The pop culture/humor magazine that celebrates the stuff we loved when we were kids -- and still do!

WHEN ROCK MET DISCO: The Story of How The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, KISS, Queen, Blondie and More Got Their Groove On in the Me Decade by Steven Blush (Rowman & Littlefield)

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ONE TOUGH DAME: The Life and Career of Diana Rigg by Herbie J Pilato

(University Press of Mississippi)

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JESSICA LANGE: American Horror Story and Beyond by Anthony Uzarowski 

(University Press of Kentucky)

LUCAS/SPIELBERG – THE DIRECTORS’ CUT by Herbie J Pilato

(University Press of Kentucky)

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LAUREN BACALL: The Queen of Cool by Anthony Uzarowski 

(University Press of Mississippi)

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FRIENDS OF DOROTHY: A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Icons

by Anthony Uzarowski (Imagine Books/Charlesbridge)

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THE RAMONES AND THE MAKING OF ROCK 'N' ROLL HIGH SCHOOL

by Stephen B. Armstrong (Backbeat Books) 

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Praise for Lee Sobel Literary Agency:

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“Lee’s enthusiasm for the work is infectious. I signed with Lee in December 2021, having never written a book before. Within a short matter of months, he got me

a deal with Applause Books for my book on the making of High Fidelity. Anyone

who knows the industry knows that these things seldom ever come to fruition

that fast. Yet that’s what Lee was able to make happen. I look forward to

continuing working together in the future.” - Author Andrew Buss

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"As an author you want an agent who’s always out there for you, pounding the pavement — be it digitally or literally — on your behalf. An agent who’ll get you the best deal for the best book with the best publisher. Lee’s procured and shepherded me through multiple fine projects, and, every time, the experience and results have been spectacular. The dude simply lives, breathes, and sleeps — when he does sleep — books. He knows what’s good and he knows what works, especially for the authors he represents. A bulldog, with a soft touch when needed — Lee Sobel is your man."

- Author Peter Aaron

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"Lee Sobel knows what he speaks. Within less than a week of my submitting a proposal, he sold my manuscript about the TV soap opera Ryan's Hope. If you want a literary agent who is a straight-shooter, goes the extra mile for his clients, and knows how to get a deal done, as well as being a nice guy, Lee Sobel is the agent for you."

- Author Tom Lisanti

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"When I approached Lee to work together, I didn’t know he would be so proactive and full of ideas. From the first interaction, Lee revealed himself to be full of heart, energy, enthusiasm and feedback. Lee always shows me the respect of reminding me that I’m the author and he isn’t trying to take over my writing or change my voice. As a result, his feedback is well appreciated and always seriously considered. Especially since it is, so often, astute and excellent advice." - Author Ali Smith

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"I had already sold four books without the help of an agent. While pitching my fifth, I signed on with Lee. He got the attention of some high-profile publishers and within two weeks he put a deal together that I never could have imagined. New to the game? Or been around the block a few times? Either way, Lee will make your professional life better! I don’t know about your social life, but your professional life as a writer will be better." - Author Paul Gambino

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"Lee reached out to me on social media and the timing was right, but in all honesty I had a very wait-and-see attitude. I didn’t have to wait long. He got me a book deal for something I wouldn’t even have thought to pitch had he not come into my life. There’s a Yiddish expression, 'beshert,' which translates loosely as, 'meant to be.' That’s what I think about my relationship with Lee." - Author Samuel Garza Bernstein

"Lee Sobel is a thoroughly professional and straightforward agent. He approached me following publication of my first book, Waterloo-Making An Epic, and explained his passion for ‘Making Of’ film books. I had an idea and went away and wrote up a proposal. After suggesting a few sensible enhancements, he diligently set about his job. A week or so later, and after some strong negotiating—he made a deal! Fully recommend!” - Author Simon Lewis

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"Man, was I lucky to find Lee Sobel, that rare industry figure who 'gets it,' who understands what’s cool and what fits at the intersection of popular culture and literature. More than a literary agent, he’s a mentor, teacher, editor, coach, and artist. When Lee is enthusiastic about a project, you can be sure he’ll make it happen. I am in his debt." - Author Burt Kearns

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"I reached out to Lee based on the recommendation of a publisher I had pitched my book to. Within hours of that we were on the phone. Within hours of that I had a 'how to' of what I should do to create a sellable book. About 2 weeks after that I crafted a suitable pitch, and within days of that, Lee had sold my book to a publisher. I thought this process was supposed to be a lot more complicated and dramatic...?"

- Author Darren Paltrowitz 

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"When I signed on with Lee, I'd never written a book proposal before, but he was extremely helpful at every step of the process. From coming up with a viable idea through giving excellent feedback on my drafts, Lee was patient, knowledgeable, and encouraging. Within days of sending out that proposal, he got me a contract for my first book deal. Clearly, he knows what he's doing! I can't thank him enough for believing in my work and getting me such an amazing opportunity."

- Author Katherine Yeske Taylor

"Lee Sobel is a literary agent who works minor and major miracles. After my agent Michael Hamilburg passed away I was left in freefall until Lee contacted me. I checked him out and decided to take him up on his offer of representation. In short order we came up with a new book idea, he goaded me into a proposal and the next thing I knew, we got a publisher's offer! Talk about your miracles! I highly endorse Lee as both an agent and a mensch, two things the world is in short supply of having."

- Author Dwayne Epstein

"Lee Sobel's outstanding dedication shines through the persistence, support, and generosity of his time that he has offered me as one of his clients. His thorough knowledge of the publishing industry and his invaluable guidance and suggestions have taken my career to a new height." - Author Christopher McKittrick

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"Lee Sobel sold my proposal faster than it will take someone to read the book. My accountant and I are equally impressed." - Author Nat Segaloff

"Lee is highly dedicated to his clients and he has enormous energy. He works tirelessly to make his clients and their books successful." - Author Laura Davis-Chanin

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"Lee Sobel is an amazingly creative, intelligent and resourceful agent. I've worked with at least four other agents during my eight-book writing career, but Lee tops them all by a long shot." - Author Peter Benjaminson

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"Lee Sobel is an outstanding literary agent and shows tremendous respectand support for his clients that is in a class by itself. If you want a literary agent with an unmatched love for what he does -- he is your guy! I have only positive things to say about working with Lee." - Author Herbie J Pilato

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"Lee Sobel is as kind and supportive as he is shrewd. He helps clients shape their book proposals and secures deals with first-rate publishers, maintaining the highest standards of professionalism at all times. He's the best."

- Author Stephen B. Armstrong

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"All the deals we’ve done have been refreshingly straightforward and if you get to meet him in person, I guarantee you’ll have a blast. I can’t recommend working with Lee highly enough!" - Book Editor David Barraclough

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"Lee is a Renaissance man---truly creative and knowledgeable, great taste,

enthusiastic and driven. It's great to work with someone who has his passion."

- Book Editor Bernadette Malavarca

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“Within three months of opening conversations initiated by agent Lee Sobel,

I had a new book deal. The endorsement speaks for itself.”

— Author Steven Blush

“If you are looking for an agent who will champion your work and fight for you, Lee is your man! I’ve worked with agents both in the US and UK, and I never encountered one whose passion, energy and savviness came anywhere close to Lee’s. His enthusiasm and belief in my ideas and my ability as a writer gave me a huge boost, and I will be forever grateful to Lee for letting me realize my long-term passion projects.”

- Author Anthony Uzarowski

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Hello! My name is Lee Sobel and I am a literary agent. I am the son of a literary agent and grew up in the New York publishing world. I have books in my blood! It's been my joy to bring a number of great books into the world! 

My Background:

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I have had a rich and varied career working in the entertainment business, both with movies and music. I like to think that everything I have done in my life was great preparation for agenting. I started out at age 13 publishing my own sci-fi fanzines and making super 8mm films. I am a graduate of NYU's renowned film school, where my thesis film, a 1940s set parody of movie serials and film noir, Rick Blazen Is In Trouble, was winner of the 1985 Cinemagic Short Film Search award and was excerpted on a home video release, The Fangoria Weekend of Horrors.

I went to work for famed New York television producer Robert Halmi ("Lonesome Dove") as director of development, where I scouted books and screenplays and made contacts in the book publishing world that would serve me well later when I began agenting books. I then moved out to Los Angeles where I worked in the same capacity for producer Nelle Nugent. My working with writers on movie projects was great training for understanding the development process and this bore fruit when I started representing Joseph Eastburn's first novel, Kiss Them Goodbye, which I sold. That was the early 90s and I just was not ready to commit to being an agent full-time so I moved back to New York and continued making films and directing plays. Finding the cost of renting a theater to be too costly, I began showing my films in bars and restaurants, leading up to directing my first feature film and premiering it at a nightclub with seven bands from the soundtrack playing live -- I shot a documentary of that event called Rockabilly '96 Live . The movie, originally titled Burnin' Love, was released to home video by Troma Entertainment under the title Rockabilly Vampire. I soon found myself publishing a retro music and lifestyle magazine called Lo-Fi: Easy Living For Cool Moderns, touting it on MTV, producing and hosting a cable access TV show with live bands called Retro TV, producing and managing bands, DJing, booking tours for bands, and producing thousands of live music events. I also released several CDs on my own record label and I directed a total of seven low budget movies, most of which are listed on IMDB. But it all led me back to what I had set out to do originally -- work with authors to make books come to life. Thus the Lee Sobel Literary Agency was born!

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Agenting:

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When I started my agency I focused a lot of my energy on music books and I couldn't think of a reason not to since I very luckily sold nearly every proposal I pitched to publishers. But soon the tide turned and finding famous or even semi-famous rock musicians to write their memoirs that publishers were dying to pay good money for became harder to get and one of the American publishers I was selling a lot of books to got sold to another company, preventing them from going through with buying a book I had sold them. Then the pandemic happened and everyone, including book publishing, seemed to go into a limbo state. In the summer of 2020 I decided to start the pop culture website Greasy Kidstuff Magazine and began to think about agenting books about movies, television and comics. This led to signing a number of new clients and suddenly finding myself on a roll. As of right now (November 2021) I've sold 16 books this year. I guess it's true what people have been saying that since the pandemic people have been reading more. I know I have!

How about a good novel, Lee? Yes I am always looking for a great novel, especially suspense thrillers, horror and science fiction -- I like relatable characters that are emotionally complex and unpredictable and stories that takes unexpected twists and turns and keep me on the edge of my seat. My all time favorite TV series is Rod Serling's Twilight Zone and if I could find material like that I would be in heaven. I love my clients and I am all about "doing more" and I try to avoid doing things that I hear other agents do that make either their clients unhappy or annoy publishers. I have no ego about what I do - I love the nurturing of new projects, strategizing selling the books and making the deals. Also, my agency is represented for film and television deals in Hollywood by Intellectual Property Group who recently handled the movie option for the Bill Haley book I agented. 

I don't have any special requirements if you would like to contact me and I am always

looking for new clients so don't be shy if you need an agent! You can email me at

LeeSobel15@gmail.com and please visit my agency page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leesobelliteraryagency/