Lily Dolan (Agent)
Lily joined Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc. in 2025 after five years in the publishing department at United Talent Agency. She represents authors in both fiction and nonfiction, including YA, with books ranging from commercial to literary and everything in between. Her list includes New York Times bestsellers, Barnes & Noble book club picks, Book of the Month picks, and Indie Next picks, among others. She loves finding and championing debut voices, especially from underrepresented communities, and is especially passionate about building careers from the ground up. She is actively looking for novels with strong hooks, propulsive plots, dark and offbeat humor, and nuanced female perspectives. She is drawn to sweeping family dramas, strange and unusual women in strange and unusual circumstances, and smart speculative bents. In nonfiction, she is looking for narrative nonfiction, memoirs, or essay collections that are funny, outrageous, shocking, emotional, or all of the above. She particularly loves food stories, true crime, pop culture, and untold history with a feminist angle. Originally from coastal New England, Lily graduated from NYU and still lives in New York City, but tries to surround herself with nature as often as possible.
Lily Dolan's Availability During Manuscript Mart Week:
- Tuesday, May 13: 10:00–1:00 & 1:00–4:00
- Wednesday, May 14: 10:00–1:00 & 1:00–4:00
- Thursday, May 15: 1:00–4:00
- Friday, May 16: 10:00–1:00 & 1:00–4:00
Zoom Meetings with Lily will be scheduled within these time periods (all EDT), but are subject to change. If Lily must make a change to this schedule, we will arrange a mutually agreeable Zoom time outside of Manuscript Mart Week.
What I'm Looking For
I’m most drawn to literary and upmarket fiction with dark and offbeat humor, gripping narratives, strong commercial hooks, family dynamics, mother-daughter stories, and nuanced female perspectives. I especially love sweeping family dramas, strange and unusual women in strange and unusual circumstances, and books with strong voices. I’m also looking for upmarket thrillers with unique twists (I love a good surprise!), and select rom-coms with distinctive set-ups. I grew up near Salem, MA and have a soft spot for elevated narratives with speculative elements. Stories that aren’t afraid to challenge readers, that highlight characters with messy backstories and hidden depths are always welcome. My taste could also be described as books that would live comfortably on the shelves at McNally Jackson.
Sample Titles or Authors
PASSION PROJECT by London Sperry
CREEP by Emma van Straaten
THE LAST BOOKSTORE ON EARTH by Lily Braun-Arnold
Specializes In / Will Consider
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Thrillers/Suspense, Mystery, Multi-Cultural/Global Fiction, Family Saga, LGBTQIA+, Crime, Humor/Satire