Margaret Danko is a multi-faceted agent, highly skilled at representing both fiction and nonfiction titles. Her clients include environmental scientists, high-ranking government officials, CEOs, groundbreaking journalists, spiritual leaders, culture makers, and award-winning novelists. She is passionate about projects that encourage readers to view themselves and the world around them in a new light.
Margaret is an expert at coaching authors from manuscript to finished book. As her clients can attest, she is uniquely gifted at helping authors stay confident, energized, and focused throughout the publishing process. She takes great pride in empowering authors to find the voice and the story that will engage and inspire each and every person who picks up their book.
Margaret began her career as the editor of Temple University’s TINGE Magazine and worked as an author coach, developmental editor, and agency administrator before becoming a full-time agent at the Irene Goodman Literary Agency. She has appeared in Writer's Digest and participates in WD's 2nd Draft editorial & critique program. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Temple University and B.A. in Creative Writing, Archaeology and Anthropology from Oberlin College and studied under renowned authors such as Liz Moore, Dan Chaon, and Don Lee.
I KNEW I’D BE AN AGENT WHEN
I knew I’d be an agent when I realized there was a job in books that mirrored the unhinged Jack-of-all-trades energy of my ADHD.
BREAD & BUTTER
Speculative Fiction, Upmarket/Literary, True Crime, Mind Body Spirit, and Self-Help.
WISHLIST
Margaret is looking for fiction with beautiful writing, strong characters, and distinct voices across a broad range of categories, though she is always looking for a genre blend such as a suspense, romance, drama, or speculative angle. She will also consider contemporary and fantasy YA, where her taste runs more commercial. In nonfiction, she represents an eclectic array of categories. She is drawn to underrepresented voices, new or novel approaches to living and thriving in self-help and psychology, spirituality and witchy vibes, select cooking projects with a unique angle especially Latine, and cultural, political, and environmental issues that keep her up at night.
TEstimonials
"Margaret is a fierce advocate for her authors... She continues to go to bat for me and my work, she believes in her authors' mission, and she will not rest until your book gets the respect it deserves. I am deeply and profoundly grateful for her support."
- Molly Donlan, author of MUNDANE MAGIC: A LAZY WITCH'S GUIDE TO HACKING YOUR BRAIN, BUILDING A DAILY PRACTICE, AND GETTING STUFF DONE
"Margaret Danko is the best agent in the business! The perfect blend of comedic and kind, she's punctual, insightful, and present. Her editorial prowess and business acumen make her the perfect all-around champion... Fairy godmother supreme." - Victoria Carbol, author of A GREAT AND POWERFUL TYRANNY and A BRIGHT AND GLITTERING MALICE
"As someone who writes in a number of genres, it's important for me to work with an agent who understands my creative process and is willing to embrace new ideas, even if they look a little different than projects I’ve worked on before. That is why I am thrilled to be one of Margaret’s clients. Margaret doesn’t just represent books—she represents authors."
- Mere Joyce, author of AS THE SNOW GATHERS
"Margaret believes in her writers and is fiercely loyal. She represents the person behind the work and helps craft a vision for and path to a successful career. She is a skilled editor and a masterful negotiator with keen business acumen. I trust her without reservation." - Ruby McConnell, author of BURIED: THE TOXIC TRUTH ABOUT OUR SOIL AND GROUNDWATER
"Margaret is simply the BEST. You will not find anyone who is more passionate about your career or an advocate of your work. She has helped me make many career pivots, has sold two book projects to a dream publisher, and is always looking for new ways to help me grow and stretch my creative wings. I also appreciate how much she cares about her clients as people." - Elizabeth Su, author of THE ADVENTURE TAROT deck and THE EVERYDAY MILLENNIAL ORACLE deck
"Margaret is the epitome of what every author wants in an agent: a person who hops in the trenches beside you, champions your work relentlessly, and sticks by you through ups and downs... Working with her truly feels like being part of a team. I don’t think I knew how lucky I was getting when I signed on with Margaret! She is the real deal." - Grace Helena Walz, author of PRETTY AS A PEACH and SOUTHERN BY DESIGN
Submissions
Margaret is currently open to nonfiction queries. You can query here. Margaret accepts fiction submissions by referral only.
