Roger outside of publishing

Roger is a passionate foodie and whiskey lover (Weller 107 as a go-to favorite), always excited to explore new restaurants and food. They’re also a big nerd and enjoy video and board games. They love to travel when they’re able whether it’s getting lost in a new city or somewhere outdoors. Originally from the PNW, Roger’s moved all around the country and although no longer lives in New York City, will always consider it home.

About Yes & Literary and Roger Copenhaver

Yes & Literary was founded by Roger Copenhaver (he/they) and is dedicated to amplifying the voices of queer authors. As LGBTQIA+ voices continue to be threatened, Roger launched Yes & Literary to make sure queer stories continue to be told.

With an understanding that queer people have many stories to tell, each one unique, with infinite possibilities, Roger believes in building upon and expanding the canon of queer literary works.

Roger is interested in a a number of different stories across literary fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, speculative, romance, and select nonfiction works. At the core, they’re interested in stories that are bold, vulnerable, complex, and unapologetic.

While Roger is primarily focused on representing queer authors and stories, they’re always open to hearing from authors that have something meaningful to say about the world and are equally enthusiastic to represent authors and stories from marginalized communities that haven’t historically had a seat at the table.

Roger has been in the publishing world since 2016, with a small year break and stint the video streaming industry. They’ve worked both in-house and freelancing and now as an agent. At Amazon Publishing, they managed the Vendor Management team whose primary responsibility was managing creative partnerships and negotiating complex creative service and licensing agreements making contract negotiation their bread and butter. Their roles afforded them the opportunity to wear many hats across publishing operations collaborating deeply with every major function of publishing.  

What kinds of books is Roger interested in seeing?

Roger’s wishlist is ever evolving based on their current list and needs of the market. Make sure to check their MSWL, but they’re currently seeking adult and new adult fiction including:

  • PIRATES! PLEASE!

  • Queer lit RPG

  • Queer cozy fantasy

  • MM romance written by men and masc presenting authors

  • Stories with gender diverse and trans representation written by gender diverse and trans authors

  • New takes on dystopian and dystopian in the vein of Chain Gang All Stars and Daggermouth

  • Outside of books, anything compared to KPop Demon Hunters, Hadestown, The Menu, White Lotus, One Piece, The Devil Wears Prada, Sense8, Hazbin Hotel, and the video game South of Midnight.

Roger’s favorite authors are N.K. Jemisin, Jeff VanderMeer, and Adam Silvera. They loved Christopher Paloni’s Inheritance Cycle growing up and always open to books that would be happy sitting next to any of these authors on the shelf.

For nonfiction, Roger’s interested in select narrative nonfiction, histories that haven’t been told in a big way, almost anything pop culture, and gaming. They’re open to very select memoirs that have a unique hook.

FAQs

  • No, as an agent our job is to get you a deal with a publishing house. We don't get paid until you do. As an agent, our commission is directly tied to the offer we're able to secure for you with a publishing house.

  • Roger’s MSWL is the best way to see what they’re currently looking for, but generally they are looking for high concept books that have authentic representation and compelling takes on the lives of queer people whether through queer people simply existing in stories or through stories that are very in your face and unapologetically queer.

  • No, Roger is open to representing other authors especially ones with stories that make an impactful statement about the world we live in. They’re also passionate more broadly in making sure authors from various marginalized backgrounds are advocated for in publishing and have a place to have their stories told.

  • Simply put, Roger cares about queer stories. They want them to be told and they’re here to advocate for queer authors. Roger diverse background wearing many hats in publishing and specifically their bread and butter being contract negotiation make them an agent ready to advocate for their authors in book deals.