AGENCY DIRECTOR
FOUNDER

Jessica Berg is the founder and agency director of Rosecliff Literary, a boutique agency built on the belief that ambitious writers deserve transparency, strategy, and a seat at the table. She earned her MFA from Spalding University and brings more than a decade of experience to her work with clients.

In addition to her agency role, Jessica serves as a contributing editor for Writer’s Digest, where she writes and consults on topics related to querying, craft, comp titles, and the business of authorship. She teaches globally on query letters, positioning, and sustainable author careers. Jessica serves on the board of the Historical Novel Society and is a chair for the National Women’s Book Association.

She lives online at @jessica__berg, where she talks about querying, writing life, and the realities of publishing with transparency, humor, and a touch of glam. Connect with Rosecliff at @roseclifflit.

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
ASSOCIATE AGENT

Rita Veras is an Associate Agent at Rosecliff Literary. She started writing short stories and poetry at a young age, inspired by her upbringing in the Dominican Republic. Rita is passionately dedicated to uplifting BIPOC voices, enhancing representation, and championing diverse narratives.

For nearly twenty years, Rita has empowered countless entrepreneurs to become successful business owners. Now, with her results-driven approach, she has returned to the literary world to inspire aspiring authors on their journey to publication. 

She’s seeking immersive, atmospheric stories across genres, especially historical fiction—gothic or moody tales, BIPOC romances rooted in heritage, and magical realism with political nuance. She welcomes feminist retellings that reclaim overlooked voices and narratives on identity and ancestry.

Rita also enjoys folklore-inspired horror, blending beauty and terror. Above all, she is drawn to books that linger in your soul and stay with you long after the last page is turned.

Rita hangs out online here.

ASSOCIATE AGENT

Hailey Stephens is an avid reader, writer, and copyeditor with a bachelor's degree in English-Writing from Illinois Wesleyan University, as well as a master's in Writing and Publishing from DePaul University.

Previously at ArtHouse Literary Agency, Hailey is especially interested in uplifting diverse artists from rural communities that may be overlooked by such a metropolis-based industry.

While Hailey's reading tastes include almost everything (she currently favors romance, literary fiction, and creative memoirs), her writing is focused on both creative nonfiction and psychological/supernatural horror.
When not reading or writing, Hailey enjoys exploring her many hobbies.

She's a baker, hiker, puzzler, gamer (board games, card games, D&D, video games-she's open to it all!), cross-stitcher, and so much more.

ASSOCIATE AGENT

Kelsey Evans is a publishing professional with a background in communications, marketing, and editing.

After a decade helming marketing strategy and content development for agencies with major clients like AAA, Dannon, and Target, she transitioned into publishing.

She began as an editor, helping writers shape their work through developmental feedback, query critiques, and revision guidance.

Later, she moved into agenting, interning with Triada US and Creative Media Agency (CMA), where she gained hands-on experience in manuscript evaluation, submissions, and client development.

Passionate about championing authors, Kelsey now combines editorial insight with marketing expertise to help writers navigate both craft and career.

She is especially excited to seek out independent voices by tracking breakout self-published successes, surfacing under-the-radar talent, and scouting the indie authors whose sales, platforms, and craft signal they’re ready to leap into traditional publishing.

ASSOCIATE AGENT

Shannon Snow worked in finance and marketing for nearly twenty years before turning to her childhood first love – books and writers.

She started her publishing career in 2018 as an intern and then an associate agent with Creative Media Agency, Inc, before moving to Rosecliff Literary Agency in 2026.

Shannon holds a B.A. in English Language and Literature with a minor in Creative Writing.

She has an eclectic reading taste spanning most genres in the commercial and upmarket space. 

In searching for new projects, Shannon seeks books that have a unique angle and authors with wonderful, engaging voices with lots of depth and nuance. 

Characterization is a top draw for her, so she is looking for vivid, well-developed characters.

She loves it when an author can make her laugh, make her cry, or just make her feel emotion in general. She is actively building her list.