I studied English literature and Art History at the University of Hong Kong and UCLA, and have a master’s from Durham University (UK). A lifelong desire to inspire people and culture led me to enriching jobs in the arts & entertainment, education, and legal industries. In 2018, I enrolled in TMU’s publishing program and, after a stint at McClelland & Stewart (Penguin Random House), joined WCA in 2019 as International Rights Associate. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of growing my client list as an agent and representing authors to publishers in North America. I regularly meet and speak with writers at events, including those by SCBWI, SFU’s Masters of Publishing, Humber School for Writers, and the FOLD.
As a wide reader, I’m looking for a range of books in these categories:
Book club/upmarket novels with compelling character studies and high stakes that spark important conversations, like Jessamine Chan’s The School for Good Mothers, Shilpi Somaya Gowda’s A Great Country, Bonnie Garmus’ Lessons in Chemistry, Jabari Asim’s Yonder, and R.F. Kuang’s Yellowface.
Non-fiction proposals from journalists, researchers, experts, and writers for a general readership in the areas of sociology, pop culture, personal growth, Christian faith and living, and biography, like Kyo Maclear’s Unearthing, Cheuk Kwan’s Have You Eaten Yet? Hua Hsu’s Stay True, Cal Newport’s Slow Productivity, Emily P. Freeman’s How to Walk into a Room, and Kate Bowler’s Everything Happens for a Reason (And Other Lies I’ve Loved).
Middle grade & YA historical and contemporary stories about a young person with an unforgettable voice, facing real life events/issues. I’m open to speculative elements and prefer stories that focus on friendships and family over romance. Some non-client authors I admire are June Hur, Stacey Lee, Karina Yan Glaser, Daniel Nayeri, Kazu Kibuishi, Tim Probert, and Rosena Fung.
Picture books by writers and author-illustrators from a child’s POV and that evoke and inspire wonder, joy, and understanding, like those by Jordan Scott, Kyo Maclear, Matt James, Lauren Soloy, and more.
Books that keep me reading have a distinct hook and strong character immersion, big emotional impact, and very polished line-level writing. I’m not the right agent for suspense (thriller/horror), crime, sci-fi, romance, and scholarly projects.
When not reading manuscripts, I’m cutting my poodle’s hair, playing in drop D guitar, looking for vintage gems, and admiring the poetry of the songwriter who said, “How can a person know everything at eighteen but nothing at twenty-two?”
Member of PACLA