Meet Agent Samantha Fabien
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Samantha Fabien graduated from Seton Hall University in 2015. After completing the Columbia Publishing Course, Samantha found her passion for foreign rights and editorial through her internships and part-time work at three literary agencies: Ayesha Pande Literary, Writers House, and Chalberg & Sussman. She joined the Laura Dail Literary Agency team in May 2018 as their international rights manager and began her role as a literary agent in April 2019. Samantha's truest passion—apart from reading and writing—is sharing inclusive, lasting, and impactful stories with the world.
Samantha represents high-concept commercial fiction for both adults and children. Her specific genres are upmarket women's fiction as well as contemporary romance, thrillers/mysteries/suspense, speculative fiction, nuanced horror, and contemporary/grounded fantasy in adult, young adult, and middle grade.
You can find more on her website and by following her on Twitter.
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How long have you been an agent, and what did your career path look like?
I've been an agent for about a year and a half, but I've been in the publishing world for four years. My first step into publishing was the Columbia Publishing Program in 2016, a six-week intensive program where I learned about the entire publishing landscape. From there, I interned and worked part-time at Ayesha Pande Literary, Writers House, and Chalberg & Sussman before landing at the Laura Dail Literary Agency.
What's your favorite part of your job?
Discovering new talent and being able to advocate for them on the journey through submissions and publication
What do you look for in an author to potentially represent?
I always look for clients who are passionate, overflowing with ideas, and who have clear career goals. I also really appreciate those who are conscious that publishing is a business and are willing to take feedback and revision notes about how to make their work break out in the marketplace.
What do you look for in a project to potentially represent?
It's always hard to articulate this answer! In some cases, all it takes is a unique character with an authentic voice and distinct motivations. In other cases, it's all about pacing and plots with high stakes. I'm also always looking for projects by marginalized and underrepresented creators. Lately, I want more queer/BIPOC rep in thrillers, mysteries, and horror; more disability rep in rom-coms and book club fiction; and more body-positive YA and MG.
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