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): Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Mariah Nichols is a literary agent with the D4EO Literary Agency. She has a great passion for storytelling and for the publishing industry. With a BS degree in Business she wanted to apply her degree towards the world of books.
After interning at Howland Literary her senior year, she soon transitioned to the role as a reader and in-house editor for the D4EO Literary Agency, working with Bob Diforio in all aspects of the business, with the intention of being named a D4EO literary agent.
She enjoys working with new authors, offering editorial suggestions and copy editing of their manuscripts, helping to ensure that the work submitted to publishers is the best it can be. She is actively seeking compelling stories and growing her client list.
Mariah is interested in adult and young adult fiction with genres including thriller, upmarket, romance/rom-com, horror, family drama, science fiction/paranormal, and womenÕs fiction. She is also wanting to represent nonfiction in categories such as cookbooks, memoirs, self-help, lifestyle, and how-to. Stories that showcase diversity and highlight mental health or special needs is something that she would especially like to see.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Animals | Art | Biography | Business Book | Celebrity | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Dating Relationships Sex | Design | Film Entertainment | Fitness | Food Drink | Gardening | Health Wellness | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Music | Pop Culture | Self-Help | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Amy Nielson is a literary agent at The Purcell Agency. She spent nearly twenty years sharing her love of books with young readers on the other side of the writing aisle as a youth librarian. Daily immersion in story took root, and she started penning her 2024 YA debut, Worth It, behind her checkout desk.
She left the library after her youngest son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and began writing full-time. She also began working with other authors helping them to elevate their craft and go on to pursue publication deals. While she will always enjoy pursuing her own writing goals, helping other authors has become a passion. She is honored to now serve as an associate literary agent at The Purcell Agency.
Amy also has a background in television production and creates book trailers for authors to use as a marketing tool. She started Mayflower Media where she works collaboratively with writers to bring the heart of their stories from the page to the screen.
In addition to her debut, Amy is the author of It Takes a Village: How to Build A Support System for Your Exceptional Needs Family, the picture book, Goldilocks and the Three Bears: Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Teaching Television Production, Beyond the Morning Newscast. She is the co-author of the upcoming title Navigating the Wild World of Publishing: A Workbook for Indie and Self-Published Authors and the co-host of the Author(ish) podcast.
When not writing or reading she and her family can be found boating in Tampa Bay. You can find Amy at http://www.amynielsenauthor.com.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Dystopian Fiction | General Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Speculative Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Amy Nielson is a literary agent at The Purcell Agency. She spent nearly twenty years sharing her love of books with young readers on the other side of the writing aisle as a youth librarian. Daily immersion in story took root, and she started penning her 2024 YA debut, Worth It, behind her checkout desk.
She left the library after her youngest son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and began writing full-time. She also began working with other authors helping them to elevate their craft and go on to pursue publication deals. While she will always enjoy pursuing her own writing goals, helping other authors has become a passion. She is honored to now serve as an associate literary agent at The Purcell Agency.
Amy also has a background in television production and creates book trailers for authors to use as a marketing tool. She started Mayflower Media where she works collaboratively with writers to bring the heart of their stories from the page to the screen.
In addition to her debut, Amy is the author of It Takes a Village: How to Build A Support System for Your Exceptional Needs Family, the picture book, Goldilocks and the Three Bears: Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Teaching Television Production, Beyond the Morning Newscast. She is the co-author of the upcoming title Navigating the Wild World of Publishing: A Workbook for Indie and Self-Published Authors and the co-host of the Author(ish) podcast.
When not writing or reading she and her family can be found boating in Tampa Bay. You can find Amy at http://www.amynielsenauthor.com.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Dystopian Fiction | General Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Speculative Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Trodayne Northern is a literary agent with Prentis Literary. Trodayne was an English teacher, freelance writer, and editor before entering the publishing world, interning with The Literary Group. It was not long before he found a more permanent home at Linn Prentis Literary. As if mirroring CampbellÕs notions of the monomyth, soon Trodayne was taking part in a true apprenticeship, not unlike something ripped from the very fantasy novels heÕd so long loved. While with Linn Prentis Literary, he developed his own client list, working with award winning authors, NYT bestsellers and top editors. He played Luke to LinnÕs Yoda, Bilbo to LinnÕs Gandalf, staying on with the agency through LinnÕs retirement. Then with Linn initially playing an advisory role, he co-founded Prentis Literary alongside Leslie and Terry.
