Supporting literary agents to better serve authors with integrity and excellence.
We are an organization of professionals working at literary agencies, dedicated to helping our members develop and maintain their professional skills in a fast-changing publishing environment. Through strong interconnectedness, AALA provides education, networking, mentorship, and a commitment to the highest ethical standards.
AALA offers resources and regularly holds panels, educational programs, and social events to help its members maintain and broaden their professional skills, keep members and their clients informed of developments in publishing, and work towards increased diversity in the profession and in publishing.
Membership is open to professionals working at literary agencies. Please join us.
2024 U.S. Book Show
On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, Publishers Weekly and the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA) will present an in-person educational conference for agents, editors, marketers and book publishing professionals.
The much-anticipated event, hosted by NYU’s SPS Center for Publishing and Applied Liberal Artsat NYU’s Kimmel Center in New York City, will bring the industry together for continuing education, discussion of emerging trends, and networking to foster relationships within the publishing community.
Registration opened March 1, 2024. AALA members receive preferential pricing and when you register before April 30, 2024, you can take advantage of early bird discounts. This is an in-person conference. Space is limited.
Panels include:
CEO Roundtable
Top leaders from some of the industry’s largest and most respected companies discuss current issues as well as plans and predictions for the future. Panelists: Jonathan Karp, CEO, Simon & Schuster; Aman Kochar, CEO, Baker & Taylor; Mary McAveney, CEO, Abrams; Peter Warwick, CEO, Scholastic. Moderated by Lucia Rahilly, Global Editorial Director, McKinsey & Co.
The Acquisition P&L
How profit and loss statements determine the financial viability and value of a book and how publishers built those projections. Speaker: Clare O’Rourke, Chief Financial Officer, Macmillan
Current Issues in Contracts and Copyright
Learn the latest issues impacting publishing contracts and copyright laws. Speaker: Janet Saines Cardoza, VP, Director of Contracts, Hachette
Getting Started with AI
For anyone who wants to learn the basics of AI and the many ways AI tools can (and can’t) improve the publishing process. Speaker: Keith Reigert, Ulysses Press & NYU Professor
Spotlight on Spotify
With a quarter of its premium users listening to audiobooks, new subscription plans being marketed, and contracts with publishers, learn about Spotify’s entry into the book market, and the company’s future plans. Speaker: Owen Smith, VP, Product & Technology for Audiobooks, Spotify
The X Factor
Respected industry figures reveal the soft skills, as well as personal and leadership qualities, that contributed to their effectiveness in navigating the publishing industry. Panelists: Reagan Arthur, Publisher, Alfred A. Knopf; Dawn Davis, Publisher, 37 Ink; Sally Kim, Publisher, Little Brown; Dominique Raccah, CEO, Sourcebooks; Todd Shuster, Co-CEO, Aevitas Creative. Moderated by Sonali Goel, Senior Director, Talent and Development, Macmillan.
Kicking Down the Gates
Industry leaders discuss systems and tools that act as barriers and obstacles to publication and innovative strategies along with actionable insights to make book publishing more accessible. Panelists: Porscha Burke, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy, Penguin Random House; Talia Krohn, Editorial Director, Little Brown Spark; Ayesha Pande; Agent & Owner, Pande Literary; Joy Peskin, Executive Editorial Director, FSG Books for Young Readers. Moderated by Kelly Sonnack; Executive Agent, Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
Sales Says
Sales directors open up about how they work with retailers, how they determine the strategy to launch new books, and what essential insights into the sales process can help agents and editors serve their books. Panelists: Christine Edwards, SVP, Sales, Abrams Books; Jennifer Edwards, VP, Children’s Sales, Macmillan; Kelly Roberts, VP, Divisional Sales, HarperCollins; Gary Urda, SVP, Sales, Simon & Schuster. Moderated by Kristin Fassler, SVP, Integrated Marketing, Knopf Doubleday Group.
Great Expectations
Agents and editors discuss how to work better together to boost productivity, profitability, and well-being. Panelists: Kerry D’Agostino, Agent, Curtis Brown; Caroline Eisenmann, VP & Senior Agent, Frances Goldin Literary Agency; Luana Horry, Editorial Director, HarperColllins Children’s; Aliya King Neil, Executive Editor, Disney Publishing; Jessica Sinsheimer; Agent, Context Literary, Maya Ziv; Editorial Director, Dutton. Moderated by Tanya McKinnon, Founder, McKinnon Literary.
All About Auctions
Agents and editors compare notes and discuss best practices for structuring and executing successful auctions. Panelists: Stacey Barney, Associate Publisher, Nancy Paulsen Books; Stephanie Hitchcock, Editorial Director, Simon Acumen; Megan Lynch, Editorial Director, Flatiron Books; Anthony Mattero, Agent, CAA; Wendy Sherman, President, Sherman & Associates, Joanna Volpe, President, New Leaf Literary. Moderated by Ivan Held, President, Putnam, Berkeley & Dutton
Securing Your Financial Future on Any Budget
Advice to make the most of any level publishing salary for a richer financial future. Speaker: Vivian Tu, Author of Rich AF & creator of Your Rich BFF on TikTok and Instagram
See who’s a member of AALA.
Visit any of the profiles below to learn more about featured member agents, or search for an agent by category or name using the tools at the top of the page.
Literary Agents of Change
Dismantling the barriers to entry for members of historically underrepresented groups.
Literary Agents of Change, Inc., the non-profit arm of AALA, strives to create a workforce that reflects the diverse population of the United States and also enhances fair and equitable treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement within the industry.
Literary Agents of Change offers a fellowship program to encourage recruitment in the profession and a mentorship program to increase retention and promotion of agents from marginalized communities.