In this episode of Freelance Writing Direct, Estelle Erasmus sits down with literary agent Sally Ekus, senior agent at the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency, where she leads a boutique division specializing in cookbooks, lifestyle, and select nonfiction.

With over 350 book deals under her belt and deep roots in the publishing world, Sally shares what truly makes a proposal stand out, how the industry is evolving in real time, and why enthusiasm and voice still matter more than ever.

Together, Estelle and Sally explore the shift from traditional publishing models to today's fast-paced, data-driven landscape—and what writers must do now to get noticed.

You'll hear a candid, behind-the-scenes look at how agents think, how deals happen, and how writers can position themselves for success.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What literary agents are really looking for in a nonfiction proposal
• The importance of platform—and what to do if you don't have one
• How to craft a compelling concept that can drive a book deal
• What happens when a book goes to auction (and why the highest bid isn't everything)
• How publishers are using data and trends to shape acquisitions
• The evolving role of AI in publishing—and where Sally draws the line
• The financial and creative realities of producing cookbooks today
• Why enthusiasm, voice, and clarity are your greatest assets as a writer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27dK8IRHT-8&t=5s

Sally Ekus is a senior literary agent at the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency, where she spearheads a boutique division focused on cookbooks, lifestyle, and nonfiction. She represents chefs, food writers, creators, and thought leaders, and has brokered hundreds of deals with major publishers including Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Simon & Schuster.

She is also the creator of the Not-So-Secret Agent Substack and founder of the How to Be a Cookbook Author community, where she shares insights into the publishing process and supports aspiring authors.

Links & Resources:

Sally's Substack: Not-So-Secret Agent https://notsosecretagent.substack.com

How to Be a Cookbook Author https://www.ekusgroup.com/cookbookacademy

Estelle's website: https://estelleserasmus.com

Subscribe for exclusive info and podcast clips: https://estelleserasmus.substack.com

Sign up for the NYU Editor-on-Call Event on April 22 with the Editor-in-Chief of Provoked Magazine. https://events.nyu.edu/event/384509-editor-on-call-ready-to-pitch-publish-and-g

About Estelle Erasmus
Estelle Erasmus is an NYU writing professor, former magazine editor-in-chief, TEDx speaker, and the author of Writing That Gets Noticed, named a Best Book for Writers by Poets & Writers. She is also the host of the award-winning podcast Freelance Writing Direct, where she shares insider strategies on craft, publishing, and building a writing career.

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