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The Directory of Literary Agents
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Literary Agent Directory
Important: Visit each agent’s website (links in their listings below) to see if they’re open to submissions before querying.
- The results are being filtered by the character: K
Emily Keyes
Keyes AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Emily S. Keyes is a literary agent with and the founder of Keyes Agency. She has represented many award-winning titles mainly (but not exclusively) in the realm of children’s literature. She loves finding and nurturing new talent, as well as reading and representing projects that will get readers excited to go to the bookstore. Emily is actively searching for all kinds of children’s literature, as well as select adult projects in genre fiction—so long as it’s not “serious” literature. She is searching for authors and illustrators who will be her coworker for a long career.
Previously she worked at the L. Perkins Agency as a contracts manager and associate agent. Before that, she was a Contracts Administrator at Simon & Schuster for five years. In 2008, she graduated from New York University’s Center for Publishing. Emily lives in Brooklyn but she can usually be found spending too much time on the internet. For a better idea of who she is and what she represents, follow her on Twitter and Tumblr.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Gay/Lesbian * Humor * Juvenile * Pop Culture * Women’s Issues *
Biography
Sarah Khalil is a literary agent with Calligraph. She is seeking serious narrative nonfiction with a lens toward social, economic and environmental justice; anti-imperialist thought; pop/cultural criticism and histories; cross-cultural narratives; and writing from Caribbean, MENA, Muslim and LGBTQIA+ creators; all deeply explored by experts—academics, journalists, and those with lived experience. Big ideas, radical thought, and propulsive writing are the cornerstones of her taste. She is also seeking select fiction in the same space.
Prior to Calligraph’s founding, Sarah was at Kneerim & Williams for four years, developing several of the agency’s best-selling and award-winning authors alongside Jill Kneerim and Katherine Flynn, including Margaret Burnham, Matthew Desmond, Stephen Greenblatt, Steven Levitsky & Daniel Ziblatt, and Brett Sokol. She has worked at Beacon Press and the IP law firm Sennott, Williams, & Rogers. She holds an MA in Publishing & Writing from Emerson College and a BA in English Literature with a minor in History from the American University of Beirut.
Sarah is the director of the agency’s internship program. She is on the Association of American Literary Agents’ DEI Committee and is a co-director of its Mentorship Program. She is regularly invited to give remote and in-person workshops on trade publishing, and has done so in collaboration with the Boston Book Festival, the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism, and others.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Ethnic Fiction * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Religious * Romance * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Computers * Cultural/Social Issues * Economics * Education * Environment * Ethnic * Gay/Lesbian * History * Journalism * Law * Multicultural * Narrative * Nature * Pop Culture * Religion * Science * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * Upmarket *
Teresa Kietlinski
Bookmark LiteraryDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email * Postal Mail *Biography
Teresa Kietlinski is a literary agent with and the founder of Bookmark Literary. In 2016, Teresa Kietlinski started an exciting new chapter in her career with the launching of BOOKMARK LITERARY an agency specializing in books for children.
Teresa brings to the table over twenty years of publishing experience, from all different areas of expertise, including marketing, publicity, public relations, book design and picture book art direction.
As an agent, Teresa has had the pleasure of launching the careers of many creatives as well as growing the careers of established clients. Her expertise lies in illustrated book development. She works closely with authors and illustrators developing manuscripts, book dummies and portfolios with strong visual narratives.
When Teresa is not wrestling pencils away from her pencil-eating dachshund, she is doodling, writing poetry or smelling wildflowers. She lives by a shimmery lake in New Jersey with her husband, daughter and a small fishing boat named Holy Mackerel.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Books * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book *
NONFICTION:
Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Lori Kilkelly is a literary agent with the LK Literary Agency. In 2008, after a number of successful years in advertising and sales, Lori aspired to combine her talents in these areas with her personal passion for children’s literature. Ultimately, this led to her decision to pursue a career change, and she attended the post graduate program, ‘The Denver Publishing Institute’ at The University of Denver. Subsequently, she spent nearly a decade at boutique children’s literary agency Rodeen Literary Management, headed by Paul Rodeen—a George Nicholson protégé—and home to award-winning authors Peter Brown, Victoria Jamieson, Lauren Castillo and Ryan Higgins, among others.
During her tenure at RLM, Lori rose through the ranks, eventually representing her own clients, and assembled a list of talented, best-selling, and award-winning authors and illustrators. Having worked independently for much of her career, she also began to lay the foundation to eventually open her own shop. Then, with the full support of Rodeen Literary, she formally announced LK Literary Agency in the fall of 2018 and was joined by all of her clients in the new endeavor.
Now, with more than 100 books under contract and titles with every major trade publisher, she is dedicated to continue bringing meaningful, funny, informative, and moving children’s and young adult literature to market, created by an incredibly talented group of authors and illustrators.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
Chicago IL USA
Karen Kilpatrick
East West Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Karen Kilpatrick is a literary agent with the East West Literary Agency. She is passionate about helping people tell their stories and works with a select group of clients to cultivate and nurture their careers in children’s publishing. As a former VP of marketing and innovation in the toy industry, a picture book and early graphic novel author, and an attorney, Karen has a unique perspective on the publishing and entertainment space. She accepts submissions for board books, picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels. Karen is a graduate of Georgetown University and NYU School of Law.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Picture Book *
NONFICTION: Juvenile *
Charles Kim
Serendipity Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Charles Kim is a literary agent with the Serendipity Literary Agency. He focuses on moving forward the principles of diversity and inclusion, authentic representation, equity, and narrative change in publishing. His client list reflects his devoutly generalist nature, and includes many thought leaders and changemakers in the Asian American and Native communities; influential Gen Z voices in social media and digital communication; clinicians and therapists woking to heal BIPOC and intergenerational traumas; activists bringing about change in cannabis and drug law reform; contemporary art curators and critics; and collectives of Black and Brown creators and speakers. He also represents writers of adult fiction and YA/children’s literature.
Previously, Charles served as Associate Publisher at The Museum of Modern Art in New York, where he established a highly successful line of limited editions on artists such as Yoko Ono and Robert Rauschenberg; and a best-selling line of children’s books on iconic artists such as Henri Matisse, Edgar Degas, and René Magritte but also women artists and artists of color such as Yayoi Kusama, Sonia Delaunay, Shahzia Sikander, and Jacob Lawrence. Before MoMA, he served as Editor-in-Chief and Director of Publications at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, where he launched the museum’s first publishing imprint; and Senior Agent at the French Publisher’s Agency, an office of France’s Ministry of Culture representing France’s twenty-five best publishers. He earned a BA in French and Asian Studies at Vassar College and an MA in French Literature at New York University; and was a Fulbright Scholar in Lyon, France.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * Multicultural * Photography *
Biography
Emily Sylvan Kim is a literary agent with the Prospect Agency. She says: “Reading has always been my addiction so I feel very fortunate that it is my career as well. After a childhood spent devouring books in Denver, Colorado I majored in English at Carleton College where I once electively took and enjoyed a class titled “Dickens and Scott, the Longer Novels.” I gave law school a try for a year after graduation but the lure of fiction was just too strong so I moved to New York City, the hub of the publishing industry. This was one of the best decisions in my life. I worked at Writers House literary agency for five years while also writing reviews for Publisher’s Weekly as well as my own fiction and poetry. I even met my husband in a poetry class!
In 2005, I was thrilled to take the next step in my career by opening the doors to Prospect Agency. My inspiration in naming the agency came from Brooklyn’s beloved Prospect Park. With winding trails, woods and meadows, there is a place for everyone to find a bit of peace in the middle of a crowded city and I strive to provide just such a haven for our clients. I am proud to have built an agency composed of so many talented agents who represent a wide array of authors and illustrators.
