Kimberley Cameron is the founding president of her eponymous boutique agency, a 30-year veteran who works largely by referral but remains alert to exceptional writing across fiction and nonfiction — particularly debut voices that make her feel something.
In brief
Cameron's agency page explicitly rules out romance, children's books, and screenplays — narrowing her stated broad list considerably, and overriding any older directories that suggest otherwise.
She describes herself as working 'largely by referral' at this stage of her career, which means cold queries face a higher bar; a conference introduction or referral from a current client meaningfully improves odds.
Her literary ancestry (great-grandfather Rupert Hughes, a prolific author and Authors Guild co-founder) and her background developing books for MGM signal a taste for commercial storytelling with cultural staying power.
Her own stated touchstones — du Maurier, Harper Lee, Poe, Fitzgerald, Verne, Stephen King — span gothic atmosphere, moral weight, adventure, and literary dread: a writer who doesn't fit at least one of those registers is likely a mismatch.
Her submission form was observed closed as of early April 2021; this status has not been independently re-verified since, and writers must confirm current availability before querying.
Lately
Her current agency biography emphasizes that after 30 years she is now focused on mentoring her agents and works primarily through referrals, while remaining open to truly exceptional writing that moves her emotionally — particularly debut authors.
What Kimberley is looking for
Cameron's core hunting ground. She wants writing that transports — prose with emotional resonance and a distinct voice. Her personal touchstones (du Maurier's gothic suspense, Fitzgerald's lyricism, Harper Lee's moral urgency) suggest she responds best to fiction that is stylistically accomplished and thematically meaningful, not merely plot-driven. Debut authors are explicitly welcome.
A self-described francophile who has spent extended time in Paris and the South of France, Cameron has a demonstrated appetite for stories set abroad and in the past. Fiction with a strong sense of place — especially European settings — aligns with her personal experience and her track record of selling internationally acquired projects.
Her list of genre influences (Poe, King) and her conference appearances at ThrillerFest, Bouchercon, and Left Coast Crime all point to genuine investment in crime and thriller fiction. She seeks suspense with literary craft rather than pure-formula work.
Listed as open categories on her fiction slate; Jules Verne is cited as a personal favorite, suggesting a preference for adventure-forward, idea-rich SF over hard-technical or purely commercial fare. Fantasy is welcomed but not the stated emphasis.
Cameron represents both fiction and nonfiction. Her nonfiction interests cluster around story-driven categories — memoir, biography, history, journalism, true crime — rather than prescriptive or how-to work. The same 'writing that makes you feel something' standard applies.
Listed as an open category, but her current agency page emphasizes that she is working largely by referral and focuses on exceptional writing across fields. YA writers should be confident their voice and concept are truly distinctive before querying.
Not the right fit
On Kimberley's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Kimberley
Verify the form is actually open before spending time on a query — it was closed as of April 2021 and the current state is unconfirmed.
Cameron works largely by referral at this stage; if you have a connection to a current KC&A client or have met her at a writers' conference (ThrillerFest, Bouchercon, Left Coast Crime, Book Passage Mystery, and others she frequents), lead with that connection in your first line.
Her stated filter is writing that 'touches the heart and makes us feel something' — your query letter must articulate the emotional core of your book, not just its plot mechanics.
Do not query romance, children's books, or screenplays under any circumstances; her agency page is unambiguous on all three.
Her personal taste (du Maurier, Fitzgerald, Harper Lee, Poe, Verne, King) covers gothic atmosphere, moral consequence, lyrical voice, and adventure — frame your comp titles and thematic pitch within that register if you can do so honestly.
She explicitly values patience, politeness, and trust in her authors — a professional, unhurried query tone is not optional; it signals compatibility.
If your project has a French or broader European setting or connection, that cultural detail is worth surfacing early given her documented francophile sensibility and history of selling internationally sourced books.
She represents both fiction and nonfiction; make your category and word count unambiguous in the first paragraph so she can evaluate fit immediately.