Who is Roger?
Outside of their work, Roger is a passionate foodie and whiskey lover, always excited to explore new culinary experiences. A self-proclaimed nerd, they enjoy video and board games. Roger’s love for books began at a very young age, and they once aspired to become a professor. However, through a lucky career pivot, they found their way into the world of books, a path that continues to inspire them. They also have a deep appreciation for travel and the thrill of getting lost in new cities. Though no longer living in New York City, Roger will always consider it home, as it has shaped them both personally and professionally.

What is Yes & Literary?
Founded by Roger Copenhaver (he/they), Yes & Literary is dedicated to amplifying the voices of queer authors. We understand that queer people have many stories to tell, each one unique, with infinite possibilities. Just like the concept of “Yes, and,” where each story builds upon the next, queer stories are always evolving and expanding. At Yes & Literary, we celebrate the diversity within the queer community, recognizing that every voice holds its own power, perspective, and truth.

The stories we represent are as varied as the authors behind them—bold, vulnerable, complex, and unapologetic. Our focus is helping create opportunities for queer stories to be told. We believe queer stories need to be told. They are the key to remembering where we've come from, where we are today, and imagining what the future could hold. 

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’s Publishing Background
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.

What Kind of Books Does Roger Enjoy?
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.

FAQs

  • No, as an agent our job is to get you a deal with a publishing house. We don't get paid until you do. As an agent, our commission is directly tied to the offer we're able to secure for you with a publishing house.

  • We're typically looking for books that have compelling stories about the queer experience and are open to books across categories and genres including but not limited to fun and light hearted romances, queer literary fiction, and narrative non-fiction and memoirs. 

  • No, we're open to representing other authors especially ones with stories that make an impactful statement about the world we live in. We're also passionate more broadly in making sure authors from other marginalized backgrounds get their stories told. We're happy to review queries from authors that have stories they feel will make a difference in the world. 

  • Simply put, we care about queer stories. We want them to be told and we're here to advocate for queer authors. Roger has a background in contract negotiation within the publishing industry and is ready to both secure deals for queer stories and voices that need to be told. 

    Previously Roger was a leader at Amazon Publishing where they worked to negotiate several high impact and complex vendor agreements and mentored others in the art of negotiation. 

    Our ability to secure the best deals combined with our passion for queer storytelling and amplifying marginalized voices in publishing are central to our approach.