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7 Insider Secrets to Get a Top Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal
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Literary Agent Directory
Important: Visit each agent’s website (links in their listings below) to see if they’re open to submissions before querying.
Biography
Will Morningstar is a literary agent with the Laura Gross Literary Agency. He says: “A Boston-area native, I studied the anthropology of religion before turning to publishing. I began my editorial career with two magazines at Harvard University and later as an assistant at LGLA. I have several years of experience as a freelance editor for academic and trade publishers, and have also worked as an indie bookseller and film producer. I now spend much of my time as a freelance Spanish-to-English translator. My translations can be found in the Massachusetts Review and Latin American Literature Today. As an affiliate agent, I will focus mainly on bringing Spanish-language books into Anglophone markets, but I am also building a small list of authors who write in English. I work with literature for both children and adults and am committed to amplifying underrepresented voices.”
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Multicultural Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, Multicultural Nonfiction, Nonfiction
Biography
Alyssa Morris is a literary agent at Trellis Literary Management. She has spent fifteen years in publishing and media, including as a columnist at Barnes and Noble and as an editor and marketing strategist at Amazon. She has deep experience in social media, managing accounts for brands with hundreds of thousands of followers. She combined her knowledge of the romance space with her internet savvy with Romancing the Phone, a popular substack about BookTok trends lauded by Electric Literature and Book Riot. Alyssa’s favorite non-client authors include: Cat Sebastian, Lucy Parker, Emily Henry, Ali Hazelwood, Lisa Kleypas, Tia Williams, Sherry Thomas, Nalini Singh, Sharon Shinn, and Patricia Briggs. Alyssa has a B.A. in English from Pomona College. When she isn’t reading, working, or being extremely online, her hobbies include baking and hiking.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, Romance
Biography
Gary Morris is a literary agent with the David Black Agency. Gary started working as a literary agent in 1996 after a brief period in graduate school studying literature. These facts are almost entirely unrelated. Since then he has represented New York Times and national best sellers, award-winning non-fiction and fiction. He has worked on books in many categories, including politics and current events, biography, memoir, practical non-fiction, and impractical fiction. He works very closely with his clients to ensure that what is presented to publishers is the best and most marketable expression of their work.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Current Events Affairs, General Nonfiction, Memoir, Nonfiction, Politics
Biography
Natascha Morris is a literary agent with The Tobias Literary Agency. She joined The Tobias Agency in 2020 after previously working at BookEnds Literary. With a B.A. in English Literary Studies and a M.S. in Publishing, Natascha is a self-described Òpublishing nerd.Ó She spent most of her childhood in a leather chair, with her nose in a book, and her passion for books across genres, coupled with her desire to find amazing talent, drove her to make the transition from editorial to literary agent. NataschaÕs editorial philosophy stems from the idea that all books should be well written and entertaining, and that all children should see themselves and their lives in books. Some of her books include ALA award winning Queen of Physics by Teresa Robeson, Grandpa Grumps by Katrina Moore, JLG selected We Wait for the Sun and Oona illustrated by Raissa Figueroa, and The Library of Lost Things and A Cuban GirlÕs Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey. SheÕs is primarily looking for picture books, middle grade graphic novels, and young adult across most genres, including graphic novels. She is also open to illustrator submissions.
Notes
CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Andrea Morrison is a literary agent with Writers House. She says: “I’ve worked in both the California and New York offices of Writers House, having started as an intern, and worked my way up to agent. I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with a variety of award-winning authors and illustrators, in genres ranging from picture books to middle grade and YA, to adult literary and upmarket fiction. I studied Literature & Writing at University of California, San Diego and earned my MFA in Fiction from Columbia University Ñ not only do I understand the revision process from an agentÕs point of view, I also understand it from a writerÕs perspective. I truly love editorial work, and am hands-on when it comes to helping authors revise and build projects.”
Notes
FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Film Entertainment, General Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Upmarket Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Stephen Morrison is a literary agent at Susanna Lea Associates. Formerly the Publisher of Picador, Editor-in-Chief of Penguin Books and Director of Rights and Contracts for Bloomsbury, Stephen M. Morrison is based between NYC, London and Manila. His primary focus is on nonfiction projects and his clients include Jenny and Dave Marrs (HGTVÕs hit series Fixer to Fabulous). He developed the NYT bestselling book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson and its later incarnation as a TV series on Peacock. Stephen also works on some US and Asian rights and TV and film projects for SLA.
Notes
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Nonfiction
Biography
Michele Mortimer is a literary agent with Darhansoff & Verrill Literary Agents. She started with the agency as a freelance reader and joined full-time in 2003. In addition to representing select clients, she is our In-House Editor and Rights Director, covering serial sales and permissions. She currently considers literary fiction, sophisticated crime and mystery, young adult fiction, and fully-illustrated picture books. Nonfiction interests include music, sports, yoga & mindfulness, animal welfare, feminism, and crime.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Animals, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Sports, True Crime, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Tasneem Motala is an assistant agent with The Rights Factory. An Assistant Agent since 2021 under The Rights Factory, Tasneem’s literary journey traverses various realms, with picture books, graphic novels, young adult, and adult fiction on her short but talented list. She might be picky, but when sheÕs in love with a story, everyone will know it!
She has an English and Classics degree from Brock University, followed by a post-grad certification in Publishing from Centennial College, but her education in writing and editing stems from a love of reading and writing fanfiction since her teenage years. Tasneem believes fanfiction is a perfect arena to train hard, experiment, and better oneself as a writer and editor, especially if becoming a part of the publishing industry is someoneÕs end goal! It was on sites like FanFiction.net and Ao3 that she honed those skills and her love for helping others create the best versions of their stories as a beta-reader.
With a keen eye for stories that resonate on deeper levels, Tasneem’s literary pursuits extend beyond the boundaries of genre and tropes, embracing narratives that provoke emotions and challenge perceptions regardless of the settings and tools they use to do so. Her passion lies in representing diverse voices and narratives that leave an indelible mark on readers’ hearts and minds, no matter the age group.
TasneemÕs QueryManager is a safe space for marginalized writers who want to share their stories, but she does take queries from those who donÕt identify under that umbrella as well.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Magical Realism | Science Fiction |
Biography
Adam Muhlig is a literary agent with the McIntosh & Otis Literary Agency. He is the latest addition to M&O. As an agent, AdamÕs current interests include popular culture, natural history, travel and adventure, and sports. Adam is pursuing books that offer fresh a perspective or new analysis by or about mavericks in these fields. Keeping with McIntosh and OtisÕ great tradition, he is seeking works that will have classic value and long-term strength like the volumes of so many authors represented by M&O. His editorial work includes research, organization and indexing of Karl ShapiroÕs provocative essay collection Creative Glut: Selected Essays. He also assisted Alan Tennant on his now classic On the Wing a New York Times bestseller. As an archival appraiser for more than fifteen years Adam Muhlig has worked on collections by many noted musicians and entertainment industry figures, naturalists, historians, and poets and writers, including several United States Poets Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winners.
Notes
NONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, Film Entertainment, History, Music, Nature, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Sports, Travel, True Adventure
Biography
Deirdre Mullane is a literary agent with Mullane Literary Associates, which she founded in 2007. Deirdre is a publishing executive with more than two decades in the industry as a publicist, editor, publisher, editor, agent, and author.
Notes
NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Current Events Affairs, Environment, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Reference, Religion, Science, Spirituality, Sports
Biography
Nick Mullendore is a literary agent with the Vertical Ink Agency. Nick Mullendore is the Founder & President of the Vertical Ink Agency, which he established in January 2016 after having worked with the Loretta Barrett Books, Inc. literary agency since March of 1998. He remains the Managing Partner of Loretta Barrett Books – which continues to serve its existing projects and clients – while building his own Vertical Ink list by working with existing Barrett Books clients as well as new clients on their original book projects. Nick began his publishing career in publicity at HarperBusiness, the trade business books imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. There he learned in-depth the world of major publishing before making the leap to agenting. Over the years heÕs worked with authors such as Ray Kurzweil, Mariah Stewart, Mark Nepo, Jessica Bird, George Weigel, Betty White, Christopher Kennedy Lawford, Chaz Bono, Phil Plait, Harold Schechter, MJ Rose, Carol Goodman, Jack Kelly, Noah Levine, Dr. James Martin, Wayne Muller, Bill OÕHanlon, Melvin Urofsky, Theresa Rebeck, and many others on a variety of bestselling fiction and nonfiction books. Nick has a wealth of experience selling US, foreign, audio, and television and film rights for a wide range of fiction and nonfiction books. He specializes in nonfiction, particularly in the genres of Mind/Body/Spirit, Health & Wellness, Business & Leadership, Inspiration & Motivation, Current Events & Politics, Popular Science & Psychology, Pop Culture, Memoir, Humor, History, and Sports, and is willing to consider proposals in other nonfiction genres as well. Nick is more selective when it comes to the fiction he takes on, but itÕs fair to say that he loves fiction that successfully rides the line between ÒliteraryÓ and ÒliterateÓ, while still maintaining something of a commercial sensibility.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Computers, Current Events Affairs, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Inspirational Nonfiction, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Sports, Technology, Travel
Biography
Michael Mungiello is a literary agent with InkWell Management. He graduated from Georgetown University, where he studied Government and English. In the intern years, he worked for Lippincott Massie McQuilkin and Dzanc Books. He also spent a semester working in his collegeÕs English Department as a teaching assistant for a course on Jewish American Literature. His interests include intellectual histories, counterintuitive social science, literary criticism, and jazz.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction NONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, General Nonfiction, History, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Psychology, Science, Upmarket Nonfiction
Biography
Paula Munier is a literary agent with and Content Strategist for Talcott Notch Literary Services. She says: “For nearly twenty years, this framed quotation has graced my office: ÒAprs les choses qui sont de premire nŽcessitŽ pour la vie, rien nÕest plus prŽcieux que les livres.Ó ItÕs from Pierre Simon FournierÕs 1764 typography manual, and it means: ÒAfter all the basic necessities of life, there is nothing more precious than books.Ó ThatÕs how IÕve felt about books since my mother started reading to me as a baby. As soon as I could read my favorite stories on my own, my literary fate was sealed. IÕve lived in the world of words ever sinceÑas a reader, a writer, an editor, and now as an agent. The only thing I love more than books are the writers who write them. IÕve had the privilege of working with talented wordsmiths of every stripeÑfrom reporters, nonfiction authors, content creators, and memoirists to novelists, screenwriters, graphic novelists, cartoonists, comic book writers, short story writers, and poets. Writers are my tribe. I began as a journalist, and over the years IÕve penned countless new stories, articles, essays, collateral, and blogs, as well as authored/co-authored more than a dozen books, most recently Fixing Freddie, 5-Minute Mindfulness, and A Miscellany of Murder. Along the way, IÕve added editor, acquisitions specialist, digital content manager, and publishing executive to my repertoireÑthe common denominator being my commitment to writers and writing, no matter what my title. From Gannett, Greenspun, and Prima Games to Disney, Quayside, and F+W Media, IÕve fought the good fight for good writing and good writers. And IÕve loved every minute of it. But now, as an agent, I have the opportunity to support talented writers in the most direct manner possible, helping my clients do good work, land great publishing deals, and build successful writing careers. So if youÕre a writer as obsessed with words and stories as I am, and youÕre in it for the long haul, consider working with me. My specialties include mystery/thriller, SF/fantasy, romance, YA, memoir, humor, pop culture, health & wellness, cooking, self-help, pop psych, New Age, inspirational, technology, science, and writing. P.S. If you write crime fictionÉyou should know that IÕm very involved with the mystery community, having served four terms as President of the New England chapter of Mystery Writers of America as well as on the MWA board. (IÕm currently VP of that organization.) IÕve also served as both co-chair and Agents and Editors chair on the New England Crime Bake committee for seven years and counting. And IÕm an active member of Sisters in Crime.
Notes
FICTION: Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Humor Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story Collection, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Computers, Cookbook Cooking, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Inspirational Nonfiction, Journalism, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, New Age, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Reference, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Sports, Technology, Travel CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Dee Mura is a literary agent with and the founder of Dee Mura Literary. Dee began her career in the editorial and marketing departments of Newsweek Magazine, and in the trading and futures departments of Goldman Sachs. With an offer from the Brazilian government to produce sporting and concert events in Rio de Janeiro and S‹o Paulo, Brazil, Dee launched her own production company and public relations division representing artists from around the globe. A close relationship with several of these artists led to the development of Dee Mura Enterprises, a talent and literary personal management company with a hands-on approach to developing performing artists and writers for film, television, personal appearances, and corporate events. When several of her film and TV writers expressed the desire to write for publication, Dee Mura Literary was born. The company now flourishes under the direction of DeeÕs diverse experience in media, marketing, editorial, finance, and personal management, with the goal of contributing quality, innovative literature to the publishing world.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Erotic Fiction, Espionage Military Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance, Satire, Science Fiction, Sports Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Animals, Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, Environment, Family, Film Entertainment, Gardening, General Nonfiction, Government, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Inspirational Nonfiction, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, New Age, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Sports, Travel, True Adventure CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Karen Murgolo is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. She has over 25 years of experience as an editor and agent. She has edited New York Times bestselling books like Nobel Prize Winner Elizabeth BlackburnÕs and Elissa EpelÕs The Telomere Effect; Ballerina Body by Misty Copeland; Eat to Beat Disease by Dr. William Li; Enough Already by Valerie Bertinelli; and cookbooks by Gwyneth Paltrow, Daniel Boulud, and others. As an agent sheÕs represented authors from award-winning psychologists to food writers to a shaman. Before coming to Aevitas, Karen was Editorial Director, Lifestyle and Culinary, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, as well as Editorial Director, Grand Central Life & Style. She graduated from Wesleyan University with honors and attended the Radcliffe Publishing Program (now Columbia). She is an IACP Digital Media Judge. Based in New York, Karen is interested in authoritative health, wellness, science and psychology, spirituality, inspirational (or just really fun) memoirs; original cookbooks, and narratives that illuminate a compelling subject or start a conversation.
Notes
NONFICTION: Animals, Celebrity, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Design, Fitness, Food Drink, Gardening, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Technology, Women’s Issues
Biography
Dana Murphy is a literary agent with Trellis Literary Management. She joined Trellis Literary Management in 2022, after a decade building her list at The Book Group. She represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction for both adult and teen readers. Books by her clients have been New York Times and international bestsellers and chosen as Barnes & Noble Discover, Book of the Month, Read with Jenna, Indie Next and NYT Editors’ Choice picks. Across genre, Dana falls in love at the story and line-level simultaneously. She’s always searching for language and plot that move in equal measure, one in constant support of the other. She believes this symbiosis can exist anywhere on the commercial-to-literary spectrum and is most drawn to writing that aims to transform the reader, disrupt hegemony, and center community Ñ particularly by marginalized writers who have historically been boxed out of traditional publishing spaces. In fiction, Dana looks for books (and authors!) with a soft heart, a sense of humor, and a deep earnest affection for their characters and story. Her forever favorites are genuinely hilarious romantic-comedies that read like the best kind of fan fiction, coming-of-age that captures the specificity of being young today, high-concept and/or speculative novels that press on our shared cultural bruises, and anything that celebrates found families and friendships as their own glorious love stories. Dana’s nonfiction taste trends towards narrative nonfiction and essay collections about pop culture, class, gender, race, science, food and so on. She will always reach for well-researched cultural criticism that interrogates the power structures shaping our collective understanding of “good” taste or reckons with “low” and “unworthy” pop culture in a smart, serious way. Born and raised on Long Island, Dana moved to New York City to study Critical Film Theory and Sociology at NYU, lived there for ten years, and now calls Philadelphia home. If she’s not answering your emails, she’s probably snuck off to one of her favorite places: a campsite in the woods, the beach in her hometown, or a quiet dive bar to drink their cheapest beer and read a book she isn’t working on. Dana’s favorite non-client authors (if your work is similar, please get in touch!): Hanif Abdurraqib, Emily Henry, Casey McQuiston, Shea Serrano, Mary HK Choi, Kate Racculia, Kristen Arnett, Morgan Rogers, Anna Weiner, Megan Stielstra.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Art, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, History, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Sports CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Erin Murphy is a partner and literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. Erin built her publishing career mostly in the arena of childrenÕs books. She founded and led childrenÕs book-focused Erin Murphy Literary Agency for more than 25 years before merging it with Aevitas in 2025. Previously she was editor-in-chief at a regional publishing house in Arizona, where she worked on adult nonfiction and lifestyle books as well as childrenÕs books. As an agent, she has represented bestsellers and books that have won notices including a Caldecott Honor, a Newbery Honor, Sibert Medal and Honor, Stonewall Medals, APALA silver and gold, American Indian Youth Literature Honors, a National Jewish Book Award finalist, a Schneider Award, and multiple Edgar, Sydney Taylor, Boston Globe-Horn Book, AmŽricas, Golden Kite, Jane Addams, Margaret Wise Brown, and Orbis Pictus awards or honors, among others. Erin’s favorite part of being an agent is strategizing clientsÕ long-term careers. While she is perhaps best known for her representation of picture book writers, she is currently looking to balance her list with more fiction for middle-graders and young adults, and is especially seeking novels that celebrate unlikely underdog alliances, close siblings/fierce friendships/found families, and queer and BIPOC community and joy. In middle-grade, sheÕs hungry for cozy, emotionally resonant fantasy and literary-leaning multi-layered mysteries. In YA, sheÕs hoping to find sweeping fantasy set in fully realized unique worlds, especially those inspired by non-European cultures, as well as thrillers with strong hooks. She is open to well-researched, propulsive narrative nonfiction for MG and YA. In all categories, she looks especially for authors from marginalized communities, and as you might expect from someone who has focused so much on picture book texts, she most appreciates writing in which every word counts, attention has been given to making it work on multiple levels at once, and she is effortlessly engrossed in the world on the page. She is also open to bringing on select author-illustrators whose visual voice is clear and unique and whose writing is as strong as their art. Erin lives and works in southern Maine and can be queried only on Query Tracker.
Notes
CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Will Murphy is an Agent at Folio Literary Management. He is an experienced publishing professional with a track record of acquiring, developing, and launching critically acclaimed, high-impact bestsellers. He has worked with content across a wide range of categoriesÑcurrent affairs, Òbig ideas,Ó business, politics, science, military affairs, history, narrative nonfiction, and fiction. Murphy has edited and published a wide range of influential figures, including President Joe Biden, former Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, David Brooks, Salman Rushdie, Nassim Taleb, Reza Aslan, Edmund Morris, Jeff Shaara, Michael Oren, Bing West, and Pope Francis. Along with a proven talent for identifying, developing, and broadening thought-leading and trendsetter ideas, he possesses expertise in bringing content to market, from planning and positioning, to devising complex marketing plans. He is known for his ability to create forceful pitches and messaging, and is intimately familiar with the media (including social media) landscape. While at Random House, Will conceived and branded a line Paperback Classics, managing launch, packaging, communications, and content. Over 300 books were rolled out in a few years, including new editions of classics, undiscovered works of merit, major new translations, and unique anthologies. As a Òbusiness-within-a-business,Ó it continues to generate high revenues at high margins. Prior to that Will spent several years running the humanities program at the University of Minnesota Press, and as the literary editor at the University of California Press. Murphy graduated from Bard College with high honors and is the recipient of the Wilton Moore Lockwood Prize for most distinguished critical writing and the John Bard Scholar award for outstanding academic achievement. He did graduate work in the English Department at UC Berkeley. He is a Courants Program Fellow (sponsored by the French Ministry of Culture) and a Jerusalem Book Fair Editorial Fellow. Murphy works with and consults for a select group of clients, including writers, thought leaders, publishers, agents, and corporations. He lives in New York City.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, General Fiction NONFICTION: Business Book, Current Events Affairs, History, Military War Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Science
Biography
Nate Muscato is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. He represents academics, journalists, artists, and polymathic thinkers and storytellers. Authors he works with have written for national and international media, hit the New York Times bestseller list, and received awards and fellowships from the Whiting Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the Ford Foundation. Prior to joining Aevitas, Nate worked at Farrar, Straus & Giroux and Sterling Lord Literistic in New York, taught high school students in Milan, and worked as a bookseller in New England. He graduated from Vassar College with a BA in English and Italian. Nate is drawn to nonfiction that illuminates the past and presentÑfrom arts and pop culture to education, politics, sociology, and technologyÑand envisions more just and equitable futures. He is also interested in select genre fiction with literary trappings, sci-fi/fantasy stories that leap into new worlds yet reveal something radical about our own.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Horror, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Cultural Social Issues, Education, History, Humor Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Science, Technology
Biography
James Mustelier is a literary agent with The Bent Agency. He says: “IÕm looking for a range of commercial and literary fiction and non-fiction. In all genres (but particularly in literary fiction) I prize economical prose, complex characters, steadily building tension, narrative gravity, and the momentary relief of dark humor, even (or especially) amid dire circumstances. In commercial fiction IÕm looking for compact horror and mysteries with big hooks and intricate plotting. In sci-fi and fantasy IÕm drawn to stories that are grounded in reality and have high stakes that touch on contemporary issues Ñ more speculative fiction and alternate histories than high fantasy or space opera. In nonfiction IÕm looking for books that give me a vivid look into subcultures and events I might not otherwise have had the chance to explore. Much of my favorite nonfiction melds a distinct narrative voice with rigorous research. In YA and MG IÕm interested in epic fantasy, grounded sci-fi, and irreverent retellings of fairy tales, classic myths, and historical events. IÕm specifically seeking stories written from diverse perspectives that draw from underrepresented cultures.”
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Satire, Science Fiction, Short Story Collection, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, General Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Eric Myers founded Myers Literary Management, LLC in 2017, following two years with Dystel, Goderich, & Bourret, LLC and thirteen with The Spieler Agency. A graduate of UCLA and the Sorbonne, Eric entered publishing as a journalist and author. Books he has written include Screen Deco: A Celebration of High Style in Hollywood, Forties Screen Style: A Celebration of High Pastiche in Hollywood, and Uncle Mame: The Life of Patrick Dennis, all published by St. MartinÕs Press. His writing has also appeared in The New York Times Magazine and Arts and Leisure sections, Time Out New York, Opera News, Art and Auction, Variety, and Quest. As an agent, Eric concentrates on non-fiction, especially in the areas of history, biography, psychology, health and wellness, and pop culture. He also is open to memoir from writers who already have a strong platform.
Notes
FICTION: Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Mystery, Thriller NONFICTION: Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Film Entertainment, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Sports, Technology, True Crime CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Mytecia Myles is an Associate Literary Agent with Embolden Literary. She is a creative, bold, and authentic leader, workshop facilitator, and subject matter expert. As the founder and global head of PR and communications of Supernatural Success, LLC, Myles oversees innovation and client development. She is a sought-after advisor, speaker, and writing coach and has provided media management for local, regional, and international brands. As a co-creator, book editor, and workshop presenter, Myles has had the honor of working with diverse groups of aspiring writers, helping many become published authors.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Film Entertainment, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, Inspirational Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Religion, Self-Help, Spirituality, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Picture Book NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Nonfiction
Bonnie Nadell
Hill Nadell Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Online Form or Postal MailBiography
Bonnie Nadell is the president of the Hill Nadell Literary Agency in Los Angeles. She represents writers of both fiction and narrative nonfiction. Her clients have been winners or finalists for the Pulitzer Prize, Carnegie Medal, National Book Critics Circle Award, Kirkus Prize, and numerous PEN Awards, among others. Writing matters, books matter, and hereÕs why it matters to me. As an agent, IÕve opened a submission and found everything from an enthralling first novel to a heartbreaking account of struggling to come to America braving hardship and danger. These stories can inspire, can entertain, and can illuminate the major issues of our world whether it be immigration or climate change or injustice. Working with writers at every stage of their career from debut novelists to seasoned journalists, bringing singular voices and compelling stories into the world is what I love to do and have done for years. I am always eager for new perspectives that inform or take me someplace IÕve never been. I represent and am always looking for narrative nonfiction covering the natural world, current events, memoir, food and culture, and stories focused on the American West. In fiction my taste runs to the literary, to voice-driven and genre-bending fiction and smart thrillers. Ultimately literature is when someone elseÕs story speaks to you and broadens your world. ThatÕs what I always want to find.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Espionage Military Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Short Story Collection, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Biography, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Design, Environment, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, Gardening, History, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Sports, Technology, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime, Women’s Issues
Biography
Jen Nadol is a literary agent with The Unter Agency. She has worked in publishing for fifteen years, first as a Young Adult author with novels published by Bloomsbury USA and Simon and Schuster. She joined The Unter Agency in 2018 and represents adult, YA and middle-grade fiction as well as narrative non-fiction and memoir. She does not represent picture books, novellas or high fantasy. Jen is originally from Reading, PA, graduated from American University with a BA in literature and has lived in Washington D.C., Boston, NYC, and now, an old farmhouse north of the city with her three sons. She is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA) and the Westside Agents Group (WAG).
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FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Cookbook Cooking, Environment, Fitness, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Lizz Nagle is a literary agent with Victress Literary. She used to read books while walking to school as a kid and got lost in stories at the Allentown Public Library. She then stayed local, graduating from Cedar Crest College in May of 2009 where she studied English with a creative writing concentration and picked up another Communication major along the way. After graduating college, mothering, office managing for a Chiropractor, substitute teaching for the Allentown School District, working construction for a little while, and writing for fun herself, Lizz began her agenting career in 2019 at Victress Literary under the mentorship of Victress founder, Shannon Orso. She immediately began seeking out layered, character-driven stories with social relevancy that challenge stereotypes, soften hearts, and spread hope with a message of resilience. With a client list including but not limited to Young Adult, WomenÕs Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy titles, Lizz thrives in a creative atmosphere working on a wide variety of books that mashup genres and are propelled by characters. As an agent she values communication, community and collaboration. When not reading, writing, painting, practicing guitar, traveling, or at a concert, she might be found on a hiking trail or with her menagerie of kids and rescue animals.
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FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cookbook Cooking, Fitness, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Spirituality, Sports, Travel, True Crime CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Kimiko Nakamura is a literary agent with Dee Mura Literary. Kimiko is a graduate of Skidmore College and Boston UniversityÕs Book Publishing Program. She worked within Shambhala Publications and Harvard Common Press before becoming a literary agent. She partners with aspiring and published authors alike, enjoys well-worn library books, and is always up for a game of Scrabble. She loves projects that reimagine whatÕs possible, characters with something (or nothing) to lose, unique viewpoints, trailblazing heroines, and anything with elements of magical realism.
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FICTION: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Maria Napolitano is a literary agent with KT Literary. She began her career in publishing as a book scout, where she fell in love with the process of matchmaking books with just the right editors and publishers around the world. She went on to work in subrights and as an agent, and joined kt literary as foreign rights manager and agent in 2024. In foreign rights, Maria’s focus is bringing authors to international readerships and building multi-faceted careers across global markets. As an agent, Maria represents a broad range of fiction, from commercial rom-coms to radical speculative fiction, subversive thrillers, and upmarket book club fiction. She is drawn to character-driven stories, unusual perspectives, genre-bending works, and supremely pitchable high concepts. Maria is a native New Yorker and Cornell graduate who currently lives in Astoria, Queens with a sourdough starter named Ryeley.
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FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Western Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, Environment, Fitness, Health Wellness, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Science, Technology, Upmarket Nonfiction, Women’s Issues