John Cusick represents a diverse list of iconoclastic voices, award winners, and New York Times bestsellers. His focus is young adult and middle grade, as well as a select list of author-illustrators.
He graduated from Wesleyan University in 2007 with a double major in English and Russian Literature—a degree one professor called “fun but useless.” After working as a freelance writer, bookseller, dog walker, cashier, and radio host, he became a literary agent’s assistant and quickly began building his own list. Around the same time he also became an author; his young adult novels, Girl Parts and Cherry Money Baby, were published by Candlewick Press.
As a writer himself, he brings both a creative and commercial sensibility to his agenting style. John is an editorial agent who works closely with his clients, whether it’s developing a debut project or helping a seasoned author achieve that breakout novel. His goal is to match authors with their dream editor, secure the best deals possible, and grow an author’s readership over a long career. He is passionate about helping clients achieve their full potential, and is looking for dedicated, original, fervent, visionary creators.
WHAT JOHN IS LOOKING FOR:
He is seeking unique voices in young adult and middle-grade. He wants stories that move readers, moments that make him look up and say “Wow, yes. I’ve felt that.”
John wants beautiful, character-driven YA and MG that connects like an emotional gut-punch. I love the strange, iconoclastic, and unusual. I want #ownvoices stories of all styles and genres. He wants fresh fantasy set in our world and others, where the stakes are both monumental and personal, the world-building detailed, and the characters unforgettable. Send him the books kids will sneak / steal / borrow in secret. Those intimate, dangerous, life-saving stories. He’s looking for boundary pushers, a pitch that makes (certain) people say, “You can’t write a YA / MG about THAT!!”
He says, “I want books that keep me turning the page. I love proactive protagonists, kids and teens chasing a dream or a hero who swings in with a song in her heart and a knife in her teeth. I am not currently taking on picture book texts or books for the adult market.”
HOW TO SUBMIT:
Please email your query along with the first 2500 words of your manuscript, with the word QUERY in the subject line, to john@foliolit.com. I try to respond to all queries, however if you do not hear from me within thirty days, please consider it a pass.
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