John Maas
—— Literary Agent, Partner, Editorial Director
Authors
Dale E. Bredesen, MD
Dale E. Bredesen, MD, is internationally recognized as an expert in the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, and the author of the New York Times bestseller The End of Alzheimer’s (Avery, 2017). He held faculty positions at UCSF, UCLA, and the University of California, San Diego, and directed the Program on Aging at the Burnham Institute before coming to the Buck Institute in 1998 as its founding president and CEO. He is currently a professor at UCLA.
Ryder Carroll
Ryder Carroll is a digital product designer and inventor of the Bullet Journal. He’s had the privilege of working with companies like Adidas, American Express, Cisco, IBM, Macy’s, and HP. He’s been featured by the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Fast Company, Bloomberg, Lifehacker, and Mashable.
Alan Christianson, NMD
Alan Christianson, NMD, author of the New York Times bestselling book The Adrenal Reset Diet, is a naturopathic medical doctor who specializes in natural endocrinology with a focus on thyroid disorders. He founded Integrative Health, a physician group dedicated to helping people with thyroid disease and weight-loss resistance regain their health. He has been named a Top Doctor in Phoenix magazine, and has appeared on national TV shows and in numerous print media. Dr. Christianson lives in Phoenix with his wife and their two children.
About
Partner, Editorial Director
As Executive Director of Editorial Development & Strategy, John Maas holds an editorial director role at Park, Fine & Brower. He works directly with a select group of the agency’s bestselling fiction and nonfiction clients as in-house editorial partner on their manuscripts and book proposals, tailoring the process to each client’s unique wants and needs. John also works closely with the other agents at Park & Fine on editorial strategy for their authors and projects.
As a literary agent, John has specialized in representing authors ranging from esteemed researchers at the forefront of medicine and science, to entrepreneurs and business leaders whose advice and stories inspire millions, to bloggers and journalists whose work drives vital conversations about our lives. His list of bestselling authors includes Dale Bredesen, MD; Ryder Carroll; Hal Elrod; Vishen Lakhiani; David Sinclair, PhD; Izabella Wentz, PharmD; and many others.
Previously, John was an agent at Sterling Lord Literistic. Before agenting, John worked at two publishers: the Jossey-Bass trade business imprint at Wiley and the textbook program at Pearson. Originally from Wisconsin, John holds a BA in creative writing from Stanford University.
John Maas Expertise
John Maas is a literary agent who specializes in representing authors in various genres, particularly in the areas of children’s literature, young adult (YA) fiction, and middle-grade books. He has significant expertise in helping authors develop and position their manuscripts for success in the competitive book market. His role typically involves working closely with authors to refine their work, guiding them through the publishing process, negotiating contracts, and helping them grow their writing careers.
Maas is known for having a good understanding of market trends and what resonates with publishers and readers, especially in the YA and children’s book markets. His work also includes providing authors with long-term career advice, including opportunities for adapting books into other media (such as film or television).
His experience as an agent would make him highly skilled at identifying promising new talent, helping authors shape their stories to match market demands, and finding the right publishers to bring those stories to the right audience.
How to Work with John Maas:
If you’re interested in submitting your work to John Maas as a literary agent, you would need to follow the submission guidelines provided . Typically, literary agents like John prefer receiving query letters, synopsis, and sample chapters of your manuscript or book proposal. Always be sure to read and follow submission rules to give your work the best chance for consideration.
Testimonials
What I appreciate most about working with John Maas is how he balances his industry knowledge with a genuine passion for storytelling. He’s not just interested in selling a book; he’s committed to helping his authors craft stories that resonate with readers. He’s always transparent, provides constructive feedback, and has opened doors to opportunities I never thought possible.
Dale E. Bredesen, MD
He’s not just a literary agent but also a mentor, offering advice on everything from character development to marketing strategies. His connections in the industry helped me secure my first book deal, and he’s been instrumental in guiding my career every step of the way.
Dr. Sara Szal Gottfried
He was patient and insightful as he helped me refine my manuscript, offering guidance on both the craft and the business side of publishing. Thanks to his expertise, I landed a publishing deal with one of the biggest houses in the industry. I couldn’t have asked for a better advocate in my corner
Gemma Hartley
More Authors
Rich Diviney
Rich Diviney is a retired Navy SEAL commander. In a career spanning more than twenty years, he completed more than thirteen overseas deployments—eleven of which were to Iraq and Afghanistan. As the officer in charge of training for a specialized command, Diviney spearheaded the creation of a directorate that fused physical, mental, and emotional disciplines. He led his small team to create the first-ever “Mind Gym” that helped special operators train their brains to perform faster, longer, and better in all environments—especially high-stress ones. Since his retirement in early 2017, Diviney has worked as a speaker, facilitator, and consultant with the Chapman & Co. Leadership Institute and Simon Sinek Inc. He’s taught leadership and optimal performance to more than five thousand business, athletic, and military leaders from organizations such as American Airlines, Meijer Inc., the San Francisco 49ers, Pegasystems, Zoom, and Deloitte.
Dr. Sara Szal Gottfried
Dr. Sara Szal Gottfried M.D. is the author of four critically acclaimed New York Times bestselling books including The Hormone Cure, The Hormone Reset Diet, Younger, and her latest, Women Food and Hormones. Her latest book is a Scribd Best Book of 2021 to Improve Your Health. She is a Harvard- and MIT-educated physician, speaker, yoga teacher, psychonaut, and author. For the past 25 years, Dr. Szal Gottfried has been a leader in precision, integrative, and personalized medicine, and her mission is to transform health one person at a time. Her latest book THE AUTOIMMUNE CURE published in March 2024. She is on the faculty at Thomas Jefferson University in the Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, where she serves as the Director of Precision Medicine. She lives in Mill Valley, California.
Dr. Kristi Funk
Dr. Kristi Funk is a board-certified breast surgeon who, alongside her husband, Andy Funk, cofounded the Pink Lotus Breast Center in Los Angeles. She has helped thousands of women through breast cancer treatment, including well-known celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Sheryl Crow. Dr. Funk is a frequent cohost on The Doctors and breast expert on Good Morning America, and has appeared on The View, Today, The Dr. Oz Show, CNN, and numerous other national and local television and news shows. She lives in Southern California with her husband and triplet sons.
Gemma Hartley
Gemma Hartley is a journalist and writer whose work has appeared in Glamour, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Harper’s Bazaar, Huffington Post, and the Washington Post, among other outlets. She lives in Reno, Nevada with her husband and three children.
“Crafting stories that resonate, building careers that last.”
Literary Agent , Partner, Editorial Director
faq
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a literary agent do?
A literary agent represents authors in the publishing industry. They help with manuscript submission, negotiate contracts, provide career guidance, and assist with marketing and promotion. Their primary role is to get their clients’ works published and to protect their interests throughout the process.
How do I get John Maas to represent me as an author?
Literary agents typically accept submissions through queries or submissions. You would need to send a query letter along with a synopsis or sample chapters of your manuscript. If you’re interested in working with John Maas, check which literary agency he works with and follow their submission guidelines.
What should I include in my query letter to John Maas?
A query letter should be concise and professional. It typically includes:
A brief introduction about who you are and why you’re querying him.
A summary of your book (also known as a pitch or hook).
Your writing credentials, such as any previous publications or relevant writing experience.
A polite closing, inviting him to review your manuscript.
Make sure to follow the specific submission guidelines provided by the agency he represents.
What happens after I submit my manuscript to John Maas?
After you submit your manuscript (or query letter), if John Maas is interested in your work, he will likely request more material (e.g., full manuscript or sample chapters) for review. If he believes your manuscript has potential, he may offer to represent you, and you would then discuss terms of representation, including how he plans to pitch your book to publishers.
How long does it take to hear back from a literary agent?
Response times can vary. Some agents respond within a few weeks, while others may take several months, depending on their workload. It’s always important to read and follow the agent’s submission guidelines carefully, as they might provide an estimated timeline for responses.
Do I need an agent to get published?
While it’s possible to secure a publishing deal without an agent, it’s generally more challenging. Agents have the industry connections and expertise to help authors navigate the publishing world, negotiate favorable terms, and protect their rights. Many major publishers prefer working with agents as a first step in the process.
What if I’m rejected by John Maas or any agent?
Rejection is a normal part of the process for authors, even for experienced writers. If John Maas or another agent rejects your submission, it’s important not to be discouraged. Consider their feedback (if provided), make revisions if necessary, and keep submitting your work to other agents. Persistence is key in the publishing industry.
Can John Maas help me adapt my book for film or TV?
A literary agent works on behalf of the author to find a publisher and negotiate the best deal. A publisher is the company that actually produces, distributes, and markets the book. The agent’s job is to advocate for the author, while the publisher is responsible for bringing the book to market.
What kind of relationship does a literary agent have with an author?
A literary agent-author relationship is collaborative. The agent provides advice and guidance on the book, the publishing process, and the author’s career. Agents often become trusted partners, offering feedback on revisions, negotiating contracts, and helping to shape the author’s long-term strategy.
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Literary Agent, Partner, Editorial Director
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