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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): Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Kat Kerr is a literary agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency. She graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelors in English in 2009. Kat feels strongly about supporting programs like We Need Diverse Books and is passionate about creating space in this industry for those from historically marginalized communities.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Biography | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Food Drink | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Psychology | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Molly Ketcheson is a literary agent with Wolfson Literary Agency. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of St Andrews and an MA in Creative Writing and Publishing from City, University of London. Prior to joining WLA in 2024, Molly held prestigious internships at multiple publishing companies, where she gained a keen understanding of the international publishing landscape and a love for joyful and impactful fiction. She is actively building her list in commercial and upmarket fiction, as well as select literary fiction, fantasy, and YA titles. She is particularly drawn to books with a unique premise, lyrical prose, complex women, and stories that are, ultimately, hopeful. Molly is passionate about the power of fiction, and is excited to work with her clients to bring books that matter into the world.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |BIPOC Nonfiction | LGBTQ Nonfiction |
Biography
Emily S. Keyes is a literary agent with and the founder of Keyes Agency. She has represented many award-winning titles mainly (but not exclusively) in the realm of childrenÕs literature. She loves finding and nurturing new talent, as well as reading and representing projects that will get readers excited to go to the bookstore. Emily is actively searching for all kinds of childrenÕs literature, as well as select adult projects in genre fictionÑso long as itÕs not ÒseriousÓ literature. She is searching for authors and illustrators who will be her coworker for a long career.
Previously she worked at the L. Perkins Agency as a contracts manager and associate agent. Before that, she was a Contracts Administrator at Simon & Schuster for five years. In 2008, she graduated from New York UniversityÕs Center for Publishing. Emily lives in Brooklyn but she can usually be found spending too much time on the internet. For a better idea of who she is and what she represents, follow her on Twitter and Tumblr.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Science Fiction | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Humor Nonfiction | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Lori Kilkelly is a literary agent with the LK Literary Agency. In 2008, after a number of successful years in advertising and sales, Lori aspired to combine her talents in these areas with her personal passion for childrenÕs literature. Ultimately, this led to her decision to pursue a career change, and she attended the post graduate program, ‘The Denver Publishing Institute’ at The University of Denver. Subsequently, she spent nearly a decade at boutique childrenÕs literary agency Rodeen Literary Management, headed by Paul RodeenÑa George Nicholson protŽgŽÑand home to award-winning authors Peter Brown, Victoria Jamieson, Lauren Castillo and Ryan Higgins, among others.
During her tenure at RLM, Lori rose through the ranks, eventually representing her own clients, and assembled a list of talented, best-selling, and award-winning authors and illustrators. Having worked independently for much of her career, she also began to lay the foundation to eventually open her own shop. Then, with the full support of Rodeen Literary, she formally announced LK Literary Agency in the fall of 2018 and was joined by all of her clients in the new endeavor.
Now, with more than 100 books under contract and titles with every major trade publisher, she is dedicated to continue bringing meaningful, funny, informative, and moving children’s and young adult literature to market, created by an incredibly talented group of authors and illustrators.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Authors and Illustrators Only | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Graphic Novel |
Biography
Charles Kim is a literary agent with the Serendipity Literary Agency. He focuses on moving forward the principles of diversity and inclusion, authentic representation, equity, and narrative change in publishing. His client list includes many thought leaders and change makers in the Asian American community, influential Gen Z voices in social media and digital communication, clinicians and therapists working to heal BIPOC and intergenerational traumas, activists bringing about change in cannabis and drug law reform, contemporary art curators and critics, writers of adult fiction and YA/childrenÕs literature, and collectives of Black and Brown creators and speakers.
