2010 Editors and Agents - Emerald Coast Writers Conference

Dianne Hamilton - OnStage Publishing

Dianne Hamilton is the Senior Editor/Publisher for OnStage Publishing in Madison, Alabama. She has an English major from Auburn University, with an advanced degree in gifted/talented education, she worked many jobs [portrait photographer, proof-reader, sales, English/History teacher] before finding her niche as an editor. She worked ten years in the e-publishing world as editor, then senior editor for e-publishers of general fiction. She has edited several award-winning general fiction e-books before coming to the print world of children's fiction. In December 2004, Dianne took the reins of OnStage Publishing, a children’s book publisher for ages 8 to 18, and has expanded the quintessential small publishing house from three titles to seventeen titles and from one author to nine authors. In 2011, three new titles will be rolling off the press.

Betsy Mitchell - Random House

Betsy Mitchell received a degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska/Omaha and spent two years as a reporter for the Omaha World-Herald before moving to New York City. She served as managing editor at Analog magazine, senior editor of Baen Books, associate publisher of Bantam Spectra, and founded the Aspect line at Warner Books before joining the Random House Publishing Group in 2002 as Vice President/Editor-in-Chief of Del Rey.

She has edited such works as Gentlemen of the Road by Michael Chabon; Legends of Shannara: Bearers of the Black Staff by Terry Brooks, Virtual Light by William Gibson, and Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik (all New York Times bestsellers); the Hugo Award-winner Hyperion by Dan Simmons and the Nebula Award-winner Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler; and received a World Fantasy Award for co-editing the anthology Full Spectrum 4.

Benjamin LeRoy - Tyrus Books

Benjamin LeRoy started Tyrus Books in the summer of 2009, an independent press known for its crime and dark literary fiction. He was a founder and Publisher of Bleak House Books. He was selected by Publishers Weekly as part of their “Fifty Under Forty” series. Bleak House and Tyrus books have been nominated for and won major awards in crime fiction including the Edgar, the Shamus, the Anthony, and the Barry.

Michelle Richter - St. Martin's Press

Michelle Richter joined St. Martin’s Press in 2006 as an editorial assistant and has worked with executive editor Elizabeth Beier on fiction (commercial and literary) and nonfiction including memoir/biography, pop culture, humor, animals, relationships, diet, and cookbooks. She’s worked with bestselling authors including Tom Perrotta, Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, Gene Wilder and Ian K. Smith, MD and with authors well-known in other media.

Michelle’s list is primarily nonfiction, though she is also seeking commercial fiction and mysteries and thrillers. She is especially interested in pop culture (music and television), memoir with a relatable story that resonates with readers, biography, humor, relationships, food writing, animal/pet books, pop science, economics and health/medicine.

Michelle has a Masters of Science in Publishing from Pace University, a Bachelors in Economics from the University of Massachusetts-Boston and a Graduate Certificate in Accounting and Finance from the New England College of Finance.