Home » Directory of Literary Agents – USA Literary Agents

The Directory of Literary Agents
Welcome message…
7 Insider Secrets to Get a Top Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal
Press the play button below to listen.
Click here to view and/or download a free PDF transcript
of this audio program
* * *
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: N
Biography
Bonnie Nadell is the president of the Hill Nadell Literary Agency in Los Angeles. She represents writers of both fiction and narrative nonfiction. Her clients have been winners or finalists for the Pulitzer Prize, Carnegie Medal, National Book Critics Circle Award, Kirkus Prize, and numerous PEN Awards, among others.
Writing matters, books matter, and here’s why it matters to me. As an agent, I’ve opened a submission and found everything from an enthralling first novel to a heartbreaking account of struggling to come to America braving hardship and danger. These stories can inspire, can entertain, and can illuminate the major issues of our world whether it be immigration or climate change or injustice. Working with writers at every stage of their career from debut novelists to seasoned journalists, bringing singular voices and compelling stories into the world is what I love to do and have done for years.
I am always eager for new perspectives that inform or take me someplace I’ve never been. I represent and am always looking for narrative nonfiction covering the natural world, current events, memoir, food and culture, and stories focused on the American West. In fiction my taste runs to the literary, to voice-driven and genre-bending fiction and smart thrillers.
Ultimately literature is when someone else’s story speaks to you and broadens your world. That’s what I always want to find.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Espionage/Military * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Literary * Mystery * Short Story Collection * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Design * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * History * Journalism * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Nature * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Sports * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
6442 Santa Monica Blvd Suite 200A Los Angeles CA 90038 USA
Biography
Jen Nadol is a literary agent with The Unter Agency. She has worked in publishing for over ten years, first as a Young Adult author with novels published by Bloomsbury USA and Simon and Schuster. After a one year internship with Entangled Publishing, she joined The Unter Agency as an Associate Agent. Jen is originally from Reading, PA, graduated from American University with a BA in literature and has lived in Washington D.C., Boston, NYC, and now, an old farmhouse north of the city with her three sons.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Environment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Juvenile * Memoir * Middle Grade * Nature * Politics * Pop Culture * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Young Adult *
141 Parkway Road Suite 10 Bronxville NY 10708 USA
Lizz Nagle
Victress LiteraryDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Lizz Nagle is a literary agent with Victress Literary.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Fantasy * Humor Fiction * Literary * Mystery * Science Fiction * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Juvenile * Memoir * Middle Grade * Mind/Body/Spirit * Narrative *
Biography
Kimiko Nakamura is a literary agent with Dee Mura Literary. Kimiko is a graduate of Skidmore College and Boston University’s Book Publishing Program. She worked within Shambhala Publications and Harvard Common Press before becoming a literary agent. She partners with aspiring and published authors alike, enjoys well-worn library books, and is always up for a game of Scrabble. She loves projects that reimagine what’s possible, characters with something (or nothing) to lose, unique viewpoints, trailblazing heroines, and anything with elements of magical realism.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * General Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit *
P.O. Box 131 Massapequa Park NY 11762 USA
Biography
Michael Nardullo is a literary agent with the Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency. Mike joined LGR as Foreign Rights Director and Agent in December, 2019 and brings nearly two decades of experience from various positions in international book publishing. He began his career in the subsidiary rights department of The Penguin Group, where he was mentored by veteran rights sellers, learned the nuances of foreign deals and contracts and developed relationships with co-agents and book scouts, many of whom he continues to work with today. He left Penguin to manage the foreign rights department at The New Press, and then joined Maria B. Campbell Associates as a Senior Literary Scout, consulting for leading international publishers, and for Netflix. After nine busy years of scouting, Mike returned to rights selling, first at Foundry Literary + Media, where he also took on several clients as a domestic agent, and now at LGR.
Mike works closely with authors and a network of co-agents to develop the best possible foreign rights strategy for each individual book. His relationships with books scouts and international editors go back many years, and he is always excited to meet with new publishers and learn more about the ever-changing international book community.
As a reader and domestic agent, Mike enjoys literary fiction that feels daring and fresh, especially in its use of language, perspective and structure, and nonfiction that teaches us something new about our place in the world, from our relationship to work and technology, to our understanding of our brains and selves. He also likes upmarket science fiction with a philosophical twist and biographies of his musical heroes.
Mike graduated from SUNY Albany with a degree in English/Creative Writing, which turned out to be a useful major after all. He grew up in Sleepy Hollow, NY, the undisputed Halloween capital of the world, and lives in Brooklyn.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Literary * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Psychology * Technology *
307 Seventh Ave. Suite 2407 New York NY 10001 USA
Biography
Melissa Nasson is a literary agent with Rubin Pfeffer Content, LLC. She has spent her life living in and around Boston, attending college at Boston University (Go Terriers!). While studying at Boston University School of Law, she realized that becoming a literary agent would combine her passion for books with her legal background, and she began interning at Zachary Shuster Harmsworth, and later at East-West Literary Agency and Rubin Pfeffer Content. After taking the bar exam in 2012, Melissa worked as a foreign rights intern at Perseus Books Group before starting as contracts director at Beacon Press. Now, she continues her work at Beacon Press while actively building her list as an associate agent at Rubin Pfeffer Content. Melissa loves dogs, craft beer, making pickles, tending to her tiny vegetable garden, and her pet tortoise, Norton.
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 *
648 Hammond Street Boston MA 02467 USA
Liz Nealon
Great Dog LiteraryDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Liz Nealon is a literary agent with and the founder of Great Dog Literary. She represents both adult and children’s books, largely non-fiction.
Previously, Liz was an award-winning executive producer and media industry leader who played an integral role in shaping the indelible youth brands Sesame Street, Kidz Bop, and MTV. She served as Worldwide Creative Director for Sesame Street and traveled the world as SVP of MTV International, launching channels in Europe, Brazil, Japan, and Australia.
Not surprisingly, given her many years working in television and interactive media, Liz is drawn to illustrated books, for both children and adults. Her tastes skew to non-fiction and her instincts are decidedly commercial, so she’s always looking for just the right mix of pop appeal plus intellectual content. She likes nothing more than packaging serious non-fiction in an alternative, surprising frame. Liz is more interested in thought-provoking than provocative, though she’s been known to represent some deeply edgy content.
Across all the media in which she has worked, Liz Nealon has demonstrated a commitment to seeking out and amplifying diverse creative voices, starting with recruiting, mentoring, and supporting a diverse staff, and then empowering that team to source and develop breakthrough content.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Ethnic Fiction * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Picture Book * Religious * Romance * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Environment * Ethnic * Family * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * Inspiration * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Technology * Travel * True Crime *
Edward Necarsulmer
Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary AgencyAAR/AALA MemberQuery method(s): Email * Postal Mail *Biography
Edward Necarsulmer IV is a literary agent with the Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency. He began his career in book publishing as an intern at Random House Books for Young Readers. He went on to assist Marilyn E. Marlow at Curtis Brown Ltd. and then joined McIntosh & Otis, Inc. in 2004 to oversee their children’s literature business. He is known for cultivating strong new voices in teen & middle grade as well as picture books. He represents New York Times Bestselling, Newbery, and Caldecott winning authors, illustrators, and estates. He is keen to continue to team up with authors and artists who wish to look beyond the obvious and strive for the exceptional.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Business * General Nonfiction * Humor * Money/Finance * Science *
27 West 20th Street Suite 1107 New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Muriel Nellis is a literary agent with Literary and Creative Artists. She founded Literary and Creative Artists in 1981. The agency is now one of the largest, most active literary agencies in the Washington area. They have solid business relationships with all the major trade houses and their imprints, and currently represent over eighty writers. Their client list ranges from first-time authors to best-selling nonfiction and award-winning literary fiction writers.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * General Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Narrative * Philosophy * Politics * Psychology * Religion * Science *
3543 Albemarle Street, NW Washington DC 20008 USA
Biography
Kristin Nelson is a literary agent with and the founder of the Nelson Literary Agency (2002). She says: “My goal as an agent is simple: I want every client of mine to make a living solely from writing and 90% of my authors do without help from any other source of income. I established Nelson Literary Agency, LLC, in 2002 and over the last decade+ of my career, I’ve represented over forty New York Times bestselling titles and many USA Today bestsellers. Although I’m a very nice Midwesterner, I’ve heard through the grapevine that editors call me “a hard-working bulldog agent that will fight for you.” What a compliment!
When not busy selling books, I’m quite sporty. I attempt to play tennis and golf. I also love playing Bridge (where I’m the youngest person in the club). On weekends my husband Brian and I can be found in the mountains hiking with our 14-year old rat terrier, Chutney.
