ABOUT THE AGENCY
At Speilburg Literary, we believe in the power of storytelling, the strength of diverse perspectives, and the importance of transparency and trust.
Founded by Alice Speilburg in 2013, our agency represents a wide range of creators: authors, illustrators, influencers, and experts. We believe storytelling takes many forms, and creative professionals need an agency that is nimble, innovative, and forward-thinking.
A spirit of collaboration drives everything we do, from sharing institutional knowledge and discoveries with each other, to working with our authors and illustrators to prepare a project for submission. Quality is everything, and we dedicate a critical eye to each project, ensuring that what is published is our clients’ best work.
Our agents have a wealth of experience working in publishing houses, scholarly presses, publicity, bookstore management, nonprofit leadership, education, and newspapers. We bring all of that collective experience to the table, working together to support the creative goals of our clients, to troubleshoot challenges along the path to publication, and to explore new opportunities for rights we manage.
Our clients are passionate creators, with inspiring stories that shape the way readers experience the world. We love working closely with these artists, customizing our representation to align with their individual career goals. We work with indie authors to reach global markets, help mid-list clients break out in new categories, and generate work-for-hire projects to supplement our clients’ income. We’re often helping debuts launch their first publication, and we’re proud to watch their careers evolve over time. Our list now includes several New York Times, USA Today and Indie bestsellers, winners of the Audie Award and the Edgars, finalists in the Goodreads Choice Awards, and a Pura Belpré Honoree. We advocate for our clients during the publishing process as artists and partners—not merely content providers—and build collaborative relationships with publishers.
We are dedicated to supporting our clients throughout their publishing careers, offering personal attention and longterm rights management.
ALICE SPEILBURG
CEO and Founding Literary Agent
Alice Speilburg is the founder of Speilburg Literary Agency representing commercial fiction and narrative nonfiction in the adult market. Her authors include national bestsellers, and have been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Sunday Times, Variety, and Oprah Daily. They have been recognized by awards organizations including the American Library Association, the Edgar Awards, Goodreads Choice Awards, and the Audie Awards.
With 15+ years of experience in the publishing industry, she has worked across editorial development, literary representation, and publishing contract negotiation, formerly holding positions at John Wiley & Sons, and Howard Morhaim Literary Agency. Throughout her career, she has been driven by her passion to guide authors through the process, from acquisitions and subsidiary rights strategy, to long-term career planning.
Her first editing gig was on the news desk of her college daily, and she is still drawn to culturally relevant nonfiction, especially when written by journalists. In fiction, she has a particular interest in immersive historical adventures, myth-based fantasy, and atmospheric crime.
Alice is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents, as well as several writing organizations. She volunteers for nonprofit organizations within her community, as a gardener at Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve and as a violinist with the Louisville Philharmonia. On the weekends, she unwinds by hiking and watching movies with her husband and two sons.
Alice is open to queries on the 10th through the 16th of each month, starting March 10. Please check her MSWL page for details on what categories she’s currently seeking.
Conference queries, requests, and client referrals are welcome at all times; please follow the instructions given at her meeting with you.
If you’ve submitted to Alice, please wait for a response — or a period of six months — before sending to any other agents at Speilburg Literary Agency.
eva scalzo
Agency Director and Senior Literary Agent
A Leo Sun, Libra Moon with a Scorpio rising, Eva’s chart describes her as a charismatic and powerful person who is also diplomatic and emotionally complex. She’s been reading romance since the fifth grade when she discovered the Sweet Valley High series. Her lifelong love of the genre meant that she inherited her beloved grandmother’s collection of vintage Harlequin Romances.
Eva has a B.A. in the Humanities from the University of Puerto Rico and an M.A. in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College. Since graduating, her work in scholarly publishing allowed Eva to develop a keen sense of client and portfolio management, and her voracious and speedy reading keeps her aware of market trends.
Eva is a member of the AALA and SCBWI. With the AALA, she serves on the AALA Board of Directors and is the Editor-in-Chief of the AALA Newsletter as well as the chair of the Social Media Subcommittee; she is also a member of the Communications Committee and People of Publishing Conference Special Committee.
Eva joined Speilburg Literary in 2013, and started accepting clients in 2018; her responsibilities include developing relationships, managing careers, and building a list that includes #1 New York Times, Indie, USA Today, and international bestsellers. Eva’s clients write unputdownable books that spark joy and warmth even when they make your heart ache.
Eva is looking for voice-driven YA and romance that balances heart, humor, and hope—stories where falling in love helps characters discover who they are.
Think high-concept setups with emotional depth: the summer that changes everything, the cruise that goes hilariously off course, the fantasy quest that doubles as a love story, or the play that blurs the line between acting and truth.
She loves lush, escapist settings—coastal towns, vibrant cities, magical kingdoms, faraway ships—and stories that make readers feel like they’re on an adventure while falling in love.
Her ideal submission has a strong romantic arc, sharp banter, and a joyful tone even when exploring grief or growth. Queer and diverse voices are always welcome, as well as stories featuring invisible chronic conditions; at her core, she wants stories that celebrate love in all its forms.
In Adult Fiction, Eva represents Romance (all subgenres but inspirational), Fantasy, and select Upmarket/Women’s Fiction and Mystery/Thriller. She also represents all subgenres of Young Adult Fiction and select Middle Grade Fiction (literary and fantasy).
Before you hit submit on any queries please verify her #MSWL.
Eva is currently open to unsolicited submissions.
LINDSEY SMITH
Literary Agent, Licensing and New Ventures
Lindsey Smith got her start in the publishing industry as an author. After her own publishing success, she started working with other writers to help launch their books and shape their careers. To date, Lindsey has worked with over 1,000 authors and negotiated book deals even before becoming an agent. Her unique perspective helps shape her passion for the industry and her role as an advocate for her clients.
Lindsey is the head of licensing and new ventures at Speilburg Literary Agency. From merchandising opportunities, such as licensed candles and exclusive book boxes, to speaking engagements, media opportunities, and more, Lindsey is always on the lookout for the next new venture that she can bring to our authors.
As a Literary Agent, Lindsey works with first time authors, NY Times Bestselling authors with established platforms, and small presses. She represents a wide range of non-fiction, but especially loves true crime, pop culture, humor, gift books, music books, unique histories, and anything a bit weird and wonderful.
Lindsey lives in Lancaster, PA with her punk rock husband and their now senior rescue dog, Ms. Winnie Cooper.
SERA RIVERS
Literary Agent, Creative Talent and Inclusive Storytelling
Sera (pronounced “S” + “air” + “ah”) Rivers started reading at age four and has been obsessed with books ever since—if she could live in creative worlds, she would. She worked in educational publishing for seven years, writing and editing in a variety of genres for children and adults. Now, as an agent, Sera provides editorial feedback to help clients get their manuscripts submission ready.
Sera earned her MFA in Writing for Children, with a concentration in young adult novels, from Simmons University. Her young adult memoir THE WICKED ONES won the 2016 PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Children’s Book Discovery Award. She prioritizes stories by BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, and other marginalized and historically excluded identities.
In Adult Fiction, Sera’s interests include subversive horror, grounded science fiction, and speculative. In addition to these genres, she is also looking for underrepresented voices in the vein of Emily Henry.
In Kidlit, she’s interested in Young Adult (LGBTQIA+; horror; non-Western folklore, culture, and heritage; thriller; grounded sci-fi; speculative), Picture Books (author-illustrator only: horror; books by underrepresented authors and illustrators), and Graphic Novels (author-illustrator only).
Sera lives in Connecticut with her partner Mike and their island rescue pups Jett and Marty.
Sera is open to Adult Fiction the FIRST 7 days of each month. She is currently closed to unsolicited children’s book submissions.
Conference queries, requests, and referrals are welcome at all times; please follow the specific instructions. To find out more about Sera and what she’s looking for, check out her Manuscript Wish List.