“In order to write well, you need to be reading a lot.“ —Emma Dries, Triangle House Literary
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 Emma Dries
Emma Dries is an agent at Triangle House Literary. She began her career in editorial and worked on bestselling and award-winning books at Alfred A. Knopf, Doubleday, Ecco, and Flatiron Books. She has a B.A. in History from the University of Chicago and an M.F.A in Fiction from Johns Hopkins University.
How would you describe your personal approach to working with an author?
Emma Dries: In the agent/writer relationship, the personal dynamic is almost as important as the writing. I have turned down clients whose writing I loved because I didn’t think that our work relationship would be the healthiest or most productive for either of us — a personality mismatch.
My job is to be in an author’s corner and their best advocate, though in certain circumstances that means bringing them down to earth and keeping them grounded and realistic about their expectations.
What do you look for in a debut author?
ED: Originality, passion, and an ability to healthily process editorial critique and use it as fuel for revising.
What’s one piece of advice you find yourself giving time and time again?
ED: In order to write well, you need to be reading a lot, particularly contemporary books in the genre you are writing in. There are no shortcuts.
What excites you the most about the publishing industry today?
ED: The call to action to resist the incursion of AI and preserve human art.
Tell us about a recent book/project that you worked on that excited you and you want everyone to know about?
ED: NANNY NANNY by K. Chiucarello — a stunner of a debut publishing from Ecco this November!
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Thanks, Emma!
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.
