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The Directory of Literary Agents
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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): Science Fiction *
Biography
Paul McCarthy is a literary agent with McCarthy Creative Services. Paul is also the founder and president of McCarthy Creative Services. He is an author and co-author, creative editor, novelist, anthologist, publishing consultant, magazine writer, essayist, book critic, literary, film and television agent, and public speaker.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Erotica * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Glitz * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Sports Fiction * Thriller * Western * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Art * Autobiography * Biography * Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Education * Ethnic * Gay/Lesbian * Gift/Novelty * Government * History * How-To * Humor * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Music * Nature * Pop Culture * Psychology * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * True Adventure * True Crime *
625 Main St. Suite 834 New York NY 10044-0035 USA
Biography
Shawna McCarthy is a literary agent with The McCarthy Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Paranormal * Romance * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * History * Memoir * Military/War * Science * Technology *
7 Allen St. Rumson NJ 07760 USA
Biography
Cameron McClure is a literary agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency. Cameron McClure joined the Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2004. She represents a small and select group of authors and specializes in fiction. She is especially looking for projects that combine genre style plotting with literary quality writing. She’s up for anything speculative, and is interested in seeing science-fiction and fantasy, literary fiction, mystery and suspense, and projects with multi-cultural, international, environmental, and GBLT themes. She’s also drawn to projects that explore subcultures or topics that haven’t quite broken into the mainstream. Some of her clients include Robert McCammon, Robert Jackson Bennett, Amy Alkon, Emily Winslow, Brian Francis Slattery, Molly Tanzer, Randy Henderson, Sarah Pemberton Strong, and Steve Bein.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Erotica * Espionage/Military * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Religious * Satire * Science Fiction * Short Story Collection * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Western * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
1000 Dean Street Suite 252 Brooklyn NY 11238 USA
Biography
Brady McReynolds is a literary agent with the Jabberwocky Literary Agency. He is the C.O.O of the JABberwocky Literary Agency, and works closely with Joshua to manage the day-to-day operations of the business and its employees. He was brought on in 2012 as the Foreign Rights Manager after having worked in the publicity department of Penguin’s Berkley and NAL imprints. Before then he interned at Algonquin Books in Chapel Hill, NC.
Growing up in rural Georgia and North Carolina, he started reading books (especially science-fiction and fantasy) at an early age because there was little else to do. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he double majored in Communication Studies and Sociology, making him the ultimate overseas marketing machine. An avid Tarheel basketball fan, Brady loves only lighter shades of blue and goes into reclusion every March.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Fantasy * Science Fiction *
NONFICTION:
49 W. 45th St Suite #5N New York NY 10036-4603 USA
Biography
Bob Mecoy is a literary agent with the Bob Mecoy Literary Agency, and the owner. Prior to becoming an agent, Bob spent 20 years as editor for Crown, Simon & Schuster, Avon/Morrow, NAL/Dutton and Dell/Delacorte. Bob represents a wide range of commercial fiction including romance, literary fiction, history, science, mystery, thrillers / suspense, military / espionage and graphic novels.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * General Nonfiction * History * Money/Finance * Photography * Science * Sports *
275 Seventh Avenue 7th Floor New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Scott Mendel is a literary agent with Mendel Media Group. With a background in academia, Scott Mendel has worked in publishing since the early 1990s, first as a magazine editor and freelance technical writer and then as an Associate and, ultimately, the Vice President and Director of the late Jane Jordan Browne’s literary agency in Chicago. In November 2002, he opened the Mendel Media Group in New York. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree, Summa cum laude, from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. He earned a master’s degree in English language and literature from the University of Chicago, where he is ABD in the doctoral program.
Scott has taught literature, English, and Yiddish at a number of institutions, including the Choate-Rosemary Hall Preparatory School in Connecticut, the Hyde Park Cluster of Theological Seminaries in Chicago, Bowdoin College, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he most recently held an appointment as Lecturer in Jewish Studies. He wrote the book A Prosecutor’s Guide to Hate Crime, which was published through a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, and which has been in print in new editions for several years. He was the Managing Editor of a monthly and quarterly health care magazine, Positively Aware, and editor of the Maine literary journal, Quill, which began publishing in 1897. Scott has written a produced play, several works of fiction, and many book columns, news articles, and other pieces.
