Faculty Bios

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Agents:

Heather Cashman- Storm Literary Agency

Heather loves books about people she could become friends with--fiction or nonfiction--and introduce a new world, but she cherishes the ones that make her want to be the heroine of her own life. Her work in Biochemistry inspired her own imagination for creating worlds. Writing for enjoyment turned into an interest in improving craft and eventually led to becoming a professional editor for Cornerstones Literary Consultancy, editing middle grade, young adult, and adult books. She also loved helping authors by volunteering as Managing Director of Pitch Wars, #PitMad, and Pitch Madness, as well as being a Pitch Wars mentor. Before becoming a Senior Literary Agent and Agent Mentor at Storm Literary Agency, Heather interned for three years at The Bent Agency and Entangled Publishing.

Heather will critique: MG fiction, MG nonfiction, YA fiction, YA nonfiction, Graphic Novel fiction, Graphic novel nonfiction, Novel-in-verse

To learn more about what Heather is looking for: https://heathercashman.com/

Sarah Stephens- Red Fox Literary Agency

Sarah Stephens is a children’s book enthusiast in every sense. She has worked as an editor, author, and indie bookseller. As an agent, Sarah is looking to champion books that make her laugh out loud, delight her with new wonders, hold quirky surprises, or speak deep truths. She is interested in elevating marginalized voices, amplifying stories that need to be heard, and connecting children to nature. She enjoys working with authors and illustrators who know their craft and tell their own unique tales with humor, heart, and integrity.

Sarah will critique: PB nonfiction, PB dummy, Portfolio Review, Chapter Book, Graphic Novel fiction, Graphic Novel nonfiction

To learn more about what Sarah is looking for: https://redfoxliterary.com/

Hillary Fazzari- Bradford Literary Agency

Hillary is an agent at the Bradford Literary Agency. She acquires fiction and nonfiction for all ages, from picture books to adult novels along with the occasional piece of nonfiction for the academic market. Hillary begun her career at Scholastic before shifting over to the agency side of the industry where she worked as an editor at several agencies for about a decade before becoming an agent in 2023. Outside of agenting, she has a PhD in medieval history and enjoys reading a wide range of book types (along with watching documentaries).

Hillary will critique: PB fiction, PB nonfiction, PB dummy, Chapter Book, Middle Grade fiction, Middle Grade nonfiction, YA fiction, YA nonfiction, Graphic Novel fiction, Graphic Novel nonfiction, Novel-in-verse

To learn more about what Hillary is looking for: https://manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/hillary-fazzari/

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Editors:

Tova Seltzer- Assistant Editor, Neal Porter Books

Tova Seltzer (she/her) joined the Neal Porter Books team in 2022, with a background in freelance editing, sensitivity reading, and bookselling. She is looking to acquire fresh, surprising picture books with spare, potent prose and a strong narrative arc, whether fiction or nonfiction. She’s also partial to books touching on art and design (triple points for interior design and architecture). A few of her all-time favorites are Pokko and the Drum by Matthew Forsythe, Everything You Need for a Treehouse by Carter Higgins and Emily Hughes, and Speak Up, Blanche! by Emily Arnold McCully.

Tova will critique: PB fiction, PB nonfiction, PB dummy

To learn more about what Tova is looking for: https://manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/tova-seltzer/

Courtney Stevenson- Editor, HarperCollins

Courtney joined HarperCollins in 2016, and since then has been lucky enough to work on both acclaimed frontlist and beloved backlist titles. In building her own list, Courtney is largely focused on middle grade and YA books, with a particular interest in historical stories that haven't been told before, clever humor, queer romance, family dynamics, the occasional pop nonfiction, and writing that pulls her along to the next page. Some of her recent titles include Queso, Just in Time by Ernesto Cisneros; The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene by Corey Ann Haydu; The Deep Well by Laura Creedle; and Money Out Loud: All the Financial Stuff No One Taught Us by Berna Anat.

Courtney will critique: PB fiction, PB nonfiction, PB dummy, Chapter Books, Middle Grade fiction, Middle Grade nonfiction, YA fiction, YA nonfiction

To learn more about what Courtney is looking for: https://manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/courtney-stevenson/

Kade Dishmon- Assistant Editor, Peachtree Teen & Peachtree Publishing

Kade Dishmon (they/he) is an assistant editor at Peachtree Publishing currently acquiring middle grade and young adult fiction. Across genres, Kade is actively seeking stories with something to say—either socio-politically or about life itself. He’s drawn to work with cathartic character arcs, authentic tween and teen messiness, and a strong sense of emotional immediacy. Kade is passionate about uplifting underrepresented voices, whether those stories are gritty and unflinching or warm and hopeful. Their most recently published acquisitions include YA folk horror AND THE TREES STARE BACK by Gigi Griffis, a Vermont Green Mountain Book Award Nominee, A Kirkus Best Book of the Year, a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults title, a CBC Choice, and a JLG selection; and YA dark fantasy THIS RAGING SEA by De Elizabeth, which is also available in France, the UK, Poland, and Germany.

Kade will critique: Middle Grade fiction, YA fiction, Novel-in-verse

To learn more about what Kade is looking for: https://manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/kade-dishmon/

Milena Blue Spruce- Associate Editor, Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Milena Blue Spruce is an Associate Editor at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. She has been at LBYR for 5 years and acquires projects across all age categories: picture books, middle grade, young adult, and new adult. Milena is particularly interested in finding projects with disability representation, and her favorite project to read is a young adult speculative novel. When not at work, she's passionate about volunteering at her local food pantry, volunteer gardening at the park, and feeding the local feral cat colony.

Milena will critique: PB nonfiction, Middle Grade fiction, YA fiction, Novel-in-verse

To learn more about what Milena is looking for: https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/dealmakers/detail.cgi?id=119866

Jin Soo Chun- Assistant Editor, Atheneum

Jin Soo Chun (first name “Jin Soo”) joined Atheneum in 2024 and assists Reka Simonsen. Previously, she worked in book marketing at Ecco and in the fashion and restaurant industries. Jin Soo enjoys working on middle grade, YA, graphic novels/nonfiction, and picture books across all genres. For picture books, she is drawn to books that celebrate the complex interior worlds of children and mischievous stories that make readers feel like they’re a partner in crime as they tag along with the protagonist on misadventures. In MG and YA (graphic and prose), she loves vividly imagined stories full of heart and humor and is especially partial to narratives propelled by an unforgettable, diverse cast of characters ranging from the spunky and spirited to the devious and terrible. Jin Soo delights in dynamic, cinematic storytelling that balances lively dialogue and emotionally stirring prose, and overall, she’s a big fan of books that humanize characters through their flaws and mistakes and allow for growth without compromising the essence of who the characters are.

Jin Soo will critique: PB dummy, Portfolio Review, Chapter Book, Middle Grade fiction, YA fiction, Graphic Novel fiction, Graphic Novel nonfiction, Novel-in-verse

To learn more about what Jin Soo is looking for: https://manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/jin-soo-chun/

Foyinsi Adegbonmire- Editor, Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan Children's Publishing Group

Foyinsi Adegbonmire is an Editor at Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan Children's Publishing Group. She acquires Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction, and is open to coming-of-age, mystery, romance, and fantasy, while enjoying lighthearted stories with conversational narrative voices. She was named a PW Star Watch Honoree and her acquisitions include Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, Dear Wendy by Ann Zhao, and The Beanstalk Murder by P.G. Bell. When not reading or thinking about her very large TBR, she can be found watching people react to her favorite media, or doomscrolling on TikTok or Instagram(@Foyinsi_Pub)

Foyinsi will critique: Middle Grade fiction, YA fiction, Novel-in-verse

To learn more about what Foyinsi is looking for: https://manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/foyinsi-adegbonmire/

Matt Phipps- Editor, G.P Putnam’s & Sons Books for Young Readers

Matt Phipps (he/him), editor at G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, acquires picture books, middle grade, young adult, and crossover, including graphic novels across categories. Books he has recently edited include the middle grade novels The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez by Jasminne Paulino, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year; Majestica by Sarah Tolcser, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year; and the picture books At the Cookout by Nadia Fisher and The Crayon Stub by Marcus Cutler. Prior to joining Putnam in 2020, he spent several years on Penguin’s School and Library Marketing team. He was an Editor Mentor with The Word: A Storytelling Sanctuary and volunteered with the Representation Matters Mentorship Program, in addition to serving on the board of the Penguin Random House LGBTQ+ Network. He has also worked as a bookseller, a Spanish-English translator, and a college writing instructor.

Matt will critique: PB fiction, PB nonfiction, PB dummy, Middle Grade fiction, Middle Grade nonfiction, YA fiction, YA nonfiction, Graphic Novel fiction, Graphic Novel nonfiction, Novel-in-verse

To learn more about what Matt is looking for: https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/dealmakers/detail.cgi?id=127168