April 12, 2018 Interview with Literary Agent Lauren Spieller Spieller of Triada US
About Lauren:
Lauren Spieller is an Associate Literary Agent at TriadaUS. She has a sharp editorial eye, and is passionate about author advocacy. Lauren is seeking Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction, as well as select Adult fiction and non-fiction. Whatever the age category or genre, Lauren is passionate about finding diverse and underrepresented voices. She is also the author of the YA novel, Your Destination Is on the Left.
Connect with Lauren:
Twitter: @laurenspieller
Instagram: laurenspieller.com
Website: laurenspieller
Why and/or how did you become an agent?
I became an agent by becoming a writer! I had only written about half of my first book when I started researching what to do with it. That’s when I discovered the publishing industry, and the job of a literary agent. I very quickly realized it was my dream job, and since then writing and working in publishing have gone hand in hand.
Where are you based?
New York
What’s a day in the life of literary agent Lauren Spieller like?
Every day is totally different, but I like to start by catching up on any client or editor emails from the night before. Then I start to tackle my to-do list! I often have a coffee or lunch date, either with an editor or a prospective client, and I end the day by reading manuscripts.
What do you love most about your job?
Working with authors. I love working with them to make their books the best they can possibly be, and then helping them find an editor who shares their vision.
What are some of your goals within the industry?
My goals are simple: continue to work on wonderful books with wonderful people.
Is there a specific project you recently sold that you’re especially excited about?
There are a few, but I’m particularly excited about Wendy Heard’s debut psychological thriller, Hunting Annabelle, which I like to think of as Dexter meets Gone Girl. It’s coming out in December 2018, and it is KILLER. (Get it?)
What would be your dream project? Dream big!
That changes all the time, but right now I’m craving a middle grade fantasy that engages with non-western mythology, a la Sayantani DasGupta’s The Serpent’s Secret.
What sets a great manuscript apart from the rest of the crowd for you?
Voice. It’s all about voice. (I’m also a real task master when it comes to pacing!)
What’s on your #MSWL?
Oh gosh, it’s long (and available online!). But right now I’m prioritizing projects that are written by authors from traditionally marginalized communities, because I want to see more of their stories on shelves and in the hands of young (and adult!) readers.
Anything that’s definitely not a fit for you?
I’m not a great fit for Adult Romance, Military Non-Fiction, or message-driven picture books. But even those categories have exceptions: if your adult romance is funny or about a non-white protagonist? I want it. If your Military NF is about someone we don’t traditionally see in military narratives, then I’d love to read it. Or if your picture book is about consent? Send it to me!
What’s your ideal client like?
My ideal client is hardworking, passionate, and conscientious. I love working with people who take the craft of writing seriously.
How do you champion your clients?
Every client is different, so every client has different needs. I do my best to meet them where they are, and come up with a plan—editorial or otherwise—that is suited to them. I also take great pride in my communication. I always answer client emails within 24 hours, if not sooner, because I know that’s an incredibly important part of the author-agent relationship, and I want them to know that I am taking their work and their career seriously.
Do you receive many manuscripts from diverse authors?
I’m seeing more and more, which is wonderful. I also participate in #DVpit, which is where I met Brian Kennedy, whose YA Contemporary I am obsessed with.
What do you perceive to be some of the greatest challenges to diversity faced within the industry?
I think we’re making some great strides right now, especially when it comes to books being published for the children’s market, as well as the adult Sci-Fi and Fantasy market. Books like The Brightsiders by my client Jen Wilde, and Jade City by Fonda Lee, come to mind. But one of the (many) things we need to improve is how white and straight the industry itself is—we need to see more diverse representation not just in books, but in our staffing. As long as we continue to privilege a certain kind of person with a certain kind of background, that’s not going to change.
How do you approach and encourage diversity?
I do my best to support marginalized author pre and post-publication by requesting (and seeking out) books from people from marginalized backgrounds, and by buying those books when they hit shelves. I also try to read backlist titles, not just an author’s newest works. This helps sustain a healthy publishing ecosystem in which authors have time to build their careers instead of putting all the pressure on their first book.
Any advice for authors regarding crafting diverse characters?
Do the work. That means research, work with authenticity/sensitivity readers, and consume media by people who are parts of the marginalized communities you are writing about (or from!). We are all responsible for our own work.
Are there any upcoming conferences or twitter events you’ll be participating in?
Yes! I’m going to be participating in #DVpit on April 24th, as well as the #DVpitChat on April 17th. I’m also going to the Long Island Romance Writers conference at the end of the month, followed by a Dallas-Fort Worth conference in June and the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers conference in September. And there will be more!
Final advice for writers and/or illustrators?
Read voraciously and broadly. It’s the best way to learn. Also, get tons of critique partners who have different skills—they’ll each bring something new to your work.
Wildcard Questions:
If you could spend a day with any person, living or dead, who would it be?
I’d love to use a time turner to spend the day with President Obama back when he was working on Obamacare.
If you could have any career (outside of publishing), what would it be and why?
I’d want to work in Democratic politics at the state level.
Thanks for your time, Lauren!
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