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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.
- You are searching within category(ies): Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Holly M. McGhee is a literary agent with Pippin Properties. She still carried MADELINE around in 3rd gradeÑuntil Mrs. Carrier, her school librarian, tricked her into reading longer books by giving her one with her name on it, HOLLY IN THE SNOW. After college, Holly headed straight into the book world of New York City, where she has enjoyed being a secretary, an advertising manager, a sales rep (for one month), and in the six years prior to opening the doors at Pippin, an executive editor at HarperCollins. Now, as the President and Creative Director of Pippin she is dedicated to shepherding books that make a difference into the world. Someone once told her, “If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life,” and that has proven true for her.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel |General Nonfiction | Humor Nonfiction |
Biography
Erica McGrath is a literary agent with Writers House. She I am a junior agent actively growing my list of adult and children’s books. I’ve been at Writers House since my intern days back in 2018, since then, I’ve worked closely with the contracts department, and have supported Senior Agents Stephen Barr and Susan Cohen. Under their mentorship, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with a range of award-winning authors and illustrators including Maggie Thrash, Anna Walker, Mark Leiknes, Jared Dillian, F.C. Yee, Jeanette Winter, Stacy Innerst, and Emily Hughes.
Before joining Writers House, I studied Visual Arts and English at SUNY New Paltz and interned at not-for-profit art organizations like The Center for Photography at Woodstock and Musee Magazine. Now, combining my literary and artistic passions with my business sensibilities, I’m dying to read your work! As a Cancer sun, Virgo rising, and the eldest daughter of four siblings, I come well equipped as an intuitive, organized, and dedicated advocate. I am a passionate collaborator eager to support authors on this emotional journey to create lasting and inspiring projects.
I’m looking to work with authors and illustrators across all age ranges, in genres ranging from picture books to middle grade and YA, to adult literary fiction and nonfiction. My taste is wide ranging.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Chick Lit | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Gothic Fiction | Graphic Novel | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery |Art | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | History | Humor Nonfiction | Illustrated | Journalism | Memoir | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture |
Biography
Erica McGrath is a literary agent with Writers House. She I am a junior agent actively growing my list of adult and childrenÕs books. IÕve been at Writers House since my intern days back in 2018, since then, IÕve worked closely with the contracts department, and have supported Senior Agents Stephen Barr and Susan Cohen. Under their mentorship, IÕve had the opportunity to work closely with a range of award-winning authors and illustrators including Maggie Thrash, Anna Walker, Mark Leiknes, Jared Dillian, F.C. Yee, Jeanette Winter, Stacy Innerst, and Emily Hughes.
Before joining Writers House, I studied Visual Arts and English at SUNY New Paltz and interned at not-for-profit art organizations like The Center for Photography at Woodstock and Musee Magazine. Now, combining my literary and artistic passions with my business sensibilities, IÕm dying to read your work! As a Cancer sun, Virgo rising, and the eldest daughter of four siblings, I come well equipped as an intuitive, organized, and dedicated advocate. I am a passionate collaborator eager to support authors on this emotional journey to create lasting and inspiring projects.
IÕm looking to work with authors and illustrators across all age ranges, in genres ranging from picture books to middle grade and YA, to adult literary fiction and nonfiction. My taste is wide ranging.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Chick Lit | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Gothic Fiction | Graphic Novel | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery |Art | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | History | Humor Nonfiction | Illustrated | Journalism | Memoir | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture |
Biography
Erica McGrath is a literary agent with Writers House. She I am a junior agent actively growing my list of adult and childrenÕs books. IÕve been at Writers House since my intern days back in 2018, since then, IÕve worked closely with the contracts department, and have supported Senior Agents Stephen Barr and Susan Cohen. Under their mentorship, IÕve had the opportunity to work closely with a range of award-winning authors and illustrators including Maggie Thrash, Anna Walker, Mark Leiknes, Jared Dillian, F.C. Yee, Jeanette Winter, Stacy Innerst, and Emily Hughes.
Before joining Writers House, I studied Visual Arts and English at SUNY New Paltz and interned at not-for-profit art organizations like The Center for Photography at Woodstock and Musee Magazine. Now, combining my literary and artistic passions with my business sensibilities, IÕm dying to read your work! As a Cancer sun, Virgo rising, and the eldest daughter of four siblings, I come well equipped as an intuitive, organized, and dedicated advocate. I am a passionate collaborator eager to support authors on this emotional journey to create lasting and inspiring projects.
IÕm looking to work with authors and illustrators across all age ranges, in genres ranging from picture books to middle grade and YA, to adult literary fiction and nonfiction. My taste is wide ranging.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Chick Lit | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Gothic Fiction | Graphic Novel | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery |Art | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | History | Humor Nonfiction | Illustrated | Journalism | Memoir | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture |
Biography
Peter McGuigan is a literary agent with and the founder of Ultra Literary. With mega-bestselling clients including Jennette McCurdy and Trevor Noah, Peter McGuigan represents literary stars, both todayÕs and tomorrows. After almost thirty years in the book publishing business, Peter has seen the industry – and the agent’s role in it – evolve.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Art | Autobiography | Biography | Business Book | Celebrity | Cookbook Cooking | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Film Entertainment | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | Lifestyle | Memoir | Military War Nonfiction | Money Finance | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Photography | Politics | Pop Culture | Reference | Science | Technology | True Adventure | True Crime |
Biography
Kate McKean is a literary agent with the Howard Morhaim Literary Agency. Kate McKean joined HMLA in 2006. She earned her masterÕs degree in fiction writing at the University of Southern Mississippi and began her publishing career at the University Press of Florida. She is proud to work with New York Times bestselling authors in a wide variety of genres including Daniel Mallory OrtbergÕs TEXTS FROM JANE EYRE, Madeleine RouxÕs YA horror series ASYLUM, and Brittany GibbonsÕ memoir FAT GIRL WALKING. In addition to working with clients, she is an adjunct professor at New York University.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | General Fiction | Gothic Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Speculative Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Art | Crafts | Cultural Social Issues | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Illustrated | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Photography | Pop Culture |
Biography
Tanya McKinnon is a literary agent wtih McKinnon Literary. She says: “I represent serious nonfiction, literary fiction, children’s books, and graphic novels. Since establishing the agency five years ago, we have seen the publication of four New York Times bestsellers as well as numerous award winners and commercial successes.
Growing up all overÑAfrica, Europe, the Caribbean, and the USÑI found my home in books where writers confront the chaos of reality and distill it into narratives that leave us wiser and more human for having read them. The books I represent embody this ethos.
Because I wanted to help make books happen, I entered publishing right out of college, and while my job titles have changed, I have never left that world. I began as an editor, where I deepened my love of accessible, idea-driven nonfiction with the power to transform culture. Next, I worked as a literary scout, representing foreign publishers and Hollywood producers. For the last eighteen years, I have been a literary agent, helping authors bring their ideas to life and find their audience.
The time I have spent on various sides of the industry lets me view the agent-author relationship holistically. I routinely help my clients shape and sharpen their projects through a rigorous in-house editorial process. In the bigger picture, I work to help authors hone a career trajectory for their work. This level of focus requires that I cap the number of new clients I will take on.
I am always looking for work that takes me beyond the boundaries of where I currently am. This can be in categories such as history, sociology, psychology, anthropology, medicine, cultural criticism, popular culture, journalism, and sheer whimsy. I look for fiction that is story- and character-driven and engrossing with a strong voice. I have a particular interest in multicultural and African American work. I also have a passion for graphic novels, be they for adults or young readers. In children’s books, I represent the gamut from picture books through chapter books and middle grade readers, to young adult.
In addition to agenting, I hold an MA in cultural anthropology, and I teach a course on Writing for Children in the Publishing Certificate Program at City College.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Black Literary Agents |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | BIPOC Fiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Cultural Social Issues | Health Wellness | History | Journalism | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Poetry | Pop Culture | Psychology | Reference | Upmarket Nonfiction |
Biography
Laurie McLean is a literary agent with Fuse Literary. She is a founding partner at Fuse Literary representing New York Times and international bestselling authors, as well as indie published authors who want to also publish traditionally, and debut authors with promise. She spent 20 years as the CEO of a publicity and marketing agency, and 8 years as an agent and senior agent at Larsen Pomada Literary Agents in San Francisco before co-founding Fuse Literary in 2013 with Gordon Warnock.
