Laura Mazer is a WSA agent and former Seal Press executive editor who hunts for nonfiction that illuminates culture, women's lives, and big ideas—and, on the fiction side, grounded commercial reads anchored in real-world wit.
In brief
Mazer's confirmed recent deals skew heavily literary-nonfiction: a Joan Didion cultural study, a memoir-meets-cultural-critique on shame and womanhood, and a rock-music deep dive—all squarely in the cultural commentary and women's-experience lane they consistently champion.
Their best-known projects include two New York Times bestsellers sold during their prior editorial career at Seal Press (Hachette): What Would Frida Do? by Arianna Davis and From Cradle to Stage by Virginia Grohl—evidence of serious commercial muscle with mainstream publishers.
Despite listing fiction sub-genres extensively, the confirmed sales record and named 'best-known projects' are almost entirely nonfiction; fiction queriers should note this is a real but less-proven lane for Mazer, and the rom-com ask appears to be an active wish rather than an established track record.
A background in global news—including work alongside high-profile public figures—and board membership with The OpEd Project signal genuine commitment to underrepresented voices and media-literate, socially engaged narratives.
Mazer's editorial history at Seal Press (known for feminist and progressive nonfiction) combined with WSA's strong rights infrastructure (sub-agents covering Japan, China/Taiwan, and Korea) makes this a strong home for international-friendly nonfiction with a bold cultural angle.
Lately
On what they described as the inaugural querying appreciation day, Mazer posted a public snapshot of their current wish list, confirming they are seeking adult fiction and nonfiction and directing writers to their full profile for details.
What Laura is looking for
Mazer is actively seeking sharp, socially engaged nonfiction that examines what it means to be a woman today—shame, identity, power, and the everyday absurdities of modern life. Recent confirmed deals (including a cultural critique on shame and womanhood) show this is a live, not aspirational, lane. Books that blend personal essay with broader cultural argument are especially welcome.
Mazer wants history that feels playful and revelatory rather than scholarly—books that surface forgotten stories, reframe famous ones, or reveal how the past shaped the quirks of everyday life. Particular enthusiasm for untold stories centered on women. Both narrative nonfiction and historically grounded fiction are welcome here, provided the period genuinely matters to the story.
Mazer wants breakthrough thinking on how people live, heal, and connect—books that feel both evidence-based and deeply human. The sweet spot is practical-yet-profound: accessible science or psychology that genuinely changes how readers think about their minds and bodies. Longevity, mental health, and the science of joy all fit.
Mazer has a clear and confirmed appetite for books that celebrate cultural icons, music legends, and the texture of popular life. Recent deals include a deep dive into Soundgarden and a Joan Didion cultural biography, suggesting the lane spans rock memoirs to literary-legacy celebrations. Geeky, enthusiastic immersions in a cultural subject are particularly welcome.
Mazer is drawn to bold, concept-driven nonfiction that feels both giftable and genuinely useful—iconic guides to living more boldly, collections that celebrate inspiring figures (especially women), and books that sit at the intersection of self-help and cultural commentary. Big-idea packaging and strong voice matter here.
On the fiction side, Mazer is actively seeking commercial and upmarket adult romance and rom-com—specifically stories with wry, grounded humor and a clear awareness of the world we actually live in. This is a stated wish with limited confirmed deal history, so queriers should treat it as an emerging rather than established lane. Smart, snappy voice is the ticket.
Mazer has an explicit soft spot for irresistible, 'giftable' concept books—illustrated, packaged, or otherwise visually or structurally distinctive nonfiction that earns a place on coffee tables and in gift shops. Prior experience as a Seal Press editor on packaged and concept-driven books gives Mazer genuine editorial depth here.
Not the right fit
On Laura's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Laura
Send your query and a complete proposal to the agency's submissions email address and place 'Laura Mazer' in the subject line—this routing instruction is explicitly required and non-negotiable.
Mazer's background is in editorial, not just agenting—your proposal should be polished and structurally complete; a strong chapter outline and sample chapters are expected for nonfiction.
Lead your query with cultural stakes: Mazer responds to books that explain why this story matters to the world right now, not just why it's personally interesting to the author.
If your nonfiction touches on women's stories, underrepresented voices, or cultural commentary, surface that angle early—it directly maps to Mazer's most consistent deal-making.
For rom-com fiction, emphasize the 'real-world grounding' and tonal wit over fantasy or escapist elements; the Curtis Sittenfeld comp they named signals a preference for literary-leaning commercial over pure genre romance.
Avoid vague wellness or self-help framing—Mazer wants a clear 'breakthrough insight' or big idea that differentiates the book from the existing shelf. Name your specific contribution.
Confirm current query status on the WSA website before submitting; the last-observed status was unverified.