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7 Insider Secrets to Get a Top Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal
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Literary Agent Directory
Important: Visit each agent’s website (links in their listings below) to see if they’re open to submissions before querying.
- The results are being filtered by the character: W
Biography
Tess Weitzner is a literary agent with the Frances Goldin Literary Agency. She joined the Frances Goldin Literary Agency in 2023 after more than three years at Trident Media Group. A graduate of Middlebury College, she previously interned at Macmillan, The New England Review, and O/R Books. She was also a 2019 Bread Loaf student-scholar in fiction, as well as a research assistant for the author and journalist Charles Glass. And, after a long stint coaching and performing with a youth circus, she is drawn to anything that flies high, plays with fire, and embraces difference.She is primarily looking for literary fiction and narrative nonfiction narrow and deep in scope that might play with unreliable narrators, interrogations of power and violence, reclamations of identity, or dark-as-night humor. Fresh takes on horror, magical realism, camp, and kitsch will always be met with zeal. In the childrenÕs space, she is looking for contemporary middle grade and YA stories that are fun, engaging, and seemingly ÒquietÓ that crack open larger questions or underrepresented experiences. Some of her favorites include Sandra Cisneros, Louis Sachar, Carl Hiaasen, Katherine Applegate, Kelly Yang, and Jason Reynolds. As part of their brilliant storytelling, they respect young readers and approach tough topics with warmth, humor, and edge. She is not accepting queries in science fiction, fantasy, or picture books at this time. Her clients include Sara Cody, Berinna Chambers, David Dabel, Christina Frigo, Leora Fridman, Davey Lawson, Kathryn Kramer, and Suchi Rudra.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, Graphic Novel, Horror, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Satire, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Humor Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, NonfictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Samantha Wekstein is a literary agent with the Thompson Literary Agency. She grew up in Westchester, NY. She attended the University of Maryland, College Park and received a B.A. in English. She now lives in NYC with her husband and dog. After internships with Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency and Rowman & Littlefield, she began her career in 2013 at Writers House LLC. She then briefly worked as an assistant at The Agency Group (now UTA) before returning to Writers House for the next 5 years where she began supporting the CEO, and then the Founder, before becoming an agent. SheÕs been lucky to work with a variety of best-selling and award winning authors across all genres. She joined TLA in 2019 where sheÕs excited to grow her list. In YA, she loves creative and epic fantasies, but she is also drawn to realistic stories with multi-dimensional female characters. She is always interested in elevating diverse voices, particularly through feminist narratives. She is seeking middle grade of all stripes, but especially stories that deal with themes of friendship, adventure, or encountering tragedy for the first time. She is also on the lookout for whimsical, meaningful, and funny picture books. On the adult side she is drawn to commercial voices in Romance, WomenÕs Fiction, Historical Fiction, Sci-Fi and Fantasy.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Western Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, History, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Victoria Wells Arms is a literary agent with HG Literary. She began her publishing career as an editor at Dial Books for Young Readers, moved to G. P. Putnam’s Sons and then Bloomsbury USA’s Children’s Division, where she was the founding Editorial Director and Associate Publisher and worked with Shannon Hale, Nikki Grimes, Renee Watson, E D Baker, and many other award-winning and bestselling authors. In 2013 Victoria started her own agency, Wells Arms Literary LLC, which joined in association with HG Literary in 2018. She represents authors of children’s books for all ages, a few adult authors, and many talented picture book illustrators including E. D. Baker, Nora Shalaway Carpenter, Alan Cumyn, Patrick Downes, Han Nolan, Maria Padian, Marcella Pixley, Susan L. Roth and more. She also works closely in partnership with the agent Edite Kroll and her clients.Victoria has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts and is a member of the AAR, PEN America, and SCBWI.
Notes
FICTION: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Graphic Novel, LGBTQ Fiction, Multicultural FictionNONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Food Drink, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Nonfiction, ParentingCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Jennifer Weltz is a literary agent with the Jean Naggar Literary Agency. As President of JVNLA, Jennifer Weltz has sold books domestically, internationally, and for film for nearly two decades. Coming from a mediation background, Jennifer sees herself as a liaison between her author and the editor and publishing house that acquire her author’s work. This role takes on a myriad of formsÑbusiness manager, confidant, task master, preliminary editor, and matchmakerÑto name a few. Since Jennifer takes up an author’s career and not just a project, she is very careful and selective about signing on new authors.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Horror, Magical Realism, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Art, Dating Relationships Sex, General Nonfiction, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Science, Self-Help, TechnologyCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Lauren Wendelken is a literary agent with Susanna Lea Associates. She is a Midwesterner and a neuroscientist by training. She began working with Susanna Lea Associates in New York in 2007. After a six year hiatus in San Francisco, where she worked at UCSF with Dr. Victor ValcourÕs NeuroAIDS research group, she was thrilled to return to the SLA fold in 2016. Lauren is passionate about nonfiction books with a social mission, or those which aim to make science accessible to all, as well as upmarket commercial fiction, literary fiction, and speculative fiction.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Biography, Cultural Social Issues, History, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Science
Biography
Charlotte Wenger is a literary agent with the Prospect Agency. She says: “Although my parents didn’t intentionally name me after Charlotte A. Cavatica, as a child, I imagined that my white semicircle headboard transformed into a spiderÕs web at night. From a young age, I was aware of the impact of words and a well-crafted story. Now IÕm delighted to work with clients to weave book webs that leave their mark on readers.I honed my love of stories by getting a BA in English and theatre from Eastern Mennonite University. After graduating, I worked as a project manager and editor for Scribe, a Philadelphia-based publishing services company, for three years. To follow my passion for books and children, I moved to Boston to earn a masterÕs in ChildrenÕs Literature from Simmons College (now University). I interned at Charlesbridge (editorial) and Candlewick (sales), and after grad school, I interned with literary agent Rubin Pfeffer for a year. Prior to joining Prospect Agency, I was an associate editor for just over two years with Page Street Kids, where I acquired and edited more than twenty picture books and grew relationships with authors, illustrators, agents, and other editors.As an agent, I enjoy the editorial work and the relationship building; so I love attending conferences and leading workshops. I’ve mentored Simmons MFA students and also serve on the national advisory board of the Mazza Museum, the world’s largest collection of original children’s book art, in Findlay, Ohio.I’m interested in working with authors and illustrators of children’s booksÑboard books through YA, but especially picture booksÑas well as adult nonfiction, particularly biographies and memoirs.”
Notes
NONFICTION: Art, Biography, Dating Relationships Sex, Family, General Nonfiction, History, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Nonfiction, Poetry, Science, Sports, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Marcia Wernick is a literary agent with the Wernick & Pratt Agency. After working and traveling around Europe after college and working in different jobs in New York City, Marcia Wernick finally found her calling in childrenÕs publishing. She began working at the Sheldon Fogelman Agency in subsidiary rights, advancing to director of subsidiary rights. She has attended the Bologna ChildrenÕs Book Fair more than a dozen times, enjoying the international camaraderie of the childrenÕs book industry. When she realized that working directly with the authors and illustrators brought her the most joy, she focused on the agenting side of the business. She became a fulltime agent, bringing in many authors and illustrators to the agency. Among the clients she brought in are Bryan Collier, Diane Stanley, Alexandra Boiger, and Mo Willems, whom she introduced to the childrenÕs book publishing world. Her clients now range from the well-established to those just beginning their careers. She continues to use her subsidiary rights experience in the foreign rights side of Wernick & Pratt Agency and working with film agents on the licensing of motion picture/television rights. She has had great fun licensing merchandising rights such as ringtones, game apps, plush dolls, pajamas, backpacks, toys, and games.
