About Stephanie
Stephanie Kim is a literary agent with more than 10 years of in-house PR & marketing experience in publishing and tech.
She began her career as an assistant publicist at William Morrow/HarperCollins where she cut her teeth on high-profile campaigns for Tom Franklin, Laura Lippman, Wiley Cash, and many others.
At Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Stephanie led publicity for three consecutive #1 New York Times bestsellers: What If? and Thing Explainer by xkcd creator Randall Munroe, and Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss. Some additional campaign highlights include working on Gabourey Sidibe’s memoir This Is Just My Face and Chinelo Okparanta’s Lambda Literary award-winning debut novel Under the Udala Trees.
As an agent, Stephanie is focused on representing authors from diverse backgrounds. She’s interested in adult non-fiction (pop culture analysis, “big idea” books) as well as select voice-driven adult and YA fiction. Some of her favorite books include Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar, The Color of Water by James McBride, Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Exhalation by Ted Chiang, Normal People by Sally Rooney, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han and anything by John Green.
Stephanie is based in the Los Angeles area. In her free time, she likes to go to K-Pop concerts and scream-cry over her favorite idols.
Photo Credit: Nicolai Haddal
Why Pick Stephanie to Be Your Agent?
“Both creative and thorough, Stephanie Kim is an unstoppable force. She tackles any challenge with tenacity, and she won’t stop until she finds exactly the right solution for any situation. You want her on your side.”
— Randall Munroe, xkcd creator & author of #1 New York Times bestsellers What If?, Thing Explainer, & How to
“Stephanie Kim is one of the most collaborative, insightful people I've worked with in publishing…Her role in launching my first novel was crucial. I can honestly say that I have a career as a novelist because of the foundation she laid.”
— Wiley Cash, New York Times bestselling author of A Land More Kind Than Home & The Last Ballad
“Stephanie Kim is wonderfully smart and creative. I was elated and lucky to collaborate with her on the marketing of my book. Not only did she come up with incredible ideas for the best ways to connect to my audience, but she did so with such a vivid imagination and excited positivity, that made even the planning stages feel like a thrill ride. She truly is an impeccable team member.”
— Gabourey Sidibe, actor, director and author of This is Just My Face: Try Not to Stare
“Stephanie Kim is as engaging as she is engaged. She’s smart, savvy, kind, and wildly creative. She’s a powerhouse.”
— Hannah Pittard, author of New York Times Noteworthy selections Visible Empire & Listen to Me
“I adore Stephanie Kim. She did really excellent work for Under the Udala Trees. I doubt the book would have been noticed the way it has been without her efforts.”
– Chinelo Okparanta, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of Happiness, Like Water & Under The Udala Trees
“Stephanie Kim is one of my favorite people in the industry…She just has an understanding of a book's potential, and a knack for knowing how to take it there.”
— Amy Gentry, author of Good as Gone, a New York Times Notable Book, Last Woman Standing, & Bad Habits