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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
Rick Lewis is a literary agent with Martin Literary Management. He represents authors of Graphic Novels with Illustrators (he grew up reading and loving them) as well as speculative fiction titles in the Adult and YA categories, including science fiction, fantasy, horror, and magical realism.
Before joining Martin Literary Management, he was editor-in-chief at Uproar Books, where he worked closely with debut authors to edit and launch award-winning science fiction and fantasy novels such as the gothic fantasy Asperfell by Jamie Thomas, the dark sci-fi comedy Always Greener by J.R.H. Lawless, and the YA contemporary fantasy Foretold by Violet Lumani.
Before joining the literary world, Rick spent nearly two decades as a professional writer, first in television news and then in marketing. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, where he lived for 25 years before recently moving to Charlottesville, VA., with his spouse and two children.
Rick is looking for novels that feature complex, realistic characters in highly imaginative worlds. Give him genuine emotions and meaningful struggles, but also at least a touch of science, magic, or the supernatural that captures the imagination while illuminating the real world.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Picture Book | Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Dystopian Fiction | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Horror | Magical Realism | New Adult Fiction | Science Fiction |
Biography
Stefanie Lieberman is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She joined JNA as Senior Counsel in 2005 after practicing law at New YorkÕs Guggenheim Museum and boutique entertainment firm Frankfurt Kurnit. She has degrees from Yale and Northwestern University School of Law, as well as an unwieldy and ever-growing collection of books in every category.
As an agent, Stefanie focuses primarily on upmarket fiction with commercial appeal. She loves literary thrillers, historical fiction, quick-witted beach and book club reads, and any plot-driven story with a distinctive voice and a smart, high-concept hook. Stefanie also gravitates towards novels with a strong sense of time and place, a unique atmosphere, or gripping, edge-of-the-seat suspense. SheÕs always on the hunt for writers who make her laugh.
In addition to upmarket fiction, Stefanie is seeking select young adult fiction and adult non-fiction titles. In the non-fiction space, she is drawn to investigative journalism, true crime, and projects that illuminate womenÕs experiences.
Some of StefanieÕs favorite books include: The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin; Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarity; The Trespasser by Tana French; Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman; The Vacationers by Emma Straub; Major PettigrewÕs Last Stand by Helen Simonson; The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton; Rules of Civility by Amor Towles; Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Current Events Affairs | Parenting | Politics |
Biography
Jen Linnan is a literary agent with Linnan Literary Management. She studied English and chemistry at Williams College, but found herself more passionate about paragraphs than polymers. Before founding Linnan Literary Management in 2012 she worked for five years at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.
She is most drawn to projects with incredible world-building (whether it’s Oz, Dublin, or the apartment next door) and characters that nag at her well after office hours. For illustrators, a keen sense of visual storytelling is a must.
Jen lives in NYC and is desperately trying to teach her cat that she does not rise with the sun.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mainstream Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Paranormal Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Art | Autobiography | Biography | Celebrity | Crafts | Film Entertainment | Food Drink | Gift Novelty | Humor Nonfiction | Memoir | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Science |
Biography
Kim Lionetti is a literary agent with BookEnds Literary Agency. As the first literary agent to charm BookEnds into hiring her, Kim has been an integral part of growing the agency, along with her clients’ careers. Using the editorial skills learned during her first eight years in the industry at Berkley Publishing, Kim helps authors shape their works into books their readers will love. With twenty-five years of publishing experience, she’s worked with award winners and bestsellers in a variety of genres.
Kim’s journey into publishing began in middle school when she raided her grandmother’s collection of Phyllis Whitney books and transformed into an incurable bibliophile. Her other addictions include honey cinnamon lattes, British period dramas, Ryan Gosling memes, “Schitt’s Creek,” Indian food and Frescaritas.
