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The Directory of Literary Agents
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Literary Agent Directory
Important: Visit each agent’s website (links in their listings below) to see if they’re open to submissions before querying.
- You are searching within category(ies): Commercial *
Biography
Pilar Queen is a literary agent with the United Talent Agency (UTA). She was previously an agent at McCormick Literary and before that, she was an agent foreign rights associate at Inkwell Management. She is a graduate of Northwestern University.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Mainstream * Romance * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Journalism * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Music * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Practical * Reference * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
888 7th Ave 7th Floor New York NY 10106 USA
Biography
Jodi Reamer is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. Jodi says: “I’m an agent and an attorney and have been at Writers House for 25 years. I handle both children’s books, from young -adult to picture books, and adult books. My focus is commercial fiction. I would love to represent a legal thriller.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * General Nonfiction * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
120 Broadway 22nd floor New York NY 10271 USA
Biography
Janet Reid is a literary agent with JetReid Literary. She says: “I am a literary agent in New York City. I keep a blog at JetReidLiterary.blogspot com that answers questions from writers and allows me to rant on things that drive me crazy in publishing and reasons I love my job and the city.
I also run QueryShark.blogspot.com a blog that posts (with permission) and critiques queries and revisions from writers. To submit a query click on the link “how to submit a query to the shark.” It’s all volunteer.
My clients include New York Times bestselling Patrick Lee (The Breach series and RUNNER); Jeff Somers (WE ARE NOT GOOD PEOPLE;) Laird Barron, the multiple-award winning author of most recently THE BEAUTIFUL THING THAT AWAITS US ALL; Dana Haynes; Lee Goodman; Terry Shames; and Phillip DePoy.
You can subscribe to my newsletter about clients here.
My list is largely crime novels and thrillers, and narrative non-fiction in history and biography.
I am a member of AAR; Sisters in Crime; Mystery Writers of America (NYC chapter); International Thriller Writers; the Organization of American Historians; the American Historical Associaton; the Civil War Roundtable of NYC; the Womens’ National Book Association (NYC chapter); Biographers International Organization; and the Authors Guild.
I live in Brooklyn and currently tormenting myself by painting my apartment. Yes, 27 color samples later, it’s almost done.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Literary * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * History * How-To * Juvenile * Memoir * Middle Grade * Narrative * Politics * Reference * Science *
151 1st Ave #257 New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Laura Rennert is a literary agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Laura Rennert has been with the agency since 1998. She specializes in all categories of children’s books, from picture books to YA. She also represents literary-commercial fiction, thrillers, and psychological suspense/horror on the adult side.
Laura gravitates toward books with a masterful voice and an unusual point of view. She’s captivated by conflicted, charismatic characters who invite empathy, whether we like them or not; strong, fresh idiosyncratic voices; and stories that make readers think and feel deeply. She’s category agnostic, but right now she’s particularly seeking middle grade fiction, YA fiction, author-illustrator picture books, and literary-commercial thrillers and psychological suspense/horror in the adult space.
She’d especially love to find a diverse, Own Voices fantasy or thriller that draws on an underrepresented history/culture for its mythology or world-building. She’s drawn to narrative risk-takers, and would like to find a middle grade, YA, or adult novel, or even unconventional narrative nonfiction, that tells an emotionally compelling story in an unexpected way (like Jay Asher’s contemporary YA THIRTEEN REASONS WHY, which reads like a mystery). In thrillers and psychological suspense/horror, she gravitates toward unreliable narrators and morally ambiguous characters. She looks for street cred and authenticity (whether of tradecraft, investigative technique, historical/geographical setting, culture, or psychology). She’s fascinated with hidden worlds and secret knowledge.
Some of the YA books Laura represents include Maggie Stiefvater’s #1 NYT and USA Today bestselling series The Raven Cycle and Printz Honor Finalist THE SCORPIO RACES (both Scholastic); Jay Asher’s #1 NYT and USA Today bestselling THIRTEEN REASONS (Razorbill/PRH) on which the Netflix Thirteen Reasons Why series is based; #1 NYT and USA Today Bestseller Ellen Hopkins’s THE YOU I’VE NEVER KNOWN (Margaret K. McElderry/S&S); and award-winning author Mitali Perkins’s forthcoming YOU BRING THE DISTANT NEAR (FSG/Macmillan). Middle grade titles include Shannon Messenger’s NYT and USA Today bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series (Aladdin/S&S).
Picture books include Lisa Mantchev’s STRICTLY NO ELEPHANTS (Paula Wiseman/S&S), a 2016 NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Honorable Title; Tammi Sauer’s YOUR ALIEN, an NPR Best Book of 2015; and NYT bestselling author Nina Laden’s just released IF I HAD A LITTLE DREAM (Paula Wiseman/S&S) and her Peek-A-Who series (Chronicle).
Some adult titles include NYT bestselling and award-winning author Catherine Ryan Hyde’s forthcoming ALLIE AND BEA (Lake Union/Amazon), #1 NYT bestselling author Lauren Kate’s forthcoming DOVE (Putnam/PRH); Wall Street Journal bestselling author Joe Hart’s forthcoming OBSCURA (Thomas & Mercer/Amazon), and NYT bestselling and award-winning thriller writer Barry Eisler’s LIVIA LONE (Thomas & Mercer/Amazon).
Laura’s work as an agent is enhanced by her familiarity with what it’s like on the author’s side of the table. She’s married to an author; she’s raising a young author; and Laura herself is the author of a picture book, BUYING, TRAINING, AND CARING FOR YOUR DINOSAUR (Knopf/PRH), illustrated by Marc Brown, creator of Arthur; and of an illustrated chapter book, ROYAL PRINCESS ACADEMY: DRAGON DREAMS, illustrated by Melanie Florian (Dial/PRH).
Laura has a Ph.D. in English Literature and was a faculty member in the English departments of the University of Virginia, Osaka University of Foreign Studies, and Santa Clara University. You can find the latest about Laura on Facebook.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative *
2225 E. Bayshore Road Suite 200 Palo Alto CA 94303 USA
Biography
Michelle Richter is a literary agent with Fuse Literary. She is a senior agent at Fuse Literary representing leaders in the crime fiction community, award-winners, and debut authors. She joined the agency after eight years in editorial at St. Martin’s Press, where she worked on fiction and nonfiction with high-profile personalities, New York Times bestsellers, and debuts. She has built her career finding underserved clients with major talent and helping them jump their careers to the next level. She wants to boost underrepresented voices in her favorite genres to break through and create lasting change in both their writing careers and the publishing industry. Her years of experience as an agent, at a Big 5 publisher, and as an educator inform her relationships with her clients and help her guide them through the complex stages of their careers. She is an adjunct lecturer in the Master’s in Publishing program at Pace University, of which she is an alumna. She also frequently attends conferences throughout the United States.
Michelle’s clients have won or been shortlisted for such awards as the Edgar, Mary Higgins Clark, Strand Critics, Anthony, Agatha, Lefty, ITW Thriller, Macavity, Barry, Derringer, Silver Falchion, IPPY, and International Book Award. She is a member of Sisters in Crime.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Humor Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION:
PO Box 258 La Honda CA 94020 USA
Biography
Rachel Ridout is a literary agent with Harvey Klinger. Rachel is a graduate of New York University where she studied English and Creative Writing. She joined the Harvey Klinger Literary Agency in 2009, after a brief stint in the travel guide industry. Rachel is currently building her own list and is interested in adult, young adult, and middle grade fiction. She is a fan of magical realism, contemporary westerns, science fiction and all stories that quicken the pulse and imagination.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Horror * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Science Fiction * Thriller * Western * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Memoir * Narrative * True Crime *
300 W. 55th St. #11V New York NY 10019 USA
Biography
Angela Rinaldi is a literary agent and president of the Angela Rinaldi Literary Agency. She has been a member of the Literature Panel for the California Arts Council, on the board for PEN and is currently on the membership committee for the Association of Author’s Representatives. She established her editorial expertise in New York as Executive Editor at New American Library and Bantam Books, and Senior Editor at Pocket Books (Simon & Schuster) and was Manager of The Los Angeles Times Book Publishing Program for ten years. Her experience as an editor, publishing liaison and industry professional, including the time spent creating books for The Los Angeles Times, developed the strong foundation she built her agency on and has given her the contacts and resources to expertly advise authors about all traditional and state of the art publishing options.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Historical * Literary * Mainstream * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Education * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Journalism * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Psychology * Reference * Travel * Upmarket * Women’s Issues *
P.O. Box 7877 Los Angeles CA 90064 USA
Biography
Judith Riven is a literary agent with and the founder of Judith Riven Literary Agency. She has been an independent literary agent since 1993; before that she held editorial positions at various major New York publishing houses, including Hyperion, Avon, and Dell/Delacorte. We work with our clients throughout the writing and publishing process, beginning with the development of an idea through contract negotiation, and on to marketing, promoting and keeping a book in print long after publication. She has successfully placed projects with all major publishers.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Literary *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Narrative * Nature * Self-Help/Personal Development * Travel *
250 W. 16th Street 4F New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
BJ Robbins is a literary agent with the BJ Robbins Literary Agency. BJ Robbins opened her Los Angeles-based agency in 1992 after a multifaceted career in book publishing in NY. She started in publicity at Simon & Schuster and was later Marketing Director and then Senior Editor at Harcourt. Her agency represents quality fiction, both literary and commercial, and general nonfiction, with a particular interest in memoir, biography, narrative history, pop culture, sports, travel/adventure, medicine and health.
A member of AAR and PEN America, Ms. Robbins has led workshops at UCLA Extension, UC Irvine Extension, the Writer’s Pad, and at the Squaw Valley Community of Writers Fiction Workshop. On behalf of PEN, she has been guest speaker in numerous cities in the West as part of their Writers Toolbox program, including Seattle, Portland, Santa Fe, Dallas, Las Cruces, Flagstaff and Oakland. She was profiled in Writer’s Digest and mediabistro.com.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * Pop Culture * Science * Sports * Travel * True Adventure *
5130 Bellaire Ave. N. Hollywood CA 91607 USA
Biography
Claire Roberts is a literary agent with and the founder of Claire Roberts Global Literary Management LLC. With nearly three decades of experience in publishing, Claire Roberts knows the industry from both the publisher side and the agency side of the business, and has negotiated many major contracts for authors. She has held executive positions at Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and worked most recently at a major literary agency, Trident Media Group. At Trident she was Vice-President and Managing Director of the Foreign Rights department and developed her own client list.
Claire Roberts has handled the international literary careers of many authors, including Marilynne Robinson, Esi Edugyan, Justin Cronin, Michael Ondaatje, Marlon James, Elizabeth George, former Google chairman Eric Schmidt, Ayana Mathis, Jon Krakauer, Paul Harding, and W. Bruce Cameron.
Claire Roberts graduated magna cum laude from Brown University with a major in Comparative Literature, and she holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor). When she’s not reading a manuscript, she enjoys bicycling, cooking and, ever hopeful, growing flowers in her garden.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Historical * Literary * Mystery * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Upmarket *
78 Woodside Road Maplewood NJ 07040 USA
Biography
Will Roberts is a literary agent with The Gernert Company. He also manages foreign rights at The Gernert Company. He joined the team in 2008 after working at Vintage Books, and, before that, at a newspaper in Jackson, WY, covering the courts and police department. A graduate of Middlebury College, he lives in Brooklyn with his wife. He is looking for suspense novels, both literary and commercial, that are original, unpredictable and authentic, drawn from unique backgrounds.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Literary * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * History * Politics *
136 East 57th Street New York NY 10022 USA
Biography
Monica Rodriguez is a literary agent with the Context Literary Agency. Her solution-driven strategies support our clients’ books before and after they’ve hit the shelves. She loves maximizing the career potential for our authors and brainstorming new ways to discover life-long readers.
In addition to her Director of Brand Management role, Monica is also a Junior Agent. She is on a mission to help uplift underrepresented voices in publishing, specifically within the Latinx community.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Paranormal * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Ethnic * Film/Entertainment * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * Humor * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Travel * Women’s Issues *
Biography
Sam Roen is a literary agent with The Plains Agency. Sam’s a writer, an agent, and keeps The Plains apprised of what’s new and interesting in the world of books and entertainment. He’s a smart bugger.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Fantasy * General Fiction * Literary * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Health/Wellness * How-To * Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Pop Culture * Sports *
808 Carmichael Road #142 Hudson WI 54016 USA
Biography
Wendy Goldman Rohm is a literary agent with The Rohm Literary Agency. She’s the head of the agency, a New York Times bestselling author who has taught and lectured for MediaBistro, Yale University, onboard the QEII, and at numerous universities and organizations in the US, Europe and Asia, and has spoken at TEDx. Rohm is in the unusual position of understanding the publishing world from the creative side as well as the business side, having worked in publishing as an author as well as agent and development editor for more than two decades.
