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Submission Information and Guidelines

The Seymour Agency is currently open to submissions. Read the information below and contact us in Canton, New York if you have questions.

 We strive to represent diverse authors and content that reflects the many communities, cultures, and countries we serve. Being inclusive is our mission.

Our Guidelines

For email queries, a one-page letter will suffice. No attachments, please. All of The Seymour Agency agents prefer email queries and ask that you paste the first five pages of your manuscript into the bottom of your email.


Be sure to include the following details:

  • A great pitch for your book, 3-5 lines long. This helps us to immediately see what the hook is, as well as what the story is about.
  • Genre/Target Audience
  • Word Count
  • Contact Information and Bio
  • References (Conference, Recommendation, etc.)

In the interest of protecting the environment, please forward all submissions electronically.


Please query one agent at a time. However, if that agent passes on a project, please feel free to query another Seymour agent.


We make a conscious effort to reply to every query we receive. If you do not receive a request for additional materials within three weeks, you should assume that we are not interested in that particular project.


Please know that our opinion is but one, and another agent may feel differently. We wish you the very best in all of your writing endeavors! Thank you for your interest in The Seymour Agency!

Helpful Advice for Authors Who Are Submitting

  • First impressions count. Use spellcheck and format your manuscript properly
  • (1" margins, 12pt font, header with title, page #, author name).
  • Beware of typos.
  • Avoid passive writing.
  • Do your homework. Know your target audience and genre.
  • Be unique. Every theme/storyline has been done before. What makes your manuscript different?
  • Edit. Edit. Edit. Make sure your story begins in the right place, that secondary characters don't steal the show, and the tension escalates.
  • Every agent/editor/reader wants a book they can't stop reading, so be mindful of pacing.
  • Create characters a reader will care about.
  • Typing "The End" is only the beginning. Be prepared to promote and market both your book and your brand. For example, blog spots and websites build readership and establish an online presence.
  • Networking through writing groups and formal organizations (ACFW, RWA, MWA, FWA) can introduce you to new friends, critique partners, and offer resources tailored to your genre.
  • Develop your craft and don't stop writing. Writers improve with every manuscript, and completing more books increases your odds of achieving publication.   

Acquiring Agents

President

Accepts queries in the following genres: 

  • Action/Suspense/Thriller
  • Cookbooks
  • Cozies and Amateur Sleuth
  • Inspirational
  • Mystery
  • Romance
  • Sci-Fi
  • Fantasy
  • Women's Fiction
  • YA/Children's/MG

To query Nicole, please email [email protected]


*Nicole is currently closed to queries.

Vice President and Agent

Julie Gwinn accepts queries in the following genres: 

  • Adult Only
  • Historical Fiction
  • Inspirational Fiction and Non-Fiction
  • Mysteries and Suspense
  • Romance (Contemporary, Historical, Suspense, Inspirational, and Amish)
  • Spec Fiction and Fantasy
  • Women's Fiction

Executive Director and Agent

Marisa Cleveland represents authors writing in the following genres:
    • PB/MG/YA Fiction and Non-Fiction
    • General Fiction (Contemporary and Upmarket)
    • Mystery
    • Romance
    • Speculative Fiction (SFF)
    • Non-Fiction (Business, Leadership, and Memoir)


To query: https://querymanager.com/query/MarisaTSA


*Marisa is currently closed to queries and is accepting new clients by referral only.



Media Rights Manager, Communications Manager, and Agent

Lesley Sabga accepts queries in the following genres:


Fiction, Young Adult, and Adult:
  • Mysteries (all genres)
  • Psychological Thrillers and Suspense
  • Romance (all genres)
  • Fantasy
  • Historical Fiction
  • Women's Fiction
Please no picture books or screenplays.

*Lesley  is currently closed to queries.


Agent

Tina Wainscott accepts queries in the following genres: 

  • Prescriptive
  • Self-Help
  • Spirituality Non-Fiction

Agent

Jennifer Wills accepts queries in the following genres:

Picture Books and Cookbooks


Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction:
    • Sci-Fi
    • Fantasy
    • Horror/Suspense
Contemporary and Upmarket Women's Fiction With a Sense of Humor


Non-Fiction:
    • Narrative Non-Fiction
    • Memoir

Agent

Lynnette Novak accepts queries in the following genres:

Adult Fiction:
    • Mysteries (Traditional, Amateur Sleuth, and Cozy)
    • Psychological Suspense
    • Thrillers
Young Adult Fiction:
    • Contemporary
    • Fantasy
    • Horror
    • Mysteries
    • Psychological Suspense
    • Thrillers

In Adult Non-Fiction:


  • Self-Help
  • Relationships and Dating
  • True Crime
  • Psychology
  • Health and Fitness
  • Parenting and Family
  • Spirituality/New Age
  • Memoirs
  • Motivational/Inspirational
  • Lifestyle
  • Celebrity
  • Pets
  • Business


You must be an expert in the field and have a platform.


What kind of platform do you need for nonfiction? Are you a celebrity with a story to tell? An expert in the field (doctor, journalist, therapist, CEO, trainer, psychologist, etc.)? Do you have a direct route to the consumer? Are you a social influencer or public speaker? Publishers want to see how your name or brand will draw readers to your book.

Middle-Grade Fiction:


  • Contemporary
  • Fantasy
  • Horror
  • Humor
  • Mystery


Children’s Fiction:

  • Picture Books (Non-Rhyming Preferred)

Agent

Joyce Sweeney accepts queries in the following genres: 

  • Picture Books (no graphic novels please)
  • Middle Grade

For queries, send an email to [email protected].

Agent

Elisa Houot accepts queries in the following genres: 


Picture Books (non-rhyming preferred).


Middle Grade Fiction: 

  • Action/Adventure
  • Mystery
  • Contemporary
  • Humor
  • Magical realism
  • Fantasy

Young Adult and New Adult: 

  • Romance
  • Contemporary
  • Magical Realism
  • Mystery
  • Thriller
  • Fantasy

Agent

Jonathan Rosen

Jonathan Rosen accepts queries in the following genres: 


Fiction:

  • Young Adult
  • Mysteries and Thrillers
  • Sports
  • Romantic Comedy

Non-Fiction: 

  • Biographies and Memoirs
  •  Pop Culture
  •  Humor
  • Sports
  • Journalism.

To Query, please send first five pages to: [email protected]


Junior Agent


Cole Lanahan

Cole Lanahan accepts queries in the following genres: 

Adult Fiction:

  • Romance (all genres)
  • Psychological Suspense

Young Adult Fiction:

  • All genres

Non-Fiction:

  • Humor
  • Business 
  • Self-Help
  • Lifestyle
  • Arts and Crafts



Agent


Michael L Joy accepts queries in the following genres: 

Adult Fiction:

  • Crime
  • Graphic Novels (Script Form)
  • Mystery
  • Suspense
  • Thrillers

Non-Fiction:

  • Art
  • Business Self-Help
  • Music
  • Pop Culture
  • True Crime
  • Graphic Novels


To Query: QueryMe.Online/MichaelLJoy.


*Michael is currently closed to queries.