Amy Collins is a veteran publishing-industry insider at Talcott Notch Literary Services who leverages 30+ years of sales, marketing, and retail experience to champion non-fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, and sci-fi.
In brief
Collins is currently closed to unsolicited queries — her agency page states this explicitly, and the most recent observed form status (June 2024) confirms it; writers should monitor her page before attempting contact.
Her background is unusual for an agent: she entered agenting from the commercial sales side (book buyer, Sales Director, founder of a major book sales company) rather than from editorial, which means she understands retail sell-through and positioning at a practical level most agents do not.
A December 2024 social post confirms she is actively working with a client on a romantasy manuscript, signaling she is engaging with that fast-growing subgenre even though her stated focus categories are broader fantasy and sci-fi — writers with romantasy projects may be worth watching for when she reopens.
Her stated focus is a tight four-category list — non-fiction/history, historical fiction, fantasy, and sci-fi — and her public record does not show she chases trends outside that lane.
She is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author herself, bringing firsthand author experience alongside her commercial publishing expertise.
Lately
Collins publicly announced her excitement about working with author Gwenna Laithland (known online as Momma Cusses) on a new romantasy manuscript, signaling active engagement with the romantasy subgenre.
What Amy is looking for
Collins lists non-fiction — with a particular note on history — as a core focus. Her decades of experience selling non-fiction commercially (including to major retail chains) gives her an unusually strong grasp of what titles can travel beyond bookstores into big-box and specialty retail. Narrative non-fiction and history with a strong commercial hook are the sweet spot.
Historical fiction sits alongside non-fiction as a stated primary focus. Given her retail background, projects with broad commercial appeal and a vivid, accessible narrative voice are likely to resonate most.
Fantasy is an explicit focus category. A December 2024 post confirms she is actively engaged with at least one client writing romantasy, suggesting she is open to the romantic fantasy subgenre as well as broader fantasy. Writers should frame the specific subgenre clearly in a query.
Sci-fi rounds out her four stated focus areas. It is named without additional qualification, so writers should lead with strong concept and commercial positioning when pitching in this category.
Not the right fit
On Amy's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Amy
She is currently closed to unsolicited queries; do not cold-query until her status reopens. Check her agency page regularly for any change.
Her focus is narrow and explicit: non-fiction/history, historical fiction, fantasy, and sci-fi. Do not query outside these four categories.
Her background is commercial sales — she understands retail positioning deeply. A query that articulates the book's audience, its retail comparables, and why it has broad market reach will speak her language more directly than a purely literary pitch.
The confirmed romantasy client suggests she is open to genre-blending fantasy with romantic elements. If your project fits this space, name the subgenre clearly rather than burying it under a generic 'fantasy' label.
She is a USA Today and WSJ bestselling author herself — she will recognize and appreciate a polished, professional query letter. Craft and clarity matter here.
When she does reopen, her agency uses an email-based contact system; check the current instructions on her agency page, as submission guidelines can shift.
Her 30+ years on the commercial side means she values books with a clear sales hook. Frame your pitch around what makes the book distinctive and sellable, not just its literary qualities.