Home » Directory of Literary Agents – USA Literary Agents
The Directory of Literary Agents
Welcome message…
7 Insider Secrets to Get a Top Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal
Press the play button below to listen.
Click here to view and/or download a free PDF transcript
of this audio program
* * *
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 *
Biography
Richard Abate is a literary agent with 3 Arts Entertainment. Mr. Abate oversaw a number of seven-figure book deals during his brief tenure at Endeavor and built up a staff of several literary agents while cementing his reputation in publishing circles as a brash and sometimes sly businessman. Mr. Abate had indeed been working in the literary department of ICM for a decade when he decided that it was time to run his own shop. Abate’s sterling client list includes such Hollywood figures as James Franco, Tina Fey, Law & Order creator Dick Wolf, Mindy Kaling and Homeland producer Howard Gordon.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Horror * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Short Story Collection * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition *Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Sports * Women’s Issues *
27 W 24th St Suite 301 New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Lauren Abramo is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC. Lauren E. Abramo joined DG&B in 2005 after getting degrees in English at NYU and Irish Studies at NUI Galway. As VP and Subsidiary Rights Director for the agency she sells foreign and audio rights, and she also maintains a very small client list. Her interests include humorous middle grade and contemporary YA on the children’s side, and upmarket commercial fiction and well-paced literary fiction on the adult side. She’s also interested in adult narrative nonfiction, especially pop culture, psychology, pop science, reportage, media, and contemporary culture. In nonfiction she has a strong preference for interdisciplinary approaches, and in all categories she’s especially interested in underrepresented voices. Born in New York City and raised not far outside it, she now lives in Brooklyn.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Contemporary * Commercial * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Gay/Lesbian * Graphic Novel * Journalism * Narrative * Pop Culture * Science * Technology *
One Union Square West Suite 904 New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
Jessica Alvarez is a literary agent with BookEnds Literary Agency. Jessica joined the agency in April 2011. Jessica began her publishing career in 2001 as an editorial assistant at Harlequin Books. There she had the opportunity to acquire and edit a wide array of women’s fiction, specializing in historical romance, romantic suspense, and inspirational romance. Jessica left Harlequin in 2008 to pursue a freelance editing career, and completed projects for Harlequin, Scholastic Books, Thomas Nelson, and independent writers. She’s actively building her client list and is currently looking for women’s fiction, erotica, single-title and category romance submissions. She uses her editorial background to help writers hone their skills and develop strong, marketable stories. She is a member of AAR. A New Jersey native, Jessica resides in the Garden State with her husband, young son, two energetic dogs, and an indeterminate number of fish.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Christian Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Inspirational Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Romance * Suspense * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Design * Environment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * How-To * Journalism * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Technology * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
136 Long Hill Rd. Gillette NJ 07933 USA
Biography
Betsy Amster is a literary agent with Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises. Before opening the agency, principal Betsy Amster spent ten years as an editor at Pantheon and Vintage and two years as editorial director of the Globe Pequot Press. She has been described in the Los Angeles Times as “a dogged prospector of
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Diet/Nutrition * Gardening * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Journalism * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Psychology * Reference * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Travel * Women’s Issues *
607 Foothill Blvd. #1061 La Canada Flintridge CA 91012 USA
Biography
Kathleen Anderson is a literary agent with Anderson Literary Management. Kathleen Anderson, formerly a partner of Anderson Grinberg Literary Management, Inc., is president of Anderson Literary Management, LLC. She is particularly interested in serious nonfiction and literary journalism (narrative nonfiction, psychology, history, science, anthropology, memoir, cultural studies, biography, and women’s studies), as well as literary fiction, general women’s fiction, and very well-written commercial fiction (psychological suspense, historical fiction, lady-lit, chick-lit), She also represents many prestigious young adult writers. Her work as an executive editor at W.W. Norton and Simon and Schuster has given her special expertise in developing nonfiction proposals and first fiction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Chick Lit * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Ethnic * Health/Wellness * History * Journalism * Juvenile * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * Politics * Psychology * Science * Travel * Upmarket * Women’s Issues * Young Adult *
244 Fifth Avenue Floor 11 New York NY 10001 USA
Biography
Hannah Andrade is a literary agent with Bradford Literary Agency. She started as an agency assistant before moving on to acquire her own clients. She’s been with Bradford Literary Agency since 2017 and has had the privilege to work with a number of bestselling authors across a variety of genres. She likes to think of herself as an editorial-focused agent and is particularly eager to acquire BIPOC/underrepresented voices. She is prioritizing stories of joy where identity isn’t the focus and is especially excited about stories rooted in history, mythology, and legends, particularly those that are lesser-known or underrepresented in traditional publishing.
