Hailey Stephens (Agent)
REGISTRATION LINK FOR HAILEY STEPHENS (active when registration opens September 10 for members)
Hailey Stephens is an Associate Agent at Rosecliff Literary, a member of the AALA, and a passionate advocate for writing (both fiction and non-fiction) that changes minds and inspires community. She received a Bachelor's in English-Writing at Illinois Wesleyan University and a Master's in Writing and Publishing at DePaul University, which is where she first got introduced to agenting after landing an internship at ArtHouse Literary Agency. Over the years, Hailey has also gained experience in unscripted TV casting/development, copyediting, and freelance editing, which helps inform the client list she is building at Rosecliff and the way she approaches editing overall.
Hailey Stephens's Availability During Manuscript Mart Week:
Zoom Meetings with Hailey will be scheduled within these time periods (all EST), but are subject to change. If Hailey must make a change to this schedule, we will arrange a mutually agreeable Zoom time outside of Manuscript Mart Week.
- Tuesday, November 10: 4:00–7:00 EST
- Wednesday, November 11: 10:00–7:00 EST
- Thursday, November 12: 10:00–7:00 EST
- Friday, November 13: 4:00–7:00 EST
- Saturday, November 14: 10:00–7:00 EST
Please register with Hailey Stephens ONLY if you can be available within the time windows above.
What I'm Looking For
In Fiction, I look for Middle Grade and Adult manuscripts with strong voices, characters that feel truly real, and pacing that makes it hard to stop turning the pages. I love seeing manuscripts that don't rely on tropes OR that take a common trope and turn it on its head in a way we haven't seen before, and I'm always down for a genre blend! Right now, I'm especially interested in Literary and Horror, but I don't want anything with gratuitous gore or endings that leave the reader without hope.
In Non-Fiction, I look for Adult proposals that showcase the author's unique perspective, knowledge, and narrative voice. While I'm open to considering most sub-genres of Non-Fiction, I'm seeking authors with a strong platform and/or a truly unique story. Right now, I'm especially interested in any project that offers actionable and accessible advice for living sustainably!
Overall, I'm always interested in rural authors and stories, as I know there are many voices (especially BIPOC, indigenous, queer, and neurodivergent voices) from those areas that continue to be overlooked and under-represented in such a metropolis-based industry.
Sample Titles or Authors
MURDER BY THE BOOK, Amie Schaumberg (Mystery published by HarperCollins)
RECIPE RX, Dayna Altman (Narrative Self-Help, currently On Submission w/editors)
SACRED, Alexius Bruner (Literary Thriller, currently On Submission w/editors)
Specializes In / Will Consider
Specializes In:
FICTION: Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thrillers/Suspense, Horror
NONFICTION: Self Help, Narrative, Memoir, Food & Lifestyle
Will Consider:
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, LGBTQIA+, Humor/Satire, Middle Grade, Multi-Cultural/Global Fiction, Romance
NONFICTION: Adventure/True Story, Cultural/Social Issues, Gift Books, LGBTQIA+, Current Affairs, Multicultural/Global Perspectives, Music, Nature/Ecology, Pop Culture, Women's concerns