ABOUT NYC Literary, Inc.
NYC Literary, Inc. is a full-service literary agency representing award-winning writers and bestselling books. We provide our clients with a complete strategy for success with extensive expertise in every aspect of the publishing process—editorial, acquisitions, sales, marketing, and contract negotiations.
We also collaborate with major film and television agents around the USA to bring our client’s stories to screens worldwide. Our agency has a proud history of discovering debut authors and successfully managing established literary careers. We focus on building long-term relationships with our clients and maintaining strong connections with publishers globally, ensuring that their stories reach the right audiences.
ABOUT OUR AGENTS
Sarah Jeffords
Sarah has worked in senior executive roles at various reputed publishing houses, where she worked as an Associate Publisher. In her time at these leading publishing houses, she gained expertise in subsidiary rights, marketing, sales, and editorial functions.
Sarah has a deep appreciation for fiction that is driven by strong voices and engaging stories, particularly those that strike a balance between literary and mainstream appeal. She has a special interest in Southern narratives, suspenseful plots featuring well-crafted protagonists, and themes that delve into family secrets, mother-daughter relationships, and authentic love stories.
Sarah also seeks out non-fiction that presents a fresh angle from authors who have established influential media platforms. She is particularly drawn to memoirs, narrative non-fiction, practical guides, self-help, and popular psychology, as well as topics related to parenting, lifestyle, pop culture, health, wellness, spirituality, and just about anything involving food or dogs.
George Mcarthur
George earned his degree in creative writing and completed the Columbia Publishing Course back in 2012. In his professional journey, he has served as a publicity and editorial intern—where he illustrated the cover for a Chinese Restaurant—and as a bookseller, too. Since 2015, he has been working with us and is now taking on clients.
George is interested in contemporary literary and upmarket adult novels that feature a unique hook and a strong, character-driven narrative. He particularly likes stories featuring flawed Millennial characters, diverse perspectives, and relatable protagonists. He also has a fondness for light speculative fiction grounded in reality, with premises that feel plausible. He is excited by narratives that challenge genre conventions and reader expectations, especially those that explore complex female friendships. He also enjoys art, traveling, cooking, soccer, and spending time with dogs.
Elena Locke
Elena launched her publishing career as the assistant to the Editor-in-Chief after graduating with a degree in English literature. Over her twenty-five years in the industry, she has served as an acquiring editor and as the Editor-in-Chief at reputed publishing houses.
As an agent, Elena seeks to collaborate with novelists who have multiple engaging stories in mind and are dedicated to honing their storytelling skills. She is passionate about advocating for memoirs that explore rich human experiences and is open to non-fiction authors who are authorities on a variety of subjects, including personal development, health and sexuality, racial identity, Christianity and spirituality, diet and fitness, African American history, and pop culture. Her goal is to help publish books that are relevant, timeless, and that enhance readers’ joy and productivity.
