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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
Mollie Glick is a literary agent with Creative Artists Agency. After graduating from Brown University, Mollie began her publishing career as a literary scout, advising foreign publishers regarding the acquisition of rights to American books. She then worked as an editor at the Crown imprint of Random House, before switching over to “the other side” and becoming an agent at JVNLA (The Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency) in 2003.
Mollie’s list includes literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, and a bit of practical non- fiction. She’s particularly interested in fiction that bridges the literary/commercial divide, combining strong writing with a great plot, and non-fiction dealing with popular science, medicine, psychology, cultural history, memoir and current events. She’s very hands-on, working collaboratively with her authors to refine their projects, then focusing on identifying just the right editors for the submissions. In addition to her work as a literary agent, Mollie also teaches classes on non-fiction proposal writing at Media Bistro, and a copy of her instructional article on non-fiction proposal writing will be featured in this year’s edition of the Writers Digest guide to literary agents.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Science Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Ethnic * History * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Science * Travel *
Biography
Stacey Kendall Glick is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC. Stacey Kendall Glick, Vice President, joined DG&B in 1999 after working in film and television development for five years. Following a number of internships in the entertainment business, her first job after college was at PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, where she looked for book projects to be adapted into feature films. Next, she worked as a story editor at Hearst Entertainment, where she scouted material for television movies. Stacey grew up just outside of Manhattan and is a former child actress who appeared on television, in theater, and in feature films. She now lives in New Jersey with her husband and four daughters (the youngest are identical twins), and enjoys cooking and baking, sipping wine and cocktails, taking pictures, shopping, theater, going to Mets games and eating chocolate, cheese and spicy tuna hand rolls (not necessarily in that order) when she can find the time. She has a wide-ranging and eclectic client list, and is interested in many subjects, including (but not limited to) on the adult side: nonfiction including memoir, parenting, cooking and food, psychology, science, health and wellness, lifestyle, current events, pop culture, and select adult contemporary fiction. And on the children’s side: YA, middle grade, nonfiction, and picture books. Stacey is a member of the AAR and is a council member of the Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature (RUCCL.org).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Practical * Prescriptive * Psychology * Science * True Crime * Young Adult * Women’s Issues *
One Union Square West Suite 904 New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
Ellen Goff is a literary agent with HG Literary. She graduated from The University of Chicago (2016) with a BA in English, a minor in Cinema and Media Studies, and a focus in Creative Writing. Ellen has worked everywhere from The White House under the Obama administration to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. At HG Literary, she assists Carrie Hannigan on all children’s titles from picture books to middle grade to young adult. Ellen’s own list consists of YA writers and illustrators. She is also a member of HG’s foreign rights team.
Ellen is interested in all genres and formats of YA, especially anything spooky, historical fiction, and graphic novels. She has a soft spot for Shakespeare as well as southern gothic stories that remind her of her home state of Kentucky. Ellen runs a twelve-member YA writing group and workshop in NYC.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Food/Drinks * Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
6 West 18th Street #7R New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Barry Goldblatt is a literary agent with Barry Goldblatt Literary. Barry says: “To paraphrase Garrett Morris of SNL, children’s books have been very, very good to me. It was never my planned career option, however.
I came to New York in the summer of 1989 after graduating from the University of Kansas with a B.A. in English and a B.S. in Journalism. I’d just finished an intensive six-week course on science fiction with James Gunn there, and I was determined to come to the city and get an editorial job at a science fiction magazine or book publishing company. If I’d only done a little research beforehand, I’d have realized how few editorial positions there were that fit that description. Fortunately I had a great interviewer at Simon & Schuster who explained a bunch of other job options, including describing the subsidiary rights department, which sounded like a lot of fun. I added that to my application letters and suddenly started getting a lot more calls for interviews
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
C/O Industrious – Brooklyn 594 Dean Street – 2nd Floor Brooklyn NY 11238 USA
Biography
Shauna Golden is a literary agent with the ArtHouse Literary Agency. After graduating with her Masters in Arts Management from Columbia College Chicago, Shauna moved to LA to pursue a career in the music industry. She quickly realized this particular avenue was not for her and decided to pursue her first and longest love, books. She is currently back home in Orlando and is excited to help authors develop their stories and be their biggest cheerleader. As an associate agent, Shauna is looking for Fantasy and Upmarket Fiction. She also has her own Booktube and Bookstagram accounts at “Shauna’s Book Journal.” When she doesn’t have her nose in a book she loves playing with dogs and relaxing with friends and family and a glass of wine or cup of tea.