With a client list including women’s fiction, mystery, young adult and romance, Kim enjoys working on a wide range of books. She’s currently eager to grow her list in the areas of women’s fiction and romance. Most especially, as an Autism mom, she is dedicated to representing the stories and voices of individuals with special needs and their families.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Kim currently resides in New Jersey with her son (knock-knock jokester extraordinaire), daughter (budding Francophile and resident drama queen), husband (80s aficionado and sports trivia master) and Winston the twenty-pound cat.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Young Adult Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Horror | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction |
Biography
Simon Lipskar is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. Simon is a senior agent at Writers House, where he represents a wide range of authors in literary and commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction and young adult fiction.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | History | Journalism | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Science |
Biography
Jacqueline Lipton is a literary agent with The Tobias Literary Agency. She joined The Tobias Literary Agency in 2022 after helming her own literary agency, Raven Quill Literary, for a number of years previously. She loves all things books and publishing and has been an avid reader since elementary school. Her tastes were always broad and eclectic. She loved (and still does) everything from a good murder mystery to space opera to contemporary romance and everything in between. She also loves nonfiction projects with a compelling narrative voice.
Her background is also eclectic. At university (yes, in Australia and England they call it ÒuniversityÓ), she studied law, psychology, drama, languages, and information technology. She practiced as a banking and finance attorney in Australia, and has worked as a law professor in Australia, the U.K. and the United States where her teaching and writing has focused on laws relating to the publishing industry, digital technology law, copyright, trademark, privacy, and defamation. She is the author of LAW & AUTHORS: A LEGAL HANDBOOK FOR WRITERS (2020, University of California Press) and OUR DATA, OURSELVES: A PERSONAL GUIDE TO DIGITAL PRIVACY (2022, University of California Press).
She holds an M.F.A. in Fiction from Vermont College of Fine Arts and regularly teaches classes on writing and on legal aspects of publishing around the country.
Jacqui represents authors of fiction and non-fiction from middle grade through to adult, as well as selected projects for younger readers (picture books, chapter books etc.) She is currently focusing on developing her adult fiction and nonfiction lists and particularly enjoys mystery/crime, romance, how-to books, and compelling contemporary novels. She is not currently seeking high fantasy, and considers science-fiction selectively.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Satire | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Animals | Art | Biography | Business Book | Celebrity | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Environment | Film Entertainment | Fitness | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Parenting | Politics | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science | Self-Help | Technology | Travel | True Adventure | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Ashley Lopez is a literary agent with the Waxman Literary Agency. She joined the Waxman Literary Agency in 2015. She received her MFA in Fiction from Sarah Lawrence College and is a founder of Pigeon Pages Literary Journal. She has worked on international and New York Times bestsellers and brings a global perspective to the team as the rights manager. Ashley is looking for literary and young adult fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and cultural criticism. Most importantly she seeks authors with a strong point of view and an eye for language.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Cultural Social Issues | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Psychology | True Crime |
Biography
Julia Lord, director, operates Julia Lord Literary Management, a literary agency based in New York City. She began her agenting career in 1985 working for actors at the Monty Silver Agency. She opened his literary department representing writers for film, television and theater. She moved to books eventually opening Julia Lord Literary Management in 1999. Her mission is very hands on Ðto work with writers to develop their careers Ðwork with them from idea through publication and marketing. Her office is known for her steadfast commitment to each and every author and book project.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Current Events Affairs | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics | Pop Culture | Reference | Science | Sports | Travel | True Adventure | True Crime |
Biography
Esty Loveing-Downes is a literary agent with the ArtHouse Literary Agency. She holds a BFA in creative writing from Ringling College of Art + Design and is currently an MFA candidate in fiction at Queens University of Charlotte. Aside from serving as a daily editor for the Southern Review of Books, she joined the teams at Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency and Tobias Literary Agency before joining the ArtHouse Literary Agency team and becoming an Associate Literary Agent. Esty is looking for romance, upmarket fiction, YA, genre-blending sci-fi, picture books, and select nonfiction and literary fiction.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Cultural Social Issues | Dating Relationships Sex | Humor Nonfiction | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Parenting |
Biography
Barbara Lowenstein is a literary agent with Lowenstein Associates. Barbara Lowenstein started her publishing career at the Sterling Lord Agency as an assistant to the dramatic agent. She then moved on to Lancer Books, one of the last independent paperback houses at the time, where she created the first line of trade paperbacks in the industry. There, she published self-help, psychology, how-to, crafts, and cooking titles. After a brief stint as Director of Subsidiary Rights for Walker Books, she started Lowenstein Associates, which allowed her to combine her editorial skills with her gift for selling.
