Overview
I am a literary agent with 20 years in New York publishing, experienced in developing and selling all genres of both adult and children's commercial fiction. My passion is helping writers hone their voices and discover their strengths.
Since starting as an agent in 2004, I've helped take numerous debut authors from the slush pile to the New York Times Bestseller List. I always like to say that authors should write their first draft for themselves and their second draft for their audience. Part of that process is fully understanding who their audience is, and what that audience will respond to. With that foundation, authors are able to craft both their manuscript and their pitch to encompass the story they want to tell in a way that will make people excited to read it. Developmental editing has always been a big part of what I've done for my clients and I'm excited to do the same for Reedsy authors in my spare time.
Editorial suggestions, even from a practiced eye, are just that--suggestions. They are meant to ensure your book reaches its full potential. "Remember," as Neil Gaiman said, and I am fond of quoting, "when people tell you something's wrong or doesn't work for them, they are almost always right. When they tell you exactly what they think is wrong and how to fix it, they are almost always wrong." I relish the opportunity to help make sure the story you have on the page lives up to the story you're eager to tell.
[Please note that in order to avoid any conflict of interest, I cannot act as an agent for projects I have edited via Reedsy.]
Services
Fiction
Languages
Awards
- Golden Apple Agent of the Year Award Winner 2009
Work experience
Codex Literary
Our mission is to cultivate, champion, and celebrate authors' authentic voices. Combining the intimacy and personalized attention of a boutique agency with a global perspective and a commitment to nurturing creativity, we take pride in being more than representatives – we are partners in the journey.
Irene Goodman Literary Agency
Miriam has 65 reviews
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