EDITORS
Avalon Books
Faith Black, Associate Editor
Avalon publishes hardcover secular romances, mysteries, and westerns for the library market. Our books are wholesome adult fiction, suitable for family reading. There is no graphic or premarital sex or sexual tension in any of our novels; kisses and embraces are as far as our characters go. It is the author’s responsibility to heighten the romantic atmosphere by developing love scenes with tenderness, emotion, and perception. The heroines of our romances should be looking forward to marriage at the end of the book. There is never any profanity in any of our books.
*May bring first page of manuscript or one-page synopsis of the following.
Romances: We do not want old-fashioned, predictable, formulaic books. We are looking for contemporary characters and fresh, contemporary plots and story lines. Supporting characters and subplots should be interesting and realistic, and they should add an extra and interesting dimension to the book.
Historical Romances: We accept outlines and the first three chapters for historical romances of every genre. The manuscripts should be between 50,000 to 60,000 words. Time period and setting are the author’s preference. Period, place and cultural events are vital to creating an historical feel. The historical romances will maintain the high level of reading expected by our readers. The books shall be wholesome fiction, without graphic sex, violence or strong language.
Mysteries: The element of suspense is very important, but it is equally important to have a tight, well-researched, believable story line. Avoid contrived, predictable, mechanical plots and old clichés. We are now looking for longer (50,000-60,000 words), gritty, more mainstream mysteries.
Westerns: All westerns are historical novels, and it is important that they be placed in time and that the background be carefully researched. Avoid using words and phrases that were not part of the language at the time your western is set. Plots should be suspenseful and action packed, but vivid descriptions of the gory details of violence should be avoided. Suitable, believable euphemisms for profane words (including “hell” and “damn”) must be used. Though it is important for flavor and authenticity to use some westernisms in dialogue (“pardner” and the dropping of the final “g” in present participles, for example), overuse of dialect is to be avoided; it slows down the reader’s pace and, as a result, the narrative pace too. The use of alcohol is allowed, but should not be overdone.
Highlights for Children
Judy Burke, Managing EditorMs Burke will take pitches for the following.Fiction: 800-word stories geared to 8 to12-year-olds.
Nonfiction: 800-word articles geared to 8 to12-year-olds.Fiction:500-word stories 4 to 8-year-olds.
Nonfiction: 500-word articles geared to 4 to 8-year-olds.*May bring first page of manuscript or one-page synopsis.
Samuel French, Inc.
Roxane Heinze-Bradshaw, Associate Editor
Plays and musicals.
Baen Books
James Minz, Senior Editor
Science fiction and fantasy.*Bring one-page synopsis.
Grand Central Publishing
Selina McLemore, Editor
Latino Fiction and Narrative Non-Fiction: Culturally relevant projects that do not rely on stereotypes and clichés, intended primarily for a female audience. Commercial Women's Fiction Romance: mainstream historical and contemporary, romantic suspense, paranormal. Does not look at category romance.
*Bring a one-page synopsis as well as a two-sentence book description.
Charlesbridge Trade Division
Emily Mitchell, Senior Editor
Charlesbridge publishes children’s books for readers from birth to age fourteen, both fiction and nonfiction.
Personal interests are on the older end of things (middle-grade novels and nonfiction). Is interested in a great picture book. Likes history, biography, and the arts on the nonfiction side, and witty, dry humor on the fiction side. Does a limited number of poetry books. Is not interested in series-style nonfiction, fantasy, science fiction, or original board books.
*Bring first page of manuscript or one-page synopsis.
St. Martin’s Press
Daniela Rapp, Associate Editor -- SORRY. DANIELA’S CALENDAR IS NOW FULL. THERE ARE NO MORE OPEN APPOINTMENTS WITH HER.
Literary Fiction, especially creative and imaginative stories, a bit quirky and funny is fine.
Mysteries and thrillers (fairly dark and can be violent; no cozies)
Upmarket women’s fiction with strong women characters.
Humor and language books.
Pet books.
Serious narrative non-fiction (can include bios, history, pop science, travel, and food)
*May bring first page of manuscript or one-page synopsis.
AGENTS
Meredith Bernstein Literary Agency
Meredith Bernstein, agent
5-minute appointments -- SORRY. MEREDITH’S CALENDAR IS NOW FULL. THERE ARE NO MORE OPEN APPOINTMENTS WITH HER.
You must have a finished project to schedule an appointment with Meredith Bernstein.
In non-fiction I am only looking for a person with a real platform or serious expertise and I am open to any field.
In fiction, I am open to any area except children’s books, but would be most interested either in someone who has already been published or who has won some awards.
*Bring one-page synopsis.
Authorlink Literary Group
Doris Booth, Manager
Editor-in-Chief Authorlink.com
The agency represents true crime, thrillers, mysteries, women's fiction, young adult, and a wide range of nonfiction.
*May bring first page of manuscript or one-page synopsis.
Jim Donovan Literary
Melissa Schultz, Agent
Saturday appointments only.
Specializes in non-fiction, especially memoir, chik-lit, fish out-of-water stories, personal journeys with strong hooks and, how-to's.
*Bring first page of manuscript and a one paragraph summary.
John Hawkins & Associates, Inc.
Anne Hawkins, Agent -- SORRY. ANNE’S CALENDAR IS NOW FULL. THERE ARE NO MORE OPEN APPOINTMENTS WITH HER.
Fiction: Adult mainstream literary and commercial fiction, including historical, mystery, suspense, and thriller. No genre science fiction, fantasy, horror, or romance, although romantic elements in mainstream fiction are fine. No children's books younger than YA.
Nonfiction: Narrative nonfiction dealing with history, public policy, biography, science, nature, outdoors, and women's and family issues. No self-help, inspirational, business, or cookbooks. *Bring one-page synopsis.
Rita Rosenkranz Literary Agency
Rita Rosenkranz, Agent
Non-fiction only. Health, history, parenting, music, how-to, popular science, business, biography, sports, popular reference, cooking, spirituality, and general interest titles. Works with major publishing houses, as well as regional publishers that handle niche markets. Looks for projects that present familiar subjects freshly or lesser-known subjects presented commercially. *Bring one-page synopsis.