Welcome message…
7 Insider Secrets to Get a Top Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal
Press the play button below to listen.
Click here to view and/or download a free PDF transcript
of this audio program
* * *
Literary Agent Directory
Important: Visit each agent’s website (links in their listings below) to see if they’re open to submissions before querying.
- You are searching within category(ies): Commercial Fiction
Biography
Lucy Carson is a literary agent with The Friedrich Agency. She says: ÒI was an over-achieving Òtheater kidÓ who joined every club I could jam into my high school schedule, and never missed a staged production. I attended The University of Michigan, but rarely attended any football games because the library was so blissfully quiet and empty on those SaturdaysÑa temptation too rare to pass up. At Michigan, I studied Film & Television, with an emphasis on production, and when some Juniors spent their semester abroad, I spent mine in Los Angeles, working for The Weinstein Company. I had planned to move to LA after graduation, but when MollyÕs then-assistant had a maternity leave that coincided with graduation in April 2008, I decided to postpone LA for a few months, since the agency was newly formed and my mother needed a trusted temp. Working together proved to be far more fun than either of us expected, so I simply never left. In my 14 years at the agency, I have cultivated a list of mostly fiction and narrative non-fiction for the adult trade audience. I have a particular weakness for voice-forward fiction that asks complicated questions about the intersection of tech, media, and modern relationships. Always with eyes peeled for elevated and stylish writing, I read widely across many genres, including thrillers, horror, sci-fi, and magical realism. Often the novels that are hardest to definitively categorize are the ones that most readily seduce me. In non-fiction, I always crave narrativeÑwhether itÕs a previously untold chapter of history, or an intimate memoir, or the portrait of a contemporary cultural phenomenon. In addition to brokering domestic publishing deals for my own clients, I also oversee all Film, Television & Dramatic business for the wider agency list. This does not mean I represent screenplays! These services only apply to existing print publishing clients and their underlying intellectual property (i.e. the book, the short story, the article). The Friedrich AgencyÕs Film/TV relationships are non-exclusive and customized for each project, and have resulted in all manner of adaptations, from serialized TV shows to one-woman Broadway plays. Five non-agency books that I loved: ASSEMBLY, CHEMISTRY, SPECIAL TOPICS IN CALAMITY PHYSICS, MAYBE YOU SHOULD TALK TO SOMEONE, DRIVE YOUR PLOW OVER THE BONES OF THE DEAD.”
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, General Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Science
Biography
Kim Carson Bodie is an Associate Agent at the Susan Schulman Literary Agency. Kim joined Susan Schulman in 2025 after years of working thematically and geographically scattered jobs that mostly involved taking words out of the air and putting them on paper. She is interested in reading commercial and upmarket contemporary fiction with a literary bent, horror, slipstream, creative nonfiction, and memoirÑparticularly projects that feature strong voice, experimental structure, bold risks, and big swings. Kim gravitates toward themes of adolescence, monstrosity, class, innocence, memory, healing, freakishness, community, otherness, identity, the body, the natural world, and the concept of home. She will read anything that takes place at a carnival. Kim received her MFA from the University of Montana, where you can still find her gathering dirt under her fingernails, between the pages of her books, and in the cracks of her computer keyboard. She can usually be spotted alongside her dog, Townes Van Dog.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Nature, Nonfiction
Jenniea Carter
New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc.Accepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Online FormBiography
Jenniea Carter is a literary agent with New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc. Harlem born and raised, Jenniea graduated from City College of New York with a B.A in Creative Writing and Asian Studies. With haste, she moved to Japan to explore the world outside the concrete jungle. After years of exploration, she returned home with a revitalized zeal for the literary world. Her first endeavor led her to Kinokuniya Bookstore where she honed her knowledge of book buying, merchandising, and selling. Soon after; Jenniea found herself home at New Leaf on JoannaÕs team, eager to uplift and amplify marginalized voices. When she is not between the pages of a book, Jenniea can be found bingeing mystery documentaries and animation.