Agents

Rachel Letofsky has been working in publishing since 2010 and started building her list as a literary agent in 2013. She represents bestselling and award-winning authors such as Cherie Dimaline, Danny Ramadan, Ivan Coyote, Jessica Johns, and Vivek Shraya, and is the agent for the ground-breaking anthology Never Whistle at Night, edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore Van Alst Jr., which has been on the Indie Bestseller list since its publication in September 2023 and sold over 100,000 copies in North America. 

Rachel’s clients have been nominated for, and won, such prestigious prizes as the Kirkus Prize, the National Book Award, the Giller Prize, the Lambda Literary Award, the Governor General’s Awards, the OLA’s Forest of Tree Awards, the Writer’s Trust Awards, the Trillium Awards, the BC Book Awards, CBC’s Canada Reads, the Sunburst Award, the Canadian Jewish Literary Awards, the Pink Triangle Awards, and the Rogers Writers’ Trust Awards.

Rachel loves working with diverse voices and authors who follow their hearts in pursuit of their art, which leads her to represent books across many genres and categories, from literary, commercial, upmarket fiction and narrative-driven non-fiction to graphic novels, YA, middle-grade, poetry, and some picture books. She works with her clients in a focused and hands-on manner and truly loves discovering and championing debut authors. 

Rachel is always seeking fiction that breaks her heart, and non-fiction that blows her mind. She is especially drawn to literary fiction (historical, thriller, speculative, family sagas), commercial or upmarket fiction (thriller, mystery, SFF, dark academia, horror), funny or whimsical fiction for middle-grade readers, contemporary or speculative fiction for YA readers, and narrative-driven non-fiction across categories, with a soft-spot for memoir, true-crime, historical, and accessible science-driven books about discoveries and the natural world from experts in their field. 

Rachel travels extensively for pleasure and work, and attends many publishing events, conferences, fairs and festivals where she teaches classes, sits on panels, acts as a judge for literary competitions, and is consulted as a publishing expert. Rachel is currently on the board as secretary for PACLA (the Professional Association of Canadian Literary Agents), a position she has served in for four years, and she is a member of the AALA (the American Association of Literary Agents). 

A Canadian by birth, Rachel currently resides in the Oregon where she loves spending time with her family, the drizzly rainy weather, swimming in the ocean, hiking in the woods, Pilates, cooking and reading in “the comfy chair” with her three cats (when they aren’t plotting their way into the fish tank).  

Pieter Swinkels, Director of Operations and Literary Agent, represents literary fiction and nonfiction authors, as well as corporate publishing clients from around the world.

Biography

Pieter Swinkels started his literary publishing career at the premiere Dutch publishing houses De Bezige Bij and Meulenhoff Publishers in Amsterdam, where he published bestselling and critically-acclaimed authors such as Elizabeth Gilbert, Ann Patchett, Aravind Adiga, Damon Galgut, Sebastian Barry, Jhumpa Lahiri, Mohsin Hamid, Rachel Cusk, Paolo Giordano, Robert Harris and Karin Slaughter. Before joining Transatlantic Agency, Pieter worked as Chief Content Officer at Rakuten Kobo, leading Kobo’s global publisher relations, the self-publishing platform Kobo Writing Life, the Kobo Originals publishing program, and the launch of Audiobooks and Kobo Plus subscriptions. 

Pieter holds a Cum Laude MA degree in English Language & Literature from the University of Amsterdam, and a MPhil in Irish Literature from Trinity College Dublin. He lives and works in Toronto.

Submissions

Submit queries via email only to querypieter@transatlanticagency.com

Authors are encouraged to email a cover letter with a sample/excerpt of the book in question. Please submit a maximum of 20 pages. Embed the sample/excerpt into the body of the email after the cover letter.

Submit an author bio/publishing history and a synopsis. Please note if other agents are also considering the project and do not submit to Pieter if you have already submitted to another Transatlantic Agent.

Due to the volume of submissions received, replies will be sent for only those submissions being actively considered.

Ed Maxwell began his career in book publishing in 2011, as an assistant at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates, Inc., working closely with Faith Hamlin for several years, before becoming a full agent in 2019. Ed is thrilled to have joined Transatlantic in the fall of 2022.

Ed has always favoured representing visual storytellers and their captivating art-driven literature to publishers. Standout titles and authors include Feminist Baby by Loryn Brantz, Queer Love in Color by Jamal Jordan, The Fisherman and the Whale by Jessica Lanan, In Limbo by Deb JJ Lee, and the forthcoming picture book, Willow’s Winter Walk by Stevie Lewis.

