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7 Insider Secrets to Get a Top Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal
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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): Science Fiction
Jennifer Lyons
Jennifer Lyons Literary AgencyCLOSED to SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Postal MailBiography
Jennifer Lyons is a literary agent with Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency. Jennifer was a senior agent for sixteen years before she decided to open up her own literary agency. She represents numerous award-winning authors. The awards her clients have received include the Nobel Prize, The Pulitzer for both Fiction and Nonfiction, the National Book Award for both Fiction and Nonfiction, PEN Literary Awards, the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, the Coretta Scott King Book Award, the National Jewish Book Award, The Koret Award, The Lambda, and many others. Jennifer has attended the Frankfurt Book Fair sixteen times and has also visited the Jerusalem and London Book Fairs. Jennifer is a contributing editor to the literary journal Fiction and the author of THE BUSINESS OF WRITING (Allworth Press, 2012), and she regularly teaches the business of writing at Sarah Lawrence College.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Religious Fiction, Science Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Computers, Cookbook Cooking, General Nonfiction, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, Lifestyle, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Reference, Religion, Science, Spirituality, Sports, Technology, TravelCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Jonathan Lyons is a literary agent with the Curtis Brown Literary Agency. Jonathan Lyons represents authors writing in a variety of genres, including history, biographies, science, pop culture, sports, adventure, crime, suspense, science fiction, fantasy, and young adult fiction. He is a licensed publishing attorney, a member of The Authors Guild, and an adjunct professor at New York UniversityÕs Master of Science in Publishing Program, where he teaches a course on contract negotiation. Jonathan received his B.A. in history and political science from Washington University in St. Louis and his J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Sports Fiction, Suspense Fiction, ThrillerNONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Economics, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Pop Culture, Science, Sports, True Adventure, True CrimeCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Donald Maass is a literary agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency. Donald founded the Donald Maass Literary Agency in New York in 1980. His agency sells more than 150 novels every year to major publishers in the U.S. and overseas. He is the author of The Career Novelist (1996), Writing the Breakout Novel (2001), Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook (2004), The Fire in Fiction (2009) and The Breakout Novelist (2011). He is a past president of the Association of Authors’ Representatives, Inc.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Multicultural Nonfiction, NonfictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult FictionNONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction, Christian Nonfiction
Biography
Dorian Maffei is a literary agent with Kimberley Cameron & Associates. She began at Kimberley Cameron & Associates as an intern in 2013. From a young age, Dorian Maffei knew she wanted to work in the world of books. Her ambitions led her to get a degree in Creative Writing, and she later became a bookseller and a bookstore events coordinator before finding her way to Kimberley Cameron & Associates. Starting as an intern, she realized there was nothing more special than falling in love with a manuscript from a potential debut author. From there, she became KC&AÕs Office Manager and later was given the opportunity to start signing her own clients as a literary agent. In 2021, she became a member of the Association of American Literary Agents.Dorian is actively building her list in a variety of genres in both YA and adult. While she appreciates most fiction that blends genre lines, she is especially interested in speculative fiction, literary science fiction, upmarket book club fiction, thrillers, reimagined fairy tales, magical realism, unique voices, contemporary novels with a dash of mystery, horror and suspense, and innovative storytelling that sometimes veers on the weird. SheÕs a sucker for anything that can be described as both haunting and beautiful, and would love to find something in these genres that has twists and turns, lyrical writing, and keeps her up past her bedtime.She values work that provokes a deep-rooted connection after the last page and explores the peculiar within the mundane. She is always open to submissions with diverse experiences and characters, and welcomes underrepresented and marginalized voices. She hopes to find work that features these experiences as the norm.Dorian does not take unsolicited submissions in nonfiction, picture books, and middle grade at this time, nor does she represent poetry, self-published or previously published books, or screenplays.Check out her Manuscript Wish List to get a better understanding of the types of books she gravitates toward. To view her recent sales, check out her PublisherÕs Marketplace page.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Caitlin Mahony is a literary agent with WME Books. Caitlin has been at WME since 2016. She represents romance, genre, and commercial fiction. CaitlinÕs clients include bestselling romance authors Chloe Walsh and Ivy Fairbanks, fantasy icon SenLinYu, among others. Caitlin is passionate about working with authors who originate from the indie-publishing world and bringing new opportunities their way.As an agent on the international team, Caitlin works with Rebecca Serle, Lisa Kleypas, Adriana Trigiani, and the estate of Isaac Asimov. Caitlin is looking for books that offer a total escape and full immersion, in either this world or an imagined one. She loves a hard-won, epic love story (historical and contemporary), a transporting fantasy or sci-fi novel that helps parse earthly questions, a delightful beach read, or a pulse-pounding thriller; and is always looking to get swept up in something that you canÕt put down.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Women’s FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Ricia Mainhardt is a literary agent with the Ricia Mainhardt Agency. Ricia has represented authors from her offices in New York for more than twenty years. In addition to her regular clients, she enthusiastically supports talented, unpublished authors. After a long hiatus recovering from a car accident, Ricia is back, looking for the next publishing star and is excited about her work and her writers. Originally from Wisconsin, Ricia has an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and a graduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis in auditory electrophysiology. After spending time in her chosen specialty as well as peddling rags as a sales representative for the clothing industry, Ricia discovered a field that synthesized her love for the written word and for people. A student, fan, and friend of greats in the science fiction field such as Robert Heinlein, Ray Bradbury, and Harlan Ellison, she achieved quick success in that publishing field and opened her agency in 1987. Soon afterwards, she branched out into other areas, most notably romance and new age, and has developed numerous writers in other genres. Ricia jointly edited two anthologies, a collection of superhero stories with John Varley and a tribute book to Robert Bloch with Richard Matheson. Her client list has included Ray Garton (Simon and Schuster, among others) in horror, children’s fiction, and novelizations, Michael A. Stackpole (Bantam, HarperCollins) in science fiction and fantasy, Richard Lee Byers (Minstrel [S&S]) in fantasy, Jim Butcher (Roc) in “gumshoe fantasy,” and Janeen O’Kerry (Dorchester) in historical and time-travel romance.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Erotic Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Satire, Science Fiction, Sports Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Western Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: General Nonfiction, New Age, NonfictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Erin Malone is a literary agent with WME Books. Erin has been a literary agent at WME since 2006. Prior to books she worked in film/TV. She represents fiction as well as narrative (personal and investigative) and platform-driven nonfiction, and occasional lifestyle titlesÑprimarily in the areas of psychology, science, culture, and food. More than any specific genre, sheÕs drawn to good stories and distinct points of view. Among the clients she represents are #1 New York Times bestselling authors, major book club selections, Thurber Prize finalists, Hugo and Edgar Award nominees, Fulbright Scholars, Goodreads Choice Award winners, and combinations thereof. She is looking to work with writers who make us think, as well as those who provide a great escape. She ascribes ardently to Carrie FisherÕs adage that Òif life werenÕt funny it would just be true, and thatÕs unacceptable.Ó Originally from the Midwest, she worked in WMEÕs NYC office before moving to LA, where she lives with her husband, a writer, and their two kids.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Investigative, Journalism, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Psychology, ScienceCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Alyssa Maltese is a literary agent with Root Literary. She says: ÒGetting to be an early champion for authorsÕ work is a huge privilege, and a responsibility for which I am deeply grateful. IÕm excited to find and uplift books that you canÕt put down, books that surprise you, books that make you think, and, above all else, books that help people.Ó
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Animals, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Dating Relationships Sex, Health Wellness, History, Lifestyle, Mind Body Spirit, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, ScienceCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Hannah Mann is a literary agent with Writers House. She says: “IÕve been with the agency since 2013 and am a senior agent representing children’s fiction and nonfiction, from young picture books through middle grade and young adult, and all the hybrids in between–including graphic novels. I love flawed characters, mystery, family dynamics, underdogs, regular dogs, and unexpected settings, but voice (that goes for words OR art) is almost everything.”
Notes
FICTION: Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Biography, Cookbook Cooking, Health Wellness, History, Lifestyle, Military War Nonfiction, Nonfiction, TravelCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Jennifer March Soloway is a literary agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Jennifer joined the Andrea Brown Literary Agency in 2016, after a career in marketing and public relations. Agenting is her dream job. She loves working with writers and illustrators, and nothing gives her greater joy than to help an author elevate their story. She is most drawn to emotionally compelling voices and fresh perspectives underrepresented in literature.Please send Jennifer:Adult literary thrillers and horror (she is a suspense junkie, who loves to be scared). Throw in dash of (bad) romance, and sheÕs hooked!YA novels in any genre (thrillers, gothic, humor), but especially literary stories about ordinary teens, focused on family, relationships, sexuality, mental illness, or recovery.MG novels full of humor and heart, including adventures, mysteries, spooky-but-not-too-scary ghost stories, contemporary, and grounded fantasy.Stories that blurs the lines between the real and the imagined in any category.Picture books with surprise endings that make her laugh.Eye-catching illustration with a distinct style.ThatÕs her wish list, but you might have something she has never considered before, and it might be absolutely perfect for her. Surprise her!
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Graphic Novel, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Satire, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Victoria Marini is a literary agent with High Line Literary Collective. She began her career as a literary assistant at Sterling Lord in 2007 and spent the next sixteen years becoming an agent with Gelfman Schneider, ICM Partners, and the Irene Goodman Agency before co-founding High Line in 2023. Originally from rural Pennsylvania, sheÕs been in New York for over two decades, though sheÕs usually found in the same few-block radius. She has represented numerous award winning and bestselling authors across audiences and is interested in a broad range of sub-genres for both Upmarket & Commercial Adult and Young Adult readers. Her list is made up of everything from Literary page-turners to commercial suspense, supernatural horrors, whimsical speculative romantasy, big world fantasies, adventures, romance, edgy sci-fi, grounded magical fabulism, rom-coms, speculative thrillers, etc. What unites her eclectic list is a sense of unforgettable authentic characters, hooky concepts with strong plotting and an emotional core, and unique voices or visions!She is a sucker for quirk, mystery, small town hysteria, atmosphere, secrets, things that go bump in the night, a bit of charm, a twist of magic, or a dash of humor.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Western Fiction, Women’s FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
PJ Mark is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. He moved to NYC in 1990 and used his student loans to start a literary journal to publish his friends. He began his career as an international book scout in 1993, has worked as a journalist covering the book beat and has been a literary agent since 2002.His fiction interests are eclectic, including short stories and literary novels. His nonfiction interests include journalism, popular culture, memoir/narrative, essays and cultural criticism. He is often drawn to writers, in fiction and nonfiction, who are formally inventive and push boundaries in content, ideas and voice.PJÕs authors regularly receive numerous awards and honors, including, on multiple occasions, the Ò5 Under 35Ó honor by the National Book Award Foundation, the Sue Kaufman Prize for First Fiction by the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Art Seidenbaum Award by the Los Angeles Times, the Rome Prize by the American Academy in Rome, multiple awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, a Ò20 Under 40Ó honor by The New Yorker, The Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Journalism, the Guardian First Book Award, the MacArthur “Genius” Grant, and National Book Award finalist medals.
Notes
FICTION: Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Literary Fiction, Science Fiction, ThrillerNONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, General Nonfiction, History, Journalism, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Science
Biography
Jill Marsal is a literary agent with the Marsal Lyons Literary Agency. Jill is a founding partner of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency and has been in the publishing industry for 20 years. Previously, she worked as a Literary Agent with the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency for eight years and at Dorchester Publications and Tudor Publishing, editing womenÕs fiction and suspense/thrillers. Jill also has a strong legal background and holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School. She practiced as an attorney with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati for five years.On the fiction front, Jill looks for all types of commercial fiction, womenÕs fiction, stories of family, interesting relationships, Southern fiction, or multi-generations, and romance. She also is looking for mysteries, psychological suspense, cozies, and thrillers that keep the pages turning and have an original hook. She welcomes a dramatic storyline and compelling characters in interesting situations or relationships. If you have a novel that has a highly original concept or voice, Jill would love to see it.On the non-fiction side, JillÕs areas of interest include business, current events, health/wellness, self-help, lifestyle, advice/relationships, psychology, parenting, history, science, and narrative non-fiction. She is particularly drawn to projects which will move readers or leave them thinking, which make provocative arguments or share interesting research, or which offer useful, new advice.Jill enjoys working with both new and experienced writers. A few of JillÕs represented books include WITH LOVE FROM THE INSIDE by Angela Pisel (Putnam), THE CHALLENGER SALE by Wall Street Journal bestselling authors Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson (Portfolio), FIELD GUIDE TO HOMICIDES by NYT bestselling author Lynn Cahoon (Kensington), A TASTE OF SUGAR by NYT bestselling author Marina Adair (Grand Central), CROSS HER HEART by Amazon Charts bestselling author Melinda Leigh (Montlake), LIMITLESS MIND by Stanford Professor Jo Boaler (Harper One), MIDDLE SCHOOL MATTERS by Phyllis Fagell (Da Capo), and FEELING AT HOME: THE BRAIN AND WHERE WE LIVE by John S. Allen (Basic).
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Animals, Biography, Business Book, Celebrity, Computers, Cookbook Cooking, Crafts, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Environment, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Food Drink, Gardening, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Sports, Technology, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime, Women’s Issues
Biography
Evan Marshall is president of The Evan Marshall Agency and Indie Rights Agency. He is an award-winning literary agent specializing in fiction. Evan has held senior editorial positions at Houghton Mifflin, Ariel Books, New American Library, Everest House and Dodd, Mead, where he acquired national and international bestsellers. An expert on fiction writing, he has served as a contest judge for Wattpad and is a NaNoWriMo Mighty Catalyst for Literary Righteousness. He authored the classic writing guide The Marshall Plan¨ for Novel Writing in 1998. It is now available as How To Write A Novel-The Marshall¨ Plan Software, co-created with Martha Jewett. The Marshall Plan¨ takes the frustration out of writing and delivers successful results fast. He is a graduate of Boston College. Evan is the author of ten traditionally published mystery novels in the Hidden Manhattan series and Jane Stuart series, called ÒMiss Marple liteÓ by Kirkus Reviews.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Erotic Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Inspirational Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Western Fiction, Women’s FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult FictionNONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction
Biography
Beth Marshea is the owner and Lead Agent at Ladderbird Literary Agency. She has a BA in Literature and a Masters in Business Administration and is always looking for new and exciting ways to bring more diversity into publishing and beyond. Outside of agenting, Beth, teaches writing in her local community with a focus on bringing reluctant writers and readers into the magical world of books. She loves the outdoors and is also a certified lifeguard.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mainstream Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Celebrity, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Film Entertainment, History, How-To, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Spirituality, Technology, Travel, True Adventure, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Allegra Martschenko is a literary agent with the Bookends Literary Agency. Allegra is all about magic, all the time. They have an undergraduate architecture degree from Princeton University and started agenting at Ladderbird Literary Agency in 2022 with a focus on science fiction & fantasy novels, but they’re also the editorial coordinator at Princeton University Press, formerly an editor at the University Press of Colorado, cofounder of Paths in Publishing, an artist, and a writer (under a pen name). Between the many hats they wear, they bring a well-rounded perspective to author-agent relationships and work expertly with various parties across the publishing industry.They love cats, gardening, power tools, and books that love you back: sweeping stories, characters with big hearts, and prose that inspires. They focus on elevating marginalized authors and are always on the hunt for gorgeous prose. In the adult, crossover, and young adult spaces, Allegra is open to speculative fiction in the broadest sense, from science fiction and fantasy to the only lightly fantastical.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Rebecca Matte is a literary agent with the Bradford Literary Agency. She joined Bradford Literary Agency as Contract Manager and agency assistant in 2022 before moving on to take on her own clients. Prior to working at Bradford, she worked as assistant to Executive Agent Laura Rennert at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, where she provided editorial and contract support for a wide array of books across genre and age range. Rebecca began her professional life as an IP and contracts lawyer for several prominent law firms in New York City, and now seeks to use those skills to raise up authors and help them succeed. A writer herself, Rebecca plans to be a highly editorial agent who will work with authors to help them bring their vision to reality on the page.In general, Rebecca absolutely loves adult and YA science fiction/fantasy and queer romance. But no matter the settingÑbe it a far off kingdom beset by magic or around the corner in BrooklynÑRebecca seeks out books that feature diverse, complex characters in deeply rooted relationships, platonic and romantic. A well-crafted romance will make her heart sing, while a beautifully detailed friendship will elevate any book to an instant favorite. She also gravitates towards inherently hopeful stories of self-discovery and reinvention at all ages, particularly those that center questions of gender and sexuality. She tries to bring magic to every moment of life, and loves books that do the same.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Magical Realism, Romance, Science FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Margret McBride is a literary agent with the Margret McBride Literary Agency. She began a career that served her love of books in New York, working at Random House in New York. Her office was next door to the editor of the Doctor Seuss books. As postcards and missives from the author came to the editor, the editor would share them with her. The picture over his desk, the view of La Jolla from Ted GeiselÕs studio was a clue to her future. In 1980, she was living in La Jolla, and opening her literary agency and having fun times with Ted and his wife Audrey. In her ÒNew York YearsÓ in publishing she worked in the marketing departments of Random House and Ballantine Books, and as the Director of Publicity at Warner Books, and Director of Publicity, Promotions and Advertising for Pinnacle Books. Knowing what the media wants and readers love to read set the stage for her immediate success as an agent. In 1981, year later, she sold a small book to William Morrow (Harper Collins) by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson MD, called THE ONE MINUTE MANAGER. Thirty years and millions of copies later, the 30th Anniversary Edition THE NEW ONE MINUTE MANAGER was published. Two other bestselling parables followed years later: Stephen Lundin, Harry Paul and John Christensen (Hachette Books) will next year celebrate their the 20th Anniversary of FISH! A Remarkable Way To Boost Morale and Improve Results. Bob Burg and John Mann have just passed their tenth anniversary with Portfolio, their hugely successful, GO-GIVER A Little Story About A Powerful Business Idea.She is a member of the Association of Authors Representatives (AAR) and the AuthorÕs Guild. She is past-Chair of the Board of Trustees of the board of The La Jolla Playhouse located on the campus of the University of California at San Diego. La Jolla Playhouse is internationally renowned for creating some of the most exciting and adventurous work in American Theater, over 101 world premieres, 52 new works, 37 productions to BroadwayÑamong them JERSEY BOYS, MEMPHIS, THE WHOÕS TOMMY, Billy CrystalÕs 700 SUNDAYS, I AM MY OWN WIFE, and JUNK. Margret previously served on the Library Board of the University of California at San Diego and under her five-year direction, the UCSD Writers Conference attracted a distinguished faculty of publishers, editors and agents, as well as international participants.Margret is interested in a wide range of commercial and literary fiction and nonfiction, historical fiction, medical suspense, legal thrillers, and stories featuring strong female protagonists.Her nonfiction interests include biographies and memoirs, history, psychology, health, self-improvement and business, especially entrepreneurship, management, and finance. She also has had a weakness for perfectly executed, mind-blowing business parables.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Satire, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Western Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Animals, Art, Biography, Business Book, Celebrity, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Environment, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Food Drink, Gardening, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Technology, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Jim McCarthy is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC. Jim interned for Dystel, Goderich & Bourret while studying urban design at New York University. Upon graduating, Jim realized he would much rather continue working with books than make the jump (as he had originally intended) to the field of city planning. Eighteen years later, he remains at DG&B as a VP and agent. As an avid fiction reader, his interests encompass both literary and commercial works in the adult, young adult, and middle grade categories. He is particularly interested in literary fiction, underrepresented voices, fantasy, mysteries, romance, anything unusual or unexpected, and any book that makes him cry or laugh out loud. In addition to fiction he is also interested in narrative nonfiction whether it be memoir, historical, science, pop culture, or just a darn good polemic.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Satire, Science Fiction, Short Story Collection, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Art, Biography, Celebrity, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Film Entertainment, History, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Travel, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Shawna McCarthy is a literary agent with The McCarthy Agency.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Science FictionNONFICTION: Autobiography, Biography, History, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Science, TechnologyCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Cameron McClure is a literary agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency. Cameron McClure joined the Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2004. She represents a small and select group of authors and specializes in fiction. She is especially looking for projects that combine genre style plotting with literary quality writing. SheÕs up for anything speculative, and is interested in seeing science-fiction and fantasy, literary fiction, mystery and suspense, and projects with multi-cultural, international, environmental, and GBLT themes. SheÕs also drawn to projects that explore subcultures or topics that havenÕt quite broken into the mainstream. Some of her clients include Robert McCammon, Robert Jackson Bennett, Amy Alkon, Emily Winslow, Brian Francis Slattery, Molly Tanzer, Randy Henderson, Sarah Pemberton Strong, and Steve Bein.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Erotic Fiction, Espionage Military Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Religious Fiction, Satire, Science Fiction, Short Story Collection, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Western Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Environment, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Food Drink, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Technology, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Taj McCoy is a literary agent at the Laura Dail Literary Agency. She aims to widen the entryway for marginalized authors and to normalize Black joy, fat joy, celebrations of culture, and love without limitations. An author and literary agent, she pulls from her experiences on the author’s side as teachable moments about the ins and outs of navigating the publishing industry for her clients. Taj gravitates toward distinct voices, dynamic settings, and complex characters with intersectional identities that pull at the heartstrings and incite full belly laughs. In nonfiction, she loves to see narratives about lesser-told parts of history and/or culture, of empowerment, with strong takeaways for readers.Before joining LDLA, Taj worked at Rees Literary Agency and assisted at Fuse Literary. She earned her bachelor’s in Business Law from Cal State Northridge and her law degree from Southwestern Law School. Following law school, she worked for 12 years at several law schools, leading admissions and recruitment efforts and career development.
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FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Dating Relationships Sex, Food Drink, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Poetry, Pop Culture, Reference, Self-Help, Sports, TravelCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Caitlin McDonald is a literary agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency. She joined DMLA in 2015, and was previously at Sterling Lord Literistic. She represents adult and young adult speculative fiction, primarily science-fiction, fantasy, horror, and related subgenres, as well as contemporary fiction about geeky characters. She also handles a small amount of nonfiction in geeky areas, with a focus on feminist theory/womenÕs issues and pop culture. Caitlin grew up overseas and has a BA in Creative Writing from Columbia University.
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FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Satire, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Western FictionNONFICTION: Animals, Art, Beauty Fashion Style, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Diet Nutrition, Environment, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Technology, Travel, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
James McGowan is a literary agent with the BookEnds Literary Agency. Over the past decade, James has worked across all departments at BookEndsÐincluding the social media and finance departmentsÐwhich informs his tactical approach to representing clients. He also serves on several committees within the Association of American Literary Agents. As a co-host of the BookEnds YouTube Channel, James educates creators on all stages of publishing to promote accessibility in the industry. James currently lives in Staten Island, where he graduated with a MasterÕs in literature from the College of Staten Island. He is the author of the picture book GOOD NIGHT, OPPY! To learn more about his work, visit the BookEnds website or his website.
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FICTION: Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, ScienceCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book
Biography
Kate McKean is a literary agent with the Howard Morhaim Literary Agency. Kate McKean joined HMLA in 2006. She earned her masterÕs degree in fiction writing at the University of Southern Mississippi and began her publishing career at the University Press of Florida. She is proud to work with New York Times bestselling authors in a wide variety of genres including Daniel Mallory OrtbergÕs TEXTS FROM JANE EYRE, Madeleine RouxÕs YA horror series ASYLUM, and Brittany GibbonsÕ memoir FAT GIRL WALKING. In addition to working with clients, she is an adjunct professor at New York University.
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FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Art, BIPOC Nonfiction, Computers, Crafts, Cultural Social Issues, Design, Food Drink, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Pop Culture, Sports, TechnologyCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Laurie McLean is a literary agent with Fuse Literary. She is a founding partner at Fuse Literary representing New York Times and international bestselling authors, as well as indie published authors who want to also publish traditionally, and debut authors with promise. She spent 20 years as the CEO of a publicity and marketing agency, and 8 years as an agent and senior agent at Larsen Pomada Literary Agents in San Francisco before co-founding Fuse Literary in 2013 with Gordon Warnock.Laurie was well known in the early days of the Apple Macintosh phenomenon as the CEO of the successful Silicon Valley public relations agency bearing her name. After 20 years there, she switched gears to immerse herself in her personal writing. Laurie had been writing professionally since high schoolÐfirst as a journalist, then as a public relations agentÐbut now she could finally spread her wings as a novelist. She penned three manuscripts before deciding that she missed using the shark part of her brain and that the life of a literary agent was her perfect match. Prior to all this, she earned a BachelorÕs Degree in Journalism from the State University of New York and a MasterÕs Degree at Syracuse UniversityÕs prestigious Newhouse School of Journalism.
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FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Western FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Brady McReynolds is a literary agent with the Jabberwocky Literary Agency. He is the C.O.O of the JABberwocky Literary Agency, and works closely with Joshua to manage the day-to-day operations of the business and its employees. He was brought on in 2012 as the Foreign Rights Manager after having worked in the publicity department of PenguinÕs Berkley and NAL imprints. Before then he interned at Algonquin Books in Chapel Hill, NC.Growing up in rural Georgia and North Carolina, he started reading books (especially science-fiction and fantasy) at an early age because there was little else to do. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he double majored in Communication Studies and Sociology, making him the ultimate overseas marketing machine. An avid Tarheel basketball fan, Brady loves only lighter shades of blue and goes into reclusion every March.
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FICTION: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Thriller