In addition to representing our author clients to top publishers, the agency offers ghost-writing services, developmental editing, and collaborative projects between authors and subjects.
Rohm’s publisher clients have included Random House, The New York Times Syndicate International, The Atlantic, Wired magazine, Tina Brown’s Talk magazine, Vogue, Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, Financial Times of London, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Playboy magazine, Conde-Nast, Ziff-Davis, John Wiley & Sons, Jossey-Bass, The Magazine Group, and many others. She has represented innovative new media projects—including book, film and video incarnations—for such global clients as Dove, and European clothing giant C & A. Rohm also been a literary agent and author for Sterling Lord Literistic, New York; The Waxman Agency, NY; and Waterside Productions, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Calif.
Ms. Rohm is adept at promotion and public appearances. She’ personally has been a commentator on numerous national and international television and radio broadcasts, including: Nightline (July 2011), The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, Good Morning America, and dozens of programs on NBC, CNBC, PBS radio and television, CNN, CBS, ABC, and BBC radio and television. Rohm has also been an expert researcher for Townsend & Crew, Skadden Arps, and Conlin Associates, among many others.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Religious * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Computers * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Inspiration * Investigative * Journalism * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Reference * Religion * Science * Technology * Travel * Young Adult *
1732 1st Ave. New York NY 10128 USA
Biography
Annie Romano is a literary agent with Olswanger Literary LLC. She is a children’s writer of picture books, middle grade novels, and adult fiction. Author of two picture books: BEFORE YOU SLEEP: A BEDTIME BOOK OF GRATITUDE (Page Street Kids, 2018) and NIGHT TRAIN: A JOURNEY FROM DUSK TO DAWN (Page Street Kids, 2019). Part-time Bookseller at An Unlikely Story in Plainville, MA. Previously worked as special education team chairperson and speech language pathologist.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Humor Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Satire * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Ethnic * General Nonfiction * History * Multicultural * Narrative * True Crime *
Boston MA USA
Biography
Claire Romine is a literary agent with Trident Media Group. She joined the agency in 2022 as assistant to Dan Strone. Prior to TMG, Claire attended Agnes Scott College and earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Political Science, with a minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. After graduating, she completed the Columbia Publishing Course and worked for the Storyline Group and Platypus Media before coming to TMG.
Claire is open to submissions and excited to continue to work closely with authors. In the fiction space, she is looking for upmarket literary novels, particularly those with an element of suspense and/or romance. She is an excellent advocate for books with commercial appeal that explore the complexities of growing up and growing out, dynamic female relationships, and our ever-evolving political landscape. She adores multi-POV novels in the vein of Lianne Moriarty and Chandler Baker. A native Floridian, Claire is especially drawn to summer reads that feature the ocean as a primary character.
Though Claire is primarily interested in fiction, she’s also open to select nonfiction memoirs or essay collections, either focusing on the personal or pop culture.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Commercial * Literary * Romance * Suspense * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Memoir * Pop Culture *
Biography
Ann Rose is a literary agent with The Tobias Literary Agency. She is a California native who left her heart in San Diego, and now resides in Texas after a stint in Florida. Her degree is in Communication from San Diego State University, and her resume runs the gamut from Lifeguard to Business Systems Analyst, but books have always been her passion. Ann is excited to finally merge her love of literature with her past professional experiences as a literary agent with The Tobias Literary Agency after starting her career with Prospect Agency. She looks forward to helping authors build successful, sustainable careers.
Ann is looking for characters who aren’t afraid to stand up for their convictions and beliefs – whether they fight with their fists or their words. She’s open to all genres of middle grade—and especially love stories that push the MG boundary. By this she means they explore topics that affect middle graders but aren’t always talked about in MG books; like It Happened on Saturday by Sydney Dunlap. Ann also represents all genres in YA. In the adult arena, she adores swoony romances, light sci-fi or fantasy (emphasis on the light side), commercial fiction, and heartwarming – or heart wrenching – contemporaries.
She really enjoys feminist stories that highlight women’s experiences in the world. She is a sucker for a strong female friendship narrative because she truly believes that empowered women, empower women! She’s always looking for unique voices, diverse perspectives, vivid settings, and stories that explore tough topics. Dark and edgy is totally okay too. She is also up for a good revenge plot. Above all Ann is looking for stories with compelling characters that push boundaries and make her laugh and cry, hopefully in the same story!
She is ready to roll up her sleeves and help her authors create the best books possible, from brainstorming at the idea stage all the way through submissions and beyond. Ann loves attending conferences and sharing her knowledge of the publishing industry.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Commercial * Contemporary * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Women’s Issues *
276 5th Avenue New York NY 10001 USA
Biography
Barbara Collins Rosenberg is a literary agent with the Rosenberg Group. She says: “In 1998, after a successful career in the higher education division of Harcourt Brace, I established the Agency with the idea of representing authors of college textbooks and trade nonfiction. A random chat with a professor led me to explore romance and women’s fiction, genres I read but hadn’t considered, and the Agency took on a broader focus. I make frequent editorial trips to New York, attend industry conventions, and enjoy speaking before local, regional, and national writers’ conferences.
Helping writers develop their proposals and manuscripts is the most important part of my job. My goal is to establish long-term relationships with my clients, building and managing careers along the way. I have had the privilege of guiding authors through the journey of publishing multiple titles and revising many textbook editions.
I am well versed in all aspects of publishing – editorial, production, sales, and traditional and digital marketing. When I represent my authors in contract negotiations I fight for them, and strive to ensure that all issues regarding print and digital rights are in their favor. I respect that writing and the craft of revision are creative endeavors, but publishing is a bottom line industry, so I make certain to explain the jargon and the ins and outs of the book business to my authors.
I was born in The Bronx, New York, and reared in Paterson, New Jersey. I lived in Fort Worth, Texas for thirteen years, where both the Agency and my son were birthed. The Agency is now located a little north of Boston.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Commercial * Contemporary * Family Saga * Historical * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Romance * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Education * Environment * Film/Entertainment * History * Journalism * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Nature * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * Sports * Technology * Travel * Women’s Issues *
23 Lincoln Ave. Marblehead MA 01945 USA
Biography
Andy Ross is a literary agent with the Andy Ross Literary Agency. Andy has worked in the book business since 1972, all of this working life. He was owner and general manager of Cody’s Books in Berkeley, California from 1977-2006. Cody’s has been recognized as one of America’s great independent bookstores. Andy is past president of the Northern California Booksellers Association, a board member and officer of the American Booksellers Association and a national spokesperson for issues concerning independent businesses. He has had significant profiles in the Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, Publishers’ Weekly and the San Francisco Chronicle. Andy Ross is a member of the Association of Authors Representatives (AAR).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Current Events/Affairs * History * Journalism * Money/Finance * Narrative * Politics * Reference * Science * Travel * Young Adult *
767 Santa Ray Avenue Oakland CA 94610 USA
Biography
Whitney Ross is a literary agent with the High Line Literary Collective. With over fifteen years of experience in publishing, including almost a decade as an editor at Macmillan, Whitney represents all the genres she loves and reads herself– middle grade, young adult, and adult fiction across all genres, with an emphasis on historical, SF & fantasy, romance, and contemporary fiction. She is also open to non-fiction submissions in the areas of design, cooking, and fashion.
Whitney loves to read novels set in unusual time periods and locations, whether that involves a fantastical element or not. She is rarely able to resist the trickster king motif, and has a weakness for read-between-the-lines subtle romances. And she can’t wait to be surprised by tropes turned upside down, and unusual takes on old favorites. Yet she’s constantly intrigued by books not on her “wish list,” and is always open to stories with compelling characters and emotionally involving plotlines.
Whitney loves partnering with authors in every stage, bringing her editorial experience and genre expertise to support her clients and their publishing journey. In her spare time, she enjoys competitive sports such as cooking and shopping, and tasting wines with her winemaker husband.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Family Saga * Fantasy * Historical * Horror * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * NoPB * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Design * Food/Drinks * Lifestyle *
27 W. 24th St. Suite 804 New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Eliza Rothstein is a literary agent with InkWell Management. A native of St. Louis, Eliza Rothstein began her career in publishing at The Susan Golomb Literary Agency after studying Comparative Literature and Art History at the University of Pennsylvania and attending the Columbia Publishing Course. At InkWell, she represents memoir, literary and commercial fiction, and a wide range of journalists and non-fiction authors who seek to generate deep conversations, inspire social and systemic change, or advance our understanding of our minds and bodies. In addition to finding publishers for their books, she helps writers expand their reach by placing essays and journalism in publications ranging from The New York Times and The Atlantic to National Geographic and Sports Illustrated. She is particularly interested in the intersection of narrative writing with topics of psychology, medicine, science, food, technology, business, humor and pop culture. She is also drawn to literary fiction that explores diverse communities or intergenerational stories, commercial fiction that crosses genre borders, and fiction from Latinx and Spanish-speaking writers.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * General Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Ethnic * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Humor * Journalism * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Multicultural * Narrative * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Technology *
521 Fifth Avenue Suite 2600 New York NY 10175 USA
Biography
John Rudolph is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC. John Rudolph joined DG&B in 2010 after twelve years as an acquiring children’s book editor. He began his career at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers as an Editorial Assistant and then moved to the G. P. Putnam’s Sons imprint of the Penguin Young Readers Group, where he eventually served as Executive Editor on a wide range of young adult, middle-grade, nonfiction, and picture book titles. He graduated from Amherst College with a double major in Classics and Music. While John’s list started out as mostly children’s books, it has evolved to the point where it is now half adult, half children’s authors —and he’s looking to maintain that balance. On the children’s side, John is keenly interested in middle-grade and young adult fiction and would love to find the next great picture book author/illustrator. For adults, he is actively looking for narrative nonfiction, especially in music, sports, history, popular science, “big think”, performing arts, health, business, memoir, military history, and humor. He is also interested in commercial fiction, but is very selective in what he takes on.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Business * Celebrity * Current Events/Affairs * Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Music * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * Sports * Upmarket *
One Union Square West Suite 904 New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
Robin Rue is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. Robin began her career as an editor at Dell, but has since spent more than 30 years as an agent.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Paranormal * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
120 Broadway 22nd floor New York NY 10271 USA
Biography
Tamar Rydzinski is a literary agent with and the owner/founder of the Context Literary Agency. Tamar has always had a strong love for the written word. Her goal for her authors is to reach their audience wherever they are, and she is proud of helping them stay ahead of the curve. Tamar began her career at Sanford Greenburger Associates. She then joined Laura Dail Literary Agency, where she became vice president and director of subrights.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * General Nonfiction * Middle Grade * Narrative * Science * True Crime * Young Adult *
PO Box 461 West Hempstead NY 11552 USA
Biography
Jesseca Salky is a literary agent with Salky Literary Management. She is an agent, founder, and attorney, with almost two decades of experience in the book publishing and adjacent industries. She represents a curated list of distinguished novelists, including Pulitzer Prize-winning and New York Times bestselling novelist Anne Tyler, and works with some of the leading literary agencies and agents in New York as contracts counsel and general business adviser. She has a 360-degree view of the industry as agent and attorney and is on the cutting edge of developments in formats and mediums, often formulating new standards on behalf of writers and agents, as well as the disrupters and visionaries, in the industry.
Salky Literary Management [SLM] opened its doors October 1, 2019. SLM will provide individualized and dedicated representation to a select group of high-quality novelists and narrative non-fiction authors. SLM’s mission is to effectively compete with a marketplace exploding with first-rate content of various mediums by elevating its novelists in their roles as cultural commentators and thought leaders.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Multicultural Fiction * Satire * Science Fiction * Short Story Collection * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * History * Humor * Journalism * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Technology * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
1216 Broadway Suite 414 New York NY 10001 USA
Biography
Victoria Sanders is a literary agent with Victoria Sanders & Associates. She says: “I founded Victoria Sanders & Associates in 1992, following law school graduation, and after working in the legal/contracts department of Simon & Schuster, and at two literary agencies. I represent a multi-cultural roster of internationally bestselling and award-winning authors, I endeavor to seek out and champion new and diverse voices and viewpoints. As a literary agent for these 25 years, I’ve taken great pride in having represented many of my clients for their entire careers. I am honored to work with the extraordinary group of visionary writers and thinkers who grace this agency, the publishing marketplace, and their devoted readers.”
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * History * Juvenile * Multicultural *
440 Buck Road Stone Ridge NY 12484 USA
Biography
Zoe Sandler is a literary agent with Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. Prior to joining SJGA, Zoe spent over 11 years at ICM (now CAA), first as a royalties assistant, then after apprenticing with a literary agent, she began representing her own author clients. She started her career in publishing at an academic press in North Carolina after graduating from McGill University with a joint BA in English Literature and Hispanic Studies.
Zoe represents a mix of adult fiction that could be classified as commercial yet unconventional (she especially loves when a novel takes her by surprise), and narrative nonfiction largely by female journalists who specialize in fields such as science, the environment, medicine, and untold women’s history. Within children’s, Zoe specializes in voice-driven middle grade that leans more literary, and the occasional picture book, especially those that have a strong message.
Born in England, raised in California, Zoe is delighted to call New York home, where she and her family split their time between Upper Manhattan and the Catskills.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Environment * General Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * History * Journalism * Medical/Medicine * Narrative * Science * Women’s Issues *
55 5th Avenue New York NY 10003 USA
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About Mark Malatesta
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company Literary Agent Undercover and The Bestselling Author. Mark’s authors have gotten six-figure book deals, been on the NYT bestseller list, and published with houses such as Random House, Scholastic, and Thomas Nelson. Click here to learn more about Mark Malatesta and click here for Reviews of Mark Malatesta.
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Author Coaching Testimonials
“Mark, finding you has been both a treat and a treasure—I just signed a contract with my new literary agent!
My career has spanned publishing, TV, and feature film. I’ve served as Creative Dir. for the Magazine Group, TIME Inc.; Dir. of Time World News Service, a Founding Dir. of TIME-Life Films; Exec. Prod. for both the CBS and NBC TV Networks; Prod./Dir.: Movies of the Week: CBS Cinema Center Films and Universal MCA.
In today’s publishing marketplace, agents come and go. They also very often seem to just want an easy pathway to make a buck. Many authors are let go by their agents because their last book didn’t do well enough and the agent doesn’t want to devote the time to help the author. That’s not what you’re about Mark. Even established authors need this type of support in today’s marketplace.”
Author of ten fiction and nonfiction books
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“I’m psyched to have this be official. After getting five different offers for representation from top literary agents, I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin!
Getting multiple agents interested in my work was really important to me. I’ve dealt with agents before and gotten screwed on things contractually so I wanted to do it differently this time. I wanted choices.
Having you help me create that, and navigate my options, was really helpful. I heard other authors talk about their great relationships with their agents and it made me want the same thing. Now I have that.”
Author of Woman on Fire
(Penguin Books)
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“After sending out the query Mark revised for me, I had the opportunity to speak with literary agents from top agencies such as Janklow & Nesbit, Trident Media, Anderson Lit, and Folio. I signed with Don Fehr at Trident and, a short time later I had a publishing contract with Berkley Books, which recently published my book in hardcover.
Before that, I sent my query letter out on my own to 30 or 40 agents and got a lot of rejections. I then found Mark online while I was researching agents. I was surprised that he offered so much during his initial consultation—for a very modest amount of money.
I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t worked with Mark. I can’t even imagine that now though, because of the grief and detours I experienced before we worked together. It was a time-consuming pain in the neck. If you want to get the attention of top literary agents and publishers, there is no substitute for working with an insider. You can’t beat experience. And having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable.”
Author of Single Handed
(Berkley Books, a Division of Penguin Random House)
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“AHHH! OMG, it happened! I got three offers of representation for my children’s picture book in the United States, even though I live abroad! When I woke up and found the first offer for representation in my email in box, I wanted to scream. But my family was still asleep so I couldn’t. 🙂
Just 8 minutes after I sent a query letter to one of my favorite agents, she replied and asked to see my manuscript. A short time later we had a lovely conversation. She was interested in representing me and sounded very positive and enthusiastic about my book. Since I also got offers from two other agents, I had to turn two of them down. One of them was upset and it felt like I was breaking her heart, but you just have to do it. I kept reminding myself that this is a good problem to have!”
Author/Illustrator of Lon-Lon’s Big Night
and many other children’s books
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“Mark, after you helped me land a top literary agent, I got publishing offers from THREE well-known publishers: Amacom, Palgrave Macmillan, and McGraw-Hill (they’re publishing my book in hardcover)!
I was at Disneyworld with my family, in the Haunted Mansion, when I got the call. I went outside and listened to the voicemail message from my agent. A huge smile came over my face. It was a fantastic feeling. For a moment I felt like life was perfect and the angels were singing.
You’re filling an important need so I’ll say this to every other author reading this testimonial. Mark showed me that getting a top literary agent is a science. If you’ve written a book, or you’re in the process, you’ve already invested a lot—a lot more than money. Don’t stop yourself from getting out there to fulfill your purpose and dreams. Thank you so, so much, Mark!!!”
Author of Customer Focused Process Innovation (McGraw Hill)
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“I got a book deal! After I started sending out my new query letter I had 6 literary agents request my manuscript in a short amount of time, which is awesome. Then, within 2 weeks of my agent starting to pitch my story to publishers, we had an offer. I signed a book contract yesterday. A little while later my agent told me that a TV co-producer asked for more info about my book.
By the way, the acquiring editor that fell in love with the manuscript jumped in with both feet and we just worked out our timeline for publication. She’s as passionate about getting my book out as I am, and that means everything. She read the manuscript in two days and said she couldn’t put it down. And the book is going to be published as a hardcover!”
Author of A Chick in the Cockpit
(Behler Publications)
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“Thank you Mark! After you helped me get a well-known agent with Hartline Literary Agency (for my previously self-published murder mystery), he got me a deal with an American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) approved publisher. I’m hard-pressed to find anything that I had an expectation for that you didn’t deliver on.
Before I worked with you I sent out queries, but no one ever requested my complete manuscript. Comparing your new version of my query to the one I wrote before, I can see a vast difference.
I’ve been in business for 35 years so I’m not just saying this… what you’re doing is phenomenal. There are other people offering similar services, but the difference is your success. Others might say they do similar things but, if you research them, they don’t have your background or track record.”
Author of The Rector
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“Mark, you’re a miracle worker. Thanks to your help with my book, query letter, and synopsis… I now have a legitimate publisher who described my book as ‘Powerful Magic’ and it’s now available in bookstores and online!
I’m a lifelong academic writer who one day found myself writing inspired short stories that came to me in dreams and I began thinking of them as novels. That’s when I had a momentous conversation, an introductory coaching call with Mark Malatesta, the American creative writing coach, or rather, to be precise, a how-to-sell-yourself-and-your-work adviser. It was the best-spent money of my life apart (possibly) for my wedding ring.”
Author of The Black Inked Pearl
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“Within 4 minutes of sending out my query letter, a top literary called me on the phone (the #1 agent on my wish list). Less than 30 days later I had three major publishers making offers. A few days after that, I signed a deal with Random House. Mark, your query letter did that.
My agent talked about the query letter you helped me create for a long, long time. When he first called me on the phone, he hadn’t seen any of my sample chapters. It was just the query letter that did it. Communicating the right thing is so important. You are a wonderful medium helping authors find their voice and elevate their writing from just a hobby to a real business… a source from which they can both learn and earn.”
Author of Lights Out
(Random House)
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“MARK, MARK, MARK!!!!!!! Holy smokes… I just signed my book deal. First, two well-known literary agents asked to represent me. One of them responded to my query letter in less than 4 minutes!!
Then THREE different publishers wanted my book and started talking about making offers. The publisher I chose is perfect for me because they produce titles for the trade, educational, and scientific markets. And they agreed to publish my book as a hardcover!!!
When I met you, Mark, it was a pivotal time. I was under the belief that I could self-publish my book with a vanity press and then seek a publisher. I didn’t know what a literary agent was, why I needed one, or how to get one. I was wandering in the dark. You guided me in the right direction and gave me a solid plan.”
Author of Intestinal Health
(Rowman & Littlefield)
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“Boom!!! I just signed a contract with Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins for (what I’ve been told by several people) is a very large advance for a first-time author.
Before working with Mark I submitted my book to agents but didn’t get any interest. This time around I got a top NY literary agency (Fine Print Lit). What cloud is higher than 9?
I had several agencies interested before deciding to go with Fine Print. And, to be honest, all of the attention didn’t surprise me. The query letter and proposal that Mark helped me develop were incredible. Agents actually said things to me like: ‘Scott, I read your proposal and I’m just blown away by it!’ Mark is extremely talented at what he does. If you have the opportunity to work with him, take advantage of it.”
Author of The Unbreakable Boy
(Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson)