Lee Melillo (they/she) is an associate agent at Speilburg Literary Agency. They joined in 2026 after two years at Dunham Literary and an internship at Dystel, Goderich, & Bourret LLC.
Lee represents a wide variety of fiction in the Young Adult and Adult age groups, ranging from commercial to literary, and a small, select list of nonfiction about entertainment and pop culture. Lee’s primarily interested in books written by, for, and about historically underrepresented communities.
Lee studied at Fordham University, where they graduated summa cum laude and with departmental honors in English and Theatre Directing. Before becoming an agent, Lee danced around Manhattan working various jobs including: a Times Square restaurant host, a production management assistant at the Public Theater and Shakespeare in the Park, a teaching artist at the Museum of Broadway, and other assorted whatnots they’d rather not dredge up right now, thanks.
When not working, Lee can most often be found making up ridiculous songs for their beloved cat and useless office assistant, Muffin Man; going on long, ambling walks around Sunnyside Gardens; or debating whether to order one (1) cookie on Doordash.
Lee is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA).
Interviews & Press
“Agent Interview: Lee Melillo, Associate Agent at Dunham Literary” (Dunham Lit)
“Agent Interview: Lee Melillo of Dunham Literary” (Writing Day Workshops)
My Agenting Values
As a neurodivergent child who often felt like an actor without a script, reading is how I ‘learned’ the world. Ever since, I’ve seen books as windows into experiences I’d never have otherwise. I approach reading with a curiosity for not only the varied paths your life can take, but the universal aspects of the human experience. Literature is one of our most powerful tools for developing empathy and banishing ignorance, and my favorite projects tend to showcase universal themes in specific (sub)cultural settings. Stories that can simultaneously center the communities they’re grounded in, while also inviting a wider audience of readers to peek in through the windows they provide.
I acknowledge agents are the traditional publishing industry’s gatekeepers. I want to ensure I am always holding that gate open for as many talented writers as I can – especially writers from underrepresented communities, who deserve intentional advocates for their work. The industry can be hostile to everyone, marginalized voices even more so, and I want to make it feel as safe as possible. I stand by my authors throughout the entire publishing process, from our first offer meeting to publication day, and I will advocate for them continuously as long as we work together.
My background is in indie theatre – namely directing, producing, and writing. A collaborative mindset is the heartwood of my creative practice, and I do see agenting as equal parts creative and business. I’m an editorial agent with an eye for both big developmental notes and the smallest line and copy edits. I love brainstorming solutions to problems and providing a sounding board for projects in their earliest stages. And, once we get to the submission stage, I look to match my authors with editors who share their values and their passion. And I stay tuned in after deals are made to continue my advocacy and lend support whenever my authors need me.
Of course, I can’t promise to be perfect. I have and will continue to make mistakes, as all of us do. But I can promise to always own up and do better, and will constantly work to be the most reliable agent and collaborator I can be.
