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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.
Biography
Holly Bemiss is a literary agent with The Susan Rabiner Literary Agency. Holly joined the agency in 2007, bringing with her over a decade of book publishing experience. Her client roster includes graphic novelists, journalists, memoirists, comedians, bloggers, crafters, and entertainment writers. Recent sales include My Favorite Thing is Monsters by Emil Ferris (to Other Press), How to Rock Your Baby by Erin Bried (to Hyperion, in a two-book deal), Grow Your Handmade Business by Kari Chapin (to Storey), Chocolate & Vicodin by Jennette Fulda (to Pocket/Simon & Schuster), Read My Hips by Kimberly Brittingham (to Harmony/Random House), The Last of the Live Nude Girls by Sheila McClear (to Soft Skull), The Artful Parent by Jean Van’t Hul (to Trumpeter/Shambhala), Marbles by Ellen Forney (to Gotham/Penguin), Relish by Lucy Knisley (to First Second Books), and Calling Dr. Laura: A Graphic Memoir by Nicole J. Georges (to Mariner/Houghton Mifflin).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Graphic Novel *
NONFICTION: Crafts * Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * Humor * Journalism * Memoir *
315 W. 39th Street Suite 1501 New York NY 10018 USA
Biography
Faye Bender is a literary agent and partner with The Book Group. With a focus on strong collaborative working relationships with her authors, Faye Bender represents fiction for readers aged eight to adult. Her authors have won numerous awards and honors, including the Newbery Medal, the Schneider Family Book Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, the Rona Jaffe Foundation Writer’s Award, the Indies Choice Book of the Year Award, the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award, and the International Latino Book Award, and have been finalists for the National Book Award and the Impac Dublin Literary Award. Her clients’ books have been #1 New York Times bestsellers, New York Times Book Review Notable Books, and selected for Best Books of the Year lists by Publishers Weekly, The Washington Post, School Library Journal, NPR, the Wall Street Journal, the American Library Association, and the New York Public Library, among others.
Faye is always excited to discover authors with a strong narrative voice and an eye for imaginative storytelling, and she works with her authors for the length and breadth of their careers. Born and raised in Denver, Faye lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
20 West 20th Street Suite 601 New York NY 10011 USA
Elizabeth Bennett
Transatlantic AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Elizabeth Bennett is a literary agent with the Transatlantic Agency. Elizabeth has spent her career in the children’s publishing industry with positions in marketing, product development and editorial at such companies as Scholastic, Readers Digest and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Prior to joining the Transatlantic Agency, Elizabeth was an Executive Editor at HMH where she focused on brand-forward publishing around classic properties like Curious George, Little Blue Truck and The Little Prince as well as novelties, board books and picture books. During her tenure she established an IP program launching several middle grade series including The Next Best Junior Chef, Survivor Diaries, and Junior Ninja Champion.
As an agent, Elizabeth represents a balanced list of talented picture book, graphic novel, middle grade and YA authors and illustrators. She is interested in fiction and non-fiction submissions especially those with series potential and is partial to books with humor; books that approach contemporary issues in a fresh, new way; books that are inspired by pop-culture and current trends; books that make even a reluctant reader want to curl up in a nook and read.
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 *
Biography
Tina Bennett is a literary agent with and the founder of Bennett Literary. She established the agency in 2020 after working with Janklow & Nesbitt Associates and William Morris Endeavor Entertainment.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction *
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Journalism * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Technology *
New York NY USA
Jenny Bent
The Bent AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Jenny Bent is a literary agent with the Bent Agency. She says: “After graduating from Cambridge University, I worked at several NYC agencies before founding the Bent Agency in 2009. In the course of my career, I have represented a great many New York Times-bestselling authors, a list which includes Stephanie Garber, AG Howard, Gary John Bishop, Lori Nelson Spielman, Goldy Moldavsky, Yangsze Choo, Lynn Weingarten, Lynsay Sands, Lori Wilde and Julia London.
I’m currently looking for literary and commercial fiction and young adult fiction as well as select nonfiction in the areas of self-help and lifestyle. My client list is diverse and I welcome submissions from BIPOC authors.
In adult fiction, I particularly enjoy high concept, upmarket women’s fiction and I love a good domestic suspense. I rep some romance and rom com but no other genre fiction: I’m not a good choice for adult fantasy, cozy mystery or sci-fi. In terms of horror, I love a good ghost story, along the lines of writing by Simone St. James and Jennifer McMahon (or even Wilkie Collins) but more genre horror is probably not right for me.
In young adult fiction, I’m pretty open to genre—I love fantasy, rom-coms, suspense, contemporary, almost anything except for sci-fi. I do notice that my YA taste does tend to skew towards older readers, more in a crossover direction.
In general, I tend to prefer plot-driven books to character-driven ones and pacing is very important to me. I also love novels—for adults or young adults—that have an element of magic or fantasy to them or that take me into a world that is new to me, whether real or imaginary. And while I love books to be dark and weird in terms of content, I find that I am more drawn to traditional, rather than experimental, methods of structure and storytelling.
In nonfiction, I am looking for authors with a unique approach and a very large existing platform. I’m not generally the right choice for memoir or narrative non-fiction but always open to hearing a pitch just in case.
All of the books that I represent speak to the heart in some way: they are linked by genuine emotion, inspiration and great writing and story telling. I love books that make me laugh, make me cry, or ideally do both.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Mystery * NoMG * NoPB * Paranormal * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Humor * Inspiration * Lifestyle * Memoir * Narrative * Self-Help/Personal Development *
Biography
Kristyn Keene Benton is a literary agent with CAA/ICM. She has been at International Creative Management since 2006, which merged with CAA in 2022, building a list consisting of literary and commercial fiction, including narrative nonfiction, memoir, thrillers, young adult, and pop culture. She is a graduate of the Columbia Publishing Course and holds a degree in English and writing from the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * General Fiction * Humor Fiction * Literary * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Young Adult *
65 East 55th Street 14th Floor New York NY 10022 USA
Biography
Kendall Berdinsky is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC. A native Texan, she fell in love with the Junie B. Jones books she discovered in kindergarten and has been an avid reader ever since. She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in professional writing with a minor in English literature. During her junior year abroad, she interned in the children’s department at Simon & Schuster UK; after graduation, she served as an editorial assistant at Foundry Literary + Media and attended the Columbia Publishing Course.
She is not taking on clients at this time, but in the future, would be interested in seeing upmarket romance, book club fiction, historical fiction, and narrative nonfiction. Overall, she is looking for work from underrepresented communities with new stories to tell.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Contemporary * Family Saga * Historical * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Narrative * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * History * Journalism * Memoir * Multicultural * Pop Culture * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
Biography
Peter Beren is a literary agent with and the President of The Peter Beren Agency. He is a member of the Association of Authors’ Representatives (AAR) and a book publishing consultant to authors, self-publishers and independent publishers. Formerly Vice-President of Publishing at Insight Editions, Publisher of Sierra Club Books, Publisher of VIA Books, an Acquisitions Editor for Jeremy Tarcher and Executive Editor at And/Or Press, Inc., he has more than four decades of experience in the book publishing industry. At Sierra Club he received three Benjamin Franklin Awards from the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), at VIA Books, the book publishing division of the California State Automobile Association. Beren was awarded the Merit Award for Excellence in Communication by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).
As a literary agent, publisher or editor, Beren has worked with such authors as photographers Art Wolfe, Frans Lanting, Galen Rowell, and Baron Wolman, as well as independent scholars like Colin Wilson, Ralph Metzner and Robert Anton Wilson. He has also published graphic artists, Jack Katz and Brian Froud, musician Jerry Garcia, and California State Senator and counter-culture icon, Tom Hayden.
He is the author or co-author of eight books, including The Writers Legal Companion, California the Beautiful, and The Golden Gate. California the Beautiful was a Foreword INDIES Award finalist in 2009. His articles have appeared in Mother Jones, Newsweek, Publisher’s Weekly, and Tufts Magazine and was a contributor to such anthologies as America’s Cup San Francisco (Insight Editions) and Moving Into Space (HarperCollins).
The founder of The Peter Beren Agency, he is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Tufts University and makes his home in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Art * Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Mind/Body/Spirit * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Pop Culture * Psychology * Reference * Science *
1800 Madison Street Suite 210 Oakland CA 94612 USA
Biography
Mel Berger is a literary agent with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment. Mel is a senior Vice President in the Literary Department of the William Morris Agency where he has been for more than thirty years. He represents Pulitzer Prize winning authors, Steve Naifeh and Gregory White Smith for POLLOCK and Oscar winning screenwriter Pamela Wallace for WITNESS.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Reference * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Sports *
11 Madison Avenue 18th Floor New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Kelly Bergh is a literary agent with Lucinda Literary. After beginning her career as an editor in academic publishing and briefly serving as a children’s librarian, Kelly joined Lucinda Literary to begin building a list in adult practical nonfiction, specifically in the categories of health and wellness, spirituality, and popular science. She selectively takes on children’s and gift books/decks in the same areas.
A certified yoga teacher, Kelly is drawn to representing authors who seek to educate and empower those curious about what it means to live in alignment with their values. She is looking for PhDs and journalists who want to share their research with a general audience, as well as established thought leaders and influencers seeking a new medium through which to connect with their existing audiences.
Kelly holds a master’s degree in publishing from Drexel University and splits her time between Philadelphia and Seattle.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Fitness * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * How-To * Journalism * Lifestyle * Narrative * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Technology * Women’s Issues *
Biography
Amy Berkower is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. After graduating from the University of California at Santa Cruz, Amy moved back to New York to find a job in publishing. An ad in the NewYork Times led to a gal Friday position at Writers House where she has been working ever since. Amy is now a partner, and President of the company. In 1978, Al Zuckerman, the founder of Writers House, had the insight to ask Amy to start a children’s book department. Recognizing the need for kid friendly books that would appeal to the fast growing paperback original market, Berkower initially focused on series.
Her first sale, an interactive children’s book, grew into a series called CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE consisting of over one hundred titles, and was soon followed by a succession of popular franchises: SWEET VALLEY HIGH, THE BABYSITTERS CLUB, JUNIE B JONES and CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS. Determined to apply what she learned about branding series to the marketing of individual authors, Amy developed a list that includes some of the most respected names (Sharon Creech, Laurie Anderson, Andrew Clements, Jack Gantos) in the business.
Her colleagues have built upon that foundation, growing Writers House’s children’s book department into one of the largest and most successful in the world. Writers House clients include a mix of mega hits ( TWILIGHT and ERAGON) and Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, and National Book Award recipients such as Neil Gaiman, Ingrid Law, Grace Lin, Kadir Nelson, Susan Patron and Robin McKinley. Amy also has a growing list of adult authors including Nora Roberts, Ken Follett, Erica Jong, Ridley Pearson and Barbara Delinsky.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * NoPB * Paranormal * Picture Book * Romance * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Current Events/Affairs * History * Humor * Memoir * Politics *
120 Broadway 22nd floor New York NY 10271 USA
Marlo Berliner
Jennifer DeChiara Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Marlo Berliner is a literary agent with the Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency. She has been actively building her list as an Associate Agent with The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency since 2018. She joined JDLA as an editorial intern after having completed a previous internship at The Bent Agency. Marlo has been involved in publishing in various capacities since 2007, first as a writer, then an award-winning young adult author, then a freelance editor, and finally a children’s lead bookseller at Barnes & Noble. She is a member of SCBWI, RWA, and YA-RWA. Prior to her career in the publishing world, Marlo was an accounting manager for a Fortune 500 company and holds B.S. degrees in Economics and Industrial Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Marlo lives in Northern New Jersey with her husband, two sons, and one rambunctious puppy named Max (who doubles as her puplicist).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile *
Regina A. Bernard-Carreno
LadderbirdDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Regina A. Bernard-Carreno is a literary agent with Ladderbird. Born and raised in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City, Regina safeguards a deep, personal passion for her city and all of its history. She holds a PhD in Urban Education, a Master’s Degree in African American Studies, as well as a couple of other graduate degrees. As an academic and writer, she is always drawn to creative projects, whether she is writing or assisting creators as they build their dream projects. An adoration for makery, artisan, made up, sometimes magical and activist, braids together her literary interests with work that is socially just and culturally responsive.
When she’s not tinkering with client manuscripts, teaching, reading, hunting through library shelves, and used bookstores, and/or writing, she can be found working on various art projects and thinking about all of the above.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Ethnic Fiction * Graphic Novel * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Crafts * Cultural/Social Issues * Environment * Ethnic * Gardening * Health/Wellness * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * Nature * New Age * True Crime *
Biography
Amanda Bernardi is a literary agent with the High Line Literary Collective. She comes to publishing after twelve years in publicity and branding. She did her graduate work in Social Science at the University of Colorado and a BA in English Creative Writing from Texas A&M University, where she was a lead reporter for The Battalion and founded a literary journal vandal with Angie Cruz and Daniel Pena. She then began communications work for purpose-driven organizations focused on environmental, fair labor, and health care initiatives.
Her first book, The Modern Bohemian Table, came out in 2020 and was distributed by PRH. Her book and work has been featured in Martha Stewart Living, SAVEUR, bon appetit, BARRON’S, and Food and Wine. With a start in publishing at Tin House, Guernica Magazine, and Massie & McQuilkin Literary Agents, she began her career with Paper Over Board/HLC in 2022.
Amanda has worked on a variety of projects ranging from cookbooks, design, art, wellness, lifestyle and narrative non-fiction. Her studies and experiences continue to influence her reading tastes and she treats each project with great care. She lives outside Boulder, Colorado with her husband and three young children. When she’s not working or momming, you can find her reading towards her 200-a-year book goal or sweating it out on her Peloton.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Art * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Design * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * How-To * Humor * Journalism * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Multicultural * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Sports * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
Biography
Laurie Bernstein is a literary agent with and the founder of Side by Side Literary Productions, Inc. A former Vice President & Executive Editor at Simon & Schuster, Bernstein is recognized for her track record of New York Times bestsellers. Specializing in big-idea books, politics, memoir, and narrative non-fiction, she stewards titles that scale bestseller lists and are acclaimed for their mission and message.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Memoir * Narrative * Politics * Upmarket *
145 East 35th Street Suite 7FE New York NY 10016 USA
Meredith Bernstein
Meredith Bernstein Literary AgencyAAR/AALA MemberQuery method(s): Postal Mail * Online Form *Biography
Meredith Bernstein is a literary agent with the Meredith Bernstein Literary Agency. Meredith has been a literary agent for over 30 years. Prior to becoming a literary agent, she worked as a story editor for film producers on both the East and West Coasts, as well as a freelance reader. In addition to being a literary agent, Meredith Bernstein has packaged two romance lines and co-authored SEXUAL CHEMISTRY with Julius Fast (M. Evans/Pocket). In nonfiction, the agency seeks platform-driven works that shed new light on a given subject and is also open to any area of nonfiction that is well executed. We love personal memoirs that bring out heroic individualism, and are further interested in writers of “special” projects and creative endeavors that supersede genre.
Meredith Bernstein also has been very successful in representing individuals who have accomplished memo-rable and outstanding achievements in their lives. Among such clients are Miep Gies (the woman who hid Anne Frank’s family and found her diary), Patricia Ireland, the former president of N.O.W., and Dennis Conner, of sailing fame.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Literary * Mystery * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Inspiration * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Money/Finance * Parenting/Child Guidance * Psychology * Science * Spirituality * Travel * Women’s Issues *
2095 Broadway Suite 505 New York NY 10023 USA
Biography
Tyler Bertola is a literary agent with The Fedd Agency. She is a part of the agenting team and loves hearing and sharing stories from around the globe. In her role, she connects authors with publishers and brainstorms ways to creatively get authors’ stories out to the world.
Tyler has a background in sales, marketing, and entertainment. A few of her past endeavors include running her own radio show, designing a high end rug line, and working in art sales in New York.
She lives in the South of France and she loves to garden and cook creative cuisine. Her favorite books are The Tao of Pooh and The Te of Piglet. She carries them with her as she explores the world, aiming to visit 30 countries by her 30th birthday.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Inspirational Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Environment * Gardening * Inspiration * Memoir * Nature *
Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Elizabeth Bewley is a literary agent with Sterling Lord Literistic. A graduate of Northwestern University, Elizabeth was an editor at various imprints including St. Martin’s Press, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers before she joined Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc. in 2017. She loves to read all sorts of books for kids and adults. On the children’s side of her list, she represents young adult and middle grade fiction, and the occasional picture book. On the adult side, she is eager to represent more upmarket commercial fiction and narrative nonfiction. Elizabeth’s clients include Shana Youngdahl, Raquel Vasquez Gilliland, Alyson Noël, Dwayne Reed (aka: America’s Favorite Rapping Teacher), Dawnn Karen, Jenny Elder Moke, Elissa Sussman, Mercedes Helnwein, Joan Bauer, Roland Smith, Jennifer Lynn Alvarez, Chrystal Giles, and Yvette Clark, amongst others. In addition, she represents some literary estates, including those of Marguerite Henry and Lois Duncan.
Elizabeth’s current submission wish list includes high-concept young adult novels, especially from underrepresented voices, accessible middle grade novels that will foster a love of reading (think: fun, funny, or both!), young adult romance, high-concept adult love stories similar to One Day by David Nicholls, and any upmarket commercial fiction with a witty voice and eye for detail. She also loves working with clients who are boldly creating positive change in our world. If you’re doing something big and think that it should be explored in a book, reach out to Elizabeth.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Lifestyle * Middle Grade * Narrative * Young Adult *
115 Broadway Suite 1602 New York NY 10006 USA
Biography
Matthew Bialer is a literary agent with Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. Matt has been in the publishing community since 1985, and worked at two major literary agencies before joining the Greenburger team in 2003. He represents fantasy, science fiction, thrillers, and mysteries as well as a select group of literary writers, and also loves smart narrative nonfiction including books about current events, popular culture, biography, history, music, race, and sports. While his list includes many veteran authors, he also enjoys finding unique new voices.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * Current Events/Affairs * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * History * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Pop Culture * Science * Sports * Travel *
55 5th Avenue New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
Lauren Bieker is a literary agent with FinePrint Literary Management. After a brief career in the fashion industry, Lauren made her move to publishing as an intern for agent Paige Wheeler. She moved to FinePrint to assist with day-to-day administrative tasks, but is now developing her client list and is open to queries.
Lauren is looking for commercial and upmarket women’s fiction and some well-crafted and differentiated YA novels. She is also open to select dystopian science fiction, as well as high concept and literary fiction works. She appreciates great storytelling and is a “sucker” for outstanding writing and convincing characters. While primarily interested in fiction, she will consider non-fiction proposals related to the world of fashion.
Lauren writes during her free time and has been published on various online platforms. She has attended many writing workshops and intensives, including the National Academy of Writing’s intensive at Cambridge University in the UK.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Literary * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * Women’s Issues *
207 W. 106th St. Suite 1D New York NY 10025 USA
Biography
Vicky Bijur is a literary agent with the Vicky Bijur Literary Agency. Vicky She represents fiction and non-fiction, including memoir, biography, cookbooks, food writing, journalism, health/wellness, and graphic non-fiction. She has served as president of the AAR (Association of Authors’ Representatives, now known as the Association of American Literary Agents) and as chair of its Ethics Committee. Many of the books she represents have been on the NY Times bestseller list and have been NY Times Notable Books of the Year, and several have been turned into feature films. Her clients have been the recipients of the Knight Fellowship in Science Journalism, Edgar Awards, the Hammett Prize, James Beard Awards, the Sidney Hillman Award for Book Journalism, the Mary Higgins Clark Award, and the Inkpot Award for Excellence in Cartooning.
Books that have been filmed include Still Alice with Julianne Moore; Drive with Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan; The Man Who Knew Infinity with Dev Patel and Jeremy Irons; Every Secret Thing with Dakota Fanning, Elizabeth Banks, Diane Lane; the forthcoming Lady in the Lake with Natalie Portman and Moses Ingraham.
Vicky has been profiled in Poets & Writers and has been quoted on the subject of agenting in the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and Entertainment Weekly. She can be heard on Writers on Writing.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Literary * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Narrative * Photography * Reference * Science *
27 West 20th St Suite 1003 New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Joshua Bilmes is a literary agent with Jabberwocky Literary Agency. Joshua is also the President of Jabberwocky Literary Agency, which he founded in 1994. He has been an agent for almost 30 years, having made his professional debut at the Scott Meredith Literary Agency in 1986.
His path to owning his own literary agency started in high school, when he sent monthly letters to the editor of Analog, the leading science fiction magazine, critiquing each issue. These letters so impressed Betsy Mitchell, the magazine’s associate editor, that she offered Bilmes the chance to do freelance readers reports and other work for her when she joined Baen Books shortly after its inception (Betsy eventually left Baen for high-level positions at Warner, Ballantine/Del Rey and other major sf/f imprints and now guides the sf/f program for Open Road Media and freelances at Betsy Mitchell Editorial Services). Joshua Bilmes and the publishing industry took an immediate liking to one another, and he started at Scott Meredith soon after graduating from the University of Michigan with a BA in History.
While his path to becoming an agent went through the science fiction genre, his interests were and are far broader. In the mystery genre, the Hardy Boys led to the Three Investigators, and from there to Agatha Christie, Perry Mason, the 87th Precinct and John LeCarre. He became a Variety junkie during high school and read it every week for as long as there was a weekly Variety. His college degree in history introduced him to The New Republic, and he now also reads The New Yorker. He keeps up on pop culture with Rolling Stone and spends fifteen hours a week reading newspapers. There’s always time for a good movie, and tennis and Australian Rules Football are often his background music.
A debut mystery novel, MARY’S GRAVE by Malcolm McClintick, which became Bilmes’ first sale in the summer of 1986. By the end of the 1980s he had commenced work with Charlaine Harris, Elizabeth Moon, Simon Green, Tanya Huff and other current mainstays of the JABberwocky list. While at Scott Meredith, Bilmes also helped out with the accounts of major agency clients like Carl Sagan and P.G. Wodehouse. After Scott Meredith passed away in 1993, Bilmes was promoted to Vice President, gaining important managerial experience.
In 1994, Bilmes struck out on his own to establish JABberwocky Literary Agency, which in recent years has become the world’s leading literary agency for science fiction and fantasy.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Espionage/Military * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Horror * Mystery * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Business * Celebrity * Film/Entertainment * History * Gay/Lesbian * Military/War * Pop Culture * Sports *
49 W. 45th St Suite #5N New York NY 10036-4603 USA
Biography
Agnes Birnbaum is the president of Bleecker Street Associates.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Erotica * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Autobiography * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Design * Diet/Nutrition * Environment * Ethnic * Family * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Government * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Inspiration * Journalism * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Military/War * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Nature * New Age * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Reference * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues * Young Adult *
535 La Guardia Place #617 New York NY 10012 USA
Biography
Amy Elizabeth Bishop is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC. Elizabeth Bishop joined Dystel, Goderich & Bourret in 2015, after completing an internship with them in 2014. Before diving into the world of publishing, she graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a degree in Creative Writing. She grew up in upstate New York and has now made the traitorous switch to downstate living. She is interested in upmarket women’s fiction, fiction from diverse authors, historical fiction (focusing on untold stories or well-known stories from a different perspective; think, diverse, minority voices), stories with a Victorian Gothic flair. She would also love to find some diverse adult fantasy that takes place in a non-Western based setting. In terms of nonfiction, she’s eagerly on the hunt for a killer feminist voice discussing contemporary issues and loves historical narrative non-fiction that dives into untold stories. Pop science & journalism also welcome!
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Horror * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Short Story Collection * Suspense * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Celebrity * Contemporary * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Gay/Lesbian * History * Journalism * Multicultural * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Technology * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
One Union Square West Suite 904 New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
Sandra Bishop is a literary agent with the Transatlantic Agency. A literary agent since 2008, Sandra Bishop represents a boutique list of notable non-fiction and award-winning fiction authors.
Sandra passionately supports her clients closely from idea through negotiation and beyond, and works alongside an author’s editor, publicist, and marketing team to help create opportunities for success.
Sandra is a former Marine, and is also a Portland, Oregon native who doesn’t like ale, drive a Subaru, wait two hours in line for brunch, or live in a treehouse with a lumberjack (much to her dismay.) She does enjoy hiking, live music, paddle-boarding, sunshine, star gazing, and working out of her home office located halfway between the scenic Columbia River Gorge and the rugged Oregon coast.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Biography * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Gardening * Gift/Novelty * How-To * Lifestyle * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Travel * Women’s Issues *
4931 SW 76th Avenue #234 Portland OR 97225 USA
Biography
Lauren Bittrich is a literary agent with Lucinda Literary. She is looking for upmarket and literary fiction, psychological thrillers, voicey memoirs and essay collections, and select YA with a focus on underrepresented voices. She’s drawn to family sagas, stories with dark themes, and powerful narratives that encourage readers to confront difficult topics and realities.
Prior to joining Lucinda Literary, Lauren was an associate editor at Pen and Press, a writing and consultancy company, and a member of the editorial team at Flatiron Books, where she acquired THE UNSEEN BODY by Dr. Jonathan Reisman and edited WHAT IS A DOG? by Chloe Shaw, EL JEFE by Alan Feuer, and New York Times bestseller THE LINCOLN CONSPIRACY by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch.
Lauren received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Kenyon College before attending Columbia University’s Publishing Course in 2017. Originally from the Boston area, she’s currently based in New York City.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Family Saga * Fantasy * Horror * Humor Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Mystery * New Adult * Satire * Short Story Collection * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Celebrity * Humor * Narrative * Pop Culture * True Crime *
David Black
David Black AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
David Black is a literary agent with the David Black Agency. David is also the president of the David Black Agency, specializing in representing a wide array of narrative non-fiction in subjects ranging from sports, business, history, politics, fitness, and memoir to any subject area that might spark a personal passion. David represents a number of New York Times bestselling authors, including journalists, politicians, athletes, chefs, and cookbook writers. Before forming his own agency in 1990, David was an agent at Sanford Greenburger for 5 ½ years. He currently lives in Brooklyn with his wife, son, and dog.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Fitness * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * History * Journalism * Memoir * Narrative * Politics * Sports *
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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)