Meet Melanie Figueroa, literary agent for children's literature and adult fiction.

Melanie is a literary agent at Root Literary and provides expert guidance and representation to authors at every stage of their career. Explore the submissions page to discover what kind of stories she’s drawn to and submit your manuscript sample below.

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Books

Nura and the Immortal Palace by M.T. Khan, Winner of the 2023 Waterstones Children's Book Prize Younger Readers Category

The Memory Collectors by Kim Neville; Starred Shelf Awareness review calls it "Tender, electric, this story and its vibrant characters will stay with readers long after the pages have closed."

Medusa by Nataly Gruender; Laura Shepperson, author of Phaedra says “Medusa by Nataly Gruender is an imaginative and thought-provoking retelling of the myth of Medusa. Gruender is not afraid to tackle the more challenging aspects of Greek mythology, resulting in a novel that is completely relevant to modern readers.”

A Home for Friendless Women by Kelly Hill; Rufi Thorpe, author of The Knockout Queen, a PEN/Faulkner Finalist says “Hill is deliciously unsentimental and humanist in her rendering of these women and their world, resulting in a historical novel that feels both accurate and strikingly modern. A delight from start to finish.”

This is Not a Dead Girl Story by Kate Sweeney

I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue; Shelby Van Pelt, New York Times Bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures says "Like a donut in a break room: unexpected, surprisingly sweet, and totally made my day...I devoured it."

Marikit and the Ocean of Stars by Caris Avendaño Cruz; Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of the Pandava series says "Cruz has woven a constellation of folklore, love and whimsy to create a tender, glimmering tale that is sure to be an enduring classic."

Trouble in the Stars by Sarah Prineas; Kirkus Reviews calls it "A space chase that would feel right at home in the world of Star Wars. Unexpectedly out of this world."

Catch the Light by Kate Sweeney; Kirkus Reviews calls it "An edgy love story in which everyone seems to have a secret to hide."

Sparkle by Lakita Wilson; Publishers Weekly says "Using emotionally turbulent and candid prose, Wilson delivers a heartfelt narrative about personal growth in which Sparkle approaches each challenge with tenacity and drive."

Be Real, Macy Weaver by Lakita Wilson; Starred Shelf Awareness review calls it "An earnest and lighthearted novel that offers an honest look at friendships."

Amir and the Jinn Princess by M.T. Khan, a Nura and the Immortal Palace companion novel

Asking for Trouble by Sarah Prineas; School Library Journal says "This series continues to be a pitch-perfect space thriller ideal for sci-fi lovers, Star Wars fans and reluctant readers."

Last Chance Dance by Lakita Wilson; Amazon Best Books of the Month Pick and Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection; Becky Albertalli calls it " Sheer delight through and through."

This One's For You by Kate Sweeney; Starred Booklist review calls it "a must-read for music fans and romantics who believe in destiny but know fate alone can’t hold up a relationship—even true love needs you to put in the work."

All Alone With You by Amelia Diane Coombs, Junior Library Guild Selection; Kirkus Reviews calls it "A delightfully compelling coming-of-age romance."

From the #1 New York Times bestselling series comes the latest title in the Who HQ Now format for trending topics. It tells the history of a political and social movement that advocates for non-violent civil disobedience and protests against incidents of police brutality--and all racially motivated violence--against Black people.

Testimonials

Thank you for your infectious enthusiasm, passion, and guidance from the first call. Working with you is both magical and a pleasure.

Natalie Sue, author of I Hope This Finds You Well
Big thanks to Root Literary, including Holly Root and Melanie Figueroa, who remained a cheerful and persistent advocate for this book even after the rejections started rolling in.

Kelly Hill, author of A Home for Friendless Women
To my agents...thank you for seeing me and believing in me and finding a way to get this book out into the world.

Kate Sweeney, author of Catch the Light
All my love to my agent, Melanie Figueroa, who championed Marikit with undeterred brilliance and grace.

Caris Avendaño Cruz, author of Marikit and the Ocean of Stars
To my tireless, brilliant agent who became my first advocate...I will always be grateful for how well you listen, your astute advice, your ability to deeply understand my stories, and your ambition that allows me to push harder and dream bigger.

M.T. Khan, author of Nura and the Immortal Palace
Your enthusiastic love for this story and its characters has been such a gift.

Kim Neville, author of The Memory Collectors
To my agent, Melanie, I am so incredibly glad that Medusa and I found our way to you. Thank you for the phone calls that leave me feeling lighter and excited about what I'm writing.

Nataly Gruender, author of Medusa

Meet Melanie Figueroa, literary agent for children's literature and adult fiction.

Books

Thank you for your infectious enthusiasm, passion, and guidance from the first call. Working with you is both magical and a pleasure.

Big thanks to Root Literary, including Holly Root and Melanie Figueroa, who remained a cheerful and persistent advocate for this book even after the rejections started rolling in.

To my agents...thank you for seeing me and believing in me and finding a way to get this book out into the world.

All my love to my agent, Melanie Figueroa, who championed Marikit with undeterred brilliance and grace.

To my tireless, brilliant agent who became my first advocate...I will always be grateful for how well you listen, your astute advice, your ability to deeply understand my stories, and your ambition that allows me to push harder and dream bigger.

Your enthusiastic love for this story and its characters has been such a gift.

To my agent, Melanie, I am so incredibly glad that Medusa and I found our way to you. Thank you for the phone calls that leave me feeling lighter and excited about what I'm writing.

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