.
Currently Looking For: Horror, thriller, mystery, noir, grounded sci-fi, YA and middle grade “boy” fiction, and beautifully written historical fiction. In nonfiction: humor, biography, history, pop science, and all things sports.
Not Looking For: Romance (paranormal or otherwise), politics (fiction or nonfiction), women’s fiction, picture books, high fantasy, and science fiction featuring aliens/intergalactic warfare.
Clients: Casey Barrett, Hank Early, Stona Fitch, Ronald Kidd, Mystery Writers of America (MWA), Jack Murphy, Christopher Price, among others.
AGENT
Victoria Skurnick, Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency
www.lgrliterary.com
Bio: Victoria Skurnick is with the Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency, and represents both fiction and nonfiction. Among the books she has represented are Turn of Mind, Mr. Churchill’s Secretary, Critical – What We Can Do about the Healthcare Crisis, Bad Things Happen, Anonymous Sources, and The Dangerous Book for Dogs.
Victoria has been with LGR for eight years; before joining the agency, she was editor-in-chief of The Book-of-the-Month Club, Senior Editor at St. Martin’s Press and Pocket Books, and Advertising Director of Holt. She is also the co-author of seven novels published under the name Cynthia Victor.
Currently Looking For: Literary fiction, thrillers, narrative nonfiction, history, politics and pop culture. But she is open to just about every kind of book.
Not Looking For: Science fiction, fantasy, or romance.
Client List: Victoria’s client list includes Senator Tom Daschle, Alice LaPlante, Harry Dolan, Susan Elia MacNeal, Action Five, Kermit Roosevelt, and Pamela Wechsler among others.
AGENT
Erica Spellman Silverman, Trident Media Group
www.tridentmediagroup.com
Bio: Erica Spellman Silverman started her career as a literary agent at ICM and then moved to the William Morris Agency, as a senior vice president, where she represented writers, screenwriters, directors, and actors. Returning to her roots in publishing in 2009, she now represents a diverse and accomplished client list with Trident Media Group as Literary Agent and Vice President of Filmed Entertainment.
Currently Looking For: YA, NA, Thrillers, Women’s Fiction, Literary Fiction, and Memoir.
Not Looking For: Fantasy, Children’s, Erotica, and Historical Fiction.
Clients: Eve Babitz, Rebecca Donovan, Jessica Sorensen, Rachel van Dyken, Charles Rosenberg, Kira Peikoff, Robin Cook, RJ Hernandez, Sean Patrick Flanery, Andrew Mayne, David McCallum, Jennifer L. Scott, Jo Watson, Cherise Wolas, and ESTHER THE WONDER PIG.
PRODUCER
Shari Smiley, 3 Arts Entertainment
www.3arts.com
Bio: Shari Smiley is a manager at 3 Arts Entertainment. She specializes in representing the dramatic rights to books, articles and other IP in conjunction with literary agents. Prior to 3 Arts, she worked at The Gotham Group, Resolution, The Smiley Group and CAA where she started her career in 1993.
Currently Looking For: Thrillers (psychological, domestic), memoir, narrative non-fiction, grounded sci-fi and epic love stories.
Not Looking For: Romance, historical fiction, anything without a narrative through line.
Clients: Smiley sold the dramatic rights to GONE GIRL, WILD, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES, DONNYBROOK as well as titles by Karen Russell, Jodi Picoult, Mary Kubica, Ruth Ware and Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen.
AGENT
Latoya C. Smith, LCS Literary Services
www.lcsliterary.com
Bio: Latoya C. Smith is an award-winning editor and literary agent. She has been featured in Publishers Weekly and USA Today, as well as on various author, book conference, and book blogger websites. Latoya provides editorial and consultation services, as well as literary representation through her company, LCS Literary Services.
Currently Looking For: Fiction – High-concept women’s fiction, Romance (contemporary, romantic suspense, cowboys, LGBTQ, erotic, inspirational, paranormal), High-concept thrillers and horror, Comedy. Non-Fiction – Memoir, How-to/Advice, Relationships, Health/Wellness, Politics/Current Events /History
Not Looking For: Children’s/YA, poetry, short stories, self-published works, historical fiction
Clients: Tony Gaskins is a bestselling author, celebrity life coach, and entrepreneur. With a multi-million-follower platform, Tony has impacted the lives of many through his videos, social media posts, and seminars. His book, Make it Work, released with Howard Books/Simon & Schuster in January 2019. LaQuette is a bestselling romance author and an advocate for the #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign. LaQuette is multi-published: she has a self-published Brooklyn Cowboy series, an LGBTQ romance series with Ripped-Tide and a contemporary romance series with Sourcebooks. Kristin Vayden is a bestselling historical romance and contemporary romance author. She is currently published with Kensington Publishing. Her most recent Gentlemen of Temptation series has appeared within the top 10 overall store on Amazon upon release.
AGENT
Jessica Spivey, Victoria Sanders and Associates
www.victoriasanders.com
Bio: Jessica has always had a book by her side. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth and joined VSA in 2016. She is absolutely thrilled to be surrounded by words every day. She enjoys all fiction, but is particularly drawn to literary fiction, magical realism, thrillers/mysteries, and anything high concept. Jessica will be scouting for the entire agency. Victoria Sanders & Associates are honored to represent international bestselling and award winning authors, and are passionate about finding new and diverse voices and viewpoints.
Currently Looking For: Crime fiction of all kinds, true crime, literary and commercial fiction, YA, and nonfiction
Not Looking For: Romance and science fiction.
Clients: VSA Clients: Karin Slaughter, KJ Howe, Sarah Pekkanen, Greer Hendricks, Liv Constantine, Kassandra Montag, Barbara Bourland, May Cobb, Carolina De Robertis, Lauren Francis-Sharma, Francesca Momplaisir, R.L. Maizes, and Vanessa Lillie among others.
AGENT
Uwe Stender, TriadaUS Literary Agency
www.triadaus.com
Bio: Uwe Stender, is a Full Member of the AAR (Association of Authors’ Representatives) and founder of TriadaUS Literary Agency.
Currently Looking For: We are always open to any strong fiction (our current focus in fiction is Mysteries/Thrillers, Psychological Suspense, YA, and middle grade) and all non-fiction projects. In mystery, I am big fan of both cozies and noir, but I need a unique hook to get (and keep) me interested. In psychological suspense think Patricia Highsmith, or Gone Girl.
Not looking For: Adult Fantasy and Adult Sci Fi.
Clients: Melody Thomas Scott, CNN HLN and TruTV’s In Session News Anchor Christi Paul, Eric Deggans, ‘Heroes’ actress Dana L. Davis Elizabeth LaBan, Stacy Tornio, Kate Hattemer and legendary NBA referee Bob Delaney. PLUS current EDGARS Award nominee Billy Taylor and current AGATHA Award nominee J.C. Lane.
AGENT
Marlene Stringer, The Stringer Literary Agency
www.stringerlit.com
Bio: Marlene Stringer founded The Stringer Literary Agency LLC in 2008. Prior to that time she spent almost eight years with Barbara Bova Literary Agency. As a full-service literary agency based in Naples, Florida, StringerLit represents a wide range of commercial fiction. In thrillers, she is looking for all subgenres, from domestic/suburban suspense through military thriller and all variations of crime fiction. For details and submission, visit the website at stringerlit.com. Mother of four and grandmother of two, Marlene’s hobbies include beach walking, birdwatching, and reading non-fiction.
Currently Looking For: All types of adult thrillers, suspense, and mystery, including crime, domestic, historical, espionage, financial, techno, psychological, and military.
Not Looking For: Children’s, Inspirational, comedy, erotica, poetry, or non-fiction.
Clients: Brief list – Charlie Donlea, Emily Bleeker, Tessa Wegert, Charlie N. Holmberg, Emily R. King, Emily Cavanagh, Anna Bradley, Luanne G. Smith, and Suzanne Johnson.
AGENT
John Talbot, Talbot Fortune Agency
www.talbotfortuneagency.com
(Will be sitting with Gail Fortune)
Bio: John is a literary agent with twenty-five plus years of commercial book publishing experience. Prior to becoming an agent he was a Senior Editor at Putnam Berkley (now part of Penguin Random House), where he had the honor of working with such global bestsellers as Tom Clancy, W.E.B. Griffin, and Jack Higgins. He edited dozens of national bestsellers and several New York Times Notable Books. He began his editorial career at Simon & Schuster.
Currently Looking For: Thrillers, military thrillers, espionage, domestic suspense, crime novels, mysteries, high-concept suspense with bestselling potential. I look particularly for authenticity, a strong and engaging voice, and, most of all, a singular protagonist who grabs my attention from page one.
Not Looking For: N/A
Clients: Brad Taylor, author of the New York Times bestselling Pike Logan series, Josh Hood, author of Robert Ludlum’s Treadstone Resurrection, LynDee Walker, author of the Nichelle Clark series, Rick Campbell, author of the Trident Deception series, David Bruns and J.R. Olson, authors of Rules of Engagement, George Wallace and Don Keith, authors of Final Bearing, Steve Hartov, author of The Soul of a Thief, Cleo Coyle, author of the nationally bestselling Coffeehouse Mystery series, Ellie Alexander, author of the Bakeshop Mystery series, the Wicked Cozy writing group, who between them have authored over a dozen mystery series, and, signed at last year’s Thrillerfest, R. Taylor Moore.
EDITOR
Kristin Temple, Macmillan Publishing/Tor Forge
us.macmillan.com/torforge
Bio: Kristin Temple is a Florida native who graduated from Emory University with a BA in Creative Writing and Psychology. In 2016 she moved to New York, attended the Columbia Publishing Course, and began her career at Tom Doherty Associates. She has worked with a number of TDA’s bestselling authors, and is currently building her own list.
Currently Looking For: “I am currently very interested in adult and YA horror. I’m particularly fond of supernatural horror, anything with monsters (human or not), groups of friends fighting evil together, and twisted families with terrible secrets. I am also seeking psychological suspense, thrillers with very compelling characters and/or a speculative element, dark fantasy, and commercial science fiction.”
Not Looking For: Non-fiction, romance, middle grade, political thrillers, or cozy mysteries.
Clients: N/A
AGENT
Nikki Terpilowski, Holloway Literary
www.HollowayLiteraryAgency.com
Bio: Nikki established Holloway Literary in 2011 after working in marketing communications as a writer and editor. Nikki is the senior agent at Holloway Literary and also handles all negotiations for the agency’s film deals. She loves all types of fiction, but is particularly interested in finding interesting mysteries, fresh Southern voices, ethnically and culturally diverse fiction and culinary non-fiction. When she’s not working or wrangling her three sons, she enjoys traveling to the beach, mountains and all historical sites in between.
Currently Looking For: Romance (contemporary, historical, sweet, POC), Women’s fiction,
YA (especially science fiction and fantasy), Historical fiction, Mysteries (cozy, traditional, contemporary, historical), Thrillers (military, political, espionage, domestic suspense), Literary fiction, Southern fiction, Nonfiction (culinary, heirloom skills, mindfulness, lifestyle, American south). Particularly interested in southern USA voices.
Not Looking For: Stories that focus on chronic illness or dying, Erotica, Graphic horror (light elements of horror are acceptable), Stories with graphic sex scenes, Police procedurals, Stories in which children are abused, Stories that explore sexual abuse and its effects, Stories in which racism or discrimination are the focus (unless it is historical non-fiction), Fiction set in the 60,s, 70’s, 80’s or 90’s.
Clients: Internationally bestselling domestic suspense author, Kimberly Belle, internationally bestselling contemporary romance author, Katie Oliver and USA Today bestselling cozy mystery author, Catherine Bruns. Kimberly Belle’s Three Days Missing is currently optioned to Two Jacks Productions, her bestselling novel The Marriage Lie is in development at ABC Studios and Rea Frey’s Not Her Daughter is in development with Argent Pictures.
AGENT
Ann Leslie Tuttle, Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret LLC
www.dystel.com
Bio: Ann Leslie Tuttle joined DG&B in 2017 after working for 20 years at Harlequin Books, now a division of HarperCollins, where she acquired and edited an extensive list of bestselling titles in women’s fiction. She received her B.A. degree from the College of William and Mary and an M.A. from the University of Virginia. Finding talented authors (established and debut) and growing a writer’s career have always been Ann Leslie’s passion. Ann Leslie lives in New York City with her husband and young daughter, who is just discovering the magic of books and writing.
Currently Looking For: I am actively seeking thrillers, psychological suspense, mysteries, romance, literary fiction and Middle Grade. Stories set in the South and Southern Gothics especially captivate me as do other fictional works that convey a strong sense of place.
Not Looking For: Dystopian, New Adult, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Paranormal or Horror.
Current Authors: USA Today bestselling author Tara Taylor Quinn; PW bestselling authors Debbie Herbert and Jenna Kernan, and national bestselling authors Nancy Robards Thompson and Rhyannon Byrd.
AGENT
Lisa Erbach Vance, Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency
www.aaronpriest.com
Bio: Lisa Erbach Vance has worked with numerous bestselling authors at the Aaron Priest Literary Agency, which she joined in 1993 as Director of Foreign Rights. Shortly thereafter, she began representing her own clients. Prior to joining the agency, she was a Management Trainee at Random House, Inc. and a foreign rights associate at Crown Publishers. Lisa was raised outside of Chicago; and has a degree in English Literature from Northwestern University.
Currently Looking for: Propulsive, emotionally engaging thrillers–contemporary or historical, domestic or international. Moody psychological suspense. Romantic suspense. Any work that will take me on a surprising journey deep into another culture or subculture. I have a wide range of interests in the area of suspense, so I’m reluctant to put limits on what I’ll consider, but a strong premise and distinctive narrative voice are musts.
Not looking for: Science fiction, fantasy, or horror. Procedural is longshot.
Clients: Harlan Coben, Gregg Hurwitz, Gayle Lynds, Glen Erik Hamilton, Anthony Franze, Matt Beynon Rees, Amanda Stevens, B. J. Daniels, Kathleen Sharp, G. M. Ford and Charlotte and Aaron Elkins, among others.
AGENT
Jennifer Weis, Literary Agent
(No Website)
Bio: Jennifer Weis recently left St. Martin’s Press where she was Executive Editor for 30 years to move to the other side of the desk. Many things have changed for her but one thing has remained constant: that is, the hunt for page-turning fiction of all kinds, with a focus on suspense. With bestsellers like B.A. Paris’ BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, THE BREAKDOWN and BRING ME BACK, and the national bestselling BABY TEETH in the past few years, her editorial list has also included such long-time suspense writers as Erica Spindler.
Jennifer is the co-chair of Project Lyme, a nonprofit based in NYC that focuses on awareness, education and advocacy. She is a graduate of Yale College and Yale University (M.A. in English) and lives in NYC with her husband and 4 children.
Currently Look For: In her new role as agent, the goal is to identify the stars of tomorrow and help editorially and every which way to find them a publishing spot where they can shine. I am looking for cleverly plotted and well -told stories – domestic and psychological suspense, political and historical/international as well. Also bookclub fiction, romantic fiction and novel YA series and standalone. They’ve got to have a hook and a consistent voice that brings the reader immediate buy-in. Also in search of nonfiction in the areas of health, psychology and narrative, by authors with a platform.
Not Looking For: Biography, history, or academic books.
