Several years ago while waiting in the green room of a national television show with a client, Kae met an attractive young woman who was waiting her turn to be interviewed on the show. She had self-published a unique little gift book and Kae asked her if she’d considered getting it published by a publisher. The author liked the idea and, with the help of an agent colleague, Kae made her first book sale to Putnam. “I love this part of the business,” said Kae. “It didn’t take long for my husband Jon and an agent friend to convince me that we should consider becoming literary agents.” Kae and Jon added KT Public Relations and Literary Services to their publicity agency in 2007. Since then they’ve sold numerous books to both large houses and smaller venues. Kae is especially interested in mysteries and women’s fiction and is always on the lookout for fine nonfiction and even young adult books.

After a twenty-year career in the food industry, Jon secured a master’s degree in Library Science in preparation for a life with books. He joined Kae’s firm in the late 90s and together he and Kae launched the literary agency arm of the company in 2007. “This agency is a lifelong dream,” said Jon. A voracious reader, Jon’s expertise includes an uncanny instinct for the kind of books publishers are seeking in today’s competitive market. Jon’s successful slush-pile picks have included two books by Patrice Sarath and the national best-selling Blueberry Jam series by B.B. Haywood. Beautifully-written fiction: thrillers, mysteries, dystopia and science fiction rate high on Jon’s list.

Stephanie is an associate agent with Andrea Hurst Literary Management, actively seeking the next bestseller in the areas of adult and YA fiction. She is drawn to diverse, multifaceted characters with a fresh, unique voice, rich world-building, and strong writing. Within the adult genre, Stephanie looks for Women’s and Contemporary Fiction, Upmarket Book Club Fiction, Romance, Psychological Thriller and Suspense. In YA, she is seeking Romance, Contemporary Fiction, Paranormal, Thriller, Suspense and Fantasy. Stephanie assists our authors with developmental editing, brainstorming innovative marketing strategies, and carving the path for their publishing success.

Adult non-fiction titles. Her wide-ranging list includes health, history, parenting, music, how-to, popular science, business, biography, sports, popular reference, cooking, writing, humor, spirituality, illustrated books and general interest titles

Popular business, spirituality, and most other areas of nonfiction

Carol is the long time editor of Chap Stick Magazine. She focuses on up-market women's literature and childrens comedy.

Cassie Mannes Murray is a Literary Agent at Howland Literary, while earning her MFA at UNCW in Creative Nonfiction, and currently designs for Ecotone and Lookout Books. At Raleigh Review, she is the Book Review Editor, and Social Media Coordinator. She has been supported by Kenyon Writers Workshop, and the Shannon Morton Fellowship. Her essays have appeared in Passages North and The Rumpus. She is working on a lyrical hybrid about girlhood in the South.

Julia is an editorial assistant at Lucinda Literary and a recent graduate of Rutgers University, Class of 2019, where she majored in English and double minored in Psychology and Creative Writing. She was honored as a Paul Robeson Scholar for her Undergraduate Honors Thesis, which examined issues of identity in three fin de siècle fiction novels. Julia is interested in fiction that contains thrilling adventure, dimensional characters, and witty language. In non-fiction, she seeks stimulating stories that compel readers to not only think, but change the way in which they do so.

A Texas native, Leah moved to the east coast to pursue her dream of working in publishing. She recently graduated from Rosemont College with her B.A. in English and History, and she is currently pursuing her MA in Publishing. Leah spends her time enjoying the company of fictional characters more than people. When not in the company of fictional characters, Leah hangs out with friends and family, cooks, and catches up on movies and tv shows she is always behind on. For more information on what Leah is looking for, please visit https://www.ladderbird.com/leah-pierre.html.