Jillian Ramirez

Jillian Ramirez acquires voice-driven literary and upmarket fiction, including translation. On the nonfiction side, she acquires illustrated and narrative works that combine literary merit with gift appeal.

Her list includes Syracuse MFA graduate Sydney Rende’s debut story collection I Could Be Famous; Dutch breakout Nadia de Vries’ charming and biting novel about class and destiny Surrender on Demand; million-copy bestselling author Miye Lee’s gripping and incisive psychological gameshow drama Break Room; New Yorker contributor Ariella Elovic’s funny and profound illustrated memoir Thirty; New York-based illustrator Andrea Cáceres’ Dog Affirmations, a gift book inspired by her viral Instagram series; and internationally bestselling author Hwang Bo-reum’s Every Day I Read, an introspective essay collection inviting us to reflect on our relationship with reading.

In fiction she is looking for coming-of-age narratives; philosophical inquiry, especially regarding disability, religion, and grief (like Sheila Heti’s Pure Colour); underrepresented voices; works in translation; novels that trace a friendship or relationship over the course of many years; stories about sister relationships, brother-sister relationships (like Richard Mirabella’s Brother & Sister Enter the Forest), and grandmother-granddaughter relationships; stories about sports, and in particular, how they impact both the players and the people around them (like Fredrik Backman’s Beartown); books set in New Jersey, Pittsburgh, or the Pacific Northwest.

At this time, she is not looking for genre fiction, including romance, mysteries, and thrillers.

A dream nonfiction project for her would be a narrative history of Rosemary Kennedy and the Special Olympics.

Submission Guidelines

Agented submissions only. Please note I only acquire in the Adult Trade space.