Shauna is often drawn to stories that are a little strange, and especially ones that use speculative or fantastic elements in beautiful, original ways. Across the board, she’s looking for an inclusive cast of characters, across gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, and mental health spectrums. Of course, if any manuscript that is submitted to Shauna makes her see the world through a new perspective, then this is an extra plus! She loves reading about strong, badass women, as well, in all genres. She would love to see anything centered around Irish or Celtic history and lore/mythology.
YA & New Adult Fantasy, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Speculative Fiction
Shauna is mostly looking for YA and New Adult fantasy with major character development. She loves to see fantastical and unique worlds but needs to see the characters overcoming challenges and learning about themselves. If there is an epic or dark romance interspersed, even better! She loves fantasy, especially those that are informed by, or inspired by, the myths and superstitions of a culture.
Favorites in this genre: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, Hibiscus Daughters Series by Lana Popovic
Shauna is also looking for Upmarket and Book Club Fiction. She is extremely interested in books that delve into complicated relationships and don’t have a pretty bowtie ending. She loves to see books that discuss heartbreak and aren’t afraid to NOT sugarcoat difficult topics, anything that pushes the limit.
Favorites in this genre: Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Stolen by Lucy Christopher, The Stationary Shop by Marjan Kamali
For speculative fiction Shauna is really looking for light speculative elements interspersed within Upmarket novels. She loves dark and difficult matters but has a huge soft spot for Cozy Speculative Fiction as well.
Favorites in this genre: One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle, Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune
What She Doesn’t Want: Erotica, Westerns, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Middle Grade, Children’s books
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * New Adult * Romance * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Altamonte Springs FL USA
Biography
Susan Golomb is a literary agent with Writers House. Susan has been an agent of literary fiction and non-fiction for over 28 years. She founded the Susan Golomb Literary Agency in 1988 with Jonathan Franzen as her first client and joined Writers House in 2015. Her other authors include award winners and bestsellers such as William T. Vollmann, Rachel Kushner, Imbolo Mbue, Noah Hawley, Nell Zink, Glen David Gold, Janelle Brown, Thomas Mullen, Charles Graeber, Harry Dent, Yvon Chouinard, as well as Stephen Markley, Wayetu Moore, Lexi Freiman, Mira T. Lee, Angie Kim and more.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Mystery * New Adult * Science Fiction * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Current Events/Affairs * Environment * Family * Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Technology * True Crime * Young Adult *
120 Broadway 22nd floor New York NY 10271 USA
Biography
Irene Goodman is a literary agent with the Irene Goodman Literary Agency. Irene has been a leading member of the publishing community for over 30 years. She has sold over 1500 books and counting. Her clients are regulars on the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Bookscan bestseller lists. She began her career as the assistant to the agent who represented Stephen King, and established her own agency shortly after that. Her fiction list includes upmarket women’s fiction, middle grade, young adult, thrillers, historical fiction, and mysteries. Her non-fiction list includes pop culture, Jewish interest, science, self-help, Francophilia, and lifestyle.
Irene has written columns and articles for a number of writers’ publications, and is also a frequent speaker at writer’s conferences, including keynoting at the Historical Novelists Society and Novelists Ink., and workshops at the San Francisco Writers Conference, the Surrey International Writers Conference, the Pacific Northwest Writers Conference, SEAK, the South Carolina Writers Workshop, Malice Domestic, and many regional events.
