SUBMISSIONS GUIDELINES
LDLA is always excited to find new talent. If you love our books and think your project is a good match, please consider submitting your work. But please carefully review what category* each agent represents before querying. Diversity is highly prioritized.
POLICIES AND COURTESIES
LDLA accepts queries via QueryManager only. We do our best to answer every query letter within 2 months, though circumstances may vary. If you receive a manuscript request, response time is closer to 12 weeks. Please wait to follow up until after the full length of time has passed. However, if you receive an offer of representation from another agent, please let us know immediately so we can respond within the timeframe you require.
Please only submit to one agent at a time* with one project at a time, making sure that your manuscript or proposal is complete and ready to be sent if requested. You may submit to another agent if one passes. Use the appropriate link below.
*If you are querying after a Twitter pitch contest such as #pitmad or #DVpit, and more than one LDLA agent has liked your tweet, you may query simultaneously. We just ask that you let us know if more than one of us is considering your project.
Laura is currently closed to submissions.
Laura Dail
Elana Roth Parker
MG fiction: funny, mad-cap adventures; epic fantasy; high-concept twists; strong plots and voices.
YA fiction: commercial and high-concept fiction (all genres). Plot-driven and escapist books. Humor, imagination, adventure, romance. NO vampires, horror, or contemporary issue novels.
Adult commercial fiction (romance, romcom, mystery/thriller, upmarket women's fiction). Open to accessible fantasy/sci-fi. Fun, escapist reads. Great hooks. Great writing.
Closed to picture book submissions.
Carrie Pestritto
Adult: Narrative non-fiction; biography/memoir; commercial fiction with a literary twist; fresh chick-lit; romance; upmarket women's fiction; near-historical fiction (from about the Gilded Age on); mystery/thrillers for a female audience, as well as cozies.
Children’s: high-concept and commercial MG and YA (in contemporary, historical, mystery/thriller, horror, or fantasy genres), especially those featuring POC or marginalized characters, as well as high stakes and exciting plot lines.
Closed to picture books submissions.
Jennifer Udden
All genres are adult-only.
Fantasy: from epic secondary world to historical or more contemporary fantasy, character-driven fantasy of all stripes with strong world building and a distinctive voice
Science Fiction: science fiction of all stripes, particularly if there is a cross-genre element or an interesting hook
Romance: innovative historical romance, sports romance, and romantasy
Mystery/Thriller: Anything with a classic British feel, particularly if those tropes are subverted or there is a nontraditional narrator/setting
Horror: Psychological and body horror, especially if there is a fresh take on an old trope
Closed to children's books, MG, or YA at this time.
Katie Gisondi
Adult: Romance and rom-com; cozy mysteries; nonfiction about sexuality/modern dating, current issues, nature, and/or popular science.
Children’s: Voicey YA and MG fantasy with adventure, new twists on old tropes, and whimsy.
Graphic Novels: All ages. Fantasy and romance.
In general: strong, unique hook and diverse voices, high stakes, high concept.
Aiden Siobhan
MG and YA fiction: all genres, all fantasy subgenres. Diverse ensemble casts, clever voicey protagonists, action-packed, fast paced, ALL the tropes, high personal stakes, and compelling villains. Not the best fit for multiple POVs or stories about war. NO talking animals.
Adult Horror: psychological, cerebral. Contemporary, historical, and/or with speculative/paranormal elements. NO visceral horror/slashers.
Adult Romance: LGBTQ+ romances only. All genres. Enemies or friends to lovers, meet-cutes, strong independent women, fresh stories with strong hooks, and genre blending.
Graphic Novels: Author-Illustrators only. MG, YA, and Adult in all genres, fiction & nonfiction. Anything that fits categories above.