Deidre Knight, Senior Agent and President

currently closed to submissions

I'm eagerly seeking diverse voices in every area, and would love to find more projects by queer authors of color. I have an affinity for all LGBTQ fiction and nonfiction, both YA and adult. Some recent examples of favorite queer reads on the YA side would include RED, WHITE AND ROYAL BLUE and AUTOBOYOGRAPHY. Some of my representative clients in this area include: TJ Klune, Rachel Reid, Annabeth Albert, Cat Sebastian, MA Grant, Jenn Burke, and Tibby Armstrong.

In fiction, I am hungry for voice-driven novels, as I love emotionally resonant novels like ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE or THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE. Always on the hunt for a wonderful YA romance in the vein of Stephanie Perkins or Jenny Han. I would love to find more authors like TJ Klune (THE EXTRAORDINARIES) and Emma Lord (TWEET CUTE).

READ MORE

Pamela Harty, Vice President of Sales/Agent

I’m looking for rom-com, cozy mysteries, and historical fiction. For non-fiction, I'd like health and wellness, advice and relationship, and true crime. 

Elaine Spencer, Vice President of Operations/Agent

I’m looking for historical fiction focused on lesser-known women who made big waves with lasting impacts in their relationships and circles. I also loved fictionalized accounts of very specific moments in history. Fiona Davis, Chanel Cleeton, and Ariel Lawhon are all wonderful examples of this type of storytelling. I would also love to find new diverse, millennial voices in romance, women’s fiction and cozy mysteries. And I’m always open to platform-driven nonfiction content in a wide range of categories across the lifestyle, wellness, and business space.

• I would love to see more historical women’s fiction exploring unique moments in history with a strong sense of place. Fiona Davis, Chanel Cleeton, and Ariel Lawhon are all wonderful examples of the type of story that will grab my attention.

• On the contemporary side of the women’s fiction spectrum I want stories that will speak to readers personally, characters who will get in your head and cause reason for personal reflection. I love contemporary Suburban Dramadies (think Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty or even the modern classic Little Children by Perrotta). I’m also always interested in sweeping family dramas that bridge over into the commercial space such as Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng or All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin. I loved The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin, Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg, and This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel.

• I love stories with strong southern themes. To me this means an overwhelming sense of another time (even if its in a contemporary novel); stories about a place steeped in ancient traditions and family expectations, unique cultural oddities and loveliness

READ MORE

Lucienne Diver, Agent

My list is incredibly full at the moment. Still, I can’t bring myself to stop reading anything with a unique premise, particularly involving concepts that are relevant to the sociopolitical challenges of today and particularly with diverse voices.

Most wanted for me: a novel that keeps me on the edge of my seat with characters I care about deeply. I enjoy fresh perspectives and surprising turns. I don’t want to feel as though I’ve heard it before or can anticipate where the novel is going before it even gets there.

Nephele Tempest, Agent

I’m currently seeking submissions in the following genres: women’s contemporary or historical fiction; contemporary or historical single-title romance; real-world or secondary-world fantasy; young adult contemporary, mystery, or historical fiction.

READ MORE

Melissa Jeglinski, Agent

• I would really love to find a project that captures my attention immediately.  For me, this means a strong opening chapter, wonderfully engaging characters, unexpected twists and turns, and a very satisfying ending.  No projects over 100k words, please.
• Contemporary Romance which is lighter in tone, has a sense of humor and a premise that is out of the box. Diverse characters welcome.
• Historical Fiction set in periods other than WWII.  Also looking for contemporary and historical intertwined timelines.  Prefer strong female protagonists.
• Cozy Mysteries with a unique premise but no paranormal edge.  Planned series a plus.
• Middle Grade fiction with a heartwarming message or just pure entertainment.  Fun and flawed realistic characters. Contemporary and historical settings but no paranormal or fantasy.

Travis Pennington, Media and Marketing Director, Associate Agent

Fiction

- Young adult and Middle Grade, particulary high concept with a great voice

- mystery and psychological thrillers

- Christian fiction in any genre, from thrillers in the vein of Joel C. Rosenberg or Tim LaHaye, to contemporary titles such as The Hideaway by Lauren K. Denton, to Historical Romance such as An Uncommon Woman by Laura Frantz

- Young Adult Christian Fiction such as There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones, The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson, or Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren

Nonfiction

- Inspirational Memoirs such as Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton, Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic, Grace, Gold, and Glory by Gabrielle Douglas, Shaken by Tim Tebow, and More Than My Scars by Kechi Okwuchi

- Apologetics Christian Theology

- General Christian non-fiction

READ MORE

Kristy Hunter, Agent

• I’m actively building my list and searching for projects that surprise me with their uniqueness. I often find that it’s the story I least expect that pulls me in and doesn’t let go. It all comes down to the voice and a strong hook!

• I’m always looking for OwnVoices projects and projects featuring a diverse cast of characters across all genres.

In adult fiction, Im looking for:

• High concept women’s fiction such as ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE by Gail Honeyman and THE HUSBAND’S SECRET by Liane Moriarty. As well, as stories that are literary but with commercial appeal such as LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE by Celeste Ng and LILY AND THE OCTOPUS by Steven Rowley. I especially love projects that capture the complicated nature of family.

• Rom-coms set in wonderful urban settings such as THE HATING GAME by Sally Thorne and CRAZY RICH ASIANS by Kevin Kwan

READ MORE

Janna Bonikowski, Associate Agent

I am currently looking for imaginative, high-concept stories across genres in young adult fiction. On the adult side, I am again looking for high-concept stories in women’s fiction, romance, cozy mysteries, psychological thrillers, and historical fiction.

I’m eager to find stories that can hook a reader with one sentence, especially if they are well-crafted, inclusive stories with tight pacing, authentic characters, and a fresh, distinctive voice. I love re-imaginings of classic stories with unique twists; joyful stories that leave me smiling; heart-wrenching, emotionally layered love stories; and stories that make me laugh out loud.

READ MORE

Jackie Williams, Associate Agent

Fiction

I'm interested in all types of science-fiction, fantasy, mystery, thriller, and suspense in YA and Adult.

Novels that span generations similar to Cixin Liu’s THREE-BODY PROBLEM, Justin Cronin’s THE PASSAGE, and Netflix’s Dark. Wildly imaginative magic systems like N.K. Jemisin's THE FIFTH SEASON and Samantha Shannon's THE BONE SEASON. Or, magical realism and surrealism books like THE MEXICAN GOTHIC and Haruki Murakami's work.

I also love novels with light-hearted magic such as THE EMPEROR's SOUL, the SHADOWSHAPER CYPHER series, and THE WAYWARD CHILDREN's series. Geeky books that inspire nostalgia like Stranger Things and READY PLAYER ONE. And, science-fiction and fantasy mixed with romance like DARK MATTER and THE NIGHT CIRCUS.

READ MORE