Why read the Maven Game?

The Maven Game is about what it takes to write a serious nonfiction book and get it published.

I’ve approached that question from three directions. I started as a nonfiction editor at imprints including St. Martin’s Press and Portfolio, acquiring and editing several New York Times bestsellers. Then I spent a decade as a book collaborator, helping authors shape their proposals and manuscripts. (I worked with James Clear on the proposal for Atomic Habits, now past 25 million copies in print, and with Dr. Ali Abdaal on Feel-Good Productivity, among others.) Today I’m a senior literary agent at Writers House representing nonfiction authors.

Most writing advice comes from writers. This comes from someone who has also spent years on the other side of the desk. I’ve been writing this newsletter since 2015. Every essay draws on things I’ve figured out or watched go sideways in the course of helping authors write and publish serious books. (If you’re interested in working with me as an agent, my submission policy is here.)

As a subscriber, you’ll encounter no spam and no sales funnel. Just writing about writing: how to do it, why to do it, and what to do when life gets in the way.

Subscribe to get full access to the newsletter and publication archives: