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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: P
Travis Pennington
The Knight AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery Method(s): Online Form *Biography
Travis Pennington is an associate agent and does marketing for The Knight Agency. After working in the education field for over ten years, Travis turned his attention to writing, completing his first novel and helping others market their books as well. He launched a media business that has assisted both independent and New York Times bestselling authors with branding their work. He provides content and layout support for the agency newsletter, designs both advertorials and book covers, aids in the management of the agency’s social media venues, and processes digital titles through the assisted self-publishing program.
As an associate agent, he is especially seeking Young Adult and Middle Grade, Thrillers and Suspense, Literary fiction, and Historical fiction. He’s open to other genres as well.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Christian Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Historical * Horror * Inspirational Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Religious * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Christian * Current Events/Affairs * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Lifestyle * Memoir * Pop Culture * Psychology * Religion * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Travel * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
Kimberly Perel
High Line Literary Collective/Paper Over BoardDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Kim Perel is a literary agent with Paper Over Board and part of the High Line Literary Collective. With a dozen years of collective experience as a literary agent, first at Wendy Sherman Associates and later as a Vice President at the Irene Goodman Literary Agency, Kim co-founded High Line Literary Collective and the Paper Over Board division with the goal of fostering an author-centric environment alongside a group of brilliant, diverse professionals with whom she has the utmost respect and adoration.
Kim is passionate about discovering unique voices and making authors’ dreams come true. She has been privileged to represent award-winning, NYTimes best-selling authors throughout her career. She is particularly excited about leaders and artist’s whose point-of-view cuts through the noise and connects with readers in a way that translates into a new understanding about an important aspect of life. When she brings in a new client, her favorite part of the job is creating a clear publishing plan in lockstep with the author’s current team, big-picture career goals and future aspirations. Close communication and a common vision both creatively and strategically are at the core of all of Kim’s client relationships.
In 2012, Kim co-authored the book Wedding Cake for Breakfast: Essays on the First Year of Marriage (Berkley). She holds an MFA degree in Creative Writing from The New School where she studied with world-renowned professional writers in the areas of fiction and nonfiction. She also received her undergraduate bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
Kim splits her time between Westchester and NYC with her husband and puggle Bella, co-curates the popular H.I.P. Lit reading series, and loves adventures like road-tripping, whitewater rafting, and camping (fine, glamping).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * General Fiction * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Religious * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Design * Ethnic * Health/Wellness * History * Journalism * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Psychology * Religion * Science * Travel * True Adventure * Upmarket * Women’s Issues *
Lara Perkins
Andrea Brown 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. *
Lara Perkins is an Associate Agent and Digital Manager at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Lara represents NYT bestselling and award-winning authors and illustrators of picture books, middle grade, and YA fiction and nonfiction. She loves digging in editorially with clients, but her favorite part of being an agent is working with each author and illustrator to build a unique, long, and satisfying career.
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 *
Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Allison Remcheck Pernetti is a literary agent with Stimola Literary Studio. She is so lucky to say that she has only ever worked with books—a journey that has taken her from a library, to a bookstore, to a publishing house, and finally to the Studio—and books, particularly those for children, have been her lifelong passion.
Allison believes there is simply nothing better in the world than putting the perfect book into a child’s hand. But there is something extraordinary in nurturing a book from the start, and seeing it find its place in the world. She has had the opportunity to work with many critically-acclaimed and bestselling authors. Her clients include Lamda-nominee Zack Smedley, Schneider Family Book Award-winner Shannon Stocker, Newbery Medalist and Pura Belpre Medalist Donna Barba Higuera, and she is co-agent for #1 New York Times bestselling author, Karen M. McManus, among others. Her tastes can be summed up as high-concept, universally-reaching stories that are beautifully told. She finds herself drawn to voices that speak for themselves, stories that only the author can tell, and books that reflect the lives of every child–especially the ones told least often. She hopes to help publish the sorts of books that make children readers for life.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Ethnic Fiction * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Picture Book * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Ethnic * Juvenile * Memoir * Middle Grade * Multicultural * Young Adult *
11 Briarwood Lane PO Box 1066 West Tisbury MA 02575 USA
Martha Perotto-Wills
The Bent AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Martha Perotto-Wills is a literary agent with The Bent Agency. She says: “I assist Molly Ker Hawn in the Bent Agency’s London office and am building my own list, representing authors of adult literary fiction and sci-fi/fantasy/horror, as well as select adult non-fiction and middle-grade and young adult fiction.
I grew up in Deptford, southeast London. After finishing my BA in History at Cambridge University, I spent a few years as a bookseller and cataloguer in the wild world of second-hand, rare, and antiquarian books. I did my MA in Queer History at Goldsmiths College, where I researched queer-coding in 1920s fashion journalism. I joined the Bent Agency in 2019.
I read pretty omnivorously, but across all genres I particularly enjoy: authorial confidence; unexpected, singular narrative voices; good, stylish sentences; humour/wit; knotty interpersonal relationships; and transportive writing that immerses me in a fully-formed world, whether fantastical, geographical, or emotional.
A random selection of old and new favourites: Shirley Jackson, Patricia Highsmith’s Ripley novels, Confessions of the Fox, Diana Souhami, Tamora Pierce, LOTE, The Worst Journey in the World, Tamsyn Muir, Eve Babitz, Dusty Answer, Julia Armfield, Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl, Happy All the Time, Hilary Mantel, Sybille Bedford, His Dark Materials, Less, Michelle Tea’s Black Wave, Dorothy L Sayers, Alexander Chee’s The Queen of the Night, The Secret History, Susanna Clarke, Michelle Paver, Pamela Dean’s Tam Lin, The Once and Future King, etc…”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * Horror * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * NoPB * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Beauty/Fashion/Style * General Nonfiction * Humor *
Biography
Mira Perrizo is a literary agent with WordLink, Incorporated. She has spent over thirty-five years in the publishing world, including twenty-one years as publisher at Johnson Books/Big Earth Publishing in Boulder, Colorado, where she was involved in all facets of book publishing, from design to manuscript development and more. Her love of books has led her to continue working with authors. She lives in Boulder, Colorado.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Historical * Literary * Mystery * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * General Nonfiction *
PO Box 395 Enola PA 17025 USA
Jas Perry
KT LiteraryDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Jas Perry is a literary agent with KT Literary. Shejoined KT Literary in 2020, with a background in children’s editorial at Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Books and Levine Querido. She represents MG and YA fiction and specializes in Graphic Novels, Comics, and Manga for all ages—with a focus on creators of color and communities historically excluded from traditional publishing. Jas attended New York University and the City University of New York; she’s a We Need Diverse Books alum and the current Director of Special Projects at People of Color in Publishing. More about Jas’ list and interests can be found on her website.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Graphic Novel * Middle Grade Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Joseph Perry is the founder of and a literary agent with Perry Literary, Inc. He began his book publishing journey when he attended the New York University Summer Publishing Institute in 2010. Like many students in the course, he wanted to be an editor. However, when he listened to a literary agency panel, he knew he had found his calling. After initially interning as a reader of nonfiction manuscripts at FinePrint Literary Agency, Joseph enrolled at St. John’s University School of Law to learn about the legal aspects of publishing and graduated with a juris doctorate in 2015. During law school, Joseph interned in the legal departments at Hachette Book Group; Rodale, Inc.; and William Morris Endeavor, as well as the subsidiary rights department at Columbia University Press. Joseph currently works as an Associate Editor at Thomson Reuters.
At Perry Literary, Inc., Joseph understands the importance of negotiating and securing various rights on behalf of his authors. He believes in tirelessly advocating for his authors and working collaboratively with them throughout the editorial and publication process to better hone their crafts and better position their books.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Journalism * Juvenile * Memoir * Middle Grade * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Sports * Technology * True Crime *
211 South Ridge Street Suite 2 Rye Brook NY 10573 USA
Carrie Pestritto
Laura Dail Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Carrie Pestritto is a literary agent with the Laura Dail Literary Agency. Carrie Pestritto worked at Writers House and Prospect Agency before becoming part of the LDLA team. She earned her BA in English, cum laude, from Amherst College in 2009, also spending a year studying abroad at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford University.
As an agent, she loves the thrill of finding new authors with strong, unique voices and working closely with her clients. Carrie always strives to help create books that will introduce readers to new worlds and is drawn in by relatable characters, meticulous world-building, and unusual, compelling premises.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chapter Book * Chick Lit * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Horror * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Design * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Journalism * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Technology * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
Kelly Peterson
Rees Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Kelly Peterson is a literary agent with the Corvisiero Literary Agency. She is a West Chester University graduate with a B.S.Ed in English and Literature. She worked as a Junior Literary Agent for two years before moving to Rees Literary Agency, continuing to champion her authors and the manuscripts she loves. Kelly seeks manuscripts in various genres within Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult age ranges. In Middle Grade, she loves fantasy, sci-fi, and contemporary that touches on tough issues for young readers. Her Young Adult preferences vary from contemporary to high fantasy, sci-fi (not the space kind) to paranormal (all the ghost stories, please!), and historical all the way back to rom-coms. Kelly is proud to continue to represent Adult manuscripts in romance, fantasy, and sci-fi. She is very interested in representing authors with marginalized own voices stories, witty and unique characters, pirates, witches, and dark fantasies.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Middle Grade Fiction * Romance * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Laura Blake Peterson is a literary agent with the Curis Brown Literary Agency. Laura began her career in publishing at Curtis Brown as a summer intern. She is a graduate of Vassar College and has been with Curtis Brown since 1987, representing a wide range of fiction, non-fiction and books for children. Her client list reflects a wide range of interests—including memoir and biography, natural history, literary fiction, mystery, suspense, women’s fiction, health and fitness, children’s and young adult, faith issues and popular culture. She lives in Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Juvenile * Memoir * Middle Grade * Nature * Pop Culture * Religion * Spirituality * Young Adult *
228 E 45th Street 3rd floor New York NY 10017 USA
Biography
Kimberly Peticolas is a literaray agent with the Rudy Agency. She is a recent addition to the Rudy Agency. She has worked in the publishing industry for nearly a decade and comes to the agency after working as an editor and publishing consultant, as well as previously running a boutique publisher. She has a passion for immersive fiction, and content-rich non-fiction. She also has a soft spot for military history. She earned an MA in Museum Studies.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * Historical * Mystery * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * History * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Military/War * Self-Help/Personal Development *
Denver CO
Biography
Leah Petrakis is a literary agent with Europa Content Ltd. She graduated with a degree in Cinema Studies from the Tisch School at NYU where she also served as Music Director of WNYU Radio. She started her publishing career at HarperCollins Children’s Books and most recently worked for the former trade division of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. She joined Europa in August 2021.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Literary *
NONFICTION: Art * Cooking/Cookbook * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Music * Narrative * Photography * Pop Culture * Sports *
Rubin Pfeffer
Rubin Pfeffer Content, LLCDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Rubin Pfeffer is a literary Agent with Rubin Pfeffer Contenct, LLC. Founded by Rubin Pfeffer in 2014, RPC is the natural extension of Rubin’s 40-year career in the publishing industry. Starting as a designer at Harcourt Brace Jovanovich directly out of college, Rubin has traversed the seas of the children’s book-industry. In his 30 years at Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Rubin served in a multitude of positions including art director, editor-in-chief, and president. In 2001, Rubin transitioned from Harcourt to become Pearson’s chief creative officer. Wishing to return to trade publishing, Pfeffer transitioned to Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, working as a vice president and publisher in 2003. After a number of years at Simon & Schuster, sensing a changing tide in the industry, Rubin became an independent agent at East West Literary Agency in 2009. Rubin has found his passion in working closely with authors and illustrators, in strengthening and nurturing their work, and in helping writers and illustrators demonstrate their potential to publishers.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
Biography
Sarah Phair is a literary agent with Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. Sarah represents a range of fiction and nonfiction authors writing for the adult market. In fiction she focuses on books by women, for women, ranging from commercial, to upmarket and literary. If you would read it in your book club or take it on vacation, it might be a good fit for Sarah’s list. She particularly loves: family sagas, female friendship, complex psychological suspense, campus novels, anti-heroines, and a good love story. In nonfiction her areas of interest include feminist issues, millennial topics, pop culture, and anything about food. She is especially interested in projects analyzing the future of media consumption, how and what we eat, agriculture, and housing.
