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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): Picture Book *
Biography
Sara Camilli is a literary agent with The Sara Camilli Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Erotica * Fantasy * General Fiction * Horror * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Celebrity * General Nonfiction * Memoir * Music * Pop Culture *
1762 Sand Beach Rd Hummelstown PA 17036 USA
Biography
Loretta Caravette is a literary agent with LR Children’s Literary. She has extensive experience in many genres, including children’s books, fiction and nonfiction. Her specialties are picture books that contain a good dose of humor, mystery and family drama, as well as historical nonfiction for children up to age 5, early readers and middle grade. She holds a master’s degree in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University. Under her pen name, J.B. Frank, she has written two children’s books: Somewhere in the City and Count On Me 123 slated for publication spring 2021.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
Barrington Hills IL USA
Biography
Agnes Carlowicz is a literary agent withArc Literary Management. She joined Arc Literary Management in April 2022 as a full time agent. She began her publishing career in 2015 as assistant to Joy Tutela at the David Black Agency, while completing her English B.A. and Creative Writing concentration at Barnard College of Columbia University in New York. In 2017, she joined Carol Mann Agency as assistant to the president where she worked closely with renowned novelist and essayist Paul Auster. While there, she began growing her own list to include authors from varied perspectives interested in disrupting the status quo. Agnes wants to use her position in the publishing industry to help create a world where writers are liberated to unabashedly express themselves, and readers of all identities see themselves represented on the page.
Outside of her professional publishing work, Agnes enjoys reading both literary and commercial fiction, humorous (and sometimes irreverent) essays, and anything deeply moving that makes her cry (which happens a lot since her astrological sign is Cancer.) She is a competitive ballroom dancer, formerly talented chess player, and veteran NYC French bulldog walker currently living in Washington Heights.
In Nonfiction, Agnes is looking for projects written from underrepresented perspectives covering both history and current events, intersectional social justice, lifestyle with a personal touch, deeply honest and self-reflective memoir, and fresh humor/gift books.
Agnes would love to see fiction that includes well-developed and imperfect characters with atypical relationships dealing with relatable issues.
In children’s, Agnes is interested in complex topics made palatable for kids of all ages for parents to read with their children. She would also love to see heart-warming stories and silly wholesome humor.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Humor Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Satire * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * Gift/Novelty * Humor * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Politics * Pop Culture * Self-Help/Personal Development * Travel * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
2838 29th Street Long Island City NY 11102 USA
Jennifer Carlson
Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary AgencyAAR/AALA MemberQuery method(s): Email * Postal Mail *Biography
Jennifer Carlson is a literary agent with the Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency. Jennifer has been agenting since 1997. Previously, she worked at Henry Dunow Literary Agency and Harold Ober Associates. She works with narrative nonfiction writers and journalists covering current events and ideas and cultural history, as well as literary and upmarket commercial novelists. On the children’s side, her clients are primarily young adult and middle grade fiction writers with a very select number of picture book projects. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, she divides her time between Brooklyn and Minneapolis.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * General Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * History * Journalism * Juvenile * Memoir * Narrative *
27 West 20th Street Suite 1107 New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Clarie Cartey is a literary agent with the Holroyde Cartey. She says: “I have worked in publishing for over twenty years as Art Director at Hodder Children’s Books and in design for Dorling Kindersley, Egmont and Random House. I am looking for author and illustrator proposals for picture books and young fiction. In illustration I’m also looking for creative brand building potential in markets outside of publishing.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
USA
Biography
Barbara Casey is president of the Barbara Casey Agency. She represents clients nationally and internationally in fiction and nonfiction for adults. She is also a partner with Strategic Media Books. Her past and present professional associations are numerous and include being editorial consultant for the Jamaican Writers Circle in affiliation with the University of West Indies and Mico Teachers College in Kingston. She also received special recognition for her editorial work on the English translations of Albanian children’s stories.
She is a frequent guest speaker at writers’ conferences and universities throughout the United States. She is a former director, guest author, and panelist of BookFest of the Palm Beaches, Florida; and for thirteen years, she served as judge for the Pathfinder Literary Awards in Florida. She held the position of Florida Regional Advisor for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators from 1991 to 2003.
