Prior to forming Max & Co., founder & principle owner, Michael Murphy, had been in book publishing 27 years. His first 13 years were with Random House - Ballantine, where he was a Vice President. Later, he ran William Morrow as their Publisher up until the time of their acquisition by NewsCorp and merger into HarperCollins. In 2008, he has expanded the literary agency (and social club) to include the positions of ECP (East Coast Presence), GMP (Greater Midwest Presence), and seeks a WCP (West Coast Presence). Many more details can be learned on the About Us page.

The types of books the agency seeks to represent are detailed on the Submissions page and the writers and books we currently represent are on the Clients page. However, a general characterization can be made. Max & Co. seems to have attended the same weekend retreat and drunk the same kool-aid as much of the book business. We seek a fresh voice. We want a unique voice, a voice that either breaks new ground or addresses comfortable ground in a new way.

If your voice on paper (or screen) is old, tedious, dreary, or banal, we encourage you to seek representation elsewhere.