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7 Insider Secrets to Get a Top Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal
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Literary Agent Directory
Important: Visit each agent’s website (links in their listings below) to see if they’re open to submissions before querying.
Biography
Michael Harriot is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. Over the past 15 years, MichaelÕs client list has featured a variety of high-profile authors such as Yankee great Yogi Berra, Black Francis of the Pixies, Peter Criss of KISS, NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson, Sopranos star Steve Schirripa, and former NAACP president Ben Jealous.
Other notable authors Michael has represented include Tony Fletcher (A LIGHT THAT NEVER GOES OUT), Josh Frank (FOOL THE WORLD), Zachary Jernigan (NO RETURN), Benjamin Lorr (HELL-BENT), and Jeff Salyards (SCOURGE OF THE BETRAYER).
Overall, Michael has represented or co-represented more than a dozen New York Times bestsellers. A graduate of Dartmouth College, he holds a BA in Film Studies.
The first thing I look for in an author is something valuable, thought-provoking, or entertaining to sayÑa compelling story or message weÕve never heard before or told from a completely new perspective. I like an author with a distinctive voice and a command of the craft, or someone committed to working with a quality co-writer to get his or her vision onto the page. Extra points for fearlessness, genuine quirkiness, or a dark sense of humor.
While IÕm open to just about anything smart, well written, and engaging, my primary areas of interest are commercial non-fiction (both narrative and prescriptive) and fantasy/science fiction. On the non-fiction side, I love anything that helps people improve their lives, intelligent takes on pop culture (music, sports, film, comic books), and books that examine unique subcultures. The fantasy and science fiction that grabs me is superbly crafted and avoids the usual tropes or turns them upside-down. I look for strong, memorable characters that are psychologically realistic and emotionally relatable at their core, no matter how fantastic the worlds and events around them may be.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Humor Fiction | Satire | Science Fiction |General Nonfiction | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Diet Nutrition | Economics | Health Wellness | Humor Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Politics | Self-Help | Sports |
Biography
Brittani Harris is a literary agent with the Gold Dust Literary Agency. She says: “After serving in the United States Navy, I decided to continue with my education, graduating from The Los Angeles Film School with a B. A. in Digital Filmmaking. IÕve written and directed several short films that were selected for numerous film festivals. During the pandemic, I decided to obtain an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Queens University of Charlotte. Aside from being a screenwriter and literary agent, I am also a freelance photographer and video editor. In my free time, I enjoy going to the movies, reading, collecting comics and graphic novels, exercising, karaoke, and learning a new language.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Black Literary Agents | New Literary Agents |Crime Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Satire | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |
Biography
Claire Harris is a literary agent at PSLA representing a wide range of fiction and non-fiction for adults. After graduating from The University of Texas at Austin, she got her start in publishing through the NYU Summer Publishing Institute. Claire seeks projects that shine a spotlight on people, places, and events that are often overlooked or not given the attention they deserve. She loves complex and well-developed characters, unique voices, and twisty plots. She enjoys the creative process of working with creators and collaborating closely with them throughout all stages of their careers. Having grown up in Wisconsin, she has a soft spot for stories set in the Midwest.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |BIPOC Fiction | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Short Story Collection | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |Cookbook Cooking | Crafts | Cultural Social Issues | Food Drink | Gift Novelty | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | Lifestyle | Pop Culture | Psychology | Self-Help | True Crime |
Biography
Erin Harris is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. Erin has worked in publishing for over a decade and serves as a Senior Vice President and literary agent at Folio Literary Management, where she focuses on book club and literary fiction, as well as narrative non-fiction. (She also selectively represents Young Adult and poetry projects.) Her clients include New York Times Bestsellers, National Book Award, Pulitzer Prize, and PEN/Faulkner Award finalists; winners of the Lambda Literary Award, Stonewall Book Award, and Pushcart Prize; Indie Next Pick and NYT Editor’s Choice authors; and authors selected for the national book clubs Reese WitherspoonÕs ÒHello Sunshine,Ó Good Morning America, Barnes & Noble, and Target. Her clients have received support from MacDowell, Bread Loaf, Sewanee, Tin House, Yaddo, The Vermont Studio Center, The Rona Jaffe Foundation, and the Elizabeth George Foundation.
Erin collaborates with debut and seasoned authors alike and is honored to champion the careers of: Emiko Jean, Allegra Hyde, SJ Sindu, John Manuel Arias, Michelle Min Sterling, Allie Rowbottom, Adam Wilson, Daniel Levine, Erica Ferencik, Tanen Jones, Laura Maylene Walter, Carla Power, Daniel Pe–a, Curtis Chin, Linda Scott, Jen St. Jude, Kit Frick, Marie Marquardt (and Mayra Cuevas by association!), Jasmine Mans, and Melania Luisa Marte, among many others.
Erin is passionate about books that interrogate our collective and personal histories with heart and intelligence; characters that make us feel and stories that make us think, even as they keep us feverishly turning pages; and book club and literary fiction that is high concept, whether it be contemporary, historical, or genre-bending (i.e. an accessible, elevated dash of fabulism, sci-fi, horror, suspense, alt. history, etc.)
Erin is a member of the AALA (Association of American Literary Agents) and received her MFA in Creative Writing from the New School. She lives in Brooklyn, NY and is a co-curator of the literary event series HIP Lit.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Art | Biography | Current Events Affairs | Education | History | Journalism | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Photography | Politics | Religion | Spirituality | Upmarket Nonfiction |
Biography
Joy Harris is a literary agent with the Joy Harris Literary Agency. She established her own literary agency in 1990. She works primarily with literary fiction, strongly-written commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction across a broad range of topics, memoir and biography, and is drawn to a clear, original voice, an engaging point of view, and strong characters. Joy takes great pleasure in finding new literary voices, and over the course of her career has represented many bestselling and acclaimed authors from the time of their first published work.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Member of the AALA |Commercial Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction |
Biography
Sloan Harris is a literary agent with CAA/ICM. Sloan has been promoted to co-head of publications at ICM, which in Variety’s words “essentially establishes him as heir apparent to run the agency’s Gotham-based powerhouse book operation in the years to come.” The 44-year-old agent will share his new title with Esther Newberg, who has run the book department with fellow EVP Amanda Urban since 1988. Urban is dropping the co-head role; instead, she will turn her attention to running the agency’s international book biz, especially the London office, which she set up several years ago.
Some of Harris’s most notable clients include Hampton Sides, Anthony Lane, Vince Flynn, Anthony Swofford, Michael Paterniti, Susan Casey and George Pelecanos. ICM co-president Chris Silbermann said in a statement that “Sloan has the best of both worlds here. He is a 17-year veteran who is at a time and place in his career where he’s stepping up and taking on managerial responsibility, a growth that has happened organically. At the same time, he is supported by Esther and Binky, who are two of the best publishing agents of their generation and who have built the preeminent publishing agency in New York. We are set up for future growth and a fluid evolution. This is about embracing change while keeping the stability that the department has always had.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Mystery | Sports Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | History | Humor Nonfiction | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics | Pop Culture | Reference | Science | Sports | Technology |
Biography
Steven Harris is a literary agent with and the founder of CSG Literary Partners. He has worked for Warner Books, The New American Library, Penguin, and The Overlook Press, and was an agent who founded and ran International Publisher Associates with Joseph DeRogatis. Together, they successfully marketed “The Cyndi Lauper Scrapbook,” “Shelli Sonstein’s Thoroughly Tasteful Dirty Jokebook,” “The Pediatrician’s A-Z Guide,” and the critically acclaimed “Under the Clock,” among many others.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Current Events Affairs | Education | Health Wellness | History | Humor Nonfiction | Inspirational Nonfiction | Law Legal | Lifestyle | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Reference | Science | Self-Help | Sports |
Biography
Nick Harrison is a literary agent with the WordServe Literary Group. He has worked in the book industry for more than 30 years. He began his career working for the public library while attending San Jose State University where he graduated with a degree in English. Since then Nick has owned or managed both Christian and childrenÕs bookstores, written articles for several prominent publications, and has authored ten books including Magnificent Prayer and Power in the Promises. Endorsers of NickÕs books include Anne Graham Lotz, Lee Strobel, Mark Mittelberg, Liz Curtis Higgs, Jim Cymbala, Chip Ingram, Jerry Jenkins, and Tony Evans.
For fifteen years Nick served as a senior editor at Harvest House Publishers where he worked with several well-known fiction and non-fiction authors. Nick is a popular speaker and teacher at writersÕ conferences where he loves to discover promising new writers. He and his wife, Beverly, an avid quilter, live in Oregon and are the parents of three adult daughters and grandparents of two boys and two girls.