My client list is eclectic as I’m looking for a good story well told. How you tell that story doesn’t need to fit in a neat little category. For specifics, check out the books I represent and the Submission Guidelines page.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Fantasy * Historical * Literary * Magical Realism * Mainstream * Science Fiction * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
1732 Wazee St. Suite 207 Denver CO 80202 USA
Biography
Patricia Nelson is a literary agent with the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. Patricia Nelson joined Marsal Lyon Literary Agency in 2014. She represents adult, young adult, and middle grade fiction, and is actively building her list.
In general, Patricia looks for stories that hook her with a unique plot, fantastic writing and complex characters that jump off the page. On the children’s side, Patricia is open to a wide range of genres of YA and MG, with particular interest in contemporary/realistic, magical realism, mystery, science fiction and fantasy. On the adult side, she is seeking women’s fiction both upmarket and commercial, historical fiction set in the 20th century, and compelling plot-driven literary fiction. She’s also looking for sexy, smart adult contemporary and historical single title romance. She is interested in seeing diverse stories and characters, including LGBTQ, in all genres that she represents.
Patricia’s clients include RITA Award-winning and USA Today bestselling romance author Sarina Bowen (Rookie Move, Berkley/Penguin); women’s fiction authors Loretta Nyhan (Digging In, Lake Union Publishing) and Susan Bishop Crispell (Dreaming in Chocolate, St. Martin’s Press); young adult novelists Axie Oh (Rebel Seoul, Tu Books) and Mary McCoy (Camp So-and-So, Lerner/Carolrhoda Lab); and middle grade novelists Kristi Wientge (Karma Khullar’s Mustache, Simon and Schuster Children’s), Hayley Chewins (The Turnaway Girls, forthcoming from Candlewick), Margaret Dilloway (Summer of a Thousand Pies, forthcoming from Balzer+Bray/HarperCollins), and Sandy Stark-McGinnis (Extraordinary Birds, forthcoming from Bloomsbury Children’s), among others.
Patricia is a member of SCBWI and RWA. She received her bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary in 2008, and also holds a master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in Gender Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. Before joining the world of publishing, she spent four years as a university-level instructor of literature and writing.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Romance * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
PMB 121 665 San Rodolfo Dr. 124 Solana Beach CA 92075 USA
Biography
Lynn Nesbit is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She grew up in Dundee, Illinois and graduated from Northwestern University with a B.A. in Speech. She attended the Sorbonne and the Radcliffe Publishing Procedures Course. In the fall of 1960, she joined the Sterling Lord Agency, and in 1965 moved to create and run for twenty-three years the literary department for what later became International Creative Management. In January 1989, she formed a partnership with Morton Janklow—Janklow & Nesbit Associates.
Ms. Nesbit has served on the Board of Trustees of Partisan Review, the New York Institute for Humanities and the Literature Council for the National Endowment for the Arts. She is currently on the Board of the National Book Foundation.
In 1991, she was a recipient of the Matrix Award, presented by New York Women in Communications, Inc. She received the Alumnae Award of 1994 from the Alumnae Board of Northwestern University. She is a member of the Century Association and the Council on Foreign Relations.
Lynn Nesbit represents both fiction and nonfiction writers.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Mystery * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Music * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Science * Spirituality *
285 Madison Avenue 21st Floor New York NY 10017 USA
Biography
Kirsten Neuhaus is a literary agent with Ultra Literary. Kirsten believes that books provide an incredibly powerful method to deliver important messages to readers around the world. Those messages can and do change not just the conversations we have with each other, but also with ourselves. Her list of clients includes entrepreneurs, personalities, influencers and thought leaders across a wide range of industries. Her hands on, thoughtful approach to representation begins with helping her authors develop the right book concept to best highlight their stories and goals, in addition to connecting with and enhancing their existing platforms. Once she’s procured the best possible deal and publisher for her clients, she remains a steady presence by their side, ensuring each step of the process is handled as seamlessly and carefully as possible. This approach helps her clients have successful books the first time around, and on subsequent books as well.
She represents bestselling authors such as Shark Tank star and founder of FUBU Daymond John, venture capitalist and author of the cult classic Pitch Anything, Oren Klaff, host of American Ninja Warrior Akbar Gbajabiamila, celebrity chef and frequent guest on GMA and The Today Show, Ryan Scott, as well as internet phenom and picture book author Parker Curry amongst many others. Upcoming projects include memoirs by founder and original CEO of Bonobos, Andy Dunn, designer of the iconic Boy Meets Girl fashion brand, Stacy Igel, star of Southern Charm and founder and CMO of Sewing Down South Craig Conover, as well as a revolutionary new guide for parents, by Meenal Lele, founder & CEO of Lil Mixins, a food allergy prevention solution that is the #1 pediatrician recommended. She’s always looking for books that accomplish three important things, the right concept/story, the right author, and the right time.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * General Fiction *
NONFICTION: Beauty/Fashion/Style * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Diet/Nutrition * General Nonfiction * Juvenile * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Women’s Issues *
New York NY USA
Karen Neumair
Credo Communications, Inc.DO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Karen Neumair is a literary agent with Credo Communications, Inc. Credo COO Karen Neumair feels she’s reached a rewarding end of a journey when she can celebrate a noteworthy milestone with the dozens of authors she works with.
She says: “The most powerful moment for me is holding an author’s book in my hands for the first time,” says Karen. “All the work we’ve done to put together this beautiful product makes the time and effort worth it.”
As a Credo agent, Karen makes it her mission to match authors with the right publisher. She accomplishes this all-important task by assisting authors with their book proposals and connecting them with potential publishers.
“Most authors don’t know the more than 200 editors who are on my list, and that number is frequently growing,” says Karen. “We have a lot of connections.”
Karen became connected with the world of Christian publishing shortly before she graduated from Cornerstone University and Kuyper College, where she distinguished her academic career by graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Theology and a Bachelor of Arts in English.
Karen initially had an eye on a career in education and was set to begin her final semester of student teaching when she sensed God had other plans for her life’s direction. Her English professor and mentor asked if she had ever considered a career in editing and publishing. It was the Aha! moment Karen had been waiting for. Her professor soon introduced her to Credo founder and president Tim Beals. After initially serving as an intern, Karen joined the company in 2009 as a literary agent and was promoted to Senior Literary Agent four years later.
Most of the time, Karen works alongside authors writing for a 20- to 30-something reading audience pertaining to spiritual growth, as well as topics geared toward women. After becoming the Chief Operating Officer in 2018, her responsibilities expanded to also include agency innovation, staff development, strategic author acquisitions, and oversight of publisher relations.
“It’s so empowering to my authors and to me to get our passion out there and to share it with other believers,” says Karen.
Originally from the Chicago area, Karen now lives in Grand Rapids with her husband and their four children. Even though she spends her work-week poring over book proposals and manuscripts, Karen’s idea of a refreshing time alone is to grab a good book and read it fireside at her local public library.
Despite her academic and career accomplishments, Karen’s highest priority is to be known as a woman who walks with God.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Christian Fiction *
NONFICTION: Christian * Inspiration * Religion * Spirituality * Women’s Issues * 20- and 30-Somethings *
Biography
Rachel Neumann is a literary agent with Idea Architects. She specializes in creating books that you pick up before knowing why you picked them up and don’t put down until they’re done. For the past 15 years, she has worked in book publishing in New York and California with an emphasis on developing culture-shifting narrative nonfiction. As Publisher and Editorial Director of Parallax Press, Rachel transformed a small nonprofit into a multimillion-dollar trade publisher. She used her gift for finding books that make spiritual concepts useful to daily life to create Thich Nhat Hanh’s best-selling 8-book Mindfulness Essentials series. As the Associate Publisher and Editorial Director of Shambhala Publications, Rachel focused on developing diverse and underrepresented authors in wellness, psychology, health, politics, and creative living. She has co-created two successful children’s imprints and has worked with publishers large and small on expanding and diversifying their audiences. Rachel has been the personal editor and collaborator for internationally-revered teachers Thich Nhat Hanh, Pema Chodron, as well as dozens of other best-selling authors. She is the author of four books. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Nation, and other national and international publications. Rachel is based in the Bay Area and speaks and teaches regularly around the country. She’s happiest in the ocean, in the middle of a good book, or upside down. Not all at once.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Ethnic Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book *
NONFICTION: Beauty/Fashion/Style * Biography * Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Inspiration * Juvenile * Law * Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Travel *
Biography
Alan Nevins is a literary agent with Renaissance Literary & Talent. He started his book career working for the famed super agent Irving “Swifty” Lazar. In 1993, Nevins founded Renaissance Literary & Talent with two Hollywood based literary agents and the agency thrived.
In 1995, Renaissance acquired the Irving Paul Lazar Agency and its extensive backlist after a year of negotiations, beating several eager bidders, including one of the majors. This acquisition, and that of the previously acquired H.N. Swanson Agency, gave the infant Renaissance the enviable legacy of two of Hollywood’s most colorful literary agents and solidified its place as a powerhouse boutique literary firm supplying material to the New York publishers as well as the film/television community.
After Renaissance completed a three year stint associated with Michael Ovitz’s Artists Management Group, Renaissance was quietly placed in the background and Nevins cut a deal with music and film management company, The Firm, to create a literary division that would come with longstanding and impressive relationships in Hollywood, London and New York.
After six years with The Firm, Nevins departed in late 2008 and re-established Renaissance Literary & Talent.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Sports * True Crime *
PO Box 17379 Beverly Hills CA 90209 USA
Biography
Esther Newberg is a literary agent with CAA/ICM, a talent agency in New York. Newberg is the senior vice president at International Creative Management. She has represented authors such as Carl Hiaasen (Skinny Dip) and Patricia Cornwell (Trace), Thomas Friedman, Michael Beschloss and Caroline Kennedy. The New York Post called her “one of the most powerful agents in the literary world.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Autobiography * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Music * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Reference * Religion * Spirituality * Sports *
65 East 55th Street 14th Floor New York NY 10022 USA
Biography
Dana Newman is a literary with and the founder of Dana Newman Literary. The agency was founded in 2010. Prior to becoming a literary agent, she worked for 14 years as General Counsel for Moviola and its affiliates, Paskal Lighting and Magnasync Corporation. With years of experience working in the entertainment and communications technology industries during the digital revolution in film editing and audio recording, Dana is excited about the changes happening in publishing and enthusiastically embraces new technologies and ideas about how books will be created, distributed and experienced.
Dana combines her professional insight, educational background (B.A. in Comparative Literature from U.C. Berkeley, J.D. from University of San Francisco), and a lifelong love of reading to to her role as a literary agent. She regularly attends writers’ conferences and speaks frequently on legal issues for authors (including publishing contracts, collaboration agreements, and copyright). Dana Newman Literary works with Judy Klein of Kleinworks Agency on handling clients’ foreign rights sales. She works as a co-agent with Phyllis Parsons of The Parsons Company, Inc. in connection with speakers and film/TV rights.
In addition to her work as a literary agent, Dana is also Of Counsel at Raines Feldman LLP, where she focuses on business and legal advising, negotiating and drafting contracts, intellectual property (copyrights and trademarks), licensing and literary law. Her specialty is helping creative entrepreneurs and authors achieve their goals, and she’s represented a wide variety of clients in entertainment, media and business. She wrote “Copyright Grants: as Powerful as Kryptonite?” published in the Los Angeles Daily Journal, and co-authored the chapter on Technology and Intellectual Property Rights in the book Emerging Companies Guide: A Resource for Professionals and Entrepreneurs, Second Edition (American Bar Association 2011).
Dana is a member of the Association of Authors’ Representatives and the California State Bar.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Literary * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Computers * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Family * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Practical * Psychology * Reference * Self-Help/Personal Development * Science * Sports * Technology * Travel * Upmarket * Women’s Issues *
1800 Avenue of the Stars 12th Floor Los Angeles CA 90067 USA
Biography
Kiana Nguyen is a literary agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency. Kiana Nguyen joined Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2016, where she assisted several agents, and is now building her own client list. She is seeking YA fiction across genres, particularly those with POC and queer voices. She is also interested in Adult romance and thrillers.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Family Saga * Fantasy * Horror * Magical Realism * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
1000 Dean Street Suite 252 Brooklyn NY 11238 USA
Mariah Nichols
D4EO Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Mariah Nichols is a literary agent with the D4EO Literary Agency. She has a great passion for storytelling and for the publishing industry. With a BS degree in Business she wanted to apply her degree towards the world of books.
After interning at Howland Literary her senior year, she soon transitioned to the role as a reader and in-house editor for the D4EO Literary Agency, working with Bob Diforio in all aspects of the business, with the intention of being named a D4EO literary agent.
She enjoys working with new authors, offering editorial suggestions and copy editing of their manuscripts, helping to ensure that the work submitted to publishers is the best it can be. She is actively seeking compelling stories and growing her client list.
Mariah is interested in adult and young adult fiction with genres including thriller, upmarket, romance/rom-com, horror, family drama, science fiction/paranormal, and women’s fiction. She is also wanting to represent nonfiction in categories such as cookbooks, memoirs, self-help, lifestyle, and how-to. Stories that showcase diversity and highlight mental health or special needs is something that she would especially like to see.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Commercial * Contemporary * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Humor Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Art * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Design * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * How-To * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Music * Pop Culture * Self-Help/Personal Development * Women’s Issues *
Erin Niumata
Folio Literary ManagementDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Erin Niumata is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. Erin Niumata has been in publishing for almost three decades. She started as an editorial assistant at Simon and Schuster in the Touchstone/Fireside division for several years; then moved over to Harper Collins as an editor, and then she went to Avalon Books as the Editorial Director. Erin has edited many authors including Leon Uris, Stuart Woods, Erica Jong, Brenda Maddox, Lawrence Otis Graham, Joan Rivers, and more. She has represented NY Times Bestselling cowboy romance writer Carolyn Brown, pet expert Sandy Robins, Discovery Channel’s Fast N Loud, North America and Cash Cab; TLC’s – The Cake Boss, Diesel Brothers, and Extreme Couponing; Animal Planet’s Too Cute, Finding Big Foot, River Monsters and Puppy Bowl; NASA’s Above and Beyond, inspirational speaker Josh Shipp, graffiti artist/speed-painter/inspiration speaker Erik Wahl, former gangster turned dog groomer James Guiliani, Skin care expert and co-founder of SoKo Glam Charlotte Cho, Hello Fears internet sensation Michelle Poler, Forever Twenty Something founder Sam Matt, chef/baker Grant Melton, humorist Jen Lancaster, humorist Jennifer Mann, Project Healthy Body founder Jennifer Joffe, Teenage Inspirational speaker Abby Jones, Fitness expert Ellington Darden, and many more. She’s worked on multiple NY Times Bestsellers.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Historical * Humor Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Cooking/Cookbook * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Practical * Prescriptive * Religion * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Women’s Issues *
Biography
Betsy Nolan is the president of The Betsy Nolan Literary Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Design * Gardening * How-To * Lifestyle * Parenting/Child Guidance * Psychology * Self-Help/Personal Development *
1310 Fillmore Street #310 San Francisco CA 94115 USA
Laura Nolan
Aevitas Creative ManagementDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Laura Nolan is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. She represents New York Times bestselling authors, chefs, musicians, and celebrities including Neil Patrick Harris; actor and math advocate, Danica McKellar; actor Christine Lahti; musicians Sara Bareilles, John Fogerty, Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, and Martha Wainwright; Master Chef Anita Lo; and bestselling investigative journalist Scott Carney among others.
Nolan has worked for over twenty-five years in the publishing industry, both as a literary agent and as a digital pioneer, having helped launch Barnes & Noble’s e-book publishing program in 2001. Before joining Aevitas, Nolan was the head of book publishing division for Paradigm Talent Agency.
Based in New York, Nolan represents platform-driven narrative nonfiction in the areas of celebrity, music, investigative journalism, women’s issues, alternative health, and lifestyle. She is passionate about cookbooks and food narrative informed by politics or science. She is seeking challenging ideas, incisive writing that asks “big” questions, and artists who are successful in one medium but whose talents and passion translate into narrative.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Celebrity * Food/Drinks * Memoir * Music * Narrative * Upmarket *
Bryan Norman
Alive Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Bryan Norman is a literary agent with the Alive Literary Agency. As an agent, Bryan aims to serve authors with reckless generosity—to give his time, expertise, passion, and partnership to help make good things happen in people’s lives. He values relationships, strategy, efficiency, and excellence.
Before joining Alive as an agent in 2013, Bryan spent nearly a decade at Thomas Nelson, a top faith-based publishing house. Because of his time there in both editorial and leadership roles, he understands how publishing houses operate.
In 2004, he received his Master’s in English Literature and Language from the University of Colorado–Boulder, graduating with honors.
Bryan takes all that skill and experience and pours it into his authors, partnering with them to shape their careers and achieve their dreams.
He lives just outside of Nashville, Tennessee with his wife, Suzanne, and their two children. He enjoys cooking, the outdoors, and cooking outdoors.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Christian Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Religious *
NONFICTION: Biography * Christian * Dating/Relationship/Sex * General Nonfiction * Juvenile * Memoir * Religion * Spirituality * Young Adult *
Biography
Trodayne Northern is a literary agent with Prentis Literary. Trodayne was an English teacher, freelance writer, and editor before entering the publishing world, interning with The Literary Group. It was not long before he found a more permanent home at Linn Prentis Literary. As if mirroring Campbell’s notions of the monomyth, soon Trodayne was taking part in a true apprenticeship, not unlike something ripped from the very fantasy novels he’d so long loved. While with Linn Prentis Literary, he developed his own client list, working with award winning authors, NYT bestsellers and top editors. He played Luke to Linn’s Yoda, Bilbo to Linn’s Gandalf, staying on with the agency through Linn’s retirement. Then with Linn initially playing an advisory role, he co-founded Prentis Literary alongside Leslie and Terry.
As a youth, Trodayne cooked his pillow nightly in an effort to conceal the 120 watt blade of disobedience that would leak defiantly into the hallway after his parents expressly had ordered him to bed. His passion is good storytelling. While his desire to refine his own storytelling in music, writing and visual media was strong, his thirst to cultivate and nurture others’ talents has always been equally strong. Science Fiction and Fantasy will always be his first love, but his genre interests have always been wide ranging. You would be just as likely to see him on the subway re-reading Native Son as the newest Mass Effect book.
It’s not just the story in each book that fascinates and invigorates but the story of each book as well. It is the process itself that he finds gratifying – the helping to polish a novel, the matchmaking of author to publisher, assuring that each author is happy with the end product, ultimately the very success of the book, all of it, is the book’s story. Playing a role in that story, in how an author is able to tell his or her stories gives him great satisfaction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Horror * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Economics * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Multicultural * Politics * Science *
590 El Paso Rd El Paso AZ 72045 USA
Biography
Lynnette Novak is a literary agent with The Seymour Agency. Prior to joining The Seymour Agency, Lynnette spent seventeen years freelance editing. She worked with new writers, advanced writers, as well as New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors. Lynnette earned a bachelor of education degree from the University of Manitoba, where she specialized in English and French. She excelled in Advanced Creative Writing in university and studied writing for children and teens through the Institute of Children’s Literature. She was a Pitch Wars mentor in 2015 and 2016. Both her mentees acquired an agent.
Although Lynnette was born and raised in Manitoba, Canada, she now lives in Minnesota with her husband, twin girls, and many pets. Her personal interests include reading, writing, exercising at the gym (okay, that’s a love/hate relationship), working on an assortment of crafts, all things having to do with animals (if she could own a farm, zoo, and animal shelter, she would), and enjoying time with family and friends.
In adult fiction, Lynnette is interested in acquiring: thrillers, psychological suspense, fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary romance, romantic comedy, and mysteries (traditional, amateur sleuth, and cozy). In young adult fiction, she is looking for: thrillers, psychological suspense, horror, mysteries, sci-fi, fantasy, historical, and contemporary.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
475 Miner St. Rd Canton NY 13617 USA
Biography
Alexander Novotny is a literary agent with and the co-founder of the Novotny Literary Agency. Alexander Novotny was raised and worked at the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza (Albany) and Market Block Books (Troy) until he decided he decided to go to law school. After passing the NYS Bar he settled in Los Angeles for two years and spent time at a literary agency in Hollywood.
The proximity to the publishers’ reps and the torrent of advance review copies puts the independent bookseller in a unique position to discover the jewels of the trade. Put simply, what if several voracious booksellers read and vetted a manuscript even before it went to the publisher? If your manuscript or proposal holds up to this objective scrutiny then there is a place for you and we are on our way.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Pop Culture *
Novotny Literary Agency, c/o The Book House 1475 Western Avenue Albany NY 12203 USA
.
Submit a Question or Comment
If you have a question or comment, click on the red button below and you’ll be able to post it. You’ll also be able to see answers to the questions I’m asked most.
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.
* * *
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.
* * *
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
* * *
“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)
* * *
“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)
* * *
“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
* * *
“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)
* * *
“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)
* * *
“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
* * *
“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
* * *
“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)
* * *
“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)
* * *
“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)