Mattie Townson joined Dystel, Goderich & Bourret as Jane Dystel’s assistant in spring of 2024. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Mattie spent most of her childhood barefoot, leafing through a book in her backyard. When her mom started taking her on weekly library trips at the age of three, Mattie discovered the other-worldly joy of picking up a good book. Mattie is a graduate of the King’s College where she earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism with a concentration in arts and culture. During her senior year, she was an editorial intern for Penguin Random House’s Crown imprint and the summer after graduating, she completed the Columbia Publishing Course. 

She is not currently open to queries, but her literary interests include upmarket fiction, women’s fiction, book club fiction, and narrative nonfiction. When she isn’t reading, you can often find her chatting about pop culture with friends, trying new restaurants, or crocheting next to her cat. 

Mattie says... 

Weekly library trips to the suburban strip-mall style library in Louisville, KY defined my upbringing. My mom would roam over to the romance section while I rushed to the children’s section, and we would take home anything and everything I could find – my mother sounding out the words with me as we read about witches and cat burglars and kids traveling to faraway places.  

Books have always connected me to my mother, my friends, and my own imagination. As soon as I could legally work in Kentucky, I immediately applied to any bookstore I could. My first job at 16 was at the Barnes & Noble Cafe, where I was possibly the worst barista known to man. What I learned from that job was that I always wanted to be surrounded by books, and I had to leave the burnt sandwiches and over-filled frappuccinos behind. I am incredibly grateful to join the DG&B team and to work alongside the many talented agents and the outstanding authors they represent.