Nick is interested in representing authors of well-written fiction and non-fiction. For fiction, he prefers character-driven historical fiction, but will look at contemporary literary fiction and some genre fiction (mystery, romance, Amish). He will represent fiction for either the Christian or secular market, though if the latter, it must not offend Christian values in any way (language, sexuality, violence).
For non-fiction, Nick looks for books by authors with a strong platform from which to promote the book. He will also consider quality books that are impulse purchases (books that donÕt require a large platform to promote). He welcomes well-written memoirs, books by high-profile speakers or entertainers, health-related books, issue-related books, and Òdeeper lifeÓ Christian living books.
Slow-moving (hard to sell) genres for Nick are: speculative fiction, Bible studies, personal experience books, Bible prophecy, gift books, poetry, and generic Christian growth books.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Christian Fiction | Christian Nonfiction |Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Inspirational Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Religious Fiction | Romance | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Celebrity | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | Inspirational Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Pop Culture | Self-Help |
Biography
Cate Hart is a literary agent with Harvey Klinger. Cate joined Harvey Klinger Literary Agency in 2019 after 5 years with a New York agency where she represented Middle Grade to Adult fiction. She specializes in Historical, whether in Young Adult, WomenÕs Fiction and Romance, or narrative nonfiction. She is particularly drawn to oft forgotten stories of the past and underrepresented voices, and especially personal to her is unexplored Southern history and culture. She also loves high-concept fantasy in YA and Adult fiction. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, studying Theatre and History, Cate currently lives in Nashville with her children.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Action Adventure | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Biography | Celebrity | Cultural Social Issues | Design | Film Entertainment | Food Drink | Gardening | History | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Multicultural Nonfiction | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Travel |
Biography
Glen Hartley is a literary agent with Writers’ Representatives. Glen’s wide experience in book publishing includes top marketing and publisher positions at The University of Chicago Press, Cornell University Press, Simon & Schuster, and Harper & Row (now HarperCollins).
Notes
Accepting Submissions |BIPOC Fiction | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Religious Fiction | Sports Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Computers | Cookbook Cooking | Current Events Affairs | Economics | Health Wellness | History | Humor Nonfiction | Law Legal | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Philosophy | Politics | Reference | Religion | Science | Self-Help | Sports | Technology | Upmarket Nonfiction |
Biography
Sadie Hartmann is a literay agent with Europa Content Ltd. She aka Mother Horror is the co-owner of the monthly horror fiction subscription company, Night Worms and the Bram Stoker Awards¨ nominated co-editor of Human Monsters: A Horror Anthology. She is the author of 101 Horror Books to Read Before YouÕre Murdered from Page Street Publishing. She is looking to acquire horror and horror-adjacent books across multiple subgenres.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Horror |
Biography
Pamela Harty is a literary agent with The Knight Agency. Pamela joined The Knight Agency in the summer of 2000, and has placed hundreds of titles in a broad range of categories, including; health, parenting, southern history, African-American interest, business, motivation, romance, young adult, childrenÕs, middle grade, and Christian living. Recent sales include books to Penguin Putnam, Grand Central, Random House, Simon and Schuster, Harper Collins, Harlequin/Silhouette, Thomas Nelson, Water Brook, McGraw Hill, and Baker/Revell. She brings to the agency a successful sales background combined with a genuine love of books. Says Pamela, ÒAgenting is my dream job. I get to read for a living while working with incredibly talented people in a competitive and challenging industry. ItÕs a great time to be in publishing where there are more opportunities than ever before for writers.”
Pamela serves as The Knight AgencyÕs Vice President of Sales, and belongs to the Association of AuthorsÕ Representatives and Romance Writers of America.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction |Christian Fiction | Christian Nonfiction |Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Satire | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Art | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Celebrity | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Design | Environment | Film Entertainment | Fitness | Food Drink | Gardening | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Parenting | Pop Culture | Psychology | Self-Help | Travel | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Syrone Harvey is a literary agent with the Belcastro Agency. She is an impassioned literary professional, a vibrant force of creativity in the world of books. With an eclectic background in publication, editorial services, and project management, Syrone is dedicated to supporting authors at every step of their writing journey. Syrone is on a mission to be the ultimate “bookend” for authors, providing them with the personalized support they need to shine at every stage of their literary journey.
But Syrone’s love for literature isn’t just professional—it’s personal. As a published author, she knows the sheer joy of crafting a story that touches the soul. To her, books aren’t just objects; they’re the means to transport readers to new experiences and perspectives.
