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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.
- The results are being filtered by the character: C
Biography
Agnes Carlowicz is a literary agent with Arc 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 childrenÕs, 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
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Satire | Women’s Fiction |Animals | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Food Drink | Gardening | Gift Novelty | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Politics | Pop Culture | Self-Help | Travel | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Jennifer Carlson
Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery 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 childrenÕs 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
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | History | Journalism | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Upmarket Nonfiction |
Biography
Matthew Carnicelli is a literary agent with and the founder of Carnicelli Literary Management. Matthew, president, specializes in idea-driven nonfiction and quality fiction. He began his publishing career at Dutton, where as an editor he worked with many great writers of fiction, history, and current events, including Christopher Bram, Vice President Al Gore, Judith Warner, Cornel West, and Cathleen Schine. At Contemporary Books and McGraw-Hill, he became enthralled with strong health writing and business and sports books, working with such authors as John Wooden, Victoria Moran, Gail Ferguson, Roland Lazenby, and Robert Kurson.
He became an agent in 2004 in order to have more control over the depth of his work with clients and to focus only in areas that interested him intellectually and creatively. Over the past fifteen years, he has represented such notable authors as brain and movement expert Anat Baniel, political pundit Dave “Mudcat” Saunders, fashion designer Marc Eck_, Meet the Press moderator Chuck Todd, graphic novelist Derf Backderf, and business consultant Gino Wickman.
Matthew is a graduate of Washington University, with a B.A. in English literature and political science, and received an M.A. from the University of Toronto in English literature. He has taught college-level nonfiction writing, attends numerous writersÕ conferences, and is often called upon by the media to comment on book publishing and other topics.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |BIPOC Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Art | Beauty Fashion Style | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Education | Food Drink | Health Wellness | History | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Photography | Politics | Pop Culture | Psychology | Religion | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | Sports | Technology |
Biography
Heather Carr is a literary agent with The Friedrich Agency. She says: ÒIf IÕm being perfectly honest, I never imagined a career in book publishing. As a kid growing up in the Pacific Northwest, specifically the suburbs of Portland, Oregon, the publishing industry did not exist in my mind as a real field one could work in. I grew up as the youngest of a complex, blended family with ten siblings and step-siblings, and made a name for myself in second grade convincing my classmates that god couldnÕt possibly exist (ÒI mean look at the evidence, itÕs just clouds up there!Ó I argued). I eventually found my way from Catholic school to a tiny public arts school where I was immersed in visual and performing arts (think Fame but suburban and nerdier). I focused on film photography and dance, drawn to the rigor of the latter and the sheer magic of the former.
Novelty, a scholarship, and a music conservatory brought me to a small liberal arts college in Appleton, Wisconsin where I majored in English and continued to study classical piano. Studying English felt a little like cheatingÑreading is interdisciplinary by nature. It was that same appetite for doing a little of everything and moving from a core of curiosity that made a career as an agent so intriguing, once I discovered it existed. After working as an assistant at Trident Media Group for two and a half years I joined The Friedrich Agency in March of 2018.
I have wide-ranging tastes and seek to represent writers who are also driven by curiosity and discovery, whether through formal inventiveness in fiction, like in Kiese LaymonÕs LONG DIVISION, or through rigorous investigative journalism like in Patrick Radden KeefeÕs SAY NOTHING. IÕm often drawn to poets who have turned their hand to proseÑIÕll always be interested in a writer whose dexterity with language allows them to articulate an emotion or sensibility that IÕve not previously been able to describe. Growing up in the land of glittery freezing fog and moss-draped forests, I love a moody atmosphere and setting-as-character. I was a firm believer in magic as a child so I donÕt shy away from the fantastical in literary and upmarket fiction. I particularly enjoy when genre elements are used to explore the places where language fails us.
My goal is to build a list that reflects a full range of perspectives from here in the U.S. and around the globe. Most of what I learned of my own history and that of this country comes from a life of reading, and IÕm always humbled to read writers who have been historically sidelined. When I stop to reflect, IÕm deeply honored that writers trust me with their work and that I get to have this job. IÕm passionate about working towards a brighter and more inclusive publishing industry so that all who want to can see themselves thriving in this business.
Five non-agency books I loved: DETRANSITION, BABY; PIRANESI; IDAHO; FRESHWATER; STRANGERS TO OURSELVES”
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Commercial Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Dating Relationships Sex | Investigative | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction |
Biography
Jamie Carr is a literary agent with The Book Group. She joined The Book Group in January 2020. A senior agent at TBG, she champions award-winning debuts, commercial book club fiction, and expert-driven nonfiction at the forefront of culture. Her titles have been chosen as Indie Next, Target Book Club, and Book of the Month picks. SheÕs also had books featured on NPRÕs Best Books of the Year list, GMA (Buzzworthy segment), USA TODAYÕs Bestseller List, and nominated for the Lambda Literary Awards, to name just a few. Previous to TBG, she was at William Morris Endeavor for almost six years. Born and raised in Lower Manhattan, she has an MFA in fiction writing and began her publishing journey in the books department of Tin House.
Jamie represents novelists, journalists, and experts in culture, food, sobriety, finance, millennial and Jewish issues, and more. Most interested in adult literary and upmarket commercial womenÕs fiction and narrative nonfiction, she is drawn to writing that is voice-driven, highly transporting, from unique perspectives and marginalized voices, and that seeks to disrupt or reframe what appears to be known.
For JamieÕs most up-to-date wishlist, please click here.
A few books I loved reading in my free time… Counterfeit by Kristen Chen, Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson, Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid, I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai, Listen for the Lie by Amy Tinterra,Shmutz by Felicia Berliner, You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith, Invisible Child by Andrea Elliott, Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor by Yossi Klein Halevi, and Stay True by Hua Hsu.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |BIPOC Fiction | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Art | BIPOC Nonfiction | Computers | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Dating Relationships Sex | Environment | Family | Food Drink | History | Investigative | Journalism | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Parenting | Politics | Psychology | Science | Spirituality | Technology | Upmarket Nonfiction |
Biography
Michael Carr is a literary agent with the Veritas Literary Agency. With a strong background in editing and writing, Michael enjoys teaching at workshops and conferences to help develop emerging writers. He is fluent in Spanish and speaks conversational French. Before joining Veritas, Michael had professions as diverse as programming simulators for nuclear submarines and owning an inn in Vermont.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Environment | History | Memoir | Military War Nonfiction | Multicultural Nonfiction | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Science | Sports | Technology | Travel | True Crime |
Biography
Sylvie Carr is a literary agent with and the founder of The Carr Agency. Sylvie began her career in New York City with Fletcher & Company, where she worked with agency clients including Eric Ries, Chip and Dan Heath, Bob Sutton, Gretchen Rubin, Claire Shipman and Katty Kay, IDEO, and Ron Lieber.
A graduate of Stanford University, Sylvie lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and young daughters. Her most recent travels were to Olib, the small island in Croatia where her husbandÕs grandmother was born (population: 140), to hike Zion National Park, and to Vermont with her large and boisterous extended family.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | New Adult Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Business Book | Computers | Cookbook Cooking | Current Events Affairs | Economics | Health Wellness | History | Investigative | Journalism | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics | Science | Sports | Technology |
Biography
Thais Afonso is a literary agent with the Azantian Literary Agency. Thais has eight years of experience in publishing between Brazil, China, and the United States. More recently, she interned at Writers House, where she honed her skills while supporting the desks of Amy Berkower and Johanna Castillo, and she was mentored by Jennifer Azantian before stepping up to the Associate Agent role at ALA. She intends to represent marginalized authors, and she’s especially seeking to uplift BIPOC born and raised in the Global South.
An Afro-Brazlian lesbian, Thais currently lives and works out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She helps care for her grandmother when she’s not editing books and she’s one of those terrible people who calls the gym her hobby (even though she currently doesn’t go).
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | Gothic Fiction | Horror | Magical Realism | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Speculative Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |
Biography
Lucy Carson is a literary agent with The Friedrich Agency. She says: ÒI was an over-achieving Òtheater kidÓ who joined every club I could jam into my high school schedule, and never missed a staged production. I attended The University of Michigan, but rarely attended any football games because the library was so blissfully quiet and empty on those SaturdaysÑa temptation too rare to pass up. At Michigan, I studied Film & Television, with an emphasis on production, and when some Juniors spent their semester abroad, I spent mine in Los Angeles, working for The Weinstein Company. I had planned to move to LA after graduation, but when MollyÕs then-assistant had a maternity leave that coincided with graduation in April 2008, I decided to postpone LA for a few months, since the agency was newly formed and my mother needed a trusted temp. Working together proved to be far more fun than either of us expected, so I simply never left.
In my 14 years at the agency, I have cultivated a list of mostly fiction and narrative non-fiction for the adult trade audience. I have a particular weakness for voice-forward fiction that asks complicated questions about the intersection of tech, media, and modern relationships. Always with eyes peeled for elevated and stylish writing, I read widely across many genres, including thrillers, horror, sci-fi, and magical realism. Often the novels that are hardest to definitively categorize are the ones that most readily seduce me. In non-fiction, I always crave narrativeÑwhether itÕs a previously untold chapter of history, or an intimate memoir, or the portrait of a contemporary cultural phenomenon.
In addition to brokering domestic publishing deals for my own clients, I also oversee all Film, Television & Dramatic business for the wider agency list. This does not mean I represent screenplays! These services only apply to existing print publishing clients and their underlying intellectual property (i.e. the book, the short story, the article). The Friedrich AgencyÕs Film/TV relationships are non-exclusive and customized for each project, and have resulted in all manner of adaptations, from serialized TV shows to one-woman Broadway plays.
Five non-agency books that I loved: ASSEMBLY, CHEMISTRY, SPECIAL TOPICS IN CALAMITY PHYSICS, MAYBE YOU SHOULD TALK TO SOMEONE, DRIVE YOUR PLOW OVER THE BONES OF THE DEAD.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Horror | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Mystery | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | History | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Science |
Biography
In 2005 Julie Carson May founded Media Motion International (MMI) to focus on building brands and brand extensions for talented thought leaders, experts and corporations. Her expertise is in working with talent and companies in the areas of sustainability, climate change, nutrition, wellness and other key areas of emerging positive “disruptionÓ. MMI works closely with clients to secure profitable deals in areas including television, radio, magazines, webisode series, streaming content, licensed products and book platforms. In addition, MMI specializes in cultivating sponsorships, partnerships and marketing opportunities with leading corporations and media partners.
An honors graduate of Harvard University, JulieÕs experience includes consulting with leading management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. Julie also led strategic efforts for DreamWorks Interactive, the DreamWorks interactive multi-media division, where she was part of the senior executive team and focused on branding, licensing and strategic planning.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | General Nonfiction | Diet Nutrition | Environment | Health Wellness |
Jenniea Carter
New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc.Accepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email > Online Form >Biography
Jenniea Carter is a literary agent with New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc. Harlem born and raised, Jenniea graduated from City College of New York with a B.A in Creative Writing and Asian Studies. With haste, she moved to Japan to explore the world outside the concrete jungle. After years of exploration, she returned home with a revitalized zeal for the literary world. Her first endeavor led her to Kinokuniya Bookstore where she honed her knowledge of book buying, merchandising, and selling. Soon after; Jenniea found herself home at New Leaf on JoannaÕs team, eager to uplift and amplify marginalized voices. When she is not between the pages of a book, Jenniea can be found bingeing mystery documentaries and animation.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Black Literary Agents | New Literary Agents |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Chick Lit | LGBTQ Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Maria Carvainis is a literary agent with the Maria Carvanis Agency. Prior to opening her agency, Ms. Carvainis spent more than 10 years in the publishing industry as a senior editor with Macmillan Publishing, Basic Books, Avon Books, and Crown Publishers. Ms. Carvainis has served as a member of the AAR Board of Directors and AAR Treasurer, as well as serving as chair of the AAR Contracts Committee. She presently serves on the AAR Royalty Committee.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction |Christian Fiction |Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mainstream Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Autobiography | Biography | Business Book | Current Events Affairs | History | Humor Nonfiction | Memoir | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics | Pop Culture | Psychology | Religion | Science | Spirituality |
Biography
Andrea Cascardi is a literary agent with the Transatlantic Agency. Andrea Cascardi has held senior editorial positions at Random House, Disney/Hyperion, and Egmont USA. As an editor she acquired and edited Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King winner Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold, the Raffi Songs to Read series, and Pura Belpre winner Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez among many other award-winning books. As an agent she has represented many bestselling and award-winning titles including Clare VanderpoolÕs Newbery winner Moon Over Manifest and Printz Honor winner Navigating Early, e.E. Charlton-TruilloÕs Stonewall winner Fat Angie, New York Times Bestseller Nubs: A Mutt, A Marine, and a Miracle, and Texas Bluebonnet winner Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break if You Want to Survive the School Bus.
Notes
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 | Contemporary Fiction | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Romance | Women’s Fiction |Cookbook Cooking | Lifestyle |
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 childrenÕs stories.
She is a frequent guest speaker at writersÕ 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 ChildrenÕs 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
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 | Inspirational Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | History | Inspirational Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Self-Help | True Crime |
Biography
Haley Casey is a literary agent with Creative Media Agency, Inc. She has always had a special place in her heart for stories, but it was when she wrote her first chapter book in fifth grade that her true love of literature was realized. In 2015, she graduated from The University of Kansas with a bachelorÕs degree in creative writing, and that fall, she attended the Denver Publishing Institute. She began her full-time career at Ogden Publications, where she was an editor for four years. There she worked with a variety of authors across multiple magazines, wrote articles, edited podcasts, and even styled photosÑanything to add some creativity to her days. In 2020, she interned at Metamorphosis Literary Agency and Creative Media Agency, Inc. before stepping into her role as a junior agent at CMA. She also manages the digital arm of the company. Haley is actively building her list, and is ready to assist her authors in achieving their publishing goals.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | BIPOC Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | LGBTQ Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |BIPOC Nonfiction | Cultural Social Issues | Environment | Gardening | Health Wellness | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Psychology | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Erin Casey Westin is a literary agent with Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. Erin graduated from Hamilton College with a B.A. in Creative Writing and an ever-growing list of books to read. She is open to all kid lit age groups, from picture books through YA, and is particularly drawn to work that shows the authorÕs world- and character-building ability. She wants to believe wholeheartedly in the world of the book, whether the setting is familiar or fantastic. She wants to see authentic, thoughtful representations of all people so that every kid can find a book that speaks to them. She wants even the simplest lines of dialogue to pluck at her heartstrings because theyÕre so perfectly written for that character. Erin loves that startled feeling you get upon reaching the end of a chapter in a really good book. You forget youÕre reading when youÕre so busy living, you know?
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Mystery | Science Fiction | Speculative Fiction | Sports Fiction | Thriller |History | Humor Nonfiction | Illustrated | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Science | Sports |
Biography
Heather Cashman is a literary agent with the Storm Literary Agency. Heather has always devoured any book–fiction or nonfiction–that told a good story and introduced a new world, but she especially loves the ones that make her want to be the heroine of her own life. Her work in Biochemistry inspired her imagination for creating worlds. Writing for enjoyment turned into an interest in improving craft.
Heather was a professional editor for Cornerstones Literary Consultancy, editing middle grade, young adult, and adult books. SheÕs also helped authors by working as Managing Director of Pitch Wars, #PitMad, and Pitch Madness, as well as being a Pitch Wars mentor. Before becoming Associate Literary Agent and Agent Mentor at Storm Literary Agency, Heather interned for three years at The Bent Agency and Entangled Publishing.
Heather is currently seeking submissions for middle grade, young adult, and adult in fiction and nonfiction. For fiction, sheÕll consider all genres and loves a good genre splice. For non-fiction, anything that takes her back to those days in the library when she wanted to learn about someone, something, and somewhere new.
For all writing, Heather enjoys unique characters formed from their own experiences in a unique world. The characters need to feel real with a distinct voice from the first line. Thematic elements and strong character arcs are a must. She loves commercial fiction that has a literary flair and inclusive books that bring us together as citizens of the world.
Some of her favorite authors: Anne McCaffrey, Terry Brooks, Judy Blume, Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, Gary Paulson, Roald Dahl, Lord Byron (so much love for Prometheus Unbound, especially), Orson Scott Card, Beverly Cleary, Dean Koontz, Rainbow Rowell, Pierce Brown, Leigh Bardugo, Maggie Stiefvater, Holly Black, and so many more.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Art | Biography | Cookbook Cooking | Crafts | History | Humor Nonfiction | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science | Sports | True Crime |
Biography
Johanna Castillo is a Senior Agent at Writers House Literary Agency. A seasoned professional in the publishing industry with 20+ years of experience, Johanna was formerly Vice President & Executive Editor at Simon and Schuster and Editorial Director of Atria Espa–ol for nearly fifteen years. She has acquired, edited or represented more than 50+ New York Times bestsellers, National and International bestselling authors including Isabel Allende, Samanta Schweblin, Rachael Ray, Sara Shepard, Lucinda Riley, Agustina Bazterrica, Javier Sierra, Laura Esquivel, Reyna Grande, Antonia Hylton, Ana Castillo, Justin Baldoni, Armando Lucas Correa and many others.
While at Simon and Schuster, Johanna acquired and edited #1 New York Times bestseller It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover, as well as all of her first 14 titles, including Slammed, Ugly Love, November 9 and others. She was also responsible for acquiring non-fiction category breakers such as The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and represented Madness by Antonia Hylton. Johanna is also considered an industry expert in books in translation, Latine and Spanish US market.
She has been featured in The Miami Herald, The Boston Globe, The Daily News, Latina Magazine and in Publishers Weekly Magazine. In 2016 she was named one of the 25 Most Powerful Women by People en Espa–ol magazine. 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 editorially and form solid, long-term partnerships.
Johanna is seeking works of Literary and commercial fiction and narrative non-fiction. She is always seeking new diverse voices, particularly Latinx and African-American.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | History | Lifestyle | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics |
Biography
Claire Cavanagh is an assistant agent with The Rights Factory. Claire is currently seeking non-fiction projects on a range of topics including pop culture/celebrity, gift books, memoir/hybrid memoir, biography, history, art, fashion, cultural criticism, and society/culture.
She is always keen to dive into niche topics and sub-cultures, including pop culture obsessions and analyses or insights into real or imagined communities.
She gravitates towards insightful projects on a less explored topic particularly when done with humour and any subject which is meticulously researched and/or explores forgotten or hidden figures particularly from underrepresented communities.
Claire was previously in academia and holds an MSc. and PhD. in Applied Linguistics along with a Masters in Publishing from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. Originally from Ireland, she has lived in Europe, Asia, and Canada. These life experiences influence her list as she is always eager to work with academics to shape academic work into trade books and is equally enthusiastic to work with authors from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Art | Beauty Fashion Style | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Celebrity | Cultural Social Issues | Film Entertainment | Gift Novelty | History | Memoir | Music | Pop Culture |
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 bachelorÕs 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
CLOSED to Submissions |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Mystery | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |
Biography
Terra Chalberg is a literary agent with the Chalberg & Sussman Literary Agency. After graduating from UCLA and working in film development, Terra began her publishing career in 2002 at Scribner. Later, at Simon & Schuster and Simon Spotlight Entertainment (now Gallery), she edited and acquired a diverse list of projects. As an agent, first with the Susan Golomb Literary Agency and now with Chalberg & Sussman, she represents Glenn Taylor, 2008 NBCC Award Finalist in Fiction and B&N Discover selection for The Ballad of Trenchmouth Taggart and author of The Marrowbone Marble Company; Andrew Porter, Iowa graduate and Flannery O’Connor Award-winner for The Theory of Light and Matter; Margaux Fragoso, author of the New York Times bestseller Tiger, Tiger; Eugene Cross, recipient of the 2009 Dzanc Prize and author of the forthcoming Fires of Our Choosing; Jennie Ketcham, author of the forthcoming I am Jennie; and Yosemite Park Ranger Shelton Johnson, author of Gloryland. She also counts among her clients Allison Amend, finalist for the 2011 Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature; Elise Blackwell, acclaimed author of Hunger and three other novels; Kira Henehan, winner of the 2010 Milkweed National Fiction prize, finalist for the 2010 Believer Book Award, and shortlisted for the 2011 Independent Booksellers Choice Award; and Lori Ostlund, recipient of a 2009 Rona Jaffe Award, Flannery O’Connor Award, Edmund White Award, California Book Award, and 2011 O. Henry Prize.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Business Book | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Family | Film Entertainment | Inspirational Nonfiction | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Politics | Pop Culture | Religion | Self-Help | Spirituality |
Biography
Sarah Chalfant is a literary agent with The Wylie Agency.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction | Science Fiction | Short Story Collection |General Nonfiction | Art | Autobiography | Biography | Business Book | Current Events Affairs | Health Wellness | History | Memoir | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics | Pop Culture | Reference | Religion | Science | Spirituality | Sports |
Jemiscoe Chambers-Black
Andrea Brown Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Online Form >Biography
Jemiscoe Chambers-Black is a literary agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Before Jemiscoe “Jem” Chambers-Black joined Andrea Brown Literary Agency in 2020, she was an assistant director for film and television. Her love for books prevailed, and she went back to school to study English Literature and creative writing in fiction and earned her MFA. She represents illustrators, picture book authors (by referral only), MG, YA, and adult authors. In picture books, she enjoys laugh-out-louds, tight rhyming, and heartfelt books that deal with family, friendships, and emotional literacy.
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Accepting Submissions | Black Literary Agents | Authors and Illustrators Only | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Jamie Chambliss is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. Writers are astounding. Only 26 letters at your disposal, yet you shift and rearrange them into an endless stream of invention to conjure new worlds again and again. IÕve been chasing the endless ordering of those 26 letters most of my life, first as a reader, then as a writer, editor and agent. Before I joined Folio, I worked at Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, where I moved from assistant editor to project editor, working on both fiction and nonfiction and in both editorial and marketing. As an assistant editor, I worked on a range of titles, including B.A. ShapiroÕs The Muralist, Stephanie KnipperÕs The Peculiar Miracles of Antoinette Martin, Nina de GramontÕs The Last September, Heidi PitlorÕs The Daylight Marriage, and Larry OlmstedÕs Real Food/Fake Food. As project editor I worked on Elaine KhosrovaÕs Butter and C. Morgan BabstÕs The Floating World. I understand how to shape a story before it goes out into the world, and how to best position it once itÕs there. IÕve also been a freelance writer and editor, and a manuscript reader (yep, thatÕs a thing, and itÕs awesomeÑbut, alas, not lucrative). Before any of that I was an award-winning writer and editor with Atlanta Magazine for six years, covering, among other things, books, the arts, and sports narratives. IÕm a graduate of Wake Forest University and have a masterÕs degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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CLOSED to Submissions |Literary Fiction | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Art | Food Drink | History | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Science | Sports |
Biography
Darlene Chan is a literary agent with the Linda Chester Literary Agency. A veteran of the film industry, she served as an executive for Paramount Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures (both times under Jeffrey Katzenberg), Davis Entertainment and as an independent producer. Among the titles she has been associated with are Grumpy Old Men, Beverly Hills Cop, Thing Called Love and Shattered. In 2009, Darlene established Darlene Chan PR, which specializes in web PR and social media for authors. Among her clients are Live Talks Los Angeles, Daniel H. Wilson, Joe Ide, Elizabeth Brundage, Tara Ison and Denise Hamilton. Darlene is interested in stories by and about BIPOC, womenÕs fiction, chick lit, crime fiction, YA, pop culture and books on film and the entertainment industry.
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Accepting Submissions |BIPOC Fiction | Chick Lit | Crime Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Romance | Women’s Fiction |BIPOC Nonfiction | Film Entertainment | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture |
Biography
Sonali Chanchani is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. She represents literary and book club fiction and narrative nonfiction. She earned her degree in English and Narrative Studies from the University of Southern California and began her career in publishing at Kaya, an independent press dedicated to publishing authors from the Asian diaspora. She is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents, where she serves on the Board of Directors and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the nonprofit organization Literary Agents of Change.
SonaliÕs clients include New York Times bestseller and contributing editor to Vanity Fair Maureen ÒMoÓ Ryan (Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood); co-founder of the Asian American WritersÕ Workshop Curtis Chin (Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant); psychologist and intergenerational trauma expert Dr. Mariel BuquŽ (Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma); speaker and LGTBQ+ advocate Julie Rodgers (Outlove: A Queer Christian Survival Story); and poet, performer, and storyteller JoŽl Leon (Everything and Nothing at Once: A Black ManÕs Reimagined Soundtrack for the Future); among many others.
Across the board, Sonali is drawn to character-driven stories that center historically marginalized voices.
In nonfiction, she is looking for narratives and collections that illuminate some aspect of our society or culture with an eye towards social justice. She is especially drawn to investigative journalism and deeply researched narratives that advance our current conversations about race, class, gender, and politics.
In fiction, she is looking for literary fiction and book club fiction with a strong, distinctive voice. SheÕs particularly interested in smart, funny coming of age novels; braided narratives of friendship or family; literary mysteries; and atmospheric stories with a speculative or fabulist twist. She loves novels that subvert dominant cultural narratives and explore questions of identity, belonging, community, inheritance, and diaspora.
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Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |BIPOC Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | BIPOC Nonfiction | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | History | Investigative | Journalism | Law Legal | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics |
Biography
Minju Chang is a literary agent with BookStop Literary Agency. Minju joined BookStop in 2006, and represents middle-grade and young adult writers of all genres. She has a particular interest in smart adventure/mystery novels, magical realism, and intense literary fiction, but her real weakness is for funny, clever, and gutsy characters with big attitudes. BookStop clients and their work have earned national recognition from such organizations as the American Library Association’s Notable committee, the American Booksellers and from ÔYoung Reader’ committees in a number of states.
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CLOSED to Submissions |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Graphic Novel |