“When the rejections come (because they will) don’t let them stop you. Persistence and patience aren’t just nice qualities to have in this industry, they’re essential.” —Elizabeth Copps, Confluence Literary Agency
Every other year, the Writers’ League of Texas brings notable literary agents and book editors to Austin for its Agents & Editors Conference. As we look ahead to the 31st A&E Conference, taking place June 26–28, 2026, we’re happy to share Q&As with some of our visiting agents and editors here.
An Interview with Elizabeth Copps
After a decade with a boutique literary agency in New York City, Elizabeth Copps founded Copps Literary Services in 2021. She now brings 16 years of experience and an award-winning client list to Confluence Literary Agency, which she co-founded in 2026. Elizabeth represents upmarket and commercial fiction for adult, YA, and middle grade audiences—particularly boundary-pushing horror, speculative fiction, and romance. She’s drawn to lush prose, complex characters, psychological terror, gothic atmospheres, dark mythology retellings, and unexpected love stories.
How would you describe your personal approach to working with an author?
Elizabeth Copps: I’m an editorially minded agent and I love getting in the weeds with my authors–brainstorming, strategizing, and problem-solving together. I see myself as the guide; my authors are the real experts on their work. My job is to help them refine and navigate their vision to feel as relevant and salable as possible in the current market.
My whole philosophy comes down to building relationships that are equitable, transparent, and built to last. That also means reading the room with each client. For example, some authors want live updates the moment I hear any feedback from editors/publishers, and others would rather wait until there’s something meaningful to report. I try to follow their lead!
What do you look for in a debut author?
EC: Beyond the manuscript itself, I’m looking for a strong, authentic voice. If the voice feels forced, inconsistent, or inorganic, that’s a red flag for me. I’m also looking for someone who understands the market and where their work fits within it (a well-crafted query tells me a lot about an author’s creativity + business savvy). Personality fit is also key! This is a long-term partnership, so I want to make sure we’re aligned professionally and personally.
What’s one piece of advice you find yourself giving time and time again?
EC: I have two! Become fluent in how the publishing industry works and build emotional resilience.
Follow agents and editors on social media, pay attention to deal announcements, study Publishers Marketplace, and read industry newsletters like Publishers Weekly. The more you understand how deals are structured, what editors are acquiring, and what’s selling/why, the better equipped you’ll be to navigate this industry with confidence.
When the rejections come (because they will) don’t let them stop you. Persistence and patience aren’t just nice qualities to have in this industry, they’re essential. Keep refining, keep submitting, and never lose sight of the heart of your story.
What excites you the most about the publishing industry today?
EC: Honestly, I’m trying to lean into the fact that I typically find change exciting rather than scary, even though there’s a lot of change happening right now that I find intimidating (looking at you, AI). The industry is contracting in some ways, but that’s pushed all of us to think more inventively about how we find opportunities for our authors, and that’s a good thing. I’m also genuinely energized by how many viable paths to publication exist today. Traditional publishing isn’t the only route, and I love that hybrid publishers, indie presses, and self-publishing are all legitimate, respected options. Every book deserves to find its audience and there are more ways to make that happen than ever before.
Tell us about a recent book/project that you worked on that excited you and you want everyone to know about?
EC: I’m genuinely thrilled about every book I’ve repped that’s now on shelves, but January was a particularly special month for me. I merged with Bond Literary Agency to form Confluence Literary, the wonderful KJ Micciche hit the USA Today bestseller list with her novel ONE WEEK LATER, and the delightfully spooky EJ Green sold their debut horror novel to Zando’s new horror imprint, Evil Twin (their editor is TJ and I love the symmetry of all the “Js”! in January!).
KJ is an exceptional romance writer, and I still remember exactly how I felt reading the first draft of ONE WEEK LATER–many tears, much laughter, more tears. At its core it’s a second-chance love story, but what really elevates it are the mother-daughter dynamics. They’re so raw and authentically rendered that they end up being just as emotionally compelling as the romance itself.
EJ novel’s, ANA MUST DIE (AGAIN) is coming out Spring 2027, and it’s the stuff folk horror fever dreams are made of. The story follows an unlikely duo on a road trip to take down a sinister cult that specializes in resurrecting defiant women as obedient wives. It’s queer, it’s campy, it’s genuinely unsettling, and I could not be more obsessed.
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Thanks, Elizabeth
Click here for more information on the 2026 Agents & Editors Conference, a weekend-long event in Austin, TX (June 26-28) that focuses on the craft of writing, the business of publishing, and building a literary community.
