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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: J
Biography
Greg Johnson is a literary agent with WordServe Literary Group. Greg Johnson has been in publishing for more than 25 years. Before becoming a full-time literary agent in 1994, he wrote and published 20 works of nonfiction with traditional publishers, as well as being an editor for a teenage boys magazine for five years. In his years as an agent, he has personally represented more than 2,300 books and negotiated more than 1,800 contracts to over 85 publishing houses. These works include adult trade books (non-fiction and fiction), childrenÕs books, specialty Bibles, movie options, video curricula, audio products, gift books and greeting cards.While GregÕs stable of authors is near full, he will occasionally take on new authors and new projects. Along with representing a broad array of adult nonfiction and fiction, Greg works with pastors and speakers, male and female, who have important and compelling messages to author for their constituents. He has also carved a niche by representing military nonfiction/memoir for those who have served our country from WWII until today. Business books, health and humor rounds out what he is looking to acquire.Greg is married to Becky and together they are parents of six adult children and seven grandchildren. They make their home near Denver, Colo.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Religious Fiction, RomanceNONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, General Nonfiction, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Religion, Spirituality, SportsCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s BooksNONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction, Christian Nonfiction
Biography
Jared Johnson is a literary agent with Olswanger Literary LLC. He is a recovering academic. After several years of academic research in the humanities and teaching writing and history, he turned his efforts toward pursuing a career in publishing. In 2021 he joined Olswanger Literary as a Literary Associate.Most of his time is spent reading good books, editing, and trying to claw his way out from under a mountain of emails. In his downtime, he can be found outdoors with his dogs, building a fantasy team for the Overwatch League, or playing Magic: The Gathering with his nephews.
Notes
FICTION: Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: Beauty Fashion Style, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Education, General Nonfiction, History, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Religion, Science
Biography
Kate Johnson is a literary agent with Wolf Literary Services. Kate is an agent as well as UK rights manager for Wolf Literary Services and the Gillian MacKenzie Agency. Before moving to Wolf Literary, Kate was an agent and Vice President at Georges Borchardt, Inc. She has edited and reported at StoryQuarterly, Bookslut.com, New York Magazine, and elsewhere, and graduated from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism. Her authors have won the PEN Faulkner Award, Center for FictionÕs First Novel Prize, Whiting Award, Rona Jaffe Foundation WritersÕ Award, the Barnes & Noble Discover Prize for Fiction, National Book FoundationÕs 5 Under 35, the Nigeria Prize for Literature, and have been longlisted for the National Book Award in nonfiction and the PEN Open Book Award. Kate regularly visits literary festivals and universities, and has chaired the judging panel for the Bristol Short Story Prize and Bath Short Story Award. Kate represents literary and upmarket fiction as well as a range of narrative nonfiction and select memoir, and is interested in food, running, obsessives, unconventional families, art, global stories, social justice, mental health, medicine, and the environment. She loves working with journalists. Across all her projects, she looks for authentic voices and books that uncover something off-kilter in the everyday, or conversely something relatable in the extraordinary.
Notes
FICTION: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Short Story Collection, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: Art, Biography, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Environment, Family, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Food Drink, Health Wellness, History, Journalism, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Science, Sports, Technology, Travel, True Crime
Biography
Lynn Johnston is a literary agency with Lynn Johnston Literary. She says: “For 20 years, I’ve represented nonfiction and a small selection of fiction. The books I represent have been called “firebreathng” and “righteous” by the New York Times, “exuberant” by O, The Oprah Magazine, and “a godsend” by Publishers Weekly. My list includes bestsellers (New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, USA Today), finalists for the Books for a Better Life Award, the winner of the International Association of Culinary Professionals Cookbook Award, a Grammy nominee for best audio book and many “best of year” citationsIn response to the question, “What do you do?” I once replied, “I care.” It was at a party and I meant it as a joke. Thinking about it later, though, I realized I’d inadvertently gotten it right. I care about my authors, the important work they do, how it gets translated into book form, what happens to the book before and after publication, and ultimately the impact it has in the world. My authors have been honored with the Pulitzer Prize, Peabody Award, Global Teaching Prize (finalist), and GLAAD award, to name a few. I’m proud to work with each and every one. Here is a gallery of some of them in action.I have an MBA and BA in Philosophy. Before publishing, I held marketing and management positions and served on the the board or staff of notable non-profits including Dress for Success, Bottomless Closet and the American Bar Association. I currently serve on the advisory board of the Woodstock Book Fest.I came to live and work in New York City by way of Saigon where I was born, Bangkok, Dunedin (Florida), Austin, Dallas and Chicago. My home has several good bookstores within walking distance, but sadly, not enough bookshelves.”
Notes
NONFICTION: Animals, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Environment, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Food Drink, Gardening, General Nonfiction, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Investigative, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Technology, Travel, Women’s Issues
Biography
Michael Johnston is an agent with CAA Literary. Based in the New York office, he creates publishing opportunities across all agency departments, with a focus on platform driven non-fiction, memoir, pop culture, wellness, and narrative non-fiction.He began his career at The Walt Disney Company in the marketing and promotions team in 2008. He joined CAA in 2021.He graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations & Strategic Communication.
Notes
NONFICTION: Health Wellness, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture
Biography
Barbara Jones is a literary agent with the Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency. She represents authors behind a range of fiction and nonfiction, from highly literary works to much more commercial fare, with an emphasis across all forms on voices from previously underrepresented communities and on durable talents and stories.Barbara became a literary agent after several decades as an editor, first in magazines (Grand Street, HarperÕs, Vogue, Real Simple) and then in books (as editorial director at Hyperion Books and, most recently as executive editor at Henry Holt). She has also led writing workshops for thirty years, at Yale University, New York University, Queens University of Charlotte, and elsewhere.She lives in Harlem, New York, with her family.Barbara became a literary agent after several decades as an editor, first in magazines (Grand Street, HarperÕs, Vogue, Real Simple) and then in books (as editorial director at Hyperion Books and, most recently as executive editor at Henry Holt). She has also led writing workshops for thirty years, at Yale University, New York University, Queens University of Charlotte, and elsewhere.She lives in Harlem, New York, with her family.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Upmarket Nonfiction
Biography
Catherine Jones is a literary agent at Union Literary. She graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in Film and English and a concentration in creative writing. She read for The Kenyon Review and Sweet Literary magazine and continues to work as an international literary scout for Edmison/Harper. She loves character-driven books with heart and humor.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Speculative FictionNONFICTION: Inspirational Nonfiction, Nonfiction
Biography
Kima Jones is a literary agent with Triangle House. She is the founder of Jack Jones Literary Arts, a Los Angeles-based book publicity agency for black and brown writers, where, for five years, she worked as lead strategist on all publicity campaigns. In 2017, Kima founded the Jack Jones Literary Arts retreatÑa two-week respite and book incubator for black and brown nonbinary and women writers. The Los Angeles Times called Kima “2018’s literary breakthrough” and “an important new voice on the national stage.” In 2019, Kima founded Culture, TooÑa mentorship conference for black and brown cultural critics. In the spring of 2021, Kima Jones joined Triangle House Literary as an agent where she is interested in representing literary fiction, essay collections, memoir, hybrid texts, commercial fiction, poetry, speculative fiction, science fiction, and horror. She brings more than a decade of marketing and publicity experience into her agenting negotiations.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Science Fiction, Short Story Collection, Speculative FictionNONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Fitness, Food Drink, Health Wellness, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Pop Culture, True Crime
Biography
Kimberly Latrice Jones is a literary agent at LCS Literary Services. She is a renowned American author and filmmaker, best known for her New York Times bestselling young adult novel, ÒIÕm Not Dying With You Tonight.Ó In addition to her successful writing career, she has made notable appearances as a guest on various shows and podcasts, including The Breakfast Club, CBS Mornings, The Daily Show, and TMZ.JonesÕs accomplishments have been highlighted in numerous publications, including Ms. Magazine, Seventeen, Entertainment Weekly, Bustle, and PublisherÕs Weekly. She has received grants and honors such as the James Patterson Holiday Bookseller Bonus grant and the GQ Germany ÒVoice of the YearÓ award. Her work continues to resonate with readers and viewers alike, inspiring and challenging societal norms. The human rights activist and author moved into television after striking an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group which lasted from 2020-2022.
Notes
NONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, History, How-To, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop CultureCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Picture Book
Biography
Gwyn Jordan is a literary agent with and the founder of Gold Dust Literary. She says: “After years of working in the corporate world, I decided to transition to my true calling. I am the founder of Gold Dust Literary Agency, Gold Dust Editing & Book Promotions, and FiBs, a storytelling platform. I graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and from Keller Graduate School of Management with a Master of Business Administration. Watching movies, traveling, and going to stage plays are some of my favorite pastimes.”
Notes
FICTION: Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Erotic Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance, Satire, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Western Fiction, Women’s Fiction
Biography
Ria Julien is an Agent at the Frances Goldin Literary Agency. She is an agent and attorney who has worked in publishing since 1999. Her interests include literature in translation, diaspora fiction, and nonfiction works of conscience on a wide range of topics including law, history, economics, women & gender, environmental and cultural studies. She represents authors whose works offer a critique of power and social injustice. Her clients include award-winning novelist, authors and biographers, muckraking journalists and organizers, including Colin Asher, çlvaro Enrigue, Nimmi Gowrinathan, Daniel Gross, Miriam Lewin, Greg Palast, Oswaldo Zavala and others. Having previously worked as an editor and foreign rights agent, she enjoys developing book projects and finding an international readership for her authors. She splits her time between agenting and representing workers in her labor and employment practice.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fiction, Multicultural FictionNONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, Economics, Environment, History, Law Legal, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Women’s Issues