Agent Anna Olswanger Puts Out a Call For New Submissions
About Anna: Anna Olswanger has been an agent with Liza Dawson Associates for eight years. In addition to being a literary agent, Anna is the author two children’s books: Shlemiel Crooks, a Sydney Taylor Honor Book and PJ Library Book, and Greenhorn, an illustrated novel for middle grade readers. In 2011, a family musical based on Shlemiel Crooks premiered at Merkin Concert Hall in New York. Anna lives in the New York metropolitan area. You can read more about her at her website www.olswanger.com. You can also find her on Twitter. She is seeking: She focuses on adult nonfiction and children’s books from picture books to YAs, and especially enjoys working with author-illustrators. Although she rarely takes on novels, she’s intrigued by historical fiction (especially mysteries), stories with animals as the protagonists, Southern settings, Judaica and Israel.
Although this is not technically a New Agent Alert because agent Anna Olswanger of Liza Dawson Associates is not new, but it resembles one because Anna confirmed to me that she is actively seeking submissions and queries. Read on to learn more about Anna and see if she is a good fit for your work.
About Anna: Anna Olswanger has been an agent with Liza Dawson Associates for eight years. In addition to being a literary agent, Anna is the author two children's books: Shlemiel Crooks, a Sydney Taylor Honor Book and PJ Library Book, and Greenhorn, an illustrated novel for middle grade readers. In 2011, a family musical based on Shlemiel Crooks premiered at Merkin Concert Hall in New York. Anna lives in the New York metropolitan area. You can read more about her at her website www.olswanger.com. You can also find her on Twitter.
She is seeking: picture books, adult nonfiction, historical mysteries (adult). "I like working with author-illustrators of picture books for children, and I like art that is sophisticated and that leans towards fine art. I am hoping to work with more authors of serious nonfiction (politics, science, finance). Kindness to animals is a big interest of mine, as are Judaica and Israel. Two books I wish I could have agented are Start-up Nation: The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle by Dan Senor and Saul Singer and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. I have some interest in middle grade fiction, none in YA. In the case of middle grade fiction, the writing has to really sparkle. I would love to represent an author of adult or middle grade historical mysteries whose research is impeccable, and whose writing is sharp and reflects the research, but without the research showing. I wish there were an ancient Israel equivalent of Steven Saylor's ancient Rome mysteries."
How to contact: E-mail only: aolswanger [at] lizadawsonassociates.com. No snail mail submissions or phone calls. Please include the first five pages of your manuscript in the body of an email and tell me about the manuscript and your background as a writer in your query letter.
Chuck Sambuchino is a former editor with the Writer's Digest writing community and author of several books, including How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack and Create Your Writer Platform.