In addition to her work in publishing, Barbara is a longtime political activist and champion of voting rights, womenÕs rights, racial justice, and many other causes. She is currently on the Advisory Board of Mi Vecino, a grassroots organization dedicated to on-the-ground voter registration in Florida. Barbara is also Co-Chair of the West Palm Beach chapter of Tri-State Maxed Out WomenÕs PAC, which supports pro-choice Democratic women candidates running for national office.
For over four decades, Barbara has represented the international bestselling author M. C. Beaton, known as the ÒQueen of Cozy Mysteries.Ó BeatonÕs two mystery series Agatha Raisin (St. MartinÕs) and Hamish Macbeth (Grand Central) have been translated into 17 languages. The Agatha Raisin novels have been adapted into a television series starring Ashley Jensen and has received rave reviews in the New York Times and The Guardian, among many other publications. Season 1 originally aired on SKY 1 HD. Season 2 is currently in production with Acorn TV. The series is streaming on Acorn TV as well as available on PBS stations across the U.S. and on many international broadcasting channels. The Hamish Macbeth and Poor Relation series by M. C. Beaton have also been optioned and are in development.
In addition, Barbara represents Ishmael Reed, MacArthur Genius Award winner, novelist, essayist and poet. Ishmael is also a Pulitzer Prize nominee and two-time National Book Award finalist. Other clients include Cordelia Fine, winner of the prestigious Royal Society Science Prize (known as the ÒBooker Prize for Science writingÓ) for Testosterone Rex, which explores and deconstructs our cultural myths and assumptions in gender dynamics, and Carla Harris, Vice Chairman and Managing Director at Morgan Stanley and author of the extremely successful career and business books Strategize to Win: The New Way to Start Out, Step Up, or Start Over in Your Career and Expect to Win: 10 Proven Strategies for Thriving in the Workplace.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Juvenile Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | BIPOC Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Science Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Health Wellness | History | Lifestyle | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Science |
Biography
Emma Loy-Santelli is a literary agent with the Serendipity Literary Agency. She was born and raised in upstate New York, where her artistic family encouraged her love of reading and making up stories. She earned a BA in English and Ancient Studies from Mount Holyoke College, and an MA in Children’s Literature and MFA in Creative Writing from the graduate program at Simmons College. She spent a year as an editorial intern at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, which granted her hands-on experience editing everything from picture books up through YA and cemented her passion for publishing. She worked as a freelance editor for the Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency, and has been a bookseller at several independent bookstores, including the Strand in Manhattan.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Graphic Novel |
Biography
Sandy Lu is a literary agent with and the founder of the Book Wyrm Literary Agency. She founded Book Wyrm Literary Agency after working as a literary agent for more than a decade at other boutique agencies, including Peter Rubie Literary Agency, Anderson Literary Management, and most notably, the L. Perkins Agency.
Born and raised in Taiwan, SandyÕs family moved to New York in her teens, so she understands the struggles of immigrants and those who straddle two cultures all too well.
Sandy holds BAs in psychology and sociology from Queens College, with minors in music, business, and Japanese. Prior to becoming an agent, she attended the Ph.D. Program in Social and Personality Psychology at the CUNY Graduate Center and worked as a business/operations manager in the theater industry.
SandyÕs areas of study and work experience greatly inform her interest in submissions. She is seeking stories that will draw her in with a unique voice, make her miss her bedtime with a thrilling plot, and characters that will stay with her long after she turns the last page. Bonus points if you can make her laugh out loud or unable to hold back tears in public. Sandy especially loves historical fiction and anything dark, twisted, or with a supernatural bent.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Espionage Military Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Biography | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Environment | Film Entertainment | Fitness | Food Drink | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science | Technology | True Adventure | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Chad Luibl is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. A native of Virginia, Chad received a BA in English at Lynchburg University before moving to Eastern Europe to teach English for several years. While in Krakow, Poland, he got his MA in European Studies at Jagiellonian University, with a focus in Comparative Literature. He went on to get his MFA in Creative Writing at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he was also the coordinator of the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, an intern in the Literature Department at the National Endowment for the Arts, and an editor at Blackbird and Broad Street literary journals.
Chad comes from the workshop model of creative writing and has a hands-on editorial approach to agenting. He is interested in narrative nonfiction with a strong emotional pull from journalists and writers who challenge the status quo. For fiction, he is particularly drawn to novels that are more character or plot-driven, thrillers that are as inventive as they are suspenseful, speculative and historical fiction that offer a nuanced perspective on place, and graphic novels that push the boundaries of the genre.
Recent and forthcoming sales include Craig & Fred: A Marine, A Stray Dog, and How They Rescued Each Other by Craig Grossi (William & Morrow adult memoir, HarperCollins ChildrenÕs Young ReadersÕ edition); Upgrade Soul by Ezra Claytan Daniels (Lion Forge Comics); BTTM FDRS by Ezra Claytan Daniels and Ben Passmore (Fantagraphics); The Compton Cowboys by Walter Thompson-Hern‡ndez (William Morrow); Push and Pull: A True Story of Football, Murder, and Purpose in an American City by Kent Babb (HarperOne); Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland (Simon & Schuster).
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Espionage Military Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Science Fiction | Short Story Collection | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Western Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Business Book | Economics | Health Wellness | History | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science | Sports | Travel | True Crime |
Biography
Kesia Lupo is a literary agent with The Bindery. Kesia grew up in the UK and Germany, studied History at Oxford University and Creative Writing at Bath Spa, then launched her publishing career at Pan Macmillan, London, as an editorial assistant in 2013. She transitioned from adult books to childrenÕs when she joined boutique publisher Chicken HouseÑthen from a senior editorial role to agenting when she joined The Bindery in 2023. While her expertise lies in middle-grade and YA fiction, Kesia reads widely across genres, including adult SFF and horror, historical fiction, romance, and non-fiction.
Kesia is a new U.S. resident and currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband. As well as working in publishing, she’s the author of three YA novelsÑWe Are Blood and Thunder, We Are Bound by Stars (a fantasy duology), and LetÕs Play Murder, a horror/thriller, all published by Bloomsbury in the UK. You will normally find her writing if sheÕs not reading!
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Speculative Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Cultural Social Issues | Film Entertainment | History | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Psychology | True Crime |
Biography
Nadia Lynch is a literary agent with Talcott Notch Literary Services. She says: “As a newly appointed Junior Literary Agent, I am thrilled to continue my journey in the world of literature, combining my love for books with a dedication to supporting authors through the publishing process.
Since joining Talcott Notch Literary in June of 2021, IÕve served as a steadfast support to our agents, delving into queries, managing royalties and payments, curating social media, conducting research, and tackling daily projects. The opportunity to immerse myself in the world of literature is a dream come trueÑone that stemmed from my lifelong passion for books.
Upon earning a bachelorÕs degree in political science from Southern New Hampshire University, I worked as a paralegal in the structured legal realm. Yet, the allure of a career merging structure with the limitless creativity found in literature was irresistible.
I am interested in upmarket, literary, historical, young adult, and womenÕs fiction, especially narratives that showcase resilient female protagonists. While these genres anchor my reading repertoire, IÕm invigorated by books that push boundaries and challenge my perspectives.
I am only accepting queries at http://QueryManager.com/QueryNadia Please direct your queries there.
In non-fiction, I enjoy delving into subjects that expand my understanding. History, philosophy, alternative medicine, and self-improvement books are among my preferred genres, each offering a unique lens to explore and absorb new insights.
I firmly believe that the multifaceted dimensions of my backgroundÑfrom my academic journey to my time as a paralegal and experience in the literary agencyÑwill uniquely contribute to my ability to represent effectively and champion authors in their literary endeavors.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | Chick Lit | Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |History | Medical Medicine | Philosophy | Self-Help |
Biography
Nadia Lynch is a literary agent with Talcott Notch Literary Services. She says: “As a newly appointed Junior Literary Agent, I am thrilled to continue my journey in the world of literature, combining my love for books with a dedication to supporting authors through the publishing process.
Since joining Talcott Notch Literary in June of 2021, I’ve served as a steadfast support to our agents, delving into queries, managing royalties and payments, curating social media, conducting research, and tackling daily projects. The opportunity to immerse myself in the world of literature is a dream come true—one that stemmed from my lifelong passion for books.
Upon earning a bachelor’s degree in political science from Southern New Hampshire University, I worked as a paralegal in the structured legal realm. Yet, the allure of a career merging structure with the limitless creativity found in literature was irresistible.
I am interested in upmarket, literary, historical, young adult, and women’s fiction, especially narratives that showcase resilient female protagonists. While these genres anchor my reading repertoire, I’m invigorated by books that push boundaries and challenge my perspectives.
I am only accepting queries at http://QueryManager.com/QueryNadia Please direct your queries there.
In non-fiction, I enjoy delving into subjects that expand my understanding. History, philosophy, alternative medicine, and self-improvement books are among my preferred genres, each offering a unique lens to explore and absorb new insights.
I firmly believe that the multifaceted dimensions of my background—from my academic journey to my time as a paralegal and experience in the literary agency—will uniquely contribute to my ability to represent effectively and champion authors in their literary endeavors.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | Chick Lit | Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |History | Medical Medicine | Philosophy | Self-Help |
Jennifer Lyons
Jennifer Lyons Literary AgencyCLOSED to SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email > Postal Mail >Biography
Jennifer Lyons is a literary agent with Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency. Jennifer was a senior agent for sixteen years before she decided to open up her own literary agency. She represents numerous award-winning authors. The awards her clients have received include the Nobel Prize, The Pulitzer for both Fiction and Nonfiction, the National Book Award for both Fiction and Nonfiction, PEN Literary Awards, the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, the Coretta Scott King Book Award, the National Jewish Book Award, The Koret Award, The Lambda, and many others. Jennifer has attended the Frankfurt Book Fair sixteen times and has also visited the Jerusalem and London Book Fairs. Jennifer is a contributing editor to the literary journal Fiction and the author of THE BUSINESS OF WRITING (Allworth Press, 2012), and she regularly teaches the business of writing at Sarah Lawrence College.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Religious Fiction | Science Fiction | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Art | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Computers | Cookbook Cooking | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | History | Lifestyle | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Photography | Reference | Religion | Science | Spirituality | Sports | Technology | Travel |
Biography
Jonathan Lyons is a literary agent with the Curtis Brown Literary Agency. Jonathan Lyons represents authors writing in a variety of genres, including history, biographies, science, pop culture, sports, adventure, crime, suspense, science fiction, fantasy, and young adult fiction. He is a licensed publishing attorney, a member of The Authors Guild, and an adjunct professor at New York UniversityÕs Master of Science in Publishing Program, where he teaches a course on contract negotiation. Jonathan received his B.A. in history and political science from Washington University in St. Louis and his J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Juvenile Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Action Adventure | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Sports Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Economics | Food Drink | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Politics | Pop Culture | Science | Sports | True Adventure | True Crime |
Biography
Donald Maass is a literary agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency. Donald founded the Donald Maass Literary Agency in New York in 1980. His agency sells more than 150 novels every year to major publishers in the U.S. and overseas. He is the author of The Career Novelist (1996), Writing the Breakout Novel (2001), Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook (2004), The Fire in Fiction (2009) and The Breakout Novelist (2011). He is a past president of the Association of Authors’ Representatives, Inc.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Young Adult Fiction |Christian Fiction | Christian Nonfiction |BIPOC Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Multicultural Nonfiction |
Biography
Gina Maccoby is a literary agent with the Gina Maccoby Literary Agency. Gina Maccoby is a New York literary agent representing authors of literary and upmarket fiction and narrative nonfiction for adults and children, including New York Times bestselling and award-winning titles. First and foremost she is captured by an engaging, compelling voice; across all forms she is looking for strong storytelling and fresh perspectives. Areas of interest in nonfiction include history, biography, current events and popular science. In fiction she is looking for upmarket novels, mysteries and thrillers, middle grade, and young adult.
Gina is currently serving her fourth term on the Board of Directors of the AAR and is a member of both the Royalties and Contracts Committees. She also belongs to the SCBWI and is a long-time member of the Authors Guild.
Prior to establishing her own agency in 1986, she was a literary agent at Russell & Volkening for six years where she handled her own clients as well as first serial, foreign and movie rights for the agency. Gina grew up mostly in Northern California and graduated with Honors from Harvard College.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Current Events Affairs | Health Wellness | History | Journalism | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Politics | Pop Culture | Science |
Biography
Gillian MacKenzie is a literary agent with and the founder of the Gillian MacKenzie Agency. Gillian MacKenzie has spent her career creatingÑand helping others createÑproducts and books for the marketplace. From 2005 until merging with Wolf Literary Services to form MacKenzie Wolf in 2018, she ran the Gillian MacKenzie Agency, offering management to writers and illustrators of nonfiction, fiction, and children’s books. Before starting her agency in 2005, she was Vice President of Jane Startz Productions, where she spent over eight years scouting, optioning, and developing books into feature films with major studios. She also co-founded the children’s retail store concept Ridemakerz, and served on its Board of Managers. Prior to that, she was a product developer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Gillian began her career at the literary agency Curtis Brown, Ltd. Additionally, she was a five-year term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Committed to working on books that challenge, enlighten, and entertain, Gillian works with a broad array of experts, journalists, academics, and visionaries on nonfiction of a broad stripe, in the arenas of science, memoir, technology, business, sports, culture, and current affairs, among others. She is particularly drawn to cross-disciplinary explorations, narrative nonfiction, and big-idea books that offer us a new lens onto the world. Also passionate about illustrated books, Gillian represents a select group of award-winning illustrators and designers.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Literary Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Art | Biography | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Economics | Education | Food Drink | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Photography | Politics | Pop Culture | Reference | Religion | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | Sports | Technology |
Biography
Joanna Topor MacKenzie is a literary agent with the Nelson Literary Agency. She says: ÒI owe my love of books to the librarian of my childhood bookmobile, who, after I had worked my way through The Baby-Sitters Club and Sweet Valley High, lifted the velvet rope and let me in to the grown-up section, where I discovered V.C. Andrews. And to my father, who gifted me CatÕs Cradle, Wuthering Heights, and One Hundred Years of Solitude for my 15th birthday.
A seasoned publishing professional with nearly twenty years on the agenting side, IÕm driven by the stories my authors tell, both with the novels they write and with the careers they build. I represent New York Times bestsellers, Edgar and Anthony Award nominees, and critically acclaimed storytellers writing in all areas of adult and young adult fiction.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | Historical Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Maeve (Em) MacLysaght is a literary agent with Copps Literary Services. In the summer of 2015, an intern showed up on the doorstep of a boutique literary agency and talked Elizabeth Copps into letting her stay. Several years later, having worked across the publishing industry and several coasts in foreign rights, sales, production, and most recently as an agent at Ladderbird Literary, Maeve MacLysaght has once again landed on the doorstep–this time at Elizabeth’s persuading.
Maeve is a queer ex-classicist based in Oakland, CA. As an agent at Ladderbird Literary and now at CLS, her list is dedicated to increasing the amount of queer and BIPOC joy in the world.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Member of the AALA |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Short Story Collection | Thriller |
Biography
Dorian Maffei is a literary agent with Kimberley Cameron & Associates. She began at Kimberley Cameron & Associates as an intern in 2013. From a young age, Dorian Maffei knew she wanted to work in the world of books. Her ambitions led her to get a degree in Creative Writing, and she later became a bookseller and a bookstore events coordinator before finding her way to Kimberley Cameron & Associates. Starting as an intern, she realized there was nothing more special than falling in love with a manuscript from a potential debut author. From there, she became KC&AÕs Office Manager and later was given the opportunity to start signing her own clients as a literary agent. In 2021, she became a member of the Association of American Literary Agents.
Dorian is actively building her list in a variety of genres in both YA and adult. While she appreciates most fiction that blends genre lines, she is especially interested in speculative fiction, literary science fiction, upmarket book club fiction, thrillers, reimagined fairy tales, magical realism, unique voices, contemporary novels with a dash of mystery, horror and suspense, and innovative storytelling that sometimes veers on the weird. SheÕs a sucker for anything that can be described as both haunting and beautiful, and would love to find something in these genres that has twists and turns, lyrical writing, and keeps her up past her bedtime.
She values work that provokes a deep-rooted connection after the last page and explores the peculiar within the mundane. She is always open to submissions with diverse experiences and characters, and welcomes underrepresented and marginalized voices. She hopes to find work that features these experiences as the norm.
Dorian does not take unsolicited submissions in nonfiction, picture books, and middle grade at this time, nor does she represent poetry, self-published or previously published books, or screenplays.
Check out her Manuscript Wish List to get a better understanding of the types of books she gravitates toward. To view her recent sales, check out her PublisherÕs Marketplace page.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Member of the AALA |Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | General Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Caitlin Mahony is a literary agent with WME Books. Caitlin has been at WME since 2016. She represents romance, genre, and commercial fiction. CaitlinÕs clients include bestselling romance authors Chloe Walsh and Ivy Fairbanks, fantasy icon SenLinYu, among others. Caitlin is passionate about working with authors who originate from the indie-publishing world and bringing new opportunities their way.
As an agent on the international team, Caitlin works with Rebecca Serle, Lisa Kleypas, Adriana Trigiani, and the estate of Isaac Asimov.
Caitlin is looking for books that offer a total escape and full immersion, in either this world or an imagined one. She loves a hard-won, epic love story (historical and contemporary), a transporting fantasy or sci-fi novel that helps parse earthly questions, a delightful beach read, or a pulse-pounding thriller; and is always looking to get swept up in something that you canÕt put down.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Ricia Mainhardt is a literary agent with the Ricia Mainhardt Agency. Ricia has represented authors from her offices in New York for more than twenty years. In addition to her regular clients, she enthusiastically supports talented, unpublished authors. After a long hiatus recovering from a car accident, Ricia is back, looking for the next publishing star and is excited about her work and her writers.
Originally from Wisconsin, Ricia has an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and a graduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis in auditory electrophysiology. After spending time in her chosen specialty as well as peddling rags as a sales representative for the clothing industry, Ricia discovered a field that synthesized her love for the written word and for people.
A student, fan, and friend of greats in the science fiction field such as Robert Heinlein, Ray Bradbury, and Harlan Ellison, she achieved quick success in that publishing field and opened her agency in 1987. Soon afterwards, she branched out into other areas, most notably romance and new age, and has developed numerous writers in other genres.
Ricia jointly edited two anthologies, a collection of superhero stories with John Varley and a tribute book to Robert Bloch with Richard Matheson.
Her client list has included Ray Garton (Simon and Schuster, among others) in horror, children’s fiction, and novelizations, Michael A. Stackpole (Bantam, HarperCollins) in science fiction and fantasy, Richard Lee Byers (Minstrel [S&S]) in fantasy, Jim Butcher (Roc) in “gumshoe fantasy,” and Janeen O’Kerry (Dorchester) in historical and time-travel romance.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Erotic Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mainstream Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Satire | Science Fiction | Sports Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Western Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | New Age |
Biography
Ted Malawer is a literary agent with Upstart Crow Literary. Ted is a veteran agent who specializes in middle grade and teen fiction. Before working in childrenÕs publishing, Ted studied Comparative Literature at Columbia University and trained as an opera singer at the Juilliard School. TedÕs favorite kind of author is not afraid to get his (or her) hands dirty to make a manuscript the best that it can be. He especially loves stories with artistic themesÑor dachshunds.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction |