The May Issue: What to Strive for this Summer

May is always a busy season, although I can’t remember the last time it was quite so busy. Those who know me will say: clearly, I like it that way. It’s fairly impossible to live in New York without feeling that frenzy, despite those pandemic promises we made to ourselves that we’d never rat-race the way we used to.

In addition to the reading on nights and weekends that is customary to the trade, my days this month have been filled with consulting writers in different genres, negotiating contracts (an acquired love), glimpsing my authors’ first book jackets, advising on publicity plans (and having those delicate conversations with publishers), and arranging for speaking engagements for our authors.

After a particularly fruitful spring, I’m ready for my next book sale, as our other agents are. I’ve never been more proud of my incredible team. We’ve always sought to represent books at Lucinda Literary that make an impact; books that matter. This doesn’t only apply to the practical nonfiction we’re known for—in fact, the spring has brought an array of memoirs and novel submissions by first time authors we’ve delighted in reading, because, as the best books do, they entertain, they sometimes teach, and they linger with us.

While we’re looking ahead to what the next big book might be, the upcoming summer months also signal that relaxing getaways are just around the corner. It’s a time to be out and about, soaking up the sun and good weather. Publishers enjoy summer Fridays, taking that little extra time to unwind after the work week. All that hustle starts to slow, but that doesn’t mean that there’s a stop to the momentum of building, selling, and promoting brilliant books.

This summer, I want you to keep your own book momentum going by finding a way to tell everyone you know you’re writing a book, whenever there’s an opening. Mention it to the cashier as you treat yourself to ice cream at the shore. Call up a friend for a meet-up over iced coffee and ask to run your book pitch by them for their honest yet constructive feedback. Take a day off to visit a writers workshop and introduce yourself to a new crowd of authors, letting them know you too have something in the works. And why not take the opportunity to meet with an expert to discuss your authorly goals?

Here’s my wish for you as we kick off summer officially:

Read more by clicking here

New Instagram Live Series: Ask an Agent with Lucinda Literary

Get all of your publishing questions answered in our new “Ask An Agent ” Instagram Live Series, hosted weekly on Tuesdays!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram to get notified when we go live. See you at the next one!

Client Wins

Candlewick Press acquires Kip Wilson's Middle Grade Debut

Carter Hasegawa at Candlewick Press has acquired world English rights, in a preempt, to Kip Wilson's middle-grade debut, Backpack, Boy, Berlin, illustrated by Matt Schu, based on the true story of Don Heath Jr. Publication for Kip's MG debut is planned for Fall 2026.

Learn More

Cover Reveal

All the Love Under the Vast Sky, edited by author Kip Wilson, contains twelve short stories in verse by bestselling and award-winning authors that explore the highs and lows of love – romantic, platonic, familial, and self-love. Contributors include Alexandra Alessandri, David Bowles, Melanie Crowder, Laura Ruby, Charles Waters, and more!

Learn More

Cover Reveal

Check out the new book jacket for our author Dr. Mary Anderson’s forthcoming book! The Happy High Achiever is a road map for ambitious people to transform chronic stress and anxiety into sustainable happiness and success.

Learn More

Now Released: Cinnamon Girl by Daniel Weizmann

Congratulations to our friend Daniel Weizmann on his new book, Cinnamon Girl. His book is about a cold case murder mystery that begins to spiral when amateur sleuth and failed songwriter Adam Zantz stumbles on a test pressing of a teenage garage band from the Paisley Underground.

Learn More

News

Welcome to the Lucinda Literary Team

Meet Elizabeth Guthrie

Meet our new editorial intern, Elizabeth! As an author and editor in the complementary medicine space, Elizabeth became interested in publishing after going through the querying and submission process for her upcoming book, tentatively titled Earth's Embrace. (See more about her book below!)

She was drawn to LL because of the agency's commitment to fostering quality relationships with its authors. Elizabeth loves reading:

• Non-fiction (body-mind-spirit, psychology, memoirs with unusual themes, LGBTQIA+, spirituality, nature)
• Fantasy
• Historical fiction
• Psychological thrillers

In addition to welcoming Elizabeth to the team, we're thrilled to congratulate her for her upcoming book on plant medicine and polyvagal theory! Tentatively titled Earth's Embrace, this manuscript introduces readers to how nature can support anyone through post-traumatic growth.

Learn More

Our Book Recommendations

Here are a few books our agents and team are reading right now. We think you should read them, too!

• Last Resort by Andrew Lipstein
• My Death by Lisa Tuttle
• Let's Talk About Hard Things by Anna Sale
• Free Time by Jenny Blake

Looking for a Book Collaborator?

95% of authors who succeed in today’s market engage outside help. It’s always better to have an expert partner. To better serve authors, Lucinda Literary represents professional writers who collaborate with authors in various capacities.

Whether you need a ghostwriter, editor, or coach, our collaborators tailor their approach to your specific book writing needs. Check out some of the incredible writers we represent below:

• Nora Zelevansky is a ghostwriter, collaborator, coach, and sought-after book doctor for authors at publishing houses including Hachette Books, Penguin Random House, Sounds True and more. Her journalism and essays have appeared in publications including The New York Times, ELLE, Town & Country, the Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, Salon and Vanity Fair, among others. She is the co-author of the critically acclaimed nonfiction book Roll Red Roll: Rape, Power, and Football in the American Heartland (Hachette), and the author of three novels including, most recently, Competitive Grieving (Blackstone).
• Charles Daly is a ghostwriter and developmental editor working with memoir and non-fiction authors. He helps authors “go there” with difficult topics. He is the co-author of Make Peace or Die: A Life of Service, Leadership, and Nightmares, which was featured on Jocko Podcast.
• Paul Fair is a ghostwriter, co-author, and editor who’s worked on over 40 titles with Big Five publishing houses and independent presses such as Scribe Media and ForbesBooks. Titles range from Better Great Than Never by Olympic-gold medalist Lindsay Dare Shoop to the Wall Street Journal bestseller Buy Back Your Time by serial entrepreneur and SaaS Academy founder Dan Martell.
• Amanda Ibey is an experienced nonfiction ghostwriter and collaborator who has worked with multiple New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling authors, as well as dozens of thought-leaders, entrepreneurs, business executives, global consultants, health and wellness experts, life coaches, therapists, and influencers.

To see our full list of our collaborators and learn more information about engaging a ghostwriter or book coach within our list, visit our website here.

Follow Lucinda Literary on social media