A Power List of 40 Latinas and Queer Latinxs in Publishing

Latinas and Queer Latinxs in Publishing

Over the last decade, we’ve seen an increase in the amount of books published by, for, and about Latinxs and our communities. However, the book publishing industry’s diversity problem remains. According to Lee & Low’s 2023 Diversity Baseline Survey, the publishing industry is still 72.5% white people, down from 76% in 2019 – not much has changed.

The industry is made up of approximately 4.6% Hispanic/Latinx folks, down from the 6% we saw in 2019. And to be honest with the current administration and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion departments folding or disappearing without a trace, I fear publishing could backslide on the progress it’s made.

While the numbers aren’t great, our community does have movers and shakers actively pushing to amplify and/or discover Latinx voices. So let’s give the Latinas and queer Latinxs in publishing their flowers, shouting out these leaders for all the work they’ve done over the last decade.

I’m proud to be one of the few Hondurans working in publishing, and just last year I secured the title of Associate Director at one of the big five publishing houses, which is unheard of for people of color. It’s not lost on me that there are several other book workers who have endured, holding the door open for newbies, and mentoring those who find the capacity to buckle down and stay in the industry. With that said, here is a list of powerful Latinas and queer Latinxs in publishing who you should know and celebrate:

  1. Toni Kirkpatrick, Board Chair, Latinx in Publishing, and Senior Editor Diversion Books
  2. Lizette Serrano, VP, Educational Marketing, Scholastic Trade
  3. Nancy Mercado, VP Associate Publisher, Dial Books for Young Readers & Putnam Books for Young Readers
  4. Stefanie Sanchez von Borstel, Co-Founder, Full Circle Literary
  5. Monica Rodriguez, Agent and Director Brand Management, Context Literary
  6. Tiffany Gonzalez, Senior Marketing Manager, Astra Publishing House
  7. Zakiya N. Jamal, Senior Marketing Manager, Atria
  8. Milena Brown, VP, Director of Marketing, Random House, Hogarth & Modern Library
  9. Vanessa Aguirre, Editor, St Martin’s Publishing Group & Writers Mentorship Director, Latinx in Publishing
  10. Michelle Herrera Mulligan, VP, Associate Publisher Primero Sueño Press
  11. Nadxieli Nieto, Editorial Director, Algonquin Books
  12. Joanna Cardenas, Executive Editor Kokila
  13. Jasmin Rubero, Senior Art Director, Kokila
  14. Pilar Garcia-Brown, Senior Editor, Dutton
  15. Maudee Genao, Marketing Manager, Atria Books
  16. Melanie Iglesias Pérez, Senior Editor, Atria Books
  17. Elizabeth Méndez Berry, Vice President and Executive Editor, One World
  18. Johanna Castillo, Senior Agent, Writers House
  19. Kiara Valdez, Editor, First Second
  20. Alex Borbolla, Senior Editor, Bloomsbury
  21. Irene Vázquez, Associate Editor, Levine Querido
  22. Kathleen Ortiz, Owner & Agent, KO Media Management
  23. Carolina Mancheno Ortiz, Senior Editor, HarperCollins Childrens
  24. Jessica Echeverria, Editorial Director, Lee & Low
  25. Norma Perez-Heranadez, Editor, Primero Sueño Press
  26. Angeline Rodriguez, Literary Agent, WME
  27. Dominique Jenkins, Assistant Director Author Events, Macmillan Publishers
  28. Marietta Zacker, Co-Owner, Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency
  29. Linda Camacho, Literary Agent, Gallt & Zacker
  30. Adriana Dominguez, Partner, Aevitas Creative Management
  31. Kurestin Armada, Agent, Root  Literary
  32. Jennifer Rofé, Senior Agent, Andrea Brown Literary Agency
  33. Cristina Arreola, Associate Director of Publicity & Marketing, Sourcebooks
  34. Saritza Hernández, Agent, Andrea Brown Literary Agency
  35. Érica Martriano, Marketing, St Martin’s Press
  36. Isa Caban, Associate Director of Marketing, Tor Publishing Group
  37. Kelsey Marrujo, Director of Publicity, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group
  38. Nikki Garcia, Editor, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  39. Davina A. Ferreira, Founder, Alegría Bilingual Publishing
  40. Aemilia Phillips, Literary Agent, Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency

What We're Watching

Stay Connected & Sign Up for Our Newsletter!