Paula Weiman

Paula Weiman (they/them) joined the ASH Literary team in 2023 as an agent after a career in literary scouting and educational publishing. Based in New York and with a background in translation rights, they bring an international approach to selling their clients’ work. They represent authors and illustrators across a wide range of children’s categories, from picture books through young adult, as well as speculative fiction and illustration for adult audiences. Their goal is to help as many children as possible to see their experiences represented on the page for the first time. Paula is a member of the American Association of Literary Agents.

Paula is open to picture book texts, illustrator portfolios, and author-illustrator picture book proposals. They are looking for text with sly and clever humor, a clear hook, and a complete plot arc, especially if it ties into a cultural heritage topic or a STEM concept. They are open to high concept chapter books with a hook that lends itself to an episodic series, particularly if they feature protagonists from backgrounds and identities that are underrepresented within publishing. Illustration-forward projects are welcome.

For middle grade, Paula is focusing on mysteries and adventure stories, but is also open to the occasional tear-jerker if it has a strong voice and clear stakes. They like active narrators with a charming and clever voice, and protagonists who are a little bit messy even when they mean well. Favorites include anything by Kelly Barnhill, Catherynne M. Valente, or Patricia C. Wrede. When it comes to YA, Paula is still on the hunt for a well-executed heist! They would love to see thrillers that are less “murder mystery” and more “teenagers tackling systemic injustice in their community.” They are on the lookout for rom-coms full of shenanigans grounded in real issues teens face, especially featuring protagonists and love interests who are queer, BIPOC, religious minorities, and/or physically disabled.

For both YA and adult audiences, they are drawn to psychological horror rooted in topics of colonization, familial trauma, environmentalism, and empathetic depictions of mental illness. They are looking for second-world and contemporary fantasy with unique magic systems and efficient world-building. Settings outside of Europe or the anglophone world catch my attention, as do stories that draw heavily on the author’s cultural experiences. They will consider New Adult fantasy if it’s clear that the story belongs in that subcategory for reasons beyond the age of the protagonist. Across these genres and age categories, Paula welcomes stories about marginalized characters and stories written by marginalized authors.