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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.
- The results are being filtered by the character: C
Biography
Dan Cramer is a literary agent with and the founder of Page Turner Literary. He says: “My love of reading started when I was young with The Chronicles of Narnia. I loved that I could escape into a world where magic and adventure existed. That love of books grew and has followed me into adulthood. Some of my best friends and greatest loves, through the years, have been fictional characters. They have inspired and motivated me in almost every facet of my life, from my first career as a Forensic Scientist with the FBI to owning and operating Page Turner Literary Agency.While I love all books, my heart beats for childrenÕs literature for many reasons, but the main reason is childrenÕs literature is fearless. These books and their authors are not afraid to tackle tough topics, to celebrate diversity, or bring awareness to issues that others would turn their backs on. ChildrenÕs literature never ceases to surprise me with its fortitude.I live in Burr Ridge, Illinois with my husband and two rescue dogs, Timmy and Zoe. When I’m not reading, I enjoy the outdoors, horror movies, and baking (and I’m definitely not imagining I’m on the Great British Bake Off… ok, I’m totally doing that.)I have two undergraduate degrees from West Virginia University: Forensic and Investigative Sciences and Psychology. I have two graduate degrees from Benedictine University: MBA and MS Management and Organizational Behavior. Prior to starting my own agency, I was an Associate Literary Agent with Flannery Literary.”
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, Graphic Novel, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Romance, ThrillerNONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Illustrated, NonfictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Becca Crandall is a literary agent with the Carolyn Jenks Literary Agency. Born and raised in a sleepy New York village, Becca moved to Boston in 2013 to pursue her dreams of reading books all day long. She received a B.A. in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College, where she worked in editorial and leadership roles at various literary magazines. Since then, Becca has worked as a paralegal and analyst at law firms across Boston. She has found a home in literary agenting, which combines her love of reading and her fondness for legal work. Becca began with the Carolyn Jenks Agency as an intern in March 2019 while working towards her M.F.A. in Writing for Children from Simmons University.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, General FictionNONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Nonfiction
Biography
Rachel Crawford is a literary agent with Wolf Literary Services. She joined Wolf Literary Services as an agent in 2015. She represents authors in both the U.S. and Australia, and represents U.S. rights on behalf of select Australian publishers and agents. Previously, she was MacKenzie WolfÕs foreign rights manager. Before moving to Wolf, Rach worked in rights at Fletcher and Company, at Sterling Lord Literistic, and as a publicist for a small press. RachÕs clients have won Walkley Awards, are Fulbright Scholars, have been shortlisted for the Stella Prize, the Commonwealth Writers Prize, a Lambda Literary Award, nominated for Pushcart Prizes, and appeared in Best American Short Stories.Rach represents literary fiction and narrative nonfiction, with a particular interest in LGBTQ+ perspectives across topics. In nonfiction she is drawn above all else to lyrical writing and rigorous thinking, and is interested in climate change, nature, geopolitics, migration, pop culture, tech, and in works that might be defined as cultural anthropologyÑbooks that help us understand the world we live in now. In fiction, as well as work that engages with the above topics, she has a particular soft spot for social horror, literary fiction that flirts with genre, working class characters, and intimate novels that burrow deep into the brain of one captivating weirdo.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Religious Fiction, Satire, Science Fiction, Short Story Collection, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Western Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Art, Biography, Business Book, Celebrity, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Environment, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, Gardening, Gift Novelty, History, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Technology, True Crime, Women’s Issues
Biography
Ana Crespo is a literary agent with the East West Literary Agency. Ana, herself a picture book author, became an assistant agent at East West Literary Agency in January of 2021. Prior to becoming an agent, Ana apprenticed with Deborah Warren and the E/W team for two years. She has a degree in journalism, a Master of Education in Adult Education, and is a 2020 graduate of the Denver Publishing Institute. AnaÕs work experience includes Internal Communications, where she worked with different departments to promote their platforms, services, and client talking points to the sales force, and Academic Advising, during which she helped students from different backgrounds, needs, habits, and moods navigate the challenges of college. She brings these transferable skills to agenting and looks forward to helping her clients achieve their career goals in the publishing world. Ana specializes in picture books, although she is also accepting submissions for board books and chapter books. (She is not accepting submissions for middle grade, YA, or graphic novels at this point.) For information about submissions and what Ana is looking for, please, visit Ana at her PublisherÕs Marketplace page.
Notes
CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Picture Book
Biography
Sha-Shana Crichton is a literary agent with Crichton & Associates. Sha-Shana is also the founder and president, and she is a licensed attorney and literary agent. She lectures frequently on publishing matters. Sha-Shana is the proud graduate of Howard University School of Law (J.D. cum laude) and the University of the West Indies (B.A. Hons.). She speaks Spanish and French.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Current Events Affairs, Education, Health Wellness, History, Law Legal, Lifestyle, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Religion, Self-Help
Biography
Gabry Crivilare is a literary agent at Painted Words. Co-owner of indie bookstore Prairie Fox Books and graduate of Hollins UniversityÕs MFA program in ChildrenÕs Literature, thereÕs nothing she adores more than championing a creatorÕs work. Gabry is primarily interested in author-illustrators, and loves nature and food-centric stories, as well as narratives full of whimsy, sly humor, and that depict the richness of a childÕs magical inner life.
Notes
CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Children’s Books, Picture Book
Biography
Laura Crockett is a literary agent at the Triada U.S. Literary Agency. Some of her favorite adult books include Babel, The City of Brass, A River Enchanted, The Year of the Witching, The Book of Gothel, Hamnet, The Square of Sevens, The House at Riverton, The Thirteenth Tale, The Only One Left, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Maame, and Yours Truly. In YA, her favorite books include Happily Ever Afters, House of Hollow, Divine Rivals, Curious Tides, Six Crimson Cranes, and What the River Knows. For a more detailed manuscript wishlist, please visit scribblesandwanderlust.com.Laura received her M.A. in Publishing from Rosemont College. Laura joined Triada in 2014, and has previously held positions as a bookseller and a readers advisory librarian. When she is not managing her client list or the agency’s foreign rights, she can be found participating in two book clubs (one for millennials and one where she’s the youngest member by 30 years), singing in choir, playing handbells, and traveling abroad with her husband.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Audrey Crooks is a literary agent with Trident Media Group. She joined the agency in 2020 as an assistant to Don Fehr and Ellen Levine. Previously, Audrey was an intern at the Frances Goldin Literary Agency, a bookseller, and from 2017-2018 she lived in Jordan, working for a nonprofit serving Gazan women refugees. AudreyÕs academic background is in poetry and Middle Eastern Studies.Audrey is seeking literary fiction, grounded speculative fiction, story collections, international works, and upmarket and genre fiction with a literary bent. She is drawn to smart, voice-driven stories with a sense of humor and style. She welcomes the surreal and is excited by fiction that explores gender, language, identity, built and natural environments, and/or systems of power in creative and compelling ways. Audrey is not the right agent for childrenÕs or young adult books.For nonfiction submissions, Audrey is looking for select memoir, narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, and human-centered journalistic deep-dives, with particular interests in food and dining, fashion, nightlife, dance, the cultures of the contemporary Middle East, and the American South.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Short Story Collection, Speculative Fiction, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: Art, Beauty Fashion Style, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, Journalism, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Travel
Biography
Claudia Cross is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. Advocate, adviser, ally, coach, counselor, and negotiator: an agent, at times, can play one or all of these roles in the literary life of an author. In responding to the changing needs of the writers she represents, Claudia brings to each a high level of individualized attention. She began her career at William Morris, and then joined Sterling Lord Literistic, where she worked for just over a decade before joining Folio and becoming a partner. She has worked with a range of authors in both fiction and nonfiction, from CEOs, chefs and debut writers to New York Times bestsellers. Among the diverse clients she represents are the literary Estate of Mother Teresa; journalist and anchor Bret Baier; entrepreneur and designer Emily Ley; art historian and Renoir scholar Barbara Ehrlich White; and novelists Rachel Gibson and Christina Lynch.
Notes
FICTION: Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Art, Biography, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Economics, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, History, Inspirational Nonfiction, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Religion, Self-Help, Spirituality, SportsNONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction, Christian Nonfiction
Biography
Tracy Crow is a literary agent with and the founder of Tracy Crow Literary Agency. She Tracy Crow is host and producer of the podcast, Accept Your Gifts: The 22-Minute Podcast for Inspiring Your Most Creative Life, a twice-weekly program with listeners in 12 countries. She is also the founder of Tracy Crow Literary Agency, LLC, and the president and CEO of MilSpeak Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated toward supporting the creative endeavors of military servicemembers, veterans, and their families.Tracy is the author/editor of six books to include the novella, CooperÕs Hawk: The Remembering; the popular history, ItÕs My Country Too: WomenÕs Military Stories from the American Revolution to Afghanistan with co-author Jerri Bell; the award-winning memoir, Eyes Right: Confessions from a Woman Marine; the military conspiracy thriller, An Unlawful Order, under her pen name, Tracy Crow bio photo for EYES RIGHTCarver Greene; the true story collection, Red, White, & True: Stories from Veterans and Families, WWII to Present; and the breakthrough writing text, On Point: A Guide to Writing the Military Story, in which Crow combines her skills and experience as a former Marine Corps officer, award-winning military journalist, author, editor, and assistant professor of creative writing.TracyÕs short stories and essays have appeared in a number of literary journals and anthologies, and been nominated three times for the Pushcart Prize. She has a B.A. in creative writing from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, and an MFA in creative writing from Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina. She and her husband, Mark Weidemaier, an MLB lifer, live on ten storybook acres in central North Carolina with their three dogs Ñ Cash, Hadley, and Fenway.
Notes
FICTION: Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Romance, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Biography, General Nonfiction, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Religion, Spirituality, Women’s IssuesCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Sara Crowe is a literary agent with and the founder of Sara Crowe Literary. She always had a book in her hand, and is still amazed that she gets to help make them. She has 25 years of experience in the publishing world, with 8 in foreign rights, and 20 representing clients. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania and the Radcliffe Publishing course, she started her career at The Wylie Agency, where she went on to sell foreign rights in WylieÕs London office. She was a foreign rights manager at Trident Media Group, and an agent and foreign rights manager at Harvey Klinger, before becoming a senior agent at Pippin Properties. She represents a diverse group of children’s and adult fiction and nonfiction; everything from picture books to graphic novels to literary fiction and adult romcoms. Her clients include Newbery and Printz medalists and honorees, National Book Award Finalists, Lambda award winners and finalists, and NYT Bestsellers.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Humor Fiction, Literary Fiction, RomanceNONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, NonfictionCHILDRENÕS 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
Sophie Cudd is a literary agent with The Book Group. She joined The Book Group in 2023, formerly with William Morris Endeavor. Born and raised in Nashville, TN, Sophie has a degree in English Literature from Southern Methodist University and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Sophie works with a wide range of authors, including New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelists and childrenÕs book writers. In fiction, Sophie loves high concept and high stakes novels, with a strong sense of time and place and accessible, deeply resonant characters. In nonfiction, SophieÕs interests are wide-ranging, and she is particularly interested in well-researched narrative nonfiction, food writing and cookbooks, and the occasional memoir.Sophie splits her time between New York City and Nashville. When sheÕs not reading, Sophie can be found hiking NashvilleÕs Percy Warner park or making her favorite Ottolenghi saffron pasta. A few books I loved reading in my free time… I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai; Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam; Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll; One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle; The Other Black Girl by Zayika Dalila Harris; Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino; The Art Thief by Michael Finkel; Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket FictionNONFICTION: Art, BIPOC Nonfiction, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Upmarket Nonfiction
Biography
Mary Cummings is a literary agent with Great River Literary. “Great River Literary” was the clear name choice for the new agency established by Mary Cummings in 2021, after thirteen years as an agent for books for children and teens at Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises.Except in the depths of winter, nearly every evening Mary goes down to the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Paul to see the passing scene of trees and birds, barges and boats, kids and lovers – and always the play of light on the flowing water.Mary finds great joy in helping her clients polish their stories to stand out for editors and to become books that will make a difference in kids’ lives. Before becoming a literary agent, Mary was Education Director at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis where, among other accomplishments, she curated an annual festival of children’s literature and selected judges for the McKnight Award from leading editors in children’s publishing.
Notes
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
Nicole Cunningham is a literary agent at Trellis Literary Management. She joined Trellis Literary Management in 2025, after nine years with The Book Group. She represents an exciting list of authors across a wide range of adult fiction, as well as select nonfiction. Born and raised in upstate NY, Nicole moved to New York City to study English and American Literature and Gender and Sexuality Studies at NYU. After ten years, she returned to the Finger Lakes to renovate an old house with her husband, dog, and son. When sheÕs not reading, Nicole can be found social dancing around the northeast or messing about in her garden. Her favorite non-client authors are Brit Bennett, Anna North, Liz Moore, Marie-Helene Bertino, Kiley Reid, Caroline OÕDonoghue, V.E. Schwab, Amanda Montell, Helen Oyeyemi, Charlotte McConaghy, Lucy Foley, Rebecca Makkai, Morgan Jerkins, and Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Speculative Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s FictionNONFICTION: Art, Cultural Social Issues, Environment, Family, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Pop Culture, Women’s Issues
Biography
Michael Curry is a literary agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency. He joined the Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2012, where he works as the assistant to Jennifer Jackson and is now developing his own select list of clients, focusing on literary SF/F and thrillers with speculative elements. He is also a slush reader for the award-winning Lightspeed Magazine (and has been since 2009, when it was still Fantasy Magazine).
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, ThrillerCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Ginger Curwen
Julia Lord Literary ManagementAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Postal MailBiography
Ginger Curwen is a literary agent with Julia Lord Literary Management. She represents thrillers and mysteries. Ginger’s previous publishing experience includes positions at Barnesandnoble.com, HarperCollins Publishers, American Booksellers Association, Bantam Books, and Random House.
Notes
FICTION: Crime Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense Fiction, Thriller
Biography
John Cusick is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. He began his career in publishing as an agentÕs assistant with Scott Treimel NY, where, along with dog-walking and coffee-fetching, he was fortunate enough to learn the ins-and-outs of publishing. He soon began representing a small list of clients, including Sharon Biggs Waller (A MAD, WICKED FOLLY, Viking Books for Young Readers), Ryan Gebhart (THERE WILL BE BEARS, Candlewick Press), and Hannah Moskowitz (A HISTORY OF GLITTER AND BLOOD, Chronicle Books).In 2013 he joined Greenhouse Literary and grew his list to include many more critically acclaimed and bestselling authors, including New York Times bestseller Tommy Wallach (WE ALL LOOKED UP, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers), Courtney Alameda (SHUTTER, Feiwel and Friends), and Gina Ciocca (LAST YEARÕS MISTAKE, Simon Pulse). He also began representing picture book authors and illustrators, including Chana Stiefel (DADDY DEPOT, Feiwel & Friends), Julie Bayless (ROAR! Running Press Kids), and Eric Chase Anderson (CHUCK DUGAN IS AWOL, Chronicle Books).At Folio Jr., heÕll continue to represent a diverse list of iconoclastic voices in picture books, middle-grade, young adult, and everything in between.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, ThrillerCHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction