7 Questions For: Literary Agent Erin Young

Erin Young joined DG and B in 2014 as the assistant to Michael Bourret at the West Coast office in Los Angeles. Previously, she worked as an editor at two prestigious literary magazines. Erin holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing and dabbles in writing. Her most recent work was on the libretto of the critically acclaimed opera, “Hopscotch,” which played throughout Los Angeles.

Before entering the publishing business, Erin worked as a zoologist, which gave her a great love for all animal-related literature. She is also interested in all forms of young adult and middle grade fiction, particularly fantasy, action adventure, and magical realism. In adult fiction, she likes weird literature (think Haruki Murakami or Kurt Vonnegut) as well as all kinds of mysteries and commercial thrillers. In nonfiction, she enjoys memoirs and biographies, sport and science narratives, and just about anything unusual.

And now Erin Young faces the 7 Questions:

Question Seven: What are your top three favorite books?

The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt.
His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman (but since that’s three novels, I would say The Amber Spyglass is my favorite.)

Question Six: What are your top three favorite movies and television shows?

“Game of Thrones”
“This Is Us” (Amazing writing!)
“Stranger Things”

Movies:
I love anything Pixar. My dream is to find a book that will be made into one of their films.

Question Five: What are the qualities of your ideal client?

 My ideal client is someone who’s not afraid to take a critique. I love to get into some deep editing before I submit, and sometimes it can mean big changes. I also love someone who’s patient. The publishing industry is very slow, and patience is key!

Question Four: What sort of project(s) would you most like to receive a query for?

I enjoy fantasy of any age group that’s new and original. I want to see new worlds I’ve never explored, with different rules and new creatures. I never get tired of magic and wonder. Something specific I want to see is a fantastical mystery. I think it’d be so much fun to use a mystery as a way to explore the endless limitations of an enchanted world.

Question Three: What is your favorite thing about being an agent? What is your least favorite thing?

I love editing. I’m a real editor at heart, which means I give plenty of feedback.

My least favorite thing is dealing with rejection because there is unfortunately a lot of it, and I have so many projects that I love like children.

Question Two: What one bit of wisdom would you impart to an aspiring writer? (feel free to include as many other bits of wisdom as you like)

Never, ever, ever, give up on a story you love. Even if you have to revise it so many times that it resembles nothing of the way it started. Also, don’t be afraid to make drastic changes. I’ve seen wonderful stories emerge from the ashes of a previous one. Be brave!

Question One: If you could have lunch with any writer, living or dead, who would it be? Why?

I would have lunch with George R.R. Martin at Medieval Times. Mostly because I want to see George R.R. Martin at Medieval Times, but also because I’d like to ask him why he’s so cruel.

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