Gabrielle Pachon, Assistant Editor

Gabbie Pachon (she/her) joined Berkley in August 2022 after realizing that reading fiction was far more fun than reading legal briefs. She acquires fantasy, romance with a speculative or paranormal bend, and horror with crossover appeal and is drawn to fun, distinct voices, propulsive pacing, and unique and vibrant settings. She is always looking to amplify…

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Amanda Maurer, Assistant Editor

Amanda Maurer (she/her) joined Berkley in 2022, after graduating from Loyola University Chicago. She acquires smart and fresh romance, feel-good mysteries, and charming fantasy with crossover appeal. Her upcoming projects include a new paranormal romance series from Olivia Dade, a steamy rom-com from Alys Murray, and a queer sports romance from debut author Celine Ong.…

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Annie Odders, Assistant Editor

Annie Odders (she/her) has been at Berkley since 2022 and is a graduate of Tulane University. In past lives, she has been a Wisconsinite, New Orleanian, and Hollywood assistant. Annie acquires in the mystery and fantasy spaces, and in either genre, she enjoys feel-good stories with a strong romantic element, witty sense of humor, or historical…

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Candice Coote, Assistant Editor

Candice Coote (she/her) is an Assistant Editor who joined the Berkley team in 2021 and acquires genre-blending thriller/suspense, horror, sci-fi, and fantasy. She gravitates to stories ranging on a spectrum from dark and propulsive to sweet and healing and is always seeking works by authors from underrepresented communities with an eye on issues or interests…

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Ace Overview

Ace Books, the oldest continuously operating publisher of science fiction/fantasy in the United States, is known for publishing groundbreaking speculative novels that push the limits of imagination and redefine the way we see the world. Ace is home to some of the most influential novels in the science fiction and fantasy genre: Frank Herbert’s bestselling Dune series;…

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Daphne Ming Durham, Executive Editor

Daphne Durham Penguin.com Head Shot

Daphne Ming Durham joined Putnam in 2023 from MCD / Farrar, Straus & Giroux and publishes genre-blurring fiction with sharp edges, diverse perspectives, and spiky protagonists. She loves voice-driven, surprising novels that readers might devour in one sitting, but come away having learned something—vivid, gripping stories that upend familiar tropes and push boundaries in crime,…

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Ella Kurki, Assistant Editor

Ella Kurki joined Dutton in February 2023, after starting her career at Penguin Michael Joseph in London. She loves voice and character-driven fiction with unique storytelling and unpredictable characters. On the nonfiction side, she’s interested in deeply researched stories that entertain, educate, and engage with contemporary issues. Ella has editorially contributed to Cherry Lou Sy’s…

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Isabelle Alexander, Editorial Assistant

Isabelle Alexander (she/her/hers) joined Penguin Life in January 2023 assisting Meg Leder and Amy Sun. She graduated with an International Relations B.A. from Tufts University. After working as an administrative assistant at a healthcare facility, she transitioned to the world of publishing and enjoys nonfiction books from diverse voices that interrogate the established systems of…

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Leila Sandlin, Assistant Editor

leila sandlin portrait

Leila joined Portfolio, an imprint of Penguin Random House, in April 2023. She’s excited to acquire and edit idea-driven nonfiction by brilliant thinkers and innovators who change the way we see the world and amplify marginalized and underrepresented voices. She graduated from New York University with a B.A. in linguistics. Before moving to New York,…

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Megan Wenerstrom, Associate Editor

Megan Wenerstrom

Megan joined Sentinel in 2022, drawn to big ideas that push boundaries and inspire new perspectives. Her authors span a diverse range of thinkers—entrepreneurs, philosophers, environmentalists, tech experts, activists, and even cowboys —bringing fresh insights to readers. Before publishing, Megan’s career began as a public school teacher, where she cultivated her talent for sparking curiosity and meaningful dialogue.

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