Elise represents writers and illustrators of fiction and non-fiction for young and adult readers, and is especially drawn to immersive storytelling, rich world-building, and illumination of landscapes known and unknown, including novels, graphic novels, and picture books. She’s also drawn to eye-opening narrative non-fiction, particularly stories of the natural world, and of people and events previously unknown, overlooked, or marginalized.
Prior to joining DeFiore and Company, Elise was a longtime editor and publisher. Books she edited have won the Newbery Medal twice, the Edgar Allen Poe Award for best juvenile novel twice, and many other awards and honors.
Elise is not looking for adult genre fiction.
Please note that Elise is currently closed to queries apart from referrals.
SO OVER SHARING
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2025KARMA IS A CAT: The True Stories of Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button Swift
Ten Speed Press, 2025THE HOUSE OF FOUND OBJECTS
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025THE LOST JEWELS OF ROOM 713
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026MAMA WON'T MIND
Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2026AND TO THINK WE STARTED AS A BOOK CLUB...
Andrews McMeel, 2025ROSH HASHANAH UPSIDE DOWN
Abram's Childrens, 2027CALEB AND THE GLOBETROTTING PLAYGROUND GAME
Forthcoming from Norton Young ReadersPLEASE DON'T SCARE THE GHOST
Flamingo Books, 2026NOT QUITE A GHOST
Walden Pond Press, 2024WHERE DO WE GO WHEN WE DIE?
forthcoming from Algonquin Young ReadersBODY COUNT
Forthcoming from Harper AlleyTHE COMPLETE AND TOTALLY TRUE STATEMENT OF SPARROW C. JONES
Forthcoming from Feiwel and Friends