3 agents at Laura Dale Literary seek picture books, MG and YA books and adult fiction and nonfiction

Whatever After, Sugar and Spice,
by Sarah Mlynowski,
represented by Laua Dail Agency

Laura Dail Literary Agency

121 West 27th Street

Suite 1201

New York, NY 10001

http://www.ldlainc.com/

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The Laura Dail Literary Agency has been around since 1996. It’s a small (4 agents), full-service literary agency, representing fiction and nonfiction, commercial and literary, for both adults and children. The agency represents diverse authors, including bestselling authors of children’s fiction, award-winning journalists, historians, chefs, and humorists. 

Samantha Fabien is the newest member of the team, and like all new agents, she needs authors. Samantha graduated from Seton Hall University in 2015. After completing the Columbia Publishing Course, Samantha found her passion for foreign rights and editorial through her internships and part-time work at three literary agencies: Ayesha Pande Literary, Writers House, and Chalberg & Sussman.

She joined the LDLA team in May 2018 as their International Rights Manager, and began her role as a literary agent in April 2019. Samantha's truest passion – apart from reading and writing – is sharing inclusive, lasting, and impactful stories with the world.

Specifically, Samantha is looking for Commercial and high-concept adult fiction; Non-western historical fiction (specifically on the lookout for stories set in 1600s-1800s or 1920s-1970s); Psychological thrillers; and Fresh, unique rom-coms.

In Middle Grade and Young Adult, she’s seeking contemporary fiction (especially re-imaginings of classic tales); Grounded YA fantasy with rich characters and world building

In general {like everyone else} she wants all things diverse and #ownvoices.

Find her on Twitter here.

Query Samantha at: queries@ldlainc.com

Along with your book title, include the name of the agent you’re querying in the subject field; e.g.: Query: TITLE for Samantha Fabien. Paste the first 5–10 pages of your manuscript into the body of your email. No attachments. Full submission guidelines here.

Two other agents at Laura Dail are also seeking authors.

Elana Roth Parker is looking for Commercial and high-concept middle-grade and young adult fiction (all genres, but maybe avoid Christmas, talking animal books, or anything nightmare-inducing; narrative nonfiction for children and teens; and picture books, but from author/illustrators only.

“For fiction, both MG and YA,” says Elana, “my tastes run more commercial than literary, so I'm mainly looking for high-concept or commercial-leaning novels. That means good plots and good twists. I like to say my tastes lie at the intersection of timeless and fresh. For examples, look at The Selection, which draws on fairytales but updates them in new ways, or Brightly Burning, which is Jane Eyre in space. Both pull from tradition but spin them in surprising ways.

“I’m not picky about genre (sci-fi, fantasy, magical realism, contemporary, historical, all good) so long as there's a strong plot (make me keep turning pages, please) told by a strong voice. I want books that I can come back to over and over again. I read to escape, not to get punched in the face, so take me far away with an irresistible voice, but don't make me suffer along the way.”

For fiction, these are Elana’s keywords: imagination, escapism, other-worldiness, nerdy inspiration, high emotional stakes, diverse, plot-driven, heartfelt.

“For nonfiction: I'm looking for all age levels. For picture books and middle-grade, I'd love to see topics kids would find fascinating explained in creative ways and formats, especially for the younger ages. For MG and YA, I'd also love to see narrative non-fiction, i.e. great, real-life voices with a rich story to tell kids.”

Like everyone else, Elana is looking for diversity. “If you have a story that fits my broader tastes above and has brown kids, non-straight kids, or differently-abled kids, PLEASE send them to me.” 

Query Elana at: queries@ldlainc.com

Along with your book title, include the name of the agent you’re querying in the subject field; e.g.: Query: TITLE for Agent’s Name. Paste the first 5–10 pages of your manuscript into the body of your email. No attachments. If you are an author/illustrator, provide a link to your online portfolio. Full submission guidelines here.

Carrie Pestritto is looking for fresh, diverse voices in fiction and nonfiction for adults and children. She has a fairly full list at the moment (especially in young adult) so she’s being very selective in taking on new authors. 

In adult fiction, she represents commercial fiction with a literary twist; fresh chick-lit; romance; upmarket women's fiction; near-historical fiction (from about the Gilded Age on); mystery/thrillers for a female audience, as well as cozies.

In nonfiction, she represents narrative non-fiction; biography/memoir.

In kid lit, she represents high-concept young adult fantasy, especially diverse fantasy; diverse young adult and upper middle grade; middle grade with a quirky voice; and biographical, educational, or cultural picture books.

Query Carrie at: queries@ldlainc.com

Along with your book title, include the name of the agent you’re querying in the subject field; e.g.: Query: TITLE for Agent’s Name. Paste the first 5–10 pages of your manuscript into the body of your email. No attachments. If you are an author/illustrator, provide a link to your online portfolio. Full submission guidelines here.

Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

If you’re interested in kid lit, don’t miss Writing for Children and for Young Adults. Offered on May 5 and May 11, this workshop will feature Erin O'Connor, senior editor at Scholastic Books as a guest speaker.

On Saturday, May 5, in Toronto, the workshop will also feature young adult author Laurie Elizabeth Flynn (see  here), and on Saturday, May 11, in Brampton the workshop will also feature young adult author Tanaz Bhathena (see here).

If you’re interested in getting published, soon or somewhere down the road, don’t miss the How to Get Published workshop, Saturday, June 8, in Waterloo with literary agent Meg Wheeler (see here). 

For updated listings of How to Get Published workshops see here (and scroll down). 

And don’t miss these other great workshops coming soon:  Plotting Novels and Writing Short Stories, Saturday, May 25, in Niagara on the Lake (see here), How to Write Great Characters, Saturday, June 22, in Oakville, (see here), and Finding Your Voice, Saturday, July 13, in London (see here).    

But the best way to grow as a writer may be with a weekly course. Here’s what’s coming this summer:

Oakville Woodside Library: Exploring Creative Writing, Tuesday afternoons, July 2 – Aug 13. See here.

Burlington: Intensive Creative Writing, Wednesday afternoons, July 3 – Aug 21; first  readings emailed June 26. See here.

Burlington: Intensive Creative Writing, Wednesday evenings July 3 – Aug 21; first readings emailed June 26. See here.

In the fall, join us at the ... 

November at the Briars Writing Retreat

Friday, November 1 – Monday, November 4; four days of creativity in a setting that provides the warmth of a country estate steeped in history while providing all the benefits of an extensive, modern lakeside resort. Details here.

To reserve a spot in any upcoming weekly course, weekend retreat, or Saturday workshop, email Brian at: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

Read reviews of Brian’s courses, retreats, and workshops here.

See Brian’s complete current schedule here, including Saturday writing workshops, weekly writing classes, and weekend retreats in Algonquin Park, Alliston, Bolton, Barrie, Brampton, Burlington, Caledon, Collingwood, Georgetown, Georgina, Guelph, Jackson’s Point, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Midland, Mississauga, New Tecumseth, Oakville, Ottawa, St. Catharines, Sudbury, Toronto, Windsor, Woodstock, Halton, Muskoka, Peel, Simcoe, York Region, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.

Navigation tips: Always check out the Labels underneath a post; they’ll lead you to various distinct collections of postings. If you're searching for more interviews with literary agents or a literary agent who represents a particular type of book, check out this post.