R.L. Nguyen, an Author Conservatory alumna, has signed with Sarah Landis at Sterling Lord Literistic this past week. 

The Vietnamese author of adult gothic fiction enrolled as a student in The Author Conservatory three years ago, where she learned writing craft and business skills from world-class industry professionals. She graduated from the program this summer with three completed novel manuscripts.

After spending a mere month querying literary agents and submitting her gothic fantasy manuscript, she received 14 manuscript requests and 6 offers of representation from respected literary agents. After multiple meetings with various agents to discuss their vision, values, and goals, Nguyen signed with Sarah Landis last month.

Nguyen said that on her call with Landis, she “felt at home right away.” Landis was easy to talk to and expressed a clear understanding of the deeper heart of Nguyen’s story, not just her publishing and editorial vision. 

Sarah Landis represents a wide range of fiction authors that cover multiple genres and age ranges. Her clients have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists, plus international bestseller lists. Her clients’ accolades include Barnes and Noble book club picks and Reese’s Book club picks, amongst others. Landis has worked in the publishing field for over a decade, starting as an editor for Hyperion Books, HarperCollins Children’s Books, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, and others. 

Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc. is a renowned literary agency founded in 1952. They represent authors that have become National Book Awards and Pulitzer Prizes, New York Times bestsellers, politicians, journalists, and children’s literature icons. 

In an announcement post to her fellow Author Conservatory students, Nguyen thanked Brett Harris and Kara Swanson, founders of The Author Conservatory, as well as other fiction instructors for their training, feedback, coaching, and support. She expressed that she “wouldn’t be here without the Conservatory and our instructors and staff…I can’t imagine having better people in my corner than this team as I enter this next season.”

Nguyen also expressed that The Author Conservatory “is your chance to practice being a professional.” The process of querying and meeting with agents closely mirrored the critique call coaching process with Author Conservatory instructors, and Nguyen expressed her gratitude for how The Author Conservatory’s world-class training has prepared her for entering the professional publishing industry.

R.L. Nguyen and Sarah Landis will begin the editorial and submission process in the new year.