THE PURCELL
AGENTS
Each agent has individual interests, and all submissions go through QueryTracker. Please review each agent’s bio to find the best fit for your project, and be sure to read the submission guidelines so your query has everything we need.
Tina P. Schwartz
FOUNDER & LITERARY AGENT
Agent Tina P. Schwartz admits to being a reluctant reader as a child. In fact, she says she is still very picky when it comes to choosing a book, and isn't afraid to judge one (at first) by its cover!
Ask her kids, and they won't believe you! They'll tell you her nose is constantly in a book, or staring at her Kindle Fire, her iPad mini, or even reading mss on her phone! When not reading manuscripts, marketing website, social media, or industry blogs, you can find Schwartz on her laptop enjoying her own writing time. (She's written 10 traditionally published books.)
Schwartz is an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI), Chicago Writer's Association, Author's Guild, and the American Association of Literary Agents.
Tina says, "I'm thrilled to have founded The Purcell Agency, LLC and look forward to reading many wonderful submissions from talent all over the world!"
Tina's Favorite Authors:
S.E. Hinton, John David Anderson, Carly Fortune, Matt Eicheldinger, Stephen King, Michael Grant, Carolyn Mackler, Brent Runyon, Jack Gantos, David Levithan, John Green, Laurie Halse Anderson, Suzanne Slade, Shawn Wickersheim, Gayle Forman, Ellen DeGeneres, Rob Lowe, Kathleen Bostrom
Current Wishlist:
Adult general fiction and debut; women’s fiction, especially friendship stories and romance; young adult issue-driven, middle grade friendship stories and mysteries, as well as chapter books (both fiction and nonfiction); narrative nonfiction for adults on topics such as health, pop culture, and memoir. Tina is NOT looking for Fantasy of any kind for any age group. Also, Tina is NOT seeking any Picture Books at this time.
Tina is currently closed to submissions.
Amy Nielsen
SENIOR LITERARY AGENT
Amy Nielsen spent nearly twenty years sharing her love of books with young readers as a youth librarian. Immersed daily in story, she began drafting her 2024 YA debut, Worth It, behind her circulation desk.
After her youngest son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, she stepped away from the library and turned to writing full-time. She also began working closely with other authors, guiding them in strengthening their manuscripts and navigating the path to publication. While she continues to pursue her own creative work, championing writers and their stories has become central to her career. She is honored to serve as Senior Literary Agent at The Purcell Agency.
Amy’s Favorite Authors: (in the Kid Lit Space)
Robert Munsch, Mo Willems, Jane O’Connor, Ian Falconer, Brian Gerhlein, Eric Litwin, Dav Pilkey, Jacqueline Woodson, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Gordon Korman, Kate DiCamillo, Christopher Paul Curtis, Jodi Piccoult, Suzanne Collins, Sarrah Dessen, Amber Smith, Sharon Draper, and the list could truly go on and on!
Current Wish List:
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Age Ranges: Board Books through Young Adult
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Genres: Contemporary, Dystopian, Family, Horror, Humor, Romance, Sports,
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Priorities: Stories by and for LGBTQ+, BOPIC, and neurodiverse communities.
Amy is Currently Closed for Queries
Paige Broadbent
ASSOCIATE LITERARY AGENT
Paige Broadbent is a storyteller and artist from Chatham-Kent, Ontario, Canada, where she spent her childhood climbing trees and playing make-believe. Described as a ‘professional student,’ Paige is a curious individual with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. She is currently working towards an Honours BA (and yes, she spells ‘honours’ with a U) in Creative Writing & Publishing from Sheridan College in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
Paige started at TPA as an intern and is excited to be promoted to an Associate Literary Agent! She looks forward to building her client list.
QUICK MSWL: Paige is a Canadian agent, especially (though not exclusively) interested in hearing from Canadian authors! Paige would love to read your Commercial Horror, Thriller, Mystery/Suspense, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Western, Speculative Fiction, select Romance, and Informative Non-Fiction submissions, Middle Grade to Adult. However, she is not interested in Picture Books, Memoir, Fairies, Outer Space, Poetry, or Religion.
Read Paige's full Manuscript Wish List here. Paige will only be open sporadically. She will open for the first time in early 2026.
Kimberly Monaghan
LITERARY ASSISTANT
Kimberly Monaghan’s corporate career includes leading teams and supporting the success of professionals as a human resources director, licensed counselor, career consultant, and coach. Her creative career spans three decades, encompassing roles as a magazine contributing editor, publicity assistant for Severn River Publishing, and a decade-long reviewer for School Library Journal.
Kimberly is also a traditionally published author whose credits include Chicago Review Press and Highsmith/Upstart. Her book Organic Crafts was featured in US Magazine when it was given to actress Julia Roberts as a gift for her baby shower and referenced in the best-selling book Pregnant with the Stars.
Kimberly Monaghan continues to write non-fiction, children’s books, and adult fiction under a pseudonym. She also writes articles for national magazines, creates content for corporations, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations, and ghostwrites books for authors and consultants. She is the host of the award-winning literary citizenship project, Books Uplift.
Kimberly lives with her rescue dog and husband in Western Michigan, where they spend weekends exploring the great outdoors.
Jen Robles
INTERN
Jen Robles has always had a voracious appetite for stories of all genres and mediums, but believes you can never beat the feeling of getting lost in a good book. She has written creatively since childhood, with her first poem being published in the school newsletter. Jen graduated with a BA in English - Creative Writing from the University of South Florida where her favorite pieces to write included poetry, short stories, and screenplays. One of Jen's many passions is collaborating with writers to take their vision and bring it fully to life. In her opinion, the best partners act as a mirror for the writer - question what may be slowing down the narrative, highlight what is really working, dig deeply into character development, and inspire changes that expand the world they have created.
Jen's professional writing career has spanned thirteen years, mostly in the healthcare and technology fields. She has published articles, press releases, white papers, case studies, and much more. Her professional style uses a mix of strategic insight, creative communication, and social intelligence to connect with any audience.
Jen lives in Tampa, FL with her husband, daughter, and pup, Remy - her three favorites in all the world. She is an avid traveler and has been fortunate enough to visit Alaska, Hawaii, Italy, and Greece, just to name a few. Her newest travelling obsession started in Montana when she visited Yellowstone and then Glacier National Park. She is now scouting out her next National Park to visit. Jen also has an insatiable appetite for music, which can be validated by her extensive range of favorite artists. From Fleetwood Mac to No Doubt to Tony Bennet to Missy Elliot to DMX to Korn to Bring Me the Horizon - the list goes on and on and chances are you can find her dancing (or moshing!) at a concert on any given night.
Her newest adventure is joining The Purcell Agency as an intern. After accomplishing so much in her professional writing career, she is looking forward to returning to her roots and true love of creative writing.
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When are TPA agents typically open for submissions?
This varies. Due to a huge influx of submissions when open (sometimes hundreds come in during a 48-hour period) each agent will open sporadically after announcing on social media a specific set of dates they’ll be accepting submissions, so make sure to FOLLOW The Purcell Agency socials for the latest updates. Also Keep an eye on the BIO page for each agent to see if they have specific submission guidelines that they look for. They’ll announce openings for submissions on the BIO page of this website, as well.
How long should a query be?
We suggest limiting your query to one page (400 words or less.) Be sure to include all pertinent information, such as title, word count, age range, genre, comparable titles, and why you believe your submission is the right fit for the agent you are querying. Keep the pitch portion of your query brief but engaging. Think of it like a movie trailer...an enticing preview that gets us to want to read more! And don't forget your author bio.
How long should an author wait before “nudging” an agent regarding their submission?
That varies, and it depends on each agent. But it’s generally good to wait at least 8 weeks for a novel length submission. If the agent lists their response time as 2-4 months, I’d wait at least two months to follow up. That being said, don’t ever hesitate to reach out to the agent if it has been several weeks. Often a “nudge” helps keep you on their radar! (*Note* If you get an offer from another agent, reach out IMMEDIATELY to tell the other agents you’ve queried that you’ve got an offer and give 1-2 weeks for them to get back to you with their decision as well.)
Is a “no” from one agent a “no” from the entire agency?
Typically, yes, at least for The Purcell Agency. If one of the agents gets a query and/or submission that isn’t right for them, but they think another TPA agent might like it, they’ll pass it along to them. If that agent wants to pursue it, they’ll reach out to the author.
Are there any fees an author should expect from an agent?
No upfront costs ever! An agent should make a percentage of what earnings they secure for an author.