With her sharp editorial eye and a keen sense for market trends, Syrone is the ultimate guide for authors navigating the ever-changing landscape of publishing. Whether it’s guiding debut novelists or supporting seasoned writers seeking a new direction, she is passionate about building long-lasting relationships with her clients. She takes a patchwork quilt approach with her authors—every story is unique and one-of-a-kind. She will walk the literary journey with enthusiasm, expertise, and a shared commitment to bringing exceptional stories to readers worldwide.
She lives in Southern California with her husband, a chatty parrot, and a lively fur baby.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Black Literary Agents | New Literary Agents |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction |Christian Fiction | Christian Nonfiction |BIPOC Fiction | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Inspirational Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Religious Fiction | Romance | Satire | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Animals | Biography | Celebrity | Cookbook Cooking | Crafts | Dating Relationships Sex | Design | Family | Film Entertainment | Food Drink | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Pop Culture | Religion | Self-Help | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Syrone Harvey is a literary agent with the Belcastro Agency. She is an impassioned literary professional, a vibrant force of creativity in the world of books. With an eclectic background in publication, editorial services, and project management, Syrone is dedicated to supporting authors at every step of their writing journey. Syrone is on a mission to be the ultimate ÒbookendÓ for authors, providing them with the personalized support they need to shine at every stage of their literary journey.
But SyroneÕs love for literature isnÕt just professionalÑitÕs personal. As a published author, she knows the sheer joy of crafting a story that touches the soul. To her, books arenÕt just objects; theyÕre the means to transport readers to new experiences and perspectives.
With her sharp editorial eye and a keen sense for market trends, Syrone is the ultimate guide for authors navigating the ever-changing landscape of publishing. Whether itÕs guiding debut novelists or supporting seasoned writers seeking a new direction, she is passionate about building long-lasting relationships with her clients. She takes a patchwork quilt approach with her authorsÑevery story is unique and one-of-a-kind. She will walk the literary journey with enthusiasm, expertise, and a shared commitment to bringing exceptional stories to readers worldwide.
She lives in Southern California with her husband, a chatty parrot, and a lively fur baby.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Black Literary Agents | New Literary Agents |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction |Christian Fiction | Christian Nonfiction |BIPOC Fiction | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Inspirational Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Religious Fiction | Romance | Satire | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Animals | Biography | Celebrity | Cookbook Cooking | Crafts | Dating Relationships Sex | Design | Family | Film Entertainment | Food Drink | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Pop Culture | Religion | Self-Help | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Hilary Harwell is a literary agent with KT Literary. As a proud member of the KT Literary family, Hilary represents childrenÕs and young adult authors. She joined the team in 2016 as an assistant to both Kate and Sara and began taking on her own clients in 2017. Hilary is a graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she earned a degree in Anthropology. She went on to work in the back office of a major Swiss Investment Bank for eight years before deciding to trade numbers for letters. When not reading or editing or writing stories of her own, Hilary likes to hike the Rockies with her family and dreams of one day owning her own horses. As an agent, Hilary partners with her growing list of clients to develop their projects in preparation for submission and strategizes to help them build long-term writing careers as published authors. SheÕs highly communicative, empathetic, and supportive as an agentÐtailoring her approach to each clientÕs unique needs, acting as a strong advocate, and helping them navigate the business side of publishing their work. SheÕs actively acquiring middle grade and young adult projects across all genres; picture books, chapter books and graphic novels by author-illustrators. More about her interests can be found at Manuscript Wishlist. Recent sales can be found on PublisherÕs Marketplace.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Graphic Novel |
Biography
Shannon Hassan is a literary agent with the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. Shannon Hassan has been an agent at Marsal Lyon for over a decade. She represents upmarket adult fiction, middle grade fiction, and young adult fiction and has New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors on her list. She looks for contemporary and historical stories with a fresh perspective and big hook. She received her JD from Harvard and her BA from George Washington University. She lives in Boulder, Colorado, and served on the board of The Dairy Arts Center.
A sample of books Shannon has represented: THE MASK COLLECTORS, a literary thriller by Iowa Short Fiction Award-winner Ruvanee Vilhauer (Little A), INSIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF A CACTUS, an award-winning middle grade series by Dusti Bowling (Sterling), DIE YOUNG WITH ME, an ALA award-winning memoir by Rob Rufus (Simon & Schuster), THE MOON IN THE PALACE, a RITA-award winning historical series by Weina Dai Randel (Sourcebooks), WHOLLY UNRAVELED, a memoir by Keele Burgin (Little A), THE WORLDÕS GREATEST ADVENTURE MACHINE, a middle grade fantasy by Frank L. Cole (Penguin Random House), GIRLS ON THE LINE, a multicultural young adult novel by Jennie Liu (Lerner), THE SILENCE BETWEEN US, a young adult contemporary by Alison Gervais (HarperCollins), and FR€ULEIN M., a historical novel by Caroline Woods (Simon & Schuster).
Before becoming an agent, she was the Acquisitions Editor at Fulcrum Publishing, and prior to that, a corporate attorney at Arnold & Porter in New York. She received her JD from Harvard and her BA from George Washington University, and she serves on the board of The Dairy Arts Center.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Western Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Art | Music |
Biography
Michelle Hauck is a literary agent with the Storm Literary Agency. She devoured the classics at an early age, falling in love with heroic stories like The Three Musketeers, Ivanhoe, and The Scarlet Pimpernel. It wasnÕt until her teens that she got her hands on The Sword of Shannara and discovered a new heroic level in SFF. Now sheÕd like to advocate for stories that take the reader beyond the traditional heroÕs journey.
After graduating with a business degree, with a concentration in finance, Michelle worked as a cost accountant for several years before a short stint as a stay-at-home mom. Then she switched gears for twenty years working in an elementary school, where sheÕs learned a lot about what kids like to read and applied that to her own stories, publishing a historic fantasy series with Harper Voyager.
SheÕs been helping writers long before taking the step to become an agent. Her Midwest roots taught her to pay things forward, and along with several co-hosts, she ran an impressive collection of contests for writers, including Query Kombat, Nightmare on Query Street, and Picture Book Party. She also learned much from six years as a successful Pitch Wars mentor in adult SFF.
Currently, Michelle is taking submissions for middle grade, young adult, and some limited adult genres.
Drawn to all sorts of stories from the heroic to the humorous, she loves big worlds, inventive magic systems, and a rich sense of history. Characters with lots of back-story and villains with shades of gray make her day. SheÕs not the best fit for contemporary with dark themes, but she loves contemporary that can be described as quirky, fun, and light. She wants to look at all things SFF or historical, and wonÕt pass up a cozy mystery, page-turner thriller, or a sweet romance. A dash of politics is a great added ingredient.
She is not interested in nonfiction or picture books/chapter books at this time.
Some books IÕve read recently and enjoyed are:
Where Darkness Blooms, The Space Between Worlds, The Once and Future Witches, Station Eternity, The Swifts, Tilly in Technicolor, Where Darkness Blooms, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The Space Between Worlds, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, This Time ItÕs Real, Legends and Lattes, The Seventh Bride, There Goes the Neighborhood, The Locked Tomb series, the Murderbot series, The Priory of the Orange Tree, Wings of Ebony, Mexican Gothic, Cemetery Boys, Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, How to Trap a Tiger, New Kid, Project Hail Mary, and The City We Became.
Old favorites include The Hunger Games series, The Wheel of Time Series, Anne of Green Gables series, The Legend of Eli Monpress, Ready Player One, and The Questionable Behavior of Dalia Moss.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | BIPOC Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Dystopian Fiction | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Science Fiction | Thriller |
Biography
Susan Hawk is a literary agent with Upstart Crow Literary. She has worked in childrenÕs books for over twenty-five years. Her clients include Rachael Allen, author of multiple YA novels, including A Taxonomy of Love and the forthcoming DC Icons title, Harley Quinn: Reckoning; J.M.M. Nuanez, author of the MG novel Birdie and Me; Paul Acampora, whose newest MG novel is the forthcoming In Honor of Broken Things; Sarah Lariviere, author of the YA novel Time Travel for Love and Profit; graphic novelist Rachel Elliott, author of the forthcoming The Real Riley Mayes; author-illustrator Denis Angelov, illustrator of The Big Scream; and Ruth Spiro, author of the Baby Loves Science board book series and the Made by Maxine series of picture books.
Before agenting, Susan worked in the ChildrenÕs Marketing departments of Penguin Books for Young Readers, Henry Holt Books for Young Readers and North-South Books, where she managed campaigns for many books and authors including Eric Carle, Mary E Pearson, Richard Peck and Joan Bauer. SheÕs also been a childrenÕs librarian and bookseller, and spent some time in Dutton Editorial, acquiring select picture book and YA projects for that list.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Authors and Illustrators Only |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Graphic Novel |
Biography
Anne Hawkins is a literary agent with John Hawkins & Associates. Anne has an eclectic list ranging from thrillers to literary fiction to serious non-fiction. She also has particular interests in science, history, public policy, medicine and women`s issues. One of her first sales was the delightful novel EDDIE’S BASTARD by William Kowalski, which has been translated into thirteen languages. The best-selling Reagan: A Life in Letters reflects Anne’s history and policy interests. Her clients include bestselling authors, Tasha Alexander and Taylor Stevens.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mainstream Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Art | Biography | Current Events Affairs | Environment | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Medical Medicine | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Photography | Politics | Religion | Science | Spirituality | Technology | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Samantha Haywood is an literary agent for adult authors with the Transatlantic Agency. She has been the President of the Transatlantic Agency since 2017. She has extensive experience selling authors in North America for publication and TV/film representation. She launched her client list with Transatlantic Agency in 2004 after working in the international rights departments of Random House of Canada Ltd and WCA Ltd. Samantha represents a diverse and vibrant client list of novelists, memoirists, investigative journalists, graphic novelists, cookbook authors and thought leaders. Samantha represents international rights for the renown publisher, Drawn & Quarterly. She is also a founding member and former President of PACLA, the Professional Association of Canadian Literary Agents.
Some of her notable literary fiction clients include: Khaled Hosseini (THE KITE RUNNER), Iain Reid (IÕM THINKING OF ENDING THINGS), Zoe Whittall (THE BEST KIND OF PEOPLE), Elisabeth de Mariaffi (HYSTERIA), Catherine Hernandez (SCARBOROUGH), Shauna Singh Baldwin (THE SELECTOR OF SOULS), Shani Mootoo (POLAR VORTEX), Miranda Hill (SLEEPING FUNNY), Katherine Ashenburg (SOFIE & CECILIA), Jen Sookfong Lee (THE CONJOINED), Marni Jackson (DONÕT I KNOW YOU?), Susan Swan (THE DEAD CELEBRITIES CLUB), Amanda Leduc (THE CENTAURÕS WIFE), Kai Thomas (IN THE UPPER COUNTRY), Chelene Knight (JUNIE), Megan Gail Coles (SMALL GAME HUNTING AT THE LOCAL COWARD GUN CLUB), Canisia Lubrin (CODE NOIR) and Gary Barwin (YIDDISH FOR PIRATES and NOTHING THE SAME, EVERYTHING HAUNTED).
Some of her notable commercial fiction authors include: Amy Stuart (A DEATH AT THE PARTY), Marissa Stapley (THE LAST RESORT and LUCKY), Nathan Ripley aka Naben Ruthnum (FIND YOU IN THE DARK and A HERO OF OUR TIME), Kate Hilton (THE HOLE IN THE MIDDLE), Joanna Goodman (THE HOME FOR UNWANTED GIRLS), Elizabeth Renzetti (BASED ON A TRUE STORY), and the Estate of A.S.A Harrison (THE SILENT WIFE).
Some of her narrative nonfiction clients include: Jesse Thistle (FROM THE ASHES), Jean Teillet (THE NORTH-WEST IS OUR MOTHER), Samra Zafar (A GOOD WIFE), Plum Johnson (THEY LEFT US EVERYTHING), Eliza Reid (SECRETS OF THE SPRAKKAR), Angela Sterritt (UNBROKEN), Prince Shakur (WHEN THEY TELL YOU TO BE GOOD), Samra Habib (WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE), Rowan JettŽ Knox (ONE SUNNY AFTERNOON), Brandi Morin (OUR VOICE OF FIRE), Rachel Giese (BOYS: What it Means to Become a Man), Stacey May Fowles (BASEBALL LIFE ADVICE), Emily Urquhart (BEYOND THE PALE), Clara Hughes (OPEN HEART, OPEN MIND), Kevin Donovan (THE BILLIONAIRE MURDERS) and David Macfarlane (THE DANGER TREE).
Some of her graphic novelist clients include: Ani Castillo (PING), Robin Ha (ALMOST AMERICAN GIRL), Michael Cho (SHOPLIFTER), Scott Chantler (BIX), and Sarah Leavitt (AGNES MURDERESS) among others.
Some of her cookbook authors include: Sam Turnbull (CRAVING VEGAN), Sara Lynn Cauchon (THE DOMESTIC GEEKÕS MEALS MADE EASY) and Pailin Chongchitnant (SABAI).
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Mystery | Satire | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | BIPOC Nonfiction | Cultural Social Issues | Environment | History | Inspirational Nonfiction | Journalism | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong
Marsal Lyon Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Online Form >Biography
Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong is a literary agent with the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong is a life-long lover of books and enjoys vivid memories of the exact day she unlocked the secret code behind letters that, when combined, form words. Since then, it’s the rare occasion when you’ll find her without a book in her hand, a Kindle in her purse, or a pair of Airpods in her ears while she devours the works of whatever author she’s selected as her new favorite of the month.
Cathie’s journey in the publishing industry was born in 2014 after her oldest child left for college. With newfound time on her hands, she set about writing The Edge of Nowhere, a work of adult historical fiction inspired by her grandmother’s life as a widow raising fourteen children during the one-two punch of the 1930s Dust Bowl and The Great Depression. Three years later, she followed up with her sophomore novel, Roam, a young adult title inspired by the homeless community where she currently resides. The release of this second book coincided with Cathie’s first job as a literary agent where she spent eight years learning the industry before joining the team at Marsal Lyon.
An avid reader of many genres, Cathie represents Adult Romance in every category except science fiction, and Adult Mysteries, Domestic Suspense, Fantasy, light Horror, and Book Club and Women’s Fiction. She also accepts the occasional Young Adult novel in the categories of Romance, Mystery, Suspense, Fantasy, and light Horror. She especially enjoys locked-room mysteries/thrillers, and anything fast-paced that can catch her attention in the first few paragraphs.
Born and raised in Oklahoma, Cathie is a 1992 graduate of the University of Oklahoma where she received a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in history. Usurpingly, she’s a rabid OU Sooners football fan. Currently, She resides in Minnesota where she and her husband of 32 years share and share two grown children and a son-in-law.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Young Adult Fiction | Family Saga | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |
Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong
Marsal Lyon Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Online Form >Biography
Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong is a literary agent with the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong is a life-long lover of books and enjoys vivid memories of the exact day she unlocked the secret code behind letters that, when combined, form words. Since then, itÕs the rare occasion when youÕll find her without a book in her hand, a Kindle in her purse, or a pair of Airpods in her ears while she devours the works of whatever author sheÕs selected as her new favorite of the month.
CathieÕs journey in the publishing industry was born in 2014 after her oldest child left for college. With newfound time on her hands, she set about writing The Edge of Nowhere, a work of adult historical fiction inspired by her grandmotherÕs life as a widow raising fourteen children during the one-two punch of the 1930s Dust Bowl and The Great Depression. Three years later, she followed up with her sophomore novel, Roam, a young adult title inspired by the homeless community where she currently resides. The release of this second book coincided with CathieÕs first job as a literary agent where she spent eight years learning the industry before joining the team at Marsal Lyon.
An avid reader of many genres, Cathie represents Adult Romance in every category except science fiction, and Adult Mysteries, Domestic Suspense, Fantasy, light Horror, and Book Club and WomenÕs Fiction. She also accepts the occasional Young Adult novel in the categories of Romance, Mystery, Suspense, Fantasy, and light Horror. She especially enjoys locked-room mysteries/thrillers, and anything fast-paced that can catch her attention in the first few paragraphs.
Born and raised in Oklahoma, Cathie is a 1992 graduate of the University of Oklahoma where she received a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in history. Usurpingly, sheÕs a rabid OU Sooners football fan. Currently, She resides in Minnesota where she and her husband of 32 years share and share two grown children and a son-in-law.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Young Adult Fiction | Family Saga | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |
Allison Hegan
Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary ManagementCLOSED to SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email >Biography
Allison Hegan is a literary agent with Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management. She is the founder of Purple Elephant Editing. As a Junior Agent, she will be working closely with CEO Italia Gandolfo on client submissions. Most recently, Allison assembled and edited an anthology, No More Endlings: Saving Species One Story at a Time. She has written several articles including, ÒZoopharmacognosy: how self-healing animals could save humansÓ for a London-based pharmacist that was published on mongabay.com, one of the worldÕs most popular environmental science and conservation news sites. Allison has also been a featured writer for the Wildlife WaystationÕs magazine and has written for the British Herpetological SocietyÕs Herpetological Bulletin. Having been in a writerÕs shoes, she will be able to relate to authors and offer advice during submissions and the editorial process.
Originally from Pasadena, California, Allison received her B.A. degree in Geography-Environment and People, and completed both the environmental studies and African studies certificate programs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While studying abroad in Australia, she volunteered with Conservation Volunteers Australia and helped preserve a section of rainforest. Since then, Allison has worked with the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York City, the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy in Virginia, and volunteered as a researcher and consultant for World VisionÕs Natural Environment & Climate Issues department in California. She loves exploring new places and has lived in several cities around the country and abroad.
Drawn into novels with emotionally vibrant, compelling, and often flawed characters, Allison believes the best books are those that stay with the reader long after they have been read. Her current interests include young adult fiction, historical fiction, historical romance, mystery, fantasy, suspense, and environmental topics.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Suspense Fiction |Environment |
Biography
Haley Heidemann is a literary agent with WME Books. Haley has been at WME since 2016. She represents commercial and literary adult fiction, along with narrative nonfiction, pop-culture, and lifestyle. She is drawn to novels with complex female characters, dark female friendships and relationships, queer stories, and a fun family saga. For non-fiction, sheÕs looking for voice-driven narratives, cultural criticism, sex and dating, essay collections, thought leaders, and lifestyle. In both, she is seeking books that move her and say something subversive about our culture.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Family Saga | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Cultural Social Issues | Dating Relationships Sex | Lifestyle | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture |
Biography
Gary Heidt is a literary agent with Signature Literary Agency. represents authors of nonfiction and fiction. In nonfiction he is interested in history, science, popular culture, narrative nonfiction, psychology, religion, and spirituality.
Fiction IÕm looking for now: High-quality literary fiction, science fiction and the occasional thriller. No historical fiction, mysteries, fantasy, cozies or romance. Not that I don’t like them, I just don’t represent them.
In non-fiction, IÕd like to find the following:
¥ History and biography. I am looking for authors with credentials as academics, journalists or independent scholars with some publication credits.
¥ Science. I am actively looking for scientists with writing skills who can explain new developments in science to a popular audience, as well as journalists who write about new developments in science and technology.
I am also interested in exceptional nonfiction proposals in the following areas: reference, pop culture, memoir, politics, cultural criticism and Fortean/High Strangeness/paranormal, or deep politics.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Literary Fiction | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Education | History | Journalism | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics | Pop Culture | Psychology | Reference | Religion | Science | Spirituality | Technology |
Biography
Merrilee Heifetz is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. Merrilee has been at Writers House for over 20 years and was one of the first agents to handle comic books/graphic novels when asked by a very young Neil Gaiman to represent his work with DC Comics (he did promise to write bestselling novels one day and she is very glad she took him at his word.) She is one of the few agents who is well known for representing both adult and children’s books and she finds she has been very successful with authors who don’t fall into categories and who can benefit from overall career management.
Her New York Times Bestsellers include Gaiman, Laurell K. Hamilton, Melissa Marr and Beth Revis, whose 2011 debut novel ACROSS THE UNIVERSE she placed in a major deal. Her award winners include three Newbery Medals (Cynthia Voigt, Robin McKinley and Neil Gaiman) a MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient (the late Octavia E Butler) and many best of the year awards such as the Hugo, the Nebula and the World Fantasy Award. For five years she chaired the Contracts Committee for the Association of Authors Representatives (AAR).
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Literary Fiction | Mainstream Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Celebrity | Film Entertainment | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Reference |
Biography
Andrea Heinecke is a literary agent with The Bindery. Andrea brings a broad publishing background to every project she represents, having worked as an editor, publicist, and literary agent with award-winning authors writing both fiction and nonfiction for adults, youth, and children.
Andrea represents bestselling and critically acclaimed authorsÑthoughtful and diverse women and men who contribute to the culture and dialogue of our world. She has been a literary agent for over a decade and currently represents authors in a variety of categories including religion and spirituality, advice and relationships, psychology, self-help, parenting, and humor.
Her love for the written word began early in life and took her to Seattle Pacific University, where she majored in English Literature. She has served within her community and industry as a board member for the Henri Nouwen Society and a member of the Coronado Junior WomanÕs Club. She lives in California with her family.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction |Christian Fiction | Christian Nonfiction | Christian Books ONLY |General Fiction | Inspirational Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Religious Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Dating Relationships Sex | Humor Nonfiction | Inspirational Nonfiction | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Parenting | Pop Culture | Psychology | Religion | Self-Help | Spirituality |