Our Storm Literary Agency Team

Essie White, Founder/Literary Agent

Essie White started her literary career by focusing on those for whom the literature was written: Children. She received her BA in Education with her primary focus in Special Education.  When working with special needs children, struggling with language, she discovered the beauty of words, and the rhythm of a well composed story, engaged them. She later went on to teach traditional elementary students and found that reading was best achieved, when a good book was the focus, not the specific skillset.

Essie later completed her MA in Education, specializing in Curriculum and Instruction for Early Childhood Education. That’s when her real journey with books began. Using quality children’s literature as the foundation, she began creating curricula for local and national homeschool groups as well as independent preschool organizations. For each subject, each topic, each thematic unit, she used a book as the starting point.

Essie used this combination of skills and passions, to start her own early childhood development program. Still in operation today, after 20 + years, the school serves young children in Seattle.  Although Essie is no longer managing the school on site, each lesson, each day, still begins with a quality children’s book.

After relocating to Minneapolis, Minnesota, Essie entrenched herself in the local children’s book community. She started receiving inquiries from local authors, asking about the path to publication. A lot of research later, as well as a lot of work, Essie opened her small agency with the hope of ensuring capable artists and authors, could eventually get their work seen by editors and publishers. Storm Literary Agency was subsequently launched in 2014.

Essie loves strong writing that hits an emotional core. For her, the writing must be unforgettable, as should the characters and the place. Whether a snippet of life, or a full life, the story should not be easily forgotten. She wants to represent literature that leave an impact on children’s lives, and she wants to represent artists who know how to speak to the child, with their art.

Essie is fond of many authors and artists, some of whom she feels fortunate to call clients. But some of her favorite classic publications include Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney, Where the Wild Things are by Maurice Sendak, Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel. More recent favorites include: I talk Like a River by Jordan Scott and illustrated by Sydney Smith. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell, The Funeral by Matt James and Once, a Bird (Orca Books) Essie currently lives in Southern California where she’s blessed to be near family and an ocean that provides endless inspiration.

Essie is a member of the Association of Author’s Representatives, Inc.

Please follow Essie’s submission guidelines.

Victoria Selvaggio, Owner/Literary Agent

For Victoria Selvaggio, books have always played an important role in her life. From an early age, she could easily be found reading in a corner with stacks of books or the opposite, crafting her own. In her early teens, anything written by Stephen King became a must read––the thickness of those books was not intimidating.  Those perfect words linked together to create such thought-provoking scenes. She was hooked! So hooked that she began writing constantly. Though, to the dismay of her high school college writing course teacher, Victoria did not pursue writing in college. She also did not pursue her vocation of becoming a CPA, even with the high recommendations (and grades) of her teachers, parents, and peers. Instead, upon graduation Victoria obtained her Real Estate License and after matching her very first homebuyer with the very first house she toured with him (that she selected out of hundreds), she quickly realized she could sell. This empowered her. She changed the trajectory of her path by combining all of her passions and skills and started her own business at the age of twenty. Within the first year of operation, she had expanded from having no employees to ten.

Running a successful business never replaced her love for reading and writing, which she shared consistently with her children. Curling up with them to read and enjoying all of those classics again, through their emotions compelled Victoria to revisit writing. Becoming traditionally published, though, was not something that she knew much about and after self-publishing two books, Victoria was introduced to SCBWI (The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). Once again, she was hooked! There was so much to learn about the publishing industry–– and learn she did! From query letters to submissions (with snail mail!). Like all passions, Victoria immersed herself in all things publishing. She participated in any and all writer-related events and volunteered for her local SCBWI chapter and within time, became the Regional Advisor for SCBWI: Northern Ohio––a role that she was honored to master for many years. A role that also empowered her and provided a new path.

Becoming a literary agent.

After interning for The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, she joined the agency in 2013 as an associate agent. Within six months of agenting, she had sales under her belt and a growing list of very talented clients. Additionally, she accepted numerous invitations to present at conferences and events––thrilled to have the opportunity to meet like-minded creatives, while also building her reputation in the industry.

Grateful for her earlier agenting days, Victoria missed the behind-the-scenes business side. The running of the business. In 2018, she joined Storm Literary Agency as a co-owner where she devoted her time to building the agency from within with talented agents and a supporting staff.

With over thirty years of business-ownership and publishing experience, Victoria became the owner of Storm Literary Agency in 2022. Her list features both debut and award-winning authors. She represents all age categories and all genres except Erotica Romance. Currently, she is closed to submissions but does plan to open for a limited time in 2024 (Victoria does accept and opens for submissions as a presenter at conferences).

Her favorite authors include: Stephen King, Judy Blume, Shel Silverstein, Lois Lowry, Margaret Atwood, E. B. White, C. S. Lewis, Suzanne Collins, and so many more.

In her spare time, Victoria can be found on a sixteen-foot ladder painting or knocking down a wall in one of her remodeling/flipping home projects. 

Victoria is a member of the Association of Author’s Representatives, Inc.

Please follow Vicki’s submission guidelines.

Heather Cashman, Senior Literary Agent/Agent Mentor

Heather has always devoured any book--fiction or nonfiction--that told a good story and introduced a new world, but she especially loves the ones that make her want to be the heroine of her own life. Her work in Biochemistry inspired her imagination for creating worlds. Writing for enjoyment turned into an interest in improving craft.

Heather was a professional editor for Cornerstones Literary Consultancy, editing middle grade, young adult, and adult books. She’s also helped authors by working as Managing Director of Pitch Wars, #PitMad, and Pitch Madness, as well as being a Pitch Wars mentor. Before becoming Associate Literary Agent and Agent Mentor at Storm Literary Agency, Heather interned for three years at The Bent Agency and Entangled Publishing.

Heather is currently seeking submissions for middle grade, young adult, and adult in fiction and nonfiction. For fiction, she’ll consider all genres and loves a good genre splice. For non-fiction, anything that takes her back to those days in the library when she wanted to learn about someone, something, and somewhere new.

For all writing, Heather enjoys unique characters formed from their own experiences in a unique world. The characters need to feel real with a distinct voice from the first line. Thematic elements and strong character arcs are a must. She loves commercial fiction that has a literary flair and inclusive books that bring us together as citizens of the world.

Some of her favorite authors: Anne McCaffrey, Terry Brooks, Judy Blume, Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, Gary Paulson, Roald Dahl, Lord Byron (so much love for Prometheus Unbound, especially), Orson Scott Card, Beverly Cleary, Dean Koontz, Rainbow Rowell, Pierce Brown, Leigh Bardugo, Maggie Stiefvater, Holly Black, and so many more.

Please follow Heather’s submission guidelines.

Lisa Amstutz, Literary Agent

Lisa fell in love with reading at an early age, devouring stacks of books from the library each week. While she never stopped reading, she earned degrees in Biology and Environmental Science and worked as a lab technician, outdoor educator, and small-scale farmer before returning to her first love: books.

With sixteen years of experience as an author and freelance editor, Lisa comes to Storm Literary Agency as an Associate Literary Agent. She has written more than 140 books for the educational and trade markets as well as numerous magazine and newspaper articles. As an editor and mentor, she worked with writers to shape and polish their manuscripts, many of which went on to land agents or book contracts. She also edited materials for several publishing companies.

From 2011–2020, Lisa served on the board of SCBWI: Ohio North in various roles, including Assistant Regional Advisor. She also volunteered as a judge at Rate Your Story and was one of the founders of the annual NF Fest challenge. Now, she looks forward to helping clients achieve success as an agent.

Lisa lives with her family on a small farm. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, nature photography, scrapbooking and, of course, reading.

