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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.
- You are searching within category(ies): Picture Book *
Biography
Stacey Kendall Glick is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC. Stacey Kendall Glick, Vice President, joined DG&B in 1999 after working in film and television development for five years. Following a number of internships in the entertainment business, her first job after college was at PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, where she looked for book projects to be adapted into feature films. Next, she worked as a story editor at Hearst Entertainment, where she scouted material for television movies. Stacey grew up just outside of Manhattan and is a former child actress who appeared on television, in theater, and in feature films. She now lives in New Jersey with her husband and four daughters (the youngest are identical twins), and enjoys cooking and baking, sipping wine and cocktails, taking pictures, shopping, theater, going to Mets games and eating chocolate, cheese and spicy tuna hand rolls (not necessarily in that order) when she can find the time. She has a wide-ranging and eclectic client list, and is interested in many subjects, including (but not limited to) on the adult side: nonfiction including memoir, parenting, cooking and food, psychology, science, health and wellness, lifestyle, current events, pop culture, and select adult contemporary fiction. And on the children’s side: YA, middle grade, nonfiction, and picture books. Stacey is a member of the AAR and is a council member of the Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature (RUCCL.org).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Practical * Prescriptive * Psychology * Science * True Crime * Young Adult * Women’s Issues *
One Union Square West Suite 904 New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
Adria Goetz is a literary agent with KT Literary. Sheis based out of the beautifully gloomy Pacific Northwest. Adria got her start in publishing as an intern at Martin Literary Management in 2013. She represents picture books, middle grade, graphic novels, and adult fiction. She graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor’s degree in English with a Creative Writing emphasis, as well as the Columbia Publishing Course. In 2019, she was selected as a Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree. Adria has eclectic taste but particularly enjoys projects that are tinged with magic, have so much heart you can practically hear their heartbeat, and have a compelling, commercial hook. In her spare time she can be found rewatching Gilmore Girls for the millionth time, listening to Taylor Swift, and dreaming about the mossy stone cottage in the woods she would like to live in one day. You can read Adria’s full manuscript wishlist at adriagoetz.com.
Adria Goetz is seeking picture books (especially by author-illustrators), middle grade fiction, graphic novels, and adult fiction—particularly rom coms, thrillers, and upmarket fiction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION:
9249 S. Broadway #200-543 Highlands Ranch CO 80129 USA
Biography
Ellen Goff is a literary agent with HG Literary. She graduated from The University of Chicago (2016) with a BA in English, a minor in Cinema and Media Studies, and a focus in Creative Writing. Ellen has worked everywhere from The White House under the Obama administration to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. At HG Literary, she assists Carrie Hannigan on all children’s titles from picture books to middle grade to young adult. Ellen’s own list consists of YA writers and illustrators. She is also a member of HG’s foreign rights team.
Ellen is interested in all genres and formats of YA, especially anything spooky, historical fiction, and graphic novels. She has a soft spot for Shakespeare as well as southern gothic stories that remind her of her home state of Kentucky. Ellen runs a twelve-member YA writing group and workshop in NYC.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Food/Drinks * Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
6 West 18th Street #7R New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Barry Goldblatt is a literary agent with Barry Goldblatt Literary. Barry says: “To paraphrase Garrett Morris of SNL, children’s books have been very, very good to me. It was never my planned career option, however.
I came to New York in the summer of 1989 after graduating from the University of Kansas with a B.A. in English and a B.S. in Journalism. I’d just finished an intensive six-week course on science fiction with James Gunn there, and I was determined to come to the city and get an editorial job at a science fiction magazine or book publishing company. If I’d only done a little research beforehand, I’d have realized how few editorial positions there were that fit that description. Fortunately I had a great interviewer at Simon & Schuster who explained a bunch of other job options, including describing the subsidiary rights department, which sounded like a lot of fun. I added that to my application letters and suddenly started getting a lot more calls for interviews
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
C/O Industrious – Brooklyn 594 Dean Street – 2nd Floor Brooklyn NY 11238 USA
Biography
Mark Gottlieb is a literary agent with Trident Media Group. He is a highly ranked literary agent both in overall deals and other individual categories. Using that same initiative and insight for identifying talented writers, he is actively building his own client list of authors. Mark Gottlieb is excited to work directly with authors, helping to manage and grow their careers with all of the unique resources that are available at book publishing’s leading literary agency, Trident Media Group. During his time at Trident Media Group, Mark Gottlieb has represented numerous New York Times bestselling authors, as well as award-winning authors, and has optioned and sold books to film and TV production companies. He previously ran the agency’s audiobook department, in addition to working in foreign rights. Mark Gottlieb is actively seeking submissions in all categories and genres and looking forward to bringing new and established authors to the curious minds of their future readers.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Sports Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Western * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Computers * Cooking/Cookbook * Crafts * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Environment * Ethnic * Family * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * Gardening * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Inspiration * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Reference * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * Travel * True Crime *
355 Lexington Ave 12th FL New York NY 10017 USA
Biography
Susan Graham is a literary agent with Einstein Literary Management. They joined Einstein Literary Management as an assistant in 2015 and now has a growing list of author and illustrator clients. They hold a Master’s Degree in Children’s Literature and a Master’s Degree in English from Simmons College. They currently live in Brooklyn with their two cats, appropriately named Chicken and The Crocodile.
Susan’s looking for children’s and young adult fiction in all genres, but their favorite books are often science fiction and fantasy, especially written with a queer lens. They also enjoy picture books and represent graphic novels in all age categories and in all genres. They’re particularly interested in friendships and sibling narratives, and monster protagonists are always a plus. They’re looking for a good non-fiction or two for children or teens but don’t know about what. For adult prose, they prefer genre fiction, and monster protagonists are still a plus. Works by and about marginalized voices are welcome and encouraged.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
4 South Orange Avenue #245 South Orange NJ 07079 USA
Biography
Kara Grajkowski is a literary agent with the 3 Seas Literary Agency. As a child, I remember trips to the post office with my mom, Michelle Grajkowski, multiple times a week to fill our minivan trunk with tons of white USPS bins for her new (super cool) literary agency. The bins would end up in the dark, scary, basement room next to our playroom. I always wondered what secrets were typed in mom’s manuscripts… Years later, as I scanned through the library of mom’s published books in a different dark, scary room in our basement, I fell in love with the secrets that I was learning with every page I turned. Now, as an adult, I have become obsessed with bringing secrets out of the basement library and into my (very colorful) elementary classroom library. When I am not teaching fractions and key details, you can find me singing, trying new restaurants, exploring with my corgi, Momo, or finding the best bargains.
If you are ready to bring your secrets into the world with me (preferably into well-lit, not-so-scary rooms), query me!
Wishlist:
Contemporary Middle Grade Fiction
Contemporary YA Fiction
Own Voices
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * Juvenile * Multicultural * Parenting/Child Guidance * Psychology * Travel * Women’s Issues *
Biography
Michelle Grajkowski is a literary agent with 3 Seas Literary Agency. From the moment Michelle Grajkowski first opened the doors to the 3 Seas Literary Agency in August of 2000, she has been living her dream. (What could be better than surrounding yourself with amazing authors and their exciting and imaginative books?) Since then, her agency has sold almost 700 books to all the major publishing houses, and has grown from one agent to three!
Michelle’s client list includes New York Times Bestselling Authors Katie MacAlister, Cathy McDavid, Kerrelyn Sparks and C.L. Wilson. She primarily represents romance, women’s fiction, young adult and middle grade fiction along with select non-fiction projects with a terrific message. She is currently looking for fantastic writers with a voice of their own.
