The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency is a New York City-based full-service literary agency founded in 2001 and named one of the top 25 literary agencies in the country by Writer’s Digest. The agency represents children’s literature for all ages – picture books and middle-grade and young adult novels – but also represents high-quality adult fiction and non-fiction in a wide range of genres. JDLA is proud to represent illustrators, as well as screenwriters for both television and film, including Emmy and Peabody Award-winning writers and illustrators. What sets JDLA apart from other agencies is our holistic approach to managing every aspect of an author’s career to make the most of their project's potential.

Amy is actively building her list in the following categories:

MIDDLE-GRADE AND YA

Horror- Give me your dark and twisted tales that make me question reality. Stories set around Halloween, ghosts and hauntings--all with themes of friendship--are perfect stories for me.

Romance- I really want to see sweet first love stories. I want to feel that wave of butterflies first love creates and the awkwardness of a first kiss or that tension of having a crush—no matter the type of coupling (F/F, M/M, or F/M).

Contemporary- I’m always in search of strong, young characters that fight to change the world. Also, enemies to friends, friendship break-ups, and feel good family stories are always at the top of my #MSWL—think MG or YA Schitt’s Creek.

Mystery- I’d love to see stories including a group of teens that band together to solve puzzles and mysteries. Think of a modern day Goonies or Scooby-Doo with diverse characters.

Adventure- As a rescue dog mama of three, I am on the hunt for a story that includes a rescue dog--preferably one with a breed who is often cast as naughty. But please don't send me one where the dog speaks.

ADULT

I am seeking twisty suspense, light magical realism that is grounded in every day life, dark academia, cozy mysteries, southern gothic, and contemporary upmarket women's fiction.

NONFICTION

MG, YA, and Adult- I am looking for powerful stories from diverse voices, including cookbooks that highlight family stories or ancestral anecdotes.

Amy is especially open for #ownvoices stories written by disabled, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ authors.

Amy is NOT the best fit for:

High Fantasy/Science Fiction/Historical Fiction
Pandemic/virus stories
Angels/demons/werewolves/zombies/vampires/mermaids/pirates
Political/military/police heavy thrillers
Novellas/short story collections/poetry collections/screenplays
Previously published work
Chapter/picture books
Stories including religious themes, suicide, rape, physical/mental abuse/abductions/violence against children

Amy joined The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency as an Associate Literary Agent in 2020. She has been a part of the publishing industry since 2015, previously working as an Agent Apprentice at Corvisiero Literary Agency and as an intern with Entangled Publishing, Holloway Literary Agency, and P.S. Literary.

The Jennifer De Chiara Agency accepts queries via Query Manager only. See the website for guidelines -- www.jdlit.com/amy-giuffrida

Please direct your e-query to ONE agent at our agency, and include the following:
Fiction: query letter, synopsis, and first 10 pages
Nonfiction: query letter, proposal, and sample chapter

Amy responds to every query. Queries should be submitted through QueryManager: http://QueryMe.Online/AmyGiuffrida