Marilyn Biderman is a Toronto-based literary agent at Transatlantic Literary Agency who champions underrepresented voices, with a current laser focus on women's fiction—both contemporary bookclub reads and historical fiction centered on Sephardic, Mizrachi, and Beta Israel (Ethiopian) Jewish women.
In brief
Biderman's public signals reveal a highly specific current appetite: smart, voice-driven contemporary women's fiction for bookclub audiences AND historical fiction spotlighting non-Ashkenazi Jewish women (Sephardic, Mizrachi, Beta Israel). These are not equal priorities—the historical fiction lane is explicitly the narrower 'open' window.
Their stated touchstone is Ayelet Tsabari, an award-winning author known for deeply personal, culturally specific Mizrachi-inflected literary fiction and memoir. If your historical or contemporary project occupies that emotional and cultural register, you are in the right room.
Biderman explicitly rules out romantasy, fantasy, and science fiction—full stop. These are not subcategory nuances; they are hard exclusions stated publicly and recently.
Their claim that clients have won major American and Canadian awards signals genuine commercial and critical reach, and their emphasis on being 'very active internationally' suggests strong foreign rights networks—a meaningful advantage for literary fiction with global story settings.
Because query status can shift, always verify the live submission form before querying; as of April 2026, Biderman was open with the specific scope described here.
Lately
#MSWL Smart, contemporary, voicey bookclub women's fiction; Sephardic or Mizrachi historical women's fiction, write to querymarilyn@transatlanticagency.com; no romantasy, no fantasy, no sci fi. Thanks! My clients have won major American and Canadian awards, and I'm very active internationally.
Biderman posted a public note clarifying their current priorities: smart, contemporary, voice-forward bookclub women's fiction; Sephardic or Mizrachi historical women's fiction are both welcome. They were equally direct about what they do not want—no romantasy, no fantasy, no sci-fi—and noted that their clients have earned major American and Canadian literary awards and that they maintain an active international presence.
What Marilyn is looking for
This is Biderman's most explicitly open and emphasized category right now. They want historical fiction about women from Sephardic, Mizrachi, or Beta Israel (Ethiopian) Jewish communities—essentially any non-Ashkenazi Jewish experience. The touchstone name they invoke is Ayelet Tsabari, whose work blends precise cultural specificity, emotional interiority, and literary voice. Projects in this lane should foreground authentic cultural texture alongside propulsive, character-driven narrative.
Biderman is seeking contemporary women's fiction that is smart, voicey, and built for bookclub conversation. This is not commercial romance or genre-adjacent fare—it skews literary and culturally resonant, the kind of novel that drives group discussion. Sephardic or Mizrachi cultural threads in a contemporary frame also fit squarely here.
Not the right fit
On Marilyn's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Marilyn
Address the email to querymarilyn@transatlanticagency.com — this is the dedicated query address Biderman has publicly listed for new submissions.
State the cultural community at the center of your book in the first line of your query. Biderman's current open window is defined by specificity: Sephardic, Mizrachi, or Beta Israel (Ethiopian) Jewish women in historical fiction. Bury that detail and you risk an immediate pass.
If querying contemporary women's fiction, lead with voice. Biderman's own language — 'smart, contemporary, voicey' — signals that narrative personality on the page is non-negotiable. A flat, plot-summary-only pitch will not land.
Invoke Ayelet Tsabari only if the comparison is genuinely earned. Biderman named Tsabari as the 'next' they are looking for, so hollow flattery will backfire; a precise, honest parallel (cultural register, emotional interiority, literary voice) will resonate.
Do not pitch fantasy, romantasy, or science fiction. These are explicitly excluded in Biderman's most recent public statement—no amount of framing will make a genre novel fit.
Mention international dimension if relevant. Biderman highlights being 'very active internationally,' so a manuscript with settings, themes, or audience appeal beyond North America is worth flagging briefly.
Confirm the submission window is still open immediately before sending. Biderman's status is selective and subject to change; the April 2026 observation may not reflect the current state of the inbox.