Claudia Stepien is an Associate Acquisitions Editor at Globe Pequot's family of regional imprints, hunting for US-rooted nonfiction that sits at the intersection of place, culture, and adventure — from foraging guides and food crawls to paranormal local history and outdoor narratives.
In brief
Claudia Stepien edits for three imprints under one roof — Falcon Guides (outdoor/adventure), Globe Pequot (travel, food, regional nonfiction), and Down East Books (New England regional) — meaning a single proposal can travel internally if it's not quite right for one imprint.
The wishlist comps reveal a clear taste pattern: books that are simultaneously place-specific and culturally immersive, whether that's a haunted road atlas, a regional music venue oral history, or a foraging cookbook rooted in a particular landscape.
Stepien is not a literary agent — they are an in-house acquisitions editor at a trade nonfiction publisher. Writers should submit a formal book proposal, not a query letter with a manuscript.
The New England geographic thread (Down East Books' core territory) and the paranormal/true crime regional thread suggest projects with a strong northeastern US sense of place may land especially well, though the broader remit is nationwide US regional.
Query status is unverified — confirm submission availability directly before sending a proposal.
Lately
Stepien's named touchstones span a revealing range: a haunted road atlas, a Bay State true crime title, a New Haven music venue oral history, and an irreverent global travel guide — all united by strong voice, sense of place, and cultural specificity rather than any single genre.
What Claudia is looking for
Foraging titles in any form — field guide, cookbook, narrative, how-to, or hybrid — that bring a distinct angle or regional specificity. The format matters less than the freshness of the concept; a pure guide and a foraged-ingredient cookbook are equally welcome.
Both practical adventure guides and first-person narratives of extraordinary outdoor experiences. Projects should have a strong sense of place and be rooted in real, specific geography — not generic adventure writing.
Well-researched travel titles that go beyond surface-level tourism — books that embed readers in local culture, are conscious of community impact, and feel like a knowledgeable local is guiding the reader. Irreverent, opinionated voices are welcome.
Cookbooks with a genuinely distinctive concept — either a unique ingredient focus, a tight regional identity, or a cultural angle that makes the title stand apart in a crowded market. Derivative or broadly 'seasonal' concepts without differentiation are unlikely to appeal.
Restaurant guides, food crawl books, and culinary-cultural explorations that blend eating with place and identity. Think less 'best restaurants in the city' listicle and more immersive journey through a food culture.
Niche local and regional history titles, especially those exploring folklore, myths, legends, and the offbeat stories that don't make it into mainstream histories. A storytelling voice that makes deep-cut history accessible to general audiences is key.
Paranormal investigations, haunted-place guides, and true crime titles anchored to a specific region or locale. The emphasis is on gripping, well-researched storytelling about real places — not generic national crime retrospectives.
Narrative nonfiction about singular, unprecedented experiences that resonate broadly — not category-driven but story-driven. Must have a strong hook that speaks to readers outside a niche community.
Listed among stated sub-genre interests, but no specific wishlist language or comps are attached to this category. Approach with caution and verify current interest before submitting — the core focus is clearly adult nonfiction.
Not the right fit
On Claudia's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Claudia
Submit to cstepien@globepequot.com — this is a direct editorial email, not a literary agency query; send a full book proposal, not a query letter.
Your proposal must include four components: a book description, a table of contents with a sample chapter (plus sample images if relevant), a platform/promotion overview, and a market analysis with competitive titles.
The market analysis is load-bearing — Stepien's imprints compete in a crowded regional nonfiction space, so be precise about who will buy your book, why now, and which current titles you are up against.
Lead with place: almost every comp title is anchored to a specific geography. Make your book's regional identity unmistakable from the first line of your description.
Do not submit to multiple editors at Globe Pequot simultaneously — proposals are forwarded internally if they're a better fit for a different editor or imprint, so one submission covers all three imprints.
Allow a full three months before following up, and make sure your email address is visible in the proposal itself, not just the email header.
Never attach files to a CD or USB drive — these are discarded without review. Email attachments or clearly organized inline text are the right approach.
If your project sits at the intersection of two of Stepien's categories (e.g., a foraging guide with a paranormal regional history thread, or a true crime title structured as a travel guide), lean into that hybrid quality — the comp titles suggest cross-category concepts are a strength, not a liability.