About Our Founder
Karen Solem, Founder
December 8, 1950 – January 19, 2025
Karen L. Solem was a visionary in publishing, a champion for her authors, and a trailblazer in the industry as one of the leading romance and women's fiction editors of her time. As an editor, literary agent, and founder of Spencerhill Associates, she played a pivotal role in shaping the romance genre and paving the way for female editors in publishing.
She began her career Simon & Schuster’s Silhouette imprint, where she helped turn the fledgling romance line into a powerhouse, working with legendary authors, including Nora Roberts, whose first 100 books Karen was responsible for publishing. She also played a key role in launching the careers of bestselling authors Sandra Brown, Barbara Delinsky, and Janet Evanovich.
After moving into agenting with a tenure at Writers House, Karen founded Spencerhill Associates in 2001, where she continued her legacy of nurturing bestselling and award-winning authors, including her friend and client Colleen Coble, a Publishers Weekly and USA Today bestselling author with over 5 million books sold and president of American Christian Fiction Writers, Mary Burton, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, and Denise Hunter, an international bestseller with over 40 novels and three Hallmark movie adaptations.
Those who knew Solem will remember her spunk and sharp New York directness. Yet, her dedication and deep care for her authors was undeniable, as was her talent for spotting and nurturing emerging voices. Her editorial instincts, fierce author advocacy, and a deep love of storytelling defined her long career, and her legacy lives on through the many authors she championed and the readers who cherish their books.
Spencerhill is proud to carry on her legacy under the leadership of her friend of 40 years and successor, Nalini Akolekar.