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7 Insider Secrets to Get a Top Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal
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Literary Agent Directory
Important: Visit each agent’s website (links in their listings below) to see if they’re open to submissions before querying.
- You are searching within category(ies): Commercial Fiction
Biography
Rebecca Gradinger is a literary agent with the United Talent Agency (UTA). She works with a wide range of writers, from New York Times bestselling novelists to award- winning memoirists, journalists, scientists, lifestyle and health experts, and thought leaders. Her clients have been finalists and winners of various grants and prizes including the National Book Critics Circle, The Man Booker Prize, The Dylan Thomas Prize, The Whiting Award, The Los Angeles Times First Book Award, The WomenÕs Prize, The Sunday Times Short Story Award, as well as fellowships with the National Endowment of the Arts and Art for Justice.
In addition to literary and commercial fiction that blend distinct voice with propulsive ÒI canÕt put this book downÓ plot, Rebecca loves books that provide insightful and diverse perspectives on all aspects of our lives Ñ from biography and narrative history to pop culture, psychology, spiritual exploration, and health.
She is always looking for books that challenge her to look at herself and the world around her with fresh eyes and if it makes her feel deeply (laugh, cry, rethink her life choices) thatÕs a huge bonus. Her favorite part of being a literary agent is the opportunity to develop long lasting, creative partnerships with writers and to help them realize their professional goals though each step of the publication process from hands on-the-page editorial work to strategizing on publicity and marketing. Rebecca believes that the agent-author relationship is built on trust, communication and a shared commitment, instinct, and passion for the work.
Born and raised in Montreal, Rebecca found her way back to her first love (books) after a short stint as a production assistant at MTV and then as intellectual property attorney at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz. Her first job in publishing was as an international book scout at Mary Anne Thompson Associates, helping foreign publishers identify North American fiction for translation. She began her career as an agent at Janklow & Nesbit, moved to Fletcher & Company in 2008 and to UTA at the beginning of 2023.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Diet Nutrition | Economics | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Pop Culture | Psychology | Religion | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Kara Grajkowski is a literary agent with the 3 Seas Literary Agency. She says: “As a child, I remember trips to the post office with my mom, Michelle Grajkowski, multiple times a week to fill our minivan trunk with tons of white USPS bins for her new (super cool) literary agency. The bins would end up in the dark, scary, basement room next to our playroom. I always wondered what secrets were typed in momÕs manuscriptsÉ Years later, as I scanned through the library of momÕs published books in a different dark, scary room in our basement, I fell in love with the secrets that I was learning with every page I turned. Now, as an adult, I have become obsessed with bringing secrets out of the basement library and into my (very colorful) elementary classroom library. When I am not teaching fractions and key details, you can find me singing, trying new restaurants, exploring with my corgi, Momo, or finding the best bargains.
If you are ready to bring your secrets into the world with me (preferably into well-lit, not-so-scary rooms), query me!
Wishlist:
Contemporary Middle Grade Fiction
Contemporary YA Fiction
Own Voices”
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Graphic Novel | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Cultural Social Issues | Dating Relationships Sex | Education | Family | Multicultural Nonfiction | Parenting | Psychology | Science | Travel | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Michelle Grajkowski is a literary agent with 3 Seas Literary Agency. From the moment Michelle Grajkowski first opened the doors to the 3 Seas Literary Agency in August of 2000, she has been living her dream. (What could be better than surrounding yourself with amazing authors and their exciting and imaginative books?) Since then, her agency has sold almost 700 books to all the major publishing houses, and has grown from one agent to three!
MichelleÕs client list includes New York Times Bestselling Authors Katie MacAlister, Cathy McDavid, Kerrelyn Sparks and C.L. Wilson. She primarily represents romance, womenÕs fiction, young adult and middle grade fiction along with select non-fiction projects with a terrific message. She is currently looking for fantastic writers with a voice of their own.
When not curled up with a great manuscript, Michelle loves to spend time with her husband, children and her two crazy puppies, who refuse to grow up.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction |Christian Fiction | Christian Nonfiction |Action Adventure | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Espionage Military Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Inspirational Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Religious Fiction | Romance | Satire | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Western Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Animals | Biography | Business Book | Celebrity | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Design | Environment | Fitness | Food Drink | Gardening | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | Lifestyle | Military War Nonfiction | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Nature | Parenting | Photography | Politics | Psychology | Religion | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | Sports | Technology | Travel | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Ben Grange is a literary agent with the L. Perkins Agency. He started out at a small publishing company in Salt Lake City, UT and proceeded to do internships at three literary agencies before working as the assistant at the JABberwocky Literary Agency. He decided he wanted to be an agent sometime along the line, and is happily growing an amazing list of clients.
His tastes gravitate towards middle grade fiction, and he is particularly on the lookout for exceptional author-illustrators who write middle grade or young adult. He sometimes gets the inkling to read a great YA sci-fi or fantasy, particularly weird or slightly dark stories (ˆ la The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater). Thanks to his time at JABberwocky, he also loves epic fantasy and science fiction, and although his focus is on middle grade and young adult, he won’t say no to a great fantasy or sci-fi. He is also interested in pop culture non-fiction for authors with established platforms.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Science Fiction |Pop Culture |
Biography
Evan Gregory is a literary agent with the Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency. Evan Gregory began at the agency in 2008 as an Assistant. He has been a Senior Agent since 2014, specializing in genre fiction and commercial non-fiction, especially the areas of SFF and pop-culture. Previously he worked as subsidiary rights manager for the agency as well as an assistant to Ethan.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | BIPOC Nonfiction | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Multicultural Nonfiction | Science | Travel |
Biography
Merry Gregory Pantano is a literary agent with Blanche C. Gregory, Inc.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Commercial Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction |General Nonfiction | History | Military War Nonfiction |
Biography
Laura Gross is a literary agent with the Laura Gross Literary Agency. She says: “Born and raised in London, I worked for a prominent literary agent, as well as for three Members of Parliament (allowing me a fascinating view of the British governmentÕs innards before security was tight) before heading to the East Coast for college.
With a B.A. in Comparative Literature, I began working in New York publishing as an assistant at two leading New York literary agencies, then I moved on to become the youngest editor at one of New YorkÕs oldest publishing houses.
I have now been a literary agent for decades and am extremely lucky to love what I do. IÕm also fortunate that I represent a broad range of both fiction and non-fiction writers. These days, I am particularly interested in politics, current affairs, and espionage from a broad range of voices and perspectives.”
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Espionage Military Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Science Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Current Events Affairs | Environment | Food Drink | History | Investigative | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Military War Nonfiction | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Parenting | Politics |
Biography
Pam Gruber is a literary agent with the High Line Literary Collective. She became a literary agent when she realized her favorite part of the publishing business was working closely with authors and artists, helping them to shape not only their stories, but also their careers. She got her start in publishing as an editor, working for over a decade at Hachette Book Group and went on to serve as the Editorial Director at childrenÕs media startup Rebel Girls before shifting gears.
As an agent, Pam aims to sign authors, not just individual books, and she believes in collaboration, communication, creativity, and mutual respect. Her clients write in all categories, from childrenÕs and YA, to adult SFF and contemporary rom-com. She looks for work that is gripping from page one, whether thatÕs due to the voice, world building, or premise. She loves messy female protagonists, innovative twists on classic tropes, and getting swept away by fully realized worldsÑbe it the next town over or an imagined land unlike our own. She brings an inscrutable eye for detail to every book she gets her hands on, and her prior experience gives her insight into how editors think, and what theyÕre looking for.
In her life outside of books (as if!), Pam is an aspiring art collector, avid window shopper, experimental baker, and Pilates enthusiast slowly fixing up the antique house she lives in with her husband, son, and feline familiars.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Romance | Satire | Science Fiction | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |History | Humor Nonfiction | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Lisa Grubka is a literary agent with United Talent Agency (UTA). She represents a variety of fiction and non-fiction authors. Her writers have won the National Book Award and the PEN American Literary Award, and she has represented dozens of New York Times Best Sellers. Her clientsÕ books have been successfully adapted for television and translated into more than 30 languages.
In fiction, Lisa represents literary fiction, along with some upmarket and Young Adult. She is often drawn to ÒcontainedÓ settings (campuses, unique communities, etc), family sagas, and complex relationships of all kinds. She looks for strong writing and voice (especially unique and diverse voices) but also appreciates page-turning momentum. In non-fiction, she represents narrative, science, nature, journalism, conversation-changing perspectives on currents events, food/lifestyle, and is generally interested in non-fiction that will help readers live better, more fulfilling lives. She often enjoys reading about subcultures or deep dives into a topic.
Lisa joined UTA in 2023 after beginning her career at FSG, the WIlliam Morris Agency, and Fletcher & Co. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and lives in Brooklyn.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Economics | Environment | Food Drink | Health Wellness | History | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Politics | Pop Culture | Science | Self-Help | Sports | Technology |
Biography
Lindsay Guzzardo is a literary agent with Martin Literary Management. Through tenures at Amazon Publishing, Guideposts Books, and Penguin/Signet, Lindsay Guzzardo acquired and edited numerous bestselling titles to fantastic customer and trade reviews, particularly in commercial fiction, women’s fiction, and romance.
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Now a Literary Manager of adult fiction, Lindsay applies her comprehensive market knowledge and keen editorial instinct to identify and nurture exciting new talent for MLM.
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She will consider any adult fiction with a clear, marketable, compelling hook, and strong voice. Her personal tastes align with the following wish list, but she would never shut herself off to The Next Big Thing!
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Lindsay is also interested in working with proven genre writers (i.e. previously published, award-winning/nominated, placement in contests, strong platform, etc.) from the elevator pitch onward. Bring her your pitches and she will help direct you which one to pursue, or she can provide you with one to flesh out into a proposal.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Action Adventure | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | Historical Fiction | Inspirational Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Julie Gwinn is the Vice President and a literary agent with The Seymour Agency. She has a background in editorial, launching the Pure Enjoyment line at B&H Publishing Group where she served as Fiction Publisher and was awarded Editor of the Year and Agent of the Year finalist by the American Christian Fiction Writers.
Julie also has more than 25 years of public relations and marketing experience and has worked in marketing for several Nashville nonprofit organizations, including the Tennessee Association for the Education of Young Children, the Nashville Area Red Cross, and the YWCA. She puts that marketing expertise to use in working with her authors.
Julie is actively looking for diverse voices in both fiction and non-fiction and is currently looking for romance, mystery/true crime, historical and speculative/fantasy novels. In non-fiction she is looking for self-help, lifestyle, motivational and sports related books.
As of January, Julie’s query process has changed. She is no longer accepting email queries and has started using Query Manager to manage this part of the business. Please visit her Query Manager portal at the link below where you will find instructions on the process and how to upload your materials.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents | Christian Fiction | Christian Nonfiction |Action Adventure | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Espionage Military Fiction | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Inspirational Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Business Book | Celebrity | Cookbook Cooking | Design | Fitness | Food Drink | Gardening | Health Wellness | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Inspirational Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Psychology | Religion | Self-Help | True Adventure | True Crime |
Biography
Taylor Haggerty is a literary agent with Root Literary. She says: ÒEveryone in this business is in it because they love to read, but agenting gives me a professionally sanctioned opportunity to shout from the rooftops about the books I love. Sharing my authors’ work with editors, and then readers, is a joy, and I’m always looking for the next project to champion.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Serene Hakim is a literary agent with Ayesha Pande Literary. Prior to joining Ayesha Pande Literary in 2015, Serene Hakim worked at Laura Gross Literary Agency in Boston. Serene holds an M.A. in French to English translation from NYU and a B.A. in French and WomenÕs Studies from the University of Kansas. Born to Lebanese immigrants in the Midwest, she grew up straddling cultures and languages and still feels like a third culture kid. Serene loves to read a variety of genres but is particularly drawn to fiction with strong female voices, both YA and adult fiction and non-fiction with international themes, and LGBTQ and feminist issues. She is always on the lookout for great YA sci-fi and fantasy, realistic YA, and anything that gives voice to those whose voices are underrepresented and/or marginalized. She is especially interested in stories dealing with the Middle East and the variety of immigrant experiences out there. Specifically, sheÕs looking for writing that explores the different meanings of identity, home, family and parenthood/motherhood. When sheÕs not reading, she can usually be found trying a new recipe while simultaneously balancing a toddler on her hip.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Member of the AALA |Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | General Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Science Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |BIPOC Nonfiction | Cultural Social Issues | Family | Humor Nonfiction | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Pop Culture | Travel | Women’s Issues |
Biography
David Hale Smith is a literary agent with InkWell Management. David joined InkWell in 2011. He is looking for mind-blowing commercial fiction and compelling nonfiction. Prior to joining InkWell in 2011, he operated his eponymous literary agency in Texas, which he started just a few years after graduating from Kenyon College. His fiction list includes thriller phenom Matthew FitzSimmons, and The New York Times Bestselling novelists Michael Koryta, Greg Rucka and Blake Crouch, author of the smash genre-bending hit Dark Matter and the multi-million selling Wayward Pines trilogy (adapted into the FOX television show of the same name, with Crouch is Executive Producing). In nonfiction, Smith represents acclaimed culinary authors Jordan Mackay, Daniel Vaughn and Robert Sietsema; Top Chef stars John Tesar and Isaac Toups; and New York Times Bestsellers Skip Hollandsworth and barbecue superstar Aaron Franklin. Smith enjoys developing projects from concept to finished book, and is active in selling film and television rights for his clients, making numerous annual trips to the West Coast to pitch projects to managers, agents and producers. He lives in Dallas, Texas and commutes to New York.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Science Fiction | Sports Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Diet Nutrition | Economics | Food Drink | Health Wellness | History | Lifestyle | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Reference | Science | Self-Help | Sports |
Biography
Lucinda Halpern is a literary agent with Lucinda Literary. With over fifteen years of experience in corporate and agency publishing, Lucinda serves both sides of the literary and business worlds. An editorially invested partner with a specialty in book marketing strategy, she has an Òall inÓ dedication and work ethic when it comes to representing authors.
Lucinda began her publishing career in the Publicity Division of HarperCollins, where she assisted on the campaigns of Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt (Freakonomics) among other New York Times bestselling authors. She then went on to work in ScholasticÕs Marketing Partnerships Division, where she helped to develop and sell custom publishing programs to a variety of Fortune 500 companies and global nonprofits. She began her literary representation career at Fletcher & Company, where she also acted as a marketing consultant to Gretchen Rubin, among others. Today, she represents authors writing in the categories of business, health, lifestyle, popular science, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and upmarket fiction, including New York Times bestselling author Susan Peirce Thompson (Bright Line Eating), Chris Bailey (The Productivity Project), Cait Flanders (The Year of Less), Paul Jarvis (Company of One), and the new work of New York Times bestselling author of The Nanny Diaries, Nicola Kraus.
Lucinda studied at McGill University in Montreal and the Sorbonne in Paris. She is originally from New York City, where her company is based.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Family Saga | Inspirational Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Biography | Business Book | Celebrity | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Dating Relationships Sex | Film Entertainment | Fitness | Food Drink | Health Wellness | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Pop Culture | Psychology | Self-Help | Sports | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Reeves Hamilton is a literary agent with the Vertical Ink Agency. In 2020, Vertical Ink added Reeves, a twenty-plus year veteran of the publishing industry, to specialize in science fiction, broadly defined as hard Sci-Fi and space opera, but also as Sci-Fi-adjacent and genre-bending upmarket commercial fiction.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Commercial Fiction | Science Fiction | Upmarket Fiction |
Biography
Sandy Harding is a literary agent with Spencerhill Associates. Prior to joining Spencerhill in September 2015, Sandy Harding spent fifteen years at Penguin Random House and Penguin Group USA, most recently as a senior editor at NAL. In earlier days she earned an MA in American Literature at NYU and taught expository writing. As an editor she was fortunate to work with New York Times bestselling authors, but she also loved discovering new writers in unexpected places and nurturing both their manuscripts and their careers. SheÕs excited to bring this passion to agenting as she works to build her client list.
Sandy is seeking mainly upmarket commercial and literary fiction for the adult market. She enjoys womenÕs fiction for book clubs, smart page-turning thrillers, works of suspense with complex protagonists, mysteries of all sorts (cozies, historical, traditional), and romance. Most of all sheÕs seeking writing with a voice so penetrating and a story so captivating the reader simply must keep reading.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Action Adventure | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Espionage Military Fiction | Family Saga | Historical Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Narrative Nonfiction |
Biography
Logan Harper is a literary agent with the Jane Rotrosen Agency. Prior to joining JRA in 2021, Logan was an Associate Agent at a mid-sized literary agency in Manhattan. SheÕs seeking a variety of character-driven fiction and is particularly drawn to womenÕs fiction, book club fiction, psychological thrillers, domestic suspense, horror, mystery/crime, upmarket and literary fiction. She is always eager to read and champion underrepresented voices and perspectives. A native Washingtonian, Logan is a graduate of the University of Washington in Seattle and the Columbia Publishing Course in Oxford.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Gothic Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Speculative Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Claire Harris is a literary agent at PSLA representing a wide range of fiction and non-fiction for adults. After graduating from The University of Texas at Austin, she got her start in publishing through the NYU Summer Publishing Institute. Claire seeks projects that shine a spotlight on people, places, and events that are often overlooked or not given the attention they deserve. She loves complex and well-developed characters, unique voices, and twisty plots. She enjoys the creative process of working with creators and collaborating closely with them throughout all stages of their careers. Having grown up in Wisconsin, she has a soft spot for stories set in the Midwest.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |BIPOC Fiction | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Short Story Collection | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |Cookbook Cooking | Crafts | Cultural Social Issues | Food Drink | Gift Novelty | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | Lifestyle | Pop Culture | Psychology | Self-Help | True Crime |
Biography
Joy Harris is a literary agent with the Joy Harris Literary Agency. She established her own literary agency in 1990. She works primarily with literary fiction, strongly-written commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction across a broad range of topics, memoir and biography, and is drawn to a clear, original voice, an engaging point of view, and strong characters. Joy takes great pleasure in finding new literary voices, and over the course of her career has represented many bestselling and acclaimed authors from the time of their first published work.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Member of the AALA |Commercial Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction |
Biography
Cate Hart is a literary agent with Harvey Klinger. Cate joined Harvey Klinger Literary Agency in 2019 after 5 years with a New York agency where she represented Middle Grade to Adult fiction. She specializes in Historical, whether in Young Adult, WomenÕs Fiction and Romance, or narrative nonfiction. She is particularly drawn to oft forgotten stories of the past and underrepresented voices, and especially personal to her is unexplored Southern history and culture. She also loves high-concept fantasy in YA and Adult fiction. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, studying Theatre and History, Cate currently lives in Nashville with her children.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Action Adventure | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Biography | Celebrity | Cultural Social Issues | Design | Film Entertainment | Food Drink | Gardening | History | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Multicultural Nonfiction | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Travel |
Biography
Pamela Harty is a literary agent with The Knight Agency. Pamela joined The Knight Agency in the summer of 2000, and has placed hundreds of titles in a broad range of categories, including; health, parenting, southern history, African-American interest, business, motivation, romance, young adult, childrenÕs, middle grade, and Christian living. Recent sales include books to Penguin Putnam, Grand Central, Random House, Simon and Schuster, Harper Collins, Harlequin/Silhouette, Thomas Nelson, Water Brook, McGraw Hill, and Baker/Revell. She brings to the agency a successful sales background combined with a genuine love of books. Says Pamela, ÒAgenting is my dream job. I get to read for a living while working with incredibly talented people in a competitive and challenging industry. ItÕs a great time to be in publishing where there are more opportunities than ever before for writers.”
Pamela serves as The Knight AgencyÕs Vice President of Sales, and belongs to the Association of AuthorsÕ Representatives and Romance Writers of America.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction |Christian Fiction | Christian Nonfiction |Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Satire | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Art | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Celebrity | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Design | Environment | Film Entertainment | Fitness | Food Drink | Gardening | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Parenting | Pop Culture | Psychology | Self-Help | Travel | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Syrone Harvey is a literary agent with the Belcastro Agency. She is an impassioned literary professional, a vibrant force of creativity in the world of books. With an eclectic background in publication, editorial services, and project management, Syrone is dedicated to supporting authors at every step of their writing journey. Syrone is on a mission to be the ultimate “bookend” for authors, providing them with the personalized support they need to shine at every stage of their literary journey.
But Syrone’s love for literature isn’t just professional—it’s personal. As a published author, she knows the sheer joy of crafting a story that touches the soul. To her, books aren’t just objects; they’re the means to transport readers to new experiences and perspectives.
With her sharp editorial eye and a keen sense for market trends, Syrone is the ultimate guide for authors navigating the ever-changing landscape of publishing. Whether it’s guiding debut novelists or supporting seasoned writers seeking a new direction, she is passionate about building long-lasting relationships with her clients. She takes a patchwork quilt approach with her authors—every story is unique and one-of-a-kind. She will walk the literary journey with enthusiasm, expertise, and a shared commitment to bringing exceptional stories to readers worldwide.
She lives in Southern California with her husband, a chatty parrot, and a lively fur baby.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Black Literary Agents | New Literary Agents |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction |Christian Fiction | Christian Nonfiction |BIPOC Fiction | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Inspirational Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Religious Fiction | Romance | Satire | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Animals | Biography | Celebrity | Cookbook Cooking | Crafts | Dating Relationships Sex | Design | Family | Film Entertainment | Food Drink | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Pop Culture | Religion | Self-Help | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Syrone Harvey is a literary agent with the Belcastro Agency. She is an impassioned literary professional, a vibrant force of creativity in the world of books. With an eclectic background in publication, editorial services, and project management, Syrone is dedicated to supporting authors at every step of their writing journey. Syrone is on a mission to be the ultimate ÒbookendÓ for authors, providing them with the personalized support they need to shine at every stage of their literary journey.
But SyroneÕs love for literature isnÕt just professionalÑitÕs personal. As a published author, she knows the sheer joy of crafting a story that touches the soul. To her, books arenÕt just objects; theyÕre the means to transport readers to new experiences and perspectives.
With her sharp editorial eye and a keen sense for market trends, Syrone is the ultimate guide for authors navigating the ever-changing landscape of publishing. Whether itÕs guiding debut novelists or supporting seasoned writers seeking a new direction, she is passionate about building long-lasting relationships with her clients. She takes a patchwork quilt approach with her authorsÑevery story is unique and one-of-a-kind. She will walk the literary journey with enthusiasm, expertise, and a shared commitment to bringing exceptional stories to readers worldwide.
She lives in Southern California with her husband, a chatty parrot, and a lively fur baby.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Black Literary Agents | New Literary Agents |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction |Christian Fiction | Christian Nonfiction |BIPOC Fiction | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Inspirational Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Religious Fiction | Romance | Satire | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Animals | Biography | Celebrity | Cookbook Cooking | Crafts | Dating Relationships Sex | Design | Family | Film Entertainment | Food Drink | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Pop Culture | Religion | Self-Help | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Shannon Hassan is a literary agent with the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. Shannon Hassan has been an agent at Marsal Lyon for over a decade. She represents upmarket adult fiction, middle grade fiction, and young adult fiction and has New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors on her list. She looks for contemporary and historical stories with a fresh perspective and big hook. She received her JD from Harvard and her BA from George Washington University. She lives in Boulder, Colorado, and served on the board of The Dairy Arts Center.
A sample of books Shannon has represented: THE MASK COLLECTORS, a literary thriller by Iowa Short Fiction Award-winner Ruvanee Vilhauer (Little A), INSIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF A CACTUS, an award-winning middle grade series by Dusti Bowling (Sterling), DIE YOUNG WITH ME, an ALA award-winning memoir by Rob Rufus (Simon & Schuster), THE MOON IN THE PALACE, a RITA-award winning historical series by Weina Dai Randel (Sourcebooks), WHOLLY UNRAVELED, a memoir by Keele Burgin (Little A), THE WORLDÕS GREATEST ADVENTURE MACHINE, a middle grade fantasy by Frank L. Cole (Penguin Random House), GIRLS ON THE LINE, a multicultural young adult novel by Jennie Liu (Lerner), THE SILENCE BETWEEN US, a young adult contemporary by Alison Gervais (HarperCollins), and FR€ULEIN M., a historical novel by Caroline Woods (Simon & Schuster).
Before becoming an agent, she was the Acquisitions Editor at Fulcrum Publishing, and prior to that, a corporate attorney at Arnold & Porter in New York. She received her JD from Harvard and her BA from George Washington University, and she serves on the board of The Dairy Arts Center.
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Accepting Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Western Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Art | Music |
Biography
Anne Hawkins is a literary agent with John Hawkins & Associates. Anne has an eclectic list ranging from thrillers to literary fiction to serious non-fiction. She also has particular interests in science, history, public policy, medicine and women`s issues. One of her first sales was the delightful novel EDDIE’S BASTARD by William Kowalski, which has been translated into thirteen languages. The best-selling Reagan: A Life in Letters reflects Anne’s history and policy interests. Her clients include bestselling authors, Tasha Alexander and Taylor Stevens.
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Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mainstream Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Art | Biography | Current Events Affairs | Environment | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Medical Medicine | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Photography | Politics | Religion | Science | Spirituality | Technology | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Samantha Haywood is an literary agent for adult authors with the Transatlantic Agency. She has been the President of the Transatlantic Agency since 2017. She has extensive experience selling authors in North America for publication and TV/film representation. She launched her client list with Transatlantic Agency in 2004 after working in the international rights departments of Random House of Canada Ltd and WCA Ltd. Samantha represents a diverse and vibrant client list of novelists, memoirists, investigative journalists, graphic novelists, cookbook authors and thought leaders. Samantha represents international rights for the renown publisher, Drawn & Quarterly. She is also a founding member and former President of PACLA, the Professional Association of Canadian Literary Agents.
Some of her notable literary fiction clients include: Khaled Hosseini (THE KITE RUNNER), Iain Reid (IÕM THINKING OF ENDING THINGS), Zoe Whittall (THE BEST KIND OF PEOPLE), Elisabeth de Mariaffi (HYSTERIA), Catherine Hernandez (SCARBOROUGH), Shauna Singh Baldwin (THE SELECTOR OF SOULS), Shani Mootoo (POLAR VORTEX), Miranda Hill (SLEEPING FUNNY), Katherine Ashenburg (SOFIE & CECILIA), Jen Sookfong Lee (THE CONJOINED), Marni Jackson (DONÕT I KNOW YOU?), Susan Swan (THE DEAD CELEBRITIES CLUB), Amanda Leduc (THE CENTAURÕS WIFE), Kai Thomas (IN THE UPPER COUNTRY), Chelene Knight (JUNIE), Megan Gail Coles (SMALL GAME HUNTING AT THE LOCAL COWARD GUN CLUB), Canisia Lubrin (CODE NOIR) and Gary Barwin (YIDDISH FOR PIRATES and NOTHING THE SAME, EVERYTHING HAUNTED).
Some of her notable commercial fiction authors include: Amy Stuart (A DEATH AT THE PARTY), Marissa Stapley (THE LAST RESORT and LUCKY), Nathan Ripley aka Naben Ruthnum (FIND YOU IN THE DARK and A HERO OF OUR TIME), Kate Hilton (THE HOLE IN THE MIDDLE), Joanna Goodman (THE HOME FOR UNWANTED GIRLS), Elizabeth Renzetti (BASED ON A TRUE STORY), and the Estate of A.S.A Harrison (THE SILENT WIFE).
Some of her narrative nonfiction clients include: Jesse Thistle (FROM THE ASHES), Jean Teillet (THE NORTH-WEST IS OUR MOTHER), Samra Zafar (A GOOD WIFE), Plum Johnson (THEY LEFT US EVERYTHING), Eliza Reid (SECRETS OF THE SPRAKKAR), Angela Sterritt (UNBROKEN), Prince Shakur (WHEN THEY TELL YOU TO BE GOOD), Samra Habib (WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE), Rowan JettŽ Knox (ONE SUNNY AFTERNOON), Brandi Morin (OUR VOICE OF FIRE), Rachel Giese (BOYS: What it Means to Become a Man), Stacey May Fowles (BASEBALL LIFE ADVICE), Emily Urquhart (BEYOND THE PALE), Clara Hughes (OPEN HEART, OPEN MIND), Kevin Donovan (THE BILLIONAIRE MURDERS) and David Macfarlane (THE DANGER TREE).
Some of her graphic novelist clients include: Ani Castillo (PING), Robin Ha (ALMOST AMERICAN GIRL), Michael Cho (SHOPLIFTER), Scott Chantler (BIX), and Sarah Leavitt (AGNES MURDERESS) among others.
Some of her cookbook authors include: Sam Turnbull (CRAVING VEGAN), Sara Lynn Cauchon (THE DOMESTIC GEEKÕS MEALS MADE EASY) and Pailin Chongchitnant (SABAI).
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Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Mystery | Satire | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | BIPOC Nonfiction | Cultural Social Issues | Environment | History | Inspirational Nonfiction | Journalism | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | True Crime | Women’s Issues |