Taylor Martindale Kean

Taylor Martindale Kean is a literary agent with Full Circle Literary, representing primarily middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, and illustrators. She is a graduate of The College of William and Mary, where she studied English and Hispanic Studies.

Taylor is looking for young adult fiction and literary middle grade fiction, across all genres. She is interested in finding unique and unforgettable voices in contemporary, fantasy, historical and magical realism novels. She is looking for books that demand to be read. More than anything, Taylor is looking for diverse, character-driven stories that bring their worlds vividly to life, and voices that are honest, original and interesting. Clients include: Tirzah Price,  David Bowles, Anoosha Syed, Isabel Strychacz, Gloria Amescua, Olivia Sua and more. When not working, Taylor can be found traveling, cooking, spending time with loved ones, or (surprise!) lost in a good book.

***Please note, I’ve recently been informed that my name is being used in AI scams regarding fake publishing events and opportunities. Please be very cautious of unsolicited messages coming from unconfirmed email addresses. 

RECENT BOOK DEALS BY TAYLOR

Author Caroline L. Perry’s A HUG FOR PUNCH, based on the true story of a tiny, brave infant monkey who, along with his stuffed orangutan, captivated the world and became a social media sensation, illustrated by Anoosha Syed, to Jessica Garrison at Dial, with Stephanie Pitts editing, in a pre-empt, for publication in August 2026, by Allison Remcheck at Stimola Literary Studio for the author, and by Taylor Martindale Kean at Full Circle Literary for the illustrator (world).

Pura Belpré Honor author Gloria Amescua’s JOVITA IDAR: A FIERY YOUNG JOURNALIST’S STAND FOR JUSTICE, the story of a young Tejana journalist in 1900s Texas who was determined to use her voice and stand against the inequalities and injustices being inflicted on her people, illustrated by Dia Pacheco, to Howard Reeves at Abrams Children’s, for publication in fall 2027, by Taylor Martindale Kean at Full Circle Literary.

Author-illustrator Anoosha Syed’s LOVE IN EVERY LANGUAGE, a follow-up to THAT’S NOT MY NAME!, a family story about how we communicate and express love across generations and cultures, to Aneeka Kalia at Viking Children’s, for publication in fall 2026, by Taylor Martindale Kean at Full Circle Literary (world).

Author of HOUSE OF THORNS Isabel Strychacz’s THIRTEEN MIDNIGHTS, a dark romantasy, pitched as Labyrinth meets THE CRUEL PRINCE, in which a resident disappears every 13 years, taken by the mysterious lord of the wood; a girl knows she was raised to be the next taken one, but when her best friend disappears in the night instead, she vows to set things right, and is plunged into a glittering yet treacherous otherworld where nothing is as it seems, to Nicole Ellul at Simon & Schuster Children’s, for publication in fall 2026, by Taylor Martindale Kean at Full Circle Literary.

TAYLOR’S WISH LIST  – currently closed to submissions

Illustration that shows the artist’s unique voice and perspective

Magical Realism in Middle Grade and Young Adult

Young Adult fantasy with grounded and compelling world building, diverse casts, and that has smart and savvy heroes and heroines

All Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction with characters who are engaging, imperfect and diverse

A novel that deals with a family living in the aftermath of a serious crime