As a youth, Trodayne cooked his pillow nightly in an effort to conceal the 120 watt blade of disobedience that would leak defiantly into the hallway after his parents expressly had ordered him to bed. His passion is good storytelling. While his desire to refine his own storytelling in music, writing and visual media was strong, his thirst to cultivate and nurture othersÕ talents has always been equally strong. Science Fiction and Fantasy will always be his first love, but his genre interests have always been wide ranging. You would be just as likely to see him on the subway re-reading Native Son as the newest Mass Effect book.
ItÕs not just the story in each book that fascinates and invigorates but the story of each book as well. It is the process itself that he finds gratifyingÑthe helping to polish a novel, the matchmaking of author to publisher, assuring that each author is happy with the end product, ultimately the very success of the book, all of it, is the bookÕs story. Playing a role in that story, in how an author is able to tell his or her stories gives him great satisfaction.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Black Literary Agents |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Memoir |
Biography
Lynnette Novak is a literary agent with The Seymour Agency. Prior to joining The Seymour Agency, Lynnette spent 17 years freelance editing. She worked with new writers, advanced writers, as well as the New York Times and the USA Today bestselling authors.
Lynnette earned a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Manitoba, where she specialized in English and French. She excelled in Advanced Creative Writing in university and studied writing for children and teens through the Institute of ChildrenÕs Literature. She was a Pitch Wars mentor in 2015 and 2016. Both her mentees acquired an agent.
Although Lynnette was born and raised in Manitoba, Canada, she now lives in Minnesota with her husband, twin girls, and many pets. Her personal interests include reading, writing, exercising at the gym (okay, thatÕs a love/hate relationship), working on an assortment of crafts, all things having to do with animals (if she could own a farm, zoo, and animal shelter, she would), and enjoying time with family and friends.
She loves dark and suspenseful, mysterious twists, unique worlds, light and funny, a good love story, and lots of voice. Lynnette is always looking for diverse and LGBTQ+ authors and wants to share more of these marginalized voices with the world.
Currently looking for: (Always looking for BIPOC, diversity of all kinds, and LGBTQ+!!!)
_
Picture books: fiction and nonfiction picture books (non-rhyming preferred).
MG genres: horror, contemporary, mystery, magical realism, contemporary/grounded fantasy
YA genres: horror, rom-com, thriller, romantic fantasy, fantasy, magical realism
Adult fiction genres: thriller, psychological suspense, horror, mystery (traditional and amateur sleuth)
Adult nonfiction genres: memoirs, spirituality/New Age, self-help, health/fitness, parenting/family, motivational/inspirational, business, celebrity, lifestyle, pets, psychology, relationships & dating, and true crime. You must be an expert in the field and have a platform.
What kind of platform do you need for nonfiction? Are you a celebrity with a story to tell? An expert in the field (doctor, CEO, trainer, psychologist, etc.)? Do you have a direct route to the consumer? Are you a social influencer or public speaker?
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Horror | Mystery | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |Animals | Business Book | Celebrity | Dating Relationships Sex | Fitness | Health Wellness | Inspirational Nonfiction | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Memoir | New Age | Parenting | Pop Culture | Psychology | Self-Help | Spirituality | True Adventure | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Lori Nowicki is a literary agent with Painted Words. Painted WordsÕ founder, Lori Nowicki, holds a MasterÕs Degree in Education and worked extensively as a teacher and specialist in public schools for ten years prior to starting her agency. As a special needs teacher she helped students in all areas, but found a passion for inspiring reluctant readers to love books. Her favorite project was teaching her sixth grade classes how to write and illustrate comic books. In 1992, she began representing several of her illustrator friends, while teaching part-time.
In 2006 she formed Painted Words, a boutique literary arts agency focused on representing diverse talent. Lori has brought her background in education to the field of publishing, helping aspiring authors and illustrators tell their stories. In her nearly thirty years of representing artists, she has mentored up-and-coming talent and worked with award-winning and bestselling creators on a range of projects in the publishing industry and beyond.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Authors and Illustrators Only |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Graphic Novel |Biography | Pop Culture |
Biography
Renee Nyen is a literary agent with KT Literary. Several years in the editorial department at Random HouseÕs Colorado division provided Renee with the opportunity to work with bestselling and debut authors alike. After leaving Random House, she came to KT Literary in early 2013. She loves digging into manuscripts and helping the author shape the best story possible. Though this is great for her profession, it tends to frustrate people watching movies with her. With a penchant for depressing hipster music and an abiding love for a good adventure story, Renee is always looking for book recommendations. Even if that means creeping on people reading in public. Which she does frequently. She makes her home in Arizona with her husband, and their two three children.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction |
Biography
Lee O’Brien is a literary agent with the Looking Glass Literary & Media. They say: “IÕm a junior agent at IGLA. Across all age categories, IÕm looking stories with a distinctive voice, immersive world, and clear stakes, whether those stakes are physical or emotional. I love pacy, stories with a strong commercial hook, as well as quieter character driven stories that can still keep the pages turning. IÕm interested in a range of genres, from fantasy, to horror, to psychological thrillers/domestic suspense, to romance, to contemporary.
Here are some specific things that IÕm looking for right now:
Fantasy of all kindsÑEpic secondary world fantasy, dark fantasy full of dangerous secrets and strange magic; grounded fantasy with compelling characters and a strong sense of place; nonwestern fantasy and fantasy from underrepresented voices
Fun, pacy queer middle grade and YAÑbooks full of wonder and mischief and mystery, about queer&trans kids going on adventures and getting into trouble.
Non-binary and trans books, across all genres
Books with a strong central mystery, whether itÕs a murder, a long-buried secret, or slowly unspooling intrigue. Books full of twists and turns, that take us in deeper the more that we know.
Slow building atmospheric horror, and horror stories with a literary edge. I would also love to see MG horrorÑAtmospheric ghost stories, monster books, and scary stories to read with a flashlight
Queer romanceÑfirst crushes, love triangles, friends-to-lovers, enemies-to-lovers, rom-coms, slow burns, and shippable characters with dangerous amounts of chemistry.
I would absolutely go to war for a sweepingly epic ace-spec love story of any kind. Aro best friends who would burn cities for each other. Demisexuals who team up to save the world then accidentally fall in love. All of it.
Atmospheric middle grade, and MG page turners with a more literary voice.
YA thrillers with fast pacing and a compelling voice, that can drive up the stakes and still cut to the heart.
Thoughtful retellings that speak back to their source, but can still stand on their own. Retellings of stories that we donÕt often hear, as well as fresh takes on old favorites.
Some other things that are pretty evergreen for me are secrets, love triangles, magic, monsters, girls with swords, trans folx with medieval weaponry in general, puzzles, intrigue, heists, disaster queers, and hauntings of all kinds.
I am actively seeking underrepresented voices, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA, disability, neurodiversity, and mental illness #OwnVoices, and books where multiple identities intersect. IÕd also love to see more positive fat rep, and books with a diversity of body types.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Gothic Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Medical Medicine | Psychology |
Biography
Kevin O’Connor is a literary agent with the O’Connor Literary Agency. Since his first job out of college at Sesame Workshop, Kevin has always worked at the intersection of business and creative. He has hands-on experience in a variety of media: animation, live action TV, toys, live shows, music, educational apps, and Òthe sweetest plumÓ: t-shirts*. In addition to Sesame, heÕs worked for Fisher-Price, VTech, Kidz Bop, Barnes & Noble, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. HeÕs inked deals with Chrysler, Nestle, Pearson, and all the major publishers.
