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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): Commercial Fiction
Paul S. Levine
Paul S. Levine Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Postal MailBiography
Paul Levine is a literary agent with the Paul S. Levine Literary Agency. Companies: The Law Office of Paul S. Levine (opened 1992) and The Paul S. Levine Literary Agency (opened 1996; expanded 2008)Areas of literary interest:Fiction Ð Adventure, Children/Juvenile/Young Adult, Mainstream, Mysteries, Politics/Law, Romance, Thrillers, WomenÕs Fiction, Comic Books/Graphic NovelsNon-Fiction Ð Business/Commerce, Children/Juvenile/Young Adult, Contemporary/Popular Culture, How-To/ Self-Help, Mind/Body/Spirit, Politics/Law, Relationships, SportsCompany location: Venice CABirthplace: New York CityHometown: MontrealEducation: J.D., University of Southern California; M.B.A., York University, Toronto; B.Commerce (Magna Cum Laude), Concordia University, MontrealPrevious legal experience: Resident Counsel, Hearst Entertainment Productions; Attorney, Business and Legal Affairs, Warner Bros. Television; Associate,Law Office of Stephen F. RohdeDream retirement job: Entertainment law professorPassionate about: Rock and Roll and Folk Music
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Literary Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Sports Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Computers, Cookbook Cooking, Dating Relationships Sex, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Law Legal, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, New Age, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Reference, Science, Self-Help, Sports, Technology, Travel, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Yael Levy is a literary agent with Olswanger Literary LLC. He has years of experience in publishing as an author and developmental editor. Seeking manuscripts that bravely explores the human condition, social structures, the worldÉIconoclasts welcome!
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Art, Beauty Fashion Style, Biography, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Crafts, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Fitness, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, Memoir, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Travel, Women’s Issues
Biography
Bibi Lewis is a literary agent with the Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency. She joined the agency in 2014. She acts as the agencyÕs royalties and office manager and is currently building her list in both ChildrenÕs and Adult. For ChildrenÕs she represents Picture Books through Young Adult, with a particular interest in big hearted Middle Grade, innovative non-fiction and Young Adult Contemporary and Thrillers.On the adult end, Bibi is primarily looking for womenÕs fiction, upmarket commercial and book club fiction and contemporary and historical romance. She enjoys projects with a big hook, complicated and fully realized characters, and sharp, quick paced prose. She is also looking for select mysteries and thrillersÑparticularly domestic suspense and unexpected takes on true crime.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Nonfiction, True CrimeCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Stefanie Lieberman is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She joined JNA as Senior Counsel in 2005 after practicing law at New YorkÕs Guggenheim Museum and boutique entertainment firm Frankfurt Kurnit. She has degrees from Yale and Northwestern University School of Law, as well as an unwieldy and ever-growing collection of books in every category.As an agent, Stefanie focuses primarily on upmarket fiction with commercial appeal. She loves literary thrillers, historical fiction, quick-witted beach and book club reads, and any plot-driven story with a distinctive voice and a smart, high-concept hook. Stefanie also gravitates towards novels with a strong sense of time and place, a unique atmosphere, or gripping, edge-of-the-seat suspense. SheÕs always on the hunt for writers who make her laugh.In addition to upmarket fiction, Stefanie is seeking select young adult fiction and adult non-fiction titles. In the non-fiction space, she is drawn to investigative journalism, true crime, and projects that illuminate womenÕs experiences.Some of StefanieÕs favorite books include: The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin; Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarity; The Trespasser by Tana French; Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman; The Vacationers by Emma Straub; Major PettigrewÕs Last Stand by Helen Simonson; The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton; Rules of Civility by Amor Towles; Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Current Events Affairs, General Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, PoliticsCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Kayla Lightner is a literary agent with Ayesha Pande Literary. Prior to joining Ayesha Pande Literary, Kayla started her career at Liza Dawson Associates. She also managed APLÕs subsidiary rights department for two years before transitioning to full-time agent. Her client list includes multi-award-winning actor, Delroy Lindo; multi-award-winning journalist and food writer, Annabelle Tometich; and Vice, Teen Vogue, and Longreads contributor, Minda Honey. Kayla is an adventurous reader who loves stories (typically adult; though there are a select few middle-grade titles on her list) within upmarket fiction, literary fiction, and nonfiction. SheÕs looking for writers that can masterfully straddle the line between story-telling and teaching readers something new (about themselves, their communities, or the world we live in). You can find her full manuscript wishlist is here. Kayla is a Georgia native and earned her B.A. in English from Vassar College. When KaylaÕs not reading, she can be found writing, reminiscing on her rugby days, and trying to retain her (waning) fluency in French by watching French shows on Netflix.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Satire, Science Fiction, Short Story Collection, Speculative Fiction, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: Art, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Investigative, Journalism, Memoir, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Pop Culture, Psychology, Sports, Technology, True CrimeCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction
Biography
