Literary Agent Interview: Shannon Hassan Interview and Query Critique Giveaway

 Today I’m thrilled to have agent Shannon Hassan here. She’s an agent at MARSAL LYON LITERARY AGENCY.

Status Update on 12/16/2025: Shannon is currently closed to submissions, but her QueryManager states she will reopen to submissions in January 2026. Check the agency website to find out when she reopens to queries.

Hi Shannon! Thanks so much for joining us.

About Shannon:

1. Tell us how you became an agent, how long you’ve been one, and what you’ve been doing as an agent.

I’ve been agent for more than10 years. Before that I was a corporate attorney in New York. I followed my passion for books to a position at a small press and then into my current role as an agent. I love my job and am so grateful every time someone tells me I had a small part in making their dreams come true!

About the Agency:

2. Share a bit about your agency and what it offers to its authors.

We like to say that our agency’s mission is to help writers achieve their publishing dreams. We view our authors as long-term partners and we work with them from the idea stage, through a collaborative editorial process, through finding the right publishing partner and beyond to find long-term success on the market. We are proud to represent a diverse client list and to champion a wide range of genres and perspectives.

What She’s Looking For:

3. What age groups do you represent—picture books, MG, and/or YA? What genres do you represent and what are you looking for in submissions for these genres?

MIDDLE GRADE and YOUNG ADULT:
•    Contemporary stories with humor and heart.
•    Historical stories that inspire or bring untold stories to light.
•    Adventure stories with humor and heart.
•    Magical realism or speculative twists—prefer grounded, real-world settings.
•    Stories of resilience.
•    Thrillers and mysteries.

4.  Is there anything you would be especially excited to seeing in the genres you are interested in?

I would love to work on a story featuring Native kids or teens, whether it’s a thriller in the vein of THE FIREKEEPER’S DAUGHTER, or more humorous/drama in the vein of RESERVATION DOGS.

I’d also like a story with an out-of-the-box, memorable narrator, like OLIVETTI or THE BOOK THIEF.

What She Isn’t Looking For:

5. What types of submissions are you not interested in?

I am not looking for non-fiction, picture books, or screenplays.

Agent Philosophy:

6. What is your philosophy as an agent both in terms of the authors you want to work with and the books you want to represent?

When I am talking to an author about potential representation, the three questions I always ask are:
(1) Are you receptive to feedback on your work? (because every manuscript will go through a lot of revision before it’s published, and you have to be willing to listen and put in the work),
(2) Are you willing to be an active participant in the marketing of your work? (because publishers now expect authors to be active marketers and it’s hard to make it in this business if you are averse to it), and
(3) What else do you plan to write? (because I see this as a long-term partnership and want to make sure that your intended genre / career track is one that I am suited to help you with).

Editorial Agent:

7. Are you an editorial agent? If so, what is your process like when you’re working with your authors before submitting to editors?

Yes, very much so. I give developmental feedback on the manuscript—usually comments embedded in the manuscript as well as a big picture editorial letter. Then we have a call/Zoom to discuss and brainstorm. I see it as a collaborative process and at the end of the day, I want to make sure to respect the author’s voice and vision, while addressing the realities of the market as best we can.

Query Methods and Submission Guidelines: (Always verify before submitting)

8. How should authors query you and what do you want to see with the query letter?

Please use Query Manager at this link: https://QueryManager.com/3356

9.  Do you have any specific dislikes in query letters or the first pages submitted to you?

I prefer that the queries are short and punchy and get right to the stakes. They should read like jacket copy.

Lately I’ve seen writers comparing their manuscripts to Taylor Swift or other popular songs, and that hasn’t really landed for me. Comparative titles are important to include, but they should be books (or films/tv shows) that show your intended audience.

Response Time:

10. What’s your response time to queries and requests for more pages of a manuscript?

I try to respond to queries within three weeks, and full submissions within two months.

Self-Published and Small Press Authors:

11.  Are you open to representing authors who have self-published or been published by smaller presses? What advice do you have for them if they want to try to find an agent to represent them?

Yes, but I don’t usually represent previously published works, only new works from authors who have published in the past. In terms of advice, be willing to use a pen name if the agent, editor, or sales team thinks it may give you a better launch for your new book with a fresh sales track. That’s not always the case, it’s just something to be open to.

