Chelsea Hensley
Literary Agent
Chelsea Hensley is an agent at Mad Woman Literary Agency representing a varied list of clients writing across ages and genres and a few who are also illustrating. She began her agenting career in 2020 and continues to build a list that reflects her own diverse tastes, from the lushest of fantasies to the tensest thrillers, steamy, hilarious romcoms to smart sci-fi, lyrical picture books to plucky middle grade, and imaginative, innovative horror to intelligent, deeply researched nonfiction. In all areas, Chelsea enjoys bold work from ambitious creators who share her unrelenting drive to succeed in a challenging industry.
Chelsea is a Capricorn from St. Louis, where she lives with a pair of very cute, though very chaotic, dogs. She enjoys D&D, Golden Girls, women’s soccer, chocolate chip cookies, and Airtable. She is a member of the AALA.
Wishlist
Illustration, PB, YA and Adult
Lyrical prose, voice that comes off the page, intricate plots, complex emotional arcs, and immersive worlds. Ambitious works that play with form and narration as well as works that blend genre, aren’t afraid to get a little weird, and surprise her. The bolder the better. In all areas, Chelsea is very interested in works that feature BIPOC characters and are written by BIPOC authors. Both fiction and nonfiction picture books from author/illustrators with potential new classic characters and strong narratives and middle grade novels featuring fun mysteries, inventive capers or creepy horror. In YA and adult, Chelsea’s looking for smart, twisty mysteries and thrillers, arresting horror, and fresh fantasy and sci-fi. She is looking for select nonfiction in the area of women’s sports. She is also representing a select number of illustrators.
You can see a long-form MSWL on her website.
