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7 Insider Secrets to Get a Top Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal
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Literary Agent Directory
Important: Visit each agent’s website (links in their listings below) to see if they’re open to submissions before querying.
- You are searching within category(ies): Commercial Fiction
Biography
Aram Fox is a literary agent with Massie & McQuilkin. He represents a mix of fiction and nonfiction. His favorite novelists, commercial as well as literary, put immersive storytelling front and center. In nonfiction, heÕs looking for powerful memoir, natural history, deeply reported narrative nonfiction, and world-class explainers and advice-givers. At age 26, Aram founded a book scouting agency where for 23 years he represented international publishers and American film/TV companies, guiding his publisher and film/TV clients to acquire a WhoÕs Who of bestsellers and prize-winners, including: Brit Bennett, Peter Godfrey-Smith, Lauren Oyler, HonorŽe Fanonne Jeffers, Bill Gates, George Saunders, Angela Duckworth, Patrick Radden Keefe, Dave Grohl, Lena Dunham, Emma Cline, Harlan Coben, Jeff VanderMeer, Alex Honnold and Andy Weir among many others.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction NONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, General Nonfiction, History, Journalism, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Politics, Science
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 thereÕs 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
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Literary Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Beauty Fashion Style, Biography, Dating Relationships Sex, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Science, Travel CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Kat Foxx is an assistant agent with The Rights Factory. Kathleen joined The Rights Factory as an editorial assistant in early 2023 and was promoted to Assistant Agent in the fall of the same year. She has an editorial background, running a freelance fiction editing company. Kat is also a writer and is heavily involved in the online writing community. She also produces/hosts the #badasswriters podcast, edits audio for The Shit No One Tells You About Writing podcast, and is a founder/host of #MoodPitch.
Outside of creative work, Kat enjoys travelling, photography, creative cooking, hiking, and spending time in OntarioÕs beautiful cottage country. SheÕs a proud mom of five kids. She *loves* cats, coffee, chocolate, cheese, Argentinian wine. Outlander, This Is Us, YouÕve Got Mail, John Krasinski, Ryan Reynolds, and Tom Hanks are favourites!
Kat is building her list of exceptionally talented authors in commercial and book club fiction as well as some select nonfiction topics. She keeps a detailed MSWL and what sheÕs looking for in queries on her website at kathleenfoxxagent.com/mswl.
In fiction, sheÕs looking for Adult and YA thriller/mystery/suspense, gothic and supernatural horror, historical fiction (preferably pre-20th century), historical fantasy/magical realism (less magicians/wizards/kings/queens and more witches, ghosts, time travel, past lives, etc.), and romcom and romance (light spice). She also enjoys anything nostalgic and anything to do with past lives and soul connections, haunted houses, ancestry, and midwifery/natural childbirth. Kat *loves* creepy, scary stories that make her eyes water and give her goosebumps! Across ages and genres, stories that normalize blended, single-parent, adoptive, racially and/or culturally diverse, and same-sex relationships and families are high on her list.
For nonfiction, Kat is seeking compelling memoirs that read like fiction, motherhood/natural pregnancy and childbirth/midwifery/planned unassisted births, single parenthood (especially if paired with overcoming an abusive relationship with the other parent), past life/reincarnation, the ÒbrotherhoodÓ mentality of law enforcement, narcissistic abuse recovery, true crime, wine/food/travel, a history of witches and witchcraft, and ancient locations/civilizations.
Please do not query Kat with: picture books or MG stories, political or legal thrillers, erotica, extreme violence or torture, space operas, graphic novels, poetry, epic or high fantasies, hardcore sci-fi, werewolves, demons, vampires (unless theyÕre human-friendly or like ADOW), high-tech stories, anything to do with politics, AI-generated stories, biographies, academic works, self-help, health and fitness, sports, science, DIY, or religious-centred works.
Kat is always seeking projects from BIPOC, disabled, neurodiverse, and historically underrepresented writers and would love to see more LGBTQIA+ stories/writers!
