A New York agent who works across the full spread of fiction and selective narrative nonfiction, with a stated pull toward speculative texture and stories that center underrepresented voices.
In brief
Volpe is genuinely broad on fiction — commercial, literary, and genre all welcome — but the through-line is a fondness for speculative or fantastical elements.
On nonfiction they lean narrative and culture-forward: geek and pop-culture territory, pop-science, and stories built around compelling, powerful women.
Whatever the category, they look for work that foregrounds underrepresented voices, whether the characters are real or invented.
The listed fiction reach spans middle grade up through adult, and includes graphic novels alongside prose.
Lately
Listed as open to queries, with fiction interests spanning commercial, literary, and genre work plus narrative and pop-culture nonfiction.
What Joanna is looking for
All flavors of fiction are on the table for Volpe: commercial, literary, and genre alike. The recurring soft spot is speculative or fantastical elements, so projects with that texture tend to stand out. Spans middle grade through adult.
Graphic novels sit within Volpe's stated fiction interests, so illustrated longform narrative is fair game alongside prose.
On the nonfiction side, Volpe gravitates to narrative nonfiction and culture-driven subjects: geek-adjacent material, general pop-culture, and pop-science. A particular interest is narrative nonfiction built around interesting and powerful women.
A priority that cuts across every category. Volpe is actively looking for work that highlights underrepresented voices — both real people and fictional characters — regardless of genre or format.
Not the right fit
Taste fingerprint
How to query Joanna
Put the word "Query" plus Volpe's full name in the subject line (for example: "Query, Joanna Volpe").
You may paste up to five double-spaced sample pages into the body of the email.
Do not send attachments unless they've been specifically requested.
Include all of your contact information in the message.
Expect an auto-reply confirming receipt; this office responds individually only when interested, so silence generally means a pass.
Lead with the speculative or fantastical hook if your project has one, and make the underrepresented-voice angle clear.