Literary Bios

Please use the Menu links on your left to return to your registration page.

Verna Dreisbach Mini-Bio:  Verna Dreisbach is an award winning writer who has been featured in books, literary journals, magazines, and newspapers. Prior to founding Dreisbach Literary Management, she spent nearly two years working for Andrea Hurst Literary Management and has established numerous contacts in the publishing industry. Verna serves on the board of directors for the CSUS Writers Conference in Sacramento, CA. and is the executive director and founder of the Capitol City Young Writers Conference. Dreisbach Literary Management offers professional representation for distinctive voices. Verna is currently looking for emerging and experienced writers to build her list and has a particular interest in books with a political, economic or social context. With over 13 years of law enforcement experience, Verna has a genuine interest and expertise in the genres of mystery, thriller and true crime. Her bachelor's degree in English, with honors, gives her an edge in the editorial and review process. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in English with a focus in creative writing and composition. Seeking:  Literary and commercial fiction with a distinctive voice, particularly mysteries and thrillers. I am open to nearly all non-fiction, although authors must have an exceptional proposal, superior qualifications and an aggressive marketing plan. No sci-fi, horror, poetry, fantasy, time-travel or children's books.

Marilyn Allen Mini-Bio:  Marilyn Allen spent 25 years working in positions of increasing publishing responsibility. She created many innovative marketing campaigns and managed a host of successful authors and brands through the years. She is an impassioned advocate for innovation in the marketing and selling of books and loves to work with writers who understand their audience and have smart marketing plans lined up. Company:  Associate Publisher and Senior Vice President of Marketing for Harper Collins before striking out on  Genre:  She is most interested in nonfiction topics from experts in the areas of health, history, cooking, business, lifestyle and popculture.   Seeking:  She loves to be seduced by fresh ideas, great writing and smart marketing in almost every discipline. Questions and Answers, short pitches allowed in her group sessions.

Joshua Bilmes Mini-Bio:  Joshua Bilmes has been a literary agent since 1986, and proprietor of his own JABberwocky Literary Agency since 1994. JABberwocky clients include: NY Times bestseller Charlaine Harris; Tanya Huff, whose "Blood" books are the basis of Lifetime's "Blood Ties" series, Nebula Award winner Elizabeth Moon; Campbell finalists Brandon Sanderson and Tobias Buckell; Stoker winner Edo van Belkom, Locus-bestselling authors Simon Green, John Zakour and Scott Mackay; the "Hot Blood" anthologies, Arkham House/Lovecraft, Lambda Award horror finalist Michael Schiefelbein; and more. He is an avid moviegoer and watches lots of baseball and tennis. Company:  JABberwocky Literary Agency   Seeking:  Joshua Bilmes is eager to find great new authors in the sf/fantasy, mystery and horror genres, or superlative non-fiction in sports, business, history and perhaps other areas. He has a new assistant, Eddie Schneider, who is young and hungry for clients and especially so in literary fiction.

Bill Contardi Mini-Bio:  Bill Contardi is a literary agent representing fiction and nonfiction at Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents, Inc. in New York. He started in publishing as an editor working at New American Library, Berkley, and Popular Library. He then worked as vice-president, literary affairs at United Artists and Warner Brothers acquiring literary materials for film. Prior to joining Brandt & Hochman, Bill Contardi was an agent for eleven years at William Morris Agency in New York selling books to film and television. Seeking:  Bill handles all fiction and non-fiction, and specifically looks for stories that have film adaptation potential. Questions and answsers and short pitches allowed in his group sessions.

Charlotte Cook Mini-Bio:  Charlotte Cook, President of Komenar Publishing, co-founded this mainstream house in 2005 to bring attention and opportunity to remarkable first-time novelists. Writer's Digest featured Charlotte and Komenar in the February 2008 "Ask The Pro" column. Komenar's talented and nimble team has published four titles that have earned many awards, reviews, and sales. (My Half of the Sky was a Book- Sense Pick. Charlotte teaches public writing workshops/ classes, as well as the industry-oriented workshop entitled "Author Boot Camp" at writers conferences and adult schools. Books:  My Half of the Sky  Seeking:  Komenar publishes first-time novelists, mostly literary mainstream and mystery, some historical and adventure. We look for three things: Compelling story, engaging characters, and evocative setting. Questions and Answers, short pitches allowed in her group sessions.

Twig Deluje’ Mini-Bio:  Twig Deluje’ is currently the Acquisitions Chair for Young Adult Literature and Co-Chair for External Promotions at Ooligan Press. Having already received a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing from the College of Santa Fe, Deluje’ will be receiving a Master’s Degree in Book Publishing from Portland State University in December of 2008. Seeking:  Ooligan Press prides itself on acquiring manuscripts that honor both cultural and natural diversity. When receiving proposals Deluje’ looks for original storylines, believable content, “real” characters, and motivated authors.

April Eberhardt Mini-Bio:  April joined the Andrea Brown Literary Agency Inc. in 2006. Her specialty is adult literary fiction, particularly family or relationship dramas and realistic midlife tales, often with a twist, preferably involving strong female characters. She is attracted to collections of interlinked stories with a common character or theme. Company:  Andrea Brown Literary Agency

April Eberhardt Mini-Bio:  April joined the Reese Halsey North Literary agency in 2008. Her specialty is adult literary fiction, particularly ironic family dramas and realistic midlife tales, often with a twist, preferably involving strong female characters. She is attracted to collections of interlinked stories with a common character or theme. An original voice and smart, speedy delivery are critical. Seeking:  Adult literary ficiton. April does not represent mysteries or murders, thrillers, historical fiction or fantasy, nor does she represent children's titles.

Jim Frenkel Mini-Bio:  Bio: James Frenkel has worked in publishing since 1971. He has, at various times, been an editor, an agent, a packager and a publisher. He has worked for Dell Publishing/Delacorte Press, Grosset & Dunlap, Macmillan Publishing, and for the past twenty-five years has edited books for Tom Doherty Associates (Tor Books/Forge Books). He is currently a Senior Editor for TDA, and for twenty years has been the packager of The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror anthology series published by St. Martin's Press. Projects:  For twenty years has been the packager of The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror anthology series (St. Martin’s Press).  Seeking:  Jim buys almost all fiction, but he also looks for good, commercial non-fiction in history and science. In fiction, he likes: mysteries, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction. He would also love to find a terrific contemporary novelist with a sense of humor, and/or a good urban fantasy (i.e., sexy vampire novels and the like). Questions and Answers only in his group sessions.

Jane Friedman Mini-Bio:  Jane Friedman is editorial director at F+W Publications in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she oversees the publication of more than 50 titles each year. Company:  F+W Publications in Cincinnati, Ohio,  URL:  IdentityTheory.com  Seeking:  Jane purchases non-fiction books related to the craft of writing. She does Questions and Answers and accepts short pitches in her group sessions.

Mollie Glick Mini-Bio:  Mollie Glick is an agent at The Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency. After graduating from Brown University, she started her publishing career as a literary scout, advising foreign publishers regarding the acquisition of rights to American books. She then worked as an editor at the Crown imprint of Random House, before switching over to “the other side” in July, 2003. Groups: Q & A, may do short pitches Seeking:  Mollie’s list focuses on literary and commercial fiction as well as non-fiction. She’s a generalist, more inter- ested in finding fresh, unique voices and smart, original perspectives than in sticking to a prescribed genre. She does Questions and Answers and accepts short pitches in her group sessions.

Spencer Humphrey Mini-Bio:  Spencer officially launched the agency side of her consulting business in 2007. Many of the talented creative people Spencer had worked with over the years as an editorial director and publisher at such companies as Price, Stern, Sloan, Disney Publishing, Lyrick Studios and Scholastic, and as the head of RHG, had projects she couldn't resist helping to develop. She sold her first picture book manuscript in 2007. Seeking:  Spencer represents fiction and and middle grade projects. Spencer does not represent juvenile educational titles, nor adult fiction or non-fiction, but she does maintain collegial relationships with agencies that specialize in work for grown-ups. Questions and Answers only in her group sessions.

