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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
Ali Park is a literary agent with The Gernert Company. An LA native, Ali joined The Gernert Company’s West Coast office in 2022. After receiving her degrees from Harvard, she first worked in education, teaching English in Boston, Denver, and Seoul. She transitioned to publishing by following the thread that led her to the classroom — a love of words, books, and stories.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |General Fiction |General Nonfiction |
Biography
Chris Park is a literary agent with DeFiore and Company. Chris represents books across a broad spectrum of nonfiction—memoirs, narrative, prescriptive, Christian, and sports—and works with her authors to develop books that are appealing and accessible to a broad audience.
She is passionate about stories that must be told: of an achievement-oriented mother who learns the true worth of every life when her daughter is born with Down syndrome, a medical missionary who puts his life on the line treating patients during the Ebola epidemic, a couple who makes the stunning choice to forgive their daughter’s killer.
Chris is drawn in particular to authors whose faith engages the wider world, such as the Cave of Adullam Transformational Training Academy (CATTA) director Jason Wilson, One Day’s Wages founder Eugene Cho, The Center for Justice + Renewal founder Christena Cleveland, human rights advocate Bob Fu, and the hosts of Truth’s Table Ekemini Uwan, Michelle Higgins, and Dr. Christina Edmondson.
Her bestselling authors in the sports category include sportscaster Ernie Johnson Jr., Big Ten Network lead studio host Dave Revsine, and New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton. Publishing a book by NFL legend Brett Favre fulfilled Chris’s wedding vows – in which she pledged allegiance to the Green Bay Packers, for better or worse.
Prior to becoming an agent, Chris worked as an editor for several New York publishing houses, including Hachette Book Group and Random House, and helped launch an independent publishing company. Chris has a degree in English from Harvard University.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Christian Nonfiction | General Nonfiction | Dating Relationships Sex | Diet Nutrition | History | Inspirational Nonfiction | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Reference | Religion | Self-Help | Spirituality | Sports |
Biography
Theresa Park is a literary agent and founding partner with Park & Fine Literary and Media. Prior to becoming a literary agent, Theresa was an attorney at Cooley Godward, a Silicon Valley law firm. But it was her love of books and interest in combining business and art that propelled her toward a publishing career at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. Opening the doors to Park Literary in 2005, she now represents principally plot-driven fiction and a short list of serious nonfiction. Dedicated to clients Nicholas Sparks, Debbie Macomber, Emily Giffin, Janice Y.K. Lee, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Cecelia Ahern and others, she always finds time to enjoy a good meal, make a yearly visit to Vienna (her hometown) and connect with friends and family all over the world—she is fluent in German, can speak French and understand a smattering of Japanese.
Theresa is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz and Harvard Law School, her varied education and background making her a uniquely broadminded business partner – but it’s her love of connecting ideas and people that makes her a great agent. Theresa is also the founder and president of the production company Per Capita Productions, developing TV shows at Apple and Amazon Studios, as well as feature films with A24 and other studio and producing partners.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Commercial Fiction | General Fiction | Romance | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Business Book | History | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction |
Biography
Liz Parker is a literary agent with the Verve Talent & Literary Agency. She runs the publishing team at Verve Talent & Literary, an agency based in New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA. She represents horror, upmarket and literary fiction, select graphic novels and YA, as well as memoir, sociopolitical, narrative and platform-driven nonfiction. Liz began her career in editorial, serving as an editorial assistant at Viking/Penguin, and ultimately as the publishing director at Counterpoint and Soft Skull Press. She was a scout with Maria B. Campbell Associates, and spent three years with InkWell Management before joining Verve Talent & Literary in April 2018.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Horror | Literary Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | History | Humor Nonfiction | Memoir | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics |
Biography
Mel Parker is a literary agent with and the founder of Mel Parker Books, LLC. He says: “After nearly forty years as an editor and publisher, I’ve worked in virtually every area of book publishing, from hardcover and paperback publishing to direct marketing, book clubs, book packaging and literary representation.
