After changing agencies in September, Lee Melillo’s website now says: “Lee Melillo (they/she) is an associate agent at Speilburg Literary Agency. They joined in 2026 after two years at Dunham Literary and an internship at Dystel, Goderich, & Bourret LLC.”
Their MSWL says, “For my next open query period, I’m focusing on my adult fiction list, though I’ll still be open to YA and nonfiction. I’m looking for upmarket and book club fiction.”
Here is their MSWL “Young Adult Fiction list:
- SPECULATIVE CONTEMPORARY: I generally gravitate towards contemporary YA with some sort of speculative (fantasy, light sci-fi, horror, etc.) bent to it. I’m less likely to be a fit for realistic contemporary or issue-driven fiction here.
- HISTORICAL THRILLERS/MYSTERIES: If June Hur could’ve written it, I want to read it. I love thrillers/mysteries as strong plot engines to teach me about time periods/places less frequently platformed. Speculative elements welcome (think Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek). Particularly of interest would be stories set in historical West Asia, Africa, or the Pacific Islands.
- FREAKY FANDOM STORIES: I’d love something that delves into fandoms or fan culture in a wacky, freaky, and/or surrealist way. I’d love something like a YA Holy Boy by Lee Heejoo or Idol, Burning by Rin Usami. Anything that showcases the raw power of a teen who loves something so-so-so much.”
See the “Looking for a Literary Agent” roundup here.
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