Welcome message…
7 Insider Secrets to Get a Top Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal
Press the play button below to listen.
Click here to view and/or download a free PDF transcript
of this audio program
* * *
Literary Agent Directory
Important: Visit each agent’s website (links in their listings below) to see if they’re open to submissions before querying.
Biography
Joe Regal is a literary agent with Regal Hoffmann & Associates. While pursuing a career as the lead singer of the rock band RAMA, Joseph Regal got his first job in publishing at the Russell & Volkening Literary Agency in 1991. There he worked with Pulitzer Prize-winning bestselling authors Anne Tyler, Eudora Welty, Annie Dillard, Howell Raines, and Peter Taylor, as well as Tony Award-winner Ntozake Shange, Nobel Prize-winner Nadine Gordimer, and TV anchorman and novelist Jim Lehrer. After leaving music for publishing, he founded Regal Literary Inc. in 2002. He graduated from Columbia College magna cum laude. His primary interests are literary fiction, international thrillers, history, science, photography, music, culture, and whimsy.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Cultural Social Issues, General Nonfiction, History, Humor Nonfiction, Memoir, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Science CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Jessica Regel is a literary agent with and the founder of Helm Literary. She says: “I started Helm Literary with the goal of helping writers take control of their careers. I believe my job as a literary agent is to help writers steer that ship (couldnÕt resist at least one sea-faring pun!) First and foremost, I work to make sure my writers are compensated for their incredible work, but IÕm also their guide to navigating the industry as a whole. No nonsense, no smoke and mirrors. Just the pure magic of publishing books. WhatÕs my story? As a flashlight under the covers, tripping over curbs while read-walking, never leave home without a book, lifetime reader, I thought IÕd found my dream job when I started working at my local library in Iowa. Then one day, I stumbled upon the inciting incident of my professional life: I shelved The WriterÕs DigestÕs Guide to Literary Agents. The summer of 2002, I moved to New York City to intern at the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency. Over the next decade, I worked my way through each department: royalties, contracts, audio, foreign, film, and domestic. I also began taking on my own clients (most of whom I still represent to this day.) In 2013, I moved to Foundry Literary + Media where I continued to grow my list of award winning, bestselling writers. (And truly just wonderful people.) Today, Helm is a full-service literary agency, representing fiction, nonfiction, and childrenÕs book authors. I’ve hired a team of industry veterans to support me in my back office and in my subsidiary rights department, that way I can focus on selling books. Because the truth is, nearly two decades into my career, I still get giddy every time I call an author with an offer from a publisher. Dream job!”
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, LGBTQ Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Celebrity, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Economics, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Self-Help, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Ashley Reisinger
Triada U.S. Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Postal MailBiography
Ashley Reisinger is a literary agent with the Triada U.S. Literary Agency. She is interested in a variety of fiction across adult, young adult, and middle grade. In adult, she is primarily looking for swoony romances, the more chaotic the protagonist, the better (think Boyfriend Material, The Love Hypothesis, You Had Me at Hola, Book Lovers, Weather Girl). In young adult, she is interested in heartfelt, character-driven stories, particularly romcoms (think To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, What I Like About You). She can also be enticed by the odd horror, thriller, or spec fic (think Wilder Girls, Cemetery Boys, The Darkness Outside Us, The Whispering Dark). In middle grade, she is looking for a fun, quirky voice that will make her laugh. Primarily, she’s interested in contemporary (think Front Desk, From the Desk of Zoe Washington), and fantasy/contemporary fantasy (think Amari and the Night Brothers, Ghost Squad).
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
William Reiss is a literary agent with John Hawkins & Associates Literary Agency. William has been in this firm since 1971. At the time he joined the ranks, they were in the Scribner building on 48th Street and 5th Avenue. Rooms were divided by partitions that reached two-thirds the height of each room. Bill’s training regimen was to eavesdrop and ask questions, and he still does. He has a penchant for junk food, historical narratives, biography, slightly off-beat fiction (WICKED by Gregory Maguire, PAINT IT BLACK by Janet Fitch) suspense fiction (THE ANALYST by John Katzenbach) and nonfiction, children’s books (STONER & SPAZ by Ron Koertge), nature writing (LIVING AT THE END OF TIME by John H. Mitchell). He is also (in his own words) a lazy, neo-Luddite, and is waiting for electronic communication to be so user-friendly that it will become even simpler say, than telephoning (which he doesn’t like to do either).
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Art, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Photography CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Yfat Reiss Gendell is a literary agent with YRG Partners. She is the founder of agency and branding company. She represents world-builders and subject matter authorities across fiction and nonfiction. Her nonfiction projects include narrative nonfiction works of memoir (Sherri ShepherdÕs Permission Slips; international zeitgeist poet Sarah KayÕs forthcoming The View from South Dakota; and Vice Admiral Robert HarwardÕs forthcoming The Gouge), history and science (New York Times bestseller Denise KiernanÕs The Girls of Atomic City and The Last Castle; and Cristin OÕKeefe AptowiczÕs Dr. Mutters Marvels), prescriptive nonfiction in the areas of business (Eve Rodsky and Reese WitherspoonÕs Hello SunshineÕs New York Times bestselling Fair Play; hospitality industry thought-leader Damian Mogavero and Joseph DÕAgneseÕs The Underground Culinary Tour), health and wellness (iconoclast and bestseller Yoni Freedhoff MDÕs The Diet Fix; neuroscientist and TED Talk star Wendy Suzuki, PhDÕs bestselling Happy Brain, Healthy Life; internationally renowned environmental toxin authority Leonardo Trasande, MDÕs Sicker, Fatter, Poorer; internationally lauded neuroscientist Nan Wise, PhDÕs bestselling Why Good Sex Matters; and Pierre Dukan, MDÕs New York Times bestselling The Dukan Diet), parenting (bestselling ÒToddler WhispererÓ Tovah Klein PhDÕs bestselling How ToddlerÕs Thrive; Jo FrostÕs Toddler Rules by TVÕs ÒSupernannyÓ), and humor (the New York Times bestselling Sh*tty Mom franchise of books and merchandise). Yfat routinely helps consumer packaged goods companies and other business leaders bring their brand stories to entertainment (New York Times bestselling Suja Juice Solution; BabyGanics groundbreaking BabySafe in Seven Steps; Vera Bradley founder Barbara Bradley BaekgaardÕs A Colorful Way of Living; Stella & Dot founder Jessica HerrinÕs Find Your Extraordinary; and two forthcoming projects by Swedish environmental change agent Oatly). Yfat understands what her authors and creatives go through, because she is one. As an author she has published eight nonfiction titles with Chronicle Books, Stewart, Tabori & Chang, and Penguin Random House, among others. Prior to becoming an agent, Yfat worked as a lawyer and ran a boutique publishing house. She attended Brandeis University and The UCLA School of Law and spent more than a decade on the board of WIN (formerly Women in Need), one of New YorkÕs largest providers of homeless services for women and children.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Autobiography, Biography, Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Diet Nutrition, Fitness, General Nonfiction, Gift Novelty, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Sports, Technology, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Allison Remcheck Pernetti is a literary agent with Stimola Literary Studio. She is so lucky to say that she has only ever worked with booksÑa journey that has taken her from a library, to a bookstore, to a publishing house, and finally to the StudioÑand books, particularly those for children, have been her lifelong passion. Allison believes there is simply nothing better in the world than putting the perfect book into a child’s hand. But there is something extraordinary in nurturing a book from the start, and seeing it find its place in the world. She has had the opportunity to work with many critically-acclaimed and bestselling authors. Her clients include Lamda-nominee Zack Smedley, Schneider Family Book Award-winner Shannon Stocker, Newbery Medalist and Pura Belpre Medalist Donna Barba Higuera, and she is co-agent for #1 New York Times bestselling author, Karen M. McManus, among others. Her tastes can be summed up as high-concept, universally-reaching stories that are beautifully told. She finds herself drawn to voices that speak for themselves, stories that only the author can tell, and books that reflect the lives of every child–especially the ones told least often. She hopes to help publish the sorts of books that make children readers for life.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Amy Rennert is a literary agent with the Amy Rennert Group. Amy is the former editor in chief of two national magazines and she served on the faculty of the Stanford Publishing Course.
Notes
FICTION: Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Investigative, Journalism, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Sports CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Picture Book
Biography
Laura Rennert is a literary agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Laura Rennert has been with the agency since 1998. She specializes in all categories of children’s books, from picture books to YA. She also represents literary-commercial fiction, thrillers, and psychological suspense/horror on the adult side. Laura gravitates toward books with a masterful voice and an unusual point of view. She’s captivated by conflicted, charismatic characters who invite empathy, whether we like them or not; strong, fresh idiosyncratic voices; and stories that make readers think and feel deeply. She’s category agnostic, but right now she’s particularly seeking middle grade fiction, YA fiction, author-illustrator picture books, and literary-commercial thrillers and psychological suspense/horror in the adult space. She’d especially love to find a diverse, Own Voices fantasy or thriller that draws on an underrepresented history/culture for its mythology or world-building. SheÕs drawn to narrative risk-takers, and would like to find a middle grade, YA, or adult novel, or even unconventional narrative nonfiction, that tells an emotionally compelling story in an unexpected way (like Jay AsherÕs contemporary YA THIRTEEN REASONS WHY, which reads like a mystery). In thrillers and psychological suspense/horror, she gravitates toward unreliable narrators and morally ambiguous characters. She looks for street cred and authenticity (whether of tradecraft, investigative technique, historical/geographical setting, culture, or psychology). SheÕs fascinated with hidden worlds and secret knowledge. Some of the YA books Laura represents include Maggie Stiefvater’s #1 NYT and USA Today bestselling series The Raven Cycle and Printz Honor Finalist THE SCORPIO RACES (both Scholastic); Jay Asher’s #1 NYT and USA Today bestselling THIRTEEN REASONS (Razorbill/PRH) on which the Netflix Thirteen Reasons Why series is based; #1 NYT and USA Today Bestseller Ellen Hopkins’s THE YOU IÕVE NEVER KNOWN (Margaret K. McElderry/S&S); and award-winning author Mitali Perkins’s forthcoming YOU BRING THE DISTANT NEAR (FSG/Macmillan). Middle grade titles include Shannon Messenger’s NYT and USA Today bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series (Aladdin/S&S). Picture books include Lisa MantchevÕs STRICTLY NO ELEPHANTS (Paula Wiseman/S&S), a 2016 NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Honorable Title; Tammi Sauer’s YOUR ALIEN, an NPR Best Book of 2015; and NYT bestselling author Nina Laden’s just released IF I HAD A LITTLE DREAM (Paula Wiseman/S&S) and her Peek-A-Who series (Chronicle). Some adult titles include NYT bestselling and award-winning author Catherine Ryan Hyde’s forthcoming ALLIE AND BEA (Lake Union/Amazon), #1 NYT bestselling author Lauren KateÕs forthcoming DOVE (Putnam/PRH); Wall Street Journal bestselling author Joe HartÕs forthcoming OBSCURA (Thomas & Mercer/Amazon), and NYT bestselling and award-winning thriller writer Barry Eisler’s LIVIA LONE (Thomas & Mercer/Amazon). Laura’s work as an agent is enhanced by her familiarity with what itÕs like on the author’s side of the table. SheÕs married to an author; sheÕs raising a young author; and Laura herself is the author of a picture book, BUYING, TRAINING, AND CARING FOR YOUR DINOSAUR (Knopf/PRH), illustrated by Marc Brown, creator of Arthur; and of an illustrated chapter book, ROYAL PRINCESS ACADEMY: DRAGON DREAMS, illustrated by Melanie Florian (Dial/PRH). Laura has a Ph.D. in English Literature and was a faculty member in the English departments of the University of Virginia, Osaka University of Foreign Studies, and Santa Clara University. You can find the latest about Laura on Facebook.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Nicole Resciniti is the President and a literary agent with The Seymour Agency. Nicole has been listed by Publishers Marketplace as a top dealmaker in the country and named as ACFW’s 2012 Agent of the Year. She loves discovering new talent and helping established authors to take their career to the next level. Nicole is a member of AAR, ACFW, RWA, and Mensa. She holds degrees in biology, psychology, and behavioral neuroscience. Like Mary Sue, Nicole taught in the public school system and has worn many hats before heeding her calling to become a literary agentÑfor which she will forever be indebted to Mary Sue Seymour. Do you have the next project to feed her book addiction? A smart, tight read she wonÕt be able to put down? A signature voice sheÕll fight to represent? A proponent for authentic, diverse voices in fiction, Nicole is actively seeking those stories that have to be told. HEAÕs are a must for romance. Mainstream suspense, thrillers, mysteries, YA, and inspirational novels are welcome. A consummate science geek and card-carrying Mensa member, Nicole would love to find the next great science fiction/fantasy novel or action/adventure masterpiece. Currently on her wish list: high-concept middle grade, any kind of romance, and really fresh voices in YA. ”I have the best job in the world. I read for a living and make authorsÕ dreams come true.” – Nicole Resciniti
