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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): Commercial Fiction
Biography
Anna Sproul-Latimer is a literary agent with Neon Literary. She is also a founding partner and president of Neon Literary. She has over the course of her many years in book publishing sold multiple New York Times bestsellers, major book-to-film deals, and foreign translations in more than 50 languages. She represents all types of adult nonfiction–from memoir and history to pop culture, science, and parenting–as well as select literary fiction. (For existing clients, Anna represents just about everything, but all of her clientsÕ careers start and primarily consist of work in one of her two focus areas.)
Anna is drawn to buzzing, bright, curious, and slightly demented authors driven by enthusiasm so infectious that (inter)national audiences are already paying attention. She seeks authors motivated by a true mission–a clear answer to the question, ÒWhat is the legacy I want to leave in the world?Ó Of particular interest are those whoÕve made moral leadership lemonade from the lemons of trauma: authors who are whistleblowers, Cassandras, ÒunelectableÓ elected officials, and survivors.
A lifelong resident of the Washington, DC area, Anna has spent her whole life watching power, money, and media interact to shape the line of history. With Neon, she intends to take the full weight of her access, experience, and privilege and use it to lie down in traffic, forcing that line to turn somewhere brighter.
Prior to founding Neon, Anna spent nearly 15 years as a literary agent, foreign rights director, and developmental editor at DCÕs Ross Yoon Agency. A graduate of Columbia University (BA magna cum laude, English) and the University of Oxford (MSt with distinction, also English), Anna lives in the DC suburbs with her family and travels to New York frequently.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Commercial Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction |General Nonfiction | Health Wellness | History | Humor Nonfiction | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Pop Culture | Science |
Biography
Cullen Stanley is a literary agent with and the founder and president of The Cullen Stanley International Agency. She began her career in international publishing working in the New York office of Arnoldo Mondadori Editore and later as a scout for Maria B. Campbell Associates where she advised major publishing houses across Europe and Asia as well as Hollywood film companies. In the 1990’s Cullen joined Janklow & Nesbit Associates where she managed the foreign rights business and represented and worked with many authors across all genres. Cullen’s interests are broad and eclectic, and her list is focused on narrative nonfiction, history, biography and memoir as well as commercial and book club fiction.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Inspirational Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Art | Biography | Cookbook Cooking | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Design | Health Wellness | History | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Photography | Politics | Religion | Science | Spirituality |
Biography
Amy Stapp is a literary agent with the Wolfson Literary Agency. Amy Stapp received her BA from Samford University and MA from Georgia State University before beginning her publishing career at Macmillan, where she was an editor for seven years and had the privilege of working with numerous New York Times bestselling authors. Amy joined Wolfson Literary in late 2018 and is actively building her list, with interest in womenÕs fiction, mystery, suspense, upmarket book club fiction, historical fiction, young adult, and select nonfiction. She is particularly drawn to a high concept hook, well-paced prose, immersive settings, and smart, multidimensional characters. As an editorial agent, she enjoys working hand-in-hand with authors to take their work to the next level.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | BIPOC Nonfiction | Cookbook Cooking | Crafts | Humor Nonfiction | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Psychology | Travel | True Crime |
Biography
Alexa Stark is a literary agent with Writers House. Alexa joined Writers House in 2022, after ten years at Trident Media Group. She represents a range of literary and upmarket fiction and select nonfiction. On the fiction side, she is seeking bold voices, novels that engage with social issues, coming-of-age stories, historical fiction with a modern edge, smart book club reads, and fiction that delves into the surreal or plays with genre in fresh or subversive ways. She is particularly drawn to relationship-driven fiction: novels that center dysfunctional friendships or families, complicated love stories, or stories about obsession. She also enjoys elevated suspense and social thrillers. She gravitates towards the humorous, the psychologically probing and the tender. On the nonfiction side, she is seeking memoir, cultural criticism, popular science, psychology, parenting, and women’s issues.