Sarah joined Greenburger Associates in 2019. Originally from Mississippi, she moved to New York in 2010 to pursue a career in publishing. She worked at Trident Media Group for six years, acting as audio agent and foreign rights agent before building her own list. Sarah also has a M.A. in British and American Literature.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Commercial * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Family Saga * General Fiction * Literary * New Adult * Romance * Suspense * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Environment * Food/Drinks * Gardening * General Nonfiction * Nature * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Technology * Women’s Issues *
55 5th Avenue New York NY 10003 USA
Beth Phelan
Gallt & Zacker Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email * Online Form *Biography
Beth Phelan is a literary agent with the Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. Beth has been working in publishing since 2010. A lifelong reader, she’s been caught reading by flashlight in hotel closets while on vacation and finishing stories in lieu of returning friends’ calls. She is a winner of the inaugural CBC Diversity Outstanding Achievement Award, a Publisher’s Weekly Notable Person of the Year Reader’s Pick, twice-nominated for The Ignyte Community Award for Outstanding Efforts in Service of Inclusion and Equitable Practice in Genre, and a Publisher’s Weekly Star Watch Honoree. She’s been a literary agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency since 2017.
Beth is also the Founder, President and Executive Director of DiverseVoices, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit organization. She created #DVpit, a Twitter pitch event for marginalized creators, in April 2016, and DVcon, a free virtual conference for marginalized book creators.
Most of her time is spent reading, editing, and playing with her ugly dog Beefy.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * NoPB * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
Biography
Ariana Philips is a literary agent with Jean Naggar Literary Agency. She began at JVNLA as an intern in 2011 and joined the agency full-time in the summer of 2012. She handles audio, permissions, and electronic rights, and assists with the submission of JVNLA’s titles for translation and for film/TV. She is actively building her own client list but continues to work closely with Jennifer Weltz and Alice Tasman on their titles.
Her interests include adult literary and commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, and the latest and greatest in culinary talent! Born and raised in New York City, by a family immersed in the city’s culinary and hospitality scene, she is especially interested in cookbooks, food narratives, and culinary histories from around the world. She loves to find new talent and work with her clients to develop strong proposals. She enjoys being the author’s advocate, often being their first editor, business manager, and trusted confidante. Her personal agenting philosophy is to take on an author for the duration of their career and help guide them through the ever-changing publishing landscape.
Ariana attended Iona College, where she graduated with honors in English and Communications.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Family Saga * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Picture Book * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * History * Humor * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Narrative * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Prescriptive * Romance * Science * Sports * Travel * True Crime * Upmarket * Young Adult *
216 E. 75th St. Suite 1E New York NY 10021 USA
Biography
Aemilia Phillips is a literary agent with the Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency. She joined Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency in the fall of 2016, after completing the Columbia University Publishing Course. She graduated from Harvard University with high honors, and is putting her English degree to good use in the world of publishing. With interests in journalism, narrative non-fiction, and literary fiction, she looks for diverse, smart writing with an impactful story to tell.
Aemilia works closely with David Patterson and Mackenzie Brady Watson, and currently lives in Manhattan.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Multicultural Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cultural/Social Issues * General Nonfiction * History * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * Politics * Reference * Science * Travel * Women’s Issues *
118 East 28th Street Suite 908 New York NY 10016 USA
Biography
Erika T. Phillips is a literary agent with The Stephanie Tade Agency. She is interested in non-fiction authors working in the Buddhist and mindfulness arena with a focus on health and spiritual well-being. She has a passion for developing projects and building platforms that help amplify the voices of women of color and black women writers in particular. She is experienced in platform development, marketing, and publicity and helps authors translate their message into brand strategy.
Before joining the Stephanie Tade Agency, Ericka has worked as a development consultant for social mission-driven businesses and foundations such as the Eileen Fisher Community Foundation and Buddhist Peace Fellowship. She has held several leadership positions in the mindfulness sector including serving as Executive Director at both New York Insight Meditation Center and the New York Shambhala Center – two of the largest meditation communities in the US. Ericka also serves as the Board President of MNDFL Ed, an organization founded to support positive transformation in the educational system, bringing mindfulness to schools.
For over a decade Ericka has produced retreats, training programs and workshops with foremost leaders in mindfulness, yoga and personal development including: Pema Chodron, Mark Epstein, Rodney Yee, Rev. angel Kyodo Williams, Dan Siegel, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Sharon Salzberg, Byron Katie, Colleen Saidman, Daniel Goleman, Lama Rod Owens and many more.
Ericka has been studying meditation and other contemplative practices since the early nineties. Her father introduced her to yoga and meditation when she was a teenager. She studied Movements for Social Justice at Hampshire College and Creative Writing at Columbia University.
Ericka joined the Stephanie Tade Agency in 2020.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Ethnic * Health/Wellness * Mind/Body/Spirit * Multicultural * New Age * Spirituality * Women’s Issues *
7a North Bank Street Easton PA 18042 USA
Stephanie Phillips
SBR MediaDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Stephanie Phillips is a literary agent with and the founder of SBR Media. She is a born and bred southern girl. After graduating from High Point University, she’d gone from different careers including modeling, Mary Kay, publicist, blogger, radio show host, and then found her footing as an agent. With over two hundred clients and three times as many deals between her and her eight agents, she’s happy to see SBR Media is a force in the literary world. When not agenting, blogging, or reading, she spends time with her husband and two adorable kids in their Myrtle Beach home.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Erotica * Fantasy * Juvenile Fiction * Mystery * Paranormal * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Alison Picard is a literary agent with the Alison J. Picard Agency. Alison has more than twenty years of experience in the publishing industry.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Erotica * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * General Fiction * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Glitz * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Satire * Sports Fiction * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Autobiography * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Diet/Nutrition * Economics * Education * Environment * Ethnic * Family * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * Government * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Inspiration * Law * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Multicultural * New Age * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
P.O. Box 2000 Cotuit MA 02635 USA
Larissa Melo Pienkowski
Jill Grinberg Literary ManagementDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Larissa Melo Pienkowski is a literary agent with Jill Grinberg Literary Management. She grew up outside of Boston and attended Simmons University, where she earned her degree in Social Work and Sociology, performed poetry competitively and recreationally, and edited a number of literary magazines. Larissa later went on to receive her MA in Publishing and Writing from Emerson College, where she worked with the likes of Beacon Press and Barefoot Books, before becoming the assistant publisher of a small indie press. She joined Jill Grinberg Literary Management in 2020 and is now working to build her list. The daughter of Brazilian and Polish immigrants, Larissa speaks Portuguese and Spanish and travels to experience as much of the world as possible—always with a good book in hand.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Commercial * Contemporary * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * NoPB * Romance * Short Story Collection * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Beauty/Fashion/Style * Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Ethnic * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * History * Investigative * Journalism * Law * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Multicultural * Narrative * Nature * Pop Culture * Psychology * Travel * Young Adult *
Cheryl Pientka
Nancy Yost Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Cheryl Pientka is a literary agent with the Nancy Yost Literary Agency. She joined Nancy Yost Literary Agency in 2018 as the director of subrights. She also represents a select list of clients.
After stints at The Associated Press’s International TV news and Corporate Communications departments and graduation from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, she became a part-time assistant in a literary agency and has been happily involved in the industry on the foreign rights and agency side. She is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents and is part of its International Committee. Most recently she was the director of foreign and subsidiary rights and an agent at Jill Grinberg Literary Management.
Cheryl is especially interested in upmarket and book club women’s fiction, page-turning debuts from international writers, and she is always on the hunt for a good character-driven psychological mystery in the vein of Tana French or Deborah Crombie. On the non-fiction side, she’d love to see narrative that challenges the generational status quo. As an adoptee born during the Baby Scoop era, she is especially seeking something in the vein of AMERICAN BABY that breaks societal taboos and creates empathy for everyone touched by adoption. And a huge lover of animals, she is seeking true stories that promote kindness to animals and a better awareness of our place in the world with them.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Family Saga * Historical * Literary * Mystery * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Biography * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Environment * Fitness * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * Humor * Journalism * Narrative * Nature * Psychology * Travel * Women’s Issues *
Biography
Leah Pierre is a literary agent with Ladderbird. A Texas native, Leah moved to the east coast to pursue her dream of working in publishing. She recently graduated from Rosemont College with her B.A. in English and History, and she is currently pursuing her MA in Publishing. Leah spends her time enjoying the company of fictional characters more than people. When not in the company of fictional characters, Leah hangs out with friends and family, cooks, and catches up on movies and tv shows she is always behind on.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Fantasy * Horror * Multicultural Fiction * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
P.O. Box 270 Milford CT 06460 USA
Biography
Ramona Pina is a literary agent with the BookEnds Literary Agency. She is a second-generation Jamaican, and third-gen. Cape Verdean, born and raised in Boston. A lover of fall and all things cozy, she is true to her New England roots. She is obsessed with teas, seafood, and Afro- Indo- Caribbean food. Growing up, she was the odd kid who wished she could write like Langston Hughes and read encyclopedias all day. Yes, pre-internets!
Her creative journey has been influenced by Jim Henson productions, Hayao Miyazaki anime, and similar works. She constantly lost and found herself within those stories, identifying with characters who didn’t look like her. This lack of representation led Ramona to explore abroad, and other marginalized cultures. While in Chile and Guatemala, she studied, volunteered, and gained fluency in the Spanish language, applying her cultural anthropology degree to understand the richness of the mythology and folklore of mainstream and indigenous groups.
Being a spoken word poet, Ramona knows that her voice is her strongest weapon and continues to highlight that as a BookEnds literary fellow in her capstone podcast, Hollow Moon. As a literary agent, she wants to champion underrepresented voices in literature to elevate them to an even playing field. When she’s not immersed in fictional worlds, she’s a busy mom of 2 (and one fur baby, Rambo the cat), an avid baker, candle-maker, and DIY enthusiast/“Mona Stewart.” Otherwise, she’s watching movies featuring The Rock or other absurd action films. She’s overjoyed to have found her agenting home at BookEnds with equally compassionate fellow humans and looks forward to midwifing more diverse books into the world.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Contemporary * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Horror * Magical Realism * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Paranormal * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Gideon Pine is a literary agent with InkWell Management. He is primarily interested representing nonfiction, with a focus on big idea books, unknown histories, and anything sports related. On the fiction side, thrillers and romance novels are always welcome.
He has a B.A in Political Science from Indiana University. Prior to working in publishing, he worked in commercial production and advertising.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Romance * Sports Fiction * Thriller *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * History * Sports * Upmarket *
Biography
Richard Pine is a literary agent with InkWell Management. He is a co-founder of Inkwell Management. He works with leaders and writers who inspire, extend horizons, coin new terms, invent new worlds, and reach millions of people. Many of his clients do all of these things at once, including Adam Grant, Susan Cain, Tim Urban, Sal Khan, Simon Sinek, Angela Duckworth, Arianna Huffington, Martin Seligman, Amy Cuddy, and Reshma Saujani.
He represents authors, creators, and memoirists of particularly high originality, such as Bryan Cranston, Susan Orlean, Andre Agassi, Erin Morgenstern, Katherine Dunn, Suleika Jaouad, and Dean Koontz.
His commitment to books which evolve our popular understanding of health and wellness has led him to work with bestselling and groundbreaking practitioners such as Mark Hyman, Dr. Michael Greger, Andrew Weil, and Thug Kitchen.
He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. In 2014, Richard was inducted into the Books for a Better Life Hall of Fame.
His interest is with the long-term success of his clients. He therefore endeavors always to help them create relationships with the very best partners in publishing and beyond. As a result, he has helped his clients sell millions of books, inspire and entertain millions of readers, and
establish careers that last lifetimes.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Religious * Romance * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Journalism * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Sports * True Crime *
521 Fifth Avenue Suite 2600 New York NY 10175 USA
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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)