Pamela Ahearn, The Ahearn Agency
Born in Cincinnati and raised on Long Island, Pamela Ahearn holds an MA from University of Chicago in Comparative Literature, and an AB from Brown University in Comp. Lit/German. She worked at Bantam Books, Dell Books and Richard Curtis Agency before moving to New Orleans, where she was with Southern Writers Agency for eight years. In l992, she founded The Ahearn Agency, Inc., which currently represents between 30-35 authors working in romance and suspense. She has represented several New York Times, USA-Today and Walden’s Bestselling authors as well as RITA, Anthony and Agatha Award winners/nominees, including Steve Berry, Grant Blackwood, S.W. Hubbard, Wendy Lindstrom, Sabrina Jeffries, Meagan McKinney, Laura Joh Rowland, Carlene Thompson and Allan Topol. She is the author of one historical romance, and lives with her husband Barry and son Thomas in New Orleans.
Donna Bagdasarian, Publication Riot Group, Inc.Donna Bagdasarian is a native New Englander who grew up in the suburbs of Boston. After graduating cum laude from Boston University she pursued her Master’s degree in Literature and Philosophy, while editing the prestigious philological journal, Arion. Tired of the Ivory Tower, she left academia to join Addison Wesley Longman as a mathematics textbook acquisitions editor. Wanting to get back to working with books that she was passionate about, Donna moved to New York City in 1998 and joined the legendary William Morris Mailroom as an Agent Trainee. Quickly climbing out of the mailroom, she worked as the assistant to the notable literary agent Mel Berger for two years before she herself was promoted, all in record time. Experienced selling high-profile fiction and nonfiction as an agent, Donna joined Vigliano Associates in 2002, bringing her academic, editing and agenting skills together with her passion to represent and sell incredible authors and books. Having joined Maria Carvainis Agency in the fall of 2004, Donna brought not just her client list but her experience in managing a boutique agency to compliment the agency’s notable stable of best-selling authors. Currently, she is the President and founder of Publication Riot Group, Inc., where she can apply her many years of agency experience in the management of her own boutique management company. Donna is particularly interested in almost all fiction: literary, women’s, historical, mainstream, ethnic, with the exceptions of sci-fi and fantasy. Her interests in non-fiction range from pop-culture to academic, sociological, scientific, political and memoir.
Andrea Barzvi, International Creative Management
Andrea Barzvi is a literary agent with International Creative Management. Born and raised a New Yorker, except for her four years at Colgate University and two years in Los Angeles, she has lived in NY her whole life. After graduating college, she went onto study law at Cardozo University where her passion for the entertainment industry began to deepen. When forced with a game-time decision to choose between pursuing a career as a criminal defense attorney or becoming an agent, she smartly chose the latter. Andrea works with authors who look to make a difference in people’s lives, representing commercial non-fiction in the self-help, women’s issues and memoir (both celebrity and non-celebrity) space. The first book Andrea sold when she was an assistant was He’s Just Not That Into You. She continues to search for those gems that become category changers.Jenny Bent, The Bent Agency
Jenny Bent has worked in publishing for over 15 years, most recently as VP at Trident Media before founding The Bent Agency in 2009. There she has continued her tradition of representing bestsellers, with over 15 titles on the NYT list since she opened her doors. She is looking for young adult, literary suspense, crime, romantic suspense, and general fiction. Jenny Bent has worked in publishing for over 15 years, both as an editor and an agent, most recently as Vice President at Trident Media Group before founding The Bent Agency in 2009. There she has continued her tradition of representing bestsellers, with over 15 titles on the NYT list since she opened her doors. The agency recently expanded to include an in-house foreign rights agent and a children’s book agent, Susan Hawk, formerly the Marketing Director at Henry Holt Children’s Books. She is looking for young adult, literary suspense, crime, romantic suspense, and general fiction.
Michelle Brower, Folio Literary ManagementMichelle Brower began her career in publishing in 2004 while studying for her Master’s degree in English Literature at New York University, and has been hooked ever since. During that time, she assisted the agents Wendy Sherman and Joelle Delbourgo, and found herself in love with the process of discovering new writers and helping existing writers further their careers. After graduating, she became an agent with Wendy Sherman Associates, and there began representing books in many different areas of fiction and non-fiction. In 2009, she joined Folio Literary Management, where she is looking for literary fiction, thrillers, high-quality commercial fiction that transcends genre, and narrative non-fiction. She enjoys digging into a manuscript and working with authors to make their project as saleable as it can be, and her list includes the authors S.G. Browne, Julia Wertz, Todd Ritter, and Michele Young-Stone among many others.
Moses Cardona, John Hawkins & Associates, Inc.
Lucy Carson, The Friedrich Agency Lucy Carson worked in the editorial department of Bloomsbury UK and later in the production department of The Weinstein Company in Los Angeles before she joined The Friedrich Agency in early 2008, where she is now an Associate Agent. During her three years at The Friedrich Agency, Lucy has worked with such authors as Sue Grafton, the late Frank McCourt, Lisa Scottoline, Joseph Finder, Terry McMillan, Elizabeth Strout and Jane Smiley. She is actively building a list of both adult and young adult fiction as well as narrative non-fiction for the trade audience. The Friedrich Agency was formed in 2007 by Molly Friedrich and Paul Cirone, both of whom has previously worked for the Aaron Priest Literary Agency. The Friedrich Agency’s list has a small list of beloved writers, with five Pulitzer Prize winners among them. The agency is based in New York City, and for further information, one can visit their webpage at www.friedrichagency.com.
Deborah Carter, Muse Literary Management
Lindsey Clemons, Larson Pomada Literary AgencyLindsey Clemons joined Larsen Pomada Literary Agents in 2009 as an intern for both the agency and the San Francisco Writers Conference working directly for agency co-founder Elizabeth Pomada. Now, fulfilling her dream of working in the literary world, she is the agency’s newest Associate Agent. Lindsey graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a BA in Film and Electronic Arts and a minor in Creative Writing. Although she has since put down her pen, she is certain that she will resume writing short stories someday. Combining her love for traveling and learning, Lindsey has studied literature and the arts in Florence, Dublin, and New York at Columbia University. As an associate agent, Lindsey is actively looking for captivating thrillers, mysteries of all sorts and literary fiction. She is an advocate for strong, well-developed characters and fresh, distinct voices.
