Hello! I’m a literary agent at Helm Literary representing fiction and non-fiction for adults.
FICTION
I’m seeking commercial and upmarket fiction titles with a high concept pitch in a variety of genres (listed below). Generally, I’m drawn to characters that are haunted by something, whether figuratively (a secret, a past, an obsession) or literally (a ghost, a monster, an object). I’m especially looking for character-driven stories featuring women in power, unhinged women, and stories of female rage. I have a soft spot for unreliable narrators, family sagas with dysfunctional families, and stories that focus on friendship dynamics (whether sweet or sinister). I am also drawn to fun and joyful titles that explore the diverse experiences of underrepresented groups and challenge our understanding of diasporic cultures or experiences.
Genres
Upmarket fiction Commercial fiction Women’s fiction* Horror* Mystery* Thriller* Rom-coms* Extremely grounded speculative fiction Re-imagined folklore (grounded in a modern setting and with contemporary elements) Select historical fiction* (note: I’m only interested in historical settings from the 1960s and onwards) * Welcoming books in these genres with characters of all backgrounds, but especially seeking books featuring BIPOC characters.
NONFICTION
For nonfiction, I welcome both narrative and prescriptive books with fresh and accessible perspectives. I’m interested in big-idea books, industry deep dives, business, health, and self-help, as well as personal narratives on pop culture, art, and nature. I love and appreciate books that offer incisive commentary on culture, socio-economic structures, and corporate underbellies. My taste in nonfiction is broad; I gravitate towards books that generally challenge what we know or explain what we might not know.
Genres
Cultural criticism Memoir plus / hybrid memoir Psychology Narrative journalism Big idea/concept books made accessible (financial literacy, tech, industry deep-dives, climate change, nature, etc.) Pop culture Health & Wellness Self-help (subtle self-help or self-help with crossover potential) Business books for a millennial / Gen Z audience Cookbooks Lifestyle
I’M NOT A GOOD FIT FOR / THE EXCEPTIONS
Sci-fi Fantasy New adult Any kidlit: Picture books, Middle Grade, and YA. Novellas Poetry Traditional memoir (I’m only seeking memoir plus ) Historical fiction focused on WWI, WWII or Cold War conspiracies and/or spy-adjacent books. Political and/or espionage mysteries or thrillers True crime Spirituality Trauma-heavy books in any genre that center wars or civil conflicts Books in any genre that feature physical or sexual child abuse Mafia romance (though I love all other subgenres of romance!) While I’m open to speculative fiction that is one step removed from our world, I’m not a fit for stories with heavier world-building.
Especially seeking
BIPOC-centered narratives in these genres: horror, mystery, and thriller. A propulsive novel-in-stories where the characters are connected through one event, place, or person. The “unhinged woman” narrative with BIPOC characters. Anything that you can read to the soundtrack of Taylor Swift’s Reputation album. Social Horror: Horror novels with a big layer and/or critique on class, society, or social dynamics. An intersectional examination of younger generations’ relationship to work. A study of the corporatization of self-care (either in nonfiction or fiction!). Stories inspired by cultural superstitions. I would especially love a horror inspired by the evil eye! Joyful and/or humorous Arab stories. A lifestyle book and/or a cookbook on hosting.
Tropes I love
Found family Setting as character A slow burn will they/won’t they romance A second chance relationship (romantic or otherwise!) Murder mysteries with a villainous victim. T hink Lucy Foley’s THE GUEST LIST. Friends to lovers Female coming-of- rage Contained settings in any genre: small towns, tight-knit neighborhoods, isolated estates, secre