Laura Usselman An agent with DeFiore and Company (see other agents at this agency). About Laura Usselman represents narrative and idea-driven nonfiction and select literary fiction. Her clients include national bestsellers, Pulitzer finalists, and winners of the Whiting, Gerald Loeb and National Magazine Awards.Before becoming an agent, Laura earned her MFA in Fiction at Virginia Tech and worked at Cambridge University Press. She enjoys native plant gardening, cooking, and being outdoors. A native of Atlanta and an alum of the University of Georgia, she lives with her spouse and her three daughters in Decatur, Georgia. This agent may not respond to all queries. After waiting a reasonable amount of time, assume your submission will not be accepted. Want more insight into the agent's preferences? Read our interview. Country of Publication United States Professional Associations Member of AALA AI Policy Human-created work only; no AI use allowed Collapse section Fiction Open Laura’s favorite novels are written in distinctive prose and have memorable characters at their heart. She is forever on the hunt for fiction that broadens or deepens her understanding of what it means to be a person, and she relishes a place or a character that will remain real to her for a long time. Some of her favorite novelists working today include Kate Atkinson, Hernan Diaz, Rachel Kushner, Chang-Rae Lee, Marilynne Robinson, Junot Diaz, and Jesmyn Ward.Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Fiction Collection NovelStyles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Submissions:Method: Email. Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed. Collapse section Nonfiction Open In nonfiction, she is particularly on the hunt for striking and original literary nonfiction; deeply reported journalism, especially from the worlds of tech and business; immersive narrative history that illuminates our present moment; and smart cultural criticism that provides a new perspective on film, music, art, or sports. She is always drawn to writers who have an obsession with their subject and a love of language.Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: BookStyles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream, Personal.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Lifestyle: Food and Drink. Memoir. Travel.Submissions:Method: Email. Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary. Go to agent's webpage Report: Submission/Query Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial Platforms:None known For the Agent: Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope Agent Impersonation Scams are becoming commonplace.A legitimate agent will not contact you and request money to represent you. Never pay an agent an up-front fee. That is not how literary agent representation works. Agents earn a commission only after they've landed a publishing deal for you. Also, agents scarcely ever contact writers. If an agent that you haven't queried contacts you about representation, be suspicious. Look up the agent and check if the email address is correct for that agent/agency. Laura Usselman Submission Statistics The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the agency or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics. Filter: Category: All Categories Fiction Nonfiction Group by submission Include outliers Include other agents at the same agency Accuracy: We have not received any complete reports within the past 12 months. Pending 1 response is pending (59 days waiting). This only includes pending reports from people who have been active on Duotrope within the past 30 days Other Information This agent may not respond to all queries. After waiting a reasonable amount of time, assume your submission will not be accepted. Work submitted to this agent was also submitted to...This section is available to subscribers only. Sign up and start your free trial today!Members accepted by this agent also had work accepted by...This section is available to subscribers only. Become a member and start your free trial today! Your Submissions This section is available to subscribers only. Join today! Other Agents at this AgencyLaurie AbkemeierMiriam AltshulerMackenzie Brady WatsonMelissa DanaczkoReiko DavisBrian DeFioreMatthew ElblonkLisa Gallagher DNQCassie Hanjian CLOSEDElise HowardBarbara JonesCaryn Karmatz RudyTamara KawarStuart Krichevsky DNQJohn Meils DNQChris Park DNQDavid Patterson DNQAemilia PhillipsGabrielle Piraino DNQTanusri PrasannaMason RowleeAdam Schear CLOSEDRebecca StraussChandler Wickers DNQ Before SubmittingWe cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the agent or agency being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the agent/agency meets your standards.Always read the full guidelines provided by the agency/agent.Unless the agency's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.For agency submissions, it is standard to submit a query letter and sample instead of the full manuscript. Do this unless otherwise instructed.Be professional, patient, and persistent. DatesLast Updated: 12 Aug 2026We check their guidelines for changes every four weeks, and we audit the listing twice a year. Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only