Clients:

12. Who are some of the authors you represent?

Middle Grade: INSIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF A CACTUS, the best-selling series by Dusti Bowling (Union Square), THE MYSTERY OF LOCKED ROOMS, the NEW YORK TIMES bestselling series by Lindsay Currie (Sourcebooks), OPERATION: HAPPY, a historical novel by Jenni Walsh (HarperCollins), and THE RULE OF THREE, a magical realism novel by Heather Murphy Capps (Lerner).
Young Adult: IN 27 DAYS, a speculative novel by Alison Gervais (HarperCollins) soon to be a TV series from SONY’s Affirm Films, DIE YOUNG WITH ME (Simon & Schuster), an ALA award-winner by Rob Rufus, THOSE WHY PREY, a thriller by Jennifer Moffett (Atheneum), and LIKE SPILLED WATER, a novel about contemporary China by Jennie Liu (Lerner).

Interviews and Guest Posts:

13. Please share the links to any interviews, guest posts, and podcasts you think would be helpful to writers interested in querying you.

MSWL: https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/shannon-hassan/

Links and Contact Info:

14. Please share how writers should contact you to submit a query and your links on the Web.

Please query me through Query Manager: https://QueryManager.com/3356

My bio: https://marsallyonliteraryagency.com/who-we-are/shannon-hassan/

My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/litagentshannon/?hl=en

Additional Advice:

15. Is there any other advice you’d like to share with aspiring authors that we haven’t covered?

Writing is a solitary exercise, but publishing takes a village. Find a community through SCBWI or other organizations that can be a source of knowledge, support, perspective, and maybe some much-needed laughter.

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Shannon.

Giveaway Details

Shannon is generously offering a query critique to one lucky winner. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment through January 2nd. If your email is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. If you do not want to enter the contest, that’s okay. Just let me know in the comments.

If you follow me on Twitter or mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. This is an international giveaway.

Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or email me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com

Note: These agent profiles and interviews presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found here is subject to change.

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Wednesday, December 11th I have an agent spotlight interview with Vicky Weber and a query critique giveaway

Monday, December 16th I have a guest post by debut author Vicky Lorencen and a giveaway of her MG The Book of Barf and am participating in the Holly Jolly Giveaway Hop

Wednesday, January 8th I have an interview with author Mackenzie Reed and a giveaway of her YA The Wilde Trials and my IWSG post

Monday, January 13th I have an agent spotlight interview with Estelle Laure and a query critique giveaway

Wednesday, January 15th I have an agent spotlight interview with Jon Cobb and a query critique giveaway

Monday, January 27th I have an interview with debut author Nicole Hewitt and a giveaway of her MG The Song of Orphan’s Garden

I hope to see you on Wednesday!

AGENT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW WITH ANN ROSE AND QUERY CRITIQUE GIVEAWAY

Today I’m thrilled to have agent Ann Rose here. She is a literary agent at Prospect Agency.

11/9/2022 Update: Ann has left Prospect Agency and is now at The Tobias Literary Agency.

Status Update on 3/7/2026: Ann is currently open to submissions and has extensively edited her interview.

Status Update on 6/18/2026: Ann has left The Tobias Literary Agency and is now at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency and is open to submissions. Check the agency website to learn how to submit to her. 

Hi­ Ann! Thanks so much for joining us.

About Ann:

1. Tell us how you became an agent, how long you’ve been one, and what you’ve been doing as an agent.

I didn’t become an agent the “typical” way for sure. I wasn’t a creative writing major. I didn’t always dream of being a writer. Actually, I never thought either of these things were in the cards for me. But I couldn’t be more happy with how I ended up here. It all started about a million years ago (okay, maybe not that long, but go with me on this) my niece asked me to read some books with her. She was a vivacious reader, and her friends really weren’t, but she wanted someone to fangirl with over books. I told her to tell me what to buy, and we started our own little book club. After one of her favorite characters died, and she called me sobbing, (ten points if you can name the book and the character) I told her I’d write her a book. This is where my story truly begins. I decided if I was going to write her a book I was going to learn everything there was to know about the publishing industry which included getting an internship at an agency on top of my forty hour(+) a week job managing a portfolio of applications for all of America and part of Latin America.

I found agenting to be fascinating, and I loved how each day brought different challenges to conquer, so after a few years, and my day job being eliminated (thanks corporate America) I took to agenting full time and found a home with Prospect Agency. I call it serendipity because really all the stars aligned to make it happen, and I haven’t regretted it a day since. 

As an agent, I do all the things agents do. I represent my clients work to publishers. I work with them on edits to make sure they have the best chance at getting their books picked up. Since I’m remote, I schedule calls with editors to connect with them and discuss projects they are interested in. I’m a sounding board for my client’s ideas and also a shoulder to cry on when imposter syndrome hits hard. There’s probably not a lot of things I wouldn’t do for my authors, really.

About the Agency:

2. Share a bit about your agency and what it offers to its authors.

The Tobias Literary Agency is a full-service firm with a holistic approach, specializing in representing adult and children's authors, illustrators, and intellectuals across diverse genres. We represent notable figures including bestseller and award-winning authors, offering expertise in foreign rights and film/TV adaptations.

What She’s Looking For:

3. What age groups do you represent—picture books, MG, and/or YA? What genres do you represent and what are you looking for in submissions for these genres?

I represent all genres under the Middle Grade and Young Adult umbrella. In the adult arena I’m looking for romance/rom-coms, women’s fiction, historical, mystery, thriller, suspense, and light fantasy/science fiction. I like to say I don’t need to know how the flux capacitor works just that it makes time travel possible, and I’m in.

For a more comprehensive list of what I’m looking for, check my MSWL at  https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/ann-rose/

4.  Is there anything you would be especially excited to seeing in the genres you are interested in?

I would love to see stories that really highlight women’s/girl’s experiences in the world—whether that be in a real-world setting or something fantastical. I’d love more underrepresented voices. I love stories that can make me laugh and ones that can make be cry—even better when it’s in the same story. I’m here for a good revenge plot and burning of the patriarchy. I always enjoy finding LGBTQIA+ stories in my inbox. I’m definitely open to finding just the right YA fantasy to champion—although I have to admit I’m very picky in this area. I’m also open to non-fiction that deal with women’s issues.

I also really want to see more weird books—books that will surprise me in the best way possible. Books that play with blending genres, but also have a clear place on the bookshelf. If it’s a little wacky, send it my way.

What She Isn’t Looking For:

5. What types of submissions are you not interested in?

This is much easier than what I am looking for as sometimes I don’t know unless I see it but this list is pretty solid below on what I don’t really want…

Horror (I don't love all the blood and guts stuff)

Erotica

Non-fiction

Picture Books

Poetry (books in verse are the exception) 

Screenplays

Novellas

Stories that start with a character waking up

Stories with graphic rape

Misogynist stories 

Stories that depict animal cruelty - if the dog dies, I don't want it

Books set in the 80s-90s - Unless there's a darn good reason. If you can pick up the plot and move it present day, you probably should. 

Agent Philosophy:

6. What is your philosophy as an agent both in terms of the authors you want to work with and the books you want to represent?

I want to work with career authors. Authors who understand that sometimes the first book isn’t the breakout they dreamed it would be and they have to write two or three or four… more. I want to work with professionals who are able to understand we need to value each other’s time. All my clients have my cell number and are open to text when they need, but not one single one of them has ever abused this.

I want to rep books that represent the world we live in and also books that explore new worlds and ideas. Books that challenge the norms of today. Books with strong, capable women that don’t need men saving them. Books that make me think and keep my on the edge of my seat and guessing until the very end.

Editorial Agent:

7. Are you an editorial agent? If so, what is your process like when you’re working with your authors before submitting to editors?

I’m very editorial, any of my clients would tell you this. We will go through a number of rounds of revisions—as many as it takes—to get the best book possible. In the end we both have the same goal, sell books, so I want to give each client/book the best chance possible.

Query Methods and Submission Guidelines: (Always verify before submitting)

8. How should authors query you and what do you want to see with the query letter?

 Submissions are all done through Query Manager: QueryManager.com/AgentAnnRose

I’m not looking for the perfect query letter, although it is very obvious who has done at least a tertiary search of, “How to write a query letter.” So if you’ve done this, congratulations! You are a step ahead of a number of others in my inbox.

I currently ask for a query, a 1-2 page synopsis, and 3 chapters or 30 pages whichever is more.

Please note: The synopsis is different than the query and will tell the entire story arc from beginning to end. This does not “ruin” the book for me. I love to understand how the author sees their project and how the dominos are lining up on the page. I understand these are tough, so just do your best. And remember the synopsis has to tell the ending, spoilers and all!  

9.  Do you have any specific dislikes in query letters or the first pages submitted to you?

The only real “dislike” I have in a query is when it’s clear the author hasn’t done any research on the process or what I represent.

For first pages, my biggest pet peeve is starting with a character waking up. I see it ALL THE TIME, so it’s just not that interesting to me. I highly suggest trying to start in a different place, and who knows, you might surprise yourself with how awesome it works. 

Response Time:

10. What’s your response time to queries and requests for more pages of a manuscript? 

I ask for a minimum of three months to review your submission before you nudge and I do try to respond well before this. Sometimes, however, I get behind, and sometimes I set things aside to dig more into later and so it takes me longer. I know how hard it is to wait, so I appreciate your patience. I would say the same thing holds for when I request pages. I TRY to be as quick as possible, but sometimes life gets in the way.

Self-Published and Small Press Authors:

11.  Are you open to representing authors who have self-published or been published by smaller presses? What advice do you have for them if they want to try to find an agent to represent them? 

Yes, I’m open to previously published authors whether they are small press or self-published. If the book is self-published, I like to get an understanding of sales and also what the author’s intention is with querying me now with it. (Is it to get a print deal? Want to sell audio or foreign? All of the above? A general idea of what it is you are looking for is very helpful.)

Clients:

12. Who are some of the authors you represent?

I represent USA Today Best-Selling authors Amelia Jahn, and Emma C. Wells, as well as a number of award winning authors, Indie Next picks, and authors with stared reviews (Syndey Dunlap, Tom Phillips, Stan Yan, Cassie Miller, and Charlene Thomas to name a few.)

Honestly, I’d love to shout out about all my authors, but I don’t think we have the time. If you are curious to know more check out the #RosebudAuthor hashtag and you’re bound to find them.

Interviews and Guest Posts:

13. Please share the links to any interviews and guest posts you think would be helpful to writers interested in querying you.

https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/ann-rose/

https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/2019/04/author-agent-interview-ann-rose-of-prospect-agency/

http://www.michelle4laughs.com/2018/07/query-questions-with-ann-rose.html

Update on 3/7/2026:

What Agents Look for in Query Letters Podcast Interview at The Write It Scared Podcast (03/2026)

Podcast Interview at Alyssa Matesic (01/2026)

Navigating the Publishing World Interview at Writers With Wrinkles (09/2024)

Podcast interview on Querying at Demi Michelle (05/2024) 

Podcast interview at E Train Talks Books! (04/2024)

Podcast Interview at Literary Lens (01/2024)

Agent of the Month Interview at Wring and Illustrating (03/2021)

Links and Contact Info:

14. Please share how writers should contact you to submit a query and your links on the Web.

If people want to query me, they should go to The Tobias Literary Agency website or find me on Query Manager.

If people just want to know about my shenanigans, I’m best found on Bluesky: @annmrose or on Instagram/Threads: @totally_anntastic 

Update on 3/7/2026:

https://www.thetobiasagency.com/ann-rose

https://querytracker.net/query/AgentAnnRose

Additional Advice:

15. Is there any other advice you’d like to share with aspiring authors that we haven’t covered?

Keep writing. This industry is so subjective and what doesn’t work for one person might be exactly what someone else is looking for. If this is your dream don’t give up.

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Ann.

­Ann is generously offering a query critique to one lucky winner. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (just click the follower button if you're not a follower) and leave a comment through April 4th.  If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter either contest. If you do not want to enter the contest, that's okay. Just let me know in the comments.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. This is an international giveaway.

Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or e-mail me at natalieiaguirre7@gmail.com

Note: These agent profiles and interviews presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found here is subject to change.

Profile Details:
Last updated: 3/7/2026.
Agent Contacted for Review? Yes.
Last Reviewed By Agent? 3/7/2026.

Agent Spotlight: Kevan Lyon

This week's Agent Spotlight features Kevan Lyon of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC.
Status update on 12/29/2025: Kevan is currently closed to submissions for personal reasons. Please check the agency website to learn when she reopens to queries.
About: "Kevan Lyon is a founding partner of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. With over 25 years in the publishing business, including over 15 years as a literary agent and many years on the wholesale, retail and distribution side of the business, Kevan brings an informed and unique perspective to her work with clients. Her background on the buying and retail side of publishing affords her helpful insight into what types of books will sell and how to market them. Kevan holds an MBA from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA.

Kevan handles mostly women’s fiction, with an emphasis on commercial women’s fiction, historical fiction, speculative fiction and romantic fantasy.  Kevan works with her authors to help them realize their dreams of being published and to build a long-term career as a writer and strives to partner with her clients on all phases of the publishing path.

Her focus is on high concept, upmarket book club fiction and intensely romantic women’s fiction and fantasy. Her list included Reese Book Club Picks, genre defining women’s fiction and long running international bestselling series. She is looking for a fresh approach, a defining hook to a story and page turning pacing.

When she’s not reading or working her email obsessively, she loves to walk her many dogs, spend time near the beach in her home town and travel internationally." (From the agency website)

About the Agency:
“Our Agency’s mission is to help writers achieve their publishing dreams. We want to work with authors not just for a book but for a career – we are dedicated to building long-term relationships with our authors and publishing partners.
Our goal is to help find homes for books that engage, entertain, and make a difference. From conception, through a collaborative and engaged editorial process, to finding a publisher and beyond, we partner with our authors to ensure success in finding the right publisher and long term success on the market.” (From the agency website)
Web Presence:
Marsal Lyon website.
Publisher’s Marketplace page.
Agency Facebook.
AgentQuery, QueryTracker.
Manuscript Wish List

What She's Looking For:
Genres/Specialties:
Fiction: Literary fiction, mystery, commercial, women's fiction, romance, historical fiction,  and suspense
Non-Fiction: Current events, narrative, memoir, environment, parenting, medical, women's
issues,health and fitness, and pets/animals.
From an Interview (5/2011):
“I represent all types of women’s fiction, some non-fiction and young adult fiction. In the broad women’s fiction category I represent commercial women’s fiction both contemporary and historical, mystery and suspense, and all genres of romance. The only exception is I don’t do much in the Science Fiction or inspirational categories. I am always looking for fresh stories with a great voice that really draws the reader into the characters’ world and the story – both in women’s and young adult fiction. I am particularly looking to build my young adult author list as well as women’s
commercial fiction.” (Link)
What She Isn't Looking For:
Science fiction and erotica
Editorial Agent?
Yes.
Clients:
There is a list of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency clients on the website.
Kevan represents numerous New York Times, USA Today and internationally bestselling authors including Jennifer L. Armentrout, Kate Quinn, Stephanie Dray, Chanel Cleeton, Natasha Lester, Evie Dunmore, Jane Igharo, Shelley Noble, Madeline Martin, Monica Chenault-Kilgore, Laura Griffin, and Jennifer Robson, among others.
Query Methods:
E-mail: No.
Snail-Mail: No.
Online-Form: Yes, QueryManager.
Submission Guidelines (always verify):
See the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency website for complete, up-to-date submission guidelines.
Response Times:
Unknown
What's the Buzz?
Kevan Lyon co-founded the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency after several years with the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency and numerous in the wholesale, distribution and retail side of publishing. She is a respected literary agent with a successful client list.

Interviews and Podcasts:
Podcast Interview at E Train Talks Books (04/2024)
Podcast Interview at Thoughts at a Page (02/2024)
Podcast Interview With Julie Amante (12/21)
Contact:
Please see the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency website for contact and query information.
Profile Details:
Last updated: 12/23/2024.
Last Reviewed By Agent? 1/23/2025.

***

Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or e-mail me at natalieiaguirre7(at)gmail(dot)com

Note: These profiles feature agents who accept children's and/or young adult fiction. They are not interviews. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found herein is subject to change.