Ed also represents adult non-fiction writers who are determined to break apart conventional wisdoms in favour of brighter futures. With extensive professional experience in politics, Ed aims to bring the best of a civic mentality to agenting – to make good, sustainable connections for his clients, holistically represent their interests, and help grow their work, one conversation at a time.

Ed holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from New York University, with a focus in the 20th century political history of the Navajo Nation. Ed lives in Brooklyn, and when he’s not negotiating on behalf of his clients, he’s either shopping at a farmers market or shepherding his daughter from school to a playground.

As an agent of Transatlantic, Ed is piling his desk with the work of award-winning and reader-beloved storytellers.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Please *only submit* – attached as a pdf to a brief email introducing yourself, including “Query” in the subject line – the first four pages of your graphic novel, self-illustrated or composed in equal partnership with an artist or text author, or your complete graphic novel proposal, again self-illustrated or composed in equal partnership with an artist or text author; or your self-illustrated picture book manuscript, comprising at least two pages of full-color illustrations. Ed is not considering unsolicited fiction or unsolicited nonfiction submissions at this time.

I read broadly and can spark to a wide range of stories. I especially love cheeky protagonists that make me laugh, glamorous settings that make me dream,  reintroductions of the classics that speak to today, and stories that do not underestimate their readers. I mainly represent picture book and middle grade authors as well as select fiction and non-fiction adult authors from around the world.

Lisa Rambert-Valaskova has a law degree from McGill University and an Hon. BA in French Literature and International Relations from the University of Toronto, Trinity College. Prior to joining Transatlantic, she worked with several agents and authors as an independent literary consultant and editor. After living in Ottawa, Rome, Toronto, Prague, New York and (almost) Paris (twice!) – she now lives in beautiful Montreal with her husband, three children, and a sweet-as-honey Small Munsterlander named Tessa.

Lisa is currently closed to queries.

Authors are encouraged to email a cover letter with a sample/excerpt of the book in question. Please submit a maximum of 20 pages. Embed the sample/excerpt into the body of the email after the cover letter.

Submit an author bio/publishing history and a synopsis. Please note if other agents are also considering the project and do not submit to Lisa if you have already submitted to another Transatlantic Agent.

Due to the volume of submissions received, replies will be sent for only those submissions being actively considered.

Léonicka is eager to work with people of color, including (but not limited to) trans people, disabled people, religious minorities, and queer folks.

Léonicka represents commercial fiction she can read on a beach vacation, and genre fiction that will keep her reading way past bedtime.

Currently she closed to queries but be sure to check back again in 2025!

After completing the publishing program at Centennial College, Léonicka Valcius interned in the sales department at HarperCollins Canada. The skills she learned landed her a job at Scholastic Book Fairs Canada as a book buyer and marketer. Her career growth then led her to the Online and Digital Sales team at Penguin Random House Canada where she sold ebooks and audiobooks.

As the founder of #DiverseCanLit and the first Chair of the Board of the Festival of Literary Diversity, serving readers and writers of colour is the core of Léonicka’s career.

She is committed to her clients’ careers for the long-haul and continuously expands her skill set to support their needs. To that end, Léonicka Valcius is a JD 2024 Candidate at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law.

For inquires, please email leonicka@transatlanticagency.com

You can follow him on Twitter @DevilWrsBowTies and on Instagram @thedevilwearsbowties

Tim is a Senior Agent at Transatlantic Agency. He represents fiction and nonfiction for adults, as well as for young readers of all ages. Tim loves a book that makes him laugh out loud. He loves a book that makes him cry. He loves a book that makes him fall in love, and he loves a book that breaks his heart.

He is interested in biographies or memoirs of people or groups that inspire: overcoming adversity, perseverance, hard work, compassion, empathy, giving back to the world. He is interested in nonfiction about topics that are amazing: but is also particularly interested in aviation, architecture, caves/tunnels/mines, cemeteries/memento mori, environmental concerns, island settings, outer space, politics, reading/writing/storytelling, all things Scandinavian/Nordic, socialism or anything the less-informed may label as socialism, and travel.

Tim has a fondness for science fiction and fantasy (SFF) in all forms, graphic novels and comics, bibliomysteries, literary horror, romantic comedies, literary romance, middle grade boy books, goofy energetic picture books, swashbuckling adventure, ghost stories, well-loved stories reimagined in new ways, exotic settings, parodies, anything over-the-top or weird or macabre, innovative books that break new ground, and anything to do with roller derby.

Tim is currently closed to submissions unless by referral or from attendees of his appearances at conferences or conventions.

