The Ultimate Guide To Dystel Goderich & Bourret: 7 Secrets To Querying The Literary Powerhouse In 2025

Dystel Goderich & Bourret (DG&B) remains one of the most dynamic and respected literary agencies in the publishing world as of December 2025, a testament to its sterling reputation for building author careers across a vast spectrum of genres. Founded on the principle of full-service author representation, this New York-based powerhouse continues to shape the literary landscape with a consistent stream of high-profile, fresh book deals, spanning from romantic fantasy and commercial fiction to narrative nonfiction and cutting-edge business books. Aspiring authors must understand the agency's current focus, specialized agents, and precise submission protocols to successfully navigate the querying process in the competitive 2025 market.

The agency, located at One Union Square West, operates with a clear mission: to find and champion compelling voices that resonate with a global audience. The firm's recent activity, including a major two-book romantic fantasy deal set for 2027 and world rights deals for titles like *THE SURVIVOR(S)* and *THE HIGH-PERFORMANCE PLAYBOOK*, confirms its aggressive and diverse acquisition strategy, making it a prime target for authors with unique, market-ready manuscripts.

The DG&B Founding Partners and Key Agents: A 2025 Profile

Dystel Goderich & Bourret is structured around a core team of experienced agents whose diverse specializations cover virtually every major category in both adult and children's publishing. Understanding who they are and what they represent is the first, most crucial step for any author seeking representation. The agency was established by Jane Dystel in 1994 and has since grown into a full-service enterprise with an impressive client list.

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• Jane Dystel (Founder and Principal): A veteran of the industry, she leads the company and is known for her keen eye for both commercial and literary projects.
• Miriam Goderich (Principal): Specializes in a wide range of nonfiction, including history, science, art, business books, and biography/memoir.
• Michael Bourret (Principal): Began his career as an intern at the agency before joining full-time in 2000. He is a key figure in the agency’s strategic direction.
• Stacey Glick (Agent): Represents a broad mix of adult fiction and nonfiction, including biography and memoir, alongside select YA and middle grade projects.
• Jessica Papin (Agent): A highly active agent who recently secured a world rights deal for *THE SURVIVOR(S)* by R. Decker Watson, showcasing her strength in commercial fiction.
• Ann Leslie Tuttle (Agent): Focuses on commercial fiction, evidenced by her recent world rights deal for Tara Taylor Quinn's *FORTUNES OF TEXAS BOOK 2*.
• Lauren Spieller (Agent): An author and agent based in Washington, DC, she is a key contact for children’s literature, including YA and Picture Books.
• Michaela Whatnall (Agent): A dedicated agent whose work is frequently highlighted on the Manuscript Wish List (MSWL) for her specific interests.
• Lee (Associate Literary Agent): Promoted to Associate Literary Agent in June 2025, Lee is actively building a list and is a fresh contact for authors in Kidlit, Romance, Science Fiction, and Fantasy.

The DG&B Genre Map: What Agents Are Acquiring Now

The agency’s current acquisitions demonstrate a strong appetite for diverse, high-concept material across both fiction and nonfiction. For authors, aligning your manuscript with a specific agent’s current wish list is paramount to success. The agents at DG&B are not generalists; they are specialists with deep market knowledge.

A. Commercial and Genre Fiction Hotspots

DG&B has a particularly strong track record in commercial fiction, romance, and speculative genres. The agency is a major player in securing multi-book deals for authors with strong platform potential.

• Romantic Fantasy: A major focus, as evidenced by the two-book deal secured in August 2025 for a romantic fantasy following "two students from wildly different" backgrounds. This signals a high interest in complex world-building with strong romantic elements.
• Suspense and Thrillers: The acquisition of Sarah Damoff's *The Burning Side*, featured in the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair rights listings, indicates a continued interest in gripping, high-stakes thrillers.
• Historical Fiction: DG&B remains a consistent representative for historical fiction projects, seeking unique perspectives and meticulously researched narratives.
• Kidlit (YA, Middle Grade, Picture Books): Agents like Lauren Spieller and Stacey Glick are actively seeking submissions in the children's market, with a focus on diverse, compelling voices in Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction. Lee, the newest Associate Agent, is also a key contact for Kidlit.

B. Narrative and Platform Nonfiction Demand

The nonfiction side of Dystel Goderich & Bourret is robust, focusing on platform-driven books and narrative works that offer a fresh, timely perspective on complex subjects. Miriam Goderich is particularly known for her strength in this area.

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• High-Performance/Business: The world rights deal for Brian Mazza’s *THE HIGH-PERFORMANCE PLAYBOOK* highlights the agency's interest in prescriptive, platform-driven non-fiction that offers an "operating manual for the modern human" using the latest science.
• Biography and Memoir: The agency has a long history of representing significant memoirs, such as *UNDERGROUND: MY LIFE WITH SDS AND THE WEATHERMEN*, and continues to seek powerful, timely personal stories.
• Art, Science, and History: The agency actively seeks narrative nonfiction that translates complex topics in art, science, and history into accessible, engaging books for a general audience.
• Political Philosophy: Agents are open to deep-dive non-fiction, including works touching on political philosophy and current affairs, provided they are written with authority and a compelling voice.

7 Essential Secrets to Querying Dystel Goderich & Bourret in 2025

The DG&B submission process is highly professional and requires strict adherence to their guidelines. Following these seven critical steps will significantly increase your chances of having your manuscript taken seriously by the agents.

1. Query Only One Agent at a Time: This is a non-negotiable rule. Do not "shotgun" your query to multiple agents within the agency. Select the agent whose specializations (e.g., Stacey Glick for Memoir, Lee for Fantasy, Miriam Goderich for Science) best match your manuscript.
2. Submit to the Correct Email Address: Check the individual agent profiles on the DG&B website for their specific email address. Generic queries are often dismissed.
3. Include the First 25 Pages (Fiction): For fiction submissions (including romantic fantasy, YA, and historical fiction), you must include a writing sample of the first 25 pages of your manuscript. This sample should be placed directly in the body of the email, not as an attachment.
4. Use the Proposal/Sample Chapter Format (Nonfiction): For nonfiction projects (such as biography, business books, or narrative history), submit your full book proposal along with a sample chapter, also placed in the body of the email.
5. Keep Your Query Letter Concise and Professional: Your query letter should be a brief, compelling pitch for your book, followed by a short author biography detailing any relevant credentials or platform (especially crucial for nonfiction).
6. Understand the "No Attachments" Rule: DG&B explicitly states that the writing sample/proposal should be in the body of the email. Do not send unsolicited attachments, as they may not be opened due to security concerns.
7. Be Patient and Respectful: Every single query received is reviewed by the agency. The high volume of submissions means response times can vary. Do not send follow-up emails prematurely; check the agency's current stated response time for a polite nudge policy.

By carefully researching the specific interests of agents like Jessica Papin, Ann Leslie Tuttle, and the newly promoted Lee, and by meticulously following the submission guidelines, authors can position themselves perfectly to join the ranks of successful DG&B clients. The agency’s 2025 track record proves it is actively seeking new talent ready to make a significant impact on the publishing world.