“[T]ake whatever time a manuscript/proposal needs to make it as strong as possible before going out on submission.” –Ann Leslie Tuttle, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret
The 2025 Agents Symposium is a year-long program of monthly events with literary agents – taking writers step by step along the journey to publication. We’re happy to share Q&As with some of our featured agents here. To register for Ann Leslie Tuttle’s presentation “Building a Writing Career” on November 22, click here.
An Interview with Ann Leslie Tuttle
Ann Leslie Tuttle joined Dystel, Goderich & Bourret in 2017 after working for 20 years at Harlequin Books where she most recently was a Senior Editor. At Harlequin, she was fortunate to work on an extensive and varied list of bestselling and award-winning titles in romance and women’s fiction. She is actively acquiring women’s fiction, especially beach reads and historical fiction; contemporary romance, rom coms, historical romance, Southern Gothics, thrillers, mysteries, narrative nonfiction and Middle Grade. She received her B.A. degree from the College of William and Mary and an M.A. from the University of Virginia. Finding and nurturing talented new and established writers has always been Ann Leslie’s passion.
Scribe: How would you describe your personal approach to working with an author?
Ann Leslie Tuttle: Having spent over 20 years on the editorial side, I bring a strong editorial eye to the projects I represent and will work with my authors to make sure the manuscript/proposal is in the best shape for submission and try to demystify the submission and editorial process for them. I try to be as transparent as I can be, available to address any questions/concerns my authors might have and value open and honest conversations to manage my clients’ expectations. When I’m submitting a client’s work, I enjoy playing “matchmaker” as I try to find the best editorial fit for both the project and the client’s working style.
Scribe: What do you look for in a debut author?
ALT: A compelling or unique voice, a project that offers a fresh take on a familiar trope or an unusual premise that draws on some fascinating aspect of the author’s own background and an author who acts professionally. I’m also looking for chemistry to show we would be a good team and have a shared vision for building the author’s writing career.
Scribe: What’s one piece of advice you find yourself giving to others time and time again?
ALT: To take whatever time a manuscript/proposal needs to make it as strong as possible before going out on submission.
Scribe: What excites you the most about the publishing industry today?
ALT: As always, finding and nurturing talented writers and seeing the ways in which their work(s) can be published throughout the world or adapted for film.
Scribe: Tell us about a recent book/project that you worked on that excited you and you want everyone to know about?
ALT: There are so many projects that I represent in fiction/narrative nonfiction and on the children’s side, but I am always looking for books that bring hidden females to light, speak to topics of interest to a female reader and offer positive messages that empower. Romances and women’s fiction have always been a central part of my list, and I’m excited to see more sports-focused romances and #OwnVoices. On the nonfiction side, I have a book on personal finance coming out later this year, MY MOTHER’S MONEY, aimed at caregivers and a fascinating book on how Dutch delftware afforded women agency over the centuries. And I enjoy being in the MG/YA space and have several wonderful projects coming out in 2025.
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Thanks, Ann Leslie!
Click here for more information on the 2025 Agents Symposium, an event that focuses on the craft of writing, the business of publishing, and building a literary community.