As a literary agent, I represent nonfiction authors in categories such as narrative nonfiction, memoir/biography, business, health, science, technology, history and politics. I look to represent authors who are thought leaders in business, journalism, government, and academia, and who have a unique and newsworthy book idea.
Having also helped launch the careers of many bestselling fiction authors, I represent voice-driven upmarket and commercial fiction, especially literary fiction, psychological suspense, and crime fiction.
I take on very few projects, and have a small, select client list. So I’m able to devote a lot of time and attention to each one of my authors. I think of myself as a fierce advocate for my clients, and believe there are few literary agents who are as personally invested as I am in helping to advance an author’s career.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Business Book | Education | Government | Health Wellness | History | Inspirational Nonfiction | Journalism | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics | Pop Culture | Reference | Science | Technology | Travel |
Biography
Chris Parris-Lamb is a literary agent with the Gernert Company. Chris is a Vice President and literary agent at The Gernert Company, which he joined in 2005. He was born in Alabama and grew up in North Carolina, where he attended UNC-Chapel Hill on a Morehead-Cain Scholarship. His nonfiction tastes encompass a wide variety of genres and subjects, and his fiction tastes incline toward the literary; in both categories he’s looking for great writing by smart writers, and prefers queries to be accompanied by a sample chapter or two. He sits on the Board of n+1, and lives with his wife and pit bull in Brooklyn.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |General Fiction | Literary Fiction |General Nonfiction | Art | Biography | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Economics | Food Drink | History | Memoir | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Photography | Politics | Pop Culture | Science | Self-Help | Sports | Technology |
Biography
Emma Parry is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She says: “I’m looking for strong stories and exhilarating ideas – whether in reportage, memoir, narrative non fiction, science, religion, nature writing or fiction. I love writers who extend empathy, resist all manner of tyrannies, and entertain. I want pages which whip by and spark wide conversation.
Recent bestsellers include ONE WAY BACK by Christine Blasey Ford, REST IS RESISTANCE by Tricia Hersey, THE IMMORTALITY KEY by Brian Muraresku, LEXINGTON by Kim Wickens and THE GLASS BOX by J M Straczynski.
I have helped launch the career of many prize winning and bestselling authors, including Rutger Bregman, Tara Isabella Burton, Bernadine Evaristo, Rebecca Godfrey, Tricia Hersey, Hannah Fry, Claire Keegan, Hari Kunzru, and Andrew Smith.
I’ve also represented the work of great established talents including Harlan Ellison, Germaine Greer; Alan Hollinghurst, David Kennedy, Marian Keyes, Paul McCartney, Maggie O’Farrell, the late VS Naipaul, and Kamila Shamsie.
I’ve worked with winners of the Shiva Naipaul Prize for Travel Writing, the National Book Critics Circle, the Man Booker, the Pulitzer and the Nobel.
Born in England, I’ve lived in New York half my life. After Cambridge, I joined the graduate program of Ogilvy & Mather before being rescued from advertising by the British literary agent Gillon Aitken. When I was 25, Gillon sent me to New York to oversee the publication of BRIDGET JONES’S DIARY and Germaine Greer’s THE WHOLE WOMAN while training at FSG. I fell in love with the city and its publishing scene; met my husband and stayed.
In 2003, I co-founded a new agency, Fletcher & Parry. Out of a little Carriage House off Union Square we built a thriving list and business to the point an uncommon opportunity presented itself to sell.
After a gardening leave, which I enjoyed with my family in the house we built in the Hudson Valley, I joined Janklow & Nesbit in 2013, where I have been happily representing pioneering thinkers and compelling storytellers since.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | BIPOC Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Art | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Diet Nutrition | Economics | Health Wellness | History | Journalism | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Parenting | Photography | Politics | Pop Culture | Reference | Religion | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | Technology | Travel | True Crime |
Biography
Sarah Passick is a literary agent and partner with Park & Fine Literary and Media. Executive Director of Commercial Nonfiction Sarah Passick represents authors with important missions that disrupt the way we see the world. Sarah leads the commercial nonfiction team in crafting the agency’s editorial, publicity, and marketing strategy across all commercial nonfiction clients. As an extremely hands on partner, Sarah tailors each client experience to their individual needs. She works side by side with each author through the inception of an idea, finding the right publishing partner, negotiating the best deals, and crafting successful promotional campaigns, ensuring that the team is executing at the highest level.
Sarah represents media-driven storytellers across genres in narrative nonfiction, memoir, personal development, business, cooking, and select fiction and children’s books. Sarah prides herself on securing major book deals and having a gift for getting to know the unique needs of each individual client and project to create the most successful and rewarding publication possible. Sarah has helped clients get their own television shows, book national media, and make career-changing connections with traditional and nontraditional influencers. Some of her authors include Logic, JoJo Siwa, Dr. William Li, Garcelle Beauvais, Colin O’Brady, Charles Oakley, Laila Ali, Nico Tortorella, Amber Rae, and more.
Sarah graduated Cum Laude from Tulane University and holds a certificate in publishing from New York University. She lives in New York City.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | General Fiction |General Nonfiction | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Food Drink | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Self-Help |
Biography
Kathi Paton is a literary agent with the Kahi Paton Literary Agency. A graduate of Middlebury College, Kathi Paton worked as an editor at Simon & Schuster before opening the agency in 1987.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Christian Fiction | Christian Nonfiction |General Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Religious Fiction | Romance |Biography | Business Book | Computers | Current Events Affairs | Education | Environment | Health Wellness | History | Humor Nonfiction | Investigative | Journalism | Lifestyle | Money Finance | Parenting | Politics | Pop Culture | Religion | Science | Technology |
Biography
David R. Patterson is a literary agent with the Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency. He represents a wide variety of narrative and idea-driven nonfiction and literary fiction, with an emphasis on journalists, public figures, scholars, and performers. His clients include Pulitzer Prize winners and finalists, winners of the Polk and Livingston Awards, and contributors and writers on the staff of The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Texas Monthly, The Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic, Foreign Policy, Slate, Salon, The Awl, The Morning News, McSweeney’s, Oxford American, The Believer, and other fine places.
David has been involved in publishing since his graduation from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a degree in English, Highest Honors, in 1996. After completing an internship at Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, David worked for several years at Politics and Prose Bookstore in Washington, DC, and then worked for over a decade as an editor at Public Affairs and then Henry Holt and Company. David serves on the board of the Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference, organized by the journalism program at the University of North Texas, and is an adjunct faculty member at the Goucher College MFA program in creative nonfiction.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |General Fiction | Literary Fiction |General Nonfiction | Celebrity | Cultural Social Issues | Education | Film Entertainment | History | Journalism | Memoir | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Religion | Spirituality | True Crime |
Biography
Emma Patterson is a literary agent with Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents. She represents fiction ranging from dark, literary novels to historical and upmarket fiction; narrative non-fiction that includes memoir, investigative journalism, and popular history; and young adult fiction along similar lines. She is drawn to both domestic and far-flung settings (while remaining on Earth) that are original and transporting. She is looking for fresh, lyrical, and voice-driven writing, suspenseful plots, emotional narratives, and unforgettable characters.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Young Adult Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Current Events Affairs | History | Investigative | Journalism | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics | Pop Culture | True Crime |
Biography
Miranda Paul is a literary agent with the Erin Murphy Literary Agency. She joined Erin Murphy Literary Agency in 2019, and maintains a small but mighty client list of authors and author-illustrators. Miranda represents both fiction and nonfiction, from board books through young adult, and the very occasional adult project. In addition to agenting, Miranda is the award-winning author of more than twenty books for children including One Plastic Bag (illus. Elizabeth Zunon), Speak Up (ill. Ebony Glenn), and Water is Water (illus. Jason Chin).
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | General Fiction | Graphic Novel |General Nonfiction | Memoir |
Biography
Nicole Payne is a literary agent with Copps Literary Services. Many moons ago, a book-loving nerd was given a chance to live out her childhood dream of being a literary agent. Starting from reader to intern, Nicole Payne ultimately became an agent in the summer of 2016. Now she embarks on a new journey, joining Copps Literary Services in 2023.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Black Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Young Adult Fiction |Christian Fiction |Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Inspirational Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |Cookbook Cooking | Health Wellness | Humor Nonfiction | Memoir | Science | Travel | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Clare Pelino is a literary agent with Pro Literary Consultant. She is also the president of the agency.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA | Cookbook Cooking | Diet Nutrition | Food Drink | Lifestyle | Science |
Biography
Sharon Pelletier is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC. She joined DG&B in 2013 after working for Europa Editions, Vantage Press, and Barnes & Noble. Born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, Sharon moved to New York in 2009 and now can’t imagine ever living anywhere else. In addition to growing her own list, Sharon oversees digital projects and social media for the agency. While her interests are broad, Sharon is especially seeking upmarket fiction, including unexpected suspense fiction; smart, complex women’s fiction; and hearty, unforgettable book club fiction. On the nonfiction side Sharon is eager for compelling, fierce narrative nonfiction by journalists and experts, and emerging voices with a growing platform who can speak to pop culture, feminism, sports, social justice, and/or religion.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | General Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Cultural Social Issues | Dating Relationships Sex | History | How-To | Journalism | Law Legal | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Psychology | Religion | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | Sports | Technology | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Alexandra Penfold is a literary agent with Upstart Crow Literary. She has been working in publishing for over a decade. Formerly an Editor at Paula Wiseman Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, she specializes in young picture books, middle-grade fiction, and young adult. Prior to becoming an editor, Alexandra was a children’s book publicist. She worked on media campaigns that appeared in USA Today, Newsweek, US News and World Report, and NPR’s All Things Considered. She’s the co-author of New York a la Cart: Recipes and Stories from the Big Apple’s Best Food Trucks and the author of Eat, Sleep, Poop, illustrated by Jane Massey and We Are Brothers, We Are Friends, illustrated by Eda Kaban as well as three forthcoming picture books, for more on Alexandra’s books visit her website. Alexandra is looking to take on select lifestyle and cooking projects in addition to children’s books.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction |Cookbook Cooking | Humor Nonfiction | Lifestyle |
Biography
Travis Pennington is an associate agent and does marketing for The Knight Agency. After working in the education field for over ten years, Travis turned his attention to writing, completing his first novel and helping others market their books as well. He launched a media business that has assisted both independent and New York Times bestselling authors with branding their work. He provides content and layout support for the agency newsletter, designs both advertorials and book covers, aids in the management of the agency’s social media venues, and processes digital titles through the assisted self-publishing program.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction |Christian Fiction | Christian Nonfiction |Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | Inspirational Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Religious Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Animals | Current Events Affairs | Film Entertainment | Fitness | Health Wellness | History | Lifestyle | Memoir | Pop Culture | Psychology | Religion | Self-Help | Spirituality | Sports | Travel | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Kimberly Perel
High Line Literary Collective/Paper Over BoardCLOSED to SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email >Biography
Kim Perel is a literary agent with Paper Over Board and part of the High Line Literary Collective. With a dozen years of collective experience as a literary agent, first at Wendy Sherman Associates and later as a Vice President at the Irene Goodman Literary Agency, Kim co-founded High Line Literary Collective and the Paper Over Board division with the goal of fostering an author-centric environment alongside a group of brilliant, diverse professionals with whom she has the utmost respect and adoration.
Kim is passionate about discovering unique voices and making authors’ dreams come true. She has been privileged to represent award-winning, NYTimes best-selling authors throughout her career. She is particularly excited about leaders and artist’s whose point-of-view cuts through the noise and connects with readers in a way that translates into a new understanding about an important aspect of life. When she brings in a new client, her favorite part of the job is creating a clear publishing plan in lockstep with the author’s current team, big-picture career goals and future aspirations. Close communication and a common vision both creatively and strategically are at the core of all of Kim’s client relationships.
In 2012, Kim co-authored the book Wedding Cake for Breakfast: Essays on the First Year of Marriage (Berkley). She holds an MFA degree in Creative Writing from The New School where she studied with world-renowned professional writers in the areas of fiction and nonfiction. She also received her undergraduate bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
Kim splits her time between Westchester and NYC with her husband and puggle Bella, co-curates the popular H.I.P. Lit reading series, and loves adventures like road-tripping, whitewater rafting, and camping (fine, glamping).
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | BIPOC Fiction | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Religious Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Dating Relationships Sex | Design | Health Wellness | History | Journalism | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Psychology | Religion | Science | Spirituality | Sports | Travel | True Adventure | Upmarket Nonfiction | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Lara Perkins is an Associate Agent and Digital Manager at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Lara represents NYT bestselling and award-winning authors and illustrators of picture books, middle grade, and YA fiction and nonfiction. She loves digging in editorially with clients, but her favorite part of being an agent is working with each author and illustrator to build a unique, long, and satisfying career.
Lara has a BA in English and Fine Arts from Amherst College and an MA in English Literature from Columbia University, where she studied feminist and postcolonial theory. Prior to joining ABLA in 2010, she studied architecture at a graduate level at the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) and then began her career in publishing as an assistant at the B.J. Robbins Literary Agency.
After many years in New York and the San Francisco Bay area, Lara lives in her hometown of Los Angeles with her family, including her two kids who love picture books almost as much as she does. She drinks far too much coffee.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Authors and Illustrators Only | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Graphic Novel |
Biography
Martha Perotto-Wills is a literary agent with The Bent Agency. She says: “I assist Molly Ker Hawn in the Bent Agency’s London office and am building my own list, representing authors of adult literary fiction and sci-fi/fantasy/horror, as well as select adult non-fiction and middle-grade and young adult fiction.
I grew up in Deptford, southeast London. After finishing my BA in History at Cambridge University, I spent a few years as a bookseller and cataloguer in the wild world of second-hand, rare, and antiquarian books. I did my MA in Queer History at Goldsmiths College, where I researched queer-coding in 1920s fashion journalism. I joined the Bent Agency in 2019.
I read pretty omnivorously, but across all genres I particularly enjoy: authorial confidence; unexpected, singular narrative voices; good, stylish sentences; humour/wit; knotty interpersonal relationships; and transportive writing that immerses me in a fully-formed world, whether fantastical, geographical, or emotional.
A random selection of old and new favourites: Shirley Jackson, Patricia Highsmith’s Ripley novels, Confessions of the Fox, Diana Souhami, Tamora Pierce, LOTE, The Worst Journey in the World, Tamsyn Muir, Eve Babitz, Dusty Answer, Julia Armfield, Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl, Happy All the Time, Hilary Mantel, Sybille Bedford, His Dark Materials, Less, Michelle Tea’s Black Wave, Dorothy L Sayers, Alexander Chee’s The Queen of the Night, The Secret History, Susanna Clarke, Michelle Paver, Pamela Dean’s Tam Lin, The Once and Future King, etc…”
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Fantasy | Horror | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Science Fiction |General Nonfiction | Beauty Fashion Style | Humor Nonfiction |
Biography
Mira Perrizo is a literary agent with WordLink, Incorporated. She has spent over thirty-five years in the publishing world, including twenty-one years as publisher at Johnson Books/Big Earth Publishing in Boulder, Colorado, where she was involved in all facets of book publishing, from design to manuscript development and more. Her love of books has led her to continue working with authors. She lives in Boulder, Colorado.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography |
Biography
Jas Perry is a literary agent with KT Literary. She joined KT Literary in 2020, with a background in children’s editorial at Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Books and Levine Querido. She represents MG and YA fiction and specializes in Graphic Novels, Comics, and Manga for all ages—with a focus on creators of color and communities historically excluded from traditional publishing. Jas attended New York University and the City University of New York; she’s a We Need Diverse Books alum and the current Director of Special Projects at People of Color in Publishing. More about Jas’ list and interests can be found on her website.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Black Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Graphic Novel |
Biography
Joseph Perry is the founder of and a literary agent with Perry Literary, Inc. He began his book publishing journey when he attended the New York University Summer Publishing Institute in 2010. Like many students in the course, he wanted to be an editor. However, when he listened to a literary agency panel, he knew he had found his calling. After initially interning as a reader of nonfiction manuscripts at FinePrint Literary Agency, Joseph enrolled at St. John’s University School of Law to learn about the legal aspects of publishing and graduated with a juris doctorate in 2015. During law school, Joseph interned in the legal departments at Hachette Book Group; Rodale, Inc.; and William Morris Endeavor, as well as the subsidiary rights department at Columbia University Press. Joseph currently works as an Associate Editor at Thomson Reuters.
At Perry Literary, Inc., Joseph understands the importance of negotiating and securing various rights on behalf of his authors. He believes in tirelessly advocating for his authors and working collaboratively with them throughout the editorial and publication process to better hone their crafts and better position their books.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Food Drink | Journalism | Memoir | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science | Self-Help | Sports | Technology | True Crime |
Biography
Carrie Pestritto is a literary agent with the Laura Dail Literary Agency. Carrie Pestritto worked at Writers House and Prospect Agency before becoming part of the LDLA team. She earned her BA in English, cum laude, from Amherst College in 2009, also spending a year studying abroad at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford University.
As an agent, she loves the thrill of finding new authors with strong, unique voices and working closely with her clients. Carrie always strives to help create books that will introduce readers to new worlds and is drawn in by relatable characters, meticulous world-building, and unusual, compelling premises.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Chapter Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Magical Realism | Mystery | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Biography | Dating Relationships Sex | Design | Environment | Film Entertainment | Fitness | Food Drink | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Parenting | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science | Self-Help | Technology | True Adventure | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Kelly Peterson is a literary agent with the Rees Literary Agency. She is a West Chester University graduate with a B.S.Ed in English and Literature. She worked as a Junior Literary Agent for two years before moving to Rees Literary Agency, continuing to champion her authors and the manuscripts she loves. Kelly seeks manuscripts in various genres within Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult age ranges. In Middle Grade, she loves fantasy, sci-fi, and contemporary that touches on tough issues for young readers. Her Young Adult preferences vary from contemporary to high fantasy, sci-fi (not the space kind) to paranormal (all the ghost stories, please!), and historical all the way back to rom-coms. Kelly is proud to continue to represent Adult manuscripts in romance, fantasy, and sci-fi. She is very interested in representing authors with marginalized own voices stories, witty and unique characters, pirates, witches, and dark fantasies.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Contemporary Fiction | Espionage Military Fiction | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Kimberly Peticolas is a literaray agent with the Rudy Agency. She is a recent addition to the Rudy Agency. She has worked in the publishing industry for nearly a decade and comes to the agency after working as an editor and publishing consultant, as well as previously running a boutique publisher. She has a passion for immersive fiction, and content-rich non-fiction. She also has a soft spot for military history. She earned an MA in Museum Studies.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Juvenile Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Mystery | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Business Book | History | Lifestyle | Military War Nonfiction | Self-Help |
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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)
* * *
“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)