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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.
- You are searching within category(ies): Commercial Fiction
Biography
Kendyll Drilling is a literary agent with the Corvisiero Literary Agency. She has been reading since the age of three, and she has never lost her appetite for reading. She never planned on pursuing literature as a career, but after an accident left her paralyzed, she decided it was in her best interest to focus on something that has always made her happy. This path led her to freelance editing manuscripts and going to college for a dual degree in English Literature and European History. Knowing her options would be limited due to her condition, she is excited and thankful for the opportunity to work with the team at Covrisiero Literary Agency. KendyllÕs favorite type of books are intricate fantasy novels and historical novels set before the 20th century, but she enjoys novels of all genres, as long as there compelling characters and a plot that transports her to another world. Apart from reading, Kendyll also enjoys copious amounts of tea, music, and funny tee-shirts.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, New Adult Fiction, Religious Fiction, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Western Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Biography, Celebrity, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Food Drink, Health Wellness, History, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Religion, Self-Help, Spirituality, True Adventure, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Henry Dunow
Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Postal MailBiography
Henry Dunow is a literary agent with the Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency. Henry began his career as a literary agent in the early 1980s, with stints at Curtis Brown Ltd. and Harold Ober Associates before founding his own agency in 1997, which has since evolved into Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency. He works primarily with quality fiction – literary, historical, strongly written commercial – and with voice-driven nonfiction across a range of areas – narrative history, biography, memoir, current affairs, cultural trends and criticism, science, sports, etc. Over the years he’s discovered and introduced a number of new, younger writers who’ve gone on to become established literary voices – and is particularly proud of that. He is the author The Way Home, a memoir about fatherhood.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Thriller NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Reference, Science, Sports, Travel CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books
Biography
Kelly Dyksterhouse is a literary agent with The Tobias Literary Agency. Kelly holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults for Vermont College of Fine Arts and got her start in agenting by working as an editorial reader and assistant at leading literary agencies. She joined The Tobias Literary Agency with the merger of Raven Quill Literary Agency in 2022 and is excited to help grow TLAÕs ChildrenÕs Department. Kelly considers the opportunity to help bring books into existence to be a great honor, and it is a particular joy for her to work alongside authors as they develop their project from idea to polished manuscript. The best feeling of all is when those manuscripts end up as books in the hands of children. Her agenting style is collaborative and editorial, and she always seeks to refine a manuscript so that the author is telling the story they most want to tell in the best way possible. Kelly represents picture books, middle grade and young adult, both fiction and nonfiction, as well as graphic novels. She also represents illustrators. She is drawn to high concept stories with high level writing, books that can be described in one sentence that bring something new to shelvesÑchildrenÕs books should be both fun to read and say something important. She passionately believes that all kids should be able to see themselves in books, and so is always on the lookout for diverse perspectives. She is actively building her middle grade and young adult list. For middle grade, she loves books with ensemble casts, books about good kids making bad decisions and then having to get themselves out of it, quests and hijinks, spooky stories and mysteries, and historical novels that feel relevant. For YA, Kelly is looking for much of the same, and is drawn to books with atmospheric settings, lush writing, and books with romance threaded through but not the primary plot. She is particularly interested in middle grade and young adult fantasy told from a unique perspective, ghost stories, accessible sci-fi, magical realism, contemporary stories that challenge assumptions and ask hard questions, and she will forever be on the lookout for a good heist.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery NONFICTION: Biography, History, Illustrated, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Science, Sports CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction
Biography
Jane Dystel is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC. Jane Dystel, President, has been an agent since 1986. Her publishing career began at Bantam Books. She then moved to Grosset & Dunlap, where she was a managing editor and later an acquisitions editor. From there, she went on to become Publisher of World Almanac Publications, where she created her own imprint. When she joined the agency that would soon become Acton and Dystel Inc., she quickly developed a reputation for honesty, forthrightness, hard work, and real commitment to her authors and their writing careers. In 1994, with a growing roster of clients, she founded Jane Dystel Literary Management, which became Dystel & Goderich Literary Management in 2003, and Dystel, Goderich & Bourret in 2016. Born in Chicago, Jane grew up in Rye, New York. She is the daughter of publishing legend Oscar Dystel, who headed Bantam Books for more than a quarter of a century. In her teens, she was an accomplished figure skater. Jane received her BA from New York University and attended Georgetown Law School for one year before leaving for her first job in publishing. She has an abiding interest in legal subjects. She is married to Steven Schwinder and has a daughter, Jessica, and a son, Zachary. She lives in New York City with her husband and two dachshunds, and is a tenacious golfer.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Biography, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Diet Nutrition, Economics, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Law Legal, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Reference, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Sports, Technology, True Crime, Upmarket Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Chelsea Eberly is a literary agent with the Greenhouse Literary Agency. She is the Director of Greenhouse Literary Agency and represents authors of middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, and womenÕs fiction, as well as illustrators who write picture books. As a former Senior Editor at Random House, she edited the Newbery Medal winning When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller as well as numerous award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors such as Tamora Pierce, Leigh Bardugo, Marie Lu, Sarah J. Maas, Mark Siegel, and Kim Johnson to name only a few. She has a deep understanding of how publishers think and is an expert advocate for her clients. Chelsea is also a Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree, which recognizes Òthe rising stars of the US publishing industry.Ó A Midwesterner turned New Yorker, Chelsea regularly presents at writing conferences across the country and enjoys teaching craft.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Literary Fiction, New Adult Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Illustrated, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Connor Eck
Accepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Online FormBiography
Connor Eck is a literary agent at The Eck Agency. He is the Founder and Principal Agent of tea, bringing a decade of industry expertise. He spent eight years at Lucinda Literary, where he served as both Agent and Chief Operating Officer, shaping careers and driving innovative literary strategy. Connor represents a vibrant roster of storytellers and cultural changemakers. His editorial eye gravitates toward books that resonate deeplyÑthose that tug at heartstrings, spark intellect, and follow a compelling emotional journey. A passionate advocate for original voices and thinkers, Connor is dedicated to amplifying diverse perspectives in publishing. He is fiercely committed to championing his authorsÕ visions and career growth at every stage.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, History, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Science, Sports CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Anne Edelstein is an affiliate agent at the Ayesha Pande Literary Agency. She says she “is pleased to have joined APL in 2024, after more than 30 years running the independent Anne Edelstein Literary Agency. Over the decades, her work with authors is led by passion for their subjects and their writing. This encompasses a range of narrative history, culture, philosophy, religion, spirituality, science, memoir and fiction, including works of Russell Shorto, James Shapiro, Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, John Carlin, Stephen Batchelor, Mark Epstein, Kay Larson, Tara Brach, Maryanne Wolf, Roy Richard Grinker, Rachel Simon, Jody Shields, Tess Callahan, Susan Gregg Gilmore. Over the course of the year, she enjoys living in New York, Spain, and Maine.”
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction NONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, General Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Psychology, Religion, Science, Spirituality
Lindsay Edgecombe
Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Online FormBiography
Lindsay Edgecombe is a literary agent with the Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency. Lindsay represents a wide range of titles, including narrative nonfiction, memoir, lifestyle and health, illustrated books, and literary fiction. She is drawn to projects with strong narrators, obscure journeys, and political backbones, but she is an eclectic reader and will take on any project that she’s passionate about. Lindsay represents journalists, scientists, internationally best-selling novelists as well as debut novelists, New Yorker cartoonists, and bloggers, among many others. She loves to uncover new talent and to work with her clients to develop great proposals from the spark of an idea. Her authors have contributed to NPR’s “This American Life,” written for the New York Times and many other publications, and have been on Oprah and The Daily Show. Lindsay graduated Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude from Barnard College, Columbia University where she edited The Columbia Review.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Biography, Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Diet Nutrition, Economics, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, Journalism, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Reference, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Technology CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Melissa Edwards is a literary agent with the Stonesong Literary Agency. She joined Stonesong as a literary agent in August 2016. Previously, she was a literary agent at the Aaron Priest Literary Agency, where she managed the foreign rights for a forty-year backlist. After graduating from Washington University in St. Louis and Vanderbilt Law School, Melissa began her career as a litigation attorney before transitioning into publishing. She is a tireless advocate for her clients and a constant partner during the publication process and beyond. Melissa also acts as a contract consultant for authors and agents under the business MLE Consulting. Melissa is currently highly interested in developing her adult commercial fiction list, with a particular eye out for vibrant and fun young womenÕs fiction, mysteries and thrillers featuring characters from underrepresented backgrounds, and upmarket book club fiction. Melissa is not the best choice for horror, science fiction, or historical fiction.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Espionage Military Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Humor Nonfiction, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Natalie Edwards is a literary agent with Trellis Literary Management. She joined Trellis Literary after nearly two years at Janklow & Nesbit Associates. Prior to that, she worked at Curtis Brown, Ltd. At Trellis, Natalie supports Allison Hunter while actively building a list of her own. In terms of fiction, she is seeking commercial, upmarket, and literary projects. She enjoys narratives of queerness and diaspora (i.e., Patsy), hidden histories, complex friendship stories (i.e. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow), workplace satires/sendups of #girlbosses, and anything that offers biting social commentary and disrupts conventional wisdom. She is particularly drawn to accessible voices with a literary sensibility, in the vein of Ann Patchett and Zadie Smith, especially when they let her in on a subculture or historical truth she’s never encountered before. SheÕs always on the lookout for grounded speculative novels with subtle elements of magical realism, especially those infused with folklore, and she has a particular interest in narratives where faith and queerness intersect (i.e., You Exist Too Much). She is also open to considering short story collections with clear unifying themes. In the nonfiction space, she is looking for issue-driven hybrid memoirs (think H is for Hawk or In the Darkroom), which combine personal stories with research/reportage; journalistic narrative nonfiction like Say Nothing or Bad Blood; and cultural histories about music, film, food, art, and sports. She enjoys working with journalists and critics whose connection to their material runs deep, and she loves to watch the implosion of a scam unfold. Natalie is not looking for: high fantasy or sci-fi, erotica, gratuitously violent horror, commercial romance (unless itÕs queer), commercial thrillers/procedurals, cozy mysteries, prescriptive/how-tos, celebrity memoir, cookbooks, business/finance, religion/spirituality, coffee table/photography/design books, or childrenÕs books for any level (picture books, MG, YA, New Adult). Natalie grew up in Pasadena, California and attended Bowdoin College, where she earned her BA in English with a minor in History and played four years of varsity softball. She lives in Brooklyn and still plays softball here in the city. Natalie’s dream authors include: Ann Patchett, Zadie Smith, Carmen Maria Machado, Robert Kolker, Susan Faludi, Patrick Radden Keefe, Samantha Irby, Maggie Shipstead, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Katie Kitamura, Nicole Dennis-Benn, and T Kira Madden.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Satire, Short Story Collection, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Biography, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Environment, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Sports, Technology, Travel, Women’s Issues
Biography
Sian-Ashleigh Edwards is a literary agent with WME Books. Sian-Ashleigh has been at WME since 2018. She hails from the suburbs of New York and goes by her full first name. Representing Nonfiction and Fiction across the YA and adult spaces, her authors are tastemakers, experts, world-builders, and everyday people with something to say. In Nonfiction sheÕs looking for books that provide new perspectives for the people and places around us, help us master a new skill, or bring us one step closer to a better version of ourselves. In Fiction, sheÕs looking for anything in the upmarket, commercial, and sci-fi/fantasy spaces that makes her laugh, cry, and/or marvel at the capacity of the written word to move you.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Science Fiction, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, How-To, Nonfiction, Self-Help CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Danielle Egan-Miller is a literary agent with and the president of Browne & Miller Literary Associates. Danielle learned the business of book publishing from the agency side as she began her career as the assistant to, later the associate of, legendary literary agent Jane Jordan Browne. She went on to hold editor positions with Dearborn Trade, NTC Business Books/Contemporary Books and McGraw-Hill Trade, where she acquired adult non-fiction titles with a strong emphasis on business subjects. In 2002, Danielle rejoined Jane as her partner and the agency was renamed Browne & Miller Literary Associates; she became owner and president of the agency in 2003. Danielle holds a BA in English from Loyola University of Chicago and is a graduate of the Radcliffe Publishing Course. She is also a member of the Association of AuthorsÕ Representatives, Romance Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, and The Authors Guild. As an agent, Danielle has sold hundreds of books, with a heavy emphasis on commercial adult fiction. Her roster includes several New York Times bestselling authors and numerous prize- and award-winning writers. Many of Browne & MillerÕs authors have won prestigious awards including the Edgar Award, the Canadian Governor GeneralÕs Award, the RITA Award, the Anthony Award, the Colorado Book Award, the Minnesota Book Award, the Western Spur Award, the Willa Award, the Barry Award, the Dilys Award, the Midwest Booksellers Choice Award, the ECPA Golden Medallion, the Golden Quill, and the Christy Award. Danielle spends most of her free time with her husband, teenage son, and her beloved Scottish Terriers, Scarlett OÕHara and Agnes. She is a football mom, an avid gardener, a home improvement enthusiast (she must be, as she lives in a house built in 1889), an enthusiastic cook, a strong swimmer, a beach vacation lover, and sheÕs addicted to (binge) reading on her iPad. Though Danielle reads ample non-fiction (she enjoys biographies in particular), most of her long-time favorite books are novels. They include: everything by Jane Austen, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, The Alienist by Caleb Carr, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, the entire epic Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, The Secret History by Donna Tartt, Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls, The Witching Hour by Anne Rice, Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, and the Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. SheÕs recently added Tana French to her list of favorite authors and believes The Likeness is as close to perfect as a novel can be.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Religious Fiction, Romance, Sports Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Animals, Biography, Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, How-To, Humor Nonfiction, Inspirational Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Mind Body Spirit, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Religion, Science, Spirituality, Sports, True Crime NONFICTION: Christian Books, Christian Fiction, Christian Nonfiction
Biography
Judith Ehrlich is a literary agent with Judith Ehrlich Literary Management. A former award-winning journalist, Judith is the co-author of The New Crowd: The Changing of the Jewish Guard on Wall Street (Little, Brown, 1989). She shifted gears in l998 and worked as a senior associate of the Linda Chester Agency for five years before launching her own agency in 2002. Judith is a member of the AuthorÕs Guild and the American Society of Journalists and Authors. She was formerly on the Council of Conservators of the New York Public Library and served on the board of directors of The Shakespeare Society. For many years she was on the advisory board of The Partisan Review. Judith has sold a wide range of nonfiction and fiction and looks for that special quality that makes a book compelling. Among her strongest interests are narrative nonfiction that combines fascinating original material with superb writing, topical business books by industry leaders, and prescriptive womenÕs books with a strong platform. Prescriptive books should offer fresh information and advice, and most authors must have ongoing experience with national workshops and lectures or strong newspaper, radio or TV presence, depending on the work. In fiction, she looks for novels that have a strong opportunity for print review or appeal to book club readers. She is drawn to stories that pull you in and wonÕt let you go. In upmarket, literary, and quality commercial fiction, she looks for novels that have sympathetic characters, original plots with surprising twists, and strong descriptive writing. She is also interested in fresh, well-crafted, riveting thrillers of all kinds including legal and medical ones.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Lifestyle, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Parenting, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Susanna Einstein is a literary agent with the Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency. She began her publishing career in 1996 at Warner Books (now Grand Central Publishing), then worked as a book scout for Maria B. Campbell Associates before she began agenting in 2005. From 2015-25 she ran her own agency, Einstein Literary Management. She works primarily on upmarket commercial and crime fiction for adults, selectively on YA and MG projects, and idiosyncratically on non-fiction that has included biography, business, cookbooks, history and memoir.Ê She grew up in Manhattan and now lives in New Jersey.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, History, Lifestyle, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Naomi Eisenbeiss is a literary agent with InkWell Management. She graduated with a dual degree in Political Science from Sciences Po in Nancy, France and Freie University in Berlin, Germany. Prior to InkWell, she spent three years as Manager of the Shanghai International Literary Festival in China. She speaks English, Japanese, German and conversational French and Mandarin. Her interests include literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, and memoir.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Dating Relationships Sex, Family, General Nonfiction, Humor Nonfiction, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Science, Travel, True Crime
Biography
Caroline Eisenmann is a literary agent with the Frances Goldin Literary Agency. She joined the agency in 2017. She previously spent four years at ICM Partners building a list in literary and upmarket fiction and nonfiction. In fiction, Caroline is particularly drawn to novels that engage with social issues, stories about obsession, and work that centers around intimacy and its discontents. Her nonfiction interests include deeply reported narratives (especially those that take the reader into the heart of a subculture), literary memoir, cultural criticism, essay collections, and history and biography with a surprising point of view. Her clients include Brandon Hobson, Kyle Chayka, Linda Rui Feng, Amanda Goldblatt, Peter Kispert, Kate Wagner, and James Gregor. Authors represented by Caroline have won the Pushcart Prize, received a NEA Writing grant, and appeared on the shortlist for the National Book Award in fiction.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Economics, General Nonfiction, History, Lifestyle, Memoir, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Technology, Upmarket Nonfiction
Biography
Rachel Ekstrom Courage is the founder and a literary agent at Courage Literary. She is also an author. Before becoming a literary agent, Rachel spent over a decade as a NYC-based book publicist, first working on mysteries and thrillers for Minotaur in the historic Flatiron building, then assuming a directorial role for PenguinÕs Dutton and Gotham imprints, and finally working on blockbuster commercial fiction (both Adult and YA) for St. MartinÕs Press. Over the course of her career as a publicist, she developed relationships with local and national media, securing reviews, features, radio and television interviews, online placement, bookstore and Òoutside the boxÓ author events, in outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Today Show, CBS This Morning, NPR, C-SPAN, Fox Business, People, Entertainment Weekly, O Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, The Huffington Post, CNN, The Associated Press, Christian Science Monitor, The Washington Post, The Economist, The New Republic, Salon, Playboy, Time, and Wired. A few of the bestselling and award-winning authors Rachel advocated for as a publicist include Grammar Girlª Mignon Fogarty, Russell Simmons, Timothy Keller, P.C. and Kristin Cast, T. Jefferson Parker, Randy Susan Meyers, Louise Penny, Tyler Cowen, Hari Kunzru, Susan Shapiro Barash, and Michael Palmer. Rachel has presented, led workshops, and met one-on-one with authors at Grub Street, WriterÕs Digest, Seton Hill University, LWC}NYC, Jambalaya Writers Conference, South Carolina WritersÕ Workshop, New England Crime Bake, PNWA, RWA, New York Writers Workshop, Unicorn Writers Conference, Digital Hollywood, and more.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Business Book, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Upmarket Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Hana El Niwairi is the Rights Manager at CookeMcDermid. She leads the rights team in representing the works of agency authors outside of North America: in Asia, Europe, the UK, and more. Since 2017, Hana and her team have placed agency books into over 50 territories around the globe. These include: #1 New York Times bestselling poet Rupi Kaur’s the sun and her flowers and home body; internationally bestselling author Thomas Olde Heuvelt’s HEX and Echo; Karen LordÕs 2024 WomenÕs Prize longlisted The Blue, Beautiful World; 2021 Canada Reads contender Natalie Zena Walschot’s Hench; Dr. Britt Wray’s Generation Dread: Finding Purpose in an Age of Climate Crisis; and Alicia Elliott’s And Then She Fell, among others. Prior to joining the publishing industry, she worked in the non-profit, arts, and culture sectors with organizations such as the Book and Periodical Council, Culture Days, and Paprika Festival. She is a graduate of Humber College’s Arts Administration and Cultural Management program and holds an Honours BA (Specialization in Creative Writing and English Literature with a Major in Psychology) from Western University. Outside of her role at the agency, Hana is also one of the co-founders of BIPOC of Publishing in Canada.
Hana’s tastes are eclectic and she reads widely across genres. She has a soft spot for science fiction and fantasy and in recent years has been particularly enjoying romance and thrillers. Across genres, sheÕs drawn to character-driven stories, featuring morally grey protagonists, ÔdifficultÕ women, and commercial fiction written by and about marginalized communities. Additionally, in her (somewhat futile) pursuit to learn everything, ever, Hana is an avid reader of non-fiction, particularly politics, social science, media criticism, science, and history. She is keenly interested in non-fiction exploring systemic issues and how they play out in the day-to-day lives of the average person.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Fantasy | Gothic Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Speculative Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Cultural Social Issues | History | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Politics | Pop Culture | Psychology | Science |
Biography
Ethan Ellenberg is a literary agent with the Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency. Ethan opened his literary agency in late, 1984 after holding jobs at both Bantam and Berkley/Jove. At Berkley/Jove he was manager of the Contracts Department. At Bantam he was Associate Contracts Manager. He says: ÒI remain excited and committed to assisting Authors at different stages of their careers. I work with a number of talented people writing and illustrating many different kinds of books and thatÕs what I like. If you have something special in any of the commercial fiction genres I would be interested in hearing about it. For childrenÕs books works of the imagination and beauty will always interest me. If I canÕt help you, I will share your work with a colleague. The business of book publishing has changed almost beyond recognition since I joined the industry. ItÕs as complex as any business I know and that makes it daunting for everyone involved. Our goal is to assist Authors where they need it most, passionate dedication to help them earn a living, and honest feedback about their work.Ó
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Current Events Affairs, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, New Age, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Reference, Science, Spirituality, Sports, Technology, True Adventure, True Crime CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Claire Elliot is a Junior Agent at FinePrint Literary Management and an assistant to Lauren Bieker and Peter Rubie. Before coming to FinePrint in 2024, she interned at Folio Literary Management. Claire is also working towards her Ph.D. in Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, studying modern Theravada Buddhist practice in Thailand and Sri Lanka. While growing up, Claire lived in the U.S., France, and Thailand, and now speaks five languages and reads a sixth. Claire is a habitual rereader and never falls asleep without an audiobook on. Her favorite books growing up were Tamora Pierce’s Trickster’s Choice series. She still enjoys books about girls who are generally up to no good. In fiction, Claire reads YA, NA, and Adult, and is interested in fantasy, historical, thriller, and mystery. She loves a romantic or political subplot (even if the subplot is very small) and an immersive and messed-up setting. Claire is interested in characters who were not born heroes but chose to be and in stories with symbolic resonance. Claire is also interested in fantasy set in non-western inspired worlds (especially Southeast Asia!) and historical fiction set in these areas about real or made-up figures. She dreams of seeing a novel about Anagarika Dharmapala, Mary Foster, and Maria Banta, “The Countess.” In nonfiction, Claire is interested in pop-science books that use data to tell clear stories (if you can compare your book to Emily Negoski, she wants to see it!) Claire is also interested in narrative nonfiction that walks the line between long-form journalism and ethnography; she’s looking for the next Still Life With Bones, Friday Night Lights, or The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. Finally, Claire is looking for new and unexpected histories that are timeless but touch on present issues (e.g., a global history of student protest movements and activism, a medical and social history of STIs (STDs), or a book on religious pluralism and inter-religious cooperation). She’s also keen to discuss dissertation-to-book projects. While Claire is interested in books that touch on religion and politics, she is not interested in theology or manifestos.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Business Book, Health Wellness, History, Journalism, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Religion, Science CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
ZabŽ Ellor is a literary agent with the Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency. He joined The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency in August 2018, after previously interning at the agency and at Inklings Literary, and serving as a publications assistant at IOP Publishing. He graduated from Cornell University in 2016 with a dual degree in biology and English. An avid reader and writer, his non-literary interests include running, travel, and finding the perfect dim sum in his home city of Washington D. C.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: History, Humor Nonfiction, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Politics, Science CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Chelsey Emmelhainz is a literary agent with Copps Literary Services. She joined Copps Literary Services in 2021 after a decade as an editor of upmarket fiction and nonfiction. Upon graduating from the Denver Publishing Institute, she got her start at HarperCollins with William Morrow and Avon Books. She was most recently a senior editor at Crooked Lane Books. As an editor, Chelsey worked on projects that cross the literary landscape: from Amish romance to upmarket thrillers and everything in between. Yet her true passion lies in helping authors refine their narratives to create compelling stories and advocating on their behalf. An editorial agent, she works tirelessly with authors to polish their work into commercial projects aimed at catching the eye of editors and publishers. Chelsey is building a highly selective list, focused mainly on adult fiction and nonfiction. Regardless of genre, she is always looking for authentic storytelling and to elevate diverse voices.
Notes
FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Crafts, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Environment, Food Drink, Gardening, History, How-To, Illustrated, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Technology, True Crime, Women’s Issues
Biography
Brenna English-Loeb is an literary agent for adult authors, childrenÕs authors and/or illustrators with the Transatlantic Agency. She joined Transatlantic in 2019 after working for several years at Janklow & Nesbit Associates and Writers House, where she had the pleasure of working with New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors across multiple genres. Brenna grew up in beautiful Upstate New York and studied English and Theatre at Bucknell University. Brenna is also the owner of BEL Tower Editorial, where she works with authors as a developmental editor on such big-picture issues as world-building, plot and character development, pacing and theme, among other areas of concern, such as query and synopsis critiques.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Cultural Social Issues, History, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Lisa Erbach Vance is a literary agent with The Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency. Lisa joined the Aaron Priest Literary Agency in 1993 as Director of Foreign Rights for Aaron Priest and began representing her own clients shortly thereafter. Her clients include Harlan Coben, Gregg Hurwitz, David McCloskey, Glen Erik Hamilton, B.J. Daniels, Rebecca Hardiman, Sandra Kitt, Alex Finlay, Ann Howard Creel, Gayle Lynds, Watt Key, Matt Beynon Rees, Aaron and Charlotte Elkins, Amanda Stevens, Anthony Franze, G.M. Ford, the estate of Madeleine LÕEngle, and more. Prior to joining the agency, LisaÕs publishing career began at Random House, Inc. where she was selected as one of the first participants in their new Management Trainee program, after which she became an associate in the foreign rights department at Crown Publishers. Lisa was born and raised outside of Chicago, and she has a degree in English Literature from Northwestern University. Lisa is currently most interested in and actively seeking out fiction, literary or commercial, especially works featuring female characters, as well as some narrative non-fiction. Types of work include: Propulsive, emotionally engaging thrillersÑdomestic or international. Moody psychological and domestic suspense. Speculative fiction set in a recognizable near future. Ghost or supernatural stories that go beyond chills and speak to current culture but are not graphically violent. Observant, thoughtful fiction about families and friends, with fresh perspectives on modern relationships. Narratives with a witty or lovingly humorous spin, including rom-coms. Diverse and unique narrative voices that speak to the human condition and the world today; underrepresented voices of all backgrounds and identities. In every category, Lisa looks for a powerful premise and characters sheÕll be passionate about, in addition to great writing. Her goal is not only to sell books, but also to build long and ever-growing careers for her clients, giving each of them close and thorough attention as well as being an advocate in all aspects of the publishing process, including licensing foreign rights, audio rights, dramatic rights and more.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture
Biography
Jessica Errera is a literary agent with the Jane Rotrosen Agency. She has been with JRA since 2014. She is looking for commercial womenÕs fiction with a fresh and fun hook, all genres of YA (especially diverse stories), contemporary romance, mysteries and suspense, the occasional historical fiction, and anything that might be read in a day on the beach. Jessica is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she spent four years cheering on the Tar Heels and a few fantastic months interning with Algonquin Books.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Dating Relationships Sex, Nonfiction, Self-Help CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Annalise Errico is a literary agent with Ladderbird. Annalise is a graduate of Lesley University where she earned a B.A. in Creative writing with a double minor in Literature and WomenÕs, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. She is excited about uplifting stories by authors with marginalized voices and intersectional identities, ultimately making room for the diverse voices that have long since been ignored and suppressed in the literary world and beyond. When she isnÕt agenting, Annalise spends an excessive amount of time snuggling with her cat, Mittens, and writing romance novels that are more swoony than strictly necessary.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Magical Realism, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Thriller, Women’s Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Katherine Estrada is a literary agent with Williamson Literary. She graduated from Georgetown University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a minor in Theology in May 2020. Since graduating, she has worked as an ABA Therapist and Senior Executive Assistant at a Behavioral Health Clinic. She left the Healthcare Industry to pursue a career in publishing.
Katherine recently was accepted into NYU’s Summer Publishing Institute. She is now interning at Chrysalis Editorial and joined Williamson Literary out of her passion for literature and writing. Her favorite genres are women’s fiction, thriller and fantasy. She especially loves to read books about dynamic relationships (mother-daughter, familial, friendships, etc.) and books where the setting feels like a character too. When she is not reading, you can find her rewatching Ted Lasso, taking long walks or searching D.C. for the best cup of coffee.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Action Adventure | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Satire | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Cultural Social Issues | Environment | History | Humor Nonfiction | Inspirational Nonfiction | Journalism | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Nature | Science | Sports | Technology | Travel | True Adventure | True Crime | Women’s Issues |