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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): Young Adult Fiction *
Biography
Jennifer Flannery is a literary agent with Flanner Literary Agency. Jennifer founded Flannery Literary in 1992 in New York after working at a literary agency in her hometown of Minneapolis and then in the trade department at HarperCollins. Flannery moved her offices to the Chicago area in 1997. Flannery Literary is looking to find new talent and fresh voices, to help the as-yet-unpublished author find a publishing home. The publishing business is subjective and competitive, so finding a personal connection with a new client and his or her writing is essential and we are, therefore, highly selective about taking on new clients.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Middle Grade Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Middle Grade * Young Adult *
1140 Wickfield Court Naperville IL 60563 USA
Biography
Liza Fleissig is a literary agent with the Liza Foyce Agency. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business with a degree in Finance, and the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law with a JD, Liza brought 20 years of litigation and negotiation experience to the publishing field when she and her partner, Ginger Harris-Dontzin, decided to open their own literary agency. With strong ties to this community, becoming an agent was inevitable, and as Liza says, she “couldn’t be happier.” A “Top 100 Dealmaker” by Publisher’s Marketplace, Liza represents established authors of fiction and nonfiction, along with writers in the earlier stages of their development.
Looking for: Liza loves a good thriller/suspense/mystery that keeps her guessing until the end. She also gravitates to commercial women’s fiction and loves a sarcastic comic voice. On the children’s side, she handles all categories, though is looking mostly for young adult and middle grade. Most of all, she loves being surprised. Nothing is more exciting that being over the moon for a book she’d never expected to like. So at the end of the day, just grab her attention, and she won’t care what the book is about!
Not looking for: Just make sure the writing is strong, and please watch out for unnatural dialogue and word repetition. When every character “cranes their neck,” “wheels around” or “steels themselves” she does tend to roll her eyes. Also, as much as she loves paranormal and dystopian, she is not taking any of those on at the moment.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Juvenile * Middle Grade * True Crime * Young Adult *
1049 Park Ave New York NY 10028 USA
Biography
Richard Florest is a literary agent with Creative Management. Richard Florest joined Rob Weisbach Creative Management in 2012. He develops and represents fiction, non-fiction, and children’s fiction writers for the company. He previously held editorial positions at Putnam/Penguin Group, Miramax Books, and The Weinstein Company, where he published authors such as Man Asian Prize winner and Man Booker Prize nominee Tan Twan Eng. Richard was the Director of Acquisitions at Open Road Integrated Media before joining Rob Weisbach Creative Management in 2012. Born and raised in Massachusetts, Richard now lives in Manhattan with his wife and daughter. He is a graduate of Saint Anselm College.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Memoir * Narrative *
New York NY 10075 USA
Biography
Amy Flynn is a literary agent with Rubin Pfeffer Content, LLC. She represents books for children.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
648 Hammond Street Boston MA 02467 USA
Biography
Jacqueline Flynn is a literary agent with Joelle Delbourgo Associates. Jacqueline Flynn represents both fiction and non-fiction in a broad range of categories. She is particularly interested in authors who offer unique perspectives that counter conventional wisdom and cookie-cutter solutions. She now uses her finely-developed editorial acumen to guide authors through the process of positioning their books for the marketplace, preparing proposals, and marketing their work. Jacquie specializes in coaching authors to use Social Media and other marketing tools to build and connect with their reader community. A former editor with two decades experience, she is also available to work with authors as an editor on proposals and manuscripts, both nonfiction and fiction.
Recent sales include Joseph Kelly’s MAROONED (Bloomsbury), Laura Sobiech’s memoir FLY A LITTLE HIGHER (Thomas Nelson), Jennifer Alvarez middle-grade trilogy RIDERS OF THE REALM (HarperCollins), Sue Scheff SHAME NATION written with Melissa Schorr (Sourcebooks), Anne Brown’s SUMMER GIRL (Entangled), and Gleb Raygorodetsky’s ARCHIPELAGO OF HOPE (Pegasus).
She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bucknell University where she majored in International Relations and rowed on the Women’s Crew team. She is also a Hockey/Volleyball/Band Mom, knitter, and avid hiker who lives in Northern New Jersey with her husband and two sons. Like Joelle she also speaks French, but not nearly as well.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Picture Book * Religious * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Computers * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Ethnic * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Psychology * Reference * Religion * Science * Sports * Technology * Travel * Young Adult *
101 Park St. Montclair NJ 07042 USA
Biography
Katherine Flynn is a literary agent with Calligraph. Katherineis has been an agent since 2008. Her clients are award-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling writers. Recently, her authors have won or been finalists for the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the George Washington Prize, the Hillman Prize for the Common Good, and the Helen Bernstein Book Award for Excellence in Journalism, alongside numerous best-of-the-year selections and many other accolades.
Katherine represents history, biography, politics, current affairs, investigative journalism, narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, pop culture, adventure, true crime, science, nature, medicine, business, sociology, and psychology. She also represents select fiction, and is fond of urban or foreign locales, crime novels, insight into women’s lives, biting wit, and historical settings. That said, she is open to anything that is well-written and contains a good, fresh story or big idea. She prizes securing major deals for her authors with quality publishers and placing international and film/tv rights for their books.
Prior to establishing Calligraph, Katherine worked at the Kneerim & Williams Agency for fifteen years. She previously edited history textbooks, taught English literature and composition to high school students, and worked in a rare book shop. She serves as the publishing consultant to Harvard University’s Radcliffe Institute and is a Boston Book Festival board member. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University and then pursued her Ph.D. in History at Brown University, where she is now A.B.D.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Historical * Literary * Mystery * New Adult * Romance * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Environment * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Investigative * Journalism * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Middle Grade * Money/Finance * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Sports * True Adventure * True Crime * Young Adult *
88 Broad St. Suite 503 Boston MA 02110 USA
Biography
Sheldon Fogelman is a literary agent with the Sheldon Fogelman Agency. Uniquely equipped to serve as agent and attorney, Sheldon Fogelman has worked with many of the most distinguished authors and illustrators in children’s books throughout his career. As agent his clients include Jerry Pinkney, Diane Stanley, Richard Peck, T.A. Barron, and Peggy Rathmann, among many others. And as attorney, his clients include Maurice Sendak and Mildred Taylor. He has worked on several literary estates including James Marshall’s, for which he currently acts as trustee. In addition, Sheldon was one of the earliest agents to attend Bologna children’s Book Fair regularly, and he has represented various publishers including William Morrow children’s Division and Albert Whitman & Co., with regard to dramatic/motion picture/television rights. He has also been a featured speaker at many conferences including the Annual SCBWI Conference in Los Angeles and New York.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
420 E 72nd Street New York NY 10021 USA
Biography
Emily Forland is a literary agent with Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents, Inc. She represents voice-driven literary fiction and non-fiction, among them bestsellers and prize winners, and has a special place in her heart for original writing that jumps off the page. Equally drawn to a traditional domestic novel as she is to more idiosyncratic work, she seeks out beautifully crafted writing, characters that come fully alive on the page, and stories rooted strongly in their setting. Humor is always welcome. In addition to literary fiction, she represents memoir, narrative nonfiction, history, biography, food writing, cultural criticism, graphic novels, and young adult fiction. Query by email preferred.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Humor Fiction * Literary * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cultural/Social Issues * Food/Drinks * History * Humor * General Nonfiction * Memoir * Narrative *
1501 Broadway Suite 2605 New York NY 10036 USA
Biography
Renee Fountain is a literary agent with Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management. She’s also the president and a publishing industry veteran, a reviewer for Kirkus and New York Journal of Books, and a book scout for The CW Network.
During her almost decade-long tenure with major houses such as Harcourt Brace and Simon & Schuster, Ms. Fountain had the great fortune of working with some of the best writers and illustrators in the publishing world.
Additionally, with more than ten years of licensing and branding experience, she has been involved in creating book-related merchandise including iconic favorites such as Raggedy Ann and Nancy Drew; as well as brokering film and television options.
Renee is looking for all types of adult and YA fiction and non-fiction. She prefers: thrillers, horror/dark fantasy, urban/contemporary fantasy, humor, sci-fi, pop-culture, memoirs, and narrative/commercial. She DOES NOT represent previously published books (including self-published), Westerns, Hard Science Fiction, Space Opera, Middle Grade, Picture Books, Erotica, Poetry, Novellas or Short Story Collections.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Fantasy * General Fiction * Horror * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Mystery * NoMG * NoPB * Romance * Science Fiction * Sports Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Narrative * Pop Culture * Sports * Young Adult *
New York NY USA
Biography
Diana Fox is a literary agent with Fox Literary. Diana is also the owner of Fox Literary. She says: “I am actively seeking the following: young adult fiction (all genres), science fiction/fantasy, romance, historical fiction, thrillers, and graphic novels. I’m always interested in books that cross genres and reinvent popular concepts with an engaging new twist (especially when there’s a historical and/or speculative element involved).
On the nonfiction side I’m interested in memoirs, biography, and smart narrative nonfiction; I particularly enjoy memoirs and other nonfiction about sex work, addiction and recovery, and pop culture.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Literary * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Beauty/Fashion/Style * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Narrative * Pop Culture * Science * Travel * Young Adult *
110 West 40th St Suite 2305 New York NY 10018 USA
Biography
Abigail Frank is a literary agent with Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. She is passionate about stories for young people, especially those that are hilarious, poetic, quietly heartbreaking, and/or swoon-worthy, and she cares about voice, above all. She gravitates towards picture books that feel entirely original, chapter books with big personalities, and novels about unforgettable teens falling in love. She is committed to advocating for the work of marginalized authors and artists, and she’s actively looking for stories that allow young readers to recognize themselves in the books they love. She is also looking for select adult projects, including narrative nonfiction (especially if it explores pop culture, healthcare, or higher education) and rom-com-y commercial fiction. You can view her wishlist here.
Abigail joined the Greenburger team in 2017 after interning at Writers House. Formerly an assistant to Brenda Bowen, she now assists Faith Hamlin with her extraordinary and eclectic list of clients. Abigail graduated with a degree in English Literature from Swarthmore College and worked in healthcare before pursuing her passion for books. Find her mostly retweeting @abigailcrfrank
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Narrative *
55 5th Avenue New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
Alexandra Franklin is a literary agent with the Curtis Brown Literary Agency. She joined Curtis Brown in 2023 as an associate in the dramatic rights department and as an associate agent in the books department. She was previously an assistant at Writers House and then an associate agent at Vicky Bijur Literary Agency. She holds an MFA in poetry from The New School. Alexandra is particularly interested in upmarket and literary fiction, narrative nonfiction and memoir, and select literary YA.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Literary * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Memoir * Narrative *
228 E 45th Street 3rd Floor New York NY 10017 USA
Biography
Stephen Fraser is a literary agent with the Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency. Stephen joined the Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency as an agent in January 2005. He worked most recently at HarperCollins Children’s Books, where he edited such creative talents as Mary Engelbreit, Gregory Maguire, Michael Hague, Ann Rinaldi, Kathryn Lasky, Brent Hartinger, Stephen Mitchell, and Dan Gutman. He began his career at Highlights for Children and later worked at Scholastic and Simon & Schuster. A graduate of Middlebury College in Vermont, he has a Master’s degree in Children’s Literature from Simmons College in Boston. He represents both children’s and adult books in a wide range of genres.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Paranormal * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction *
299 Park Avenue 6th Floor New York NY 10171 USA
Biography
Megan Frayser is a literary agent with the Creative Media Agency, Inc. After graduating from the College of William and Mary, Megan Frayser began her journey in publishing with internships at Tule Publishing Group and Liza Dawson Associates. In 2021, she interned at Creative Media Agency before transitioning into an assistant position. Alongside her role in the office, she’s thrilled to be building her list as an associate agent.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Horror * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * Ethnic * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * Multicultural * Psychology * True Crime *
Biography
CoCo Freeman is a literary agent with the Linda Chester Literary Agency. She recently joined the agency. She is a graduate of Bard College with a B.A. in Written Arts. Before joining Linda Chester, CoCo worked for Tom Yoon Productions developing projects and editing existing material. She is looking for smart adult commercial fiction, mysteries, thrillers, historical fiction, young adult, middle grade and select picture books.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Historical * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Biography
Sarah Jane Freymann has been a literary agent since the 1970s. She is the founder and president of the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Literary * Mainstream * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Journalism * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Travel * Women’s Issues *
59 W. 71st St. Suite 9B New York NY 10023 USA
Biography
Claire Friedman joined InkWell in 2016.Originally from Salt Lake City, Claire spent three years working for her local indie bookstore, The King’s English, before moving to New York to attend Columbia University. Claire graduated with degrees in English and History, and continues to have stress dreams about the core curriculum. Prior to joining InkWell, Claire interned at Don Congdon Associates. She enjoys reading literary fiction, young adult and children’s books, and narrative non-fiction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * General Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Juvenile * Narrative * Young Adult *
521 Fifth Avenue Suite 2600 New York NY NY USA
Biography
Rebecca Friedman is a literary agent with and the founder of Rebecca Friedman Literary Agency. Rebecca began her career at Greenburger Associates. From there, she worked at Sterling Lord Literistic and the Hill Nadell Agency, before starting her own agency in 2013. She is a graduate of Barnard College and lives in Los Angeles with her family. Rebecca is interested in commercial and literary fiction with a focus on literary novels of suspense, women’s fiction, contemporary romance, and young adult, as well as journalistic non-fiction and memoir. Most of all, she is looking for great stories told in strong voices.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Fantasy * General Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * NoPB * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * History * Juvenile * Memoir * Middle Grade * Money/Finance * Young Adult *
Los Angeles CA USA
Biography
Lauren Galit is a literary agent with LKG Agency. She says: “Agent: such a loaded job description. It’s the word you scream into the phone when you get stuck in an airline or cable company’s automated loop. AGENT! Or it might call to mind images of a classic real estate or Hollywood agent with slicked-back hair and too-sharp clothes. But that’s not who I am. My client, Clinton Kelly, once wrote in the acknowledgments of Freakin’ Fabulous: ‘Lauren Keller Galit, a totally chill agent who’s not even a jerk.’
Being a literary agent is my dream job (but then again, I was a literary geek at Harvard): I get to work with writers all day long, helping them craft their book ideas and editing their proposals. And then, once the proposal is complete, I get to connect with editors to sell them on something I have passionately committed myself to for the past few months. And I get to chat—a lot (but hopefully not too much). With writers, with editors, with Caitlen. All good.
I also get to be a world-class dilettante. For each new project that comes along, I delve deep into that writer’s world and expertise, learning all I can, so that I can speak knowledgeably about the subject. What could be bad about exploring a new angle on parenting or fitness or style every few months? My closet is certainly the better for it; hopefully my kids, too.
I started my agenting career in 2002 at John Boswell Associates, a literary agency and book packager that’s most noted for creating 365 Ways To Cook Chicken, as well as countless other best sellers. Because Boswell was a packager as well as an agent, he taught me how to do more than just craft a proposal and sell it; he showed me how to create a book from scratch, working with designers and production people along the way. It is that attention to detail that I bring to my current projects, even if we aren’t packaging them. I help my authors envision what their books could be.
Before becoming an agent, I was a magazine editor for 10 years, starting at GQ (Gentleman’s Quarterly) and ending at GH (Good Housekeeping). That’s where I learned to edit and copy edit, to read and reread until an article or caption or pull quote was just so. It is a skill I bring to every proposal I work on with a writer. It won’t go out until it is just so, because the proposal should beautifully and accurately represent the idea an author is dying to bring to the world.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Middle Grade Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Middle Grade * Young Adult *
134 West 83rd Street 3rd Floor New York NY 10024 USA
Biography
Lisa Gallagher is a literary agent with DeFiore and Company. Lisa Gallagher joined DeFiore & Company Literary Management Inc., as a literary agent in 2014, after working at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates for five years.
She is actively seeking new clients both in fiction and non-fiction, who are great storytellers, delivering both narrative urgency and dramatic tension, combined with multi-faceted characters and a transporting sense of place. She has more than twenty-five years of publishing experience and insight from both sides of the Atlantic, and now as an agent, being a champion of authors and their work continues to be her passion. She represents adult fiction, adult non-fiction and some YA projects, including New York Times bestselling novelists Christopher Moore and Charles Todd, Pulitzer Prize winner Julia Keller, national bestseller Hank Phillippi Ryan and memoirist Molly Bloom, author of MOLLY’S GAME, about to be released as a major motion picture directed by Aaron Sorkin, and starring Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba.
Formerly SVP & Publisher, William Morrow (an imprint of HarperCollins), Gallagher was previously Associate Publisher at Bloomsbury USA, following a move to New York from Bloomsbury’s London office in 1998. Gallagher was educated at St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge, UK, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Horror * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Current Events/Affairs * Diet/Nutrition * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Memoir * Money/Finance * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * Sports * True Crime * Young Adult *
47 E. 19th St. 3rd Floor New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
Shannon Gallagher is a literary agent with the Wernick & Pratt Agency. She spent more than twelve years in the marketing departments at various adult trade publishers, including Rodale, Macmillan, Penguin Random House, and Simon & Schuster. After moving from Brooklyn to upstate New York, she spent several years as a book reviewer and copywriter. When she saw an opening at Wernick & Pratt, she was intrigued at the thought of learning about both literary agencies and children’s literature, two facets of publishing she had not yet had the opportunity to explore. After two years learning as much as she possibly could from the accomplished, dedicated agents here, Shannon was thrilled to become an Associate Agent, where she could utilize her marketing experience -– getting the right information to the right people –- to better identify, encourage, and promote authors and illustrators. Shannon is interested in both fiction and nonfiction in all categories of children’s literature, from picture books to young adult, and she especially welcomes underrepresented perspectives. A graduate of Bryn Mawr College (go, Seven Sisters!), Shannon lives with her husband and daughter in the beautiful Hudson Valley.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
4455 Douglas Avenue Riverdale NY 10471 USA
Biography
Rachelle Gardner is a literary agent with and the founder of Gardner Literary. As a literary agent since 2007, Rachelle has negotiated 300+ contracts with more than 20 publishers, and worked with more than 200 authors to bring their books to publication and build their careers.
She’s been in publishing since 1995, worked in-house at two publishing companies, and edited books published by Harper Collins, Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, and many more. Nowadays she feels lucky to work at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.
When she’s not working, you can usually find her out hiking the local trails, riding her bike, haunting bookstores, or having coffee at Starbucks.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Christian Fiction * Contemporary * Family Saga * Historical * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Mystery * Religious * Romance * Suspense * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Christian * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Environment * Ethnic * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * Gift/Novelty * History * Memoir * Military/War * Multicultural * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Psychology * Religion * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Travel * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
Monument CO USA
Biography
Yfat Reiss Gendell is a literary agent with YRG Partners. She is the founder of agency and branding company. She represents world-builders and subject matter authorities across fiction and nonfiction. Her nonfiction projects include narrative nonfiction works of memoir (Sherri Shepherd’s Permission Slips; international zeitgeist poet Sarah Kay’s forthcoming The View from South Dakota; and Vice Admiral Robert Harward’s forthcoming The Gouge), history and science (New York Times bestseller Denise Kiernan’s The Girls of Atomic City and The Last Castle; and Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz’s Dr. Mutters Marvels), prescriptive nonfiction in the areas of business (Eve Rodsky and Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine’s New York Times bestselling Fair Play; hospitality industry thought-leader Damian Mogavero and Joseph D’Agnese’s The Underground Culinary Tour), health and wellness (iconoclast and bestseller Yoni Freedhoff MD’s The Diet Fix; neuroscientist and TED Talk star Wendy Suzuki, PhD’s bestselling Happy Brain, Healthy Life; internationally renowned environmental toxin authority Leonardo Trasande, MD’s Sicker, Fatter, Poorer; internationally lauded neuroscientist Nan Wise, PhD’s bestselling Why Good Sex Matters; and Pierre Dukan, MD’s New York Times bestselling The Dukan Diet), parenting (bestselling “Toddler Whisperer” Tovah Klein PhD’s bestselling How Toddler’s Thrive; Jo Frost’s Toddler Rules by TV’s “Supernanny”), and humor (the New York Times bestselling Sh*tty Mom franchise of books and merchandise).
Yfat routinely helps consumer packaged goods companies and other business leaders bring their brand stories to entertainment (New York Times bestselling Suja Juice Solution; BabyGanics groundbreaking BabySafe in Seven Steps; Vera Bradley founder Barbara Bradley Baekgaard’s A Colorful Way of Living; Stella & Dot founder Jessica Herrin’s Find Your Extraordinary; and two forthcoming projects by Swedish environmental change agent Oatly). Yfat understands what her authors and creatives go through, because she is one. As an author she has published eight nonfiction titles with Chronicle Books, Stewart, Tabori & Chang, and Penguin Random House, among others. Prior to becoming an agent, Yfat worked as a lawyer and ran a boutique publishing house. She attended Brandeis University and The UCLA School of Law and spent more than a decade on the board of WIN (formerly Women in Need), one of New York’s largest providers of homeless services for women and children.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Historical * Mainstream * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Autobiography * Biography * Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Practical * Prescriptive * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Sports * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Current Events/Affairs *
33 West 17th St. PH New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Sarah Gerton is an Associate Literary Agent and Subrights Associate at New Leaf Literary & Media. She is seeking fiction and select narrative nonfiction for middle grade, young adult, and crossover adult readers. She’s eager to read YA and MG fiction of all genres; on the adult side, she is primarily interested in sci-fi, fantasy, and horror. Across the board, she gravitates toward unforgettable characters and sriking prose. Before joining New Leaf, she worked at Curtis Brown, Ltd., and graduated from Wesleyan University and the Columbia Publishing Course. Originally from small-town Minnesota, she’s now based in Queens and enjoys exploring the city’s restaurants and bookstores.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Fantasy * Horror * Middle Grade Fiction * New Adult * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Middle Grade * Young Adult *
110 West 40th Street Suite 2201 New York NY 10018 USA
Biography
Susan Ginsburg is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. Susan says: “I’ve been in the business for over 35 years, and with Writers House for 25. I got my start on the editorial side, as editor-in-chief of St. Martin’s and Atheneum Books and Executive Editor of Pocket Books at Simon & Schuster, where I had the fortune to publish such wonderful writers as Alice Walker (THE COLOR PURPLE) and John Irving (THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP). My agenting career has spanned both fiction and non-fiction, and I continue to work closely with all my authors editorially. Right now, I am especially looking for fiction—particularly, literary voices who have a great story to tell, filled with emotionally compelling characters—but would also love to see the commercial fiction, unique memoirs, and rich narrative non-fiction that I’ve enjoyed working with throughout the years. I am not the right agent for picture books, science-fiction, or epic fantasy (though fantastical elements and magical realism are welcomed!).”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * History * Juvenile * Memoir * Middle Grade * Money/Finance * Narrative * Politics * Science * Young Adult *
120 Broadway 22nd floor New York NY 10271 USA
Biography
Amy Giuffrida is a literary agent with the Belcastro Agency. After Amy earned her BA at the University of Kutztown and a M.Ed. from Lock Haven University, she incorporated her love of reading and books with being a middle school teacher. Amy’s biggest joy was to put the perfect book in the hands of a teen and change their minds about reading. Amy turned this love into a career by reading romance slush for a publishing company, then interned for various literary agencies, until she became an associate literary agent in 2020. In her spare time, you can find Amy either listening to, reading, or talking about books. She also loves binge-watching teen and reality TV shows—all while snuggling with one or more of her three rescue dogs.
Some of Amy’s favorite books: It by Stephen King; The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas; Looking for Alaska by John Green; Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston; The Grace Year by Kim Liggett; The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid; The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V. E. Schwab. Her favorite TV shows are Buffy, The Boys, Schitt’s Creek, Stranger Things, and anything remotely like Married at First Sight.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Horror * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * How-To * Journalism * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Photography * Pop Culture * Psychology * Spirituality * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
245 Park Avenue 39th Floor New York NY 10167 USA
Biography
Linda S. Glaz is a literary agent with and the founder of The Linda S. Glaz Literary Agency. She says: “Well, it’s not a secret. I worked for the most amazing literary agency for the last thirteen years, but after the announcement of its closure in August of 2022, and with the encouragement of my ex-bosses, I made the decision to form the Linda S. Glaz Literary Agency. With a huge GULP and overall peace about the decision, I began to put the pieces into place. It’s beyond exciting when a debut author receives an offer for publication, and I’m always thrilled to be part of that moment. I hope to help launch more careers as I move forward.
And now, I wake up every single morning pinching myself to be sure I really have this amazing career. I love helping authors realize their dreams! I also teach nationally to help writers attain new levels of success in their craft, so watch for me at a conference near you. Or better yet, invite me to share at your conference on an array of topics from Are You Writing What You’re Called to Write? to Deep Deep POV, and more cutting-edge topics to help authors take their work to the next level. I would love it if you considered being part of this journey with me.”
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Christian Fiction * Contemporary * General Fiction * Historical * Inspirational Fiction * Mystery * Religious * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Christian * Cooking/Cookbook * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Inspiration * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Religion * Spirituality * Sports * Travel * Young Adult *
New Baltimore MI USA
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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)