Looking for an Literary Agent?

For the last few years the NJ SCBWI has invited Agent Stephen Fraser at the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency to our June conference. Not only is he a very talented, successful agent with many years experience, but he is also a very nice man. I am sure that combo is the reason for his success. I know so many of you would love to have Stephen represent you, but let’s be logically, Stephen can not take on an unlimited amount of new writers. So today when I received an e-mail from Marie Lamba at Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, I realized I should point out the Associate Agents at the agency. They are building their list and they have the backing of a good agency, making this a great opportunity you may not have thought about after getting stars in your eyes with Stephen. Below you will find the three Associate Agents at the Jenniffer De Chiara Agency and what they like:

Maria Lamba Associate Agent is currently looking for:

Young adult and middle-grade fiction, along with general and women’s fiction and some memoir. Books that are moving and/or hilarious are especially welcome. I am NOT interested in picture books, science fiction, or high fantasy (though I am open to paranormal elements), category romance (though romantic elements are welcome), non-fiction, or in books that feature graphic violence.

To Submit
Please email a query to marie.jdlit@gmail.com and put “Query” in the subject line of your email.

For queries regarding children’s and adult fiction, please send the first twenty pages in the body of your email, along with a one-paragraph bio and a one-paragraph synopsis.

For queries regarding a non-fiction book, please attach the entire proposal as a Word document (the proposal should include a sample chapter), along with a one-paragraph bio and a one-paragraph synopsis of your book in the body of your email.

Linda Epstein, associate agent is looking for accessible literary fiction, quality upscale commercial fiction, vibrant narrative nonfiction, and compelling memoirs – A MG, YA or Adult manuscript she can’t put down with a distinctive voice.  She says, “I love to learn something about another time, place, or culture while engrossed in a gripping story. Books with Jewish or other spiritual/religious themes or undercurrents are of particular interest. I am partial to underdogs and outsiders. Occasionally I like to read something funny, and sometimes a little magical realism is entertaining. I don’t like bodice-rippers and won’t read anything with dead, maimed, or kidnapped children. I don’t read horror. I’m not really interested in traditional SciFi, but I do like fantasy and I’m intrigued by Steampunk. I’m the wrong person for romance, thrillers, or anything but a very offbeat cozy mystery.  For middle-grade, it should be particularly character driven and quirky, with excellent pacing and rhythm. For YA, I’m a sucker for strong girls, deep friendships, and overcoming adversity.”

For Non-fiction 
She likes alternative health and parenting books, cookbooks (especially, but not limited to, Gluten Free cooking), select memoirs, and the right spiritual/self-actualization book (think Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra, Don Miguel Ruiz).

She is particularly committed to representing books that include, are about, or are geared toward people in the LBGTQ community, for both adult and children’s literature.

To Submit
Please email a query to linda.p.epstein@gmail.com and put “Query” in the subject line of your email.

For queries regarding children’s and adult fiction, please send the first twenty pages in the body of your email, along with a one-paragraph bio and a one-paragraph synopsis.

For queries regarding a non-fiction book, please attach the entire proposal as a Word document (the proposal should include a sample chapter), along with a one-paragraph bio and a one-paragraph synopsis of your book in the body of your email.

Roseanne Wells, Associate Agent is looking for:

Nonfiction by authors who have a unique story to tell and are dedicated to building their platform and reaching their audience. She likes narrative nonfiction, select memoir, science (popular or trade, not academic), history, religion (not inspirational), travel, humor, food/cooking, and similar subjects. She is also interested in fresh, modern self-improvement that not only inspires but energizes readers to strengthen and empower themselves in this rapidly evolving world.

In Fiction she is looking for strong literary fiction that emphasizes craft and style equally, and doesn’t sacrifice plot and character for beautiful sentences; young adult of all genres; very selective middle grade that connects me to a strong main character; science-fiction and fantasy; and smart detective novels (more Sherlock Holmes than cozy mysteries).

To Submit
Please email me a one-page query letter to queryroseanne@gmail.com. Please include “Query” in the subject line of the email, your contact information, and the first ten pages pasted into the body of the email below the letter. I only accept email queries, and any queries sent by regular mail will not be considered.

ILLUSTRATORS: You can email a few .jpgs and a one paragraph bio to the agents listed in this post.

I hope this helps. Good Luck!

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy