Agent Spotlight: Sara Megibow

This week's Agent Spotlight features Sara Megibow of Megibow Literary Agency.
Status: Update on 9/28/2024: Sara has opened her own agency, Megibow Literary Agency. She is open to submissions. 
About: "Sara  is the President and  Senior Literary Agent of Megibow Literary Agency.  She has worked in publishing since 2006 and represents New York Times bestselling authors including  Margaret Rogerson, Roni Loren, Jason M. Hough and Jaleigh Johnson. Sara specializes in launching debut authors and working on long-term career  development and profit strategy with them. She is a graduate of Northwestern  University with degrees in Women’s Studies, Gender Studies and American History. Always LGBTQIA+ Friendly! " (From the Agency Website)
About the Agency:
"Megibow Literary Agency is comprised of an eclectic team of people from publishing, music, photography, education, social work and corporate backgrounds. Because we’ve all worked in the arts, we aim to be craft-focused so clients feel supported writing the books they love. We’re also nerds for data which influences the profit strategies implemented in helping clients make money on those books. 

"We want to offer our clients the most robust buffet of publishing opportunities available - in print, illustration, Hollywood, audiobook, translation, IP work and beyond. And we want our partners throughout the publishing industry to love working with us. Our mantra for 2024 is, “Kindness. Integrity. Patience. Profit. Enthusiasm.”  

"The publishing industry can feel opaque so our agency provides value-add services like Office Hours and quick email turn around in an effort to better explain processes and set expectations for our clients.

"Ultimately, we love working in publishing! Readers are voracious and bookstores are thriving so please share your work with us. Your voice matters!

"Always LGBTQIA+ Friendly!

"Black Lives Matter!" (From the agency website)

Web Presence:
Megibow Literary Agency
Publisher's Marketplace page.

Manuscript Wish List   
#MSWL tweets.
AgentQuery.
QueryTracker.
What She's Looking For:
Genres/Specialties:
Picture Book, Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult Romance, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror. (From her Publisher's Marketplace and Manuscript Wish List)
From her Agent Query Page
"I represent authors who write middle grade novels (all sub-genres), young adult novels (all sub-genres), romance novels (all sub-genres) and science fiction/fantasy for the adult market. To submit to me, your manuscript must be 100% complete and never previously published.

"I am particularly looking for submissions from BIPOC, queer and/or disabled authors and authors from historically marginalized backgrounds. No, you do not have to self-identify in your email!"

What She Isn't Looking For:
“Sara does not represent screenplays, memoir, self-help, picture books or any book that has been previously published.” (Link)
Agent Philosophy:
"My passion as an agent is strategizing profitable long-term careers with my authors. I want clients to love the books they write and make money writing them. Crafting that kind of balance between artistic and commercial success takes communication, teamwork and a focus on "Art. Patience. Strategy." (Link)

Editorial Agent?
“I’m excellent at selling books and I identify works in the slush pile that are ready to go. Certainly I read and help shape my clients’ second, third, fourth, etc books, but in general I am not an editorial agent. There are some wonderful agents out there who are also great editors and if that’s what you are looking for in a partnership, you will find it!” (Link)
Clients:
A list of Ms. Megibow's clients is available on the agency website.
Ms. Megibow’s clients include: Casey McQuiston, Jaleigh Johnson, Jason M. Hough, Roni Loren, Rebecca Roanhorse, Margaret Rogerson, Angelina M. Lopez, among others.
Query Methods:
E-mail: Yes (only).
Snail-Mail: No.
Online-Form: No.

Submission Guidelines (always verify):
Send a one-page query letter and the first 10 pages of the manuscript.  Put QUERY and the title of your project in the subject line. No attachments. 
See the Megibow Literary Agency website and Ms. Megibow’s PM page for complete, up-to-date submission guidelines
Response Times:
Ms. Megibow's response time is three to six weeks.
What's the Buzz?
Sara Megibow is a well-respected agent with nine years of experience at kt literary and Nelson Literary before starting her own agency. She is known to be very nice, professional, and enthusiastic. The agency is highly respected and her clients seem quite happy with her representation.
Worth Your Time:
Interviews & Chats:
Interview with Sara Megibow on YouTube at WriteNow Workshop (05/2019)
Meet Sara Megibow at Beyond the Book (04/2019)
Around the Web:
For conferences Ms. Megibow will be attending, see her Publisher’s Marketplace page.
Contact:
Please see the Megibow Literary Agency website and Ms. Megibow’s Publisher’s Marketplace page for further contact and query information.
Profile Details:
Last updated: 1/4/2025.
Agent Contacted for Review? Yes.
Last Reviewed by Agent: 5/19/2020.
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Have any experience with this agent? See something that needs updating? Please leave a comment or e-mail me at natalieiaguirre7(at)gmail(dot)com

Note: These agent profiles presently focus on agents who accept children's fiction. They are not interviews. Please take the time to verify anything you might use here before querying an agent. The information found herein is subject to change.