Previously, Charles served as Associate Publisher at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, where he oversaw the publication of forty titles per year and sat on institution-wide committees including the Editorial Board, Revenue Committee, Digital Strategy Committee, Online Courses Steering Committee, and Budget Working Group. He established a highly successful line of limited editions on artists such as Yoko Ono and Robert Rauschenberg, and a best-selling line of childrenÕs books on iconic artists, such as Henri Matisse, Edgar Degas, and RenŽ Magritte, but also women artists and artists of color, such as Yayoi Kusama, Sonia Delaunay, Shahzia Sikander, and Jacob Lawrence. Before MoMA, he served as Editor in Chief and Director of Publications at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, where he launched the MuseumÕs first publishing imprint. He also served as Senior Agent at the French PublishersÕ Agency, an office of FranceÕs Ministry of Culture representing twenty-five leading French publishers. He earned a BA in French and Asian Studies at Vassar College and an MA in French Literature at New York University and was a Fulbright Scholar in Lyon, France. Charles was born in Seoul, Korea and immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of seven.
Charles is a Gemini and also an identical twin, so please ask him about his four distinct personalities. In addition, heÕs an avid runner, house and techno enthusiast, and K-drama binger.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Multicultural Fiction |General Nonfiction | Art | BIPOC Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Multicultural Nonfiction | Photography | Politics |
Biography
Kirby Kim is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. A native of Los Angeles, California, Kirby attended Harvard-Westlake high school then went to Pomona College where he was a PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) major. He spent the year after graduation teaching English in South Korea and when he returned moved to San Francisco to get his JD at UC Hastings College of the Law.
Kirby moved out to New York in the spring of 2004 and got his first job in publishing working for Charlotte Sheedy Literary, at that time an affiliate of Sterling Lord Literistic. He then moved to Vigliano Associates where he gradually started representing his own projects. In 2008, he joined Endeavor which the following year merged with William Morris. He stayed at WME for five years before joining Janklow & Nesbit.
Kirby represents both literary and commercial authors. When it comes to literary work, heÕs alternatively drawn to rich, sweeping stories that try to encompass a time or a place or tightly written, narratively innovative stories that bridge genres. His commercial interests include thriller, horror, speculative and science fiction, young adult, and middle grade.
He also represents a range of nonfiction working with leaders and journalists in the areas of science, culture and current affairs. HeÕs also known for representing pop culture, in particular music and comedy.
Kirby is currently a board member of the Asian American Writers Workshop. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife and two kids.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Horror | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Economics | Food Drink | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Money Finance | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Reference | Science | Self-Help | Sports | True Crime |
Biography
Natalie Kimber is a literary agent with The Rights Factory. She has worked with The Rights Factory since 2014, and is based in the New York area. She previously worked with the Georgetown University Booklab, and Literary and Creative Artists in Washington, DC. She is an associate editor for Monologging.org, organizer of the NYC Writers Circle, and founder of the Weehawken Writers and Artists Studio. She takes pride in guiding authors through the strategy and practical process of publishing, and yet she acknowledges that a wondrous magic is at work when books come into form.
As an aesthete and theologian at heart, she aspires to a Òpost-mystic modernÓ philosophy, which attempts to reintegrate our mystic roots and intuition with contemporary thought. Nat hails from the WestÑspecifically Colorado and New MexicoÑand cherishes art and books that capture that region. She is an avid cook and gardener, and credits her encyclopedic knowledge of food, wine and spirits to 20+ years of work in the restaurant industry. She canÕt live without chiles, cheese, potatoes, and wine. She discovered a love of classic and pre-code cinema when she joined a film club during the early days of the pandemic. She lives with her partner, two snuggly cats, and a rambunctious bunny in Weehawken, NJ.
In fiction she is looking for: literary, commercial, and upmarket womenÕs and LGBTQ+ fiction, romance, comedies, international or transnational stories, action/adventure, animal stories, modern mythology, nostalgic and historical fiction, and short fiction collections with a strong theme. It is most important that authors understand the WHY of their story and methods of storytelling. Novels and fiction need to have a great hook, while also showcasing craft. Within speculative fiction she likes magical realism, occult, and horror, but is not looking for traditional science fiction or fantasy.
She will consider the following YA categories: realistic/contemporary, rebellious teen fiction, boy books, horror, suspense/thriller, and some nonfiction for teens, especially if the book is related to activism, sustainability, empowerment, creative arts or personal growth. She is not looking for YA sci-fi or fantasy.
For nonfiction she is looking for: humor, memoir, biography, lifestyle, art, health, environment/climate, animal/pets, healing, spiritual/occult, history (especially ancient), peace studies, music, food/cooking/cocktails, pop culture, relationship, regional and international studies, writing craft, essay collections and literary criticism. She requests that authors use appropriate content warnings when querying with sensitive material.
Follow Nat on Twitter @Nat_TRF and Instagram @Zsunita.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Juvenile Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Animals | Art | Biography | Cookbook Cooking | Dating Relationships Sex | Environment | Food Drink | Gardening | Health Wellness | History | Humor Nonfiction | Memoir | Music | Nature | Pop Culture | Science | Spirituality |
Biography
Kim-Mei Kirtland is a literary agent with the Howard Morhaim Literary Agency. She is actively taking on clients who write speculative fiction, literary fiction, and nonfiction. Her primary focus is work for adult and YA audiences, but she is open to select middle grade projects.
In fiction, she is particularly interested in hard science fiction, secondary world fantasy, space opera, magical realism, fabulism, and urban fantasy; in nonfiction, she is primarily open to history, biography, popular science, and food and travel writing with a strong voice.
Books that have resonated with her recently include the Imperial Radch novels by Ann Leckie, PRIVATE CITIZENS by Tony Tulathimutte, HOW TO BE BOTH by Ali Smith, and THE FOUR THOUSAND, THE EIGHT HUNDRED by Greg Egan.
She is not the best audience for work in the thriller or romance genres without speculative elements.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Science Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Food Drink | History | Science | Travel | Upmarket Nonfiction |
Biography
Ian Kleinert is a literary agent with Paradigm Literary and Talent Agency. Kleinert was most recently the CEO and founding partner of Projector Media, which focused on literary management and investor-backed digital platforms for groups like SALT Events, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Propagate Content, and sports legends Joe Namath and Cal Ripken Jr.
Kleinert was also the founder of the full service literary management company Objective Entertainment. During his time there, he represented and packaged book and subsidiary deals for writers and artists like Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegr’a Hudes, Wendy Williams, Margaret Hoover, Kanye West and Donda West, Voletta Wallace and The Estate of The Notorious B.I.G., and many more.
Over his nearly three decades in entertainment, Kleinert has secured publishing deals for more than 300 books, He began his career in 1994 at Fifi Oscard Agency. He later became a lit agent at William Morris Agency, where he represented novelists including ÒGame Of ThronesÓ co-creator D.B. Weiss.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Horror | Science Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Food Drink | Health Wellness | History | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | Lifestyle | Memoir | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics | Pop Culture | Sports | True Crime |
Biography
Peter Knapp is a literary agent and partner with Park & Fine Literary and Media. First joining Park Literary in 2011, Peter Knapp represents authors of middle grade and young adult fiction. His clients include New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors, such as Soman Chainani, Lindsay Cummings, Sara Holland, Will Walton, Emily Bain Murphy, and more. Before joining Park Literary (now PFLM), he was at Floren Shieh Productions, a book-scouting agency working with film clients, and he continues to actively look for cinematic manuscripts with great hooks, as well as literary stories with awards-potential. A graduate of New York University, Pete now lives in Brooklyn with his husband.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |
Sheyla Knigge
High Line Literary Collective/Volume FiveCLOSED to SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Online Form >Biography
Sheyla Knigge is a literary agent with Volume Five and part of the High Line Literary Collective. She is a budding publishing professional who comes to the industry with a lifelong love of reading under her belt. Having worked under Victoria Marini since 2021 she has had the immense pleasure of perusing a variety of books that have gone on to do incredibly well and cannot wait to do the same for her own clients soon. With just over a yearÕs experience sleuthing through slush piles for the next best seller, she is itching to dive into more manuscripts with Highline Literary Collective. When sheÕs not working you can find Sheyla tucked away writing, getting more tattoos, or spending time with her family in the Appalachian Mountains.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Black Literary Agents | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Erotic Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Science Fiction | Thriller |
Biography
Ginger Knowlton is a literary agent with the Curtis Brown Literary Agency. Ginger Knowlton represents a diverse list of authors and illustrators of picture books, middle-grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction. Her client list includes new and emerging writers as well as Newbery Medalists, Newbery and Printz Honor winners, Edgar and Lambda winners, New York Times bestsellers, and a host of other talented clients. Ginger has served on the Board of Directors of both the Association of AuthorsÕ Representatives in NYC and the Friends of the Library in her hometown in Westchester County.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Graphic Novel |
Biography
Stacey Kondla is a literary agent with The Rights Factory. She is a life-long bibliophile, StaceyÕs experience includes working as a Field Representative for Scholastic Book Fairs, managing at Chapters/Indigo stores, freelance editing, and serving on the organizing committee of When Words Collide (A Festival for Readers and Writers). She joined The Rights Factory in 2018 and represents fiction and nonfiction authors across age categories and across genres. Stacey is drawn to strong narrative voices, innovative storytelling, feeling all the feels, laughing all the laughs, and also the dark and the weird.
Not looking for:
Erotica, Self-help, Inspirational, Politics, Trauma Memoirs
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mainstream Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Biography | History | Pop Culture | Science | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Sara Kornienko is a literary agent with the Barbara Bova Literary Agency. She holds a M.A. in English and a B.A. in English with minors in Creative Writing and Journalism from Florida Gulf Coast University. During her MasterÕs program, she was the Co-Editor-in-Chief of Florida Gulf Coast UniversityÕs literary journal, Mangrove Review. Currently, Sara teaches writing courses at her alma mater. As an educator and avid reader, she believes stories have the power to connect us, forge understanding, and foster healing. She is passionate about sharing her love of writing and helping others find their unique voice so they can tell their own stories. In 2023, she joined Barbara Bova Literary Agency, and as a literary agent, she is excited to help authors along their writing journey and champion their amazing books.
Sara was born and raised in Kansas City, but after more than 10 years in Southwest Florida, sheÕs officially a FloridianÑpulling her winter clothes out of the closet any time the temperature hits the 60s. When sheÕs not reading, she can be found at a local coffee shop, walking the beach, or playing tennis with her husband.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Inspirational Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Satire | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Sara Kornienko is a literary agent with the Barbara Bova Literary Agency. She holds a M.A. in English and a B.A. in English with minors in Creative Writing and Journalism from Florida Gulf Coast University. During her Master’s program, she was the Co-Editor-in-Chief of Florida Gulf Coast University’s literary journal, Mangrove Review. Currently, Sara teaches writing courses at her alma mater. As an educator and avid reader, she believes stories have the power to connect us, forge understanding, and foster healing. She is passionate about sharing her love of writing and helping others find their unique voice so they can tell their own stories. In 2023, she joined Barbara Bova Literary Agency, and as a literary agent, she is excited to help authors along their writing journey and champion their amazing books.
Sara was born and raised in Kansas City, but after more than 10 years in Southwest Florida, she’s officially a Floridian—pulling her winter clothes out of the closet any time the temperature hits the 60s. When she’s not reading, she can be found at a local coffee shop, walking the beach, or playing tennis with her husband.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Inspirational Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Satire | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Barbara Kouts is a literary agent with the Barbara Kouts Literary Agency. She was formerly with The Lazear Agency Inc./Talkback, Barbara Markowitz Literary Agency, and Barbara Levy Literary Agency.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction |
Biography
Elizabeth Kracht is a literary agent with Kimberley Cameron & Associates. Elizabethjoined Kimberley Cameron & Associates in the fall of 2010 and is the author of The AuthorÕs Checklist: An AgentÕs Guide to Developing and Editing Your Manuscript. She represents both literary and commercial fiction as well as nonfiction, and brings to the agency experience as a former acquisitions editor, freelance publicist, and writer.
ElizabethÕs career in publishing took root in Puerto Rico where she completed her BA in English and worked as a copyeditor and proofreader for an English-language newspaper. When she returned to the mainland, she found her Òvein of goldÓ in book publishing. She thrives on working closely with authors to build their careers, and is currently in graduate school earning her MFA in creative writing at San Jose State University.
ElizabethÕs eclectic life experience drives her interests. She appreciates writing that has depth, an introspective voice, and is thematically layered. Having lived in cities such as New York, San Francisco, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, she is compelled by multicultural themes and characters and is drawn toward strong settings.
In fiction, she represents literary, commercial, womenÕs, thrillers, mysteries, historical, and crossover YA. In nonfiction, she is interested in high concept, health, science, environment, prescriptive, investigative, true crime, voice- or adventure-driven memoir, sexuality, spirituality, and animal/pet stories.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Animals | Biography | Dating Relationships Sex | Environment | Food Drink | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | Humor Nonfiction | Investigative | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Pop Culture | Reference | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | True Adventure | True Crime | Upmarket Nonfiction |
Biography
Jill Kramer is a literary agent with Waterside Productions, Inc. She was the Editorial Director at Hay House, Inc., for almost 18 years; and worked with numerous New York Times best-selling authors including Louise Hay, Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson, Neale Donald Walsch, Ben Stein, Carnie Wilson, Doreen Virtue, Denise Linn, and many more. She is currently available for representation of all types of Adult, New Adult, and Young Adult fiction, with the exception of sci-fi/fantasy.
She also represents nonfiction books in the areas of: mind-body-spirit, self-help, celebrity memoirs, relationships, sociology, finance, psychology, health and fitness, diet/nutrition/cooking, inspiration, business/politics/history, family/parenting issues, and more.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | General Fiction | New Adult Fiction |General Nonfiction | Business Book | Celebrity | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Dating Relationships Sex | Diet Nutrition | Family | Fitness | Health Wellness | History | Inspirational Nonfiction | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Parenting | Politics | Psychology | Self-Help |
Biography
Miriam Kriss is a literary agent with the and the founder of Codex Literary Agency. She launched the Codex Literary Agency in 2024, after nearly two decades at the Irene Goodman Literary Agency, where she served as Vice-President. She is excited to grow Codex Literary, a boutique agency with a full service reach. She represents everything from hardcover historical mysteries to all subgenres of romance, from thrillers to science fiction, from young adult fiction to fantasies, and everything in between. If it’s fun to read she probably represents it.
She doesn’t look for specific stories, focusing instead on finding a voice she can fall in love with and champion. This strategy of taking on only clients she’s passionate about has led to six-figure deals for first-time authors and numerous client appearances on the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists. She’s confident that if someone has the narrative drive to keep her up late turning pages, she can help them do the same. Her passion is helping writers hone their voices and discover their strengths.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Jackie Kruzie is a literary agent with Focused Artists. Jackie fell in love with books when her elementary school hosted its yearly Young AuthorÕs Conference. For weeks leading up to the day, students were encouraged to write, draw, and create their books, and conference day was full of live readings, theatrical performances, and meet-and-greets with real authors. That early introduction to books prompted a life-long love of reading and writing.
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Jackie earned a masterÕs degree in library science and advocated for literacy in both school and public libraries while cultivating her writing skills. She joined many writerÕs groups participating in workshops and attending conferences and served as the regional advisor for her local chapter of the Society for ChildrenÕs Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Here she connected with agents and editors prompting a desire to shift from libraries to publishing. She was an acquisitions editor for an Indie publisher before completing a 6-month internship with Olswanger Literary and joining the team at Focused Artists.
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Jackie is the author of The Lousy Layup, a graphic novel published by Capstone Publishing, and a contributing chapter in Serving Patrons with Disabilities published by The American Library Association. She is the creator of the P.A.S.S. Approach, an innovative step-by-step guide designed to help librarians, and others, communicate more effectively with those who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices. This approach was featured in American Libraries Magazine receiving national recognition and earning her an invitation to present at the American Library Association conference in 2023.
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Jackie has taught numerous workshops on writing, literacy, and the value of open access to information at writing and library conferences nationwide. Jackie is open to queries for children and adult fiction across multiple genres.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Mystery | Thriller | Western Fiction | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Dean Krystek is a literary agent with WordLink, Incorporated. Dean, a Pittsburgh native, holds a BA in English from the University of South Carolina. After a successful career in the Army that took him from the sizzling heat of Vietnam to the cool interior of Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado, Dean retired as a Sergeant Major. Afterward, he held numerous positions in the private sector and state & federal government, including participating in Operation Enduring Freedom as a Department of Defense subject matter expert training the Afghanistan national army for several years. When he finally turned his attention from wars to words, he brought WordLink, an agency begun in New Zealand by a college friend, to Pennsylvania.
Dean is looking for authors with distinctive voices whose narratives invoke a strong sense of time and place and whose stories create a memorable reading experience. HeÕd like to see mysteries (whodunit, cozy); sci-fi (space opera, dystopian, alternate history, time travel); psychological suspense; thrillers; military fiction (character-driven pieces; favoring post-WWII. **Vietnam**). In YA he would like to see mysteries, paranormal, sci-fi, coming-of-age, and suspense with writing that stirs the imagination and caters to the young readerÕs sense of wonder and adventure.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Dystopian Fiction | Espionage Military Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |Biography | Health Wellness | History | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit |
Biography
Danya Kukafka is a literary agent with Trellis Literary Management. She is the author of the bestselling novels Notes on an Execution and Girl in Snow. She works as a literary agent, and is actively building her client list at Trellis Literary Management.
Danya began her career as a student at New York UniversityÕs Gallatin School of Individualized Study, where she created a major titled ÒThe Art of the Novel.Ó After internships at various literary agencies, she followed that passion to Riverhead Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, where she was privileged to work as an assistant editor for writers like Meg Wolitzer, Paula Hawkins, Lauren Groff, Brit Bennett, Emma Straub, Gabriel Tallent, Helen Oyeyemi, Maile Meloy, Sigrid Nunez, and many more.
DanyaÕs most recent novel, Notes on an Execution, won the 2023 Edgar Award for Best Novel and was chosen as the New York Times Best Overall Crime Novel of the Year. Her debut, Girl in Snow, was released in 2017Ñit was alsoa national bestseller, an IndieNext Pick, a B&N Discover pick, and received favorable reviews from The New York Times (EditorÕs Choice) and The Wall Street Journal, among others. Her fiction has been translated into over a dozen languages worldwide, and Notes on an Execution is currently in development as a feature film.
Danya is interested in representing literary fiction with particularly propulsive storylines. She is seeking literary suspense, sophisticated thrillers, book club fiction, speculative fiction, and experimental fiction. She also loves true crime that feels attuned to today’s cultural conversations, and upmarket fiction you can read in one gulp. Her dream authors include: Megan Abbott, Angie Kim, Oyinkan Braithwaite, Rene Denfeld, Julia Phillips, Celeste Ng, Akwaeke Emezi, Susan Choi, Alex Marzano-Lesnevish, Jia Tolentino, Karen Thompson Walker, and Gabrielle Zevin.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Crafts | Cultural Social Issues | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | True Crime |
Biography
Maura Kye-Casella is a literary agent with Don Congdon Associates. In 2001, Maura traded in her legal briefcase for a manuscript bag and joined the Denise Marcil Literary Agency. In 2008, Maura became an agent with Don Congdon Associates. Maura represents writers of narrative non-fiction, cookbooks, women’s fiction, young adult, self-help and parenting and is seeking literary works, women’s fiction, horror, thrillers, multicultural voices, and any well-written novels with quirky characters and/or unique plots and settings. She’s especially interested in works for both the young adult and middle grade markets. As to non-fiction, Maura is seeking narrative works (memoirs/adventure/true crime), any food related projects or cookbooks, pop culture, self-help, parenting and fun/interesting works that fall into the humor category.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | BIPOC Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Horror | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Cookbook Cooking | Current Events Affairs | Food Drink | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics | Pop Culture | Science | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Jud Laghi is a literary agent with the Jud Laghi Agency. Jud Laghi formed his eponymous agency in 2010, after working as a Senior Agent at LJK Literary Management and at ICM, where he began his agenting career. He has represented, developed and launched a number of trendsetting and bestselling books throughout his career, and his clients include a diverse range of writers who contribute to The New York Times, Rolling Stone, New York, Spin, ESPN The Magazine, Wired, GQ, Sports Illustrated, The Atlantic Monthly, The Believer, Slate, Science and This American Life. He graduated from Trinity College with a B.A. in English and creative writing.
Jud works closely with his clients at every stage of the publishing process. His hands-on style includes significant editorial guidance on proposals and manuscripts for the strongest possible publisher submission, and an exploration of all potential opportunities for boosting the marketing and publicity of his clientsÕ books once they have been published, as well as foreign publishing, film, TV, merchandising rights, and the broad range of possibilities that continue to develop in digital and online media.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | General Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Computers | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Economics | Food Drink | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Politics | Pop Culture | Reference | Religion | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | Sports | Technology |
Biography
Ali Lake is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She is open to submissions of nonfiction, fiction, and YA. She loves books that show her a new corner of the world or unexpected facet of human experience through an original, surprising voice.
For nonfiction, Ali seeks serious and narrative nonfiction, pop science, memoir, evidence-based self-help, and cookbooks.
She is looking for upmarket fiction in the rom-com, thriller, and horror genres and literary fiction with a commercial hook. She loves books with a speculative element.
She is interested in voicey, fun YA novels that explore deeper issues and challenge readersÕ world views.
Previous to joining OÕConnor Literary Agency, Ali worked at Janklow & Nesbit Associates and ICM Partners (now acquired by CAA). She has BA in English and French Literature from Columbia University. She loves to dance, run, and hike.
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Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Juvenile Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Horror | Literary Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Art | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Fitness | Health Wellness | History | Journalism | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Science | Self-Help | Technology |
Biography
Natalie Fischer Lakosil is a literary agent with and the founder of Looking Glass Literary & Media. Natalie began her career in 2008, working at agencies including the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency, Bradford Literary Agency, Irene Goodman Agency, and as the Licensing & Permission Manager for Cognella Academic Publishing for eight years before founding Looking Glass Literary & Media in 2023. An honors graduate of the University of San Diego, California, Natalie holds a B.A. in Literature/Writing. For over a dozen years she has championed and helped to build the careers of numerous award-winning, critically acclaimed and bestselling authors. Natalie represents adult nonfiction, adult cozy mystery/crime, female-driven thrillers, upmarket womenÕs/general fiction, illustrators, and all ages (picture book, chapter book, MG, YA) of childrenÕs literature, both fiction and nonfiction.
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CLOSED to Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | Mystery | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |Animals | Biography | Business Book | Celebrity | Crafts | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Design | Film Entertainment | Fitness | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Illustrated | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Parenting | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | Technology | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Marie Lamba is a literary agent with the Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency. Marie Lamba (www.marielamba.com) is author of the young adult novels What I MeantÉ (Random House), Over My Head and Drawn, of the picture book Green Green: A Community Gardening Story (Farrar Straus Giroux), and of the upcoming picture book A Day So Gray (Clarion). Her articles appear in more than 100 publications, and she’s a frequent contributor to WriterÕs Digest. Marie has worked as an editor, an award-winning public relations writer, a book publicist, and has taught classes on novel writing and on author promotion.
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Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Satire | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Animals | Art | Biography | Celebrity | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Environment | Film Entertainment | Fitness | Food Drink | Gardening | Health Wellness | History | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Parenting | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science | Self-Help | Technology | Travel | True Adventure | Women’s Issues |