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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.
- The results are being filtered by the character: H
Biography
Alia Hanna Habib is a literary agent with The Gernet Company. Alia is a Vice President and literary agent at The Gernert Company, which she joined in 2017 after starting her publishing career as a publicist at HMH and working as an agent at McCormick Literary. Her tastes include narrative nonfiction, memoir and literary fiction. Alia graduated from Barnard College and earned an MA in English Literature with a concentration in the nineteenth-century novel from Rutgers. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Literary *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Memoir * Narrative *
136 East 57th Street New York NY 10022 USA
Biography
Lisa Hagan is a literary agent with and founder of Lisa Hagan Literary. She has been a literary agent for over 20 years, first with Paraview and now with Lisa Hagan Literary. She was recently invited by the fabulous Beth Wareham to have her own imprint under the umbrella of her company, Shadow Teams. It has always been her goal to publish meaningful, life-changing books and now she can publish ones that really push the limits, to help the reader to see that there is no box.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Business * Health/Wellness * Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Pop Culture * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Travel * Women’s Issues *
110 Martin Drive Bracey VA 23919 USA
Biography
Taylor Haggerty is a literary agent with Root Literary. She says: “Everyone in this business is in it because they love to read, but agenting gives me a professionally sanctioned opportunity to shout from the rooftops about the books I love. Sharing my authors’ work with editors, and then readers, is a joy, and I’m always looking for the next project to champion.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
617 S. Olive St. #1207 Los Angeles CA 90014 USA
Serene Hakim
Ayesha Pande LiteraryDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Serene Hakim is a literary agent with Ayesha Pande Literary. Prior to joining Ayesha Pande Literary in 2015, Serene Hakim worked at Laura Gross Literary Agency in Boston. Serene holds an M.A. in French to English translation from NYU and a B.A. in French and Women’s Studies from the University of Kansas. Born to Lebanese immigrants in the Midwest, she grew up straddling cultures and languages and still feels like a third culture kid. Serene loves to read a variety of genres but is particularly drawn to fiction with strong female voices, both YA and adult fiction and non-fiction with international themes, and LGBTQ and feminist issues. She is always on the lookout for great YA sci-fi and fantasy, realistic YA, and anything that gives voice to those whose voices are underrepresented and/or marginalized. She is especially interested in stories dealing with the Middle East and the variety of immigrant experiences out there. Specifically, she’s looking for writing that explores the different meanings of identity, home, family and parenthood/motherhood. When she’s not reading, she can usually be found trying a new recipe while simultaneously balancing a toddler on her hip.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * New Adult * Science Fiction * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * Ethnic * Family * Gay/Lesbian * Humor * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Travel * Women’s Issues *
Jolene Haley
Donald Maass Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Jolene Haley is a literary agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency. She joined the Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2022. She has been in the publishing industry since 2012 on both the publisher and agency sides in editorial, marketing, publicity, contracts, and agent positions. She has worked for literary agencies such as Marsal Lyon Literary Agency and The Bent Agency. Her well-rounded experience and extensive background in PR and marketing provides a unique perspective and a solid foundation to support authors as they build their careers.
She graduated with accolades from Cal State Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Composition. She runs a global horror writer’s resource site The Midnight Society and is a member of ALA, HWA, and SCBWI.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Horror * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Health/Wellness * Lifestyle * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * True Crime *
Biography
Kirsten Hall is a literary agent with Catbird Productions. She is the author of 100+ children’s books, has been employed since 2009 as a US-based managing agent at the Bright Agency, which is headquartered in London and specializes in nurturing and developing debut children’s book author/illustrators. Hall’s client list at Bright includes Benji Davis, Elly Mackay, Clive McFarland, and Connah Brecon. Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
USA
Biography
Lauren Hall is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. She is a literary agent, executive producer, and multiple #1 New York Times bestselling writer who comes alongside incisive thinkers and writers to bring ideas to life.
Over her ten years in publishing, she has worked on 26 New York Times bestselling books, collaborating with and representing both new and seasoned talent. Having participated in every step of the publishing process—agenting, editing, designing, promoting, and co-writing—has provided her with a deep and holistic insight into what makes a book both commercially and culturally successful. Her comprehensive and integrated approach means she loves being a creative collaborator.
As the former Editorial Director for a full-service literary agency, Lauren wrote and developed proposals and provided editorial for the agency’s larger clients while working closely with both authors and publishers to develop and sell influential books. She trained and managed a team of writers, editors, and designers to take books from concept to completion. In addition, she is a seasoned collaborator and has ghostwritten several bestselling books for select authors.
In 2020, she co-founded Content Capital, a content agency that serves talent through multiple verticals including books, podcasts, television, and film. Prior to her work in literary and talent management, Lauren worked at The Village Voice and literary non-profit, 826NYC.
Lauren joined Folio in 2022 and now resides in Austin, Texas. When not reading books, writing books, or talking about books, she’s ideally on a bike ride, exploring some new city, or hosting a dinner and listening to stories over a long, unhurried meal.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Multicultural Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Ethnic * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Multicultural * Photography * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Upmarket *
Austin TX USA
Tessa Emily Hall
Hartline Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Tessa Emily Hall is a assosicate agent with the Hartline Literary Agency. She is an award-winning author who wrote her debut novel when she was sixteen. She is now a multi-published author of both fiction and non-fiction inspirational yet authentic books for teens, including her latest release, LOVE YOUR SELFIE. Tessa’s passion for shedding light on clean entertainment and media for teens led her to a career as a Literary Agent at Cyle Young Literary Elite and a YA Acquisitions Editor for Iron Stream Media.
She is a regular writer for Crosswalk.com and her works have been published in multiple publications, including Devozine, Guide Magazine, Broken But Priceless Magazine, Fervr.net, and more. When Tessa’s fingers aren’t flying 128 WPM across the keyboard, she can be found speaking to teens, teaching at writing conferences across the country, and acting in inspirational films. Her favorite way to procrastinate is to connect with readers is on her mailing list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website: http://www.tessaemilyhall.com.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Christian * Parenting/Child Guidance * Self-Help/Personal Development *
David Halpern
The Robbins OfficeDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email * Postal Mail *Biography
David Halpern is a literary agent with The Robbins Office. He joined the agency in 1997. He represents fiction and nonfiction authors.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * General Nonfiction * History * Investigative * Journalism * Memoir * Narrative *
Biography
Lucinda Halpern is a literary agent with Lucinda Literary. With over fifteen years of experience in corporate and agency publishing, Lucinda serves both sides of the literary and business worlds. An editorially invested partner with a specialty in book marketing strategy, she has an “all in” dedication and work ethic when it comes to representing authors.
Lucinda began her publishing career in the Publicity Division of HarperCollins, where she assisted on the campaigns of Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt (Freakonomics) among other New York Times bestselling authors. She then went on to work in Scholastic’s Marketing Partnerships Division, where she helped to develop and sell custom publishing programs to a variety of Fortune 500 companies and global nonprofits. She began her literary representation career at Fletcher & Company, where she also acted as a marketing consultant to Gretchen Rubin, among others. Today, she represents authors writing in the categories of business, health, lifestyle, popular science, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and upmarket fiction, including New York Times bestselling author Susan Peirce Thompson (Bright Line Eating), Chris Bailey (The Productivity Project), Cait Flanders (The Year of Less), Paul Jarvis (Company of One), and the new work of New York Times bestselling author of The Nanny Diaries, Nicola Kraus.
Lucinda studied at McGill University in Montreal and the Sorbonne in Paris. She is originally from New York City, where her company is based.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Commercial * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * How-To * Humor * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Psychology * Self-Help/Personal Development * Women’s Issues *
575 Madison Avenue Suite 1006 New York NY 10022 USA
Jordan Hamessley
Jabberwocky Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Jordan Hamessley is a literary agent with the Jabberwocky Literary Agency. She joined JABberwocky as an agent in 2023 with over 15 years of publishing experience both as an agent and an editor at Penguin Young Readers (Grosset & Dunlap), Egmont USA, and Adaptive Studios. After graduating from The New School with a BFA in Musical Theater and spending time performing across the country, Jordan made the leap to publishing and loves continuing to help new stories get into the world across various mediums.
She represents a list of diverse children’s fiction from picture books through YA and select adult genre and pop culture writers. She also represents a growing list of graphic novelists and illustrators. She is always looking to find stories that bring the queer experience to the children’s space across all age ranges.
She currently lives in Southern California where she frequently heads up to Los Angeles for meetings with studios and producers. Living a short drive from Disneyland, she has become a full-fledged “Disney Adult” who loves to talk about the parks and her favorite rides (Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion). And she occasionally has been known to pick up her tap shoes and perform in a show now and then to keep those musical theater muscles strong.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Gay/Lesbian * Humor * Juvenile * Middle Grade * Pop Culture * Science * Young Adult *
Biography
Reeves Hamilton is a literary agent with the Vertical Ink Agency. Reeves, a twenty-plus year veteran of the publishing industry, to specialize in science fiction – particularly hard Sci-Fi, space opera, climate dystopias, and alternative histories, with some other interest in dark fantasy and classic-style sword and sorcery.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION:
170 Union Street Suite 4L Brooklyn NY 11231 USA
Faith Hamlin
Sanford J. Greenburger AssociatesDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Faith Hamlin is a literary agent with Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. She has enjoyed many years in publishing. She was a book store manager and a sales rep at a number of houses, rising to National Sales Manager at Macmillan before embarking upon her career as an agent. She has built an eclectic list of talented authors and illustrators over the course of a rewarding, decades-spanning career.
Faith’s office is not considering queries, unless they are by direct referral. She encourages prospective clients to consider the other talented agents at Greenburger Associates.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Autobiography * Biography * Business * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Journalism * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Practical * Psychology * Reference * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * Women’s Issues *
Erik Hane
Headwater Literary ManagementDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Erik Hane is a literary agent with and the co-founder of Headwater Literary Management. After graduating with a B.A. from Knox College and obtaining a publishing certificate from the Denver Publishing Institute, Erik Hane began his career on the editorial staff at Oxford University Press and then as an editor at The Overlook Press. Along with Laura, he is a host of Print Run Podcast. As an agent at Red Sofa Literary, he built a client list that featured political columnists, culture critics, sports journalists, neuroscientists, historians, and literary writers of both fiction and essays. Now at Headwater, Erik is looking for writers who bring a clear-eyed sense of the stakes of this political and historical moment to their writing, no matter what kind of project their expertise draws them toward. He loves tennis, video games, and novels about sad people in cold places. He’s probably tweeting from his account @erikhane as you read this.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Literary * Magical Realism * Multicultural Fiction * Science Fiction * Short Story Collection * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Gay/Lesbian * History * Journalism * Medical/Medicine * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Nature * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Science * Sports * Technology * Upmarket * Women’s Issues *
Biography
Cassie Hanjian is a literary agent with Defiore and Company. She was formerly an agent at Waxman Leavell Literary Agency, joined DeFiore and Company in 2017. Cassie specializes in representing prescriptive nonfiction—with a particular focus on mind/body/spirit, health and wellness, self-help, inspiration, and Christian interest titles—as well as select projects in the commercial fiction and romance categories.
During her career, Cassie has also worked at the Park Literary Group and at Aram Fox, Inc. as an international literary scout. She holds a B.A. in English/Creative Writing from the University of South Florida, a Graduate Certificate from the University of Denver’s Publishing Institute, and an M.S. in Publishing from Pace University.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Historical * Lifestyle * Mystery * New Adult * Romance * Suspense * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Christian * Cooking/Cookbook * Food/Drinks * Health/Wellness * Inspiration * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Prescriptive * Religion * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality *
47 E. 19th St. 3rd Floor New York NY 10003 USA
Carrie Hannigan
HG LiteraryDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Carrie Hannigan is a literary agent with HG Literary. Carrie was lucky enough to find her way to agenting quickly after moving to New York City. (There was a brief stint in the Rolling Stone Art & Photo Department and a similarly brief career at Glenn Horowitz Bookseller, a rare book and archive dealer specializing in 19th and 20th century literature.) After 16 years working at Russell & Volkening with the esteemed Timothy Seldes, she and her colleagues opened HG Literary in 2011 (then called HSG). Carrie specializes in children’s books but also represents a select, limited list of adult books.
Some of her children’s book clients include: New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Vashti Harrison (LITTLE LEADERS: BOLD WOMEN IN BLACK HISTORY – Little, Brown, 2017; SULWE by Lupita Nyong’o, winner of a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award – Simon & Schuster, 2019). Picture book and middle grade author Erica Perl (WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU OJ – Knopf Books for Young Readers; ALL THREE STOOGES, a Sidnee Taylor Book Award Honoree and winner of the National Jewish Book Award for Children’s Literature – Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2018). Author/illustrator and Theodore Geisel Honor winner Jonathan Fenske (BARNACLE IS BORED – Scholastic, 2016; I’M FUN, TOO! the first-ever LEGO® picture book – Scholastic, 2018). Author/illustrator and Theodore Geisel Honor winner Jennifer Morris (MAY I PLEASE HAVE A COOKIE? – Scholastic; FLUBBY IS NOT A GOOD PET – Penguin Workshop, 2019). YA fantasy author Laurie Forest (THE BLACK WITCH series – Inkyard Press). And author and illustrator Gilbert Ford (THE MARVELOUS THING THAT CAME FROM A SPRING – Atheneum; THE MYSTERIOUS MESSENGER – Macmillan, 2020).
Among Carrie’s adult clients are: Dr. Alan Stern, Principal Investigator of the New Horizons Mission and twice named to the Time 100 most influential people list (CHASING NEW HORIZONS – Picador, 2017); Marilyn Chase, previously a journalist and senior special writer at the Wall Street Journal (EVERYTHING SHE TOUCHED: THE LIFE OF RUTH ASAWA – Chronicle, 2020).
In the kidlit world, from picture books to MG to YA, Carrie is looking for humorous books with warmth, heart, and a great voice in both contemporary and fantasy. She is also open to illustrators and graphic novels.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Humor Fiction * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * New Adult * Picture Book * Satire * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Environment * Family * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * Gift/Novelty * How-To * Humor * Journalism * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Multicultural * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Narrative * Photography * Science * Technology * Travel * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
Stephen Hanselman
Level Five MediaDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Stephen Hanselman began his career as a bookseller 30 years ago at Fresno Pacific College. He continued to pursue his passion for bookselling at Harvard Divinity School, where he served as director of the bookstore while a full-time student. After graduating Harvard Divinity School in 1986 with a Master of Theological Studies degree, he founded Divinitas Books, a New England specialty chain and direct-mail operation focused on books from all religious traditions. At the beginning of 1992, after selling his business the prior year, Steve joined HarperSanFrancisco’s marketing department. This began a 13-year tenure at HarperCollins in a variety of roles including marketing manager, marketing director, sales manager, sales director, director of product & market development, editorial director, and since 1999 as publisher of HarperSanFrancisco. From 2002 to early 2005, Steve was group publisher responsible for all activities of HarperBusiness, HarperResource, and HarperSanFrancisco, as he led these imprints to an 85% increase in annual sales and record profits. He personally edited books for each imprint, including such bestselling authors as Jack Canfield, Marianne Williamson, Michael Gerber, Peter Gomes, Richard Foster, and Philip Gulley. Steve also worked to establish or reinvigorate major house franchises including C.S. Lewis, David Niven, Peter Drucker, Mayo Clinic, Mental_Floss and Emily Post. His bestseller acquisitions at Harper included Mehmet Oz & Michael Roizen’s YOU: The Owner’s Manual, Jorge Cruise’s THE 3-HOUR DIET, T. Harv Eker’s SECRETS OF THE MILLIONAIRE MIND, and Jim Wallis’ GOD’S POLITICS. Steve left HarperCollins in 2005 to found LevelFiveMedia.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Multicultural Fiction * Religious *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Computers * Cooking/Cookbook * Diet/Nutrition * Ethnic * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Philosophy * Reference * Religion * Self-Help/Personal Development * Sports * Technology * Travel *
Biography
Judith Hansen, the founder of the Hansen Literary Agency, is the former deputy publisher of Kitchen Sink Press. An attorney, she had a twenty year career with major trade book publishers including Simon & Schuster, NAL, and the Crown and Doubleday divisions of Random House.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Architecture * Art * Autobiography * Biography * Business * Economics * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Pop Culture * Psychology * Reference *
242 Bronxville Road Bronxville NY 10708 USA
Stephanie Hansen
Metamorphosis Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Stephanie Hansen is a literary agent with Metamorphosis Literary Agency. She represents authors with their debut novels and New York Times-bestsellers and has brokered deals with small presses and major publishing houses. She holds a master’s degree with a Creative Writing Specialization. She predominantly represents YA SF/F but has a secret addiction for romance. While these are her favorite, she handles everything fiction from children’s books to adult thrillers. Previously an editor for Mind’s Eye Literary Magazine, she joined Metamorphosis July 2016. Originally looking to help Midwest authors in “flyover states” to garner the attention of major publishing houses, she found camaraderie with multiple agents and editors. Stephanie is unilaterally deaf with 90 dB tinnitus. She’s dedicated to elevating voices that often go unheard. She’s seeking: Romantic comedies, YA & Adult, and YA contemporary with unexpected antagonists. She is intrigued by prose that flows as smoothly as poetry, unforgettable plot twists, and well-rounded characters.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness *
Biography
Vaugne Lee Hansen is a literary agent with the Virginia Kidd Agency. She was an early reader, reading her first books before attending pre-school. From the start, fantasy and science fiction were, in her mind, what constituted “real books.” She went to work for Virginia Kidd in 1989 and over the years she and her colleagues have worked with some of the most interesting authors in the field including, Kage Baker, Ted Chiang, Alan Dean Foster, Ursula K. Le Guin, Anne McCaffrey, and Gene Wolfe. Her favorite parts about being an agent are being able to read the works of her favorite authors before they are published and getting down to the nitty-gritty during contract negotiations. She is delighted to be able to be working with Christine Cohen and Will Reeve on the ongoing preservation of Virginia Kidd’s legacy of the Virginia Kidd Agency and Arrowhead, continuing the tradition of representing quality fiction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Fantasy * Horror * Science Fiction *
NONFICTION:
PO Box 278 538 East Hartford Street Milford PA 18337 USA
Jana Hanson
D4EO Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Jana Hanson is a literary agent with the D4EO Literary Agency. She has been a book geek since the age of 3 when she memorized her favorite ABC book but still made her mother read it every night. She was a freelance editor and worked with several electronic publishers from 2006 until 2018 when she became an intern for Paige Wheeler at Creative Media Agency.
Prior to joining D4EO, Jana was an agent with Metamorphosis Literary Agency.
She is interested in acquiring romance, young adult, cozy mysteries, and women’s fiction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Lara Love Hardin is a literary agent with Idea Architects. She is the COO, Editorial Director, and Senior Collaborative Writer for Idea Architects. She holds an MFA in creative writing from UC Irvine and is a New York Times bestselling writer. Her many lives include backpacking nomad, radio talk show host, pet cemetery owner, and criminal justice advocate. She has also taught creative writing at UC Santa Cruz and UC Irvine, and is a published fiction writer. She lives in Santa Cruz, California with her husband, dog, cat, goldfish, and six (yes, six) children.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Memoir *
Biography
Elizabeth Harding is a literary agent with the Curtis Brown Literary Agency. Elizabeth Harding represents authors and illustrators of picture books, middle-grade and young adult fiction. She started at the agency almost 20 years ago as an assistant to the legendary Marilyn E. Marlow. Elizabeth’s list includes New York Times bestsellers, Newbery, National Book Award, Printz, and Coretta Scott King honor and award winners. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan (Go Blue!), a devoted and hopeful fan of her hometown Cleveland teams and lives in Manhattan with her husband and four sons.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
228 E 45th Street 3rd floor New York NY 10017 USA
Biography
Sandy Harding is a literary agent with Spencerhill Associates. Prior to joining Spencerhill in September 2015, Sandy Harding spent fifteen years at Penguin Random House and Penguin Group USA, most recently as a senior editor at NAL. In earlier days she earned an MA in American Literature at NYU and taught expository writing. As an editor she was fortunate to work with New York Times bestselling authors, but she also loved discovering new writers in unexpected places and nurturing both their manuscripts and their careers. She’s excited to bring this passion to agenting as she works to build her client list.
Sandy is seeking mainly upmarket commercial and literary fiction for the adult market. She enjoys women’s fiction for book clubs, smart page-turning thrillers, works of suspense with complex protagonists, mysteries of all sorts (cozies, historical, traditional), and romance. Most of all she’s seeking writing with a voice so penetrating and a story so captivating the reader simply must keep reading.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Historical * Literary * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Romance * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION:
1767 Lakewood Ranch Blvd. #268 Bradenton FL 34211 USA
Biography
Robbie Anna Hare is a literary agent with Goldfarb & Associates. Robbie Anna Hare, a native Australian, currently residing both in Israel and in the United States, is a literary agent with experience as a radio and television producer, reporter, and writer. Gerrie Sturman joined Goldfarb & Associates in 2011, and she handles special projects, research and selected clients.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * History * Politics * Sports *
c/o RP &B 510 King St., Suite 301 Alexandria VA 22314 USA
Esmond Harmsworth
Aevitas Creative ManagementDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Esmond Harmsworth is a literary agent and partner with Aevitas Creative Management. He has represented the #1 Wall Street Journal business bestseller and New York Times bestseller Breakthrough: Secrets of America’s Fastest Growing Companies by Keith McFarland; Amanda Ripley’s New York Times bestseller The Smartest Kids in the World—And How They Got That Way; and PEN/Faulkner winner Sabina Murray, author of The Caprices, A Carnivore’s Inquiry, and Valiant Gentlemen.
Born in London, Harmsworth was educated in England before graduating magna cum laude from Brown University and cum laude from Harvard Law School. He was a founding partner of the Zachary Shuster Harmsworth Literary Agency which merged with Kuhn Projects to form Aevitas.
Based in Boston, Harmsworth represents serious nonfiction books on topics such as politics, psychology, culture, and society. For fiction, he represents literary fiction, mystery and crime, popular (mainstream) fiction, and young adult and middle grade fiction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Horror * Literary * Mystery *
NONFICTION: Health/Wellness * History * Narrative * New Age * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality *
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Directory Instructions
Use the drop-down menu on the left to search for agents by genre, gender, location, longevity, or AAR Status. To find a specific agent or agency, enter the agent’s name or the name of the agency into the search box.
Important: If you use the search box, you must remove the search term by pressing the “Clear Search” link before you look for more agents using the drop-down menu (or you won’t see the proper results). Click on the “Show Notes” and “Show Bio” links underneath each agent for more information about that agent.
Have a question or need support? Post a comment or question by clicking on the red button at the bottom of the page.
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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)