“I can learn a lot about a writer’s style and voice by reading the first paragraph of the manuscript. But I’m looking for the book, the one that has me up at 3 in the morning, reading the last 6 letters: T-H-EE-N-D, and crying like a baby.”

Andy Ross is a literary agent representing authors in a wide range of fiction and non-fiction categories. His clients’ books have won international awards. Among the authors he represents are Susan Griffin, Fritjof Capra, Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, Daniel Ellsberg, and Linda Watanabe McFerrin. Before becoming a literary agent in 2008, Andy was the owner of the legendary Cody’s Books in Berkeley. He is the author of The Literary Agent’s Guide to Writing a Non-Fiction Book Proposal.

Andy welcomes your questions about the changing publishing landscape and what agents are really looking for.

Meetings: $5 for CWC Members (any branch), $10 Non-Members