Linda Konner Mini-Bio:  The Linda Konner Literary Agency (LKLA), founded in 1996, represents ap proximately 70 authors of adult nonfiction books. She has written eight books, including Just the Weigh You Are: How to be fit and healthy whatever your size (Houghton Mifflin) and The Last Ten Pounds (Avon), both of which were reissued in 2000 by Barnes & Noble Publishing; How to Be Successfully Published in Magazines (St. Martin's Press), Why Can't a Man Be More Like a Cat? (Dell), and Your Perfect Weight (Rodale), which has sold over 450,000 copies. Seeking:  Practical non-fiction, including health, diet and fitness, self-help, how-to, pop psychology, relationships, parenting, personal finance, cookbooks and a few celebrity autobiographies. All books are written by or with top, nationally recognized experts. Questions and short pitches allowed in her group sessions.

Kylin Larsson Mini-Bio:  Kylin Larsson is an Acquisitions Manager for Ooligan Press. She will graduate with her Master's in Book Publishing from Portland State University in the autumn of 2009. Kylin is looking for regional nonfiction titles emphasizing cultural diversity and character driven literary fiction with strong connections to regional themes. She is also looking for a full-length poetry manuscript, as Ooligan Press publishes one poetry manuscript each year. Prospective authors are invited to look at examples of previously published Ooligan books and in-progress works at: http://www.publishing.pdx.edu/ooligan/catalog.html.cc Company:  Ooligan Press  Seeking:  Ooligan's editorial interests include, but are not limited to: books with social, literary, or educational value; new or rediscovered works with a Pacific Northwest connection; works that give voice to the region's underrepresented; previously unpublished English translations of foreign titles; and works on the craft and teaching of writing, editing, publishing, and book arts.

Jennifer Laughran Mini-Bio:  Juvenile & YA only. I am particularly interested in character-driven YA and MG fiction with a strong voice, but I will also be happy to look at picture books, chapter books and juvenile non-fiction projects. Bio: Jennifer is new to the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, but not to the world of children's books. She's been a children's bookseller for more than a decade, and is the founder of the extremely popular YA event series Not Your Mother's Book Club. She's been with Andrea Brown Literary Agency since 2007 and is quickly building a roster of top-notch clients. Jennifer is interested in helping dedicated authors build careers. Company:  Andrea Brown Literary Agency  Seeking:  Juvenile & YA only, picture books, middle grade fiction with a strong voice, juvenile non-fiction. Questions allowed in her group sessions; short pitches allowed time permitting.

Krista Lyons-Gould Mini-Bio:  Krista's focus is on non- fiction written by women for women. She specializes in memoir, both serious and humorous, and working with authors developmentally to voice the most difficult experiences honestly and simply. "Uncluttered honesty, speaking your truth-that's what's going to matter to a reader. That's what has the potential to change someone's life." Bio: Krista Lyons-Gould has been in book publishing more than twelve years. She is currently the VP, Publisher of Seal Press, a member of the Perseus Books Group and has been working with Seal since late 2003. Priorto her role at Seal, she was the VP Editorial for Avalon Travel Publishing, then an imprint of Avalon Publishing Group (now also part of the Perseus family). Company:  Seal Press  Seeking:  Non-fiction written by women for women. Specializes in memoir. Questions and short pitches allowed in her group sessions.

Brie Mazurek Mini-Bio:  Bio: Brie Mazurek is a senior editor at Ten Speed Press, a Berkeley-based independent publisher specializing in lifestyle nonfiction titles. During her nine-plus years at Ten Speed, she has worked on a wide array of books, from illustrated nonfiction to high-quality cookbooks to best-selling career guides. URL:  http://www.tenspeed.com  Seeking:  Ten Speed Press publishes lifestyle nonfiction books in the areas of how-to, cooking, career and business, pop culture, and body-mind-spirit. Brie’s special interests include gift, pop culture, DIY, green living, health and healing, nutrition, self-help, alternative spirituality, and sex and relationships. Books that take a fresh or quirky approach to their subject, usually with a prescriptive element.

Nick Mullendore Mini-Bio:  Nick's tastes tend to run just outside the mainstream. Counter-cultural, counter-intuitive, thought provoking, dark, relevant-if any of these describe a project, then it will probably hold some appeal for him. Politics, current affairs, science (particularly physics and space), pop culture criticism, sports, scientific thrillers, noir, literary fiction-apply a unique perspective and Nick's curiosity will be piqued. And funny is good, too. Everybody likes the funny. Bio: "Nick Mullendore joined Loretta Barrett Books, Inc. in April 1998 and is the Vice President and Director of Foreign Rights for the agency. He began his publishing career in publicity at HarperBusiness, the trade business books imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, after graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a B.A. in Creative Writing in 1996. Seeking:  Nick’s tastes tend to run just outside the mainstream. Counter-cultural, counter-intuitive, thought provoking, dark, relevant — if any of these describe a project, then it will probably hold some appeal forhim. Politics, current affairs, science (par- ticularly physics and space), pop culture criti- cism, sports, scientific thrillers, noir, literary fiction-apply a unique perspective and Nick’s curiosity will be piqued. And funny is good, too. Everybody likes the funny. Questions allowed in group sessions; short pitches allowed time permitting.

Tony Outhwaite Mini-Bio:  Tony Outwaite is an agent at JCA Literary. They handle thrillers, mysteries, politics, international culture and history, music, baseball, and football. No poetry, cookbooks, gardening books, children's books, or science fiction. Seeking:  Thrillers, mysteries, politics, international culture and history, music, baseball, and football. No poetry, cookbooks, gardening books, children’s books, or science fiction. Questions and short pitches allowed in group sessions.

Angela Rinaldi Mini-Bio:  As a former editor at NAL/Signet, Pocket Books, Bantam Books, and as manager of book publishing for The Los Angeles Times, Angela Rinaldi has worked closely with first novelists and nonfiction writers. Seeking:  She is actively looking for commercial and literary fiction, narrative non-fiction and practical and proactive nonfiction. She does not represent category romances, science fiction/fantasy, westerns, cookbooks, poetry, children's books, young adult titles or film scripts. Questions and short pitches allowed in group sessions.

BJ Robbins Mini-Bio:  BJ Robbins has worked in the book publishing industry her entire adult life, starting in the publicity department at Simon & Schuster and later at Harcourt. In 1992 she started her own Los Angeles-based literary agency, which represents quality fiction and general nonfiction, with a particular interest in memoir, biography, history, pop culture, sports, travel/adventure, medicine and health. Her client list includes novelists James D. Houston (Snow Mountain Passage; Bird of Another Heaven), Craig Ferguson (Between the Bridge and the River), Eduardo Santiago (Tomorrow They Will Kiss), John Hough, Jr. (The Last Summer and the upcoming Carry Me Home) A member of AAR and PEN USA West, Ms. Robbins has led workshops at UCLA Extension, UC Irvine Extension and at the Squaw Valley Community of Writers Fiction Workshop. Seeking:  Quality fiction and general non-fiction. Questions only in group sessions; no pitching.

Kristin Sevick Mini-Bio:  Kristin is looking for well-written, smart commercial fiction with strong characters. She is especially interested in historical fiction, mysteries, and women's fiction. Bio: Kristin Sevick joined Tor/Forge's editorial department in July 2006 after working for a few years in medical publishing. She received her bachelor's in Communications at New York University and is the editor of a new historical mystery series for Forge. She lives in Queens with her fiance and their spoiled cavalier spaniel. Seeking:  Kristin is looking for well-written, smart commercial fiction with strong characters. She is especially interested in historical fiction, mysteries, and women’s fiction. Questions and short pitches allowed in group sessions.

Robert E. Shepard Mini-Bio:  Representing only non-fiction works, by authors across the country and around the world, his clients include 2004 Pulitzer Prize winner Anthony Shadid, whose NIGHT DRAWS NEAR (Holt hardcover, Picador paperback) won last year's Los Angeles Times Book Prize. Seeking:  Non-fiction. Presentation followed by time for questions in group sessions.

Ken Sherman Mini-Bio:  Ken Sherman is the President of Ken Sherman and Associates, a Beverly Hills-based literary agency. Ken represents screen, television and book writers, and also sells film and television rights to books plus life rights. Since graduating from the University of California-Berkeley as a psychology major, Ken has returned to the classroom numerous times having taught his course, "The Business of Writing for Screen, Television and Publishing", at both USC and UCLA for more than six years. Company:  Ken Sherman Associates, Inc  Seeking:  Ken represents screen, television and book writers, and also sells film and television rights to books, plus life rights. Questions and short pitches allowed in group sessions.

Kimberly Shumate Mini-Bio:  It was April, 1997 when Kimberly began her employment at Harvest House. When a position opened in the editorial department, she was the first in line. And with additional education and years of experience, Kimberly now writes the rejection letters as the manuscript coordinator. However, she has also found numerous new authors who have gone on to sell well into the mass markets. Her ability to spot talent is uncanny, and her passion for the underdog makes her a favorite with agents. Now with literary works, radio, and television (appearing on the 700 Club) added to her repertoire, Kimberly is constantly on the search for promising first-time authors looking for that all important break. Seeking:  Christian fiction & non-fiction. Questions allowed; short pitches time permitting.

Kelly Sonnack Mini-Bio:  Kelly Sonnack is an agent with the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. The Los Angeles Times dubbed the Dijkstra Agency "the most powerful literary agency on the West Coast". Kelly started her publishing career under the publishing giant Elsevier, where she worked as an Acquisitions Editor under the Academic Press imprint. Some of Kelly's recent and soon to be published books include Steve Watkins' Down Sand Mountain (Candlewick), Jasmin Darznik's The Good Daughter (Grand Central), Merrily Kutner's Alphabet Magic (Roaring Brook), and Candace Ryan's Animal House (Bloomsbury). Seeking:  In picture books and middle- grade, Kelly looks for a good sense of humor, stories that stretch a young reader's imagination, and speak to them in an authentic voice. In young-adult, she appreciates character-driven stories and literary voices. In non-fiction for children, she looks for projects that inspire and stimulate our younger generations. On the adult side, Kelly is interested in fiction and non-fiction with international or multicultural themes. Questions only in group sessions; no pitching.

Jim Thomas Mini-Bio:  Jim Thomas is an editorial director at Random House Children’s Books, overseeing and editing middle-grade and young adult fiction. Notable titles from the Random House imprint include New York Times bestsellers Trickster’s Queen, by Tamora Pierce, and The City of Ember, by Jeanne DuPrau as well as Newbery Honor winners Penny from Heaven, by Jennifer L. Holm, and Whittington, by Alan Armstrong. Company:  Random House  Projects:  Authors he's worked with include Jeff Stone (The Five Ancestors), Jeanne DuPrau (The Books of Ember), and Joaquin Dorfman (Playing It Cool).   Past Proj:  Random House Children's Books  Seeking:  Books I’m looking for: middle-grade and YA fiction, with an emphasis on stories that fall on the literary end of the spectrum.

Sally van Haitsma Mini-Bio:  Sally van Haitsma - is a Literary agent with the Castiglia Literary Agency. The agency has successfully placed significant non-fiction and fiction titles with major publishers since 1993, many by first time authors. Seeking:  She is interested in commercial and literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, education, business, and current affairs. Questions and short pitches allowed in group sessions.