ELIZABETH WACHTEL

"In the nonfiction space, I can help you navigate the publishing landscape with clarity and confidence—and bring your ideas to life on the page. I work closely with clients to develop proposals that reflect both their purpose and ambition. Often that means months (sometimes years) of refining structure, voice, and positioning until an ambitious idea becomes a book that resonates. Whether you’re writing a memoir, a big idea book, or something in between, I can demystify the publishing process—from how to find an agent and pitch your work, to what actually happens after you get the deal.

I also advise on storytelling across media, including journalism, book-to-film/TV adaptations, screenwriting, podcasts, documentary film, and theater. On the professional development side, I can support you in navigating graduate school, the nonprofit sector, career transitions, grant applications, entrepreneurship, job searches, and corporate environments."

Elizabeth Wachtel has dedicated her career to empowering storytellers and bringing their visions to life. At True Literary, Elizabeth represents authors for publishing, guiding them through the literary landscape and bringing their stories to a global audience. 

Elizabeth has worked with authors across all media and she brings this expertise to each client at True Literary.  Previously an agent with William Morris Endeavor, for 10 years she championed a diverse range of acclaimed authors and creators across film, scripted tv, documentaries, non-scripted programming, and podcasts. Adaptations of their work earned the industry's highest honors including Academy Awards, Emmys, and Golden Globes. Prior to her career as an agent, Elizabeth worked with the preeminent theater company Center Theatre Group, where she supported new play production and development. She holds degrees from Vassar College (B.A.) and the University of Oxford (M.St.), where her research explored the art of adaptation and translation.