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7 Insider Secrets to Get a Top Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal
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Literary Agent Directory
Important: Visit each agent’s website (links in their listings below) to see if they’re open to submissions before querying.
Biography
Maile Beal is a literary agent with Arc Literary Management. She joined Arc Literary Management in 2021 after over 5 years at the Carol Mann Agency. She began her career as an intern before becoming subrights manager and assistant to Myrsini Stephanides and eventually growing her own client list. She is passionate about advocating for writers and artists so that they are empowered to create work that will have a lasting impact – books in which readers will see themselves represented, find tools for social change, learn something new, connect with a different perspective, and deepen their understanding of the world. Originally from Hawaii, MaileÕs first home on the east coast was Philadelphia, where she earned her B.A. in English from Drexel University. She can usually be found caring for her growing collection of indoor plants, attempting overambitious recipes in the kitchen, or starting yet another new crafting hobby. All, of course, with her rescue dog, Rufus, somewhere underfoot. Maile is interested in adult non-fiction as well as childrenÕs, middle grade, and YA fiction and non-fiction. In all categories, she is looking for projects that amplify underrepresented voices and untold stories.In adult nonfiction, Maile is interested in journalistic, investigative deep dives, narrative retellings of untold histories, business and leadership resources centering underestimated identities, lifestyle and cookbooks with a fresh, personal hook, and unexpected humor and gift books. In childrenÕs, Maile is seeking fiction and non-fiction in all age categories. In picture books and MG, she gravitates toward heartfelt, earnest stories that use humor and silliness to connect with readers. In YA, sheÕs drawn to voice driven projects focusing on community and relationships with strong, complex characters that will stick with readers beyond the last page.
Notes
NONFICTION: Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, Gift Novelty, History, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Science, Technology, True Crime, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Ingred Beck is a literary agent and Managing Director with The Bindery.After earning her bachelorÕs degree in English literature from Kansas State University, Ingrid Beck spent more than 17 years working in book publishing, serving in diverse roles such as acquisitions editor, managing editor, and editorial director. Ingrid joined The Bindery in 2019 as managing director and oversees day-to-day operations, proposal development, client relations, scheduling, and a variety of other special projects. Representing a diverse list of clients in multiple genres, she loves collaborating with authors to help refine their messages to reach their intended audiences. Ingrid is seeking compelling nonfiction proposals in the following categories: practical self-help, mindfulness, mental health and wellbeing, religion and spirituality, social and cultural issues, and lifestyle. A passionate and voracious reader, Ingrid strives to keep up with the latest buzzworthy reads in both fiction and nonfiction. When sheÕs not reading, Ingrid enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time with her extended family, especially her sixteen nieces and nephews.
Notes
NONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, Health Wellness, Lifestyle, Mind Body Spirit, Nonfiction, Religion, Self-Help, Spirituality
Biography
Nell Beck is a Literary Assistant at the David Black Literary Agency. She joined the David Black Agency as an intern in fall of 2024 and started as David BlackÕs assistant in the spring of 2025. She holds a BA in English Literature from Oberlin College and an MA in Art History from The Courtauld Institute of Art.She especially loves narrative nonfiction and contemporary literary fiction, but will happily read anything that has smart sentences and a sense of humor.
Notes
FICTION: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Literary FictionNONFICTION: Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction
Biography
Rachel Beck is a literary agent with Liza Dawson Associates. She joined Liza Dawson Associates in 2020 after working at a boutique literary agency for 4 years. She has been in the publishing industry since 2009 and worked at Harlequin editing romance novels for nearly 6 years before transitioning her skills to the agent world in order to be an advocate and champion for authors. She lives in southern California with her husband, young son, and endlessly entertaining cat.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Religious Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Sports Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Economics, General Nonfiction, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Religion, Self-Help, Sports, Technology, True Adventure, True Crime, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Chad W. Beckerman is a literary agent with The CAT Agency, Inc. He brings over 20 years of illustration and design experience to the Agency. After studying illustration as an undergrad at RISD, Chad went on to be a Designer at Scholastic, a Senior Designer at Greenwillow Books, and then became the Creative Director at ABRAMS Kids and Comic Arts, where he spent 13 years overseeing the design of 250 books a year – from picture books, to novels, to graphic novels, and art and entertainment books. Chad is behind the aesthetic for over forty New York Times bestselling and award-winning books including the blockbuster Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney, the Caldecott honor and Corretta Scott King Award winning Trombone Story, illustrated by Brian Collier, and the Newbery Medal honor books El Deafo, and Heart of the Samurai. He executed the design architecture for countless series including Origami Yoda by Tom Angelberger, The Questioneers (Iggy Peck, Rosie Revere, Ada Twist) by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts, Nathan HaleÕs Hazardous Tales, Frank Einstein by Jon Scieszka and Brian Biggs, The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John, The Sisters Grimm and Jared ChapmanÕs Vegetables in Underwear.ChadÕs greatest joy is working with illustrators, and as an agent he is busy curating and cultivating a unique group of artists who are inspiring and innovating in childrenÕs literature. Chad represents illustrators and author/illustrators from all over the globe, who create artwork for all ages and genres.Chad lives in Brooklyn, NY
Notes
FICTION: FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Children’s Books, Picture Book
Sarah Bedingfield
Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Online FormBiography
Sarah Bedingfield is a literary agent with Levine Greeberg Rostan. Sarah has been an agent with Levine Greenberg Rostan since 2016, where she represents high-concept, genre-busting literary novels, domestic and psychological suspense, upmarket, big-hearted family epics, historical fiction, and international, diverse voices. Sarah began her publishing career in trade fiction editorial at Crown and Hogarth. There, she worked with a range of bestselling writers, including Man Booker International Prize winner, Han Kang, and New York Times bestsellers Nina George, Herman Koch, Koren Zailckas, Blake Crouch and Andy Weir.Sarah loves most types of literary and upmarket commercial fiction, especially novels that show powerful imagination, compulsive plotting and unique voices. Family dramas, cross-genre narratives with notes of magical realism, darkly Gothic stories that may lead to nightmares and twisty psychological suspense are among her favorite things to read. A southerner at heart, she canÕt help but love books set in the south, but sheÕs a die-hard for any world immersive enough to make her miss her stop on the train, cry in public, or desperately unable to sleep.Hailing from North Carolina, Sarah graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a double major in Psychology and English. She spent her first three years in New York teaching high school English in the Bronx and earning an MS in Education from Hunter College.Her favorite authors include Sarah Waters, Shirley Jackson, Stephen King, Matthew Thomas, Maria Semple, Emily St. John Mandel, Erin Morgenstern, and Victor Hugo.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction
Biography
Arifa Begom is a literary agent with Crescent Literary. She is a geologist and environmental scientist by day and a literary agent, by day, too. With a stint at a small press as an acquiring editor, she now brings her publishing experience and background in law and policy to her role as an agent.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Science FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Sharon Belcastro is a literary agent with the Belcastro Agency. She was born and raised in Northeastern Ohio. It only took her 37 years to get sick of the snow, cracked fingers and chapped lips before she picked up and moved to the much warmer and sunnier Tampa Bay area. Her love of books goes back to early childhood where some of her fondest memories were spent with Gulliver in Lilliput and Ishmael and his voyage on the Pequod. She has had a book in her hand and her nose in a book ever since. Forced to grow up and face the real world, Sharon earned her Engineering degree from Youngstown State University and her masterÕs in business from Case Western Reserve University. She spent several years in product development, sales and the development and streamlining of key business processes before she returned to her passion for books attended classes in publishing at NYU and applied her experience to the founding of Belcastro Agency.
Notes
FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Fitness, Food Drink, Gardening, Health Wellness, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Self-Help, True CrimeCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Justin Bell is a literary agent with the Spectrum Literary Agency. Justin (B.A. from SUNY Purchase) is accepting submissions in science fiction, mysteries, and a select amount of nonfiction.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, ThrillerNONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Nonfiction
Biography
Holly Bemiss is a literary agent with The Susan Rabiner Literary Agency. Holly joined the agency in 2007, bringing with her over a decade of book publishing experience. Her client roster includes graphic novelists, journalists, memoirists, comedians, crafters, and entertainment writers. Recent sales include New York Timesbestseller Marbles by Ellen Forney (to Gotham/Penguin), How to Sew a Button by Erin Bried (to Random House), Grow Your Handmade Business by Kari Chapin (to Storey), New Kid by New York Times bestseller Lucy Knisley (to First Second Books), and Calling Dr. Laura: A Graphic Memoir by Nicole J. Georges (to Mariner/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt).
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, Graphic NovelNONFICTION: Crafts, Film Entertainment, General Nonfiction, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, Memoir, Nonfiction
Biography
Candice Marie Benbow is a literary agent with Gardner Literary. She is a writer who has written for various outlets including ESSENCE, Glamour, Religion News Service, VICE, Andscape at ESPN and the Me Too Movement. Her first book, Red Lip Theology: For Church Girls WhoÕve Considered Tithing to the Beauty Supply Store When Sunday Morning IsnÕt Enough, was released in 2022. She is also a highly sought after ghostwriter and writing coach.Benbow situates her work at the intersection of faith, feminism and culture, and amplifying underrepresented voices within publishing is her deepest motivation. Moving forward, she plans to focus her efforts on representing authors of nonfiction, with particular interest in pop culture, memoir, leadership and Christian living, including Bible studies and devotionals.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Mystery, Religious Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Animals, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Dating Relationships Sex, Environment, Gardening, Gift Novelty, History, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Multicultural Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Pop Culture, Psychology, Religion, Self-Help, Spirituality, Travel, True Crime, Women’s IssuesNONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction, Christian Nonfiction
Biography
Faye Bender is a literary agent and partner with The Book Group. With a focus on strong collaborative working relationships with her authors, Faye Bender represents fiction for readers aged eight to adult. Her authors have won numerous awards and honors, including the Newbery Medal, the Schneider Family Book Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, the Rona Jaffe Foundation WriterÕs Award, the Indies Choice Book of the Year Award, the Guardian ChildrenÕs Fiction Prize, the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award, and the International Latino Book Award, and have been finalists for the National Book Award and the Impac Dublin Literary Award. Her clients’ books have been #1 New York Times bestsellers, New York Times Book Review Notable Books, and selected for Best Books of the Year lists by Publishers Weekly, The Washington Post, School Library Journal, NPR, the Wall Street Journal, the American Library Association, and the New York Public Library, among others.Faye is always excited to discover authors with a strong narrative voice and an eye for imaginative storytelling, and she works with her authors for the length and breadth of their careers. Born and raised in Denver, Faye lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, General FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Soumeya Roberts is a literary agent with HG Literary. Shejoined HG Literary as an agent in 2017. Prior to representing authors as a literary agent, Soumeya was a book scout at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates and began her career in the editorial department at an independent publishing company in San Francisco. She was agent at Writers House and the Susan Golomb Literary Agency, where she was also Foreign Rights Director, prior to joining HG Literary.Soumeya represents award-winning and best-selling authors in literary and upmarket fiction, narrative non-fiction, and memoir, including Tara M. Stringfellow, Rosalie Knecht, Debra Jo Immergut, Melissa Coss Aquino, Fernando A. Flores, and Sonora Jha, among others. She also represents a curated list across creative fields including design, craft, and lifestyle by makers such as Darryl Cheng, Rachel Corry, Luke Pyenson and Alex Bleeker, and Tuft the World. She is seeking new voices in fiction and narrative nonfiction, especially stories about dynamic relationships between complex but sympathetic characters; families, siblings, and motherhood; social commentary; unconventional settings and subcultures; our relationship with land, nature, and animals; and controlled experiments with form. She is particularly, but not exclusively, interested in work that investigates or reflects on the post-colonial world, marginalized and liminal spaces, and narratives by people of color. In non-fiction, she is primarily looking for idea-driven or voice-forward memoirs, personal essay collections, and narrative non-fiction of all stripes. Soumeya is not looking for fantasy, science fiction, religious books, commercial romance, middle grade, young adult, or picture books.She is a member of the Board of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA) and serves on their International Rights Committee and participates in the Literary Agents of Change mentorship program. Originally from the California Bay Area, she is still drawn to the spirit of originality, diversity, and independence of the West Coast. She now lives in Brooklyn with her family.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Short Story Collection, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Animals, Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Crafts, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Design, Environment, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Gardening, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Spirituality, Technology, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime, Women’s Issues
Biography
Elizabeth Bennett is a literary agent with the Transatlantic Agency. Elizabeth has spent her career in the childrenÕs publishing industry with positions in marketing, product development and editorial at such companies as Scholastic, ReaderÕs Digest and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Prior to joining the Transatlantic Agency, I was an Executive Editor at HMH where I focused on brand-forward publishing around classic properties like Curious George, Little Blue Truck and The Little Prince as well as novelties, board books and picture books. During my tenure I established an IP program launching several middle grade series including The Next Best Junior Chef, Survivor Diaries, and Junior Ninja Champion.As an agent, I represent a balanced list of talented picture book, graphic novel, middle grade and YA authors and illustrators. I love books that pull at the heart strings, make me laugh, make me think, make me smile; and especially books that make even a reluctant reader want to curl up in a nook and read.Contrary to evidence suggesting otherwise, my favorite book is not Pride and Prejudice.
Notes
CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Tina Bennett is a literary agent with and the founder of Bennett Literary. She established the agency in 2020 after working with Janklow & Nesbitt Associates and William Morris Endeavor Entertainment.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, RomanceNONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Pop Culture, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Technology, True CrimeCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Jenny Bent is a literary agent with the Bent Agency. She says: ÒIn the course of my career, I have represented a great many award-winning and New York Times-bestselling authors, a list which includes Stephanie Garber, Liv Constantine, Gary John Bishop, Lori Nelson Spielman, Goldy Moldavsky, Tiffany D. Jackson, Elise Kova, Yangsze Choo, Dustin Thao, Arvin Ahmadi, Lynsay Sands, JT Geissinger and Samantha Bailey.IÕm currently looking for literary and commercial fiction and young adult fiction as well as select non-fiction in the areas of self-help and lifestyle. My client list is diverse and I welcome submissions from BIPOC authors.In adult fiction, IÕm looking for high concept, upmarket womenÕs fiction; grounded fantasy; speculative fiction and horror (I particularly love a good scary ghost story, along the lines of writing by Simone St. James and Jennifer McMahon); and domestic suspense, but the bar is very high in suspense right now so it has to be an extremely creative concept. I also rep some romance and rom-com, but no other genre fiction: IÕm not a good choice for high fantasy, cozy mystery, or sci-fi.In young adult fiction, IÕm pretty open to genre Ñ I love fantasy, rom-coms, suspense, contemporary, almost anything except for sci-fi. I do notice that my YA taste does tend to skew towards older readers, more in a crossover direction.In general, I tend to prefer plot-driven books to character-driven ones and pacing is very important to me. I also love novels Ñ for adults or young adults Ñ that have an element of magic or fantasy to them or that take me into a world that is new to me, whether real or imaginary. And while I love books to be dark and weird in terms of content, I find that I am more drawn to traditional, rather than experimental, methods of structure and storytelling. Finally, I am not the right fit for books with overtly political or extremely complicated plotlines. In nonfiction, I am looking for authors with a unique approach and a very large existing platform. IÕm not generally the right choice for memoir or narrative non-fiction, but IÕm always open to hearing a pitch just in case.All of the books that I represent speak to the heart in some way: they are linked by genuine emotion, inspiration, and great writing and storytelling. I love books that make me laugh, make me cry, or ideally do both.”
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: General Nonfiction, History, Humor Nonfiction, Inspirational Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Self-HelpCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Kendall Berdinsky is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC. A native Texan, she fell in love with the Junie B. Jones books she discovered in kindergarten and has been an avid reader ever since. She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, where she earned her bachelorÕs degree in professional writing with a minor in English literature. During her junior year abroad, she interned in the childrenÕs department at Simon & Schuster UK; after graduation, she served as an editorial assistant at Foundry Literary + Media and attended the Columbia Publishing Course. She is not taking on clients at this time, but in the future, would be interested in seeing upmarket romance, book club fiction, historical fiction, and narrative nonfiction. Overall, she is looking for work from underrepresented communities with new stories to tell.
Notes
FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Art, Biography, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Dating Relationships Sex, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, Health Wellness, History, Investigative, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Peter Beren is a literary agent with and the President of The Peter Beren Agency. He is a member of the Association of AuthorsÕ Representatives (AAR) and a book publishing consultant to authors, self-publishers and independent publishers. Formerly Vice-President of Publishing at Insight Editions, Publisher of Sierra Club Books, Publisher of VIA Books, an Acquisitions Editor for Jeremy Tarcher and Executive Editor at And/Or Press, Inc., he has more than four decades of experience in the book publishing industry. At Sierra Club he received three Benjamin Franklin Awards from the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), at VIA Books, the book publishing division of the California State Automobile Association. Beren was awarded the Merit Award for Excellence in Communication by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).As a literary agent, publisher or editor, Beren has worked with such authors as photographers Art Wolfe, Frans Lanting, Galen Rowell, and Baron Wolman, as well as independent scholars like Colin Wilson, Ralph Metzner and Robert Anton Wilson. He has also published graphic artists, Jack Katz and Brian Froud, musician Jerry Garcia, and California State Senator and counter-culture icon, Tom Hayden.He is the author or co-author of eight books, including The Writers Legal Companion, California the Beautiful, and The Golden Gate. California the Beautiful was a Foreword INDIES Award finalist in 2009. His articles have appeared in Mother Jones, Newsweek, PublisherÕs Weekly, and Tufts Magazine and was a contributor to such anthologies as AmericaÕs Cup San Francisco (Insight Editions) and Moving Into Space (HarperCollins).The founder of The Peter Beren Agency, he is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Tufts University and makes his home in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Suspense Fiction, ThrillerNONFICTION: Art, Film Entertainment, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Mind Body Spirit, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Pop Culture, Psychology, Reference, Science
Biography
Jessica Berg is a literary agent, author, and the founder of Rosecliff Literary, where she champions bold, emotionally resonant fiction with unforgettable characters, strong stakes, and a sense of urgency.She is especially drawn to upmarket, historical, and supernatural suspense, with a soft spot for haunting atmosphere, richly layered relationships, and characters who carry deep emotional wounds. Give her a protagonist standing at the edge of reinvention, a world on the brink of change, or a past that refuses to stay buried. She loves stories that explore grief, longing, ambition, and survival and the complicated ways they intersect. If your book feels like it belongs in a candlelit room with a storm raging outside, she wants to see it.A multi-nominated writer with an MFA from Spalding University, Jessica brings a sharp editorial eye and a hands-on, strategic approach to agenting. She is a member of AALA and EFA and provides developmental feedback for WriterÕs Digest. Represented by Amy Collins at Talcott Notch, she splits her time between crafting her own stories and guiding her clients through every stage of their publishing careers.Her mission? To champion distinctive voices, build lasting careers, and bring books into the world that demand to be remembered.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Self-Help, Women’s Issues
Biography
Mel Berger is a literary agent with WME Books. Mel Berger has been with WME since 1972. He represents fiction and non-fiction. For fiction — particular interest in thrillers, womenÕs fiction, and any strong debut novel. For non-fiction, works of politics and policy, military history, narrative, memoirs that open up to big ideas and promise to the reader, science, self-help and diet. (Please no science fiction or fantasy, childrenÕs or screenplays).
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Romance, Thriller, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Autobiography, Biography, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Diet Nutrition, Fitness, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Pop Culture, Reference, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Sports
Biography
Kelly Bergh is a literary agent with Lucinda Literary. After beginning her career as an editor in academic publishing and briefly serving as a childrenÕs librarian, Kelly joined Lucinda Literary to begin building a list in adult practical nonfiction, specifically in the categories of health and wellness, spirituality, and popular science. She selectively takes on childrenÕs and gift books/decks in the same areas.A certified yoga teacher, Kelly is drawn to representing authors who seek to educate and empower those curious about what it means to live in alignment with their values. She is looking for PhDs and journalists who want to share their research with a general audience, as well as established thought leaders and influencers seeking a new medium through which to connect with their existing audiences.Kelly holds a masterÕs degree in publishing from Drexel University and splits her time between Philadelphia and Seattle.
Notes
NONFICTION: Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Family, Fitness, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, How-To, Illustrated, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Technology, Travel, Women’s Issues
Biography
Amy Berkower is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. After graduating from the University of California at Santa Cruz, Amy moved back to New York to find a job in publishing. An ad in the NewYork Times led to a gal Friday position at Writers House where she has been working ever since. Amy is now a partner, and President of the company. In 1978, Al Zuckerman, the founder of Writers House, had the insight to ask Amy to start a children’s book department. Recognizing the need for kid friendly books that would appeal to the fast growing paperback original market, Berkower initially focused on series. Her first sale, an interactive children’s book, grew into a series called CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE consisting of over one hundred titles, and was soon followed by a succession of popular franchises: SWEET VALLEY HIGH, THE BABYSITTERS CLUB, JUNIE B JONES and CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS. Determined to apply what she learned about branding series to the marketing of individual authors, Amy developed a list that includes some of the most respected names (Sharon Creech, Laurie Anderson, Andrew Clements, Jack Gantos) in the business. Her colleagues have built upon that foundation, growing Writers House’s children’s book department into one of the largest and most successful in the world. Writers House clients include a mix of mega hits ( TWILIGHT and ERAGON) and Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, and National Book Award recipients such as Neil Gaiman, Ingrid Law, Grace Lin, Kadir Nelson, Susan Patron and Robin McKinley. Amy also has a growing list of adult authors including Nora Roberts, Ken Follett, Erica Jong, Ridley Pearson and Barbara Delinsky.
Notes
FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Literary Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Thriller, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Current Events Affairs, History, Humor Nonfiction, Memoir, Nonfiction, PoliticsCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Amanda Bernardi is a literary agent with the High Line Literary Collective. She comes to publishing after twelve years in publicity and branding. She did her graduate work in Social Science at the University of Colorado and a BA in English Creative Writing from Texas A&M University, where she was a lead reporter for The Battalion and founded a literary journal vandal with Angie Cruz and Daniel Pena. She then began communications work for purpose-driven organizations focused on environmental, fair labor, and health care initiatives. Her first book, The Modern Bohemian Table, came out in 2020 and was distributed by PRH. Her book and work has been featured in Martha Stewart Living, SAVEUR, bon appetit, BARRONÕS, and Food and Wine. With a start in publishing at Tin House, Guernica Magazine, and Massie & McQuilkin Literary Agents, she began her career with Paper Over Board/HLC in 2022. Amanda has worked on a variety of projects ranging from cookbooks, design, art, wellness, lifestyle and narrative non-fiction. Her studies and experiences continue to influence her reading tastes and she treats each project with great care. She lives outside Boulder, Colorado with her husband and three young children. When sheÕs not working or momming, you can find her reading towards her 200-a-year book goal or sweating it out on her Peloton.
Notes
NONFICTION: Animals, Art, Beauty Fashion Style, Biography, Business Book, Celebrity, Cookbook Cooking, Crafts, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Design, Environment, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Food Drink, Gardening, General Nonfiction, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Sports, Technology, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime, Women’s Issues
Laurie Bernstein
Side by Side Literary Productions, Inc.Accepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Postal MailBiography
Laurie Bernstein is a literary agent with and the founder of Side by Side Literary Productions, Inc. A former Vice President & Executive Editor at Simon & Schuster, Bernstein is recognized for her track record of New York Times bestsellers. Specializing in big-idea books, politics, memoir, and narrative non-fiction, she stewards titles that scale bestseller lists and are acclaimed for their mission and message.
Notes
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Upmarket Nonfiction
Meredith Bernstein
Meredith Bernstein Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Online Form or Postal MailBiography
Meredith Bernstein is a literary agent with the Meredith Bernstein Literary Agency. Meredith has been a literary agent for over 30 years. Prior to becoming a literary agent, she worked as a story editor for film producers on both the East and West Coasts, as well as a freelance reader. In addition to being a literary agent, Meredith Bernstein has packaged two romance lines and co-authored SEXUAL CHEMISTRY with Julius Fast (M. Evans/Pocket). In nonfiction, the agency seeks platform-driven works that shed new light on a given subject and is also open to any area of nonfiction that is well executed. We love personal memoirs that bring out heroic individualism, and are further interested in writers of ÒspecialÓ projects and creative endeavors that supersede genre.Meredith Bernstein also has been very successful in representing individuals who have accomplished memo-rable and outstanding achievements in their lives. Among such clients are Miep Gies (the woman who hid Anne FrankÕs family and found her diary), Patricia Ireland, the former president of N.O.W., and Dennis Conner, of sailing fame.
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FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Business Book, Crafts, Environment, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, Inspirational Nonfiction, Journalism, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Money Finance, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Spirituality, Travel, True Crime, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Kristen Bertoloni is an associate literary agent at Trident Media Group. Kristen is open to submissions and eager to find projects sheÕs passionate about.
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FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Horror, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, ThrillerNONFICTION: Nonfiction, True Crime
Biography
Rose Betancourt is a literary agent at Betancourt Literary. The agency was founded by Rose Betancourt, a USA Today bestselling mystery author and experienced publishing professional. Rose holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications and is currently earning her J.D., bringing both creativity and legal insight to the business of books. Her many years of writing experience allows her to advocate strategically and compassionately for the authors she represents.Rose created this agency with a single mission: to empower authors. Whether you’re seeking your first publishing deal or are ready to elevate your career, Betancourt Literary offers the transparency, guidance, and enthusiasm every writer deserves.We donÕt just shop booksÑwe build careers.
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FICTION: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction