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The Directory of Literary Agents
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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
Barbara Jones is a literary agent with the Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency. She represents authors behind a range of fiction and nonfiction, from highly literary works to much more commercial fare, with an emphasis across all forms on voices from previously underrepresented communities and on durable talents and stories.
Barbara became a literary agent after several decades as an editor, first in magazines (Grand Street, Harper’s, Vogue, Real Simple) and then in books (as editorial director at Hyperion Books and, most recently as executive editor at Henry Holt). She has also led writing workshops for thirty years, at Yale University, New York University, Queens University of Charlotte, and elsewhere.
She lives in Harlem, New York, with her family.
Barbara became a literary agent after several decades as an editor, first in magazines (Grand Street, Harper’s, Vogue, Real Simple) and then in books (as editorial director at Hyperion Books and, most recently as executive editor at Henry Holt). She has also led writing workshops for thirty years, at Yale University, New York University, Queens University of Charlotte, and elsewhere.
She lives in Harlem, New York, with her family.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction |General Nonfiction | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Upmarket Nonfiction |
Biography
Kima Jones is a literary agent with Triangle House. She is the founder of Jack Jones Literary Arts, a Los Angeles-based book publicity agency for black and brown writers, where, for five years, she worked as lead strategist on all publicity campaigns. In 2017, Kima founded the Jack Jones Literary Arts retreat—a two-week respite and book incubator for black and brown nonbinary and women writers. The Los Angeles Times called Kima “2018’s literary breakthrough” and “an important new voice on the national stage.” In 2019, Kima founded Culture, Too—a mentorship conference for black and brown cultural critics. In the spring of 2021, Kima Jones joined Triangle House Literary as an agent where she is interested in representing literary fiction, essay collections, memoir, hybrid texts, commercial fiction, poetry, speculative fiction, science fiction, and horror. She brings more than a decade of marketing and publicity experience into her agenting negotiations.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Black Literary Agents | New Literary Agents |Commercial Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Science Fiction | Short Story Collection |Cookbook Cooking | Fitness | Food Drink | Health Wellness | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Poetry | Pop Culture | True Crime |
Biography
Gwyn Jordan is a literary agent with and the founder of Gold Dust Literary. She says: “After years of working in the corporate world, I decided to transition to my true calling. I am the founder of Gold Dust Literary Agency, Gold Dust Editing & Book Promotions, and FiBs, a storytelling platform. I graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and from Keller Graduate School of Management with a Master of Business Administration. Watching movies, traveling, and going to stage plays are some of my favorite pastimes.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Black Literary Agents | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Erotic Fiction | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Inspirational Fiction | Mystery | Paranormal Fiction | Religious Fiction | Romance | Satire | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Western Fiction | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Meredith Kaffel Simonoff is a literary agent with The Gernert Company. She joined The Gernert Company in 2022 after ten years as an agent at DeFiore and Company, preceded by six years at the Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency. Her tastes encompass literary and crossover fiction, creative nonfiction, and the occasional illustrated work. She inclines toward bold, humane storytelling that rivets the heart and sharpens one’s ability to make sense of the world. This especially includes works as geographically, historically and emotionally specific as they are resonant, as well as literary-leaning narratives that incorporate ‘genre’ elements to electric result. Born in New York City and raised in New Jersey, Meredith graduated from Yale University. She is proud stepmom to two daughters.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Literary Fiction | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Cultural Social Issues | Dating Relationships Sex | History | Upmarket Nonfiction |
Biography
Jody Kahn is a literary agent with Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents. She represents both literary and upmarket fiction, as well as narrative nonfiction; across all categories she enjoys books that are beautifully written while also containing a rich storyline, and she’s especially looking for deeply drawn characters and voice-driven narratives. Dark and edgy is always a plus, as is humor. She’s also interested in untold stories and misunderstood populations. In nonfiction, she’s seeking narrative related to sports, food, history, science, pop-culture, literary memoir and journalism. Above all, she wants to be gripped by what she’s reading, and taken into a new and riveting world, one that touches her with layers of complexity and does not easily let go.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |General Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Food Drink | History | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Pop Culture | Science | Sports |
Biography
Eryn Kalavsky is a literary agent with Salky Literary Management. Eryn (she/hers) is a veteran of the book publishing industry, having built the foundation of her career in publicity, marketing and international sales at HarperCollins Publishers where she led many New York Times and international bestselling campaigns. Prior to joining SLM, she worked as a publishing consultant strategically helping authors and entrepreneurs develop their book ideas while simultaneously growing their brands and engaging their micro-communities. Eryn has an eye for emerging voices and brings a marketing mindset to all her projects.
