Alyssa Eisner Henkin began her publishing career in 1999 as an editor at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. At S&S, Alyssa worked on many celebrated titles including The Little Quack series, the Henry and Mudge series, and Thank you, Sarah by Laurie Halse Anderson. In late 2006, she made the leap to literary agent at Trident Media Group, where she spent the next fourteen years negotiating hundreds of book deals as well as film and theatrical deals for her award-winning clients including R.J. Palacio, Ruth Behar, Julie Berry, and Jen Bryant. In early 2021, Alyssa fulfilled her lifelong dream of starting her own business with the founding of Birch Path Literary. Here she continues to foster exciting new book projects among her “OG” clients and many newcomers alike.
Ana Crespo, herself a picture book author, became an agent at East West Literary Agency in January of 2021. Prior to becoming an agent, Ana apprenticed with Deborah Warren and the E/W team for two years. She has a degree in journalism, a Master of Education in Adult Education, and is a 2020 graduate of the Denver Publishing Institute. Ana’s work experience includes Internal Communications, where she worked with different departments to promote their platforms, services, and client talking points to the sales force, and Academic Advising, during which she helped students from different backgrounds, needs, habits, and moods navigate the challenges of college. She brings these transferable skills to agenting and looks forward to helping her clients achieve their career goals in the publishing world. Ana is currently closed to queries.
From Dan Cramer: My love of reading started with The Chronicles of Narnia. Some of my best friends and greatest loves have been fictional characters. They have inspired and motivated me from my first career as a Forensic Scientist with the FBI to owning and operating Page Turner Literary Agency. Prior to starting my own agency, I was an Associate Agent with Flannery Literary. I have two undergraduate degrees from West Virginia University: Forensic & Investigative Sciences and Psychology. I have two graduate degrees from Benedictine University: MBA and MS Management & Organizational Behavior. I live in Burr Ridge, Illinois with my husband and our rescue dog, Henry. When I’m not reading, I enjoy the outdoors, horror movies, and baking.
Juliana McBride is a literary agent with Rebecca Friedman Literary Agency. She began her career in New York City at Random House in 2000. After a decade working with all the in-house and third-party publishers, she and her husband (and twin daughters) embarked on their second act in California producing and selling wine. She never gave up her penchant for good stories though; enter act three. Juliana loves commercial and literary fiction, and young adult and middle grade novels with believable characters and strong plot development. She’s always rooting for the underdog. And, who doesn’t secretly believe in magic? Like any true bookworm, Juliana is looking for transcendent stories that linger.
Lillian Mazeika became the T2 Agency’s very first Associate Agent in 2021 after spending a year assisting in the office. Coming from an art background herself, Lillian loves engaging with creators and seeing them bring stories to life. Lillian enjoys graphic novels and is always on the hunt for spooky stories and diverse voices. However, she really just adores all things kidlit. When she isn’t working, you can find her at a concert or flea market.
Lori Steel is a literary agent at Red Fox Literary where she represents illustrators and authors who craft stories for children and YA audiences. Prior to agenting, Lori was an educator and school librarian where she had the special honor of finding just-right books for young readers. She holds an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Art’s Writing for Children and Young Adult Program and is a member of ALA, AALA, and SCBWI. Lori lives with her family in Washington DC. When not engaged in bookish pursuits, she is probably walking their golden-chow mix or whipping up a new recipe.
Michaela Whatnall joined Dystel, Goderich & Bourret’s West Coast office in 2019. They have a degree in English and linguistics from Emory University and completed the Columbia Publishing Course. Michaela’s background in school and library marketing accounts for their strong interest in children’s literature, particularly middle grade and young adult fiction of all genres, including contemporary, fantasy, science fiction, historical, adventure, horror, and rom-com. In the adult fiction space, they are particularly seeking contemporary, speculative, and historical upmarket fiction, as well as character-driven sci-fi/fantasy and other genre fiction that features historically underrepresented characters. They are also open to select narrative nonfiction for both children and adults, graphic novels, and picture books.
Michelle Hauck is an associate literary agent for Storm Literary Agency. Her Midwest roots taught her to pay things forward, and along with several co-hosts, she ran an impressive collection of contests for writers, including Query Kombat, Nightmare on Query Street, and Picture Book Party. She also learned much from six years as a successful Pitch Wars mentor in adult SFF. Michelle is currently accepting young adult, middle grade, and select adult genres. Please check out her full wishlist and submission directions at Storm Literary Agency.\
Rachel Orr is celebrating her sixteenth year at Prospect Agency, where she represents both authors and illustrators in projects ranging from board books through YA. She previously worked for eight rewarding years at HarperCollins Children’s Books and uses those editorial skills to help prepare her clients’ work for submission. Her clients include Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Leeza Hernandez (Roxie Loves Adventure), Cori Doerrfeld (The Rabbit Listened), Suzy Levinson (Animals in Pants), Susie Lee Jin (Not an Egg) and Molly Ruttan (Something Wild). Rachel lives in Hoboken, New Jersey, with her husband and two children, where she enjoys dancing, running and reading, of course.
THIS LIST IS NOT FINAL! We’ll be adding more agents in the coming weeks.