Kate Ellsworth

At Running Press, I acquire across the RP Adult, Studio, and Minis lists with a focus on RP Inspires and Studio. For RP Inspires, I am acquiring adult illustrated books and nonfiction in the categories of art and design, lifestyle, wellness, body/mind/spirit, and creative and personal development. For RP Studio, I am acquiring ancillary and original decks, guided journals, and other book-plus products. 

In all categories, I’m drawn to projects with an authentic voice and fresh perspective—especially those that weave a personal narrative with a broader message—and have a committed interest in works that address women’s issues and champion underrepresented voices. I am especially excited by projects that blur the lines between the categories in which I acquire, such as self-development guides for artists (like Dopamine Decor) or lifestyle books with a touch of wellness (like Real Artists Wear Black).  

In art and design, I am especially seeking projects that marry traditional art book sensibilities with commercial awareness and appeal. Before joining Running Press in January 2025, I worked at a literary agency primarily representing art titles (including Art X Fashion, The Calligraphy Book, and Prompt-Brush 1.0). I am eager help grow Running Press’s list of four-color, coffee table books based on my previous experience.  I am also interested in gift books in this category as well as one-color reading books that deal with topics in art and design. (Basically, send me anything across the spectrum in art and design as long as it has a commercial audience!).

In lifestyle, I am looking to acquire titles in home design and organization, craft/creativity, and select cocktail books and cookbooks that are personality or aesthetic driven.  

In wellness and body/mind/spirit, I am particularly looking for books that bring together the ethereal and earthy—grounding spiritual, magical, or “woo woo” concepts in embodied practices and a deep connection to nature, psychology and somatics, and/or history. I am currently on the hunt for a fresh, accessible book on Human Design. 

In creative and personal development, I am looking for new and exciting voices and gently prescriptive self-help, as well as titles that have cross-over into the other categories in which I acquire. 

Across categories and formats, I am passionate about the interplay of content and package. 

My titles at Running Press include Into Our Own Hands by Bonnie Smith Whitehouse, a call to reclaim creative arts as a source of power, connection, and renewal in turbulent times; Real Artists Wear Black: And Other Lies About Being Creative by Danielle Krysa; Ancient Myths and Legends Without Men by Dr. Mara Gold; and a forthcoming oracle deck from RP author Jennifer Sodini. 

Submission Guidelines

AGENTED SUBMISSIONS ONLY, PLEASE.