Hi, everyone! Lisa here to introduce you all to Jess Dallow of New Leaf Literary. She’s someone you’re going to want to get to know, so enjoy!
Before moving back to her home state of New York, Jess Dallow spent eight years working at a talent agency in Hollywood. Deciding books and cold New York winters were more her speed, she became an intern at New Leaf Literary before being hired as the subrights and film/tv assistant. She is looking to build her list with strong character driven stories, dialogue that can play out like a film in her head and something that will make her laugh and cry (maybe even at once.) Specifically in YA she’s looking for something with heart, friendship and romance. In adult, she’s looking for new adult, romance, and crime fiction. In her spare time, Jess can be found at either Sprinkles or Dylan’s Candy Bar, stuffing her face with cupcakes and gummy bears.
1. What is it about a manuscript that excites you?
A really great character voice and some sort of romance or strong friendship. When I pick up a manuscript, I want to feel like I’m living inside of a novel. I love being able to pick up things in a character’s life that might be lacking in mine or perhaps something I’ve wanted to try but haven’t for whatever reason or even have one break my heart. If a manuscript can make me feel like that, it’ll stay with me forever. I also get excited over great dialogue. It’s such a hard thing to capture and if it’s done well and feels realistic, I’m incredibly happy. All of those combined are a dream come true.
2. What is on your wish list?
Friendship stories! As much as I love romance in novels, I think friendship between women is lacking in most of what I’ve read. It doesn’t matter if it’s YA or adult, but I want to see the bond between two strong women and how they motivate each other in either a specific circumstance or just life in general (the movie Beaches is such a great example. Powerful women who can live their own lives but get through it with the help of the other.)
I’d also love a thriller/mystery in either YA or adult. Something that will get my heart racing and have me turning the page in anticipation. Especially if it involves a serial killer or an unsolved murder.
New Adult is also something I’m looking for. I’d love a bit of a twist on it. That same sexiness with a bit of a twist.
3. What do you like to do for fun?
Read a lot. I love to binge watch a really great TV show (it can be a teen soap or something a little more serious or both at once if I am feeling ambitious.) Drink wine. Go to the beach (it’s the one thing I regret about moving to NY from Los Angeles.) Go out to eat with friends; it doesn’t matter what, just food. All the food. Once in a while I like to be daring and do things that make me feel like a badass but mostly I’m so busy I prefer to be lazy when I can.
