Kemi Faderin is a Dystel, Goderich & Bourret agent actively building a list across all age groups, with a particular appetite for diverse historical fiction, upmarket family narratives, and smart middle grade.
In brief
Faderin is newly acquiring and casting a wide net — this is a good moment to query across multiple categories, as their list is still forming.
Historical fiction is the clearest throughline in Faderin's wishlist: Tudor and Medieval settings, historical YA, and historical romance featuring people of color all appear as explicit priorities.
The 'Downton Abbey meets Shameless' vision signals an appetite for stories that mix class tension with messy, emotionally raw family dynamics — upmarket but never sterile.
No confirmed sales record is available in the source material, so claims about publisher relationships or category dominance cannot be made; query based on the stated wishlist.
Faderin accepts queries directly by email, which is unusual at a large agency — a small but useful practical advantage for writers.
Lately
Faderin describes themselves as newly acquiring and enthusiastic across all age groups and genres — a signal that the list is actively being built and a wide range of strong projects are being considered.
What Kemi is looking for
Tudor and Medieval settings are named outright, and historical YA is flagged as an area Faderin actively wants more of. Historical romance centering characters of color is a specific, stated priority — not just a nice-to-have. If your historical project features underrepresented perspectives, this is a strong match.
Faderin wants literary-leaning fiction anchored in family conflict, reconciliation, and emotional complexity. Diverse, fully realized women characters are essential. The 'Downton Abbey meets Shameless' touchstone suggests a taste for stories that cut across class lines with warmth and unruliness — think family sagas with real stakes and imperfect people.
Smart, concept-driven middle grade is a clear priority. Faderin gravitates toward MG that balances emotional depth with intellectual curiosity — the kind of book that respects young readers' intelligence.
Contemporary women's fiction with strong, diverse casts is welcomed alongside the upmarket end of the spectrum. Character voice and authentic representation appear to be the key differentiators.
Listed as a fiction category Faderin actively represents. No specific sub-genre constraints stated — LGBTQ themes can intersect with the historical, contemporary, or family-saga categories Faderin favors.
Family sagas sit naturally alongside Faderin's upmarket fiction interests. Multi-generational scope, internal family friction, and emotionally honest resolutions align with the stated taste.
Faderin welcomes nonfiction across several lanes: pop culture, sports, science, and history are all named. Illustrated nonfiction and humor nonfiction are also listed categories. No single nonfiction area is called out as a top priority, so these feel like genuine interests rather than a passion project.
Humor appears in both fiction and nonfiction genre lists, signaling an openness to comedic voice and wit-driven narratives across formats.
Listed as a favorite sub-genre, suggesting genuine enthusiasm, but no deal record or detailed wishlist language supports a 'high heat' designation. Works best when layered into the literary, diverse, or historical fiction Faderin already prioritizes.
Children's is listed as a broad fiction category. Specific enthusiasm is reserved for middle grade; other children's categories appear to be open but not a stated focus.
Not the right fit
Taste fingerprint
How to query Kemi
Send queries directly to kfaderin@dystel.com — email submission is stated, but confirm DGB's current guidelines on their website before sending, as agency-wide requirements may apply.
Lead your query letter with the historical or cultural specificity of your project; Faderin's wishlist is unusually precise about period (Tudor, Medieval) and representation (people of color, LGBTQ), so match that specificity back.
If your book crosses categories Faderin lists together — e.g., historical + diverse characters + family conflict — say so explicitly. The wishlist suggests an appetite for intersection, not genre purity.
For middle grade, establish your concept's intellectual hook in the first sentence; the Wonder and The Thing About Jellyfish comps signal a taste for MG that makes readers think, not just feel.
For the 'Downton Abbey meets Shameless' lane, foreground class dynamics and family dysfunction early in your pitch — that combination is a clear taste signal, not just a casual reference.
Faderin is newly acquiring, which means the list has room and the agent is actively reading. Submitting a well-matched, polished query now is well-timed.