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The Directory of Literary Agents
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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 *
Biography
Peter McGuigan is a literary agent with and the founder of Ultra Literary. With almost thirty years in the book publishing business, Peter McGuigan has seen the industry – and the agent’s role in it – evolve over the course of his career.
“Selling books is easy. Developing inspiring projects and guiding them to success is the real work of being an agent.”
Peter began his publishing career outside of the mail room, working as a bike messenger, then in bookstores before landing a job as an assistant at a small agency. He quickly became involved in foreign rights, and international publishing remains one of his passions. Five years working in corporate publishing convinced Peter that he was an independent at heart, and he took a job at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates, where he began developing his own diverse client list and worked with Bestselling authors such as Dan Brown and Nicholas Sparks.
At Foundry Literary + Media, Peter created a large, independent agency that became known for high-quality bestsellers. Dewey, The Monuments Men, Dopesick, Trevor Noah’s Born A Crime, Cassandra Peterson’s Yours Cruelly, Elvira, – these projects were not only massively successful around the world, they were all developed from scratch by Peter, the author and their team.
“I am not interested in documenting popular culture,” he says. “I want to create popular culture.”
Foundry’s 13 year run, including massive bestsellers from Jenn Sincero, Mark Manson, Trevor Noah and others, set a high bar for independent, internationally-focused book publishing. Peter also became a producer of TV and film, with credits appearing in Dopesick, Stronger, Searching for Neverland and many other projects.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Autobiography * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Music * Narrative * Nature * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Reference * Science * Technology * True Adventure * True Crime *
1 Dock 72 Way Brooklyn NY 11205 USA
Biography
Jessica Mileo is a literary agent with InkWell Management. She joined InkWell Management in 2017 and primarily focuses on children’s books, children’s graphic novels, women’s fiction, rom-coms, commercial/book club fiction, and select prescriptive and narrative nonfiction. The projects she works with are high concept, commercial, and have a juicy hook. She is always looking for books that are from points of view of underrepresented folks in books and media, such as BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+. Her clients include New York Times Bestselling author Rory Power, USA Today Bestselling author KC Davis, New York Times Bestselling author Allison Saft, Julio Anta, and Ava Wilder.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Horror * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
521 Fifth Avenue Suite 2600 New York NY 10175 USA
Biography
Liseanne Miller is a literary agent with Global Lion Intellectual Property Management, Inc. Liseanne had the pleasure of growing up in the literary world in New York City. She considers many of her clients as close family friends. Liseanne loves to read and brings an eye for branding and design to the table. She is honored to be able to carry on her father’s legacy.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Religious * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Computers * Education * Ethnic * Film/Entertainment * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Reference * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * Travel *
Biography
Scott Miller is a literary agent with and the Executive Vice President of Trident Media Group. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in English and a JD from the Temple University School of Law, as well as a member of the New York State Bar.
After graduating law school, Scott followed his lifelong love of all things related to the entertainment business and went directly to the mailroom at the William Morris Agency (now William Morris Endeavor). In 2000, Scott left the William Morris Agency to be one of the founding members of Trident Media Group. He represents numerous New York Times and international best sellers for fiction and nonfiction. Scott has worked on practically every type of book, gravitating toward unique stories that are well told, across genres. As a career manager for his clients, Scott is involved in every aspect of an author’s profession—ideation, editing, promotion, marketing, and taking the author’s works into every facet of the entertainment business.
Scott lives just outside of New York City and is married with two children.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Espionage/Military * Family Saga * Fantasy * General Fiction * Horror * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Paranormal * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * History * How-To * Humor * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Music * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Prescriptive * Reference * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Sports * True Crime *
355 Lexington Ave 12th FL New York NY 10017 USA
Biography
Stu Miller is a literary agent with and the owner of Stuart M. Miller Co. Literary Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Dystopian * Ethnic Fiction * Erotica * Espionage/Military * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Glitz * Historical * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Mainstream * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Paranormal * Romance * Satire * Science Fiction * Short Story Collection * Sports Fiction *Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION:
11684 Ventura Boulevard #225 Studio City CA 91604 USA
Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Andrea Morrison is a literary agent with Writers House. She says: “I’ve worked in both the California and New York offices of Writers House, having started as an intern and working my way up to agent. I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with a variety of award-winning authors and illustrators, in genres ranging from picture books to middle grade and YA, to adult literary fiction and nonfiction.
I studied Literature & Writing at University of California, San Diego and earned my MFA in Fiction from Columbia University — not only do I understand the revision process from an agent’s point of view, I also understand it from a writer’s perspective. I truly love editorial work, and am hands-on when it comes to helping authors revise and build projects.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * New Adult * Picture Book * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * Juvenile * Memoir * Middle Grade * Narrative * Pop Culture * Upmarket * Young Adult *
120 Broadway 22nd floor New York NY 10271 USA
Biography
Nick Mullendore is a literary agent with the Vertical Ink Agency. Nick Mullendore is the Founder & President of the Vertical Ink Agency, which he established in January 2016 after having worked with the Loretta Barrett Books, Inc. literary agency since March of 1998. He remains a Partner in and the President of Loretta Barrett Books – which continues to serve its existing projects and clients – while building his own Vertical Ink list by working with existing Barrett Books clients as well as new clients on their original book projects.
Nick began his publishing career in publicity at HarperBusiness, the trade business books imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. There he learned in-depth the world of major publishing before making the leap to agenting. Over the years he’s worked with authors such as Ray Kurzweil, Mariah Stewart, Mark Nepo, Jessica Bird, George Weigel, Betty White, Christopher Kennedy Lawford, Chaz Bono, Phil Plait, Harold Schechter, MJ Rose, Carol Goodman, Jack Kelly, Noah Levine, Dr. James Martin, Wayne Muller, Bill O’Hanlon, Melvin Urofsky, Theresa Rebeck, and many others on a variety of bestselling fiction and nonfiction books.
Nick has a wealth of experience selling US, foreign, audio, and television and film rights for a wide range of fiction and nonfiction books. He specializes in nonfiction, particularly in the genres of Mind/Body/Spirit, Health & Wellness, Business & Leadership, Inspiration & Motivation, Current Events & Politics, Popular Science & Psychology, Pop Culture, Memoir, Humor, History, and Sports, and is willing to consider proposals in other nonfiction genres as well. Nick is more selective when it comes to the fiction he takes on, but it’s fair to say that loves fiction that successfully rides the line between “literary” and “literate” while still maintaining something of a commercial sensibility.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Current Events/Affairs * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Inspiration * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Sports * Travel *
170 Union Street Suite 4L Brooklyn NY 11231 USA
Biography
Bonnie Nadell is the president of the Hill Nadell Literary Agency in Los Angeles. She represents writers of both fiction and narrative nonfiction. Her clients have been winners or finalists for the Pulitzer Prize, Carnegie Medal, National Book Critics Circle Award, Kirkus Prize, and numerous PEN Awards, among others.
Writing matters, books matter, and here’s why it matters to me. As an agent, I’ve opened a submission and found everything from an enthralling first novel to a heartbreaking account of struggling to come to America braving hardship and danger. These stories can inspire, can entertain, and can illuminate the major issues of our world whether it be immigration or climate change or injustice. Working with writers at every stage of their career from debut novelists to seasoned journalists, bringing singular voices and compelling stories into the world is what I love to do and have done for years.
I am always eager for new perspectives that inform or take me someplace I’ve never been. I represent and am always looking for narrative nonfiction covering the natural world, current events, memoir, food and culture, and stories focused on the American West. In fiction my taste runs to the literary, to voice-driven and genre-bending fiction and smart thrillers.
Ultimately literature is when someone else’s story speaks to you and broadens your world. That’s what I always want to find.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Espionage/Military * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Literary * Mystery * Short Story Collection * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Design * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * History * Journalism * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Nature * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Sports * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
6442 Santa Monica Blvd Suite 200A Los Angeles CA 90038 USA
Biography
Kristin Nelson is a literary agent with and the founder of the Nelson Literary Agency (2002). She says: “My goal as an agent is simple: I want every client of mine to make a living solely from writing and 90% of my authors do without help from any other source of income. I established Nelson Literary Agency, LLC, in 2002 and over the last decade+ of my career, I’ve represented over forty New York Times bestselling titles and many USA Today bestsellers. Although I’m a very nice Midwesterner, I’ve heard through the grapevine that editors call me “a hard-working bulldog agent that will fight for you.” What a compliment!
When not busy selling books, I’m quite sporty. I attempt to play tennis and golf. I also love playing Bridge (where I’m the youngest person in the club). On weekends my husband Brian and I can be found in the mountains hiking with our 14-year old rat terrier, Chutney.
My client list is eclectic as I’m looking for a good story well told. How you tell that story doesn’t need to fit in a neat little category. For specifics, check out the books I represent and the Submission Guidelines page.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Fantasy * Historical * Literary * Magical Realism * Mainstream * Science Fiction * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
700 Colorado Blvd #352 Denver CO 80206 USA
Biography
Lynn Nesbit is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She grew up in Dundee, Illinois and graduated from Northwestern University with a B.A. in Speech. She attended the Sorbonne and the Radcliffe Publishing Procedures Course. In the fall of 1960, she joined the Sterling Lord Agency, and in 1965 moved to create and run for twenty-three years the literary department for what later became International Creative Management. In January 1989, she formed a partnership with Morton Janklow—Janklow & Nesbit Associates.
Ms. Nesbit has served on the Board of Trustees of Partisan Review, the New York Institute for Humanities and the Literature Council for the National Endowment for the Arts. She is currently on the Board of the National Book Foundation.
In 1991, she was a recipient of the Matrix Award, presented by New York Women in Communications, Inc. She received the Alumnae Award of 1994 from the Alumnae Board of Northwestern University. She is a member of the Century Association and the Council on Foreign Relations.
Lynn Nesbit represents both fiction and nonfiction writers.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Mystery * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Music * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Science * Spirituality *
285 Madison Avenue 21st Floor New York NY 10017 USA
Biography
Esther Newberg is a literary agent with CAA/ICM, a talent agency in New York. Newberg is the senior vice president at International Creative Management. She has represented authors such as Carl Hiaasen (Skinny Dip) and Patricia Cornwell (Trace), Thomas Friedman, Michael Beschloss and Caroline Kennedy. The New York Post called her “one of the most powerful agents in the literary world.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Autobiography * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Music * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Reference * Religion * Spirituality * Sports *
65 East 55th Street 14th Floor New York NY 10022 USA
Biography
Kiana Nguyen is a literary agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency. Kiana Nguyen joined Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2016, where she assisted several agents, and is now building her own client list. She is seeking YA fiction across genres, particularly those with POC and queer voices. She is also interested in Adult romance and thrillers.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Family Saga * Fantasy * Horror * Magical Realism * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
1000 Dean Street Suite 252 Brooklyn NY 11238 USA
Biography
Claire Oleson is a literary agent with Vicky Bijur Literary Agency. She joined the Vicky Bijur Agency in 2023 after working at several literary agencies, including Compass Talent and Union Literary. She is interested in literary fiction with experimental and speculative bends. She is particularly excited by queer voices, Midwestern settings, and unique approaches to the form of the contemporary novel.
She is a 2020-2021 Center for Fiction Writing Fellow and a graduate of Kenyon College.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Literary * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Food/Drinks * Health/Wellness * Journalism * Memoir * Photography *
Biography
Courtney Paganelli is a literary agent with the Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency. She joined the agency in May of 2019 and currently assists Jim Levine, Stephanie Rostan, and Victoria Skurnick.
Courtney graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in English Literature. Her time in the Twin Cities was both bone-chilling and rewarding as she launched her publishing career as an intern with Wise Ink Creative Publishing. Upon graduation she returned home to the East Coast and began working on prominent business titles at Pearson. She later joined the managing editorial department at Random House Children’s books before becoming a part of the team at LGR.
Throughout her career, Courtney has been inspired by authors who have taken their personal struggles and turned them into relatable stories. Her favorite novels incite emotion, whether fear, heartbreak, or happiness — a book that makes her feel something is one she will read time and time again. Courtney enjoys diving into contemporary romances, relationship-driven literary fiction, psychological thrillers, and anything so scary that it will make her second guess whether or not she locked her door. In the young adult space, she particularly loves books that don’t shy away from tough conversations pertaining to mental health, addiction, or abuse. She is looking for adult or young adult novels that will make her laugh, cry, and maybe slightly afraid of the dark.
Some (but certainly not all) of her favorite authors include Stephen King, Laurie Halse Anderson, Jennifer Niven, Marisha Pessl, Gillian Flynn, Jessica Knoll, Lisa Lutz, Lisa Gardner, and Kara Thomas.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Family Saga * General Fiction * Horror * Humor Fiction * Magical Realism * Mystery * Paranormal * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Design * Lifestyle * Money/Finance * Pop Culture * Practical * Self-Help/Personal Development * True Crime *
307 Seventh Ave. Suite 2407 New York NY 10001 USA
Biography
Gina Panettieri is a literary agent with and the founder of Talcott Notch Literary Services. She says: “Being an agent is really all I can imagine doing. Books, and the amazing people who write them, have been the focus of my life for more than two decades. I remember packing to move my house and needing a separate small truck just for all the books, and I had given away countless volumes to the libraries for fundraisers already! But so many of them were treasured friends I couldn’t bear to part with, no matter the effort required to maintain the relationship.
And this specific role I play, being given the chance to find and nurture new books, to work with some of the most creative and talented writers, scientists and psychologists, cooks and criminologists, experts from every field of study, makes what I do feel so different from work that my inbox feels like Santa’s magical Christmas bag. It’s always full, always overflowing, but brimming with the potential of something spectacular. All I’ve got to do is pull the little ribbon…
Perhaps that’s why I have such trouble limiting myself to just a few genres. I find it all fascinating! History, business, self-help, science, gardening, cookbooks, crafts, parenting, memoir, true crime and travel. Teach me something new, something I couldn’t find somewhere else, something based on original research and that’s the hook I’m looking for. With fiction, I love quirky, edgy characters. Send me women’s fiction, paranormal, urban fantasy, horror, science fiction, historical, mystery, thrillers and suspense.
Those rare moments I’m not reading or editing or talking about reading or editing or arguing about contracts, sleeping on the train, or tweeting about industry news, I adore classic films and old-time radio shows.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Espionage/Military * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Horror * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * NoPB * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Biography * Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Design * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Technology * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
215 Broad Street 2nd Floor Milford CT 06460 USA
Biography
Jessica Papin is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC. Jessica Papin first joined DG&B in 2003, after spending eight years as an editor at Warner Books (now Grand Central). In 2004, she moved to Egypt, where she spent three years working for the American University in Cairo Press. Upon her return to the United States, she rejoined DG&B. With a background on both sides of the desk, she loves working collaboratively with clients to shape and refine their work. Her stay in the Middle East has given her an abiding interest in the history and politics of the region, as well as the broader Islamic world. She is interested in plot-driven literary and smart commercial fiction, and narrative non-fiction across a range of subjects, including history, medicine, science, economics and women’s issues. In every case, she looks for passion, erudition, and storytelling skill. A wry sense of humor doesn’t hurt.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Humor Fiction * Literary * Money/Finance *
NONFICTION: Economics * General Nonfiction * History * Humor * Medical/Medicine * Multicultural * Narrative * Politics * Religion * Science * Women’s Issues *
One Union Square West Suite 904 New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
Theresa Park is a literary agent and founding partner with Park & Fine Literary and Media. Prior to becoming a literary agent, Theresa was an attorney at Cooley Godward, a Silicon Valley law firm. But it was her love of books and interest in combining business and art that propelled her toward a publishing career at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. Opening the doors to Park Literary in 2005, she now represents principally plot-driven fiction and a short list of serious nonfiction. Dedicated to clients Nicholas Sparks, Debbie Macomber, Emily Giffin, Janice Y.K. Lee, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Cecelia Ahern and others, she always finds time to enjoy a good meal, make a yearly visit to Vienna (her hometown) and connect with friends and family all over the world—she is fluent in German, can speak French and understand a smattering of Japanese. Theresa is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz and Harvard Law School, her varied education and background making her a uniquely broadminded business partner – but it’s her love of connecting ideas and people that makes her a great agent.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Romance * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * General Nonfiction * History * Money/Finance *
55 Broadway Suite 1601 New York NY 10006 USA
Biography
Elana Roth Parker is a literary agent with the Laura Dail Literary Agency. Elana has specialized in children’s publishing from the beginning of her career, from her very first internship at Nickelodeon Magazine followed by 5 years as an editor at Parachute Publishing. She’s been an agent since 2008, joining LDLA in 2016 after running her own agency, Red Tree Literary.
Elana is a graduate of Barnard College and the Jewish Theological Seminary, with degrees in English literature and Bible. It all adds up to her loving books that expertly combine the timely and the timeless.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
121 West 27th Street Suite 1201 New York NY 10001 USA
Biography
Sharon Pelletier is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC. She joined DG&B in 2013 after working for Europa Editions, Vantage Press, and Barnes & Noble. Born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, Sharon moved to New York in 2009 and now can’t imagine ever living anywhere else. In addition to growing her own list, Sharon oversees digital projects and social media for the agency. While her interests are broad, Sharon is especially seeking upmarket fiction, including unexpected suspense fiction; smart, complex women’s fiction; and hearty, unforgettable book club fiction. On the nonfiction side Sharon is eager for compelling, fierce narrative nonfiction by journalists and experts, and emerging voices with a growing platform who can speak to pop culture, feminism, sports, social justice, and/or religion.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cultural/Social Issues * Ethnic * Gay/Lesbian * History * Journalism * Law * Multicultural * Narrative * Pop Culture * Psychology * Religion * Sports * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
One Union Square West Suite 904 New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
Sarah Phair is a literary agent with Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. Sarah represents a range of fiction and nonfiction authors writing for the adult market. In fiction she focuses on books by women, for women, ranging from commercial, to upmarket and literary. If you would read it in your book club or take it on vacation, it might be a good fit for Sarah’s list. She particularly loves: family sagas, female friendship, complex psychological suspense, campus novels, anti-heroines, and a good love story. In nonfiction her areas of interest include feminist issues, millennial topics, pop culture, and anything about food. She is especially interested in projects analyzing the future of media consumption, how and what we eat, agriculture, and housing.
Sarah joined Greenburger Associates in 2019. Originally from Mississippi, she moved to New York in 2010 to pursue a career in publishing. She worked at Trident Media Group for six years, acting as audio agent and foreign rights agent before building her own list. Sarah also has a M.A. in British and American Literature.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Commercial * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Family Saga * General Fiction * Literary * New Adult * Romance * Suspense * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Environment * Food/Drinks * Gardening * General Nonfiction * Nature * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Technology * Women’s Issues *
55 5th Avenue New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
Ariana Philips is a literary agent with Jean Naggar Literary Agency. She began at JVNLA as an intern in 2011 and joined the agency full-time in the summer of 2012. She handles audio, permissions, and electronic rights, and assists with the submission of JVNLA’s titles for translation and for film/TV. She is actively building her own client list but continues to work closely with Jennifer Weltz and Alice Tasman on their titles.
Her interests include adult literary and commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, and the latest and greatest in culinary talent! Born and raised in New York City, by a family immersed in the city’s culinary and hospitality scene, she is especially interested in cookbooks, food narratives, and culinary histories from around the world. She loves to find new talent and work with her clients to develop strong proposals. She enjoys being the author’s advocate, often being their first editor, business manager, and trusted confidante. Her personal agenting philosophy is to take on an author for the duration of their career and help guide them through the ever-changing publishing landscape.
Ariana attended Iona College, where she graduated with honors in English and Communications.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Family Saga * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Picture Book * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * History * Humor * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Narrative * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Prescriptive * Romance * Science * Sports * Travel * True Crime * Upmarket * Young Adult *
216 E. 75th St. Suite 1E New York NY 10021 USA
Biography
Alison Picard is a literary agent with the Alison J. Picard Agency. Alison has more than twenty years of experience in the publishing industry.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Erotica * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * General Fiction * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Glitz * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Satire * Sports Fiction * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Autobiography * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Diet/Nutrition * Economics * Education * Environment * Ethnic * Family * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * Government * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Inspiration * Law * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Multicultural * New Age * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
P.O. Box 2000 Cotuit MA 02635 USA
Biography
Leah Pierre is a literary agent with Ladderbird. A Texas native, Leah moved to the east coast to pursue her dream of working in publishing. She recently graduated from Rosemont College with her B.A. in English and History, and she is currently pursuing her MA in Publishing. Leah spends her time enjoying the company of fictional characters more than people. When not in the company of fictional characters, Leah hangs out with friends and family, cooks, and catches up on movies and tv shows she is always behind on.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Fantasy * Horror * Multicultural Fiction * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
P.O. Box 270 Milford CT 06460 USA
Biography
Richard Pine is a literary agent with InkWell Management. He is a co-founder of Inkwell Management. He works with leaders and writers who inspire, extend horizons, coin new terms, invent new worlds, and reach millions of people. Many of his clients do all of these things at once, including Adam Grant, Susan Cain, Tim Urban, Sal Khan, Simon Sinek, Angela Duckworth, Arianna Huffington, Martin Seligman, Amy Cuddy, and Reshma Saujani.
He represents authors, creators, and memoirists of particularly high originality, such as Bryan Cranston, Susan Orlean, Andre Agassi, Erin Morgenstern, Katherine Dunn, Suleika Jaouad, and Dean Koontz.
His commitment to books which evolve our popular understanding of health and wellness has led him to work with bestselling and groundbreaking practitioners such as Mark Hyman, Dr. Michael Greger, Andrew Weil, and Thug Kitchen.
He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. In 2014, Richard was inducted into the Books for a Better Life Hall of Fame.
His interest is with the long-term success of his clients. He therefore endeavors always to help them create relationships with the very best partners in publishing and beyond. As a result, he has helped his clients sell millions of books, inspire and entertain millions of readers, and
establish careers that last lifetimes.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Religious * Romance * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Journalism * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Sports * True Crime *
521 Fifth Avenue Suite 2600 New York NY 10175 USA
Biography
Zoë Plant is a literary agent with The Bent Agency. She says: “I joined the Bent Agency’s London office in 2019 with a globetrotting background – a degree in Russian and Spanish, a year living in Moscow and five years working with publishers all over the world as a literary scout. I now represent authors who have been New York Times and Nielsen BookScan UK bestsellers, won the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards, and been finalists for the American Library Association’s William C. Morris YA Debut Award. Working closely with authors to bring out the best in their books and their careers is my favourite part of being an agent.
I am looking for middle-grade and young adult fiction across all genres, as well as adult science fiction, fantasy, horror and speculative fiction. Across the board, my tastes lean towards commercial, entertaining, accessible books that also have something to say about the world. I am particularly interested in seeing submissions from writers from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.
In middle-grade, my favourite books combine a quirky voice or setting and a sense of fun with a strong emotional core. I’m not afraid of a little darkness, but for this age group I prefer books that have a spark of joy to temper it.
In YA fantasy, I’m on the hunt for books that do something different in a very crowded market; interesting settings, intricate worldbuilding and unusual magic systems are all things that excite me. I am also looking for eye-opening science fiction and speculative fiction for teens, horror, and deviously twisty thrillers.
On the adult side, I am drawn to science fiction and fantasy with strong commercial appeal, and particularly books that break away from the very traditional classics of these genres. I would love to find the next RF Kuang or Becky Chambers. I am not the reader for biblical retellings in a fantasy setting or very literary or experimental fiction. I love horror that has a social conscience – send me terrifying fiction for the Get Out audience. I have a weakness for murder mysteries and would love to find high concept or genre-bending books in that area, as well as general fiction with a speculative or gothic edge.”
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Horror * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
529 W 42nd St Suite 3P New York NY 10036 USA
Biography
Aaron Priest is a literary agent with The Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency. Aaron was born in Providence, Rhode Island and graduated from Columbia College in 1959. Having worked for several years as a sales rep for Doubleday, he started the agency in 1974.
Partnered with Molly Friedrich for many of those years, the agency has represented among many others, David Baldacci, Frank McCourt, Sue Grafton, Erma Bombeck, Philip Caputo, Johanna Lindsey, Terry McMillan and Jane Smiley.
Aaron was a founding member of the ILAA (Independent Literary Agents Association) which is now the Association of Author’s representatives. Aaron is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Jewish Theological Seminary and is also on the board of The Schechter Institute of Jerusalem. He serves as well as an executive member of the UJA Publishing Committee. He and his wife Arleen have two sons and two grandsons.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * General Nonfiction *
370 Lexington Ave Suite 1202 New York NY 10017 USA
Biography
Lisa Queen is the founder of Queen Literary Agency. She was the former publishing executive and head of IMG Worldwide’s literary division. The agency represents a wide range of non-fiction and fiction, both literary and commercial including many award-winning, best-selling authors. She is always on the lookout for excellent commercial and literary fiction including historical fiction, mysteries, and thrillers.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Historical * Literary * Mystery * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Money/Finance * Music * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Sports * Technology *
850 Seventh Avenue Suite 704 New York NY 10024 USA
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About Mark Malatesta
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company Literary Agent Undercover and The Bestselling Author. Mark’s authors have gotten six-figure book deals, been on the NYT bestseller list, and published with houses such as Random House, Scholastic, and Thomas Nelson. Click here to learn more about Mark Malatesta and click here for Reviews of Mark Malatesta.
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Author Coaching Testimonials
“Mark, finding you has been both a treat and a treasure—I just signed a contract with my new literary agent!
My career has spanned publishing, TV, and feature film. I’ve served as Creative Dir. for the Magazine Group, TIME Inc.; Dir. of Time World News Service, a Founding Dir. of TIME-Life Films; Exec. Prod. for both the CBS and NBC TV Networks; Prod./Dir.: Movies of the Week: CBS Cinema Center Films and Universal MCA.
In today’s publishing marketplace, agents come and go. They also very often seem to just want an easy pathway to make a buck. Many authors are let go by their agents because their last book didn’t do well enough and the agent doesn’t want to devote the time to help the author. That’s not what you’re about Mark. Even established authors need this type of support in today’s marketplace.”
Author of ten fiction and nonfiction books
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“I’m psyched to have this be official. After getting five different offers for representation from top literary agents, I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin!
Getting multiple agents interested in my work was really important to me. I’ve dealt with agents before and gotten screwed on things contractually so I wanted to do it differently this time. I wanted choices.
Having you help me create that, and navigate my options, was really helpful. I heard other authors talk about their great relationships with their agents and it made me want the same thing. Now I have that.”
Author of Woman on Fire
(Penguin Books)
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“After sending out the query Mark revised for me, I had the opportunity to speak with literary agents from top agencies such as Janklow & Nesbit, Trident Media, Anderson Lit, and Folio. I signed with Don Fehr at Trident and, a short time later I had a publishing contract with Berkley Books, which recently published my book in hardcover.
Before that, I sent my query letter out on my own to 30 or 40 agents and got a lot of rejections. I then found Mark online while I was researching agents. I was surprised that he offered so much during his initial consultation—for a very modest amount of money.
I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t worked with Mark. I can’t even imagine that now though, because of the grief and detours I experienced before we worked together. It was a time-consuming pain in the neck. If you want to get the attention of top literary agents and publishers, there is no substitute for working with an insider. You can’t beat experience. And having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable.”
Author of Single Handed
(Berkley Books, a Division of Penguin Random House)
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“AHHH! OMG, it happened! I got three offers of representation for my children’s picture book in the United States, even though I live abroad! When I woke up and found the first offer for representation in my email in box, I wanted to scream. But my family was still asleep so I couldn’t. 🙂
Just 8 minutes after I sent a query letter to one of my favorite agents, she replied and asked to see my manuscript. A short time later we had a lovely conversation. She was interested in representing me and sounded very positive and enthusiastic about my book. Since I also got offers from two other agents, I had to turn two of them down. One of them was upset and it felt like I was breaking her heart, but you just have to do it. I kept reminding myself that this is a good problem to have!”
Author/Illustrator of Lon-Lon’s Big Night
and many other children’s books
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“Mark, after you helped me land a top literary agent, I got publishing offers from THREE well-known publishers: Amacom, Palgrave Macmillan, and McGraw-Hill (they’re publishing my book in hardcover)!
I was at Disneyworld with my family, in the Haunted Mansion, when I got the call. I went outside and listened to the voicemail message from my agent. A huge smile came over my face. It was a fantastic feeling. For a moment I felt like life was perfect and the angels were singing.
