Rena Rossner is a Jerusalem-based agent at The Deborah Harris Agency — soon transitioning to a new agency — who pursues poetically charged fiction and nonfiction across every age category, with a special gravity toward verse novels, Jewish and Middle Eastern themes, and the literary end of fantasy.
In brief
Rossner is currently CLOSED to queries as of May 13, 2026, and is in transition to a new agency — writers should monitor the new agency's submission page before querying.
The confirmed recent deals skew heavily toward children's and middle grade, with Bloomsbury, Simon & Schuster/Aladdin, Philomel/Penguin, and Little Brown all appearing — indicating real relationships at major imprints across the kids' spectrum.
Despite broad stated interests, the deal record emphasizes picture books, MG, and spirituality/nonfiction, suggesting these are where Rossner's commercial muscle is strongest right now.
Rossner is an ordained rabbi and a published poet — manuscripts that authentically engage Jewish tradition, Kabbalah, or the intersection of faith and science will receive unusually informed attention.
The wishlist consistently privileges sentence-level prose over plot architecture: submitting pages that sing matters here more than a perfectly structured query letter.
Lately
As of mid-May 2026, Rossner's submission form is closed. The agency profile also notes that Rossner is departing The Deborah Harris Agency and will be joining a new literary agency — writers are advised to check for updates on where Rossner lands before querying.
What Rena is looking for
This is where Rossner sells most actively. Novels in verse are a particular passion, as are magical realism, fabulism, and historical fiction. Funny and quirky voices are just as welcome as literary ones. Science fiction, fantasy, contemporary with strong voice, mysteries, and horror all qualify. Rossner prefers manuscripts under 40,000 words.
Rossner wants picture books that are funny, zany, or carry a meaningful message without moralizing — think historical fiction, subverted fairy-tale tropes, or family stories with an unexpected angle. Literary language and magical realism shine here. Under 500 words is preferred, though longer manuscripts are considered. Note: the wishlist references author-illustrator and author submissions; writers without illustration backgrounds should still query.
Novels in verse and poetic prose are at the top of the YA wishlist. Historical fiction, contemporary YA with emotional depth, romance, sci-fi, fantasy, and nonfiction are all welcome. Rossner explicitly wants QUILTBAG-friendly, diverse stories. Younger YA and manuscripts with a bold, even unhinged voice are sought. When the Angels Left the Old Country is a named touchstone — culturally specific, lyrical YA resonates strongly.
Epic fantasy, historical fantasy, and magical realism/fabulism are priorities. Rossner loves richly imagined alternate worlds and literary sci-fi as much as sweeping epic fantasy. Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries and Outlander/Hild are named touchstones — meaning a lush, immersive sense of place matters. Horror is also welcome in adult fiction.
Prose quality is the non-negotiable: sentences that demand re-reading. Literary fiction of any edge or tone, plus all varieties of historical fiction, are on the table. Psychological suspense and thrillers round out adult fiction interests. A soft spot exists for stories set in or involving Ireland or the Middle East.
Romance across all subgenres is welcome, including romantasy. Rossner's genre listing now explicitly includes romantasy, signaling openness to genre-blended romantic narratives.
This is an active and growing area in the deal record. Rossner is particularly drawn to books on Jewish topics — Kabbalah, meditation, Jewish practice — and how those traditions intersect with other faiths. The intersection of science and spirituality is a distinct sweet spot. A confirmed sale to HarperCollins in this space signals real publisher relationships here.
Literary science writing — where rigorous ideas meet beautiful prose — is sought alongside history books and anything food-related, including cookbooks. The same literary-language standard applies: Rossner wants nonfiction that reads with intention.
Rossner is a published poet and brings genuine editorial depth here. Novels in verse are welcomed actively across MG, YA, and adult. Standalone adult poetry collections are considered but Rossner is highly selective — only exceptional, distinctive voices should query in this category.
Not the right fit
On Rena's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Rena
Rossner is CLOSED as of May 13, 2026, and in agency transition — do not query until the new agency's submission page is live and open.
When Rossner does reopen, paste the query letter in the body of the email and attach the first 50 pages as a Word document — this is non-negotiable per stated guidelines.
Rossner reads pages before the query letter. Open with your strongest prose, not a synopsis-heavy hook. If your first pages don't sing, revise before submitting.
Jewish, Israeli, or Middle Eastern settings, themes, or characters are explicitly flagged as heart-stealers — foreground these connections clearly in the query if they apply.
Novels in verse across all age groups receive genuine editorial enthusiasm; if your manuscript is in verse, say so plainly in the subject line or opening sentence.
For MG submissions, confirm your word count is under 40,000 — if it's over, Rossner's wishlist treats this as a soft barrier.
For picture books, lead with what makes yours funny, surprising, or subversive rather than its moral lesson — moralistic framing is an active turnoff.
Adult poetry collections should only be submitted by writers with a compelling, distinctive voice and ideally prior publication history — Rossner self-describes as very selective here.
Rossner is an ordained rabbi with deep knowledge of Jewish spiritual traditions — surface authenticity and research matter especially for nonfiction touching Kabbalah, Jewish practice, or interfaith spirituality.
Literary science writing that bridges the scientific and spiritual worlds is an underserved niche in the wishlist — a strong manuscript here may face less competition than in fantasy.