YA Books are Booming: with literary agent and owner of the Reading Chamber, Jess Taylor

Episode 14Season 1Guest Agent
Written By Caitlyn Waynelovich

February 24, 2026

Featured Guest:

Jess Taylor

Jess Taylor is the founder of The Reading Chamber and a literary manager with Martin Literary Management, where she focuses on young adult and select genres. With over six years of experience in hybrid publishing, Jess is passionate about helping authors navigate their publishing journeys and creating spaces that celebrate YA stories, indie voices, and a lifelong love of books.

In this engaging conversation, Jess Taylor shares her journey of opening an online bookstore dedicated to young adult literature and her role as a literary agent. The discussion explores the evolution of YA fiction, the importance of addressing banned books, and the unique challenges of running a bookstore in a digital age. Jess emphasizes the joy of connecting with readers and authors alike, highlighting the need for more diverse representation in literature, particularly for younger audiences and male protagonists. The conversation concludes with insights into the current trends in YA literature and the significance of passion in writing and publishing.

In This Episode

  • Jess Taylor opened an online bookstore to fill a gap in YA literature.

  • The joy of seeing teens excited about books is validating.

  • YA literature allows for creativity and exploration of complex themes.

  • Banned books discussions highlight the importance of exposure to diverse topics.

  • Personalization in online bookstores can differentiate from larger retailers.

  • Social media content creation is a significant challenge for online sellers.

  • Jess transitioned from publishing to agenting to advocate for authors.

  • The YA audience is growing up, leading to a demand for new adult stories.

  • There is a need for more books featuring younger protagonists in YA.

  • Jess is open to queries for contemporary YA fiction.

Connect with Jess Taylor

Discount Code

Shop The Reading Chamber and use the code MARGS at checkout for 15% off your entire purchase including the first month of a subscription!

Querying Jess

Jess is currently open to queries and can be found on Query Tracker

Caitlyn Waynelovich
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