You’re filling an important need so I’ll say this to every other author reading this testimonial. Mark showed me that getting a top literary agent is a science. If you’ve written a book, or you’re in the process, you’ve already invested a lot—a lot more than money. Don’t stop yourself from getting out there to fulfill your purpose and dreams. Thank you so, so much, Mark!!!”
Author of Customer Focused Process Innovation (McGraw Hill)
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“I got a book deal! After I started sending out my new query letter I had 6 literary agents request my manuscript in a short amount of time, which is awesome. Then, within 2 weeks of my agent starting to pitch my story to publishers, we had an offer. I signed a book contract yesterday. A little while later my agent told me that a TV co-producer asked for more info about my book.
By the way, the acquiring editor that fell in love with the manuscript jumped in with both feet and we just worked out our timeline for publication. She’s as passionate about getting my book out as I am, and that means everything. She read the manuscript in two days and said she couldn’t put it down. And the book is going to be published as a hardcover!”
Author of A Chick in the Cockpit
(Behler Publications)
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“Thank you Mark! After you helped me get a well-known agent with Hartline Literary Agency (for my previously self-published murder mystery), he got me a deal with an American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) approved publisher. I’m hard-pressed to find anything that I had an expectation for that you didn’t deliver on.
Before I worked with you I sent out queries, but no one ever requested my complete manuscript. Comparing your new version of my query to the one I wrote before, I can see a vast difference.
I’ve been in business for 35 years so I’m not just saying this… what you’re doing is phenomenal. There are other people offering similar services, but the difference is your success. Others might say they do similar things but, if you research them, they don’t have your background or track record.”
Author of The Rector
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“Mark, you’re a miracle worker. Thanks to your help with my book, query letter, and synopsis… I now have a legitimate publisher who described my book as ‘Powerful Magic’ and it’s now available in bookstores and online!
I’m a lifelong academic writer who one day found myself writing inspired short stories that came to me in dreams and I began thinking of them as novels. That’s when I had a momentous conversation, an introductory coaching call with Mark Malatesta, the American creative writing coach, or rather, to be precise, a how-to-sell-yourself-and-your-work adviser. It was the best-spent money of my life apart (possibly) for my wedding ring.”
Author of The Black Inked Pearl
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“Within 4 minutes of sending out my query letter, a top literary called me on the phone (the #1 agent on my wish list). Less than 30 days later I had three major publishers making offers. A few days after that, I signed a deal with Random House. Mark, your query letter did that.
My agent talked about the query letter you helped me create for a long, long time. When he first called me on the phone, he hadn’t seen any of my sample chapters. It was just the query letter that did it. Communicating the right thing is so important. You are a wonderful medium helping authors find their voice and elevate their writing from just a hobby to a real business… a source from which they can both learn and earn.”
Author of Lights Out
(Random House)
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“MARK, MARK, MARK!!!!!!! Holy smokes… I just signed my book deal. First, two well-known literary agents asked to represent me. One of them responded to my query letter in less than 4 minutes!!
Then THREE different publishers wanted my book and started talking about making offers. The publisher I chose is perfect for me because they produce titles for the trade, educational, and scientific markets. And they agreed to publish my book as a hardcover!!!
When I met you, Mark, it was a pivotal time. I was under the belief that I could self-publish my book with a vanity press and then seek a publisher. I didn’t know what a literary agent was, why I needed one, or how to get one. I was wandering in the dark. You guided me in the right direction and gave me a solid plan.”
Author of Intestinal Health
(Rowman & Littlefield)
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“Boom!!! I just signed a contract with Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins for (what I’ve been told by several people) is a very large advance for a first-time author.
Before working with Mark I submitted my book to agents but didn’t get any interest. This time around I got a top NY literary agency (Fine Print Lit). What cloud is higher than 9?
I had several agencies interested before deciding to go with Fine Print. And, to be honest, all of the attention didn’t surprise me. The query letter and proposal that Mark helped me develop were incredible. Agents actually said things to me like: ‘Scott, I read your proposal and I’m just blown away by it!’ Mark is extremely talented at what he does. If you have the opportunity to work with him, take advantage of it.”
Author of The Unbreakable Boy
(Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson)