I have been opening publishing doors for writers of fiction and non-fiction for over thirty years. Each submission sent to me is read carefully with the intention of discovering the finest work to present to publishers. My publishing experience at several of the major publishing houses in editorial positions and vast knowledge of the industry is the foundation that has made me a dedicated advocate committed to encouraging and guiding writers through the publishing process. The eclectic client list of passionate storytellers and distinguished writers of non-fiction with big ideas that I have represented, have made a difference in the world. I am proud to have represented non-fiction classics like the nine million copy bestseller Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr. Spencer Johnson, Calling in the One by Katherine Woodward Thomas, Zen Golf: Mastering the Mental Game by Dr. Joseph Parent, A Space in the Heart by Larry Carlat, Jenn Garbee who has co-authored several successful cookbooks and novelists Marjorie Reynolds, Drusilla Campbell and Allison Morgan. As manager of The Los Angeles Times Book Publishing Program, I worked for ten years with staff journalists to create, produce and distribute books on current topics. Connecting writers with the publishing experience has been a natural extension of my long involvement with publishing.
The Angela Rinaldi Literary Agency
My Story
What I Am Looking For
I am passionate about fiction, both commercial and literary, and look for engaging, complex characters, a strong plot, good storytelling and writing that has a distinct voice. I love commercial novels with literary sensibilities, mainstream women’s fiction, multicultural fiction, romance, contemporary mystery/suspense authors like Martin Walker, Ruth Ware, Tana French, Kate Atkinson and Laura Lippman.
I am looking for authors who have big ideas and can spot trends; authors who are communicators that can explain the way we live and take the mystery out of everyday occurrences or have life transforming messages; authors whose writings appear on social media platforms like Substack. Note that a strong social media footprint is what editors will look for when they are considering an acquisition. I look for narrative non-fiction that uses literary styles and techniques to portray a true event, current issues, love/relationships and food narratives. I am always interested in submissions by established journalists, academics, doctors and therapists.
I am not the best agent for speculative fiction, science fiction, dark humor, religion, prescriptive self-help, CIA espionage thrillers, drug thrillers, techno thrillers, fantasy and horror. I do not represent screenplays, art books, photo books, young adult or children’s books.
How We Work Together
The publishing process begins when I read the first few pages of a fiction submission and recognize a distinct voice that is telling a great story or has raised a provocative story question. It begins when I read a non-fiction proposal that has urgency, feels important and when I am finished reading the proposal, I feel that my life has changed a little or I know something more about the world. After reading a completed novel or proposal and feeling confident that those elements exist in the work, and after agreeing on representation, I then work with the author to strengthen the novel or proposal so that the work goes out to an editor in the best shape possible.
Negotiating the best deal is what follows after an editor and their publishing house commits to an author with an offer that says they want you on their list.
Client List
Stepwives: Ten Steps to Help Ex-Wives and Step-Mothers End the Struggle and Put the Kids First Kindle Edition
Calling in “The One” Revised and Expanded: 7 Weeks to Attract the Love of Your Life
Who Moved My Cheese? An A-Mazing Way to Deal with Change
The Starlite Drive-in
Zen Golf: Mastering the Mental Game
A Space in the Heart: A Survival Guide for Grieving Parents
The Someday Jar
Quirky, Yes—Hopeless, No: Practical Tips to Help Your Child with Asperger’s Syndrome Be More Socially Accepted
From Seed to Skillet: A Guide to Growing, Tending, Harvesting, and Cooking Up Fresh, Healthy Food to Share with People You Love
Can I See You Again
Beer, Food and Flavor: A Guide to Tasting, Pairing, and the Culture of Craft Beer
The Thyroid Solution: A Revolutionary Mind-Body Program for Regaining Your Emotional and Physical Health
Verge
The Protein Boost Diet: Improve Your Hormone Efficiency for a Fast Metabolism and Weight Loss
Jenn Garbee Collaborations
Submission Guidelines
Email submissions are reviewed carefully. If I want to read more of your work, I will respond very quickly. Because of the volume of submissions, I can only respond to those queries that I am interested in pursuing. If several weeks have passed and you have not heard from me, it’s because I don’t think I am the best agent for your work.
For fiction, please send a brief synopsis and paste the first ten pages of your completed novel into the body of an email. Non-fiction queries should include a detailed cover letter, your credentials and platform information as well as any publishing history. Tell me if you have a completed proposal.
Email submissions should be sent to info@rinaldiliterary.com. Include the word “Query” in the subject line. I am unable to open attachments. Queries with attachments will not be read. Please do not send AI generated work.
Thank you for your submission and I appreciate your patience while your submission is read.
Recently Read Novels
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, Heartwood by Amity Gaige, Nesting by Roisin O’Donnell, Go As A River by Shelley Read, Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood, Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall, The Wedding People by Alison Espach, The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware, Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry, Flashlight by Susan Choi, A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez, A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston, The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, Time of the Child by Niall Williams, Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson, These Secret Storms by Sarah MacLean and Audition by Katie Kitamura. A few non-fiction titles I have read, Educated by Tara Westover, A Season for That by Steve Hoffman, Dirt by Bill Buford and 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin.
The One Piece of Advice I Can Offer
Read across all genres. Deconstruct while you are reading. Any of the novels listed above would be perfect for this exercise. Ask yourself if there is story promise or a question to be answered in the novel that will keep you turning the pages. Ask yourself why you are not turning the pages. Ask yourself why the non-fiction title you are reading matters. It’s a great way to learn.