Roger Copenhaver is a literary agent with Yes & Literary.

Yes & Literary is a literary agency dedicated to amplifying LGBTQIA+ voices and other marginalized storytellers. Founded by Roger Copenhaver (he/they), we celebrate the richness of queer stories and the unique perspectives each author brings. Yes & embraces the understanding that queer experiences are not singular but rather we all have unique lived experiences and individuals stories that help shape the stories we tell. Our mission is to uplift bold, authentic voices, empowering authors to share their stories while being unapologetically queer.

ROGER IS SEEKING:

While our primary focus is on amplifying queer voices, we’re always open to hearing from authors that feel like they have a story that makes an impact and has something to say about the world.

Roger enjoys books across a wide range of genres, from literary fiction to commercial and lighthearted reads, but what really resonates with them are those that dive deep into the human experience. Whether it’s something light and fun or serious and personal, they’re drawn to stories that are impactful and leave a lasting impression. Some of their favorite books from recent years include The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin, Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer, Pet by Akwaeke Emezi, Over the Top by Jonathan Van Ness, What If It’s Us by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli, There There by Tommy Orange, and Sourdough by Robin Sloan.

ABOUT ROGER:

Roger spent over five years working in-house at Amazon Publishing, previously negotiating deals with editors, artists, agents, and other creative service providers while supporting both bestselling and emerging authors. During this time, they negotiated highly competitive contracts securing favorable deals. They also managed and coached others in the art of negotiation.

After their time in in-house, Roger took a break from publishing and joined Amazon Prime Video and helped expand Prime Video streaming services to new countries around the world. Eventually, they transitioned into freelancing, assisting self-published authors in navigating the publishing world and getting their books published.

These experiences have shaped Roger’s unique perspective on how to best support authors, and Yes & Literary was born out of the desire to help queer stories find their voice in a world that needs them more than ever. Roger believes in the power of diverse perspectives and is dedicated to elevating queer voices within the publishing world.