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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.
- The results are being filtered by the character: C
Faith Hampton Childs
Faith Childs Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email * Postal Mail *Biography
Faith Childs is a literary agent with the Faith Childs Literary Agency. Faith represents writers of literary fiction and serious nonfiction, many of whom have won major literary and journalism awards. For more than two decades, she has headed her own agency in New York. Her representation includes these latest books: “Them,” by Nathan McCall; “Of Blood and Sorrow,” by Valerie Wilson Wesley; and “That Mean Old Yesterday,” by Stacey Patton. A lifelong reader and lover of literature in all its forms, she became an agent in order to make literature and the written word central to both her personal and professional lives. In the decade before becoming an agent, Ms. Childs was an attorney.
Ms. Childs is active in publishing education programs, particularly those designed to increase the representation of people of color in the publishing industry. She lectures frequently at university publishing programs, writers conferences, and graduate creative writing programs on the centrality of literature to our culture, the publishing industry, and the relationship between the writer and literary agent. A founding member of Women’s Voices for Change, she has served on the boards of The New Press, the only non-profit press in the public interest, the Advisory Board of the New School University’s Creative Writing Program, and the PEN Open Book Committee.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Literary * Multicultural Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Autobiography * Biography * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * History * Journalism * Memoir * Military/War * Multicultural * Politics *
Biography
Lucy Childs is a literary agent with The Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency. Lucy’s been at the agency since 1995, having switched from professional actress to literary agent. Her clients include Frances Sherwood, Elizabeth Diamond, and Peter Charles Melman.
Interested in both commercial fiction (women’s and mystery), and especially literary fiction (including historical), as well as narrative non-fiction. While willing to read just about anything as long as it’s intelligent and well-written, Lucy isn’t interested in seeing horror, fantasy, sci-fi, self-help, or poetry.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Historical * Literary * Mystery * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Memoir * Narrative *
370 Lexington Ave Suite 1202 New York NY 10017 USA
Jamie Weiss Chilton
Andrea Brown Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Jamie Weiss Chilton is a literary agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. She represents children’s books in all categories, with a focus on preschool, picture books, novelty, and real-world-based middle grade and YA. Genre interests include thrillers, science fiction, and speculative fiction.
Jamie looks for an intense emotional experience, in all categories. She’s seeking manuscripts that stay with her. This could mean the sweet pang of an “I love you” picture book, or the shock of recognition of an honest window to the tween or teen psyche. For the younger age groups, she looks for the hook that will make a book a must-have parenting or educational resource.
Prior to joining Andrea Brown Literary Agency in 2008, Jamie was Conference Manager and Golden Kite Award Director at the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), and prior to that held editorial positions at Random House Children’s Books and an internship at Henry Holt Books for Young Readers.
Jamie received her BA in English from Columbia University. She lives in Los Angeles with her family.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
Biography
Melissa Chinchillo is a literary agent with Fletcher & Company/UTA. Melissa joined the agency in 2004, after ten years of teaching literature, film, and women’s studies at universities in New York and Boston. Melissa is the agency’s Digital Rights Manager and Director of Foreign Rights. In these capacities, she represents the agency at international book fairs and publishing conferences. She is actively engaged in building relationships with key players in digital publishing and ensuring that our clients have access to an array of top-notch services in the electronic rights industry.
She represents a small, select list of her own authors, ranging from academics to syndicated cartoonists, and from debut novelists to well-established authors. Melissa holds a B.A. in English and Philosophy, M.A. in World Literature (both from Simmons College), and is A.B.D. in the Ph.D. program at SUNY-Stony Brook’s English Department, where she also earned graduate teaching certification in film studies and women’s studies.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Literary * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Education * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * Middle Grade * Philosophy * Psychology * Self-Help/Personal Development * Science * Women’s Issues *
511 Sixth Avenue #120 New York NY 10011 USA
Danielle Chiotti
Upstart Crow LiteraryDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Danielle Chiotti is a literary agent with Upstart Crow Literary. Danielle has worked in publishing for eighteen years. Formerly an editor, she joined Upstart Crow when it was founded in 2009, specializing in young adult and middle grade fiction, as well as cookbooks and select nonfiction. Thanks to her extensive editorial background, she enjoys working closely with authors to develop projects. She welcomes first-time authors with a unique voice and point of view.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * NoPB * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Humor * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development *
Biography
Adam Chromy is a literary agent with Movable Type Managment. After receiving a degree in Finance and Management from N.Y.U.’s Stern School of Business and spending a decade as a sales and marketing guru for technology startups, Adam decided to blend his love of narrative with his modern entrepreneurial spirit. The result was Artists and Artisans, where for ten years he represented authors with a professional rigor seldom seen in the book business. After hundreds of published books and numerous bestsellers, Adam reorganized Artists and Artisans as a management company to better serve clients by offering them the higher visibility afforded by film and television adaptations of their work. At Movable Type Management, Adam will serve as President of Movable Type Media, managing a very exclusive list of authors while developing and producing the adaptations of MTM’s clients’ work.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Computers * Cooking/Cookbook * Ethnic * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Reference * Science * Sports * Technology * Travel *
244 Madison Ave Suite 334 New York NY 10016 USA
Biography
Lynn Chu is a literary agent with Writers’ Representatives. Lynn holds a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and is a member of the New York State Bar and of the Bar of the Southern District of New York.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Humor Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Religious * Sports Fiction * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Computers *Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Economics * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Law * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Philosophy * Politics * Reference * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Sports * Technology * Upmarket *
116 West 14th Street 11th Floor New York NY 10011 USA
Steven Chudney
The Chudney AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Steven Chudney is a literary agent with The Chudney Agency. Steven says: “After more than fifteen years in book publishing I founded The Chudney Agency in 2002, specializing in the wonderful world of children’s books. My very first job in publishing was selling paperbacks for Dell Publishing in their small telemarketing department. Since then I have held various sales and marketing positions at Viking Penguin, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, and Simon & Schuster where I was first the marketing director and then director of licensing and brand development. My last publishing position was with Winslow Press where I held the position of Senior Director of Marketing, Sales & Subsidiary Rights. I have sold and marketed every imaginable type of book – adult and children’s, hardcovers, pop-up books and paperbacks—to wholesalers, independent bookstores and chain stores alike. And, having worked at various publishing houses, I know many editors and art directors in the industry.
Successes along the way included the marketing campaign to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Eloise, by Kay Thompson, the launch of the Nickelodeon line of books, and the acquisition and initial development of the Cheerios brand for Simon & Schuster into one of the bestselling board book series’ of all time. Not to mention all the first time novels and picture books I worked on as well. Now, as an agent, I find that I really love the beginning of the process: reading manuscripts and discovering new talent. I also enjoy the challenge of developing authors and illustrators, and making sure their books find the largest audience possible.
Since I began my agency in 2002, I have had the good fortune to work with new and established writers and illustrators, pairing them with the right editor at the right publishing house, and guiding and managing their careers. Working with sub-agents covering TV and film rights, as well as foreign language agents in key territories and countries all over the world, I continue to be excited about the opportunities for my authors and illustrators.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Humor *
Clara Chuiton
Olswanger Literary LLCDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Clara Chuiton is a literary agent with Olswanger Literary LLC. She says: “I represent exclusively adult fiction, with a special focus on romance.
I love all categories of adult romance, with an emphasis on rom-coms and contemporary. I especially love storylines that focus on identity and non-traditional careers, and I am always looking for fresh twists on well-loved tropes (enemies-to-lovers, unlikable heroines, road trip novels…). I also love historical romances that take place in unusual settings and in rarely-written-about time periods.
I’m also looking for science-fiction and horror novels, and manuscripts that blend the two genres. Stories set in space, stories that pose ethical dilemmas, and stories with strong intersectional feminist themes are very likely to interest me.
Essentially, unusual settings, a high concept, and a strong, unique voice will pull me in.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Romance * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Jane Chun is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She has been at Janklow & Nesbit since May 2019. She supports Anne Sibbald and Richard Morris and is currently building her list. Prior to working at J&N, she worked on a freelance project for HG Literary and interned at Writers House and Maximum Films & Management.
Jane is particularly interested in stories that center marginalized communities and prose that is cinematic and atmospheric with good rhythm. In both fiction and nonfiction, she is drawn towards compelling, fresh voices that make her feel as though the writer is in the room with her, telling her their story with intimacy as if they were already acquainted. Regardless of how plot-driven a story is, characters with rich inner worlds and emotional depth are a must for her.
For fiction, she is seeking commercial, upmarket, and literary works in both adult and MG/YA about the search for and rebuilding of identity, diaspora, family and community, and examinations of power in relationships. She is also looking for fantasy, sci-fi, and speculative fiction that delve into sharp social commentary and have meticulous worldbuilding and settings that don’t feel like Western Europe. For historical fiction, she likes hidden histories and anything that is set in a time or place she’s not familiar with or focuses on a community that has been often overlooked if it’s a time/place she knows.
In terms of nonfiction, she is looking for memoirs, essay collections, and narrative nonfiction with a nuanced, intersectional approach and similar themes to her interests in fiction. She also is interested in books about food, travel, pop culture, and cultural criticism that dive deeply and thoughtfully into culture and traditions.
In addition to traditional prose, she is very interested in graphic novels and nonfiction. She is looking for stylistically engaging, unique art that feels either nostalgic without being derivative or fresh and boundary-pushing.
She is not the right person for picture books, prescriptive nonfiction, self-help, religion/spirituality books, romance, commercial thrillers, hard sci-fi, poetry, or short story collections.
For more details on what she’s looking for, please refer to her MSWL: https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/jane-chun.
Jane is a native New Yorker and attended NYU where she majored in History and minored in Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology; Creative Writing; and Spanish. She returned to NYU shortly after graduating to receive her M.S. in Publishing with distinction.
Jane is part of the 2022 Literary Agents of Change Mentorship Program cohort and the American Association of Literary Agents (AALA).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * New Adult * NoPB * Science Fiction * Sports Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Cultural/Social Issues * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * History * Journalism * Juvenile * Memoir * Middle Grade * Narrative * Photography * Pop Culture * Sports * Travel * Young Adult *
Biography
Kayla Cichello is a literary agent with Upstart Crow Literary. She brings to Upstart Crow Literary nearly a decade of experience in children’s publishing. A former Conference Coordinator for the International Summer and Winter Conferences for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, she most recently logged several years as assistant to Senior Agent Jennifer Rofé at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. She is open to a wide range of books, from picture books through young adult novels, and is especially keen to discover unique voices and champion new creators of tomorrow’s classics.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
594 Dean Street Office 47 Brooklyn NY 11238 USA
Andrea Cirillo
Jane Rotrosen AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Andrea Cirillo is a literary agent with the Jane Rotrosen Agency. Andrea began her publishing career in the editorial department of Dell Books where her childhood addiction to commercial fiction was nourished and expanded. After nearly five years on the editorial side of the table, she joined JRA intending to gain a different perspective and has called it home ever since. She has a strong affinity for female voices and primarily represents writers of general fiction, women’s fiction, and suspense, many of them from their debut novels.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Andy Clapp is a literary agent with the Hartline Literary Agency. He was born and raised in Liberty, North Carolina. After graduating from Southern Alamance High School, he attended the University of Mount Olive, where he played tennis. Andy is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree at Liberty University. He is married to Crystal and has two beautiful daughters, Cheyenne and Autumn, and one son, Brady.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Christian Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Religious *
NONFICTION: Christian * Religion * Spirituality *
Biography
Ginger Clark is a literary agent with Ginger Clark Literary. Ginger launched Ginger Clark Literary in 2021 to guide and support authors as they build and grow their careers in publishing. With over two decades of experience at Writers House and Curtis Brown, in addition to active work in major positions at the Association of Authors’ Representatives, Ginger is an expert in contracts, foreign rights, and negotiating with all the top publishers. She prides herself on always putting her clients first. She is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College, and lives with her husband outside New York City.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Fantasy * General Fiction * Horror * Middle Grade Fiction * Paranormal * Romance * Science Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Middle Grade * Young Adult *
554 Boston Post Road Suite 513 Orange CT 06477 USA
June Clark
FinePrint Literary ManagementDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
June Clark is a literary agent with FinePrint Literary Management. As a former agent and now our online administrator, June Clark built a strong client list with a focus on nonfiction projects in the areas of entertainment, self-help, parenting, reference/how-to books, food and wine, style/beauty, and pop culture.
As a published author, June co-wrote Signature for Success: How to Analyze Handwriting and Improve Your Career, Your Relationships, and Your Life (with Arlyn Imberman), The Complete Book of Astrology (with Ada Aubin), and coming in 2022, The Essential Tarot (with Lena Rodriguez and Seanna Rose). She is also the author of The Everything Baby Name Book. In addition, June has also helped write and edit several other notable titles in the areas of health, psychology, and parenting.
June received her M.A. in Writing and Publishing from Emerson College, with a focus on playwriting. Her play, Separation Anxiety, which was produced at the Brimmer Street Theater in Boston. A monologue from the play is featured in One on One: The Best Women’s Monologues of the 21st Century, and will be published in its entirety by Next Stage Press in April 2021.
Before moving into publishing, June worked in the cable TV industry handling affiliate relations, marketing, and promotion for Showtime, Group W Cable, and the New England Cable Co-op, and then worked for several promotion agencies as a consultant and copywriter on campaigns for cable networks including Food Network, HBO, A&E, and Nickelodeon. She is the recipient of a Cable ACE/Emmy award.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Beauty/Fashion/Style * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * How-To * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Reference * Self-Help/Personal Development *
Biography
William Clark is a literary agent with Wm Clark Associates. William Clark is a native of Virginia and was educated in the United States, France, and England. Moving to New York in 1992, he worked at several agencies, including Virginia Barber Literary Agency and William Morris Agency, before founding the agency in 1997.
He is a Conservator member of the Young Lions Program at the New York Public Library, PEN American Center, a sponsor of The Moth, and a member of The Author’s Guild and Shambhala Meditation Center of New York.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Graphic Novel * Literary * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Architecture * Art * Autobiography * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Design * Ethnic * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Law * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Music * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Technology * Travel * True Crime * Upmarket *
54 West 21st Street Suite 809 New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Lane Clarke is a literary agent with the ArtHouse Literary Agency. Lane earned a Bachelors’ degree in English Literature from Virginia Tech, and a J.D. from The University of Chicago Law School. She is a Young Adult author and works as an attorney in Washington, D.C. As the creator of the #BVM hashtag for Twitter story pitch events, and the co-founder of #PitBLK, a pitch event highlighting Black writers, she is committed to making sure marginalized voices have a space in traditional publishing.
Lane is looking for an array of genres in Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult. In all age groups, she would love to see stories by underrepresented and marginalized creators. If your book takes on an old genre with a new point of view (Netflix’s THE HARDER THEY FALL), I want to see it!
In Middle Grade, she is looking for adventure stories and big emotions. Think a middle school version of National Treasure. She loves inquisitive middle grade books that ask big questions. She would love to see horror stories with a historical lens, contemporary books that push against the status quo, and fantasy that takes on underrepresented mythology.
In Young Adult, she is looking for contemporary stories that pack an emotional punch. Coming-of-age stories. She would also love historical fiction similar to Stacey Lee and Ruta Sepetys (certain to make her cry). She is looking for speculative contemporary fiction similar to Adam Silvera and Justin A. Reynolds. Worlds where there is something just a little bit off. She is also looking for books with interesting narrative structures, similar to ILLUMINAE and SLEEPING GIANTS. Multiple POV books should be well-balanced. She is looking for smart YA that takes on cultural issues from the point of view of messy teenagers. She is also looking for college stories, freshmen coming-of-age stories, and books about teens who do something other than college as their next step. She loves found family books! She would love to see Graphic Novels from writer/illustrators.
In Adult, she is looking for romance with lots of tension! Slow burns are her absolute favorite. She is looking for heroines and love interests who do not often get the spotlight – heroines and love interests of color, neurodivergent, disabled, etc. She is also looking for literary fiction that are generational sagas (think PACHINKO) or societal commentary (think SUCH A FUN AGE and THE VANISHING HALF). She is looking for epic fantasy with a strong cultural point of view (THE POPPY WAR and CITY OF BRASS). She would love smart horror that reveals inner demons (STRANGER THINGS SEASON 4 – Max). She would love adult fiction that addresses societal issues (Alyssa Cole’s WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING). Books that elicit strong emotional reactions.
In Non-Fiction, she is looking for little known historical figures who made big impacts (like BASEBALL’S LEADING LADY) in all age groups MG and above. She is looking for humorous essay collections that address societal issues and personal growth (HERE FOR IT). She would love to see memoirs about the immigrant experience.
What She Doesn’t Want: Chapter books, erotica or unsolicited picture books (only send picture books if she has directly requested it).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * Fantasy * Graphic Novel * Horror * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * New Adult * Romance * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * Ethnic * History * Humor * Memoir * Middle Grade * Multicultural * Self-Help/Personal Development * Young Adult *
Biography
Bill Clegg is a literary agent with The Clegg Agency. Bill represents authors such as Mary Jo Bang, Bonnie Jo Campbell, Mark Doty, Rivka Galchen, Daniyal Mueenuddin, Salvatore Scibona, and Rebecca Wolff. But he’s an author, too, having published last year the memoir Portrait of an Addict as Young Man and this April the follow-up Ninety Days: A Memoir of Recovery. Both published by Little, Brown, the memoirs delve into Clegg’s drug addiction and recovery.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Literary * Mystery * Science Fiction * Short Story Collection * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Military/War * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * True Crime *
156 Fifth Avenue Suite 1210 New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Lucy Cleland is a literary agent with Calligraph. She is a literary agent representing idea-driven and narrative nonfiction of all stripes, upmarket fiction, and select children’s projects. Her list is bold and eclectic, united by an overarching interest in how culture shapes us (and how we shape it). Her clients have been Pulitzer finalists, winners of the NBCC Award and PEN America Awards, recipients of MacArthur “Genius” grants, and elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; their books have been featured in the New Yorker’s Briefly Noted, New York Time’s Editors’ Choice, and best books of the year lists, as well as ranked as USA Today Bestsellers and selected for Book of the Month Club.
In nonfiction, she gravitates towards cultural criticism, social science, and psychology that offers powerful clarity, history that informs how we see the world today, literary nonfiction that plunges readers into a unique subject or experience, essays with an intellectual core, and ‘big idea’ books that carve out new territory in contemporary conversations, particularly around feminism, law, race, philosophy, and technology. In fiction, she’s drawn to novels anchored by craft and animated by potent commercial concepts (speculative and magical realism welcome!), as well as historical fiction that immerses readers in non-Western settings.
A southern transplant to Boston from Atlanta, Lucy graduated from Wellesley College and cut her teeth as an agent working closely with Jill Kneerim at Kneerim & Williams. She lives with her wife and a lot of books in Jamaica Plain.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Historical * Magical Realism * Mystery * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Education * General Nonfiction * History * Investigative * Journalism * Juvenile * Law * Multicultural * Narrative * Philosophy * Politics * Psychology * Science * Technology * Upmarket * Women’s Issues *
88 Broad St. Suite 503 Boston MA 02110 USA
Biography
Chris Clemans is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. A native of Western Massachusetts, Chris Clemans received his BA in English from Duke University, with a minor in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. After internships at The New Republic and The New York Observer, he began his career in publishing at William Morris Endeavor. In 2014, he left WME to help Bill Clegg start The Clegg Agency, where he began representing a growing list of authors. He joined Janklow & Nesbit in 2018.
His authors have been published in The New Yorker, The Paris Review, Harper’s, Granta, TIME, Tin House, Lapham’s Quarterly, The Los Angeles Review of Books, Ploughshares, The Kenyon Review, and elsewhere, and their books have garnered rave reviews from The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Guardian, The Economist, Vogue, NPR’s Fresh Air, and other publications. His taste in fiction tends toward the literary, and on the nonfiction side he’s interested in narrative journalism, cultural criticism, and voice-driven memoir and essays.
Recent and upcoming titles by his authors include: Eat the Apple by Matt Young (Bloomsbury); The Barrowfields by Phillip Lewis (Hogarth); Every Other Weekend by Zulema Renee Summerfield (Little, Brown); Come West and See by Maxim Loskutoff (W.W. Norton); The Devoted by Blair Hurley (W.W. Norton); Such Good Work by Johannes Lichtman (Simon & Schuster); Talent by Juliet Lapidos (Little, Brown); and Looker by Laura Sims (Scribner).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Literary *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cultural/Social Issues * General Nonfiction * Journalism * Memoir * Narrative *
285 Madison Avenue 21st Floor New York NY 10017 USA
Jonathan Clements
Wheelhouse Literary GroupDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email * Online Form *Biography
Jonathan Clements is a literary agent with and the founder of Wheelhouse Literary Group. He has worked in the entertainment industry for more 20 years, calling Nashville home for the full term. While he has an extensive background in artist and brand management, career development and consulting, he found his calling in 2005, beginning working with authors as a literary agent.
Jonathan founded Wheelhouse Literary Group in 2010, after spending the previous five years working with authors and brands for another agency. His loves include coffee, music, and the ever-elusive well-crafted sentence. Therefore, you may just find him at the local coffee shop, multitasking on his laptop, conducting client meetings, reading manuscripts, and well … enjoying some java drink sure to have cinnamon sprinkles on top. Of course, the end goal is helping writers communicate their passion to the masses, to encourage creative types in spreading their message via book, film, television, or the latest medium available.
Wheelhouse represents commercial and literary fiction in the general areas of inspirational, historical, contemporary, military, as well as biography/memoir, sports, political, current events and pop culture non-fiction — all with a values-friendly approach. Wheelhouse clients reach audiences seeking stimulating storylines, poignant prose and motivating messages.
Jonathan and Wheelhouse have worked with dozens of influential writers and brands within the entertainment and publishing worlds over the years, many culminating in New York Times list best-selling books, feature films, documentaries, and television series under his guidance. Always open to a new project pitch, you won’t meet a more approachable agent. Just don’t forget the coffee.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Espionage/Military * General Fiction * Historical * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Religious * Romance * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Christian * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Spirituality * Sports *
Biography
Marisa Cleveland is a literary agent with The Seymour Agency. She joined the Agency in 2009 and oversees publishing innovations and initiatives by implementing the Agency’s communication strategies and developing the enterprise media strategy. She is responsible for spearheading the Agency’s efforts to identify, inform, and involve the literary community in outreach and advocacy programs.
Marisa has been featured at various book festivals and participated in panels and workshops on branding, communication, cultural agility, diversity, and the state of the industry.
Her efforts to support literacy include establishing the Agency’s literacy fundraiser, supporting authors in their writing endeavors with motivational events, and teaching writing workshops. With more than two decades of experience in the education and publishing industries, Marisa is adamant about supporting efforts toward the betterment of the human condition. Gulfshore Business and D’Latinos magazines honored Marisa with the Arts and Culture 2015 FACE Award, and in 2014, Gulfshore Business selected her as a “40 Under Forty” honoree.
As a New York Times bestselling author, she has 8 academic peer-reviewed publications, 1 academic book chapter, over 20 published book remarks in a regional newspaper, and 9 published novels. She earned her doctorate in organizational leadership from Northeastern University, earned her master’s in educational administration and a bachelor’s in speech communications from George Mason University, and is a 2015 Leadership Marco graduate.
If you are considering querying Marisa, please click here to read the four things she thinks everyone should know before querying her.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business *
4100 Corporate Square Suite 140 Naples FL 34104 USA
Biography
Christina Clifford is a literary agent with Union Literary. She is a recent addition to the Union Literary team, having worked for many years as an agent at Melanie Jackson Agency where she represented several award-winning authors and found US homes for the works of international authors. A lifelong New Yorker and lover of the written word, Christina is looking for both seasoned authors and new voices in fiction and nonfiction. She specializes in literary fiction and has a soft spot in her heart for international fiction hailing from the homeland of authors like William Trevor, Edna O’Brien, and Zadie Smith, not to mention Rohinton Mistry, Mario Vargas Llosa and J.M. Coetzee and Nadine Gordimer. She is also interested in continuing to build a narrative nonfiction list in the genres of historical biography, memoir, business, and science. She has three children and lives in New York City.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Literary *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Money/Finance * Science * Sports *
30 Vandam Street Suite 5A New York NY 10013 USA
Amy Cloughley
Kimberley Cameron & AssociatesDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Amy Cloughley is a literary agent with Kimberley Cameron & Associates. She came to Kimberley Cameron & Associates in 2013 and has studied creative writing, journalism, and literature and holds a B.S. in magazine journalism. She worked in editorial and marketing roles in magazine publishing and corporate business before shifting her professional focus to her lifelong love of books in 2013 when she joined Kimberley Cameron & Associates. She now leverages her background in both words and business to benefit her clients. She seeks authors with unique, clear voices who put forth smart, tightly-written prose. She is actively building her client list with both debut and veteran writers.
Whether literary, upmarket, or commercial, she leans toward grounded novels with a distinct sense of place. She loves a page-turning mystery or domestic suspense with sharp wit and unexpected twists and turns. She also loves well-researched historicals as well as bookclub fiction that has a fresh perspective. She has a soft spot for distinctive, strong, contemporary characters set in small towns. Amy always looks for an unexpected story arc, a suitable pace, and a compelling protagonist.
She is interested in narrative nonfiction that is immersed in a culture, lifestyle, discipline, or industry. She does not represent childrens/YA literature of any kind, science fiction, fantasy, or self-published books.
Amy is a current member of the AALA. Check out her Manuscript Wish and her Publisher’s Marketplace pages to get a sense of the types of projects she represents.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Historical * Literary * Mystery * Suspense * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * Lifestyle * Memoir * Narrative * Travel * True Adventure *
Erin Clyburn
Howland LiteraryDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Erin Clyburn is a literary agent with Howland Literary. Prior to joining Howland Literary in 2022, Erin Clyburn was an associate agent with The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency. She was the general manager and director of collection development for Turtleback Books, a distributor of books to the school and library market, and she has over a decade of experience in magazine publishing, having worked for brands including Food & Wine, Cooking Light, People, and Entertainment Weekly. She received her BA in English Literature from Mississippi State University and her MA in Children’s Literature from Hollins University. She lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her partner, Michael, and three unruly rabbits.
Erin represents middle grade fiction, YA fiction, and adult fiction and nonfiction.
In middle grade, Erin is looking for horror, mystery, grounded stories with a speculative element, magical realism/fabulism, big-hearted contemporary, & adventure stories. Middle grade favorites include The Riverman, Small Spaces, Ghost (The Track series), Hide and Seeker, Greenglass House, and The Canning Season. In YA fiction, she is looking for horror, mystery, thriller, grounded stories with a speculative element, magical realism/fabulism, Southern gothic, and rom-coms (heavy on the com). Young adult favorites include Clown in a Cornfield, Neverworld Wake, The Taking of Jake Livingston, Ace of Spaces, and The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender.
In adult fiction, she is looking for literary and upmarket projects in speculative fiction, horror, mystery, psychological thrillers, domestic thrillers, magical realism/fabulism, Southern gothic, and rom-coms. Adult favorites include Catherine House, Leave the World Behind, Long Division, The Scent Keeper, The Girl Before, Mexican Gothic, When No One Is Watching, Never Let Me Go, The Elementals, The Age of Miracles, Baby Teeth, and Every Bone a Prayer. She is also looking for commercial psychological and domestic thrillers in the vein of Ruth Ware and Lisa Jewell.
In nonfiction, she’s interested in intersectional perspectives and is looking for deeply researched narrative nonfiction and deep dives into topics including medicine, pop science, nature/environment, food and culinary history, and pop culture, specifically video games, music, and film/TV. She’d love to see nonfiction in the vein of The Radium Girls, Cultish, Hurts So Good, Tacky, Taste Makers, The Book of Eels, Hidden Valley Road, and Finding the Mother Tree.
An Alabamian with Louisiana roots, Erin is particularly interested in Southern literary and upmarket fiction from diverse voices in the above genres. Across the board, she gravitates toward lyrical writing and to works that are strange and genre-bendy. Send her your weirds.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Horror * Humor Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * NoPB * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * History * Journalism * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Nature * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Technology * True Adventure * Women’s Issues *
Biography
Frances Coady is a literary agent with the Aragi Agency. She represents fiction and nonfiction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Graphic Novel *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Narrative *
143 W. 27th Street #4F New York NY 10001 USA
Biography
Jonathan Cobb is a literary agent with HG Literary. He began working at HG Literary in the summer of 2016. After graduating from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, he decided to follow his dream of joining the publishing industry by moving to New York. He gained valuable experience interning at NYU Press and Writers House, while also pursuing a Master’s degree in Publishing: Digital and Print Media at NYU.
Jon reads all genres of fiction but has a particular interest in contemporary middle grade and YA, adult science fiction and fantasy, African-American fiction, literary fiction, and mysteries and thrillers.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Espionage/Military * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * NoPB * Science Fiction * Short Story Collection * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
6 West 18th Street #7R New York NY 10011 USA
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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)