Chelsea Hensley, Agent at Mad Woman Literary

I’m an associate literary agent at Mad Woman Literary representing children’s and adult fiction. Before becoming an agent I was a perpetual publishing intern with experience in various areas of the industry including indie presses and lit magazines. I’m actively building my client list with a focus on authors of bold fiction across multiple genres in children’s and adult categories. I’m based in St. Louis where I spend my free time playing D&D, watching reruns of The Golden Girls, and wrangling two chaotic dogs.

I’m actively building my client list with a focus on authors of bold fiction in picture book, middle grade, YA, and adult categories, specifically in the genres of fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, suspense/thriller, and romance.

Member Reviews of Chelsea

I’ve had many agent consults and while all have been helpful and constructive, I have to say Chelsea was particularly insightful. I walked away with tangible ways to improve both my opening pages and my query. I also had lots of questions, and she answered each thoughtfully and thoroughly. I will not hesitate to book her again.

Thanks so much to Manuscript Academy for being such a valuable resource. I’m truly grateful.

Cathy Lepik

About a month ago, I had a terrific meeting with Chelsea Hensley, who doled out equal parts insights, advice, and encouragement. It was such a positive experience–and Chelsea’s suggestions were so spot-on–that I revised my query and scheduled a second meeting. Chelsea somehow exceeded my already high expectations, and I walked away from the second meeting even happier than after the first. Chelsea is a wonderful resource for any writer trying to crack the code of what makes a successful query.

Bud Jennings

Talking with Chelsea Hensley was a double treat. Along with being warm and kind, Chelsea also delivered excellent insights that will make my query stronger. I was so grateful that she detected themes nestled behind my sentences and gave me concrete suggestions about how to bring them to the forefront.

Bud Jennings

Truly a blessing to hear directly from her.

The feedback that Chelsea Hensley gave me was fantastic. She provided specific examples on how I could polish my material in terms of formatting and style. She was friendly and concise and it was truly a blessing to hear directly from her. To hear her tell me that my work was nearly there, to keep pushing forward made my week. Highly recommend.

James Pigott

I had my ten page in-person review with Chelsea. It was a revision from working with a different Manuscript Academy consultant. I brought up comments made by other reviewers, and she knew exactly what I was talking about and instead of saying, you need to fix this… She was more, this is how you can make this happen. That was super inciteful and greatly appreciated. She also gifted me with a new way to approach marketing since I’ve written an MG novel. It was time and money well spent and I would recommend her highly.

CJ Foote

Work with Chelsea

LIVE Meetings: Meet face-to-face, from home. Choose Zoom, Google Meet, or phone, and speak for the appointed time about your query, first page, and/or first ten pages (for longer meetings). Does not include written notes, but is a chance to have an honest discussion about your work, and to ask follow-up questions. International meetings welcomed.

HYBRID is a live meeting at the appointment time, with written notes.

WRITTEN Critiques: Get detailed, thoughtful notes on your work. Comes with large-scale edits (character, world, plot, tension, concept, conflict, and similar as needed) in an editorial letter and small-scale, line-by-line notes as needed (for longer critiques, an average of three per page). Work arrives in your inbox within 24 hours of thedate on the calendar.