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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: H
Bethany Fulk Hendrix
Holloway LiteraryDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Bethany Fulk Hendrix is a literary agent with Holloway Literary. Prior to being promoted to her current position, she has been with the agency as an intern and then an assistant for the past two years. She graduated from Davis and Elkins College cum laude in 2017 with a BA in English. Following graduation, Bethany worked as a public relations assistant and most recently as an editorial assistant. Before joining Holloway Literary, Bethany interned with North Star Editions and Foundry Literary and Media.
Bethany now lives in Virginia with her husband, and enjoys spending her time writing and reading.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Middle Grade Fiction * Paranormal * Sports Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Alyssa Eisner Henkin is a literary agent with Birch Path Literary. She says: “Upon earning my bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Pennsylvania, I fulfilled a childhood dream – to move to New York and work with books. I was fortunate to land a job in editorial at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. At S&S, the time spent learning about the rapidly flourishing kidlit market from the wisest of colleagues was invaluable to my career. Ultimately my entrepreneurial drive led me to become a literary agent at Trident Media Group. At TMG, I cultivated a stable of bestselling and multi-award-winning children’s book authors. A plethora of ancillary deals for audio, film, theatrical, merchandising, and international editions has made me an ardent advocate for the rights of creators.
With the founding of Birch Path Literary, I have the privilege of “soul” proprietorship. I come from a long line of business owners who have always valued professional integrity, optimism, and passion. Just as enterprising Anne Shirley strode down her Birch Path, I thrive on navigating intricate labyrinths with each author and illustrator. We plot and strategize the best long-term opportunities across genre, format, and territory amidst an everchanging but verdant landscape for stories.
Timeless telling styles always entice me as a bicentennial baby fed on Bemelmans, Betsy-Tacy, Burnett, and the Brontës. Yet I am especially hungry for bold, change-making projects that promote underrepresented perspectives and foster inclusion. Certainly, the two categories are not mutually exclusive. My favorite books are character-driven, quirky, heartfelt, slyly humorous, and ultimately hopeful.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Juvenile * Middle Grade * Travel * Upmarket * Young Adult *
Bryn Mawr PA 19010 USA
Biography
Richard Henshaw is a literary agent with Richard Henshaw Group. He holds a BA in English with a minor in Philosophy from Franklin & Marshall College. Upon graduation, he moved to New York City where he briefly worked for a law firm and studied at New York University’s Publishing Institute before joining Richard Curtis Associates in the fall of 1987 where, over the course of eight years, he rose to the position of full agent with a concentration on popular fiction. He also held the title of Director of Foreign Rights and was responsible for marketing the translation rights to over 150 professional writers. In 1995 he formed Richard Henshaw Group LLC, where he continues to focus on popular fiction as well as a wide variety of nonfiction and is a specialist in the marketing of translation rights. He is a member of the Association of Authors’ Representatives and has served for over ten years on the organizations’ International Rights Committee.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Horror * Juvenile Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Paranormal * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Computers * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Ethnic * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Politics * Science * Sports * Technology *
145 West 28th Street 12th Floor New York NY 10001 USA
Chelsea Hensley
KT LiteraryDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Chelsea Hensley is a literary agent with KT Literary. Before joining kt literary, Chelsea was a freelance editor and perpetual publishing intern. In 2018 she mentored in Pitch Wars and most recently was an editorial intern at Page Street Publishing where she assisted on titles from Addie Thorley and Breanna Shields. She has a BA in English from the University of Missouri and lives and works as a bookseller in St. Louis, MO. She likes fresh and imaginative SFF, dark and twisty mysteries/thrillers, and whipsmart protagonists. She is interested in working with authors belonging to groups traditionally underrepresented in publishing, especially Black authors. When she isn’t working, she can be found playing Dungeons & Dragons, watching The Golden Girls, or playing with her dog.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Fantasy * Horror * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Science Fiction * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Deborah Levine Herman is a literary agent with the Jeff Herman Agency. Deborah met Jeff when it was recommended he represent her work. Even though she was not quite ready for the big time, Jeff threw her into the business end of things where she learned how to evaluate and write book proposals. Deborah’s education in Law and Journalism helped her expand on the basic style that eventually led to the format the two co-authored in their book: Write the Perfect Book Proposal: Ten Proposals that Worked and Why.
Deborah’s first passion was writing and a love of books so whenever an opportunity presented itself she took it. This is how she wound up writing over thirteen traditionally published books ranging from legal self-help to motherhood to spiritual writing. Her most challenging book and the one she had hoped to write is Member of the Family: My Story of Charles Manson, Life Inside His Cult and the Darkness that Ended the Sixties. Co-authored with Dianne “Snake” Lake, this bestseller gave Deborah the chance to stretch her skills leading to a new path as a memoir consultant.
Deborah wears many hats. She is an Indie hybrid micro-publisher. However, her company has traditional bookstore distribution. This is something she learned is not available to most hybrid authors and definitely not available to DIY self-publishers. Her company Micro Publishing Media, Inc offers access and opportunity especially for the entrepreneurial authors who know how to reach their readers.
From this business, Deborah created Book Marketing Academy. This has created a benefit for the Agency for those authors who want to build an online presence. After taking three MBA level intensives through Rutger’s mini MBA program, Deborah saw that the future was in online digital marketing. A marketing pioneer, she now has a company dedicated to author branding and editorial consultation.
And finally, Jeff and Deborah are the cofounders of Writers Networking. This is an online social network bringing writers together with industry insiders.
And just to be sure she would never be without an agent, Deborah married Jeff over 24 years ago and made him stepdad to three children and a menagerie of pets.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Business * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Psychology * Reference * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * True Crime *
PO Box 1522 3 Elm Street Stockbridge MA 01262 USA
Biography
Jeff Herman is a literary agent with the Jeff Herman Agency. Jeff opened his literary agency in the mid-1980s while in his mid-20s. He has made nearly one-thousand book deals, including many bestsellers.
Shortly after graduating from Syracuse University, Herman was riding the subway on a hot summer day when he spotted an ad stating: “I found my job in The New York Times.” He promptly bought a copy and answered some Help-Wanted ads. A few days later he was summoned for an interview with the Publicity Director at an independent publishing house, and was hired on the spot as her assistant for $200 a week (1981). Showering, shaving, wearing a suit, saying little and promising to show up were the clinchers.
The publicity department comprised Herman and his boss, who took her summer vacation his first week on the job. He was left “in charge” though he knew nothing about publicity, publishing or how an office functioned. But he was a quick study and soon helped make WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE a massive bestseller.
In time, Herman followed the money into corporate marketing, where he worked on various product promotion campaigns for Nabisco, AT&T, and many other large and small brands. But books were his passion and calling.
His wife and business partner, Deborah Herman, also has a passion for books. The two work in separate capacities, Deborah curating and developing titles, and Jeff spotting the gems and making the deals.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Christian * Computers * Current Events/Affairs * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Practical * Psychology * Reference * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Technology * True Crime *
PO Box 1522 3 Elm Street Stockbridge MA 01262 USA
Katia Herman
The Herman AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Katia Herman is a literary agent with The Herman Agency. She graduated from NYU, where she created her own major in painting and writing. Katia now has 2 sons and 2 stepsons, ages 13, 10, 11 and 4, so she is a very busy woman in a home with 5 males! Middle grade books are not only something she enjoys reading, but a genre she has read to her boys and to which she feels connected to. Katia wrote and illustrated her first “book”, You Get Some Good and You Get Some Bad, when she was eight years old. Throughout high school (Fieldston in NYC) she wrote endless poems and found solace in characters in literature from Anna in Anna Karenina to Holden Caulfield in Catcher in The Rye. As Katia got older, she loved the complex voice of Nabokov and got through her teenage and young adult years with the help of Sharon Olds, Adrienne Rich and T.S. Eliot. These are years she still holds onto, and it is no wonder she finds herself an agent for YA and middle grade books. She loves these genres! Katia also runs her own high-end flower design business and teaches work-out classes. If you are wondering if Katia is related to Ronnie, the answer is yes; she is Ronnie’s much loved younger daughter.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Middle Grade Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Ronnie Ann Herman
The Herman AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Ronnie Ann Herman is a literary agent with The Herman Agency. Ronnie started the Herman Agency in 1999 and represents leading illustrators and author/illustrators in today’s children’s book market. As a former Art Director at Random House and Art Director, Associate Publisher and V.P. at Grosset & Dunlap, a division of Penguin Random House. Ronnie art directed thousands of children’s books during her more than 20 years in publishing. Ronnie is also the author of 14 children’s books and one of her books has been on the NY Times best-seller list. Ronnie and the Agency are affiliated with the following organizations: SCBWI, Authors’ Guild, Graphic Artists’ Guild, U.S. Association of Accredited Business.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book *
NONFICTION: Education * Juvenile * Middle Grade *
Saritza Hernandez
Andrea Brown Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Saritza Hernandez is a literary agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Known as the first literary agent to represent marginalized creators in the digital publishing space, Saritza is a self-proclaimed geek with a passion for all things Star Wars, Star Trek, and tabletop gaming. Her love of great storytelling is what has driven her work in the publishing industry for the past 17 years and her passion for amplifying queer and BIPOC voices is what continues to drive her today. An avid romance and science-fiction reader, and strong advocate of the LGBTQ+ community, she enjoys fresh voices in YA and adult genre fiction. She specializes in romance and young adult fiction by and for diverse audiences.
She also represents writers and illustrators for middle grade, young adult, and adult (fiction and nonfiction) and is actively building her list in the following categories:
Adult fiction – romance, science fiction, fantasy, and horror.
Adult narrative nonfiction – cooking books (not cookbooks), parenting, humor.
Young adult and middle grade fiction – contemporary/realistic fiction, romance, science fiction, fantasy, mystery and horror.
Young adult and middle grade nonfiction – cooking books, humor, queer narratives, queer history.
Graphic novels – adult, young adult, middle grade (including nonfiction).
Illustrators – middle grade to adult categories
Her client titles include: 2018 Lambda Literary Finalist and 2017 NYPL Book of the Year DREADNOUGHT (Diversion Books) by April Daniels; 2019 RITA Winner, THREE-WAY SPLIT (Entangled) by Elia Winters; 2020 YA Debut, SALTY, BITTER, SWEET (Blink/HarperCollins) by CNN Producer Mayra Cuevas; and 2021-2022 YA contemporary fiction titles, TROUBLE GIRLS by Julia Lynn Rubin (Wednesday/Macmillan); and UNEXPECTING by Jen Bailey (Wednesday/Macmillan).
Saritza teaches a 10-week course at the UCLA Extension on publishing for the Writing Department, speaks at writer workshops across the country and through her local library system in Orlando, Florida and various “LitLando” writing community groups. She also participates in book events like the upcoming virtual book festival Wordplay, hosted by The Loft.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Erotica * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Horror * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Family * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * History * Middle Grade * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Science * Young Adult *
Biography
Paloma Hernando is a literary agent with Einstein Literary Management. She joined Einstein Literary Management as an Associate Agent in 2020. Paloma has been working in independent publishing since 2015, involved in editing, publishing, and selling mini-comics, zines, graphic novels, webcomics, and large-scale anthologies. A 2017 graduate of Maryland Institute College of Art, Paloma currently lives in Brooklyn.
Paloma’s favorite books often have a bit of magic in them, and she loves being able to dive into any world, real or invented, presented on the page. She is looking for both graphic novels and prose fiction for YA or adult, including more mature stories, particularly ones that deal with difficult emotions and nuanced characters. She loves romance, particularly queer romance, science fiction that feels fresh, high fantasy, and middle grade with a good sense of humor. She is interested in non-fiction for all ages, especially anything that digs into media analysis or an event in history. She loves a story with a strong voice and solid construction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Humor Fiction * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Romance * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * History * Juvenile * Middle Grade * Technology * Young Adult *
27 West 20th Street Suite 1003 New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Jennifer Herrera is literary agent with the David Black Agency. Jenny joined the David Black Agency in 2015 after working at Fletcher & Company and Europa Editions, where she was an early advocate of Elena Ferrante. She went to college in Ohio, where she studied Philosophy, French, and Russian, and has master’s degrees in Philosophy and Social Sciences. She loves reading non-fiction books about big ideas and fiction that is thoughtful, unselfconscious, and authentic. She perhaps consumes excessive amounts of coffee.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Computers * Economics * Ethnic * Health/Wellness * History * Journalism * Lifestyle * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Philosophy * Prescriptive * Psychology * Science * Technology * Upmarket *
335 Adams St. Suite 2707 Brooklyn NY 11201 USA
Ali Herring
Spencerhill AssociatesDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Ali Herring is a literary agent with Spencerhill Associates. Ali joined Spencerhill in 2017 after moving back to Georgia from Connecticut, where she interned for a literary agency in the greater NYC metro area. A former magazine associate editor, Ali has a diverse background in communications and editing. She graduated valedictorian of her class at Berry College in 2001, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Ali is excited to find new voices and build great relationships within the writing community.
She is seeking commercial YA and MG (esp. sci-fi, fantasy and adventure), romance, southern women’s fiction, and Christian/inspirational fiction – all with a marketable hook, captivating voice, fantastical world building and inventive plots. For MG: commercial MG with a humorous/witty voice, likable protags and awesome sidekicks; meaningful, realistic situations built around great plots (think Wonder); and uplifting, relatable, empowering stories for girls. She’s a voracious reader of sci-fi, but not a huge fan of superheroes, vampires (except for Edward), witches, erotica or anything overtly dark.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Fantasy * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Romance * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Jennifer Herrington
Harvey KlingerDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Jennifer Herrington is a literary agent with Harvey Klinger. Jennifer started her career on the editorial side of publishing with Kensington Books Publishing’s Lyrical Press imprint and an internship with Entangled Publishing. She’s also worked as a freelance editor for independent authors. After an internship at a New York agency, she joined the Harvey Klinger Agency in 2020. Jennifer is currently building her own list and is interested in representing middle grade, YA, and adult fiction. She’s especially open to BIPOC and LGBTQ voices in the mentioned categories. Jennifer lives in Ontario, Canada, with her husband, three sons, and two dogs.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile *
Biography
Christa Heschke is a literary agent with the McIntosh & Otis Literary Agency. Christa graduated from Binghamton University with a major in English and a minor in Anthropology. She started in publishing as an intern at both Writers House and Sterling Lord Literistic, where she fell in love with the agency side of publishing. Christa has been at McIntosh and Otis, Inc. in the Children’s Literature Department since 2009 where she is actively acquiring for all age groups in children’s.
For YA, she is especially interested in contemporary, thriller/mystery, fantasy and horror. She looks for a compelling voice and a strong hook that will set a YA novel apart in the flooded market. She is open to all types of middle grade and especially enjoys adventure, mystery, and magical realism. For both YA and MG, she is interested in unique settings and cultural influences, interesting structure, complicated romances, diverse characters, sister or friendship-centric stories, and stories that feature artists of any kind. In picture books she is drawn to cute, funny stories (as opposed to sweet and quiet) that will grab kids as well as the occasional nonfiction biography on a subject whose story has yet to be told.
Christa is not looking for any Adult fiction or non-fiction, paranormal or dystopian at this time.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Fantasy * Horror * Humor Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
207 E. 37th Street Suite BG New York NY 10016 USA
Lane Heymont
The Tobias Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery Method(s): Online Form *Biography
Lane Heymont is a literary agent with The Tobias Literary Agency. Lane’s literary agent journey began at the age of eight when his grandfather paid him $5 to read and discuss the classics of literature. He started his publishing career at The Seymour Agency. In 2016, Lane formed The Tobias Literary Agency. With his eclectic taste and particular passion for horror, Lane is the top literary agent in the genre.
Some of Lane’s favorite reads include horror classics such FRANKENSTEIN, OR THE MODERN PROMEHTEUS by Mary Shelley, THE WILLOWS by Algernon Blackwood, and the works of Sheridan Le Fanu, Edgar Allen Poe, H.P. Lovecraft (in spite of his being a monster himself), Nathaniel Hawthorne, the Bronté sisters, Daphne du Maurier, Ann Radcliffe, and more. Newer horror favorites include THE HUNGER by Alma Katsu, THE ONLY GOOD INDIANS by Stephen Graham Jones, and ALL THE WHITE SPACES by Ally Wilkes.
Outside of horror, Lane’s favorite novels include SKELETONS AT THE FEAST by Chris Bohjalian, KNIGHT OF THE BLACK ROSE by James Lowder, the DRAGONLANCE CHRONICLES by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, IN COLD BLOOD by Truman Capote, I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS by Maya Angelou, and THE DINOSAUR ARTIST by Paige Williams.
As a literary agent, Lane represents a broad range of commercial fiction and serious nonfiction. In fiction, he is especially interested in projects broadly defined as horror. This includes select young adult horror. He is always looking for projects by underrepresented voices both in horror, fiction in general, and nonfiction.
In nonfiction, Lane focuses on the sciences, cultural studies, history, pop-culture, and celebrity projects.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Erotica * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Horror * Literary * Magical Realism * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Western * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Celebrity * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Environment * History * How-To * Inspiration * Journalism * Memoir * Narrative * Nature * Philosophy * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * Technology * True Crime *
Biography
Cole Hildebrand is a literary agent with the Jean Naggar Literary Agency. He began his career as an assistant editor at YesYes Books, going on to become managing editor for the press, involved in manuscript acquisitions, event planning, website design and publicity for YesYes Books’ list, which includes works by authors such as Elizabeth Acevedo, Justin Phillip Reed, Danez Smith, and many others.
He joined JVNLA in 2021, where he is actively building his list while aiding with international rights, film rights, and contracts, as well as handling the Australia/New Zealand market. He is acquiring literary and upmarket fiction, narrative non-fiction, essays, and poetry, particularly works by LGBTQ+ authors. He is drawn to character and voice driven stories with unique perspectives on the contemporary moment, especially those engaging with radical ideas and issues of social justice. He loves fostering the careers of debut authors, working closely with them to help develop and edit their projects, and guiding them through the full process from submission to publication and beyond.
Cole earned his BA in English from Lewis & Clark College and his MA in English and American Literature from New York University.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Erotica * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Horror * Humor Fiction * Literary * New Adult * Science Fiction * Short Story Collection * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Environment * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Journalism * Law * Memoir * Narrative * Nature * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology *
Biography
Debbie Deuble Hill is a literary agent with the Talent and Literary Agency. Debbie and began her career as assistants at Premiere Artists Agency. Deuble Hill went on to co-found in 1998 the lit department at Don Buchwald & Associates, where Petersen joined soon after. The duo co-sign and co-represent every client.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * General Fiction * Horror * Humor Fiction * Thriller * NONFICTION:
405 S. Beverly Dr. Los Angeles CA 90212 USA
Biography
Jordan Hill is a literary agent with New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc. She is primarily pursuing literary and upmarket fiction for adults. She loves intergenerational stories that grapple with complexities of families and culture through time and anything with an unreliable narrator or a speculative bent. She’s also a fan of weird short fiction. In the YA space, she’s drawn to contemporary thrillers–anything with high stakes and a heart. For Middle Grade readers, she looks for adventure or contemporary stories that deal with tough topics for kids. Across the board, she also considers historical fiction or retellings with a fresh approach and compelling perspective.
Prior to agenting she worked in the advertising world at a boutique agency, and before that was a bookseller. She hails from Texas and studied English Language & Lit and Spanish at Smith College. In her free time she loves exploring Brooklyn and is always on the search for the best cheeseburger the city has to offer.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Family Saga * Historical * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Short Story Collection * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Jess Hoare is a literary agent with Calligraph. She joined the Zoë Pagnamenta Agency in 2019, after getting her start in publishing at W.W. Norton and the Maria Carvainis Agency. As foreign rights manager, Jess oversees the sale of Calligraph’s translation rights. Originally from Australia, she has a degree in English Literature with a minor in Gender Studies and Social Analysis from the University of Adelaide.
Jess is building a select list of domestic clients, in both non-fiction and fiction. With a background in the world of restaurants, Jess is particularly interested in food writing, whether that be cookbooks, books about the environment and our food systems, cultural histories, or memoir. She is also interested in social science, investigative journalism, essay collections, and nature writing. On the fiction side, Jess is looking to represent literary and upmarket fiction. She is drawn to novels that are smart, beautifully written, and explore the complexities of being human. She likes books that have an outsider’s perspective, or engage with social issues in a nuanced way. She lives in Brooklyn.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Literary * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Environment * Food/Drinks * Gardening * General Nonfiction * History * Investigative * Journalism * Memoir * Narrative * Nature *
45 Main Street Suite 850 Brooklyn NY 11201 USA
Biography
Gail Hochman is a literary agent with Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents. Gail Hochman developed her career by representing what she loves most to read: works of literary fiction, idea-driven non-fiction, literary memoir and children’s books. Her authors’ works have become bestselling novels, successful films and television series, and international publishing phenomena, and have earned their authors prizes ranging from the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, and PEN/Faulkner Award to the Guggenheim Fellowship, Lambda Literary Award, and the Caldecott and Newbery Medals. Gail has taught a class in the role of the literary agent at NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies, and she is active in numerous charities and foundations which support the needs of women and children in New York City and the writing community. Throughout her tenure as President of the Association of Authors’ Representatives, she has helped the organization to develop more effective educational programs for its member agents and to serve as an advocate for authors’ rights.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * General Nonfiction * Juvenile * Memoir * Narrative * Science *
1501 Broadway Suite 2605 New York NY 10036 USA
Biography
Spencer Hoeflich is a literary agent with The Ambrosia Literary Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Horror * Paranormal * Suspense *
NONFICTION: Mind/Body/Spirit * New Age * Psychology * Spirituality *
PO Box 1227 Mount Vernon OH 43050 USA
Biography
Mitch Hoffman is a literary agent with The Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency. Mitch Hoffman joined the Aaron Priest Literary Agency as a Senior Agent in December 2015. He was previously Vice-President, Executive Editor at Grand Central Publishing.
Mitch is actively building a list of authors writing across the spectrum of fiction and nonfiction, including thrillers, suspense, crime fiction, and literary fiction, as well as narrative nonfiction, politics, popular science, history, memoir, current events, and pop culture. His clients include Leslie Archer, Andy Barr, Hilary Davidson, David Ewing Duncan, Elvis Duran, John Fried, Raymond Khoury, Allie Larkin, David Pepper, Dr. Ian Smith, Tom Rob Smith, and Radha Vatsal.
As an editor, Mitch published over 200 books, more than 60 of which were New York Times bestsellers. He has nurtured the careers of debut novelists as well as global #1 bestselling authors, and has worked with journalists, memoirists, scientists, historians, and members of the military and intelligence services. His list of authors included David Baldacci, Harlan Coben, Jeffery Deaver, Roger Ebert, Senator Al Franken, Dr. David Grinspoon, John Lescroart, Brad Meltzer, Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child, Daniel Stashower, Sandi Tan, and Don Winslow. Their books have won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Orange Prize for Fiction, the Edgar Award, the Anthony Award, ITW’s Thriller Award, The Barnes & Noble Discover Award, and have been longlisted for the Man Booker Prize, among many other honors.
Prior to joining Grand Central Publishing in 2007, Mitch held editorial positions at Dutton and Dell Publishing, and began his career as an intern at Farrar, Straus and Giroux. He has been a Fellow of the Jerusalem International Book Fair, a Distinguished Guest of the Toronto International Festival of Authors, and has been a featured panelist at a wide array of industry events, including the NYU Summer Publishing Institute, numerous writers conferences, and has also addressed the bipartisan Creative Rights Caucus on Capitol Hill (sponsored by the AAP and Authors Guild) regarding collaboration between writers and publishers, and the importance of copyright protection for authors.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Literary * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * History * Humor * Memoir * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * True Crime *
370 Lexington Ave Suite 1202 New York NY 10017 USA
Scott Hoffman
Folio Literary ManagementDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Scott Hoffman is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. A refugee from the world of politics, Scott is one of the founding partners of Folio Literary Management. He has served as Vice-chairman of the Board of Directors of SEARAC (the only nationwide advocacy agency for Southeast Asian-Americans), a Board Member of Fill Their Shelves, Inc. (a charitable foundation that provides books to children in sub-Saharan Africa) and a member of the Metropolitan Opera’s Young Associates Steering Committee.
Before entering the world of publishing, he was one of the founding partners of Janus-Merritt Strategies, a Washington, DC strategic consulting firm. He holds an MBA from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business, and a BA from the College of William and Mary.
What I’m looking for (and what I’m not looking for):
My tastes are extremely eclectic; about the only types of projects I won’t consider are series romance, cozy mysteries, or Westerns. My current list is about half fiction and half nonfiction. My fiction is about half literary, and half commercial (chick lit? Sure – if it’s smart and fresh, and has a strong voice.) My nonfiction is spread out among serious journalistic or academic nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, and quirkier pop-culture books.
If your project doesn’t fit one of the “established” categories, I’m probably your guy – I love projects that can’t be easily classified.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Education * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Narrative * Prescriptive * Psychology * Science * Upmarket *
Biography
Markus Hoffmann is a literary agent with Regal Hoffmann & Associates. Markus joined Regal Literary in 2006 and was made a partner in the agency in 2014, when it became Regal Hoffmann & Associates. He previously worked for several years as a literary scout and foreign rights agent on both sides of the Atlantic, most recently as Foreign Rights Manager at Aitken Alexander Associates in London and then Director of International Scouting at Maria Campbell Associates in New York. His main interests are international and literary fiction, crime, (pop) cultural studies, current affairs, economics, history, music, popular science, and travel literature. He’s obsessed with surfing and the trumpeter of Half on Signature, the finest R & B band on the international publishing circuit.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Literary * Mystery *
NONFICTION: Biography * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Music * Narrative * Philosophy * Politics * Pop Culture * Travel *
143 West 29th Street Suite 901 New York NY 10001 USA
Biography
Christina Hogrebe is a literary agent with the Jane Rotrosen Agency. She has been with JRA for over 15 years and is a tireless advocate for her clients’ goals. She represents authors at every stage in their careers—from debuts to bestsellers to established authors looking for a change. Driven by data and accountability, Christina is particularly adept at creating visionary strategies for taking authors’ careers to the next level. A graduate of the Denver Publishing Institute and Franklin & Marshall College, she developed an affinity for all things British during a study abroad in Bath. Now her focus is on commercial adult fiction, especially domestic suspense, mystery, romantic comedy, women’s fiction, historical fiction, and anything British, naturally.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Historical * Mystery * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Jane Rotrosen Agency 318 East 51st St New York NY 10022 USA
Ameerah Holliday
Serendipity Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Ameerah Holliday is a literary agent with the Serendipity Literary Agency. She is a dancer and self-proclaimed poetess from San Diego, California. She received her Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from San Diego State University. Holliday is a former editorial assistant intern for Poetry International and currently serves as editorial director for the San Diego Poetry Annual and assistant editor for Kids! San Diego Poetry Annual.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * General Fiction * Humor Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * New Adult * Paranormal * Romance * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Health/Wellness * Lifestyle * Money/Finance * Pop Culture * Self-Help/Personal Development * Young Adult *
Biography
Zach Honey is a literary agent with FinePrint Literary Management. He is North Carolina-born and Montana-raised with an equal love for sweet tea and waist-deep snow. He studied film production and philosophy at Montana State University and received a master’s degree from the University of Nottingham in England.
Zach joined Fine Print Literary in 2020 and became an Associate Agent in 2022. He entered the writing world from the side of an author, publishing several short stories and maintaining a close connection with the craft as a member of writing groups in Boston and New York. After attending the NYC Pitch Conference and being introduced to the agenting side of the industry, he connected with Peter Rubie at Fine Print Literary, who brought him on as an assistant.
Zach is primarily seeking thrillers and adult fiction, especially those set in rural places, mountainous regions, or other hard-to-reach corners of the world. His other interests include hiking, skiing, music, board games, golf, and other outdoor activities, and he is open to non-fiction pitches in these categories. He is not looking to represent fantasy or sci-fi at this time. He would like to support underrepresented authors, especially those in the American indigenous community.
Above all, he enjoys strong writing with fascinating settings, memorable characters, and stories that are impossible to put down.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Sports Fiction * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Ethnic * Gift/Novelty * Multicultural * Music * Sports * True Adventure *
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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.
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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)