As an agent, Kevin takes on serious adult nonfiction (Brian McCulloughÕs How the Internet Happened, Claude Andrew CleggÕs The Black President). On the adult fiction side, he represents Afghan and Iraq War Vet Adam Kovac (The Surge), as well as upcoming boks food writer Kristin Griffin (Irish Goodbye), award-winning TV writer Fracaswell Hyman (A Maze of Stunted Trees) and the acclaimed Colin Winnette (So You Think You Can Dance?).
For middlegrade readers, heÕs the agent behind the Russell GinnsÕs Samantha Spinner series; Cas HymanÕs Mango Delight; and Steven B. FrankÕs Armstrong and Charlie. He reps the picturebooks Papa, Daddy & Riley by Seamus Kirst; Honeysmoke by Monique Fields; and A Is for Audra by John Robert Allman, illustrated by Peter Emmerich.
He is a Columbia College grad and the founding director of The Center for Nonfiction, a Columbia University Community Scholars Project dedicated to helping journalists and scholars understand the formal needs of trade publishers.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Computers | History | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Science | Technology |
Biography
Molly O’Neill is a literary agent with Root Literary. She says: ÒIf I can visualize exactly how to form a web of connections around a book and its creator while IÕm reading an early draft, then itÕs a fantastic signal that I also know how to help that author or artist build their way into a meaningful, and potentially lucrative, career.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Authors and Illustrators Only | Member of the AALA |Chapter Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Graphic Novel | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Romance |Memoir | Science |
Biography
Natalie Obando is a literary agent _Ladderbird. She is a graduate from California State University, Long Beach with a BA in journalism emphasizing public relations and a minor in creative writing. Since then, sheÕs worked in the world of books as a book publicist. Natalie is the founder of Do Good Public Relations Group and the grassroots organization, Women of Color Writers Podcast and Programming. She is the current national president of the 105 years old non-profit, the WomenÕs National Book Association (WNBA), overseeing all eleven chapters across the nation. As the first Latina president of the WNBA, her goal has been promoting diversity in publishing via grassroots efforts.
Because of her dedication to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the book world, she is the founder and chair of Authentic VoicesÑa four-month long program that immerses people from marginalized communities in a master class of writing, editing, marketing, and publishing. Natalie has since been a panelist and speaker at some of the most well-regarded literary conferences in the industry including the San Francisco WriterÕs Conference, The West Coast WriterÕs Conference, the Central Coast WriterÕs Conference, PublisherÕs Group West Conference, as well as conferences that focus on diversity in publishing such as Centering on the Margins.
_
When sheÕs not championing for folx in the book world, she can be found in the gym powerlifting, in her bed cuddling her dogs, and (if sheÕs not procrastinating) writing novels and screenplays rooted in Latinx folklore and magic.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | Chick Lit | Contemporary Fiction | Erotic Fiction | Fantasy | Horror | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | Dating Relationships Sex | Fitness | Health Wellness | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Multicultural Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Spirituality | Travel | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Katherine Odom-Tomchin is a literary agent and the Director of Audio Rights with Folio Literary Management. She began her publishing career at Heritage Publishing, Inc., which publishes magazines, guides, and directories for health care, seniors, tourists, and attorneys throughout Florida and Southeast Georgia. During her time there, she held various positions in the editorial, graphic design, and information departments. Her many jobs included producing original content for their many publications and assisting in ad placement.
At Folio, Kat enjoys working with and being a part of FolioÕs closely-knit team of skilled agents. Kat is FolioÕs Audio Rights Director, and she works hard to strategically place the agencyÕs audio rights with the most effective audio publishers possible. She also acts as a subagent for BenBella, an independent publishing house based in Dallas, TX known for publishing a range of nonfiction titles, and places audio rights for the storied authors of Harold Ober Associates and Emma Sweeney Agency.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Business Book | Celebrity | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Economics | How-To | Journalism | Memoir | Money Finance | Politics | Science | Self-Help | Technology | True Crime |
Biography
Colleen Oefelein is a literary agent with MacGregor & Luedeke. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with a focus in Biotechnology and a Bachelor of Science in German with a minor in International Business, both from Penn State.
