Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Lindsey Smith of Speilburg Literary

Lindsey Smith is a literary agent with Speilburg Literary.

Lindsey Smith got her start in the publishing industry as an author. After her own publishing success, she started working with other writers to help launch their books and shape their careers. To date, Lindsey has worked with over 1,000 authors and negotiated book deals even before becoming an agent. Her unique perspective helps shape her passion for the industry and her role as an advocate for her clients. 

Formerly a publicist and hailing from the world of self-publishing, Lindsey understands the importance of branding, and she works with each client not only to sell a book but to build a career. 

Lindsey is excited to work with first-time authors as well as those who are established. She is seeking nonfiction only, specifically prescriptive nonfiction that is compelling, and voice-driven, with the ability to shed light on a topic that might be unknown. She especially loves projects and people that bring humor to serious situations. 

Lindsey is interested in cookbooks, lifestyle, health, pop culture, gender issues, self-help, true crime, and current events. She is especially interested in podcast-to-book ideas, journalists who specialize in specific research, and cookbooks that have a niche and/or narrative voice. Please do not send diet books.

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Eric Smith of P.S. Literary

[SOLD OUT OF PITCH APPOINTMENTS for 2023]

Eric Smith is a literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency, with a love for young adult books, literary fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction.

He’s worked on award-winning and New York Times bestselling titles, and began his publishing career at Quirk Books. A frequent blogger, his ramblings about books and the publishing industry regularly appear on Book Riot, Paste Magazine, and Publishing Crawl. He also occasionally writes books when he finds the time, like his latest, Don’t Read the Comments (Inkyard Press).

Eric is eagerly acquiring fiction and nonfiction projects. He’s actively seeking out new, diverse voices in young adult (particularly sci-fi and fantasy), middle grade, and literary and commercial fiction (again, loves sci-fi and fantasy, but also thrillers and mysteries). In terms of non-fiction, he’s interested in cookbooks, pop culture, humor, middle grade, essay collections, and blog-to-book ideas.

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Amy Giuffrida of The Belcastro Literary Agency

Amy Giuffrida is a literary agent with The Belcastro Literary Agency.

“I am especially seeking stories written by diverse creators—BIPOC, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse, and disabled creators are encouraged to query me. Send me your stories of joy, where your characters and their worlds can be celebrated by the reader.”

In nonfiction, she seeks:

– “If you have a strong platform and love what you do, feel free to pitch me a concept.”
– Narrative non-fiction
– Business/Social Media/Tech/Cooking books for teens

In upper middle grade, she seeks:

– Fantasy
– Horror
– Contemporary
– Historical (focusing on BIPOC stories and historically marginalized voices/characters)
– Novels-in-Verse

In young adult, she seeks:

– Fantasy
– Horror
– Science fiction
– Contemporary
– Contemporary Romance
– Mystery/Thriller
– Historical (focusing on BIPOC stories and historically marginalized voices/characters)
– Novels-In-Verse

In adult fiction, she seeks:

– Women’s Fiction
– Book Club/Commercial Fiction
– Non-Political Thriller
– Horror
– Contemporary Romance/Rom-Com

What she is NOT Looking For

Pandemic stories
Science fiction set in space
Talking animals
Military or Medical-based stories
Novellas, short story collections, screenplays
Previously published work
Chapter/picture books
Time travel/Portals
Stories that include: religious themes, suicide, rape, physical/mental abuse, or abductions