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BIO
Chelsea is an Associate Agent at KT Literary and is actively building her client list. She’s looking for Middle Grade, Young Adult, and select Adult fiction.
Before joining KT Literary, Chelsea was a perpetual publishing intern and tried out a variety of career paths in publishing before deciding on agenting. She previously worked for a literary journal, an academic press, a literary agent, and most recently for Page Street Publishing where she assisted on titles such as The Bone Charmer (as well as its sequel, The Bone Thief) and Night Spinner.
A St. Louis native, Chelsea loves Dungeons & Dragons, Golden Girls, and her dog.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME AN AGENT?
I originally wanted to go into editorial, but as it turns out I didn't want to live in NYC. Agenting just seemed like a better fit, especially when I considered how much agency I'd have in choosing my clients. There's a lot I can't control about publishing, but I can choose who I extend offers to, and it makes it a lot more fun when you get to have a say in the people you're working so closely with.
WHAT’S THE BEST PART ABOUT AGENTING?
My clients. I love being able to take part in their journeys and get a first look at their brilliance. Every client and every project are so varied, it makes every day different.
PUBLISHING CAN BE A LOT. WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING?
The other agents I've met have been so supportive and warm and friendly. There are a lot of things about agenting you don't know until you've started, and one of my favorite parts about starting in this part of the industry has been meeting other people, both newer like me and who've been doing it for a lot longer, and being able to talk.
WHAT'S AN EXISTING BOOK (CAN BE A CLASSIC) YOU WISH YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO REPRESENT?
The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia!
FUN QUESTION: IT'S LUNCHTIME! WHAT ARE YOU BRINGING TO THE FIRST BLACK PUBLISHING COOKOUT?
Chocolate chip cookies
WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND YOU?
- WEBSITE: chelseahensley.com
- KT LITERARY: https://ktliterary.com/