With over a decade of experience in the publishing industry, Colleen has worked at a couple literary agencies as both an associate agent and PR manager. SheÕs hosted numerous ÒPitch PerfectÓ and ÒRejection CorrectionÓ workshops on Facebook and at conferences nationwide and mentored several authors one-on-one through online pitch contests such as Pitch Wars.
Also an author of young adult fantasy and memoir, Colleen has a deep appreciation for bond between an author and their art as well as a keen understanding of the PR world, having been featured in People Magazine, on Inside Edition, Fox NewsÕs Tucker Carlson and on 20/20.
Colleen is a disabled veteran living in Alaska with her husband, son, and boerboel. A former 911 call taker and dispatcher for Alaska State Troopers, she has a soft spot for veterans and law enforcement families. In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors and teaches creative writing workshops and Irish dance to homeschoolers.
As a literary agent, Colleen is looking for romanceÐheart-rending love stories in most sub-genres (no erotica) and romantic suspense, as well as young adult and adult fiction: harsh and sobering contemporary, low fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, unusual re-tellings, suspense and thriller. In nonfiction, sheÕs interested in proposals for high-profile crime memoir, whistleblower memoir and narrative nonfiction on the subjects of science or medicine.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Member of the AALA |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Horror | Inspirational Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |Celebrity | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Military War Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Science | Sports | True Crime |
Biography
Amaryah Orenstein is a literary agent with GO Literary. She has always loved to read and provide (oftentimes unsolicited) editorial advice and, as a literary agent, she is thrilled to help writers bring their ideas to life. She is particularly drawn to narrative non-fiction and memoir but enjoys any book that connects the reader to its characters and evokes thought and feeling. Amaryah began her career at the Laura Gross Literary Agency in 2009 and, prior to that, she worked as an Editorial Assistant at various academic research foundations, including the Tauber Institute, where she edited books for Brandeis University Press/University Press of New England. Originally from Montreal, Canada, Amaryah earned a BA at McGill University before coming to the United States to pursue graduate studies in American History. She completed an MA at Ohio UniversityÕs Contemporary History Institute and a PhD at Brandeis University, and currently serves as Co-President of the Boston chapter of the WomenÕs National Book Association.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | Historical Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |Biography | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Food Drink | History | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Politics | Sports | Travel | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Rachel Orr is a literary agent with Prospect Agency. She says: “Like most agents, IÕve always been a reader. When I was a child, reading inside on a beautiful summer day, my parents would tell me to go outside. So I would go outsideÑand read my book. (Maybe they should have been a little more specific.)
I began my publishing career while I was still a student at Kenyon College, interning for both the Kenyon Review and Highlights for Children magazine. After graduation, I had a short stint as a bookseller in the childrenÕs department at Barnes & Noble, and then worked for eight years as an editor at HarperCollins ChildrenÕs Books. I joined Prospect Agency in 2007, and I continue to edit my clientsÕ work before sending their projects out on submission. My favorite part of my job is the chance to collaborate with such talented authors and illustrators, and to work with them for the duration of their career. I also love working with clients who have more than one idea and are willing to revise.
Since I really value the importance of a personal connection with authors and illustrators, I love meeting potential clients at conferences and through classes. I also really enjoy the opportunity to teach and to share information about the industry. As a result, I love speaking at SCBWI conferences across the country, as well as serving on the faculty of the OCCBWW in Oceanside, Oregon. In addition, IÕve taught novel-writing classes through both Mediabistro.com and the California State UniversityÕs Summer Arts program, and I have served as a Mentor Committee Co-Chair for the Rutgers One-on-One Conference for the past seven years.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Graphic Novel |
Biography
Kathleen Ortiz is a literary agent with and the founder of KO Media Management. She founded her own agency in 2022, after working in publishing and international licensing for over a decade, including roles as Director of Translation, Subsidiary Rights Manager and Literary Agent. She earned her M.S. in Publishing from Pace University, and has spent her career helping build and elevate creative brands.
Her focus is on books and media for adults and children, especially with a visual element. She loves media and books that bring humor and joy and inspire others in life. She is a member of Licensing International and the Association of American Literary Agents.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Romance | Science Fiction |Art | Business Book | Economics | Health Wellness | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Parenting | Photography | Pop Culture | Religion | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | Technology |
Biography
Kristin Ostby is a literary agent with the Greenhouse Literary Agency. She represents authors of middle grade and young adult fiction, as well as picture book author/illustrators and select adult fiction. She is primarily seeking tightly written, tightly plotted, fast-paced commercial middle-grade and young adult fictionÑadventure, mystery, and contemporary humorÑas well as young adult romance.
As the daughter of a librarian and a businessperson, itÕs really no wonder Kristin wound up in the book biz. Kristin moved from Michigan to New York to begin her life in publishing at Penguin Random House, and after sixteen years as a childrenÕs book editor (and freelance writer on the side), she rose to become a senior editor at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. Kristin has had the joy and pleasure of editing childrenÕs book legend Tomie dePaola; New York Times bestselling authors like Stuart Gibbs (Spy School) and US soccer star Alex Morgan (The Kicks); and award-winning creators including Daniel Miyares (Float), Jessica Lawson (Nooks & Crannies), and Heather Vogel Frederick (The Mother-Daughter Book Club). She also edited the mainstay bestseller I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy and Elizabeth Baddeley. Kristin loves guiding authors and illustrators toward their best work and advocating for them in service of building successful, sustainable artistic careers.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Satire | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Duvall Osteen is a literary agent with United Talent Agency (UTA). She represents a diverse list of debut, award-winning, bestselling, and notable authors. Before joining UTA, she spent 11 years as an agent at Aragi Inc., focusing on literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, and graphic novels.
Her literary interests include writing rooted in place, especially the global South, multigenerational storytelling, crime, and literary suspense. In both fiction and non-fiction, she gravitates towards books across genres with big, original, astute, immersive voices.
She is a passionate advocate for her authors, and tailors her approach to representation based on their needs. Above all, she prioritizes close editorial relationships. Duvall was raised in the South, and is based in Manhattan, where she lives with her family. She holds a Master of Arts in Southern Cultural Studies from the University of Mississippi.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Young Adult Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Business Book | Dating Relationships Sex | History | Memoir | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Self-Help |
Biography
Jeff Ourvan is a literary agent with the Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency. Jeff Ourvan, an attorney, published author and writing instructor, is a literary agent with the Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency. His interests are varied: he represents nonfiction works, especially narrative nonfiction, histories, biographies, science, food and sports. He also represents fiction writers, particularly in the young adult, thriller and romance categories. Jeff heads the Agency’s book-to-film efforts, and he is the founder of The WriteWorkshop, an intensive writing workshop for New York-area writers. His most recently authored work is THE STAR-SPANGLED BUDDHIST (Skyhorse).
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Religious Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Art | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Economics | Food Drink | History | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Photography | Politics | Pop Culture | Religion | Science | Sports | Technology | True Crime |
Courtney Paganelli
Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email > Online Form >Biography
Courtney Paganelli is a literary agent with the Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency. She joined the agency in May of 2019 and currently assists Jim Levine, Stephanie Rostan, and Victoria Skurnick.
Courtney graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in English Literature. Her time in the Twin Cities was both bone-chilling and rewarding as she launched her publishing career as an intern with Wise Ink Creative Publishing. Upon graduation she returned home to the East Coast and began working on prominent business titles at Pearson. She later joined the managing editorial department at Random House ChildrenÕs books before becoming a part of the team at LGR.
Throughout her career, Courtney has been inspired by authors who have taken their personal struggles and turned them into relatable stories. Her favorite novels incite emotion, whether fear, heartbreak, or happiness Ñ a book that makes her feel something is one she will read time and time again. Courtney enjoys diving into contemporary romances, relationship-driven literary fiction, psychological thrillers, and anything so scary that it will make her second guess whether or not she locked her door. In the young adult space, she particularly loves books that donÕt shy away from tough conversations pertaining to mental health, addiction, or abuse. She is looking for adult or young adult novels that will make her laugh, cry, and maybe slightly afraid of the dark.
Some (but certainly not all) of her favorite authors include Stephen King, Laurie Halse Anderson, Jennifer Niven, Marisha Pessl, Gillian Flynn, Jessica Knoll, Lisa Lutz, Lisa Gardner, and Kara Thomas.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | Magical Realism | Mystery | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |Art | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | Dating Relationships Sex | Design | Economics | How-To | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Photography | Pop Culture | Self-Help | True Crime |
Biography
Saribel Pages is a literary agent with Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. Spanish Harlem born and bred, Saribel graduated from Kalamazoo College with a B.S in Anthropology, an embarrassingly long to be read list, and a passion for children’s literature. This passion led her to positions at Penguin Random House and W.W. Norton, where she learned about the different sides of the publishing industry. Now at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency, she is excited to work with a team so dedicated to uplifting marginalized voices. When not reading, you can find her playing various tabletop roleplaying games or explaining roller derby to her friends.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Science Fiction |General Nonfiction | History | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Pop Culture | Science |
Biography
Saribel Pages is a literary agent with Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. Spanish Harlem born and bred, Saribel graduated from Kalamazoo College with a B.S in Anthropology, an embarrassingly long to be read list, and a passion for childrenÕs literature. This passion led her to positions at Penguin Random House and W.W. Norton, where she learned about the different sides of the publishing industry. Now at Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency, she is excited to work with a team so dedicated to uplifting marginalized voices. When not reading, you can find her playing various tabletop roleplaying games or explaining roller derby to her friends.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Science Fiction |General Nonfiction | History | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Pop Culture | Science |
Biography
Zo‘ Pagnamenta is a literary agent with Calligraph. She comes to Calligraph as a Managing Partner from her own agency, which she established in 2008. Prior to that she ran the New York office of Peters, Fraser & Dunlop (PFD) for four years and worked in the US and UK offices of the Wylie Agency. Her interests are wide-ranging; she represents non-fiction: history, narrative journalism, biography, memoir, popular science, Òbig ideaÓ books, smart self-help, spirituality, technology, business, in addition to works of cultural criticism, as well as some literary fiction. Her clients include Libyan novelist Hisham Matar, author of the Pulitzer Prize winning memoir The Return, celebrated ceramicist Edmund de Waal, author of The Hare with Amber Eyes, Adam Nicolson, author of Life Between the Tides, Priya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering and the NYTimes bestselling writer Tom Vanderbilt, author of Beginners, among many others.
In addition to representing US writers, Pagnamenta works closely with several UK agencies and represents a number of writers in North America on their behalf, including the historian Peter Frankopan, the biographer Hermione Lee, the economist Tim Harford and the philosopher and writer Alain de Botton.
Zo‘ is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents, and serves as President on the board of The Young Vic in America. She has served as member of the Brooklyn Literary Council, and is a member of the Advisory Committee for the Cundill Prize. She is a Fellow of the New York Institute for the Humanities.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Art | Biography | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Food Drink | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Photography | Politics | Pop Culture | Reference | Religion | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | Sports | Technology | True Crime | Upmarket Nonfiction |
Biography
Ayesha Pande is a literary agent with Ayesha Pande Literary. Ayesha founded APL in 2007. Before becoming an agent she held several editorial positions, including most recently as a senior editor at Farrar Straus and Giroux. She is on the board of Art Omi and the AALA (Association of American Literary Agents) where she founded the Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and helped launch the non-profit Literary Agents of Change. Her client roster includes Ibram X. Kendi, Patricia Engel, Danielle Evans, Matthew Salesses and Lisa Ko. While her interests are wide-ranging and eclectic, she works mostly with literary fiction, narrative nonfiction across a broad range of topics including history and cultural commentary, memoir and biography, and the occasional work of young adult fiction. She is drawn to distinctive voices with a compelling point of view and memorable characters. Ayesha’s greatest joy is in finding and launching new literary voices.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Member of the AALA |Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Health Wellness | History | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics | Pop Culture | Science | Travel |
Biography
Gina Panettieri is a literary agent with and the founder of Talcott Notch Literary Services. She says: “Being an agent is really all I can imagine doing. Books, and the amazing people who write them, have been the focus of my life for more than two decades. I remember packing to move my house and needing a separate small truck just for all the books, and I had given away countless volumes to the libraries for fundraisers already! But so many of them were treasured friends I couldn’t bear to part with, no matter the effort required to maintain the relationship.
And this specific role I play, being given the chance to find and nurture new books, to work with some of the most creative and talented writers, scientists and psychologists, cooks and criminologists, experts from every field of study, makes what I do feel so different from work that my inbox feels like Santa’s magical Christmas bag. It’s always full, always overflowing, but brimming with the potential of something spectacular. All I’ve got to do is pull the little ribbon…
Perhaps that’s why I have such trouble limiting myself to just a few genres. I find it all fascinating! History, business, self-help, science, gardening, cookbooks, crafts, parenting, memoir, true crime and travel. Teach me something new, something I couldn’t find somewhere else, something based on original research and that’s the hook I’m looking for. With fiction, I love quirky, edgy characters. Send me women’s fiction, paranormal, urban fantasy, horror, science fiction, historical, mystery, thrillers and suspense.
Those rare moments I’m not reading or editing or talking about reading or editing or arguing about contracts, sleeping on the train, or tweeting about industry news, I adore classic films and old-time radio shows.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Espionage Military Fiction | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Horror | Inspirational Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Animals | Biography | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Crafts | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Design | Environment | Film Entertainment | Fitness | Food Drink | Gardening | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | History | How-To | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Military War Nonfiction | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Parenting | Politics | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science | Self-Help | Technology | Travel | True Adventure | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Roma Panganiban is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She graduated from Allegheny College with a degree in English and Psychology before taking on graduate studies in Modern and Contemporary Literature & Culture at the University of York (UK), a writing internship in Nicaragua, academic tutoring in the suburbs of New Jersey, and office management for a theatrical costume studio in Manhattan. She began her publishing career at The Gernert Company before joining Janklow & Nesbit in 2019, where she now assists Chris Clemans and Chad Luibl and works with writers across the adult and childrenÕs markets.
Roma’s taste leans literary, but she is open to a broad range of fiction, including novels and collections that embrace genre elementsÑspeculative, historical, mystery, sci-fi, fantasyÑas well as those that defy categorization altogether. She values prose that is thoughtful, clear, clever, and beautiful; compelling, idiosyncratic voices; and fresh, unexpected perspectives, particularly those of writers from underrepresented communities.
Roma is also interested in narrative nonfiction that reorients our understanding of history, culture, science, society, education, and ourselves, whether by established experts or fiercely curious upstarts, as well as creative nonfiction that appeals equally to the heart, mind, and sense of humor.
In childrenÕs fiction, Roma prefers more high-concept, plot-driven MG and more introspective, character- and voice-driven YA, especially featuring protagonists who donÕt often see themselves as the main character. In childrenÕs nonfiction, she looks for books that help young readers better understand each other, themselves, and the universe around them.
Roma is a member of the American Association of Literary Agents (AALA) and an ambivalent Twitter user (@romapancake). She lives in Brooklyn.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Science Fiction | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Art | Biography | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Education | History | Humor Nonfiction | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Photography | Politics | Pop Culture | Science |
Biography
Ammi-Joan Paquette is a literary agent with the Erin Murphy Literary Agency. She has been with EMLA since 2009. Now a Senior Agent, she represents a robust list, including a broad range of NYT Bestselling and award-winning authors and illustrators, across all ages and genres of childrenÕs and teen literature. She is most drawn to surprising plots, tight pacing, and language that makes you sit up and take notice.
In her non-agent life, Joan is also an author herself of picture books and novels, including All from a Walnut, The Train of Lost Things, and the Two Truths and a Lie series, co-written with Laurie Ann Thompson.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Romance | Science Fiction |Art | How-To | Photography |