Originally from Iowa, I moved to New York City to work in publishing. I have a BA in English Literature from Hunter College. I’ve been at the agency since 2002, working with my own list of authors, while also handling the Film, UK, and Audio rights for all of JVNLA. I’m actively looking for original voices in adult and children’s literature.

What I don’t handle:
Practical non-fiction (self-help, how-to, text books, and so on)
Religion or spirituality
Adult genre fiction (sci-fi, fantasy, cozy mysteries, romance. Scroll further down for the difference between genre & mainstream novels).
Political thrillers or Crime
Picture books
Misery memoirs
Screenplays (I sell the film rights to our books at the agency. I don’t represent screenwriters).

What I do handle:
CHILDREN’S BOOKS:
I’m looking to find fresh young adult and middle grade writers. I handle some historicals, but I prefer contemporary settings. The historicals I do handle tend to feature popular historical figures. I don’t shy away from controversial topics in children’s literature, but I don’t take on projects that aim for “shock value” rather than substance. For example, my author Cecilia Galante writes about religious cults in THE PATRON SAINT OF BUTTERFLIES, but the novel is really about a friendship between two girls with different beliefs.

For children’s books I am interested in romance, fantasy, sci fi, mystery, horror or paranormal. However, these books should lean more toward mainstream than they would genre. For instance, I represent Lesley Livingston, author of the WONDROUS STRANGE series, whose book is full of fantasy, adventure, and romance, but is grounded in realistic context. It’s about a young actress performing in Midsummer’s Nights Dream who realizes she has a stronger connection to the fairy world than she thought.

It’s important to me that novels have genuine characters and unique plots. Some of my favorite children’s books are: A Separate Peace, To Kill a Mockingbird, Hunger Games, Blubber, A Wrinkle in Time, The Golden Compass, The Thief of Always, and The Giver.

YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION: I’d love to find a memoir or narrative nonfiction book directed at the teen market.

ADULT FICTION:
Novels with big themes. In other words, no quiet novels. I need there to be a plot! Books of this genre that I loved: Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee, What I Loved by Siri Husvedt, Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.

I don’t handle genre, so basically no books that would be shelved in a genre section of the bookstore (for example, the sci fi section). For some examples, I wouldn’t handle genre crime, like Michael Connelly, but would love to find a crime writer like Kate Atkinson. I wouldn’t handle genre suspense, but I would love to find a writer like Sarah Waters (Fingersmith is my favorite).

Humor: I’m a big fan of Tom Robbin’s Even Cowgirls Get the Blues.

Women’s fiction: Like Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper (I love sibling stories).

Modern love stories: Like The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (which has fantasy elements, but wouldn’t be considered fantasy).

International Fiction: Like The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Edgy Fiction: For an example, check out my author Rayo Casablanca. I also would love to find a novelist like Scarlet Thomas (specifically, The End of Mr. Y), Sam Taylor (The Amnesiac) or Michael Chabon.

For adult fiction, I’m looking for books with rich settings and characters. Some additional favorites: The Great Gatsby, Franny & Zoey, Revolutionary Road, The World According to Garp, The Meaning of Night, and The Fountainhead.

NONFICTION:
Humor & Pop Culture: the book Grandma's Dead is hilarious.

Narrative Nonfiction and Memoir: I enjoy travel, fashion, music, and history. For memoirs, I would love to find a writer like Jeanette Walls. The Glass Castle is one of my favorite memoirs.

Journalism: Like The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad or Maximum City by Suketu Mehta

General dislikes:
Animal books—whether they are adult or children’s. I love animals, but I don’t enjoy reading about them. Especially talking animals.

Children’s books that are message or lesson oriented I’m a big fan of young adult books that are “literature”. I represent a fantastic book called THE NIGHT I FREED JOHN BROWN which includes Civil War history and an intelligent main character that's trying to find his place in the world, but John Michael Cummings has a fantastic voice and the book wasn’t written for its message or its historical lessons.

Novels that have plots I’ve heard of before.

Novels that have no plot.

Nonfiction that reads like a textbook.

What I expect from writers:
All I need is a professional query letter. Your query should include one paragraph about your book and your bio. No attachments. No pages pasted in the body of the email. Please don’t be snarky in your query letter, and please don’t email me asking if I accept queries. I won’t respond in either case. There are only so many hours in the day.

My decision to request more materials is based on the quality of your writing (it's important that my clients can write intelligently about their books) and the level of interest I have in your characters, plot, or idea.

What you can expect from me:

I will respond with a “yes, send it” or a “no, thank you” to your query. If I ask to see three chapters, I will read these chapters and say “yes, send me more” or “no, thank you.” I will not send you a critique of your work or a reason I’m passing. The reason I’m passing is implied; I wasn’t interested enough to want to read more. I try my best to get back to everyone within a timely fashion.

I don’t charge a reading fee, but do ask for temporary exclusivity. If I’m taking the time to read materials, I want a guarantee that that book is still available. I like everything to be upfront, so you should let me know if you can't offer exclusivity.

A final note: I’m looking to fall in love with a book. I hope that book is yours!