ABOUT US . . .
THE AGENCY:
The Seymour Agency strives to offer aspiring and established authors the representation they need to thrive in the publishing world. From foreign rights to film rights and everything in between, we provide emotional, professional, promotional, and editorial counsel to each of our authors.
MARY SUE SEYMOUR -- THE FOUNDER:
Mary Sue Seymour is listed by Publishers Marketplace as one of the top dealmakers in the country. Mary Sue founded The Seymour Agency in 1992. Mary Sue Seymour is a member of the Author's Guild, the AAR, ACFW, WGA, and RWA.
After graduating from the State University of New York, Mary Sue taught in a public school system for almost fifteen years. While teaching, she completed graduate work at The State University of New York. At the same time, she wrote for national publications such as Junior Scholastic, The Artist's Magazine, The American Artist, and teaching magazines.
Mary Sue is a Christian but believes in the Bible verse in Romans 10:12
that states, "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him..."
Mary Sue loves to attend church and sometimes goes to the local service
at her Protestant church and then later in the day goes to the Contemporary Christian service at nearby St. Lawrence University. She teaches Vacation Bible School at her church and also does some work at a local catholic school with their vocal music and art program. Also Mary Sue teaches adult watercolor on Wednesday evenings as part of the Continuing Education Program at The State University of New York at Potsdam - her alma mater. A former class room teacher, Mary Sue has also given private piano and art lessons in her home for over 20 years. She loves to be busy and is working just about all the time. When Mary Sue stands before God someday, she hopes she can tell him that she took each and every talent God gave her and used them up so that there is no more left.
Mary Sue's two sons, Matt and Luke, [named after the gospel writers] are her pride and joy. Matthew, a 2004 graduate of Clarkson University lives and works in Baltimore, MD. She goes there to see him any chance she gets and is becoming a real Oriole baseball fan. Luke attends Canisius College in Buffalo, New York where he plays D-1 soccer. He is a goal keeper and is majoring in communications. He attended Avon Old Farms in CT on a scholarship to be their goal keeper.
NICOLE RESCINITI -- AGENT:
Nicole has been listed by Publisher's Marketplace as a top dealmaker in the country, and named ACFW's 2012 Agent of the Year. She loves discovering new talent and helping established authors to take their career to the next level. Do you have the next project to feed her book addiction? A smart, tight read she won’t be able to put down? A signature voice she’ll fight to represent?
HEA’s are a must for romance. Mainstream suspense, thrillers, mysteries, YA and inspirational novels are welcome. A consummate science geek and card-carrying Mensa member, Nicole would love to find the next great science fiction/fantasy novel or action/adventure masterpiece.
Nicole is a member of AAR, ACFW, RWA, and Mensa. She holds degrees in biology, psychology, and behavioral neuroscience. Like Mary Sue, Nicole taught in the public school system and has worn many hats before heeding her calling to become a literary agent--for which she will forever be indebted to Mary Sue Seymour.
"I have the best job in the world. I read for a living and make author's dreams come true."
EMILY KEYES -- THE FOREIGN RIGHTS AGENT:
Emily Keyes is Contracts & Foreign Rights Manager at the L. Perkins Agency. She’s very passionate about YA and teen novels and is looking to acquire in that area. Previously, she was a Contracts Administrator at Simon & Schuster, Inc. and a writer for “The World Almanac for Kids.” She is a graduate of the NYU Publishing program and knowledgeable about many areas of publishing.
MARISA CLEVELAND -- ASSOCIATE AGENT
Would you trust aspiring agent (former intern) Marisa with your dream?
2009 - Mary Sue Seymour signed Marisa (and her inspirational YA) to her agency.
2010 - Marisa's best friend and critique partner joined the Agency and took on her category romance
2011 - Marisa accepted an internship opportunity with the Agency
2012 - Nicole Resciniti sold Marisa's South Beach series to Entangled Publishing!
Here's what Marisa needs:
The manuscript - A middle school novel she can't put down until the last page and can't stop discussing. Voice is definitely key for her. If she's going to sign (and sell) someone or recommend someone, then the writer's voice has to speak to her. She has to be able to listen (vocally and on the page) to that writer through revisions and edits and book after book. She wants to find characters she'd want as her best friends and partners in crime long after the story ends, whether it's in this world or an alternate universe... and middle grade means the content where issues are age-appropriate and not based solely on lexile levels.
Submission Guidelines:
Marisa accepts queries through conferences, contests, and referrals.
THE INTERNS:
Lyndi Scott
Daniel Pinto
Kimberly O'Hara
Jessica Cole
Melissa N. Bruce