Laurie was well known in the early days of the Apple Macintosh phenomenon as the CEO of the successful Silicon Valley public relations agency bearing her name. After 20 years there, she switched gears to immerse herself in her personal writing. Laurie had been writing professionally since high schoolÐfirst as a journalist, then as a public relations agentÐbut now she could finally spread her wings as a novelist. She penned three manuscripts before deciding that she missed using the shark part of her brain and that the life of a literary agent was her perfect match. Prior to all this, she earned a BachelorÕs Degree in Journalism from the State University of New York and a MasterÕs Degree at Syracuse UniversityÕs prestigious Newhouse School of Journalism.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Horror | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Religious Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Western Fiction |Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Economics | Health Wellness | History | Lifestyle | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Religion | Science |
Biography
Andy McNicol is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. She has represented New York Times best selling books for Sophia Amoruso, Chrissy Teigen, The Lady Gang, Tory Burch, and the #1 New York Times bestselling memoir, Melania and Me. She represents the writer and activist Tommy Dorfman, Jenna Lyons, as well as national bestsellers Alejandra Campoverdi, Tina Wells and Nicole Avante. She works with the lifestyle brands La Double J, Flamingo Estates and The Lakers Organization.
Andy has spent her career in publishing, including 20 years with WME, where she was a partner and founding member of the Branded Lifestyle Group. She began her own strategic advisory – AMstudio in 2020, offering a holistic, 360-degree approach to multi hyphenate talent and market activation.
Andy and her work have been featured in The New York Times, Variety Magazine, and Adweek. She speaks regularly at industry events, on podcasts, and conferences on how to develop successful books and content platforms. Andy holds a bachelorÕs degree in English and Art History from Yale University. She lives in Manhattan with her son Luke.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | General Fiction |General Nonfiction | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Diet Nutrition | Economics | Food Drink | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics | Pop Culture | Self-Help |
Biography
Rob McQuilkin is a literary agent with Massie & McQuilkin. A graduate of Phillips Academy and Columbia University, he started out in publishing at Warner Books (now known as Grand Central Publishing), where he acquired the paperback rights to books including Primary Colors, by Anonymous (Joe Klein). He left Warner Books for Anchor Books/Doubleday, where, as Editor, he acquired books by and/or worked closely with writers including Anita Hill (Speaking Truth to Power), Phillip Lopate (Totally, Tenderly, Tragically), and Lois Gould (Mommy Dressing), also acquiring the paperback rights to bestsellers such as Jon KrakauerÕs Into Thin Air. Rob cut his teeth as an agent while working with Ike Williams and Jill Kneerim at The Palmer & Dodge Agency (now known as Kneerim & Williams), before leaving to start his own agency. He specializes in fiction, memoir, history and cultural criticism, and poetry.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction |General Nonfiction | Art | Biography | Cultural Social Issues | History | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Poetry |
Biography
Sara Megibow is a literary agent with KT Literary. Sheis the Vice President and Senior Literary Agent with kt literary out of Highlands Ranch, CO. She has worked in publishing since 2006 and represents New York Times bestselling authors including Casey McQuiston, Rebecca Roanhorse, Margaret Rogerson and Jason M. Hough. Sara specializes in launching debut authors and working on long-term career development and profit strategy with them. She is a graduate of Northwestern University with degrees in WomenÕs Studies, Gender Studies and American History. Always LGBTQIA+ Friendly!
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Chick Lit | Erotic Fiction | Fantasy | LGBTQ Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |
Biography
Gabriella Melendez is a literary agent with Great Dog Literary. She is an assistant agent at Great Dog Literary, where she represents both young adult fiction and adult fiction.
Gabriella currently lives in the DMV area and received her Bachelors degree from the University of Maryland. She was previously a prose editor for UMDÕs literary journal, STYLUS, as well as an editor for their academic journal. Gabriella is also a graduate of the Denver Publishing Institute, where she focused her efforts on learning about the different divisions of publishing and ways to promote diversity. She began interning at Great Dog in January 2022 before transitioning full time to the Great Dog Team.
Gabriella is working towards her goal of promoting diversity and underrepresented voices in fiction with specific interest in stories by Latinx/Hispanic authors. Her taste gravitates towards commercial or upmarket fiction and she is interested in stories that present real issues in a digestible format for a wide range of readers. When sheÕs not working, Gabriella loves scouring Book Tok for more young adult/new adult fantasy or romance titles to add to her ever-growing TBR, playing TTRPG games, and dancing.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | General Fiction | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Magical Realism | New Adult Fiction | Romance |
Larissa Melo Pienkowski
Jill Grinberg Literary ManagementCLOSED to 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 possibleÑalways with a good book in hand.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |Art | Beauty Fashion Style | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Food Drink | History | Investigative | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Photography | Poetry | Science | Travel |
Biography
Scott Mendel is a literary agent with Mendel Media Group. With a background in academia, Scott Mendel has worked in publishing since the early 1990s, first as a magazine editor and freelance technical writer and then as an Associate and, ultimately, the Vice President and Director of the late Jane Jordan Browne’s literary agency in Chicago. In November 2002, he opened the Mendel Media Group in New York. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree, Summa cum laude, from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. He earned a master’s degree in English language and literature from the University of Chicago, where he is ABD in the doctoral program.
Scott has taught literature, English, and Yiddish at a number of institutions, including the Choate-Rosemary Hall Preparatory School in Connecticut, the Hyde Park Cluster of Theological Seminaries in Chicago, Bowdoin College, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he most recently held an appointment as Lecturer in Jewish Studies. He wrote the book A Prosecutor’s Guide to Hate Crime, which was published through a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, and which has been in print in new editions for several years. He was the Managing Editor of a monthly and quarterly health care magazine, Positively Aware, and editor of the Maine literary journal, Quill, which began publishing in 1897. Scott has written a produced play, several works of fiction, and many book columns, news articles, and other pieces.
He is a member of the Association of Authors’ Representatives, the Author’s Guild, the Mystery Writers of America, the Romance Writers of America, the Society of children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, the Modern Language Association, and the American Association of University Professors.
Among the U.S. publishers and imprints that have published his authors are: Adams Media, Andrews McMeel Universal, Avalon, Ballantine, Bantam Dell, Basic Books, Beacon Press, Berkley, Black Dog & Leventhal / Workman Publishing, Carroll & Graf, Chamberlain Bros. / Penguin, Chronicle Books, Citadel Books, Contemporary Books, Crown, Da Capo / Perseus, Delacorte, Dutton / Signet, Faber & Faber / Farrar Straus & Giroux, Feiwel & Friends, Globe Pequot, Harlequin, HarperCollins, Harry N. Abrams, Kensington, Little Brown & Co., M. Evans & Co., Marlowe / Avalon, McGraw-Hill, Multnomah, New American Library, Oneworld, Oxford University Press, Penguin Putnam, Perigee, Plume, Pocket / Simon & Schuster, Putnam, Random House, Riverhead / Penguin, Routledge, Simon & Schuster, Sorin Books, Sourcebooks, St. Martin’s Press, Stewart Tabori & Chang, Ten Speed, Threshold Editions, Thunder’s Mouth, Times Books / Henry Holt & Co., Touchstone / Fireside, Tyndale House, Verso, Walker & Co., John Wiley & Sons, William Morrow, and Yale University Press.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction |Christian Fiction |BIPOC Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Horror | Inspirational Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Art | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Computers | Cookbook Cooking | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Diet Nutrition | Economics | Film Entertainment | Food Drink | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Photography | Politics | Pop Culture | Reference | Religion | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | Sports | Technology | Travel | True Crime |
Biography
Natasha Mihell is an associate agent with The Rights Factory. Natasha (she/her/hers) chose this industry to celebrate the storyteller and to honour the art of story.
She is a writer, editor, and regular participant in NaNoWriMo. She has worked as an editorial assistant at TRF, an intern book scout, and an #IndigoEmployee. At Indigo, she sold books, organized author events, championed HarperCollins Canada, and raised funds for the Love of Reading Foundation, among other things. Outside the literary world, Natasha is a trained soprano with a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a Master’s of Public Administration. All this to say that her knowledge base offers her a wealth of experience to draw from when working with authors, and a discerning eye for hardworking dreamers dedicated to their craft.
Natasha loves stories that sing, move, and shimmer, and most especially, those that are fearless in speaking their truths. She is a great fan of conceptual depth and courage, and will consider any story that has clear heart and vision. She is always keen to support voices from the 2SLGBTQQIA+, BIPOC, #ownvoices, disabled and neurodiverse communities.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Fantasy | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Science Fiction |Biography | Memoir |
Biography
Jessica Mileo is a literary agent with InkWell Management. She joined InkWell Management in 2017 and primarily focuses on childrenÕs books, childrenÕs graphic novels, womenÕs fiction, rom-coms, commercial/book club fiction, and select prescriptive and narrative nonfiction. The projects she works with are high concept, commercial, and have a juicy hook. She is always looking for books that are from points of view of underrepresented folks in books and media, such as BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+. Her clients include New York Times Bestselling author Rory Power, USA Today Bestselling author KC Davis, New York Times Bestselling author Allison Saft, Julio Anta, and Ava Wilder.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |BIPOC Nonfiction | Cookbook Cooking | Crafts | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Travel |
Biography
Beth Miller is a literary agent with Writers House. She says: “I joined Writers House in 2007, where I’ve been ever since, working closely with senior agent Robin Rue. I’ve had the pleasure of working with many bestselling authors in various genres, as well as the joy of building my own list, working with talented authors in romance, womenÕs fiction, new adult, and young adult.
I’m primarily looking for young adult, romance, and women’s fiction, but I’m also open to some historical fiction and romantic fantasy. I want something that makes me forget where I am when I’m reading it, that I can’t stop thinking about after I reach the end!
My favorite non-client authors include Anne Bishop, Juliet Marillier, Katherine Arden, Nora Roberts, Lauren Layne, Kristan Higgins, Susanna Kearsley, Vince Flynn, Cassandra Clare, and I also love books about horses, the Arctic, and the sea.”
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Christina graduated from Pace University with a degree in English Literature, Culture, & Media and a minor in Classic & Medieval Studies. Before joining the NYLA team, she spent two years as the Foreign Rights Assistant at InkWell Management. She is also a member of AALA.
She is interested in adult fiction in the following genres: romance, historical fiction, and horror. Focusing mainly on romance, she is especially drawn to historical, suspense, and paranormal, but is happy to read anything and everything in between! When it comes to historical fiction, Christina is looking for female-driven narratives and multi-generational storylines in a pre-20th century setting. As for horror, sheÕs open as long as it includes a mix of the supernatural/paranormal (she loves a ghost story!) and some lighthearted contentÑshe wants to be scared, but not scared enough to put it down! She is also on the hunt for a Gothic taleÑwhether it takes place in the haunted halls of an old mansion, or within the ranks of a creepy cult, count her in. Additionally, she is open to YA romance and horror.
Right now, Christina is especially looking for: sports romance, reality TV/game show themed romance, and either a romance or horror featuring paranormal investigators.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Meredith Miller is a literary agent with the United Talent Agency (UTA). Her client list is as varied as her Spotify End of Year Wrapped. She works with an eclectic mix of bestselling, award-winning, and critically acclaimed authors of adult fiction and nonfiction. SheÕs drawn to transportive fiction that illuminates a specific time, place, or culture as the backdrop to a captivating personal narrativeÑbe they underrepresented stories or otherwise untold. She’s a fan of dark and/or darkly humorous stories of women subverting societal expectations or otherwise behaving badly and often against their self-interests, especially conveyed with genre elements of thriller, speculative, or horror. And to keep things lively, sheÕs always on the hunt for smart contemporary novels that grapple with age-old issues of the heart, relationships, dysfunctional families, and coming of age that feel especially fresh for our times.
MeredithÕs nonfiction list is comprised largely of voicey memoir that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit or illustrates the human impact of cultural or geopolitical forces. She is equally drawn to topics of social justice, cultural criticism, music and pop culture, poetry, elevated true crime, deep dives into obscure topics, and personal essays exploring race, class, and identity.
Born and raised in South Carolina and a graduate of Clemson University, Meredith has over a decade of experience in global publishing, beginning her career in foreign rights at Trident Media Group. She was headhunted to start the foreign rights program at UTA in 2017 before pivoting to primary agenting. In that time, she is very proud to have worked with clients such as Abbi Jacobson, Alison Leiby, Amy Chan, Ashley Flowers, Arlo Parks, Colton Haynes, Emmanuel Acho, Jamie Loftus, Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, Katelyn Howes, Malala Yousafzai, Joe Pera and Joe Bennett, Kate Flannery, Lili Reinhart, Mandy Matney, NY Nico, Paul Holes, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Rob Delaney.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Chick Lit | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Economics | Humor Nonfiction | Memoir | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics | Pop Culture | Reference | Self-Help | True Crime |
Biography
Scott Miller is a literary agent with and the Executive Vice President of Trident Media Group. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in English and a JD from the Temple University School of Law, as well as a member of the New York State Bar.
After graduating law school, Scott followed his lifelong love of all things related to the entertainment business and went directly to the mailroom at the William Morris Agency (now William Morris Endeavor). In 2000, Scott left the William Morris Agency to be one of the founding members of Trident Media Group. He represents numerous New York Times and international best sellers for fiction and nonfiction. Scott has worked on practically every type of book, gravitating toward unique stories that are well told, across genres. As a career manager for his clients, Scott is involved in every aspect of an authorÕs professionÑideation, editing, promotion, marketing, and taking the authorÕs works into every facet of the entertainment business.
Scott lives just outside of New York City and is married with two children.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Espionage Military Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | General Fiction | Horror | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Autobiography | Biography | Business Book | Celebrity | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Film Entertainment | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Memoir | Military War Nonfiction | Money Finance | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Politics | Pop Culture | Reference | Religion | Science | Spirituality | Sports | True Crime |
Biography
Ben Miller-Callihan is an associate agent with Handspun Literary. He joined Handspun Literary Agency as an associate agent in 2019, after working behind the scenes since the agency’s founding in tech support and bookkeeping roles. He spent more than a decade teaching high school English, and has (under Courtney’s oversight) begun taking on his own clients at the agency. His interests include humor, YA and middle grade novels, speculative fiction (especially decolonial sff), cookbooks, mainstream-ish fiction a la David Mitchell and William Gibson, non-traditional spiritual themed work in the vein of Patricia Lockwood and Killing the Buddha, and anything food-related.
A graduate of the University of Kentucky (B.A., English), and New York University (M.A., English Education), he lives in San Diego with his human, canine, and kitchen appliance families.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Paranormal Fiction | Satire | Science Fiction | Speculative Fiction |Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Food Drink | Pop Culture |
Biography
Courtney Miller-Callihan founded Handspun Literary Agency in 2016, after more than ten years with Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. Her eclectic list includes womenÕs fiction, historical fiction, mysteries, romance, science fiction & fantasy, YA novels, humor, and practical nonfiction.
A graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz (B.A., Literature), and Johns Hopkins University (M.A., English), she lives in San Diego with her family.
She is always looking for stories she canÕt stop reading.
For adult fiction, Courtney represents only mainstream fiction (including historical fiction and womenÕs fiction), romance (all subgenres except inspirational), mystery novels, and speculative fiction.
For nonfiction, Courtney represents work targeting all age groups (children and adults). Though she will consider nonfiction on any topic, work that deals primarily with issues of religion or spirituality is unlikely to be a good fit.
She is not currently accepting new middle-grade, early reader, or picture book submissions.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Erotic Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Satire | Science Fiction | Speculative Fiction | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | BIPOC Nonfiction | Humor Nonfiction | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Multicultural Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science |
Biography
Grace Milusich is a literary agent with Looking Glass Literary & Media. She is an associate agent and Natalie Lakosil’s marketing and publicity assistant. Grace has worked with Natalie in various roles for roughly eight years. After graduating from the National University of Galway with a MasterÕs degree in Publishing, Grace worked in various editorial and marketing roles for publishing houses all across Ireland. When she realized her favorite part of the publishing process was working directly with authors, helping them to reach their fullest potential, she began to work more closely with Natalie.
Born and raised in New York, Grace used her international perspective on the publishing industry to join Natalie at Irene Goodman Literary Agency as a Junior Agent and marketing assistant. Her experience at publishing houses gives her valuable insight into what editors are looking for. Grace is a member of the AALA and SCBWI. During her free time, Grace enjoys listening to Ethel CainÕs discography on repeat, running, and baking anything that involves cinnamon.
Grace is interested in pursuing both YA and adult pieces (with a particular interest in pieces that narrow the gap between YA and adult). She is passionate about twisty fantasy, thrillers, and contemporary fiction featuring powerful/challenging themes. She would also like to see stories exploring religious trauma, unputdownable pacing, gothic or mysterious narratives, and complex characters. Grace is also a lover of the found family trope in all its forms. Grace is hoping to work on romantasy projects that feature BIPOC protagonists, and she is a sucker for morally grey or unlikeable characters too!
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Religious Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |Cookbook Cooking | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Pop Culture |
Biography
Caroline Miranda is a literary agent with Don Congdon Associates. After graduating from New York University with a B.A. in English & American Literature in 2018, Caroline interned with Don Congdon Associates and the Lotts Agency before rejoining DCA as their assistant in 2019. Caroline is a member of the AALAÕs DEI committee. She also serves on the Literary Agents of Change Board of Directors and co-directs its Fellowship Program. Caroline is looking to represent diverse voices in speculative fiction, in both the childrenÕs and adult markets, as well as select nonfiction. In all fiction, Caroline is interested in gothic horror, science fiction, and fantasy. Within those genres, she particularly enjoys high-concept, plot-driven work with strong world-building and compelling emotional stakes. Caroline is also seeking short stories in any speculative genre collected around a clear theme. As for Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction, Caroline gravitates to lovable casts of characters, coming-of-age stories, and a sense of adventure. In nonfiction, Caroline is looking for engrossing narratives with intersectional perspective and distinct voice that guide readers through history or science in an accessible and deeply personal way.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Paranormal Fiction | Science Fiction | Short Story Collection |BIPOC Nonfiction | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | History | Journalism | Medical Medicine | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science |
Biography
Emily Mitchell is a literary agent with the Wernick & Pratt Agency. She lives in Massachusetts because of Anastasia Krupnik: after reading the eponymous classic dozens of times as a child, she got it in her head that going to college in Massachusetts was something she should do, so she did. Emily began her career at Sheldon Fogelman Agency, handling submissions, subsidiary rights, and coffee. She then spent eleven years at Charlesbridge Publishing as senior editor, contracts manager, and director of corporate strategy. Emily represents both authors and illustrators from picture books to YA, including Traci Sorell, Maia Kobabe, Caron Levis, Richard Ho, Van G. Garrett, Destiny Howell, and Sarah Lynne Reul. She also handles foreign rights, permissions, social media, and IT for the agency. Emily holds a bachelorÕs degree in English from Harvard, a masterÕs in secondary English education from Syracuse, and an MBA from Babson. She lives outside Boston with her family. Emily is accepting new clients in all genres for children.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Authors and Illustrators Only | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction |Christian Fiction |Graphic Novel |
Biography
Heather Mitchell is a literary agent with the Gelfman Schneider/ICM Literary Agency. Heather was born in Montreal, Canada. She started her career in Paris as a sports agent and continued for 15 years before the allure of books brought her skills as an agent to New York and to Gelfman Schneider in 2006. Heather represents a number of bestselling authors, but she is particularly interested in narrative non-fiction, historical fiction and young debut authors with strong voices.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Health Wellness | History | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction |
Biography
Kristen Moeller is a literary agent with Waterside Productions, Inc. She has spent over 30 years in the field of psychology and personal growth and over 10 years behind the scenes of the book world, beginning as an acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing and later becoming the executive publisher for Persona Publishing, a boutique self-publishing imprint.
Kristen is intimately acquainted with the challenges of being an author. She launched herself into the world of non-fiction with her first published book and has since released two other titles. With her background as a therapist, her experience as an author, and her expertise in the world of publishing, Kristen excels in gently guiding authors through the publishing process as well as providing the much needed encouragement along the way.
A natural-born networker, Kristen loves the relationship building aspect of agenting and has an always expanding list of top editors in both the New York publishing world as well as the most innovative of independents.
For as long as she can remember, escaping into the wonders of a great novel has been a favorite way to unwind. Kristen seeks to discover (mostly female) authors of literary fiction or deep and gritty memoir about walking through the fires of life without losing our way.
A three time TEDx speaker, she has been featured on NPR, ABC, NBC, Fox News, the New York Times, Huffington Post and had a stint on TLCÕs Tiny House Nation.
Kristen lives in the mountains of Colorado with her husband, a Rhodesian Ridgeback and two pit bull rescues.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | Literary Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Memoir | Self-Help | Women’s Issues |