Stephen Barbara, the former contracts director at Donald Maass Literary Agency, has moved to Foundry Literary + Media as an agent, bringing along his full list of young adult and adult authors.

"This is an agency with a 'think big' philosophy and a wonderful staff which I'll hope to mesh well with. 2009 should be an exciting year," explained Barbara in a statement. In that exclusive video above, Foundry's founding partner
Peter H. McGuigan, alluded to the new hire and talked about his agency's future.

Among the authors on Barbara's list: "YA author Todd Strasser (Give a Boy a Gun), acclaimed middle-grade novelist Lynne Jonell (Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat), debut novelist Lauren Oliver (If I Should Fall), and Laura Amy Schlitz. Adult clients include leading fat loss expert Tom Venuto. (The Body Fat Solution) and Bram Stoker Award finalist Paul Tremblay (The Little Sleep)."