Originally from Carrollton, Illinois, Barbara Casey attended the University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, and North Carolina Wesleyan College where she received a BA degree, summa cum laude, with a double major in English and history. In 1978 she left her position as Director of Public Relations and Vice President of Development at North Carolina Wesleyan College to write full time and develop her own manuscript evaluation and editorial service. Since that time her award-winning articles, short stories, and poetry for adults have appeared in several publications.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * General Nonfiction * History * Inspiration * Juvenile * Middle Grade * Narrative * Self-Help/Personal Development * True Crime * Young Adult *
1440 S Long Hollow Road Trion GA 30753 USA
Biography
Johanna Castillo is a Senior Agent at Writers House Literary Agency. A seasoned professional in the publishing industry, Johanna was formerly Vice President & Executive Editor at Atria Books/Simon and Schuster and Editorial Director of Atria Español for nearly fifteen years. In that role, she acquired and edited forty-one New York Times bestsellers by multiple national and international bestselling authors including Isabel Allende, Colleen Hoover, Rachael Ray, Sara Shepard, Rosanna Pansino,Javier Sierra, Laura Esquivel, Armando Lucas Correa,Felix J. Palma and María Dueñas.
Johanna has been featured in the The Miami Herald, The Boston Globe, The Daily News, and in Publishers Weekly. She was featured as a “Mujer on the Move” by Latina magazine, named a 2005 Prominent Latina by El Diario La Prensa, and was named one of the 25 Most Powerful Women by People en Español magazine in 2016. She is also a board member of the Board of Directors of Poets & Writers.
As a literary agent, Johanna is actively building a list of talented authors with whom she can work closely with editorially and form solid, long-term partnerships.
Johanna is seeking works of quality fiction including historical, book club fiction, romance and suspense. In non-fiction she looking for memoirs, lifestyle, pop-culture, cookbooks and narrative nonfiction. She is also representing middle grade and YA and she is always seeking new diverse voices, #ownvoices #latinx.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * History * Lifestyle * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * Politics *
120 Broadway 22nd floor New York NY 10271 USA
Biography
Analieze Cervantes is a literary agent with the Rees Literary Agency. Analieze joined the Rees Literary Agency in 2023, after working as an agent at Harvey Klinger Literary Agency. She has a bachelor’s degree in creative writing, with a minor in screenwriting, from Cal State San Bernardino University.
Analieze is actively building her list. She is interested in Picture-Books, Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult Fiction. She is passionately seeking BIPOC and underrepresented voices.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Humor Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Paranormal * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
One Westinghouse Plaza Suite A203 Boston MA 02136-2075 USA
Biography
Kayla Cichello is a literary agent with Upstart Crow Literary. She brings to Upstart Crow Literary nearly a decade of experience in children’s publishing. A former Conference Coordinator for the International Summer and Winter Conferences for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, she most recently logged several years as assistant to Senior Agent Jennifer Rofé at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. She is open to a wide range of books, from picture books through young adult novels, and is especially keen to discover unique voices and champion new creators of tomorrow’s classics.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
594 Dean Street Office 47 Brooklyn NY 11238 USA
Biography
Marisa Cleveland is a literary agent with The Seymour Agency. She joined the Agency in 2009 and oversees publishing innovations and initiatives by implementing the Agency’s communication strategies and developing the enterprise media strategy. She is responsible for spearheading the Agency’s efforts to identify, inform, and involve the literary community in outreach and advocacy programs.
Marisa has been featured at various book festivals and participated in panels and workshops on branding, communication, cultural agility, diversity, and the state of the industry.
Her efforts to support literacy include establishing the Agency’s literacy fundraiser, supporting authors in their writing endeavors with motivational events, and teaching writing workshops. With more than two decades of experience in the education and publishing industries, Marisa is adamant about supporting efforts toward the betterment of the human condition. Gulfshore Business and D’Latinos magazines honored Marisa with the Arts and Culture 2015 FACE Award, and in 2014, Gulfshore Business selected her as a “40 Under Forty” honoree.
As a New York Times bestselling author, she has 8 academic peer-reviewed publications, 1 academic book chapter, over 20 published book remarks in a regional newspaper, and 9 published novels. She earned her doctorate in organizational leadership from Northeastern University, earned her master’s in educational administration and a bachelor’s in speech communications from George Mason University, and is a 2015 Leadership Marco graduate.
If you are considering querying Marisa, please click here to read the four things she thinks everyone should know before querying her.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business *
4100 Corporate Square Suite 140 Naples FL 34104 USA
Biography
Susan Cohen is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. Susan has been with Writers House over 25 years. She started at an entry-level position, became an agent’s assistant, and after learning how to represent authors, started doing so. She is now a senior agent.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Inspirational Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Celebrity * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Film/Entertainment * Family * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Middle Grade * Music * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Reference * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Technology * Women’s Issues * Young Adult *
120 Broadway 22nd floor New York NY 10271 USA
Biography
Andrea Comparato is a literary agent with and the founder of the Inscriptions Literary Agency. Her favorite books to represent are: picture books, middle grade, graphic novels, craft books, memoirs, and children’s devotionals. She had an idea for a graphic novel-style children’s devotional and would love to see a submission for one!
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * Fantasy * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Religious * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Christian * Crafts * Juvenile * Middle Grade * Religion *
Biography
Marisa Corvisiero is a literary agent with the Corvisiero Literary Agency. She is the founder of the Corvisiero Literary Agency, an attorney, and our Senior Literary Agent. During the few years prior to starting her own agency, Marisa worked with the L. Perkins Agency, where she learned invaluable lessons and made a name for herself in the industry. She is also a Literary Consultant, Speaker, Author and an Attorney practicing law with a focus on Corporate Law and Estate Planning in New York City.
Ms. Corvisiero is also the founder of Corvisiero Law. Since the law firm’s inception, it has achieved incredible success and growth, and continues on its high-speed trajectory towards excellence. The firm now provides assistance in a number of practice areas as a comprehensive package of legal services for existing and new clients.
Ms. Corvisiero has held positions in several law firms and companies since 1995 in different capacities. In such positions, she has attained the knowledge and experience necessary to properly and dynamically represent her clients. These stellar firms and companies include Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, LLP, a top global law firm; Windels, Marx, Lane & Mittendorf, LLP, a white shoe boutique law firm; and Avaya, Inc., a fortune 500 telecommunications company among several distinguished others.
Ms. Corvisiero received her Bachelors in Business Administration in International Business and Marketing from Hofstra University in 1995, where she was the President of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity Chapter, and the President of the Pre Law Society during her last year. Ms. Corvisiero received her Juris Doctorate from Pace University School of Law in 2000, and earned Pace University School of Law’s prestigious International Law Certificate for her studies in International Law. During her legal studies, she held several Board positions on the Student Bar Association, where she was also the Treasurer of the Environmental Law Society, the Chair of the Social Committee, and the Co-Editor of the Pace University School of Law Year Book in 1999 and 2000.
Ms. Corvisiero is licensed to practice in New York State, and has been in good standing for the duration of her admission to the Bar. She belongs to the New York City Bar Association, New York State Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
She is fluent in Italian and Spanish, and has some working knowledge of Portuguese and Japanese.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Paranormal * Picture Book * Romance * Satire * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Art * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Design * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Music * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
1180 Avenue of the Americas 8th Floor New York NY 10036 USA
Biography
Mary Cummings is a literary agent with Great River Literary. “Great River Literary” was the clear name choice for the new agency established by Mary Cummings in 2021, after thirteen years as an agent for books for children and teens at Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises.
Except in the depths of winter, nearly every evening Mary goes down to the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Paul to see the passing scene of trees and birds, barges and boats, kids and lovers – and always the play of light on the flowing water.
Mary finds great joy in helping her clients polish their stories to stand out for editors and to become books that will make a difference in kids’ lives. Before becoming a literary agent, Mary was Education Director at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis where, among other accomplishments, she curated an annual festival of children’s literature and selected judges for the McKnight Award from leading editors in children’s publishing.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Chapter Book * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
137 Curtice St E Saint Paul MN 55107 USA
Biography
John Cusick is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. He began his career in publishing as an agent’s assistant with Scott Treimel NY, where, along with dog-walking and coffee-fetching, he was fortunate enough to learn the ins-and-outs of publishing. He soon began representing a small list of clients, including Sharon Biggs Waller (A MAD, WICKED FOLLY, Viking Books for Young Readers), Ryan Gebhart (THERE WILL BE BEARS, Candlewick Press), and Hannah Moskowitz (A HISTORY OF GLITTER AND BLOOD, Chronicle Books).
In 2013 he joined Greenhouse Literary and grew his list to include many more critically acclaimed and bestselling authors, including New York Times bestseller Tommy Wallach (WE ALL LOOKED UP, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers), Courtney Alameda (SHUTTER, Feiwel and Friends), and Gina Ciocca (LAST YEAR’S MISTAKE, Simon Pulse). He also began representing picture book authors and illustrators, including Chana Stiefel (DADDY DEPOT, Feiwel & Friends), Julie Bayless (ROAR! Running Press Kids), and Eric Chase Anderson (CHUCK DUGAN IS AWOL, Chronicle Books).
At Folio Jr., he’ll continue to represent a diverse list of iconoclastic voices in picture books, middle-grade, young adult, and everything in between.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Horror * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * New Adult * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
630 Ninth Ave. Suite 1101 New York NY 10036 USA
Biography
Blythe Daniel is a literary agent with and the founder of The Blythe Daniel Agency. She is a literary agent and marketer who secures books with publishers, conducts publicity campaigns and online marketing. She helps writers build the right book proposal, secures contracts, promotes books, and has placed authors in the national media. She has worked in publishing for more than 20 years and represents bestselling non-fiction authors and new voices.
As an agent, she has represented authors associated with Focus on the Family, Cru, Proverbs 31 Ministries, Women of Faith, North Point Community Church, International House of Prayer, Dollar General, JPMorgan Chase, Houston Chronicle, The Huffington Post, Today Show Parenting, American Management Association, and others.
As a publicist, she has booked authors on hundreds of media outlets, including Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox News, CNN.com, Inc., The Washington Post, Focus on the Family, Business News Daily, and others.
Blythe started in media as the Public Relations/News Director for WNAZ-FM in Nashville, Tennessee as a news reporter and host of two weekly radio programs. She became a publicist for Christian and country music artists and a writer for trade and consumer publications such as CBA, Christian Retailing, Focus on the Family publications, CCM Magazine, and others.
She spent seven years working as Publicity Director and then Marketing Director at Thomas Nelson Publishers (now Harper Collins Christian Publishing) where she directed hundreds of publicity and marketing campaigns. In 2004 Blythe moved to Colorado and worked as the Product Development Manager for Ransomed Heart Ministries founded by New York Times bestselling authors John and Stasi Eldredge. She opened her agency in 2005, and is a member of CBA and AWSA.
Blythe has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication from Auburn University with a minor in Journalism. She lives in Colorado Springs with her husband, daughter, and boy/girl twins. Blythe actively works with the next generation ministry at their church and loves talking about God, exploring places and conversations with her family, and watching Auburn football games and Hallmark movies with Starbucks in hand.
