Kristin Nelson established the Nelson Literary Agency in 2002.

I am Sara and I have been with the Nelson Literary Agency since 2006. I was promoted to Associate Literary Agent in 2009 and am still acquiring new clients! As the literary assistant for 3 years, I read all query letters, sample pages and full manuscripts that were submitted to the agency. I helped Kristin in the process of accepting authors such as Sherry Thomas (PRIVATE ARRANGEMENTS, March 2008) and Jamie Ford (HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET, January 2009).

Our agency specializes in representing young adult and middle grade novels, science fiction and fantasy, romance (all genres except category or inspirational), commercial fiction, women's fiction (including chick lit) and literary fiction with a commercial bent.

Personally, I would love to work on more science fiction and fantasy books. I love complex world building that is tightly woven with intense characters and an exciting story. I loved John Scalzi's OLD MAN'S WAR and Scott Lynch's THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA as well as everything by Robin McKinley, Carol Berg, Naomi Novik and Stephen Lawhead.

Our agency receives lots of young adult and middle grade submissions (YEAH!) Personally, I agree with Cory Doctorow who commented (at Book Expo 2010) that the young adult market is driving our publishing industry in revolutionary ways. From paranormal to dystopian to contemporary to sexy - well written and compelling YA and MG books seem to be the bread and butter of our business lately. Recently, I've loved A LOVE STORY STARRING MY DEAD BEST FRIEND by Emily Horner, RULES OF ATTRACTION by Simone Elkeles and ASH by Malinda Lo. Whether set in the real world or a fantastical one, I am particularly drawn to complex characters and authentic voices.

Finally, in terms of romance, I love super sexy and intelligent books like everything by Pamela Clare and Sherry Thomas. My favorite read this summer has been WHAT HAPPENS IN LONDON by Julia Quinn.

For more information about the Nelson Literary Agency or about our President and Senior Literary Agent Kristin Nelson, please feel free to see our website (www.nelsonagency.com) or Kristin's site here at Publishers Marketplace (www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/knelson/).

The Nelson Literary Agency is a Member of:

Association of Authors' Representatives (AAR)
Romance Writers of America (RWA)
Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA)
Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI)

Natalie Bahm (nataliebahm.blogspot.com)
Roni Griffin (fictiongroupie.blogspot.com)
Miranda Kenneally (www.mirandakenneally.com)
Dave Lowry
Ashley March (coming soon)
Anita Laydon Miller (anitalaydonmiller.blogspot.com)
Tiffany Reisz (www.tiffanyreisz.com)
Allison Rushby (www.allisonrushby.com)
Sarah Skilton (sarahskilton.blogspot.com)
Steve Vera (www.stevewvera.com)
Jennifer Wolf (wolftalez.blogspot.com)

May 13, 2010
Children's: Young Adult
Allison Rushby's PAPARAZZO JO, about a 16-year-old Hollywood paparazzo who wants out of LA and accepts a final big-paying gig only to learn she will have to betray the only star she's ever liked, to Stacy Cantor at Walker, in a nice deal, by Sara Megibow of Nelson Literary Agency (World).

Nelson Literary Agency 2006-present

Graduate of Northwestern University

Foreign Rights: Whitney Lee, The Fielding Agency, wlee@fieldingagency.com

Dramatic/Film Rights: We work with a variety of co-agents depending on the project. We have worked with Amy Schiffman, Intellectual Property Group; Sarah Self, Gersh Agency; Kassie Evashevski, United Talent Agency; Gotham Group; Lynn Pleshette Agency; and Shari Smiley, Creative Artists Agency.

Kristin Nelson, President and Senior Literary Agent
Lindsay Mergens, Marketing Director (NY Office)
Anita Mumm, Literary Assistant

Please visit our website www.nelsonagency.com for submission guidelines, sample query letters and FAQs.

Query by email only (no attachments, headshots, sample pages, synopses or weblinks please). We do not accept snail mail queries or submissions or queries by phone or in person. Please send email to query@nelsonagency.com.

Please note that we do not currently accept horror, thrillers, mysteries (except Chick Lit), Christian, screenplays, short story collections, self-help books, gift or coffee table books.