About this New Literary Agent Spotlight series: We love spotlighting and profiling new literary agents —such as Savannah Brooks of Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency — because they are actively seeking new writers and constructing a client list.

Literary Agent Bio: Savannah Brooks joined the Jennifer De Chiara Literary team in 2018, after interning for a year and a half. She’s an MFA candidate at Hamline University focusing in creative nonfiction as well as an editor at Red Bird Chapbooks, a teaching artist at the Loft Literary Center, and a reader for multiple literary magazines. Her own creative work has been publishing in Hobart, Lime Hawk, and Every Writer’s Resource, among others. When not immersed in the world of words, she can be found on her bike, at a dive bar, or lounging at one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes. She lives in the most beautiful literary capital: Saint Paul.

What to submit to Savannah: “Books and collections that intrigue and entrap. I’d love to bring more nonfiction into this world, especially topic-driven books/essays such as those written by the likes of Mary Roach, Leslie Jamison, Michelle McNamara, Malcolm Gladwell, and Bill Bryson—anything that keeps my curious mind engaged and wanting more. I’m also interested in memoir that will inspire generations to come—H is for Hawk is a personal favorite—and I’m a sucker for humor, so long as it’s doing more than just making me laugh—see: Priestdaddy by Patricia Lockwood.

“For fiction, I’m interested in contemporary/literary novels/stories that are relevant to culture and focus on themes and issues that impact our daily lives. I would love to hear more from marginalized voices, regardless of whether or not marginalization is a central theme. Main players I follow: Lesley Nneka Arimah, Celeste Ng, Anthony Doerr, and Jesmyn Ward.

“For YA, I’m especially interested in books that focus on friendship, conflicting identity, and the theme of truth. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is an obvious but apt example that encapsulates all three. I’m also invested in representing the diverse world in which we live and would like to see that reflected in a cast of characters. Show me variations in race, sexuality, gender, dis/ability, and ethnicity without that difference being a point of contention, and I’ll be thrilled.

“For more, follow me on Twitter: @slbrooks91.”

How to query Savannah: “Submit your query and the first 20 pages of your manuscript via QueryMe.Online/SavannahBrooks. Queries sent by any other medium will not be considered.”

ATTEND A WRITERS CONFERENCE IN 2019. Here are some writers conferences WQP staffers are either speaking at or wholeheartedly endorse:

• Feb. 23, 2019: New Orleans Writing Workshop (New Orleans, LA)
• March 2, 2019: Minnesota Writing Workshop (St. Paul, MN)
• March 8, 2019: Alabama Writing Workshop (Birmingham, AL)
• March 9, 2019: Atlanta Writing Workshop (Atlanta, GA)
• March 9, 2019: Pittsburgh Writing Workshop (Pittsburgh, PA)
• March 29, 2019: St. Louis Writers Conference (St. Louis, MO)
• March 30, 2019: Kansas City Writing Workshop (Kansas City, MO)
• April 6, 2019: Kentucky Writing Workshop (Louisville, KY)
• April 13, 2019: North Carolina Writing Workshop (Charlotte, NC)
• April 27, 2019: Seattle Writing Workshop (Seattle, WA)
• May 4, 2019: Writing Conference of Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA)
• May 11, 2019: San Diego Writing Workshop (San Diego, CA)
• May 18, 2019: Cincinnati Writing Workshop (Cincinnati, OH)
• June 8, 2019: Florida Writing Workshop (Tampa, FL)
• June 29, 2019: Writing Workshop of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
• and click here for more 2019 writers conference suggestions — in Cleveland, Sacramento, San Francisco, Denver, Washington DC, Toronto, Boston, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Houston, Austin, Indianapolis, Phoenix, and Philadelphia.