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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): Picture Book *
Biography
Richard Abate is a literary agent with 3 Arts Entertainment. Mr. Abate oversaw a number of seven-figure book deals during his brief tenure at Endeavor and built up a staff of several literary agents while cementing his reputation in publishing circles as a brash and sometimes sly businessman. Mr. Abate had indeed been working in the literary department of ICM for a decade when he decided that it was time to run his own shop. Abate’s sterling client list includes such Hollywood figures as James Franco, Tina Fey, Law & Order creator Dick Wolf, Mindy Kaling and Homeland producer Howard Gordon.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Horror * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Short Story Collection * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition *Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Sports * Women’s Issues *
27 W 24th St Suite 301 New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Kwaku Acheampong is a literary agent with the Carolyn Jenks Literary Agency. He grew up in the wooded Boston suburbs and graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont where he studied Literature, German, and Art History. He has always had a love of story through writing and film.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Graphic Novel * New Adult * Picture Book *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction *
Biography
Rachel Altemose is a literary agent with Salky Literary Management. She is a junior agent and has been with Salky Literary Management since its inception in 2019. Prior to SLM, she interned at Eden Street Literary Agency and attended the Columbia Publishing Course. She has a burgeoning list of picture book, MG, YA, narrative/serious nonfiction, and literary fiction authors and also assists Jesseca, Eryn, Kate, and Charlotte with SLM and CSLA clients.
Rachel is a lifelong lover of storytelling and graduated from Vassar College with degrees in English and drama. She is interested in a diverse array of genres (children’s through adult) and is particularly keen on narratives with unique voices, diverse perspectives, immersive settings, complicated familial relationships, young/twenty-something protagonists, magical realism/surrealism, or experimental style.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * New Adult * Picture Book * Short Story Collection * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Film/Entertainment * Gay/Lesbian * Journalism * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * Pop Culture * Women’s Issues *
1216 Broadway Suite 414 New York NY 10001 USA
Biography
Kurestin Armada is a literary agent with Root Literary. She says: “I love working with creators to form a roadmap for the rest of their career. Talking to people with projects that are ambitious, strange, personal, and just outrageously fun is the spark that keeps me going. I’m here to be their advocate and make sure they can keep writing for years and years to come.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Fantasy * Graphic Novel * Horror * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Juvenile * Lifestyle *
617 S. Olive St. #300 Los Angeles CA 90014 USA
Biography
Bernadette Baker-Baughman is a literary agent with Victoria Sanders & Associates. She says: “After completing a Master’s Degree in Writing at Portland State University, and spending several years in-house (first editorial, then marketing) I began agenting in 2005. I have worked with VSA since 2010. I am drawn to strong story telling in all genres, though I have a special interest in thrillers, contemporary novels, magical realism, young adult, and books for kids. I am also open for pop-culture, gift books, and memoir. I love smart writing, high concept books, work with great emotional resonance, and humor. I am always looking for authors with a distinctive voice. I’ve represented a number of New York Times bestselling and award winning writers and illustrators, including Leslye Walton, Faith Erin Hicks, Tony Cliff, Maris Wicks, Liv Constantine, and Carson Morton, to name a few.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Cultural/Social Issues * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * History * Humor * Memoir * Narrative * Pop Culture * Reference * Upmarket *
440 Buck Road Stone Ridge NY 12484 USA
Biography
Claudia Ballard is a literary agent with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment. She has been an agent at WME since 2008. She represents mainly fiction, from established short-story writers to debut novelists and beyond. She works with a variety of authors including Amelia Gray, Patricio Pron, Marjorie Celona, Aria Sloss, and screenwriters Seth Grahame-Smith and Charlie Kaufman. She is interested in taking on exciting new voices, risk-takers, and storytellers of all kinds.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * General Nonfiction * History * Humor * Memoir * Narrative * Pop Culture * Science *
11 Madison Avenue 18th Floor New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Stephen Barbara is a literary agent with InkWell Management. He was born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut, and graduated from the University of Chicago with a B.A. in English language and literature, winning awards for writing and student leadership while at the college. He began his publishing career in 2005 as an editorial assistant at HarperCollins, and then worked for three years as the Contracts Director of the Donald Maass Agency. Following six years as a literary agent at Foundry Media, he joined InkWell Management at the start of 2015.
Stephen works with writers, storytellers, thinkers, and entertainers of talent and ambition. A sampling of his clients includes New York Times and international bestseller Lauren Oliver, USA Today bestseller and British Fantasy Award winner Paul Tremblay, Newbery Medal winner and New York Times bestseller Laura Amy Schlitz, National Book Award nominee Lisa Graff, Printz Honor awardee Susann Cokal, bestselling fantasy graphic novelist Ethan Aldridge, and children’s author Minh Lê , whose picture book Drawn Together appeared on more than 20 “Best Of” Lists at the end of 2018; he also represents nonfiction authors Meghan Cox Gurdon, Eleanor Herman, and Tom Venuto. In his capacity as agent for media and content company Glasstown Entertainment, Stephen has worked with actress Krysten Ritter, activist Dylan Farrow, novelist Alma Katsu, and bestselling fantasy author Sara Holland, among others.
Film/TV is a stated area of interest for Stephen. In the spring of 2019, Amazon Studios announced their first-ever YA series, Panic, based on Lauren Oliver’s novel; two other novels
based on books represented by Stephen have been adapted into films, and many other projects based on books of his are in active development. While selective in taking on new clients, Stephen is always drawn to compelling stories that marry quality writing to bold, imaginative concepts.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Juvenile * Science * Sports *
521 Fifth Avenue Suite 2600 New York NY 10175 USA
Biography
Anjanette Barr is a literary agent with Dunham Literary. She has been working in various branches of the writing and publishing world for over a decade, and being an agent is the perfect way to synthesize her interests and talents.
She spent the pandemic earning a certificate in Literary Representation from UCLA Extension. She also holds a B.A. in Japanese Studies from William Jewell College.
Anjanette lives with her family of six in Juneau, Alaska.
Member:
Association of American Literary Agents
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Alaska Writers Guild
Catholic Writers Guild
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Upmarket * Young Adult *
Biography
Stephen Barr is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. Writers House has been around for almost forty years, and in addition to being an actual house, it’s one of the largest literary agencies in the industry, representing fiction and non-fiction of every stripe.
Stephen says: “I’ve been with Writers House for a little over four years now, and although I’m not an actual house (it’s true!), I’m a pretty omnivorous agent. At the moment, I’ve got a particular hankering for unexpected memoirs with itchy voices, narrative non-fiction that tackles hard-to-tackle issues, wry and rarely paranormal YA, laugh-until-you-squirt-milk-out-of-your-nose middle grade (with heart!), sweet and wacky (but still logical) picture books from innovative author/illustrators, and any fiction that rewards the reader line-by-line and gets to know at least one character really, really well (recent favorites include Jeff In Venice, The Lazarus Project, Diary of a Bad Year, and Horns, which was awesome). I’m also willing to be a sucker for mysteries that bend reality, ghost stories that blow reality to hell, humor that’s more than just an infinitely repeated gag in sheep’s clothing, and Secret Book X (I don’t know what Secret Book X is, but suffice it to say, I’m open to the occasional curveball). I’m still in the early stages of building my list, and I have almost zero emotional baggage, so I’m ready to fall in love (with your book)!”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Humor Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Paranormal * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Humor * Memoir * Middle Grade * Narrative * Pop Culture * Young Adult *
120 Broadway 22nd floor New York NY 10271 USA
Biography
Maile Beal is a literary agent with Arc Literary Management. She joined Arc Literary Management in 2021 after over 5 years at the Carol Mann Agency. She began her career as an intern before becoming subrights manager and assistant to Myrsini Stephanides and eventually growing her own client list. She is passionate about advocating for writers and artists so that they are empowered to create work that will have a lasting impact – books in which readers will see themselves represented, find tools for social change, learn something new, connect with a different perspective, and deepen their understanding of the world.
Originally from Hawaii, Maile’s first home on the east coast was Philadelphia, where she earned her B.A. in English from Drexel University. She can usually be found caring for her growing collection of indoor plants, attempting overambitious recipes in the kitchen, or starting yet another new crafting hobby. All, of course, with her rescue dog, Rufus, somewhere underfoot.
Maile is interested in adult non-fiction as well as children’s, middle grade, and YA fiction and non-fiction. In all categories, she is looking for projects that amplify underrepresented voices and untold stories.
In adult nonfiction, Maile is interested in journalistic, investigative deep dives, narrative retellings of untold histories, business and leadership resources centering underestimated identities, lifestyle and cookbooks with a fresh, personal hook, and unexpected humor and gift books.
In children’s, Maile is seeking fiction and non-fiction in all age categories. In picture books and MG, she gravitates toward heartfelt, earnest stories that use humor and silliness to connect with readers. In YA, she’s drawn to voice driven projects focusing on community and relationships with strong, complex characters that will stick with readers beyond the last page.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * Gift/Novelty * History * Humor * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * Technology * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
2838 29th Street Long Island City NY 11102 USA
Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Chad W. Beckerman is a literary agent with The CAT Agency, Inc. He brings over 20 years of illustration and design experience to the Agency. After studying illustration as an undergrad at RISD, Chad went on to be a Designer at Scholastic, a Senior Designer at Greenwillow Books, and then became the Creative Director at ABRAMS Kids and Comic Arts, where he spent 13 years overseeing the design of 250 books a year – from picture books, to novels, to graphic novels, and art and entertainment books. Chad is behind the aesthetic for over forty New York Times bestselling and award-winning books including the blockbuster Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney, the Caldecott honor and Corretta Scott King Award winning Trombone Story, illustrated by Brian Collier, and the Newbery Medal honor books El Deafo, and Heart of the Samurai.
He executed the design architecture for countless series including Origami Yoda by Tom Angelberger, The Questioneers (Iggy Peck, Rosie Revere, Ada Twist) by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts, Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales, Frank Einstein by Jon Scieszka and Brian Biggs, The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John, The Sisters Grimm and Jared Chapman’s
Vegetables in Underwear.
Chad’s greatest joy is working with illustrators, and as an agent he is busy curating and cultivating a unique group of artists who are inspiring and innovating in children’s literature. Chad represents illustrators and author/illustrators from all over the globe, who create artwork for all ages and genres.
In addition to representing illustrators, Chad offers packaging of picture books, graphic novels
and middle-grade series books through his design studio CWB Art & Design (www.chadwbeckerman.com).
Chad lives in Brooklyn, NY, with his cat, Kentucky. He has an impeccable eye and a quick wit!
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Graphic Novel * Picture Book *
NONFICTION:
P.O. Box 1390 Fairfield CT 06825 USA
Biography
Ann Behar is a literary agent with the Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary Agency. Ann says: “It has always been books for me, even if I veered off my path at times. I majored in English and received my B.A. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1981. I went on to receive an M.A. in English literature in 1982 from the University of Virginia and my J.D. from the University of San Diego Law School in 1985. Things happened quickly after that. My husband began practicing medicine (he is a neurologist) in 1986, and my first daughter was born that August. My second daughter was born 16 months later, and for the next 15 years or so I was a full-time mother and wife. What to do with my degrees stayed on a back burner.
In 2002, with my high school-age daughters half-way out the door, I was ready to go back to work. I found one of the few businesses in the world—the literary agency business—where an English degree and a law degree are equally valuable.
I joined SCG, learning the business from top to bottom, doing everything from reviewing and negotiating contracts to evaluating manuscripts, with heavy, constant contact with writers.
After five years, Russell asked me to take over the firm’s small but growing list of juvenile writers and grow it into something more substantial. I accepted the challenge, and have been searching for wonderful children’s books, from picture books to YA, ever since.
I am looking for anything that is beautifully written, with a strong, distinct voice and characters that come alive on the page. Ideally, a book should grab my attention from the very beginning and hold it there, and leave me thinking about it for a few days after I am finished.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
276 Fifth Avenue Suite 708 New York NY 10001 USA
Biography
Sharon Belcastro is a literary agent with the Belcastro Agency. She was born and raised in Northeastern Ohio. It only took her 37 years to get sick of the snow, cracked fingers and chapped lips before she picked up and moved to the much warmer and sunnier Tampa Bay area. Her love of books goes back to early childhood where some of her fondest memories were spent with Gulliver in Lilliput and Ishmael and his voyage on the Pequod. She has had a book in her hand and her nose in a book ever since. Forced to grow up and face the real world, Sharon earned her Engineering degree from Youngstown State University and her master’s in business from Case Western Reserve University. She spent several years in product development, sales and the development and streamlining of key business processes before she returned to her passion for books attended classes in publishing at NYU and applied her experience to the founding of Belcastro Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Commercial * Contemporary * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Horror * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * Lifestyle * Memoir * Music * Narrative * Pop Culture * Psychology * Self-Help/Personal Development * True Crime *
124 N. Bentley Ave Niles OH 44446 USA
Biography
Faye Bender is a literary agent and partner with The Book Group. With a focus on strong collaborative working relationships with her authors, Faye Bender represents fiction for readers aged eight to adult. Her authors have won numerous awards and honors, including the Newbery Medal, the Schneider Family Book Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, the Rona Jaffe Foundation Writer’s Award, the Indies Choice Book of the Year Award, the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award, and the International Latino Book Award, and have been finalists for the National Book Award and the Impac Dublin Literary Award. Her clients’ books have been #1 New York Times bestsellers, New York Times Book Review Notable Books, and selected for Best Books of the Year lists by Publishers Weekly, The Washington Post, School Library Journal, NPR, the Wall Street Journal, the American Library Association, and the New York Public Library, among others.
Faye is always excited to discover authors with a strong narrative voice and an eye for imaginative storytelling, and she works with her authors for the length and breadth of their careers. Born and raised in Denver, Faye lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
20 West 20th Street Suite 601 New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Kristyn Keene Benton is a literary agent with CAA/ICM. She has been at International Creative Management since 2006, which merged with CAA in 2022, building a list consisting of literary and commercial fiction, including narrative nonfiction, memoir, thrillers, young adult, and pop culture. She is a graduate of the Columbia Publishing Course and holds a degree in English and writing from the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * General Fiction * Humor Fiction * Literary * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Young Adult *
65 East 55th Street 14th Floor New York NY 10022 USA
Biography
Mel Berger is a literary agent with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment. Mel is a senior Vice President in the Literary Department of the William Morris Agency where he has been for more than thirty years. He represents Pulitzer Prize winning authors, Steve Naifeh and Gregory White Smith for POLLOCK and Oscar winning screenwriter Pamela Wallace for WITNESS.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Reference * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Sports *
11 Madison Avenue 18th Floor New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Amy Berkower is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. After graduating from the University of California at Santa Cruz, Amy moved back to New York to find a job in publishing. An ad in the NewYork Times led to a gal Friday position at Writers House where she has been working ever since. Amy is now a partner, and President of the company. In 1978, Al Zuckerman, the founder of Writers House, had the insight to ask Amy to start a children’s book department. Recognizing the need for kid friendly books that would appeal to the fast growing paperback original market, Berkower initially focused on series.
Her first sale, an interactive children’s book, grew into a series called CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE consisting of over one hundred titles, and was soon followed by a succession of popular franchises: SWEET VALLEY HIGH, THE BABYSITTERS CLUB, JUNIE B JONES and CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS. Determined to apply what she learned about branding series to the marketing of individual authors, Amy developed a list that includes some of the most respected names (Sharon Creech, Laurie Anderson, Andrew Clements, Jack Gantos) in the business.
Her colleagues have built upon that foundation, growing Writers House’s children’s book department into one of the largest and most successful in the world. Writers House clients include a mix of mega hits ( TWILIGHT and ERAGON) and Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, and National Book Award recipients such as Neil Gaiman, Ingrid Law, Grace Lin, Kadir Nelson, Susan Patron and Robin McKinley. Amy also has a growing list of adult authors including Nora Roberts, Ken Follett, Erica Jong, Ridley Pearson and Barbara Delinsky.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * NoPB * Paranormal * Picture Book * Romance * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Current Events/Affairs * History * Humor * Memoir * Politics *
120 Broadway 22nd floor New York NY 10271 USA
Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Elizabeth Bewley is a literary agent with Sterling Lord Literistic. A graduate of Northwestern University, Elizabeth was an editor at various imprints including St. Martin’s Press, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers before she joined Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc. in 2017. She loves to read all sorts of books for kids and adults. On the children’s side of her list, she represents young adult and middle grade fiction, and the occasional picture book. On the adult side, she is eager to represent more upmarket commercial fiction and narrative nonfiction. Elizabeth’s clients include Shana Youngdahl, Raquel Vasquez Gilliland, Alyson Noël, Dwayne Reed (aka: America’s Favorite Rapping Teacher), Dawnn Karen, Jenny Elder Moke, Elissa Sussman, Mercedes Helnwein, Joan Bauer, Roland Smith, Jennifer Lynn Alvarez, Chrystal Giles, and Yvette Clark, amongst others. In addition, she represents some literary estates, including those of Marguerite Henry and Lois Duncan.
Elizabeth’s current submission wish list includes high-concept young adult novels, especially from underrepresented voices, accessible middle grade novels that will foster a love of reading (think: fun, funny, or both!), young adult romance, high-concept adult love stories similar to One Day by David Nicholls, and any upmarket commercial fiction with a witty voice and eye for detail. She also loves working with clients who are boldly creating positive change in our world. If you’re doing something big and think that it should be explored in a book, reach out to Elizabeth.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Lifestyle * Middle Grade * Narrative * Young Adult *
115 Broadway Suite 1602 New York NY 10006 USA
Biography
Keely Boeving is a literary agent with the WordServe Literary Agency. After receiving her B.A. in English from the University of Virginia, she went on to attend the Denver Publishing Institute and then began her career in New York working in the editorial departments of Bloomsbury and Oxford University Press, where she acquired books for the trade history list. She moved back to Colorado in 2014 and began her own freelance editorial company before joining WordServe the following year. She lives in Denver with her husband and their twins. You can find out more about her editorial work at http://www.keelyboeving.com.
Keely is looking for smart, well-crafted contemporary and literary fiction; narrative nonfiction and memoir; and well-researched nonfiction books in the areas of health and wellness, business (especially books targeting women in the workplace), parenting and family life, social justice, and religious studies; as well as projects from diverse and under-represented voices. For the Christian market, she is seeking books in the areas of Christian Living, spiritual transformation, devotion and worship, and women’s topics including motherhood, relationships and marriage, work-life balance, and calling. She is *not* looking for thrillers, sci-fi, fantasy, or romance.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * Contemporary * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Religious * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Christian * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Family * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Psychology * Religion * Spirituality * Women’s Issues * Young Adult *
7500 E. Arapahoe Rd. Suite 285 Centennial CO 80112 USA
Biography
Michael Bourret is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC. Michael Bourret joined Dystel, Goderich & Bourret as an intern while studying film and television production at New York University, and began at the agency full-time in 2000. After ten years as an agent in the New York office, Michael now works in Los Angeles in the West Coast office of DG&B. There, he continues to represent his own list of bestselling and award-winning clients while also aggressively pursuing new film and television opportunities.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book * Satire * Technology * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Gay/Lesbian * Gift/Novelty * Humor * Journalism * Juvenile * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * Upmarket Fiction *
One Union Square West Suite 904 New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
Brenda Bowen is a literary agent with The Book Group. She represents authors and artists of books for young readers from preschool to young adult; she also represents some adult titles. Her clients have won the MacArthur Fellowship; the Newbery Medal and Newbery Honor; the Caldecott Medal and Caldecott Honor; the Stonewall Award; the Geisel Honor; the William C. Morris Honor; the New York Times Best Illustrated Book prize; the Society of Illustrators Gold Medal; as well as many other awards and citations. Brenda’s clients have been #1 New York Times bestsellers, and have been translated around the globe; she represents Oscar-, Emmy-, and Tony-Award winners; career authors and artists; and newcomers making their debuts. She can’t decide which she loves more: a bold picture book, or a lyrical middle-grade novel.
Brenda has the unusual advantage of having seen publishing from all sides: she began her career as an agent at Sanford J. Greenburger; she was a children’s book publisher for many years; she has written an adult novel; and she’s an award-winning author of some forty books for children. She lives with her family in New York City, and spends August in a cottage in Maine, where the menu almost always includes blueberry corn muffins.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Ethnic Fiction * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Family * General Nonfiction * Juvenile * Medical/Medicine * Middle Grade * Parenting/Child Guidance * Women’s Issues * Young Adult *
20 West 20th Street Suite 601 New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Brandi Bowles is a literary agent with United Talent Agency (UTA). A twelve year veteran in book publishing, Brandi’s lifelong passion for the written word, a great sense of humor, and the art of engaging storytelling have led her to cultivate a standout client list and an uncommon approach to book representation. She is often the invisible hand helping her clients develop marketable book ideas that take their careers into new directions and heights.
Brandi’s client list reflects her multifaceted passions: On the nonfiction side, she has represented memoirs, cookbooks, and prescriptive books of all kinds, as well as science, humor, pop culture, and real-life inspirational stories. For fiction, she represents high-concept novels that feature strong female bonds, and psychological or scientific themes. All of her books have in common surprising plots or fresh takes on otherwise familiar subjects.
Brandi’s titles include Rabbit: A Memoir by comedian Ms. Pat (Dey Street, 2017), Between Two Worlds by celebrity medium Tyler Henry (Gallery Books, 2016), Girl Logic by Iliza Shlesinger (Weinstein Books, 2017), The Big Life by Ann Shoket, former EIC of Seventeen (Rodale, 2017), Shut Up and Run by Robin Arzon (a New York Times bestseller), and Hugo and Rose by novelist and screenwriter Bridget Foley (St. Martin’s Press).
Brandi understands that publishing is a lifelong dream for many of her authors, as well as a service to their readers and fans; her role is to serve as an entry point and tireless advocate for a rich and rewarding publishing experience.
Originally from Louisville, KY, Brandi now lives with her husband and two young children in Brooklyn, NY.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Fantasy * Humor Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Horror * Humor * Inspiration * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Music * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Philosophy * Politics * Pop Culture * Prescriptive * Reference * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Technology *
888 7th Ave 7th Floor New York NY 10106 USA
Biography
Katherine Boyle is a literary agent with the Veritas Literary Agency. A Bay Area native, Katherine attended Stanford and the Berkeley extension publishing program before working at a variety of independent publishers and literary agencies. She established Veritas in 1995. A member of the AAR and the Authors Guild, she loves books that explore the lesser-known territories of human experience.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * Environment * General Nonfiction * History * Juvenile * Memoir * Middle Grade * Narrative * Nature * Pop Culture * Women’s Issues * Young Adult *
601 Van Ness Ave. Opera Plaza, Suite E San Francisco CA 94102 USA
Biography
Catherine Bradshaw is a literary agent with Writers House. She is a junior agent at Writers House, building her adult, young adult, middle grade, and picture book lists. Catherine joined Writers House in 2018 as the front desk administrative assistant and reader for the agency at large. In 2019, she began supporting Senior Agent Susan Ginsburg’s diverse list of clients. Under Susan’s guidance and mentorship, Catherine has worked closely—both editorially and administratively—with a broad range of award-winning and bestselling adult and children’s book authors, including Diane Chamberlain, Sara Farizan, Jessica B. Harris, Deborah Heiligman, Edward Humes, Pam Jenoff, Cedella Marley, Leonard Mlodinow, Sarah Morgan, and Alexandra Penfold. Prior to Writers House, Catherine worked for Alanna Feldman Scouting, advising international and domestic clients on acquiring translation and/or TV/film rights for upcoming releases. Before that, Catherine received her Bachelor of the Arts in English with a minor in Creative Writing from New York University, all the while interning in editorial at Scholastic Book Clubs, Viking Children’s Books, and Flatiron Books.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Narrative *
Biography
Hannah Brattesani is a literary agent with The Friedrich Agency. She says: “Freshly graduated from the University of St Andrews, I’m on the top floor of a RADA building in Bloomsbury, London being interviewed for an MFA in playwriting by a man who, for the sake of this story, looks like a young Tom Stoppard. I’ve just been told something that hurts more than it should, “You’re too green.” Tom ends our interview with an instruction as I exit the door: “Go live!” It takes five creaking flights to get out of the building and five creaking flights for hurt to rise to spite. I spend the afternoon searching for jobs in New York from the coffee shop next door. I’ll show you living!
I begin working for Emma Sweeney Agency, a boutique literary agency which was home to bestselling and beloved authors and helmed by the eponymous Emma Sweeney. From that Upper East Side office, I learn the ropes of the industry and I am first introduced to the international publishing network. While juggling myriad duties at ESA, I also handle contracts for Blue Flower Arts, a speakers bureau whose roster includes Claudia Rankine, Joy Harjo, George Saunders, Eileen Myles and many more critically acclaimed poets and authors. I learn a lot in that first year; crucially, that there are only 24 hours in a day.
Just six months after a promotion to ESA’s Foreign Rights Director, I am given an opportunity to double up once again, and I step in as the interim Director of International Rights at Folio Literary Management. I go from handling a catalog of twenty titles to ten times that amount; the list encompasses everything from picture books to green juice cookbooks to sweeping historical novels. I add mastering a matinee commute through Times Square to my skillset: elbows out, avoid eye contact, pause for no one.
At the end of my time at Folio, Emma Sweeney retires, and the agency is acquired by Folio. That weekend, I stand in a Barnes & Noble parking lot when my phones rings with a number I don’t recognize. I answer. “It’s Molly Friedrich. I heard you’re looking for a job.” The whole thing would feel like divine intervention if it weren’t happening next to the New Jersey turnpike.
I join Friedrich as an agent and Director of International Rights at the end of 2019 and have been cultivating a list of literary and upmarket fiction and voice-driven non-fiction ever since. Tom Stoppard – real or otherwise – has yet to get in touch.
Five non-agency books that I loved: FEVER DREAM, CONVENIENCE STORE WOMAN, HOW TO BE BOTH, anything by Rebecca Solnit, and THEY CAN’T KILL US UNTIL THEY KILL US.”
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Humor Fiction * Literary * Picture Book * Satire *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * General Nonfiction * Humor * Lifestyle * Narrative * Science *
281 McLain Street Bedford Hills NY 10507 USA
Biography
Emelie Burl is a literary agent with the Susan Schulman Literary Agency. Shejoined Susan Schulman in 2021 after fourteen years as an independent bookseller. She is looking for Children’s, YA, as well as Pop Culture nonfiction. She loves stories with hope and humor, strong female leads, LGBT+ and/or BIPOC Joy, and magic of all sorts. She currently works and lives in Missoula, MT with her husband, huskies, and books.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * Graphic Novel * Humor Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Pop Culture * Young Adult *
454 W. 44th St. New York NY 10036 USA
Biography
Sarah Burnes is a literary agent with the Gernert Company. Sarah began her career on the editorial side of publishing, first at Houghton Mifflin, then in the Knopf Group, and last at Little, Brown. She became an agent in 2001, joining The Gernert Company in 2005. As an editor, she acquired and edited literary fiction and non-fiction, and as an agent has added children’s fiction to her list. Sarah sits on the board of non-profit progressive publisher the New Press and lives with her husband and three children in Brooklyn.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Upmarket *
136 East 57th Street New York NY 10022 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)