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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: M
Biography
Cynthia Manson is a literary agent with and the founder of the Cynthia Manson Literary Agency. She is a well-known and respected literary agent who represents a number of bestselling authors in a variety of genres. She graduated from Scripps College for Women in Claremont, CA. Manson has worked in both magazine and book publishing, including for Sterling Lord Literistic, Putnam, Bertelsmann, Scientific American, and Advertising Age magazine. She is well connected to the Hollywood community and has brokered numerous deals in the book-to-film-and-television market.
Cynthia is particularly interested in projects in the following commercial genres: thrillers/suspense/crime fiction/mysteries, science fiction and fantasy, historical fiction, upmarket women’s fiction, and newsworthy narrative nonfiction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Mystery * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Memoir * Narrative *
Biography
Clare Mao is a literary agent with Europa Content Ltd. She grew up in Queens, NY, and studied history at Grinnell College. She joined Europa Content in January 2020 after three years at Janklow & Nesbit Associates. Her clients are poets and fiction and nonfiction writers who think critically, engage thoughtfully, and have fun.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Cooking/Cookbook * General Nonfiction * Narrative * Photography *
68 34th Street Suite B-531, Mailbox 74 Brooklyn NY 11232 USA
Tracy Marchini
BookEnds Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Tracy Marchini is a literary agent with the BookEnds Literary Agency. She joined BookEnds in June 2016 as the first picture book and illustration agent. Prior to building a list at BookEnds, she had over ten years of experience in children’s literature, either at an agency or as a freelance editor and children’s book reviewer. She is thrilled to represent a list of debut and award-winning creators of fiction, non-fiction and illustration for children and teens.
Growing up, Tracy made it a personal goal to read every Nancy Drew Case Files in her school’s library and still has a soft spot for a good girl detective story. As an adult, she loves the sense of possibility in children’s and young adult literature – and can still empathize with the soul-crushing feeling that is mandatory gym class.
As a children’s author, her picture book debut Chicken Wants A Nap (Creative Editions) was called “A surprising gem” in a starred Kirkus review and was nominated for the 2019 Bridge to Reading Picture Book Awards. Her sophomore picture book, Princesses Can Fix It! is forthcoming (Page Street Kids, May 2021). She holds an MFA in Writing for Children from Simmons College and a BA in English, concentration in Rhetoric from Binghamton University.
Tracy is looking for picture book, chapter book, middle grade and young adult manuscripts across most genres, including contemporary, mysteries, magical realism, historical fiction, graphic novels and non-fiction. She is also looking for picture book illustrators and author-illustrators. She is not a good fit for YA horror, true crime, hard sci-fi, or high fantasy.
Above all, she looks to build a just and inclusive list full of the sense of possibility and wonderment of childhood, and strives to uplift BIPOC, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse and disabled voices in children’s literature.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Picture Book * Middle Grade Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade *
Kendra Marcus
BookStop Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email * Postal Mail *Biography
Kendra Marcus is a literary agent with BookStop Literary Agency. Kendra started BookStop Literary Agency in 1984 and since then the agency has grown to be one of the most well-known and well respected agencies for children’s book writers and illustrators. Kendra gravitates toward texts and illustrations for quirky and funny picture books. She is also interested in stories with Hispanic or Latino characters and unusual nonfiction, and is always thrilled to find unforgettable and vivid voices or stories that will bring her to tears.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Juvenile * Middle Grade * Parenting/Child Guidance * Young Adult *
Biography
Rick Margolis is the founder and owner of Rising Bear Literary Agency. For nearly 15 years, he worked for School Library Journal, the world’s largest reviewer of books for young readers. As SLJ ’s executive editor, he has the pleasure of interviewing many remarkable children’s book creators, including Kate DiCamillo, Mo Willems, Katherine Paterson, Gene Yang, Rita Williams-Garcia, Markus Zusak, Rebecca Stead, and Jon Klassen. One of the best parts of his job was writing a monthly interview column, “Under Cover,” which highlighted new and promising authors and illustrators (like John Green, Suzanne Collins, and Stephenie Meyer) who went on to have amazing careers. Along the way, he also met many publishers and children’s book editors. Because he has read so much and so widely, he has a strong sense of the stories that appeal to them, and he knows the literary market well. And for some reason, almost every year he was able to predict the winner of the Caldecott Medal, which honors the year’s best-illustrated book.
