DeFiore & Company
- Dec 29, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 19
Founded in 1999 by industry veteran Brian DeFiore, DeFiore & Company has become a leading literary agency recognized for cultivating author careers across genres. The agency represents a diverse roster that includes bestselling names in fiction, memoir, history, lifestyle, and children’s publishing, while also discovering and nurturing debut authors. With expertise in subsidiary rights, DeFiore has secured foreign editions, audiobooks, and film and television deals that expand authors’ reach worldwide. Known for its author-first philosophy, the agency provides editorial development, contract negotiation, and strategic career planning tailored to each writer.
DeFiore & Company Literary Agency: Building Author Careers in Fiction, Nonfiction, Memoir, and Children’s Books
In an industry where algorithms compete with artistry, DeFiore & Company stands out because it puts writers first. Founded by publishing veteran Brian DeFiore, the agency has earned its reputation as a firm that doesn’t just negotiate contracts—it builds sustainable careers. Its client list ranges from debut authors breaking into the market with bold, original voices to global bestsellers such as Tim Ferriss (The 4-Hour Workweek) and Melissa Urban (The Whole30). Known for its ability to cut through the noise of a crowded marketplace, DeFiore & Company helps authors secure not only traditional publishing contracts but also cross-platform opportunities in film, television, and digital media. What sets the agency apart is its unwavering commitment to championing originality while protecting the creative vision that makes each project distinctive.
The Origins and Mission of DeFiore & Company
Brian DeFiore founded the agency in 1999 with the intention of rethinking the agent-author relationship. After holding senior editorial and management positions at Random House, Villard Books, Dell Publishing, and Hyperion, DeFiore had seen firsthand how traditional publishing often treated authors as commodities rather than long-term creative partners. His mission was to establish an agency that combined rigorous business strategy with a deep respect for the creative process.
That philosophy continues to define DeFiore & Company today. The agency provides editorial development to strengthen manuscripts before submission, market analysis to position projects effectively, and strategic representation that adapts to each author’s career trajectory. Whether guiding a first-time novelist through the query process or managing the complex subsidiary rights of an international bestseller, DeFiore & Company acts as both advocate and strategist. Its guiding principle remains clear: authors should feel supported not only as business clients but as storytellers whose voices can shape culture and endure across mediums.
A Diverse Client Roster
DeFiore & Company’s client list reflects the full scope of contemporary publishing, spanning literary and commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, history, wellness, lifestyle, and children’s literature. Rather than specializing narrowly, the agency deliberately cultivates a roster that blends bestselling household names with writers whose voices are just beginning to reach readers, ensuring its catalog speaks to both cultural relevance and commercial demand.
Notable successes underscore this range. Tim Ferriss’s The 4-Hour Workweek became a publishing landmark, selling millions of copies worldwide and launching a movement that reshaped conversations about productivity and entrepreneurship. Melissa Urban, co-creator of the Whole30 program, has built an enduring wellness brand with the agency’s strategic support, expanding her influence from books into multimedia platforms. The late David Rakoff, celebrated for his sharp, introspective essays in collections like Fraud and Don’t Get Too Comfortable, remains a touchstone in literary humor, with the agency continuing to steward his work with care.
Equally important to the agency’s identity is its commitment to discovery. DeFiore & Company actively seeks out first-time authors and underrepresented voices, providing them not only with access to publishers but also the editorial refinement and career planning that turn early breakthroughs into lasting careers. Whether guiding a debut memoirist toward their first book deal or helping a novelist cross genre boundaries, the agency treats new talent as long-term investments.
This dual commitment to preserving the legacies of established writers and championing the next wave of literary voices has positioned DeFiore & Company as a bridge between tradition and innovation in publishing, shaping a more inclusive and enduring literary landscape.
DeFiore & Company's Subsidiary Rights Expertise
DeFiore & Company distinguishes itself with a sophisticated approach to subsidiary rights, ensuring that the books it represents achieve visibility and profitability well beyond their initial publication. The agency has built an international reputation for brokering foreign language editions, securing audiobook contracts, and negotiating film and television adaptations, expanding its clients’ stories into multiple markets and mediums. By combining a nuanced understanding of global publishing with sharp deal-making, DeFiore maximizes the creative and commercial potential of every project it handles.
One of the clearest examples of this expertise is Graeme Simsion’s The Rosie Project, which DeFiore successfully sold into more than 40 international territories, while also arranging a film option acquired by Sony Pictures. Similarly, Camille Pagán’s bestselling novels, many of which rose to prominence through Amazon Kindle First, have reached new audiences through translation and audiobook rights, multiplying her readership across formats and geographies.
A central figure in this work is Linda Kaplan, who joined DeFiore in 2015 after decades of experience in publishing and subsidiary rights. Kaplan’s leadership has been key in structuring complex agreements with audiobook giants such as Audible, as well as aligning book properties with film and streaming producers. Her track record reflects not just an ability to secure deals, but a strategic vision that places each title in the right market at the right time.
In an industry where cross-format storytelling and international reach are essential to long-term success, DeFiore & Company provides its authors with a roadmap for scaling their stories into global, multimedia brands.
In a publishing era where cross-format storytelling is critical, DeFiore & Company equips its authors not just to publish but to scale their stories globally and sustainably.
Continue reading: Linda Kaplan: A Visionary in the Subsidiary Rights Landscape.
Tailored Representation That Grows With the Author
DeFiore & Company is distinguished by its commitment to shaping representation around each individual writer rather than forcing careers into a preset template. Every author relationship is approached as a long-term partnership, with strategies that adapt as needs, opportunities, and markets evolve. For a debut novelist, that might mean hands-on guidance through revisions, early positioning in the submission process, and building momentum toward a breakout launch. For established writers, it often involves managing multiple streams of opportunity, including hardcover and paperback strategies, foreign rights expansion, audiobook deals, and collaborations with film, television, or digital media producers.
The agency’s services are comprehensive. Authors receive editorial feedback that polishes manuscripts into their strongest form before editors ever see them, contract negotiation that safeguards rights and ensures fair terms, and career mapping that places creative ambition in step with the shifting marketplace. This level of representation has supported memoirists breaking into national media, journalists transitioning into narrative nonfiction, and genre authors expanding into cross-platform storytelling.
DeFiore’s approach is rooted in transparency and trust: writers know that each decision, whether about an advance, a subsidiary rights deal, or a long-term brand partnership, is made to advance their creative goals as well as their professional security. In an era when publishing is often transactional, DeFiore & Company remains focused on cultivating voices and careers with staying power.
Cultural Impact of DeFiore & Company
DeFiore & Company has been a driving force in shaping cultural conversations and trends through its diverse and impactful portfolio of books. By representing authors who bring transformative ideas to the forefront, the agency has influenced how readers think, live, and engage with the world. From pioneering works in social commentary to deeply personal narratives, DeFiore & Company ensures that its books resonate far beyond the page.
For example, Phoebe Robinson’s You Can’t Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain offers a sharp, humorous, and deeply insightful exploration of race, gender, and pop culture, sparking meaningful conversations about identity and representation. Likewise, in The Invention of Nature, Andrea Wulf delves into the life and legacy of Alexander von Humboldt, reigniting interest in this often-overlooked figure who shaped our understanding of nature and interconnected ecosystems.
By championing authors with diverse perspectives and compelling stories, DeFiore & Company continues to enrich the literary landscape. Its dedication to amplifying voices that challenge norms and spark meaningful reflection ensures that the books it represents not only entertain but also inspire, educate, and leave a lasting imprint on culture and society.
Looking Ahead
DeFiore & Company has played a pivotal role in shaping cultural conversations by championing books that extend beyond entertainment to influence how readers see themselves and the world. The agency’s portfolio reflects a commitment to representation, depth, and relevance, with projects that have sparked national debates, introduced new ideas into the mainstream, and redefined entire categories of publishing.
Notable examples include Phoebe Robinson’s You Can’t Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain, which blends humor and personal reflection to confront issues of race, gender, and pop culture. The book resonated widely, earning Robinson a platform that spans podcasting, television, and live performance. Equally impactful is Andrea Wulf’s The Invention of Nature, a biography of Alexander von Humboldt that not only restored his legacy to prominence but also influenced contemporary discussions on climate change, ecology, and the history of science.
More recently, the agency has continued to guide culturally resonant bestsellers. Barbara Shapiro’s The Lost Masterpiece became a USA Today bestseller in September 2025, reflecting the agency’s continued ability to position authors for mainstream success. Jill Santopolo’s The Love We Found earned a spot on USA Today’s Best-Selling Booklist in 2025 and drew national attention for its exploration of love, loss, and resilience. In 2024, Karleigh Frisbie Brogan’s memoir Holding gained recognition for its lyrical account of addiction and recovery, contributing to broader conversations around mental health and healing.
These works demonstrate that DeFiore & Company’s influence is not limited to book sales but extends into classrooms, boardrooms, and cultural dialogue. By cultivating authors with bold perspectives and transformative ideas, the agency ensures its titles continue to educate, inspire, and challenge readers long after publication.
Ready to Submit? Here’s How to Connect with DeFiore & Company
If you are ready to query DeFiore & Company, start by matching your project to the right agent. Read each agent’s bio, genre focus, category preferences, and current wish list. Confirm that the agent is open to queries and note any specific formatting or content requests on the submissions page.
Prepare a professional query package that aligns with the posted guidelines. Your query letter should run about 250 to 350 words and open with a clear hook. Include title, category, genre, complete word count, two or three market-savvy comp titles, and a one to two paragraph pitch that states the protagonist, goal, central conflict, stakes, and setting. Add a brief bio with relevant credits, awards, platform metrics, or subject-matter expertise. State whether the manuscript is complete and whether your submission is exclusive or simultaneous.
Follow each agent’s directions for pages and synopsis. If the page count is not specified, paste the first 5 to 10 pages into the email body in standard manuscript format with readable serif font, double spacing, and one-inch margins. Provide a one to two page synopsis that reveals the ending. For nonfiction, submit a full proposal with overview, audience, competitive analysis, marketing platform, chapter outline, and at least one polished sample chapter. Avoid attachments unless the guidelines request them. Use a clear subject line such as: QUERY: Title by Your Name [Genre, Word Count].
Observe submission etiquette. Query one DeFiore agent at a time unless the site allows otherwise. Personalize each message with a sentence that shows why your project fits that agent’s list. If an agent requests an exclusive read, set and honor a reasonable time frame. Disclose prior representation, self-publishing history, or concurrent submissions as required. Include content warnings when appropriate.
To begin, visit the DeFiore & Company website, open the submissions page, and follow the listed instructions precisely. Proofread everything, track your queries, and update agents promptly if you receive an offer of representation. The right match starts with a focused, compliant submission.