Who's Who: Wordsmith 2020 Agents

Welcome, writers! In order to have the most productive Wordsmith 2020 experience, you'll want to meet up with agents who rep your genre. Use this handy breakdown in order to easily find who may be the right fit for you. And remember, these are the genres agents have called out—it's very possible they're looking for more but just haven't specified. Always do your research to see if an agent sounds like a good fit.

Contemporary Fiction

• Sarah Bowlin, Aevitas, is focused on bold, diverse voices in fiction and is especially interested in stories of strong or difficult women and unexpected narratives of place, of identity, and of the shifting ways we see ourselves and each other.
• Zabé Ellor, Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, is especially looking for projects that contain elements of literary mystery/thriller and voice-driven projects that would make a fun beach.
• Stephanie Winter, P.S. Literary Agency, is looking for diverse and inclusive voices who make new worlds and perspectives come alive and particularly appreciates strong characters who bend stereotypes, genders, and more.
• Alexa Stark, Trident Media Group, is particularly drawn to stories about dysfunctional friendships and families, edgy coming-of-age tales, and fiction that delves into the surreal.
• James McGowan, BookEnds, loves books with accessible voice and lyrical writing.
• Kayla Lightner, Ayesha Pande Literary, is looking for stories that masterfully straddle the line between story-telling and teaching her something new and is particularly enamored with compelling family sagas.
• Samantha Fabien, Laura Dail Literary Agency, is looking for commercial and high-concept adult fiction.
• Kate Johnson, MacKenzie Wolf, represents upmarket / book club fiction and looks for authentic voices and books that uncover something off-kilter in the everyday or, conversely, something relatable in the extraordinary.
• Kat Kerr, Donald Maass Literary Agency, is looking for strong, character-driven works with rich, literary prose.
• Sharon Pelletier, Dystel, Goderich, & Bourret, is seeking hearty, unforgettable book club fiction.
• Mary C. Moore, Kimberly Cameron & Associates, is seeking page turners with strong narratives.
• Dani Segelbaum, New Leaf Literary, is looking for contemporary fiction.

Fantasy/Speculative

• Nicole Resciniti, Seymour Agency, a consummate science geek and card-carrying Mensa member, would love to find the next great science fiction/fantasy novel or action/adventure masterpiece.
• Saritza Hernandez, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, is looking for fantasy in both adult and young adult. 
• Zabé Ellor, Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, is looking for fantasy in both adult and young adult.
• Stephanie Winter, P.S. Literary Agency, is looking for diverse and inclusive voices who make new worlds and perspectives come alive and particularly appreciates strong characters who bend stereotypes, genders, and more.
• Kayla Lightner, Ayesha Pande Literary, is particularly enamored with speculative fiction that centers Black voices.
• Kat Kerr, Donald Maass Literary Agency, is looking for low epic fantasies and dark urban fantasies where the worldbuilding reflects a non-Europe based setting.

Graphic Novels

• Saritza Hernandez, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, is looking for GNs in adult, young adult, and middle grade fiction and nonfiction and is interested in works from both authors and author-illustrators.
• Zabé Ellor, Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, is looking for GNs for all age levels, author-illustrators strongly preferred.
• Stephanie Winter, P.S. Literary Agency, is looking for diverse and inclusive voices who make new worlds and perspectives come alive and particularly appreciates strong characters who bend stereotypes, genders, and more.
• Jennifer Chen Tran, Bradford Literary Agency, is looking for GNs in the MG and YA spaces, especially those aimed at reluctant readers.

Historical Fiction

• Christina Hogrebe, Jane Rotrosen Agency, is looking for historical fiction.
• Samantha Fabien, Laura Dail Literary Agency, is looking for non-western historical fiction, specifically stories set in 1600s–1800s or 1920s–1970s.
• Kat Kerr, Donald Maass Literary Agency, is looking for historical works featuring family sagas (think Amy Tan’s Joy Luck Club or Walter Dean Myers’ The Glory Field).
• Dani Segelbaum, New Leaf Literary, is looking for historical fiction.

Literary Fiction

• Sarah Bowlin, Aevitas, is focused on bold, diverse voices in fiction and is especially interested in stories of strong or difficult women and unexpected narratives of place, of identity, and of the shifting ways we see ourselves and each other.
• Alexa Stark, Trident Media Group, is particularly drawn to literary debuts with a unique voice and perspective.
• James McGowan, BookEnds, loves books with accessible voice and lyrical writing.
• Kayla Lightner, Ayesha Pande Literary, is looking for stories that masterfully straddle the line between story-telling and teaching her something new and is particularly enamored with compelling family sagas.
• Kate Johnson, MacKenzie Wolf, represents literary fiction and looks for authentic voices and books that uncover something off-kilter in the everyday or, conversely, something relatable in the extraordinary.
• Duvall Osteen, Aragi, represents a wide range of literary fiction, but her specific interests include writing rooted in place, especially the South; multigenerational storytelling; family drama; and literary suspense.
• Erik Hane, Headwater Literary Management, represents literary fiction.
• Mary C. Moore, Kimberly Cameron & Associates, is seeking page turners with strong narratives.

• Aemilia Phillips, SKLA, is particularly interested in writers who push conventional boundaries in order to address cultural, political, and social justice issues; diverse, smart writing with an impactful story to tell; darker, complex fictional characters who upend preconceptions; stories with just a touch of magic; and novels that allow her to step into someone else’s shoes.

Memoir

• Latoya Smith, LCS Literary, is looking for memoir.
• Stephanie Winter, P.S. Literary Agency, is looking for diverse and inclusive voices who make new worlds and perspectives come alive and particularly appreciates strong characters who bend stereotypes, genders, and more.
• Jennifer Chen Tran, Bradford Literary Agency, is looking for select memoir with an established platform.
• Kat Kerr, Donald Maass Literary Agency, is looking for select memoir.
• Dani Segelbaum, New Leaf Literary, is looking for memoir.

Middle Grade

• Nicole Resciniti, Seymour Agency, is looking for high-concept middle grade.
• Saritza Hernandez, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, is looking for contemporary/realistic fiction, romance, science fiction, fantasy, mystery and horror as well as nonfiction cooking books, humor, queer narratives, and queer history.
• Zabé Ellor, Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, wants books that weave voice, whimsy, and heart together; all things speculative, from wild new worlds to small hints of magic; and stories grounded in the contemporary world, preferring humorous tones to the very serious.
• Jennifer Chen Tran, Bradford Literary Agency, is looking for select, distinct voices in MG and nonfiction about pop-science, famous historical figures, creativity, and cooking.
• James McGowan, BookEnds, would love to find some laugh-out-loud contemporary stories with a layer of heart and spooky horror novels.
• Samantha Fabien, Laura Dail Literary Agency, is looking for contemporary MG, especially re-imaginings of classic tales.
• Mary C. Moore, Kimberly Cameron & Associates, is seeking sweet, humorous middle grade.

Mystery/Thriller/Horror

• Nicole Resciniti, Seymour Agency, is looking for mainstream suspense, thrillers, and mysteries.
• Saritza Hernandez, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, is looking for horror in both adult and young adult. 
• Latoya Smith, LCS Literary, is looking for high-concept mystery, thriller, and horror.
• Stephanie Winter, P.S. Literary Agency, is looking for diverse and inclusive voices who make new worlds and perspectives come alive and particularly appreciates strong characters who bend stereotypes, genders, and more.
• Alexa Stark, Trident Media Group, is particularly drawn to character-driven suspense and thrillers.
• Christina Hogrebe, Jane Rotrosen Agency, is looking for domestic mysteries and suspense.
• James McGowan, BookEnds, loves mystery, thrillers, and suspense with tangled webs of secrets that unravel until the very last page and all things dark and creepy.
• Samantha Fabien, Laura Dail Literary Agency, is looking for psychological thrillers.
• Sharon Pelletier, Dystel, Goderich, & Bourret, is seeking unexpected suspense.

Nonfiction

• Saritza Hernandez, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, is looking for narrative nonfiction in the realm of cooking books (not cookbooks), parenting, and humor.
• Latoya Smith, LCS Literary, is looking for platform- and market-driven nonfiction in the following areas: how-to/advice, relationships, health/wellness, politics/current events/history, sports, pop-culture, and business.
• Sarah Bowlin, Aevitas, is focused on bold, diverse voices in nonfiction and is especially interested in stories of strong or difficult women; unexpected narratives of place, of identity, and of the shifting ways we see ourselves and each other; and food history, wine, and dance.
• Aemilia Phillips, SKLA, is looking for narrative nonfiction and journalism and is particularly interested in driven, obsessed writers and topics that challenge the way we think about the world, with a particular interest in Latin American and feminist voices.
• Zabé Ellor, Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, is looking for for books about science and history that teach and entertain in equal measure.
• Stephanie Winter, P.S. Literary Agency, is looking for diverse and inclusive voices who make new worlds and perspectives come alive and particularly appreciates strong characters who bend stereotypes, genders, and more.
• Jennifer Chen Tran, Bradford Literary Agency, is looking for narrative nonfiction (biography, current affairs, medical, investigative journalism, history, how-to, music, pop-culture, and travel), cookbooks and culinary projects, lifestyle (home, design, beauty, and fashion), business books (social entrepreneurship, female and/or minority-led businesses, and innovation), parenting, relationships and psychology, and mind/body/spirit. 
• Alexa Stark, Trident Media Group, is particularly drawn to narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, voice-driven essay collections, popular science, psychology, and women’s issues.
• Kayla Lightner, Ayesha Pande Literary, is looking for nonfiction that masterfully straddles the line between story-telling and teaching her something new and is particularly enamored with humorous essay collections.
• Kate Johnson, MacKenzie Wolf, represents a range of narrative nonfiction, with interest in food, running, feminism, obsessives, unconventional families, social history, art, travel and international stories, mental health, medicine, and the environment.
• Henry Thayer, Brandt & Hochman, represents nonfiction that inclines toward the literary in areas including, but not limited to, American history, popular music, and sports.
• Duvall Osteen, Aragi, represents a wide range of narrative nonfiction, but her specific interests include writing rooted in place, especially the South; multigenerational storytelling; and family drama.
• Erik Hane, Headwater Literary Management, represents political writing; culture criticism; history, especially American; popular science; and literary nonfiction and essays.
• Kat Kerr, Donald Maass Literary Agency, is looking for narrative and journalistic nonfiction tackling current affairs and social justice issues, particularly covering topics of racism, immigration, LGBTQIA+ rights, gender equality, and poverty.
• Sharon Pelletier, Dystel, Goderich, & Bourret, is is eager for compelling, fierce narrative nonfiction by journalists and experts and emerging voices with a growing platform who can speak to pop culture, feminism, sports, social justice, and/or religion.
• Dani Segelbaum, New Leaf Literary, is looking for narrative nonfiction, popular culture, lifestyle, and cookbooks.

Picture Books

• James McGowan, BookEnds, is actively looking for both fiction and nonfiction picture books of any style.

Romance

• Nicole Resciniti, Seymour Agency, says "HEA’s [Happily Ever Afters] are a must for romance."
• Saritza Hernandez, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, is looking for romance in both adult and young adult. 
• Latoya Smith, LCS Literary, is looking for contemporary, romantic suspense, cowboys, historical, LGBTQ, paranormal, rom-coms, and sweet romance.
• Stephanie Winter, P.S. Literary Agency, is looking for diverse and inclusive voices who make new worlds and perspectives come alive and particularly appreciates strong characters who bend stereotypes, genders, and more.
• Christina Hogrebe, Jane Rotrosen Agency, is looking for romantic comedies.
• Samantha Fabien, Laura Dail Literary Agency, is looking for fresh, unique rom-coms.
• Kat Kerr, Donald Maass Literary Agency, is looking for quirky and fun rom-coms.

Science Fiction

• Nicole Resciniti, Seymour Agency, a consummate science geek and card-carrying Mensa member, would love to find the next great science fiction/fantasy novel or action/adventure masterpiece.
• Saritza Hernandez, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, is looking for science fiction in both adult and young adult. 
• Zabé Ellor, Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, is looking for science fiction in both adult and young adult.
• Kat Kerr, Donald Maass Literary Agency, is looking for science fiction, specifically space operas or something dark and twisty similar to an episode of Black Mirror.

Women's Fiction

• Latoya Smith, LCS Literary, is looking for high-concept women’s fiction.
• Sarah Bowlin, Aevitas, is focused on bold, diverse voices in fiction and is especially interested in stories of strong or difficult women and unexpected narratives of place, of identity, and of the shifting ways we see ourselves and each other.
• Stephanie Winter, P.S. Literary Agency, is looking for diverse and inclusive voices who make new worlds and perspectives come alive and particularly appreciates strong characters who bend stereotypes, genders, and more.
• Jennifer Chen Tran, Bradford Literary Agency, is looking for contemporary, upmarket, and literary women's fiction.
• Christina Hogrebe, Jane Rotrosen Agency, is looking for women's fiction.
• Kat Kerr, Donald Maass Literary Agency, is looking for quirky, fun stories and strong, character-driven works with rich, literary prose.
• Sharon Pelletier, Dystel, Goderich, & Bourret, is seeking smart, complex women’s fiction.
• Dani Segelbaum, New Leaf Literary, is looking for women's fiction.

Young Adult

• Nicole Resciniti, Seymour Agency, is looking for really fresh voices in YA.
• Saritza Hernandez, Andrea Brown Literary Agency, is looking for contemporary/realistic fiction, romance, science fiction, fantasy, mystery and horror as well as nonfiction cooking books, humor, queer narratives, and queer history.
• Latoya Smith, LCS Literary, is looking for young adult fiction.
• Zabé Ellor, Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, is looking for all genres of YA, particularly swoonworthy romances, electrifying thrillers and mysteries, heartbreaking contemporaries, and SFF that sweeps him off to a new world.
• Stephanie Winter, P.S. Literary Agency, is looking for diverse and inclusive voices who make new worlds and perspectives come alive and particularly appreciates strong characters who bend stereotypes, genders, and more.
• Jennifer Chen Tran, Bradford Literary Agency, is looking for select, distinct voices in YA and nonfiction about pop-science, famous historical figures, creativity, and cooking.
• Samantha Fabien, Laura Dail Literary Agency, is looking for contemporary YA, especially re-imaginings of classic tales, and grounded YA fantasy with rich characters and world building.
• Kate Johnson, MacKenzie Wolf, handles contemporary, realistic YA on occasion.
• Kat Kerr, Donald Maass Literary Agency, is looking for YA contemporary that isn’t afraid to tackle the hard topics.
• Mary C. Moore, Kimberly Cameron & Associates, is seeking page turners with strong narratives.