Since 1994, Timothy Travaglini has worked in trade marketing for Scholastic, Inc.; been a bookseller for Books of Wonder, an all-children’s bookstore in New York City; and has edited for Henry Holt and Company, Walker & Company, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group, and Open Road Integrated Media where he was the director of children’s acquisitions.

Books he has acquired and edited have been, among other things, #1 New York Times bestsellers, a Washington Post Best Children’s Book of the Year, Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner, Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction winner, have been made into an award-winning musical, made into an award-winning animated television show (currently on Netflix), and traveled on board the International Space Station. He has edited, published, and now represents artists and authors who either previously won, or have gone on to win, nearly every award and honor under the sun. He has edited an American Library Association’s 10 Most Frequently Challenged book as well as a Christianity Today Book Award for Fiction winner.

Areas of interest: I am an omnivorous reader with eclectic tastes. On the children’s side, I represent authors working in all levels and genres, everything from board books through young adult, with a particular fondness for children’s nonfiction. I also represent select illustrators and will consider submissions from author-illustrators and graphic novelists. I am particularly looking for Own Voices authors and illustrators. On the adult side, I am interested in non-fiction, literary fiction, and commercial fiction with fabulous writing. In adult books I’m not a fan of genre fiction in the areas of horror, science fiction or fantasy.

I am currently closed to queries.

Amy Tompkins has worked in publishing since 2002 and has been with the Transatlantic Agency since 2007. She represents children’s authors, adult authors, select illustrators, and is the international rights agent for Islandport Press. Amy is a graduate of the Publishing Program at Ryerson University, and has an MA in English Language and Literature. She is the Secretary of PACLA (the Professional Association of Canadian Literary Agents), and teaches in the Creative Book Publishing Program at Humber College in Toronto.

From 9/1/20 – 12/31/20 I’m open to queries from BIPOC writers and illustrators only – I’m looking forward to reading your work. I only accept queries through this link

https://querymanager.com/query/QueryFiona

Exceptions: If you have a personal referral from one of my clients, or have attended a conference or workshop with me, please tell me in your submission or use the special link.

Wishlist dos: I am hungry for middle grade, especially funny stories, real children in magical worlds, and any kind of animal story. I’m passionate about the natural world and saving the planet and look for stories that chime with those beliefs, and I would especially love to find more native American writers. Yes please to a 21st century 101 Dalmatians or Charlotte’s Web. 

I adore feel-good YA, especially romcoms. And think of me for clever high school politics. I’d love to celebrate Black Joy in YA!

 I like quirky contemporary, humor; unreliable narrators; wilderness adventures; immigrant stories; sister stories, practical feminism, and ghost stories.  I’d love a story about the sheer joy of escaping on your bike or on skis.

For picture books, I’m currently only taking on projects with author/illustrators, especially those who share my animation background. I’m a sucker for clever British-style humor.

I love stories that surprise me: If I can predict the ending in the opening pages, it’s probably not for me. Most of all I love compelling writing that makes me laugh out loud, or makes me love the characters so much that I like them more than the real people around me! 

Wishlist don’ts: I’m not taking on rhyming picture books, picture book texts, poetry, screenplays or faith-based stories, and I don’t usually like sad endings.

“I love the midwifery of being an agent, from getting your debut published to doing the movie deal. I specialize in children’s and YA from picture books to older teenage.”

Fiona came to agenting after nearly a decade as VP at Laika Studios, creating a development slate of new projects for the Academy Award winning animation studio including the Oscar-nominated THE BOXTROLLS and CORALINE.

Previously she was a senior publisher in the UK where she published authors including Michael Bond (Paddington Bear), P.L Travers (Mary Poppins) and the Laureate Michael Morpurgo (War Horse) and was UK editor for Beverley Cleary, Lois Lowry, Bruce Coville, Gary Paulsen and Cynthia Voigt. She was nominated for “Editor of the Year” at the British Book Awards.

Fiona enjoys being on faculty as a conference guest speaker throughout the US and in Europe. She has taught publishing at Oxford Brookes University and Portland State, organized events for the Oxford Literary Festival and is herself a published author. A British citizen, Fiona now lives in Portland, Oregon.

She joined Transatlantic in 2013. Her clients’ recent successes include Rosanne Parry’s MG A WOLF CALLED WANDER (Andersen Press/Greenwillow) which has spent 37 weeks in the NYT bestseller list and sold in 11 languages, and Vicki Grant’s YA romcom, 36 QUESTIONS THAT CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT YOU (Running Press), which sold in 22 languages and is optioned for TV.

