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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: E
Biography
Kate Ellsworth is a literary agent with Tanenbaum International. She joined Tanenbaum International after completing the Columbia Publishing Course and graduating from Kenyon College with a B.A. in English. She previously gained experience as an intern at Foundry Literary + Media, a creative non-fiction editor at Sunset Press, and an Associate at the Kenyon Review.
Kate is looking for narrative and visual non-fiction projects that blend a literary voice with commercial appeal. She is especially interested in books that examine overlooked moments from history or offer well-known stories told from a new point of view, as well as those that explore language, gender, identity, and mental health.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Literary Fiction |General Nonfiction | Art | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Health Wellness | History | Lifestyle | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Photography | Politics | Psychology | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Tessa Emily Hall is a assosicate agent with the Hartline Literary Agency. She is an award-winning author who wrote her debut novel when she was sixteen. She is now a multi-published author of both fiction and non-fiction inspirational yet authentic books for teens, including her latest release, LOVE YOUR SELFIE. Tessa’s passion for shedding light on clean entertainment and media for teens led her to a career as a Literary Agent at Cyle Young Literary Elite and a YA Acquisitions Editor for Iron Stream Media.
She is a regular writer for Crosswalk.com and her works have been published in multiple publications, including Devozine, Guide Magazine, Broken But Priceless Magazine, Fervr.net, and more. When Tessa’s fingers aren’t flying 128 WPM across the keyboard, she can be found speaking to teens, teaching at writing conferences across the country, and acting in inspirational films. Her favorite way to procrastinate is to connect with readers is on her mailing list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website: http://www.tessaemilyhall.com.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction |Christian Fiction | Christian Nonfiction | Christian Books ONLY |Fantasy | General Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction |Inspirational Nonfiction | Parenting | Self-Help |
Biography
Chelsey Emmelhainz is a literary agent with Copps Literary Services. She joined Copps Literary Services in 2021 after a decade as an editor of upmarket fiction and nonfiction. Upon graduating from the Denver Publishing Institute, she got her start at HarperCollins with William Morrow and Avon Books. She was most recently a senior editor at Crooked Lane Books.
As an editor, Chelsey worked on projects that cross the literary landscape: from Amish romance to upmarket thrillers and everything in between. Yet her true passion lies in helping authors refine their narratives to create compelling stories and advocating on their behalf. An editorial agent, she works tirelessly with authors to polish their work into commercial projects aimed at catching the eye of editors and publishers.
Chelsey is building a highly selective list, focused mainly on adult fiction and nonfiction. Regardless of genre, she is always looking for authentic storytelling and to elevate diverse voices.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Biography | Crafts | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Environment | Food Drink | Gardening | History | How-To | Illustrated | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Politics | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science | Technology | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Brenna English-Loeb is an literary agent for adult authors, children’s authors and/or illustrators with the Transatlantic Agency. She joined Transatlantic in 2019 after working for several years at Janklow & Nesbit Associates and Writers House, where she had the pleasure of working with New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors across multiple genres. Brenna grew up in beautiful Upstate New York and studied English and Theatre at Bucknell University.
Brenna is also the owner of BEL Tower Editorial, where she works with authors as a developmental editor on such big-picture issues as world-building, plot and character development, pacing and theme, among other areas of concern, such as query and synopsis critiques.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |BIPOC Fiction | Fantasy | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Mystery | Science Fiction |Cultural Social Issues | History |
Biography
Kate Epstein is a literary agent with the Epstein Literary Agency. Kate is also the founder and president, and she is a member of the Association of Authors’ Representatives. Kate travels periodically to her native New York City—an easy train ride from her Washington, DC-area location—and is actively building relationships with editors at publishers large and small. The particular strengths she brings to authors include:
Intelligent and insightful editing.
Concept sharpening when required.
An imagination for companion books when the time comes.
An understanding of editors that comes from having been one.
A willingness to work with independent publishers that offer good distribution, as well as larger publishers.
Enthusiasm and attentiveness.
A passion for working with authors and for defending their interests.
An understanding of authors’ emotional experience of the publishing process.
Kate participates in writer’s conferences from time to time, and values the opportunity to meet writers and share her opinions about the business of publishing. Upcoming appearances at such events, if any, are listed in the News section.
Epstein Literary offers a standard agency agreement that follows AAR guidelines and charges 15% commission on sales to North American publishers. No fees, ever. Standard expenses are charged against sales, not billed directly. Kate Epstein founded the Epstein Literary Agency in October, 2005, after four years’ acquisitions experience at Adams Media. Kate Epstein holds a B.A. with Highest Honors in English from the University of Michigan. She lives with her husband and two children outside Washington, DC.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction |General Nonfiction | Animals | Autobiography | Biography | Business Book | Celebrity | Cookbook Cooking | Crafts | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Design | Diet Nutrition | Economics | Family | Film Entertainment | Food Drink | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Money Finance | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Parenting | Politics | Pop Culture | Psychology | Reference | Religion | Self-Help | Spirituality | Travel | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Linda Epstein is a literary agent with Emerald City Literary Agency. She’s at the helm of the Emerald City Literary Agency east coast office. In addition to being an agent, Linda writes books for children and teens, poetry for adults, and teaches creative writing.
Representing picture books, middle grade and young adult fiction, as well as select children’s nonfiction, Linda does not represent adult literature. She is also responsible for film and television rights for the agency.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | LGBTQ Fiction |
Biography
Lisa Erbach Vance is a literary agent with The Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency. Lisa joined the Aaron Priest Literary Agency in 1993 as Director of Foreign Rights for Aaron Priest and began representing her own clients shortly thereafter. Her clients include Harlan Coben, Gregg Hurwitz, David McCloskey, Glen Erik Hamilton, B.J. Daniels, Rebecca Hardiman, Sandra Kitt, Alex Finlay, Ann Howard Creel, Gayle Lynds, Watt Key, Matt Beynon Rees, Aaron and Charlotte Elkins, Amanda Stevens, Anthony Franze, G.M. Ford, the estate of Madeleine L’Engle, and more.
Prior to joining the agency, Lisa’s publishing career began at Random House, Inc. where she was selected as one of the first participants in their new Management Trainee program, after which she became an associate in the foreign rights department at Crown Publishers. Lisa was born and raised outside of Chicago, and she has a degree in English Literature from Northwestern University.
Lisa is currently most interested in and actively seeking out fiction, literary or commercial, especially works featuring female characters, as well as some narrative non-fiction. Types of work include: Propulsive, emotionally engaging thrillers—domestic or international. Moody psychological and domestic suspense. Speculative fiction set in a recognizable near future. Ghost or supernatural stories that go beyond chills and speak to current culture but are not graphically violent. Observant, thoughtful fiction about families and friends, with fresh perspectives on modern relationships. Narratives with a witty or lovingly humorous spin, including rom-coms. Diverse and unique narrative voices that speak to the human condition and the world today; underrepresented voices of all backgrounds and identities.
In every category, Lisa looks for a powerful premise and characters she’ll be passionate about, in addition to great writing. Her goal is not only to sell books, but also to build long and ever-growing careers for her clients, giving each of them close and thorough attention as well as being an advocate in all aspects of the publishing process, including licensing foreign rights, audio rights, dramatic rights and more.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture |
Biography
Jessica Errera is a literary agent with the Jane Rotrosen Agency. She has been with JRA since 2014. She is looking for commercial women’s fiction with a fresh and fun hook, all genres of YA (especially diverse stories), contemporary romance, mysteries and suspense, the occasional historical fiction, and anything that might be read in a day on the beach. Jessica is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she spent four years cheering on the Tar Heels and a few fantastic months interning with Algonquin Books.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |Dating Relationships Sex | Self-Help |
Biography
Annalise Errico is a literary agent with Ladderbird. Annalise is a graduate of Lesley University where she earned a B.A. in Creative writing with a double minor in Literature and Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. She is excited about uplifting stories by authors with marginalized voices and intersectional identities, ultimately making room for the diverse voices that have long since been ignored and suppressed in the literary world and beyond. When she isn’t agenting, Annalise spends an excessive amount of time snuggling with her cat, Mittens, and writing romance novels that are more swoony than strictly necessary.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Magical Realism | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | True Crime |
Biography
Gareth Esersky is a literary agent with the Carol Mann Agency. Gareth has held editorial positions at four trade publishing houses and worked as a book producer and consultant before joining the Carol Mann Agency in 1993. She represents authors whose work falls into the following categories: health, nutrition, psychology, parenting, spirituality, Judaica, and literary and narrative nonfiction and memoir.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |General Fiction | Literary Fiction |Biography | Business Book | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Diet Nutrition | Economics | Food Drink | Health Wellness | How-To | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Politics | Psychology | Religion | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | Technology |
Biography
Rebecca Eskildsen is a literary agent with Writers House. She says: “I joined Writers House in 2017, supporting Merrilee Heifetz with all her clients’ needs. Under Merrilee’s guidance, I’ve worked closely with a range of incredible authors, including Neil Gaiman, the Estate of Octavia E. Butler, Alexandra Bracken, Beth Revis, Melissa Marr, Ellen Datlow, Kristen Orlando, Amanda Panitch, Allyson Dahlin, and Robin McKinley. Prior to my time at Writers House, I was part of the foreign rights department at JABberwocky Literary Agency, and before that, I spent two years as a bookseller.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | General Fiction | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction |
Biography
Katherine Estrada is a literary agent with Williamson Literary. She graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a minor in Theology in May 2020. Since graduating, she has worked as an ABA Therapist and Senior Executive Assistant at a Behavioral Health Clinic. She left the Healthcare Industry to pursue a career in publishing.
Katherine recently was accepted into NYU’s Summer Publishing Institute. She is now interning at Chrysalis Editorial and joined Williamson Literary out of her passion for literature and writing. Her favorite genres are women’s fiction, thriller and fantasy. She especially loves to read books about dynamic relationships (mother-daughter, familial, friendships, etc.) and books where the setting feels like a character too. When she is not reading, you can find her rewatching Ted Lasso, taking long walks or searching D.C. for the best cup of coffee.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Action Adventure | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Satire | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Cultural Social Issues | Environment | History | Humor Nonfiction | Inspirational Nonfiction | Journalism | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Science | Sports | Technology | Travel | True Adventure | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Felicia Eth
Felicia Eth Literary RepresentationAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email > Postal Mail >Biography
Felicia Eth is a literary agent with Felicia Eth Literary Representation. Felicia Eth has been a bona fide literary agent in good standing with the AAR on both East and West Coasts over the course of her career.
She began her career working in the Story Departments of both Warner Brothers and the prestigious independent Palomar Pictures. Leaving the motion picture industry she became a senior agent at Writers House Inc. in NY where she worked for 9 years, handling both her own list of clients as well as overseeing paperback, serial and movie sales for the small publishers that the agency represented (including 10 Speed Press and Chronicle Books).
Among clients whose careers Ms. Eth launched while at Writers House, are Armistead Maupin, Octavia Butler and Steven Dixon.
Moving West, Ms. Eth worked briefly as the West Coast acquiring editor for St. Martin’s Press, of NY, before leaving to open her own agency based out of the Bay Area with offices in San Francisco and Palo Alto.
She is a Phi Betta Kappa, summa cum laude graduate in English from Brandeis University, with additional course work from McGill University.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Short Story Collection | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Family | Food Drink | Journalism | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science | Sports | Travel | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Mary Evans is a literary agent with the Mary Evans Literary Agency. On her father’s side, Mary Evans is an 8th generation Hoosier. When she grew up and moved East to attend Barnard College, she had a part-time job working at Columbia University’s M.F.A. program. While there, she got a glimmer of the game of publishing and she knew she wanted to devote her professional life proving that the pen is mightier than the sword. Post college, she started her own career at Farrar, Straus & Giroux. After a little over a year, she went to a position at The Viking Press. While there her Irish-Catholic mother stopped asking her to go to law school and reveled in any account of her daughter occasionally working alongside Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis who had just started her own career in publishing. After leaving Viking and working at a literary agency for seventeen years, she opened her eponymous agency on May 1, 1994. Her interests include great literature and non-fiction which describes or reveals worlds formerly unknown or obscure. She is particularly interested in progressive politics, alternative medicine, science and technology for the lay reader, social commentary, American history and culture–anything which is a great read!
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |General Fiction | Literary Fiction |General Nonfiction | Cultural Social Issues | History | Medical Medicine | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics | Science | Technology |
Biography
Stephany Evans is a literary agent with Ayesha Pande Literary. She put a toe in the publishing waters at Simon & Schuster Audio when audio publishing was just beginning to be “a thing.” Now, for more than twenty-five years, Stephany has represented nonfiction writers in the areas of health and wellness, spirituality, lifestyle, food and drink, and sustainability, running and fitness, memoir and narrative nonfiction. She also represents a range of women’s fiction, from literary to upmarket commercial, to romance, as well as crime fiction (mysteries, thrillers), and the occasional literary or commercial novel not aimed at a female market. She is looking for fine, accomplished writing, whether the work is by a first time or established author.
She loves to be told a great story!
Stephany is a member of the Association of Authors’ Representatives (AAR), the RWA, the MWA and the Agents Round Table (ART). She has served as ghostwriter on seven published books in the categories of memoir and spirituality.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Cookbook Cooking | Environment | Fitness | Food Drink | Gardening | Health Wellness | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Science | Spirituality | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Suzy Evans is a literary agent with and the founder of Suzy Evans Literary Agency. She says: “I’m a literary agent, attorney, and author who holds a Ph.D. in history from UC Berkeley. My books include Machiavelli for Moms (Simon & Schuster) and Forgotten Crimes: The Holocaust and People with Disabilities. I’m also a former ghostwriter for a #1 New York Times bestselling author with 30 million copies sold and my work has appeared in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, and other publications, including USA Today, Newsweek, Parade, McSweeneys, and The London Times.”
In the adult market, I’m on the hunt for great serious nonfiction, especially by historians looking to make a transition from an academic to trade audience and journalists who have something unique and significant to say. I’m also on the lookout for smart parenting books with useful, original hooks (bonus points for humor!); food, health, and wellness titles, sports books with smart crossover appeal in other genres, especially history and philosophy (I’d LOVE to find the next Golf in the Kingdom or Zen and the Art of Archery); self-help by experts with established platforms and riveting, elegantly-rendered memoir (favorites include William Finnegan’s Barbarian Days and Paul Kalanithi’s When Breath Becomes Air), as well as science and nature, pop culture, “big idea” books about controversial issues, and small, quirky books that make me smile or think about the world in entirely new and surprising ways. I’d also love to find a great legal thriller and I’m ALWAYS on the hunt for timely and important books by and about smart, strong, badass women!
On the children’s front, I have a great love of middle grade and am on the hunt for lively, engaging nonfiction that pops off the page and makes kids excited about reading and learning; wacky/hilarious commercial MG fiction with series potential; and graphic novels that bring history, great works of literature, and fascinating historical figures (think Socrates! Machiavelli! Hamilton!) to life. I also have a soft spot for coming-of-age MG works, YA fiction that tackles difficult issues in bold, daring ways and with inventive formats that can be brought into the classroom to stimulate meaningful discussion and debate, and sweet, lyrical picture books that capture the imagination and call for multiple readings (classic and recent favorites include Stellaluna, Finding Winnie, Sarah and the Big Wave and The Cat Who Walked Across France). I’d also love to find contemporary MG/YA fiction that explores diversity in all its glorious manifestations and a smart, high-concept thriller that has “MOVIE!” written all over it.
Now for three random things about me: I don’t have a sense of smell, I have a serious fear of boredom, butterflies, and Great White Sharks, and I drive my kids crazy with my REALLY bad jokes, like my all-time favorite: Why don’t lobsters like to share? Because they’re shellfish!!! Ha!! And three of my favorite quotes include:
“Find a job you enjoy doing and you will never have to work a day in your life.” – Mark Twain
“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” – Henry James
And: “Follow your bliss.” – Joseph Campbell
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Sports Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Diet Nutrition | Food Drink | Health Wellness | History | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Nature | Parenting | Philosophy | Pop Culture | Science | Self-Help | Sports | Travel |
Biography
Teresa Evenson is a literary agent with the William K Jensen Literary Agency. She has worked in the Christian publishing industry for more than 25 years. She has served as a publicist for numerous bestselling authors, worked as a publicity consultant, and later opened her own publicity firm and hosted several author media training workshops.
From 1991 to 2005, she was the Senior Publicist and Manager of Media Relations at Harvest House Publishers. She has worked with over 500 authors, writing their press kits, creating unique hooks, and pitching them to the appropriate media outlets. She has booked authors on literally thousands of national programs including Oprah, Regis & Kelley, Fox & Friends, O’Reilly Factor, The 700 Club, Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, Life Today w/James Robison, Moody Broadcasting, LeSEA Broadcasting, Daystar, BET, ABC, INSP, TBN and The David Letterman Show.
From 2005 to 2011 Teresa ran her own publicity firm where she continued her work as a publicist and media training for authors as well.
In 2014, she joined the William K. Jensen Literary Agency as an agent. She brings her rich experience of crafting winning proposals, strong personal communication skills, and work ethic to assist authors in their writing career.
Teresa is a graduate of the University of Oregon School of Journalism. She loves to travel, explore new places, and has a deep love for Israel where she lived for a summer. She has served as a Bible teacher in her church for 25 years and leads trips to the Holy Land and to Europe following the steps of the Apostle Paul.
Teresa and her husband live in Eugene, Oregon, and have two grown children.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Christian Nonfiction | Christian Books ONLY | Biography | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Dating Relationships Sex | Family | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | Humor Nonfiction | Inspirational Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Politics | Religion | Spirituality | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Christy Ewers is a literary agent with The CAT Agency, Inc. Owner and agent, Christy Ewers, has been rooted in the children’s literature industry since her mother, Chris, started the agency in 1994, and joined as an agent in 2013. Although Christy is not an artist herself, art has been an integral part of her life and career, even before joining the agency. With a degree in English/Journalism and decades of experience in various creative fields, Christy brings a unique perspective to the agency, while maintaining the enthusiasm and love of art that is her mother’s legacy in the industry. She works closely with the entire “family” of artists, spearheading the promotion and deals for CAT Agency illustrators, as well as working alongside the authors in the group to help craft their stories and hone their writing for young readers.
Aside from writing, her interests include running long distances, seaside escapes, very hot coffee and pitbulls. Christy is – hilariously enough – a dog person. Her family welcomed their pitbull, Leia (as in Princess), into the family in 2020, and rescued another, Carl, in 2023.
Her husband, Chris Ewers, is an artist, too, as a talented cinematographer and film-maker (www.christopherewers.com). They have 2 little ones, Billie & Finnegan, who are The CAT Agency’s resident experts and critics. Billie has 11 years of experience in the world, and is a fan of everything and anything “girly” & middle-grade. At age 8, Finn is devouring early graphic novels & all things baseball-related.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents | Authors and Illustrators Only | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction |
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Directory Instructions
Use the drop-down menu on the left to search for agents by genre, gender, location, longevity, or AAR Status. To find a specific agent or agency, enter the agent’s name or the name of the agency into the search box.
Important: If you use the search box, you must remove the search term by pressing the “Clear Search” link before you look for more agents using the drop-down menu (or you won’t see the proper results). Click on the “Show Notes” and “Show Bio” links underneath each agent for more information about that agent.
Have a question or need support? Post a comment or question by clicking on the red button at the bottom of the page.
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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)