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Thriller, Women’s Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Andrea Cascardi is a literary agent with the Transatlantic Agency. Andrea Cascardi has held senior editorial positions at Random House, Disney/Hyperion, and Egmont USA. As an editor she acquired and edited Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King winner Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold, the Raffi Songs to Read series, and Pura Belpre winner Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez among many other award-winning books. As an agent she has represented many bestselling and award-winning titles including Clare VanderpoolÕs Newbery winner Moon Over Manifest and Printz Honor winner Navigating Early, e.E. Charlton-TruilloÕs Stonewall winner Fat Angie, New York Times Bestseller Nubs: A Mutt, A Marine, and a Miracle, and Texas Bluebonnet winner Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break if You Want to Survive the School Bus.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Lifestyle, Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Barbara Casey is president of the Barbara Casey Agency. She represents clients nationally and internationally in fiction and nonfiction for adults. She is also a partner with Strategic Media Books. Her past and present professional associations are numerous and include being editorial consultant for the Jamaican Writers Circle in affiliation with the University of West Indies and Mico Teachers College in Kingston. She also received special recognition for her editorial work on the English translations of Albanian childrenÕs stories. She is a frequent guest speaker at writersÕ conferences and universities throughout the United States. She is a former director, guest author, and panelist of BookFest of the Palm Beaches, Florida; and for thirteen years, she served as judge for the Pathfinder Literary Awards in Florida. She held the position of Florida Regional Advisor for the Society of ChildrenÕs Book Writers and Illustrators from 1991 to 2003. Originally from Carrollton, Illinois, Barbara Casey attended the University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, and North Carolina Wesleyan College where she received a BA degree, summa cum laude, with a double major in English and history. In 1978 she left her position as Director of Public Relations and Vice President of Development at North Carolina Wesleyan College to write full time and develop her own manuscript evaluation and editorial service. Since that time her award-winning articles, short stories, and poetry for adults have appeared in several publications.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, General Nonfiction, History, Inspirational Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Self-Help, True Crime CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Heather Cashman is a literary agent with the Storm Literary Agency. Heather has always devoured any book–fiction or nonfiction–that told a good story and introduced a new world, but she especially loves the ones that make her want to be the heroine of her own life. Her work in Biochemistry inspired her imagination for creating worlds. Writing for enjoyment turned into an interest in improving craft. Heather was a professional editor for Cornerstones Literary Consultancy, editing middle grade, young adult, and adult books. SheÕs also helped authors by working as Managing Director of Pitch Wars, #PitMad, and Pitch Madness, as well as being a Pitch Wars mentor. Before becoming Associate Literary Agent and Agent Mentor at Storm Literary Agency, Heather interned for three years at The Bent Agency and Entangled Publishing. Heather is currently seeking submissions for middle grade, young adult, and adult in fiction and nonfiction. For fiction, sheÕll consider all genres and loves a good genre splice. For non-fiction, anything that takes her back to those days in the library when she wanted to learn about someone, something, and somewhere new. For all writing, Heather enjoys unique characters formed from their own experiences in a unique world. The characters need to feel real with a distinct voice from the first line. Thematic elements and strong character arcs are a must. She loves commercial fiction that has a literary flair and inclusive books that bring us together as citizens of the world. Some of her favorite authors: Anne McCaffrey, Terry Brooks, Judy Blume, Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, Gary Paulson, Roald Dahl, Lord Byron (so much love for Prometheus Unbound, especially), Orson Scott Card, Beverly Cleary, Dean Koontz, Rainbow Rowell, Pierce Brown, Leigh Bardugo, Maggie Stiefvater, Holly Black, and so many more.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Biography, Cookbook Cooking, Crafts, History, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Sports, True Crime CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Johanna Castillo is a Senior Agent at Writers House Literary Agency. A seasoned professional in the publishing industry with 20+ years of experience, Johanna was formerly Vice President & Executive Editor at Simon and Schuster and Editorial Director of Atria Espa–ol for nearly fifteen years. She has acquired, edited or represented more than 50+ New York Times bestsellers, National and International bestselling authors including Isabel Allende, Samanta Schweblin, Rachael Ray, Sara Shepard, Lucinda Riley, Agustina Bazterrica, Javier Sierra, Laura Esquivel, Reyna Grande, Antonia Hylton, Ana Castillo, Justin Baldoni, Armando Lucas Correa and many others. While at Simon and Schuster, Johanna acquired and edited #1 New York Times bestseller It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover, as well as all of her first 14 titles, including Slammed, Ugly Love, November 9 and others. She was also responsible for acquiring non-fiction category breakers such as The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and represented Madness by Antonia Hylton. Johanna is also considered an industry expert in books in translation, Latine and Spanish US market. She has been featured in The Miami Herald, The Boston Globe, The Daily News, Latina Magazine and in Publishers Weekly Magazine. In 2016 she was named one of the 25 Most Powerful Women by People en Espa–ol magazine. She is also a board member of the Board of Directors of Poets & Writers. As a literary agent, Johanna is actively building a list of talented authors with whom she can work closely editorially and form solid, long-term partnerships. Johanna is seeking works of Literary and commercial fiction and narrative non-fiction. She is always seeking new diverse voices, particularly Latinx and African-American.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, General Nonfiction, History, Lifestyle, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Analieze Cervantes is a literary agent with the Rees Literary Agency. Analieze joined the Rees Literary Agency in 2023, after working as an agent at Harvey Klinger Literary Agency. She has a bachelorÕs degree in creative writing, with a minor in screenwriting, from Cal State San Bernardino University. Analieze is actively building her list. She is interested in Picture-Books, Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult Fiction. She is passionately seeking BIPOC and underrepresented voices.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Jemiscoe Chambers-Black
Andrea Brown Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Online FormBiography
Jemiscoe Chambers-Black is a literary agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Before Jemiscoe “Jem” Chambers-Black joined Andrea Brown Literary Agency in 2020, she was an assistant director for film and television. Her love for books prevailed, and she went back to school to study English Literature and creative writing in fiction and earned her MFA. She represents illustrators, picture book authors (by referral only), MG, YA, and adult authors. In picture books, she enjoys laugh-out-louds, tight rhyming, and heartfelt books that deal with family, friendships, and emotional literacy.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Farley Chase is a literary agent with the Chase Literary Agency. He says: “I’ve worked in publishing since 1996. I became a literary agent in 2002 and founded Chase Literary Agency in 2012. I’ve worked at The New Yorker magazine, as an editor at Talk Miramax Books and was an agent at the Waxman Literary Agency before going out on my own. I’m on the Board of the AALA and Literary Agents of Change where I also serve as Treasurer. I’m keen to see submissions from writers of every background but especially BIPOC and otherwise marginalized points of view. I’m interested in literary and commercial fiction of all kinds, especially plot, voice, and character-driven stories. I agree with Lorrie Moore who wrote “We don’t often know what intimate life consists of until novels tell us.” I’m interested in narrative nonfiction of all kinds, especially stories that tell us something new about things we think we know. I’m keen to see memoir, natural history, science, current affairs, journalism, history, and biography. Original business and self-help books stemming from expertise are also of interest. And I’m especially interested in graphic and comics storytelling in fiction and nonfiction.”
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Animals, Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, Environment, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, Journalism, Lifestyle, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Reference, Science, Self-Help, Sports, Travel, True Crime
Biography
Jennifer Chen Tran is a literary agent with Glass Literary Management. With over a dozen years of experience in the publishing industry, Jennifer is passionate about nurturing and championing the creative lives of the authors and artists she is honored to represent. She works with a wide range of award-winning talent, including entrepreneurs, journalists, physicians, thought leaders, James Beard nominated chefs, and graphic novelists, among others. Jennifer is an editorial agent who believes in the art and magic of collaboration. She works with her authors from concept to publication, helping to polish each creatorÕs work so that it can best shine in a competitive marketplace. Prior to joining Glass Literary Management, Jennifer was a literary agent at Folio Literary Management and Idea Architects and served as Of Counsel at The New Press. She obtained her Juris Doctor from Northeastern School of Law and a Bachelors in English Literature from Washington University in St. Louis. She is an attorney in good standing in California and New York, a member of the Authors Guild, and a member of the Association of American Literary Agents. As a person of color and daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, Jennifer is deeply committed to amplifying voices from persons with disabilities, BIPOC, LGBTQ, underrepresented, marginalized, and neurodiverse communities. Her ultimate goal is to work in concert with authors to create books that will have a lasting positive social impact on the worldÑbooks that inform, entertain, and inspire. In her free time, you can find Jennifer relaxing with a good book, trying to complete a recipe with too many ingredients, or exploring the Lone Star State with her family.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Biography, Business Book, Celebrity, Computers, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Design, Environment, Family, Fitness, Food Drink, Gardening, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Sports, Technology, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Elyse Cheney is a literary agent with the The Cheney Agency. Born in Brooklyn, Elyse Cheney attended the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in English with an additional focus on art history. She began her career at an art gallery in Manhattan, later landing a position at at a boutique literary agency on the Upper East Side. In 1996 she moved to Sanford J. Greenburger as an agent. While there, she represented groundbreaking titles like A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers and The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah. In early 2006, she opened The Cheney Agency. Some of her notable titles include The World as It Is and After the Fall by Ben Rhodes, She Said by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, A Very Stable Genius and I Alone Can Fix It by Carol Leonnig and Phil Rucker, Doing Justice by Preet Bharara, Zero Fail by Carol Leonnig, National Book Award winner The Future Is History by Masha Gessen, New York Times bestseller Zealot by Reza Aslan, Pulitzer Prize winning biography Malcolm X by Manning Marable, critically acclaimed novels The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. by Adelle Waldman and Among the Ten Thousand Things by Julia Pierpont, #1 New York Times bestseller No Easy Day by Mark Owen, New York Times bestseller This Town by Mark Leibovich, The Daughters of Kobani by Gayle Lemmon, Moonwalking with Einstein by Josh Foer, Endurance by astronaut Scott Kelly, and When in French by Lauren Collins. In 2013, she was named one of the most powerful women in New York by the New York Daily News. She was also pictured on the cover of Poets and WriterÕs Magazine as a game changer in publishing.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Short Story Collection, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Economics, General Nonfiction, Journalism, Memoir, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Science
Biography
Lucy Childs is a literary agent with The Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency. Lucy’s been at the agency since 1995, having switched from professional actress to literary agent. Her clients include Frances Sherwood, Elizabeth Diamond, and Peter Charles Melman. Interested in both commercial fiction (women’s and mystery), and especially literary fiction (including historical), as well as narrative non-fiction. While willing to read just about anything as long as it’s intelligent and well-written, Lucy isn’t interested in seeing horror, fantasy, sci-fi, self-help, or poetry.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction
Biography
Danielle Chiotti is a literary agent with Upstart Crow Literary. Danielle has worked in publishing for twenty years. Formerly an editor, she joined Upstart Crow when it was founded in 2009. She is honored to work on books with accolades including National Book Awards finalists, Kirkus Prize winners, and NYT Editor’s Picks. Her authors have received recognition from the Guggenheim Foundation, the James Beard Foundation, the Schneider Family Book Award, the Lambda Literary Awards, the Story Prize, and more. Danielle specializes in upmarket and literary fiction, young adult and middle grade fiction, as well as select nonfiction. Thanks to her extensive editorial background, she enjoys working closely with authors to develop projects. She welcomes first-time authors with a unique voice and point of view. Her clients include Deesha Philyaw, author of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies (WVU Press), Brian Broome, author of Punch Me Up to the Gods (Mariner), Jacqueline West, author of the NYT bestselling Books of Elsewhere (Penguin), The Collectors and Long Lost (Harper/Greenwillow), Alisa Zipurksy, author of Healing Honestly: The Messy and Magnificent Path to Overcoming Self-Blame and Self Shame, and Nicole D. Collier, author of Just Right Jillian and The Many Fortunes of Maya (Clarion).
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Short Story Collection, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Cookbook Cooking, Crafts, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Adam Chromy is a literary agent with Movable Type Managment. After receiving a degree in finance and management from N.Y.U.Õs Stern School of Business and spending a decade as a sales and marketing specialist for technology startups, Adam Chromy decided to blend his love of narrative with his modern entrepreneurial spirit. The result was Artists and Artisans Inc., where for ten years he represented authors with a professional rigor seldom seen in the book business. After hundreds of published books and dozens of bestsellers, Adam relaunched his company as Movable Type Management to better serve clients by offering them the higher visibility afforded by film and television adaptations of their work.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Computers, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Reference, Science, Self-Help, Sports, Technology, Travel
Biography
Steven Chudney is a literary agent with The Chudney Agency. Steven says: “After more than fifteen years in book publishing I founded The Chudney Agency in 2002, specializing in the wonderful world of children’s books. My very first job in publishing was selling paperbacks for Dell Publishing in their small telemarketing department. Since then I have held various sales and marketing positions at Viking Penguin, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, and Simon & Schuster where I was first the marketing director and then director of licensing and brand development. My last publishing position was with Winslow Press where I held the position of Senior Director of Marketing, Sales & Subsidiary Rights. I have sold and marketed every imaginable type of book – adult and children’s, hardcovers, pop-up books and paperbacksÑto wholesalers, independent bookstores and chain stores alike. And, having worked at various publishing houses, I know many editors and art directors in the industry. Successes along the way included the marketing campaign to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Eloise, by Kay Thompson, the launch of the Nickelodeon line of books, and the acquisition and initial development of the Cheerios brand for Simon & Schuster into one of the bestselling board book series’ of all time. Not to mention all the first time novels and picture books I worked on as well. Now, as an agent, I find that I really love the beginning of the process: reading manuscripts and discovering new talent. I also enjoy the challenge of developing authors and illustrators, and making sure their books find the largest audience possible. Since I began my agency in 2002, I have had the good fortune to work with new and established writers and illustrators, pairing them with the right editor at the right publishing house, and guiding and managing their careers. Working with sub-agents covering TV and film rights, as well as foreign language agents in key territories and countries all over the world, I continue to be excited about the opportunities for my authors and illustrators.”
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Humor Nonfiction, Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Jane Chun is a literary agent at the Transatlantic Agency. She joined Transatlantic in 2023 after four years at Janklow & Nesbit Associates. Prior to her time at J&N, she worked on a freelance project for HG Literary and interned at Writers House and Maximum Films & Management. Before entering the publishing world, Jane attended NYU where she majored in History and minored in Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology; Creative Writing; and Spanish. She returned to NYU shortly after graduation and a brief stint at Asian CineVision and the Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) to receive her M.S. in Publishing with distinction. She is a native New Yorker.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Environment, Food Drink, History, Illustrated, Investigative, Journalism, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Science, Travel CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Andrea Cirillo is a literary agent with the Jane Rotrosen Agency. Andrea began her publishing career in the editorial department of Dell Books where her childhood addiction to commercial fiction was nourished and expanded. After nearly five years on the editorial side of the table, she joined JRA intending to gain a different perspective and has called it home ever since. She has a strong affinity for female voices and primarily represents writers of general fiction, women’s fiction, and suspense, many of them from their debut novels.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction
Biography
Lansing Clark is a Literary Assistant at Janklow & Nesbit Associates. Having grown up in New York City, Lansing Clark attended Oberlin College and majored in English. A reader from a young age, she became interested in publishing, interning at literary agencies and then working in the Entry-Level Training Program at CAA before joining Janklow and Nesbit Associates in 2024, where she assists Kirby Kim and Paul Lucas. Lansing is interested in a wide range of fiction, both literary and commercial, speculative, and historical, especially enjoying family dramas, stories with a complex central relationship, and themes of identity and belonging. In nonfiction, she’s drawn to narratives that illuminate a certain history, social phenomenon, or psychological experience, as well as any deeply personal, humorous, or otherwise thought-provoking memoirs.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Speculative Fiction NONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, History, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Psychology
Biography
Lane Clarke is a literary agent with Ultra Literary. She believes in representing books that transport your mind, whether it be in a fantastical world, or the real one. She is always hoping to learn something new from books, and strives to represent a diverse list of creators. She represents all age groups and is fairly genre-agnosticÐshe simply looks for stories that have something to say in both the fiction and nonfiction space. She earned a Bachelors of Arts in English Literature from Virginia Tech, and a law degree from The University of Chicago Law School. She is the co-founder of PitBlk, a Twitter pitch event for Black writers from across the diaspora, and is the brain behind #BVM, the Black Voices Matter hashtag. She lives in the Washington D.C.-area with her husband and two fur babies.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, General Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Lucy Cleland is a literary agent with the Frances Goldin Literary Agency. She joined the agency in 2025 and brings over a decade of experience representing prize-winning authors of fiction and nonfiction. Her taste is bold and eclectic; she loves working with writers who, to steal from a line Dickinson, Òtell all the truth but tell it slant.Ó LucyÕs clients have been National Book Award and Pulitzer finalists, winners of the NBCC Award and PEN America Awards, recipients of MacArthur ÒGeniusÓ grants, and elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; their books have been featured in the New Yorker Briefly Noted, New York Times EditorsÕ Choice, and a variety of best books of the year lists, as well as ranked as USA Today Bestsellers and selected for the Book of the Month Club. LucyÕs nonfiction taste is anchored by her interest in the way culture shapes us (and we shape it). She represents Ôbig ideaÕ books, narrative nonfiction, pop culture/cultural criticism, history, psychology, social science, philosophy, natural science, and select memoir. SheÕs looking for stylish writers who have their hands on a curiosity-inducing subject, books that add depth and context to conversations in the zeitgeist, and experts that offer readers powerful and urgent clarity about their lives and the world around them. In fiction, Lucy is drawn to novels with sticky or unusual concepts. On the literary side, she loves authors that explore how social issues and human hearts get painfully and gloriously tangled up together. On the commercial side, she gravitates towards transportive historical fiction and genre-bending contemporary work, particularly grounded fantasy and sci-fi stories that trace the downstream effects of a single ÒtwistÓ on our world. Regardless of genre, authors writing from marginalized perspectives are heartily welcomed. A southern transplant originally from Atlanta, Lucy lives with her wife and two dogs in Boston. Previously, she worked as an agent at Kneerim & Williams and Calligraph. You can find her on instagram at shelfpromotion.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Science Fiction, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Economics, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Law Legal, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Parenting, Philosophy, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Technology, Upmarket Nonfiction, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book
Jonathan Clements
Wheelhouse Literary GroupCLOSED to SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Online FormBiography
Jonathan Clements is a literary agent with and the founder of Wheelhouse Literary Group. He has worked in the entertainment industry for more 20 years, calling Nashville home for the full term. While he has an extensive background in artist and brand management, career development and consulting, he found his calling in 2005, beginning working with authors as a literary agent. Jonathan founded Wheelhouse Literary Group in 2010, after spending the previous five years working with authors and brands for another agency. His loves include coffee, music, and the ever-elusive well-crafted sentence. Therefore, you may just find him at the local coffee shop, multitasking on his laptop, conducting client meetings, reading manuscripts, and wellÉenjoying some java drink sure to have cinnamon sprinkles on top. Of course, the end goal is helping writers communicate their passion to the masses, to encourage creative types in spreading their message via book, film, television, or the latest medium available. Wheelhouse represents commercial and literary fiction in the general areas of inspirational, historical, contemporary, military, as well as biography/memoir, sports, political, current events and pop culture non-fictionÑall with a values-friendly approach. Wheelhouse clients reach audiences seeking stimulating storylines, poignant prose and motivating messages. Jonathan and Wheelhouse have worked with dozens of influential writers and brands within the entertainment and publishing worlds over the years, many culminating in New York Times list best-selling books, feature films, documentaries, and television series under his guidance. Always open to a new project pitch, you won’t meet a more approachable agent. Just don’t forget the coffee.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Espionage Military Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Literary Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, General Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Religion, Spirituality, Sports CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction, Christian Nonfiction
Biography
Amy Cloughley is a literary agent with Kimberley Cameron & Associates. She came to Kimberley Cameron & Associates in 2013 and has studied creative writing, journalism, and literature and holds a B.S. in magazine journalism. She worked in editorial and marketing roles in magazine publishing and corporate business before shifting her professional focus to her lifelong love of books in 2013 when she joined Kimberley Cameron & Associates. She now leverages her background in both words and business to benefit her clients. She seeks authors with unique, clear voices who put forth smart, tightly-written prose. She is actively building her client list with both debut and veteran writers. Whether literary, upmarket, or commercial, she leans toward grounded novels with a distinct sense of place. She loves a page-turning mystery or domestic suspense with sharp wit and unexpected twists and turns. She also loves well-researched historicals as well as bookclub fiction that has a fresh perspective. She has a soft spot for distinctive, strong, contemporary characters set in small towns. Amy always looks for an unexpected story arc, a suitable pace, and a compelling protagonist. She is interested in narrative nonfiction that is immersed in a culture, lifestyle, discipline, or industry. She does not represent childrens/YA literature of any kind, science fiction, fantasy, or self-published books. Amy is a current member of the AALA. Check out her Manuscript Wish and her PublisherÕs Marketplace pages to get a sense of the types of projects she represents.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, Lifestyle, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Sports, Travel, True Adventure
Biography
Jonathan Cobb is a literary agent with HG Literary. He graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a BachelorÕs degree in English Literature, and later completed a MasterÕs degree in Publishing: Digital and Print Media at NYU. After gaining experience at Writers House and NYU Press, he joined HG Literary to assist partner and agent Josh Getzler on a wide variety of titles in fiction and nonfiction. In addition to being an agent, Jon also coordinates HG LiteraryÕs internship program. Jon reads all genres of fiction but has a particular interest in contemporary middle grade and YA, science fiction and fantasy, African-American fiction, literary fiction, and mysteries and thrillers. He also has a soft spot for anything related to track and field, geek culture, weird science or cutting-edge technology.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Espionage Military Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story Collection, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Mara Cobb is a literary agent at Lighthouse Literary. On Mara Cobb’s fifth birthday, she read two Junie B. Jones books in one sitting. It wasnÕt long after that when her grandmothers, both voracious readers, took it upon themselves to hunt for books she would love just as much as the Junie B. series. By age six, she was reading Nancy Drew mysteries. At seven, she was working her way through the Bobbsey Twins and Little House in the Big Woods, followed by Little Women. As a reader and as an agent, she often picks up the same books that she sneaked into her bed and read long into the night with her handy-dandy flashlight. She’s drawn to strong and feisty protagonists, antagonists with redemptive arcs, and plots that have curveballs and keep her glued to the page. She loves books that are impossible to put down with surprising plot twists–books that have her saying Òjust one more chapterÓ at 2 a.m. when she really should be sleeping. By day, when she’s not reading or teaching at a nearby community college, she’s drafting stories of her own, baking cookies, crafting, playing piano and fiddle, and spending time outdoors with the dogs, cats, goats, horses, and chickens on her family’s farm. By night, she can be found consuming iced coffee while watching cheesy rom-coms and reality TV. She also enjoys traveling and hopes to visit all 50 states, finding unique coffee shops, book stores, and hole-in-the-wall restaurants along the way. In February 2022, Mara began interning at Martin Literary Management, and she started work as a junior agent at Martin Lit in September 2023. She is excited to be part of Lighthouse Literary, where she can fulfill her goal of working on projects that serve as a light in our world.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Crafts, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Family, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Nonfiction, Parenting, Religion, Self-Help, Spirituality, Sports, Travel, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction, Christian Nonfiction
Biography
Judythe Cohen is a literary assistant with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She served as the right hand of literary agent legend Mort Janklow for 23 years, working closely with him and many of his clients, including Danielle Steel, David McCullough, Thomas Harris, Michael Moore, Robert Wagner, Scott Eyman and JR Moehringer. She has also worked on projects with Beastie Boys, Joan Didion, and Joe Hagan. Judythe grew up in Amarillo, Texas, received her BA from Hampshire College and her MFA from Columbia University. She is seeking authors who can keep her turning the pages, with interest in literary fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, domestic thrillers/suspense, narrative non-fiction, science fiction and anything featuring strong, unique women characters.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Women’s Issues
Biography
Barbara Collins Rosenberg is a literary agent with the Rosenberg Group. She says: “In 1998, after a successful career in the higher education division of Harcourt Brace, I established the Agency with the idea of representing authors of college textbooks and trade nonfiction. A random chat with a professor led me to explore romance and womenÕs fiction, genres I read but hadnÕt considered, and the Agency took on a broader focus. I make frequent editorial trips to New York, attend industry conventions, and enjoy speaking before local, regional, and national writersÕ conferences. Helping writers develop their proposals and manuscripts is the most important part of my job. My goal is to establish long-term relationships with my clients, building and managing careers along the way. I have had the privilege of guiding authors through the journey of publishing multiple titles and revising many textbook editions. I am well versed in all aspects of publishing Ð editorial, production, sales, and traditional and digital marketing. When I represent my authors in contract negotiations I fight for them, and strive to ensure that all issues regarding print and digital rights are in their favor. I respect that writing and the craft of revision are creative endeavors, but publishing is a bottom line industry, so I make certain to explain the jargon and the ins and outs of the book business to my authors. I was born in The Bronx, New York, and reared in Paterson, New Jersey. I lived in Fort Worth, Texas for thirteen years, where both the Agency and my son were birthed. The Agency is now located a little north of Boston.”
Notes
FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Romance, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Celebrity, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Education, Environment, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Journalism, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Reference, Science, Sports, Technology, Travel, Women’s Issues