Books Forward is celebrating our 25th anniversary this year, and one of the ways we’re celebrating is by showcasing 25 people you should know in the book world. There are many unique roles in the book world, and the many kinds of people who play a part in the community we love.
Today, we’re getting to know Shelly Romero, an associate agent at Azantian Literary Agency.
Stay up to date on other industry professionals by reading our Lit Happens blog throughout the year.
7:30 a.m. 
It’s an early start for me today since it’s a travel day. I’m headed to North Carolina to attend a two-day concert event in Raleigh the next day and the day after tomorrow. I get up and get ready for a non-typical agenting day.
8:30 a.m.
I call a rideshare to take me to LaGuardia for my flight. While I’m waiting, I check my emails and Slack. In the car, I try not to look at my phone too much since I get a bit carsick but I’m definitely triple checking what my gate is.
9:30 a.m. 
I’ve dropped my bag off, finished with TSA, and am now heading towards my gate. I’m always curious to see what books airport stores have in stock, so I mosey around to check out the selections in a few stores. It’s also time for breakfast (and a mimosa to help calm the flight anxiety nerves).
I’ve packed my iPad in its swanky padfolio, so during breakfast, I go through my inbox in QueryManager.
10:30 a.m. 
I get a text from a prospective client (who is now signed with me! ☺) asking for a quick call. I hang around near my gate, talking on the phone while watching some ducks enjoying the waters of Flushing Bay. This definitely makes me feel like I’m in some type of Hollywood picture where the agent takes a very important phone call (which it was, haha!) before heading on their trip. This is not typical at all.
11:30 a.m. 
We’ve boarded our flight and are all settled in. During the flight, I’m (you guessed it!) checking QueryManager and reviewing queries. It’s easier to do this with minimal distractions and it does help me relax while on the plane. I’ve also paid for internet access so I can make sure I didn’t miss anything of note during my flight. Again, I’m checking Slack and responding as fast as I can at a cruising altitude of 36,000 feet. Thankfully, the flight is just to Raleigh-Durham so we’re touching down in a few hours.
1:30 p.m.
Landed at RDU and I’m back in this small but familiar airport. I head to my car rental spot and slightly pray that I remember how to drive now that I live in NYC. (I swear I do! Though it takes me a minute to reacclimate to it). It takes about an hour and a half to get to my brother-in-law’s place, so I get some food (Culver’s! How I miss you) and head out on the road.
3:30 p.m. 
At my brother-in-law’s, I have a short break before my next event. I rehydrate, brush my hair, and take a minute away from my phone or iPad.
4:30 p.m.
I’m an alumna of The Missouri Review literary magazine. While I didn’t go to Mizzou (the University of Missouri-Columbia), I attended Stephens College, the second oldest women’s college in the country. But thankfully, I was able to take classes and intern at TMR for two semesters, which was instrumental in helping me solidify my decision to work in publishing one day. As a way to give back, I get asked by Marc McKee (managing editor) to do an AMA type panel for the current cohort of interns. I like to be very transparent with them about the realities of being either an author or a publishing professional. I get to talk about my career path, my hopes for the industry, and answer any other questions. Occasionally, Speer Morgan (editor) or my former professor (and TMR marketing coordinator) Kris Somerville might pop in and ask me a question of their own.
5:30 p.m.
I’m done! And exhausted! It’s time for me to get out of my outside clothes and into comfy PJs and order food. My brother-in-law and his partner have made it home by now and so I’m excited to relax and hangout with them after not seeing them since the beginning of the year.
Shelly Romero (she/her) is a Honduran-American Associate Agent at Azantian Literary Agency. She began her publishing career at Scholastic, worked at a book packager, and was a freelance editor prior to agenting. Her wishlist includes MG and YA. Outside of work, she loves watching movies and immediately logging them on her Letterboxd, playing board games (usually with a horror spin), and attending concerts whenever she can. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, she currently resides in New York City. Find her online at shellyromero.com; @shellyromerobooks on Instagram/Threads; @shellyromero on Bluesky; @_smromero on Twitter.
Ellen Whitfield is senior publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers.
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