All three agents at 5 Otter Literary will open for submissions this summer

Casandra, Olga, and Ali

5 Otter Literary

Toronto, Canada

https://fiveotterliterary.com/

5 Otter Literary is a full-service, international literary agency founded by long-time friends and publishing industry colleagues, Olga Filina, Casandra Rodgers, and Ali McDonald, who all previously worked together at The Rights Factory.

5 Otter represents literature across all audiences, categories, genres, and formats, for traditional publishing as well as audio, translation, and film/TV. Olga is currently open for submissions, and this summer, all three of them will be.

Ali McDonald – literary agent and partner

Ali has been an internati0nal literary agent for 15 years and has represented many award-winning and bestselling authors and illustrators. Specializing in children’s and young adult literature, she works on projects ranging from concept and novelty books, board books, picture books, early readers, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, and new adult fiction and nonfiction, to graphic novels for all ages.

Her clients include international bestselling author Laura Nowlin (If He Had Been With Me, If Only I Had Told Her, and This Song is (Not) For You), and critically-acclaimed author Matteo L. Cerilli (Lockjaw, Something’s Up With Arlo, Bad in the Blood, and Fathom Fall), among select others.

Ali will open for submissions this summer. In the meanwhile, get the jump on other writers; come and hear exactly what Ali’s looking and maybe get her critique of your query letter at our online “How to Get Published” workshop on June 13. Details here.  

Cassandra Rodgers – literary agent and partner 

Cassie has worked with a diverse group of clients on both adult fiction and nonfiction projects. Her clients’ books have been featured in publications such as Oprah, New York Times, and USA Today.

Focused exclusively on adult work, Cassandra is looking for upmarket commercial fiction, historical fiction, and suspense. On the non-fiction side, she is looking for fresh views on topics such as politics, history, science, finance, and sports. Inspiring and meaningful memoirs are always on her wish list.

Cassandra will open for submissions this summer.

Olga Filina – literary agent and partner   

Olga brings over twenty years of book industry experience to her work as an agent. From bookseller and buyer at national and independent bookstore chains, to director of literary festivals, library board member, publishing consultant, independent editor, book reviewer, and founding member of the Professional Association of Canadian Literary Agents, Olga has the specialized knowledge to find the best direction for her clients’ work.

Among fans of Quick Brown Fox, Olga is best known as Kristy Jackson’s agent. Kristy’s first Middle Grade novel, Mortified, was a finalist for a 2024 Governor General’s Award (see here). She's since published a second middle grade novel, Touching Grass (see here), and had two more contracted (see here).

Olga is currently looking for narrative and prescriptive nonfiction projects across all categories, literary and book club fiction, historical fiction, crime, mystery, suspense, and memoir with exceptional writing, focusing on underrepresented voices.

In the children’s space, she is looking for middle grade fiction with memorable characters, contemporary YA, and nonfiction across all categories.

Query Olga at: olga@fiveotterliterary.com

Include the first ten pages of your manuscript or your proposal in the body of the email. No attachments unless requested.

See the 5 Otter submissions page here.

Note: For information about our upcoming “How to Get Published” workshop, where you’ll have a chance to meet a literary agent, see here. 

See all of Brian’s upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and four-day retreats here.

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