Although he loved his stint at SLJ, he was ready for a new challenge. But not just any job would do.
He wanted to find one that felt like his true calling—one that he was wild about—and that could contribute something of value to the world. He also wanted to stay connected to kids’ books—because he loves them and because he was once a reading specialist (working with students who struggled to read) and he knows firsthand what a profound difference the right book can make in a young person’s life.
To make a long story short, after lots of praying and scores of meetings with some very insightful folks (and a fair amount of snacking), he launched Rising Bear Literary Agency, LLC, specializing in what he most love: picture books, early- and middle-grade fiction, young adult literature, and adult novels with unforgettable teen characters.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction * New Adult *
NONFICTION:
Fairfield CT
Victoria Marini
High Line Literary Collective/Volume FiveDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Victoria Marini is a literary agent with Volume Five and part of the High Line Literary Collective. She began her career as a literary agent at Gelfman Schneider and ICM Partners before joining the Irene Goodman Agency in 2016. Originally from rural Pennsylvania, she moved to New York in 2003, and began her literary career as an assistant at Sterling Lord in 2007. She is interested in both Upmarket & Commercial Adult, Middle Grade, and Young Adult and fiction with compulsive hooks, strong plotting, and well-drawn characters. From Literary page-turners, to commercial suspense, to magical realism, whimsical adventure, edgy sci-fi & grounded fantasy, she is always looking for unforgettable off-the-page characters, high concepts, and unique voices. She is a sucker for quirk, mystery, small town hysteria, atmosphere, secrets, things that go bump in the night, a bit of charm, a twist of magic, or a dash of humor.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Horror * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * NoPB * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Humor Fiction * Narrative *
Biography
PJ Mark is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. He moved to NYC in 1990 and used his student loans to start a literary journal to publish his friends. He began his career as an international book scout in 1993, has worked as a journalist covering the book beat and has been a literary agent since 2002.
His fiction interests are eclectic, including short stories and literary novels. His nonfiction interests include journalism, popular culture, memoir/narrative, essays and cultural criticism. He is often drawn to writers, in fiction and nonfiction, who are formally inventive and push boundaries in content, ideas and voice.
PJ’s authors regularly receive numerous awards and honors, including, on multiple occasions, the “5 Under 35” honor by the National Book Award Foundation, the Sue Kaufman Prize for First Fiction by the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Art Seidenbaum Award by the Los Angeles Times, the Rome Prize by the American Academy in Rome, multiple awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, a “20 Under 40” honor by The New Yorker, The Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Journalism, the Guardian First Book Award, the MacArthur “Genius” Grant, and National Book Award finalist medals.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Literary * Science Fiction * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Journalism * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Narrative * Politics * Science *
285 Madison Avenue 21st Floor New York NY 10017 USA
Cora Markowitz
Georges Borchardt Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Cora Markowitz is a literary agent with Georges Borchardt Literary Agency. She graduated from Kenyon College in 2017 with a BA in English and completed the Columbia Publishing Course the following summer. She interned at the Kenyon Review, Flatiron Books, Pippin Properties, and Writers House before making her way over to Georges Borchardt as the assistant to Georges. She is now taking on clients of her own.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction *
Jill Marr
Sandra Dijkstra Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Jill Marr is an agent at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. She graduated from San Diego State University with a BA in English with an emphasis in creative writing and a minor in history. She has a strong Internet and media background and nearly 15 years of publishing experience. She wrote features and ads for Pages, the literary magazine for people who love books, and continues to write book ads for publishing houses, magazine pieces, and promotional features for television.