Bill Contardi, Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents, Inc. (No agency website)For ten years, Bill Contardi worked as an editor for NAL, Berkeley, Popular Library and Avon Books. He was director of literary affairs at United Artists and then vice president, literary affairs, at Warner Bros., both in their New York offices, charged with bringing in books for the studios to develop for feature film. For eleven years, Bill was a dramatic rights agent for books to film and television at William Morris in New York. Since 2002 he has been a literary agent with Brandt & Hochman, representing authors and selling their work to publishers. In addition to building a list of new writers at Brandt & Hochman, Bill also continues to represent the dramatic rights of literary properties for some Brandt & Hochman clients and for a few other agencies as well. “I am looking for fresh, smart voices, in control of the story which have some resonance to today,” Bill says. “Stories that hit the ground running with drama and fully developed characters. Writers with a point of view, something to say which will appeal to an audience that enjoys wit and intelligence.”
Marisa Corvisiero, L. Perkins AgencyMarisa Corvisiero is an author and an attorney as well as an agent. She is the founder of The Corvisiero Law Practice, P.C., a boutique law firm in midtown New York City, where she practices Entertainment Law and Corporate Law among other areas. Marisa is currently being featured by the National Association of Professional Women for her successes; and has recently been featured by Writers Digest Guide to Literary Agents and in Lori Perkins’ blog as a new agent. In the last few years, Marisa has merged her passions in writing and in the law into her entertainment law practice, and she is now representing several authors. In her recent ventures within the publishing industry, Marisa recently joined forces with the L Perkins Literary Agency, and is now building her client list. Marisa has a Facebook page and a LinkedIn network. Her blog is called Thoughts from a Literary Agent. The website for her law firm is www.corvisierolaw.com. Marisa is seeking: Non-fiction- guides and tales about the legal practice, parenting, self-help, and mainstream science (no text books please). Fiction, cross genre romance, science fiction, fantasy and urban fantasy, horror, thriller/adventure, suspense, literary, quality chick lit, YA and children’s books. Send your query and first two chapters (or full book for children’s books – illustrations are not necessary) to Marisa at marisa@lperkinsagency.com.
Nicholas Croce, The Croce Agency, LLC
Nicholas Croce is a literary agent and President of the Croce Agency, and represents a wide range of commercial fiction in the areas of mystery, thriller, suspense, historical, sci-fi and literary. Nicholas has worked at John Wiley & Sons, Rosen Publishing and Croce Publishing. His eponymous press was named by “Writers Digest” as one of the top markets for book writers. Wishing to work more closely with authors, however, he shuttered the company in 2007 to found the Croce Agency. Since then, his authors have appeared on several bestseller lists, including the London “Times” and the top 100 best-selling books on Amazon and BarnesAndNoble.com. Nicholas is a Member-at-Large of the Authors Guild. He has degrees in Creative Writing and Journalism from the University of New Mexico and a Certification in Book Publishing from the New York University Center for Publishing. He is the author of three young adult educational books. He has also appeared in the literary journal “Conceptions Southwest,” the “Bergen News,” mediabistro, eBookNewser and the “New York Times.” He was recently described by GalleyCat as “a young agent who has his finger on the pulse of e-books, social media and other changes happening in the publishing industry.” 
Brian DeFiore, DeFiore and CompanyBrian DeFiore is President of DeFiore and Co, a midsized NYC literary agency with a staff of ten agents and an impressive client list of fiction and non-fiction authors for adults and young adults. Some notable titles of the agency include: THE EVOLUTION OF BRUNO LITTLEMORE by Benjamin Hale; IF YOU WERE HERE by Jen Lancaster; THE PACK by Jason Starr; MARLEY AND ME by John Grogan; POSTSECRET by Frank Warren; THE 21-DAY WEIGHT LOSS KICKSTART by Dr. Neal Barnard; L.A. CANDY by Lauren Conrad, THE MONSTRUMOLOGIST by Rick Yancey; WHEN PARENTS TEXT by Lauren Kaelin and Sophia Fraioli; and WINE TO WATER by Doc Hendley. Prior to starting his agency, he held several senior editorial jobs in publishing, including Publisher of Villard Books at Random House, and Editor-in-Chief at both Hyperion and Delacorte Press. As an editor, he worked with several notable thriller writers in the course of his career, including Ridley Pearson, T. Jefferson Parker, James Lee Burke, John Lescroart and Daniel Silva. He is always looking for writers with a distinctive voice and responds most favorably to big plot-driven stories (whether fiction or non-fiction), people who are innovators in their field, or the rare truly original book concept. He is on the Board of Directors of the Association of Authors Representatives.
Stephanie DeVita first joined Dystel & Goderich as an intern during her third year at New York University, and she continued interning with DGLM through her senior year. Upon graduating from NYU with a degree in English and American Literature, she was given the opportunity to join the team full-time and begin building her career in publishing. Stephanie was raised in New Rochelle, New York, and she is interested in all subjects, including (but not limited to) memoir, young adult, romance, and practical and narrative nonfiction.
Ethan Ellenberg, Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency
Ethan Ellenberg opened his literary agency in late, 1984 after holding jobs at both Bantam and Berkley/Jove. At Berkley/Jove he was manager of the Contracts Department. At Bantam he was Associate Contracts Manager. Ethan is interested in all kinds of commercial fiction, including thrillers, mysteries, children’s, romance, women’s fiction, ethnic, science fiction, fantasy and general fiction. He also wants literary fiction as long as it has a strong narrative. He is very active in Romance publishing with a number of New York Times Bestselling authors represented. He also does some non-fiction and has a strong children’s list including the Caldecott winner Eric Rohmann. He is an acknowledged expert on the practical aspects of publishing including the publishing agreement and royalty accounting, and a long time industry observer and author advocate. His opinion and educational pieces have appeared in the newsletter of Novelists, Inc., the Romance Writer’s Report, and a number of F&W guides to publishing.Paul Fedorko, N.S. Bienstock
Having built his career on both the publishing and literary agency sides of the book business, Paul brings expertise working directly with established authors, new writers and personalities on both fiction and non-fiction projects. Prior to joining N.S. Bienstock, Paul had been a literary agent at Trident Media Group for more than five years, ran The Paul Fedorko Agency and spent more than 20 years as a publishing and marketing executive at Bantam Doubleday Dell, Simon & Schuster and William Morrow working with many brand name as well as first-time authors. His interests vary from commercial fiction (particularly thrillers and mysteries) to narrative non-fiction. He believes that having worked on both sides of the book business, he can help authors develop their projects and partner them with the right editor and publisher.
Beth Fleisher, Clear Sailing CreativesBeth Fleisher / Clear Sailing Creatives is looking for books with a strong voice and setting. I want to know that a book couldn’t be set anywhere but where it is, whether it’s a city or a house on a dark and stormy night. I would love to find a thriller — whether action based or psychological — for the YA market, and even middle grade. Historical is another interest.
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David Forrer, Inkwell Management
David Forrer joined Kimberly Witherspoon in 1999, working with many bestselling international authors including Rebecca Wells and Anthony Bourdain, and focusing particularly on co-agented authors based in the UK and Australia. He began his career in publishing as an assistant with the Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency. Born in Chicago, David graduated from the University of Illinois with a BA in English and a BS in Marketing, and received his Masters in Creative Writing (Fiction) from Boston University in 1996. His areas of interest include literary & commercial fiction (particularly women’s fiction and suspense) and edgy, humorous non-fiction.Diana Fox, Fox Literary
Diana Fox is the owner of Fox Literary LLC, a boutique literary agency specializing in commercial fiction along with select works of literary fiction and non-fiction with broad commercial appeal. Before founding her own agency in 2007, Diana spent several years learning the business of publishing at Writers House. Since then, Fox Literary has represented a steadily growing client list, including the agency’s first New York Times and USA Today bestselling titles. Fox Literary is currently seeking submissions in the following genres: romance, young adult, science fiction/fantasy, women’s fiction, historical fiction, thrillers, noir/crime fiction, and graphic novels. On the nonfiction side, memoirs, biography, and smart narrative nonfiction are all welcome. The agency does NOT represent screenplays, poetry, category Westerns, non-literary horror, Christian/inspirational, or children’s picture books.
Joshua Getzler, Hannigan Salky Getzler Agency
Joshua Getzler is a literary agent with Hannigan Salky Getzler Agency. He represents fiction and nonfiction (mostly fiction, more than half of which is crime-related (mystery, thriller, creepy…)), adult and YA/middle-grade (though not picture books). I am particularly into foreign and historical thrillers and mysteries, so send me your ruthless doges and impious cardinals…and your farmhouse cozies! Give me atmosphere, let me learn something about another time or another place (or both), and kill off nasty Uncle Mortimer in the process–I’ll be yours! I take middle grade and YA mystery or adventure series, but not so much fantasy, and definitely not picture books. (There are many others who specialize in these books.) And please don’t send religious fiction–I don’t have contacts in the Christian book market.
Alex Glass, Trident Media Group, LLCAlex Glass has worked in the marketing department of the Putnam Berkley Publishing Group and in the literature program of the National Endowment for the Arts. He has been at Trident Media Group since 2001. Alex’s clients include: New York Times bestselling novelist and memoirist Da Chen, author of Colors of the Mountain and Brothers; young adult novelist Colleen Houck, whose first book Tiger’s Curse debuted last month at #6 on the New York Times list; international bestselling author Matt Bondurant, whose second novel The Wettest County in the World is currently being made into a major motion picture starring Shia Le Boeuf and Guy Pearce, in theaters this fall; national bestselling author Chad Kultgen, author of the cult hit The Average American Male, whose third novel, the controversial Men Women & Children, will be out this summer; Edgar-award winner Katherine Marsh (The Night Tourist) and crime novelists Dennis Tafoya (The Wolves of Fairmount Park) and Brian Wiprud (Feelers). Alex represents a diverse list of fiction and nonfiction for both adults and children, concentrating on literary fiction, crime fiction, YA novels, pop culture, humor, and narrative nonfiction.
Evan Gregory, Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency
Evan Gregory began at the agency in 2008 as an Assistant. He currently manages subsidiary rights for the agency in addition to his duties as an agent and general office manager. He is actively seeking new clients in the following areas: literary fiction, horror, mystery, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy and women’s literature.
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Jill Grosjean, Jill Grosjean Literary AgencyJill Grosjean has been a literary agent for the past fourteen years, the last eleven as the head of her own agency. Prior to becoming an agent, Jill managed an influential independent bookstore for many years. She also worked at one of the top New York advertising agencies and in publishing. Jill’s interests are in literary fiction, thriller, mystery, suspense and women’s fiction, both historical and contemporary.
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Bob Gussin, Oceanview Publishing
A native of Pittsburgh, Robert Gussin retired from Johnson & Johnson as Corporate VP of Science & Technology and Chief Scientific Officer in 2000. Gussin received both his Bachelors of Science in Pharmacy and Masters of Science in Pharmacology from Duquesne University. He received a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan, and holds an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Duquesne University. Gussin has authored a number of scientific publications and has contributed several chapters to academic textbooks. He serves on a number of commercial and non-profit boards and advisory committees, including the NASA Aerospace Medicine and Occupational Health Advisory Committee, Duquesne University Board of Directors, as well as the Board of Directors of Catholic Health Services of Long Island, and the Board of Directors of Christus Health. Gussin is a sought-after speaker and presents at a variety of conferences, symposia and association meetings. He also volunteers with the East End Hospice in Westhampton, New York, and the Senior Friendship Center Clinic in Sarasota, Florida. Gussin and his wife, Dr. Patricia Gussin divide their time between Longboat Key, Florida, East Hampton, New York, and their vineyard in Marlborough, New Zealand. Two of Gussin’s passions – science and sports – collide in his first novel, Trash Talk. For more information about Robert Gussin, and Trash Talk, please visit www.bobgussin.com
Christina Hogrebe, Jane Rotrosen AgencyA native of Northeastern Pennsylvania, agent Christina Hogrebe grew up on a steady diet of Anne of Green Gables, Harlequin romances, and cozy mysteries, for which she was nearly laughed out of the English department at Franklin & Marshall College and the University of Denver Publishing Institute, who graduated her anyway. Inspired by her favorite chick lit heroines, she left the wilds of PA in search of dirty martinis and adventure, landing on the doorstep of Jane Rotrosen Agency, who, sensing a kindred spirit, hired her as one of publishing’s many over-eager assistants in 2003. Christina annoyed mentor Meg Ruley with reader’s reports until they promoted her to agent soon thereafter. She is pleased to represents bestsellers and winners of the Agatha, Macavity, and Rita awards, but nothing thrills her more than discovering a fresh voice for the adult or teen marketplace.
Weronika Janczuk, Lynn C. Franklin Associates, Ltd.
Weronika Janczuk is a literary agent with Lynn Franklin Associates; she has also worked for Brian Farrey at Flux, a YA imprint in Minnesota; Jenny Bent at The Bent Agency; Bob Diforio at D4EO Literary Agency, and other agents. Interested in all crime fiction, she’s particularly passionate about high-stakes espionage thrillers; anything with an environmental, archaeological, otherwise “academic” (i.e., mathematical), or cultural element; books with a more literary edge (a la Gillian Flynn or Laura Lippman); as well as stories about normal people undergoing journeys of awesome proportions. She likely isn’t the best agent for business and/or financial thrillers.
Miriam Kriss, Irene Goodman Literary AgencyMiriam joined the agency just as she was finishing her master’s degree in fine arts at New York University in 2004. Sales to major publishers include several six-figure deals for first-time authors, and her client list continues to grow. Her first solo sale, also from a first-time author, hit several bestseller lists in its first week out. She has since had numerous clients appear on the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists. Her interests span all commercial fiction genres, including mysteries and thrillers, especially those with a paranormal bent..
Stephanie Lehmann, Diversion Books
Stephanie Lehmann is editor-at-large for ePublisher Diversion Books. For the past ten years she’s been an associate agent at the Elaine Koster Literary Agency, where she’s worked with mystery and thriller writers such as Lisa Black, Julie Kramer and Allison Leotta. She has a leaning towards smart female protagonists with a sense of humor.
Alex Logan, Random House
Alex Logan was a Borders buyer before relocating to NYC to work at Random House. After joining Hachette, she worked on illustrated books for Bulfinch Press and now edits commercial fiction at Grand Central Publishing. Recent books she has edited include the NYT bestseller The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis, the women’s fiction novel The Proper Care and Maintenance of Friendship by Lisa Verge Higgins, and the upcoming mystery Paris to Die For by Maxine Kenneth. But her most avid interest is in thrillers because that’s what she reads for pleasure. She would be particularly interested to see heart-pounding stories featuring a female protagonist or historical setting.
Sandy Lu, L. Perkins Agency
Sandy Lu is an associate agent at the L. Perkins Agency. 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/operations manager in the theater industry. She is fluent in spoken and written Mandarin Chinese. Sandy’s areas of study and work experience greatly inform her areas of interest in submissions. Most of all, she is looking for submissions that draw her in with a unique voice and a good yarn that will make her miss her subway stop and keep her up at night. In fiction, she is seeking submissions in the following areas: dark literary and commercial fiction, mystery, thriller, psychological horror, urban fantasy, and historical fiction. In non-fiction, she is seeking submissions in the following areas: narrative non-fiction, history, biography, science, psychology, pop culture, and food writing. In particular, she is looking for historical thrillers or mysteries set in Victorian times, and she has recently fallen in love with steampunk. She is also actively searching for espionage fiction and non-fiction set in China between the two World Wars.
Donald Maass, Donald Maass Literary AgencyDonald Maass founded the Donald Maass Literary Agency in New York in 1980. He represents more than 100 fiction writers and sells more than 100 novels per year to top publishers in America and overseas. Recently he has obtained six- and seven-figure advances from publishers such as Warner, Ballantine, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Harcourt Brace, Penguin Canada and others for authors like mystery writer Anne Perry, thriller writer Gregg Keizer, historical novelist Jack Whyte and science fiction writers Diane Duane and Todd McCaffrey. He is himself the author of fourteen pseudonymous novels and of the books The Career Novelist (Heineman, 1996), Writing the Breakout Novel (Writers Digest Press, 2001) and the forthcoming Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook (Writers Digest Press, 2004). He is a past president of the Association of Authors’ Representatives, Inc. (AAR).
Bob Mecoy, Bob Mecoy Literary Agency
Bob Mecoy is the owner of Bob Mecoy Literary Agency. Prior to becoming an agent, he spent 20 years as editor for Crown, Simon & Schuster, Avon / Morrow, NAL / Dutton and Dell / Delacorte. Bob represents a wide range of commercial fiction including romance, literary fiction, history, science, mystery, thrillers / suspense, military / espionage and graphic novels.
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Daniel Mandel, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates, Inc.Dan Mandel represents authors known for their innovative fiction or for their unique perspective on current events. He is looking for both literary and commercial fiction, as well as memoirs and non-fiction about business, art, history, politics, sports, and popular culture. His clients write for The Economist, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, Harper’s, The New York Times Magazine, Esquire, the Financial Times, and the Wall Street Journal, among others, and the books he has represented have been New York Times Bestsellers, selected for the Barnes and Noble Discover Program, long-listed for the Orange Prize, and short-listed for the Man Booker. He attended the Jerusalem Book Fair as an Agent Fellow in 2005 and is a member of the Association of Authors’ Representatives. A graduate of Cornell University, he interned at The New Yorker and attended the Radcliffe Publishing Course before joining Sanford J. Greenburger Associates, Inc. in 1994.
James McGinniss, McGinniss Associates Literary Agency
James was born into the publishing industry and comes from a family of publishing greats (son of bestselling author Joe McGinniss and esteemed editor Nancy Doherty, and brother to acclaimed novelist Joe McGinniss, Jr). During his tenure at Vigliano Associates, James worked closely with the agents there on a number of high level projects. Sensing a strong shift in the publishing industry, James made the timely move of founding this agency in order to help his clients flourish in the new market.
Peter Miller, PMA Literary & Film ManagementPeter Miller has been a literary and film manager for more than 30 years. He has represented more than 1,000 books, including eleven New York Times bestsellers. In addition, his company has had fourteen movies produced that he either managed, developed or executive produced and currently has some twenty film and television projects in development. Based in New York, Peter Miller, President of PMA, has established contacts nationally and internationally with publishers, writers, writers’ groups and the media. PMA also employs foreign agents throughout the world, and PMA sells books directly in foreign markets. Many of PMA’s clients have been global bestsellers and PMA actively pursues global sales for all its clients on a daily basis. PMA’s sister corporation, Millennium Lion, Inc., is also headed by Peter Miller. Millennium Lion, Inc. is a production entity that coordinates the submission of all potential film properties to television networks, studios and film production companies. This company actively seeks production arrangements for projects to be produced in partnership or in association with Peter Miller, who functions primarily as an executive producer. Peter Miller also recently opened a Miami-based literary and film management company, Global Lion Intellectual Property Management, Inc.
Scott Miller, Trident Media Group, LLC
Scott Miller is an Executive Vice President and literary agent at Trident Media Group. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, the Temple University School of Law, and is a member of the New York State Bar. Since beginning his publishing career in the mailroom of the William Morris Agency as an agent trainee, Scott has worked with a wide array of diverse authors including Tom Clancy, Bill Cosby, Janet Evanovich, and Dean Koontz. After working as an assistant for Robert Gottlieb, Scott became a literary agent. Some of his best selling projects and authors include: A DOG’S PURPOSE by W. Bruce Cameron, THE LITTLE BOOK by Selden Edwards, KILL BIN LADEN by Dalton Fury, THE LOST THRONE by Chris Kuzneski, CESAR’S WAY by Cesar Millan (“the Dog Whisperer”) and Melissa Jo Peltier, and THE TWELFTH IMAM by Joel C. Rosenberg. Clients who have attended ThrillerFest include Robert Gregory Browne, Robert Ellis, JT Ellison, Mark Greaney, Jeremy Robinson, Marcus Sakey, Stephen Jay Schwartz, and Alexandra Sokoloff. His interests are diverse and include commercial fiction (thrillers, crime and mysteries), commercial nonfiction (narrative nonfiction, memoir, current events, military), literary fiction, and books dealing with pop culture (music, film, etc.).
Nick Mullendore, Loretta Barrett Books, Inc.Nick Mullendore joined Loretta Barrett Books, Inc. in April 1998 and is the Vice President and Director of Foreign Rights for the agency. He began his publishing career in publicity at HarperBusiness, the trade business books imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, after graduating from the University of Missouri—Columbia with a B.A. in Creative Writing in 1996. At Missouri, Nick was an intern and, after graduation, an employee of one of the nation’s premier literary magazines, The Missouri Review. He is also an alumnus of New York University’s Summer Publishing Institute. Nick’s tastes tend to run just outside the mainstream. Counter-cultural, counter-intuitive, thought provoking, dark, relevant—if any of these describe a project, then it will probably hold some appeal for him. Politics, current affairs, science (particularly physics and space), pop culture criticism, sports, scientific thrillers, noir, literary fiction—apply a unique perspective and Nick’s curiosity will be piqued. And funny is good, too. Everybody likes the funny.
Rebecca Oliver, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment
Ayesha Pande, Ayesha Pande LiteraryAyesha Pande has worked in the publishing industry for twenty years. Before becoming the head of her own boutique agency, Ayesha was a senior editor at Farrar Straus & Giroux. She has also held editorial positions at HarperCollins and Crown Publishers. She is a member of AAR (Association of Author’s Representatives), PEN, the Asian American Writer’s Workshop, and sits on the advisory board of the German Book Office. She has attended numerous writing conferences including Muse and the Marketplace and Aspen Summer Words. She has taught college level courses in editing. She holds a master’s degree from Columbia University. Her clients include the internationally bestselling author Shilpi Somaya Gowda, Danielle Evans, Patricia Engel, Justin Kramon, Michael Shilling, Naomi Oreskes and more. She is interested in a wide variety of genres, as long as it is distinguished by strong writing.
Gina Panettieri, Talcott Notch Literary
Kimberly Perel, Wendy Sherman AssociatesKim Perel joined Wendy Sherman Associates in January 2009. After graduating from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Communications, Kim worked in the editorial department at Forbes magazine and later as a copywriter and freelance journalist. While pursuing a MFA degree at The New School in New York City, Kim joined WSA and fell in love with the idea of championing emerging talent and helping writers through the process of getting published. With over five years experience as a writer herself, Kim brings her magazine background to the world of books. Kim is enthusiastic about discovering fresh voices. She is drawn to voice-driven fiction, novels that illuminate an unknown world, and true-to-life characters. She looks for queries that provide fresh insight or a wide lens that captures life at a certain period in time. She also loves humor, memoir that tells a unique story, and journalistic non-fiction.
Marjorie Preston, Sheree Bykofsky Associates
Marjorie Preston is a literary agent for Sheree Bykofsky Associates. With over 20-some years as a journalist / editor / writer, Marjorie has written for local and regional newspapers and magazines and national publications including Ladies Home Journal, Fitness and New Woman. Two of her LHJ articles were later featured on Oprah. In 2002, her first book was published by Simon & Schuster.
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Janet Reid, Fine Print Literary Agency
When she’s not stalking Jack Reacher or drinking scotch Janet Reid is selling crime novels: THE BREACH by Patrick Lee; CRASHERS by Dana Haynes; EVEN by Andrew Grant lead her list. She’s also interested in narrative non-fiction in history, science, politics, contemporary issues, contemporary art and contemporary music. She keeps a blog at JetReidLiterary.blogspot.com and a query critique blog at QueryShark.blogspot.com
Nicole Resciniti, The Seymour AgencyNicole Resciniti is an agent at The Seymour Agency. In addition to working with Mary Sue to negotiate clients’ rights, Nicole divides her time between NJ and Naples, where she has established The Seymour Agency’s Southwest Florida Office. She is currently accepting submissions and actively building her client list. She represents romance (all genres), YA, action/suspense, mysteries, commercial thrillers, Christian/Inspirational, and sci-fi/fantasy/UF. In nonfiction, she prefers medical, scientific, and political material, as well as how-to proposals from qualified professionals. Nicole holds degrees in biology, psychology, and behavioral neuroscience. She is a member of AAR, RWA, ACFW, and Mensa.
