Rena Rossner

I represent Picture Books, Chapter Books, Middle Grade, Young Adult and Adult fiction.

In general, I love poetry, novels in verse, and fantasy across all age ranges and genres. I’m attracted to beautiful writing more than plot, and will always read a little bit of the attached pages (yes, I prefer sample pages ATTACHED) – I read pages often before I even read the query.

I look for Literary, Historical, Horror, Fantasy and SciFi, Romance and Thrillers, though I am open to all genres. Nonfiction: I am much more of a fiction person, but have sold non-fiction in all genres, and am open to it. I have a love for history, food, and literary science writing, but am open to anything in the non-fiction space.

Picture Books: I want funny/quirky books (think Skippyjon Jones,) adorable books that have a classic feel (I love animals and precocious little girls and boys,) or books with a strong message (not ones that moralize) but something with an edge – be it historical fiction, an alternative princess story, or a family story that feels familiar but has a different twist. I love magical realism and poetry and I find myself attracted mostly to picture books under 500 words, though I am open to considering longer ones. I like funny picture books, and zany picture books, and literary language above all.

Middle Grade: I love novels in verse. I sell a lot of them. I love magical realism and fabulism and poetic writing. I love funny, quirky middle grade. I love historical fiction, and books with a classic feel. I also love Science Fiction and Fantasy – always. MG contemporary with a great voice. I’m open to Mysteries/Thrillers and have sold quite a few MG Horror books. I really am open to MG across all genres and age ranges.

Young Adult: Novels in verse, poetry, poetic writing, historical fiction. Contemporary YA with lots of heart – I love romance, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Nonfiction, anything diverse and QUILTBAG friendly. (Send me the next Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe PLEASE!) but I would also give anything for the next Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender.

Adult Fiction – literary writing above all, poetic writing, I recently sold three adult poetry collections – but am VERY picky about the adult poetry I take on. I will always be a sucker for all types of SciFi and Fantasy (I love literary scifi and richly imagined alternate worlds,) all types of fantasy, especially Epic Fantasy, Historical Fantasy and Magical Realism/Fabulism. Any kind of Literary Fiction, even edgy and gritty, but give me stunning phrases that make me want to stop and read them again and again. I love all kinds of Historical Fiction (give me the next Outlander, Hild or Pillars of the Earth,) but I am open to horror, psychological suspense and thrillers. I love horror – so don’t be afraid to send me dark stuff. I love romance in all genres. And I have a soft spot for Ireland and anything set in the Middle East.

Nonfiction: I’m a foodie, so any books related to food are right up my alley including cookbooks, but in terms of non-fiction (besides cookbooks,) while I am open to them, I wouldn’t say that it’s a genre I know well, having said that, literary writing trumps all, especially in memoir. (And I did recently sell a Spiritual/Wellness/Self Help book, so you never know!)

IN GENERAL: You will steal my heart if there is some kind of Middle Eastern, Israeli, or Jewish setting, theme, or character, in any genre, but those are certainly not the only types of books I represent.

Though I am based in Jerusalem, I represent authors all over the world and about half of my current clients are US-based.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions should be emailed to rena@dhliterary.com

Please send your query pasted in the email and the first 50 pages attached as a word document.

Guidelines & Details