Ellen feels forever grateful for her transition into the world of children’s publishing. She worked in publishing for seven years before hitting the jackpot with a job in kids' books. Although she was always a reader, Ellen found it was books for children - picture books to young adult - that opened up her mind and heart in ways she couldn’t have anticipated. Once Ellen started selling children’s books internationally she couldn’t help but get excited when discussing the effect of books in the lives of kids all over the world. She both loves and hates that feeling at the end of the book – the one in which you wish it wasn’t over – but her thoughts quickly shift to the international audience and what a gem of a book she has for them. When discussing the books from Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency, she feels privileged to deliver a list that captures the imagination of readers regardless of their native languages, time-zones, or hemispheres.

Erin graduated from Hamilton College with a B.A. in Creative Writing and an ever-growing list of books to read. She is open to all kid lit age groups, from picture books through YA, and is particularly drawn to work that shows the author’s world- and character-building ability. She wants to believe wholeheartedly in the world of the book, whether the setting is familiar or fantastic. She wants to see authentic, thoughtful representations of all people so that every kid can find a book that speaks to them. She wants even the simplest lines of dialogue to pluck at her heartstrings because they’re so perfectly written for that character. Erin loves that startled feeling you get upon reaching the end of a chapter in a really good book. You forget you’re reading when you’re so busy living, you know?

Beth Phelan has been working in publishing since 2010. A lifelong reader, she’s been caught reading by flashlight in hotel closets while on vacation and finishing stories in lieu of returning friends’ calls. She is a winner of the inaugural CBC Diversity Outstanding Achievement Award, a Publisher’s Weekly Notable Person of the Year Reader’s Pick, twice-nominated for The Ignyte Community Award for Outstanding Efforts in Service of Inclusion and Equitable Practice in Genre, and a Publisher’s Weekly Star Watch Honoree. She’s been a literary agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency since 2017.

Beth is also the Founder and was President and Executive Director of DiverseVoices, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit organization that operated from 2019 to 2023. She created #DVpit, a pitch event for marginalized creators, in April 2016, and DVcon, a free virtual conference for marginalized book creators (2021 & 2022).

Most of her time is spent reading, editing, and playing with her ugly dog Beefy.

Linda was always a fan of escaping into a good book, so the fact that she gets to make it her career is still surreal. She graduated from Cornell and has held various positions at Penguin Random House, Dorchester, Simon and Schuster, and Writers House literary agency. She's done everything from foreign rights to editorial to marketing to operations, which gave her a bird's-eye view of how all the departments worked together to bring books to life. Somewhere in between all that (and little sleep), Linda received her MFA in creative writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She counts herself lucky to work with amazing colleagues and clients who inspire her in both the children’s and adult categories.

Marietta has worked with books, authors and illustrators throughout her career -- studying, creating, editing, marketing, teaching and selling. She supports independent bookselling, believes in libraries and takes pride in her work as a Latina in the world of publishing. She is always on the lookout for visual and narrative stories that reflect the world we live in, not the bubbles in which we put ourselves. She loves books that make readers feel and shies away from those that set out to teach the reader a lesson. Whether she is reading a young adult novel, a middle grade novel or a picture book, Marietta looks for a book in which young readers can identify with the actions and reactions of the characters, not the perspectives of the author or illustrator. Diversity in the story must be inherent and authentic, not trendy. She is thrilled to shine the spotlight on soulful, insightful, well-crafted, literary or commercial projects aimed at any age group from young adult to the youngest of readers.

Nancy attended Williams College where she received a B.A. in English. For nearly 25 years she worked selling subsidiary rights for children’s books imprints at Viking, HarperCollins, Morrow, and Greenwillow. In 2000, she founded the Nancy Gallt Literary Agency in order to represent a wide-ranging list of authors and illustrators. Publishing was always her dream job – getting paid to read books – though it turned out the editorial side was not her forte. Nancy’s children claim she must have been the definition of “nerd” in her youth, though she is proud to say that she’s never been bored, no matter what she’s doing. She avoids reading books in which children are endangered or abused. There’s enough true suffering in the world that she prefers not to read about it. She loves books that entertain and enlighten, with characters that could be treasured friends.

Spanish Harlem born and bred, Saribel graduated from Kalamazoo College with a B.S in Anthropology, an embarrassingly long to be read list, and a passion for children’s literature. This passion led her to positions at Penguin Random House and W.W. Norton, where she learned about the different sides of the publishing industry. Now at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency, she is excited to work with a team so dedicated to uplifting marginalized voices. When not reading, you can find her playing various tabletop roleplaying games or explaining roller derby to her friends.

Ashlee is a communications manager with a background in theatre, writing, and digital strategy. Current and previous clients include Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Tim Federle, Alina Chau, and George Salazar. She is a lifelong reader with a passion for supporting and creating work that celebrates and uplifts young people of all ages. Her debut book FRANCIS DISCOVERS POSSIBLE was published by Abrams.

Sandra Proudman (she/her/ella) is a literary associate at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency, assisting Marietta Zacker and representing a small list of authors and author-illustrators. She is passionate about bringing underrepresented voices to the forefront and is also a committee member of #LatinxPitch. When not busily immersed in all things publishing, you can find her spending time with her amazing husband and adorable toddler, catching up on all her shows, and taking care of her vegetable garden. She is also the author of the YA fantasy, Salvación, ( Wednesday Books) and the editor of the Latinx anthology RELIT: 16 Latinx Remixes of Classic Stories (Inkyard Press). Connect with her on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok @SandraProudman.