CFF Presents: “How Literary Agents Shape American Fiction” on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 7:00 P.M. ET. All CFF members and friends are invited to register for this online event.

Finding a literary agent is often an immense challenge for writers aspiring to become published authors. We familiarize ourselves with agents and their wish lists. But we know little, if anything, about when the job of literary agent originated, how it gained power, and why it continues to influence the ever-more competitive publishing industry.

In this 90-minute conversation, Laura B. McGrath, author of the groundbreaking book, Middlemen, will trace the role of agents in altering publishing practices, selecting the books people read, and ultimately shaping American fiction. Prominent agents—Danielle Bukowski, Sterling Lord Literistic, and Kate McKean, Howard Morhaim Literary Agency—will discuss the impact of this history on today’s publishing industry and the road to representation. CFF President Ken Schept will moderate. Q&A will follow.

Laura B. McGrath is assistant professor of English at Temple University. Her writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Nation and other publications.

Danielle Bukowski represents fiction and non-fiction authors at Sterling Lord Literistic. 

Kate McKean is a literary agent at Howard Morhaim Literary and publishes the newsletter Agents & Books.

Please note registration closes at noon on the day of the event. A recording will be available.

The Zoom webinar link will be emailed to registered members a couple of days prior to the event. This event is open to members of Columbia Fiction Foundry, a Columbia University alumni group, Columbia University affiliates, and friends of CFF. Please enter your school and class year on the registration form, if applicable.