Notes
CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Alisha West is a literary agent with Victress Literary. She resides in Washington State. SheÕs had a life-long love affair with stories, earning a BA in English and an MA in WomenÕs and Gender Studies. Her thesis, Exploring the Missing Pieces: Readers, Religion and Societal relations in One Magazine, 1954-1963, concerns one of the first widely circulated gay and lesbian magazines published in the U.S. (downloaded 300+ times). Her personal essay, ÒWalking Sweet Dee,Ó took third place in the Adult Short Topic category of the Pacific Northwest WriterÕs AssociationÕs Literary Contest in 2022.After bonding with Lizz during the after party of the PNWA awards ceremony, Alisha jumped at the chance to join Victress Literary as an editorial assistant in November 2022. Because of her commitment, cheerleading, and creativity, she was promoted to Junior Agent in May 2023. Her favorite tasks include reading submissions and editing manuscripts from Victress clients.When Alisha isnÕt reading, editing or writing about womenÕs rights and queer history, she enjoys playing with her fur babies (Roary Gilmore, Sweet Dee and Charlie Kelly), practicing guitar, gaming, and watching all the best stories film has to offer with her partner, Matt.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Erotic Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Environment, Fitness, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Self-Help, True Crime, Women’s Issues
Biography
Kimberly Whalen is a literary agent with and the founder of The Whalen Agency. Before founding The Whalen Agency, Kimberly Whalen worked at a major New York City literary agency for 15 years, where she represented dozens of New York Times bestselling clients. Those clients delivered over 40 New York Times bestselling books, multiple #1 New York Times bestsellers, dozens of international bestsellers (including #1 international bestsellers) and netted several eight-figure deals.Prior to her renowned career as a literary agent, Kimberly Whalen worked as the foreign rights director at St. MartinÕs Press. The experience of working at a publishing company as well as her background in selling international rights for over 20 years provides her clients with a truly unique and global expertise that is unparalleled in the industry.
Notes
FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Celebrity, Dating Relationships Sex, Film Entertainment, General Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop CultureCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Michaela Whatnall is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC. She joined Dystel, Goderich & Bourret in 2019 as the assistant to Michael Bourret in the West Coast office. After graduating from Emory University with a degree in English and linguistics, Michaela completed the Columbia Publishing Course. Her background in school and library marketing accounts for her strong interest in childrenÕs literature, from picture books up through middle grade and young adult novels and graphic novels. In the adult space, she is particularly interested in character-driven fantasy and science fiction.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Animals, Cultural Social Issues, Film Entertainment, Gift Novelty, History, Illustrated, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, SportsCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Natanya Wheeler is a literary agent and director of digital rights with the Nancy Yost Literary Agency. She is looking for literary, upmarket, and commercial fiction. She is particularly interested in books that help us understand our world. SheÕs looking for multicultural voices, psychological thrillers, suspense, book club fiction, romance, and humorous fiction. She loves to find new writers and does not shy away from debut talent.For nonfiction, Natanya is interested in authors with strong platforms who write about nature, the human mind, women’s issues, or animals.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Satire, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Animals, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Food Drink, Mind Body Spirit, Multicultural Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Psychology, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction
Biography
Paige Wheeler is a literary agent with Creative Media Agency, Inc. As the founder of Creative Media Agency, Inc., Paige Wheeler has artfully merged her creativity and business savvy to create an agency that is dedicated to maximizing author potential. With over twenty years of experience in the publishing industry, Paige is propelled by an entrepreneurial spirit, ignited by the thrill of discovery. Through all of her professional endeavors, Paige has ventured to support her clients and their unique voices in an unprecedented way. In 2006, Paige also became a founding partner of Folio Literary Management, LLC. Through CMA, she is now able to provide the ability to manage intellectual property rights of authors by selling both domestic and foreign rights, and co-agenting film and audio rights.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Business Book, Dating Relationships Sex, Economics, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Travel, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult FictionNONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction, Christian Nonfiction
Biography
Maria Whelan is a literary agent with InkWell Management. Maria graduated from University College Dublin with a BA in English and Drama then obtained a MSc in Modern Literature from the University of Edinburgh. With bright-eyes, she moved from Dublin to New York in the hopes of pursuing a career in publishing. Before joining InkWell, she worked as a Foreign Rights Assistant at Janklow & Nesbit and interned at Akashic Books. Maria enjoys literary fiction, especially if macabre and written with a strong narrative voice. SheÕs also fond of non-fiction, revolving around peculiar or overlooked facets of society.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Short Story Collection, Speculative Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Art, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, History, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Psychology, True Crime
Biography
Caitlin White is a literary agent with the Emerald City Literary Agency. She is a writer and editor who was previously the Interim Books Editor for Bustle, and she has written about YA books for HelloGiggles, Bustle, Elle, and Glamour. Caitlin brought her passion for YA and MG to Emerald City Literary Agency in 2019 as an intern before being promoted to Associate Agent. She currently lives in Ottawa, Ontario, but is from the Boston area.Caitlin is starting to build her own list, and so she is now open to select submissions in YA and MG fiction and will represent projects alongside ECLA agents Mandy Hubbard and Linda Epstein.As an Associate Agent, she also works on office management and helps with reading queries sent to ECLA agents.Caitlin is looking for whodunnits that harken back to Agatha Christie (think: Maureen JohnsonÕs Truly Devious series), pretty much anything that makes her feel like summer (her favorite book is Judy BlumeÕs Summer Sisters), rom-coms with an original hook, stories about non-toxic groups of friends, magical realism that feels grounded (like Anna-Marie McLemoreÕs When the Moon Was Ours), unabashedly feminist POVs, and contemporary witches set in a real-life world, like These Witches DonÕt Burn by Isabel Sterling. (If itÕs similar to The Craft or Practical Magic, she will likely read it.) She is always interested in seeing submissions from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors. Sorry, but she is not the right person for high fantasy. Follow Caitlin on Twitter @caitforestell to see more of her #MSWL.
Notes
CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Essie White is a literary agent with the Storm Literary Agency. She started her literary career by focusing on those for whom the literature was written: Children. She received her BA in Education with her primary focus in Special Education. When working with special needs children, struggling with language, she discovered the beauty of words, and the rhythm of a well composed story, engaged them. She later went on to teach traditional elementary students and found that reading was best achieved, when a good book was the focus, not the specific skillset.Essie later completed her MA in Education, specializing in Curriculum and Instruction for Early Childhood Education. ThatÕs when her real journey with books began. Using quality childrenÕs literature as the foundation, she began creating curricula for local and national homeschool groups as well as independent preschool organizations. For each subject, each topic, each thematic unit, she used a book as the starting point. Essie used this combination of skills and passions, to start her own early childhood development program. Still in operation today, after 20 + years, the school serves young children in Seattle. Although Essie is no longer managing the school on site, each lesson, each day, still begins with a quality childrenÕs book.After relocating to Minneapolis, Minnesota, Essie entrenched herself in the local childrenÕs book community. She started receiving inquiries from local authors, asking about the path to publication. A lot of research later, as well as a lot of work, Essie opened her small agency with the hope of ensuring capable artists and authors, could eventually get their work seen by editors and publishers. Storm Literary Agency was subsequently launched in 2014. Essie loves strong writing that hits an emotional core. For her, the writing must be unforgettable, as should the characters and the place. Whether a snippet of life, or a full life, the story should not be easily forgotten. She wants to represent literature that leave an impact on childrenÕs lives, and she wants to represent artists who know how to speak to the child, with their art. Essie is fond of many authors and artists, some of whom she feels fortunate to call clients. But some of her favorite classic publications include Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney, Where the Wild Things are by Maurice Sendak, Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel. More recent favorites include: I talk Like a River by Jordan Scott and illustrated by Sydney Smith. Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell, The Funeral by Matt James and Once, a Bird (Orca Books) Essie currently lives in Southern California where sheÕs blessed to be near family and an ocean that provides endless inspiration.
Notes
CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book
Biography
Melissa White is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. She says: ÒWhat I love most about being an agent is finding new voices that can express something in a fresh way or new subject matter that makes me view the world differently, whether itÕs through fiction or non-fiction. One of the most thrilling aspects of my job is the constant exposure to a wide variety of topics; itÕs truly thrilling to play a part ushering innovative projects into the world.In addition to representing authors, I am the Director of International Rights at Folio and attend all the major international book fairs, keeping my finger on the pulse of what’s working in book markets worldwide.Ó
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Diet Nutrition, Economics, Food Drink, Health Wellness, History, Investigative, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-HelpCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Alice Whitwham is a literary agent with The Cheney Agency. Alice Whitwham grew up in London and studied literature at Cambridge University before moving to the US for a masterÕs degree in poetry and interpretive theory at the University of Chicago. In graduate school, she interned at The Chicago Review, and after relocating to New York, at The Paris Review. In 2011, she was the buyer at 192 Books and, from 2012 to 2016, the marketing director at McNally Jackson Books, where she programmed readings and festivals for authors and publishers and founded Writers In Public, a not-for-profit organization that brings writers and artists to give workshops at public schools and prisons. She began her agenting career at The Zoe Pagnamenta Agency, where she handled UK rights, before she moved to The Cheney Agency to build her own list. She represents a wide range of nonfiction, including voice-driven narrative non-fiction, cultural criticism, reportage, social and cultural history, and memoir; literary fiction; and a select list of poets. Her authors have been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, finalists for the National Book Award and PEN/Hemingway awards, and winners of George Polk, Whiting, and Rona Jaffe awards.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, Literary FictionNONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, History, Journalism, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
Biography
Chandler Wickers is a literary agent with Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency. She joined Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency in 2021 after an early career working in tech. She graduated from Washington and Lee University, where she played Division III soccer and earned a degree in English and Film, then going on to complete the Columbia University Publishing Course. She is interested in representing adult fiction and non-fiction.She is drawn to voice-driven literary and upmarket fiction with a strong sense of place, novels featuring darkly funny narrators, flawed protagonists, coming of age stories, and family sagas. SheÕs especially excited about writing that plays with form, stories that explore visceral experiences of body and mind, and characters grappling with philosophical questions about faith and desire.In non-fiction, she looks for novelistic journalism, comprehensive histories, war reporting, wilderness adventures, and journeys to the edges of the Earth. As a San Francisco native and Brooklyn transplant she is keen on stories that intersect tech and pop culture, converge scholarly with personal narratives, and those that demystify a subculture or reveal an underbelly.
Notes
FICTION: Family Saga, Fiction, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Satire, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Education, History, Journalism, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Technology, Travel, True Adventure
Biography
Amy Williams is a literary agent with the McCormick & Williams Literary Agency. Amy Williams has been a literary agent since 1996. She has worked at The Gernert Company, ICM, and was a co-founder of McCormick & Williams. She represents a wide range of projects, including fiction, non-fiction, and memoir.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, General FictionNONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction
Biography
Mackenzie Williams is a literary assistant with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She has assisted Marya Spence since October 2021. She is interested in building her own list of literary fiction, short story collections, memoirs, and narrative nonfiction.Mackenzie began her publishing career at 19, when she worked with Jia Tolentino on her acclaimed essay collection TRICK MIRROR (Random House, 2019). She has also collaborated with childrenÕs and YA author Nora Neus on several graphic novels that are forthcoming from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.She attended the University of Virginia as a Jefferson Scholar and earned distinguished degrees in Political & Social Thought and English Literature. She joined Janklow & Nesbit six months after graduation.Originally from Seattle, she lives in Manhattan with too many books.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Short Story CollectionNONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction
Biography
Roger Williams is a literary agent with The Roger Williams Agency. He says, “Welcome. Presumably you are here because you have either written a book, or you have a concept for a work, and you have a lot of questions on how to find a publishing partner. I am a former bookseller, and publishing industry executive. I have had the pleasure, and the honor, of working with many great authors, booksellers, and other dedicated publishing people. Additionally, my wife, daughter, both sisters, two nieces and my brother-in-law are all published authors. In all my years of publishing, I have learned a thing or two and I have a few contacts in this business.I believe a literary agent is more than just a deal maker. Certainly, any agent is responsible for managing intellectual property rights, however, my goal is to manage a writerÕs career. I am a process oriented project manager and I am engaged long beyond getting a publishing deal. Given my background in distribution, sales and marketing, I specialize in managing my client relationships and their publishing partners throughout the publishing cycle.”
Notes
NONFICTION: Autobiography, Biography, Business Book, Current Events Affairs, Environment, General Nonfiction, History, Military War Nonfiction, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Politics, Sports
Biography
Emily Williamson is a literary agent with Williamson Literary. She represents a variety of projects in non-fiction and fiction, working with major publishers, university presses, and boutique imprints alike to find the perfect home for her clientsÕ work. She began her editing career in 2011 with Chrysalis Editorial* in Washington, D.C. and founded Williamson Literary in 2016, driven by the desire to help great writers achieve their publishing goals. She has earned degrees from American University (1997) and Johns Hopkins University (2012). As a writer, she understands the investment of time and heart it takes to follow this challenging path. It is the core of Williamson LiteraryÑto support the careers of dedicated writers who deserve to see their ideas and imaginings realized. Williamson Literary is also about building relationships: agent-author, agent-publisher, author-publisher.In the past, Emily spent 13 years as an archaeologist traveling all over the US and abroad in search of many thingsÉsometimes finding nothing. It is this varied, nomadic past that has influenced her own writing and her particular interests as an agent. Emily does other things. She is a poet, a painter, loves the outdoors, traveling, playing with her nutty Border Collie, doing CrossFit, and watching footballÉnot all at once. She is a native of New Jersey, cuts her own firewood, and is one of those annoying people who canÕt eat gluten.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Satire, Suspense Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Education, Environment, History, Humor Nonfiction, Inspirational Nonfiction, Journalism, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Science, Sports, Technology, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime, Women’s Issues
Biography
Rebecca Williamson is a literary agent with Sheldon Fogelman Agency. She is passionate about all children’s books, from picture books through young adult. She enthusiastically joined Sheldon Fogelman Agency in 2023 after working with St. Martin’s Publishing Group at Macmillan and Triada US Literary Agency. Rebecca began her agenting journey at the Columbia Publishing Course. She graduated from the State University of New York at Geneseo with a double major in English (creative writing) and Communication (journalism & media).
Notes
CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
John Willig is a literary agent with Literary Services. Celebrating 46 years working in publishing, John often says to friends that his career actually began as a Newsday paperboy growing up on Long Island, New York. He was fortunate to be raised in a family whose passions included books, basketball, and family gatherings at the beach.After graduating from Brown University, his first job was as a sales representative in academic publishing. He soon began work as a marketing manager and then editor for HarperCollins. As his interests moved to trade publishing, he became an executive editor at Prentice Hall for business books. While at P-Hall, John enjoyed working with such authors as Henry Mintzberg, Philip Kotler and Jim Collins and acquired Mr.Collins’ first book Beyond Entrepreneurship. In 1991 he decided to become a literary agent to work more closely with writers. Throughout his career as an editor and agent, John has successfully negotiated over 750 publishing agreements. John is a member of The Author’s Guild and participates at industry events including Writer’s Digest conferences and the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) conferences.John is the proud father of two sons, both of whom were All-Shore Academic All Stars and graduated with honors from their respective colleges. He enjoys a wide-range of hobbies from exploring new regions to discovering hidden treasures in the arts and antiquarian books.
Notes
NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Computers, Cookbook Cooking, Dating Relationships Sex, Economics, Fitness, General Nonfiction, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, Lifestyle, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Psychology, Reference, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Sports, Technology, Travel, True Crime, Upmarket Nonfiction
Biography
Kathryn Willms is a literary agent with The Rights Factory. Kathryn specializes in nonfiction.
She is particularly interested in ambitious, unconventional, smart, and well-written book projects that contribute new perspectives, revel in the quirkiness of the world, and change the way we see it. SheÕs passionate about work that translates specialist knowledge to the mainstream to push cultural conversations in new and surprising directions. She enthusiastically welcomes submissions from BIPOC and LGBTQ-2S creators.
While acquiring big-idea book projects across genres, Kathryn is currently focused on building her nonfiction list in culture, social justice, psychology, history, nature/environmentalism, lifestyle, and food and beverage. She is not currently acquiring conventional memoirs (although books exploring a topic that incorporate a personal story are very welcome).
She is starting to acquire hard science fiction and speculative literary fiction in Fall 2023. SheÕs attracted to the same qualities in fiction and nonfiction: big ideas; ambitious and/or clever premises; a sense of humour; and engagement with the big questions of our times.
For over 10 years, Kathryn has worked with authors to edit, produce, and bring their books to market in various capacities, including as a hybrid publisher. She was vice-president and senior editor at Colborne Communications before going freelance. Since 2017, sheÕs run Kwill Communications, an editorial company specializing in educational editing. She joined The Rights Factory in 2021, fulfilling her dream of becoming a literary agent.
Originally from BC, she holds a MA in English from the University of Calgary and lives in Toronto.
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Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |BIPOC Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Science Fiction |Biography | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | Environment | Food Drink | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | History | Lifestyle | Psychology | Science | Self-Help | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Jennifer Wills is a literary agent with The Seymour Agency. She has 5 yearsÕ experience in some of the publishing industryÕs leading literary agencies. She worked with publishers around the world as an assistant in Trident Media GroupÕs huge foreign rights department and with domestic publishers as an assistant at Writers House (where, incidentally, she began her career as an intern).She joined the Seymour Agency in April 2016, where she has quickly moved up the ranks to Literary Agent. Jennifer has always loved helping fledgling authors become NYT bestsellers, and sheÕs ready to be a relentless champion for her own clientsÕ work.Jennifer is particularly interested in a wide range of picture books and cookbooks, with a soft spot for author/illustrators of sweet and wacky picture books, and cookbooks with mouth-watering recipes of the health-conscious, budget-friendly, or celebrity chef variety.For fiction, sheÕs also interested in middle grade and YA with a sci-fi/fantasy, horror/suspense, or contemporary bent, and upmarket womenÕs fiction with a sense of humor. On the non-fiction side, narrative non-fiction and memoir are also welcome. If your manuscript has a great hook, a distinct voice, and can make her laugh out loud or ugly cry (or even better, both), sheÕd love to see it.
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FICTION: Action Adventure, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Satire, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Animals, Celebrity, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Dating Relationships Sex, Film Entertainment, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Self-Help, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Austin Wilson is a literary agent with Wolgemuth & Associates. Austin Austin started his publishing career working part time at Moody Publishers while he was a student at the Moody Bible Institute. He has always been an avid reader and his time with WolgemuthÉ& Associates has further enhanced his love of words and the entire publishing process. Austin is passionate about serving his clients throughout each stage of bringing a book to life. Helping to steward an authorÕs idea from concept to bound book is an incredible privilege.Growing up in the suburbs of Detroit, Austin met his wife, Kendall, when he was in the fifth grade. Austin is a pastorÕs kid, enjoys the outdoors, and is a backpacker. Austin and Kendall have a heart for foster care and adoption. The Wilsons have four children and live in Parker, Colorado.
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NONFICTION: NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction, Christian Nonfiction