Agent Ameerah Holiday
Ameerah Holliday (She/Her) is a dancer and self-proclaimed poetess from San Diego, California. She received her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from San Diego State University and currently serves as an associate agent for Serendipity Literary Agency. In addition, she is also the editorial director for the San Diego Poetry Annual and editor for Kids! San Diego Poetry Annual.
What she’s looking for:
Ameerah looks for writing that explores diverse experiences with elements of intersectionality. She is drawn to stories that take you on a journey through growth and loves a good friendship story. She enjoys contemporary works, writing derived from performing arts, romance, and novels in verse. For fiction, she is primarily interested in middle grade, young adult, and Rom-Coms (YA & adult). For non-fiction, she’s interested in pop culture, astrology, and discussions of mental health in minority communities.
Manuscript Wishlist
- BIPOC multigenerational stories featuring male leads
- Messy/Imperfect main characters in both YA and Adult Romances
- Romances with masc presenting lesbian leads (BIPOC preferably)
- BIPOC Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
- BIPOC (and intersectional) Romances
- Stories featuring Women/Girls/Teens who play basketball
Nonfiction
- Gen Z mental health
- The tie in/history between Fashion/Hip-Hop/Queer ballroom culture
- Insights into Therapy-Speak on the internet
Currently not accepting
- Trauma heavy stories
- Science fiction/Fantasy
- Business/finance books
- Memoirs
- Poetry collections
- Religious
- Previously published works
- Short story collections
- Chapter books
Agent Charlotte Wenger
Charlotte Wenger is a literary agent in the Boston area with Prospect Agency. Prior to joining Prospect, she was an associate editor at Page Street Kids. She has her Master of Arts in Children’s Literature from Simmons College (now University) and has since mentored a number of their MFA in Writing for Children students. When she’s not working, you can find her occasionally crafting, randomly breaking into song, and most importantly, being a new mom to her little one born in July 2023. Charlotte represents authors and illustrators of children’s books – ranging from board books through YA, but especially picture books. You can find her online at www.charlottewenger.com.
MSWL: https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/charlotte-wenger/
Preferred genres for acquiring: fiction and narrative nonfiction picture books (especially from author-illustrators); graphic novels (early reader and MG); middle-grade novels (prose and verse)
Emily Settle
Emily Settle (she/her) is an editor for Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. Born and raised in downstate New York, she studied journalism at Lehigh University and later earned an M.S. in Publishing from Pace University. When she’s not reading or taking yet another picture of her calico cat, you can find her either volunteer firefighting or at the archery range attempting to be Aloy from Horizon Zero Dawn.
I acquire a little bit of everything! I’m predominantly looking for commercial, high-concept speculative YA fiction— historical, sci-fi/fantasy and horror—and picture books, and graphic novels, nonfiction and middle-grade on a limited basis. My first priority across the board is finding inclusive stories written by authors from underrepresented backgrounds.
GENERAL MSWL
- Historical novels from underrepresented perspectives—the kinds of stories you would never hear about in a typical Eurocentric history class. Stories set in South America, Africa, and Asia or an Indigenous nation particularly wanted. Especially interested in historical that has some other subgenre going for it as well (i.e. murder mystery, fantasy elements, zombies, etc.)
- Action-packed, cinematic adventures. Bonus points if romance is not the endgame, though I’m fine with romantic plots that portray positive, non-toxic relationships and don’t overshadow the Bigger Problem. I also love complicated characters with redemption arcs that feel earned.
- In picture books, commercial, kid-friendly stories that young readers want to come back to over and over again. Especially anything that can make me laugh out loud!
- I’ve also been doing more IP projects in various genres, so if you have authors interested in that kind of work, let me know! I keep a running database of names and writing samples.
SPECIFIC MSWL
- Asexual / aromantic / aspec protagonists.
- Non-issue-y disability rep (visible or invisible disability), especially limb difference and neurodivergence.
- High fantasy that’s not super complex or end-of-the-world serious—something that gives me silly Dungeons & Dragons vibes. High fantasy, low stakes! Think Legends & Lattes for teens.
- YA paranormal about a siren and an asexual character immune to their powers—platonic friendship preferred, but would also be open to a romantic take!
- Solarpunk / lunarpunk YA or MG prose or graphic novel.
- Indigenous stories, particularly pre-colonization era, either realistic or fantastical.
“ANTI” MSWL
I am currently not looking for:
- Chapter books
- Contemporary MG / YA
- “Spicy” upper YA / New Adult
- Anthologies
If you are unsure of whether to send me something, or would like a recommendation for who on the F&F team would be the best fit to receive something, please feel free to ask!
ABOUT FEIWEL & FRIENDS
Award-winning publisher Jean Feiwel launched FEIWEL AND FRIENDS in Fall 2006 with the New York Times-bestselling debut picture book, On the Night You Were Born (Nancy Tillman’s books have since sold over 15.5 million copies). In May of 2007, she founded SQUARE FISH, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group’s trade paperback imprint, known for its innovative repackaging of the bestselling Ruby Red trilogy and classic backlist titles including Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time and Natalie Babbit’s Tuck Everlasting. On September 30, 2013,, she launched SWOON READS, a groundbreaking new imprint dedicated to finding and publishing original YA fiction, including Aiden Thomas’ New York Times-bestselling works Cemetery Boys and Lost in the Never Woods.
As an imprint, FEIWEL AND FRIENDS is known for publishing successful debut authors Marissa Meyer (the #1 New York Times-bestselling Lunar Chronicles series), Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (instant New York Times bestseller Ace of Spades) and Eva Chen (New York Times bestseller I Am Golden). With the assistance of VP Associate Publisher Liz Szabla; executive editor Anna Roberto; senior editors Holly West and Kat Brzozowski; editors Emily Settle, Rachel Diebel, and Foyinsi Adegbonmire; and assistant editor Brittany Groves, FEIWEL AND FRIENDS has been successful in a broad range of publishing—from bestselling chapter book fiction (My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish, Andy Griffiths’ Treehouse series) to celebrity picture books (Channing Tatum’s The One and Only Sparkella, Taye Diggs’ Chocolate Me!, Jimmy Fallon’s 5 More Sleeps ‘Til Christmas, Vanessa Bayer’s How Do You Care for a Very Sick Bear, Leslie Odom Jr.’s I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know, and Jake Gyllenhaal’s The Secret Society of Aunts and Uncles), to commercial graphic novels such as Bounce Back by Misako Rocks! and DnDoggos by Scout Underhill. FEIWEL AND FRIENDS’ list also features a wide variety of established award-winning authors: Newbery award-winner Katherine Applegate, author of New York Times bestsellers Crenshaw, Wishtree, Willodeen, and Odder; Ann M. Martin, author of Rain Reign; and Matthew Cordell, author-illustrator of Wolf in the Snow, winner of the Caldecott Medal. FEIWEL AND FRIENDS, guided by creative director Rich Deas, has also been lauded for its beautiful and distinctive packaging.
FEIWEL AND FRIENDS, SQUARE FISH, and SWOON READS are part of the Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.
Our books are friends for life.
Agent Jacqui Lipton
Jacqui Lipton joined The Tobias Literary Agency in 2022 after helming her own literary agency, Raven Quill Literary, for a number of years previously. She loves all things books and publishing and has been an avid reader since elementary school. Her tastes were always broad and eclectic. She loved (and still does) everything from a good murder mystery to space opera to contemporary romance and everything in between. She also loves nonfiction projects with a compelling narrative voice.
Her background is also eclectic. At university (yes, in Australia and England they call it “university”), she studied law, psychology, drama, languages, and information technology. She practiced as a banking and finance attorney in Australia, and has worked as a law professor in Australia, the U.K. and the United States where her teaching and writing has focused on laws relating to the publishing industry, digital technology law, copyright, trademark, privacy, and defamation. She is the author of LAW & AUTHORS: A LEGAL HANDBOOK FOR WRITERS (2020, University of California Press) and OUR DATA, OURSELVES: A PERSONAL GUIDE TO DIGITAL PRIVACY (2022, University of California Press).
She holds an M.F.A. in Fiction from Vermont College of Fine Arts and regularly teaches classes on writing and on legal aspects of publishing around the country.
Manuscript Wish List: Jacqui represents authors of fiction and non-fiction from middle grade through to adult, as well as selected projects for younger readers (picture books, chapter books etc.) She is currently focusing on developing her adult fiction and nonfiction lists and particularly enjoys mystery/crime, romance, how-to books, and compelling contemporary novels. She is not currently seeking high fantasy, and considers science-fiction selectively.
Agent Karly Dizon
Karly is an agent at Fuse Literary building KidLit and Adult universes with stories that matter. She first joined the agency in 2016 as a reader for Tricia Skinner and then promoted to Literary Assistant soon after. In 2019, she was promoted to associate agent. Karly has built a career with a strong background as a freelance editor as well as extensive experience with graphic design and marketing. She is looking to develop long-term career authors and nurture their entire writing journey as a strong editorial agent with marketing, social media, and design support.
Karly’s clients have won or been nominated for such awards as Kirkus Best Books of the Year, NCTE Notable Books List, SLJ Best Book of the Year, and Kirkus Prize Finalist.
Karly is aggressively building her client list to boost and give visibility to marginalized voices, experiences, history, culture, folklore, and mythology. She believes that readers should be able to see themselves reflected and celebrated within the pages of a book, from contemporary to fantastical adventures. Karly loves stories with grand adventures, imperfect characters, but most importantly, a strong voice that hooks a reader within the first page. If you can make her cry or laugh out loud, bonus points!
Karly Represents:
- Picture Books
- Graphic Novels
- Middle Grade
- Young Adult
- Illustrators
- Adult fiction
Karly Does Not Represent:
- Satire
- Memoir
- Faith-based
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarlyDizon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlydizon/
Agent Kayla Cichello
Kayla Cichello is an agent with Upstart Crow Literary. She is open to picture books through YA and illustrators, and select adult manuscripts in the upmarket and contemporary romance categories. She is especially interested in contemporary YA and Middle Grade, magical realism, exceptional worldbuilding, and characters with dynamic personalities. She loves voices that make her laugh and keep the page turning. Some of her clients include author Ana Ot, author of the THE HEART NEVER FORGETS (Atheneum/S&S, 2024) and author/illustrator Kirbi Fagan, illustrator of the New York Times Bestselling A HORSE NAMED SKY (Greenwillow/HarperCollins, 2023) and several unannounced upcoming projects.
Agent Mara Cobb
On my fifth birthday, I read two Junie B. Jones books in one sitting. It wasn’t long after that when my grandmothers, both voracious readers, took it upon themselves to hunt for books I would love just as much as the Junie B. series. By age six, I was reading Nancy Drew mysteries. At seven, I was working my way through the Bobbsey Twins and Little House in the Big Woods, followed by Little Women.
As an adult, I find myself picking up the same books that I snuck into bed and read long into the night with a handy-dandy flashlight. I’m still drawn to books with strong and feisty female protagonists. I’m drawn to plots that have curveballs and keep me glued to the page. I’m drawn to the unexpected and the different and the weird. I’m drawn to books that have me saying “just one more chapter” at 2 a.m. when I really should be sleeping.
Stories and the written word spill over into every aspect of my life. As a junior agent at Martin Literary Management, I have the honor of working with authors to ensure that each piece shines. I am currently seeking Christian fiction, clean romance (think Hallmark style!), adult nonfiction, women’s driven fiction (any genre except fantasy and horror), YA (any genre except fantasy and horror), MG fiction, and PBs.
As Junie B. said, “Books are my favorite things in the whole world!”
Find Mara’s Manuscript Wishlist here! Although Mara’s general query inbox is closed to picture book texts at the moment, she is accepting picture book submissions from Pitch & Play attendees.
Agent Michaela Whatnall
Michaela Whatnall (they/them) is an agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, where they have worked out of the West Coast office since 2019. They have a degree in English and linguistics from Emory University, completed the Columbia Publishing Course, and in 2023 they were selected as a Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree. Prior to joining DGB, Michaela worked in school and library marketing for multiple publishers, which accounts for their strong interest in children’s literature, particularly middle grade and young adult fiction of all genres, including contemporary, fantasy, science fiction, historical, adventure, horror, and romance. In the adult fiction space, they are particularly seeking contemporary, speculative, and historical upmarket fiction, as well as character-driven, grounded fantasy. They are also open to select narrative nonfiction for both children and adults, graphic novels, and picture books.
Here is a link to my Manuscript Wish List, which gets into more specifics about what kinds of projects I’m looking for: https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/michaela-whatnall/
Agent Tracy Marchini
Tracy Marchini (she/her) is a Senior Literary Agent at BookEnds, Jr. She joined BookEnds in June 2016 as their first picture book and illustration agent, and is thrilled to represent a diverse and inclusive list of debut and award-winning creators of fiction, non-fiction, and illustration for children. She came to BookEnds with more than ten years of experience in children’s literature, including at an agency, as a freelance editor and children’s book reviewer.
She holds an MFA in Writing for Children from Simmons College and a BA in English from Binghamton University, and as an author has won grants from the Highlights Foundation, the Puffin Foundation and La Muse Writer’s Retreat in Southern France.
MSWL: She represents fiction, non-fiction and illustration for children and teens and is especially interested in picture books that are clever, witty and/or hilarious read-alouds; contemporary middle grade stories of friendship or family – potentially with a touch of magic; middle grade non-fiction that doesn’t flinch or whitewash history and/or the subject; middle grade or chapter book graphic novels by author-illustrators; and non-fiction picture books with a unique structure or clever hook.
Above all, she looks to build a just and inclusive list full of the sense of possibility and wonderment of childhood, and strives to uplift BIPOC, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse and disabled voices in children’s literature. More about what she’s looking for can be found at https://tracymarchini.com/submit-to-tracy
Kelly Van Sant has nearly a decade of experience in the publishing industry. She cut her teeth in New York working at esteemed literary agencies such as Writers House and Harold Ober Associates, where she developed an eye for compelling, emotionally resonant stories, honed her editorial skills, and soon grew adept at contract vetting. She quickly gained expertise in subsidiary rights management, with focuses on audio rights, foreign rights, and permissions.
After relocating to Minnesota, Kelly joined Llewellyn Worldwide as their Contracts Manager across all three imprints and then moved to Quarto Publishing Group USA where she led the contract department. She has worked as a freelance editor with various publishers and is a teaching artist at the Loft Literary Center. She also blogged about writing and the publishing industry at Pub(lishing) Crawl and co-hosted the their weekly podcast.
Kelly’s career came full circle when she realized her true passions was advocating for authors. She is now a literary agent at KT Literary and is actively building a client list.
Editor Della Farrell
Della Farrell (she/her) edits nonfiction for all ages, graphic novels, and middle grade and YA fiction. She is always looking for new voices and artists who push the boundaries of children’s illustration forward. She is deeply passionate about nonfiction for young readers, and is most interested in labor history, social movements, and STEM topics. For fiction, her favorite genres are contemporary, rom-com, fantasy, and horror. She loves voice-driven stories with sharp humor and working-class characters. Books she has edited include Breaking the Mold by Dana Alison Levy (An Orbis Pictus Recommended Title); I’m Gonna Paint by Anne Broyles, illustrated by Victoria Tentler-Krylov (Society of Illustrators’ Original Art Show Silver Medal); Constellations by Kate Glasheen (A Booklist Top Ten First Novel for Youth); The Forest in the Sea by Anita Sanchez (Shortlisted for the Green Earth Book Award); The Selkie’s Daughter by Linda Crotta Brennan (Kids’ Indie Next); and Rainbow Shopping by Qing Zhuang (Irma Black Award Silver Medal). Before joining Holiday House, she assigned nonfiction reviews at School Library Journal.