7 Questions For: Literary Agent Tess Callero

After graduating from Indiana University with a dual degree in Marketing and English, Tess Callero began working at Curtis Brown, Ltd. She is now an associate agent there and currently building her list.

She represents commercial and upmarket adult fiction, young adult, and select nonfiction projects.

Writers can query her at tc@cbltd.com.

Follow her on Twitter at @TessCallero.

And now Tess Callero faces the 7 Questions:

Question Seven: What are your top three favorite books?

This is difficult to choose, so I will instead answer with three books that left me thinking for a long time after finishing them.

STARGIRL by Jerry Spinelli
SKIPPY DIES by Paul Murray
SWEETBITTER by Stephanie Danler

I guess I like books that begin with S.

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

These are going to sound random….and they are.

Movies: Big Fish, The Grand Budapest Hotel, the second to last Harry Potter movie.

TV shows: UnReal, House of Cards, The Real Housewives of NYC.

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

Someone who recognizes that the first (or second or third) draft probably won’t be ready to hit shelves immediately and wants to work together to produce their best work is essential.

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

I want a YA about a girl with dreams of making it to the MLB, NFL, NHL, etc.

I also am looking for commercial/upmarket fiction - I love a good mystery/thriller, particularly if it features a strong female lead.

On the nonfiction side, I have a soft spot for sports and food and would enjoy anything offering insider info about those worlds.

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

Favorite: I get to read. All the time.

Least favorite: There is almost no time to read everything I want.

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)

Keep querying! Rejections happen, but it only takes one agent to see promise in your work.

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

Sloane Crosley so we can gossip – and laugh - the entire time.

curtisbrown.com