Hannah is very interested in stories that explore the intricacies of multicultural identities. She loves stories of immigration (not relegated to America) and of first/second generation Americans who struggle balancing the values of their country with the culture and heritage of their parents (as in the tv shows Ramy or Gentefied). As a Mexican-American, she would particularly love to see the stories that she grew up with showcased in new and creative ways.
Hannah loves strong characters and voice-driven stories that break out of the typical tropes of their genres. She’s a huge fan of expansive world building and atmospheric settings, dark and transporting fantasy in YAs, and MGs with macabre elements and dark humor. One of her favorite tropes is the “found family”—especially if the family is found through crime. She has a soft spot for any kind of retelling or spin off of “classic lit” or fairy tales (like Lauren Blackwood’s WITHIN THESE WICKED WALLS or Lilliam Rivera’s NEVER LOOK BACK). She’s looking for stories with quirky characters/voices and love ones that feature dysfunctional families (like SAFFY’S ANGEL by Hilary McKay). If your story involves ghosts, riddles/puzzles, and/or whimsy, Hannah would love to see it! She loves mysteries for readers of all ages, and is particularly looking for an Only Murders in the Building-esque story.
In nonfiction, she is looking for something that takes the mystery out of everyday life/occurrences (a lá Malcolm Gladwell or Atul Gawande) and investigative journalism-esque stories with a strong narrative hook.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Family Saga * Fantasy * Graphic Novel * Historical * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * New Adult * NoPB * Romance * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cultural/Social Issues * History * Humor * Journalism * Juvenile * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * Pop Culture * Psychology * True Adventure * True Crime *
Biography
Faye Atchison is an associate agent with the Margret McBride Literary Agency.
Faye handles correspondence between publishers, authors and the agency, and provides liaison, continuity and logistics for Ms. McBride. She handles the flow of manuscripts inside the office and with the publisher. She has a BA in Fine Arts from San Diego State University. If you have a question, from submissions within the office to working with the publisher after the sale, Faye will find your answer.
Faye is interested in in both commercial and niche fiction and nonfiction. Fiction interests include YA, speculative fiction, commercial fantasy, women’s fiction, historical fiction, sci-fi, paranormal, unconventional westerns, and anything with unique, well-drawn characters and a dark or offbeat sense of humor.
Her nonfiction interests include pop-culture, music, history, health, inspirational (but not spiritual), and extremely well-written narrative nonfiction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Satire * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Western * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Art * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Journalism * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Nature * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
P.O. Box 9128 La Jolla CA 92038 USA
Biography
Eve Attermann is a literary agent with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment. She has worked in WME’s Literary Department since 2011, representing a varied list of literary and commercial fiction writers, memoirists, musicians, chefs, journalists and historians. Eve is looking for stories, both real and imagined, that challenge our understanding of the world around us; high concept world-building; grounded suspense; and books about social justice, cultural acceleration, accessible science and the future.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * NoMG * NoPB * NoYA * Sports Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Journalism * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Music * Science * Sports * Technology * Travel *
11 Madison Avenue 18th Floor New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Jennifer Azantian is a literary agent with the Jennifer Azantian Literary Agency. Jennifer established Azantian Literary in 2014 and focuses primarily on fiction across genres for mg, YA, and adult readers. She represents bestselling and award-winning writers, and is always on the lookout for new talent. Prior to ALA, Jennifer was at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency followed by a stint with the Paul Levine Literary Agency. Before publishing, she earned her B.S. in clinical and developmental psychology from UCSD where she was an executive editor for the Triton Psychology Report. She brings to her clients a passion for literature born of a writer’s heart, an editorial eye honed from reviewing thousands of projects, and the connections to help bring wonderful books to life.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Fantasy * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * NoPB * Satire * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Escondido CA USA
Biography
Malaga Baldi is a literary agent with the Malaga Baldi Literary Agency. Malaga has worked as independent literary agent since 1986. The Baldi Agency is an independent and eclectic agency specializing in literary fiction, memoir and cultural history. Her first publishing job was as a cashier at Gotham Book Mart. Baldi also worked in the Ballantine Books Publicity Department, as an associate at Candida Donadio & Associates and the Elaine Markson Agency before going out on her own. Baldi believes the strength of the author’s voice and the heart of the story to be important factors when considering new work. Baldi graduated from Hampshire College and lives in NYC.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Literary *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Architecture * Art * Biography * Business * Computers * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Environment * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * History * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Prescriptive * Reference * Science * Technology * Travel *
233 West 99th Street 19C New York NY 10025 USA
Biography
Nicola Barr is a literary agent with The Bent Agency. She says: “I arrived at this brilliant agency via a long stint as an agent at Greene & Heaton, having spent my formative publishing years at the much-missed literary imprint of HarperCollins, Flamingo. During that time I worked as a reviewer for the Guardian, the Observer, the Scotsman, and others.
I have over the years represented many bestselling commercial fiction authors, Richard & Judy bestsellers, and award-winning crime fiction and commercial women’s fiction. I am still very much on the lookout for upmarket commercial well-written fiction in these areas, particularly if they speak to a social issue, shine a light on a true-life injustice, have an atypical hero or heroine. I adore literary fiction, whether experimental or traditional, and will certainly not turn away a novel for seeming lack of… anything happening.
But, whether you are writing commercial fiction or literary fiction, I am endlessly fascinated by dysfunctional or unusual families, oddballs, women struggling and women achieving, the disenfranchised, outsiders. I embrace fiction that explores the darker side of life, but do respond well to points of view that don’t take the world too seriously.
In YA, I’m most passionate about grounded contemporary. I’m lucky enough to look after Rainbow Rowell in the UK, so think ELEANOR AND PARK and FANGIRL…
I’m a committed Londoner, but was born and raised in Northern Ireland, then studied at the University of Glasgow. I am actively looking to build on the brilliant Irish, Northern Irish and Scottish writers I already have. I do have a natural tendency to be drawn to working-class voices and regional stories. I also love nothing more than getting stuck in editorially on a story if I see brilliance there.
Like many in these odd times, I find myself increasingly drawn to non-fiction that allows for a collective vent. In the past year or so I have represented books by Owen Hatherley, John Grindrod, Lauren Duca, Danielle Henderson, Alix O’Neill – on housing, Europe, feminism, millennials, sexual harassment. I love illustrators, cartoonists. I love sport and comedy and I might even show an interest in your food blog. As long as it doesn’t mention cupcakes.
I’m open and approachable and desperate to get good writing out in the world. Send me something.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Family Saga * Literary * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Cultural/Social Issues * Food/Drinks * History * Humor * Photography * Pop Culture * Science * Sports * Women’s Issues *
529 W 42nd St Suite 3P New York NY 10036 USA
Biography
Sarah Bedingfield is a literary agent with Levine Greeberg Rostan. Sarah has been an agent with Levine Greenberg Rostan since 2016, where she represents high-concept, genre-busting literary novels, domestic and psychological suspense, upmarket, big-hearted family epics, historical fiction, and international, diverse voices. Sarah began her publishing career in trade fiction editorial at Crown and Hogarth. There, she worked with a range of bestselling writers, including Man Booker International Prize winner, Han Kang, and New York Times bestsellers Nina George, Herman Koch, Koren Zailckas, Blake Crouch and Andy Weir.
Sarah loves most types of literary and upmarket commercial fiction, especially novels that show powerful imagination, compulsive plotting and unique voices. Family dramas, cross-genre narratives with notes of magical realism, darkly Gothic stories that may lead to nightmares and twisty psychological suspense are among her favorite things to read. A southerner at heart, she can’t help but love books set in the south, but she’s a die-hard for any world immersive enough to make her miss her stop on the train, cry in public, or desperately unable to sleep.
Hailing from North Carolina, Sarah graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a double major in Psychology and English. She spent her first three years in New York teaching high school English in the Bronx and earning an MS in Education from Hunter College.
Her favorite authors include Sarah Waters, Shirley Jackson, Stephen King, Matthew Thomas, Maria Semple, Emily St. John Mandel, Erin Morgenstern, and Victor Hugo.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Family Saga * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION:
307 Seventh Ave. Suite 2407 New York NY 10001 USA
Biography
Sharon Belcastro is a literary agent with the Belcastro Agency. She was born and raised in Northeastern Ohio. It only took her 37 years to get sick of the snow, cracked fingers and chapped lips before she picked up and moved to the much warmer and sunnier Tampa Bay area. Her love of books goes back to early childhood where some of her fondest memories were spent with Gulliver in Lilliput and Ishmael and his voyage on the Pequod. She has had a book in her hand and her nose in a book ever since. Forced to grow up and face the real world, Sharon earned her Engineering degree from Youngstown State University and her master’s in business from Case Western Reserve University. She spent several years in product development, sales and the development and streamlining of key business processes before she returned to her passion for books attended classes in publishing at NYU and applied her experience to the founding of Belcastro Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Commercial * Contemporary * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Horror * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * Lifestyle * Memoir * Music * Narrative * Pop Culture * Psychology * Self-Help/Personal Development * True Crime *
124 N. Bentley Ave Niles OH 44446 USA
Biography
Justin Bell is a literary agent with the Spectrum Literary Agency. Justin (B.A. from SUNY Purchase) is accepting submissions in science fiction, mysteries, and a select amount of nonfiction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * Mystery * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction *
320 Central Park West Suite 1-D New York NY 10025 USA
Biography
Kristyn Keene Benton is a literary agent with CAA/ICM. She has been at International Creative Management since 2006, which merged with CAA in 2022, building a list consisting of literary and commercial fiction, including narrative nonfiction, memoir, thrillers, young adult, and pop culture. She is a graduate of the Columbia Publishing Course and holds a degree in English and writing from the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * General Fiction * Humor Fiction * Literary * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Young Adult *
65 East 55th Street 14th Floor New York NY 10022 USA
Biography
Mel Berger is a literary agent with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment. Mel is a senior Vice President in the Literary Department of the William Morris Agency where he has been for more than thirty years. He represents Pulitzer Prize winning authors, Steve Naifeh and Gregory White Smith for POLLOCK and Oscar winning screenwriter Pamela Wallace for WITNESS.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Reference * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Sports *
11 Madison Avenue 18th Floor New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Amy Berkower is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. After graduating from the University of California at Santa Cruz, Amy moved back to New York to find a job in publishing. An ad in the NewYork Times led to a gal Friday position at Writers House where she has been working ever since. Amy is now a partner, and President of the company. In 1978, Al Zuckerman, the founder of Writers House, had the insight to ask Amy to start a children’s book department. Recognizing the need for kid friendly books that would appeal to the fast growing paperback original market, Berkower initially focused on series.
Her first sale, an interactive children’s book, grew into a series called CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE consisting of over one hundred titles, and was soon followed by a succession of popular franchises: SWEET VALLEY HIGH, THE BABYSITTERS CLUB, JUNIE B JONES and CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS. Determined to apply what she learned about branding series to the marketing of individual authors, Amy developed a list that includes some of the most respected names (Sharon Creech, Laurie Anderson, Andrew Clements, Jack Gantos) in the business.
Her colleagues have built upon that foundation, growing Writers House’s children’s book department into one of the largest and most successful in the world. Writers House clients include a mix of mega hits ( TWILIGHT and ERAGON) and Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, and National Book Award recipients such as Neil Gaiman, Ingrid Law, Grace Lin, Kadir Nelson, Susan Patron and Robin McKinley. Amy also has a growing list of adult authors including Nora Roberts, Ken Follett, Erica Jong, Ridley Pearson and Barbara Delinsky.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * NoPB * Paranormal * Picture Book * Romance * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Current Events/Affairs * History * Humor * Memoir * Politics *
120 Broadway 22nd floor New York NY 10271 USA
Meredith Bernstein
Meredith Bernstein Literary AgencyAAR/AALA MemberQuery method(s): Postal Mail * Online Form *Biography
Meredith Bernstein is a literary agent with the Meredith Bernstein Literary Agency. Meredith has been a literary agent for over 30 years. Prior to becoming a literary agent, she worked as a story editor for film producers on both the East and West Coasts, as well as a freelance reader. In addition to being a literary agent, Meredith Bernstein has packaged two romance lines and co-authored SEXUAL CHEMISTRY with Julius Fast (M. Evans/Pocket). In nonfiction, the agency seeks platform-driven works that shed new light on a given subject and is also open to any area of nonfiction that is well executed. We love personal memoirs that bring out heroic individualism, and are further interested in writers of “special” projects and creative endeavors that supersede genre.
Meredith Bernstein also has been very successful in representing individuals who have accomplished memo-rable and outstanding achievements in their lives. Among such clients are Miep Gies (the woman who hid Anne Frank’s family and found her diary), Patricia Ireland, the former president of N.O.W., and Dennis Conner, of sailing fame.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Literary * Mystery * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Inspiration * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Money/Finance * Parenting/Child Guidance * Psychology * Science * Spirituality * Travel * Women’s Issues *
2095 Broadway Suite 505 New York NY 10023 USA
Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Elizabeth Bewley is a literary agent with Sterling Lord Literistic. A graduate of Northwestern University, Elizabeth was an editor at various imprints including St. Martin’s Press, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers before she joined Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc. in 2017. She loves to read all sorts of books for kids and adults. On the children’s side of her list, she represents young adult and middle grade fiction, and the occasional picture book. On the adult side, she is eager to represent more upmarket commercial fiction and narrative nonfiction. Elizabeth’s clients include Shana Youngdahl, Raquel Vasquez Gilliland, Alyson Noël, Dwayne Reed (aka: America’s Favorite Rapping Teacher), Dawnn Karen, Jenny Elder Moke, Elissa Sussman, Mercedes Helnwein, Joan Bauer, Roland Smith, Jennifer Lynn Alvarez, Chrystal Giles, and Yvette Clark, amongst others. In addition, she represents some literary estates, including those of Marguerite Henry and Lois Duncan.
Elizabeth’s current submission wish list includes high-concept young adult novels, especially from underrepresented voices, accessible middle grade novels that will foster a love of reading (think: fun, funny, or both!), young adult romance, high-concept adult love stories similar to One Day by David Nicholls, and any upmarket commercial fiction with a witty voice and eye for detail. She also loves working with clients who are boldly creating positive change in our world. If you’re doing something big and think that it should be explored in a book, reach out to Elizabeth.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Lifestyle * Middle Grade * Narrative * Young Adult *
115 Broadway Suite 1602 New York NY 10006 USA
Biography
Lauren Bieker is a literary agent with FinePrint Literary Management. After a brief career in the fashion industry, Lauren made her move to publishing as an intern for agent Paige Wheeler. She moved to FinePrint to assist with day-to-day administrative tasks, but is now developing her client list and is open to queries.
Lauren is looking for commercial and upmarket women’s fiction and some well-crafted and differentiated YA novels. She is also open to select dystopian science fiction, as well as high concept and literary fiction works. She appreciates great storytelling and is a “sucker” for outstanding writing and convincing characters. While primarily interested in fiction, she will consider non-fiction proposals related to the world of fashion.
Lauren writes during her free time and has been published on various online platforms. She has attended many writing workshops and intensives, including the National Academy of Writing’s intensive at Cambridge University in the UK.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Literary * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * Women’s Issues *
207 W. 106th St. Suite 1D New York NY 10025 USA
Biography
Vicky Bijur is a literary agent with the Vicky Bijur Literary Agency. Vicky She represents fiction and non-fiction, including memoir, biography, cookbooks, food writing, journalism, health/wellness, and graphic non-fiction. She has served as president of the AAR (Association of Authors’ Representatives, now known as the Association of American Literary Agents) and as chair of its Ethics Committee. Many of the books she represents have been on the NY Times bestseller list and have been NY Times Notable Books of the Year, and several have been turned into feature films. Her clients have been the recipients of the Knight Fellowship in Science Journalism, Edgar Awards, the Hammett Prize, James Beard Awards, the Sidney Hillman Award for Book Journalism, the Mary Higgins Clark Award, and the Inkpot Award for Excellence in Cartooning.
Books that have been filmed include Still Alice with Julianne Moore; Drive with Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan; The Man Who Knew Infinity with Dev Patel and Jeremy Irons; Every Secret Thing with Dakota Fanning, Elizabeth Banks, Diane Lane; the forthcoming Lady in the Lake with Natalie Portman and Moses Ingraham.
Vicky has been profiled in Poets & Writers and has been quoted on the subject of agenting in the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and Entertainment Weekly. She can be heard on Writers on Writing.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Literary * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Narrative * Photography * Reference * Science *
27 West 20th St Suite 1003 New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Joshua Bilmes is a literary agent with Jabberwocky Literary Agency. Joshua is also the President of Jabberwocky Literary Agency, which he founded in 1994. He has been an agent for almost 30 years, having made his professional debut at the Scott Meredith Literary Agency in 1986.
His path to owning his own literary agency started in high school, when he sent monthly letters to the editor of Analog, the leading science fiction magazine, critiquing each issue. These letters so impressed Betsy Mitchell, the magazine’s associate editor, that she offered Bilmes the chance to do freelance readers reports and other work for her when she joined Baen Books shortly after its inception (Betsy eventually left Baen for high-level positions at Warner, Ballantine/Del Rey and other major sf/f imprints and now guides the sf/f program for Open Road Media and freelances at Betsy Mitchell Editorial Services). Joshua Bilmes and the publishing industry took an immediate liking to one another, and he started at Scott Meredith soon after graduating from the University of Michigan with a BA in History.
While his path to becoming an agent went through the science fiction genre, his interests were and are far broader. In the mystery genre, the Hardy Boys led to the Three Investigators, and from there to Agatha Christie, Perry Mason, the 87th Precinct and John LeCarre. He became a Variety junkie during high school and read it every week for as long as there was a weekly Variety. His college degree in history introduced him to The New Republic, and he now also reads The New Yorker. He keeps up on pop culture with Rolling Stone and spends fifteen hours a week reading newspapers. There’s always time for a good movie, and tennis and Australian Rules Football are often his background music.
A debut mystery novel, MARY’S GRAVE by Malcolm McClintick, which became Bilmes’ first sale in the summer of 1986. By the end of the 1980s he had commenced work with Charlaine Harris, Elizabeth Moon, Simon Green, Tanya Huff and other current mainstays of the JABberwocky list. While at Scott Meredith, Bilmes also helped out with the accounts of major agency clients like Carl Sagan and P.G. Wodehouse. After Scott Meredith passed away in 1993, Bilmes was promoted to Vice President, gaining important managerial experience.
In 1994, Bilmes struck out on his own to establish JABberwocky Literary Agency, which in recent years has become the world’s leading literary agency for science fiction and fantasy.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Espionage/Military * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Horror * Mystery * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Business * Celebrity * Film/Entertainment * History * Gay/Lesbian * Military/War * Pop Culture * Sports *
49 W. 45th St Suite #5N New York NY 10036-4603 USA
Biography
Agnes Birnbaum is the president of Bleecker Street Associates.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Erotica * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Autobiography * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Design * Diet/Nutrition * Environment * Ethnic * Family * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Government * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Inspiration * Journalism * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Military/War * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Nature * New Age * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Reference * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues * Young Adult *
535 La Guardia Place #617 New York NY 10012 USA
Biography
Frances Black is the founder of and literary agent with Literary Counsel. She loves to read, whether reading at the beach, under an umbrella, or curled up on a couch with green tea; she loves romance-based books, the quirkier the better. One of her all-time favorite books is Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter by Mario Vargas Llosa. Romantic: check! Quirky: double check!
Mr. Llosa gives his readers a tale and keeps them enthralled from beginning to end.
Somerset Maugham is also a favorite author. She says that, “You can smell and feel his words. Maugham’s innuendos about society, his plots and subplots and his portrayal of people can easily be observed today. One can glimpse his influences in current fiction and in original screenplays and, of course, in soap operas. His characters often take two steps forward only to fall three steps back. There’s intrigue, deceit, travel and adventure and of course there is mad love, just what books should offer.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Literary * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller * Romance * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Memoir *
30 West 21 Street 8th Floor New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Caitlin Blasdell is a literary agent with Liza Dawson Associates. Caitlin Blasdell has been a literary agent with Liza Dawson Associates since 2002 with a focus on commercial fiction. Before becoming an agent, she was a senior editor at HarperCollins Publishers. A graduate of Williams College, she lives in Westchester with her husband and four sons.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Paranormal * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
121 W. 27th St. Suite 1201 New York NY 10001 USA
Biography
Iris Blasi is a literary agent with Arc Literary Management. She has close to two decades of experience in publishing, working in multiple facets of the industry. She joined Arc Literary Management in 2021 after four years at the Carol Mann Agency. Prior to becoming a literary agent, she was Marketing Director and Senior Editor at Pegasus Books. She has held editorial, marketing, publicity, and consulting roles at Random House, Pegasus Books, Union Square Press, Open Road Media, literary PR firm Hilsinger-Mendelson, and consulting firm Idea Logical, Inc. She has worked on best-selling and award-winning books by authors including Lawrence Block, Rachel Carson, Michael Dirda, Erica Jong, Ira Levin, Alexandra Silber, Jerry Stahl, Gloria Steinem, Charles Strouse, and Fay Weldon.
Iris graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in English and dual minor in American Studies and Gender Studies, and she holds a master’s degree from New York University in Humanities and Social Thought, with a thesis on the life and legacy of the American writer Dawn Powell. Her writing on books, arts, and culture has appeared in outlets including The Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, Dow Jones Newswires, Publishers Weekly, BUST Magazine, The Jewish Daily Forward, Bitch Magazine, and BookPage. She has spoken in the US and Canada on the topics of publishing, marketing, media theory, and digital and social media at NYU, SXSW, Sarah Lawrence, the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, the Women’s National Book Association, Digital Book World, Publishers Launch, MagNet: Canada’s Magazine Conference, and Humber College’s Book Summit. She is a volunteer for the award-wining nonprofit organization The Telling Room, currently mentoring in the Young Emerging Authors Fellowship.
She is seeking nonfiction in the categories of biography, memoir, history, science/nature, pop culture, cultural criticism, current events, politics, and narrative nonfiction. She has a strong interest in feminism (especially intersectional feminism), in nature, climate change, and conservation, and in social and racial justice. She has a particular penchant for books stemming from a quirky journalistic, academic, or personal obsession.
On the fiction side, she is presently seeking literary and commercial fiction with a strong voice. She is also seeking upmarket mysteries and thrillers. She has a special weakness for books about a major event (a wedding, a reunion, a funeral) that reunites a group of people, books that take place in compressed time periods or places (i.e. The Dinner), books set in boarding schools or on college campuses (Prep; The Secret Place), and books with a gently comic touch. She is a big fan of Jami Attenberg, Megan Abbott, Taffy Brodesser-Akner, Emily Henry, Linda Holmes, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Curtis Sittenfeld, Emma Straub, J. Courtney Sullivan, Jonathan Tropper, and Kevin Wilson, and would love to see submissions along any of those lines.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Family Saga * Humor Fiction * Literary * Mystery * New Adult * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Education * Environment * History * Journalism * Memoir * Narrative * Nature * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * Women’s Issues *
2838 29th Street Long Island City NY 11102 USA
Biography
Brettne Bloom is a literary agent and partner with The Book Group. Brettne has been a literary agent since 2002. She works with a wide range of writers, from New York Times bestselling novelists to award-winning historians, journalists, scientists, memoirists, biographers. Her clients have been finalists for the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the PEN New England Award, the First Novel Prize, and the Impac Dublin Literary Award, among others.
Brettne’s areas of interest include literary and commercial fiction for adults, and works of narrative history, biography, memoir, spiritual exploration, and psychology. She also represents food, health, and lifestyle experts. She was born in Houston, Texas and divides her time between New York and Atlanta, where she lives with her husband and two daughters. A voracious reader all of her life, Brettne is especially drawn to distinct voices, untold stories, and unique perspectives on historical events. She also loves literary and art history, tales of love and friendship, so-called “millennial fiction,” and anything involving the science of the human body and brain.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Historical * Literary * Romance *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Investigative * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Narrative * Psychology * Science * Spirituality * Upmarket *
20 West 20th Street Suite 601 New York NY 10011 USA
.
Submit a Question or Comment
If you have a question or comment, click on the red button below and you’ll be able to post it. You’ll also be able to see answers to the questions I’m asked most.
Directory Instructions
Use the drop-down menu on the left to search for agents by genre, gender, location, longevity, or AAR Status. To find a specific agent or agency, enter the agent’s name or the name of the agency into the search box.
Important: If you use the search box, you must remove the search term by pressing the “Clear Search” link before you look for more agents using the drop-down menu (or you won’t see the proper results). Click on the “Show Notes” and “Show Bio” links underneath each agent for more information about that agent.
Have a question or need support? Post a comment or question by clicking on the red button at the bottom of the page.
* * *
About Mark Malatesta
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company Literary Agent Undercover and The Bestselling Author. Mark’s authors have gotten six-figure book deals, been on the NYT bestseller list, and published with houses such as Random House, Scholastic, and Thomas Nelson. Click here to learn more about Mark Malatesta and click here for Reviews of Mark Malatesta.
* * *
Author Coaching Testimonials
“Mark, finding you has been both a treat and a treasure—I just signed a contract with my new literary agent!
My career has spanned publishing, TV, and feature film. I’ve served as Creative Dir. for the Magazine Group, TIME Inc.; Dir. of Time World News Service, a Founding Dir. of TIME-Life Films; Exec. Prod. for both the CBS and NBC TV Networks; Prod./Dir.: Movies of the Week: CBS Cinema Center Films and Universal MCA.
In today’s publishing marketplace, agents come and go. They also very often seem to just want an easy pathway to make a buck. Many authors are let go by their agents because their last book didn’t do well enough and the agent doesn’t want to devote the time to help the author. That’s not what you’re about Mark. Even established authors need this type of support in today’s marketplace.”
Author of ten fiction and nonfiction books
* * *
“I’m psyched to have this be official. After getting five different offers for representation from top literary agents, I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin!
Getting multiple agents interested in my work was really important to me. I’ve dealt with agents before and gotten screwed on things contractually so I wanted to do it differently this time. I wanted choices.
Having you help me create that, and navigate my options, was really helpful. I heard other authors talk about their great relationships with their agents and it made me want the same thing. Now I have that.”
Author of Woman on Fire
(Penguin Books)
* * *
“After sending out the query Mark revised for me, I had the opportunity to speak with literary agents from top agencies such as Janklow & Nesbit, Trident Media, Anderson Lit, and Folio. I signed with Don Fehr at Trident and, a short time later I had a publishing contract with Berkley Books, which recently published my book in hardcover.
Before that, I sent my query letter out on my own to 30 or 40 agents and got a lot of rejections. I then found Mark online while I was researching agents. I was surprised that he offered so much during his initial consultation—for a very modest amount of money.
I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t worked with Mark. I can’t even imagine that now though, because of the grief and detours I experienced before we worked together. It was a time-consuming pain in the neck. If you want to get the attention of top literary agents and publishers, there is no substitute for working with an insider. You can’t beat experience. And having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable.”
Author of Single Handed
(Berkley Books, a Division of Penguin Random House)
* * *
“AHHH! OMG, it happened! I got three offers of representation for my children’s picture book in the United States, even though I live abroad! When I woke up and found the first offer for representation in my email in box, I wanted to scream. But my family was still asleep so I couldn’t. 🙂
Just 8 minutes after I sent a query letter to one of my favorite agents, she replied and asked to see my manuscript. A short time later we had a lovely conversation. She was interested in representing me and sounded very positive and enthusiastic about my book. Since I also got offers from two other agents, I had to turn two of them down. One of them was upset and it felt like I was breaking her heart, but you just have to do it. I kept reminding myself that this is a good problem to have!”
Author/Illustrator of Lon-Lon’s Big Night
and many other children’s books
* * *
“Mark, after you helped me land a top literary agent, I got publishing offers from THREE well-known publishers: Amacom, Palgrave Macmillan, and McGraw-Hill (they’re publishing my book in hardcover)!
I was at Disneyworld with my family, in the Haunted Mansion, when I got the call. I went outside and listened to the voicemail message from my agent. A huge smile came over my face. It was a fantastic feeling. For a moment I felt like life was perfect and the angels were singing.
You’re filling an important need so I’ll say this to every other author reading this testimonial. Mark showed me that getting a top literary agent is a science. If you’ve written a book, or you’re in the process, you’ve already invested a lot—a lot more than money. Don’t stop yourself from getting out there to fulfill your purpose and dreams. Thank you so, so much, Mark!!!”
Author of Customer Focused Process Innovation (McGraw Hill)
* * *
“I got a book deal! After I started sending out my new query letter I had 6 literary agents request my manuscript in a short amount of time, which is awesome. Then, within 2 weeks of my agent starting to pitch my story to publishers, we had an offer. I signed a book contract yesterday. A little while later my agent told me that a TV co-producer asked for more info about my book.
By the way, the acquiring editor that fell in love with the manuscript jumped in with both feet and we just worked out our timeline for publication. She’s as passionate about getting my book out as I am, and that means everything. She read the manuscript in two days and said she couldn’t put it down. And the book is going to be published as a hardcover!”
Author of A Chick in the Cockpit
(Behler Publications)
* * *
“Thank you Mark! After you helped me get a well-known agent with Hartline Literary Agency (for my previously self-published murder mystery), he got me a deal with an American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) approved publisher. I’m hard-pressed to find anything that I had an expectation for that you didn’t deliver on.
Before I worked with you I sent out queries, but no one ever requested my complete manuscript. Comparing your new version of my query to the one I wrote before, I can see a vast difference.
I’ve been in business for 35 years so I’m not just saying this… what you’re doing is phenomenal. There are other people offering similar services, but the difference is your success. Others might say they do similar things but, if you research them, they don’t have your background or track record.”
Author of The Rector
* * *
“Mark, you’re a miracle worker. Thanks to your help with my book, query letter, and synopsis… I now have a legitimate publisher who described my book as ‘Powerful Magic’ and it’s now available in bookstores and online!
I’m a lifelong academic writer who one day found myself writing inspired short stories that came to me in dreams and I began thinking of them as novels. That’s when I had a momentous conversation, an introductory coaching call with Mark Malatesta, the American creative writing coach, or rather, to be precise, a how-to-sell-yourself-and-your-work adviser. It was the best-spent money of my life apart (possibly) for my wedding ring.”
Author of The Black Inked Pearl
* * *
“Within 4 minutes of sending out my query letter, a top literary called me on the phone (the #1 agent on my wish list). Less than 30 days later I had three major publishers making offers. A few days after that, I signed a deal with Random House. Mark, your query letter did that.
My agent talked about the query letter you helped me create for a long, long time. When he first called me on the phone, he hadn’t seen any of my sample chapters. It was just the query letter that did it. Communicating the right thing is so important. You are a wonderful medium helping authors find their voice and elevate their writing from just a hobby to a real business… a source from which they can both learn and earn.”
Author of Lights Out
(Random House)
* * *
“MARK, MARK, MARK!!!!!!! Holy smokes… I just signed my book deal. First, two well-known literary agents asked to represent me. One of them responded to my query letter in less than 4 minutes!!
Then THREE different publishers wanted my book and started talking about making offers. The publisher I chose is perfect for me because they produce titles for the trade, educational, and scientific markets. And they agreed to publish my book as a hardcover!!!
When I met you, Mark, it was a pivotal time. I was under the belief that I could self-publish my book with a vanity press and then seek a publisher. I didn’t know what a literary agent was, why I needed one, or how to get one. I was wandering in the dark. You guided me in the right direction and gave me a solid plan.”
Author of Intestinal Health
(Rowman & Littlefield)
* * *
“Boom!!! I just signed a contract with Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins for (what I’ve been told by several people) is a very large advance for a first-time author.
Before working with Mark I submitted my book to agents but didn’t get any interest. This time around I got a top NY literary agency (Fine Print Lit). What cloud is higher than 9?
I had several agencies interested before deciding to go with Fine Print. And, to be honest, all of the attention didn’t surprise me. The query letter and proposal that Mark helped me develop were incredible. Agents actually said things to me like: ‘Scott, I read your proposal and I’m just blown away by it!’ Mark is extremely talented at what he does. If you have the opportunity to work with him, take advantage of it.”
Author of The Unbreakable Boy
(Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson)