About

Melanie Figueroa is a literary agent at Root Literary with over a decade of experience in the book publishing industry and an active member of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA). She earned an M.S. in Creative Writing and Book Publishing from Portland State University and a B.A. in English Rhetoric and Composition with a professional certification in Technical Writing from California State University, Long Beach.

Her career in publishing started as an editorial project manager and freelance editor. She joined Root Literary in 2018 as an agency coordinator and quickly transitioned into her current role as a literary agent. Melanie’s portfolio of representation spans across children’s literature and adult fiction.

A Southern California native, Melanie was born and raised in a multicultural, blended family, so she has a soft spot for books that speak to the nuances of relationships, identity, and culture. The unique blend of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit that her role offers is what truly fuels her passion for the job. When she's not working, you can find her stress baking, watching something scary, or snuggling with her chocolate lab, Oakley.