Tanusri Prasanna is a New York-based literary agent at DeFiore and Company who champions emotionally resonant fiction and nonfiction across the age spectrum — from picture books to adult — with a particular appetite for diverse voices and culturally specific storytelling.
In brief
Tanusri Prasanna's client roster signals a consistent through-line: culturally specific, emotionally grounded narratives — from South Asian diaspora memoirs to Taiwanese-American picture books — suggesting that 'diverse fiction' is not a token category but a genuine editorial priority.
The sales record skews heavily toward children's and middle grade, with picture books drawing starred reviews from major trade outlets, indicating this is where Prasanna has the deepest publisher relationships right now.
Adult fiction and narrative nonfiction appear on the wishlist but are backed by fewer confirmed recent deals — writers in those categories should query with awareness that the competition bar may be higher.
Prasanna is associated with DeFiore and Company, a mid-size New York agency with strong trade relationships; the agency recently absorbed colleagues from another major agency, suggesting an expanding roster and potentially higher selectivity.
Query status was observed as open as of May 31, 2026 — but verify the live submission form before sending, as roster changes at a merged agency can shift availability quickly.
Lately
A picture book about intergenerational caregiving in a Taiwanese-American family — written by one author and illustrated by another — earned starred reviews from two major trade journals, with one calling it 'a rare and wonderfully rendered tribute to caregiving throughout the generations.' This title is among Prasanna's most recent and prominent deals.
What Tanusri is looking for
Prasanna's recent deal record is strongest here: culturally textured picture books with intergenerational warmth and distinctive illustration sensibilities have earned starred reviews from top trade outlets. Work that braids specific cultural identity — including language integration and community-rooted themes — into universal emotional arcs is exactly what the record supports.
Middle grade is a clear area of activity and emphasis. Stories with a strong narrative voice, imaginative plotting, and cultural specificity — especially debuts — appear to be a sweet spot, based on recent starred-review titles in the pipeline.
YA is part of Prasanna's stated scope and appears in the client roster, though recent deal activity is more visible in younger categories. Voice-driven, culturally grounded YA — particularly by and about underrepresented communities — aligns with the broader taste profile.
Adult literary and commercial fiction with a strong cultural lens is on the wishlist. The roster includes fiction writers working in this space, though adult fiction deals are less prominent in the recent record than children's. Writers should bring a distinctive voice and a specific sense of place or community.
Romance appears in Prasanna's listed categories. Based on the broader taste profile — character-driven, emotionally precise storytelling — romantic fiction that centers underrepresented protagonists or has a culturally specific setting is the strongest fit.
Thriller is listed but sits at the edge of the stated profile, without prominent deal evidence in this category. Writers with a thriller that also carries strong cultural specificity or literary ambition have the best chance of standing out.
Memoir and narrative nonfiction — especially works rooted in journalism, pop culture, or personal cultural identity — are actively sought. The roster includes nonfiction writers whose work engages with religion, South Asian identity, and social history, suggesting Prasanna gravitates toward nonfiction with both intellectual rigor and personal stakes.
Not the right fit
On Tanusri's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Tanusri
Send your query to tpsubmissions@defliterary.com — this is the confirmed submission address.
Lead with the cultural specificity of your project: Prasanna's entire roster demonstrates that 'who this story belongs to' matters as much as plot mechanics.
For picture books, be explicit about whether you are submitting as an author-only or as an author-illustrator; recent starred deals involve dual-creator teams, so clarify your project's structure upfront.
For nonfiction, frame your platform and lived authority early — the existing nonfiction clients all bring firsthand expertise or journalism credentials to their subjects.
For adult fiction, point to a clear cultural anchor or community specificity; vague 'literary fiction' pitches will have a harder time standing out against Prasanna's demonstrated taste.
Avoid generic 'diverse book' framing — Prasanna's clients work in highly specific cultural contexts (Taiwanese-American, South Asian, Black American literary tradition). Name your specificity.
The agency is in a period of expansion following a merger with another firm's roster; follow submission guidelines exactly and allow extra time for a response.
Verify the live submission form status before querying — open/closed status can shift during organizational transitions.