Melanie Figueroa An agent with Root Literary (see other agents at this agency). About love stories that make me lean in—a captivating voice, characters who feel like they’ve been plucked from real life, and writing that is confident and commanding. That’s the kind of book that makes me feel taken care of as a reader, written by an author who knows time is precious, life is hard, and that stories are a welcome escape. Country United States AI Policy Unknown AI policy Statistics Synopsis FasterMelanie Figueroa's overall average response time is faster than most agents. Normal AcceptanceMelanie Figueroa's overall acceptance rate is within a normal range for agents. More ResponsiveMelanie Figueroa's overall rate of non-response is lower than most agents. Fiction Temp Closed I’m drawn to voice-driven general and commercial fiction with book club appeal, often with a touch of a genre element—speculative, fantasy, horror, romance, mystery, or historical. I like accessible, high-concept stories with strong themes, emotional undercurrents, and crossover potential into women’s fiction.Middle GradeI’m looking for timeless, immersive middle grade stories that feel transportive. I’m looking for a wide range of stories within this category. I love an animal/spirit character, explorations of history and culture, fantastical settings, horror and mystery elements.Young AdultMy primary focus in young adult literature is speculative, horror, mysteries/thrillers, romance, and some literary fiction. I love a high stakes plot, fantasy settings with accessible worldbuilding and smart magic systems, a sense of humor, characters who are a little mean or vicious.AdultSpeculative Fiction: I represent a wide range of adult speculative fiction, including fantasy, horror, and books with sci-fi elements.In fantasy, I’m looking for sweeping romances, dark fantasy, cozies, epics, and stories rooted in untold mythologies. I like accessible worldbuilding—think relationships I can follow without my finger tracing the lines of a family tree.In science fiction, I prefer stories that are grounded, character-driven, and light on the sci-fi jargon.I’m also looking for magical realism or fabulism stories that appeal to a general or literary fiction reader.In horror, I’m looking for all subgenres—psychological, supernatural, sci-fi, folk, body, gothic, cozy, you name it. I'd love a horror project that includes epistolary elements or an otherwise inventive structure, like Max Brook's Devolution.Romance: I'm on the hunt for commercial and upmarket romance. I like smart, voice-driven, and life-affirming love stories that speak to the very human longing for connection and acceptance. I'm particularly eager for a romantic drama.Book Club Fiction: I love general, upmarket fiction with a foot in the genre world. I’m drawn to sharp, poignant writing and a hooky premise. I like stories that use the lens of a specific moment in history/rich setting, relationships, or a social or class issue—stories about power, intimacy, ambition, and high-pressure environments.Mysteries, Crime & Thrillers: I’m also drawn to mysteries/crime fiction, both commercial and literary leaning.I'm also open to submissions from indie authors looking to sell rights to a traditional publisher.Audience:Open to a broad Audience, including: Adults, Middle grades, New adults, Young adults, All ethnic groups/populations.Genres: General Open to all/most Subgenres, including: Historical Fantasy Open to all/most Subgenres Mystery/Crime Open to all/most Subgenres Romance Open to all/most Subgenres Science Fiction Open to all/most Subgenres Suspense/Thriller Open to all/most SubgenresLengths: NovelStyles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Humorous, Mainstream.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Submissions:Method: QueryTracker. 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:Blog/web Blog/webBluesky @melaniefigueroa.bsky.socialInstagram @rootliterary 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. Melanie Figueroa 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: Group by submission Include outliers Include other agents at the same agency Accuracy We have received 13 reports from 13 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported 29 min | 62.1 mean avg | 71.0 median | 84 max days (19.9 std dev) Responses 100 % Acceptances: 0.00 % Rejections: 100.00 % (62.1 avg. days per rejection) | 0.0 % personal, 92.3 % form, 7.7 % unspecified Non-Responses 0.00 % Lost/Returned: - Never Responded: - Withdrawals - Pending 2 responses are pending (21 min | 48.0 mean avg | 48.0 median | 75 max days waiting | 27.1 std dev) from 2 different members This only includes pending reports from people who have been active on Duotrope within the past 30 days Other Information Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day. Most recent response reported was received on 04 Sep 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 15 Jul 2026. Date compiled: 25 Oct 2026 17:59 UTC (less than a minute ago). 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 AgencyKurestin ArmadaAndrea BlattSamantha FabienTaylor HaggertyAlyssa MalteseMolly O'NeillHolly Root DNQJessica Saint Jean 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: 13 Oct 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