Originally from the Midwest and still trying to lose the accent, Irene has a B.A. and a master’s degree from the University of Michigan. She and her husband divide their time between New York and the Berkshires, and have two grown children.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * NoPB * Religious * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Ethnic * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Lifestyle * Middle Grade * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Music * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Travel * Young Adult *
27 W. 24th Street Suite 804 New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Mark Gottlieb is a literary agent with Trident Media Group. He is a highly ranked literary agent both in overall deals and other individual categories. Using that same initiative and insight for identifying talented writers, he is actively building his own client list of authors. Mark Gottlieb is excited to work directly with authors, helping to manage and grow their careers with all of the unique resources that are available at book publishing’s leading literary agency, Trident Media Group. During his time at Trident Media Group, Mark Gottlieb has represented numerous New York Times bestselling authors, as well as award-winning authors, and has optioned and sold books to film and TV production companies. He previously ran the agency’s audiobook department, in addition to working in foreign rights. Mark Gottlieb is actively seeking submissions in all categories and genres and looking forward to bringing new and established authors to the curious minds of their future readers.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Sports Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Western * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Computers * Cooking/Cookbook * Crafts * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Environment * Ethnic * Family * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * Gardening * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Inspiration * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Reference * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * Travel * True Crime *
355 Lexington Ave 12th FL New York NY 10017 USA
Biography
Stacey Graham is a literary agent with 3 Seas Literary Agency. She has worked both sides of the literary door as a humor writer with the wickedly funny Zombie Tarot, screenwriter, ghostwriter, and short story writer, and formerly as an agent with Red Sofa Literary. She loves working with writers at all stages of their careers and uses her experience in authorship to help navigate the sometimes turbulent waters of publishing for her clients. She is currently looking to expand her list with snappy Rom-Coms, hilarious/spooky middle grade, and weird nonfiction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Graphic Novel * Horror * Middle Grade Fiction * Paranormal * Romance * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Art * Business * Celebrity * Design * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * How-To * Lifestyle * Nature * Pop Culture * Science * Technology *
P.O. Box 444 Sun Prairie WI 53590 USA
Biography
Susan Graham is a literary agent with Einstein Literary Management. They joined Einstein Literary Management as an assistant in 2015 and now has a growing list of author and illustrator clients. They hold a Master’s Degree in Children’s Literature and a Master’s Degree in English from Simmons College. They currently live in Brooklyn with their two cats, appropriately named Chicken and The Crocodile.
Susan’s looking for children’s and young adult fiction in all genres, but their favorite books are often science fiction and fantasy, especially written with a queer lens. They also enjoy picture books and represent graphic novels in all age categories and in all genres. They’re particularly interested in friendships and sibling narratives, and monster protagonists are always a plus. They’re looking for a good non-fiction or two for children or teens but don’t know about what. For adult prose, they prefer genre fiction, and monster protagonists are still a plus. Works by and about marginalized voices are welcome and encouraged.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
4 South Orange Avenue #245 South Orange NJ 07079 USA
Biography
Kara Grajkowski is a literary agent with the 3 Seas Literary Agency. As a child, I remember trips to the post office with my mom, Michelle Grajkowski, multiple times a week to fill our minivan trunk with tons of white USPS bins for her new (super cool) literary agency. The bins would end up in the dark, scary, basement room next to our playroom. I always wondered what secrets were typed in mom’s manuscripts… Years later, as I scanned through the library of mom’s published books in a different dark, scary room in our basement, I fell in love with the secrets that I was learning with every page I turned. Now, as an adult, I have become obsessed with bringing secrets out of the basement library and into my (very colorful) elementary classroom library. When I am not teaching fractions and key details, you can find me singing, trying new restaurants, exploring with my corgi, Momo, or finding the best bargains.
If you are ready to bring your secrets into the world with me (preferably into well-lit, not-so-scary rooms), query me!
Wishlist:
Contemporary Middle Grade Fiction
Contemporary YA Fiction
Own Voices
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Contemporary * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * Juvenile * Multicultural * Parenting/Child Guidance * Psychology * Travel * Women’s Issues *
Biography
Michelle Grajkowski is a literary agent with 3 Seas Literary Agency. From the moment Michelle Grajkowski first opened the doors to the 3 Seas Literary Agency in August of 2000, she has been living her dream. (What could be better than surrounding yourself with amazing authors and their exciting and imaginative books?) Since then, her agency has sold almost 700 books to all the major publishing houses, and has grown from one agent to three!
Michelle’s client list includes New York Times Bestselling Authors Katie MacAlister, Cathy McDavid, Kerrelyn Sparks and C.L. Wilson. She primarily represents romance, women’s fiction, young adult and middle grade fiction along with select non-fiction projects with a terrific message. She is currently looking for fantastic writers with a voice of their own.
When not curled up with a great manuscript, Michelle loves to spend time with her husband, children and her two crazy puppies, who refuse to grow up.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Espionage/Military * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * Fantasy * Graphic Novel * Historical * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Religious * Romance * Satire * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Western * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Christian * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Design * Environment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Journalism * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Military/War * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Psychology * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * Travel * Women’s Issues *
P.O. Box 444 Sun Prairie WI 53590 USA
Biography
Ben Grange is a literary agent with the L. Perkins Agency. He started out at a small publishing company in Salt Lake City, UT and proceeded to do internships at three literary agencies before working as the assistant at the JABberwocky Literary Agency. He decided he wanted to be an agent sometime along the line, and is happily growing an amazing list of clients.
His tastes gravitate towards middle grade fiction, and he is particularly on the lookout for exceptional author-illustrators who write middle grade or young adult. He sometimes gets the inkling to read a great YA sci-fi or fantasy, particularly weird or slightly dark stories (à la The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater). Thanks to his time at JABberwocky, he also loves epic fantasy and science fiction, and although his focus is on middle grade and young adult, he won’t say no to a great fantasy or sci-fi. He is also interested in pop culture non-fiction for authors with established platforms.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Fantasy * Graphic Novel * Middle Grade Fiction * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Pop Culture *
5800 Arlington Ave. Riverdale NY 10471 USA
Biography
Kathryn Green is a literary agent with the Kathryn Green Literary Agency. Kathryn says: “I love books. I always wanted my career to be somehow associated with books. My earliest aspiration was to be a librarian, but a high school guidance counselor pointed me towards journalism. My first job was working in the publications department of the Girl Scouts of America. From there it was a seismic leap to Penthouse magazine where I began as an editorial assistant and later became Fiction Editor, putting me squarely in my comfort zone—surrounded by books.
Some years later after moving to and back from London and apprenticing at a friend’s agency; I decided to open my own literary agency where I thought I could happily nest amongst even more books.
In the decade since then I have purposely kept my list small. I am happy to consider all types of fiction but particularly like historical fiction, cozy mysteries, young adult and middle grade. For non-fiction I am interested in memoir, parenting, humor with a pop culture bent, and history. Quirky non- fiction is also a particular favorite.
I have a BA in Journalism from The George Washington University.
I am a member of the Women’s Media Group and an advisory member of the National Council of the School of Media and Public Affairs at The George Washington University.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Historical * How-To * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * NoPB * Romance * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Prescriptive * Reference * Travel *
157 Columbus Avenue Suite 510 New York NY 10023 USA
Biography
Jill Grinberg is a literary agent with Jill Grinberg Literary Management. Jill is also the Founder and President. She has worked in New York publishing for the past two decades. She completed her B.A. in English Literature at Tufts University and Oxford University, UK, interning at Boston Magazine and the Boston Review before moving to Manhattan to enter book publishing. She started in the publicity department at HarperCollins, where she worked with high-profile authors and books like Amy Bloom’s National Book Award finalist Come to Me, and Thomas Moore’s #1 New York Times bestseller Care of The Soul. Realizing, thanks to Amy Bloom’s wise counseling, that she had a passion for author advocacy and book development from the ground up, she then moved to the agenting side of the business. She was a founding partner of Anderson Grinberg Literary Management, and went on to form her own firm, Jill Grinberg Literary Management. Jill feels a strong kinship with her great-grandparents who founded the historic Cafe Royal, a mecca for Jewish intellectuals and artists in New York City in the 1920s, 30s and 40s, and she continues their tradition of hosting tea and conversation with visiting writers and illustrators.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * New Adult * Picture Book * Romance * Science Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * History * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Money/Finance * Narrative * Politics * Science * Travel * Young Adult *
392 Vanderbilt Avenue Brooklyn NY 11238 USA
Biography
Pam Gruber is a literary agent with the High Line Literary Collective. She became a literary agent when she realized her favorite part of the publishing business was working closely with authors and artists, helping them to shape not only their stories, but also their careers. She got her start in publishing as an editor, working for over a decade at Hachette Book Group and went on to serve as the Editorial Director at children’s media startup Rebel Girls before shifting gears.
As an agent, Pam aims to sign authors, not just individual books, and she believes in collaboration, communication, creativity, and mutual respect. Her clients write in all categories, from children’s and YA, to adult SFF and contemporary rom-com. She looks for work that is gripping from page one, whether that’s due to the voice, world building, or premise. She loves messy female protagonists, innovative twists on classic tropes, and getting swept away by fully realized worlds—be it the next town over or an imagined land unlike our own. She brings an inscrutable eye for detail to every book she gets her hands on, and her prior experience gives her insight into how editors think, and what they’re looking for.
In her life outside of books (as if!), Pam is an aspiring art collector, avid window shopper, experimental baker, and Pilates enthusiast slowly fixing up the antique house she lives in with her husband, son, and feline familiars.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Horror * Humor Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Romance * Satire * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
27 W. 24th St. Suite 804 New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Lisa Grubka is a literary agent with Fletcher & Company/UTA. She joined Fletcher and Co. in 2012. She represents a broad variety of authors, including a National Book Award winner and several New York Times bestsellers. Lisa began her career at Farrar, Straus and Giroux and the William Morris Agency and is a graduate of the University of Michigan.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Family Saga * General Fiction * Historical * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * NoPB * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Environment * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Narrative * Nature * Science * Sports *
888 7th Avenue New York NY 10106 USA
Biography
Laura Gruszka is a literary agent with Writers House. She says: “I’ve had the privilege of working closely with many celebrated authors and illustrators of children’s books under the mentorship of senior agent Rebecca Sherman for over three years; now, I’m excited to build my own list!
I’m looking for authors and illustrators of children’s books for all ages—picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, and graphic novels. I’m also open to adult graphic novels and adult literary fiction.
My priority as a junior agent is uplifting traditionally underrepresented voices and stories in publishing. This applies to every category of books I am looking for. If you are a creator who is part of a marginalized community—regardless of whether you are specifically writing about identity—please send your work my way!”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Graphic Novel * Horror * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Memoir *
Biography
Robert Guinsler is a literary agent with Sterling Lord Literistic. Robert Guinsler has been with Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc. since 2000. His general curiosity in all things has allowed him the opportunity to represent a wide variety of prize-winning and New York Times bestselling nonfiction authors and projects. From the geopolitical mosaics of journalists Rania Abouzeid and Mikhail Zygar, to the impassioned memoirs of Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich and legendary gay rights activist Cleve Jones, to the comedic collections of Sarah Colonna, Phoebe Robinson and Egypt’s own Bassem Youssef, most every avenue of the nonfiction spectrum can be found on his list. Other authors include Wendy Lawless, Harvard Humanist Chaplain Greg Epstein, Sil Lai Abrams, founder of Truth in Reality, Charles London (also known as Alex London and C. Alexander London), Brian Farrey, John Renehan, and Anna Jean Mayhew, among many others, round out a diverse group of literary, commercial, and YA fiction authors that Robert represents as well. Additionally, he represents the Estate of Jack Kerouac and the Estate of Anne Sexton.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Gay/Lesbian * General Nonfiction * History * Humor * Journalism * Memoir * Money/Finance * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Religion * Science * Spirituality *
115 Broadway Suite 1602 New York NY 10006 USA
Biography
Masha Gunic is a literary agent with the Jennifer Azantian Literary Agency. She started her career in publishing as an intern at the Azantian Literary Agency and has since held internships at Red Fox Literary and Writers House before working as an Editorial Assistant at Abrams Books on the children’s side for two years. Her love for books across genres, as well as her desire to find and foster great talent, drove her to make the transition from editorial back to the Azantian Literary Agency on the West Coast. Right now, Masha is only looking to acquire middle grade and young adult novels.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Middle Grade Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
Bellingham WA USA
Biography
Taylor Haggerty is a literary agent with Root Literary. She says: “Everyone in this business is in it because they love to read, but agenting gives me a professionally sanctioned opportunity to shout from the rooftops about the books I love. Sharing my authors’ work with editors, and then readers, is a joy, and I’m always looking for the next project to champion.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Romance * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
617 S. Olive St. #300 Los Angeles CA 90014 USA
Biography
Kirsten Hall is a literary agent with Catbird Productions. She is the author of 100+ children’s books, has been employed since 2009 as a US-based managing agent at the Bright Agency, which is headquartered in London and specializes in nurturing and developing debut children’s book author/illustrators. Hall’s client list at Bright includes Benji Davis, Elly Mackay, Clive McFarland, and Connah Brecon. Hall previously worked as an editorial assistant at Random House (1996-1997).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
USA
Biography
Lucinda Halpern is a literary agent with Lucinda Literary. With over fifteen years of experience in corporate and agency publishing, Lucinda serves both sides of the literary and business worlds. An editorially invested partner with a specialty in book marketing strategy, she has an “all in” dedication and work ethic when it comes to representing authors.
Lucinda began her publishing career in the Publicity Division of HarperCollins, where she assisted on the campaigns of Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt (Freakonomics) among other New York Times bestselling authors. She then went on to work in Scholastic’s Marketing Partnerships Division, where she helped to develop and sell custom publishing programs to a variety of Fortune 500 companies and global nonprofits. She began her literary representation career at Fletcher & Company, where she also acted as a marketing consultant to Gretchen Rubin, among others. Today, she represents authors writing in the categories of business, health, lifestyle, popular science, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and upmarket fiction, including New York Times bestselling author Susan Peirce Thompson (Bright Line Eating), Chris Bailey (The Productivity Project), Cait Flanders (The Year of Less), Paul Jarvis (Company of One), and the new work of New York Times bestselling author of The Nanny Diaries, Nicola Kraus.
Lucinda studied at McGill University in Montreal and the Sorbonne in Paris. She is originally from New York City, where her company is based.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Commercial * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * How-To * Humor * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Psychology * Self-Help/Personal Development * Women’s Issues *
575 Madison Avenue Suite 1006 New York NY 10022 USA
Biography
Judith Hansen, the founder of the Hansen Literary Agency, is the former deputy publisher of Kitchen Sink Press. An attorney, she had a twenty year career with major trade book publishers including Simon & Schuster, NAL, and the Crown and Doubleday divisions of Random House.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Architecture * Art * Autobiography * Biography * Business * Economics * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Money/Finance * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Pop Culture * Psychology * Reference *
242 Bronxville Road Bronxville NY 10708 USA
Biography
Stephanie Hansen is a literary agent with Metamorphosis Literary Agency. She represents authors with their debut novels and New York Times-bestsellers and has brokered deals with small presses and major publishing houses. She holds a master’s degree with a Creative Writing Specialization. She predominantly represents YA SF/F but has a secret addiction for romance. While these are her favorite, she handles everything fiction from children’s books to adult thrillers. Previously an editor for Mind’s Eye Literary Magazine, she joined Metamorphosis July 2016. Originally looking to help Midwest authors in “flyover states” to garner the attention of major publishing houses, she found camaraderie with multiple agents and editors. Stephanie is unilaterally deaf with 90 dB tinnitus. She’s dedicated to elevating voices that often go unheard. She’s seeking: Romantic comedies, YA & Adult, and YA contemporary with unexpected antagonists. She is intrigued by prose that flows as smoothly as poetry, unforgettable plot twists, and well-rounded characters.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Celebrity * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * How-To * Memoir * Parenting/Child Guidance * Self-Help/Personal Development * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
Kansas City MO USA
Biography
Elizabeth Harding is a literary agent with the Curtis Brown Literary Agency. Elizabeth Harding represents authors and illustrators of picture books, middle-grade and young adult fiction. She started at the agency almost 20 years ago as an assistant to the legendary Marilyn E. Marlow. Elizabeth’s list includes New York Times bestsellers, Newbery, National Book Award, Printz, and Coretta Scott King honor and award winners. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan (Go Blue!), a devoted and hopeful fan of her hometown Cleveland teams and lives in Manhattan with her husband and four sons.
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 *
228 E 45th Street 3rd floor New York NY 10017 USA
Biography
Erin Harris is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. Erin has worked in publishing for over a decade and serves as a Senior Vice President and literary agent at Folio Literary Management, where she focuses on book club and literary fiction, as well as narrative non-fiction. (She also selectively represents Young Adult and poetry projects.) Her clients include New York Times Bestsellers, National Book Award, Pulitzer Prize, and PEN/Faulkner Award finalists; winners of the Lambda Literary Award, Stonewall Book Award, and Pushcart Prize; Indie Next Pick and NYT Editor’s Choice authors; and authors selected for the national book clubs Reese Witherspoon’s “Hello Sunshine,” Good Morning America, Barnes & Noble, and Target. Her clients have received support from MacDowell, Bread Loaf, Sewanee, Tin House, Yaddo, The Vermont Studio Center, The Rona Jaffe Foundation, and the Elizabeth George Foundation.
Erin collaborates with debut and seasoned authors alike and is honored to champion the careers of: Emiko Jean, Allegra Hyde, SJ Sindu, John Manuel Arias, Michelle Min Sterling, Allie Rowbottom, Adam Wilson, Daniel Levine, Erica Ferencik, Tanen Jones, Laura Maylene Walter, Carla Power, Daniel Peña, Curtis Chin, Linda Scott, Jen St. Jude, Kit Frick, Marie Marquardt (and Mayra Cuevas by association!), Jasmine Mans, and Melania Luisa Marte, among many others.
Erin is passionate about books that interrogate our collective and personal histories with heart and intelligence; characters that make us feel and stories that make us think, even as they keep us feverishly turning pages; and book club and literary fiction that is high concept, whether it be contemporary, historical, or genre-bending (i.e. an accessible, elevated dash of fabulism, sci-fi, horror, suspense, alt. history, etc.)
Erin is a member of the AALA (Association of American Literary Agents) and received her MFA in Creative Writing from the New School. She lives in Brooklyn, NY and is a co-curator of the literary event series HIP Lit.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Family Saga * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Literary * Mystery * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cultural/Social Issues * Education * General Nonfiction * History * Journalism * Memoir * Narrative * Psychology * Upmarket * Young Adult *
630 Ninth Ave. Suite 1101 New York NY 10036 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)