All Faculty Profiles
Sharon Pelletier
by Jamie Kim
“As a child, reading wasn't just my hobby—it was my only hobby. It was all-consuming. I read very fast and very hungrily,” says Gotham Nonfiction Book Proposal teacher Sharon Pelletier, Zooming in from a home office overflowing with framed pictures, album covers, and book art.
Growing up homeschooled in Michigan as the only girl in a pack of brothers, reading was Sharon’s world. Books offered her an escape, a sense of control, and a universe that belonged entirely to her. As she got older, her relationship with stories grew up, too—evolving from reading to writing to editing, and eventually, publishing.
From editing at small presses to reviewing books as a Barnes & Noble bookseller, Sharon has seen publishing from pretty much every angle. In 2013, she transitioned into agenting at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, where she later rose to the role of Vice President. Her path—through marketing, production, and editorial—gave her a uniquely broad view of the industry, something she carries with her day-to-day.
“It’s made me a stronger agent,” Sharon says. “Nothing I did was truly a detour or a waste.”
These days, Sharon primarily represents adult fiction and nonfiction projects. Whether it’s a high-stakes suspense novel or a sharp, voicey rom-com, Sharon’s drawn to stories that blend momentum with craft—books that linger long after the last page.
“That sense of propulsion, whether it’s a twisty thriller or a quiet literary novel, is key,” she says. “It’s the hook, yes—but also how the author moves. That’s what keeps readers locked in, and what drives word of mouth.”
But agenting is just one part of Sharon’s world. Another is New York City, which—for her—feels like home in the deepest sense. “It’s like the T-shirt says—New York or nowhere,” she laughs.
Off the clock, Sharon chases concerts and throws darts all over the city. From Arcade Fire to Mumford and Sons to Beyoncé to niche British indie bands you haven’t yet heard of, Sharon finds the same joy in music she once found in books. While she doesn’t sing or play an instrument, music remains one of her purest joys—one that she makes sure remains separate from work.
When she’s not standing in a concert queue, she’s probably at her favorite bar in Astoria, Queens, throwing darts in her local league. Once a week, every Monday night, it’s just her and a partner, trading dart throws over freshly fried chicken fingers and fries. On these nights, Sharon leans into the comfort of routine—good company, bar food, and a few rounds of darts.
That same groundedness is what she values about teaching at Gotham.
Gotham, Sharon says, keeps her “grounded with the people who are still doing it for the love of writing.” Instead of browsing through digital queries, her classes let her sit down and talk with people who show up with courage and vulnerability to share their manuscripts––as well as a real hunger to make their work better.
“It’s valuable to me to give what I’ve learned to writers who are earlier in the process,” Sharon says as the interview winds down. “I’ve been lucky in this industry. I met the right people at the right moments and got little tips at times just out of the kindness of people's hearts. Any opportunity I have to pay that forward—or backward—I want to take.”
