New Leaf Literary – Helping Writers Find Their Way

New Leaf Literary & Media is, in some respects, a group of folks who really stand by authors, offering support and guidance long before a book is sold and, too it's almost, well after it finds a home. This place, you know, has been a significant presence for many writers, helping them with their work and their careers. It's about being there for creative people, offering a kind of partnership that extends through the entire publishing process, which, as a matter of fact, can be quite a long road.

Recently, however, there have been some rather notable shifts at New Leaf Literary & Media, with news surfacing about a number of authors who found themselves without someone to speak for their work. This happened following an agent's departure, leaving many feeling a bit unsettled about their publishing future. It's a situation that, basically, highlights the delicate connections between writers and the people who help them get their stories out into the world.

Despite these changes, New Leaf Literary & Media continues its work, seeking out new voices and different kinds of stories. They are, apparently, still very much open to discovering fresh talent, looking for both fiction and non-fiction for adults and children. Their focus remains on helping authors bring their creative visions to life, a goal that, frankly, is at the heart of what they do.

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Table of Contents

• Who Are the People Behind New Leaf Literary?
• Meet the Team at New Leaf Literary
• What Does New Leaf Literary Do for Writers?
• New Leaf Literary and Author Support
• What Kinds of Stories is New Leaf Literary Looking For?
• New Leaf Literary and Diverse Voices
• How Can You Connect with New Leaf Literary?
• New Leaf Literary and Submitting Your Work

Who Are the People Behind New Leaf Literary?

New Leaf Literary & Media is, actually, home to a collection of individuals who bring their unique backgrounds and passions to the work of helping authors. These are folks who have spent time in different parts of the creative and educational worlds, which, in a way, gives them a broad view of storytelling. Their paths to publishing are quite varied, showing that there isn't just one way to arrive at a place where you help others share their written creations. It's really about a shared love for books and the tales they tell, and that, I mean, is what brings them together.

Meet the Team at New Leaf Literary

At the core of New Leaf Literary, you'll find Joanna Volpe, who, of course, started the whole thing. She has a particular fondness for all sorts of made-up stories, from those that are very popular to those that are more artistic, and she has a special liking for tales that have elements of the fantastic or the magical. She's interested in what makes a story captivating, whether it's for a wide audience or a more specific group of readers. Her vision, basically, helps shape the kind of books New Leaf Literary helps bring to life.

Then there's Suzie Townsend, who is, you know, a vice president and a literary agent at New Leaf Literary. Suzie's background is pretty interesting; she went to film school, got a master's degree in education, taught high school English, and even coached a swim team. In her free moments, she read everything she could get her hands on, which, apparently, led her to the world of publishing. She's really drawn to characters who are strong, voices that are distinct and varied, and stories that move beyond the usual ways of telling things. She likes books that break new ground, so to speak.

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Sophia M. is another agent at New Leaf Literary who, for instance, appreciates writing that is very thoughtful and rich in language, combined with stories that move forward with purpose and family situations that are complex and well-considered. She's especially interested in speculative stories that have roots in history or culture and also include aspects of romance. Her taste leans towards narratives that are both beautiful in their writing and compelling in their plot, which, you know, is a pretty specific combination.

Jordan Hill, also an agent at New Leaf Literary, focuses mostly on popular and high-quality fiction for grown-ups, with a strong interest in science fiction, fantasy, and scary stories. Books she helps represent often explore big questions, like what happens when all hope seems to be gone. She has a particular affection for stories that span generations, dealing with the intricate connections within families and the different ways cultures change over time. She's looking for stories that make you think about the lasting effects of relationships and events, which, in a way, is a powerful thing.

Trinica, who graduated with a degree in creative writing and French, is, in some respects, very focused on finding stories by authors who have not always had their voices heard. She's actively seeking projects from writers who have historically been on the edges, especially authors of color, trans and nonbinary authors, authors with physical challenges, and neurodiverse authors. Her work, quite simply, is about making sure a wider range of experiences and perspectives find their way into books. She really wants to help these voices shine, which, you know, is a very important goal.

Katherine, who joined New Leaf's film and TV department just before the pandemic in 2020, brings a background in film to the team. She worked on several films in Boston and New York before moving to a talent agency. Her role at New Leaf Literary helps bridge the gap between books and the screen, which, basically, means she helps stories find new life as movies or TV shows. It's a way of making sure these narratives reach an even bigger audience, which, of course, is a pretty exciting prospect for any author.

Amerie, who is the daughter of a Korean artist and an African American military officer, grew up all over the world and studied English at Georgetown University. She is, as a matter of fact, an editor for a New York Times bestseller. Her diverse background and experience as an editor mean she brings a deep appreciation for varied storytelling and a keen eye for what makes a book successful. She helps shape narratives, ensuring they resonate with readers, which, you know, is a very skilled task.

Maitland, known for her role as Rachel McGuire on "Boy Meets World," had a successful acting career before moving into adult entertainment. She has been a guest on major morning shows and entertainment programs, and her writing has appeared in various publications. Her journey is, in a way, a testament to how people can shift their creative focus and find new avenues for expression. She brings a unique perspective, which, honestly, is quite valuable.

What Does New Leaf Literary Do for Writers?

New Leaf Literary & Media describes itself as a full-service management and representation group, meaning they aim to support authors through many different stages of their writing careers. This isn't just about finding a publisher for a book; it's about building a relationship that lasts. They want to be involved before a book is sold, helping authors prepare their work, and they continue to offer support even after a sale has been made, which, you know, is a pretty comprehensive approach. It's about more than just a single transaction; it's about a lasting connection.

New Leaf Literary and Author Support

The idea of "full service" for New Leaf Literary means, in a way, that they are there for authors beyond just getting a deal. They aim to be partners who help with the many aspects of a writer's professional life. This could involve, for instance, discussions about a manuscript's direction, advice on how to approach the publishing world, and ongoing support as an author's career grows. It's a partnership where, you know, the agency tries to anticipate an author's needs and provide guidance. They want to be a steady presence for the writers they work with, which, honestly, is a pretty comforting thought for anyone trying to make their way in publishing.

However, there have been times when this support has faced challenges. The situation where a number of authors were dropped from representation after an agent left shows that, sometimes, these relationships can be quite delicate. It highlights the importance of clear communication and the potential difficulties authors can face when changes happen within their representation. It's a reminder that, in publishing as in any field, things can shift, and that, I mean, can be a tough thing for those involved.

What Kinds of Stories is New Leaf Literary Looking For?

New Leaf Literary is, apparently, very open to new talent and a wide array of stories. They are interested in both made-up stories and true accounts, for both grown-ups and children. This broad interest means they are looking for a diverse collection of narratives, showing that they don't limit themselves to just one type of book or one age group. They want to find stories that resonate, no matter who the audience might be, which, you know, is a pretty expansive approach.

New Leaf Literary and Diverse Voices

A significant part of what New Leaf Literary seeks involves actively looking for stories from authors who have, historically, been on the margins. Trinica, for example, is very clear that she is prioritizing what she calls "#ownvoices" projects. This means she is eagerly seeking stories by authors who come from groups that have not always had their experiences reflected in books. She specifically loves to see more projects by authors of color, trans and nonbinary authors, authors with disabilities, and neurodiverse authors. This focus, in a way, shows a commitment to making the world of books more inclusive and representative of everyone, which, honestly, is a very important goal.

Beyond this focus on diverse creators, the agents at New Leaf Literary also have their own specific tastes. Sophia M. is drawn to stories with thoughtful, rich writing, plots that move quickly, and family dynamics that are complex. She likes speculative books that are connected to history or culture and also have elements of romance. Suzie Townsend, on the other hand, is drawn to characters who are strong, voices that are unique and varied, and stories that break away from typical patterns in their genres. She's looking for something fresh and unexpected, which, you know, can be pretty exciting.

Jordan Hill is primarily interested in popular and high-quality fiction for grown-ups, with a particular focus on science fiction, fantasy, and horror. She's often looking for books that explore what happens when all hope seems lost, and she loves stories that span generations, looking at how families and cultures change over time. Joanna Volpe, the founder, has a soft spot for stories with fantastic or magical elements, across all kinds of fiction. And there's also an interest in stories where queer characters find happy endings, which, you know, is a very welcome kind of narrative.

How Can You Connect with New Leaf Literary?

If you are a writer hoping to work with New Leaf Literary, they have a clear way they prefer to receive submissions. They will, in fact, only accept queries sent through email. This means that if you have a manuscript you believe fits what they are looking for, the first step is to prepare a well-crafted email to send their way. It's a pretty straightforward process, but it's important to follow their instructions carefully, which, of course, helps ensure your submission gets seen.

New Leaf Literary and Submitting Your Work

The agency's website also mentions ways to stay in touch, like signing up for emails from New Leaf Literary. This allows people to receive marketing communications, and they make it clear that you can stop receiving these emails at any time by using a special link found at the bottom of every message. This transparency about communication preferences is, you know, a pretty standard practice. It means you have control over the information you receive from them, which, honestly, is a good thing.

For writers, the key is to research the individual agents at New Leaf Literary to see whose interests best match their own work. Each agent has a "manuscript wish list," which is, in a way, a guide to the kinds of stories they are actively seeking. Looking at these lists, like Trinica's or Suzie Townsend's or Sophia M.'s or Joanna Volpe's, can help authors figure out who might be the best fit for their book. This careful preparation is, basically, a very important step before sending a query, as it increases the chances of connecting with the right person.