Brigitte Dale

I joined St. Martin’s Press in 2021 after earning my master’s degree in history at Yale University. My passion for storytelling inspired my transition from academia to publishing. A graduate of Brown University and the Columbia Publishing Course, I currently reside in coastal Connecticut. I read widely across genres and am actively building my list with an eye towards fiction and nonfiction with a feminist focus.

Fiction: 

On the fiction side, I’m seeking upmarket women’s fiction/book club novels with a big hook that are witty and well-written, with characters whose voices I can hear in my head. I especially love complex female dynamics: friendships, sisters, or mothers and daughters. Characters are everything, but pace and plot need to be strong as well. Some examples include GHOSTS by Dolly Alderton, SUCH A FUN AGE by Kiley Reid, and anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

I love historical fiction, especially if it sheds light on previously untold women’s stories. Historical fiction should draw me in, make the unfamiliar feel  accessible, and most importantly, feel relevant to today. My favorites include GREAT CIRCLE by Maggie Shipstead, THE GREAT BELIEVERS by Rebecca Makkai, and THE ALICE NETWORK by Kate Quinn. Many of these feature multiple timelines, which I love when well-executed.

I also acquire select rom-coms if there’s a unique hook that would allow it to break out to a crossover/upmarket audience. Though I’m not a fantasy person, I do love light speculative elements.

Nonfiction:

In nonfiction, I focus on books that tell compelling stories about pop culture, politics, history, and feminism. I have a master’s degree in history and I always love compelling narrative nonfiction that ties contemporary social and political issues to their historical roots. I’m open to any narrative nonfiction with a confident voice, especially if it features an underrepresented perspective. Examples include GOOD AND MAD by Rebecca Traister, TRICK MIRROR by Jia Tolentino, THE SECRET HISTORY OF WONDER WOMAN by Jill Lepore, and CULTISH by Amanda Montell.

I am also delighted by memoirs that combine platform, voice, and expertise, in which the writing shines as much as the story itself, like KNOW MY NAME by Chanel Miller and MAYBE YOU SHOULD TALK TO SOMEONE by Lori Gottlieb.

Finally, I love nonfiction that combines fun and function. FINANCIAL FEMINIST by Tori Dunlap is a great example of accessible nonfiction that empowers readers.

My overarching desire is to tell stories that leave you thinking long after the book has ended. I seek voices that grab you instantly and demand to be heard, strong writing at the line level, and stories that center diverse women’s experiences.

I am NOT the right fit for fantasy, horror, or graphic descriptions of violence, self-harm, or psychiatric institutions.

Submission Guidelines

Please send submissions to brigitte.dale@stmartins.com

I only accept agented submissions.