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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: K
Biography
Jody Kahn is a literary agent with Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents. She represents both literary and upmarket fiction, as well as narrative nonfiction; across all categories she enjoys books that are beautifully written while also containing a rich storyline, and she’s especially looking for deeply drawn characters and voice-driven narratives. Dark and edgy is always a plus, as is humor. She’s also interested in untold stories and misunderstood populations. In nonfiction, she’s seeking narrative related to sports, food, history, science, pop-culture, literary memoir and journalism. Above all, she wants to be gripped by what she’s reading, and taken into a new and riveting world, one that touches her with layers of complexity and does not easily let go.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * Historical * Humor Fiction * Literary * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Family * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * History * Humor * Journalism * Memoir * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Science * Sports * True Crime *
1501 Broadway Suite 2605 New York NY 10036 USA
Biography
Eryn Kalavsky is a literary agent with Salky Literary Management. She is a veteran of the book publishing industry, having built the foundation of her career in publicity, marketing and international sales at HarperCollins Publishers. Prior to joining SLM, she worked with a list of authors and entrepreneurs as a publishing consultant strategically helping develop their book ideas while simultaneously growing their brands and platforms. She is based in Los Angeles and her approach to representation is with a long-term view of building a client’s career within the publishing world and beyond.
Eryn graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has relished building a life full of deep relationships and rich experiences that include running the NYC marathon, living in Italy and Martha’s Vineyard, working for a summer at Fenway Park, and interning in the writer’s room of a network show.
Eryn’s #oneword for 2020 is SAVOR.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Art * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Design * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * How-To * Humor * Journalism * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Military/War * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Pop Culture * Psychology * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
1216 Broadway Suite 414 New York NY 10001 USA
Biography
Janine Kamouh is a literary agent with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
11 Madison Avenue 18th Floor New York NY 10010 USA
Mona Kanin
Great Dog LiteraryDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Mona Kanin is a literary agent with Great Dog Literary. Inspired by imagination and content creation, Mona spent 25 years designing, writing and making non-fiction media for broadcast, non-broadcast, print, and the web. Mona helped define the audience, the medium, and the message for The Human Genome Project, Weston Woods, PBS, several of the Discovery Channels, and others. Her work won top national awards.
Before she was a producer, Mona was a librarian at the Boston Public Library & for several years managed a small book shop in D.C. She’s always sought to forge connections—between visuals and words, trust and the collaborative process, content and authenticity/emotion. She believes in the power of books to create more empathic beings.
She is seeking smart, resonating projects including literary fiction, memoirs that read like fiction, & non-fiction for adults that speaks to today’s cultural currents. She’s closed to non-referral PB and MG fiction queries at least until Spring, 2022, when she’ll re-evaluate. Authenticity/own voices always essential. Member: AALA.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Ethnic Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Film/Entertainment * Memoir * Photography * Politics * Travel *
Biography
Elizabeth Kaplan is a literary agent with the Elizabeth Kaplan Literary Agency. Elizabeth has represented numerous critically acclaimed and best-selling authors throughout her 20-year career as a literary agent. She is known for the sharp insights and editing skills she brings to the development of successful projects and authors’ careers. She works tirelessly to connect individuals, and to find the right home for each project.
After graduating from the University of Michigan, Elizabeth moved to New York City and began her publishing career as the assistant to Jim Silberman, the founder of Summit Books. Elizabeth worked as an editor at Summit for three years before moving on to assist another publishing legend, the literary agent Sterling Lord. Before beginning her own agency in 2002, she worked as an agent at Sterling Lord Literistic, and the Ellen Levine Agency.
Elizabeth’s main areas of focus include: literary fiction, young adult fiction, narrative nonfiction (especially issue-based books), history, biography, food writing and cookbooks and memoir.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Narrative * Pop Culture * Practical *
138 West 25th Street Suite 1018 New York NY 10001 USA
Biography
Dorian Karchmar is a literary agent with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment. Dorian says: “I have been a literary agent for over a decade, representing bestselling and award winning literary and quality mainstream fiction and narrative nonfiction (memoir, biography, and history), cookbooks and general upmarket nonfiction. Prior to becoming an agent, I received my MFA in creative nonfiction from the University of Iowa.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Literary * Mystery * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Current Events/Affairs * Environment * Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Music * Narrative * Nature * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * Technology *
11 Madison Avenue 18th Floor New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Kelly Karczewski is a literary agent with Fletcher & Company/UTA. She joined Fletcher & Co in early 2021. Prior to joining the agency, she worked as an Editorial Assistant at Foundry Literary + Media, where she assisted on projects primarily in the pop culture space. Kelly got her start in publishing at Harmony Books (PRH) and holds a B.A. in English from Amherst College. Kelly is particularly interested in upmarket and commercial fiction featuring unique and contemporary voices. When it comes to nonfiction, her taste is a bit of a mixed bag, but she generally shies away from straight memoir, preferring research-based nonfiction with a journalistic element. She goes wild over anything and everything Greek mythology, stories set on the East coast, and books that challenge and educate readers in new ways.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * General Fiction * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Investigative * Journalism *
Julia Kardon
HG LiteraryDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Julia Kardon is a literary agent with HG Literary. Julia Kardon was born and raised in New York City. Her first job in publishing, while in high school, was shelving fiction at the fabled Strand Bookstore. After receiving degrees in Comparative Literature, as well as in Slavic Languages and Literature at the University of Chicago, she moved to Prague to teach English for a year. Julia then returned to New York to restart her career in publishing. She joined HG Literary in 2018 after building a list at Mary Evans Inc and handling foreign rights. She is interested primarily in literary and upmarket fiction and memoir, especially with a focus on identity or with an international lens, narrative nonfiction, journalism, and history, and her clients include New York Times Best Sellers Brit Bennett and Etaf Rum, Barnes & Noble Discover picks John Freeman Gill and Leah Franqui, Center For Fiction Emerging Writer Fellow Melissa Rivero, Moriel Rothman-Zecher, Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, and others.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * Gay/Lesbian * History * Journalism * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative *
Biography
Maryann Karinch is a literary agent with the Rudy Agency. She is the author of 33 commercially published books since 1994 and the ghostwriter behind nine other works of non-fiction. Much of her writing has focused on human behavior, especially body language, risk-taking, and human sexuality. Building on her experience as an author as well as her marketing communications background, she launched The Rudy Agency in January 2004.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Computers * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Politics * Reference * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Sports * Technology * Women’s Issues *
825 Widlife Estes Park CO 80517 USA
Biography
Barney Karpfinger is a literary agent with and the founder of the Karpfinger Agency. Barney Karpfinger studied English at Columbia University while supporting himself by working as a paralegal. Before establishing the agency in 1985, he ran the contracts department of a major New York publishing company.
Over the years, Barney has represented more fiction than non-fiction. Recently, though, he’s worked on a bit more non-fiction—work as varied as a philosopher’s take on procrastination, a dance critic’s look at grace in all of its manifestations and an investigative reporter’s examination of the big-money business of college football. The writers Barney works with share an ease with language and the ability to tell a compelling story.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Historical * Literary * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Art * Autobiography * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * History * Investigative * Journalism * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Music * Narrative * Nature * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * Sports * Technology * Travel * Women’s Issues *
357 West 20th Street New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Kaitlyn Katsoupis is a literary agent with the Belcastro Agency. After receiving a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College, Kaitlyn refused to leave the concept of nightly homework behind. A literary agent for Belcastro Literary Agency, she is also a freelance editor at her own company, K. Johnson Editorial. Kaitlyn started her literary journey as a copyeditor for academic publisher codeMantra, a YA editor for Accent Press, a Conference Assistant for GrubStreet, Boston, a former agent with Corvisiero Literary Agency. She has written various articles for Writer’s Digest and has had a flash fiction story published in the anthology A Box of Stars Beneath the Bed.
Some of Kaitlyn’s favorite books: Cornelia Funke (Inkheart series); Michael Buckley (Undertow series); John Green (more Looking for Alaska, less An Abundance of Katherines); Gayle Forman (Just One Year and Just One Day); Lois Lowry (The Giver series); Scott O’Dell (Island of the Blue Dolphins). Her favorite tv shows are Doctor Who, Buffy, Supernatural, Firefly, basically the nerdier the fandom the better.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Fantasy * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * New Adult * Paranormal * Romance * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
124 N. Bentley Ave Niles OH 44446 USA
Biography
Isabel Kaufman is a literary agent with Fox Literary. She is actively looking to build her list in fantasy & science fiction, adult literary fiction, horror, historical fiction, contemporary commercial fiction, and upper-level young adult literature. She is looking for smart, inventive, ambitious storytelling and welcomes speculative elements across all genres. She is also interested in creative nonfiction and microhistories particularly related to travel, food, and incisive cultural perspectives on luxury and beauty.
Her taste is varied, but she is consistently drawn to dynamic, thoughtful prose and vibrant character voice. She is actively seeking work from historically underrepresented and marginalized perspectives. She appreciates fresh takes on familiar archetypes, new perspectives on well-known myths and fairytales, and crossover rehabilitations of “archaic” genres such as noir, gothic, and classical revenge tragedy (she has a master’s in revenge tragedy and is willing to get bloody!).
Recent books she has loved include THE GLASS HOTEL, by Emily St. John Mandel; SEVERANCE, by Ling Ma; the LOCKED TOMB trilogy, by Tamsyn Muir; PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE, by Samantha Shannon; THE IDIOT, by Elif Batuman; LUSTER, by Raven Leilani; PLAIN BAD HEROINES, by Emily Danforth; FRESHWATER, by Akwaeke Emezi. Nonfiction favorites include PRIESTDADDY, by Patricia Lockwood; SECONDHAND TIME, by Svetlana Alexievich; BLOOD, BONES, AND BUTTER, by Gabrielle Hamilton; and THE EMPEROR OF SCENT, by Luca Turin. Permanent must-read authors include Helen Oyeyemi and Megan Abbott.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Literary * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Beauty/Fashion/Style * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * History * Lifestyle * Travel *
110 West 40th St Suite 2305 New York NY 10018 USA
Biography
Dara Kaye is a literary agent with the Ross Yoon Literary Agency. As Foreign Rights Manager at Ross Yoon Agency, Dara Kaye brokers clients’ contracts in more than 50 territories. She plays a major role in helping all of the agency’s clients shape their proposals into the sharpest, most commercial works possible.
Currently building her own list of domestic clients, Dara is particularly interested in hidden histories and in unexpected intersections of topics, styles, and audiences.
Before joining Ross Yoon, Dara spent two years in South Korea on a Fulbright fellowship, where she taught English, researched the history of Shakespeare in Korea, and mastered the art of making baked goods in a rice cooker.
Dara holds a BA in English Language & Literature from Smith College and an MA in Renaissance literature from University College London. She lives in Foggy Bottom and also on Twitter at @darakaye.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Narrative * Politics * Science *
1666 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 550 Washington DC 20009 USA
Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Taylor Martindale Kean is a literary agent with the Full Circle Literary. She is a literary agent with Full Circle Literary, representing primarily middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, and illustrators. She is a graduate of The College of William and Mary, where she studied English and Hispanic Studies.
Taylor is looking for young adult fiction and literary middle grade fiction, across all genres. She is interested in finding unique and unforgettable voices in contemporary, fantasy, historical and magical realism novels. She is looking for books that demand to be read. More than anything, Taylor is looking for diverse, character-driven stories that bring their worlds vividly to life, and voices that are honest, original and interesting. Clients include: Emery Lord, Tirzah Price, David Bowles, Sylvie Lacroix, Anoosha Syed, Isabel Strychacz, Gloria Amescua, Federica Fabbian, Olivia Sua and more. When not working, Taylor can be found traveling, cooking, spending time with loved ones, or (surprise!) lost in a good book.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Middle Grade Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
3268 Governor Drive #323 San Diego CA 92122 USA
Biography
Trena Keating is a literary agent with Union Literary. Sherepresents a range of talented authors with strong voices and creative and cutting-edge ideas, including novelists, journalists, celebrities, and experts writing for a popular audience such as professors, doctors, scientists, and entrepreneurs. She manages complicated estates, works with multi-platform writers, develops and grows authors in mid-career, and introduces new voices to the book world, building their career through media opportunities and around the world. Her list is a balance of #1 NYT bestsellers and debuts; she finds that equal are the pleasures of working with masters of the craft and new talent filled with promise. Prior to becoming an agent, Trena was Editor-in-Chief of Dutton and Associate Publisher of Plume, both imprints of Penguin, Senior Editor at HarperCollins, and humanities assistant at Stanford University Press and has had the honor to work with such esteemed, award-winning, and bestselling writers as Tracy Chevalier, E.L. Doctorow, Diane Johnson, Toni Morrison, and Joyce Carol Oates, as well as actively publishing estate classics from George Orwell and Ayn Rand. She has appeared as a publishing expert on Kathy Griffin’s television show and “Inside Edition”. Trena takes on a select list of clients so she can actively edit and effectively manage each career.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Literary * Suspense * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Celebrity * Education * General Nonfiction * Journalism * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Money/Finance * Science *
30 Vandam Street Suite 5A New York NY 10013 USA
Biography
Wendy Keller is a literary agent with Keller Media. Wendy Keller is an award-winning former journalist, a respected literary agent, an author, speaker and acclaimed book marketing consultant. She got her first job as a newspaper reporter as a 16 year old college freshman. Since then, Wendy worked for PR Newswire; the Knight-Ridder newspaper chain; as managing editor of Dateline magazine; and as associate publisher of Los Angeles’ then-second-largest Spanish language weekly, La Gaceta. She founded what is now Keller Media, Inc. as “ForthWrite Literary Agency” in 1989.
Today, after selling an astonishing ~1,500 rights deals worldwide, including 17 New York Times best sellers and 9 international best sellers, the agency Wendy founded is exceptionally focused on helping each author to do three things:
1. Maximize public awareness of the author and their book – before or after publication. In the industry, this is called a “platform.”
2. To find the best publisher possible for each author we represent. We seek an editor who aligns with their vision for the book.
3. To advise our authors on how to become a (more) renowned, recognized thought leader in their topic area, thus increasing profits for everyone.
These days, publishers demand authors who are effective, competent partners in the publishing process. That’s why we screen our potential clients so assiduously – we want them to have a growing platform, a big vision…and the moxie to achieve it. Keller Media helps our authors become highly successful by advising on cutting-edge marketing strategies, advanced book promotion practices, and the best known use of media, social media, and paid speaking. We know that a good book idea + intelligent marketing = a successful author.
Wendy Keller has personally taught +20,000 authors how to get published; and over 7,500 people how to get started as paid, professional speakers – a major method for selling lots of copies of your book. (Check out the “Resources” page so you can get access to her decades of publishing wisdom.)
Wendy was 26 when her own first book was published. Today, she is the author of 31 published books under 9 pseudonyms and 11 self-published books. She has been a featured guest on 53 television programs, including Dr Phil, Dateline NBC, CBS The Early Show, Hannity and Colmes, Crosstalk, Fox, ABC, and Politically Incorrect. She has been a guest on +500 radio shows, primarily in North America, and has been interviewed/quoted in The Chicago Tribune, New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, Arizona Republic, Dallas Morning News, Playboy, The Scotsman, Maxim, Parenting, the Miami Herald and many more.
Wendy Keller is unique among agents because her perspective on publishing was shaped by her early work in the media. She believes that good books are about serving the audience what they want to read – and that it is the author’s solemn responsibility to get their message out in every way possible. As the publishing industry moves into this new era, Wendy is a prominent advocate for authors taking a vibrant, active role in the promotion of their own work. This helps Keller Media authors create maximum impact in the world and maximum profit from their content.
In her free time, Wendy rows on the marina near her home and enjoys hiking, luxury travel, languages, archaeological studies and of course, voracious reading. Parlo italiano e je parle français.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Government * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Inspiration * Money/Finance * Nature * New Age * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Reference * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development *
578 Washington Blvd #745 Marina Del Rey CA 90292 USA
Jennie Kendrick
Red Fox LiteraryDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email * Postal Mail *Biography
Jennie Kendrick is a literary agent with Red Fox Literary. She represents YA, MG and select picture books with Red Fox Literary. A former criminal defense attorney and history major, she has worked in the publishing industry since 2013, including reviewing for publications such as Kirkus, and part-time bookselling at a local independent bookstore. Jennie’s passions include history (especially medieval European history), the criminal justice system, art, tarot, rock music, and cooking. She loves well-researched character-driven fiction, narrative non-fiction, and is particularly looking for Own Voices works and books from marginalized creators. Jennie is always looking for a phenomenal ghost or vampire story, regardless of children’s age group.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
Julia Kenny
Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary AgencyAAR/AALA MemberQuery method(s): Email * Postal Mail *Biography
Julia Kenny is a literary agent with the Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency. She began her career in publishing as an intern at the Wendy Weil Agency, while studying creative writing at Sarah Lawrence College. For nearly 10 years, she worked as the director of foreign rights and as an agent at Markson Thoma. She primarily works with fiction—adult, middle grade and YA—and is especially interested in dark, literary thrillers and suspense. She’s also interested in narrative non-fiction, memoir, and lifestyle and entertaining projects. She is on the lookout for writing that immediately draws her in, and stories that stick with her long after she’s finished reading. She was born and raised on Nantucket Island and lives in Brooklyn.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Art * General Nonfiction * Memoir * Photography *
27 West 20th Street Suite 1107 New York NY 10011 USA
Fiona Kenshole
Transatlantic AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Fiona Kenshole is a literary agent with the Transatlantic Agency. She came to agenting after nearly a decade as VP of Development Acquisition at Laika Studios, creating a development slate of new projects for the animation studio. She worked with major directors and screenwriters, acquiring and adapting children’s books and original scripts into movies, including the Oscar-nominated THE BOXTROLLS and CORALINE. Previously she was a senior publisher in the UK where she published authors including Michael Bond (Paddington Bear), P.L Travers (Mary Poppins) and the Laureate Michael Morpurgo (War Horse) and was UK editor for Beverley Cleary, Lois Lowry, Bruce Coville, Gary Paulsen and Cynthia Voigt. She was nominated for “Editor of the Year” at the British Book Awards. Fiona has been on faculty as a guest speaker on children’s books throughout the US, from Alaska to San Diego, and in the UK and Italy. She taught publishing at Oxford Brookes University and Portland State. She also organized events for the Oxford Literary Festival and is a published author.
She joined Transatlantic in 2013. Her clients’ recent successes include Vicki Grant’s YA romcom, 36 QUESTIONS THAT CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT YOU (Running Press), which sold in 22 languages and is optioned for TV, and Rosanne Parry’s MG A WOLF CALLED WANDER (Andersen Press/Greenwillow) which spent 8 weeks in the NYT bestseller list and has sold in 11 languages.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
Biography
Rachel Kent is a literary agent with Books & Such Literary Agency.Rachel Kent has been an agent with Books & Such since 2007. Rachel started at Books & Such as a summer intern while she was attending U.C. Davis and then, after graduating, worked part-time at the agency as an assistant. Her favorite part of the job was reading a manuscript and providing an author with feedback to help him or her to improve the project.
She graduated from Davis in three years with a bachelor’s degree in English and minors in both religious studies and psychology.
Rachel has more than eight years of experience and training working closely with Janet Kobobel Grant
and Wendy Lawton, as well as part-time with author Robin Jones Gunn in creating marketing materials and promotional ideas to keep Robin connected with her readers. Through Rachel’s work at the agency and with authors, she has gained an understanding of the publishing process, contract negotiation, and what it takes to successfully write and market a book.
Rachel’s goal is to develop strong relationships with her authors and to help them to develop lasting relationships with their editors and publishers. Good relationships have always been important to her. She likes to stick by people. She believes that as long as two people are dedicated toward working together, the relationship can work, and they can accomplish the task at hand.
Rachel acquires fiction and nonfiction projects with a special interest in YA, 20-something and 30-something projects.
She lives with her husband and family in Northern California.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Christian Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Fantasy * General Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Romance * Science Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: 20- and 30-Somethings * Christian * General Nonfiction * Religion * Spirituality * Young Adult *
2222 Cleveland Avenue #1005 Santa Rosa CA 95403 USA
Biography
Chris Kepner is a literary agent with and the founder of The Kepner Agency. He says: “I’ve been working in the publishing industry since 2008, both as a literary agent and more recently as a director of international rights. I have negotiated hundreds of book licenses all over the world, and I couldn’t be more excited about launching this agency. Discovering authors is my passion, and building a new list is an absolute thrill.
I live with my amazing wife, our magical baby girl, and our 16-year-old puppy in New Jersey, a half hour west of Manhattan. I’m originally from the lovely Buffalo area and still visit family and friends there at least twice a year. I studied English and business at Notre Dame, and I still watch all of their football games. It’s great when they win, but I don’t get too upset when they lose (it’s only football, people.) I’ve been in love with music and skiing for as long as I can remember, and I recently became enamored with disc golf. It has everything great about regular golf without the huge expense, heavy bags, tee times, stuffy etiquette, dress codes, or crowds.
Our lives may seem/be meaningless when you take a broad space-time perspective, but this thing we’ve got, this world we all share…it’s pretty special. Let’s cherish it, and one another, while we can.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Sports Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Computers * Cooking/Cookbook * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Science * Sports * Technology * Travel *
208 Lenox Avenue #130 Westfield NJ 07090 USA
Biography
Molly Ker Hawn is a literary agent with The Bent Agency. She says: “I joined the Bent Agency in 2012 and lead our London office, where I work with authors from all over the world, selling directly to publishers in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia. I’ve bounced back and forth from America to England since I was a teenager: I grew up in Northern California, lived for a year in the West Country, read English at Cambridge University, and spent many years in New York City. I represent authors whose books have been New York Times and Sunday Times bestsellers and that have won and been shortlisted for the William C. Morris YA Debut Award, the Michael L. Printz Award, the Costa Children’s Book Award, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the Carnegie Medal, the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis, and more.
If you’ve got a terrific story, well-told, I want to read it.
I’m looking for middle grade and young adult fiction and graphic novels that are inventive, well-crafted, and rich with emotion. I’m also interested in non-fiction for readers ages 8–18. I like wit, but not snark; I prefer books that lean more toward literary than commercial, but of course, my perfect book neatly bridges the two. The fiction on my list all has a strong sense of place, whether real or imaginary; I’m not the right agent for books with animal protagonists. Except maybe cats.
I’m particularly interested in hearing from writers from underrepresented communities.
I’m honored to serve on the governing committee of the Association of Authors’ Agents and to have been named one of The Bookseller‘s most influential people in the UK publishing industry.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
529 W 42nd St Suite 3P New York NY 10036 USA
Natasha Kern
Natasha Kern Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email * Postal Mail *Biography
Natasha Kern is a literary agent with the Natasha Kern Literary Agency. She has personally sold over 1,200 books, has worked as an agent more than 20 years and has a strong commitment to discovering new talent as well as developing the careers of her clients. Natasha has sold to all major publishers in both ABA and CBA. Her list includes: mainstream women’s fiction and inspirational fiction; romantic suspense, mysteries and thrillers; contemporary and historical novels, romantic comedy, Amish fiction, and issue-oriented fiction; young adult, multicultural fiction and other subgenres. Her clients include several New York Times best-selling authors, USA Today Best Sellers, and RITA, CAROL and EDGAR winners. She represents Christy winners and finalists as well as other popular CBA authors and ECPA bestsellers.
Natasha was named Agent of the Year at the 2013 ACFW Conference.
Natasha says: “When I left New York, I knew that I wanted to stay in publishing. However, editorial work was not sufficiently satisfying by itself. I knew I could acquire and develop salable properties and that my background gave me expertise in sales and running a company. I wanted to work with people long term and not just on a single project or phase of one. Plus, I had an entrepreneurial temperament and experience negotiating big money deals from raising venture capital for high tech firms. When I developed literary projects for other agents that did not sell, I knew I could sell them myself, so I did. I’ve never regretted that decision. Agenting combined my love of books, my affinity for deal-making and my preference for trusting my own intuition. I sold 28 books the first year the agency was in business.
“I did everything else I ever wanted to do before becoming an agent. Agenting is truly a calling for me and I would not be as happy doing anything else. It is a case of do what you love (and are good at) and the money follows. I also have a deep commitment to bringing new knowledge, new ideas and new writing into the world. I believe storytelling is powerful and a great book truly can change the world.”
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Christian Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Historical * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Mainstream * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Religious * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Kat Kerr is a literary agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency. She joined Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2019 after working previously at Corvisiero Literary Agency. She graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelors in English in 2009 and is drawn to literary and commercial voices within the adult and YA markets, as well as adult nonfiction. Kat feels strongly about supporting programs like We Need Diverse Books and is passionate about creating space in this industry for those from historically marginalized communities.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Commercial * Contemporary * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Literary * Magical Realism * Multicultural Fiction * Romance * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * Journalism * Memoir * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Pop Culture * Psychology * Women’s Issues *
1000 Dean Street Suite 252 Brooklyn NY 11238 USA
Biography
Emily S. Keyes is a literary agent with and the founder of Keyes Agency. She has represented many award-winning titles mainly (but not exclusively) in the realm of children’s literature. She loves finding and nurturing new talent, as well as reading and representing projects that will get readers excited to go to the bookstore. Emily is actively searching for all kinds of children’s literature, as well as select adult projects in genre fiction—so long as it’s not “serious” literature. She is searching for authors and illustrators who will be her coworker for a long career.
Previously she worked at the L. Perkins Agency as a contracts manager and associate agent. Before that, she was a Contracts Administrator at Simon & Schuster for five years. In 2008, she graduated from New York University’s Center for Publishing. Emily lives in Brooklyn but she can usually be found spending too much time on the internet. For a better idea of who she is and what she represents, follow her on Twitter and Tumblr.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Gay/Lesbian * Humor * Juvenile * Pop Culture * Women’s Issues *
420 East Main Street Bld 3 Suite 15 Branford CT 06405 USA
Biography
Sarah Khalil is a literary agent with Calligraph. She is seeking serious narrative nonfiction with a lens toward social, economic and environmental justice; anti-imperialist thought; pop/cultural criticism and histories; cross-cultural narratives; and writing from Caribbean, MENA, Muslim and LGBTQIA+ creators; all deeply explored by experts—academics, journalists, and those with lived experience. Big ideas, radical thought, and propulsive writing are the cornerstones of her taste. She is also seeking select fiction in the same space.
Prior to Calligraph’s founding, Sarah was at Kneerim & Williams for four years, developing several of the agency’s best-selling and award-winning authors alongside Jill Kneerim and Katherine Flynn, including Margaret Burnham, Matthew Desmond, Stephen Greenblatt, Steven Levitsky & Daniel Ziblatt, and Brett Sokol. She has worked at Beacon Press and the IP law firm Sennott, Williams, & Rogers. She holds an MA in Publishing & Writing from Emerson College and a BA in English Literature with a minor in History from the American University of Beirut.
Sarah is the director of the agency’s internship program. She is on the Association of American Literary Agents’ DEI Committee and is a co-director of its Mentorship Program. She is regularly invited to give remote and in-person workshops on trade publishing, and has done so in collaboration with the Boston Book Festival, the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism, and others.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Ethnic Fiction * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Religious * Romance * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Computers * Cultural/Social Issues * Economics * Education * Environment * Ethnic * Gay/Lesbian * History * Journalism * Law * Multicultural * Narrative * Nature * Pop Culture * Religion * Science * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * Upmarket *
Teresa Kietlinski
Bookmark LiteraryDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email * Postal Mail *Biography
Teresa Kietlinski is a literary agent with and the founder of Bookmark Literary. In 2016, Teresa Kietlinski started an exciting new chapter in her career with the launching of BOOKMARK LITERARY an agency specializing in books for children.
Teresa brings to the table over twenty years of publishing experience, from all different areas of expertise, including marketing, publicity, public relations, book design and picture book art direction.
As an agent, Teresa has had the pleasure of launching the careers of many creatives as well as growing the careers of established clients. Her expertise lies in illustrated book development. She works closely with authors and illustrators developing manuscripts, book dummies and portfolios with strong visual narratives.
When Teresa is not wrestling pencils away from her pencil-eating dachshund, she is doodling, writing poetry or smelling wildflowers. She lives by a shimmery lake in New Jersey with her husband, daughter and a small fishing boat named Holy Mackerel.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Books * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book *
NONFICTION:
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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)