Susan Golomb
- Dec 29, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 4
Susan Golomb is a distinguished literary agent whose career has shaped the work of some of the most influential voices in contemporary literature. Known for her sharp editorial instincts and uncompromising advocacy, she has guided works that define cultural conversation and push the boundaries of storytelling. Her roster includes Jonathan Franzen, whose Freedom has become a touchstone of modern American fiction; Colson Whitehead, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, most recently honored for The Nickel Boys and Harlem Shuffle; and Tom Rachman, celebrated for The Imperfectionists.
In recent years, Golomb’s impact has only deepened as publishing grapples with seismic shifts, including the rise of streaming adaptations driving book sales, the surge in demand for diverse voices, and heightened debates over free expression in literature. Her ability to balance commercial viability with artistic integrity has positioned her as a steady force in an industry where trends shift rapidly. Authors and editors alike regard her not just as an agent but as a strategic partner who knows how to guide books into both critical acclaim and wide readership.
From nurturing debut writers to steering the careers of literary icons, Golomb has proven that her vision is both timeless and adaptive. By championing narratives that challenge readers intellectually and emotionally, she has built a legacy of fostering literature that endures, cementing her reputation as one of the most influential and visionary agents working today.
A Career Built on Passion for Literature
Susan Golomb’s career reflects an enduring passion for discovering and amplifying distinctive literary voices. Before transitioning into agenting, she refined her skills in editorial roles, which sharpened her instinct for narrative structure and market potential. In 1990, she founded the Susan Golomb Literary Agency, establishing a boutique practice defined by close, hands-on relationships with authors. Her work quickly caught the attention of the publishing world, not only for her ability to nurture emerging writers but also for her success in placing them with top editors and publishers.
Golomb’s career has been marked by a willingness to take risks on unconventional manuscripts that might have been overlooked by less discerning agents. Early in her career, she championed Jonathan Franzen’s The Corrections, which went on to win the National Book Award and cement her reputation as a tastemaker in American letters. She has since brokered major deals for authors such as William T. Vollmann and Marisha Pessl, whose novels have garnered both critical acclaim and strong readership.
Her success also reflects an ability to navigate the evolving dynamics of the industry. At a time when corporate consolidation and digital disruption have reshaped the publishing industry, Golomb has remained focused on championing ambitious, voice-driven fiction. Now a senior agent at Writers House, one of the world’s most powerful agencies, she continues to blend her editorial expertise with business acumen, ensuring that bold, original narratives not only find a home but also thrive in a competitive marketplace.
A Stellar Client Roster
Susan Golomb’s list of clients reflects her unmatched ability to spot literary voices that will endure across generations. Beyond her reputation for championing boundary-pushing fiction, she has represented authors whose works have not only achieved commercial success but also reshaped critical conversations about literature and culture.
One of her earliest successes was signing Jonathan Franzen, who not only won the 2001 National Book Award but also became a cultural phenomenon, later earning a spot on Oprah’s Book Club, an intersection of highbrow acclaim and mass-market visibility rarely seen in contemporary fiction. Colson Whitehead’s rise, beginning with his debut The Intuitionist, exemplifies Golomb’s long-term vision: she identified his distinctive voice early, paving the way for his eventual dual Pulitzer Prize wins and the recent TV adaptation of The Underground Railroad, which brought his work to an even wider global audience.
Continue reading: The Pulitzer Prize: America’s Highest Honor in Journalism and the Arts.
Golomb’s commitment to international storytelling is evident in her work with Tom Rachman, whose debut, The Imperfectionists, became an international bestseller translated into dozens of languages. She has also championed writers like Marisha Pessl, whose Special Topics in Calamity Physics was hailed as one of the most audacious literary debuts of the 2000s, and William T. Vollmann, a prolific author whose experimental works have earned him the National Book Award. Collectively, these careers highlight Golomb’s talent for building long-term trajectories rather than chasing trends, positioning her as one of the few agents whose client list consistently defines, rather than follows, the literary landscape.
Advocacy and Vision
What sets Susan Golomb apart in the highly competitive world of publishing is the depth and range of her advocacy. Her role extends far beyond the boundaries of traditional agenting; she approaches each project as both strategist and creative partner. Golomb is renowned for her editorial involvement early in the process, often working with writers through multiple drafts before a manuscript ever reaches an editor’s desk. Her feedback is not limited to structure or pacing but reflects an understanding of market positioning, thematic resonance, and the long-term development of an author’s voice. Many of her clients attribute their early breakthroughs and enduring careers to her rigorous, hands-on guidance during these formative stages.
Golomb’s expertise in subsidiary and international rights has become a hallmark of her career. She possesses a rare ability to identify a work’s potential across multiple platforms, such as film, television, translation, and audio, and to negotiate deals that preserve both creative control and financial equity. In an era when intellectual property can rapidly expand across global markets, her attention to subsidiary rights ensures that authors retain ownership of their creative legacies while benefitting from the full range of their work’s commercial possibilities. Her strategic management of these rights has resulted in numerous successful adaptations and international editions, cementing her reputation as an agent with both literary discernment and business precision.
Her vision is rooted in sustainability and the cultivation of long-term careers. Golomb treats each author not as a single project but as a creative enterprise deserving of thoughtful stewardship. She is attuned to shifts in the publishing landscape, from the rise of streaming platforms to the resurgence of global literary translation, and anticipates where her authors’ voices will resonate most powerfully. Her ability to guide them through these evolving markets reflects both foresight and a firm commitment to artistic integrity.
At the center of her philosophy lies a conviction that literature must remain vital, intellectually stimulating, and emotionally engaging. She champions works that engage readers without compromise, bringing ambitious ideas into mainstream culture. Whether nurturing a debut novelist or repositioning an established author for new audiences, Susan Golomb has built a career defined by precision, advocacy, and a rare capacity to bridge art and commerce, ensuring that her writers not only succeed but endure.
Impact on the Publishing Industry
Susan Golomb’s work has had ripple effects across the broader publishing world, influencing not only the kinds of books that reach readers but also how publishers evaluate risk and reward. By consistently advocating for ambitious, unconventional projects, she has helped normalize the acquisition of manuscripts that might once have been considered too experimental or commercially uncertain. Editors and houses that may have hesitated to back such titles now see their potential because of the precedents set by Golomb’s successes.
Her authors’ achievements have also shifted expectations for what literary fiction can achieve in the marketplace. Multiple prize-winning works she has championed, ranging from National Book Award winners to Pulitzer recipients, have demonstrated that serious, structurally inventive novels can command both critical respect and strong sales. This dual validation has encouraged publishers to broaden their lists, investing in narratives that challenge form and theme while still resonating with a wide audience.
Golomb’s influence is further evident in the globalization of her clients’ works. Many of the books she represents have secured extensive translation rights and international editions, positioning them as cultural exports that shape literary discourse well beyond the United States. In this way, her career underscores the evolving role of the literary agent, not only as an advocate for individual authors but as a catalyst shaping the direction of contemporary literature itself.
Legacy and Continuing Success
Today, as a senior agent at Writers House, Susan Golomb remains a central figure in shaping the future of contemporary literature. Her role at one of the industry’s most influential agencies allows her to pair decades of experience with the resources of a global powerhouse, ensuring her authors benefit from unparalleled reach in both traditional publishing and emerging markets. She continues to build careers with the same hands-on dedication that first established her reputation, proving that her influence is as forward-looking as it is enduring.
Her legacy is measured not only by the accolades her authors have earned but also by the ways she has expanded the very definition of literary success. By bridging the gap between literary prestige and broader commercial recognition, Golomb has shown that challenging, intellectually ambitious books can thrive in an industry often dominated by short-term trends. This balance of artistry and strategy has made her a model for younger agents entering the field, many of whom cite her as a mentor and industry standard-bearer.
For writers at every stage of their careers, Golomb’s continued presence serves as a reminder of the transformative power of advocacy, rooted in both passion and precision. Whether guiding a debut through the daunting process of publication or advising a prize-winning novelist on their next bold step, she remains a steadfast champion of literature’s ability to provoke thought, inspire empathy, and leave a lasting cultural mark.
Agent Highlights
Name: Susan Golomb
Agency: The Susan Golomb Literary Agency
AAR Member: No
Email: susan@sgolombagency.com
Website: Susan Golomb Literary Agency
Fiction Genres: Literary Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Women's Fiction, Historical Fiction, Short Stories
Nonfiction Genres: Parenting, Adventure/True Story, Spirituality, Pets
Submission Guidelines: Email (Query Only); Snail Mail (Query with SASE)
Current Status: Accepting queries