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| The Fever King by Victoria Lee, represented by Root Literary |
Root
Literary
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including your locale to: brianhenry@sympatico.ca ~Brian
Literary agent Holly Root launched over two dozen
New York Times bestsellers before founding Root Literary in 2017. The agency
has five agents, four of whom are actively seeking authors:
Kurestin Armada recently left Canadian agency P.S. Literary to join
Root Literary. Kurestin began her publishing
career as an intern with Workman Publishing and spent time as an assistant at
the Lotts Agency before joining P.S. Literary. She holds a B.A. in English from
Kenyon College and a publishing certificate from Columbia University. Kurestin
is based in New York City, where she spends most of her time in the city’s
thriving bookstores.
Kurestin is not yet listed
on the Root Literary website, but presumably her interests haven’t changed and
she is still actively acquiring Upmarket and Commercial Fiction, Magic Realism,
Science Fiction, select Historical Fiction LGBTQ (any genre), Romance,
illustrated Picture Books, Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Graphic Novels.
In nonfiction, Kurestin is
looking for Design, Cooking, Pop Psychology, Narrative, Photography, Nature,
and Science.
Include the first 10 pages of
your manuscript in the body of your email.
Taylor Haggerty is actively looking for new authors, both of adult books and young
adult. “I love books that surprise me,” she says. “the ones that are just a
little unexpected, a little more clever, or funny, or twisty than I’d
anticipated going in. Across the board, I’m looking for high-concept premises
and manuscripts that demand to be read in a single sitting. I also love books
that blend genres or try new and interesting modes of storytelling, whether
that means playing around with format, or putting a new spin on a
tried-and-true trope.
“I often describe my taste as boiling down to
"witches and kissing" - smart, inventive, female-focused fantasy on
one end of the spectrum, and fun, delightful romance on the other (though
sometimes the stars align and the witches are kissing!).
“But the number one reason I fall for a submission is
voice - that quality to your writing that makes it distinctly, uniquely yours.
When it comes to my clients’ books, I’m constantly thinking, only this
particular author would describe something like this, or write
dialogue like that, or rip my heart out with a single sentence,
like so. And I like to think that I could always pick their writing out
from a lineup, if such a thing existed. So, as corny as it sounds, I want the
stories only you could (or would think to) write.”
In
adult books, Tayor is specifically looking for General
commercial fiction, women’s fiction, and romance.
 |
| The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, represented by Root Literary |
“I'm always looking for smart, funny, voice-driven
projects to add to my list,” says Taylor, “and I have a tendency to fall for
books that blur the lines between genres. High-concept is key! (Two upcoming
client titles that are great examples of my taste here are Emily Henry’s BEACH
READ and Kate Clayborn’s LOVE LETTERING).
“For romance, I'm
primarily looking for contemporary, and anything that plays with tropes in a
fun and interesting way. I’m likely not the best fit for romantic
suspense, though – never say never! I’m a big rom-com fan, but my bar is very
high, since I have so many fabulous authors writing in this space. Sally Thorne
and Jen DeLuca, to name just two!) I’d also love to find a big, sweeping gothic
romance. In both women’s fiction and historical fiction I’m looking for big
hooks, unique points of entry, and books that make me feel.
“In all these areas, I
want the book that you can recommend to your mom, best friend, neighbor, and
yoga instructor all in one go, as well as books that are just plain fun –
and extremely well executed.
“I’d also love to find
gorgeous contemporary fantasy, fun and clever fantasy rom-coms, and
books grounded in our world (or near-future) with a speculative twist.”
For Young Adult, Taylor says: “Above all else I want to be surprised by a story I
haven't read before. I love sibling, friendship, and found-family stories,
swoony romance, interesting magic systems, brilliant world-building, smart
& witty humor, and plots that go where you aren't expecting them to.
“I love high fantasy that
is big and ambitious and feels undeniably fresh (Natasha Ngan’s GIRLS OF PAPER
AND FIRE, Destiny Soria’s BENEATH THE CITADEL, and Amanda Joy’s A RIVER OF
ROYAL BLOOD are all great client examples of my taste here), but right now I’m
particularly on the look-out for contemporary fantasy – something grounded in
our world, with a magical/speculative twist. (Along the lines of Lana Popovic’s
WICKED LIKE A WILDFIRE, for instance!)
“My love of rom-coms is
true in YA as well, and voice and concept are particularly important to me
here. (I’m so excited for the world to meet Marisa Kanter’s WHAT I LIKE ABOUT
YOU and Cameron Lund’s THE BEST LAID PLANS in Spring 2020!)”
Include the first 10 pages of
your manuscript in the body of our email.
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Melanie Castillo
is actively looking for fiction and narrative nonfiction. She is especially
excited to find high-concept commercial and literary leaning general fiction,
young adult novels with a strong voice and propulsive pacing, and heartfelt and
humorous middle grade novels across genres.
“I was born and raised in Southern California in a multi-cultural,
blended family,” says Melanie, “so I have a soft spot for books that shine a
spotlight on the nuances of family relationships and identity. In all cases – no
matter what genre you’re writing in – I want to read books that are inclusive
and that accurately reflect our world. I like characters who aren’t your
typical lead and to be surprised by the unexpected.”
In adult fiction,
Melanie is seeking:
Upmarket fiction with elements of mystery/suspense in the vein of
Celeste Ng’s EVERYTHING I NEVER TOLD YOU and Angie Kim’s MIRACLE CREEK.
Any commercial fiction that could sit on a shelf next to Blake Crouch or
Michael Crichton.
Beautifully-written, well-researched, and expansive adult fiction that
straddles the line between commercial and literary. A recent example is
Madeline Miller’s CIRCE, but Barbara Kingsolver’s THE POISONWOOD BIBLE is a
tried-and-true favorite. I’d also add anything that feels like a modern-day
EAST OF EDEN.
In Young Adult Fiction, she’s looking for:
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| The Un-honeymooners by Christina Lauren represented by Root Literary |
Young Adult, Science Fiction/Fantasy, and High Fantasy with page-turning
action and adventure, but also an emotional undercurrent that carries through
to those last pages.
A slow burn romance (contemporary, rom-com, and fantasy).
In Middle Grade,
she’s seeking:
Heartwarming and adventurous fiction. She especially loves books that
manage to be timeless while oh so subtly touching on timely topics in a way
that doesn’t feel didactic. She wants “that sweet spot between literary and
commercial (a trend you may be noticing here). A recent example is Root
Literary author Lynne Kelly’s SONG FOR A WHALE.”
Darker fantasy (standalone or series) that feels reminiscent of Philip
Pullman’s HIS DARK MATERIALS or Jim Henson’s THE DARK CRYSTAL. Both of these
series, despite their different mediums, are epic in scope but so immersive,
character-driven, and awe-inspiring that it never feels like work for the
audience – instead, around every corner is another surprise.
Finally, “I’m constantly on the lookout for anything that reads like a
Studio Ghibli film in both MG and YA (I love them all – especially Porco Rosso,
Princess Mononoke, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Howl’s Moving Castle).”
Include the first 10 pages of
your manuscript in the body of your email.
Molly O’Neill is seeking Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction,
author-illustrators, illustrators, cartoonists and graphic novelists, and adult
nonfiction, though generally to authors who already have a big platform.
In Young Adult
novels, Molly says, “Tell me a story that's somehow never been told, particularly if
it's by a narrative voice that's never been heard, or an authorial voice that's
been previously under-represented. I'm most compelled by big what-ifs; by a
vivid and vibrant sense of place or worldbuilding; by characters making hard,
even seemingly impossible choices; by the portrayal of friendships that are as
intensely meaningful as any romance; by tales of chosen family or
bands-of-misfits-turned-family; and by romances that are simultaneously swoony
and full of wit and spark.
“I'm far more interested
in the ground-breaking than the well-trodden or derivative, and so am
fascinated by unexpected structures, high-concept narrative frameworks and
storytelling mechanisms, meldings of genres, or twists I genuinely didn't see
coming. And always, always, I want evocative, masterful writing.”
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| Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly represented by Root Literary |
In middle grade fiction, Molly is drawn to novels that “make me feel something as a reader –
whether you make me laugh, cry, curious, wondrous, or furiously indignant! My
favorite middle grades explore relationships and a character's growing
awareness of their connections to the larger world around them, all while
saying something fresh and meaningful about the experience of being human.
“Magical realism or a
sense of the fantastical get big bonus points from me, as does a strong sense
of place, real or imaginary, and I can never get enough of humor (though I lean
more toward wit, puns, or a sense of the absurd than slapstick humor). Lyrical
writing can win me over fast, but it needs to be supported by a plot as
compelling as the language is beautiful.”
Molly is seeking author-illustrators of picture books {but not stand-alone picture book manuscripts}. She
also welcomes illustrators.
“My illustrator clients
work on a variety of formats,” says Molly, “from jacket/cover illustrations, to
spot art, to full picture books, to early readers/chaper books, to graphic
novels and graphic hybrids. I'm drawn to a wide variety of illustration styles
(visit the Illustrator Gallery here to see
examples), but what most catches my eye is art with a distinctive narrative
sensibility or point of view, a knack for visual storytelling, and the
intelligent use of subtle-but-impactful visual details, whether poignant,
humorous, or sweet, that add to the richness and complexity of a story's
seemingly-simple layers.
“On a technical level,
I'm open to any medium, but looking for illustrators who work equally well in
full color and black/white/grayscale and dexterity with shading, line work, and
composition are all important.”
For adult fiction and
nonfiction, Molly is most likely to sign clients who she has pursued based on
their existing, distinctive, well-established platform, expertise, or life
experience.
For
fiction, include the first 10 pages of your manuscript in the body of your
email.
Author
illustrators should attach a lo-res book dummy (at least 2 full-color spreads), or sample of
a longer illustrated work + links to your online portfolio/Instagram to: illustrators@rootliterary.com
Or “you may also direct us
to a password-protected version of the dummy hosted on your website. No shared
Google Drive files.
Illustrators should
attach 3-5 lo-res sample illustrations + include links to your online
portfolio/Instagram/other hosting site to: illustrators@rootliterary.com
 |
| Literary agent Martha Webb |
If you’re interested in
getting published, now or sometime in the future, don’t miss our upcoming How to Get Published
Also check out Writing
& Revising, Saturday, Feb 29, in Mississauga (see here), Finding Your
Voice, Saturday, March 7, in Burlington, (see here),
and How to Make Yourself Write, Saturday,
March 14, in St. Catharines (see here).
But
the best way of upping your game as a writer, may be with a weekly class. This
spring, a full range of courses is on offer, introductory to intensive and
including writing kid lit:
 |
| Author Kira Vermond, one of the guest speakers for the Kid Lit course |
Oakville: Welcome to
Creative Writing, Thursday evenings, April 16 – June 25. No class June 4.
Details here.
Burlington: Writing Kid
Lit, Thursday afternoons, April 23 – June 25. No class
June 4. Details here.
Burlington: Next Step in
Creative Writing, Tuesday afternoons, April 14 – June 23. First
readings emailed April 7. Details here.
Georgetown: Intensive
Creative Writing, Wednesday evenings, March 25 – June
24. First readings emailed March 18. Details here.
Toronto: Intensive
Creative Writing, Friday mornings, March 27 – June 26. First
readings emailed March 20. Details here.
Details of all spring
courses here.
Plus …
Algonquin Writing Retreat, Friday, June
5 – Monday, June 8, 2020. Four days of luxury and writing at
Arowhon Pines Resort in Algonquin Park – one of most beautiful spots
in Ontario. This is the area that inspired the Group of Seven; come and let it
inspire you, too. Still room. Details here.
Windsor International Writers Festival, Friday, July
10 – Sunday, July 12. Brian will lead a Round Table critiquing
your opening pages on Friday morning, will give a talk about writing query
letters, and will meet attendees one-on-one to help them write a query
that will get a yes. Details here. More details of the conference here.
Join me in Southampton – a lovely beach town on Lake Huron – for a
weekend of workshops this summer: How to Build Your Story, Saturday,
July 25 {details to come} and How to Write Great Characters, Sunday, July
26 {details to come}.
To
reserve a spot in any upcoming weekly course, weekend retreat, or Saturday
workshop, email Brian at: brianhenry@sympatico.ca
See Brian’s full schedule here, including writing workshops, weekly writing classes, and weekend retreats in, Bolton, Barrie, Brampton, Burlington, Caledon, Collingwood, Georgetown, Georgina, Guelph, Hamilton, Jackson’s Point, Kingston, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Midland, Mississauga, Oakville, Ottawa, Peterborough, St. Catharines, Southampton, 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.
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