Eric Smith
Literary agent (Neighborhood Literary) and YA author; shares agenting updates, resources, and supportive advice for writers.
Finally Launching Philly’s “Scrapple Loaf” Writers Workshop
Every year I joke about starting a literary writers workshop in Philly called Scrapple Loaf and honestly, next year might be the year I do it.
Success in Publishing: Platform Mastery Beats Networking Alone
Chatted with USA Today about selling books, navigating platform, consolidation, and how it isn’t all about who you know. https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2026/03/22/how-to-be-a-novelist-author/89199046007/
Even Babies Teach Timing: Pause Before Posting
I was moments away from commenting on a bad faith publishing take on here and then my baby projectile spit up on my phone, and I feel like there’s a lesson here.
Read Your Query, Don't Memorize: Pitch Stress-Free
At a writing conference today, so my annual reminder. If you book time to chat with editors or agents, and you’re pitching your work… just read your query. Don’t try to memorize things and put that extra pressure on yourself. It’s...
Losing Editors Means Losing Books: Industry Crisis
Ugh. Lots of rumbling about editor layoffs in publishing, and oh my god, if you keep letting go of the people who make the books happen, you won’t have the books. I want to scream.
Agency Client Lands on Bestseller List, Celebration!
It was so exciting yesterday to see an agency client hit the bestseller list. ❤️❤️❤️
Seeking Fresh Book Deals, Not Zelda Frustrations
Alright blood moon, let’s manifest some good book news. Agent signings, deals, bestseller lists, and not like, all the ways you keep f*cking with Link in the Zelda games. We need a break.