Meet Erin Hosier

Erin Hosier is the author of the memoir Don’t Let Me Down (Atria, 2019), and the coauthor of Hit So Hard by Patty Schemel (Da Capo, 2017). She is the co-creator and host of the podcast TELL ME ABOUT YOUR FATHER. A literary agent with Dunlow, Carlson & Lerner in NYC, she primarily works with authors of nonfiction and has a special interest in memoir, secret histories, music biography, science, humor, cultural criticism, and untold stories of all kinds.

Erin will be teaching “The Pitch Inside the Proposal” and participate in Wednesday evening’s “First Page Read – Love It or Leave It.” She is also on the Query Letter/First Page Critique team.

Wishlist

In addition to narrative nonfiction, I represent a select list of up-market and literary fiction writers such as Edan Lepucki (California and Time’s Mouth) and Leigh Stein (Self Care). Across categories, I tend to be drawn to flawed and conflicted characters, and writers who are obsessed with their subjects and interested in exploring things from multiple angles. I am always looking for writing that triggers a physical response – stomach drops, audible laughter, tearing up – or a memory; great writing is interactive. I love provocative memoir titles and covers like I’m Glad my Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy, and unladylike historical anthologies like Lady Killers by Tori Telfer (about female serial killers throughout history) and GAMECHANGERS, The Unsung Heroines of Sports History by Molly Schiot. My eyes glaze over when it comes to genre books (no sci-fi or romantasy for me); I love horror movies, but horror or thriller writers would probably best be served by someone who knows that market better. However, I would have loved to have represented I’m Thinking of Ending Things – that was super propulsive, and features a strange twist. I don’t represent any kids or YA books.

Take a look at bios and wishlists for our full Agent Faculty

Check out the Agent Fest Online schedule

Register for Agent Fest Online!

Q&A with Erin

MWW: Could you give us the background of the agency you represent and the overall philosophy or focus of that agency? 

EH: Dunlow Carlson & Lerner is a boutique literary agency in NYC formed in 2005. I’ve been there 17 years. There are currently 12 of us specializing in literary and commercial fiction, as well as a wide range of nonfiction for all ages. I’d say what makes us special is the breadth of industry and creative experience the agents have, particularly in editorial development – several of us are authors and former editors. For us it’s not just about the art of the deal, but the quality of the work we’re helping put into the world. It’s a great honor to be a book’s first reader and champion, and to support authors through their life’s work. 

MWW: Some agents prefer a proposal for a memoir; others prefer a query letter. Do you have a preference, and why do you think there are such discrepancies within the field? 

EH: Everyone needs a query letter in support of their full novel manuscript or their proposal draft. Most agents list their submission guidelines on their website. I like to see the first 10 pgs of either the proposal or the novel pasted beneath the query letter within the body of the email. If the agent responds to your query, they’ll often ask to see the balance. The process mirrors what agents must go through when it’s time to submit the manuscript to publishers. The pitch is key to piquing interest, but then the promise is in the pages.

MWW: You mentioned in your bio that you like horror movies—what’s your favorite one and why?​ 

EH: I could go on and on, but the last one I truly got obsessed with is Midsommar (writer/director Ari Aster, 2019). The director’s cut is 171 minutes, which is insane for any movie, much less a dark, psychedelic in a bad way, sometimes gory, meditation on grief over the annihilation of her family, plus an ill-timed breakup. Sounds like my 20s! Life already resembles a horror movie for most women (when you consider childbirth alone), so I think I’m drawn to different ways of exploring the absurdity of why that is while also remembering that it’s only a movie. Will she survive, will she recover, will she have her revenge? Still, I’ve never represented a straight horror novel because I’m not schooled on the genre beyond Stephen King’s classics. I’m much more likely to read the nonfiction book about why people are drawn to horror movies because my real interest is the intersection between psychology and popular culture. 

MWW: What elements (or missing elements) of a proposal make you likely to reject it out of hand? What’s going to draw you in?

EH: The first few pages are key. I have to feel like I can’t put it down because of something other than an interest in seeing what happens next. There’s usually a rhythm to the sentences, paragraphs that give me a sense that I’m in the hands of someone with a clear vision for what comes next, and most importantly, a unique and compelling voice on the page. Btw, it’s not that we’re necessarily rejecting you because your writing isn’t strong – it’s usually based on our bandwidth for new projects at any given time, or a sense the agent gets about their knowledge of the particular category you’re writing within and whether they can envision which publishers to share it with. If I don’t respond to your query, it’s likely I haven’t had time to open your email because I’m busy working with the authors I already represent. Never take non-responses personally, just widen your search. 

Register for Agent Fest Online!

Meet Jay Kibble, Erin Hosier’s Agent Assistant

Midwest Writers Workshop likes to include interns, mostly college students majoring in English, to coordinate and facilitate the agents’ pitch schedules. You’ll be hearing from them regarding your appointment time, and they’ll help you meet the agents in the Zoom room when it’s time for your pitch.

Jay Kibble (he/they) is an emerging writer and marketing wizard for Earlham College living in Richmond, IN. A graduate of Ball State University with an MA in English, he’s worked with or participated in events from Midwest Writers Workshop cumulatively for one year, and is excited to help out with Agent Fest again. Jay conducted the following interview with literary agent Erin Hosier.

MWW Success Stories

Finish an essay, a book, a paragraph? Have something published? Tell us about something exciting you’ve done with writing and/or publishing in the past year. Bonus points if you can tell us how MWW has made an impact on your writing.

Send your success stories to midwestwritersworkshop@gmail.com and we’ll post it on the new tab on our website landing page!

Advertise with us!

Advertising opportunities are available for all! In our conference program, newsletters, or our website Bulletin Board. Services for writers? New book to promote? We’d love to share!

See What Else MWW has to Offer

• MWW Writing Services: Receive manuscript evaluations from our experts
• Midwest Writers Workshop Facebook Group: Join our community to network, support, celebrate, and commiserate with other writers