John Cusick

I represent a diverse list award winners and New York Times bestsellers. My focus is middle grade and young adult novels, as well as new adult and adult romance and commercial fiction that includes elements of fantasy, sci-fi, thriller, and/or horror.

I graduated Wesleyan University in 2007 with a double major in English and Russian Literature—a degree one professor called “fun but useless.” After working as a freelance writer, bookseller, dog walker, cashier, and radio host, I became a literary agent’s assistant and quickly began building my own list. Around the same time I also became an author; my young adult novels, GIRL PARTS and CHERRY MONEY BABY, were published by Candlewick Press. My middle-grade duology, DIMENSION WHY, was released by Harper Collins in 2020, '21.

As a writer myself, I bring both a creative and commercial sensibility to my agenting style. I’m an editorial agent who works closely with my clients, whether it’s developing a debut project or helping a seasoned author take that next step. My goal is to match writers with their dream editor, secure the best deals possible, facilitate the exploitation of dramatic (film and TV) rights in my clients’ work, and grow authors’ readership over long careers.

I am passionate about helping clients achieve their full potential, and I’m looking for dedicated, original, fervent, visionary creators.