Angela Rinaldi, The Angela Rinaldi Literary Agency (no agency website)Angela Rinaldi is a literary agent and president of The Angela Rinaldi Literary Agency. The agency was founded in 1994. Prior to starting the agency, she was Executive Editor at NAL and Bantam Books, Senior Editor at Pocket Books (Simon & Schuster) and started the book publishing program for The Los Angeles Times. She has been a member of the Literature Panel for the California Arts Council in addition to the board for PEN and the membership committee for AAR. Titles on her list include Blood Orange and The Good Sister by Drusilla Campbell (Grand Central Publishing), The Starlite Drive-In by Marjorie Reynolds (William Morrow), Blind Spot and Quiet Time by Stephanie Kane (Bantam), Quirky, Yes — Hopeless, No by Dr. Cynthia Norall (St. Martin’s), Zen Golf: Mastering the Mental Game by Dr. Joseph Parent (Doubleday), Calling in “The One” by Katherine Woodward Thomas (Three Rivers Press), From Seed to Skillet by Jimmy Williams and Susan Heeger (Chronicle), The Thyroid Solution by Dr. Ridha Arem (Ballantine), Before Your Pregnancy by Amy Ogle, M.S., R.D. and Dr. Lisa Mazzullo and the eight million copy bestseller Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr. Spencer Johnson (Putnam).
John Rudolph, Dystel and Goderich Literary ManagementJohn Rudolph joined Dystel & Goderich in 2010 after twelve years as an acquiring children’s book editor. He began his career at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers as an Editorial Assistant and then moved to the G. P. Putnam’s Sons imprint of the Penguin Young Readers Group, where he eventually served as Executive Editor on a wide range of young adult, middle-grade, nonfiction, and picture book titles. He graduated from Amherst College with a double major in Classics and Music. John is eager to discover fresh new voices and highly original stories in all genres. He is interested in middle-grade and young adult fiction, and he would love to find the next great picture book author/illustrator. On the adult side, he is excited to expand into literary and commercial adult men’s fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, music and other performing arts, sports, politics, history, and humor.
Victoria Sanders, Victoria Sanders and Associates
Victoria Sanders has been a literary agent for two decades. Clients include #1 International bestselling thriller author Karin Slaughter, #1 New York Times bestselling author Denene Millner, Pulitzer Prize and New York Times bestselling author Nick Chiles, American Book Award winner Jeff Chang, Amanda Kyle Williams, Sarah Pekkanen, Amy Hatvany, and the Zora Neale Hurston Trust, among many others.
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Katharine Sands, Sarah Jane Freymann Literary AgencyA 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. Highlights include Dating the Devil (producer: Vast Entertainment) by Lia Romeo; XTC: Song Stories; Chasing Zebras: THE Unofficial Guide to House, MD; Make Up, Don’t Break Up with Oprah guest Dr. Bonnie Eaker Weil; Playwright Robert Patrick’s novel, Temple Slave; The New Rules of Attraction by Arden Leigh; The Complete Book on International Adoption: A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Your Child; Hands Off My Belly: The Pregnant Woman’s Guide to Myths, Mothers, and Moods; Under the Hula Moon; CityTripping: a Guide for Foodies, Fashionistas and the Generally Style-Obsessed; Writers on Directors; Ford model Helen Lee’s The Tao of Beauty; Elvis and You: Your Guide to the Pleasures of Being an Elvis Fan; New York: Songs of the City; Taxpertise: Dirty Little Secrets the IRS Doesn’t Want You to Know; The SAT Word Slam, to name a few. 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. Actively building her client list, she likes books that have a clear benefit for readers’ lives and fresh looks, which might be at issues, life challenges or popular culture. When reading fiction she wants to be compelled and propelled by urgent storytelling, and hooked by characters. She likes to be transported to a world rarely or newly observed. First-time ThrillerFest guest Katharine is a Law & Order addict with a native New Yorker’s sense of things noir. Skullduggery welcome…she challenges you to plunge her into a vortex of intrigue…..
Yishai Seidman, Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency
Yishai Seidman joined Dunow, Carlson & Lerner in 2009 after stints at Artists & Artisans and Writers House. He grew up in Philadelphia and has since moved to New York City, where he earned his degree in English Literature from Yeshiva University. He is actively seeking a broad range of fiction including literary and crime fiction as well as thrillers, and tends to be drawn to stories with strong voices and unusual settings (though no fantasy). On the non-fiction side, he is looking for books on sports, music, pop culture, and true crime.
Erica Spellman Silverman, Trident Media Group, Inc.Erica Spellman-Silverman is a literary agent at Trident Media Group in New York City where she represents both fiction and non-fiction. She handles motion pictures rights for many Trident authors. She was a Senior Vice-President at both ICM and William Morris in New York City where she represented writers, directors, and actors. She also was the head of the New York office of United Artists. Among the many writers, screen writers, and actors she has represented are: Robin Cook, Hunter S. Thompson, Scott Spencer, Cameron Crowe, Robert Greenfield, Ron Kovic, Whitley Strieber, Alex Shumatoff, and Robert Scheer. Susan Seidelman, Brett Ratner, Cameron Crowe, Mitch Glazer. Ron Silver, Matthew Modine, Alan Rickman, Mark Rylance, Joan Cusack, and Macauley Calukin. She produced the feature film HI LIFE, (Lion’s gate). She is currently representing: Nancy C. Johnson, Kira Peikoff, Sarah Stonich, Kate Bridges, Simon Astaire, Tadzio Koelb, Orest Stelmach, Anne Serling. Erica has taught at Tisch Graduate Film School at NYU and HB Studios. She currently serves on the Board of Journeys in Film.
