Pam Pho is the founder and senior agent of Steven Literary, a genre-fiction and children's-literature specialist who built her reputation fast — 24 deals in her first two years as an agent — and now runs her own boutique shop.
In brief
Pho launched her agenting career with unusual speed, closing 24 deals in her first two years and placing books with major imprints including Knopf, Scholastic, NAL, ACE, and Grand Central — a relationship network that carries over to Steven Literary.
She founded Steven Literary in October 2022, making it a young, boutique agency; writers should expect a more direct relationship with Pho herself rather than a large team infrastructure.
Her core passions are genre fiction and children's literature — two broad but distinct lanes, suggesting she is comfortable working across age categories rather than siloing herself.
Her submission form was directly observed closed as of March 7, 2024; her agency page language ('when she does reopen') signals this is a recurring cycle, not a permanent closure — checking the live form before querying is essential.
The agency page copy is sparse on current wishlist specifics, meaning the submission form itself is the most reliable source of which genres she is actively accepting at any given moment.
Lately
Pho launched Steven Literary in October 2022, naming the agency after her favorite dog — a detail that signals her personality and the boutique, personal ethos she has built around the shop.
What Pam is looking for
Genre fiction is one of Pho's stated core passions. Her early deal record includes placements with imprints strongly associated with genre — ACE (science fiction/fantasy), NAL (romance and thriller), and Grand Central (commercial fiction) — signaling real editorial relationships in this space. Specific subgenres she is currently accepting are listed on her submission form, which should be consulted when she reopens.
Children's literature is the second pillar of Pho's stated passion, and her early deal record included Scholastic — one of the most selective and prestigious children's publishers — suggesting she has genuine traction in this space. The specific age categories and formats she accepts at any given time are detailed on her submission form.
Not the right fit
On Pam's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Pam
Her submission form is the single authoritative source for which genres she is currently accepting — do not rely on older wishlist posts or directories; check the live form each time you are ready to query.
The form was closed as of March 2024. Her agency page uses language ('when she does reopen') that strongly implies periodic reopening windows; set a reminder to check back rather than assuming permanent closure.
Because her agency is a boutique she founded herself, a query letter that demonstrates you understand her specific two-lane focus — genre fiction AND children's literature — and can place your work clearly in one lane will stand out over vague pitches.
Her early career placed books at imprints known for strong commercial and genre sensibilities (ACE, NAL, Grand Central, Scholastic, Knopf). Pitches that have a clear market position and commercial hook align with the taste her deal record demonstrates.
Do not query by email or social media; her stated method is the online submission form exclusively.