When not curled up with a great manuscript, Michelle loves to spend time with her husband, children and her two crazy puppies, who refuse to grow up.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Espionage/Military * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * Fantasy * Graphic Novel * Historical * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Religious * Romance * Satire * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Western * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Christian * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Design * Environment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Journalism * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Military/War * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Psychology * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * Travel * Women’s Issues *
P.O. Box 444 Sun Prairie WI 53590 USA
Biography
Jill Grinberg is a literary agent with Jill Grinberg Literary Management. Jill is also the Founder and President. She has worked in New York publishing for the past two decades. She completed her B.A. in English Literature at Tufts University and Oxford University, UK, interning at Boston Magazine and the Boston Review before moving to Manhattan to enter book publishing. She started in the publicity department at HarperCollins, where she worked with high-profile authors and books like Amy Bloom’s National Book Award finalist Come to Me, and Thomas Moore’s #1 New York Times bestseller Care of The Soul. Realizing, thanks to Amy Bloom’s wise counseling, that she had a passion for author advocacy and book development from the ground up, she then moved to the agenting side of the business. She was a founding partner of Anderson Grinberg Literary Management, and went on to form her own firm, Jill Grinberg Literary Management. Jill feels a strong kinship with her great-grandparents who founded the historic Cafe Royal, a mecca for Jewish intellectuals and artists in New York City in the 1920s, 30s and 40s, and she continues their tradition of hosting tea and conversation with visiting writers and illustrators.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * History * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Money/Finance * Narrative * Politics * Science * Travel * Young Adult *
392 Vanderbilt Avenue Brooklyn NY 11238 USA
Biography
Laura Gruszka is a literary agent with Writers House. She says: “I’ve had the privilege of working closely with many celebrated authors and illustrators of children’s books under the mentorship of senior agent Rebecca Sherman for over three years; now, I’m excited to build my own list!
I’m looking for authors and illustrators of children’s books for all ages—picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, and graphic novels. I’m also open to adult graphic novels and adult literary fiction.
My priority as a junior agent is uplifting traditionally underrepresented voices and stories in publishing. This applies to every category of books I am looking for. If you are a creator who is part of a marginalized community—regardless of whether you are specifically writing about identity—please send your work my way!”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Graphic Novel * Horror * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Memoir *
Biography
Kirsten Hall is a literary agent with Catbird Productions. She is the author of 100+ children’s books, has been employed since 2009 as a US-based managing agent at the Bright Agency, which is headquartered in London and specializes in nurturing and developing debut children’s book author/illustrators. Hall’s client list at Bright includes Benji Davis, Elly Mackay, Clive McFarland, and Connah Brecon. Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
USA
Biography
Judith Hansen, the founder of the Hansen Literary Agency, is the former deputy publisher of Kitchen Sink Press. An attorney, she had a twenty year career with major trade book publishers including Simon & Schuster, NAL, and the Crown and Doubleday divisions of Random House.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Architecture * Art * Autobiography * Biography * Business * Economics * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Pop Culture * Psychology * Reference *
242 Bronxville Road Bronxville NY 10708 USA
Biography
Stephanie Hansen is a literary agent with Metamorphosis Literary Agency. She represents authors with their debut novels and New York Times-bestsellers and has brokered deals with small presses and major publishing houses. She holds a master’s degree with a Creative Writing Specialization. She predominantly represents YA SF/F but has a secret addiction for romance. While these are her favorite, she handles everything fiction from children’s books to adult thrillers. Previously an editor for Mind’s Eye Literary Magazine, she joined Metamorphosis July 2016. Originally looking to help Midwest authors in “flyover states” to garner the attention of major publishing houses, she found camaraderie with multiple agents and editors. Stephanie is unilaterally deaf with 90 dB tinnitus. She’s dedicated to elevating voices that often go unheard. She’s seeking: Romantic comedies, YA & Adult, and YA contemporary with unexpected antagonists. She is intrigued by prose that flows as smoothly as poetry, unforgettable plot twists, and well-rounded characters.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Celebrity * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * How-To * Memoir * Parenting/Child Guidance * Self-Help/Personal Development * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
Kansas City MO USA
Biography
