Agents
& Editors
One of the terrific benefits of DFWCon is getting the chance to meet and pitch to a variety of agents and editors. Read the bios of each by clicking on the photos below.
How Do I Choose?
Registered attendees receive one complimentary pitch/consult session. Closer to the conference, you’ll be invited to make your selection. Additional pitches may be purchased during the weekend. We’ll be announcing more details about what our agents and editors are looking for. Stay tuned!
Eloy Bleifuss Prados
Neon Literary
Eloy Bleifuss Prados
Literary Agent
Neon Literary
Manuscript Wish List
For fiction, Eloy is especially interested in literary fiction along with character-driven, elevated genre fiction. His favorite novels are ones that bridge the high and the low, the real and the imaginary, the trashy and the serious.
In nonfiction, he's interested in a broad range of subjects by journalists, academics, and experts—everything from science, the arts, pop culture, history, or current events.
Prior to joining Neon, Eloy worked at Janklow & Nesbit Associates for five years and at Simon & Schuster for another two before then. Born and raised in Chicago, he is a graduate of Vassar College and lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Michael Carr
Veritas Literary
Michael Carr
Literary Agent
Veritas Literary Agency
With a strong background in editing and writing, Michael enjoys teaching at workshops and conferences to help develop emerging writers. He is fluent in Spanish and speaks conversational French. Before joining Veritas, Michael had professions as diverse as programming simulators for nuclear submarines and owning an inn in Vermont.
Nikki Carrero
The Rights Factory
Nikki Carrero
Literary Agent
The Rights Factory
Manuscript Wish List
Nikki has a background in education and in publishing. Her love for the written word began when her grandmother brought her to the bookstore as a kid to pick out new books. She's currently looking for adult or young adult fiction in the following genres: mystery, thriller, romance, romantic suspense, magical realism, women’s fiction, and contemporary fiction.
She has a passion for stories that feature characters who have disabilities, chronic illnesses, mental illnesses, are neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, or are a part of other marginalized communities.
Kelly Dyksterhouse
Tobias Literary
Kelly Dyksterhouse
Literary Agent
vThe Tobias Literary Agency
Manuscript Wish List
Kelly represents picture books, middle grade and young adult, both fiction and nonfiction, as well as graphic novels. She also represents illustrators.
For middle grade, she loves books with ensemble casts, books about good kids making bad decisions and then having to get themselves out of it, quests and hijinks, spooky stories and mysteries, and historical novels that feel relevant. For YA, Kelly is looking for much of the same, and is drawn to books with atmospheric settings, lush writing, and books with romance threaded through but not the primary plot.
She is particularly interested in middle grade and young adult fantasy told from a unique perspective, ghost stories, accessible sci-fi, magical realism, contemporary stories that challenge assumptions and ask hard questions, and she will forever be on the lookout for a good heist.
Olivia Emerick
Metamorphosis Literary
Olivia Emerick
Literary Agent
Metamorphosis Literary Agency
Manuscript Wish List
A Boston College graduate with a background in English and Classics, Olivia has always had her nose in a book. With her experience in the literary and theatrical spaces, she values collaboration, communication, and human stories. She is passionate about advancing authors' careers while respecting their artistic visions. Outside work, she enjoys writing poetry and attending local theatre productions.
Under the umbrella of commercial fiction for young adult and adult audiences, she is looking for manuscripts in the romance, fantasy, mythology, dark academia, dystopian, horror, and thriller genres.
Kelsey Evans
Rosecliff Literary
Kelsey Evans
Literary Agent
Rosecliff Literary
Manuscript Wish List
Kelsey began as an editor, helping writers shape their work through developmental feedback, query critiques, and revision guidance.
Later, she moved into agenting, interning with Triada US and Creative Media Agency (CMA), where she gained hands-on experience in manuscript evaluation, submissions, and client development.
She is especially excited to seek out independent voices by tracking breakout self-published successes, surfacing under-the-radar talent, and scouting the indie authors whose sales, platforms, and craft signal they’re ready to leap into traditional publishing.
Christine Goss
FinePrint
Christine Goss
Literary Agent
FinePrint Literary Management
Manuscript Wish List
Christine Goss graduated from Lake Forest College with a BA in communications. Formerly a sales representative, her skills pair well with her love of reading and story development. As an author herself, the craft of writing is very important to her when she looks at manuscripts. In 2023, Christine was promoted to Associate Literary Agent at The Purcell Agency, moving over to FinePrint Literary in 2024.
She is generally interested in romance, historical fiction, book club fiction, and fantasy. Non-fiction and graphic novels covering a specific range of topics are also of interest. Championing marginalized voices is important to Christine as she seeks to include BIPOC, LGTBQ+, and neurodivergent (and more) authors on her list.
When she’s not working, reading, or writing, she’s usually chasing her two boys, who are likely chasing her dog.
Stacey Graham
3 Seas Literary
Stacey Graham
Literary Agent
3 Seas Literary Agency
Manuscript Wish List
Stacey has worked both sides of the literary door as a humor writer with the wickedly funny Zombie Tarot, screenwriter, ghostwriter, short story writer, and specializes in offbeat nonfiction.
She loves working with writers at all stages of their careers, representing talented authors and illustrators from around the globe in picture books, middle grade, romance, graphic novels, and nonfiction. She is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents.
Christina Lopez
St. Martin's Press
Christina Lopez
Editor
St. Martin’s Press
Manuscript Wish List
Christina started as an intern at St. Martin’s Press and is now an associate editor. She's passionate about giving a voice to writers of underrepresented backgrounds, with interests in adult and YA commercial fiction, women’s fiction, historical fiction, romance/rom-com, speculative fiction/ magical realism, and some non-fiction focused on pop culture and narrative stories that read like fiction.
Hooked by character driven stories with layered protagonists, Christina is also on the lookout for sparkling chemistry, complex relationships, morally gray areas, stories set in a rich culture or history, dynamic and atmospheric settings, and she has a soft spot for bittersweet endings.
She currently lives in Austin, where she loves discovering new restaurants, watching reality TV, and spending time with her cat, Nova.
Nicole Luongo
Grand Central
Nicole Luongo
Editor
Grand Central Publishing
Manuscript Wish List
Nicole Luongo is an Associate Editor at Grand Central Publishing (GCP), part of Hachette Book Group. At GCP, Nicole acquires a wide range of edgy, voice-driven upmarket fiction, with a particular emphasis on amplifying marginalized voices.
Her editorial interests include upmarket speculative fiction (especially with a feminist bent); genre-subverting psychological thrillers (think cunning female perpetrators and unreliable narrators); select coming-of-age stories; and satire or dark comedy (she’s a sucker for biting, whip-smart humor).
Before joining GCP, Nicole worked as a bookseller at R.J. Julia Booksellers, then as an editorial assistant at Mango Publishing, and later as an acquiring editor at Park Row Books (HarperCollins Publishers). She earned a joint-honors B.A. in English and International Development from McGill University and resides in Brooklyn, New York.
Brooke Mondor
Miller Bowers Griffin
Brooke Mondor
Literary Agent
Official BrookeShelf
Brooke is an associate literary agent at Miller Bowers Griffin Literary Management, and she previously interned at Folio Literary Management. While she primarily represents non-fiction writers, she is excited to build her adult fiction list.
In fiction, Brooke is particularly interested in mysteries, especially whodunits and cozies with fresh takes. She is also looking for historical fiction from around the world (especially non-European countries); contemporary romance with minimal spice; and literary fiction.
In non-fiction, Brooke is looking for captivating writing from subject matter experts and creators who move the needle. She's interested in cooking and food, pop culture, science, wellness, and the environment.
Chelsea Moyer
Raven Quill
Chelsea Moyer
Literary Agent
Raven Quill Literary Agency
Manuscript Wish List
Chelsea loves genre fiction (especially mashups), speculative fiction, as well as contemporary. She's looking for stories that are fantastical, fierce, and filled with “big feelings" in Middle Grade, YA, and Adult categories. Prior to Raven Quill, Chelsea graduated with her Master’s Degree from the Vermont College of Fine Arts Writing for Children and Young Adults program.
Kevin O'Connor
O'Connor Literary
Kevin O'Connor
Literary Agent
O'Connor Literary Agency
Manuscript Wish List
Kevin O’Connor has always worked at the intersection of business and creative. As an agent, Kevin takes on children's projects (Ziggy Marley's Pajammin') and serious adult nonfiction, Who We Are by Jeffery Robinson, with a forward by Tom Hanks.
Kevin is the founding director of The Center for Nonfiction, a Columbia University Community Scholars Project dedicated to helping journalists and scholars understand the formal needs of trade publishers. He is an adjunct professor at NYU and currently working on a master's in Biography and Memoir at CUNY’s Graduate Center.
Eva Scalzo
Speilburg Literary
Eva Scalzo
Literary Agent
Speilburg Literary
Manuscript Wish List
Eva Scalzo is the Agency Director and Senior Literary Agent at Speilburg Literary. A lifelong romance reader—ever since discovering Sweet Valley High in the fifth grade—she proudly inherited her grandmother’s collection of vintage Harlequins and never looked back.
She gravitates toward voice-driven YA and romance with heart, humor, and hope—stories where falling in love leads to self-discovery. She loves high-concept premises, lush and escapist settings, sharp banter, and joyful tones that embrace emotional depth. Eva actively welcomes queer and diverse voices, including stories featuring invisible chronic conditions, and champions books that celebrate love in all its forms.
She represents all romance subgenres except inspirational, fantasy, and select upmarket/women’s fiction and mystery/thriller. She also represents all subgenres of YA fiction and select Middle Grade (literary and fantasy).
Haley Warrington
Booker Albert
Haley Warrington
Literary Agent
The Booker Albert Literary Agency
Manuscript Wish List
Haley is a fan of all things romance—bring the heat or leave it at the door. She’s also interested in representing Adult or New Adult fiction. Some of her favorite novels include The Match by Sarah Adams, Wildfire by Hannah Grace, and anything Emily Henry. She would love a story that could comp shows like Gossip Girl, Reign, or You.
Across the genres Haley would like to represent, she is overall looking for great storytelling. Any piece that brings emotion to the front and center and evokes reactions. Make her laugh, make her cry, make her think about it for weeks after the initial read (emphasis on the crying aspect…she likes sad stories).
Jade Wong-Baxter
Frances Goldin
Jade Wong-Baxter
Literary Agent
Frances Goldin Literary Agency
Manuscript Wish List
Jade is looking for adult literary and upmarket/bookclub fiction, as well as narrative nonfiction. She particularly enjoys coming-of-age narratives; novels exploring queer identity; stories set within a specific subculture or hidden world; grounded speculative (no high fantasy or science fiction, please); a strong sense of place; AAPI and Asian diaspora stories; and novels about immigrant families.
In nonfiction she is particularly looking for cultural criticism, social justice-oriented journalism, linked essay collections, and AAPI history or culture. Across all genres, Jade is seeking stories by and about people of color, as well as the perspectives of marginalized identities.
Steve Berry is the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author of twenty-three novels, including his latest, The Atlas Maneuver. Steve has also co-written two novels with Grant Blackwood, Red Star Falling, and The 9th Man, both Luke Daniels Adventures, and four novellas with M. J. Rose: The End of Forever, The House of Long Ago, The Lake of Learning, and The Museum of Mysteries, all Cassiopeia Vitt tales.