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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
Biography
Chelsea Hensley is a literary agent with KT Literary. She is an associate agent at kt literary where she represents a varied list of clients writing across ages and genres and a few who are also illustrating. She began her agenting career in 2020 at kt literary and continues to build a list that reflects her own diverse tastes, from the lushest of fantasies to the tensest thrillers, steamy, hilarious romcoms to smart sci-fi, lyrical picture books to plucky middle grade, and imaginative, innovative horror to intelligent, deeply researched nonfiction. In all areas, Chelsea enjoys bold work from ambitious creators who share her unrelenting drive to succeed in a challenging industry.
Chelsea is a Capricorn from St. Louis, where she lives with a pair of very cute, though very chaotic, dogs. She enjoys D&D, Golden Girls, women’s soccer, chocolate chip cookies, and Airtable. She is a member of the AALA and serves on the board of the 501©3 nonprofit, Literary Agents of Change, which is committed to the diversification of the publishing industry in general and the agenting profession in particular. She also serves as co-director of Communications and Fundraising Committees.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Black Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Science Fiction | Thriller |Journalism | Pop Culture | Sports | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Amanda Hepp Jackson is a literary agent with The Stephanie Tade Agency. Amanda is a two-time graduate of The College of William & Mary with a Bachelor’s in English and a Master’s of Secondary English Education. After spending over a decade as a high school English teacher (and coach, advisor, club sponsor, and project mentor), Amanda decided to engage with books in a new way—by getting them out into the world instead of teaching them. What Amanda loved about teaching English was discussing big ideas and the human condition with her students—all through our most powerful connector: story. And now it’s her favorite part of her job at the Agency.
She is passionate about books (obviously), coffee, the Oxford comma, plants, cats, walks with her dog, paddle boarding, learning what it means to be a good human, learning how to raise her kids to be good humans, and anything that encourages us to leave this place gentler than we found it. In her opinion, the best books teach us how to be better stewards of the earth and more compassionate companions for ourselves and each other. A great book leaves us better than we were before we read it.
In the office, Amanda’s is a jack of all trades kind of role: she assists in agenting, reads proposals, handles some office correspondence, manages the calendar, runs social media, offers tech support, and waters (and propagates) the plants. She has been known to rearrange the furniture.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |General Fiction |General Nonfiction | Dating Relationships Sex | Education | Environment | Mind Body Spirit | Nature | Self-Help |
Biography
Jeff Herman is a literary agent with the Jeff Herman Agency. Jeff is an exceptionally successful veteran literary agent, entrepreneur, and author. His areas of editorial expertise include popular business, spirituality, and most other areas of nonfiction. “If I feel I can sell it, I’ll represent it”, says Herman.
Jeff Herman opened his literary agency in the mid-1980s while in his mid-20s. He has made nearly one-thousand book deals, including many bestsellers.
His own books include JEFF HERMAN’S GUIDE TO PUBLISHERS, EDITORS & LITERARY AGENTS (more than 500,000 copies sold), and WRITE THE PERFECT BOOK PROPOSAL (coauthored with Deborah Herman). He has presented hundreds of workshops about writing and publishing and has been interviewed for dozens of publications and programs.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA | Christian Nonfiction | General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Computers | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Politics | Psychology | Reference | Religion | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | Technology | True Crime |
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
CLOSED to Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction |
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
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Speculative Fiction | Upmarket Fiction |Food Drink | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Multicultural Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Science | Technology |
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
Accepting Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Magical Realism | Romance | Science Fiction | Short Story Collection | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Current Events Affairs | History | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Technology |
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
Accepting Submissions | Art | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Computers | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Economics | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Journalism | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Philosophy | Photography | Politics | Psychology | Science | Self-Help | Technology | Upmarket Nonfiction |
Biography
Ali Herring is a literary agent with Spencerhill Associates. Ali joined Spencerhill in 2017. She represents a broad range of upmarket and commercial fiction, and is proud to represent, among others, Bram Stoker Award winner Lora Senf, bestselling inspirational author Kristin Billerbeck, and finalist for the Philip K. Dick Award for distinguished science fiction and winner of the Pen New England Susan P. Bloom Children’s Book Discovery Award, Kristy Acevedo. A former magazine associate editor, Ali has a diverse background in communications and editorial. She graduated valedictorian of her class at Berry College in 2001, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Journalism. She is seeking middle grade and young adult fiction in all genres, science fiction and fantasy, romance, women’s fiction, and inspirational fiction, especially category and single-title romance. She particularly likes high-concept commercial fiction with a literary flair. If you’d like a better idea of her interests, you can find her on Twitter, @HerringAli, where she regularly posts #MSWL’s. Please query her only via the Query Manager link under the submission’s tab.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction |Christian Fiction |Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Dystopian Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Horror | Inspirational Fiction | Literary Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |
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.
Christa is taking on picture books very sparingly and is not taking on rhyming picture books. She’s interested in fiction and nonfiction picture books about environmentalism, especially the ocean, as well as diverse cultures and identities. She is more open in middle grade and young adult, prioritizing BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, neurodiverse, and disabled writers. She is interested in contemporary–whether issue-driven or lighter and rom-com–as well as various genres including horror, fantasy, mystery/thriller, and historical. She is considering adult fantasy very sparingly, and is not open to any other adult work. She is not interested in rhyming picture books or religious texts.
She leans toward more literary writing. Some specific topics that interest her in addition to the above are unique, atmospheric settings/world-building and underrepresented cultural influences, offbeat narrative structures, complex romances, stories featuring siblings or friendship dynamics, and stories featuring artists of any kind.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | Horror | Humor Fiction | Romance |
Biography
Lane Heymont is President and literary agent with The Tobias Literary Agency. Lane Heymont’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
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Young Adult Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Horror | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Celebrity | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Environment | History | Journalism | Memoir | 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
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Contemporary Fiction | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Upmarket Fiction |Art | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Environment | Film Entertainment | History | Investigative | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Politics | Pop Culture |
Jordan Hill
New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc.Accepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email > Online Form >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
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Short Story Collection | Upmarket Fiction |
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
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Environment | Food Drink | Gardening | History | Investigative | Journalism | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Science |
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
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Science |
Spencer Hoeflich
The Ambrosia Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email > Postal Mail >Biography
Spencer Hoeflich is a literary agent with The Ambrosia Literary Agency. Spence is a 1996 graduate of Ashland University, holding a BS in Criminal Justice and Psychology, Sociology minor (cum laude).
A professional artist and author, Spence has been involved in the industry since 1998, bringing over a decade of experience to the table on your behalf.
Spence is interested primarily in fictional works of Horror and the Supernatural. He also handles non-fictional works on the Occult, Esoteric Psychology, and the Paranormal.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |General Fiction | Horror | Paranormal Fiction | Suspense Fiction |Mind Body Spirit | New Age | Psychology | Spirituality |
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
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Current Events Affairs | History | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | Memoir | Military War Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics | Pop Culture | Science | True Crime |
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
CLOSED to Submissions | General Nonfiction | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Diet Nutrition | Economics | Education | Fitness | Food Drink | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics | Psychology | Reference | Science | Self-Help | Sports | Technology | True Crime | Upmarket Nonfiction |
Biography
Markus Hoffmann joined Regal Literary in 2006 and was made a partner in the agency in 2014, when it became Regal Hoffmann & Associates. He studied English and Russian literature and linguistics in Munich, Moscow, and at Hertford College, Oxford, and started his career in publishing in London in the late 90s before relocating to New York City in 2004. He still betrays his transatlantic allegiance by insisting on the proper pronunciation of the words basil, tomato, and herb (among others). If he ever writes a book, it will be called WHY PUNS MATTER. His main interests as an agent are international and literary fiction, genre-redefining speculative fiction, crime, literary memoir, philosophy, history, music, popular science, and travel literature. He also looks after the agency’s foreign rights. He’s obsessed with surfing and capoeira and plays the trumpet in the publishing jazz combo The Editörial Standards.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Current Events Affairs | History | Memoir | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Philosophy | Politics | Pop Culture | Science | Travel |
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
Accepting Submissions |Commercial Fiction | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Mara Hollander is a literary agent with FinePrint Literary Management. She joined FinePrint in 2023 and became an associate agent in 2024. She earned a bachelor’s degree at GeorgetownUniversity (Hoya Saxa!) and a PhD at Pitt Public Health. She’s lived in Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and now Charlotte, but calls DC and NYC home. In her free time, she writes fantasy novels, watches a shocking amount of figure skating, roots for the Washington Nationals, and daydreams about petting dogs.
Stories make us who we are, and everyone deserves a chance to write their own narrative. Mara is actively seeking to represent authors from communities traditionally underrepresented in publishing, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA, people who are disabled, and people who are chronically ill.
In fiction, Mara is seeking accessibly-written genre novels for Adult and YA audiences that rip your heart out and make you forget the world around you. In particular, she’s looking to represent fantasy (including political and romantic/romantasy), light sci-fi, romance, thrillers/mysteries (including political), and women’s fiction. She is not the best fit for literary fiction, historical fiction (historical romance is okay), or work written for middle graders or younger audiences. Mara is also interested in narrative nonfiction for adult audiences about mental illness and/or substance use disorders and the American health care system.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Speculative Fiction | Sports Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |Medical Medicine | Narrative Nonfiction | Psychology |
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.
Ameerah has attended the San Diego Comic-Con every year since 2011, is a published poet, and has a cat named after a villain from The Vampire Diaries.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Black Literary Agents | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | General Fiction | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Women’s Fiction |BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Dating Relationships Sex | Health Wellness | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Poetry | Pop Culture | Psychology | Self-Help | Spirituality |
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
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Gothic Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Sports Fiction | Thriller | Western Fiction |BIPOC Nonfiction | Gift Novelty | Humor Nonfiction | Multicultural Nonfiction | Music | Sports | True Adventure |
Biography
Ashley Hong is a literary agent with Gardner Literary. She is a literary agent representing adult nonfiction and select fiction.
She was previously an editor at Penguin Random House, where she acquired and edited the New York Times bestselling This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley and A Rhythm of Prayer by Sarah Bessey. At PRH, Ashley edited and project managed titles across the Crown and Random House publishing groups, giving her a deep understanding and fondness for a wide breadth of books encompassing general interest, politics, business, history, cookbooks, wellness, Christian/Catholic writing, and more.
Prior to book publishing, she cut her teeth in journalism by working at such outlets as Truthdig, CNN, and WNET, which instilled a love for narrative nonfiction in all its forms.
Ashley joined Gardner Literary in 2023, and is delighted to partner with authors and shepherd their creative work. She is most interested in the books that haunt her in a good way—the kind of writing that she keeps thinking about long after the first read. She gets excited about projects that are incisive, witty, transporting, equal parts seismic and granular—in essence, books that unearth something within her, be it curiosity, laughter, longing, ache, or sonder. Recent and forthcoming projects include Eli Harwood’s Raising Securely Attached Kids, Alexis Barber’s Too Smart for This, and GG Renee Hill’s Story Work.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction |Christian Fiction | Christian Nonfiction |Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Inspirational Fiction | Mystery | Religious Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Animals | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Dating Relationships Sex | Environment | Gardening | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | History | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Military War Nonfiction | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Nature | Parenting | Photography | Politics | Psychology | Religion | Self-Help | Spirituality | Travel | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Aliza R. Hoover is a literary agent with The CAT Agency, Inc. She represents visual storytellers with distinctive, unique voices. She is inspired every day by the illustrators and author-illustrators she represents, and is honored to help bring their stories into the world.
She began her Publishing career at Candlewick Press, where she spearheaded & coordinated illustrator searches and negotiated illustrator contracts. With a degree in Classics and a background in visual art, she is passionate about storytelling and the magical place where words and images collide.
Aliza grew up homeschooled and barefoot in the woods, and has lived in Finland and Scotland before returning to her home state of Massachusetts where she lives with her partner John (who is a spreadsheet magician) and their cat Corryvreckan (who is Aliza’s familiar). Outside of agenting, Aliza is a multimedia photographer, tarot enthusiast, and an aerial circus artist.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents | Authors and Illustrators Only |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Graphic Novel |
Biography
Pam Hopkins is the president of Hopkins Literary Associates, located in Rochester, NY. She has been an agent for 14 years and formed her own agency in 1996.Specializing in women’s fiction she represents full-length fiction in historical, contemporary, paranormal, chick & mom-lit, inspirational and category romance as well as mainstream fiction. Pam is a member of AAR (Association of Author’s Representative) and RWA.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Inspirational Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |
Erin Hosier
Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email > Postal Mail >Biography
Erin Hosier is a literary agent with Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency. Erin Hosier has been agenting since 2001, formerly at The Gernert Company before moving to DCL in 2007. She primarily works with nonfiction authors and has a special interest in popular culture, music biography, humor, women’s issues and memoir. In general, novels with happy endings put her in a bad mood. She grew up in rural Ohio, and lives in Brooklyn.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |General Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Humor Nonfiction | Memoir | Music | Pop Culture | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Bob Hostetler is a literary agent with The Steve Laube Agency. He is a thirty-year veteran of Christian publishing. He has been a writer, magazine editor, freelance book editor, and author of fifty books, both fiction and non-fiction. A frequent speaker at writers conferences and retreats around the world, he has encouraged and coached numerous writers to publishing success. In 2017 his book The Bard and the Bible was named the Selah Awards Book of the Year.
Bob is an Ohio native with earned degrees in English Bible from Cincinnati Christian University and English Communications from Bloomfield College. He was ordained to the ministry by The Salvation Army.
He has been married for forty years to the lovely Robin, his teenage sweetheart and ministry partner; together they have pastored four churches (though not all at once) and were foster parents to ten teen boys (though not all at once). They make their home in southern Nevada.
Bob claims to have two perfect children, Aubrey and Aaron, who have given him and Robin five perfect grandchildren.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Christian Fiction | Christian Nonfiction | Christian Books ONLY |
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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)