Blythe and her mother Helen McIntosh are the co-authors of Mended: Restoring the Hearts of Mothers and Daughters (Harvest House Publishers, 2019).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * Family Saga * General Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Picture Book * Religious * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Christian * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Education * Family * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * Inspiration * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Religion * Spirituality * Women’s Issues *
P.O. Box 64197 Colorado Springs CO 80962-4197 USA
Biography
Liz Darhansoff is a literary agent with Darhansoff & Verrill Literary Agents. She founded her eponymous agency in 1975 after spells at Atheneum, Random House, and ICM. She has been partners with Chuck Verrill since 1989, and together they have solidified a reputation among publishers for representing quality writers and lasting work. Currently, she takes on select projects with an emphasis on fiction and narrative nonfiction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Autobiography * Biography * Business * Current Events/Affairs * Ethnic * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * History * Humor * Juvenile * Memoir * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Politics * Sports *
275 Fair Street Suite 17D Kingston NY 12401 USA
Biography
Beth Davey is a literary agent with Davey Literary & Media Management. Beth has spent over 25 years as a vice president and director of publicity and corporate communications at major houses such as Ballantine Books (six years), Little, Brown (13 years), and Rodale (two years). During the course of her career she worked with many distinguished authors such as David Sedaris, James Patterson, Rick Moody, Michael Connelly, Anita Shreve, Malcolm Gladwell, George Pelecanos, Seymour Hersh, George Stephanopoulos, Joy Bauer, Gary Vaynerchuk, Peter Greenberg, Renee Loux, L.L. Cool J, David Kidder, and Noah Oppenheim. Beth has excellent relationships with all the major media and works regularly with the top print, broadcast, and online media including 60 Minutes, Oprah, Today, NPR, USA Today, Huffington Post.com, Slate.com, to name a few. Beth works closely with her authors and publishers to provide the best media and marketing exposure to maximize a book’s potential. For two years she worked as a publicity consultant at Inkwell Management, a literary agency. Beth has been active in the Publishers Publicity Association where she served as president for two terms and treasurer for three terms, and has spoken at writers’ seminars and conferences about the publishing industry.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Literary * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * General Nonfiction * History * Journalism * Memoir * Politics * Religion * Spirituality *
106 W. 13th Street Suite 17 New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Jennifer DeChiara is a literary agent with Jennifer DeChiarra Literary Agency. Jennifer is also President and Owner of the agency, which she founded in 2001. Before forming the agency, Jennifer was a literary agent with two established New York agencies, worked in the editorial departments of Simon & Schuster and Random House, and was a writing consultant for several major corporations. A New York City-based writer, she is a frequent guest judge for the WRITER’S DIGEST, WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING, and THAT FIRST LINE writing contests, among others, and is a frequent guest lecturer on publishing and the art of writing at universities and writers conferences throughout the country, which have included New York University’s Summer Publishing Institute, the Penticton, Canada Writers Conference, the San Diego State University Writers Conference, Backspace, the International Women’s Writing Guild, and the Learning Annex.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Autobiography * Biography * Celebrity * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Memoir * Pop Culture * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality *
245 Park Avenue 39th Floor New York NY 10167 USA
Biography
Andrianna deLone is a literary agent with CAA/ICM.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Picture Book *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Memoir *
65 East 55th Street 14th Floor New York NY 10022 USA
Biography
Katelyn Detweiler is an associate agent with Jill Grinberg Literary Management. She attended Pennsylvania State University as a Schreyer Honors College scholar, receiving a B.A. in English, emphasis in Creative Writing, and a minor in Women’s Studies, interning at the Penn State Press during her time there. Post college she moved to New York City for the Columbia Publishing Course, and from there worked in the marketing department of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. She joined Jill Grinberg Literary Management in 2010, and after a few years assisting Jill with the general agency roster, Katelyn began actively building her own client list. Katelyn is also a published YA author. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and son, and when she’s not writing, reading, and revising books, she enjoys practicing yoga and embarking on road trips.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Family Saga * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Paranormal * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Health/Wellness * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Narrative *
392 Vanderbilt Avenue Brooklyn NY 11238 USA
Biography
Cori Deyoe is a literary agent with 3 Seas Literary Agency. Cori Deyoe joined 3 Seas as a literary agent in 2006 with over 25 years of experience in the writing industry. She was previously a published author at Silhouette/Harlequin (national and international) and was also published in various non-fiction periodicals. Cori no longer pens her own stories, focusing solely on her fantastic clients’ projects. She has a special talent for the editing process and enjoys working closely with her authors to achieve perfect presentations.
Cori is actively looking to expand her list of clients. She represents all sub-genres of romance, women’s fiction, young adult, middle grade, picture books, thrillers, mysteries and select non-fiction.
On a personal note, Cori loves reading (of course!), traveling, photography, dogs, cats, horses and anything chocolate.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Erotica * Espionage/Military * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Picture Book * Religious * Romance * Satire * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Western * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Biography * Celebrity * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Design * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Journalism * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Military/War * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Pop Culture * Psychology * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
P.O. Box 444 Sun Prairie WI 53590 USA
Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Sarah Dillard is a literary agent with Painted Words. She has been with the Painted Words family for over twenty years as an illustrator and author of picture books, beginner graphic novels and early chapter books. She is excited to take on the new role of agent to help illustrators develop their ideas into stories only they can tell. Sarah is interested in stories that explore universal feelings that all children can relate to, but told in original voices with unexpected twists. She loves stories that strike to the core, and funny characters who stay with you long after the book is finished.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Graphic Novel * Picture Book *
NONFICTION: Juvenile *
Waitsfield VT USA
Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Adriana Dominguez is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. She represents award-winning illustrators including John Parra, a New York Times Best Illustrator and recipient of three Pura Belpré Honors, Kirkus Prize finalist Jaqueline Alcántara, and Orbis Pictus Honor recipient Juliet Menéndez. Her author list includes NAACP Image Award winner Katheryn Russell Brown, Pura Belpré Honor recipient Angela Cervantes and Emmy Award-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa.
Adriana has wide-ranging experience in publishing; she began her editorial career at Scholastic in the 1990s, served as Children’s Reviews Editor at Críticas Magazine (Library Journal), and as Executive Editor at HarperCollins, where she led the children’s division of the Latinx-focused Rayo imprint. She has a long trajectory of supporting authors and illustrators from underrepresented backgrounds and always welcomes submissions that offer a diverse point of view.
Adriana is interested in illustrators with fresh, unmistakable styles, platform-driven narrative nonfiction from children to adult, and select children’s fiction from picture books to middle grade. She is based in New York.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book *
NONFICTION: Celebrity * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Film/Entertainment * Gift/Novelty * Memoir * Multicultural * Pop Culture *
19 W. 21st Street Suite 501 New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Anissa Dorsey is a literary agent with Anissa Dorsey Literary. Anissa Dorsey is an avid fan of authentic, positive, and celebratory prose novels, novels in verse and graphic novels that are told through character-driven stories and original stand-out designs. She represents authors, illustrators, and author/illustrators for Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult readers in various genres. Her diverse list of clients comes from the worlds of literature, animation, gaming, and comic books. Her authors have clever and inventive stories with bold characters and strong voices for any reader to enjoy. These illustrators are experienced, dynamic, versatile, and trusted talents in the world of sequential art for literary and commercial graphic novels, covers, and designs in collaboration with authors. Anisssa is proud to represent clients who fearlessly create authentic works showcasing all marginalized communities, mental health, and the all-American Pop Culture licensed works. This year Anissa is looking for authors of romance, mystery, spooky stories, paranormal, horror, and comedy.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Horror * Humor Fiction * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Satire * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Katelyn Dougherty is a literary agent with the Paradigm Literary and Talent Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Horror * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Film/Entertainment * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * Humor * Journalism * Juvenile * Memoir * Middle Grade * Photography * Pop Culture * Women’s Issues * Young Adult *
Biography
Dawn Dowdle is a literary agent with the Blue Ridge Literary Agency, LLC. She lives in Lynchburg, VA, in the Blue Ridge Mountains. She is an avid reader of cozy mysteries for relaxation and enjoys attending Malice Domestic when she has the chance. Her reading interests have widened in the last few years.
The agency is a boutique agency that primarily represents Romances and Cozy Mysteries.
One of Dawn’s favorite things to do is attend writers’ conferences. In addition to networking with other agents and editors, she tries to meet with any of her authors who might live in the area, as well as meet new authors.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Graphic Novel * Historical * Inspirational Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Travel *
133 Marvin Place Lynchburg VA 24503 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)