Elizabeth Harding is a literary agent with the Curtis Brown Literary Agency. Elizabeth Harding represents authors and illustrators of picture books, middle-grade and young adult fiction. She started at the agency almost 20 years ago as an assistant to the legendary Marilyn E. Marlow. Elizabeth’s list includes New York Times bestsellers, Newbery, National Book Award, Printz, and Coretta Scott King honor and award winners. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan (Go Blue!), a devoted and hopeful fan of her hometown Cleveland teams and lives in Manhattan with her husband and four sons.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
228 E 45th Street 3rd floor New York NY 10017 USA
Biography
Hilary Harwell is a literary agent with KT Literary. As a proud member of the KT Literary family, Hilary represents children’s and young adult authors. She joined the team in 2016 as an assistant to both Kate and Sara and began taking on her own clients in 2017. Hilary is a graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she earned a degree in Anthropology. She went on to work in the back office of a major Swiss Investment Bank for eight years before deciding to trade numbers for letters. When not reading or editing or writing stories of her own, Hilary likes to hike the Rockies with her family and dreams of one day owning her own horses. As an agent, Hilary partners with her growing list of clients to develop their projects in preparation for submission and strategizes to help them build long-term writing careers as published authors. She’s highly communicative, empathetic, and supportive as an agent–tailoring her approach to each client’s unique needs, acting as a strong advocate, and helping them navigate the business side of publishing their work. She’s actively acquiring middle grade and young adult projects across all genres; picture books, chapter books and graphic novels by author-illustrators. More about her interests can be found at Manuscript Wishlist. Recent sales can be found on Publisher’s Marketplace.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile *
9249 S. Broadway #200-543 Highlands Ranch CO 80129 USA
Biography
Merrilee Heifetz is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. Merrilee has been at Writers House for over 20 years and was one of the first agents to handle comic books/graphic novels when asked by a very young Neil Gaiman to represent his work with DC Comics (he did promise to write bestselling novels one day and she is very glad she took him at his word.) She is one of the few agents who is well known for representing both adult and children’s books and she finds she has been very successful with authors who don’t fall into categories and who can benefit from overall career management.
Her New York Times Bestsellers include Gaiman, Laurell K. Hamilton, Melissa Marr and Beth Revis, whose 2011 debut novel ACROSS THE UNIVERSE she placed in a major deal. Her award winners include three Newbery Medals (Cynthia Voigt, Robin McKinley and Neil Gaiman) a MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient (the late Octavia E Butler) and many best of the year awards such as the Hugo, the Nebula and the World Fantasy Award. For five years she chaired the Contracts Committee for the Association of Authors Representatives (AAR).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Celebrity * Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * Juvenile * Middle Grade * Music * Narrative * Pop Culture * Reference * Young Adult *
120 Broadway 22nd floor New York NY 10271 USA
Biography
Andrea Heinecke is a literary agent with The Bindery. Andrea brings a broad publishing background to every project she represents, having worked as an editor, publicist, and literary agent with award-winning authors writing both fiction and nonfiction for adults, youth, and children.
Andrea represents bestselling and critically acclaimed authors—thoughtful and diverse women and men who contribute to the culture and dialogue of our world. She has been a literary agent for over a decade and has negotiated hundreds of contracts on behalf of her wonderful clients, which include The Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust, Eugene Peterson, Valorie Burton, and Brian Zahnd.
Her love for the written word began early in life and took her to Seattle Pacific University, where she majored in English Literature. She has served within her community and industry as a board member for the Henri Nouwen Society, a Girl Scout Leader, and a member of the Coronado Junior Woman’s Club. She lives in California with her husband Matt, a teacher and musician, and their children, Ella and Luke.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * General Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book * Religious * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Christian * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Humor * Inspiration * Juvenile * Memoir * Multicultural * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Psychology * Religion * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Young Adult *
Colorado Springs CO 80908 USA
Biography
Alyssa Eisner Henkin is a literary agent with Birch Path Literary. She says: “Upon earning my bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Pennsylvania, I fulfilled a childhood dream – to move to New York and work with books. I was fortunate to land a job in editorial at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. At S&S, the time spent learning about the rapidly flourishing kidlit market from the wisest of colleagues was invaluable to my career. Ultimately my entrepreneurial drive led me to become a literary agent at Trident Media Group. At TMG, I cultivated a stable of bestselling and multi-award-winning children’s book authors. A plethora of ancillary deals for audio, film, theatrical, merchandising, and international editions has made me an ardent advocate for the rights of creators.
With the founding of Birch Path Literary, I have the privilege of “soul” proprietorship. I come from a long line of business owners who have always valued professional integrity, optimism, and passion. Just as enterprising Anne Shirley strode down her Birch Path, I thrive on navigating intricate labyrinths with each author and illustrator. We plot and strategize the best long-term opportunities across genre, format, and territory amidst an everchanging but verdant landscape for stories.
Timeless telling styles always entice me as a bicentennial baby fed on Bemelmans, Betsy-Tacy, Burnett, and the Brontës. Yet I am especially hungry for bold, change-making projects that promote underrepresented perspectives and foster inclusion. Certainly, the two categories are not mutually exclusive. My favorite books are character-driven, quirky, heartfelt, slyly humorous, and ultimately hopeful.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Juvenile * Middle Grade * Travel * Upmarket * Young Adult *
Bryn Mawr PA 19010 USA
Biography
Christa Heschke is a literary agent with the McIntosh & Otis Literary Agency. Christa graduated from Binghamton University with a major in English and a minor in Anthropology. She started in publishing as an intern at both Writers House and Sterling Lord Literistic, where she fell in love with the agency side of publishing. Christa has been at McIntosh and Otis, Inc. in the Children’s Literature Department since 2009 where she is actively acquiring for all age groups in children’s.
For YA, she is especially interested in contemporary, thriller/mystery, fantasy and horror. She looks for a compelling voice and a strong hook that will set a YA novel apart in the flooded market. She is open to all types of middle grade and especially enjoys adventure, mystery, and magical realism. For both YA and MG, she is interested in unique settings and cultural influences, interesting structure, complicated romances, diverse characters, sister or friendship-centric stories, and stories that feature artists of any kind. In picture books she is drawn to cute, funny stories (as opposed to sweet and quiet) that will grab kids as well as the occasional nonfiction biography on a subject whose story has yet to be told.
Christa is not looking for any Adult fiction or non-fiction, paranormal or dystopian at this time.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Fantasy * Horror * Humor Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
207 E. 37th Street Suite BG New York NY 10016 USA
Biography
Aliza R. Hoover is a literary agent with The CAT Agency, Inc. 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. She is incredibly grateful to have joined the CAT Agency family, and excited to support artists & creators in bringing stories into the world.
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 books, Aliza is a multimedia photographer, tarot enthusiast, and amateur circus performer.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Graphic Novel * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book *
NONFICTION: Juvenile *
Biography
Elisa Houot is a literary agent with The Seymour Agency. She is the author of five published Young Adult novels. Enthusiastic about discovering new voices, Elisa lives in France with her adorable and barking companion, Muffin.
She joined The Seymour Agency after a MA in publishing. Reader, reviewer, book blogger, short story writer, published author, foreign rights agent, literary agent, Elisa has had many roles in the publishing industry. Beyond anything, she thrives on helping authors build their careers.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: True Crime *
Biography
Macey Howell is a literary agent with WordLink, Incorporated. She is looking for literary fiction, romance, fantasy, psychological suspense and horror, narrative nonfiction, and cross-genre works that encompass any mix of these elements. She especially loves stylistically unconventional writing that uses language in an unexpected way and makes it feel unfamiliar and then familiar again, like moving into a new house and making it your home.
In YA and middle grade, she would like to see contemporary and fantasy projects that are imaginative and have coming-of-age themes that speak to a young reader’s perspective and concerns. She also considers whimsical and charming picture books that have a strong emotional center and deeply understand the specific context of the audience.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Fantasy * Horror * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Narrative *
Biography
Michelle Humphrey is a literary agent with the Martha Kaplan Agency. Before returning to the Martha Kaplan Agency where she was an agent 2009-2010, Michelle Humphrey was with International Creative Talent and Sterling Lord Literistic. Prior to these stints, she worked as an assistant for Renee Zuckerbrot Agency then Anderson Literary. She has also worked as an English Teacher, proofreader, and Freelance Book Reviewer. Her reviews have been published in Bitch, Bust, and The Women’s Review of Books.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * Current Events/Affairs * History * Memoir * Military/War * Multicultural * Politics * Reference * Science * Technology * Women’s Issues *
115 W. 29 Street #3 New York NY 10001 USA
Biography
Daniele Hunter is a literary agent with the McIntosh & Otis Literary Agency. She has a BA in English from Drew University, with concentrations in literary criticism, poetry, and creative writing. graduated from Binghamton University with a major in English and a minor in Anthropology. She’s been with McIntosh & Otis since a 2016 internship, and is thrilled to be acquiring selectively as a junior agent in the children’s department. She is a member of the AALA and their DEI committee, and co-directs their fellowship program through Literary Agents of Change.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * New Adult * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
Biography
Nathaniel Jacks is a literary agent with InkWell Management. He joined InkWell Management after graduating from Columbia University with a BA in literature. Among the books he represents are The Birth of Cool by New Yorker contributor Nicola Twilley, The Heavenly Table by Guggenheim Fellow Donald Ray Pollock, American Hookup by sociologist Lisa Wade, Ph.D., The Code of Trust by behavioral expert Robin Dreeke, and Broad Influence by TIME Washington correspondent Jay Newton-Small. He is excited to work with ambitious authors whose books enlighten everyday life, demystify systems, explore the mind, question the status quo, and empower self-improvement. He also oversees contracts at InkWell.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Literary * Mainstream * Mystery * Picture Book * Short Story Collection * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Travel * Science *
521 Fifth Avenue Suite 2600 New York NY 10175 USA
Biography
Amy Jameson is a literary agent with A+B Works. Amy began her career in publishing working with renowned literary agent Lynn Nesbit. During her seven years at Janklow & Nesbit Associates, Amy had the privilege of working with acclaimed authors such as Michael Crichton, President Jimmy Carter, Tom Wolfe, Gore Vidal, Joan Didion, Jeffrey Eugenides, and many others. She also sold audio and first serial rights for several years at J&N while building her own select client list. In 2004, she left Janklow and partnered with her husband Brandon to form A+B Works. Amy has always had a passion for young adult and middle grade fiction. Some of her favorite authors include Sharon Creech, Jerry Spinelli, Madeleine L’Engle, E.L. Konigsberg, Louisa May Alcott, Susan Juby, Cynthia Rylant, Karen Cushman, Susan Cooper, and, of course, her own clients. Amy enjoys spending time with her children, trying to grow things in her garden, cooking, singing, and reading really great books.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
New York NY USA
Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Weronika E. Janczuk is a literary agent with the Janczuk Literary Agency. She is the founder of the Janczuk Literary Agency. She began her work in trade book publishing in 2009, during a high school work-study that placed her in an internship with a small imprint in Minnesota. She then worked with the industry’s best agents, including Lynn C. Franklin (1946-2021), Kathleen Anderson, Jenny Bent, and Mary Kole (formerly of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency), agenting from 2010-2012, while an undergrad at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. She built a list that included the first four books of Campbell Award-winning and two-time Hugo Award-nominee novelist Max Gladstone’s Craft Sequence.
At NYU, she studied creative writing under the direction of Dr. June Foley, wrote and served as editor for her undergraduate literary and literacy journals, and aided literacy-related projects on NYC’s Lower East Side. She graduated NYU in December 2013.
After five years working for two international non-profits on education- and health-related programming, Weronika returned to the world of corporate book publishing, opening JLA in the state of New York in the fall of 2021.
Born in Canada to parents who immigrated as political exiles from communist Poland, Weronika moved to the USA in 1998. Fluent in Polish and English, today she is privileged to be a rare tri-citizen: Polish, Canadian, and American. She lives in Brooklyn.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Literary * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Architecture * Art * Biography * Business * Computers * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Design * Economics * Education * Family * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Philosophy * Politics * Pop Culture * Practical * Psychology * Science * Technology * Travel *
54 W. 40th St. New York NY 10018 USA
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About Mark Malatesta
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company Literary Agent Undercover and The Bestselling Author. Mark’s authors have gotten six-figure book deals, been on the NYT bestseller list, and published with houses such as Random House, Scholastic, and Thomas Nelson. Click here to learn more about Mark Malatesta and click here for Reviews of Mark Malatesta.
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Author Coaching Testimonials
“Mark, finding you has been both a treat and a treasure—I just signed a contract with my new literary agent!
My career has spanned publishing, TV, and feature film. I’ve served as Creative Dir. for the Magazine Group, TIME Inc.; Dir. of Time World News Service, a Founding Dir. of TIME-Life Films; Exec. Prod. for both the CBS and NBC TV Networks; Prod./Dir.: Movies of the Week: CBS Cinema Center Films and Universal MCA.
In today’s publishing marketplace, agents come and go. They also very often seem to just want an easy pathway to make a buck. Many authors are let go by their agents because their last book didn’t do well enough and the agent doesn’t want to devote the time to help the author. That’s not what you’re about Mark. Even established authors need this type of support in today’s marketplace.”
Author of ten fiction and nonfiction books
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“I’m psyched to have this be official. After getting five different offers for representation from top literary agents, I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin!
Getting multiple agents interested in my work was really important to me. I’ve dealt with agents before and gotten screwed on things contractually so I wanted to do it differently this time. I wanted choices.
Having you help me create that, and navigate my options, was really helpful. I heard other authors talk about their great relationships with their agents and it made me want the same thing. Now I have that.”
Author of Woman on Fire
(Penguin Books)
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“After sending out the query Mark revised for me, I had the opportunity to speak with literary agents from top agencies such as Janklow & Nesbit, Trident Media, Anderson Lit, and Folio. I signed with Don Fehr at Trident and, a short time later I had a publishing contract with Berkley Books, which recently published my book in hardcover.
Before that, I sent my query letter out on my own to 30 or 40 agents and got a lot of rejections. I then found Mark online while I was researching agents. I was surprised that he offered so much during his initial consultation—for a very modest amount of money.
I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t worked with Mark. I can’t even imagine that now though, because of the grief and detours I experienced before we worked together. It was a time-consuming pain in the neck. If you want to get the attention of top literary agents and publishers, there is no substitute for working with an insider. You can’t beat experience. And having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable.”
Author of Single Handed
(Berkley Books, a Division of Penguin Random House)
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“AHHH! OMG, it happened! I got three offers of representation for my children’s picture book in the United States, even though I live abroad! When I woke up and found the first offer for representation in my email in box, I wanted to scream. But my family was still asleep so I couldn’t. 🙂
Just 8 minutes after I sent a query letter to one of my favorite agents, she replied and asked to see my manuscript. A short time later we had a lovely conversation. She was interested in representing me and sounded very positive and enthusiastic about my book. Since I also got offers from two other agents, I had to turn two of them down. One of them was upset and it felt like I was breaking her heart, but you just have to do it. I kept reminding myself that this is a good problem to have!”
Author/Illustrator of Lon-Lon’s Big Night
and many other children’s books
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“Mark, after you helped me land a top literary agent, I got publishing offers from THREE well-known publishers: Amacom, Palgrave Macmillan, and McGraw-Hill (they’re publishing my book in hardcover)!
I was at Disneyworld with my family, in the Haunted Mansion, when I got the call. I went outside and listened to the voicemail message from my agent. A huge smile came over my face. It was a fantastic feeling. For a moment I felt like life was perfect and the angels were singing.
You’re filling an important need so I’ll say this to every other author reading this testimonial. Mark showed me that getting a top literary agent is a science. If you’ve written a book, or you’re in the process, you’ve already invested a lot—a lot more than money. Don’t stop yourself from getting out there to fulfill your purpose and dreams. Thank you so, so much, Mark!!!”
Author of Customer Focused Process Innovation (McGraw Hill)
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“I got a book deal! After I started sending out my new query letter I had 6 literary agents request my manuscript in a short amount of time, which is awesome. Then, within 2 weeks of my agent starting to pitch my story to publishers, we had an offer. I signed a book contract yesterday. A little while later my agent told me that a TV co-producer asked for more info about my book.
By the way, the acquiring editor that fell in love with the manuscript jumped in with both feet and we just worked out our timeline for publication. She’s as passionate about getting my book out as I am, and that means everything. She read the manuscript in two days and said she couldn’t put it down. And the book is going to be published as a hardcover!”
Author of A Chick in the Cockpit
(Behler Publications)
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“Thank you Mark! After you helped me get a well-known agent with Hartline Literary Agency (for my previously self-published murder mystery), he got me a deal with an American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) approved publisher. I’m hard-pressed to find anything that I had an expectation for that you didn’t deliver on.
Before I worked with you I sent out queries, but no one ever requested my complete manuscript. Comparing your new version of my query to the one I wrote before, I can see a vast difference.
I’ve been in business for 35 years so I’m not just saying this… what you’re doing is phenomenal. There are other people offering similar services, but the difference is your success. Others might say they do similar things but, if you research them, they don’t have your background or track record.”
Author of The Rector
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“Mark, you’re a miracle worker. Thanks to your help with my book, query letter, and synopsis… I now have a legitimate publisher who described my book as ‘Powerful Magic’ and it’s now available in bookstores and online!
I’m a lifelong academic writer who one day found myself writing inspired short stories that came to me in dreams and I began thinking of them as novels. That’s when I had a momentous conversation, an introductory coaching call with Mark Malatesta, the American creative writing coach, or rather, to be precise, a how-to-sell-yourself-and-your-work adviser. It was the best-spent money of my life apart (possibly) for my wedding ring.”
Author of The Black Inked Pearl
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“Within 4 minutes of sending out my query letter, a top literary called me on the phone (the #1 agent on my wish list). Less than 30 days later I had three major publishers making offers. A few days after that, I signed a deal with Random House. Mark, your query letter did that.
My agent talked about the query letter you helped me create for a long, long time. When he first called me on the phone, he hadn’t seen any of my sample chapters. It was just the query letter that did it. Communicating the right thing is so important. You are a wonderful medium helping authors find their voice and elevate their writing from just a hobby to a real business… a source from which they can both learn and earn.”
Author of Lights Out
(Random House)
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“MARK, MARK, MARK!!!!!!! Holy smokes… I just signed my book deal. First, two well-known literary agents asked to represent me. One of them responded to my query letter in less than 4 minutes!!
Then THREE different publishers wanted my book and started talking about making offers. The publisher I chose is perfect for me because they produce titles for the trade, educational, and scientific markets. And they agreed to publish my book as a hardcover!!!
When I met you, Mark, it was a pivotal time. I was under the belief that I could self-publish my book with a vanity press and then seek a publisher. I didn’t know what a literary agent was, why I needed one, or how to get one. I was wandering in the dark. You guided me in the right direction and gave me a solid plan.”
Author of Intestinal Health
(Rowman & Littlefield)
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“Boom!!! I just signed a contract with Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins for (what I’ve been told by several people) is a very large advance for a first-time author.
Before working with Mark I submitted my book to agents but didn’t get any interest. This time around I got a top NY literary agency (Fine Print Lit). What cloud is higher than 9?
I had several agencies interested before deciding to go with Fine Print. And, to be honest, all of the attention didn’t surprise me. The query letter and proposal that Mark helped me develop were incredible. Agents actually said things to me like: ‘Scott, I read your proposal and I’m just blown away by it!’ Mark is extremely talented at what he does. If you have the opportunity to work with him, take advantage of it.”
Author of The Unbreakable Boy
(Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson)