New Literary Agent Spotlight: Tali Shammas of Storm Literary Agency

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ABOUT THE AGENT: 

Tali Shammas is an Associate Literary Agent with Storm Literary Agency. 

Tali grew up devouring books by flashlight long past her bedtime. After several years practicing corporate law, she returned to her childhood love: reading and writing fiction. She signed with her literary agency in 2025, and soon became entangled in the fast-paced publishing industry.

Tali interned with Creative Media Agency and joined Storm as an agent in 2026. With her legal knowledge and skills in client advocacy and contract negotiation, she looks forward to building a diverse client list.

Tali is looking to work with clients over the span of their careers and is not afraid of a writer who wants to explore multiple genres. She is an editorial agent who loves to sink her teeth into a great manuscript and work with the writer to make the story shine.

Tali is a champion for underrepresented voices, and she gives back by offering mentorship to up-and-coming writers and running workshops on legal issues writers should consider. She also co-hosts a literary podcast called The Prose Pros.

Tali lives with her husband, two children, and a very spoiled (and handicapable) cockapoo with wheels.

Tali’s favourite authors include V.E. Schwab, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Alix E. Harrow, Nisha J. Tuli, Holly Black, Shelley Parker-Chan, Tracy Deonn, M.L. Wang, Rachel Gillig, Mona Awad, Ava Reid, Leigh Bardugo, Erin Morgenstern, Stephanie Garber, C.G. Drews, T. Kingfisher, Andrew Joseph White, Ashley Winstead, Liz Moore, Andrea Bartz, Carley Fortune, Lily King, and many more!

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TALI IS SEEKING: 


Tali is drawn to commercial hooks, lyrical writing, and voice-y characters who jump off the page and pull you in. She loves books that weave in folk stories and mythologies, particularly those underrepresented in literature. Similarly, she is interested in non-Western settings. In fantasy, she adores a unique magic system. Tali is also a big fan of books about books.

Across all genres and age groups, Tali would love to see projects from BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, neurodiverse, and chronically ill communities. Specific wishes include:

Adult

• Fantasy (all sub-genres)
• Horror
• Sci-fi
• Thriller
• Mystery
• Romance/romcom
• Suspense
• Women’s fiction
• Upmarket/book club fiction
• And genre blends combining any of the above

Ultra specific asks in Adult

• High-stakes fantasy where characters face impossible decisions
• Boundary-pushing Queer horror, like Andrew Joseph White
• Weird girl fiction, like Callie Kazumi and Monika Kim
• Eco-fiction, including cottage gore and botanical body horror (think the aesthetic of the movie Gaia)
• Thrillers with extremely high-concept hooks, like Marisa Walz’s GOOD INTENTIONS and Caro Claire Burke’s YESTERYEAR
• Unhinged female protagonists, like Marisa Kashino’s BEST OFFER WINS

Young Adult

• Stories that grapple with faith, sexuality, and/or cultural identity, like Ahmad Saber’s RAMIN ABBAS HAS MAJOR QUESTIONS
• Mystery thrillers that keep me turning the page, like Katie Bernet’s BETH IS DEAD (retellings or not)
• Stories that broach topics like neurodivergence and sexuality in an authentic way, like Andrew Joseph White’s THE SPIRIT BARES ITS TEETH
• Psychological horror that reads like a dark fairy tale, like C.G. Drews’s DON’T LET THE FOREST IN

Middle Grade

• Fantasy, especially fairytale and myth retellings
• Plot- and character-driven stories with literary writing and commercial appeal
• Stories featuring boys as main characters
• Action/adventure stories, especially those heavy on humour
• Disability/neurodiverse/chronic illness representation
• Stories that celebrate diverse cultures

Nonfiction

• Funny, authentic, and brutally honest stories, like anything by Jenny Lawson and Belle Burden's STRANGERS
• Unique and niche topics
• Coffee table books

HOW TO QUERY: 

Submit through QueryManager: https://querytracker.net/query/talishammas

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5. Get a Freelance Edit on Your Query, Synopsis, or Manuscript​

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