Foreign Rights Agency

I’m Mariana Dean, a foreign rights agent and editor focused on helping books cross borders with care and long-term vision.

I specialize in international licensing for titles in philosophy, history, Catholic thought, literature, and children’s books, as well as select nonfiction in entrepreneurship, self-development, finance, and cryptocurrency. Based in the Richmond area of Virginia and fluent in Portuguese, I work closely with publishers, authors, and literary estates across different countries, bringing high-quality works to new audiences—particularly in Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking markets, as well as the United States and Europe.

I began my professional life in architecture, earning a bachelor’s degree before transitioning into publishing in 2019, following my move from Brazil to the United States. That shift led me into editorial and executive support roles, where I helped shepherd books from manuscript to publication and gained firsthand experience in the practical realities of the publishing process. Over time, my work naturally gravitated toward foreign rights, where editorial judgment, cultural sensitivity, and contractual precision converge.

In 2022, I began acquiring foreign rights on behalf of the Brazilian publishing group CEDET, overseeing ten imprints. During those first years, I helped acquire and license more than 150 titles from U.S. and European publishers for the Brazilian market. This experience shaped my approach to foreign rights—editorially grounded, strategically minded, and deeply attentive to the cultural life of a book beyond its original language.

In 2025, through my company Lifelong Studies LLC, I expanded the scope of my work to offer dedicated foreign rights representation for U.S. and European publishers seeking a trusted, hands-on partner in international markets, particularly Portuguese-language territories. My goal is not simply to close deals, but to act as a cultural bridge, ensuring that meaningful, value-driven books are placed with care and intention, so they can inform, uplift, and endure.

I work best with authors, publishers, and literary estates who view books as long-term intellectual and cultural projects. If that resonates with you, I’d be glad to connect.