Originally a Tar Heel from North Carolina, she’s lived in Italy, Martha’s Vineyard, Boston, New York City and now has built a life in Los Angeles with her family. An innately curious person, she is seeking nonfiction projects that dig so deeply into a unique subject that they reveal universal truths about ourselves and society, practical books that inspire a more fulfilling lifestyle and help us grow in our relationships and build community, and those that excite our sense of taste, style, adventure, and wonder. Her specific areas of focus are: narrative nonfiction, cooking, lifestyle, psychology, sports (currently seeking projects in skiing and baseball), nature, spirituality, wellness, humor and pop culture. She is always partial to projects with a southern sensibility or a west coast vibe.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Animals | Art | Biography | Celebrity | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Design | Environment | Film Entertainment | Fitness | Food Drink | Gardening | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Multicultural Nonfiction | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Parenting | Photography | Pop Culture | Psychology | Religion | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | Sports | Technology | Travel | True Adventure | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Janine Kamouh is a literary agent with WME Books. Janine has been part of the WME Books Department since 2012, where she was lucky enough to get her start on the amazing international rights team. Her list now focuses in the children’s, illustrated, and graphic novel spaces, where she has the honor and pleasure of representing bestselling and award-winning authors, illustrators, animators, creators, artists, and multi-hyphenates. She is looking for stories that reach readers on both a head and heart level; picture books that can stand the test of being read over and over again; resonant storytelling that opens the door to important conversations with peers/parents; laugh out loud middle grade; bold and visually propulsive graphic novel fiction and non-fiction; sidekicks in the driver’s seat; timeless adventure; fumbly, funny, butterfly-inducing YA and crossover romance; and fantasy where real people are thrust into magical mayhem. Janine lives in NJ with her husband and their two little bookworms.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Authors and Illustrators Only |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel |
Biography
Elianna Kan is a literary agent with Regal Hoffmann & Associates. She has been at Regal Hoffmann since 2017. She began her publishing career at Picador and as Senior Editor of The American Reader, where she edited literature in translation. After several years as a Spanish reader for Maria B. Campbell Associates and various US publishers, she decided to immerse herself more fully in the Latin American publishing world by moving to Mexico City where she worked as a consultant for Penguin Random House Mexico’s Foreign Rights Director. She continues splitting her time between New York and Mexico. Elianna is a native of New Hampshire with a BA in Literary Studies and a background in theater from Middlebury College. She has studied Critical Theory at the University of Buenos Aires and is currently pursuing an MA at the Bread Loaf School of English. She is a native Russian speaker and speaks Spanish fluently. She has written about the Latin American publishing market for Publishing Perspectives and has interviewed writers and theater-makers on behalf of The Paris Review, BOMB Magazine, and The Believer. She has a passion for interdisciplinary cultural programming and teaches creative writing and literary translation at Columbia University. Elianna is actively building a list of Spanish-language fiction and non-fiction writers and is interested in literature in translation in general.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | History | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Science |
Biography
Alex Kane is a literary agent with WME Books. Alex joined WME in 2017. He represents bestselling and award-winning nonfiction and fiction, and he is especially drawn to stories that have a strong social or political conscience. His clients have been published in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, New York Magazine, The Paris Review, Harper’s, n+1, and The Baffler among others. He is based in Los Angeles.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |General Fiction |General Nonfiction | Politics |
Biography
Mona Kanin is a literary agent with Great Dog Literary. Inspired by imagination and content creation, Mona spent 25 years designing, writing and making non-fiction media for broadcast, non-broadcast, print, and the web. Mona helped define the audience, the medium, and the message for The Human Genome Project, Weston Woods, PBS, several of the Discovery Channels, and others. Her work won top national awards.
Before she was a producer, Mona was a librarian at the Boston Public Library & for several years managed a small book shop in D.C. She’s always sought to forge connections—between visuals and words, trust and the collaborative process, content and authenticity/emotion. She believes in the power of books to create more empathic beings.
She is seeking smart, resonating projects including literary fiction, memoirs that read like fiction, & non-fiction for adults that speaks to today’s cultural currents. She’s closed to non-referral PB and MG fiction queries at least until Spring, 2022, when she’ll re-evaluate. Authenticity/own voices always essential. Member: AALA.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Art | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Film Entertainment | Memoir | Photography | Politics | Travel |
Biography
Camille Kantor is a literary agent with Kimberley Cameron & Associates. Camille is a mother, scientist, and devoted New Yorker magazine reader. While completing a master’s degree in evolutionary biology, a journey that bridged the birth of her two sons, she became interested in how people communicate about nature and biology. Her pivot into publishing involved attending and graduating the renowned Columbia Publishing Program at Oxford. She now also works as a buyer at her local Indie bookstore: Copperfield’s Books. As an agent at Kimberley Cameron & Associates she is excited to work with authors who have a talent to catch a reader’s attention while describing complex topics and who share in the desire to broaden the general public’s understanding and appreciation of the natural world.
Camille is looking for titles, whether fiction or non-fiction, that will inspire the public to engage with nature while imparting fascinating knowledge about our planet and its inhabitants, whether fiction or non-fiction. She is particularly interested in popular science non-fiction work, such as Darkness Manifesto by Johan Eklöf or An Immense World by Ed Yong, where the author has a commanding voice that feels less like lecturing and more like storytelling.
Camille’s fiction tastes include books that immerse the reader in descriptive but clear imagery and that have themes of nature-human interactions. She especially loves interesting, well-developed characters and high concept literary fiction that approaches philosophical topics about our relationship with our planet, think Overstory by Richard Powers or Dinosaurs by Lydia Millet.
She is not currently looking for young adult literature or picture books.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Historical Fiction | Inspirational Fiction | Literary Fiction | Short Story Collection | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Biography | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Environment | History | Journalism | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Science | Technology | True Adventure |
Biography
Elizabeth Kaplan is a literary agent with the Elizabeth Kaplan Literary Agency. Elizabeth has represented numerous critically acclaimed and best-selling authors throughout her 20-year career as a literary agent. She is known for the sharp insights and editing skills she brings to the development of successful projects and authors’ careers. She works tirelessly to connect individuals, and to find the right home for each project.
After graduating from the University of Michigan, Elizabeth moved to New York City and began her publishing career as the assistant to Jim Silberman, the founder of Summit Books. Elizabeth worked as an editor at Summit for three years before moving on to assist another publishing legend, the literary agent Sterling Lord. Before beginning her own agency in 2002, she worked as an agent at Sterling Lord Literistic, and the Ellen Levine Agency.
Elizabeth’s main areas of focus include: literary fiction, young adult fiction, narrative nonfiction (especially issue-based books), history, biography, food writing and cookbooks and memoir.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Food Drink | History | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture |
Biography
Dorian Karchmar is a literary agent with WME Books. Dorian has been a Partner-agent at WME since 2005, focusing on literary and crossover fiction, and narrative nonfiction. She seeks material that feels both highly relevant and timeless, executed with a distinctive voice, structural mastery, and emotional depth. She collaborates closely with writers to build enduring careers. Some of the writers with whom she works are: Amor Towles; Tressie McMillan Cottom; the late Paul Kalanithi; Daniel James Brown; Beth Macy; Heather McGhee; and Jacqueline Woodson. Raised by refugee parents in New York City, Dorian holds an MFA in Creative Nonfiction writing from the University of Iowa, and lives in upper Manhattan with her husband and two teenagers.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Current Events Affairs | Environment | Film Entertainment | Health Wellness | History | Memoir | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Politics | Pop Culture | Science | Technology |
Biography
Kelly Karczewski is a literary agent with UTA. She joined UTA in 2023, after almost two years at Fletcher & Company. She is currently building her list in both fiction and nonfiction.
In fiction, Kelly is generally drawn towards sharp, contemporary stories that draw you in with a strong commercial hook, and keep you reading with effortless, surprising writing. She’s a bit of an omnivore in terms of genre, but anything that might be a GMA Book Club Pick is usually right up her alley. If there’s a lightly speculative element, a bit of well-placed humor, or female characters with bite, count her in.
Novels she loved: Sorrow & Bliss by Meg Mason; The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer; anything written by Rebecca Makkai; Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore; Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley; Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld; Trust by Hernan Diaz; Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead; Goodbye, Vitamin by Rachel Khong; The Husbands by Holly Gramazio.
For nonfiction, she reads solely to learn something new–and while there is little she isn’t curious about, she’s most interested in exploring topics with bite, especially those that speak to a larger moment in our culture. She’s always eager to read more about sexuality, conspiracy theories, cults, modern takes on dating & relationships, and feminist history.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Art | Beauty Fashion Style | Cultural Social Issues | Dating Relationships Sex | Family | History | Humor Nonfiction | Investigative | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Pop Culture | Psychology | Self-Help | Spirituality | Sports | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Julia Kardon is a literary agent with HG Literary. Julia Kardon was born and raised in New York City. Her first job in publishing, while in high school, was shelving fiction at the fabled Strand Bookstore. After receiving degrees in Comparative Literature, as well as in Slavic Languages and Literature at the University of Chicago, she moved to Prague to teach English for a year. Julia then returned to New York to restart her career in publishing. She joined HG Literary in 2018 after building a list at Mary Evans Inc and handling foreign rights. She is interested primarily in literary and upmarket fiction and memoir, especially with a focus on identity or with an international lens, narrative nonfiction, journalism, and history, and her clients include New York Times Best Sellers Brit Bennett and Etaf Rum, Barnes & Noble Discover picks John Freeman Gill and Leah Franqui, Center For Fiction Emerging Writer Fellow Melissa Rivero, Moriel Rothman-Zecher, Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, and others.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Contemporary Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Cultural Social Issues | History | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction |
Biography
Jan Kardys is a literary agent with Black Hawk Literary Agency. She says: “As the President and Literary Agent at Black Hawk Literary & Portfolio Agency, I help aspiring and established writers achieve their publishing goals. With over 40 years of experience in the book publishing industry, I have worked in executive positions at ten of the major book publishers, including Doubleday, St. Martin’s Press, Scholastic, and Google. I have extensive expertise in editorial, contracts, rights, production, marketing, and consulting.
I am also the Chairman and Founder of Unicorn Writers’ Conference, Inc., a unique and innovative event that connects writers with agents, editors, and publishers. The conference features workshops, panels, pitch sessions, manuscript reviews, and networking opportunities. Since 2008, the conference has been featured in Writer’s Digest Magazine and has sold out five years in a row. My mission is to empower and educate writers and to foster a supportive and inclusive community.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |General Fiction |General Nonfiction |
Biography
Maryann Karinch is a literary agent with the Rudy Agency. She is the author of 33 commercially published books since 1994 and the ghostwriter behind nine other works of non-fiction. Much of her writing has focused on human behavior, especially body language, risk-taking, and human sexuality. Building on her experience as an author as well as her marketing communications background, she launched The Rudy Agency in January 2004.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Computers | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Health Wellness | History | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Politics | Reference | Science | Self-Help | Sports | Technology | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Caryn Karmatz Rudy is a literary agent with DeFiore and Company. She joined DeFiore and Company in the fall of 2010.
Prior to becoming a literary agent, Caryn spent seventeen years as an editor of both fiction and nonfiction for Warner Books/Grand Central Publishing. Her experience on the other side of the publishing desk has armed her with invaluable insight into the hurdles editors face throughout the entire publishing process from the book’s initial acquisition to the marketing, publicity and sales vital to ensuring strong sales…and she believes falling shamelessly in love with a book is the ultimate weapon in any agent’s arsenal.
Caryn graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and currently sits on the Board of Kelly Writers House.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Middle Grade Fiction | General Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Dating Relationships Sex | Food Drink | Lifestyle | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Self-Help | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Barney Karpfinger is a literary agent with and the founder of the Karpfinger Agency. Barney Karpfinger studied English at Columbia University while supporting himself by working as a paralegal. Before establishing the agency in 1985, he ran the contracts department of a major New York publishing company.
Over the years, Barney has represented more fiction than non-fiction. Recently, though, he’s worked on a bit more non-fiction—work as varied as a philosopher’s take on procrastination, a dance critic’s look at grace in all of its manifestations and an investigative reporter’s examination of the big-money business of college football. The writers Barney works with share an ease with language and the ability to tell a compelling story.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Commercial Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery |General Nonfiction | Art | Biography | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Investigative | Journalism | Memoir | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Photography | Politics | Reference | Science | Sports | Technology |
Biography
Kaitlyn Katsoupis is a literary agent with the Belcastro Agency. After receiving a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College, Kaitlyn refused to leave the concept of nightly homework behind. A literary agent for Belcastro Literary Agency, she is also a freelance editor at her own company, K. Johnson Editorial. Kaitlyn started her literary journey as a copyeditor for academic publisher codeMantra, a YA editor for Accent Press, a Conference Assistant for GrubStreet, Boston, a former agent with Corvisiero Literary Agency. She has written various articles for Writer’s Digest and has had a flash fiction story published in the anthology A Box of Stars Beneath the Bed.
Some of Kaitlyn’s favorite books: Cornelia Funke (Inkheart series); Michael Buckley (Undertow series); John Green (more Looking for Alaska, less An Abundance of Katherines); Gayle Forman (Just One Year and Just One Day); Lois Lowry (The Giver series); Scott O’Dell (Island of the Blue Dolphins). Her favorite tv shows are Doctor Who, Buffy, Supernatural, Firefly, basically the nerdier the fandom the better.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | New Adult Fiction | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Isabel Kaufman is a literary agent with Fox Literary. She is actively looking to build her list in fantasy & science fiction, adult literary fiction, horror, historical fiction, contemporary commercial fiction, and upper-level young adult literature. She is looking for smart, inventive, ambitious storytelling and welcomes speculative elements across all genres. She is also interested in creative nonfiction and microhistories particularly related to travel, food, and incisive cultural perspectives on luxury and beauty.
Her taste is varied, but she is consistently drawn to dynamic, thoughtful prose and vibrant character voice. She is actively seeking work from historically underrepresented and marginalized perspectives. She appreciates fresh takes on familiar archetypes, new perspectives on well-known myths and fairytales, and crossover rehabilitations of “archaic” genres such as noir, gothic, and classical revenge tragedy (she has a master’s in revenge tragedy and is willing to get bloody!).
Recent books she has loved include THE GLASS HOTEL, by Emily St. John Mandel; SEVERANCE, by Ling Ma; the LOCKED TOMB trilogy, by Tamsyn Muir; PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE, by Samantha Shannon; THE IDIOT, by Elif Batuman; LUSTER, by Raven Leilani; PLAIN BAD HEROINES, by Emily Danforth; FRESHWATER, by Akwaeke Emezi. Nonfiction favorites include PRIESTDADDY, by Patricia Lockwood; SECONDHAND TIME, by Svetlana Alexievich; BLOOD, BONES, AND BUTTER, by Gabrielle Hamilton; and THE EMPEROR OF SCENT, by Luca Turin. Permanent must-read authors include Helen Oyeyemi and Megan Abbott.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Gothic Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Speculative Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Beauty Fashion Style | Cultural Social Issues | Food Drink | History | Lifestyle | Travel |
Biography
Tamara Kawar is a literary agent with DeFiore and Company. Tamara joined DeFiore and Company in 2022. She started her career with internships at Macmillan and Writers House, then worked at ICM for five years. Tamara represents writer and illustrator clients in both the children’s and adult markets, with a particular focus on talented LGBTQ+ and BIPOC storytellers. She holds a B.A. in Comparative Literature from Princeton University and an M.A. in Middle Eastern Studies from Columbia University. She also serves on the AALA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, where she co-directs a mentorship program for early career agents from underrepresented backgrounds.
Tamara is actively seeking graphic novels for all ages and across genres; science fiction, fantasy, horror, and historical fiction for middle grade, YA, and adult readers; upmarket and book club fiction, especially genre-bending stories, and those with an international bent; and adult & YA rom-coms and romance featuring LGBTQ+ characters. She also represents select nonfiction for young readers, including illustrated projects. Across all categories, she is passionate about championing marginalized voices and perspectives.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Art | Cultural Social Issues | Illustrated | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Photography | Pop Culture |
Biography
Dara Kaye is a literary agent with WME Books. She has been at WME since 2023. She represents adult nonfiction that tells great stories—from serious history and memoir to pop science and parenting—along with select speculative fiction. Her clients include NYT bestsellers and winners of awards from the Locus to PEN America, Fulbright, and NEH fellowships.
Across genres, she is drawn to projects with potential for international success and books that make the familiar world feel new and surprising. In nonfiction, she especially loves working with academics, journalists, and other experts with a knack for communicating original research to mainstream audiences, and with memoirists whose unique perspective stays with readers long after the last page.