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, General Nonfiction, Inspirational Nonfiction, Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction
Biography
Alyssa Reuben is a literary agent with WME Books. Alyssa joined WME in 2022 after serving as the head of Paradigm AgencyÕs Book Publishing division, where she worked for nearly 15 years. She represents a wide array of categories: adult, young adult, and middle-grade fiction, as well as platform-driven nonfiction ranging from prescriptive to narrative, illustrated food/lifestyle, humor, and everything in between. She has brokered deals for many bestselling authors including Jessica Knoll, Jessica Goodman, Karin Tanabe, Billie Eilish, Tracee Ellis Ross, the Betches, Mara Wilson, Ali Maffucci, and Katie Sturino. Alyssa is passionate about working with dynamic authors who change the conversation and have propulsive stories that resonate emotionally. She loves fiction with an edge or a great romantic arc and prides herself on unearthing new talent and helping her clients realize their potential. Above all, she is looking for books that really make you want to turn the pages. Originally from Philadelphia, she lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two kids.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Dating Relationships Sex, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Pop Culture, True Crime CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Alex Reubert is a literary agent with HG Literary. He is pursuing books that, either by style or story, demand he keep reading. He loves literature in translation, novels set outside the U.S., and stories that offer the reader a new or unconventional way of seeing. Novels that skew upmarket and literary are welcome, as are any narrators looking back and trying to make sense of their life. For nonfiction, heÕs interested in memoir, psychology, narrative, literary studies, art history, popular science, philosophy, and cultural studies. HeÕs also seeking poets and musicians that have ventured into prose. Writers that instill a sense of curiosity and wonder in others, no matter the subject, should get in touch and tell him about their work. Alex began his publishing life as a bookseller at WORD Bookstores and an intern with New Directions and W.W. Norton & Company. He then spent five years as an international book scout, then literary agent, at Greenburger Associates before joining HG Literary in 2024. Hailing from Georgia, he now lives in Brooklyn where he enjoys walking through parks and visiting delis.
Notes
FICTION: Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Romance, Satire, Short Story Collection, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Biography, Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Psychology, Science, Self-Help CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Phoebe Rhinehart is a literary agent at The Gernert Company. She joined The Gernert Company in 2025. Her first foray into the world of publishing began at CAA, preceded by a BA in Human Evolutionary Biology from Harvard, an MS in Behavioural Science from the London School of Economics, and the beginnings of a career in public health metrics.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, Literary Fiction NONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, History, Nonfiction, Science
Biography
Maria Ribas is a literary agent with the Stonesong Literary Agency. She represents prescriptive and narrative nonfiction in the categories of food and drink, home, lifestyle, creativity, personal development, business, and illustrated gift books. She began her career on the editorial side, first at Atria/Simon & Schuster and Harlequin Nonfiction, then at Adams Media before becoming an agent in 2014. As a former editor, she has a keen sense of what editors are really looking for, and she has a decade of experience building lasting relationships with authors. She prides herself on being very hands-on as an agent and enjoys working closely with authors on their entire career and platform, not just one book. Maria specializes in nonfiction in the areas of food and drink, home, lifestyle, creativity, personal development, business, and illustrated gift books. She enjoys working with writers, photographers, illustrators, bloggers, and influencers with strong platforms who understand how a thoughtfully produced, proudly promoted book can grow their brands and their businesses. Her clients have been winners or finalists for James Beard Foundation Awards and the International Association of Culinary Professionals Awards, as well as Washington Post, PublisherÕs Weekly, and national bestsellers.
Notes
NONFICTION: Animals, Art, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Crafts, Design, Diet Nutrition, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Gift Novelty, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, Inspirational Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Psychology, Self-Help, Women’s Issues
Biography
Chip Rice is a literary agent with WordLink, Incorporated. He worked in education before transitioning to agenting by way of freelance editing and manuscript assessment. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and teen sons. Chip is looking for fiction that delivers exceptional voice with commercial appeal. He values emotional connection, authenticity, a vivid sense of place, humor, well-drawn characters, and a brisk pace. Open to most genres of adult, young adult, and middle grade fiction, as well as platform-driven nonfiction. A ÒheartÓ from Chip on your Twitter / X pitch (any event, at any time) is an invitation to query per agency guidelines, even if he is closed to queries.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Memoir, Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Nicki Richesin
Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Postal MailBiography
Nicki Richesin is a literary agent with the Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency. She began her agenting career at Wendy Sherman Associates in 2017, after editing nonfiction for fifteen years. She is the editor of four anthologies (The May Queen, Because I Love Her, What I Would Tell Her, and Crush) featuring personal essays by many acclaimed authors. She represents literary and upmarket fiction, and contemporary Young Adult fiction. She also focuses on nonfiction including investigative journalism, pop culture, biography, cooking/food writing, and memoir that makes an impact and becomes part of the larger cultural conversation. She is invested in discovering underrepresented voices. She lives in the San Francisco bay area.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Satire, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Autobiography, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, How-To, Investigative, Journalism, Lifestyle, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Pop Culture, Travel CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Michelle Richter is a literary agent with Fuse Literary. She is a senior agent at Fuse Literary representing leaders in the crime fiction community, award-winners, and debut authors. She joined the agency after eight years in editorial at St. MartinÕs Press, where she worked on fiction and nonfiction with high-profile personalities, New York Times bestsellers, and debuts. She has built her career finding underserved clients with major talent and helping them jump their careers to the next level. She wants to boost underrepresented voices in her favorite genres to break through and create lasting change in both their writing careers and the publishing industry. Her years of experience as an agent, at a Big 5 publisher, and as an educator inform her relationships with her clients and help her guide them through the complex stages of their careers. She is an adjunct lecturer in the MasterÕs in Publishing program at Pace University, of which she is an alumna. She also frequently attends conferences throughout the United States. MichelleÕs clients have won or been shortlisted for such awards as the Edgar, Mary Higgins Clark, Strand Critics, Anthony, Agatha, Lefty, ITW Thriller, Macavity, Barry, Derringer, Silver Falchion, IPPY, and International Book Award. She is a member of Sisters in Crime.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction
Biography
Rick Richter is a literary agent and partner with Aevitas Creative Management. He represents or (co-represents) numerous recent New York Times bestselling authors in both the adult and childrenÕs markets, including the estate of Albert Einstein for the #1 bestselling series Max Einstein, Rolling Stone journalist Andy Greene for The Office: The Untold Story of the Greatest Sitcom of the 2000s, Sgt. Travis Mills and Marcus Brotherton for Tough as They Come, Marc and Angel Chernoff for Getting Back to Happy, Grace Byers for I Am Enough, and the estate of Muhammad Ali for Becoming Muhammad Ali. Richter spent over a decade on Simon & SchusterÕs Executive Committee as President, ChildrenÕs Book Division and President of Sales and Distribution, and brings a wide range of publishing and media expertise to his role at Aevitas. His areas of interest include self-help, pop culture, memoir, history, thriller, true crime, political and social issues, narrative food writing, and faith. He has deep experience and interest in childrenÕs books, having overseen two of the nationÕs top childrenÕs publishers: Simon & Schuster and Candlewick Press.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Fiction, Horror, Thriller NONFICTION: Animals, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Celebrity, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Sports, Technology, True Adventure, True Crime, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Rachel Ridout is a literary agent with Harvey Klinger. Rachel is a graduate of New York University where she studied English and Creative Writing. She joined the Harvey Klinger Literary Agency in 2009, after a brief stint in the travel guide industry. Rachel is currently building her own list and is interested in adult, young adult, and middle grade fiction. She is a fan of magical realism, contemporary westerns, science fiction and all stories that quicken the pulse and imagination.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller, Western Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, True Crime CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Deidra Riggs is an Agent with Embolden Literary. She is an author, speaker, coach, and consultant. Her extensive background includes writing, editing, and marketing for faith-based, nonprofit, and for-profit organizations. She is adept at shepherding a group or individual to the successful conclusion of a project, offering clear and accessible tools and guidance. Deidra is drawn to well-told stories with fresh viewpoints. Whether fiction or nonfiction, she gravitates toward engaging, thoughtful, and creative first-rate narrative and out-of-the box perspectives that help us laugh, dream, heal, and grow (and go) forward. A Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), Deidra lives in Connecticut.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Nonfiction, Religion, Spirituality, Women’s Issues
Biography
Margaret Riley King is a partner and literary agent with WME Books. Margaret is a partner and literary agent in WMEÕs global book division representing writers in all areas of fiction and nonfiction. She is looking for material that centers around compelling storytelling and emotional connection, drawn especially to anything with courageous characters, complex relationships, or a strong sense of place. She believes that the greatest books not only teach you something about yourself and the world around you, but make you think and feel deeply. She is deeply committed to growing, nurturing, and guiding literary careers long-term. Some of her clients include Glennon Doyle, Sue Monk Kidd, Jeannette Walls, Dani Shapiro, Chloe Benjamin, Austin Channing Brown, Sarah Pekkanen, Greer Hendricks, Jen Hatmaker, Lara Prescott, Ann Leary, Meg Waite Clayton, Laura Lynne Jackson and others. She splits her time between her hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, and New York City.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Religious Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Diet Nutrition, Family, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, Gardening, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Religion, Science, Spirituality CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books
Biography
Angela Rinaldi is a literary agent and president of the Angela Rinaldi Literary Agency. She has been a member of the Literature Panel for the California Arts Council, on the board for PEN and is currently on the membership committee for the Association of AuthorÕs Representatives. She established her editorial expertise in New York as Executive Editor at New American Library and Bantam Books, and Senior Editor at Pocket Books (Simon & Schuster) and was Manager of The Los Angeles Times Book Publishing Program for ten years. Her experience as an editor, publishing liaison and industry professional, including the time spent creating books for The Los Angeles Times, developed the strong foundation she built her agency on and has given her the contacts and resources to expertly advise authors about all traditional and state of the art publishing options.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Education, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, Journalism, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Pop Culture, Psychology, Reference, Travel, Upmarket Nonfiction, Women’s Issues
Ann Rittenberg
Ann Rittenberg Literary AgencyCLOSED to SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Postal MailBiography
Ann Rittenberg is a literary agent with the Ann Rittenberg Literary Agency. Ann says: “After working for a year after college at the St. Petersburg Times, I moved to New York and took a job assisting Atheneum’s three editors, Barbara Anderman, Judy Kern, and Neil Nyren. The first week I was there, I typed a hundred blurb letters about “A Few Minutes With Andy Rooney,” the first thing I learned from Neil Nyren, now the publisher and editor-in-chief of Putnam, about publishing a book in as specific a way possible. I acquired my first book, a biography of the Irish short story writer Frank O’Connor; Judy Kern, a genius editor, taught me how to edit it, and the late Harry Ford, the head of production and the poetry editor (at Atheneum and later at Knopf), designed the jacket. I’ll never forget the day he came upstairs, stopped in front of the receptionist’s desk I occupied, lifted the tissue cover off his design with a flourish, and said, “Well? What do you think?” I thought it was great. I became an editor at Atheneum before leaving to join the Julian Bach Agency, which was like dying and going to heaven. Julian loves life and, more specifically, HIS life, which is pretty terrific (for a glimpse of it, read Jan Morris’s essay “Jewish Friends” in Pleasures of a Tangled Life). Everything was “great idea – try it!” He used to give me advice about being an agent. “What is the one quality an agent needs to be a success?” I couldn’t think: a nose for the new, a business head, an ability to extract large sums of money from people? “No. It’s SHEER ANIMAL ENERGY.” Sheer animal energy seemed to be the ability to be the last man standing, which Julian embodied until his untimely death, at age 97, in October 2011. When Julian sold his agency in 1992, I went out and incorporated my own, starting the office in a sunroom in an apartment in Chicago, transplanting to a little room off the back garden of our house in Brooklyn, then moving to Manhattan in 2000. In 2011 we moved to a beautiful new office with a long lease in Maiden Lane, which we fell in love with partly because our address is also the title of an obscure noir film starring Claire Trevor, 15 Maiden Lane. I married Paul Rittenberg the day Simon & Garfunkel had their reunion concert in Central Park. We live in Brooklyn, and we have three girls who love to read; their advice to writers can be found here.”
Notes
FICTION: Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Mystery, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction
Biography
Gracie Rittenberg is the Foreign Rights & Contracts Manager/Junior Agent at the Ann Rittenberg Literary Agency. She says “I hold a B.A. in Theatre from Reed College. During my time at Reed, I directed a production of The Lesson by Eugene Ionesco. I have been an avid reader my entire life, finding plenty of time to finish books at the dinner table. I previously interned at DeFiore and Company. My favorite authors include Ernest Hemingway, Madeline Miller, and Nora Ephron. As of 2025, I am accepting queries! I am looking for enemies to lovers romance novels, light fantasy or romantasy, leftist political non-fiction and/or biographies, and fiction set around characters in the global south. Please refer to the Answers page for how we prefer to accept queries, and doÊnot message me on any other platform. I will not respond.”
Notes
FICTION: Fantasy, Fiction, Romance NONFICTION: Biography, Nonfiction, Politics
Biography
Peter Riva is the president of International Transactions. Since 1975, Peter and Sandra Riva have specialized in international idea and intellectual property brokerage catering to multi-national, multi-lingual, licensing and rightsÕ representation of authors and publishers as well as producing award-winning television and other media. They have been responsible for over 35 years of production, in both media and product, resulting in excess of $1.6 billion in retail sales and several international historic events (the memorabilia of which are on permanent display in national institutions in America, Germany, and France as well as touring internationally). They were joined, in 2000 by JoAnn Collins BA, RN who acts as an Associate Editor specializing in womenÕs voices and issues. In 2013 they also created an imprint, published by Skyhorse Publishing, called Yucca Publishing which features new and independent voices Ð exciting additions to the book world.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Art, Autobiography, Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Economics, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Illustrated, Lifestyle, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Science, Travel CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books
Biography
Judith Riven is a literary agent with and the founder of Judith Riven Literary Agency. She has been an independent literary agent since 1993; before that she held editorial positions at various major New York publishing houses, including Hyperion, Avon, and Dell/Delacorte. We work with our clients throughout the writing and publishing process, beginning with the development of an idea through contract negotiation, and on to marketing, promoting and keeping a book in print long after publication. She has successfully placed projects with all major publishers.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, General Fiction, Romance NONFICTION: Business Book, Dating Relationships Sex, Economics, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Self-Help CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Sera Rivers is a literary agent with the Speilburg Literary Agency. Sera (pronounced ÒSÓ + ÒairÓ + ÒahÓ) Rivers started reading at age four and has been obsessed with books ever sinceÑif she could live in creative worlds, she would. She worked in educational publishing for seven years and launched Avenue A Books, a childrenÕs book imprint at Center for Responsive Schools. As Avenue AÕs acquiring and managing editor, she worked with new and established childrenÕs book writers and illustrators to create picture books and middle grade graphic novels. Now, as an agent, Sera provides editorial feedback to help clients get their manuscripts submission ready. Sera earned her MFA in Writing for Children, with a concentration in young adult novels, from Simmons University. Her young adult memoir THE WICKED ONES won the 2016 PEN New England Susan P. Bloom ChildrenÕs Book Discovery Award.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Magical Realism, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
BJ Robbins is a literary agent with the BJ Robbins Literary Agency. BJ Robbins opened her Los Angeles-based agency in 1992 after a multifaceted career in book publishing in NY. She started in publicity at Simon & Schuster and was later Marketing Director and then Senior Editor at Harcourt. Her agency represents quality fiction, both literary and commercial, and general nonfiction, with a particular interest in memoir, biography, narrative history, pop culture, sports, travel/adventure, medicine and health. A member of AAR and PEN America, Ms. Robbins has led workshops at UCLA Extension, UC Irvine Extension, the Writer’s Pad, and at the Squaw Valley Community of Writers Fiction Workshop. On behalf of PEN, she has been guest speaker in numerous cities in the West as part of their Writers Toolbox program, including Seattle, Portland, Santa Fe, Dallas, Las Cruces, Flagstaff and Oakland. She was profiled in Writer’s Digest and mediabistro.com.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Science, Sports, Travel CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction