Glass Elevator

Kristina Sutton Lennon is a bilingual Latiné literary manager, producer, and CEO/Co-Founder of Focused Artists who champions multicultural, high-concept fiction and platform-driven nonfiction with a sharp eye for screen potential.

Synthesized from 2 independent signals · last reviewed June 2026
01

In brief

the 30-second read
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Her agency page currently says CLOSED TO QUERIES, but her wishlist profile specifies a narrow open window of February 10–20, 2026 — writers should bookmark that window and confirm status before submitting.

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Her confirmed publisher relationships skew prestige-commercial: HarperCollins, Hachette, and National Geographic signal she can place books at major houses, not just independents.

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She is first and foremost a manager-producer hybrid, not a traditional literary agent — she pitches to studios and production companies as well as publishers, making her an especially strong fit for projects with screen adaptation potential.

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Her taste profile is unusually specific: Croatian heritage, Lilith Fair nostalgia, 1990s culture, and mahjong are recurring personal touchstones — projects that authentically connect to any of these have a real edge.

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Nonfiction is heavily gated: she will only consider writers who already have published bylines, an established mailing list, or a Substack — unpublished nonfiction writers should not query her.

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Lately

most recent public notes

Her current agency wishlist specifies that she is actively scouting Croatian voices and content, Indigenous writers, and Latiné voices — calling these out as priority categories separate from her general open interests.

January 2026 · 6mo ago
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What Kristina is looking for

organized from the wishlist, interviews, and listings
Picture BooksActively seeking

She wants humorous picture books with a strong comic voice — think community helpers, economics and savings lessons for kids, and stories with a playful, high-energy tone. She is not looking for rhyming or wordless texts. Author-illustrators who can embed sample art are welcome. Multicultural and Latiné picture book voices are a particular priority.

CompsThe Leaf ThiefMr. S¡Tengo Hambre! (I'm Hungry!)Besos for BabyWho's in Your Book? (picture book series)
Adult Sapphic & Reverse Harem RomanceActively seeking

High-concept adult sapphic romance is an active priority. She is also drawn to paranormal and speculative romance set in richly atmospheric historical periods — particularly the Hollywood Gilded Age, the Regency era, or the Roaring Twenties. A Lilith Fair setting or thematic connection is a strong differentiator for any adult romance submission.

New Adult High-Concept FictionOpen to

She is open to new adult fiction that is boldly high-concept. Multicultural perspectives, Indigenous voices, Latiné voices, and Croatian-set or Croatian-themed stories are actively scouted. Nineties nostalgia as a setting or cultural layer is a recurring interest. She does not want sci-fi, true crime, or horror.

Nonfiction — Women's Wellness & ParentingActively seeking

She wants women's health nonfiction covering menopause, perimenopause, pregnancy, and postpartum — ideally from credentialed experts. Parenting and relationship advice from licensed family therapists with established bylines or followings is also sought. Motherhood narratives and 'tradwife' cultural perspectives round out this cluster. A platform (mailing list, Substack, or published articles) is non-negotiable for any nonfiction submission.

CompsDrop the Ball by Tiffany Dufu
Nonfiction — Financial Literacy & CareerOpen to

She is interested in financial literacy titles and career-advancement books, particularly those aimed at women. Feel-good nonfiction from writers with strong comedic backgrounds or substantial bylines also fits. As with all her nonfiction, platform is a hard requirement.

Nonfiction — Climate TechSelective

She will consider climate tech nonfiction, but only from scientists, researchers, or recognized thought leaders who bring bylines and demonstrated public credibility. Generalist or first-time writers without an established platform should not query in this category.

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Not the right fit

save yourself the rejection
Graphic novels
Chapter books or middle grade
Rhyming picture books
Wordless picture books or early readers
Sci-fi novels
True crime
Horror novels
Screenplays, pitch decks, loglines, or pilots
Nonfiction from writers without published bylines, a mailing list, or a Substack
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On Kristina's list

authors and titles represented
TD
Tiffany DufuDrop the BallListed as a comparable she wants to replicate — signals interest in women's leadership and career nonfiction at the commercial-prestige level.
SM
Silvia Moreno-GarciaMexican GothicNamed as a wishlist comp; signals appetite for atmospheric, genre-inflected literary fiction with multicultural settings.
EH
Emily HabeckShark HeartNamed as a wishlist comp; signals interest in high-concept, emotionally resonant speculative adult fiction.
MU
MultipleWho's in Your Book? (picture book series)Named as a taste touchstone for the kind of inclusive, community-centered picture books she wants to represent.
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Taste fingerprint

the threads that run through Kristina's taste
multicultural & Latiné voicesCroatian content1990s nostalgiaLilith Fairhumorous picture bookswomen's wellness nonfictionsapphic romancehistorical/paranormal romancescreen-adaptable projectsplatform-required nonfiction
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How to query Kristina

9 ways in By email
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Email your query to QueryKristina@focusedartists.com — paste everything in the body of the email, not as attachments.

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For fiction, paste the first 10 pages directly below your query letter in the same email.

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For picture books, paste a manuscript sample in the body; if the project is illustrated, embed a sample illustration directly in the email.

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For nonfiction, send only your query letter initially and have a full proposal with sample chapter ready to send upon request — do not attach it unsolicited.

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Her agency page currently reads CLOSED; target the February 10–20, 2026 window if that entry is still active — and verify the live status before sending anything.

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If your project connects to Croatian culture, Indigenous identity, Latiné voices, 1990s nostalgia, Lilith Fair, or mahjong, name that connection explicitly and early in your query letter — she scouts these categories deliberately.

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Nonfiction writers must demonstrate platform in the query itself: cite your mailing list size, Substack subscriber count, or list your most prominent published bylines. Without this, the submission will not advance.

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Do not send screenplays, pitch decks, loglines, or pilots under any circumstances — she is not accepting those formats.

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She is a literary manager and producer, not solely a literary agent — if your book has screen adaptation potential, briefly noting that in your query could strengthen your pitch.

See how to email your query
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Frequently asked

what writers ask about Kristina
Is Kristina Sutton Lennon open to queries right now?
Her agency page currently says CLOSED TO QUERIES. A separate wishlist entry lists a narrow open window of February 10–20, 2026. Check the live submission page as that date approaches — if the window is real, it gives you fewer than two weeks to submit.
What agency does Kristina Sutton Lennon work at?
She is the CEO and Co-Founder of Focused Artists, where she works as a literary manager and producer.
Is Kristina a literary agent or a literary manager?
She holds the title of literary manager and producer, not agent. The distinction matters: she also pitches projects to studios, networks, and production companies, making her a stronger fit for books with screen potential.
What publishers has Kristina Sutton Lennon worked with?
Her agency bio confirms deals facilitated with HarperCollins, Hachette, and National Geographic — a range that spans commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, and illustrated/reference titles.
Does she represent middle grade or young adult fiction?
She does not represent chapter books or middle grade. Her current wishlist does not include young adult either, despite older directory entries listing 'Commercial YA' as a sub-genre interest — trust her current agency page, which omits YA.
Does she accept nonfiction from first-time authors?
No. She explicitly requires that nonfiction writers have at least one of the following: published articles in recognizable media, an established mailing list, or a Substack. First-time nonfiction authors without any platform should not query her.
What does Kristina Sutton Lennon NOT want?
She is not seeking graphic novels, chapter books, middle grade, wordless picture books, early readers, rhyming picture books, sci-fi, true crime, or horror. She also does not accept screenplays, pitch decks, loglines, or pilots.
Is she interested in Croatian content, and why?
Yes — Croatian voices and stories set in or about Croatia are among her highest-priority scouting categories. She is a member of the Association of Croatian American Professionals, suggesting a personal and professional investment in this community.
What does the Lilith Fair connection mean for querying her?
Lilith Fair — the 1990s women-in-music festival — appears repeatedly in her wishlist as both a setting and a cultural touchstone. Fiction set in or inspired by that world, or nonfiction tied to it, is a genuine differentiator. It overlaps with her broader 1990s nostalgia interest.
Does she accept picture books from authors without illustration?
Yes — she accepts picture book manuscripts from authors who are not illustrators. If your project is illustrated, she asks that you embed a sample illustration in the email body. Non-illustrated manuscripts should just include the text sample.