Before joining WME, Dara was an agent and foreign rights director at the Ross Yoon Agency and spent two years in South Korea on a Fulbright fellowship. A graduate of Smith College (BA) and University College London (MA), she lives in Washington, DC, with her husband and children.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | General Nonfiction | Current Events Affairs | Health Wellness | History | Journalism | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Politics | Science |
Biography
Trena Keating is a literary agent with Union Literary. She represents a range of talented authors across fiction and nonfiction, including novelists, journalists, celebrities, and experts writing for a popular audience such as professors, doctors, scientists, and entrepreneurs. Her list is a balance of #1 NYT bestsellers and debuts; Trena takes equal pleasure in working with masters of the craft and promising new talent. She manages complicated estates, works with multi-platform authors, develops writers in mid-career, and introduces new voices to the book world. Prior to becoming an agent, Trena was Editor-in-Chief of Dutton and Associate Publisher of Plume, both imprints of Penguin, Senior Editor at HarperCollins, and humanities assistant at Stanford University Press and has had the honor to work with such esteemed, award-winning, and bestselling writers such as E.L. Doctorow, Toni Morrison, and Joyce Carol Oates. She has appeared as a publishing expert on television. In both fiction and nonfiction, Trena is always looking for authors with creative, cutting edge ideas, well-crafted prose, and strong voices, with a particular interest in outsiders’ perspectives that propel readers beyond their own experiences. Authors Trena doesn’t represent, but has recently loved reading, include Peter Attia, Katherine May, Zadie Smith, Ann Patchett, James McBride, and Rachel Cusk.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Business Book | Celebrity | Education | Health Wellness | Journalism | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Money Finance | Science |
Biography
Kristyn Keene Benton is a literary agent with CAA/ICM. She has been at International Creative Management since 2006, which merged with CAA in 2022, building a list consisting of literary and commercial fiction, including narrative nonfiction, memoir, thrillers, young adult, and pop culture. She is a graduate of the Columbia Publishing Course and holds a degree in English and writing from the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Health Wellness | Humor Nonfiction | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture |
Biography
Wendy Keller is a literary agent with Keller Media. Wendy Keller is an award-winning former journalist, a respected literary agent, an author, speaker and acclaimed book marketing consultant. She got her first job as a newspaper reporter as a 16 year old college freshman. Since then, Wendy worked for PR Newswire; the Knight-Ridder newspaper chain; as managing editor of Dateline magazine; and as associate publisher of Los Angeles’ then-second-largest Spanish language weekly, La Gaceta. She founded what is now Keller Media, Inc. as “ForthWrite Literary Agency” in 1989.
Today, after selling an astonishing ~1,500 rights deals worldwide, including 17 New York Times best sellers and 9 international best sellers, the agency Wendy founded is exceptionally focused on helping each author to do three things:
1. Maximize public awareness of the author and their book—before or after publication. In the industry, this is called a “platform.”
2. To find the best publisher possible for each author we represent. We seek an editor who aligns with their vision for the book.
3. To advise our authors on how to become a (more) renowned, recognized thought leader in their topic area, thus increasing profits for everyone.
These days, publishers demand authors who are effective, competent partners in the publishing process. That’s why we screen our potential clients so assiduously—we want them to have a growing platform, a big vision…and the moxie to achieve it. Keller Media helps our authors become highly successful by advising on cutting-edge marketing strategies, advanced book promotion practices, and the best known use of media, social media, and paid speaking. We know that a good book idea + intelligent marketing = a successful author.
Wendy Keller has personally taught +20,000 authors how to get published; and over 7,500 people how to get started as paid, professional speakers—a major method for selling lots of copies of your book. (Check out the “Resources” page so you can get access to her decades of publishing wisdom.)
Wendy was 26 when her own first book was published. Today, she is the author of 31 published books under 9 pseudonyms and 11 self-published books. She has been a featured guest on 53 television programs, including Dr Phil, Dateline NBC, CBS The Early Show, Hannity and Colmes, Crosstalk, Fox, ABC, and Politically Incorrect. She has been a guest on +500 radio shows, primarily in North America, and has been interviewed/quoted in The Chicago Tribune, New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, Arizona Republic, Dallas Morning News, Playboy, The Scotsman, Maxim, Parenting, the Miami Herald and many more.
Wendy Keller is unique among agents because her perspective on publishing was shaped by her early work in the media. She believes that good books are about serving the audience what they want to read—and that it is the author’s solemn responsibility to get their message out in every way possible. As the publishing industry moves into this new era, Wendy is a prominent advocate for authors taking a vibrant, active role in the promotion of their own work. This helps Keller Media authors create maximum impact in the world and maximum profit from their content.
In her free time, Wendy rows on the marina near her home and enjoys hiking, luxury travel, languages, archaeological studies and of course, voracious reading. Parlo italiano e je parle français.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | General Nonfiction | Art | Biography | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Diet Nutrition | Economics | Health Wellness | History | Medical Medicine | Money Finance | Parenting | Photography | Politics | Pop Culture | Religion | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | Sports | Technology |
Biography
Lauren Galit is a literary agent with LKG Agency. Lauren Galit, a magazine editor by training, started the LKG agency in 2005 and is best known for representing many of the stars of TLC’s “What Not to Wear.” She sold Clinton Kelly’s Freakin’ Fabulous books, Carmindy Acosta’s 5 Minute Face and Get Positively Beautiful, and Nick Arrojo’s Great Hair. The LKG Agency has also worked with numerous magazine writers to help them launch their book projects.
However, in 2010, after selling associate Caitlen Rubino-Bradway’s Ordinary Magic to Bloomsbury US, LKG Agency opened its doors to children’s books…and the whole world exploded. Descendants of Revolutionary heroes and traitors, a teen struggling with OCD, art that comes alive, a boy who lives every day twice, a girl on a quest for a new bedtime reader, the dogs of Camelot – LKG authors have explored these themes and more. LKG focuses mainly on middle grade and young adult, only working on picture book projects with already established LKG authors. As for genre, LKG has a special interest in contemporary and magical realism but is open to fantasy, sci-fi, thriller, and more (but maybe not horror).
Regardless of the project, LKG doesn’t stop with the sale, negotiating each contract to make sure authors get the best deal possible, and continuing to hold their hands through delivery, publication, and publicity. Lauren also works with Sandy Hodgman, of Hodgman Literary, for foreign rights for her projects. Because, after all, writing a book is hard enough. LKG will guide authors through all the rest.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Contemporary Fiction | Magical Realism |Biography | Health Wellness | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Parenting | Reference |
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Submit a Question or Comment
If you have a question or comment, click on the red button below and you’ll be able to post it. You’ll also be able to see answers to the questions I’m asked most.
Directory Instructions
Use the drop-down menu on the left to search for agents by genre, gender, location, longevity, or AAR Status. To find a specific agent or agency, enter the agent’s name or the name of the agency into the search box.
Important: If you use the search box, you must remove the search term by pressing the “Clear Search” link before you look for more agents using the drop-down menu (or you won’t see the proper results). Click on the “Show Notes” and “Show Bio” links underneath each agent for more information about that agent.
Have a question or need support? Post a comment or question by clicking on the red button at the bottom of the page.
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About Mark Malatesta
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company Literary Agent Undercover and The Bestselling Author. Mark’s authors have gotten six-figure book deals, been on the NYT bestseller list, and published with houses such as Random House, Scholastic, and Thomas Nelson. Click here to learn more about Mark Malatesta and click here for Reviews of Mark Malatesta.
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Author Coaching Testimonials
“Mark, finding you has been both a treat and a treasure—I just signed a contract with my new literary agent!
My career has spanned publishing, TV, and feature film. I’ve served as Creative Dir. for the Magazine Group, TIME Inc.; Dir. of Time World News Service, a Founding Dir. of TIME-Life Films; Exec. Prod. for both the CBS and NBC TV Networks; Prod./Dir.: Movies of the Week: CBS Cinema Center Films and Universal MCA.
In today’s publishing marketplace, agents come and go. They also very often seem to just want an easy pathway to make a buck. Many authors are let go by their agents because their last book didn’t do well enough and the agent doesn’t want to devote the time to help the author. That’s not what you’re about Mark. Even established authors need this type of support in today’s marketplace.”
Author of ten fiction and nonfiction books
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“I’m psyched to have this be official. After getting five different offers for representation from top literary agents, I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin!
Getting multiple agents interested in my work was really important to me. I’ve dealt with agents before and gotten screwed on things contractually so I wanted to do it differently this time. I wanted choices.
Having you help me create that, and navigate my options, was really helpful. I heard other authors talk about their great relationships with their agents and it made me want the same thing. Now I have that.”
Author of Woman on Fire
(Penguin Books)
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“After sending out the query Mark revised for me, I had the opportunity to speak with literary agents from top agencies such as Janklow & Nesbit, Trident Media, Anderson Lit, and Folio. I signed with Don Fehr at Trident and, a short time later I had a publishing contract with Berkley Books, which recently published my book in hardcover.
Before that, I sent my query letter out on my own to 30 or 40 agents and got a lot of rejections. I then found Mark online while I was researching agents. I was surprised that he offered so much during his initial consultation—for a very modest amount of money.
I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t worked with Mark. I can’t even imagine that now though, because of the grief and detours I experienced before we worked together. It was a time-consuming pain in the neck. If you want to get the attention of top literary agents and publishers, there is no substitute for working with an insider. You can’t beat experience. And having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable.”
Author of Single Handed
(Berkley Books, a Division of Penguin Random House)
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“AHHH! OMG, it happened! I got three offers of representation for my children’s picture book in the United States, even though I live abroad! When I woke up and found the first offer for representation in my email in box, I wanted to scream. But my family was still asleep so I couldn’t. 🙂
Just 8 minutes after I sent a query letter to one of my favorite agents, she replied and asked to see my manuscript. A short time later we had a lovely conversation. She was interested in representing me and sounded very positive and enthusiastic about my book. Since I also got offers from two other agents, I had to turn two of them down. One of them was upset and it felt like I was breaking her heart, but you just have to do it. I kept reminding myself that this is a good problem to have!”
Author/Illustrator of Lon-Lon’s Big Night
and many other children’s books
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“Mark, after you helped me land a top literary agent, I got publishing offers from THREE well-known publishers: Amacom, Palgrave Macmillan, and McGraw-Hill (they’re publishing my book in hardcover)!
I was at Disneyworld with my family, in the Haunted Mansion, when I got the call. I went outside and listened to the voicemail message from my agent. A huge smile came over my face. It was a fantastic feeling. For a moment I felt like life was perfect and the angels were singing.
You’re filling an important need so I’ll say this to every other author reading this testimonial. Mark showed me that getting a top literary agent is a science. If you’ve written a book, or you’re in the process, you’ve already invested a lot—a lot more than money. Don’t stop yourself from getting out there to fulfill your purpose and dreams. Thank you so, so much, Mark!!!”
Author of Customer Focused Process Innovation (McGraw Hill)
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“I got a book deal! After I started sending out my new query letter I had 6 literary agents request my manuscript in a short amount of time, which is awesome. Then, within 2 weeks of my agent starting to pitch my story to publishers, we had an offer. I signed a book contract yesterday. A little while later my agent told me that a TV co-producer asked for more info about my book.
By the way, the acquiring editor that fell in love with the manuscript jumped in with both feet and we just worked out our timeline for publication. She’s as passionate about getting my book out as I am, and that means everything. She read the manuscript in two days and said she couldn’t put it down. And the book is going to be published as a hardcover!”
Author of A Chick in the Cockpit
(Behler Publications)
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“Thank you Mark! After you helped me get a well-known agent with Hartline Literary Agency (for my previously self-published murder mystery), he got me a deal with an American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) approved publisher. I’m hard-pressed to find anything that I had an expectation for that you didn’t deliver on.
Before I worked with you I sent out queries, but no one ever requested my complete manuscript. Comparing your new version of my query to the one I wrote before, I can see a vast difference.
I’ve been in business for 35 years so I’m not just saying this… what you’re doing is phenomenal. There are other people offering similar services, but the difference is your success. Others might say they do similar things but, if you research them, they don’t have your background or track record.”
Author of The Rector
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“Mark, you’re a miracle worker. Thanks to your help with my book, query letter, and synopsis… I now have a legitimate publisher who described my book as ‘Powerful Magic’ and it’s now available in bookstores and online!
I’m a lifelong academic writer who one day found myself writing inspired short stories that came to me in dreams and I began thinking of them as novels. That’s when I had a momentous conversation, an introductory coaching call with Mark Malatesta, the American creative writing coach, or rather, to be precise, a how-to-sell-yourself-and-your-work adviser. It was the best-spent money of my life apart (possibly) for my wedding ring.”
Author of The Black Inked Pearl
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“Within 4 minutes of sending out my query letter, a top literary called me on the phone (the #1 agent on my wish list). Less than 30 days later I had three major publishers making offers. A few days after that, I signed a deal with Random House. Mark, your query letter did that.
My agent talked about the query letter you helped me create for a long, long time. When he first called me on the phone, he hadn’t seen any of my sample chapters. It was just the query letter that did it. Communicating the right thing is so important. You are a wonderful medium helping authors find their voice and elevate their writing from just a hobby to a real business… a source from which they can both learn and earn.”
Author of Lights Out
(Random House)
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“MARK, MARK, MARK!!!!!!! Holy smokes… I just signed my book deal. First, two well-known literary agents asked to represent me. One of them responded to my query letter in less than 4 minutes!!
Then THREE different publishers wanted my book and started talking about making offers. The publisher I chose is perfect for me because they produce titles for the trade, educational, and scientific markets. And they agreed to publish my book as a hardcover!!!
When I met you, Mark, it was a pivotal time. I was under the belief that I could self-publish my book with a vanity press and then seek a publisher. I didn’t know what a literary agent was, why I needed one, or how to get one. I was wandering in the dark. You guided me in the right direction and gave me a solid plan.”
Author of Intestinal Health
(Rowman & Littlefield)
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“Boom!!! I just signed a contract with Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins for (what I’ve been told by several people) is a very large advance for a first-time author.
Before working with Mark I submitted my book to agents but didn’t get any interest. This time around I got a top NY literary agency (Fine Print Lit). What cloud is higher than 9?
I had several agencies interested before deciding to go with Fine Print. And, to be honest, all of the attention didn’t surprise me. The query letter and proposal that Mark helped me develop were incredible. Agents actually said things to me like: ‘Scott, I read your proposal and I’m just blown away by it!’ Mark is extremely talented at what he does. If you have the opportunity to work with him, take advantage of it.”
Author of The Unbreakable Boy
(Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson)