We speak with agent, author, and stand-up comedian (yes, really!) Barbara Poelle about the Venn diagram of editorial needs, not swearing before 10 a.m., and how breaking all the rules worked out spectacularly well for one of her clients.

Barbara’s new book, Funny You Should Ask: Mostly Serious Answers to Mostly Serious Questions About the Book Publishing Industry, is half love letter and half guidebook for the publishing industry.

What to Submit to Barbara:

Barbara is looking for high octane thrillers, edgy mysteries, literary and upmarket fiction and YA.

You can find her on twitter at @bpoelle.