Even though a love of reading brought me to agenting, as my career has advanced, I found myself equally drawn to the business aspect of creating books. Publishing is the nexus of art and commerce. How we navigate that intersection is endlessly fascinating and of critical importance to the future of literature. By working and listening closely to both publishers and writers, I always strive to foster dialogue and create innovative opportunities. I understand that we are in a time of great change and that decisions we make now will have a lasting impact on our future. As an agent, I have taken a leadership role in helping to shape the digital landscape. By embracing and understanding technology, we can make sure we stay relevant and fresh for both long time readers and also attract new audiences.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Juvenile * Memoir * Science * Travel *
551 Valley Road PMB 377 Upper Montclair NJ 07043 USA
Biography
Iwalani Kim is a literary agent with Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. She is seeking adult upmarket and literary fiction and select narrative nonfiction. In fiction, she loves coming-of-age narratives, family dramas, and stories that challenge systems of power. She gravitates toward lush prose, wry humor, irreverent characters, and a sense of yearning. In nonfiction, she is looking for literary memoir and cultural criticism. She is particularly drawn to food writing, deep dives into subcultures, and writing that complicates the idea of ‘paradise’ or explores progressive movements such as prison industrial complex (PIC) abolition. Some of her favorite authors include Jesmyn Ward, T Kira Madden, Raven Leilani, Alex Marzano-Lesnevich, and Ling Ma, and she would love to consider any manuscripts in a similar vein. She is passionate about championing the work of underrepresented authors and would especially love to work with Pacific Islander writers.
Iwalani joined Sanford J. Greenburger Associates in 2018 after interning at Ayesha Pande Literary, Don Congdon Associates, and Kweli Journal. She was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai’i and graduated from Vassar College with degrees in Political Science and German Studies. As the senior assistant and foreign rights liaison to agency president Heide Lange, Iwalani has the pleasure of working with Heide’s extraordinary clients such as Dan Brown and Brad Thor. She continues in that role as she builds her own list, further honing her negotiation and editorial skills under Heide’s mentorship.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Family Saga * Humor Fiction * Literary * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * Food/Drinks * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative *
55 5th Avenue New York NY 10003 USA
Jennifer Kim
Sandra Dijkstra Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Jennifer Kim is a junior agent and royalties manager at the Dijkstra Agency.
A graduate from the University of California Irvine, Jennifer holds a B.A. in English Literature and Spanish Literature, and spent a year studying Spanish literature and culture at the University of Barcelona. She also works as a bookseller, having done so since 2012.
In YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Jennifer is looking for multicultural projects featuring multi-dimensional, even flawed protagonists from diverse backgrounds. She enjoys unique, high concept stories, with strong world building and character development. She especially appreciates atmospheric settings.
In contemporary YA, Jennifer is looking for unique, uncommon teen stories with an authentic voice. She enjoys stories that tackle themes of being an outsider, displacement, race, sexuality, and self-discovery, and is particularly drawn to bicultural characters and stories centered around subcultures, countercultures, and found families.
In the Middle Grade realm, Jennifer is drawn to stories that don’t shy away from scary or tough subjects. She enjoys witty, whimsy stories, and values tales of friendship, families and found-families, and discovery. She is particularly drawn to stories that feature characters with unique and interesting hobbies or skills.
In the adult market, Jennifer is particularly drawn to eccentric, unusual stories. She values a distinct narrative voice and memorable characters and settings, and is drawn to travel narratives, historical fiction, coming of age stories, family sagas, stories of displacement, and magical realism.
In general, Jennifer loves literary writing, with challenging themes and characters. She is excited to add writers of diversity (including, but not limited to, all ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental and physical health, and socioeconomic status) to her client list.
Please note that Jennifer is specifically not interested in: Picture books, romance, memoir, business books, cookbooks, poetry, religious/spiritual books, screenplays, self-help, or mystery/thriller/suspense.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Short Story Collection * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * Gay/Lesbian * Multicultural * Narrative * Pop Culture * Travel *
Biography
Kirby Kim is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. A native of Los Angeles, California, Kirby attended Harvard-Westlake high school then went to Pomona College where he was a PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) major. He spent the year after graduation teaching English in South Korea and when he returned moved to San Francisco to get his JD at UC Hastings College of the Law.
Kirby moved out to New York in the spring of 2004 and got his first job in publishing working for Charlotte Sheedy Literary, at that time an affiliate of Sterling Lord Literistic. He then moved to Vigliano Associates where he gradually started representing his own projects. In 2008, he joined Endeavor which the following year merged with William Morris. He stayed at WME for five years before joining Janklow & Nesbit.
Kirby represents both literary and commercial authors. When it comes to literary work, he’s alternatively drawn to rich, sweeping stories that try to encompass a time or a place or tightly written, narratively innovative stories that bridge genres. His commercial interests include thriller, horror, speculative and science fiction, young adult, and middle grade.
He also represents a range of nonfiction working with leaders and journalists in the areas of science, culture and current affairs. He’s also known for representing pop culture, in particular music and comedy.
Kirby is currently a board member of the Asian American Writers Workshop. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife and two kids.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Horror * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * Humor * Journalism * Memoir * Money/Finance * Music * Narrative * Pop Culture * Science *
285 Madison Avenue 21st Floor New York NY 10017 USA
Biography
Rachel Kim is a literary agent with 3 Arts Entertainment. She represents the poet and “Brown Girls” web series writer Fatimah Asghar.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction *
NONFICTION: Current Events/Affairs * History * Narrative * Politics *
27 W 24th St Suite 301 New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Stephanie Kim is a literary agent with New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc. She has more than a decade of experience in publicity and marketing across the publishing, tech, and media industries. She began her career as an assistant publicist at William Morrow/HarperCollins where she cut her teeth on high-profile campaigns for Neil Gaiman, Laura Lippman, Wiley Cash, and many others. At Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Stephanie led publicity for three consecutive #1 New York Times bestsellers: What If? and Thing Explainer by xkcd creator Randall Munroe, and Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss. Some additional highlights include working on Gabourey Sidibe’s memoir This Is Just My Face, Chinelo Okparanta’s Lambda Literary award-winning debut novel Under the Udala Trees, and comic artist Ariel Shrag’s quirky, irreverent coming-of-age love story, Adam.
As an agent, Stephanie is focused on representing authors from diverse backgrounds with compelling stories to tell. She’s interested in narrative non-fiction (memoir, pop culture, self-help) as well as select voice-driven fiction. Some of her favorite books include Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado, The Color of Water by James McBride, Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Exhalation by Ted Chiang, and anything by John Green.
Stephanie is based in the Los Angeles area. In her free time, she co-hosts rePEAK — a podcast exploring remakes, reboots, and revivals — where she rants about celebrity gossip, book-to-film adaptations, and all things pop culture.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Romance * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Cooking/Cookbook * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Narrative * Pop Culture * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development *
110 West 40th Street Suite 2201 New York NY 10018 USA
Natalie Rea Kimber
The Rights FactoryDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Natalie Kimber is a literary agent with The Rights Factory. She started her career in publishing as an assistant to Muriel Nellis at Literary and Creative Artists Inc., and later worked under Dr. Carole Sargent at Georgetown University’s Booklab, where she developed academic and trade book proposals, fiction titles, and edited books for New Academia Publishing. She graduated from Georgetown in 2010 with a BA in Liberal Studies with a focus in Theology and Latin, and is a Caux Scholar. She subsequently founded the Sun Rae Agency, with a view to represent authors with provocative, inspiring books that challenge and change the literary landscape.
Nat joined The Rights Factory in 2014 as the agency’s first New York City based agent. She is inspired by bringing experimental, risky, and thoughtful new literature into the world of traditional publishing. She appreciates authors who have a vision incorporated into their writing, from exploring history untold to re-telling timeless tales with a twist, Nat looks for writers who unveil meaningful new ways to see the world and ourselves in it. Her passion is helping authors share their vision and talent with a grateful audience, and guiding the process that manifests a vision into book form is her raison d’etre.
Follow her on twitter @Nat_TRF
In 2017 Natalie started the Weehawken Writers and Artists Studio–a space which brings creatives together to learn, collaborate, and share works of creative expression through workshops, salons, readings, and other events featuring publishing industry professionals, authors and scholars. The Weehawken Writers and Artists Studio is founded in memory of Judith Wadia (1937-2011), a multidisciplinary artist and community activist famous for her public art works, paintings, and mosaics. Through events and workshops, the WWAS seeks to enhance and expand community outreach and help individual artists and writers reach their goals. Follow WWAS on twitter: @hudsonletters, or join the Meetup page!
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Commercial * Graphic Novel * Historical * Literary * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Environment * Gardening * Memoir * Nature * Pop Culture * Science * Spirituality * Young Adult *
Biography
Margaret King is a literary agent with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment. She has worked in WME’s Literary Department since 2007, when she began her career after graduating from Princeton University. She represents both literary and commercial fiction, along with narrative nonfiction, memoir and some lifestyle titles in the areas of food, psychology, health, faith/spirituality and well-being. She is drawn to books and stories that move her deeply, offer a new perspective and make her feel something. She is on the lookout for new voices and storytellers and is deeply committed to growing, nurturing and guiding literary careers long-term.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Religious * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Ethnic * Family * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * Gardening * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Religion * Science * Spirituality *
11 Madison Avenue 18th Floor New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Rob Kirkpatrick is a literary agent with Kirkpatrick Literary. Before founding his own agency in 2019, he was an agent with The Stuart Agency. He has placed projects at major publishers for such authors as All-Star pitcher and MLB mental performance coach Bob Tewksbury; national MLB columnist and analyst Scott Miller; MMA competitor/analyst and Celebrity Apprentice cast member Chael Sonnen; The Players’ Tribune senior editor Mark Beech; Pat Garofalo of U.S. News & World Report; Golden Globe-winning actor Olivia Hussey; and the hosts of The Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe; to name a few. His areas include big-platform memoir, biography, history, sports, music, pop culture, pop science, and currents events/culture wars.
Rob joined The Stuart Agency after working as a senior editor at both “Big Five” and indie publishing houses. Titles he published include Kent Hartman’s The Wrecking Crew; Bryan Bishop’s Shrinkage; Viv Albertine’s Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys.; Charles Falco and Kerrie Droban’s Vagos, Mongols, and Outlaws; Alex Storozynski’s The Peasant Prince; Leigh Steinberg and Michael Arkush’s The Agent; Dan Epstein’s Big Hair and Plastic Grass; Dennis Dunaway’s and Chris Hodenfield’s Snakes! Guillotines! Electric Chairs!; David Silverman’s Fighting God; Kennedy’s The Kennedy Chronicles; Art Garner’s Black Noon; David de Sola’s Alice in Chains: The Untold Story; Linda Cohn’s Cohn-Head; Shannon Miller and Danny Peary’s It’s Not About Perfect; and Jerry Rice and Randy Williams’ 50 Years, 50 Moments. Rob completed a PhD in English and also has written a few books.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Memoir * Money/Finance * Music * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * Sports *
New York NY USA
Biography
Dan Kirschen is a literary agent with CAA/ICM. He represents authors and journalists working across many genres, with a focus on literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and pop culture. Kirschen began his career at ICM Partners.
With one of the most prestigious literary departments in the world, CAA represents a wide range of writers, including authors of bestselling fiction and non-fiction books, prominent newspaper and magazine journalists, and recipients of the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, and many other literary honors. The books CAA represents frequently appear on The New York Times Best Sellers list. In addition to selling publication rights, CAA’s New York literary agents work closely with CAA agents in Los Angeles to seek out opportunities for film and television adaptations. For foreign rights, CAA has an office in London that sells UK and translation rights to CAA books.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Humor Fiction * Literary * Sports Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Music * Narrative * Pop Culture * Sports * Travel *
65 East 55th Street 14th Floor New York NY 10022 USA
Kim-Mei Kirtland
Howard Morhaim Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Kim-Mei Kirtland is actively taking on clients who write speculative fiction, literary fiction, and nonfiction. Her primary focus is work for adult and YA audiences, but she is open to select middle grade projects.
In fiction, she is particularly interested in hard science fiction, secondary world fantasy, space opera, magical realism, fabulism, and urban fantasy; in nonfiction, she is primarily open to history, biography, popular science, and food and travel writing with a strong voice.
Books that have resonated with her recently include the Imperial Radch novels by Ann Leckie, PRIVATE CITIZENS by Tony Tulathimutte, HOW TO BE BOTH by Ali Smith, and THE FOUR THOUSAND, THE EIGHT HUNDRED by Greg Egan.
She is not the best audience for work in the thriller or romance genres without speculative elements.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Fantasy * General Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * History * Middle Grade * Science * Travel * Upmarket * Young Adult *
Biography
Arthur Klebanoff has been the owner and president of the Scott Meredith Literary Agency for over 20 years. Hebecame the owner and president of the Scott Meredith Literary Agency in 1993. Arthur is a leading literary agent and an influential presence in the publishing industry since the 1970s. He has represented books that have grossed more than $1 billion in retail sales. Arthur is the author of The Agent: Personalities, Politics and Publishing (2002).
Arthur Klebanoff is now Founding Publisher of RosettaBooks.
A graduate of Harvard Law School (Law Review, 1972) and Yale University, Arthur Klebanoff is an advisor to Youth Communication in New York City.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Health/Wellness * Money/Finance * Reference *
55 Broadway One Exchange Plaza, Suite 2002 New York NY 10006 USA
Judy Klein
Kleinworks AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email * Postal Mail *Biography
Judy Klein is a literary agent with the Kleinworks Agency. Judy spent a dozen years with the prestigious publishing house Farrar, Straus & Giroux. During her tenure, she was a vice president of the company as well as the director of subsidiary rights, the director of paperback publishing and the director of audiobooks. She has also worked with St. Martin’s Press, iUniverse and Sterling Publishing.
Judy is a former editor in chief of The Literary Guild Book Club and also of the Booksonline Book Clubs. In addition to collaborating with authors and publishers, Judy works part-time as a bookseller and as an organizer for the annual Montana Festival of the Book. She also teaches classes on book publishing and she writes the occasional magazine article.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Literary * Mystery * Romance * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * Business * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Psychology * Reference * Science * Travel * Women’s Issues *
Biography
Ian Kleinert is a literary agent with Paradigm Literary and Talent Agency. Kleinert was most recently the CEO and founding partner of Projector Media, which focused on literary management and investor-backed digital platforms for groups like SALT Events, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Propagate Content, and sports legends Joe Namath and Cal Ripken Jr.
Kleinert was also the founder of the full service literary management company Objective Entertainment. During his time there, he represented and packaged book and subsidiary deals for writers and artists like Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegría Hudes, Wendy Williams, Margaret Hoover, Kanye West and Donda West, Voletta Wallace and The Estate of The Notorious B.I.G., and many more.
Over his nearly three decades in entertainment, Kleinert has secured publishing deals for more than 300 books, He began his career in 1994 at Fifi Oscard Agency. He later became a lit agent at William Morris Agency, where he represented novelists including “Game Of Thrones” co-creator D.B. Weiss.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Horror * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Sports * True Crime *
Jeff Kleinman
Folio Literary ManagementDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Jeff Kleinman is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. Jeff says: “So this is what I love more than anything else in the world: I’m sitting on the couch reading, and then I’m gone—living in Narnia, breathing Middle Earth air, dodging passers-by in turn-of-the-century New York City. There’s nothing else like that moment. Sometimes (ok, true confession here) I’ll get so caught up that my hands go numb (which makes scrolling down almost impossible). Once my diaphragm seized up and I had to stop reading so the black spots would disappear in front of my eyes. That’s what books can do: they can transform you. They can transform the world. (OK, so I’m a bit of an idealist.)
I’m on the hunt: I want projects that can make a difference. I love unique voices, magnificently strong characters, unusual premises, and books that offer up some new perspective on something I thought I already knew something about (like Alaskan exploration) or never even dreamed existed (a racecar-loving dog, for instance). I’m always interested in learning (I spent a lot of time in the classroom, with a B.A. in English/Modern Studies from the University of Virginia, an M.A. in Italian from the University of Chicago, and a J.D. from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Yeah, that was definitely enough schooling for anybody), and I love it when someone can teach me something organically so it doesn’t feel like I’m even learning.
While I’m hunting for that next amazing book, I’m also a founding partner at Folio, a Manhattan-based agency – we pride ourselves on nurturing new talent and developing a strong, supportive, professional relationship with our clients. (You won’t get shunted off to an assistant, for instance.)
Folio offers the best of both worlds (OK, so maybe I’m a little biased?). With over 15 agents, we have the experience, expertise, and strength that you’d expect from a larger agency, but we have the spark, ingenuity, and personalized attention that you’d want from a smaller agency. And the best part: everybody at Folio is really, really nice. (Seriously. Not kidding.) (But they’re all bulldogs for negotiating contracts—just warning you.)”
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Historical * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Art * Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * History * Humor * Inspiration * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Narrative * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Upmarket *
Biography
Harvey Klinger is a literary agent with the Harvey Klinger Literary Agency. Harvey received his M.A. in The Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins University. He began his publishing career at Doubleday where he expected to become the next Max Perkins among editors. Instead, he left and worked for a literary agent for eighteen months and began forming his first client list. A two-year stint followed in association with an independent publicist. Harvey created his own independent operation in October, 1977 and has never looked back. He personally loves great adult commercial and literary fiction; and in non-fiction, books with a strong narrative voice in all disciplines, but written by an author who already has an established professional platform in one’s field of expertise.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Lifestyle * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Politics * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * True Crime *
300 W. 55th St. #11V New York NY 10019 USA
Biography
Peter Knapp is a literary agent and partner with Park & Fine Literary and Media. First joining Park Literary in 2011, Peter Knapp represents authors of middle grade and young adult fiction. His clients include New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors, such as Soman Chainani, Lindsay Cummings, Sara Holland, Will Walton, Emily Bain Murphy, and more. Before joining Park Literary (now PFLM), he was at Floren Shieh Productions, a book-scouting agency working with film clients, and he continues to actively look for cinematic manuscripts with great hooks, as well as literary stories with awards-potential. A graduate of New York University, Pete now lives in Brooklyn with his husband.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Horror * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * NoPB * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
55 Broadway Suite 1601 New York NY 10006 USA
Sheyla Knigge
High Line Literary Collective/Volume FiveDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Sheyla Knigge is a literary agent with Volume Five and part of the High Line Literary Collective. She is a budding publishing professional who comes to the industry with a lifelong love of reading under her belt. Having worked under Victoria Marini since 2021 she has had the immense pleasure of perusing a variety of books that have gone on to do incredibly well and cannot wait to do the same for her own clients soon. With just over a year’s experience sleuthing through slush piles for the next best seller, she is itching to dive into more manuscripts with Highline Literary Collective. When she’s not working you can find Sheyla tucked away writing, getting more tattoos, or spending time with her family in the Appalachian Mountains.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Erotica * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Science Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Deidre Knight
The Knight AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Deidre Knight is a literary agent with The Knight Agency. Deidre established The Knight Agency in 1996 after working in film and television. In the years since that time, she has built a dynamic, bestselling client list, placing over a thousand titles in a broad range of categories, including romance, women’s fiction, commercial fiction, inspirational, memoir and nonfiction narrative, personal finance, business, popular culture, self-help, religion, health, and parenting.
Her recent sales include books placed with Penguin Putnam, Random House, St. Martin’s, Simon & Schuster, Scholastic, HarperCollins, Harlequin, Thomas Nelson, and Avon. Deidre’s clients have appeared on every major bestseller lists, including the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, Wall Street Journal, and the Los Angeles Times Bestseller Lists. Her authors have won countless awards, including the coveted RITA, the Gold Medallion, the Walden Books Award for Best New Author, and many others. She’s also a knitter, an amateur photographer, and an author who loves to spend time with her family.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Romance * Sports Fiction * Suspense * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Design * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * Lifestyle * Memoir * Music * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Sports * Technology * Travel * True Crime *
Biography
Ginger Knowlton is a literary agent with the Curtis Brown Literary Agency. Ginger Knowlton represents a diverse list of authors and illustrators of picture books, middle-grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction. Her client list includes new and emerging writers as well as Newbery Medalists, Newbery and Printz Honor winners, Edgar and Lambda winners, New York Times bestsellers, and a host of other talented clients. Ginger has served on the Board of Directors of both the Association of Authors’ Representatives in NYC and the Friends of the Library in her hometown in Westchester County.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
228 E 45th Street 3rd floor New York NY 10017 USA
Ali Kominsky
Dupree Miller & AssociatesDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Postal Mail *Biography
Ali Kominsky is a literary agent with Dupree Miller & Associates. She is a literary agent who loves to help authors develop their book ideas, guiding them through the publishing process, and finding them the perfect publishing partner. A West Virginia native and graduate of Vanderbilt University, Ali worked for two Nashville authors learning about the publishing industry from the author’s perspective before moving into the world of agenting. Her interests include literary fiction, poetry, social justice, environment activism, fashion, cultural histories, design, multimedia for storytelling, and art. Her favorite pastimes are to read, run, hike, go to yoga, write, and take her Scotties on walks.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Literary *
NONFICTION: Art * Beauty/Fashion/Style * Cultural/Social Issues * Design * Environment * History *
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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)