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Nour Sallam
Helm Literary
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Currently Looking For
Hello! I’m a literary agent at Helm Literary representing fiction and non-fiction for adults. FICTION I’m seeking commercial and upmarket fiction titles with a high concept pitch in a variety of genres (listed below). Generally, I’m drawn to characters that are haunted by something, whether figuratively (a secret, a past, an obsession) or literally (a ghost, a monster, an object). I’m especially looking for character-driven stories featuring women in power, unhinged women, and stories of female rage. I have a soft spot for unreliable narrators, family sagas with dysfunctional families, and stories that focus on friendship dynamics (whether sweet or sinister). I am also drawn to fun and joyful titles that explore the diverse experiences of underrepresented groups and challenge our understanding of diasporic cultures or experiences. Genres: Upmarket fiction Commercial fiction Women’s fiction* Horror* Mystery* Thriller* Rom-coms* Extremely grounded speculative fiction Re-imagined folklore (grounded in a modern setting and with contemporary elements) Select historical fiction* (note: I’m only interested in historical settings from the 1960s and onwards) * Welcoming books in these genres with characters of all backgrounds, but especially seeking books featuring BIPOC characters. NONFICTION For nonfiction, I welcome both narrative and prescriptive books with fresh and accessible perspectives. I’m interested in big-idea books, industry deep dives, business, health, and self-help, as well as personal narratives on pop culture, art, and nature. I love and appreciate books that offer incisive commentary on culture, socio-economic structures, and corporate underbellies. My taste in nonfiction is broad; I gravitate towards books that generally challenge what we know or explain what we might not know. Genres: Cultural criticism Memoir plus / hybrid memoir Psychology Narrative journalism Big idea/concept books made accessible (financial literacy, tech, industry deep-dives, climate change, nature, etc.) Pop culture Health & Wellness Self-help (subtle self-help or self-help with crossover potential) Business books for a millennial / Gen Z audience Cookbooks I’M NOT A GOOD FIT FOR / THE EXCEPTIONS: Sci-fi Fantasy New adult Any kidlit: Picture books, Middle Grade, and YA. Novellas Poetry Traditional memoir (I’m only seeking memoir plus) Historical fiction focused on WWI, WWII or Cold War conspiracies and/or spy-adjacent books. Political and/or espionage mysteries or thrillers True crime Spirituality Trauma-heavy books in any genre that center wars or civil conflicts Books in any genre that feature physical or sexual child abuse Mafia romance (though I love all other subgenres of romance!) While I’m open to speculative fiction that is one step removed from our world, I’m not a fit for stories with heavier world-building. Especially seeking: BIPOC-centered narratives in these genres: horror, mystery, and thriller. A propulsive novel-in-stories where the characters a
Submission Guidelines
Please visit my website noursallam.com for submission guidelines. I aim to respond to all queries, even if it’s a pass, within 8-10 weeks. Guidelines & Details Vital Info @@nourhasbooks.bsky.social Website
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