LUCY CLELAND
Lucy Cleland is a literary agent representing idea-driven and narrative nonfiction of all stripes, upmarket fiction, and select children’s projects. Her list is bold and eclectic, united by an overarching interest in how culture shapes us (and how we shape it). Her clients have been Pulitzer finalists, winners of the NBCC Award and PEN America Awards, recipients of MacArthur “Genius” grants, and elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; their books have been featured in the New Yorker’s Briefly Noted, New York Time’s Editors’ Choice, and best books of the year lists, as well as ranked as USA Today Bestsellers and selected for Book of the Month Club.
WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR
I'm always looking for excellent writing in nonfiction on just about any topic, from pop culture to history, as well as literary narrative nonfiction that deeply explores a unique subject or experience, and ‘big idea’ books that carve out new territory in contemporary conversations. In fiction, I'm seeking novels animated by potent concepts (speculative and magical realism welcome!), as well as historical fiction that immerses readers in non-Western settings. Worlds with a special twist (such as those where just one thing is different) really appeal to me, and I am a junkie for plots that get my heart pounding. I'm also a sucker for love stories and everything from poignant deep-dives into the pains and pleasures of human connection to new spins on old tropes catches my eye, whether literary or commercial in craft.
SAMPLE TITLES OR AUTHORS
SIGN HERE: A Novel, by Claudia Lux
STILL LIFE WITH BONES: Genocide, Forensics, and What Remains, by Alexa Hagerty
GODFALL, by Van Jensen
Specializes In
FICTION: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Multi-Cultural/Global Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Thrillers/Suspense, Science Fiction
NONFICTION: Commercial Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Multi-Cultural/Global Fiction, Thrillers/Suspense, LGBTQIA+
Considers
FICTION: Adventure/True Story, Cultural/Social Issues, Investigative Journalism, LGBTQIA+, Current Affairs, History, Multicultural/Global Perspectives, Narrative, Nature/Ecology, Self Help, Psychology, True Crime
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues, Investigative Journalism, Current Affairs, LGBTQIA+, History, Narrative, Nature/Ecology, Psychology, Pop Culture, True Crime