After writing ad copy and features for published books for years, she knows how to find the “hook” and sell it.
Jill is interested in commercial fiction, with an emphasis on mysteries, thrillers, romantic suspense and horror, women’s commercial fiction and historical fiction. She is also looking for non-fiction by authors who are getting their work published regularly and who have a realistic sense of the market and their audience. Jill is looking for non-fiction projects in the areas of history, sports, politics, current events, self-help, cookbooks, health & nutrition, pop culture, humor, music, and very select memoir.
Some of Jill’s recent and soon-to-be-published nonfiction includes the Travel Channel’s Nick Groff’s Chasing Spirits (NAL); Maybe We’ll Have You Back (Skyhorse) by actor Fred Stoller; Get Over It (Seal Press) by Christina Pesoli; Doulas A. Wissing’s Funding Our Enemy (Prometheus Books); Why We Love Serial Killers (Skyhorse) by Scott Bonn; America’s Greatest “Failing” School (Nation Books) by journalist Kristina Rizga; Don’t Lick the Minivan (Skyhorse) by Leanne Shirtliffe; William Jones’ More Than the Dream: The Untold Story of the March on Washington (Norton); Rocking the Pink (Seal Press) by singer-songwriter Laura Roppé; Stop Reading Baby Books (Skyhorse) by JJ Keith; Drunks: America’s Search for Sobriety by Christopher Finan; and Argyle Armada: Life with America’s Top Pro Cycling Team (VeloPress) by Mark Johnson.
Some of Jill’s new and upcoming fiction includes Bloodman and American Woman (Thomas & Mercer) by Robert Pobi; Reckless Disregard (Seven Stories Press) by Robert Rotstein; Three Souls (HarperCollins) by Janie Chang; Madam (Plume) by Cari Lynne and Kellie Martin; The Cordell Logan thriller series (The Permanent Press) by David Freed; Benefit of the Doubt (Tor/Forge) by Neal Griffin; Garbo’s Last Stand (Entranced) by Jon Miller; The Crossroads thriller series (Thomas & Mercer) by Eyre Price; The Dog Year (Berkley) by Ann Garvin; The Change Your Name Store (Sky Pony Press) by Leanne Shirliffe; and the Jaden Terrell series that includes the Shamus Award nominee Racing the Devil and A Cup Full of Midnight (The Permanent Press).
Please note that Jill is specifically not interested in: YA, children’s books, sci-fi, romance, screenplays, graphic novels, or anything involving unicorns.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Gay/Lesbian * History * How-To * Humor * Health/Nutrition * Journalism * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Religion * Science * Self-help * Sports * Technology * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
Biography
Jill Marsal is a literary agent with the Marsal Lyons Literary Agency. Jill is a founding partner of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency and has been in the publishing industry for 20 years. Previously, she worked as a Literary Agent with the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency for eight years and at Dorchester Publications and Tudor Publishing, editing women’s fiction and suspense/thrillers. Jill also has a strong legal background and holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School. She practiced as an attorney with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati for five years.
On the fiction front, Jill looks for all types of commercial fiction, women’s fiction, stories of family, interesting relationships, Southern fiction, or multi-generations, and romance. She also is looking for mysteries, psychological suspense, cozies, and thrillers that keep the pages turning and have an original hook. She welcomes a dramatic storyline and compelling characters in interesting situations or relationships. If you have a novel that has a highly original concept or voice, Jill would love to see it.
On the non-fiction side, Jill’s areas of interest include business, current events, health/wellness, self-help, lifestyle, advice/relationships, psychology, parenting, history, science, and narrative non-fiction. She is particularly drawn to projects which will move readers or leave them thinking, which make provocative arguments or share interesting research, or which offer useful, new advice.
Jill enjoys working with both new and experienced writers. A few of Jill’s represented books include WITH LOVE FROM THE INSIDE by Angela Pisel (Putnam), THE CHALLENGER SALE by Wall Street Journal bestselling authors Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson (Portfolio), FIELD GUIDE TO HOMICIDES by NYT bestselling author Lynn Cahoon (Kensington), A TASTE OF SUGAR by NYT bestselling author Marina Adair (Grand Central), CROSS HER HEART by Amazon Charts bestselling author Melinda Leigh (Montlake), LIMITLESS MIND by Stanford Professor Jo Boaler (Harper One), MIDDLE SCHOOL MATTERS by Phyllis Fagell (Da Capo), and FEELING AT HOME: THE BRAIN AND WHERE WE LIVE by John S. Allen (Basic).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Journalism * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
PMB 121 665 San Rodolfo Dr. 124 Solana Beach CA 92075 USA
Evan Marshall
Evan Marshall AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Evan Marshall is president of The Evan Marshall Agency and Indie Rights Agency. He is an award-winning literary agent specializing in fiction. Evan has held senior editorial positions at Houghton Mifflin, Ariel Books, New American Library, Everest House and Dodd, Mead, where he acquired national and international bestsellers. An expert on fiction writing, he has served as a contest judge for Wattpad and is a NaNoWriMo Mighty Catalyst for Literary Righteousness. He authored the classic writing guide The Marshall Plan® for Novel Writing in 1998. It is now available as How To Write A Novel-The Marshall® Plan Software, co-created with Martha Jewett. The Marshall Plan® takes the frustration out of writing and delivers successful results fast. He is a graduate of Boston College. Evan is the author of ten traditionally published mystery novels in the Hidden Manhattan series and Jane Stuart series, called “Miss Marple lite” by Kirkus Reviews.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Christian Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Erotica * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction *General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Paranormal * Religious * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Western * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Jen Marshall
Aevitas Creative ManagementDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Jen Marshall is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. She has worked closely over the years with a wide range of award-winning and bestselling authors, including Margaret Atwood, P.D. James, Ayelet Waldman, Dan Brown, Mona Simpson, Chris Bohjalian, E L James, Thomas Cahill, Claire Messud, Erin Morgenstern, Joseph Ellis, and Karen Armstrong.
Marshall joined Aevitas after almost twenty years working for the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group at Penguin Random House in various roles from Director of Publicity for Anchor Books to Publicist-at-Large for the imprint. Prior to that, Jen worked as an independent bookseller. She brings to her work as an agent a thorough understanding of the publishing and bookselling industries, as well as deep expertise in public relations, social media, and audience-building. A native of northwest Connecticut, Jen graduated from Bucknell University with honors in English.
Marshall represents a range of fiction and nonfiction. She is most interested in books you would recommend to your friends in a hot minute: literary fiction, commercial fiction, crime, thrillers, style, pop culture, and compelling narrative nonfiction. She divides her time between our New York office and her home in Western Massachusetts.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Graphic Novel * Horror * Literary * Romance *
NONFICTION: Art * Education * Health/Wellness * History * Narrative * Reference * Science *
Beth Marshea
LadderbirdDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Beth Marshea is the owner and Lead Agent at Ladderbird Literary Agency. She has a BA in Literature and a Masters in Business Administration and is always looking for new and exciting ways to bring more diversity into publishing and beyond. Outside of agenting, Beth, teaches writing in her local community with a focus on bringing reluctant writers and readers into the magical world of books. She loves the outdoors and is also a certified lifeguard.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Horror * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Celebrity * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Film/Entertainment * Gay/Lesbian * History * How-To * Journalism * Memoir * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
Biography
Alice Martell is a literary agent with the Martell Agency. She is also an attorney who practiced law before founding the agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Literary *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * General Nonfiction * History * Investigative * Journalism * Memoir * Narrative * Self-Help/Personal Development *
1350 Avenue of the Americas Suite 1205 New York NY 10019 USA
Biography
Colleen Martell, PhD is a literary agent with The Stephanie Tade Agency. Her voice is often one of the first you will hear when talking to the agency about representation, offering her editorial insights with regard to positioning, shaping, and otherwise developing a book concept, proposal, or manuscript. She is passionate about working with authors on still-germinating first proposal drafts, as well as suggesting those final tweaks to make a proposal or a book sing. For her, each part of the book making journey is an opportunity to find the synergy between an author’s voice and their vision for a better world.
Colleen is a New York Times Bestselling collaborator, for books ranging from health and wellness to memoir and narrative non-fiction. Her first foray into publishing was in middle school, when she published a poem in a vegetarian kids’ magazine. Since then she has published peer reviewed articles, been a staff writer for a popular feminist film blog, written LGBTQIA training workshops, and edited research for a major international institute, among other things. She also has a decade of experience teaching writing to both graduate and undergraduate students. She holds a Ph.D. in English with a graduate certificate in Women’s Studies from Lehigh University.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Memoir * Narrative *
7a North Bank Street Easton PA 18042 USA
Biography
Michele Martin is a literary agent with and the founder of MDM Management.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Inspiration * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Pop Culture * Reference * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development *
127 Hillside Avenue Cresskill NJ 07626 USA
Biography
Sharlene Martin is a literary agent with Martin Literary Management. In 2003, Sharlene took her passion for great stories and their authors and her years in the entertainment industry, to form Martin Literary & Media Management. Her agency has experienced extraordinary success in sales and alliances. In the years since that time, her remarkable rise in the publishing industry is demonstrated by a rapidly growing list of non-fiction sales to such renowned major publishers as Random House, Rodale, Harper Collins, St. Martin’s Press, Penguin Putnam, Hachette, Simon and Schuster, as well as to a host of boutique publishers for specialized genre books.
She has represented numerous New York Times bestselling nonfiction books, including: Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six by Anthony Flacco; Picture Perfect: The Jodi Arias Story by Shanna Hogan; Notes Left Behind by Keith & Brooke Desserich; Raffaele Sollecito’s book, Honor Bound: My Journey to Hell and Back with Amanda Knox; HLN’s Jane Velez-Mitchell’s memoir, I Want; Suzanne Hansen’s You’ll Never Nanny in this Town Again; MaryJo Buttafuocco’s Getting It Through My Thick Skull; and The Goldman family’s If I Did It, based on the OJ Simpson murders of Ron Goldman and Nicole Simpson.
Many of Sharlene’s authors have had their books boosted as serial reprints in prestigious publications such as Readers’ Digest, People Magazine, WHO, and the London Times, and five of her clients have appeared on Oprah. Other client appearances include 60 Minutes, The TODAY Show, The View, Fox and Friends, Good Morning America, The Early Show, 20/20, 48 Hours, Discovery Channel, Inside Edition, The 700 Club, ET, The Insider, ABC Nightline, Dr. Phil, Anderson Cooper 360, CNN, HLN, Discovery ID and Fox News.
She is actively doing business with a host of film and TV companies for adaptations of her clients’ books. Hallmark Hall of Fame’s acclaimed TV movie in December, 2008 was based on her client’s book, Front of the Class. She was Executive Producer of Lifetime’s 2012 movie, The Pregnancy Project, which garnered the two top Imagen Awards in 2012 for Best Primetime Movie/Special and Best Actress (Alexa Vega). She is Co- Creator/Producer of the reality series, DEADLY SINS for Discovery ID, currently entering its sixth season. She was the Co-EP with Nancy Glass Productions for the 2015-16 season of specials, EPIC MYSTERIES, for Discovery ID. She will serve as Executive Producer on the Paramount TV/ Anonymous Content series, based on the Scholastic series Hilde Cracks the Case. She recently optioned Impossible Odds to Warner Bros. for Clint Eastwood to direct and Brian Helgeland adapting. She will also Executive Produce the feature, Hidden Girl, with the Egyptian production company, The Talkies.
She is also the co-author, with Anthony Flacco, of Publish Your Nonfiction Book (Writer’s Digest Books) and Literary Fails: Totally (sic)!.
Publishers, editors and writers who deal with her consistently express their joy in working with someone who is such an avid fan of good writing, as well as an enthusiastic guardian and representative of her clients’ work. She employs this personal touch to all of her business relationships and credits it with her proven record of success.
Sharlene divides her time between her home near Seattle, Washington and Los Angeles.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * Juvenile Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Religious * Romance * Science Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Multicultural * Pop Culture * Religion * Travel * True Crime *
914 164th St. SE Ste. B12 #307 Mill Creek WA 98012 USA
Biography
Allegra Martschenko is a literary agent with Ladderbird. As both a writer and an editor, Allegra brings a well-rounded perspective to author-agent relationships and prioritizes championing diverse voices. They have a degree in architecture with a minor in creative writing from Princeton University and have worked at Princeton University Press, Cornell University Press, and the University Press of Colorado shepherding books into the world.
They love books that love you back: sweeping stories, characters with big hearts, and prose that inspires. When they’re not reading, you can usually find them gardening, crafting, or wrestling their misbehaving cats.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Fantasy * New Adult * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Shannon Marven
Dupree Miller & AssociatesDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Postal Mail *Biography
Shannon Marven is a literary agent with Dupree Miller & Associates. She is recognized as a major player in the publishing world and as a key component in DMA’s successful operation. Her clients applaud her dedication, hard work, and uncommon levels of common sense. Shannon Marven has the ability to turn raw concepts into polished products, shepherding them to the marketplace where they become cultural movements. She is hailed as the “secret weapon” by Dr. Phil McGraw and others who have benefited from her astute management and creativity.
Her motto: “If you have to tell people how good you are, you’re probably not.”
Her 2022 resolution is to hike Mt. Baldy and finish the never ending Pink Picasso paint by number peonies project.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Christian Fiction * Commercial * Mainstream * Religious *
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * Business * Christian * Cooking/Cookbook * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * How-To * Inspiration * Memoir * Money/Finance * Politics * Psychology * Religion * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality *
Julia Masnik
Watkins Loomis AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Julia Masnik is a literary agent with Watkins Loomis Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Literary *
NONFICTION: Biography * General Nonfiction * Journalism * Memoir * Politics *
Biography
Maria Massie is a literary agent with Massie & McQuilkin. After attending Duke University, Maria joined Kim Witherspoon in creating Witherspoon Associates, which grew rapidly during the 1990’s, representing many prize-winning and bestselling writers. Overseeing all foreign rights for the agency and managing its business affairs, Maria soon began to build her own client list as well. She now brings to Massie & McQuilkin nearly a decade-and-a-half’s worth of experience in representing authors and helping to make sure that they can be read around the world. She specializes in literary fiction, memoir, and cultural history.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Literary * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Narrative *
27 West 20th Street Suite 305 New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Peter Matson is a literary agent with Sterling Lord Literistic. Peter founded Literistic in 1979 and is Chairman of the agency. He has always had a diverse client list, reflecting his abiding interest in storytelling, whether in the service of history, fiction or the sciences. He is particularly sensitive to the language of the storyteller, the many ways to draw the reader fully into the narrative, and the essential nature of all storytelling to this, or any, culture. The books he has represented included Dee Brown’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Malcolm Lowry’s Under the Volcano, and John Irving’s The World According to Garp. He has represented 17 books by Mary Gordon, 46 by Ruth Rendell, and 19 by William Trevor. His interest in historical narrative is shown by such clients as Barry Lopez, Max Hastings and Alan Brinkley.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Historical * Multicultural Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * Politics * Science *
115 Broadway Suite 1602 New York NY 10006 USA
Biography
Danielle Matta is a literary agent with the Robin Straus Agency. She is a Junior Agent at the Robin Straus Agency. She graduated from NYU with a BA in English, specializing in Creative Writing and Post-Colonial Literature, and joined RSA in May of 2020 after her internships at McIntosh & Otis and Writers House. She gravitates towards inclusive fiction and non-fiction with distinct, lyrical storytelling and—being first-generation herself—underrepresented voices of diasporic and immigrant communities. She also loves an unorthodox ghost story or psychological thriller. Although Danielle has lived in NYC since 2015, she grew up in Virginia, and therefore has a life-long love for farmers markets, cornbread, and green spaces.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Literary * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science *
Biography
Rebecca Matte is a literary agent with the Bradford Literary Agency. She joined Bradford Literary Agency as Contract Manager and agency assistant in 2022 before moving on to take on her own clients. Prior to working at Bradford, she worked as assistant to Executive Agent Laura Rennert at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, where she provided editorial and contract support for a wide array of books across genre and age range. Rebecca began her professional life as an IP and contracts lawyer for several prominent law firms in New York City, and now seeks to use those skills to raise up authors and help them succeed. A writer herself, Rebecca plans to be a highly editorial agent who will work with authors to help them bring their vision to reality on the page.
In general, Rebecca absolutely loves adult and YA science fiction/fantasy and queer romance. But no matter the setting—be it a far off kingdom beset by magic or around the corner in Brooklyn—Rebecca seeks out books that feature diverse, complex characters in deeply rooted relationships, platonic and romantic. A well-crafted romance will make her heart sing, while a beautifully detailed friendship will elevate any book to an instant favorite. She also gravitates towards inherently hopeful stories of self-discovery and reinvention at all ages, particularly those that center questions of gender and sexuality. She tries to bring magic to every moment of life, and loves books that do the same.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Magical Realism * Romance * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Anthony Mattero is a literary agent with Creative Artists Agency. He was previously an agent with Foundry Literary + Media. He’s interested in representing authors of nonfiction works.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * General Nonfiction * Humor * Music * Pop Culture * Science * Sports * Travel *
405 Lexington Avenue 19th Floor New York NY 10174 USA
Biography
Laura Lee Mattingly is a literary agent with Present Perfect Dept. She says: “Personal transformation is the first step in global transformation, and my passion is developing books that help readers discover more purpose, awareness, and fulfillment in life. I’m especially looking for talent in the categories of self-help, social justice, spirituality, narrative nonfiction, essay collections, business, and select illustrated titles.
Through my previous work as an editor at Hyperion Books, Random House, HarperCollins, and Chronicle Books, I’ve had the privilege of editing hundreds of books—including numerous bestsellers—that reflect my passions. I’ve collaborated with notable activists, wellness experts, licensed therapists, spiritual thought-leaders, artists, and entrepreneurs to turn their book visions into printed reality. I take seriously my responsibility as an agent to help amplify underrepresented voices and am an advocate for the disability community.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Art * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Law * Lifestyle * Memoir * Narrative * Photography * Psychology * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality *
San Francisco CA USA
Jennifer Mattson
Andrea Brown Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Jennifer Mattson is a literary agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Jennifer represents authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators who bring a distinct point of view to their work, and who tell stories with multiple layers. In middle grade and YA both, her heart beats faster for stories that cascade from a mind-expanding premise. She also loves survival stories and losing herself in Dickensian sagas (WOLVES OF WILLOUGHBY CHASE!), and enjoys watching characters puzzle their way through problems. She has a special soft spot for middle grade about resilient kids sorting out the messiness of life.
Jennifer has worked previously as an editor at Dutton Children’s Books and as a Books for Youth staff reviewer at Booklist. Two fun facts: she spent a summer giving tours at Emily Dickinson’s house, and has a coauthor credit in THE OFFICIAL EASY-BAKE OVEN COOKBOOK. Jennifer is based in Chicago, where, when not reading, she spends her free time in dance classes or jogging the lakefront.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile *
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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.
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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)