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Our Submission Process
Thank you for your interest in Martin Literary Management. We are a full service literary and media management agency representing adult fiction and nonfiction, children's books, including picture books, middle grade, and young adult fiction and nonfiction. We do not accept poetry, short stories or screenplays.
Please keep in mind the following guidelines when you send a query:
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We are a green agency and only accept email submissions
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In the "Subject" line of your email, please write "QUERY" followed by the title of your work.
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In your email, provide the text of your query letter (pitch/synopsis + short bio).
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Kindly query only ONE of our representatives at MLM that you feel best suits your work.
Once you receive a response, you are welcome to query a different MLM agent.
Your query letter should include publisher submission history and previous publishing credits, if applicable. If you receive an offer of representation from another agent, please let us know immediately.
We make every effort to review every query in a timely manner. If we are interested in seeing more of your work, we will reach out to you.
Sharlene Martin, President, Literary Manager/Producer
accepts Adult Nonfiction queries only.
Please send your queries to Sharlene@MartinLit.com
Sharlene is interested in acquiring highly commercial nonfiction including true crime and pop culture. She also likes breaking news, issue-oriented, and celebrity-driven books. She is particularly interested in works that are adaptable to the screen. Please do not include your manuscript or proposal in your nonfiction query. Sharlene will request those items from you if she is interested.
Lindsay Guzzardo, Senior Literary Manager
handles Adult Fiction.
She will consider any adult fiction with a clear, marketable, compelling hook, and strong voice. Her personal tastes align with the following wish list, but she would never shut herself off to The Next Big Thing!
Lindsay is also interested in working with proven genre writers (i.e. previously published, award-winning/nominated, placement in contests, strong platform, etc.) from the elevator pitch onward. Bring her your pitches and she will help direct you which one to pursue, or she can provide you with one to flesh out into a proposal.
She has an immediate need for:
Fiction that elevates diverse/marginalized voices
WWII-era fiction
Retellings of classic stories
(either modern retellings or classic stories told from a different character’s perspective)
Beach reads
Fiction exploring family dynamics and relationships (particularly mothers/daughters and sisters)
Amish romance/fiction
Cozy, charming, small-town romance/fiction
She also loves:
Rich, evocative historical fiction
Fiction featuring historical figures
European-set fiction, any era and tone
Dark psychological and domestic suspense
Family dramas that interweave past and present
Gorgeous, lyrical literary fiction
Wholesome, clean fiction and romance
Please submit to Lindsay via Query Manager: Query Submission (querymanager.com)
Follow her on Twitter: @LindsayGuzzardo
Jen Newens, Senior Literary Manager
Children’s, MG/YA, Kid's Graphic Novels, and Adult Food & Drink
At different phases of her publishing career, Jen has been an author, editor, and publisher, giving her experience in all sides of the business. She comes to us after a seven-year stint as publishing director at West Margin Press, an Ingram Content Group company. There, she acquired a wide range of different genres, but holds a special place in her heart for young people’s literature. She began to acquire graphic novels in 2019 and sees it as an exciting and burgeoning way to tell children’s stories.
A subject matter expert in food and drink titles, Jen spent two decades as a cookbook editor and writer (she even went to culinary school!). She’s experienced in working with celebrity chefs, business owners, cooking brands, and food bloggers, as well as accomplished home cooks.
In her role as Senior Literary Manager, Jen applies her 360-view of the publishing business to MLM, seeking out fresh, original voices and developing exciting new talent. On the children's side, Jen is interested in picture books with sharp writing and compelling messages; MG/YA stories that resonate with the challenges faced by today’s youth; and graphic novels with quirky narration and original art. In the food and drink space, Jen is keen to find original takes on popular topics, books that reveal a riveting personal story, and books with a health and wellness slant.
The following are on Jen’s current wishlist, but she’s always open to hearing new ideas.
Childrens/MG/YA/Graphic Novels
• Books that portray historically excluded voices, disability, neurodivergent characters, LGBTQ topics
• Regional books with national crossover potential
• Author/illustrators with strong storytelling skills and a clear vision
• Children’s activity books
• Quirky and humorous stories
• Cat content (she’s crazy for cats)
Adult Books
• Cooking
-New takes on current trends
-Chef books (especially underrepresented groups)
-Weeknight Cooking
-Food Bloggers with Unique Stories
• Drinks (mocktails and the NA lifestyle; fresh takes on wine and cocktails)
• Health, Wellness, Diet, and Chronic Illness
• Lifestyle topics
• Self-help
Please submit queries here: http://QueryManager.com/JenNewens
Follow her on Twitter @JenNewens
Delia Berrigan Fakis, Senior Literary Manager, Emeritus
Delia is currently closed to submissions.
Delia is most interested in representing Adult Nonfiction in the areas of:
Business
Thought Leadership
Memoir
True Crime
Narrative Nonfiction
History and Current Affairs
Religion and Spirituality
Delia wants to hear from subject matter experts, leaders, and underrepresented voices. If you have a distinct voice, a handle of the craft, and something unique to share with the world, send her a query. Please do not include your manuscript or proposal in your nonfiction query. Delia will request those items from you if she is interested.
Other areas of interest include literary and commercial fiction, mysteries, young adult, and children’s picture books. Delia is particularly drawn to up-market women’s fiction, cozy mysteries, writers of color, stories that explore both universal and uncomfortable truths, and joy. Please do not include your manuscript, bio, or synopsis in your fiction queries. Delia will request those items from you if she is interested.
Kristen Terrette, Literary Manager
Kristen is a literary manager excited to build her list featuring titles in middle grade, young adult, female-driven crime thrillers, faith-based books, and the occasional picture book with an author/illustrator.
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 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 new position.
Kristen has long been a voice for diversity. She’s written extensively on topics of racial reconciliation and unity and is 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.
Kristen's Accepts these genres:
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.
Crime Thrillers/Suspense/Mystery: I love a good thriller with a woman main character, so send me the smart, tough, and brave lady crime solvers. I love serial killers. I love small town 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.
Horror: Creep me out. Make me scared to read the story at night.
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/Historical Fiction: I am picky in my tastes here. I tend to lean to lyrical stories in these genres, but I'm open to all. I LOVE diverse stories in this area! I love new structures, interesting and surprising POVs. Send me all and I'll take a look.
Faith-Based 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 love 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 (Romantasy), but I do love me some Lord of the Rings (the soundtrack was played at my wedding!), so I'm open to seeing most submissions here. I tend to get bored with the whole court intrigue storyline, or princess needing to save the realm. But give me an Aragorn and Legolas, and I'll read happily.
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.)
I am not a good fit for Science Fiction (even in MG or YA), books with any political agenda, extremely foul-mouthed characters, or gratuitous sex scenes.
What I'm taking a break on:
Middle Grade (All subgenres except Sci-fi): I heart Middle Grade! But, I need to take a break on MG submissions for now. I will look at Middle Grade projects at conferences or as referrals.
Picture Books: Picture books are an important part of establishing a love for literature at an early age. However, I need to take a break on PBs for the moment. I will look at Picture Book projects at conferences or as referrals.
To see Kristen's listing on #MSWL, click here.
If your manuscript is ready, please submit to Kristen via Query Manager here.
Mara Cobb- Junior Literary Manager
Five Tips for Writing a Successful Query Letter to an Agent | Go Teen Writers
Five Tips for Writing a Successful Query Letter to an Agent | Go Teen Writers
Mara accepts queries via Query Manager. Please submit here: https://QueryManager.com/Mara_Cobb_Query_Link
Mara is currently seeking Adult Nonfiction, Women's Driven Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian Romance, and Christian YA.
-Adult Nonfiction. Mara is seeking books that fit within the following areas:
Biography
History and Current Affairs
Memoir
Narrative Nonfiction
Religion
Sports
Travel
-Women's Driven Fiction. Mara is looking for books filled with adventure, surprises, and unique family/friend plots. She is okay with romance subplots as long as it does not overpower the story arc. Mara is particularly interested in books that feature protagonists in their 20s. She is not a good fit for books with excessive language or open-door romance.
-Christian Fiction. Mara is seeking books filled with adventure, hope, redemption, and unique family/friend plots. Unusual settings and young protagonists are a bonus. She is not looking for perfect protagonists or "preachy" content, but rather Christian elements that are presented in natural, authentic ways.
-Christian Romance. Mara is looking for books that balance the Christian and romance elements. She enjoys enemies-to-friends-to-lovers stories, especially when those stories are written in a unique way. Interesting subplots are always a plus.
-Christian YA. Mara prefers characters who have authentic struggles and challenges while ultimately accepting God's grace. The Christian YA books that she is especially seeking are those that are relatable to today's Christian teen. She is open to seeing unique subgenres.