Middle Grade Ninja: 7 Questions For: Literary Agent Lauren Spieller

Assistant Literary Agent Lauren Spieller comes to TriadaUS with a background in literary scouting and editorial consulting. She has a sharp editorial eye, and is passionate about author advocacy. Lauren is seeking Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction, as well as select Adult fiction and non-fiction. Whatever the age category or genre, Lauren is passionate about finding diverse and underrepresented voices.

In MG, she’s drawn to heartfelt contemporaries, contemporary fantasy and magical realism, and exciting adventures. Some of her recent favorites are Rules for Stealing Stars, George, The Thing About Jellyfish, Wonder, Hour of the Bees, and Rooftoppers. In YA, she’d love to find authentic teen voices in any and all genres. She is especially fond of fantasy, magical realism, and space operas; contemporary stories with a hook; and anything with a feminist bent. A few favorites include Dumplin’, Scorpio Races, An Ember in the Ashes, OCD Love Story, Six of Crows, The Raven Boys, and Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda.

In Adult, Lauren is seeking commercial fiction, particularly female-driven psychological thrillers (a la Lauren Beukes and Gillian Flynn), and immersive literary fantasies, such as The Night Circus, The Miniaturist, and A Darker Shade of Magic. She is also interested in female-driven Upmarket General Fiction, especially if it’s funny or has a touch of magical realism (note that she is NOT looking for Romance), and unique non-fiction with an existing platform. She’s particularly hungry for counter culture books, cocktail books with a twist/theme, or narrative nonfiction with a unique hook (if you’re the next Lindsey West, Roxanne Gay, or Lauren Duca, she wants to hear from you).

And now Lauren Spieller faces the 7 Questions:


Question Seven: What are your top three favorite books?

This question is impossible–does everyone say that?–so I’m going to tell you three of my recent favorites! When Dimple Met Rishi (coming out in May 2017!), Rooftoppers, and Three Dark Crowns. 


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

Again–so hard! But I’ll give it a shot. 

TV: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, BBC’s Sherlock, and Parks and Rec.
Movies: Star Wars (the originals, plus The Force Awakens), Ratatouille, and Spirited Away. 
I reserve the right to change my answers in five minutes.



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

My ideal client is hard working, compassionate, and has tons of great ideas! I’m in this for the long haul, and I want to work with people who feel the same way.



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

I’d love to find a project that stops me in my tracks. Something with a voice and point of view that’s absolutely unique to them. The quickest way to my heart is through character. Make me care about them, and I’m along for the ride to the very end. If you have a project like this, please send it!



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

I love that every day brings new adventures, challenges, and possibilities. A fabulous query, a great client manuscript, an exciting meeting with an editor–every day is different! 

My least favorite part is all the waiting!



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)

-Don’t be afraid to take risks, but also don’t be afraid to ask for help. 

-Build your writing community, and always make sure you’re giving as much as you’re getting. This business is tough, but a strong community makes all the difference. 

-Read, read, read, read, read.

-Make sure you’re refilling your creative well from time to time. Sometimes that means reading, but sometimes that also means taking a walk, going out with friends, exercising, or watching a movie. Do whatever makes you feel inspired, healthy, and energized. Your greatest tool is your mind. Take care of it.



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

This will sound pretentious, but probably James Joyce or Virginia Woolf. I studied both extensively in grad school, and I would love to talk to them about finding the universal in the personal in writing. There would definitely be wine involved, too.


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