Home » Directory of Literary Agents – USA Literary Agents
The Directory of Literary Agents
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
Jennifer Williams is a literary agent with the Gold Dust Literary Agency. She says: “I have a decade of diverse experience in publishing and public health. I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with an M.A. in History. I also hold dual B.A. in History and Religious Studies. As a trained historian, my favorite places include dusty archives, museums, libraries, and forgotten historic sites. I grew up in a multicultural household, and I enjoy learning about other cultures and traveling. I am disabled and I always have my cane and a book with me. I enjoy being outdoors, writing, and meeting new people.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Fantasy * Historical * Juvenile Fiction * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * NoPB * Paranormal * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Mackenzie Williams is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She has assisted Marya Spence since October 2021. She is interested in building her own list of literary fiction, short story collections, memoirs, and narrative nonfiction. Mackenzie began her publishing career at 19, when she worked with Jia Tolentino on her acclaimed essay collection TRICK MIRROR (Random House, 2019). She has also collaborated with children’s and YA author Nora Neus on several graphic novels that are forthcoming from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. She attended the University of Virginia as a Jefferson Scholar and earned distinguished degrees in Political & Social Thought and English Literature. She joined Janklow & Nesbit six months after graduation. Originally from Seattle, she lives in Manhattan with too many books.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Literary * Short Story Collection *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Memoir * Narrative *
Roger Williams
The Roger Williams AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Roger Williams is a literary agent with The Roger Williams Agency. He says, “Welcome. Presumably you are here because you have either written a book, or you have a concept for a work, and you have a lot of questions on how to find a publishing partner. I am a former bookseller, and publishing industry executive. I have had the pleasure, and the honor, of working with many great authors, booksellers, and other dedicated publishing people. Additionally, my wife, daughter, both sisters, two nieces and my brother-in-law are all published authors. In all my years of publishing, I have learned a thing or two and I have a few contacts in this business.
I believe a literary agent is more than just a deal maker. Certainly, any agent is responsible for managing intellectual property rights, however, my goal is to manage a writer’s career. I am a process oriented project manager and I am engaged long beyond getting a publishing deal. Given my background in distribution, sales and marketing, I specialize in managing my client relationships and their publishing partners throughout the publishing cycle.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * Business * Current Events/Affairs * Environment * General Nonfiction * History * Military/War * Money/Finance * Narrative * Nature * Politics * Sports *
Biography
Emily Williamson is a literary agent with Williamson Literary. She represents a variety of projects in non-fiction and fiction. She is a native of New Jersey, graduated from American University (BA Anthropology) in 1997 and Johns Hopkins University (MA Writing) in 2012. She began her career as an editor in 2011 with Chrysalis Editorial* in Washington, DC. In 2016 she founded Williamson Literary, driven by the desire to help great writers achieve their publishing goals.
As a writer, she understands the investment of time and heart it takes to follow this challenging path. It is the core of Williamson Literary—to support the careers of dedicated writers who deserve to see their ideas and imaginings realized. Williamson Literary is also about building relationships: agent-author, agent-publisher, author-publisher.
In the past, Emily spent 13 years as an archaeologist traveling all over the US and abroad in search of many things…sometimes finding nothing. It is this varied, nomadic past that has influenced her own writing and her particular interests as an agent. Emily does other things. She is a painter (see Twitter page). She loves the outdoors, cuts her own firewood, and plays fantasy football. She’s one of those annoying people who can’t eat gluten; she binge-watches Netflix shows; loves to travel; and her preferred clothing season is Autumn. She currently lives and works in Baltimore, MD with her husband, Greg, who is a poet, and their blue-eyed border collie, Arlo. Arlo doesn’t write, but he reads a lot.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Commercial * Contemporary * Historical * Humor Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Satire * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * Environment * History * Humor * Journalism * Multicultural * Narrative * Nature * Science * Sports * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
Cross Keys Baltimore MD 21210 USA
Biography
John Willig is a literary agent with Literary Services. Celebrating 46 years working in publishing, John often says to friends that his career actually began as a Newsday paperboy growing up on Long Island, New York. He was fortunate to be raised in a family whose passions included books, basketball, and family gatherings at the beach.
After graduating from Brown University, his first job was as a sales representative in academic publishing. He soon began work as a marketing manager and then editor for HarperCollins. As his interests moved to trade publishing, he became an executive editor at Prentice Hall for business books. While at P-Hall, John enjoyed working with such authors as Henry Mintzberg, Philip Kotler and Jim Collins and acquired Mr.Collins’ first book Beyond Entrepreneurship. In 1991 he decided to become a literary agent to work more closely with writers. Throughout his career as an editor and agent, John has successfully negotiated over 750 publishing agreements. John is a member of The Author’s Guild and participates at industry events including Writer’s Digest conferences and the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) conferences.
sJohn is the proud father of two sons, both of whom were All-Shore Academic All Stars and graduated with honors from their respective colleges. He enjoys a wide-range of hobbies from exploring new regions to discovering hidden treasures in the arts and antiquarian books.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Computers * Cooking/Cookbook * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Economics * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Narrative * Politics * Psychology * Reference * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Sports * Technology * Travel * True Crime * Upmarket *
PO Box 888 Barnegat NJ 08005 USA
Biography
Jennifer Wills is a literary agent with The Seymour Agency. She has five years of experience in some of the publishing industry’s leading literary agencies. She worked with publishers around the world as an assistant in Trident Media Group’s huge foreign rights department, and with domestic publishers as an assistant at Writers House (where, incidentally, she began her career as an intern).
She joined The Seymour Agency in April 2016, where she has quickly moved up the ranks to associate agent. Jennifer has always loved helping fledgling authors become New York Times bestsellers and she’s ready to be a relentless champion for her own clients’ work.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Horror * Humor Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Satire * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Celebrity * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Film/Entertainment * Gay/Lesbian * Juvenile * Memoir * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Self-Help/Personal Development * Women’s Issues *
4100 Corporate Square Suite 140 Naples FL 34104 USA
Biography
Austin Wilson is a literary agent with Wolgemuth & Associates. Austin started his publishing career working part time at Moody Publishers while he was a student. He has always been a passionate reader and his time with Wolgemuth & Associates has further enhanced his love of words and the entire publishing process. Austin is passionate about serving his clients throughout each stage of the publishing process. Helping to steward an author’s idea from concept to bound book is an incredible privilege.
Growing up in the suburbs of Detroit, Austin and Kendall met when he was in the fifth grade. Austin is a pastor’s kid, enjoys the outdoors, and is an avid backpacker. Austin, Kendall, and their children live with their chocolate lab, in Parker, Colorado.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Christian Fiction * Religious *
NONFICTION: Christian * Religion * Spirituality *
8600 Crestgate Circle Orlando FL 32819 USA
Desiree Wilson
The Bent AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Desiree Wilson is a literary agent with The Bent Agency. She says: “I joined the Bent Agency in 2020, after previously working with companies like Kickstarter, Dark Horse Comics, Oni Press, and Counterpoint Press. I hold a master’s in Book Publishing and a post-baccalaureate in Comic Book Studies from Portland State University and in 2021 was a PW Star Watch honoree. Prior to my work in publishing, I was in the military, in medicine, and an emergency dispatcher — all experiences that contributed to my humanist approach to publishing. When I sign a client, my goal is to champion the person behind the writing as much as the writing itself.
I represent upper middle grade, YA, and adult genre fiction, especially horror (and kid-horror), high-concept fantasy, speculative fiction, magical realism, and accessible or near-future science fiction. I am also looking for select middle grade nonfiction about history or STEM.
I’m always interested in receiving queries from Black, Indigenous, AsAm, and other POC authors, stories featuring disability representation by disabled authors, stories from trans authors, and books by or about the lesser-represented perspectives of the LGBTQIA+ community. I’d also love to see queries that foreground agender/asexual characters, stories that center friendship over romantic interest, and contemporary rom-coms from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors.
I am not the right fit for hard science fiction, military or police fiction, books about school shootings or sick-lit, poetry, novels in verse, erotica, and adult non-fiction.
In middle grade, I look for books in the 10-14 age range and prefer titles that could have young YA-crossover appeal. As a former Very Serious Middle Grader™, I am interested in books that speak to that reader today: stories that skip the fart jokes, don’t lean heavily on zaniness or condescend, with quiet humour and philosophical hooks—a safe place to explore their emotions and anxieties or examine difficult topics like mental health or gender identity. I’m always looking for sharp, smart, and scary kid-horror, as long as it’s got enough heart and morality to offset the scares, centers universal topics, and has a strong moral lesson.
For YA, I’m looking for high-concept fantasy, science fiction, urban fantasy, and non-European fairy tale retellings or adaptations of Western fables that feature a diverse cast or are written by a BIPOC author. I love when magic isn’t a hidden, Kafkaesque part of the world. In YA horror I look for depth and nuance, stories that frame marginalization or systemic issues in a new and terrifying way. I love a good body horror, well-executed gore, and having to wonder which characters will make it to the end. I run the gamut of YA romances and romcoms, from sappy to serious, but have a soft spot for Black-led romance, LGBTQ+ romance, and love stories that don’t necessarily center romantic love as the pinnacle. Bring me your found family, your fractured best friendships, and anything that bends the genre to its most flexible point.
I’m also looking for select upmarket adult books with strong crossover and commercial appeal, as well as new adult and contemporary romance. Voice is key here, but in general I’m interested in atmospheric and/or psychologically complex horrors or thrillers, Black-led romances, femme or LGBTQ+ characters of all walks, disability representation, underdogs against the world, thieves, and generally flawed, selfish characters who are in over their heads but learning and growing along the way.
In graphic novels, I’m looking for (kid-)horror, magical realism, fantasy, contemporary fiction, speculative fiction, and science fiction titles. For middle graders, I love adorable but fierce protagonists dealing with difficult topics or situations (think death, emotional control, anxiety, etc.). Capturing the magic and whimsy of animated shows like The Owl House or Over the Garden Wall is key to making me love it. For young adults, I look for high-concept hooks, character-driven or slice-of-life narratives, and complicated relationships, whether platonic or romantic. For adults, I have a soft spot for contemporary fantasy so long as the conceit is unique and well-considered and the world is as believable and cohesive as it can be. I am only looking at author-illustrators or established teams with a proposal at this time.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Horror * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Middle Grade * Narrative * Young Adult *
Biography
Robert Wilson is a literary agent with Wilson Media. Robert founded Wilson Media in 2001 following pursuits as a professional baseball player, political reporter, music critic, travel writer, magazine editor, book editor, editorial director, and author. He played professional baseball in the New York Yankees organization for three seasons. He led the Appalachian League in home runs and runs batted in and was named to the Topps All-Star Rookie Team in his first professional year. He is the author with Ed O’Brien of Sinatra 101, published by Penguin’s Boulevard Books, and the editor of several books, including The Consumer Sourcebook, published by Gale Research Company. As a freelance writer, his articles have appeared in publications in the U.S. and abroad.
As a senior editor for nearly eight years at HarperCollins Publishers, he acquired a number of bestselling books. His authors included Gary Null, Rick Edelman, Pat Summerall, Bill Rodgers, Hale Irwin, and Nancy Dunnan, in addition to a number of institutional authors ranging from Major League Baseball and the National Football League to Men’s Fitness Magazine and the American Dietetic Association. After leaving HarperCollins, he served as editorial director at Total Sports Publishing before founding Wilson Media.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Current Events/Affairs * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Music * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Spirituality * Sports * Technology *
P.O. Box 7027 Clearwater FL 33758 USA
Biography
Thomas Winters is a literary agent with Winters & King, Inc. As a founding member and partner at Winters & King, Inc., Attorney Thomas J. Winters has been with the firm since our beginning in 1983. During that time, he has represented more than 3,000 nonprofit organizations nationwide, including respected churches, ministries and charities. As a literary agent, Attorney Winters has helped numerous authors and public personalities navigate the publishing industry. On two separate occasions, three of his clients have hit The New York Times bestseller list simultaneously.
As a partner at Winters & King, Inc., Attorney Winters is immensely valuable in our nonprofit entities practice and to our representation of literary and other creative clients. During his decades in the industry he has gained experience and connections that he uses to serve as a facilitator for our clients, helping them broker deals and get things done. Attorney Winters provides competent guidance to his clients through all phases of the publishing process—from shopping for publishers, to negotiating publishing agreements, to resolving contract disputes. Authors know that working with Attorney Winters can help them get their message out.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Christian Fiction * Religious *
NONFICTION: Christian * Religion * Spirituality *
2448 East 81st Street CityPlex Towers Suite 5900 Tulsa OK 74137 USA
Caryn Wiseman
Andrea Brown Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Caryn Wiseman is a literary agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. After a first career in consulting, Caryn began her second career as an agent in 2003 and has never looked back. Social justice has been at the heart of her list since she started agenting, and she is always on the lookout for authentic, kid-appealing stories and art that disrupt the prevailing narrative in some way. No matter the genre, Caryn looks for characters that stick with her long after she has closed the book. She loves a story that brings her a good, cathartic cry, a huge belly laugh, some outrage, some new knowledge, and above all, hope.
Caryn holds an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA, and a BS from the University of Virginia. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and dog. Somehow her two children have become twenty-somethings.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
Biography
Kimberly Witherspoon is a literary agent with InkWell Management. At age 26, Kimberly founded her own literary agency, which quickly became one of the most prestigious and successful agencies in Manhattan, with clients who are frequently published around the world. Over the past 15 years, she has represented critically acclaimed and bestselling authors of both fiction and nonfiction, including: Kate Atkinson, Anthony Bourdain, Carol Cassella, David Chang, Susan Cheever, Cindy Crawford, Gabrielle Hamilton, Eloisa James, Lloyd Jones, Neil Jordan, Lesley Kagen, Sophie Kinsella, Richard Marcinko, Peter Meehan, Julie Orringer, Carly Phillips, Arundhati Roy, Lionel Shriver, Lalita Tademy, David Vann and Rebecca Wells. She graduated from Brown University in 1984 with a BA in International Relations. She is a founding board member of The Bronx Academy of Letters, a member of the Authors Guild and the editor of two anthologies, including: DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME: Culinary Catastrophes From the World’s Greatest Chefs.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Humor Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Mystery * Romance * Satire * Short Story Collection * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * General Nonfiction * History * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Sports *
521 Fifth Avenue Suite 2600 New York NY 10175 USA
Michelle Witte
Mansion Street Literary ManagementDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Michelle Witte is a literary agent with Mansion Street Literary Management. She specializes in children’s fiction and nonfiction. As an agent, her tastes vary widely, and she represents authors across the spectrum of children’s literature, from illustrated board and picture books to middle grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction. Michelle is always on the lookout for fascinating stories that are well told, especially those with a distinct and distinctive voice.
She began her career as a journalist, first reporting and then later copy editing for the Deseret Morning News in Salt Lake City, Utah. From there, she transitioned to a position as associate editor with nonfiction publisher Gibbs Smith, where she edited titles on a variety of topics, including children’s activity, humor, gift, cookbooks, and green living. Her combined experience in the publishing industry is a boon for the authors she represents, as she is able to guide them through each of the stages of publication.
She is a voracious reader, but most of her reading nowadays comes in the form of client manuscripts and submissions from the slush pile. Her published work includes the nonfiction humor books The Craptastic Guide to Pseudo-Swearing (Running Press, 2012) and The Faker’s Guide to the Classics: Everything You Need to Know About the Books You Should Have Read (But Didn’t), (Lyons Press, 2013) though her great love is writing young adult fiction. While she considers herself an international vagabond and will travel the world whenever given the chance, she presently makes Utah her home.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
Christine Witthohn
Book Cents Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Christine Witthohn is a U.S. literary agent and the founder of Book Cents Literary Agency (opened in 2005), as well as the U.S. Sales and Licensing Agent for Spanish publisher, Grupo Edebé (Barcelona, Spain). She is a sponsor of the International Women’s Fiction Festival held annually in Matera, Italy and she teaches brainstorming, branding, and social media classes in various cities around the U.S., U.K., and Italy (adding France and Germany next year). She is member of AAR, RWA, MWA.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * Commercial * Contemporary * Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Humor Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Paranormal * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Sally Wofford-Girand is a literary agent with Union Literary. She has worked with such luminaries as Salman Rushdie, Grace Paley, Kim Edwards, and Alice Hoffman as the foreign rights director at a boutique literary agency. Her particular areas of interest are: history, memoir, women’s issues, cultural studies, and, most of all, fiction that is both literary and gripping. Favorite authors include Cormac McCarthy, Kate Atkinson, Jennifer Egan, Elizabeth Strout, Anne Patchett, John Green, Jose Saramago, and Wallace Stegner. She is a hands-on agent with a passion for great storytelling. She loves the thrill of discovery in working with debut novelists. Sally is on the International Committee of AAR and a board member of Writers Omi, an international writer’s colony in New York.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Religious * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * History * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Religion * Science * Upmarket * Women’s Issues *
30 Vandam Street Suite 5A New York NY 10013 USA
Carol Woien
Blue Ridge Literary Agency, LLCDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Online Form *Biography
Carol Woien is a literary agent with Blue Ridge Literary Agency, LLC. She lives in Indiana with her husband. Under a pseudonym, she’s the author of two previously published Cozy Mysteries. She spends her free time near a pool or beach, reading, writing, visiting with family, and avoiding math.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Suspense * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Tim Wojcik is an associate agent and the rights manager for Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency. Tim joined LGR in 2012 and is currently looking for literary fiction that is wholly original and compelling, new voices and stories that excite him, and a wide range of non-fiction, including narrative journalism, cultural criticism, voice-driven memoir and essays, popular history and science, sports, and illustrated humor. His clients have been published in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Outside, Wired, BuzzFeed, The Ringer, Insider, Pitchfork, The New Yorker, The Paris Review, Tin House, McSweeney’s, Ploughshares, Electric Literature, The Kenyon Review, The Oxford American, and Zyzzyva, among many others.
Aside from being an agent, he also works in the rights department with Beth Fisher, selling translation and audio rights, and assists Daniel Greenberg.
Before joining the agency he moved from place to place: Kansas to New Orleans to the Netherlands to Houston, before attending Hendrix College in Arkansas, where he wrote prose poems and read experimental British fiction. Though he loves living in New York, Tim still has a soft spot for the south, and looks forward to his visits to Poland, where his family is from.
In his free time, Tim supports Liverpool FC, kicks soccer balls around, plays in bands, and writes poetry and short stories, most of which he deletes, never to be seen again.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Literary *
NONFICTION: Art * Cultural/Social Issues * General Nonfiction * History * Humor * Journalism * Memoir * Narrative * Photography * Science * Sports *
307 Seventh Ave. Suite 2407 New York NY 10001 USA
Biography
Audrey Wolf is the president of Audrey Wolf Literary Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION:
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Family * Health/Wellness * History * Memoir * Money/Finance * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Self-Help/Personal Development * Sports *
2510 Virginia Avenue NW NW Washington DC 20037 USA
Biography
Kent Wolf is a literary agent with Neon Literary. He is also founding partner and rights director. He launched his agenting career in the depths of the 2008 recession—a fitting start, given his affinity for forging new markets in a risk-averse industry. A lover of the bizarre, the profane, the unsettling, the dark, and the darkly funny, he is drawn to writing that occupies a literary uncanny valley and to writers who move the cultural needle through direct confrontation, self-interrogation, the blurring of genres, the bending of language, and damn good writing.
Once told that he would “be more successful if he weren’t so intentionally weird,” Kent has sold multiple bestselling and award-winning books to publishers both large and small. His clients’ titles have been translated into dozens of languages and many are in active TV/film development.
He represents literary fiction (story collections and novels) and narrative nonfiction in the areas of immersive journalism, personal essay, pop culture, memoir, “anti-lifestyle,” and anything that aims to dismantle prevailing power structures.
Raised in rural Illinois, Kent lives in Manhattan with his husband. He currently serves on the board of Lambda Literary and is a member of The Association of Authors’ Representatives.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Horror * Literary * Science Fiction * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Narrative * Pop Culture *
115 W 29th St 3rd Floor New York NY 10001 USA
Kirsten Wolf
Wolf Literary ServicesDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Kirsten Wolf is a literary agent with and the founder of Wolf Literary Services. Kirsten Wolf is a graduate of University of Massachusetts Amherst and Boston University School of Law. A native of Boston, MA, Kirsten relocated to New York in 2003 and began her career in publishing. After several years as an assistant, associate agent, and contracts manager, Kirsten founded Wolf Literary Services, a literary agency and consulting company, in 2008. As Wolf Literary has grown over a decade in business, Kirsten has become a trusted and invaluable resource for numerous companies throughout the industry.
Kirsten now brings that wealth of experience to MacKenzie Wolf, as the head of the consulting division and the legal and financial guru of the team. Currently dedicating her time to consulting for media agencies, publishers, and independent artists, Kirsten prides herself on guiding her clients through the confusing, confrontational, and sometimes downright dull parts of the media world in the most painless way possible, while always making sure that the client is assured their interests are being safely looked after.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * New Adult * Romance * Science Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Terrie Wolf
AKA Literary ManagementDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery Method(s): Online Form *Biography
Terrie Wolf is a literary agent at AKA Literary Management.
Terrie’s goal is to utilize more than 25 years of the experience she has gained to further your literary career. Positions in publishing, international media, government, and education have bolstered the groundwork for a solid network of connections in print, television and film.
Encouraged from a young age to seek, to climb, to forge, to discover and recover, Terrie developed an insatiable curiosity that led to positions within the international media and several award winning writing and promotions teams at venues including CBS, NBC, Penguin UK and USA and Hobson’s Press, now known as Cambridge University Press. She has been awarded the Queen’s Service Award (UK), La Voz y Papel (Spain), Emmy, and Young Journalist of the Year (Colorado). Terrie read English Literature at Cambridge, studied Creative Writing at SUNY (University of New York), and Journalism at the University of Colorado at Denver. She is equally proud of the “Master of Mirth” status awarded by Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Inspirational Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Paranormal * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Western * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Art * Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Crafts * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * Gardening * How-To * Inspiration * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Mind/Body/Spirit * Narrative * Pop Culture * Religion * Spirituality * Sports * Young Adult *
Biography
Michelle Wolfson is a literary agent with Wolfson Literary Agency. Michelle formed Wolfson Literary Agency in 2007 and is actively seeking authors of commercial fiction in the following categories: mainstream, mysteries, thrillers, suspense, chick-lit, romance, women’s fiction, and young adult. She is drawn to well written material with strong interesting characters. She is also interested in practical and narrative non-fiction projects, particularly those of interest to women. Michelle holds a BA from Dartmouth College and an MBA from New York University. Prior to forming her own agency, Michelle spent two years with Artists & Artisans, Inc. and two years with Ralph Vicinanza, Ltd. Before that, she spent several years working outside of publishing, in non-profit and then finance, and she brings the skills she learned there plus a lifetime love of reading to the table as an agent.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Mainstream * Mystery * NoMG * NoPB * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Dating/Relationship/Sex * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Humor * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture *
Cooper Station – P.O. Box 266 New York NY 10276 USA
Biography
Andrew Wolgemuth is a literary agent with Wolgemuth & Associates. He has been surrounded, challenged, taught, and blessed by books and great authors for his entire life, and he’s had the privilege of working with them as a literary agent since 2005. His first official paycheck came from Wolgemuth & Hyatt Publishers a couple of decades ago. His second employer was Can-Do Trash and Recycling Service. That was a good gig (though likely his only venture into waste disposal services), but it’s significantly less relevant to his present occupation.
The humbling joy of agenting calls him to serve our clients by stewarding their work with wisdom and diligence, and working to see that it’s delivered to readers with excellence. This takes many forms including advising clients throughout the process; serving as their advocate, sounding board, and representative; and doing his best to ensure that there’s follow-through and timeliness on all fronts.
Andrew is a reader, a jogger, a sports fan, the lucky husband of Chrissy, a dad of three girls and a son, and a foster care and adoption advocate. He and his family have lived in Colorado since 2008.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Christian Fiction * Religious *
NONFICTION: Christian * Religion * Spirituality *
8600 Crestgate Circle Orlando FL 32819 USA
Biography
Erik Wolgemuth is a literary agent with Wolgemuth & Associates. Regularly amazed at the power of the written word in books, Erik has had the immense privilege of playing a part in their creation since 2005. He finds a unique joy in each stage of the publishing process—from ideation to holding the bound pages to seeing a book release and take off in the marketplace. Throughout the process, Erik is both sobered and energized by the privilege of stewarding a God-honoring message.
Erik is blessed to call Kendal his wife and fills his hours away from work playing with their three kids. Living in Colorado is wonderful if you love the outdoors, which he does. He’s always ready (unless the Jayhawks are playing basketball) for some cycling, hiking, camping, skiing, etc. Perhaps the one thing that would pull him away from representation is a cycling career, but—at this point—the odds aren’t good. In the meantime, he rides the rural roads to the east and the mountain passes to the west. And he loves to read. He’s never without a stack in his “to-read” pile…his literary eyes are bigger than his stomach.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Christian Fiction * Religious *
NONFICTION: Christian * Religion * Spirituality *
8600 Crestgate Circle Orlando FL 32819 USA
Biography
Jade Wong-Baxter is a literary agent with the Frances Goldin Literary Agency. She joined the agency in 2021. She previously worked for three years at Massie & McQuilkin Literary Agents as a junior agent and foreign rights associate. A graduate of Vassar College, Jade got her start in publishing at Writers House, W. W. Norton, and Folio Literary Management. She is looking for adult literary/upmarket fiction and narrative nonfiction, with an emphasis on narratives by and about people of color, as well as the perspectives of marginalized identities. Her other areas of interest include magical realism, memoir, cultural criticism and Asian-American history.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Multicultural Fiction * New Adult * Short Story Collection * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Ethnic * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * History * Journalism * Law * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * Travel * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
214 W. 29th St. Suite 1006 New York NY 10001 USA
Biography
Eleanor Wood is a literary agent with Spectrum Literary Agency. Eleanor (B.A. New York University, M.A. Bryn Mawr College) is also the founder and president of Spectrum Literary Agency, and she is Agent for The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). Her list includes authors of science fiction, fantasy, suspense and other areas of commercial fiction as well as a smaller number of nonfiction writers. She is proud to represent Spectrum Authors and hopes you will browse their web pages.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * Mystery * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction *
320 Central Park West Suite 1-D New York NY 10025 USA
Biography
Laura Wood is a literary agent with FinePrint Literary Management. With over twenty years in the publishing industry, Laura Wood has a broad perspective on the book publishing industry, having worked in-house at publishers large and small and also as a buyer. Laura was previously Manager Merchandising for Barnes&Noble.com. Hired as the Science & Nature Editor, this position evolved into buying in the categories Science & Nature Editor, this position evolved into buying books in the categories Science & Nature, Reference, Home & Garden, and Science Fiction & Fantasy.
Laura has experience at a range of publishing houses from the Harmony Books imprint of Crown to Duke University Press and Columbia University Press, and was the Associate Publisher of Council Oak Books, an independent book publisher. Laura holds a Master’s Degree in Publishing Studies from New York University. Her Master’s thesis explored the market for serious trade nonfiction.
Early in her publishing career she was an assistant at the Conde Nast publications Vogue and Glamour. Before that Laura studied at the Laban Centre for Movement and Dance in London. One of her life goals is to be known as the dancing science editor.
Laura specializes in serious nonfiction, especially in the areas of science and nature, along with substantial titles in business, history, and other areas by academics, experienced professionals, and journalists. Laura enjoys hanging out with scientists and academics in general and believes in bringing their findings to a wide audience. Her client list includes NASA scientists, animal behavior experts, paleontologists, physicists, and award-winning science journalists, among others.
Laura is also developing a select list in genre fiction only (no poetry, literary fiction or memoir) in the categories of Science Fiction & Fantasy and Mystery. Preference given to SFWA and MWA members.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * Mystery * Science Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Education * General Nonfiction * History * Journalism * Nature * Psychology * Science *
207 W. 106th St. Suite 1D New York NY 10025 USA
.
Submit a Question or Comment
If you have a question or comment, click on the red button below and you’ll be able to post it. You’ll also be able to see answers to the questions I’m asked most.
Directory Instructions
Use the drop-down menu on the left to search for agents by genre, gender, location, longevity, or AAR Status. To find a specific agent or agency, enter the agent’s name or the name of the agency into the search box.
Important: If you use the search box, you must remove the search term by pressing the “Clear Search” link before you look for more agents using the drop-down menu (or you won’t see the proper results). Click on the “Show Notes” and “Show Bio” links underneath each agent for more information about that agent.
Have a question or need support? Post a comment or question by clicking on the red button at the bottom of the page.
* * *
About Mark Malatesta
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company Literary Agent Undercover and The Bestselling Author. Mark’s authors have gotten six-figure book deals, been on the NYT bestseller list, and published with houses such as Random House, Scholastic, and Thomas Nelson. Click here to learn more about Mark Malatesta and click here for Reviews of Mark Malatesta.
* * *
Author Coaching Testimonials
“Mark, finding you has been both a treat and a treasure—I just signed a contract with my new literary agent!
My career has spanned publishing, TV, and feature film. I’ve served as Creative Dir. for the Magazine Group, TIME Inc.; Dir. of Time World News Service, a Founding Dir. of TIME-Life Films; Exec. Prod. for both the CBS and NBC TV Networks; Prod./Dir.: Movies of the Week: CBS Cinema Center Films and Universal MCA.
In today’s publishing marketplace, agents come and go. They also very often seem to just want an easy pathway to make a buck. Many authors are let go by their agents because their last book didn’t do well enough and the agent doesn’t want to devote the time to help the author. That’s not what you’re about Mark. Even established authors need this type of support in today’s marketplace.”
Author of ten fiction and nonfiction books
* * *
“I’m psyched to have this be official. After getting five different offers for representation from top literary agents, I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin!
Getting multiple agents interested in my work was really important to me. I’ve dealt with agents before and gotten screwed on things contractually so I wanted to do it differently this time. I wanted choices.
Having you help me create that, and navigate my options, was really helpful. I heard other authors talk about their great relationships with their agents and it made me want the same thing. Now I have that.”
Author of Woman on Fire
(Penguin Books)
* * *
“After sending out the query Mark revised for me, I had the opportunity to speak with literary agents from top agencies such as Janklow & Nesbit, Trident Media, Anderson Lit, and Folio. I signed with Don Fehr at Trident and, a short time later I had a publishing contract with Berkley Books, which recently published my book in hardcover.
Before that, I sent my query letter out on my own to 30 or 40 agents and got a lot of rejections. I then found Mark online while I was researching agents. I was surprised that he offered so much during his initial consultation—for a very modest amount of money.
I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t worked with Mark. I can’t even imagine that now though, because of the grief and detours I experienced before we worked together. It was a time-consuming pain in the neck. If you want to get the attention of top literary agents and publishers, there is no substitute for working with an insider. You can’t beat experience. And having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable.”
Author of Single Handed
(Berkley Books, a Division of Penguin Random House)
* * *
“AHHH! OMG, it happened! I got three offers of representation for my children’s picture book in the United States, even though I live abroad! When I woke up and found the first offer for representation in my email in box, I wanted to scream. But my family was still asleep so I couldn’t. 🙂
Just 8 minutes after I sent a query letter to one of my favorite agents, she replied and asked to see my manuscript. A short time later we had a lovely conversation. She was interested in representing me and sounded very positive and enthusiastic about my book. Since I also got offers from two other agents, I had to turn two of them down. One of them was upset and it felt like I was breaking her heart, but you just have to do it. I kept reminding myself that this is a good problem to have!”
Author/Illustrator of Lon-Lon’s Big Night
and many other children’s books
* * *
“Mark, after you helped me land a top literary agent, I got publishing offers from THREE well-known publishers: Amacom, Palgrave Macmillan, and McGraw-Hill (they’re publishing my book in hardcover)!
I was at Disneyworld with my family, in the Haunted Mansion, when I got the call. I went outside and listened to the voicemail message from my agent. A huge smile came over my face. It was a fantastic feeling. For a moment I felt like life was perfect and the angels were singing.
You’re filling an important need so I’ll say this to every other author reading this testimonial. Mark showed me that getting a top literary agent is a science. If you’ve written a book, or you’re in the process, you’ve already invested a lot—a lot more than money. Don’t stop yourself from getting out there to fulfill your purpose and dreams. Thank you so, so much, Mark!!!”
Author of Customer Focused Process Innovation (McGraw Hill)
* * *
“I got a book deal! After I started sending out my new query letter I had 6 literary agents request my manuscript in a short amount of time, which is awesome. Then, within 2 weeks of my agent starting to pitch my story to publishers, we had an offer. I signed a book contract yesterday. A little while later my agent told me that a TV co-producer asked for more info about my book.
By the way, the acquiring editor that fell in love with the manuscript jumped in with both feet and we just worked out our timeline for publication. She’s as passionate about getting my book out as I am, and that means everything. She read the manuscript in two days and said she couldn’t put it down. And the book is going to be published as a hardcover!”
Author of A Chick in the Cockpit
(Behler Publications)
* * *
“Thank you Mark! After you helped me get a well-known agent with Hartline Literary Agency (for my previously self-published murder mystery), he got me a deal with an American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) approved publisher. I’m hard-pressed to find anything that I had an expectation for that you didn’t deliver on.
Before I worked with you I sent out queries, but no one ever requested my complete manuscript. Comparing your new version of my query to the one I wrote before, I can see a vast difference.
I’ve been in business for 35 years so I’m not just saying this… what you’re doing is phenomenal. There are other people offering similar services, but the difference is your success. Others might say they do similar things but, if you research them, they don’t have your background or track record.”
Author of The Rector
* * *
“Mark, you’re a miracle worker. Thanks to your help with my book, query letter, and synopsis… I now have a legitimate publisher who described my book as ‘Powerful Magic’ and it’s now available in bookstores and online!
I’m a lifelong academic writer who one day found myself writing inspired short stories that came to me in dreams and I began thinking of them as novels. That’s when I had a momentous conversation, an introductory coaching call with Mark Malatesta, the American creative writing coach, or rather, to be precise, a how-to-sell-yourself-and-your-work adviser. It was the best-spent money of my life apart (possibly) for my wedding ring.”
Author of The Black Inked Pearl
* * *
“Within 4 minutes of sending out my query letter, a top literary called me on the phone (the #1 agent on my wish list). Less than 30 days later I had three major publishers making offers. A few days after that, I signed a deal with Random House. Mark, your query letter did that.
My agent talked about the query letter you helped me create for a long, long time. When he first called me on the phone, he hadn’t seen any of my sample chapters. It was just the query letter that did it. Communicating the right thing is so important. You are a wonderful medium helping authors find their voice and elevate their writing from just a hobby to a real business… a source from which they can both learn and earn.”
Author of Lights Out
(Random House)
* * *
“MARK, MARK, MARK!!!!!!! Holy smokes… I just signed my book deal. First, two well-known literary agents asked to represent me. One of them responded to my query letter in less than 4 minutes!!
Then THREE different publishers wanted my book and started talking about making offers. The publisher I chose is perfect for me because they produce titles for the trade, educational, and scientific markets. And they agreed to publish my book as a hardcover!!!
When I met you, Mark, it was a pivotal time. I was under the belief that I could self-publish my book with a vanity press and then seek a publisher. I didn’t know what a literary agent was, why I needed one, or how to get one. I was wandering in the dark. You guided me in the right direction and gave me a solid plan.”
Author of Intestinal Health
(Rowman & Littlefield)
* * *
“Boom!!! I just signed a contract with Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins for (what I’ve been told by several people) is a very large advance for a first-time author.
Before working with Mark I submitted my book to agents but didn’t get any interest. This time around I got a top NY literary agency (Fine Print Lit). What cloud is higher than 9?
I had several agencies interested before deciding to go with Fine Print. And, to be honest, all of the attention didn’t surprise me. The query letter and proposal that Mark helped me develop were incredible. Agents actually said things to me like: ‘Scott, I read your proposal and I’m just blown away by it!’ Mark is extremely talented at what he does. If you have the opportunity to work with him, take advantage of it.”
Author of The Unbreakable Boy
(Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson)