About

Hi, I’m Melanie Figueroa, a literary agent at Root Literary with over a decade of experience in the book publishing industry and an active member of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA). I earned an M.S. in Creative Writing and Book Publishing from Portland State University and a B.A. in English Rhetoric and Composition with a professional certification in Technical Writing from California State University, Long Beach.

My career in publishing started as an editorial project manager and freelance editor. I joined Root Literary in 2018 as an agency coordinator and quickly transitioned into my current role as a literary agent. My portfolio of representation spans across children’s literature and adult fiction.

As a Southern California native, I was born and raised in a multicultural, blended family, so I have a soft spot for books that speak to the nuances of relationships, identity, and culture. The unique blend of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit that my role offers is what truly fuels my passion for the job. When I'm not working, you can find me stress baking, watching something scary, or snuggling with my chocolate lab, Oakley.