Favorite authors include Sy Montgomery, Louise Penny, Alexander McCall Smith, Wendell Berry, Michael Pollan, Madeleine L’Engle, and Agatha Christie. In the kidlit realm, some favorites are Candace Fleming, Melissa Sweet, Andrea Davis Pinckney, Cynthia Rylant, Ezra Jack Keats, Kenneth Grahame, E.B. White, Andrew Clements, and Beatrix Potter.

Please follow Lisa’s submission guidelines.

Michelle Hauck, Literary Agent

Michelle devoured the classics at an early age, falling in love with heroic stories like The Three Musketeers, Ivanhoe, and The Scarlet Pimpernel. It wasn’t until her teens that she got her hands on The Sword of Shannara and discovered a new heroic level in SFF. Now she’d like to advocate for stories that take the reader beyond the traditional hero’s journey.

After graduating with a business degree, with a concentration in finance, Michelle worked as a cost accountant for several years before a short stint as a stay-at-home mom. Then she switched gears for twenty years working in an elementary school, where she learned a lot about what kids like to read and applied that to her own stories, publishing a historic fantasy series with Harper Voyager.

She’s been helping writers long before taking the step to become an agent. Her Midwest roots taught her to pay things forward, and along with several co-hosts, she ran an impressive collection of contests for writers, including Query Kombat, Nightmare on Query Street, and Picture Book Party. She also learned much from six years as a successful Pitch Wars mentor in adult SFF.

Currently, Michelle is taking submissions for middle grade, young adult, and some limited adult genres.

Drawn to all sorts of stories from the heroic to the humorous, she loves big worlds, inventive magic systems, and a rich sense of history. Characters with lots of back-story and villains with shades of gray make her day. She’s not the best fit for contemporary with dark themes, but she loves contemporary that can be described as quirky, fun, and light. She wants to look at all things SFF or historical, and won’t pass up a cozy mystery, page-turner thriller, or a sweet romance. A dash of politics is a great added ingredient or climate change.

She is not interested in nonfiction or picture books/chapter books at this time.

Some of her recent favorite reads include: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, This Time It’s Real, Legends and Lattes, The Seventh Bride, There Goes the Neighborhood, The Locked Tomb series, the Murderbot series, The Priory of the Orange Tree, Wings of Ebony, Mexican Gothic, Cemetery Boys, Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, How to Trap a Tiger, New Kid, Project Hail Mary, and The City We Became.  Old favorites include The Hunger Games series, The Wheel of Time Series, Anne of Green Gables series, The Legend of Eli Monpress, Ready Player One, and The Questionable Behavior of Dalia Moss.

Some of her all-time favorite authors are Brandon Sanderson, Brent Weeks, Kate Elliott, Kristen Britain, Agatha Christie, N.K. Jemisin, and Michael J. Sullivan.

Please follow Michelle’s submission guidelines.

Sheila Fernley, Associate Literary Agent

Sheila can’t remember a time when she didn’t love books. She began her literary career as a young girl, writing and producing neighborhood plays, casting local kids as characters.

After graduating with a degree in special education, Sheila taught elementary students with special needs. She went on to become an editor, an education consultant, and a project manager for large urban school districts and state education agencies.

As a children’s book writer, Sheila is drawn to helping aspiring kidlit writers. Admiring literary agents she met along her literary journey, Sheila began her career as an agent, interning at Belcastro Literary Agency before joining the Storm Literary Agency family. Sheila looks forward to long partnerships with her clients, working together to build successful literary careers.

As a Mexican-American and special education teacher, Sheila is interested is supporting underrepresented voices, but first and foremost she looks for great stories that entertain and inspire children and young adults. Stories that beg to be read over and over. Sheila is primarily interested in picture books (fiction and nonfiction) and MG novels, but she is also open to YA fiction. From heartfelt to humorous, Sheila enjoys stories with strong, believable characters that have a distinct voice and emotional connection. She wants to be drawn into the story from the first line and held captive until the end. Sheila is looking for clients that study their craft and genre(s). Those who and are open to feedback to create the best stories possible.

Some of Sheila’s favorite authors are Matt de la Peña, Jon Klassen, Kevin Noble Maillard, Joanna Ho, Beth Ferry, Yuyi Morales, Dan Santat, Jane Yolen, Jilanne Hoffmann, Ali Benjamin, Holly Black, Jaime Berry . . . not to forget authors like Shel Silverstein, Don Freeman, Dr. Seuss, and EB White.

Coffee sustains Sheila during the long hours she puts in each day. Saturday mornings she can be found at one of many local coffee shops, sipping a cup of cappuccino with a friend. When she isn’t helping clients, reading, or writing, Sheila enjoys making most anything crafty, from sewing, to beaded bees, to painted rocks . . . always gifting what she creates.

Please follow Sheila’s submission guidelines.

Jenna Satterthwaite, Associate Literary Agent

Jenna Satterthwaite reached agenting sideways, as many do. She didn’t know agenting existed until she wrote her first novel back in 2014 and learned she had to do this thing called “querying.” Fast forward many years during which she wrote many novels and became agented herself, and she had an aha moment. Agenting was the nexus where her two decades of business experience in sales, pitching, project management and contract negotiation met her decade of bookish experience. After completing internships with Liza Dawson Associates and Rees Literary, Jenna joined Storm as an agent in 2024.

She’s looking to represent authors over the course of their careers who are passionate about their work and willing to arm themselves with the tenacity that it takes to succeed in the world of publishing. She is an editorial agent who wants to help make your manuscript the best and most sellable version of itself, and then pitch the heck out of it to the right editors. Jenna is here to help you navigate this career that can unfold in so many different ways, advocate for you, and seek your best interests. She’s not afraid of multi-genre writers, (she’s one herself!) and she is ready to try and break your name into as many genres and age groups as you want to write. YOU are your brand!

Omnivorous in her taste, Jenna is seeking to represent adult, Young Adult and Middle Grade commercial fiction in most genres, graphic novels from middle grade to young adult, adult non-fiction, and very select picture books. (See submission guidelines for more details.) Jenna is also fully bilingual English/Spanish, so dual language projects are most welcome!

Jenna lives in Chicago with her family, and when she's not agenting, reading or writing, you can find her trying a Milk Street recipe, making music in living rooms with friends, or plotting when she can get sushi next.

Favorite authors include:

Lucy Foley, Vera Kurian, Andrea Bartz, May Cobb, Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, Louise Penny, Tana French, Alix Harrow, Sarah J Maas, Tia Williams, Emily Henry, Gail Honeyman, J. Ryan Stradal, Kate Bowler, Brigid Kemmerer, Karen McManus, Leigh Bardugo, Krystal Sutherland, Xiran Jay Zhao, Rae Carson, Megan Miranda.

Please follow Jenna’s submission guidelines.

Sara Stanton, Agency Assistant

Sara Stanton is just beginning her literary career, but she has always dreamed of working in the writing world. She found a love for reading and writing when she was very young and made sure there was always a book in her hand. Over the years, Sara noticed the power of a good book and how writing can be used to spark change, influence good, and overall, just brighten someone’s day. Since she was young, she has done all she can to encourage others to read and write, and now, as she transitions more into the literary world, she wants to continue to help people find their voices and their new favorite book.

Sara received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing with a focus in Children’s/YA Literature and a minor in Spanish from Lesley University. Her goal is to be a part of the literary world in every way she can, including becoming an author. Currently, she is an assistant at Storm, a volunteer at the Boston Authors Club for social media, a voracious reader, and a writer working on a few fun projects.

Sara is drawn to just about any book you put in front of her, but her favorites include anything by Mary Downing Hahn, Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh, Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson, The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang, and The Doll People by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin.

Sara is not open to submissions.

Lauren Lindsey White, Editorial Assistant

Lauren Lindsey White has had a lifelong passion for reading.  As a young child, she was entranced by the storytelling of Arthur Conan Doyle, Emily Bronte, Robert Louis Stevenson and Tolkien. Over time, her literary interests grew as she was introduced to the works of Toni Morrison, Sam Shepard, Samuel Beckett, Joy Harjo and Nayyirah Waheed. Lauren graduated with a degree in Classical Literature and Theatre from Fordham University and then headed to Dublin, Ireland to study at Gaiety.  Lauren has worked as a teacher, tutor, library educator and literary research assistant so, focusing on literature, especially children's literature, felt like a natural transition.

Lauren is also a writer and performer whose plays and poems have been performed and produced at many NYC theatres including: The LAByrinth Theater, Theatre Row, Ensemble Studio Theater, Maggie Flannigan’s Studio, Nuyorican Poets Café, Sidewalk Café, Grounded. Her one-woman show, "Lauren White Wants You" was recently produced as part of the United Solo Festival after it premiered in a sold out run at the Dublin Fringe Festival in Ireland.

Lauren remains passionate about literature and relishes the opportunity to ensure manuscripts are the best they can be.  She looks for the genius in the work, and strives to ensure those with whom she works, create the best story possible. Her expertise is in middle grade and young adult literature.

Lauren is not open to submissions.

Heidi Vance, Marketing Coordinator

Heidi Vance has loved books since she was old enough to hold one in her hands. The library has always been a big influence. Inspiring and expanding upon her need to read and write as much as she can. In addition to writing for children and adults, Heidi is published in the magazine market.  

Since 2015, Heidi has managed her daughter’s small-turned-worldwide “Sammie’s Buddy Bench Project,” and successfully helped her daughter through the publishing process of her debut book, Inspire the World: A Kid’s Journey to Making a Difference, which has been highlighted on Disney, Nightly News, and mentioned in publications such as People Magazine and New York Times, to name a few.

When reading for enjoyment, Heidi loves a variety of book genres from Drama and Mystery to Documentaries and Dystopian. One of her favorite series is The Hunger Games. Her most loved books from childhood are the Flicka series.

Heidi received a journalism scholarship and has been involved in writing and promoting for 25 years. Her passion for marketing, promoting, and creating a brand has carried over to Storm Literary Agency where she is currently working on Storm’s Front lists, backlists, and submission-ready projects. Her recent efforts have resulted in appearances on Reading Rainbow LIVE, the Today Show, and Disney.

In her spare time, Heidi enjoys the company of her husband and four kids, a good cup of coffee, and taking walks with friends.  

Heidi is not open to submissions.

Film/TV/Stage:

Storm Literary Agency is pleased to partner with a Development Executive and Independent Producer with extensive experience identifying, developing, and packaging winning stories. With an international network of professional contacts - talent agents, studio executives, book agents, screenwriters, directors, authors, independent producers and film/television/digital production companies - it allows for facilitating the best creative process, resulting in increased high-profile submissions. 

For information on rights availability or to request a film guide, please contact Victoria Selvaggio at vicki.stormliteraryagency@gmail.com

Foreign, Translation, and Audio Rights:

Storm Literary Agency is pleased to announce additional partnerships soon! For information on rights availability, please contact Victoria Selvaggio at vicki.stormliteraryagency@gmail.com.

Elizabeth Atkins, Foreign Rights Co-Agent

Elizabeth Atkins is co-director of A.C.E.R. Agencia Literaria, a longstanding and prestigious agency in Spain. Elizabeth represents publishers and agents from the United States and the United Kingdom to sell Spanish and Portuguese translation rights to publishers in Portugal, Brazil, Mexico and all other Latin American countries. Many important authors have been introduced to Spanish through A.C.E.R., including Shel Silverstein, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Michael Connelly, Elias Cannetti, Boris Vian, H.P. Lovecraft and Zygmunt Bauman, to name just a few.