Claire Draper started wanting to work in and around books in high school, when they fell hardcore in love with reading and writing after a friend took them to see Twilight. They spent all their time (and savings) at Borders and the local library and on fanfic.net after that.

While studying Queer Diversity in Children's Literature at New York University's Gallatin, they interned at Rare Bird Lit, InkWell Management, and the Children's Book Council. After graduating, Claire spent a fantastic (if albeit short-lived) two weeks working as a bookseller for The Strand, before ending up at InkWell Management as a receptionist and agent assistant in 2016. And then early 2019, they moved to the Bent Agency to start expanding their list with a collection of very queer books for kids of all ages, including graphic novels, picture books, middle grade, and young adult. And then later extended their list to cover all their interests with books for adults by returning to their favorites with romance novels, memoir, and specialty nonfiction. They joined the Azantian Literary Agency in 2023, and are thrilled to always see beautiful manuscripts make their way to a bookshelf.

They live in New York City with their partner, two sneaky cats who teach each other bad habits, and too many plants to count. They are often found with either gardening gloves, sewing shears, or some other house craft.

Wishlist

For all the books I work with, I prefer to work with queer creators and Black, Indigenous, creators of color, and strongly encourage those creators to send me their work. Regardless of genre, age, or subject, I like lighthearted, romantic, emotional, hopeful, adventurous reads. I am largely genre-agnostic, but I do prefer books with a fast pace, high stakes, and strong emotional development for the main character(s). I do not want to see books from authors writing identity-based books not of their own identity.

Graphic Novels

I like a diverse cast of characters, in nearly any genre or location. I love art that challenges traditional styles and is easily recognizable as belonging to a particular artist. I like stories for all ages, fiction and nonfiction, but especially love when a book has strong themes of love and/or friendship, and is extra queer.

Illustrator Portfolios

I like to see a decent sampling of your work, including anything from character design, to fan art, to sequentials (any paneled work, webcomic, zine, etc., will suffice). Please let me know whether you are exclusively an illustrator or author/illustrator.

YA and Middle-grade Contemporary

I love fiction where the main character has average, everyday challenges and we see how they overcome them. I love books that are lighthearted and emotionally poignant. I am especially interested in queer, disabled, and BIPOC protagonists, especially when the books are not issue-driven.

YA and Middle-grade Genre

I love fast pacing and high stakes. I am generally not preferential to any specific genre (fantasy, horror, sci-fi, etc.) as long as the rules of the genre are respected and understood. Much like with contemporary, I am especially interested in queer, disabled, and BIPOC protagonists, especially when the books are not issue-driven. But above all, give me a good, page-turning adventure.

Queer Adult Romance Novels

I want books with queer protagonists that have distinct personalities and a fast pace. I love nearly any genre, but require that the story is queer, feminist, and body-positive. I can't bear to read dated ideals of partnership, relationships, femininity, and masculinity. I DO NOT want books where the characters participate in sexual acts without consent and/or while heavily intoxicated. Consent is key and non-negotiable. Sweep me off my feet, please! I've been reading romance novels since I was a teenager, so make sure to respect the rules of HEA and give me some good trope-filled romance. To reiterate, I love a wide range of sub-genres in this space, so send it all.

Memoir

I am particularly interested in queer authors writing about their queerness and the intersections of their identity. I love books with humor and interesting perspectives, and enjoy a big personality or narration to go with the contents of the memoir. I do not want conservative or conservative-leaning memoirs.

Select Adult Nonfiction

I love creators with a fun and interesting platform, who are the experts in their field, and have something interesting and crucial to say. Subjects for this may include but are not limited to: plants, crafting, DIY, cleaning, homemaking, cooking, art, feminism, queer theory, parenting, and media criticism.

In Summary

• Overall impressions: genre agnostic, generally queer, love and joy and hope triumphs
• Graphic Novels: for all ages, but primarily upper middle grade through adult
• YA: all genres are great, but really love it when there's warmth and hope and joy
• Adult Romance: the queerer the better, clear consent a must
• Nonfiction: fun and interesting platform helps, preferably an expert in their field, and have something interesting and crucial to say. Subjects may include but are not limited to: plants, crafting, DIY, cleaning, homemaking, cooking, art, feminism, queer theory, parenting, and media criticism
• Diverse representation always a plus, including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, disability, queerness, fat, etc.

What I Love

• characters so stupid in love but don't realize it
• I am a simp for simps aka characters with big time infatuation
• ensemble cast
• unusual settings
• genre blending, but not bending
• romance as a significant B plot
• enemies to lovers
• only one bed
• love interest seems morally gray but is actually a marshmallow with heart of gold
• fantastic jokes ("I hope I never ridicule what is wise or good. Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies, do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can.")

Quotes that inspire my taste

"Rebellions are built on hope." | "Hope is the only thing stronger than fear." | "What does it feel like to be in love?... It feels easy, it's just like breathing, he understands my idiosyncrasies, finds them charming even, we expose each other to new things, new ideas, we laugh a lot, we just pass the time so well. I would call those things love."