Alexa also enjoys helping her authors place fiction and essays in a range of publications including the New Yorker, HarperÕs, Paris Review, the Atlantic, Tin House, N+1, Playboy, McSweeneyÕs, and the New York Times. Her authors have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list and have been recognized by the PEN/Faulkner Award, National Book Foundation’s 5 under 35, Rona Jaffe Award, NYPL Young Lions Fiction Award, Scotiabank Giller Prize, Lambda Literary Award, Ernest J. Gaines Award, Philip K. Dick Award, Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, and more.
Raised in New York City, Alexa earned her BA in comparative literature and society at Columbia University. Prior to joining Writers House, she worked at Curtis Brown and Trident Media Group, spending the first few years working with Ellen Levine before building her own list. She lives in Brooklyn.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Cultural Social Issues | Humor Nonfiction | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Psychology | Science | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Peter Steinberg is a literary agent with United Talent Agency (UTA). He is now at United Talent Agency (UTA) after he joined Fletcher & Company in 2021 from Foundry Literary + Media. HeÕs represented numerous New York Times bestsellers (including three #1 New York Times bestsellers) and clients have been nominated for or awarded Edgars, The Pulitzer Prize, The Story Prize, The Paris Review Discovery Prize, PEN/Faulkner and National Book Awards.
Most recently, The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont was selected for ReeseÕs Book Club, and The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio was a finalist for the National Book Award. His list includes commercial and literary fiction, sci-fi and fantasy, narrative non-fiction, memoir, self-help, history, true crime, pop culture, humor, and sports.
Steinberg is a graduate of NYU film school and worked briefly in the film business prior to becoming a literary agent.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Commercial Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | Film Entertainment | History | Humor Nonfiction | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Science | Self-Help | Sports | True Crime |
Biography
Myrsini Stephanides is a literary agent with and the founder of Arc Literary Management. She founded Arc Literary in Fall 2021. A publishing professional with over 20 years of experience in the industry, she spent the first 10 years of her career as an editor at book packagers, Indie, and Big 5 publishers specializing in illustrated non-fiction. From 2009 to 2021 Myrsini was a literary agent at the Carol Mann Agency, where she built an eclectic roster of clients while managing day-to-day operations. She brings her clients and her passion for fostering a supportive community around colleagues, affiliates, and budding creatives to her next chapter at Arc Literary.
MyrsiniÕs personal reading habits and professional interests are broad, ranging from popular science, business, and investigative journalism to self-care, illustrated humor, and photography. She gravitates toward authors and creators with strong voices, unique perspectives, and unbridled passion for their work, and will consider adult and childrenÕs projects across categories (except genre fiction).
Myrsini is currently looking for projects in the following adult categories: voice-driven business/tech books with clear perspectives from experts in their fields; scientist-storytellers writing accessible narratives for a general, non-academic audience; women’s health, self-care, and progressive parenting books geared toward a millennial audience; narrative humorists and/or illustrators with unique voices and a strong platform/community of supporters (on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc).
In the childrenÕs world, she is looking for early readers, middle grade and young adult fiction; graphic novels for all reading levels; narrative or illustrated non-fiction for all reading levels; picture books by writer-illustrators (no scripts without illustrators already attached).
Myrsini welcomes submissions (adult and childrenÕs) from authors and creators with diverse backgrounds who have been misrepresented or marginalized and want to share their work with the world.
Partial client list: John Doerr, Matthew Inman (creator of The Oatmeal), Claire Belton (creator of Pusheen), Hannah Shaw (aka Kitten Lady), Jarrett Lerner, Emily McDowell and Kelsey Crowe, Jen Waite, Mary Gauthier, Cyndy Etler, and Elizabeth Schneider.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Graphic Novel | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Satire | Upmarket Fiction |Animals | Art | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Film Entertainment | Fitness | Food Drink | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Photography | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | Technology | Women’s Issues |
Biography
JL Stermer is a literary agent with and the founder of Next Level Lit. A native New Yorker, JL has worked in theater, fashion, network TV and hospitality before finding her way to publishing. After attending Temple University in Philadelphia and The Fashion Institute of Technology, JL earned her BA in English from Columbia University.
With over a decade of agenting experience prior to starting NEXT LEVEL LIT she and her team are uniformly dedicated to getting authors book deals that build and grow careers.
When she’s not at her desk, JL can be found roaming the city streets feeling energized by the creativity bubbling up through the heaviness of the pandemic. She loves park benches, preferably with coffee and a donut.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Romance | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Art | Beauty Fashion Style | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Health Wellness | Humor Nonfiction | Law Legal | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Photography | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | Sports | Technology | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Douglas Stewart is a literary agent with Sterling Lord Literistic. Doug has been an agent at Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc. since 2003. His list consists of fiction and narrative nonfiction for all ages, from the innovatively literary to the unabashedly commercial, and includes multiple million-copy bestsellers and award-winners. Recent titles include Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins, Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak, We Are the Light by Matthew Quick, DidnÕt Nobody Give a Shit What Happened to Carlotta by James Hannaham, Feral City by Jeremiah Moss, Morningside Heights by Joshua Henkin, Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell, and My Murder by Katie Williams.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | History | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics |
Biography
Emilie Stewart is a literary agent and the president of Emilie Stewart Literary Agency. She started her publishing career at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates, after leaving the field of neuroscience research. She joined the Anne Edelstein Literary Agency as an agent and rights director in 2003.In January 2008, she formed an exciting new venture- the Emilie Stewart Literary Agency, where she continues to represent an eclectic mix of writers; novelists, short story writers and non-fiction writers of all stripes. She lives in New York City with her husband and son.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Commercial Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction |Autobiography | Biography | Business Book | Dating Relationships Sex | History | Memoir | Military War Nonfiction | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction |
Biography
Laura Strachan is a literary agent with the Strachan Literary Agency. Laura is also founder of the of Strachan Literary Agency, a small boutique agency that focuses on literary fiction and narrative nonfiction: compelling stories, well told. A licensed attorney, she combines her love of books and great writing with a lawyer’s sensibility in order to best represent her clients.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Travel |
Biography
Robin Straus is a literary agent with the Robin Straus Agency. Robin is a member of the Association of Authors’ Representatives and the Women’s Media Group. She graduated from Wellesley College with a BA in art history and English literature and received her M.B.A. from New York University. Prior to becoming an agent, she served as a subsidiary rights manager at Random House and Doubleday and worked in editorial at Little, Brown. She was an agent at the Wallace & Sheil Agency before founding Robin Straus Agency, Inc. in 1983. In 2014 she acquired The Wallace Literary Agency.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Commercial Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Cookbook Cooking | Current Events Affairs | Food Drink | History | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Politics | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science |
Biography
Rebecca Strauss is an agent at DeFiore and Co. and focuses on literary and commercial fiction, women’s fiction, fantasy, science fiction, romance, mystery, YA, pop culture and select non-fiction. In all genres, she’s looking for a compelling story, clear concept, fresh voice and emotional heartÑa work that grabs you from the first page. She’s especially interested in emerging writers and underrepresented voices; and, she’s looking to develop long term relationships.
Before joining DeFiore and Co., Rebecca was at McIntosh and Otis for seven years where she was an agent and Director of Subsidiary Rights. Prior to M&O, she was a foreign rights associate at Trident Media Group, and a book scout and development assistant at Sony Pictures. She’s originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina and earned her degree in English Literature from Duke University.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Business Book | Economics | Humor Nonfiction | Money Finance | Parenting | Pop Culture |
Biography
Marlene Stringer is a literary agent with and the found of The Stringer Literary Agency. Marlene Stringer was raised and educated in NYC, and started her publishing career as a proofreader. She eventually became an in-house publisher for a corporate magazine before taking a detour to have her family, move to NJ, and write and edit for local publications. Following a move to Florida, she founded TSLA after eight years with Barbara Bova Literary Agency. Mother of four, she lives in Lakewood Ranch with her husband and two very spoiled toy poodles.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Member of the AALA |Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Horror | Magical Realism | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Biography |
Biography
Hannah Strouth is a literary agent with Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. She is looking for literary and upmarket fiction, as well as select nonfiction. In fiction, she gravitates toward nuanced and compelling work that digs deep into a wide range of emotions. SheÕs automatically drawn to stories that help discover and explore new aspects about people, the way we (dis)connect, what haunts us (literally and metaphorically) and how we confront it, and stories of resiliency. If you can describe your story as Òdark,Ó Òedgy,Ó or Ògritty,Ó chances are itÕs up her alley. In nonfiction, whether itÕs pop culture, narrative, self-help, or memoir, she loves anything that teaches her how to be a better human or look at the world through a fresh lens. Across the board, sheÕs always looking for diverse voices and experiences.
Before joining Sanford J. Greenburger Associates in 2024, Hannah spent over four years at the Jane Rotrosen Agency. Born and raised in Tennessee, she graduated from the College of William & Mary in Virginia with degrees in English and marketing and attended the Columbia Publishing Course. She has the pleasure of assisting Dan Mandel, Wendi Gu, Sarah Phair, and Alex Slater.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Gothic Fiction | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Mystery | Romance | Short Story Collection | Speculative Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Cultural Social Issues | Dating Relationships Sex | Family | Health Wellness | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Pop Culture | Psychology | Self-Help | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Andrew Stuart is a literary agent with the Stuart Agency. Before starting The Stuart Agency in 2002, Andrew Stuart was an agent with the Literary Group International for 5 years. Prior to becoming an agent, he was an editor at Random House and Simon & Schuster. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley with a B.A. in English, and he received his M.A. in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University. He focuses on titles in the areas of history, science, narrative nonfiction, business, current events, memoir, psychology, sports, and literary fiction.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Religious Fiction | Sports Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Current Events Affairs | Health Wellness | History | Memoir | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Politics | Psychology | Religion | Science | Sports |
Biography
Saba Sulaiman is a literary agent with Talcott Notch Literary Services. She says: “I was drawn into the world of literature by default when my sisterÕs growing collection of books in our tiny room began to overflow onto my bed. Born to Pakistani immigrants in Sri Lanka, and knowing how to express myself only in English for the first fifteen years of my life, I found comfort in reading about other culturally displaced people, unable to communicate in their native tongues, and hesitant to assert themselves in environments where there were few examples of people like them. Moving to Pakistan and absorbing what it meant to be an educated and empowered girl coming of age in a traditional Islamic society contributed greatly to my desire to seek similar narratives, especially from other women. I took the next step in my immigrant journey by moving to the United States to study Economics and Middle Eastern Studies at Wellesley College. I then studied modern Persian Literature at the University of Chicago, where I helped edit our departmentÕs academic journal. After a stint at Sourcebooks as an Editorial Intern, I joined the team at Talcott Notch Literary, and the rest is history.
Being an author today is an entrepreneurial endeavor, and I see my role as my clientsÕ primary advocate as they navigate each and every stage of the publishing process Ð from digging deep into developing their craft, to representing their interests zealously even after they find homes for their books. I am also committed to highlighting marginalized voices with bright careers ahead of them and compelling stories to tell; stories that demonstrate the true range of perspectives that exist in this world, and address urgent and often underexplored issues with veracity and heart. For a complete list of the genres I work in, visit my website and check out my #MSWL.
IÕm also proud to be on the steering committee for People of Color in Publishing, a grassroots organization working to serve the interests of publishing professionals of color.
When IÕm not reading, youÕll probably find me running after my two small children, secretly learning another foreign language, playing Scrabble, watching a Bollywood movie, or singing in the bathroom (the acoustics, am I right?)___”
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |Cultural Social Issues | Humor Nonfiction | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction |
Biography
Kari Sutherland is a literary agent with KT Literary. She is based out of Southern California. She began on the editorial side of publishing, first at Disney Press, then HarperCollins ChildrenÕs BooksÐwhere she had the honor of editing many talented authors, including Victoria Aveyard and Sara Shepard. Middle grade and YA are at the heart of her list, but she also represents picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, and upmarket fiction. She graduated from Williams College with a B.A. in English and Psychology and received a Masters in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice before pivoting back to her first loveÐbooks. With her editorial insight and experience with the entire publishing process, Kari is passionate about helping to polish each manuscript and equip her clients for success.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Margaret Sutherland Brown is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. She says: “I’m an agent at Folio representing literary and upmarket commercial fiction, psychological thrillers, select young adult fiction, and narrative non-fiction.
Previously I was an agent at Emma Sweeney Agency, LLC, and transitioned to represent many of ESA’s clients at Folio in January 2020. Before becoming an agent, I spent the first seven years of my career in editorial, primarily at Thomas Dunne Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Press, where I worked on a wide range of fiction and non-fiction. As an agent, I use my insider knowledge of how a publishing house operates to my clients’ advantage, and my editorial background informs how unusually closely and thoroughly I work with clients to develop a project before we ever submit to publishers. I’m proud to work with immensely talented authors. Among many other accolades, my clients have won the American Book Award, been finalists for the National Book Award and the PEN/ Hemingway Award, and been awarded Guggenheim Fellowships.
I grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, graduated from Wake Forest University as an English major with a double minor in journalism and Spanish, and now live in Brooklyn with my husband and two sons. When I’m not reading I love to take advantage of New York City’s art, dance, theater, and restaurant scene and go running. I also love to travel.
I’m grateful every day to have the privilege of supporting writers in their work of bringing into the world literature that describes, enriches and transforms our lives.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Family | Health Wellness | History | Humor Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Politics | Pop Culture | Religion | Science | Spirituality | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Pieter Swinkels is the Director of Operations and an literary agent for adult authors with the Transatlantic Agency. He started his literary publishing career at the premiere Dutch publishing houses De Bezige Bij and Meulenhoff Publishers in Amsterdam, where he published bestselling and critically-acclaimed authors such as Elizabeth Gilbert, Ann Patchett, Aravind Adiga, Damon Galgut, Sebastian Barry, Jhumpa Lahiri, Mohsin Hamid, Rachel Cusk, Paolo Giordano, Robert Harris and Karin Slaughter. Before joining Transatlantic Agency, Pieter worked as Chief Content Officer at Rakuten Kobo, leading Kobo’s global publisher relations, the self-publishing platform Kobo Writing Life, the Kobo Originals publishing program, and the launch of Audiobooks and Kobo Plus subscriptions.
Pieter holds a Cum Laude MA degree in English Language & Literature from the University of Amsterdam, and a MPhil in Irish Literature from Trinity College Dublin. He lives and works in Toronto.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |General Fiction |General Nonfiction |
Biography
Emily Sylvan Kim is a literary agent with the Prospect Agency. She says: “Reading has always been my addiction so I feel very fortunate that it is my career as well. After a childhood spent devouring books in Denver, Colorado I majored in English at Carleton College where I once electively took and enjoyed a class titled “Dickens and Scott, the Longer Novels.” I gave law school a try for a year after graduation but the lure of fiction was just too strong so I moved to New York City, the hub of the publishing industry. This was one of the best decisions in my life. I worked at Writers House literary agency for five years while also writing reviews for Publisher’s Weekly as well as my own fiction and poetry. I even met my husband in a poetry class!
In 2005, I was thrilled to take the next step in my career by opening the doors to Prospect Agency. My inspiration in naming the agency came from Brooklyn’s beloved Prospect Park. With winding trails, woods and meadows, there is a place for everyone to find a bit of peace in the middle of a crowded city and I strive to provide just such a haven for our clients. I am proud to have built an agency composed of so many talented agents who represent a wide array of authors and illustrators.
Even though a love of reading brought me to agenting, as my career has advanced, I found myself equally drawn to the business aspect of creating books. Publishing is the nexus of art and commerce. How we navigate that intersection is endlessly fascinating and of critical importance to the future of literature. By working and listening closely to both publishers and writers, I always strive to foster dialogue and create innovative opportunities. I understand that we are in a time of great change and that decisions we make now will have a lasting impact on our future. As an agent, I have taken a leadership role in helping to shape the digital landscape. By embracing and understanding technology, we can make sure we stay relevant and fresh for both long time readers and also attract new audiences.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mainstream Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Health Wellness | History | Memoir | Science | Travel |
Biography
Sabrina Taitz is a literary agent with WME Books. Sabrina Taitz joined WME in 2015. She represents upmarket and commercial fiction, as well as a broad swath of nonfiction, ranging from memoir to lifestyle to cookbooks. Her list includes New York Times bestsellers, B&N Book Club selections, Amazon Book of the Month selections, an ALA Award winner, a William C. Morris Award winner, and a Best American Writing selectee. Sabrina is looking for propulsive and dynamic writing that keeps her turning the pages. She lives in Manhattan with her husband and daughter.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Cookbook Cooking | Food Drink | Humor Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction |
Biography
Amy Tannenbaum is a literary agent with the Jane Rotrosen Agency. She is a passionate author advocate with over 20 years of book industry experience. Amy represents clients who write across a variety of genres including womenÕs fiction, contemporary romance, thriller and psychological suspense. She is particularly interested in those categories, as well as fiction that falls into the sweet spot between literary and commercial and works by marginalized voices. After graduating from Wesleyan University, Amy worked at Harlequin then Simon & Schuster where she edited a diverse list of bestselling fiction and nonfiction projects. Given AmyÕs background, she is able to provide valuable insight into both sides of the business, as well as editorial support to her clients. While Amy represents many bestselling and prolific authors, she prides herself on her ability to find talented debut authors and help them launch successful careers. She also selectively takes on established self-published authors and enjoys adding value to the creation, release, and promotion of their works.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | True Crime |
Biography
Alice Tasman is a literary agent with the Jean Naggar Literary Agency. Alice Tasman has been agenting for over 20 years. Alice represents a wide variety of writers with an emphasis on fiction. Her writers have earned numerous awards, honors, and fellowships, including the Calvino Prize, the C. Hugh Holman Award, the Henfield/Transatlantic Review Award, the Mary Roberts Rinehart Award, the O. Henry Prize, the Saint Francis College Literary Prize, the Willie Morris Award, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Her clients’ writing has appeared in The New York Times, Best American Short Stories, McSweeney’s, One Story, Oxford American, Prairie Schooner, The Normal School, and A Public Space. Awards and honors for her children’s writers include a Caldecott Honors Winner, an ABA Indie Choice E.B. White Read Aloud Honor Award, Midwestern Booksellers Association Award, The Monarch Award, Texas Bluebonnet Award, Newbery Award nominee, Cybils Award nominee.
She loves finding debut writers and is committed to working with authors over the long term. She is very hands-on in every stage of the publishing processÑfrom editing manuscripts and refining proposals, to amassing the perfect list of editors for the project and negotiating contracts, to actively working with publishers on the publicity and marketing of the books.
Alice earned her BA from Brown University and her MFA from Sarah Lawrence College.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | Memoir | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Science | Technology |
Biography
Mark Tavani is a literary agent with the David Black Agency. He started his publishing career in 2000 with Ballantine Books and spent over 23 years with Penguin Random House, Bantam, Del Rey, and G.P. Putnam’s Sons. He edited bestsellers and award-winners across numerous categories of fiction and nonfiction, including books by Jim Abbott, Steve Berry, C.J. Box, Robert Crais, Justin Cronin, Clive and Dirk Cussler, Jeffery Deaver, George Dohrmann, Lisa Gardner, Jack McCallum, Lisa Scottoline, Bill Simmons, and R.L. Stine. He is now thrilled to have joined the David Black Literary Agency, where he represents both fiction and nonfiction.
Mark is interested in a wide range of literary and commercial fiction, including book club novels, thrillers, mysteries, speculative fiction, and historical fiction. He is looking for fiction that entertains and enriches the lives of readers.
He is keen to discover nonfiction that illuminates or inspires. He looks forward to working with experts, journalists, and memoirists, especially those in the spaces of sports, history, wellness, narrative nonfiction, and big ideas. Mark also represents collaborative writers who partner with authors in such spaces.
Mark has a degree in Creative Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. He circumnavigated the globe as a student on Semester at Sea and later worked as a forestry aid in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. He is an adjunct professor with NYU’s School of Professional Studies and lives with his wife, his daughters, and a headstrong dog in Rutherford, New Jersey.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Commercial Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |Health Wellness | Journalism | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Sports | Upmarket Nonfiction |
Biography
Mark Tavani is a literary agent with the David Black Agency. He started his publishing career in 2000 with Ballantine Books and spent over 23 years with Penguin Random House, Bantam, Del Rey, and G.P. Putnam’s Sons. He edited bestsellers and award-winners across numerous categories of fiction and nonfiction, including books by Jim Abbott, Steve Berry, C.J. Box, Robert Crais, Justin Cronin, Clive and Dirk Cussler, Jeffery Deaver, George Dohrmann, Lisa Gardner, Jack McCallum, Lisa Scottoline, Bill Simmons, and R.L. Stine. He is now thrilled to have joined the David Black Literary Agency, where he represents both fiction and nonfiction. _
Mark is interested in a wide range of literary and commercial fiction, including book club novels, thrillers, mysteries, speculative fiction, and historical fiction. He is looking for fiction that entertains and enriches the lives of readers.
He is keen to discover nonfiction that illuminates or inspires. He looks forward to working with experts, journalists, and memoirists, especially those in the spaces of sports, history, wellness, narrative nonfiction, and big ideas. Mark also represents collaborative writers who partner with authors in such spaces.
Mark has a degree in Creative Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. He circumnavigated the globe as a student on Semester at Sea and later worked as a forestry aid in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. He is an adjunct professor with NYU’s School of Professional Studies and lives with his wife, his daughters, and a headstrong dog in Rutherford, New Jersey.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Commercial Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |Health Wellness | Journalism | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Sports | Upmarket Nonfiction |
Biography
Brent Taylor is a literary agent with Triada U.S. Literary Agency. His tastes can best be described as upmarket: stories that are extremely well-written, robust with emotion, and appeal to a wide, commercial audience.
He is seeking new clients in the following categories: picture book (author-illustrators only; text-only manuscripts will not be considered); middle grade; young adult; graphic novels; and adult fiction (fantasy; romance; beach reads; thrillers; LGBTQ fiction).
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 | Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Romance | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |Biography | Cookbook Cooking | Crafts | History | Humor Nonfiction | Illustrated | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science | Sports | Travel | True Crime |
Biography
Stuti Telidevara is a literary agent with Park & Fine Literary and Media. She works on sharp, commercial adult, young adult, and middle grade fiction. She is looking for diverse storytellers and vivid, detailed worldbuilding across genre, and fiction with a strong, high-concept hook. She is especially interested in fantasy and speculative fiction and is actively building her list.
Prior to joining Park & Fine in 2021, she held positions at Raven Quill Literary, Orbit Books, and Transatlantic Literary. She holds a B.A. in English from Harvard University and spends her free time watching ice hockey, listening to history podcasts, and brewing perfect cups of tea.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Speculative Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |