I joined Darhansoff and Verrill as an Associate Agent in 2026. I began my publishing career as an intern at Writers House before agenting with Sobel Weber Associates and working at WW Norton. I’m actively growing my children’s and adult lists–across genres, I have a particular bent towards works that are voice-driven, immersive, and combine humor with a razor-sharp bite.
Before landing in publishing, I earned my B.A. in English and Political Science at Clark University. I grew up in DC, and started my career in journalism before seeking refuge in the relative comforts of creative fiction and non-fiction. While my tastes are wide-ranging, sharp prose and biting humor are a sure-fire way to heart.
My wishlist below will give you a clearer sense of my interests, but if your project doesn’t fall firmly in the below categories, I’m open to surprises.
Adult Fiction
My taste leans upmarket and literary–across the board, I’m drawn to boldly-drawn characters with distinct voices and a literary sensibility. I love a faint streak of hope, even when the story is otherwise bleak or dark. While I’m open to genre-bending, I’m not the right agent for books that fall firmly in the fantasy, romantasy, or hard science fiction genres. More specifically, I’d love to read:
- Weird-girl lit that sits at the intersection of desire and obsession (MILK FED by Melissa Broader, BLOB: A LOVE STORY by Maggie Su, BIG SWISS by Jen Beagin, SKY DADDY by Kate Folk)
- Literary coming of (any) age stories (THE ART OF FIELDING by Chad Harbach, WRITERS AND LOVERS by Lily King, MONOGAMY by Sue Miller, TOMORROW TOMORROW AND TOMORROW by Gabrielle Zevin)
- Subversive suburban ennui (NIGHTBITCH by Rachel Yoder, MOTHERTHING by Ainslie Hogarth, GIRL’S GIRL by Sonia Feldman)
- Atmospheric, literary mysteries (GOD OF THE WOODS by Liz Moore, THE LIKENESS by Tana French, THE SECRET HISTORY by Donna Tarte)
- Self-aware thrillers and horror (YESTERYEAR by Caro Claire Burke, YELLOWFACE by R.F. Kuang, A GOOD PERSON by Kirsten King, anything by Grady Hendrix)
- Deeply grounded, lightly speculative or genre-bending sci-fi (AN ABSOLUTELY REMARKABLE THING by Hank Green, PLAYER PIANO by Kurt Vonnegut, PROJECT HAIL MARY by Andy Weir).
Picture Books
While I gravitate towards middle grade and YA, I’m open to very select picture book submissions from author/illustrators or author/illustrator teams.
Middle Grade
In middle grade, my taste leans more whimsical than in adult fiction. Overall, I love elevated middle grade fiction that recognizes that their readers are as smart, complex, and layered as any adult reader. I’m always looking for character-driven fiction that hits on big topics–I’d love to see new or unique discussions of mortality or grief. More specifically, I’d love to see:
- Anything with an orphan, especially if it’s historical or whimsical in nature–my taste here was heavily shaped by my own childhood favorites (MOLLY MOON’S INCREDIBLE BOOK OF HYPNOTISM, A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS, and A LITTLE PRINCESS), but more recently, I adored A POTION, A POWDER, AND A LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC by Philip Stead. Anything that hits those vaguely Dickensian notes with humor and heart would be top of my list.
- Propulsive, eccentric mysteries that center child sleuths (CHASING VERMEER by Blue Baird, HARRIET THE SPY by Louise Fitzhugh)
- Historical fiction that centers children directly engaged in the problems of the day–as a kid, I was a devotee of American Girl and Dear America, but more favorites include THE LIONS’ RUN by Sara Pennypacker, THE BLETCHLEY RIDDLE by Ruta Sepetys, and Laurie Halse Anderson’s REVOLUTION 1776.
- For contemporary and realistic fiction, I’m open to a wide variety–I have a soft spot for epistolary novels in this space, but I’m always looking for something that takes a nuanced look at the tween years–think PS LONGER LETTER LATER by Sharon Creech, ARE YOU THERE, GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET by Judy Blume, CHIRP by Kate Messner
Young Adult
My taste here leans towards contemporary, realistic, and literary works.I love a touch of snark and a sophisticated narrator–some might call them pretentious, but if your main character developed an unhealthy obsession with Holden Caulfield, there’s a good chance I’ll like them. I’m open to genre-bending (elements of magical realism, horror, or fantasy are welcome, but I’m not the right agent for straight-up genre works), but I like my YA firmly grounded in the real world. More specifically, I’d like to see:
- Protagonists grappling with real-world problems (CHALLENGER DEEP by Neal Schusterman, EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR by E.K. Johnston, A HEART IN A BODY IN THE WORLD by Deb Calenti, TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN by John Green)
- Road-trip adventures (UNPREGNANT by Jenni Hendriks and Ted Caplan, MOSQUITOLAND by David Arnold)
- Cunning, daring, or outspoken female protagonists (THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANKIE LANDAU-BANKS by E. Lockhart, SADIE by Courtney Summers)
- Anything that reminds me of mid-2000s Meg Cabot or Louise Rennison–give me the next ALL-AMERICAN GIRL or ANGUS, THONGS, AND FULL-FRONTAL SNOGGING, for a 2020s sensibility.
Non-Fiction
In this sphere, my taste leans more narrative than prescriptive. Overall, I’d love to work with passionate writers and journalists who aren’t afraid to stir the pot–I’m especially interested in working with multidisciplinary creators, subculture-history buffs, and those with uncommon voices explaining important or untold events. I’d love to see more of the following:
- Well-researched deep dives on underexplored subcultures or topics–take me down your favorite rabbit hole! (WORDSLUT by Amanda Montell, THE POISONER’S HANDBOOK by Deborah Blum)
- Cultural microhistories (EVERYTHING IS TUBERCULOSIS, by John Green, RAW DOG: THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT HOT DOGS, by Jamie Loftus)
- Pop-culture critiques that take the topic at hand seriously (GIRL ON GIRL by Sophia Gilbert, MONSTERS: A FAN’S DILEMMA by Claire Dederer, CUE THE SUN! by Emily Nussbaum)
Please send your query letter and the first fifty pages of your manuscript, pasted directly in the body of your email, to su*********@******cy.com. Please note that attachments will not be opened.
