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7 Insider Secrets to Get a Top Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal
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Literary Agent Directory
Important: Visit each agent’s website (links in their listings below) to see if they’re open to submissions before querying.
Biography
Eric Smith is a literary agent at PSLA, with a love for unusual literary fiction, accessible sci-fi and fantasy, and all kinds of non-fiction. HeÕs worked on award-winning and New York Times bestselling titles and began his publishing career at Quirk Books. He also occasionally writes books for kids when he finds the time, like his most recent young adult novel, the award-winning With or Without You (HarperCollins ChildrenÕs, 2023).
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Cookbook Cooking | Health Wellness | Humor Nonfiction | Memoir | Pop Culture |
Biography
Latoya Smith is a literary agent with and the founder of LCS Literary Services.LCS Literary Services was founded by Latoya C. Smith in February 2016, offering an array of editorial, ghostwriting and management services. Latoya started her editorial career as an administrative assistant to New York Times bestselling author, Teri Woods at Teri Woods Publishing while pursuing her BachelorÕs Degree at Temple University. She graduated Cum Laude from Temple in August of 2005. She then attained a full-time position at Kensington Publishing in March of 2006. In October 2006, Latoya joined Grand Central Publishing, an imprint at Hachette Book Group. For the span of her eight years there, Latoya acquired a variety of titles from Hardcover fiction and non-fiction, to digital romance and erotica. She was featured in Publishers Weekly, Forbes and USA Today, as well as on various author, book conference, and book blogger websites. In early 2014, she appeared on CSpan2 where she contributed to a panel discussing the state of book publishing. From August 2014 to February 2016, Latoya was Executive Editor at Samhain Publishing where she acquired short and long-form romance and erotic fiction. She is the winner of the 2012 RWA Golden Apple for Editor of the Year, 2017 Golden Apple for Agent of the Year, and the 2017 Literary Jewels Award for Editor of the Year. Latoya is an editor, literary agent, and ghostwriter.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Black Literary Agents |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Inspirational Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Business Book | Celebrity | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Film Entertainment | Fitness | Health Wellness | How-To | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Self-Help | Spirituality | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Lindsey Smith is a literary agent with the Speilburg Literary Agency. She got her start in the publishing industry as an author. After her own publishing success, she started working with other writers to help launch their books and shape their careers. To date, Lindsey has worked with over 1,000 authors and negotiated book deals even before becoming an agent. Her unique perspective helps shape her passion for the industry and her role as an advocate for her clients.
Formerly a publicist and hailing from the world of self-publishing, Lindsey understands the importance of branding, and she works with each client not only to sell a book but to build a career.
Lindsey is excited to work with first-time authors as well as those who are established. She is seeking nonfiction only, specifically prescriptive nonfiction that is compelling, and voice-driven, with the ability to shed light on a topic that might be unknown. She especially loves projects and people that bring humor to serious situations.
Lindsey is interested in cookbooks, lifestyle, health, pop culture, gender issues, self-help, true crime, and current events. She is especially interested in podcast-to-book ideas, journalists who specialize in specific research, and cookbooks that have a niche and/or narrative voice. Please do not send diet books.
Lindsey lives in Pittsburgh with her punk rock husband and their adorable rescue pup, Ms. Winnie Cooper.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Animals | Business Book | Celebrity | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Design | Fitness | Food Drink | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Pop Culture | Self-Help | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Sarah Smith is a literary agent with the David Black Agency. She began her publishing career in 2008 working for Algonquin Books in Chapel Hill, NC as an editorial intern. Soon thereafter, she moved to New York City to work at Trident Media Group as an assistant in the literary and book-to-film departments. She joined the David Black Agency in 2012.
Sarah represents award-winning and best-selling nonfiction. She is interested in books that teach readers something new or offer a novel perspective, in particular in the space of food and drink, health/ medicine/ wellness, narrative nonfiction, personal finance/ business, memoir, essays, and cultural criticism. She loves working with experts in their fields and is always interested in projects that concern pop culture, art/ design/ music, and the cultural zeitgeist. In addition, Sarah represents a number of collaborative writers who partner with authors on cookbooks, memoir, leadership and sports books, and more.
Select titles include Salad Freak by Jess Damuck (Abrams), Rodney Scott’s World of BBQ (Clarkson Potter), Indian-ish by Priya Krishna (HMH), And Now We Have Everything by Meaghan O’Connell (Little, Brown), Poilane by Apollonia Poilane (HMH), The Suspect by Kent Alexander and Kevin Salwen (Abrams Press), A Table by Rebekah Peppler (Chronicle), and Meet the Frugalwoods by Elizabeth Willard Thames (Harper Business).
Sarah has a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa with highest honors. After college, she lived and worked for a while in Argentina. She has spoken at conferences across the country, including AWP, IACP, and SDSU Writers Conference and is passionate about demystifying the opaque world of book publishing. For three years, Sarah curated the weekly True Story: Nonfiction at KGB reading series at KGB Bar in the East Village. She lives with her husband in Brooklyn.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | General Nonfiction | Art | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Dating Relationships Sex | Design | Economics | Food Drink | Health Wellness | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Money Finance | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics | Pop Culture | Self-Help | Sports | True Crime |
Michael Snell
The Michael Snell Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email > Postal Mail >Biography
Michael Snell is a literary agent with and the founder of The Michael Snell Literary Agency. He has authored, co-authored, and collaborated on 50 books, including The New York Times best sellers Creating Excellence with Craig Hickman (New American Library), The Oz Principle with Roger Connors and Tom Smith (Prentice-Hall /Portfolio), How Did That Happen with Roger Connors and Tom Smith (Portfolio), Change the Culture, Change the Game with Roger Connors and Tom Smith (Portfolio) and Leadership IQ (Wiley) with Emmett Murphy. Other recent collaborations include Business at the Speed of Now with John Bernard (Wiley), Talent IQ with Emmet Murphy (Adams Media), Your Inner CEO with Allan Cox (Career Press), Iron Butterflies with Birute Regine (Prometheus), What Keeps Leaders Up at Night with Nicole Lipkin (AMACOM), The New Corporate Facts of Life with Diana Rivenburgh (AMACOM), Primal Teams with Jackie Barretta (AMACOM), Career Courage with Katie Kelley (HarperCollins), The Insider’s Guide to Culture by Siobhan McHale (Harper-Collins), and The Culture Puzzle by Mario Moussa (Berrett-Kohler).
Specializing in business books, he has agented over 1000 titles since founding his agency in 1978. Successful titles include Journey To The Emerald City by Roger Connors and Tom Smith (Prentice-Hall/Portfolio), which appeared from Portfolio in 2011 as Change the Culture/Change the Game, Bargaining for Advantage and The Art of Woo by Richard Shell (Penguin), The Ultimate Sales Letter by Dan Kennedy (Adams Media), Topgrading by Brad Smart (Prentice-Hall/Portfolio), The Complete IdiotÕs Guide to MBA Basics by Tom Gorman (alpha), Why DidnÕt I Think of That? by Charles McCoy (Prentice-Hall/Portfolio), and Leading Self-Directed Work Teams by Kim Fisher (McGraw-Hill).
He also collaborated on Sally EdwardsÕ Heart Zone Training (Adams Media) and many pet books, including Myrna MilaniÕs Body Language and Emotion in Dogs and Body Language and Emotion in Cats, (Morrow/HarperCollins). His Prima/Crown book From Book Idea to Bestseller has helped thousands of aspiring writers get their work successfully published. A frequent speaker at writersÕ conferences and workshops, Michael constantly promotes both his titles and those on which he has collaborated. His media contacts create feature articles in local and national newspapers and magazines as well as appearances on radio and television.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | General Nonfiction | Animals | Business Book | Money Finance |
Patricia Snell
The Michael Snell Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email > Postal Mail >Biography
Patricia Snell is a literary agent with The Michael Snell Literary Agency. Patricia Snell, Executive Vice-President and Senior Agent and at the Michael Snell Literary Agency, has worked as a book publishing professional since 1991. An accomplished agent, book developer and writing collaborator, she specializes in adult non-fiction, particularly self-help and how-to books in all subject areas. She has overseen the publication of successful titles on business, parenting, communication, travel, health, pets, and women’s issues.
Successful books she has developed and sold include Jake Breeden’s Tipping Sacred Cows (Jossey-Bass), Donny Ebenstein’s Now I Get It (AMACOM Books), Julie HansenÕs Act Like a Sales Pro (Career Press), David Petersam’s Top MBA Programs (Jist), Paul ColemanÕs How to Say It To Your Kids, Richard Heyman’s How To Say It To Your Teens (Prentice-Hall Press), June Paris’ But I Didn’t Mean To Say That (New Harbinger), Joel Widzer’s The Penny Pincher’s Guide To Luxury Travel (O’Reilly), Jim McKenzieÕs The Five-Gallon Bucket Book (Andrews McMeel), Stacy Rubin’s The Happy Breast-fed Baby (AMACOM Books), Gincy Bucklin’s What Your Horse Wants You To Know, How Your Horse Wants You To Ride. More How Your Horse Wants You To Ride (Wiley/Howell) and The Gentle Art Of Horseback Riding (Human Kinetics), Joy RobertsÕ The Joy of Horses (Contemporary Books), Jay AhujaÕs Fields of Dreams and Speed Dreams (Kensington), Paulette DaleÕs Did You Say Something, Susan? (Kensington), Francis BudaÕs Holistic Sleep (Kensington), Jeanette Smith’s The Creative Wedding (Adams Media), Paul Coleman’s You, Him And The Other Woman (Adams Media), Paul ColemanÕs The Complete IdiotÕs Guide to Intimacy (alpha Books), and Finding Peace In Your Heart When Your Heart Is In Pieces (Adams Media), Rosanne Thomas’ Excuse Me (AMACOM Books).
She has also consulted with Michael Snell on his guide to getting published, From Book Idea To Bestseller (Crown), and several New York Times bestselling business books, including Leadership IQ (Wiley) by Emmett Murphy, The Oz Principle, How Did That Happen and Change The Culture/Change The Game by Roger Connors and Tom Smith (Penguin/Portfolio), Business at The Speed Of Now (Wiley) by John Bernard, and What Keeps Leaders Up At Night (AMACOM Books) by Nicole Lipkin.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | General Nonfiction | Animals | Business Book | Dating Relationships Sex | Health Wellness | How-To | Parenting | Self-Help | Travel | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Shannon Snow is a literary agent with Creative Media Agency, Inc. She worked in finance and marketing for 18 years before turning to her childhood first loveÉ books and writers. She started her career in publishing 2018 and then joined Creative Media Agency, Inc. in 2018, first as an intern, before moving up to an Associate Agent in 2020. Shannon has a B.A. in English Language and Literature. She manages the audio rights for CMA.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Black Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Dystopian Fiction | Erotic Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Speculative Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Lee Sobel is a literary agent with and the owner of the Lee Sobel Literary Agent. He says: “My name is Lee Sobel and I am a music promoter, literary agent and filmmaker. Music drives everything I do and first and foremost I consider myself a music fan. The first feature film I directed was released as ÒRockabilly VampireÓ and when I premiered the film in 1996 with seven bands from the soundtrack performing live it launched my career as a music promoter. To date I have put on thousands of events in clubs with as many as 1500 attendees but I love putting on shows in small bars too. I currently put on shows all over the country and always try my hardest to make these special events wherever possible. I invented something I like to call Òthe mini-festivalÓ where all the bands match up by genre. This helps bands to build a support system with other bands of the same style and to give the shows more impact. It has also enabled me to get some very nice press coverage. For many years I put on swing dancing events and IÕve recently started putting them on again under the name Arcadia Swing. In 2016 I launched the Lee Sobel Literary Agency and have made a number of deals for music driven memoirs and biographies. As a filmmaker I directed seven low budget features and am now developing a music-driven documentary.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Horror | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |Art | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Cultural Social Issues | Lifestyle | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Photography | Pop Culture | Reference |
Biography
Nat Sobel is a literary agent with Sobel Weber Associates. Nat founded the agency in 1970. He is a former bookseller, publisher’s sales rep., marketing director, and subsidiary rights agent. He holds a B.A. in English from the City College of New York. He is a founder of the New York Literary Writers Conference.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Picture Book | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Cookbook Cooking | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit |
Biography
Shania Soler is a literary agent with the Metamorphosis Literary Agency. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Shania has been an avid book lover from the moment she picked up Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy. Ever since then, her TBR pile has steadily grown. Currently working on an MA at the University of Leeds, she has received her Bachelor’s of Arts in English from the University of Maine and plans to pursue a PhD in Japan, where she spent 7 months during her undergrad studying the language and culture. When not reading, she can be found lounging with her cat, Marlow, or studying for her degree.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Dystopian Fiction | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | Magical Realism | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Upmarket Fiction |
Biography
Shania Soler is a literary agent with the Metamorphosis Literary Agency. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Shania has been an avid book lover from the moment she picked up Richelle MeadÕs Vampire Academy. Ever since then, her TBR pile has steadily grown. Currently working on an MA at the University of Leeds, she has received her BachelorÕs of Arts in English from the University of Maine and plans to pursue a PhD in Japan, where she spent 7 months during her undergrad studying the language and culture. When not reading, she can be found lounging with her cat, Marlow, or studying for her degree.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Dystopian Fiction | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | Magical Realism | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Upmarket Fiction |
Biography
Bonnie Solow is a literary agent with Solow Literary Enterprises. After many years as a journalist and film and publishing executive, Bonnie found her true calling when she established Solow Literary Enterprises in 1997. Curious and adventurous by nature, Bonnie has traveled and lived around the globe. She has kayaked in Alaska, trekked across New Zealand, salsa danced in Havana, communed with elephants in Laos, and lived for a year in a Calabrian village where the residents speak medieval French. Oh, and when she was younger she was kissed by Elvis, worked as Joe Cocker’s maid, and babysat for Bob Dylan’s kids. Her Italian is pretty decent.
Bonnie has spoken to writers at the Stanford WriterÕs Workshop, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, and the California Institute of Integral Studies and is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents and The Authors Guild. Bonnie studied at the University of Copenhagen.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA | General Nonfiction | Biography | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Education | Environment | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Lifestyle | Memoir | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Parenting | Politics | Pop Culture | Psychology | Reference | Religion | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality |
Biography
Andrea Somberg is a literary agent with the Harvey Klinger Literary Agency. A literary agent for over twenty years, Andrea represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction, including projects for adult, young adult and middle grade audiences. Her clientsÕ books have been NYTimes and USA Bestsellers, GMA and Target Book Club Picks, winners of ALAÕs Alex Award and the Nebula, nominated for The Edgar Award, The Governor GeneralÕs Award, the Lambda Award, the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award, the Ohioana Award and the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, Junior Library Guild Selections, PublishersMarketplace’s Buzz Book Selections, and have been named best books of the year by NYPublic Library and Book of the Month Club. She also actively pursues film and tv rights, and has had projects optioned by 20th Century Fox, Imagine Entertainment, Warner Brothers and others. Andrea is a guest instructor for MediaBistro and Writers Digest.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Religious Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Computers | Crafts | Cultural Social Issues | Design | Economics | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Illustrated | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Pop Culture | Psychology | Reference | Religion | Science | Self-Help | Technology | Travel | True Crime | Upmarket Nonfiction |
Biography
DongWon Song is a literary agent with the Howard Morhaim Literary Agency. DongWon Song represents commercial fiction for adult, young adult, and middle grade readers as well as select nonfiction. He was formerly an editor at Orbit and a product manager for the ebook startup Zola Books. He has also taught as an adjunct instructor in the publishing program at Portland State University. He joined HMLA in 2015.
For adults, he is currently looking for thrillers with either a speculative edge or a focus on technology. Non-fiction personal narratives, food writing, and science writing, in particular work that addresses race and culture in these disciplines. For children, he is looking for science fiction, contemporary thrillers, horror, or fantasy that focuses on the experiences of marginalized people.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Fantasy | Science Fiction |General Nonfiction |
Biography
Kelly Sonnack is a literary agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. For the past 18 years, Kelly has been championing writers and artists in nearly every category, format, and age group. She loves working with debut authors and illustrators as well as bestsellers and award-winning creators who are deep into their careers, and excels at developing strategies for clients at each stage of the creator’s journey.
Kelly represents all categories and genres of children’s books but right now, she’s looking for the following categories:
Graphic novel artists or author-illustrators (I am not open to representing new GN script writers)
Illustrators and author-illustrators of picture books. This includes illustrators who want to illustrate another writer’s words, or artists who want to write and illustrate their own stories.
Within these categories, Kelly is particularly interested in stories on the following topics, themes and story elements:
Fiction and nonfiction unafraid to center queer and trans identities
Stories celebrating alternative family structures
Comedy/humor
Innovative writing/storytelling (including visual storytelling)
Kelly is on the board of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA). She is also on the AALA’s Membership Commitee and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee where she co-directs a mentorship program that provides support to agents from underrepresented backgrounds. Kelly grew up overseas, primarily in Singapore, and now lives in Southern California.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Authors and Illustrators Only | Member of the AALA |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Graphic Novel | LGBTQ Fiction |
Biography
Arley Sorg is a literary agent with KT Literary. He is primarily interested in adult speculative titles, including science fiction, fantasy, and horror with speculative/fantastic elements, literary speculative fiction, and climate fiction. Arley is a two-time World Fantasy Award Finalist and a two-time Locus Award Finalist for his work as co-Editor-in-Chief at Fantasy Magazine. He is also a SFWA Solstice Award Recipient, a Space Cowboy Award Recipient, and a finalist for two Ignyte Awards: for his work as a critic as well as for his creative nonfiction. Arley is senior editor at Locus Magazine, associate editor at both Lightspeed & Nightmare, a columnist for The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, and conducts interviews for Clarkesworld. Arley grew up in England, Hawaii, and Colorado, and lives in the SF Bay Area. He is a 2014 Odyssey Writing Workshop graduate. Find out more on his personal site (arleysorg.com) and look for him on QueryTracker.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Science Fiction |
Biography
Laura Southern is a literary agent with Wolf Literary Services. She joined Wolf Literary Services in 2021 as an assistant to Kirsten Wolf and is now building her list as an associate agent. Born and raised in Texas, Laura received her BA in English from Baylor University before moving to New York City, where she earned her MS in Publishing from New York University while assisting at Morhaim Literary.
Laura loves lyrical prose and character-driven narratives. In adult, she is looking for fantasy, science-fiction, and horror with lush worldbuilding and voice that vibrates off the page. SheÕs a fan of villains, setting as character, and stories that dive headfirst into the weird or strange. Romcoms and romantasies with sharp, witty prose are also high on her list. As a Texan native, Laura has a soft spot for narratives set in the South, particularly when told from diverse perspectives and featuring LGBTQ+ narrators.
In young adult, Laura is interested in speculative fiction across any subgenre, as well as select contemporary fiction. Laura loves the fae, magical animals, dark academia, marching band, new twists on quest narratives, genre-blending, found family, mythological retellings, and dragons.
Laura is not open to picture book, middle grade, or unsolicited nonfiction queries at this time.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Gothic Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Speculative Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Narrative Nonfiction | Science |
Kerry Sparks
Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email > Online Form >Biography
Kerry Sparks is a literary agent with the Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency. She joined LGR in 2008, coming to book publishing after several years in the film and television industry. With a love for all these mediums of storytelling, she gravitates toward books that have a cinematic feel or visual element that lend to film or television adaptation. She primarily represents fiction with a specific focus on novels for teens and young adults but regardless of age is always on the hunt for books that combine a solid hook and great writing and that have an undeniably fresh yet relatable voice. She also represents a select list of nonfiction writers. A few of her clients include NYT and International Bestselling author Jennifer Niven, National Book Award Finalist Carrie Arcos, illustrator and author Mark Pett, bestselling author Susan Wittig Albert, novelist Camille Perri, essayist and poet Shayla Lawson, and a robust list of JennifersÑ Jennifer Mathieu, Jenny Lundquist, Jennifer Gray Olson, and Jenny Torres Sanchez to name a few.
Kerry grew up in the woods of Oregon as the extroverted early bird in a family of introverted night owls, and, as a middle child, learned how to negotiate while keeping the peace at a young age. She graduated with honors from California State University, Los Angeles with a degree in English, where she also published short stories and wrote and produced plays. After a decade in Manhattan, Kerry now heads up the LGR Oregon outpost in Portland where she lives with her husband and two daughters. Kerry is the co-author of the hipster baby name book Hello, My Name Is Pabst and will gladly help clients name their characters upon request.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | General Fiction | Romance |General Nonfiction | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Economics | History | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Poetry | Politics | Pop Culture |
Biography
Alice Speilburg is a literary agent and founder of the Speilburg Literary Agency. Her first editing gig was on the news desk of her college daily, and she is still drawn to compelling nonfiction stories, especially those written by journalists, that deepen our understanding of culture and society. In fiction, she loves a complete immersion read that takes her to another world through the eyes of unconventional characters.
Alice previously worked at John Wiley & Sons, and Howard Morhaim Literary Agency. She has worked with bestselling and award-winning authors, literary and professional societies, and branded content. She spends her weekends hiking with her husband and two sons.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Member of the AALA |Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Western Fiction | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Cultural Social Issues | Dating Relationships Sex | Environment | Film Entertainment | Food Drink | Health Wellness | History | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science | Sports | Technology | Travel | True Adventure | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Erica Spellman-Silverman is a literary agent at Trident Media Group. At 23 years old, Erica Spellman Silverman began her career at ICM. Coming from a family of writers and editors, sheÕs loved books all her life. She represented journalists Hunter S. Thompson, Tim OÕBrien, Robert Scheer, Robert Greenfield, Tim White, and Cameron Crowe, among others. Many went on to become novelists, screenwriters, and directors. After transitioning to the film side of the business, Erica found that she missed working with novelists and moved to The William Morris Agency (now William Morris Endeavor), where she became Vice President. There, she could work with writers in all categories: books, film, and theater. Lionel Schriver, Scott Spencer, Eve Babitz, and Robin Cook are among the many writers she represented. She was also responsible for their movie and TV deals. Having worked at ICM and William Morris, she made a transition to running United Artists in New York so she could see the other side of the fence. ÒI couldnÕt get back to being an agent fast enough!Ó Erica says. ÒI love finding my own writers and not being dependent on the committee mentality one needs as a buyer.Ó
Erica has been at Trident for ten years, where she has had the wonderful opportunity to work with fantastic writers, including Andrew Mayne, Barbara Lynch, Cherise Wolas, Esther the Wonder Pig, Eve Babitz, Jennifer L. Scott, Rachel Van Dyken, Robin Cook, and many others. She also uses her knowledge of the movie business to handle book-to-film and TV rights for many of TridentÕs agents.
Her client list is fairly eclectic. Her interest lies less in genre than in great storytellingÑErica says, Òanything that gets into your head and your heart, anything you canÕt stop thinking about, whether itÕs literary fiction, thrillers, young adult, or memoir. Books and stories that touch the soul, that make you laugh or cry or both. Stories that havenÕt been told before or are told in a different way: thatÕs what I am looking for.Ó
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Film Entertainment | Health Wellness | Journalism | Lifestyle | Memoir | Parenting |
Biography
Marya Spence is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. Raised in CaliforniaÕs Bay Area, Marya studied literature at Harvard, where she was Fiction Editor for the Advocate and specialized in creative writing. She went on to get her MFA at New York University and teach undergraduate creative writing there. She also spent these years in her 20Õs working and interning at The New Yorker, PAPER Mag, Travel & Leisure, Vanity Fair, Publishers Weekly, METROPOLIS Magazine, and moreÑwith a brief stint in equity research.
As someone who values craft from the writerÕs perspective, Marya represents a diverse range in fiction and nonfiction, including, but not limited to, literary novels and collections, upmarket commercial fiction, cultural criticism and voice-driven essays, narrative journalism with a humorous or critical edge, and pop culture. She lives in Brooklyn.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Commercial Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Science Fiction | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Economics | Food Drink | History | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Poetry | Politics | Pop Culture |
Biography
Elaine Spencer is a literary agent with The Knight Agency. Elaine Spencer joined The Knight Agency in 2005, after graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in economics and literature. Originally serving as the agencyÕs submissions coordinator, Elaine then moved on to head the foreign rights department, before beginning to actively build her own individual client list. Over the last decade Elaine has placed over 500 titles in a wide variety of sub-genres across the market.
Elaine continues to keep a focused author list as she believes it is important to work closely with her clients through each step of the publishing process. She relishes seeing her clientsÕ talents grow alongside their careers, and one of her favorite parts of the job continues to be educating authors about the market and business at large.
Elaine lives in Athens, Georgia with her husband, daughter, and four-legged sons. Elaine is a member of RWA and the WFWA and is also an AAR recognized agent. She is interested in a wide-variety of categories including but not limited to womenÕs fiction, historical fiction, romance, contemporary fiction, and a multitude of nonfiction topics which align with her personal interests.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Member of the AALA |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction |Christian Fiction | Christian Nonfiction |Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Erotic Fiction | Family Saga | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Religious Fiction | Romance | Speculative Fiction | Sports Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |Animals | Art | Beauty Fashion Style | Biography | Business Book | Celebrity | Cookbook Cooking | Crafts | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Design | Diet Nutrition | Family | Film Entertainment | Fitness | Food Drink | Gardening | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Photography | Politics | Pop Culture | Psychology | Religion | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | Sports | Technology | Travel | True Crime | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Joe Spieler is a literary agent with The Spieler Agency. Joe has been a writer (The Village Voice, Penthouse, The SoHo Weekly News, HarperÕs Monthly) and an editor (The New York Times, The SoHo Weekly News). He began the agency in 1982 and represents nonfiction and fiction and books for children and young adults.
Among the writers he represents are the cultural historian Thomas Frank (WhatÕs the Matter with Kansas?, One Market Under God, The Wrecking Crew ), the historian Walter Laqueur (A History of Zionism, Weimar, The Holocaust Encyclopedia, After the Fall: The End of the European Dream and the Decline of a Continent), the late Akio Morita, the founder of Sony (Made in Japan), Paul Hawken (Growing a Business, Blessed Unrest, Natural Capitalism), the historians Richard Breitman and Allan Lichtman (FDR and the Jews), Peter Senge (The Fifth Discipline), Joe Kane (Running the Amazon), and Marc Reisner (Cadillac Desert).
His childrenÕs list includes Amy Ehrlich (With a Mighty Hand), David Martin (the forthcoming Shhh! Bears Sleeping), and Rebecca Rupp (After Eli).
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | BIPOC Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Religious Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Current Events Affairs | Environment | Health Wellness | History | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Nature | Psychology | Reference | Religion | Science | Travel |
Biography
Lauren Spieller is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. She says: “I represent an exciting and talented list of award winning and bestselling authors. Whatever the age category or genre, IÕm passionate about representing diverse and underrepresented voices, and IÕm always on the hunt for a new point of view.
I consider myself an editorial agent. I provide support and insight at all stages of a bookÕs creation, tailoring the way I work to the clientÕs needs. I am also a fierce advocate and negotiator. ItÕs important to me that my clients not just succeed in selling one book, but many, and that I do everything I can to help them have a long, creatively satisfying career. That means being strategic about which projects they write, the brand they are developing, and the way we pursue foreign, audio, and film/TV deals. (I also have lots of random advice ready to go. Like that time I taught a client who lives in CA how to remove ice from her windshield using a credit card. IÕm full service!)
I have a BA and a MA in English because I just couldnÕt get enough of books. IÕm also the author of two Young Adult novels entitled YOUR DESTINATION IS ON THE LEFT and SHE’S THE WORST. Both are published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. When IÕm not working, you can find me playing with my mini goldendoodle, Louise, or binge watching something funny or thrilling.
WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR
I love books that sit at the intersection of ÒcommercialÓ and Òtimeless,Ó especially if they pair a big hook with voicey, upmarket writing. I like to read books that keep me at the edge of my seat, that make me laugh out loud, that make me swoon, or that are simply so unputdownable that I stay up way too late reading. I also love smart genre-bending tales, books that tackle a familiar topic or time period from a new or surprising perspective, and stories that take big risks, whatever that means to you.
But letÕs get more specific. In MG, IÕm looking for high concept contemporaries, magical fantasy and kid-friendly sci-fi, exciting historical, and spooky horror/mystery. IÕd also love to see MG graphic novels, especially if it’s set in our world. In YA, IÕm drawn to speculative stories (fantasy, sci-fi, and horror), contemporary novels with a big hook, romance and RomCom, suspense/thrillers, and graphic novels.
In Adult, I’m seeking female-driven suspense/thrillers, immersive and upmarket/literary SFF and horror, hilarious RomComs and swoony upmarket romance, as well as the occasional unique non-fiction with an existing platform.
For a list of (some of) my favorite recent books, check out manuscriptwishlist.com and my #mswl posts on Twitter.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Cookbook Cooking | Crafts | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Pop Culture |
Biography
Jessica Spitz is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She represents fiction across the literary and commercial spectrum, journalistic nonfiction, and select pop culture and criticism. On the fiction side, she is drawn to intimate narratives that examine complicated relationships Ð whether romantic, familial, or platonic Ð and are imbued with empathy and humor. She is also looking for great love stories, immersive fantasy worlds, and propulsive plots grounded by unforgettable characters. In terms of nonfiction, she is looking for fresh, thoroughly-reported stories on racial history and justice, womenÕs health and reproductive rights, and mental health.
Jessica began her publishing career at William Morris Endeavor, where she spent four years before joining Janklow & Nesbit as a literary agent in 2023. She grew up in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, and has lived in New York City since moving there to attend Columbia University.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Family Saga | Fantasy | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Romance | Upmarket Fiction |Cultural Social Issues | Health Wellness | History | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | Law Legal | Medical Medicine | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Psychology | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Anne-Lise Spitzer is a literary agent with the Philip Spitzer Literary Agency. She is President of Spitzer Agency. Spitzer was previously Vice President and Director of Marketing at Knopf, Pantheon, and Schocken Books.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |BIPOC Fiction | Crime Fiction | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Short Story Collection | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Current Events Affairs | History | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Politics | Sports | True Crime |
Biography
Anna Sproul-Latimer is a literary agent with Neon Literary. She is also a founding partner and president of Neon Literary. She has over the course of her many years in book publishing sold multiple New York Times bestsellers, major book-to-film deals, and foreign translations in more than 50 languages. She represents all types of adult nonfiction–from memoir and history to pop culture, science, and parenting–as well as select literary fiction. (For existing clients, Anna represents just about everything, but all of her clientsÕ careers start and primarily consist of work in one of her two focus areas.)
Anna is drawn to buzzing, bright, curious, and slightly demented authors driven by enthusiasm so infectious that (inter)national audiences are already paying attention. She seeks authors motivated by a true mission–a clear answer to the question, ÒWhat is the legacy I want to leave in the world?Ó Of particular interest are those whoÕve made moral leadership lemonade from the lemons of trauma: authors who are whistleblowers, Cassandras, ÒunelectableÓ elected officials, and survivors.
A lifelong resident of the Washington, DC area, Anna has spent her whole life watching power, money, and media interact to shape the line of history. With Neon, she intends to take the full weight of her access, experience, and privilege and use it to lie down in traffic, forcing that line to turn somewhere brighter.
Prior to founding Neon, Anna spent nearly 15 years as a literary agent, foreign rights director, and developmental editor at DCÕs Ross Yoon Agency. A graduate of Columbia University (BA magna cum laude, English) and the University of Oxford (MSt with distinction, also English), Anna lives in the DC suburbs with her family and travels to New York frequently.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Commercial Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction |General Nonfiction | Health Wellness | History | Humor Nonfiction | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Pop Culture | Science |