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2022 Pura Belpre Honor Book
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Writers House is a full service literary agency that was founded in 1974. I've worked in both the California and New York offices of Writers House, having started as an intern, and worked my way up to agent. I've had the opportunity to work closely with a variety of award-winning authors and illustrators, in genres ranging from picture books to middle grade and YA, to adult literary fiction and nonfiction.
I studied Literature & Writing at University of California, San Diego and earned my MFA in Fiction from Columbia University — not only do I understand the revision process from an agent’s point of view, I also understand it from a writer’s perspective. I truly love editorial work, and am hands-on when it comes to helping authors revise and build projects.
Below you’ll find detailed information about the types of projects I’m looking for:
YOUNG ADULT:
My taste is wide when it comes to YA, and I'm really looking to build my list further in this area. I like both true-to-life books and fantasy. Both fast-paced and gripping commercial novels, and more literary novels; in any case, I'm looking for complex and nuanced characters who surprise you, and who you can't help but fall in love with. I'm interested in stories about love, friendship, family dynamics, and mixtures of all of the above. Mysteries are great here, too. I do really like Young Adult work that reflects the realities of being a teen in our world today, stories involving artwork, books that take place in a variety of locations and that explore many cultures, and novels that explore rarely discussed topics. A few YA titles I love: BONE GAP by Laura Ruby, CARAVAL by Stephanie Garber, WHEN DIMPLE MET RISHI by Sandhya Menon, ONE OF US IS LYING by Karen McManus, and YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN A CROWN by Leah Johnson. I'm always down for dramas and more serious topics, but would love more funny novels and rom-coms right now, too!
MIDDLE GRADE & CHAPTER BOOKS:
I love Middle Grade novels about friendships, and those that reveal intricacies (lighthearted or serious) of family relationships. I also love adventure stories, and when magical elements reveal truths about our world. I'm definitely a fan of the quirky, whimsical, and laugh-out-loud funny in this category. Voice is extra important. Illustrated middle grade works and chapter books are great, and as in all categories, books that challenge traditional expectations. For example, on the younger side, DORY FANTASMAGORY by Abby Hanlon, FLORA AND ULYSSES by Kate DiCamillo and K.G. Campbell. Other favorites: WILDWOOD CHRONICLES by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis, WONDER by R.J. Palacio.
PICTURE BOOKS:
I’m looking for quirky and laugh-out-loud picture books filled with heart, and, as in all categories, for stories featuring diverse characters by diverse creators - books that allow kids to see themselves in the stories they read. I’m passionate about working with author/illustrators who have stories they have to tell, and who are excited about sharing tales that children will remember in their teens, in their thirties, in their sixties...stories they’ll want to pass on to their own children and grandchildren. **At this point in time, I'm only taking on author/illustrators and illustrators of picture books.**
FICTION (FOR ADULTS):
I don't take on as many books for adults, but I'm always incredibly excited to work on just the right project. (I also work with a good number of clients who write in the YA/children's and adult space, or who plan to.) I'm excited about literary and upmarket commercial fiction that blends gorgeous sentence-level writing with stories featuring younger protagonists, eg. Janet Fitch's WHITE OLEANDER—one of my favorite books ever - and Celeste Ng's LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE & EVERYTHING I NEVER TOLD YOU. I'm a total sucker for vivid descriptions of California (or, really any time setting feels almost like a character in itself), and appreciate true-to-life fiction more often than not, but (again with the exceptions) I do love Leslie Parry's CHURCH OF MARVELS, or CLaire Vaye Watkins' GOLD FAME CITRUS, when we're in a familiar world with some additional elements. I also especially love books that explore the intricacies of friendship, and novels that tackle the complexities of mother/daughter relationships. A few literary novels I love: THE GIRLS FROM CORONA DEL MAR by Rufi Thorpe, THE IMMORTALISTS by Chloe Benjamin, SUCH A FUN AGE by Kiley Reid. On the more commercial side, a favorite is THE ASSISTANTS by Camille Perri. I recently read and really enjoyed Taylor Jenkins Reid's MALIBU RISING and I'm currently reading and very much enjoying Helen Hoang's THE HEART PRINCIPLE. On the commercial side, I'd love to see a great rom-com or family drama.
For a sense of cinematic story preferences: you can generally find me watching titles like TO ALL THE BOYS series, THE KISSING BOOTH series, ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING, NEVER HAVE I EVER, THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL, THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT, THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS, GOOD TROUBLE, THE BABYSITTERS CLUB...and I'm certainly talking about Bruno!
I'm new to TikTok - now posting about books at @andreaagency.
Thanks so much for reading. I hope to see your work!
