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Susan Finesman 4

An agent with Fine Literary Management

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About

Susan Finesman began scouting books, plays and narrative non-fiction for Tri-Star Pictures in 1986. Five years later, she moved on to SAVOY Pictures followed by a long and award winning stint at HOME BOX OFFICE where highlights included an Emmy for Ernest Gaines’ A LESSON BEFORE DYING. Scouting books for film is like sitting in the most fabulous catbird seat, not prisoner to any genre and not prey to any shelf space at the bookstore. Learning how to find new stories and adapt them for the screen gave me a slightly different perspective on how to sell books to publishers. In 2010, I decided to build a seat of my own, introducing great writers first to publishers and then, not as an afterthought but as part of a coordinated plan, pursue film, television and internet opportunities. I continue to be interested in all kinds of books but tend to be compelled by work that features characters that I cannot shake. I challenge authors to make me laugh or cry and you will have certainly won me over by doing both. I love the twists and turns of a great page-turner, can be seduced by a truly honest memoir and am delighted when transported by historical fiction.

This agent may not respond to all queries. After waiting a reasonable amount of time, assume your submission will not be accepted.

Country, Year Established, and Professional Associations

United States Agent since 2010 Member of AALA

Fiction Open
Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:
GenreSubgenres
General GeneralOpen to all/most Subgenres, including: Historical.
Lengths:
Novel Novel
Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

Submissions:

Method: Postal.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.

Nonfiction Open

Cookbooks and lifestyle are a particular area of interest but I can be compelled to consider almost any subject that is honest and thoughtful.

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Lengths:
Book Book
Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream, Personal.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics, including: Lifestyle (General, Cooking), Memoir.

Submissions:

Method: Postal.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.

Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.

Susan Finesman Submission Statistics — Free Preview!

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.
AccuracyWe have received 1 report within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information.
Pending1 response is pending (36 days waiting). This only includes pending reports from users 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.
Most recent response reported was received on 07 Aug 2023.
Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 24 Jul 2023.

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Dates

Last Updated: 08 Mar 2024
Last Audited: 18 Feb 2024. (We audit each active listing twice a year. Learn more at link.)
Date Added: 07 Mar 2018

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