Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Darlene Chan of Linda Chester Literary Agency

Darlene Chan is a literary agent with Linda Chester Literary Agency.

Darlene joined the agency in 2020. A veteran of the film industry, she served as an executive for Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Pictures (both times under Jeffrey Katzenberg), Davis Entertainment, and as an independent producer. Among the titles she has been associated with are Grumpy Old Men, Beverly Hills Cop, A Thing Called Love and Shattered. In 2009, Darlene established Darlene Chan PR, which specializes in web PR and social media for authors. Among her PR clients are Live Talks Los Angeles, Daniel H. Wilson, Joe Ide, Elizabeth Brundage, Tara Ison, and Denise Hamilton.

Darlene is interested in stories by and about BIPOC, women’s fiction, literary fiction, chick lit/rom-com, crime fiction, pop culture, narrative non-fiction and nonfiction books on film and the entertainment industry.

She’s not seeking: sci-fi, fantasy, historical fiction, family saga, children’s/YA or screenplays that have been turned into novels.

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Emma Kapson of Verve Talent & Literary Agency

Emma Kapson is a literary agent with Verve Talent & Literary Agency.

“My name is Emma Kapson, I’m a native Los Angeleno and a member of Verve’s IP Team. I started my career in publishing at Regan Arts and transitioned to representation early last year. I’m passionate about literature and bringing stories I believe in to different mediums like film, television, and audio.”

She is seeking:

“I love strong female driven narratives, epic worlds, romance, and works by foreign and diverse writers. I’ve been privileged to work on books with Melissa Arnot, Dan Ahdoot, Liz Kerin, and many other talented artists during my tenure here. Verve specializes in acquiring powerful voices in Memoir and Horror specifically.”

Get to Know an Agent in Attendance: Michaela Whatnall of Dystel, Goderich & Bourret

Michaela Whatnall is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.

They joined Dystel, Goderich & Bourret in 2019 as the assistant to Michael Bourret in the West Coast office. After graduating from Emory University with a degree in English and linguistics, Michaela completed the Columbia Publishing Course.

Their background in school and library marketing accounts for their strong interest in children’s literature, particularly middle grade and young adult fiction of all genres, including contemporary, fantasy, science fiction, historical, adventure, horror, and rom-com.

In the adult fiction space, Michaela is particularly seeking contemporary, speculative, and historical upmarket fiction, as well as character-driven sci-fi/fantasy and other genre fiction that features historically underrepresented characters. They are also open to select narrative nonfiction for both children and adults, graphic novels, and picture books.