Ismita Hussain, Literary Agent

Ismita Hussain, Literary AgentIsmita Hussain, Literary AgentIsmita Hussain, Literary AgentIsmita Hussain, Literary Agent
  • About
  • Manuscript Wishlist
  • Clients
  • Media + Events
  • Consultations + Editorial
  • Contact + Query

Ismita Hussain, Literary Agent

Ismita Hussain, Literary AgentIsmita Hussain, Literary AgentIsmita Hussain, Literary Agent
  • About
  • Manuscript Wishlist
  • Clients
  • Media + Events
  • Consultations + Editorial
  • Contact + Query

What Ismita is Looking For

Adult Fiction

Adult Non-Fiction

Adult Non-Fiction

Literary Fiction, Upmarket, New Adult, Short Story Collections. 


Specifically: Fiction in all genres that is informed by, or inspired by, the myths and superstitions of a culture. Fiction that features food service/restaurant culture. Satire, and humorous fiction that comes with a message or reveals a truth about people/society. 


Ismita is open to novels that fit these categories but have some genre-fiction elements (ie. literary fiction with a speculative twist). 


The most important elements that grab Ismita's attention are style and literary quality writing. 

Adult Non-Fiction

Adult Non-Fiction

Adult Non-Fiction

Narrative Non-Fiction, Pop Culture, Humor, Memoir, Travel, Cookbooks, History, Sports


Specifically: Narrative non-fiction that discusses medicine or health in a way that is accessible and well researched. Non-fiction that makes the reader see their body in a different way. Cookbooks that explore a niche ingredient/theme and cookbooks that tell a story. Quirky and visually stunning coffee table books.


The most important elements that grab Ismita's attention are expertise and a surprising/niche topic.

Young Adult

Adult Non-Fiction

In All Genres

Contemporary, Rom-Com, Novel-in-verse, Commercial


Specifically: YA rom-coms featuring desi teens. Retellings of classic stories that haven't been redone to death (no Shakespeare, King Arthur, etc) and that provide a twist or a fresh new take. A heist book. 


The most important elements that grab Ismita's attention are themes/situations that are true to the teen experience today and commercial quality.  

In All Genres

Request/Referral Only

In All Genres

Southern settings, Italian settings, Gritty and Realist writing, Books that explore health/disability, Dark humor

Request/Referral Only

Request/Referral Only

Request/Referral Only

Ismita will consider the following by request/referral ONLY:


High Fantasy

Prescriptive Non-Fiction

Children's Books
Adult Genre Fiction (Thriller, Romance, Sci-Fi, etc)


A Little More About Ismita's Tastes

Favorite Authors: 

Cormac McCarthy, Flannery O'Connor, Oscar Wilde, Tom Perrotta


Favorite Books: 

God's Little Acre by Erskine Caldwell, Outer Dark by Cormac McCarthy, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey, The Complete Stories of Flannery O' Connor, A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf, Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston


Favorite Movies/TV Shows:

The Americans, The Sopranos, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, The Front


Ismita Would Love the 'Next'

Suttree

Salt Fat Acid Heat

White Noise

The Dreamers 

Ready to Query?

Ismita strives to respond to all queries within 8 weeks. If your manuscript sounds like a fit based on this wishlist, you can query her through QueryManager.  

Query Ismita

Ismita Hussain, Literary Agent