Agents
BARBARA POELLE
PRESIDENT & CEO
Barbara Poelle opened the doors of Word One Literary in 2023 after 16 years with the Irene Goodman Agency. She has found success placing literary and upmarket fiction, suspense, horror and thrillers, and is actively seeking her next great client in those genres, but is passionate about anything with a unique voice. Barbara is also the author of Funny You Should Ask: Mostly Serious Answers to Mostly Serious Questions About the Publishing Industry where she demystifies the mysteries of this career for authors at every stage.
What to Submit to Barbara:
Barbara is looking for high octane thrillers, edgy mysteries, and literary, upmarket and commercial adult fiction. Further, if your critique partner has ever said your work reminds them of either Jordan Peele or Tina Fey, now would be the time to leap into her queries inbox. Barbara is not looking to acquire new Young Adult, Middle Grade or Picture Books, but will consider an industry referral in any genre.
SYDNIE THORNTON
AGENT
A native Memphian, Sydnie majored in English Literature at Rhodes College. Every summer, she escaped the Memphis heat to intern at various NYC agencies and eventually joined Irene Goodman Literary Agency in 2021. She’s thrilled to move to Word One Literary and excited about its future. When her eyes get blurry from reading manuscripts, she likes to go explore all the seasonal activities and endless pastry shops in the city.
Sydnie is interested in YA across all genres: fantasy, historical fiction, contemporary that leans literary, as well as thrillers with upmarket qualities and distinctive characterization. As for the adult side, Sydnie is actively looking for transportive, complex historical fiction and whimsical contemporary fantasy. Regardless of genre, she’s very likely to connect with manuscripts that bridge the YA/Adult divide. She’s also committed to amplifying the voices of disabled creators.
