Announcement: I'm a Literary Agent

Connections and the love of Writing

Photo by Xia Hua on Unsplash

I’m so excited to add this new job title to my daily desire to connect and support the writing community. Never fear, I’m not leaving any of my other positions. I love them too much! Through the encouragement and mentorship of Jessica Berg, founder of Rosecliff Literary, I’m ready to apply my deep understanding of story structure and my obsession with the intricacies of character motivation and behavior to help authors connect with editors and readers who will love their stories as much as I do.

In the coming months, you’ll notice an expansion of the stories that I analyze while I focus on longer-form stories. I will always love Flash Fiction, and I plan on including my recommendation and deep dives into it here; it won’t be my sole focus. I’m excited to consider how all forms and genres of creative writing work and how writers can use these craft moves in their own work! So stay with me, and we’ll become better writers together!

Now to the literary agent details!

Tommy Dean is an Associate Agent at Rosecliff Literary, specializing in mystery, suspense, thrillers, crime fiction, and upmarket fiction with a sharp edge. He is drawn to high-stakes narratives, complex characters, and stories that refuse to be put down.

Crime novels with anti-hero main characters will always get him, as will mystery novels that keep him guessing. He’s always interested in clear stakes, surprise endings, and stories that make him forget the outside world. Plus points for supercharged sensory experiences, characters yearning to understand their pasts and find a glimmer of hope. Give him your characters with secrets, past loves, past crimes, and past mistakes that lead to unique stories.

An award-winning writer and editor, Tommy is the editor of Fractured Lit and Uncharted Magazine and the author of multiple flash fiction collections. His work has been recognized in Best Microfiction, Best Small Fiction, and The Lascaux Prize. With years of experience spotting standout stories, refining them, and championing their success, he brings a keen editorial eye and a deep understanding of what makes fiction compelling.

As an agent, Tommy is focused on building careers, amplifying unforgettable voices, and getting page-turning stories into the right hands.

Submission Guidelines:

These will change once I receive my AALA membership and Query Manager.

Please include a query letter and a one-page synopsis.

Paragraph 1: Introduction. Please include metadata such as word count, title, genre, and comps.

Paragraph 2/3: Back copy blurb that includes important stakes, plot and action, and the hook. Focus on your main character!

Paragraph 4: Your bio,including some background information and writing experience/success.

Please attach the first 10 pages of your novel. If interested in your project, we will request the full manuscript.

We aim to respond within 12 weeks.

Due to the nature of submissions we receive, we regret we cannot provide personalized feedback at this time due to the high volume of submissions we receive.

Please send queries to tommy@rosecliffliterary.com.

Queries open on 02/28/2025.

I can’t wait to read your novels! Thank you for trusting me with your writing!

Select Upcoming Appearances

• AWP 2025 Los Angeles, CA

  • March 26-29, 2025

• Writing Away Refuge Zoom Pitch Retreat

  • April 05, 2025 11:50-3:50 Central Time, Zoom

• The 2025 Writing Workshop of Chicago

  • June 21, 2025 9:00-5:00 Central Chicago, IL