Laura Dail is a seasoned New York agent with 25+ years of experience who built a powerhouse list around commercial historical fiction, narrative nonfiction with cultural stakes, and children's/YA series — and whose clients regularly land major-media adaptations and bestseller recognition.
In brief
The sales record tells the real story: Laura Dail's dealmaking is dominated by commercial historical fiction, particularly stories centered on real women in history — Marie Benedict alone accounts for multiple high-profile St. Martin's titles, making that relationship one of the most productive repeat-client partnerships visible in the record.
Adaptation muscle is real and documented: THE WHITE HOUSE PLUMBERS became an HBO limited series starring Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux, signaling that Dail actively works the rights market beyond the initial book deal.
The client roster skews toward underrepresented voices and history — NEVER CAUGHT (Ona Judge, George Washington's escaped enslaved woman), A SPY IN RICHMOND (National Book Award finalist Erica Armstrong Dunbar), and Jami Floyd's Thurgood Marshall project all reflect a consistent appetite for overlooked American narratives.
Children's and YA representation is substantive, not token: Sarah Mlynowski's WHATEVER AFTER series and Kiera Cass's The Selection franchise are major commercial properties, and the current roster includes multiple middle-grade and YA authors.
The agency is a multi-agent shop (Dail plus Katie Gisondi, Carrie Pestritto, Elana Roth Parker, Aidan Siobhan, and Jennifer Udden) — writers should confirm which agent is the right fit before querying, and submit to the specific agent whose wishlist aligns.
Lately
Dail's agency profile highlights ongoing work in commercial historical fiction centered on real women in history, alongside a strong interest in narrative nonfiction with cultural and political stakes.
What Laura is looking for
This is Dail's most active and best-documented category. The ideal project centers a real historical figure — particularly a woman whose story has been overlooked or underwritten — in a narrative that blends rigorous research with propulsive, emotionally grounded storytelling. Multiple deals at major imprints, consistently with St. Martin's Press, demonstrate deep relationships in this space.
Dail has a strong track record with deeply researched nonfiction that reads like a story. Projects rooted in American history — civil rights, political scandal, race and justice — are especially well-represented in the list. Books with cultural urgency and strong protagonists perform well here. The record shows placements at Simon & Schuster, Little Brown, and HBO rights sales alongside print deals.
Listed as a core genre specialty, and recent deals (THE QUEENS OF CRIME, BEHIND THE CRIMSON CURTAIN) confirm active interest. Commercial women's suspense and historical mysteries appear to be the strongest lane. Projects with a strong sense of place, real-world stakes, or a female protagonist navigating danger resonate with the existing list.
The agency has significant commercial children's properties on its roster and continues to represent authors in this space. Series potential and strong voice are evident across the list. Note that the agency is a multi-agent shop — other agents at LDLA may be the primary point of contact for children's submissions; check the agency's current guidelines to identify the right recipient.
The client roster includes contemporary commercial fiction with wit and heart — romantic comedies, women's fiction with strong ensemble or career-focused protagonists. Projects with fresh cultural settings and a distinct authorial voice fit this lane.
Dail covers a broad swath of commercial nonfiction. The common thread across the list is a strong narrative hook and a subject with genuine cultural traction — whether that is a personality-driven food book, a legal biography, or a health/lifestyle title. Platform matters in this category; the record shows deals for authors with established public profiles.
Not the right fit
On Laura's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Laura
Submit to Laura Dail specifically — the agency is a multi-agent shop, and each agent has distinct tastes; address your query to the right person or it may be misdirected.
Lead with your real-world or historical hook: Dail's list is anchored by stories rooted in documented people and events. If your fiction or nonfiction has a verifiable historical or cultural spine, say so immediately.
For historical fiction, name your real protagonist and era in the opening line. Dail has placed multiple books about overlooked women in history; if your protagonist fits that pattern, make the parallel explicit.
Nonfiction writers should establish platform and access early in the query — the record shows deals for authors with public profiles (a YouTube following, a journalistic beat, institutional credentials). This matters for acquisition.
If your project has series potential — children's, YA, or commercial fiction — flag it. The agency's list includes major multi-book franchises, and Dail understands how to build and sell a series.
Keep the query focused and professional. The agency's submission guidelines are on their website; follow them precisely, as any deviation signals a writer who does not do their homework.
Demonstrate that your book has a clear market position. Dail sells to major commercial imprints and needs to pitch editors at those houses — show you understand where your book lives on the shelf.
Rights potential is a plus: if your story has film, TV, or international appeal, a brief mention is appropriate. The track record of producing adaptation deals suggests this dimension of a project is noticed.