Leslie Kaufmann has been with Kneerim & Williams for nearly three years, focusing mostly on YA and Middle Grade literature, as well as titles for Twentysomethings and select non-fiction. Genres she likes to explore are travel and unlikely adventures, narrative non-fiction in the style of Bill Bryson, food/lifestyle, music, multi-cultural stories, and historical fiction with a modern voice. She has a background in political journalism and has worked for such publications as The Village Voice. She is a graduate of Brown University. 

 As an agent, what types of stories are you looking for at this time? 

Exciting ones! Both in stories grounded in realism -- travel, adventure, humor -- and in a more offbeat, David Schickler sort of way (I’m thinking specifically of "Wes Amerigo's Giant Fear"). Encountering and surmounting adversity is always a compelling thing, but I don't want to see anything too dystopian; the world is scary enough as it is right now. Also, as a native New Yorker I have to say that I definitely have a soft spot for anything NYC-related. I would love to find the new From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.  

What have you seen too much of lately, if anything? 

Middle Grade books that talk down to the readership. Kids are not dumb; if you haven't been hanging out with a nine year old lately, I'll be able to tell based entirely on your sense of dialogue.

What is your favorite part of being an agent? Least favorite? 

My favorite part has to be the sense of possibility, whether it's when you're going through the slush pile or you're reading a new book from a longtime client. You never know -- the next manuscript you pick up may be the greatest thing you've ever read. Then, you get to experience the thrilling feeling of knowing that you're in the presence of a project that no one else knows about but that, in time, will influence thousands of readers. 

 My least favorite part is, hands down, really believing in a project that just won't sell. Naturally, timing in life is key, and it's just heartbreaking when you have a passion project that no one can get behind.

Describe your dream author? And of course....the author from Hades?

My dream author is someone who can be patient with the ins and outs of publishing. Long waits are commonplace and it helps to have a clear head about it all.

It must be the journalist in me, but I try and stay away from authors who get defensive when approached with edits. I think that as a writer you really have to go into this process with open eyes. From the moment you get an agent until the day your book is sold you are going to be approached with suggestions. While I don’t necessarily recommend taking them all if you don’t believe in them, do know that the process will go a lot smoother if you trust our judgment. We’re all on the same team!

What do you read for pleasure? Name three of your all time favorite books or authors.

I read a lot of YA. Gary Schmidt's The Wednesday Wars really blew me away, as did John Green's Paper Towns. In terms of Adult literature, I most recently enjoyed Joshua Ferris' Then We Came to the End and Azar Nafisi's Reading Lolita in Tehran. Three of my all time favorites, though, are A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers, anything by Salinger and anything by Edward Eager. 

Tell us about a few titles you have coming out you are excited about.  

I'm excited about Monte Montgomery's The Young Person's Guide to Grown-Ups, which is a very funny manual for kids on how to "handle" the grown-ups in their lives. Elsewhere in the agency we have some really wonderful things coming up this Spring, including a novel by Courtney Sullivan called Commencement, which documents four friends from Smith from the time they meet Freshman year through the many years after graduation, and We Two by Gillian Gill, which offers a fascinating look at the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.  

How does one submit to you and do you accept equeries? (for newbies obviously!!) (provide links) 

E-queries are preferred, actually. Please send a cover letter, CV, and the first two chapters of your submission. You can find all of our submission guidelines at www.fr.com/kwfr.

And our new question section- an absolute take off of inside the actors studio-adapted for books (how's that for a switch) INSIDE THE Agents STUDIO

Tell us your favorite movie : The Big Chill.  

Tell us your favorite protagonist-hero or heroine, your choice.  Jo March.

What is your favorite word or phrase?  Success.

least favorite word or phrase?  "I loved this project but marketing feels the subject matter is too risky." 

If you weren’t an agent, you would be a __________.   Wistfully, a scientist. Realistically, a journalist.

Also...agents talk of voice. What kind of voice hooks your attention? One that makes you laugh, cry--in your own words. 

A witty voice, which is such a tricky thing in literature because it requires an understanding of the fine line between humor and poignancy. I think this is why I mentioned Gary Schmidt and John Green above – both guys are brilliant at presenting you with amusing characters and situations that make you think, "Damn, this is so creatively smart and funny," but at the same time kind of make you want to cry. If you can strike that balance, I'm in.