Victoria Skurnick, Levine Greenberg Literary AgencyVictoria Skurnick, an agent at the Levine Greenberg Literary Agency for the past four years, began her publishing career at Avon Books and Holt, Rinehart & Winston, both in advertising and in promotion. She went on to become a senior editor at Pocket Books, then at St. Martin’s Press. For the almost 20 years, before she came to Levine Greenberg, she was at The Book-of-the-Month Club, where she was most recently editor-in-chief. Among her clients are Senator Tom Daschle (Critical), Alice LaPlante (Turn of Mind), Harry Dolan (Bad Things Happen and Very Bad Men), Robert Rotenberg (Old City Hall and The Guilty Plea), Cynthia Keller (An Amish Christmas), Action 5 (The Dangerous Book for Dogs), and Jennifer Hillier (Creep). With her experience at the book club, her interests are wide-ranging, going from literary, suspense, and mainstream fiction, to history, politics, pop culture, health, narrative nonfiction, and the occasional foray into health.
Meredith Smith, Creative Trust Agency
Meredith Smith joined Creative Trust as literary manager in 2009. She began her career in publishing at Rodale and later worked at Hachette Book Group as associate editor, acquiring for Center Street and FaithWords. Meredith lives in New York City with her husband and their Golden Retriever and orange tabby cat.
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Marlene Stringer, Stringer Literary AgencyMarlene Stringer founded Stringer Literary Agency in 2008. Prior she spent many years as an agent with the Barbara Bova Literary Agency. Among her clients are urban fantasy authors Alex Bledsoe (the Eddie LaCrosse series and Memphis Vampires series); Alyxandra Harvey (the YA vampire series The Drake Chronicles); Erica Hayes (Shadowfae and Shadowglass); YA author Shari Maurer (Change of Heart); Liane Merciel (River King’s Road, Heaven’s Needle); and a number of others. As a full service literary agency based in Naples, Florida, Marlene represents a wide range of commercial fiction in the areas of mystery, thriller, contemporary and urban fantasy, romance, women’s fiction, historical and science fiction.
John Talbot, Talbot Fortune Agency, LLC
John is a literary agent and former book editor with twenty-plus years of publishing experience. Prior to becoming an agent he was a Senior Editor at Putnam Berkley, where he had the honor of working with such global bestsellers as Tom Clancy, W.E.B. Griffin, and Jack Higgins. He began his editorial career at Simon & Schuster. John is focused on cultivating high editorial quality and on long-term career management. He’s keenly interested in high-end suspense and also enjoys cozy mysteries. While a gripping plot and fast pacing are important, he feels that an authentic voice and engaging characters are the two qualities that linger longest in the mind after a good read. An agency-represented title that may be of interest to ITW members is Brad Taylor’s debut novel One Rough Man (Dutton), which on publication this February became a New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestseller. Other agency-represented titles include Cleo Coyle’s nationally bestselling Coffeehouse Mystery series and Jessica Beck’s bestselling Donut Shop Mysteries.
Robert Thixton, Pinder Lane & Garon-Brooke Associates, Ltd.Bob Thixton – Agent and Co-Owner along with Dick Duane of Pinder Lane & Garon-Brooke Associates. Agency has been active since 1976, and incorporated the Jay Garon-Brooke Agency into one new firm in 1996. Bob has been an agent since 1976 co-representing such authors as Evan H. Rhodes (The Prince of Central Park and An Army of Children), David Kaufelt (Silver Rose, Midnight Movies) and agent for best-selling author Richard Steinberg (The Gemini Man, Nobody’s Safe and The 4 Phase Man) plus many others. My basic preference is thrillers and suspense (contemporary or historical), contemporary literary fiction and non-fiction (women and men), Y/A historical fantasy, some sci-fi. We accept e-mail queries at pinderl@rcn.com. No unsolicited manuscripts will be accepted.
Joseph Veltre, The Gersh Agency
Joseph Veltre is Head of the Books Department at The Gersh Agency, where he represents writers to publishers and filmmakers. Previously, he served as director of development for Miramax Films, and held senior editorial positions at HarperCollins and St. Martin’s Press. He joined Gersh after running his own successful literary agency for six years. Veltre works with a wide range of best-selling writers and partners with other literary agents and publishers to represent their authors’ work in the film & television world. Joseph represents a wide range of commercial fiction in the areas of mystery, fantasy, romance, historical and science fiction. His clients include leading academics, historians, magazine and newspaper journalists, best-selling and prize-winning novelists, filmmakers, sports figures, photographers, doctors, TV personalities, and business consultants. He also regularly attends national and international book fairs and speaks at conferences on topics vital to both aspiring and experienced authors.
Cherry Weiner, Cherry Weiner Literary Agency (No agency website)The Cherry Weiner Literary Agency ‘unofficially’ started at the end of 1976 and officially in May of 1977. Criteria: Much as I always say I have no room, there is always room for one more. But that one more has to come from a TOTAL EXCITEMENT on the manuscript and knowledge that the author and I do have a chemistry that will allow us to work together. Usually that comes from meeting someone at a conference, or one of my authors and/or editors recommends that I take a look at someone’s work. No more than 50 clients… at this point it stands around 45. I don’t charge reading fees. Never have. Never will. I don’t handle children’s/ young adult –except the occasional, limited to my already authors, poetry, most non-fiction… but there again you could hook me depending on the subject As for favorite… no matter the genre, if the writing is good and I can get excited I will handle it to the best of my ability. SALES: in both hardcover and paperback: Mainstream (whatever that is), Thrillers / suspense, Women’s novels, All the various romance categories, Westerns, Native American *big* novels and Non fiction, Historical / contemporary mystery series, Military science fiction / General science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror.
Kimberly Whalen, Trident Media Group, LLC
Kimberly Whalen began her publishing career as a foreign rights assistant at Jutta Klein Associates, then moved to St. Martin’s Press, where she was promoted to Director of Foreign rights in less than seven years. Because of her extensive knowledge and keen sense, Kimberly was also appointed to the St. Martin’s Editorial Board, a position that required her to assess the domestic and international viability of potential book projects. Kimberly was Trident’s Managing Director of Foreign Rights for five years, during which time she sold foreign rights for all of Trident’s major authors while also representing her own domestic clients. As of April 2006, Kimberly has been a full-time Domestic Agent. Her interests are diverse and include commercial fiction and commercial nonfiction, women’s fiction, suspense, paranormal, YA and pop culture. Her clients include New York Times best-selling authors Cherry Adair, Allison Brennan, Patti Callahan Henry, Kat Martin, Mary Alice Monroe, and Brenda Novak.
Paige Wheeler, Folio Literary ManagementPaige Wheeler is a founding partner of Folio Literary Management. Prior to forming Folio, she founded Creative Media Agency (CMA) in 1997 and served as its president for nine years until she merged CMA into her new company, Folio, in 2006. Her goal was to create a literary agency that truly serviced its authors and their intellectual property. With the formation of Folio, she is now able to provide the ability to sell both domestic and foreign rights, as well as offer the services of a marketing department, a speaker’s bureau and licensing capabilities. “I’m looking to represent a broad range of projects. In particular, I’ve been reading upscale commercial fiction and nonfiction books that tell a unique story or ones in which the author has a huge platform. I seem to be especially drawn to a story if it has a high concept and a fresh, unique voice,” she says. “What I’m looking for, Fiction: All commercial fiction and upscale (think book club) fiction, as well as women’s fiction, romance (all types), mystery, thrillers, and psychological suspense. I enjoy both historical fiction as well as contemporary fiction, so do keep that in mind. Nonfiction: I’m looking for both narrative nonfiction and prescriptive nonfiction. What I’m not looking for: in fiction, children’s, science fiction, and fantasy; in nonfiction, academic nonfiction.”
Lois Winston, Ashley Grayson Literary Agency
Lois Winston is an agent with the Ashley Grayson Literary Agency as well as an award-winning author of novel length fiction and non-fiction. Her current release, Assault With a Deadly Glue Gun, the first book in her Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries, received starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Lois began her association with the agency as a client. In 2005, she was invited to join the agency as an associate, opening what she likes to call their East Coast division. She continues to be represented by one of the other agents within the agency. Lois currently represents authors who write romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, women’s fiction, mystery, young adult, and horror, but voice is more important to her than genre, and she loves books that make her laugh out loud. She’s not interested in category romance, erotica, regencies, inspirationals, westerns, or paranormal books that feature vampires and shape-shifters. The Ashley Grayson Literary Agency was established in 1976 and handles both literary and commercial fiction, children’s fiction, and some non-fiction. Our client list includes bestselling authors John Barnes, Bruce Coville, Christopher Pike, and Carrie Vaughn, among others.
Christine Witthohn, Book Cents Literary Agency, LLCChristine Witthohn is a literary agent and the founder of Book Cents Literary Agency. She is one of the main sponsors of the International Women’s Fiction Festival held annually in Matera, Italy, and has strong ties to the international market. She is member of AAR, RWA, MWA and is actively building her client list. She is on the hunt for well-written commercial and women’s fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and would love to find some great YA projects. Christine is looking for: middle grade, young adult, mystery/suspense, thrillers, romance, paranormal, urban fantasy, rom coms, contemporary. Christine is NOT looking for: inspirational, westerns, sci fi, horror, erotica, or poetry.
Jason Yarn, Paradigm Agency
Jason Yarn is a literary agent with Paradigm, one of the nation’s top entertainment agencies. After a stint in L.A. working in the intern-mines for Miramax, he joined Writers and Artists as an assistant and transitioned to Paradigm where he worked with authors like Warren Ellis, Denis Leary, Steven Johnson, Aaron McGruder, John Dean and Daniel Mendelsohn. As an agent, his clients include the New York Times Bestselling authors Dirk Hayhurst, Jeff Gottesfeld, and Fred Van Lente, as well as the James Beard Award Nominated Hank Shaw, IACP Award Nominated Jane Ziegelman, and debut authors like K.M. Ruiz (MIND STORM), Mark Henshaw (ASSASSIN’S MACE) and Nate Simpson (NONPLAYER). He has a diverse list and is currently seeking narrative non-fiction and commercial middle-grade/YA/adult fiction in the areas of thrillers/suspense, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, and military/espionage.
Marian Young, The Young Agency (No agency website)Marian Young has worked for over thirty years as a literary agent. After an apprenticeship with two literary agents, she opened her own agency in 1986 and has worked with countless writers since then on the sale of their work to publishers, magazines, and film. In this endeavor, she wears a number of hats: advisor and editor for manuscripts and proposals; dealmaker and contract negotiator; mediator; and, often, the creator of advertising, catalogue, and jacket copy. Young’s clients include one of the top best-selling “picks” for Oprah’s Book Club (Bret Lott), two James Beard Award-winning cookbooks (Molly Stevens and Roy Finamore), a Pen-Bingham Award winner (Christopher Coake), and the current winner of the Harper Lee Award (Carolyn Haines). Previously, she was the Media Director at a book publishers’ advertising agency where she oversaw all media research and purchases for the agency. She loves thrillers, mysteries, and noir, but she is open to other genres. The bottom line for her is the writing. If it’s truly well written, she can usually fall in love.
Karen Gantz Zahler, Karen Gantz Zahler Literary Management
Karen Gantz Zahler attended Vassar College and is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the Cardozo Law School where she was elected to the Law Review. Her article was on the Moral Rights of Artists and the California Art Preservation Act. She is a literary property lawyer and literary agent. She has written two well-received cookbooks, Taste of New York (Addison-Wesley 1993) and Superchefs (John Wiley & Sons 1996). She also participated in a Presidential Advisory Committee on Intellectual Property, U.S. Department of Commerce. She has been an active board member of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee since 1989. She and her husband, through the National Foundation of Jewish Culture, on whose board she sits, give grants to authors whose books are being published and have Jewish content. She is Chairman of the Great Books Program Club. She also sits on the Board of Trustees of the Harmonie Club and chairs the Literary and Media Committee where best-selling authors are invited to speak. Karen Gantz Zahler practiced law in the field of intellectual property. Individuals requested that she read their manuscripts and movie scripts and she found that most satisfying. Her specialty is negotiating contracts both as a lawyer and literary agent.
Barry Zucker, McGinniss Associates Literary AgencyAfter working in the industry for a number of years (and loving every minute of it), Barry made the leap to full agent, secure in his knowledge of publishing trends and his relationships with key contacts. In addition to being an enthusiastic and hungry agent, Barry is also the Agency’s business specialist and overall rights manager.
