Elaine Spencer [SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS] is a literary agent at The Knight Agency.

Elaine joined The Knight Agency in 2005, after graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in economics and literature. Originally serving as the agency’s submissions coordinator, Elaine then moved on to head the foreign rights department, before beginning to actively build her own individual client list. Over the last decade Elaine has placed over 300 titles in a wide variety of subgenres, to all major publishers in the marketplace.

Elaine continues to keep a focused author list as she believes it is important to work closely with her clients through each step of the publishing process. She relishes seeing her clients’ talents grow alongside their careers, and one of her favorite parts of the job continues to be educating authors about the market and business at large

Elaine lives in Athens, Georgia with her husband, daughter, and four-legged sons. Elaine is a member of RWA and the WFWA and is also an AAR recognized agent. She is interested in a wide-variety of subgenres, including but not limited to: women’s fiction, historical fiction, romance, contemporary fiction, and a multitude of nonfiction categories.

In fiction, she is open to: General fiction, mystery, romance, suspense, thriller, women’s, Southern fiction, diverse stories.

In nonfiction, she is open to: memoir, reference, biography, cookbooks, sports, lifestyle, pop culture, social media, platform-driven authors, health, mind/body, business/finance.

WISH LIST:

• I would love to see more historical women’s fiction exploring unique moments in history with a strong sense of place. Fiona Davis, Chanel Cleeton, and Ariel Lawhon are all wonderful examples of the type of story that will grab my attention.
• On the contemporary side of the women’s fiction spectrum I want stories that will speak to readers personally, characters who will get in your head and cause reason for personal reflection. I love contemporary Suburban Dramadies (think Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty or even the modern classic Little Children by Perrotta . I’m also always interested in sweeping family dramas that bridge over into the commercial space such as Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng or All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin. I loved The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin, Did You Ever Have a Family by Bill Clegg, and This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel.
• I love stories with strong southern themes. To me this means an overwhelming sense of another time (even if its in a contemporary novel); stories about a place steeped in ancient traditions and family expectations, unique cultural oddities and loveliness
• Fictionalized Stories featuring hot topics in the news and/or from the daily realities of modern pop-culture.
• In Romance I’m looking for urban-set contemporary romantic comedies. I know I’m one of a million but The Hating Game has been at the top of my favorites list for awhile. I also like stories featuring strong “underdog” modern heroines. In my view this can take a lot of directions, someone from a marginalized background, someone with an uncommon upbringing, a person who has overcome all the odds, etc.
• I’m a big fan of domestic suspense but it would really have to be stand out in a currently crowded space to grab my attention. It must have high stakes, a sympathetic protagonist, and a unique easy to spot hook
• I’m also really growing my list in the non-fiction space. I’m interested in narrative, prescriptive and gift nonfiction in a vast arena spanning from true-crime (especially as it relates to its lasting impact on history, a place or a group of people such as Missoula by Jon Krakauer or Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann), pop-culture, motivational/self-help, how-to guides, female empowerment, humor (especially humorous memoir), diet, platform-driven social media brands, modern parenting, and lifestyle to name a few.
• Beyond the above specific parameters I love stories featuring animals (ok, starring animals!), cooking/food/wine, world-travel, secret or underground societies, “clubs” of all sorts (knitting, book, widows, etc)., weddings, vacation spots, sports-influence

RECENT SALES:

THE HIDING SEASON by Sara Ackerman (Mira Books, 2020)

THE DRUDGE REVOLUTION by Matthew Lysiak (Benbella Books, 2020)

SUTTER CREEK MINISERIES by Laurel Greer (Harlequin Books, 2020)

RAPTOR by Peter Vronsky (Penguin, Random House, 2020)

THE HIGHLAND EARL by Amy Jarecki (Grand Central Books, 2019)

THE LIEUTENANTS NURSE by Sara Ackerman (Mira Books, 2019)

THE FOURTH SUMMER by Kathleen Gilles Seidel (Lyrical Press, 2018)

DEFENSELESS by Elizabeth Dyer (July, 2018)

 by Jules Bennett (Harlequin, 2017)

CHRISTMAS SANCTUARY by Lauren Hawkeye (Bookshots, 2017)

DEMOLISHED by Cathryn Fox (St. Martins, 2017)

THE MEN OF WOLLSTONECRAFT HALL by Karyn Gerrard (Lyrical Press, 2018)

She has a BA in Early Childhood Education and MA in Theology and Religious Studies which led her into children’s ministry for many years. Eventually, her lifelong love of books and authors drew her back to her original dream of entering the publishing world. Kristen is a multi-published, award-winning author and freelance writer. She’s held such positions as the Blog Manager for a national women’s ministry and the Social Media Manager for a publishing house. All these components landed her a spot in the coveted Writers House Intern Program. There, she received valuable hands-on agenting and publishing experience which she brings into her position. She was also named an ECPA Emerging Leader in 2023 and went through a precious mentorship during 2024 to further her understanding of the Christian Publishing landscape.

Kristen has long been a voice for diversity. She’s written extensively on topics of racial reconciliation and unity and has been a facilitator of groups around these topics in her church. In all her focused genres, she welcomes books with BIPOC or disabled main characters and diverse friendships. She believes books change people in all the best ways and that every child should see themselves in the pages.

Overall Preferences: Settings I’d love to see: Reservations, underpopulated areas in the US, anywhere other than the US or England… I love books with unique structures or retellings, time lapses, dual POVS when warranted, industry-standard word counts (!), and hooks/stakes shown within the first 5-8 pages.

I am not a good fit for Science Fiction (even in MG & YA), books with any political agenda, extremely foul-mouthed characters, sick-lit or cancer books, books over 100k words, and books with gratuitous sex scenes.

Young Adult (All subgenres except Sci-fi): My background in writing YA and extensive reading in this genre has given me a great love and understanding of it. Grab my attention within the first couple of pages. Send me books with first loves, unique friendships, interesting and/or challenging family dynamics, and hard-hitting subject matter (race relations, suicide, abuse, divorce, etc.) but leave me with a satisfying (not necessarily happy!) ending.

I, generally, like friends-lovers tropes, am a little tired of most contemporary YA stories (so it better be fresh!), and I like witches or dark, rogue magic and characters over Fae and court intrigue. I will always love dragons, but would need a new take here, and do you have a unicorn story? I’m game to see it!

YA TV/films comps I’d love to see: Maxton Hall, Reservation Dogs, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Trinkets, Stranger Things, Me and Walter Boys, Labyrinth, The Vampire Diaries, My-So-Called-Life, Ginny & Georgia…

Thrillers/Suspense/Mystery: Send me the smart, tough, and brave lady crime solvers. I love serial killers. I love small towns and big cities. I love relatable and quirky characters. If I can’t figure out what’s going to happen next or what the ending will be, you’ve gotten my attention. (Note: I am less into straight police/procedural fiction unless there’s a strong hook.)

Thrillers/Suspense/Mystery TV/films comps I’d love to see: Only Murders in the Building, Based on a True Story, Reacher, Presumed Innocent, Harban Coben’s stories made into movies, The Lincoln Lawyer, Will Trent, Dark Winds…

Horror: Creep me out. Make me scared to read the story at night. Give me a book that explores death- the process of, grim reaper, death personified… If folk-horror is a thing that sounds like it could fit your book, send it. Have a ghost story? I’d rather it be like ‘The Ghost Whisperer’ versus a romance with one. Vampires? Werewolves? Great! But it better be fresh! No slasher-film style stories please- these don’t read well for me. Is your story a thriller with a touch of horror/speculative elements? Send it.

Horror TV/films comps I’d love to see: From (!), Chapelwaite, The Forrest, Midnight Mass, The Lost Boys, Predator, World War Z, The Haunting of Bly Manor, The Haunting of Hill House, Wolf Like Me, Stranger Things, Castle Rock, Dark, Salem’s Lot, Jeepers Creepers, Kindred…

Contemporary: Voice will be what gets me here. Also, everyday life stories that aren’t set in the US or England.

Contemporary TV/films comps I’d love to see: Beef, Reservation Dogs, Yellowstone, Yellowjackets, Tell Me Lies, The Brothers Sun…

Romance: I am currently open to all subgenres of this category. Surprise me.

New Adult: I love college stories! And humorous young twenties. Send me these!

Women’s Fiction: I am picky in my tastes here. I tend to lean to lyrical stories here, but I’m open to all. I LOVE diverse stories here too! I love new structures, interesting and surprising POVs. Send me all and I’ll take a look.

Historical Fiction: I’m interested in the Civil War to present-day time periods, little-known parts of WWII that haven’t been explored, the Viking era, and Native stories from around the world.

Great TV/Film comps I love here: The Last Kingdom, Vikings, Highlander, The Blitz, Forrest Gump, The Chosen

Literary Fiction: I’m picky here… But I’ll give anything a shot. Surprise me.

Faith-Based/Inspirational Fiction and Nonfiction: I love a good redemption or forgiveness story, a historically accurate saga, a clean and beautiful, yet realistic love story, or a memoir that has me crying and laughing within the span of a few pages. Surprise me with the beauty of God’s grace. I also want to see more bible studies and devotionals.

True Crime (Nonfiction): I’m obsessed with true crime. If you’ve got a story, tell me about it…

Illustrators: I am open to seeing your artwork! Query me with your portfolio!

Fantasy: My tastes definitely lean toward romance here (Romantsy). And while I do love some Lord of the Rings (the soundtrack was played at my wedding!), I’m currently not looking for high fantasy. Like my tastes in YA fantasy, I’m tired of the court intrigue storyline, or princess needing to save the realm.

Non-fiction: Send me memoirs, culture, celebrity, parenting, and psychology books. If you have an interesting idea, send it. My tastes vary greatly here. (Please have a strong platform and/or authority to speak on the subject if you are sending me a NF submission.)

Middle Grade (All subgenres except Sci-fi): I heart Middle Grade! Contemporaries have been hard for me to gain traction in lately, but feel free to pitch me any subgenre, and I’ll give it a review! (I am closed to MG queries except for at workshops and conferences.)

Picture Books: Picture books are an important part of establishing a love for literature at an early age. Pitch all things kid-friendly here. (I am closed to PB queries except for at workshops and conferences.)

Laurie Dennison is a literary agent with Creative Media Agency.

After earning her master’s degree from the University of Florida, Laurie Dennison began her career as an English teacher. She then spent over ten years working as a freelance writer and editor in desktop publishing, including serving as a Pitch Wars mentor for five years. In 2022 she attended the Denver Publishing Institute, leading to an internship at Creative Media Agency, Inc. before stepping into her role as an associate agent and internship coordinator at CMA.

In adult books, Laurie seeks:

• Romance
• Contemporary
• Light fantasy/paranormal grounded in the real world
• Book Club Fiction
• Women’s Fiction
• Domestic Suspense
• Commercial Mystery/Thriller
• Nonfiction
• Memoir
• Narrative
• Women’s Issues
• young adult/children’s

In Young Adult books, she seeks:

• Contemporary
• Suspense/Thriller/Mystery
• Light Fantasy/Paranormal
• Light Science Fiction
• Nonfiction

I especially love upmarket writing, complex characters, and immersive settings. I enjoy upbeat, positive stories but don’t shy away from darker themes. Complicated relationships and family dynamics are a particular interest of mine, and I appreciate character development that is directly and organically integrated with the plot. In nonfiction, I’m interested in authors who are specialists in their fields, have strong platforms, and can help me see the world in a new light.

We live in a diverse world, and I want to see diversity of all types authentically represented in all genres; I’d love to champion minority voices as I build my list.

I’m not looking for picture books, middle grade, military or political thrillers, adult high fantasy or science fiction, horror, dystopian, or business books.

I love books that keep me engaged and turning pages late into the night. I want stories and characters that make me feel something, with concepts that are familiar enough to be relatable but unique enough to offer a fresh perspective. In nonfiction I’m inspired by timely work that helps me see the world in a new way.

I always knew my dream job would involve reading, and now I get to do it every day! I love the moment when a story completely captures my attention and I lose track of time. I am so grateful for the opportunity to partner with authors, help them realize their vision for a project, and place their work to reach readers, all while working collaboratively in a community that loves books as much as I do.

Danielle Marshall is an agent at the Jane Rotrosen Agency.

Danielle joined JRA in 2025 after more than 30 years working in publishing and bookselling, with varied experiences across the book business including Editorial Director for Lake Union Publishing, marketing and publicity roles at Workman and Simon & Schuster, as well as frontlist book buyer for the largest independent bookstore on the west coast. An avid reader and editor, she is known as a strong advocate for her authors and for building bestselling brands.

Danielle is looking for fresh voices in women’s fiction, literary fiction, book club fiction, contemporary romance, historical fiction, mystery and suspense, as well as memoir and selected self-help nonfiction. 

Her acquisitions include the #1 Amazon Charts, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan, Everything We Keep by Kerry Lonsdale, Leftie and Agatha Award–winning In Farleigh Field by Rhys Bowen, and Wreckage by Emily Bleeker.

Prior to joining JRA, Danielle held a wide range of book retail and publishing positions, starting as a bookseller in a tiny neighborhood shop in San Francisco twenty years ago. After a long stint as book buyer and then promotions manager for Powell’s Books in Portland, Oregon, Danielle made a giant leap into publishing as the marketing and public relations director of the Simon & Schuster imprint best known for their publishing phenomenon The Secret. Aside from reading, Danielle is passionate about live theater, all kinds of music, and her wonderful daughter.

 

Zoie Janelle Konneker (she/her) is an assistant editor at Peachtree Publishing Company.

Raised in the suburbs of Atlanta, she interned at two local publishing houses in 2019 and graduated from Georgia Tech in with a BS in Literature, Media, & Communication in 2020. Between her graduation and her acceptance of a full-time role at Peachtree in the winter of 2021, she worked as a Foster Coordinator at a metro-Atlanta animal shelter and attributes her love for animals and spreadsheets to her time there. Her goal is to leave the world better than she found it through elevating underrepresented voices in children’s literature and putting relatable, relevant stories in the hands of those that need them most.

Manuscript Wishlist

I am seeking fiction novels across middle-grade and young adult audiences. I am looking for timeless, emotive, and well-paced books.

Middle Grade:

I am looking for standalone titles that are full of action and heart. I enjoy historical fiction, contemporary, sci-fi (CYBERPUNK, steampunk, soft science fiction), fantasy (urban, animal, magical, dystopian, high fantasy), supernatural, and plenty of humor. My current priority is light-hearted historical fiction (anywhere from the 1800s to 1990s) with a unique setting and voice and/or anything magical realism.

Cringe-worthy coming-of-age stories with strong-willed, messy, emotional protagonists are my favorite. The manuscript should also be child-centered (non-human characters OK), plot-driven, and should contain realistic, culturally relevant themes. Women’s/LGBTQIA+/Black/Indigenous history and equality is a priority for me, so stories about a particular time in history that is often overlooked or whitewashed are particularly intriguing. I also seek out stories with neurodivergent protagonists in particular. Body positivity and body diversity are also a huge plus.

I enjoy themes of friendship, compassion, sharing, honesty, learning and problem-solving, self-esteem/acceptance and self-reliance, identity, imagination and creativity, decision-making, unconventional or found families, LGBTQIA+ and racial equality.

I am looking for immersive, evenly paced writing that emphasizes and amplifies the protagonist’s unique voice. I prefer not to acquire books written in verse.

• Bonus points:
• Well-timed plot twists
• Southeastern U.S. setting
• Sapphic characters

Young Adult:

I am looking for standalone titles with immersive, atmospheric writing that emphasizes and amplifies the protagonist’s (or protagonists’) unique voice. I prefer to acquire books written in prose. I seek out manuscripts that are equally plot and character-driven, highly descriptive, and evenly paces. Atmosphere, mood, and voice are make or break.

Genres: Fiction: historical fiction (1800s – 1990s), contemporary, sci-fi (cyberpunk, steampunk, soft science fiction), fantasy (urban, animal, magical, dystopian, high fantasy with unique magic system), magical realism, supernatural, humor, romance (prefer rom-coms to dramas), retellings (of lesser-known myths/lore)

Subject matter: Human/character-centered, social-emotional learning, neurodiversity, women’s/LGBTQIA+/Black/Indigenous history and equality, family, friendships, relationships, growing up, coming of age/entering the world as an adult

Themes: Friendship, compassion, self-esteem and self-reliance, identity, imagination and creativity, decision-making, unconventional or found families/family trauma or troubles, LGBTQIA+ and racial equality

Bonus Points:
— Sapphic characters
— Gender nonconforming characters
— Cats