AGENT
John Willig, Literary Services, Inc.
www.LiteraryServicesInc.com
Bio: John Willig has worked in the publishing industry for 40 years. As an editor with top firms and agent, he has negotiated over 750 publishing agreements and represented many leading thought leaders. In 1991, he founded Literary Services Inc. (www.LiteraryServicesInc.com). John’s clients have authored numerous award-winning books in a wide variety of non-fiction categories.
Currently Looking For: Historical fiction, True Crime thrillers. A life-long avid reader (and collector) of crime/mystery books and thrillers, John has started to represent authors in this exciting genre…initially focusing on historical story lines and characters. He’s also very interested in works that introduce readers to undiscovered worlds and obscure cultures.
Not Looking For: Science or fantasy fiction. YA.
Clients: Diana Forbes, Mistress Suffragette; Chris Formant, Saving Washington; Dorothy Marcic, With One Shot.
AGENT
Terrie Wolf, AKA Literary Management
www.akalm.net
Bio: Terrie is CEO of AKA Literary LLC, a Colorado-based agency established in 2010. A full member of AAR (Association of Authors’ Representatives), she has sold rights in more than 40 countries and represents an exciting group of authors who are at all stages of the writing journey, and an eclectic and unforgettable list of commercial fiction and nonfiction. With a background that spans nearly 30 years in publishing, international media, and large-scale events, this Emmy award-winning former broadcast special projects producer is also an accomplished speaker and frequent conference attendee.
Currently Looking For: Crime fiction, especially capers, international mystery, amateur sleuth, psychological, domestic suspense and thrillers. Women’s fiction, Inspirational (not religion), and nonfiction including commercial, craft, health, how-to, narrative, and pop culture,
Not Looking For: N/A
Clients: Terrie’s clients include Margaret Mizushima, C.C. Harrison, Jeff Nesbit, Maria Shriver, Toni Brattin, Bill Coors, and Celine Jacobson, among others. Please visit AKALM.net for more information.
AGENT
Marian Young, The Young Agency
(no website)
Bio: A graduate of Swarthmore College, Marian Young has been working in publishing her entire career. Her first job, with a publishers’ advertising agency, led to a position with Harper & Row (now HarperCollins) as advertising director. Preferring to work directly with writers, she decided to become an agent and worked at two literary agencies before going out on her own in 1986. Over the years, she has had the privilege of working with a diverse group of writers in many fields: art, history, fiction, cookbooks, and general non-fiction.
Currently Looking For: If there is a theme to her preferences, it would follow the words of Oscar Wilde: “My tastes are simple. I am always satisfied with the best.”
Not Looking For: N/A
Clients: She represents Bret Lott, author of one of the highest-selling Oprah’s Book Club picks, JEWEL; the PEN/Bingham Award-winner WE’RE IN TROUBLE, by Christopher Coake; historian Maury Klein; and the mystery/psychological thriller writer Carolyn Haines. Two of her cookbooks, ALL ABOUT BRAISING, by Molly Stevens, and TASTY, by Roy Finamore, were awarded the prestigious Beard Award. She is inordinately proud of WHY DOES THE OTHER LINE ALWAYS MOVE FASTER?, an informative and highly entertaining book about queuing by David Andrews.
AGENT
Al Zuckerman, Writers House LLC
www.writershouse.com
Bio: Al Zuckerman founded Writers House LLC, a literary agency, in 1973. Over the decades, he’s been midwife to such books as, The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, Moneyball by Michael Lewis, The First Wives Club by Olivia Goldsmith, A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking, and many more. He’s also been the agent for such movies as: The Blind Side by Michael Lewis, Patch Adams by Hunter Patch Adams and many more. He’s enjoyed success in launching and relaunching writers of fiction and non-fiction. He recommends reading his book, Writing the Blockbuster Novel.
Currently Looking For: Al Zuckerman has a keen eye for exceptional stories of all varieties.
Not Looking For: N/A
Currents Authors Working With: Too many successes to count.
