JENNIFER AZANTIAN
FOUNDER AND LITERARY AGENT
Jennifer Azantian established Azantian Literary in 2014 and focuses primarily on fiction across genres for MG, YA, and adult readers. She represents bestselling and award-winning writers, and is always on the lookout for new talent. Prior to ALA, Jennifer was at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency followed by a stint with the Paul Levine Literary Agency. Before publishing, she earned her B.S. in clinical and developmental psychology from UCSD where she was an executive editor for the Triton Psychology Report. She brings to her clients a passion for literature born of a writer's heart, an editorial eye honed from reviewing thousands of projects, and the connections to help bring wonderful books to life.
THAIS AFONSO
ASSOCIATE AGENT
Thais is an Associate Agent with Azantian Literary Agency. Thais has eight years of experience in publishing between Brazil, China, and the United States. More recently, she interned at Writers House, where she honed her skills while supporting the desks of Amy Berkower and Johanna Castillo, and she was mentored by Jennifer Azantian before stepping up to the Associate Agent role at ALA. She intends to represent marginalized authors, and she's especially seeking to uplift BIPOC born and raised in the Global South. An Afro-Brazlian lesbian, Thais currently lives and works out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She helps care for her grandmother when she's not editing books and she's one of those terrible people who calls the gym her hobby (even though she currently doesn't go).
KEIR ALEKSEII
ASSOCIATE AGENT
Keir Alekseii is an associate agent with Azantian Literary Agency. She is an educator and anti-GBV activist born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, a twin island country in the West Indies. Keir is a writer, gamer, lover of folklore, and former research scientist. As a neurodivergent, queer woman of color, Keir is invested in discovering engaging work with similar representation, and is passionate about creating space for voices not often recognized. She is especially interested in stories from BIPOC who are born and raised in the Global South.
CLAIRE DRAPER
LITERARY AGENT
Claire Draper started 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.
T.S. FERGUSON
LITERARY AGENT
Before joining Azantian Literary Agency, T.S. Ferguson worked for 16 years as an editor for some of the top children's and teen book publishers in the business, including Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Harlequin Teen/Inkyard Press, and JIMMY Patterson Books. He has worked with New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors such as Sherman Alexie, Sara Zarr, Suzanne Selfors, Pseudonymous Bosch, Robin Talley, Hillary Monahan (writing as Eva Darrows), and Adi Alsaid.
MASHA GUNIC
ASSOCIATE AGENT
Masha started her career in publishing as an intern at the Azantian Literary Agency and has since held internships at Red Fox Literary and Writers House before working as an Editorial Assistant at Abrams Books on the children's side for two years. Her love for books across genres, as well as her desire to find and foster great talent, drove her to make the transition from editorial back to the Azantian Literary Agency on the West Coast. Right now, Masha is only looking to acquire middle grade and young adult novels.
SHANNON LECHON
ASSOCIATE AGENT
Shannon is an associate agent with Azantian Literary Agency. She began her career with literary agency internships at P.S. Literary and Cake Creative, as well as an editorial internship with Penguin Random House. She holds dual bachelor's degrees in criminology and English from Florida State University and a master's in publishing from New York University.
MARK O'BRIEN
ASSOCIATE AGENT
Mark O'Brien joined Azantian Literary Agency in 2024 with nine years of experience in the book publishing industry. Prior to ALA, Mark interned at Entangled Publishing, Stonesong, Triada US Literary Agency, and Writers House, and worked as Sales Coordinator at NetGalley for three years. Mark has also worked as a freelance editor and sensitivity reader, as well as a volunteer with organizations like #DVpit, Tessera Editorial, and Quillers SWANA. Authors Mark has worked with in these roles include Becky Albertalli, Kelly Loy Gilbert, Victoria Aveyard, Ryan La Sala, Lydia Kang, J. Elle, Gabe Cole Novoa, Varian Johnson, Jessica Kim, Sayantani DasGupta, and many more.
ALEXANDRA WEISS
ASSOCIATE AGENT
Alexandra Weiss joined the world of publishing in 2016, as an associate agent with the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency. In 2021, she joined Azantian Literary Agency where she represents fiction and nonfiction picture books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, and select adult nonfiction. She holds a BFA in creative writing and publishing from Columbia College Chicago and has written for Bustle and Buzzfeed, among others. She regularly volunteers with literary organizations and has a soft spot for working with young readers. When she isn't reading or writing, she's probably baking up a storm or snuggling with her cat.
About Us
MUSHENS ENTERTAINMENT
Foreign rights for books for all ages and genres (excluding graphic novels) are handled by Mushens Entertainment. For any enquiries about ALA translation rights for novels, please contact Liza Deblock, liza@mushens-entertainment.com or Alba Arnau Prado, alba@mushens-entertainment.com.
FULL BLEED RIGHTS
Foreign rights for graphic novels are handled by Full Bleed Rights. For any enquiries about ALA translation rights for graphic novels, please contact Amber Garza, ag@fullbleedrights.com.
KIRSTEN WOLF
Kirsten Wolf is the contracts manager for ALA. A graduate of University of Massachusetts Amherst and Boston University School of Law, Kirsten spent the better part of the '90s putting herself through college and law school doing a wide variety of jobs, ranging from working as a professional chef to managing an engineering firm.
FILM & TELEVISION
For film/tv inquiries please reach out to film@azantianlitagency.com.
BEN BAXTER
Ben Baxter is the in-house editor for ALA and has been with the agency from the beginning. He provides insight for our new authors as they start their journey into the world of publishing and our existing authors when they venture into new territory or just need a little extra support.