Are you Laura Gruszka?
Claim this profile to manage your wishlist, control what writers see, and receive AI-ranked submissions — free, always.
Laura Gruszka
Writers House
Deep dive on Laura Gruszka
Sign in to run a deep-dive web search on Laura Gruszka — we'll pull public interviews, MSWL posts, and recent deals into a short summary of what they love and hate to see in the slush pile.
Currently Looking For
Founded in 1974, Writers House is a full-service agency representing a range of clients for every age group and genre. I’ve had the privilege of working closely with many celebrated authors and illustrators of children’s books under the mentorship of senior agent Rebecca Sherman for over four years; now, I’m excited to build my own list! I’m looking for authors and illustrators of children’s books for all ages—picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, and graphic novels. I’m also open to adult graphic novels and adult literary fiction. ****** PLEASE NOTE: I will be temporarily closing to queries starting August 1, 2024. * Any queries sent on or before 8/1 will be honored. * Starting 8/2, I will only accept referrals, queries from those I have met at conferences, and material from anyone I’ve asked to keep me in mind for future projects. * All other queries will be deleted without reading. * When I reopen to queries, I will update this page. ****** My priority as a junior agent is uplifting traditionally underrepresented voices and stories in publishing. This applies to every category of books I am looking for. If you are a creator who is part of a marginalized community—regardless of whether you are specifically writing about identity—please send your work my way! For PBs, I have broad taste in stories, from all laughs to slice-of-life, though I tend to favor stories with an unforgettable main character, a strong voice, and a clear story arc. I love art with a voice—art with unmistakable style, energy, and heart. I’m especially fond of books whose pages invite young readers to discover new details and secrets upon each read (inspired by my own hours poring over Hilary Knight’s and Richard Scarry’s art). And if you happen to be tuned to the same frequency in voice and humor as Adventure Time and Over the Garden Wall…send your work my way. Some favorites artists and storytellers: Jillian Tamaki, Lian Cho, Corey R. Tabor, Shaun Tan, Jon Klassen, Matthew Forsythe, Júlia Sardà, Julie Benbassat, Lauren Castillo, Christian Robinson. In MG and YA, the first thing I fall for is prose. Whether lyrical and lush or impeccably voicey, I’m looking for books whose lines are just as carefully crafted as their stories. I love all things magic, folklore, and wildly-imagined in any genre—particularly those that bend, defy, or reimagine genre conventions. I am open to submissions in verse, though I prefer verse that takes full stylistic advantage of the form, like LOVE THAT DOG by Sharon Creech. In addition to genre, I’m equally drawn to quiet, meaningful everyday stories and unflinching looks at the difficulties of being a young person. I’m looking for that book that makes young readers see their world differently—perhaps more tenderly—when they put it down. Favorite MG: Anything by Tae Keller, TOO BRIGHT TO SEE by Kyle Lukoff, AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS by B. B. Alston, THE DOLDRUMS series by Nicholas Gannon, BLACK BIRD, BLUE ROAD by Sofia Pastern
Submission Guidelines
Submissions should be emailed to gruszkasubmissions@writershouse.com I am NOT accepting picture book texts; author-illustrator teams of picture books; adult nonfiction; adult fiction aside from GNs and literary-ish. Please send submissions to gr****************@**********se.com (Please note the S comes before the Z.) Snail mail submissions will not be considered. Make sure you follow the instructions below that pertain to your submission’s genre: -All submissions must include a query letter and contain “query” in the subject line. -Prose submissions should include the first 10 pages of the work and a synopsis in the body of the email (NOT as attachments). -Picture book submissions should include the picture book text, a dummy or sketches, and sample final art or an online portfolio. -I do not accept picture book texts by authors only. You must be an author/illustrator to submit picture book material. -Graphic novel submissions should include a detailed outline and sample artwork (like a thumbnailed chapter, a sample final page, or a portfolio). -If you receive an offer of representation from another agent, please let me know immediately so I can ensure I review your work and respond before your deadline. -Though my response time varies, I reply to all queries. If I have not responded within 8 weeks, feel free to check in (but not sooner). Guidelines & Details Vital Info Website
Query this agent
Write query letter →Sign in to write a query letter tailored to this agent, then send through our platform.
Their guidelines say to email queries, but we don't have their address on file.