A broad children's-and-adult agent who reps middle grade, YA, and adult novels, memoir, and nonfiction for all ages, with a real soft spot for the original, the moving, and the laugh-out-loud funny.
In brief
Lamba works across a wide span: middle grade, YA, and adult fiction; memoir and nonfiction for every age; plus picture books and graphic novels — but with clear genre fences.
Three words guide the taste: original, moving, and/or hilarious. Humor and heart are the throughline whether the book is for kids or adults.
On the kid side, Lamba reps established illustrators, picture book authors, and graphic novelists — and specifically wants graphic novels by author-illustrators.
Speculative is welcome in moderation — paranormal touches and especially speculative elements in middle grade are fine — but genre science fiction and high fantasy are out.
Confirm the window before querying: the most recent public note says the door stays open only until the inbox gets full.
Lately
New agent alert! Brianna Aideen is now open to queries. Welcome to the JDLA family, Brianna! :) www.jdlit.com/briannaaideen
Querying writers, if I’ve already passed on your manuscript, please stop re-sending it. I do know I’ve seen it before and I will delete it without responding again. This happens a lot, and it’s burning up time you can certainly use in a better way for your writing.
Just a heads up that I am now open to queries again over at Querytracker! I'll remain open till my inbox there gets super full. Looking forward to seeing your writing! For my overall sub guidelines and wishlist, you can click here: www.jdlit.com/marie-lamba
Hi! I'm currently closed to subs, but will be open soon. I'll announce when here, so feel free to follow. I rep picture books, YA, adult, fiction and non-fiction and love unforgettable stories. Always looking for great works! My wishlist and guidelines here #mswl: www.jdlit.com/marie-lamba
Announced reopening to queries through an online portal, noting the window will stay open only until the inbox gets very full, and pointing writers to the full submission guidelines and wishlist.
I represent a really wide range of stuff — from picture books, chapter books, middle grade, graphic novels, young adult, adult, and I do fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. It really is a very broad spectrum.
I was looking at my an online form and I had about 500 queries there, so it's like you're never catching up — you're always working. You can never quite get through them all.
When I get queries from people and they say 'I've been number one in my category on Amazon' or 'I sold 500 copies,' I know from having self-published myself that you can achieve those numbers in ways that don't necessarily signal the same thing a querying writer might think they do.
I don't think self-publishing is a career killer at all anymore. What gets tough is when the quality is really bad — typos everywhere, not a good product. But if it's a nice product, it's not like it has some big stigma. A lot of people have built really good careers self-publishing, especially in romance and series fiction.
The only thing you know for sure is that if you give up, it won't happen for you. Publishing is always a long game — it's not just that one canceled book or one bad experience; it's also all the great stuff and the promise of moving forward.
I'm very much a mama bear — I like to take care of my clients just like my kids. Agenting brought together my writing background, my PR background, and that instinct to really champion the work.
What Marie is looking for
A clear priority. Lamba wants smart, funny women's fiction with the energy of a great comedic film, plus edgy women's fiction that still has heart. Romantic elements are welcome; straight category romance is not the target.
Named want: contemporary young adult in the vein of warm, emotionally grounded realism — the kind of voice-driven contemporary YA that builds a devoted teen readership.
Lamba is hunting unique, adventurous middle grade with incredible pacing — books that deliver genuine peril and wonder. This is also where speculative elements are most welcome.
Explicitly seeking fabulous graphic novels created by author-illustrators (note the gate: illustrator-author, not script-only). Lamba also represents established illustrators and picture book authors.
Open across memoir and nonfiction for readers of every age, spanning biography, history, humor, journalism, pop culture, psychology, science, travel, and cookbooks.
Picture books are part of the list, with a leaning toward established picture book authors and author-illustrators.
Historical fiction, mystery, family saga, and LGBTQ stories are all welcomed threads that can run through the fiction categories above rather than standing as separate mandates.
Not the right fit
Threads through Marie's deals
Across the client roster, the children's titles lean into action, heroics, and light fantasy — consistent with Lamba's stated appetite for adventurous, high-stakes middle grade and a clear openness to speculative elements for younger readers. (Taste signal only; not a record of confirmed sales.)
Several client books pair humor with queer and underrepresented voices and a cozy or playful tone — echoing the original/moving/hilarious sensibility and the LGBTQ thread Lamba names. (Taste signal only; not a record of confirmed sales.)
On Marie's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Marie
Confirm the window is open first — the latest note says the door stays open only until the inbox fills.
Lead with original, moving, and/or funny: those three notes are the explicit filter.
If you write graphic novels, make sure you're the author-illustrator — that's the stated ask.
For YA, pitch grounded contemporary voice; for middle grade, foreground pacing, peril, and wonder.
Keep speculative elements light unless it's middle grade — no genre SF or high fantasy.
Skip graphic violence and straight category romance; romantic and paranormal elements within other categories are fine.