Elise Howard

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.


Headshot for Elise Howard
  • SO OVER SHARING
    Dial Books for Young Readers, 2025
  • KARMA IS A CAT: The True Stories of Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button Swift
    Ten Speed Press, 2025
  • THE HOUSE OF FOUND OBJECTS
    Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025
  • THE LOST JEWELS OF ROOM 713
    Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026
  • MAMA WON'T MIND
    Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2026
  • AND TO THINK WE STARTED AS A BOOK CLUB...
    Andrews McMeel, 2025
  • ROSH HASHANAH UPSIDE DOWN
    Abram's Childrens, 2027
  • CALEB AND THE GLOBETROTTING PLAYGROUND GAME
    Forthcoming from Norton Young Readers
  • PLEASE DON'T SCARE THE GHOST
    Flamingo Books, 2026
  • NOT QUITE A GHOST
    Walden Pond Press, 2024
  • WHERE DO WE GO WHEN WE DIE?
    forthcoming from Algonquin Young Readers
  • BODY COUNT
    Forthcoming from Harper Alley
  • THE COMPLETE AND TOTALLY TRUE STATEMENT OF SPARROW C. JONES
    Forthcoming from Feiwel and Friends