Samantha Haywood is open to submissions. Submission guidelines can be found below.

Samantha Haywood’s submission mandates include:

Plurality of voices, stories and authors of all backgrounds are encouraged! Originality and diversity in my client list is the objective.

Fiction Mandates: Literary fiction to upmarket commercial fiction of all types. Getting more specific, yes to: smart contemporary fiction, upmarket women’s fiction, upmarket escapist fiction, crossover/hybrid style novels, and sophisticated novels with speculative or horror elements with a genre slant. Yes to literary thrillers and upmarket mystery. Witty, sharp, biting or satirical elements also welcome, especially when it comes to socio-political issues including class and late-stage capitalism. Yes also to fiction which examines identity, gender/sexuality and/or racism through a unique lens. 

Nonfiction Mandates: Narrative nonfiction preferred, big idea nonfiction, especially on culturally relevant topics such as feminism, environmentalism, Indigenous issues, societal inequities with forecasts for progress. Some prescriptive, inspirational and motivational nonfiction, matched with expertise and platform, and preferably personal story woven throughout. Yes also to investigative reportage; historical narratives handled in refreshing ways, true crime with societal implications and occasionally an outstanding memoir (must be truly original or well-known subjects). Essentially, I’m looking for a strong narrative drive and distinctive voice at all times.

Graphic Novels (fiction/non-fiction): Preferably full length graphic novels with author and illustrator as one creator, or already teamed-up. Graphic novel memoirs, biographies, travel narratives and other nonfiction graphica also welcome.

Guidelines: Submissions queries via email only to querysamantha@transatlanticagency.com. Authors are encouraged to email a cover letter with a sample/excerpt of the book in question. Please submit a maximum of 20 pages. Embed the sample/excerpt into the email after the cover letter. Graphic novel submissions may include an attachment. Please submit an author bio/publishing history and a synopsis. 

Please note if other agents are also considering the project and please do not submit to me if you have already submitted to another Transatlantic Agent.

Due to the volume of submissions received, replies will be sent for only those submissions being actively considered.

Biography

Samantha Haywood has been the President of the Transatlantic Agency since 2017. She has extensive experience selling authors in North America for publication and TV/film representation. She launched her client list with Transatlantic Agency in 2004 after working in the international rights departments of Random House of Canada Ltd and WCA Ltd. Samantha represents a diverse and vibrant client list of novelists, memoirists, investigative journalists, graphic novelists, cookbook authors and thought leaders. Samantha represents international rights for the renown publisher, Drawn & Quarterly. She is also a founding member and former President of PACLA, the Professional Association of Canadian Literary Agents.

Some of her notable literary fiction clients include: Khaled Hosseini (THE KITE RUNNER), Iain Reid (I’M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS), Zoe Whittall (THE BEST KIND OF PEOPLE), Elisabeth de Mariaffi (HYSTERIA), Catherine Hernandez (SCARBOROUGH), Shauna Singh Baldwin (THE SELECTOR OF SOULS), Shani Mootoo (POLAR VORTEX), Miranda Hill (SLEEPING FUNNY), Katherine Ashenburg (SOFIE & CECILIA), Jen Sookfong Lee (THE CONJOINED), Marni Jackson (DON’T I KNOW YOU?), Susan Swan (THE DEAD CELEBRITIES CLUB), Amanda Leduc (THE CENTAUR’S WIFE), Kai Thomas (IN THE UPPER COUNTRY), Chelene Knight (JUNIE), Megan Gail Coles (SMALL GAME HUNTING AT THE LOCAL COWARD GUN CLUB), Canisia Lubrin (CODE NOIR) and Gary Barwin (YIDDISH FOR PIRATES and NOTHING THE SAME, EVERYTHING HAUNTED). 

Some of her notable commercial fiction authors include: Amy Stuart (A DEATH AT THE PARTY), Marissa Stapley (THE LAST RESORT and LUCKY), Nathan Ripley aka Naben Ruthnum (FIND YOU IN THE DARK and A HERO OF OUR TIME), Kate Hilton (THE HOLE IN THE MIDDLE), Joanna Goodman (THE HOME FOR UNWANTED GIRLS), Elizabeth Renzetti (BASED ON A TRUE STORY), and the Estate of A.S.A Harrison (THE SILENT WIFE). 

Some of her narrative nonfiction clients include: Jesse Thistle (FROM THE ASHES), Jean Teillet (THE NORTH-WEST IS OUR MOTHER), Samra Zafar (A GOOD WIFE), Plum Johnson (THEY LEFT US EVERYTHING), Eliza Reid (SECRETS OF THE SPRAKKAR), Angela Sterritt (UNBROKEN), Prince Shakur (WHEN THEY TELL YOU TO BE GOOD), Samra Habib (WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE), Rowan Jetté Knox (ONE SUNNY AFTERNOON), Brandi Morin (OUR VOICE OF FIRE), Rachel Giese (BOYS: What it Means to Become a Man), Stacey May Fowles (BASEBALL LIFE ADVICE), Emily Urquhart (BEYOND THE PALE), Clara Hughes (OPEN HEART, OPEN MIND), Kevin Donovan (THE BILLIONAIRE MURDERS) and David Macfarlane (THE DANGER TREE). 

Some of her graphic novelist clients include: Ani Castillo (PING), Robin Ha (ALMOST AMERICAN GIRL), Michael Cho (SHOPLIFTER), Scott Chantler (BIX), and Sarah Leavitt (AGNES MURDERESS) among others. 

Some of her cookbook authors include: Sam Turnbull (CRAVING VEGAN), Sara Lynn Cauchon (THE DOMESTIC GEEK’S MEALS MADE EASY) and Pailin Chongchitnant (SABAI).

Samantha Haywood is President of the Transatlantic Agency. She has extensive experience selling authors in North America for publication and TV/film representation. She launched her client list with Transatlantic Agency in 2004 after working in the international rights departments of Random House of Canada Ltd and WCA Ltd. Samantha represents a diverse and vibrant client list of novelists, memoirists, investigative journalists, graphic novelists, cookbook authors and thought leaders. Samantha represents international rights for the renown publisher, Drawn & Quarterly. She is also a founding member and former President of PACLA, the Professional Association of Canadian Literary Agents.

Some of her notable commercial fiction authors include: Amy Stuart (STILL MINE), Marissa Stapley (THE LAST RESORT and LUCKY), Nathan Ripley aka Naben Ruthnum (FIND YOU IN THE DARK and A HERO OF OUR TIME), Kate Hilton (THE HOLE IN THE MIDDLE), Kerry Clare (MITZI BYTES), Elizabeth Renzetti (BASED ON A TRUE STORY), Teresa Toten (BEWARE THE GIRL), and the Estate of A.S.A Harrison (THE SILENT WIFE). Some of her notable literary fiction clients include: Iain Reid (I’M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS), Zoe Whittall (THE BEST KIND OF PEOPLE), Elisabeth de Mariaffi (HYSTERIA), Sarah Selecky (RADIANT SHIMMERING LIGHT), Melanie Mah (THE SWEETEST ONE), Rebecca Rosenblum (SO MUCH LOVE), Shauna Singh Baldwin (THE SELECTOR OF SOULS), Shani Mootoo (POLAR VORTEX), Claire Holden Rothman (MY OCTOBER), Miranda Hill (SLEEPING FUNNY), Katherine Ashenburg (SOFIE & CECILIA), Marni Jackson (DON’T I KNOW YOU?), Susan Swan (THE DEAD CELEBRITIES CLUB), Amanda Leduc (THE CENTAUR’S WIFE), Kai Thomas (IN THE UPPER COUNTRY), Chelene Knight (JUNIE), Megan Gail Coles (SMALL GAME HUNTING AT THE LOCAL COWARD GUN CLUB), Canisia Lubrin (THE DYZGRAPHIST) and Gary Barwin (YIDDISH FOR PIRATES and NOTHING THE SAME, EVERYTHING HAUNTED). Some of her narrative nonfiction clients include: Jesse Thistle (FROM THE ASHES), Jean Teillet (THE NORTH-WEST IS OUR MOTHER), Samra Zafar (A GOOD WIFE), Plum Johnson (THEY LEFT US EVERYTHING), Rachel Giese (BOYS: What it Means to Become a Man), Stacey May Fowles (BASEBALL LIFE ADVICE), Emily Urquhart (BEYOND THE PALE), Clara Hughes (OPEN HEART, OPEN MIND), Kevin Donovan (THE BILLIONAIRE MURDERS) and David Macfarlane (THE DANGER TREE). Some of her graphic novelist’s client include: Ani Castillo (PING), Robin Ha (ALMOST AMERICAN GIRL), Michael Cho (SHOPLIFTER), Scott Chantler (BIX), and Sarah Leavitt (AGNES MURDERESS) among others. Some of her cookbook authors include: Sam Turnbull (FUSS FREE VEGAN), Sara Lynn Cauchon (THE DOMESTIC GEEK’S MEALS MADE EASY) and Pailin Chongchitnant (HOT THAI KITCHEN).