Kim Lindman is a Literary Agent at Stonesong, having joined the agency in 2018. Originally from the West Coast, Kim studied English Literature with a subfocus in Journalism at Seattle Pacific University, where she worked as a copyeditor. After moving to the NYC area, she worked as a researcher for the United Nations, then as a freelance copywriter and editor, in tandem with bartending and food service jobs. This combination of experience, along with her Project Management (NYU) and Publishing (CUNY) Certificates, provides a unique advantage in the culinary and non-fiction spaces. In non-fiction, Kim represents and is actively looking for: platform- or expertise-driven cookbooks, cocktail books, investigative journalism, social justice, social science, pop science, pop culture, self-help and wellness. While she is primarily drawn to books with some level of practical elements and actionable takeaways, she is also looking for narrative non-fiction that adds nuanced perspective to broad topics or that makes niche subjects accessible and engaging for a general audience. Kim is currently closed to fiction queries aside from referrals and conference visits. Her favorite novels toe the line of speculative and literary. A well-plotted element of mystery is a plus.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, Science Fiction, Short Story Collection, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Crafts, Cultural Social Issues, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, Illustrated, Investigative, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Mind Body Spirit, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Travel
Biography
Jen Linnan is a literary agent with Linnan Literary Management. She studied English and chemistry at Williams College, but found herself more passionate about paragraphs than polymers. Before founding Linnan Literary Management in 2012 she worked for five years at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.She is most drawn to projects with incredible world-building (whether it’s Oz, Dublin, or the apartment next door) and characters that nag at her well after office hours. For illustrators, a keen sense of visual storytelling is a must.Jen lives in NYC and is desperately trying to teach her cat that she does not rise with the sun.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Art, Autobiography, Biography, Celebrity, Crafts, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Gift Novelty, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, Memoir, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Pop Culture, ScienceCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Kim Lionetti is a literary agent with BookEnds Literary Agency. As the first literary agent to charm BookEnds into hiring her, Kim has been an integral part of growing the agency, along with her clients’ careers. Using the editorial skills learned during her first eight years in the industry at Berkley Publishing, Kim helps authors shape their works into books their readers will love. With twenty-five years of publishing experience, she’s worked with award winners and bestsellers in a variety of genres.Kim’s journey into publishing began in middle school when she raided her grandmother’s collection of Phyllis Whitney books and transformed into an incurable bibliophile. Her other addictions include honey cinnamon lattes, British period dramas, Ryan Gosling memes, “Schitt’s Creek,” Indian food and Frescaritas.With a client list including women’s fiction, mystery, young adult and romance, Kim enjoys working on a wide range of books. She’s currently eager to grow her list in the areas of women’s fiction and romance. Most especially, as an Autism mom, she is dedicated to representing the stories and voices of individuals with special needs and their families.Originally from Pennsylvania, Kim currently resides in New Jersey with her son (knock-knock jokester extraordinaire), daughter (budding Francophile and resident drama queen), husband (80s aficionado and sports trivia master) and Winston the twenty-pound cat.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Horror, Magical Realism, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Jacqueline Lipton is a literary agent with The Tobias Literary Agency. She joined The Tobias Literary Agency in 2022 after helming her own literary agency, Raven Quill Literary, for a number of years previously. She loves all things books and publishing and has been an avid reader since elementary school. Her tastes were always broad and eclectic. She loved (and still does) everything from a good murder mystery to space opera to contemporary romance and everything in between. She also loves nonfiction projects with a compelling narrative voice.Her background is also eclectic. At university (yes, in Australia and England they call it ÒuniversityÓ), she studied law, psychology, drama, languages, and information technology. She practiced as a banking and finance attorney in Australia, and has worked as a law professor in Australia, the U.K. and the United States where her teaching and writing has focused on laws relating to the publishing industry, digital technology law, copyright, trademark, privacy, and defamation. She is the author of LAW & AUTHORS: A LEGAL HANDBOOK FOR WRITERS (2020, University of California Press) and OUR DATA, OURSELVES: A PERSONAL GUIDE TO DIGITAL PRIVACY (2022, University of California Press).She holds an M.F.A. in Fiction from Vermont College of Fine Arts and regularly teaches classes on writing and on legal aspects of publishing around the country.Jacqui represents authors of fiction and non-fiction from middle grade through to adult, as well as selected projects for younger readers (picture books, chapter books etc.) She is currently focusing on developing her adult fiction and nonfiction lists and particularly enjoys mystery/crime, romance, how-to books, and compelling contemporary novels. She is not currently seeking high fantasy, and considers science-fiction selectively.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Satire, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Animals, Art, Biography, Business Book, Celebrity, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Environment, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Technology, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS 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
Laurie Liss is a literary agent with Sterling Lord Literistic. Executive Vice President and Managing Partner, Laurie has made it a point in her career to nurture young and unpublished authors, as well as self-published and Ôunder-publishedÕ writers. Laurie represents fiction and nonfiction whose perspectives are well developed and unique. Her list represents her broad-based tastes, but generally she looks for books with heart, which will positively impact society. Among her clients are journalists, academics, doctors, lawyers and athletes. Her clients include: Richard Paul Evans; Rachel Maddow; Matt Richtel; Gabor Mate; Hannah Gadsby; Shankar Vedantam; Esau McCaulley; Jessica Valenti; Janet Reitman; Spencer Ackerman; Molly OÕToole; Valter Longo; Jenna Evans Welch; Susanne Pari; Julie K. Brown; Elba Perez; Alia Dastagir; Mackenzi Lee; and Jewelle Gomez.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, RomanceNONFICTION: Business Book, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, General Nonfiction, History, Humor Nonfiction, Memoir, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Science, Self-HelpCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction
Biography
Julia Livshin is a literary agent with the Julia Livshin Literary Agency. Julia Livshin got her start as an intern at The Atlantic, where she later became an editor and worked with writers like John Updike, Joyce Carol Oates, Christopher Buckley, Roxana Robinson, and many others. She has a soft spot for short stories and thinks that discovering a new young writer is one of the greatest thrills. SheÕs worked as a freelance book editor, as well as a copy editor for Random House and Grove Atlantic, and has reviewed fiction for The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post Book World, and other publications. She grew up in Chicago, graduated from Duke University, and received a masters degree is Slavic languages and literature from Harvard University.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary FictionNONFICTION: Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, NonfictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books
Biography
Esty Loveing-Downes is an Agent at Howland Literary. Esty holds a BFA in creative writing from Ringling College of Art + Design and an MFA in fiction from Queens University of Charlotte. Aside from serving as creative writing adjunct faculty at her alma mater, she interned at Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency, Tobias Literary Agency, and ArtHouse Literary Agency before becoming an Associate Literary Agent at ArtHouse in 2023 until that agencyÕs close in 2025, when she joined Howland Literary Agency. Esty is looking for romance in adult, new adult, or YA spaces, upmarket fiction, adult or YA grounded fantasy, and literary fiction. Before working in publishing, Esty worked as a pediatric LPN. At home, she has five children, three dogs, one husband, and a partridge in a pear tree.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, Dating Relationships Sex, Humor Nonfiction, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Nonfiction, ParentingCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Book editor and agent (WGM Atlantic) specialising in women’s commercial fiction, crime and thrillers. My passion is story Ð helping authors make their story the very best it can be.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Thriller, Western Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Health Wellness, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, True Crime, Women’s Issues
Biography
Sandy Lu is a literary agent with and the founder of the Book Wyrm Literary Agency. She founded Book Wyrm Literary Agency after working as a literary agent for more than a decade at other boutique agencies, including Peter Rubie Literary Agency, Anderson Literary Management, and most notably, the L. Perkins Agency. Born and raised in Taiwan, SandyÕs family moved to New York in her teens, so she understands the struggles of immigrants and those who straddle two cultures all too well. Sandy holds BAs in psychology and sociology from Queens College, with minors in music, business, and Japanese. Prior to becoming an agent, she attended the Ph.D. Program in Social and Personality Psychology at the CUNY Graduate Center and worked as a business/operations manager in the theater industry. SandyÕs areas of study and work experience greatly inform her interest in submissions. She is seeking stories that will draw her in with a unique voice, make her miss her bedtime with a thrilling plot, and characters that will stay with her long after she turns the last page. Bonus points if you can make her laugh out loud or unable to hold back tears in public. Sandy especially loves historical fiction and anything dark, twisted, or with a supernatural bent.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Espionage Military Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Environment, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Food Drink, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Reference, Science, Technology, True Adventure, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
George Lucas is a literary agent with InkWell Management. During a transatlantic career spanning more than three decades, George Lucas has variously packed books in the warehouse, marketed travel guides and dictionaries, sold subsidiary rights, and acquired and edited thrillers at Hodder & Stoughton, Ballantine and Pocket Books/Atria. Turning to agenting in 2003, he now represents a wide range of acclaimed international historians, classicists, Arabists, scientists, journalists and suspense writers, as well as the Literary Estate of P G Wodehouse.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Mystery, Suspense Fiction, ThrillerNONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Economics, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Journalism, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Pop Culture, Reference, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Technology, Travel
Biography
Paul Lucas is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. From his first days with books, Paul has loved the feeling of getting lost between the covers. He remembers reading in his closet with a flashlight after bedtime so his parents would think he had gone to sleep. He is actively looking for upmarket commercial fiction, specifically historical, thrillers, science fiction and fantasy. On the literary side, he likes reading narratives about immigration, ostracization, class, family and race. For non-fiction, he is drawn to narratives, learning new things and the occasional humor project.Paul came to Janklow & Nesbit in 2007 as a paralegal in its legal department, following a stint in the corporate division at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. He shifted to representation in 2011 and loves books much more than contracts (though pays attention to both!).
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Economics, Family, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Reference, Science, TechnologyCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction
Biography
Chad Luibl is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. A native of Virginia, Chad received a BA in English at Lynchburg University before moving to Eastern Europe to teach English for several years. While in Krakow, Poland, he got his MA in European Studies at Jagiellonian University, with a focus in Comparative Literature. He went on to get his MFA in Creative Writing at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he was also the coordinator of the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, an intern in the Literature Department at the National Endowment for the Arts, and an editor at Blackbird and Broad Street literary journals.Chad comes from the workshop model of creative writing and has a hands-on editorial approach to agenting. He is interested in narrative nonfiction with a strong emotional pull from journalists and writers who challenge the status quo. For fiction, he is particularly drawn to novels that are more character or plot-driven, thrillers that are as inventive as they are suspenseful, speculative and historical fiction that offer a nuanced perspective on place, and graphic novels that push the boundaries of the genre.Recent and forthcoming sales include Craig & Fred: A Marine, A Stray Dog, and How They Rescued Each Other by Craig Grossi (William & Morrow adult memoir, HarperCollins ChildrenÕs Young ReadersÕ edition); Upgrade Soul by Ezra Claytan Daniels (Lion Forge Comics); BTTM FDRS by Ezra Claytan Daniels and Ben Passmore (Fantagraphics); The Compton Cowboys by Walter Thompson-Hern‡ndez (William Morrow); Push and Pull: A True Story of Football, Murder, and Purpose in an American City by Kent Babb (HarperOne); Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland (Simon & Schuster).
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Espionage Military Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Short Story Collection, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Western FictionNONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Economics, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Sports, Travel, True CrimeCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Kevan Lyon is a literary agent with the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. She is a founding partner of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. With over 25 years in the publishing business, including over 10 years as a literary agent and 17+ years on the wholesale, retail and distribution side of the business, Kevan brings an informed and unique perspective to her work with clients. Her background on the buying and retail side of publishing affords her helpful insight into what types of books will sell and how to market them. Kevan holds an MBA from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA.Kevan handles womenÕs fiction, with an emphasis on commercial womenÕs fiction, young adult fiction and all genres of romance. Kevan works with her authors to help them realize their dreams of being published and to build a long term career as a writer, and strives to partner with her clients on all phases of the publishing path. Authors on KevanÕs list span a broad range of genres in womenÕs fiction including historical fiction, mystery, literary, commercial fiction and all genres of romance. She loves to be swept away by a captivating story and fresh narrative voice.Kevan represents numerous NYT, USA Today and internationally bestselling authors including Jennifer L. Armentrout, Kate Quinn, Jamie McGuire, Laura Kaye, Stephanie Dray, Jennifer Probst, Kristen Proby, Shelley Noble, Laura Griffin, and Jennifer Robson, among others.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s 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
Cecilia Lyra is a literary agent at the P.S. Literary Agency. She represents adult fiction and non-fiction. She is particularly drawn to books centered around power (dynamics, imbalance, rise & fall), identity (perception, exploration, intersectionality), and dysfunction (familial, societal, cultural) told with originality, nuance, and authenticity. As a mixed race Latinx immigrant, Cecilia is passionate about representing under or misrepresented voices and stories that contribute to a larger cultural conversation. She began her publishing career through the Centennial College Book, Magazine and Electronic program and worked at a mid-sized agency before joining the PSLA team. Cecilia is also a recovering lawyer but asks that you do not hold that against her.
Notes
FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Business Book, Current Events Affairs, Economics, Environment, Health Wellness, History, Journalism, Lifestyle, Memoir, Nature, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Spirituality
Biography
Ashlee MacCallum is an Agent at Howland Literary. She joined Howland Literary after interning at Triada US. She holds a bachelorÕs degree in Human Development and Family Studies and a masterÕs in Education.Originally from Glasgow, Scotland, Ashlee is passionate about championing marginalized creators and uplifting historically underrepresented voices. She gravitates toward high-concept, commercial fiction with bold storytelling, standout pacing, and a distinct voice that grabs you from the first page. A devoted kidlit reader, Ashlee has a soft spot for speculative stories, mysteries, and anything delightfully weird. When she begins building her own list, sheÕll be looking for unforgettable picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and young adult fiction.Ashlee lives in Nevada with her husband and two children. By day, sheÕs a high school English teacher who assigns cool books, reads powerful essays, and makes her students dramatically reenact Macbeth. Outside the classroom, Ashlee writes picture books, chapter books, and middle grade novels. She is represented by Amanda Carbonell at Belcastro Agency.When sheÕs not lost in a book or spinning one of her own, Ashlee is probably mapping out her next Disney adventure, binging a true crime podcast, or humming show tunes in the kitchen. SheÕs fueled by caffeine, charmed by ghost stories, and fluent in banned books.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Speculative FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Alexandra Machinist is a partner and literary agent with CAA/ICM. Based in the New York office, she represents writers across a wide array of genres. Her clients are #1 New York Times bestsellers, National Book Award winners, and Pulitzer Prize winners. They include Elizabeth Acevedo, Andrea Bartz, Julia Bartz, Walt Bogdanich, Jack Carr, Jancee Dunn, Lucy Foley, Michael Forsythe, Emilia Hart, Darynda Jones, Martha Hall Kelly, Caroline Kepnes, Kevin Kwan, Linden Lewis, Jessa Maxwell, Julie Menanno, Emma Rosenblum, Marie Rutkoski, Peng Shepherd, Jen Sincero, Sabaa Tahir, and Beatriz Williams. Their work has been adapted into films and television shows, including CRAZY RICH ASIANS, THE TERMINAL LIST, and NIGHTBOOKS. A former lawyer, Machinist is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia School of Law. She is an Ambassador of the American Joint Distribution Committee and a competitive equestrian.Eighteen years into her career, she remains driven by the treasure hunt of finding the next great writer. She is particularly interested in upmarket, page-turning fiction that keeps her up all night reading. She accepts queries by email only. Please include a query letter and the first ten pages of your manuscript in the body of your email. If she is interested in reading further, she will be in touch within six weeks. Due to the volume of queries she receives, she is unfortunately unable to respond to each query letter.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, True Adventure
Biography
Joanna Topor MacKenzie is a literary agent with the Nelson Literary Agency. She says: ÒI owe my love of books to the librarian of my childhood bookmobile, who, after I had worked my way through The Baby-Sitters Club and Sweet Valley High, lifted the velvet rope and let me in to the grown-up section, where I discovered V.C. Andrews. And to my father, who gifted me CatÕs Cradle, Wuthering Heights, and One Hundred Years of Solitude for my 15th birthday. A seasoned publishing professional with nearly twenty years on the agenting side, IÕm driven by the stories my authors tell, both with the novels they write and with the careers they build. I represent New York Times bestsellers, Edgar and Anthony Award nominees, and critically acclaimed storytellers writing in all areas of adult and young adult fiction.
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FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Neeti Madan is a literary agent with Sterling Lord Literistic. Neeti represents a wide range of inspiring authors, among them #1 New York Times best sellers Jenny Lawson and Lisa Lillien, physician Dr. UchŽ Blackstock, biographer Gretchen Holbrook Gerzina, journalist Pamela Newkirk, urban designer Jeff Speck, and artist Rajiv Surendra. Her books run the gamut from the commercial to the cerebral. A true generalist, she is drawn to thoughtful writing on intriguing and important subjects, including memoir, journalism, popular culture, lifestyle, and the occasional novel. Neeti is on the lookout for the types of books she loves as a readerÑwriting that breaks through barriers and elevates underrepresented voices, page-turners that keep her up until 3 AM, and irreverent books that make her laugh.
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FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Satire, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Current Events Affairs, Design, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture
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.
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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.
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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.
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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