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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): Young Adult Fiction *
Biography
Ariana Philips is a literary agent with Jean Naggar Literary Agency. She began at JVNLA as an intern in 2011 and joined the agency full-time in the summer of 2012. She handles audio, permissions, and electronic rights, and assists with the submission of JVNLA’s titles for translation and for film/TV. She is actively building her own client list but continues to work closely with Jennifer Weltz and Alice Tasman on their titles.
Her interests include adult literary and commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, and the latest and greatest in culinary talent! Born and raised in New York City, by a family immersed in the city’s culinary and hospitality scene, she is especially interested in cookbooks, food narratives, and culinary histories from around the world. She loves to find new talent and work with her clients to develop strong proposals. She enjoys being the author’s advocate, often being their first editor, business manager, and trusted confidante. Her personal agenting philosophy is to take on an author for the duration of their career and help guide them through the ever-changing publishing landscape.
Ariana attended Iona College, where she graduated with honors in English and Communications.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Family Saga * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Picture Book * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * History * Humor * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Narrative * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Prescriptive * Romance * Science * Sports * Travel * True Crime * Upmarket * Young Adult *
216 E. 75th St. Suite 1E New York NY 10021 USA
Biography
Alison Picard is a literary agent with the Alison J. Picard Agency. Alison has more than twenty years of experience in the publishing industry.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Erotica * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * General Fiction * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Glitz * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Satire * Sports Fiction * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Autobiography * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Diet/Nutrition * Economics * Education * Environment * Ethnic * Family * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * Government * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Inspiration * Law * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Multicultural * New Age * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
P.O. Box 2000 Cotuit MA 02635 USA
Biography
Leah Pierre is a literary agent with Ladderbird. A Texas native, Leah moved to the east coast to pursue her dream of working in publishing. She recently graduated from Rosemont College with her B.A. in English and History, and she is currently pursuing her MA in Publishing. Leah spends her time enjoying the company of fictional characters more than people. When not in the company of fictional characters, Leah hangs out with friends and family, cooks, and catches up on movies and tv shows she is always behind on.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Fantasy * Horror * Multicultural Fiction * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
P.O. Box 270 Milford CT 06460 USA
Biography
Ramona Pina is a literary agent with the BookEnds Literary Agency. She is a second-generation Jamaican, and third-gen. Cape Verdean, born and raised in Boston. A lover of fall and all things cozy, she is true to her New England roots. She is obsessed with teas, seafood, and Afro- Indo- Caribbean food. Growing up, she was the odd kid who wished she could write like Langston Hughes and read encyclopedias all day. Yes, pre-internets!
Her creative journey has been influenced by Jim Henson productions, Hayao Miyazaki anime, and similar works. She constantly lost and found herself within those stories, identifying with characters who didn’t look like her. This lack of representation led Ramona to explore abroad, and other marginalized cultures. While in Chile and Guatemala, she studied, volunteered, and gained fluency in the Spanish language, applying her cultural anthropology degree to understand the richness of the mythology and folklore of mainstream and indigenous groups.
Being a spoken word poet, Ramona knows that her voice is her strongest weapon and continues to highlight that as a BookEnds literary fellow in her capstone podcast, Hollow Moon. As a literary agent, she wants to champion underrepresented voices in literature to elevate them to an even playing field. When she’s not immersed in fictional worlds, she’s a busy mom of 2 (and one fur baby, Rambo the cat), an avid baker, candle-maker, and DIY enthusiast/“Mona Stewart.” Otherwise, she’s watching movies featuring The Rock or other absurd action films. She’s overjoyed to have found her agenting home at BookEnds with equally compassionate fellow humans and looks forward to midwifing more diverse books into the world.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Contemporary * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Horror * Magical Realism * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Paranormal * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Zoë Plant is a literary agent with The Bent Agency. She says: “I joined the Bent Agency’s London office in 2019 with a globetrotting background – a degree in Russian and Spanish, a year living in Moscow and five years working with publishers all over the world as a literary scout. I now represent authors who have been New York Times and Nielsen BookScan UK bestsellers, won the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards, and been finalists for the American Library Association’s William C. Morris YA Debut Award. Working closely with authors to bring out the best in their books and their careers is my favourite part of being an agent.
I am looking for middle-grade and young adult fiction across all genres, as well as adult science fiction, fantasy, horror and speculative fiction. Across the board, my tastes lean towards commercial, entertaining, accessible books that also have something to say about the world. I am particularly interested in seeing submissions from writers from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.
In middle-grade, my favourite books combine a quirky voice or setting and a sense of fun with a strong emotional core. I’m not afraid of a little darkness, but for this age group I prefer books that have a spark of joy to temper it.
In YA fantasy, I’m on the hunt for books that do something different in a very crowded market; interesting settings, intricate worldbuilding and unusual magic systems are all things that excite me. I am also looking for eye-opening science fiction and speculative fiction for teens, horror, and deviously twisty thrillers.
On the adult side, I am drawn to science fiction and fantasy with strong commercial appeal, and particularly books that break away from the very traditional classics of these genres. I would love to find the next RF Kuang or Becky Chambers. I am not the reader for biblical retellings in a fantasy setting or very literary or experimental fiction. I love horror that has a social conscience – send me terrifying fiction for the Get Out audience. I have a weakness for murder mysteries and would love to find high concept or genre-bending books in that area, as well as general fiction with a speculative or gothic edge.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Horror * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
529 W 42nd St Suite 3P New York NY 10036 USA
Biography
Tanusri Prasanna is a literary agent with DeFiore and Company. Tanusri’s background in human rights law has helped shape her eclectic list, which features compelling new voices in the adult and children’s books spaces. She looks for accessible and wide-reaching, narrative nonfiction set against themes in social justice and representation; memoirs that speak to these issues with authenticity, humor, and heart; and select fiction featuring diverse perspectives, experiences, and even storytelling styles. For YA and middle-grade, Tanusri gravitates towards contemporary coming-of-age stories, and ambitious, world-building fantasies. She’s drawn to charming and relatable romances, well-plotted and voice-driven suspense, and stories set in schools or interesting neighborhoods. In the picture book space, she loves wry humor and twisty endings, as well as meaningful, concept-driven texts. She also represents children’s nonfiction that excites the imagination and curiosity of young readers.
Tanusri was born and raised in India, and has been living in NYC for well over a decade. She is a graduate of the National Law School of India, holds an LLM from Harvard Law School, and a PhD from Oxford University.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * History * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Middle Grade * Mind/Body/Spirit * Reference * Science * Young Adult *
47 E. 19th St. 3rd Floor New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
Linda Pratt is a literary agent with the Wernick & Pratt Agency. Linda received a BBA in finance from the University of Texas in Austin. After briefly exploring a career on a bond trading desk, she began working at Sheldon Fogelman Agency. In working at the agency, Linda finally found “her people” in the world of children’s publishing, and has never looked back. Initially working primarily on the operations side of the business, doing everything from royalty analysis to annual accountings for literary estates, Linda was later promoted to agent. This opportunity allowed her to combine her business acumen with her love of the artistic side of creating books, including working with clients editorially. She works with both authors and illustrators who create work in all genres of children literature, both fiction and nonfiction. Among Linda’s clients are LeUyen Pham, Steve Light, Kathryn Erskine, Richard Peck, Charise Mericle Harper, and Lita Judge. Linda has also enjoyed introducing new talent, and has worked with clients like Aaron Becker, Augusta Scattergood, and Angela Dominguez (as both author & illustrator) since placing their debuts.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
4455 Douglas Avenue Riverdale NY 10471 USA
Biography
Kortney Price is a literary agent with Belcastro Agency. She graduated with a B.A. in English from Greenville University in 2014. Since then she has interned with several prominent literary agencies and worked as an agency assistant and associate at several leading kid lit agencies. She found her home with Belcastro Agency in June of 2022 and is building up her list of wonderfully talented authors. Kortney specializes in books for children from picture books through young adult with an eye for all things dark and spooky to light and fluffy. She also works on titles in the adult romance space. To connect and learn more about Kortney, check out her Twitter, Pinterest, or MSWL page.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Graphic Novel * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction *
Saint Louis MO USA
Biography
Lisa Queen is the founder of Queen Literary Agency. She was the former publishing executive and head of IMG Worldwide’s literary division. The agency represents a wide range of non-fiction and fiction, both literary and commercial including many award-winning, best-selling authors. She is always on the lookout for excellent commercial and literary fiction including historical fiction, mysteries, and thrillers.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Historical * Literary * Mystery * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Money/Finance * Music * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Sports * Technology *
850 Seventh Avenue Suite 704 New York NY 10024 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
Ashley Reisinger is a literary agent with the Triada U.S. Literary Agency. She is interested in a variety of fiction across adult, young adult, and middle grade.
In adult, she is primarily looking for swoony romances, the more chaotic the protagonist, the better (think Boyfriend Material, The Love Hypothesis, You Had Me at Hola, Book Lovers, Weather Girl).
In young adult, she is interested in heartfelt, character-driven stories, particularly romcoms (think To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, What I Like About You). She can also be enticed by the odd horror, thriller, or spec fic (think Wilder Girls, Cemetery Boys, The Darkness Outside Us, The Whispering Dark).
In middle grade, she is looking for a fun, quirky voice that will make her laugh. Primarily, she’s interested in contemporary (think Front Desk, From the Desk of Zoe Washington), and fantasy/contemporary fantasy (think Amari and the Night Brothers, Ghost Squad).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * General Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Romance * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
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
Alyssa Reuben is a literary agent with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment. A fifteen-year veteran of the literary representation business, Alyssa Reuben is an agent in WME’s book publishing division. Over the course of her career, she has built an impressive roster of clients in all genres: adult and children’s fiction, prescriptive and narrative nonfiction, illustrated food/lifestyle, and everything in between.
She is passionate about working with dynamic authors, thought leaders, cultural icons, and unique and independent voices that can change the conversation. Alyssa prides herself on unearthing new and exciting talent and helping her clients realize their potential and execute a vision, even when it’s outside the box.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * How-To * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Pop Culture * Prescriptive *
11 Madison Avenue 18th Floor New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Nicki Richesin is a literary agent with the Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency. She began her agenting career at Wendy Sherman Associates in 2017, after editing nonfiction for fifteen years. She is the editor of four anthologies (The May Queen, Because I Love Her, What I Would Tell Her, and Crush) featuring personal essays by many acclaimed authors. She represents literary and upmarket fiction, and contemporary Young Adult fiction. She also focuses on nonfiction including investigative journalism, pop culture, biography, cooking/food writing, and memoir that makes an impact and becomes part of the larger cultural conversation. She is invested in discovering underrepresented voices. She lives in the San Francisco bay area.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * NoPB * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Autobiography * Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Investigative * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Narrative * Photography * Pop Culture * Travel *
27 West 20th Street Suite 1107 New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Rick Richter is a literary agent and partner with Aevitas Creative Management. He represents or (co-represents) numerous recent New York Times bestselling authors in both the adult and children’s markets, including the estate of Albert Einstein for the #1 bestselling series Max Einstein, Rolling Stone journalist Andy Greene for The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s, Sgt. Travis Mills and Marcus Brotherton for Tough as They Come, Marc and Angel Chernoff for Getting Back to Happy, Grace Byers for I Am Enough, and the estate of Muhammad Ali for Becoming Muhammad Ali.
Richter spent over a decade on Simon & Schuster’s Executive Committee as President, Children’s Book Division and President of Sales and Distribution, and brings a wide range of publishing and media expertise to his role at Aevitas. His areas of interest include self-help, pop culture, memoir, history, thriller, true crime, political and social issues, narrative food writing, and faith. He has deep experience and interest in children’s books, having overseen two of the nation’s top children’s publishers: Simon & Schuster and Candlewick Press.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Film/Entertainment * Gay/Lesbian * History * How-To * Humor * Journalism * Memoir * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Religion * Self-Help/Personal Development * Science * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
545 Boylston Street 11th Floor Boston MA 02116 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
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
Soumeya Roberts is a literary agent with HG Literary. She joined HG Literary, where she is an agent and Vice President of Foreign Rights, in 2017. Prior to representing authors as a literary agent, Soumeya was a book scout at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates and began her career in the editorial department at an independent publishing company in San Francisco. She was agent at Writers House and the Susan Golomb Literary Agency, where she was also Foreign Rights Director, prior to joining HG Literary.
Soumeya represents award-winning and best-selling authors in literary and upmarket fiction, narrative non-fiction, and memoir, including Tara M. Stringfellow, Rosalie Knecht, Debra Jo Immergut, Melissa Coss Aquino, Fernando A. Flores, and Sonora Jha, among others. She also represents select, quality realistic middle-grade and young-adult authors such as Ariel Kusby, Keely Hutton, and Achut Deng, in addition to a curated list across creative fields including design, craft, and lifestyle by makers such as Darryl Cheng, Rachel Corry, Luke Pyenson and Alex Bleeker, and Tuft the World. She seeks observant writing that illuminates dynamic relationships between complex but sympathetic characters, unconventional settings and subcultures, and controlled experiments with form. She is particularly, but not exclusively, interested in work that investigates or reflects on the post-colonial world, marginalized and liminal spaces, and narratives by people of color. In non-fiction, she is primarily looking for idea-driven or voice-forward memoirs, personal essay collections, and narrative non-fiction of all stripes.
She is a member of the Board of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA) and serves on their International Rights Committee and participates in the Literary Agents of Change mentorship program. Originally from the California Bay Area, she is still drawn to the spirit of originality, diversity, and independence of the West Coast. She now lives in Brooklyn with her family.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Family Saga * Graphic Novel * Historical * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * NoPB * Short Story Collection * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Design * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Gardening * Health/Wellness * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Spirituality * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
6 West 18th Street #7R New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Annelise Robey is a literary agent with the Jane Rotrosen Agency. Annelise has been with JRA since 1995. She is proud to represent bestselling authors in women’s fiction, romance, historical fiction, YA, fantasy, mystery, and suspense, and is always looking for exciting new voices in fiction. She works closely with her clients on all aspects of their careers, and finds nothing more gratifying than helping authors achieve their goals and their dreams. After growing up in Hawaii and upstate NY, she moved to NYC with the singular mission of working in book publishing. She got her start at JRA as an assistant and has been doing what she loves ever since.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * Historical * Mystery * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Jane Rotrosen Agency 318 East 51st St New York NY 10022 USA
Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Paul Rodeen is a literary agent with Rodeen Literary Management. Paul discovered his love of writing, editing and publishing at Knox College where he was the fiction editor and a contributor to the award winning college literary journal Catch. Paul was graduated from Knox College with a Creative Writing major in 2001. Later that summer, he attended the Denver Publishing Institute where he was encouraged to move to New York City to officially start his publishing career.
In late 2001, Paul received his first job with the highly respected literary agency Sterling Lord Literistic, Incorporated. He began his career as an assistant to Jody Hotchkiss, a film agent with Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc. at the time. After a few months of reading and evaluating scripts, Paul was informed that a position was available in the children’s book division of Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc. as an assistant to George Nicholson, the legendary children’s book publisher turned literary agent. Paul welcomed the opportunity to work for such a respected figure in the publishing business and he quickly found that he still loved many of the genres he had enjoyed when he was a child and a teenager. During his three years working as an assistant to George Nicholson, Paul Rodeen signed his first client (the writer/illustrator Peter Brown) and he also closed his first book deal FLIGHT OF THE DODO.
In 2004, Paul Rodeen moved back to his home state of Illinois where he opened up a small satellite office in Chicago for Sterling Lord Literistic, Incorporated. Between 2004 and 2008, Paul expanded his list of clients to include over a dozen talented writers and illustrators of picture books, middle grade novels and young adult fiction. This group of talented artists became the backbone of what would become Rodeen Literary Management. In late 2008, with much encouragement from his clients, editors, publishers and other agents, Paul Rodeen established Rodeen Literary Agency an agency devoted to supporting the careers of children’s book writers and illustrators.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
3501 N. Southport #497 Chicago IL 60657 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
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.
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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
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.
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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
Jonathan Rosen is a literary agent with The Seymour Agency. He is the author of several Middle Grade books, and has spent the last few years working as a freelance writer and editor. He goes into agenting with a knowledge of what it’s like to be on the author side of the trenches, to help guide writers along on their path to publication. He has a passion for books and wants to help as many people as possible get published. Being of Jewish-Mexican descent, he will always have an eye out for diverse voices, and in particular ones that reflect his background.
In fiction, he is seeking Young Adult, Mysteries, Thrillers, Historical Fiction, Sports, Romantic Comedy, and anything with humor for that matter.
In Non-Fiction, he is looking for Biographies, Memoirs, Pop Culture, entertainment, Humor, Sports, and Journalism, among many others.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * Historical * Humor Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Sports Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * Humor * Journalism * Memoir * Pop Culture * Sports *
Biography
Noah Grey Rosenzweig is a literary agent with Triangle House. He grew up in New Jersey (home of the best bagels in the country!) before moving to D.C. in 2017 and graduating from Georgetown University. He is currently the editorial fellow for Roxane Gay Books and was previously a literary assistant at Ross Yoon Agency.
Noah is interested in representing both fiction and non-fiction. He is a reader of all fiction but has a particular love for literary, climate, and speculative fiction, as well as the occasional YA novel. He has an eye out for stories that hold up a mirror to our culture in new ways, and he’s especially interested in queer and trans coming-of-age fiction.
They are also looking for narrative non-fiction that chronicles recent history, cultural trends, technology, and social rules that explain why and how we live in our current world. Above all, Noah is looking for work that is subversive—in prose, style, or subject.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Literary * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * Environment * General Nonfiction * History * Narrative * Nature * Technology *
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).
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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.
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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
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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)