New agents Julie Dinneen and Jessie Devine at D4EO Literary Agency seek upmarket and commercial fiction, MG and YA

Some Kind of Courage by Dan Gemeinhart,
represented by D4EO Literary

D4EO Literary Agency

Principal agent: Robert (Bob) Diforio 
7 Indian Valley Road

Weston, CT 06883
http://www.d4eoliteraryagency.com/

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D4EO Literary Agency has two new agents, and like all new agents, they need authors.

Julie Dinneen is the newest member of the team at D4EO. “After years of editorial work, professional writing of many descriptions and an internship at The Bent Agency,” says Julie, “I joined D4EO Literary as an agent in 2017 to build my own list of upmarket fiction.

“Across the board, I’m looking for books that hook me from the very first page, whether it’s the writing, the voice or some unquantifiable draw that demands my time. I’m drawn to stories that are exceptionally well-written, that star dynamic, unforgettable characters and that appeal to a wide, commercial audience.

“I’m looking for literary fiction with commercial appeal and beautiful, stand-out writing (The Girls, Cloud Atlas). I’m on the lookout for upmarket general, women’s and historical fiction my book club will want to spend hours talking about (Big Little Lies, The Nest, Orphan Train).

“I’d love to discover a new twist on chick lit – think Bridget Jones for millennials – and I have a weakness for fun, perfectly-executed beach reads. I’m also looking for well-written romance, both contemporary and historical. I especially enjoy epic, genre-bending romance (Outlander, The Bronze Horseman) and I never say never when it comes to paranormal, although believability and originality are essential.

“Genres I read less of but will still consider include high-concept YA with blockbuster potential, psychologically complex horror, and female-centric thrillers. In these categories, I’m looking for select projects with storytelling that won’t let go.”

Follow Julie on Twitter @juliedinneen and visit her website here. 

Note: From Julie’s Twitter feed: Aug 14 “So far this week, I’ve requested five full manuscripts.”

Query Julie at: jdinneen.submissions@gmail.com

Paste the first ten pages into the body of the email. No attachments.

Jessie Devine is the most junior agent at D4EO. He interned at Entangled Publishing and then at D4EO and has since been promoted to associate agent. Under the mentorship of Pam Victorio, Jessie is just starting to actively build his list with middle grade and young adult titles.

“My favorite fantasy stories are alive in immersive, multi-layered worlds that feel real,” says Jessie. “They are fresh, breaking away from traditional Western tropes and archetypes.

“Sci-fi should be narrowly focused for me. I want laser clarity, high technology, and a ticking clock.

“I like historical that could be described as charming. Settings should be well-researched and powerful. I’m most interested in places and time periods that haven’t been done to death.

“In contemporary, I’m interested in looking at anything from issue books to fluff pieces as long as the voice is killer. I’m especially interested in contemporary featuring competition as a driving factor.

“Things I need across the board: active, morally complex characters, a diverse cast of characters, high stakes, a distinct voice, an emotional punch, an immersive setting

“Things I never want: stories about sexual assault, tragic queer characters, racist nonsense

“Things I always like: forbidden romance, sex positivity, diversity

“Finally, I want books by marginalized creators. I’m interested in stories with characters who are queer, disabled, POC, and/or any combination thereof. Ownvoices is great, but most importantly, I want to represent a diverse group of authors.”

Query  Jessie through his QueryManager here.

Author Hannah McKinnon

If you’re interested in and finding an agent or publisher (someday soon or down the road), don’t miss our “How to Get Published” mini-conference, with author Hannah McKinnon, literary agent Martha Webb, and HarperCollins editor Michelle Meade on Saturday, Nov 18, in Guelph (see here).

Also, starting soon, Brian Henry will lead a full range of courses, introductory to advanced (and most of these classes still have space): 

Welcome to Creative Writing, Thursday afternoons, Sept 28 – Nov 30, in Burlington. See here.

Writing Personal Stories, Wednesday evenings, Sept 27 – Nov 15, in Burlington. See here.

Writing Kid Lit, Thursday mornings, Oct 5 – Nov 30, in Oakville, with guest authors Sylvia McNicoll and Jennifer Mook-Sang. See here.

Next Step in Creative Writing, Tuesday afternoons Sept 26 – Nov 28, first readings emailed Sept 19; Burlington. See here.

Intensive Creative Writing, Monday mornings, Sept 25 – Dec 4/11, first readings emailed Sept 18; Toronto. See here.

Intensive Creative Writing, Thursday evenings, Sept 28 – Nov 30 / Dec 7, first readings emailed Sept 20; Georgetown. See here.

Extreme Creative Writing, Wednesday afternoons, Sept 20 – Dec 6/13, first readings emailed Sept 13; Burlington

See details of all seven courses offered in the fall here.

Literary agent Martha Webb

Also, in the fall, Brian will lead a “How to Make Yourself Write” workshop on Saturday, Oct 14, in Toronto (see here), a “Writing a Bestseller” workshop with New York Times #1 bestselling author Kelley Armstrong on Saturday, Oct 21, in Oakville (see here), and “Secrets of Writing a Page-turner,” on Saturday, Oct 28, in Caledon at the Bolton Library (see here).

Brian also has a Fall Colours Writing Retreat coming up at the wonderful Arowhon Pines Resort in Algonquin Park, Friday, Sept 15 – Sunday, Sept 17 (see here), but there may be no rooms left at the resort. Maybe give them a call, though, just to check and so they know how much interest there is, and if there’s no space, let me know you’re interested for next year.

For more information or to reserve a spot in any workshop, retreat, or weekly course, email brianhenry@sympatico.ca

Read reviews of Brian’s courses and workshops here.

See Brian’s complete current schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Algonquin Park, Bolton, Barrie, Brampton, Burlington, Caledon, Georgetown, Guelph, Hamilton, Ingersoll, Kingston, Kitchener, London, Midland, Mississauga, Oakville, Ottawa, Peterborough, St. Catharines, Saint John, NB, Sudbury, Thessalon, Toronto, Windsor, Woodstock, Halton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Muskoka, Peel, Simcoe, York Region, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

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