He is a member of the Association of Authors’ Representatives, the Author’s Guild, the Mystery Writers of America, the Romance Writers of America, the Society of children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, the Modern Language Association, and the American Association of University Professors.
Among the U.S. publishers and imprints that have published his authors are: Adams Media, Andrews McMeel Universal, Avalon, Ballantine, Bantam Dell, Basic Books, Beacon Press, Berkley, Black Dog & Leventhal / Workman Publishing, Carroll & Graf, Chamberlain Bros. / Penguin,
Chronicle Books, Citadel Books, Contemporary Books, Crown, Da Capo / Perseus, Delacorte, Dutton / Signet, Faber & Faber / Farrar Straus & Giroux, Feiwel & Friends, Globe Pequot, Harlequin, HarperCollins, Harry N. Abrams, Kensington, Little Brown & Co., M. Evans & Co., Marlowe / Avalon, McGraw-Hill, Multnomah, New American Library, Oneworld, Oxford University Press, Penguin Putnam, Perigee, Plume, Pocket / Simon & Schuster, Putnam, Random House, Riverhead / Penguin, Routledge, Simon & Schuster, Sorin Books, Sourcebooks, St. Martin’s Press, Stewart Tabori & Chang, Ten Speed, Threshold Editions, Thunder’s Mouth, Times Books / Henry Holt & Co., Touchstone / Fireside, Tyndale House, Verso, Walker & Co., John Wiley & Sons, William Morrow, and Yale University Press.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Horror * Inspirational Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Paranormal * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Computers * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Economics * Ethnic * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Reference * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * Travel * True Crime * Young Adult *
P.O. Box 5032 East Hampton NY 11937 USA
Biography
Liseanne Miller is a literary agent with Global Lion Intellectual Property Management, Inc. Liseanne had the pleasure of growing up in the literary world in New York City. She considers many of her clients as close family friends. Liseanne loves to read and brings an eye for branding and design to the table. She is honored to be able to carry on her father’s legacy.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Religious * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Computers * Education * Ethnic * Film/Entertainment * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Reference * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * Travel *
Biography
Scott Miller is a literary agent with and the Executive Vice President of Trident Media Group. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in English and a JD from the Temple University School of Law, as well as a member of the New York State Bar.
After graduating law school, Scott followed his lifelong love of all things related to the entertainment business and went directly to the mailroom at the William Morris Agency (now William Morris Endeavor). In 2000, Scott left the William Morris Agency to be one of the founding members of Trident Media Group. He represents numerous New York Times and international best sellers for fiction and nonfiction. Scott has worked on practically every type of book, gravitating toward unique stories that are well told, across genres. As a career manager for his clients, Scott is involved in every aspect of an author’s profession—ideation, editing, promotion, marketing, and taking the author’s works into every facet of the entertainment business.
Scott lives just outside of New York City and is married with two children.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Espionage/Military * Family Saga * Fantasy * General Fiction * Horror * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Paranormal * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * History * How-To * Humor * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Music * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Prescriptive * Reference * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Sports * True Crime *
355 Lexington Ave 12th FL New York NY 10017 USA
Biography
Stu Miller is a literary agent with and the owner of Stuart M. Miller Co. Literary Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Dystopian * Ethnic Fiction * Erotica * Espionage/Military * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Glitz * Historical * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Mainstream * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Paranormal * Romance * Satire * Science Fiction * Short Story Collection * Sports Fiction *Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION:
11684 Ventura Boulevard #225 Studio City CA 91604 USA
Biography
Ben Miller-Callihan is an associate agent with Handspun Literary. He joined Handspun Literary Agency as an associate agent in 2019, after working behind the scenes since the agency’s founding in tech support and bookkeeping roles. He spent more than a decade teaching high school English, and has (under Courtney’s oversight) begun taking on his own clients at the agency. His interests include humor, YA and middle grade novels, speculative fiction (especially decolonial sff), cookbooks, mainstream-ish fiction a la David Mitchell and William Gibson, non-traditional spiritual themed work in the vein of Patricia Lockwood and Killing the Buddha, and anything food-related.
A graduate of the University of Kentucky (B.A., English), and New York University (M.A., English Education), he lives in San Diego with his human, canine, and kitchen appliance families.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Horror * Humor Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Paranormal * Satire * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Food/Drinks *
10606 Camino Ruiz Suite 8-291 San Diego CA 92126 USA
Biography
Courtney Miller-Callihan founded Handspun Literary Agency in 2016, after more than ten years with Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. Her eclectic list includes women’s fiction, historical fiction, mysteries, romance, science fiction & fantasy, YA novels, humor, and practical nonfiction.
A graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz (B.A., Literature), and Johns Hopkins University (M.A., English), she lives in San Diego with her family.
She is always looking for stories she can’t stop reading.
For adult fiction, Courtney represents only mainstream fiction (including historical fiction and women’s fiction), romance (all subgenres except inspirational), mystery novels, and speculative fiction.
For nonfiction, Courtney represents work targeting all age groups (children and adults). Though she will consider nonfiction on any topic, work that deals primarily with issues of religion or spirituality is unlikely to be a good fit.
She is not currently accepting new middle-grade, early reader, or picture book submissions.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * NoMG * NoPB * Romance * Satire * Science Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Ethnic * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Middle Grade * Multicultural * Young Adult *
10606 Camino Ruiz Suite 8-291 San Diego CA 92126 USA
Biography
Penny Moore is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. She is a Senior Agent at who represents children’s literature, mainly middle grade, chapter books, young adult, and select picture books. Her standout authors include: Shawn Amos, Akemi Dawn Bowman, Waka T. Brown, Auriane Desombre, Lyla Lee, Sangu Mandanna, Nicki Pau Preto, Maya Prasad, Jenna Yoon, and Katie Zhao.
Though she’s interested in all genres, she’s specifically seeking inventive works featuring breakout voices and compelling plot lines that will make young readers feel seen and heard for the first time.
Moore graduated from the University of Georgia with a double degree in Linguistics and Japanese Language & Literature. During her time as an undergraduate, she also studied comparative literature at top universities in Japan and South Korea. Penny joined Aevitas in 2018, starting in the industry as an assistant/associate agent at FinePrint Literary Management in 2014, then joining Empire Literary as an agent two years later, where she built out the children’s portion of the agency’s list.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Celebrity * Cultural/Social Issues * Humor * Juvenile * Pop Culture *
19 W. 21st Street Suite 501 New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Dee Mura is a literary agent with and the founder of Dee Mura Literary. Dee began her career in the editorial and marketing departments of Newsweek Magazine, and in the trading and futures departments of Goldman Sachs. With an offer from the Brazilian government to produce sporting and concert events in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil, Dee launched her own production company and public relations division representing artists from around the globe. A close relationship with several of these artists led to the development of Dee Mura Enterprises, a talent and literary personal management company with a hands-on approach to developing performing artists and writers for film, television, personal appearances, and corporate events. When several of her film and TV writers expressed the desire to write for publication, Dee Mura Literary was born. The company now flourishes under the direction of Dee’s diverse experience in media, marketing, editorial, finance, and personal management, with the goal of contributing quality, innovative literature to the publishing world.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Erotica * Ethnic Fiction * Espionage/Military * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Paranormal * Religious * Satire * Science Fiction * Romance * Sports Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Art * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Environment * Ethnic * Family * Film/Entertainment * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * Government * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Inspiration * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Middle Grade * Military/War * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Nature * New Age * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Travel * True Adventure * Young Adult *
P.O. Box 131 Massapequa Park NY 11762 USA
Biography
Kristin Nelson is a literary agent with and the founder of the Nelson Literary Agency (2002). She says: “My goal as an agent is simple: I want every client of mine to make a living solely from writing and 90% of my authors do without help from any other source of income. I established Nelson Literary Agency, LLC, in 2002 and over the last decade+ of my career, I’ve represented over forty New York Times bestselling titles and many USA Today bestsellers. Although I’m a very nice Midwesterner, I’ve heard through the grapevine that editors call me “a hard-working bulldog agent that will fight for you.” What a compliment!
When not busy selling books, I’m quite sporty. I attempt to play tennis and golf. I also love playing Bridge (where I’m the youngest person in the club). On weekends my husband Brian and I can be found in the mountains hiking with our 14-year old rat terrier, Chutney.
My client list is eclectic as I’m looking for a good story well told. How you tell that story doesn’t need to fit in a neat little category. For specifics, check out the books I represent and the Submission Guidelines page.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Fantasy * Historical * Literary * Magical Realism * Mainstream * Science Fiction * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
700 Colorado Blvd #352 Denver CO 80206 USA
Biography
Lynn Nesbit is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She grew up in Dundee, Illinois and graduated from Northwestern University with a B.A. in Speech. She attended the Sorbonne and the Radcliffe Publishing Procedures Course. In the fall of 1960, she joined the Sterling Lord Agency, and in 1965 moved to create and run for twenty-three years the literary department for what later became International Creative Management. In January 1989, she formed a partnership with Morton Janklow—Janklow & Nesbit Associates.
Ms. Nesbit has served on the Board of Trustees of Partisan Review, the New York Institute for Humanities and the Literature Council for the National Endowment for the Arts. She is currently on the Board of the National Book Foundation.
In 1991, she was a recipient of the Matrix Award, presented by New York Women in Communications, Inc. She received the Alumnae Award of 1994 from the Alumnae Board of Northwestern University. She is a member of the Century Association and the Council on Foreign Relations.
Lynn Nesbit represents both fiction and nonfiction writers.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Mystery * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Music * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Science * Spirituality *
285 Madison Avenue 21st Floor New York NY 10017 USA
Biography
Alan Nevins is a literary agent with Renaissance Literary & Talent. He started his book career working for the famed super agent Irving “Swifty” Lazar. In 1993, Nevins founded Renaissance Literary & Talent with two Hollywood based literary agents and the agency thrived.
In 1995, Renaissance acquired the Irving Paul Lazar Agency and its extensive backlist after a year of negotiations, beating several eager bidders, including one of the majors. This acquisition, and that of the previously acquired H.N. Swanson Agency, gave the infant Renaissance the enviable legacy of two of Hollywood’s most colorful literary agents and solidified its place as a powerhouse boutique literary firm supplying material to the New York publishers as well as the film/television community.
After Renaissance completed a three year stint associated with Michael Ovitz’s Artists Management Group, Renaissance was quietly placed in the background and Nevins cut a deal with music and film management company, The Firm, to create a literary division that would come with longstanding and impressive relationships in Hollywood, London and New York.
After six years with The Firm, Nevins departed in late 2008 and re-established Renaissance Literary & Talent.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Sports * True Crime *
PO Box 17379 Beverly Hills CA 90209 USA
Biography
Kiana Nguyen is a literary agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency. Kiana Nguyen joined Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2016, where she assisted several agents, and is now building her own client list. She is seeking YA fiction across genres, particularly those with POC and queer voices. She is also interested in Adult romance and thrillers.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Family Saga * Fantasy * Horror * Magical Realism * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
1000 Dean Street Suite 252 Brooklyn NY 11238 USA
Biography
Trodayne Northern is a literary agent with Prentis Literary. Trodayne was an English teacher, freelance writer, and editor before entering the publishing world, interning with The Literary Group. It was not long before he found a more permanent home at Linn Prentis Literary. As if mirroring Campbell’s notions of the monomyth, soon Trodayne was taking part in a true apprenticeship, not unlike something ripped from the very fantasy novels he’d so long loved. While with Linn Prentis Literary, he developed his own client list, working with award winning authors, NYT bestsellers and top editors. He played Luke to Linn’s Yoda, Bilbo to Linn’s Gandalf, staying on with the agency through Linn’s retirement. Then with Linn initially playing an advisory role, he co-founded Prentis Literary alongside Leslie and Terry.
As a youth, Trodayne cooked his pillow nightly in an effort to conceal the 120 watt blade of disobedience that would leak defiantly into the hallway after his parents expressly had ordered him to bed. His passion is good storytelling. While his desire to refine his own storytelling in music, writing and visual media was strong, his thirst to cultivate and nurture others’ talents has always been equally strong. Science Fiction and Fantasy will always be his first love, but his genre interests have always been wide ranging. You would be just as likely to see him on the subway re-reading Native Son as the newest Mass Effect book.
It’s not just the story in each book that fascinates and invigorates but the story of each book as well. It is the process itself that he finds gratifying – the helping to polish a novel, the matchmaking of author to publisher, assuring that each author is happy with the end product, ultimately the very success of the book, all of it, is the book’s story. Playing a role in that story, in how an author is able to tell his or her stories gives him great satisfaction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Horror * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Juvenile *
25322 36th Pl. S. Kent WA 98032 USA
Biography
Scribe Agency was founded in 2004 by Kristopher O’Higgins and Jesse Vogel—two men in the heart of the Wisconsin wanting to make a mark on the world of literature, one book at a time.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Fantasy * Literary * Science Fiction *
NONFICTION:
5508 Joylynne Dr. Madison WI 53716 USA
Biography
Katherine Odom-Tomchin is a literary agent and the Director of Audio Rights with Folio Literary Management. She began her publishing career at Heritage Publishing, Inc., which publishes magazines, guides, and directories for health care, seniors, tourists, and attorneys throughout Florida and Southeast Georgia. During her time there, she held various positions in the editorial, graphic design, and information departments. Her many jobs included producing original content for their many publications and assisting in ad placement.
At Folio, Kat enjoys working with and being a part of Folio’s closely-knit team of skilled agents. Kat is Folio’s Audio Rights Director, and she works hard to strategically place the agency’s audio rights with the most effective audio publishers possible. She also acts as a subagent for BenBella, an independent publishing house based in Dallas, TX known for publishing a range of nonfiction titles, and places audio rights for the storied authors of Harold Ober Associates and Emma Sweeney Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Horror * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Gay/Lesbian * Psychology * Memoir * Narrative * Science * True Crime *
630 Ninth Ave. Suite 1101 New York NY 10036 USA
Biography
Jeff Ourvan is a literary agent with the Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency. Jeff Ourvan, an attorney, published author and writing instructor, is a literary agent with the Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency. His interests are varied: he represents nonfiction works, especially narrative nonfiction, histories, biographies, science, food and sports. He also represents fiction writers, particularly in the young adult, thriller and romance categories. Jeff heads the Agency’s book-to-film efforts, and he is the founder of The WriteWorkshop, an intensive writing workshop for New York-area writers. His most recently authored work is THE STAR-SPANGLED BUDDHIST (Skyhorse).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Religious * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Ethnic * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Government * History * Juvenile * Middle Grade * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Prescriptive * Religion * Science * Sports * True Crime * Young Adult *
27 West 20th St. Suite 1003 New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Roma Panganiban is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She graduated from Allegheny College with a degree in English and Psychology before taking on graduate studies in Modern and Contemporary Literature & Culture at the University of York (UK), a writing internship in Nicaragua, academic tutoring in the suburbs of New Jersey, and office management for a theatrical costume studio in Manhattan. She began her publishing career at The Gernert Company before joining Janklow & Nesbit in 2019, where she now assists Chris Clemans and Chad Luibl and works with writers across the adult and children’s markets.
Roma’s taste leans literary, but she is open to a broad range of fiction, including novels and collections that embrace genre elements—speculative, historical, mystery, sci-fi, fantasy—as well as those that defy categorization altogether. She values prose that is thoughtful, clear, clever, and beautiful; compelling, idiosyncratic voices; and fresh, unexpected perspectives, particularly those of writers from underrepresented communities.
Roma is also interested in narrative nonfiction that reorients our understanding of history, culture, science, society, education, and ourselves, whether by established experts or fiercely curious upstarts, as well as creative nonfiction that appeals equally to the heart, mind, and sense of humor.
In children’s fiction, Roma prefers more high-concept, plot-driven MG and more introspective, character- and voice-driven YA, especially featuring protagonists who don’t often see themselves as the main character. In children’s nonfiction, she looks for books that help young readers better understand each other, themselves, and the universe around them.
Roma is a member of the American Association of Literary Agents (AALA) and an ambivalent Twitter user (@romapancake). She lives in Brooklyn.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * NoPB * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Education * General Nonfiction * History * Humor * Juvenile * Memoir * Middle Grade * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * Young Adult *
Biography
Emma Parry is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She says: “I’m looking for unforgettable storytellers and original thinkers. Strong plots and new ideas. I love writers who extend empathy, resist tyranny, make change and entertain.
I’ve worked with winners of the Shiva Naipaul Prize for Travel Writing, the National Book Critics Circle, the Man Booker, the Pulitzer and the Nobel – and I’m actively looking for more massively talented and ambitious writers to join my list.
I love memoir, reportage, history, science, and narrative – all non-fiction with the power to surprise and gratify.
I love novels with irresistible plots, distinctive voices, fresh perspectives, big characters, historical insights, heart and wit.
After Cambridge, I joined the graduate program of Ogilvy & Mather before being rescued from advertising by the legendary British literary agent Gillon Aitken. I worked with Gillon on Sebastian Faulks, Helen Fielding, Germaine Greer, Ian Hamilton, and V.S. Naipaul while building my own list of writers including Kathryn Flett and Toby Young.
At 24, I came to New York at the invitation of FSG to complete a six-week international editorial internship. Later that year I moved permanently to the States with a lovely letter of recommendation from V.S. Naipaul.
I joined Carlisle and Company, selling a fast growing list including Sacha Baron Cohen, Bernardine Evaristo, John Guy, Sarah Hall, Alan Hollinghurst, David Kennedy, Marian Keyes, Hari Kunzru, Paul McCartney, Andrew Miller, Maggie O’Farrell, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, Tom Shone, and Kamila Shamsie.
In 2003, I founded a new agency with Christy Fletcher, Fletcher & Parry, and our associate Donald Lamm. Over our fun and productive years in a Carriage House off Union Square, we sold up a storm, and I helped launch the careers of new writers including Rebecca Godfrey, Stephen Grey, Jonah Lehrer, Dan Lyons, Alexander Rose, Andrew Smith and Douglas Smith. We also co-produced a first film, “The Rite”, starring Anthony Hopkins.
In 2013, having sold my half of the agency, I joined Janklow & Nesbit and have been delighted to continue my career among the company’s legendary founders and stellar team of agents. It’s a very collegial powerhouse here, with incredible support systems for our authors.
I work closely with my excellent colleagues in London and long-term associates in editing, collaborative writing and film/tv. I strive to maintain an international and independent perspective, and to continue to innovate in an industry that presents fresh challenges and opportunities every day.
I love to help writers make money, achieve the best possible iteration of their work, get the most rewarding publishing experience in every respect, and reach and captivate the maximum audience out there.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Mystery * Multicultural Fiction * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Current Events/Affairs * Economics * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Politics * Science * Travel * True Crime *
285 Madison Avenue 21st Floor New York NY 10017 USA
Biography
Kimberly Peticolas is a literaray agent with the Rudy Agency. She is a recent addition to the Rudy Agency. She has worked in the publishing industry for nearly a decade and comes to the agency after working as an editor and publishing consultant, as well as previously running a boutique publisher. She has a passion for immersive fiction, and content-rich non-fiction. She also has a soft spot for military history. She earned an MA in Museum Studies.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * Historical * Mystery * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * History * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Military/War * Self-Help/Personal Development *
Denver CO
Biography
Leah Pierre is a literary agent with Ladderbird. A Texas native, Leah moved to the east coast to pursue her dream of working in publishing. She recently graduated from Rosemont College with her B.A. in English and History, and she is currently pursuing her MA in Publishing. Leah spends her time enjoying the company of fictional characters more than people. When not in the company of fictional characters, Leah hangs out with friends and family, cooks, and catches up on movies and tv shows she is always behind on.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Fantasy * Horror * Multicultural Fiction * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
P.O. Box 270 Milford CT 06460 USA
Biography
Ramona Pina is a literary agent with the BookEnds Literary Agency. She is a second-generation Jamaican, and third-gen. Cape Verdean, born and raised in Boston. A lover of fall and all things cozy, she is true to her New England roots. She is obsessed with teas, seafood, and Afro- Indo- Caribbean food. Growing up, she was the odd kid who wished she could write like Langston Hughes and read encyclopedias all day. Yes, pre-internets!
Her creative journey has been influenced by Jim Henson productions, Hayao Miyazaki anime, and similar works. She constantly lost and found herself within those stories, identifying with characters who didn’t look like her. This lack of representation led Ramona to explore abroad, and other marginalized cultures. While in Chile and Guatemala, she studied, volunteered, and gained fluency in the Spanish language, applying her cultural anthropology degree to understand the richness of the mythology and folklore of mainstream and indigenous groups.
Being a spoken word poet, Ramona knows that her voice is her strongest weapon and continues to highlight that as a BookEnds literary fellow in her capstone podcast, Hollow Moon. As a literary agent, she wants to champion underrepresented voices in literature to elevate them to an even playing field. When she’s not immersed in fictional worlds, she’s a busy mom of 2 (and one fur baby, Rambo the cat), an avid baker, candle-maker, and DIY enthusiast/“Mona Stewart.” Otherwise, she’s watching movies featuring The Rock or other absurd action films. She’s overjoyed to have found her agenting home at BookEnds with equally compassionate fellow humans and looks forward to midwifing more diverse books into the world.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Contemporary * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Horror * Magical Realism * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Paranormal * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Zoë Plant is a literary agent with The Bent Agency. She says: “I joined the Bent Agency’s London office in 2019 with a globetrotting background – a degree in Russian and Spanish, a year living in Moscow and five years working with publishers all over the world as a literary scout. I now represent authors who have been New York Times and Nielsen BookScan UK bestsellers, won the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards, and been finalists for the American Library Association’s William C. Morris YA Debut Award. Working closely with authors to bring out the best in their books and their careers is my favourite part of being an agent.
I am looking for middle-grade and young adult fiction across all genres, as well as adult science fiction, fantasy, horror and speculative fiction. Across the board, my tastes lean towards commercial, entertaining, accessible books that also have something to say about the world. I am particularly interested in seeing submissions from writers from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.
In middle-grade, my favourite books combine a quirky voice or setting and a sense of fun with a strong emotional core. I’m not afraid of a little darkness, but for this age group I prefer books that have a spark of joy to temper it.
In YA fantasy, I’m on the hunt for books that do something different in a very crowded market; interesting settings, intricate worldbuilding and unusual magic systems are all things that excite me. I am also looking for eye-opening science fiction and speculative fiction for teens, horror, and deviously twisty thrillers.
On the adult side, I am drawn to science fiction and fantasy with strong commercial appeal, and particularly books that break away from the very traditional classics of these genres. I would love to find the next RF Kuang or Becky Chambers. I am not the reader for biblical retellings in a fantasy setting or very literary or experimental fiction. I love horror that has a social conscience – send me terrifying fiction for the Get Out audience. I have a weakness for murder mysteries and would love to find high concept or genre-bending books in that area, as well as general fiction with a speculative or gothic edge.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Horror * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
529 W 42nd St Suite 3P New York NY 10036 USA
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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.
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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.
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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
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“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)
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“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)
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“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
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“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)
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“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)
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“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
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“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
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“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)
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“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)
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“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)