Literary Agents
WriteAngles Conference 2024
Cherise Fisher
Cherise Fisher began her career in publishing more than twenty-five years ago, spending many years editing and publishing several national bestselling and award winning authors at Simon & Schuster and Plume (an imprint of Penguin Random House), where she was Editor-in-Chief.
An active member of the American Association of Literary Agents, and a very popular workshop leader for several writer’s conferences including the Grub Street Writing Center, Cherise also teaches the “Introduction to Publishing” class as a part of the Publishing Certificate Program at the City College of New York.
WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR
Cherise represents novelists who have multiple, compulsively readable, impeccably crafted yarns in their head (both historical and contemporary), memoirists who showcase the diversity of human experience, and non-fiction writers who seek to provoke, inspire, and educate regarding multiple topics such as personal development, health and sexuality, racial identity, African American history, humor and pop culture.
Her intention is that all the books she helps bring into the world are relevant, enduring, and help readers maximize their lives.
Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong
Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong is a Senior Literary Agent at The Purcell Agency and represents Young Adult and Adult fiction in the genres of Romance, Mysteries, Thrillers/Suspense, and Women’s Fiction. She is especially drawn to stories that evoke a strong emotion (laughter, tears, curiosity, or concern) within the first few pages. Born and raised in Oklahoma, Cathie is a 1992 alumnus of The University of Oklahoma where she received her B.A. in Journalism with a minor in History. She is a rabid OU Sooners Football fan and on most weekends during the college football season cheering for her alma mater. Cathie currently lives in Minnesota with her husband of 31 years and her 3 year-old lab mix, Koda.
WISHLIST
Contemporary Romance
Regency Romance
Mysteries and Cozy Mysteries that lend themselves well to a series
Thrillers/Suspense
Young Adult Thrillers/Suspense/Horror
Young Adult RomCom
Upper YA Speculative Fiction with elements of romance or romance substory
Stories by and about Native American culture, folklore, experiences, etc.
Cole Hildebrand
Cole Hildebrand joined JVNLA in 2021 after several years at YesYes Books, where he developed a strong sense for language and voice, and a sensitive editorial eye informing his approach as an agent.
WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR
At JVNLA, he is seeking adult literary and upmarket fiction, narrative non-fiction, and poetry, aiming to champion queer and underrepresented voices.
IN FICTION: He is looking for voice and character-driven work that immerses the reader in its distinctive prose, with layered writing that is lucid, observant, thoughtful, clever, off-beat, absurd, or all of the above. And while a robust story is essential, what engages Cole most as a reader is the unique ways that story is told in terms of narrative structure, form, and voice. He tends to go for books that explore subversive territories, deftly unearthing the intricacies of human experience, with irresistibly funny characters that say surprising things or make weird decisions. He is particularly interested in stories about evolving (queer) relationships; stories with elements of the surreal and macabre; intentionally disjointed or open-ended narratives; and anything that grapples with our contemporary moment from a fresh perspective.
IN NON-FICTION: He is looking for narrative works that blend personal, cultural, political, or historical threads. Books that engage with radical thought, social justice, queer history, art, pop culture, environmental studies, and mental health are always up his alley, so long as storytelling takes front-and-center. In general, Cole is drawn to deeply-researched investigative work that uncovers new ground while incorporating the author’s own experience, work that brings to light lesser known histories, as well as idiosyncratic memoirs that center around distinct themes and ideas. He also wants to work on something really funny
Carrie Howland
Carrie Howland founded Howland Literary, LLC in 2018, after thirteen years as an agent, most recently at Empire Literary.
Carrie holds a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from Albion College, where she was the Poetry Editor of The Albion Review. Her poetry has appeared in various literary journals and magazines.
In her spare time, Carrie volunteers as a foster for a local dog rescue and is an active member of the Junior League. Her passions include music, pop culture, and the Midwest.
She has been featured in several publications discussing her work as an agent including Poets & Writers, SCWBI insight, Akashic Books, and Slice Magazine.
Carrie is accepting submissions for: adult literary and upmarket fiction as well as memoir, narrative, and prescriptive nonfiction.
WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR
Adult literary fiction, upmarket, and commercial fiction as well as prescriptive non-fiction. Particularly interested in contemporary romance and commercial thrillers.
SAMPLE TITLES OR AUTHORS
White Feminism, by Koa Beck
We Love You, Charlie Freeman, Kaitlyn Greenidge
Queer, There, and Everywhere; Rainbow Revolutionaries; Kind Like Marsha; A Child’s Introduction to Pride by Sarah Prager
Specializes In
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, GLBT, Literary Fiction, Multi-Cultural, Romance, Short Story Collections, Thrillers/Suspense, Upmarket Women’s Fiction
NONFICTION: GLBT, Health & Fitness, Food & Lifestyle, Cultural/Social Issues, Dating/Relationships, Current Affairs, Investigative Journalism, Music, Multi-Cultural, Narrative, Pets, Parenting, Politics, Pop Culture, Self-Help, True Crime, Women’s Concerns
Considers
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, GLBT, Literary Fiction, Multi-Cultural, Romance, Thrillers/Suspense, Short Story Collection, Upmarket Women’s Fiction
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues, Current Affairs, Dating/Relationships, Food & Lifestyles, GLBT, Health & Fitness, Investigative Journalism, Multi-Cultural, Music, Narrative, Parenting, Pets, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Self-Help, True Crime, Women’s Concerns
Kiana (Kiki) Nguyen
Kiana Nguyen is a literary agent with Donald Maass Literary Agency, representing Young Adult and Adult fiction. With a particular interest in horror, romance, mystery/thriller, she is highly invested in the stories of and by queer people of color.
WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR
Close POV narratives that avoid transcripting characters’ thoughts. Atmospheric worlds that feel like another character. Hot queer girls doing what they want. Dynamic character ensembles.
SAMPLE TITLES OR AUTHORS
BOYS I KNOW by Anna Gracia
THE ROMANCE RECIPE by Ruby Barrett
THE SCRATCH DAUGHTERS by H.A. Clarkek
Specializes In
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult, Upmarket Women’s Fiction, Thrillers/Suspense, Science Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Horror
Considers
FICTION: Historical Fiction, Chick Lit
Eva Scalzo
Eva Scalzo was born in New Jersey, but lived in Houston, Buenos Aires, San Juan, and Boston before settling down outside of Binghamton, New York. She has been reading romance since the fifth grade when she discovered the Sweet Valley High series. On inheriting her grandmother’s collection of vintage Harlequin Romances, she set a goal to someday finish reading them all on top of her already massive TBR.
Eva has a B.A. in the Humanities from the University of Puerto Rico and a M.A. in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College. Since graduating in 2002, she has spent her career in scholarly publishing, working for Houghton Mifflin, Blackwell Publishing, John Wiley & Sons, and Cornell University in a variety of roles. She has been with Speilburg Literary since 2013, and started accepting clients in 2017. Eva is a member of the AALA and SCBWI.
In Adult Fiction, Eva represents Romance (all subgenres but inspirational), Fantasy, and select Upmarket/Women’s Fiction and Mystery/Thriller. She also represents all subgenres of Young Adult Fiction and select Middle Grade (literary and fantasy). Before you hit submit on any queries please verify her #MSWL.
WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR
In Adult Fiction, Eva represents Romance (all subgenres but inspirational), Fantasy, and select Upmarket/Women’s Fiction and Mystery/Thriller. She also represents all subgenres of Young Adult Fiction and select Middle Grade (literary and fantasy). Before you hit submit on any queries please verify her #MSWL. .
SAMPLE TITLES OR AUTHORS
SO THIS IS EVER AFTER by F.T. Lukens
MIDNIGHT DUET by Jen Comfort
THE SUMMER OF BROKEN RULES by K.L. Walther
Specializes In
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Middle Grade, Fantasy, GLBT, Middle Grade, Romance, Thrillers/Suspense, Upmarket Women’s Fiction, Young Adult, Historical Fiction
Considers
FICTION: Chick Lit, Fantasy, GLBT, Commercial Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Middle Grade, Multi-Cultural, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thrillers/Suspense, Upmarket Women’s Fiction, Young Adult