On Twitter (X), Instagram, and Threads, Kat can be found @_LiteraryKat_ and on Blue Sky @literarykat
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | Gothic Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Speculative Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |BIPOC Nonfiction | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Dating Relationships Sex | Environment | Family | Food Drink | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Parenting | Psychology | Spirituality | Travel | True Crime |
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 sheÕs 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. 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
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Erotic Fiction, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Sports Fiction, Western Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Beauty Fashion Style, Crafts, Cultural Social Issues, General Nonfiction, Gift Novelty, History, Humor Nonfiction, Illustrated, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Pop Culture, Spirituality, Sports CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Ariel Fredman is a literary agent with the United Talent Agency (UTA). She comes to UTA from Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, where she was most recently Deputy Director of Publicity and Marketing, working across genres to launch bestselling campaigns for blockbuster authors such as Colleen Hoover, Fredrik Backman, Lisa Jewell, Jennifer Weiner, Rebecca Serle, Zakiya Dalila Harris, and Janet Evanovich. She has worked in publishing for over a decade, and in that time has launched over 50 New York Times Best Sellers, including eight number-one books. Her mission at UTA is to help build the commercial fiction program, drawing on her unique understanding of the publishing landscape and what drives readers to both buy and then talk about their favorite books. ArieleÕs looking for character-driven commercial and upmarket fiction that will make her cry (family drama/coming of age all accepted here!), mystery/thriller/suspense with a last-page jaw dropper, romance with a relatable main character and witty dialogue, and novels about women’s inner lives that straddle the line between commercial and literary from a diverse range of voices and backgrounds. She loves a strong sense of place, her favorite novels are those you want to savor but end up reading in a day, and tension amongst characters Ñ in any genre Ñ is a win. Ariele has a BA in Comparative Literature and Sociology from Emory University, and lives in New York with her family.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
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
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Cricket Freeman is a literary agent with The August Agency. A fan of the intricate story operating on multiple levels, Cricket enjoys untangling literary Gordian knots, whether historical crime thrillers, narrative memoirs, contemporary creative nonfiction, or anything in-between. After years as a business owner engaged in sales and marketing, she redirected her creativity toward the writing business, freelancing for magazines (more adventure than money) and business clients (more money than adventure). For too long a time she slaved as the editor-in-chief of a national, full-color, glossy trade magazine, overseeing design, ad sales, editorial, and staff – and still writing 1100 damn-fine words a day, day after day, for print. As a result, she tends to measure her writing credits by the pound. Along the way Cricket intertwined her business experience, art and humanities education, and writing skills to establish Possibilities Press to support small book publishers with writing, editing, design, and production services. Ever the entrepreneur, a decade later she shifted her focus exclusively to literary representation and in 2001 founded The Christina Pechstein Agency, later changing the name to The August Agency LLC. In 2014 she founded augustwords.org, an innovative network of writers’ resources supporting literary and literacy charities. Then just a few months later she established August Words Publishing, specializing in unique books by exceptional authors for select readers. Then in 2017 came a life-long dream of an inspiring retreat for writers, August Words House. Cricket is a popular speaker and instructor at writers conferences and workshops because of her straightforward style. Writers appreciate that she’s been closely involved in every phase of a book’s life in the past three decades: from its conception as a tug in the back of a writer’s brain; through the explosive creative writing of it; to the painful editing, exacting design, and printing; then down to the distribution and marketing. With more than twenty years as a writing instructor, from conference talks to community education workshops and community college classes, she makes sure everyone enjoys a unique learning experience and leaves with their questions answered.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Mystery, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Current Events Affairs, General Nonfiction, History, Lifestyle, Memoir, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Travel, True Crime
Biography
Claire Friedman is a literary agent with InkWell Management. She joined InkWell in 2016. Originally from Salt Lake City, Claire spent three years working for her local indie bookstore, The KingÕs 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 childrenÕs books, and narrative non-fiction.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Economics, General Nonfiction, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
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, womenÕs 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
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, History, Journalism, Memoir, Money Finance, Nonfiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Lori Galvin is a literary agent with Aevitas Creative Management. She represents both adult fiction (especially womenÕs fiction and crime fiction) and non-fiction (memoir, food writing, and cookbooks). Based in Boston, a few of her clients and their projects include Kwame OnwuachiÕs Notes from a Young Black Chef (Knopf Õ19); Hannah KirshnerÕs Water, Wood, and Wild Things (Viking Õ21), Cambria BrockmanÕs Tell Me Everything (Ballantine Õ19), and Wanda M. MorrisÕs All Her Little Secrets (Morrow, Õ21). A few of GalvinÕs clientÕs projects have been optioned by A24 and Netflix. Prior to joining Aevitas, Galvin was executive editor at the multimedia publisher AmericaÕs Test Kitchen, where she led a team that produced dozens of landmark cookbooks. Galvin was also an editor at Houghton Mifflin, a restaurant cook, and ran a bed-and-breakfast in Maine.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal Fiction, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Western Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Animals, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Design, Fitness, Food Drink, Health Wellness, Lifestyle, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Psychology, True Crime
Italia Gandolfo
Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary ManagementCLOSED to SubmissionsQuery Method(s): EmailBiography
Italia Gandolfo is a literary agent with Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management. Gandolfo is the Founder/CEO of Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management. She has over 25 yearsÕ experience in media between a big 4 Hollywood Talent & Literary Agency, Publishing, PR/Advertising, and Film in Los Angeles and New York. She began her career in the entertainment industry at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) during the tenure of Founder/CEO, Michael Ovitz. She researched classified projects while coordinating and assembling development information (domestic and foreign) for talent agents, writers, directors, producers, actors etc., and was in charge of the agencyÕs library of confidential screenplays and manuscripts. As the Director of Business Development for Los Angeles based, multi-media company, Meteor 17, Gandolfo raised capital for A-list media projects including the I Hope You Dance feature film, Hendrix Unplugged: Acoustic Generations, and the stage play SERRANO. Gandolfo worked as a Senior Adviser to the Spirit Bear Youth Coalition alongside Dr. Jane Goodall and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The SBYC is the largest youth-led environmental organization in the world with a network of more than 6 million members in over 75 countries. Gandolfo is Founder/CEO of Vesuvian Media Group, Inc.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Biography, Cultural Social Issues, Nonfiction, Pop Culture CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Carleen Geisler is an associate literary agent at PSLA. She started her publishing career as first an intern and then an associate agent at ArtHouse Literary Agency. Prior to her time there, she worked in digital marketing for several years. Carleen lives on a small-scale regenerative farm and as such has a soft spot for stories centering the earth, agriculture, and holistic ways of living. She represents adult fiction across contemporary genres and non-fiction. In fiction, she typically gravitates towards a more upmarket or literary voice, and loves a weird or whimsical story that is grounded in the real world, especially if it has a point to make. In non-fiction, she is open across genres, and looks for projects written by authors who are knowledgeable and passionate about their subject matter.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Short Story Collection, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Cookbook Cooking, Crafts, Cultural Social Issues, Dating Relationships Sex, Fitness, Food Drink, Gardening, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Science, Spirituality
Biography
Jane Gelfman is a literary agent with the Gelfman Schneider/ICM Literary Agency. Jane was born in New York, and after attending an out-of-town college, couldn’t wait to move back to the city and work in Publishing. After a small flirtation with Simon and Schuster and as a “story editor” in film production, she formed an alliance with a British publisher as acquisitions editor and agent for its US rights, and then seguŽd into full-time agenting in partnership with Deborah Schneider. The agency has prospered harmoniously for decades, representing a multifaceted array of wonderful writers.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: General Nonfiction, Memoir, Nonfiction, Science CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Tara Gelsomino is a literary agent with and the founder of the One Track Literary Agency. A voracious genre reader since childhood, Tara began her publishing industry career at Romantic Times magazine in 1998 as a writer/editor then managing editor, before transitioning to audiobook publishing in 2005 with BBC Audiobooks America as managing editor, acquisitions editor, and executive marketing manager. During her time with BBCAA, she also spearheaded creating and publishing the first crowd-sourced audiobooks via Twitter with renowned bestselling authors Neil Gaiman and Meg Cabot. (Despite not having the correctly shaped head to pull it off, she has indeed worn many hats.) In 2013, she returned to her romance roots as the Executive Editor of Crimson Romance, a digital-first imprint for F+W Media and later Simon & Schuster, where she acquired and published more than 300 titles by new and up-and-coming authors. Her proudest achievements at Crimson include leading the imprint to become the largest romance publisher of own voices titles, with nearly 30 percent of its 2017 books by authors of color (per The Ripped Bodice’s Diversity in Romance report), and conceiving, editing, and publishing Snow Falling, the TV tie-in romance novel for the Peabody Award-winning CW show, Jane the Virgin. Since opening One Track Literary in March 2018, Tara has licensed rights to dozens of print and audio publishers both domestically and internationally, including Berkley Publishing, The Dial Press, Avon Romance, Putnam Books, Harlequin, Audible, Blackstone Publishing, Brilliance Audio, Tantor Media, Recorded Books, Dreamscape Publishing, Penguin Random House Audio, Hachette/Headline Eternal (UK) and more. She has worked with various TV/film representatives and optioned film rights to Netflix. In 2022, OTLA celebrated a landmark year, brokering more than $1 million in deals for its clients. She is also a member of the Association of American Literary Agents, serving on the digital media committee. Throughout her career, she has accumulated extensive experience in: creating, revising, and negotiating publishing contracts providing in-depth editorial feedback, including developmental, line, and copy edits designing attention-getting promotional, marketing, and social media campaigns developing a strong network of publishing industry contacts across multiple formats and disciplines advising and advocating for authors and providing general career guidance Tara lives in Rhode Island with her husband and her rescue dog, Yoda. When she isn’t reading or writing, she enjoys watching too much television, buying yarn (and occasionally even knitting it), seeing Broadway musicals, and traveling to new places.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Fiction, Humor Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Satire, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Ronald Gerber is a literary agent and manages subsidiary rights, permissions, and contracts at Lowenstein Associates. Before joining the Lowenstein team in April 2019, he spent several years in literary scouting at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates and Maximum Films & Management and supported two agents at Writers House. Ronald is a proud graduate of Bard College at SimonÕs Rock and received his B.A., summa cum laude with high honors, from Clark University.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Dystopian Fiction, Family Saga, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story Collection, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Celebrity, Current Events Affairs, General Nonfiction, History, Journalism, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Sports, True Crime, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction
Biography
David Gernert is a literary agent with and the President of the Gernert Company. David spent the first fourteen years of his publishing career at Doubleday, the last six as Editor-In-Chief. He left Doubleday in 1996 to start The Gernert Company, believing his experience as a publisher would give him some unique insight into the representation of authors. He lives in Pound Ridge with his wife and four children.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Celebrity, Current Events Affairs, Film Entertainment, General Nonfiction, History, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Sports, True Crime
Biography
Hafizah Geter is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. An agent, an expert editor, and a fierce advocate, Hafizah Geter got her first job in literature over a decade ago with the literary nonprofit Cave Canem, before moving on to organizations like PEN America and Poets House in NYC. Before joining Janklow & Nesbit in 2020, she was an editor at Little A and Joey SolowayÕs Topple Books where she worked on award winning fiction and nonfiction, including New York Public Library and NPR Best Books of the Year. Hafizah represents a wide array of nonfiction and literary and commercial fiction. In search of great writers and thinkers, she is eager to work with experts in their field. In nonfiction, Hafizah is particularly interested in big-idea books that start conversations, challenge conventions, and reveal something precise about society or relationships. She is keen on books that examine technology, race, disability, queerness, inequality, science, politics, as well as cultural histories and close studies (salt, rain, mushrooms, tears, etc.). In fiction, Hafizah is keen on a broad range of literary and commercial fiction that reveal new connections, and fuller ways for us to be human. She loves a sad book as much as a contemplative or funny one. Above all, she seeks writers whose sentences thrum with voice and style. Hafizah was born in Zaria, Nigeria and grew up in Akron, Ohio and Columbia, South Carolina. She received her BA in English and economics from Clemson University, an MFA in nonfiction from NYU, and an MFA in poetry from Columbia College Chicago. Her memoir, The Black Period: On Personhood, Race & Origin, (Random House) is a New Yorker Magazine Best Book of 2022, a Good Morning America Anticipated Book, and an Amazon’s Best of the Month Editor’s Pick. Her poetry collection, Un-American (Wesleyan University Press), was a 2021 NAACP Image Award, a 2021 PEN Open Book Award finalist, and longlisted for the 2021 Brooklyn Public Library Literary Prize. Currently, Hafizah is eager to receive nonfiction in the realm of reportage/journalism, big-ideas, economics, labor, abolition, science, tech/social media culture, cultural criticism, social and political sciences, prescriptive nonfiction, and nature writing.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, Dating Relationships Sex, Economics, Environment, General Nonfiction, History, Investigative, Journalism, Law Legal, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Multicultural Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Politics, Science, Technology, Upmarket Nonfiction
Biography
Josh Getzler is a literary agent with HG Literary. Josh left Harcourt in 1993 to get an MBA from Columbia Business School. After Business School, Josh spent 11 years owning and operating a minor league baseball team (the Staten Island Yankees). He left baseball in late 2006 and rejoined the book world on the agent side. Josh worked at Writers House until November 2009, building a list of adult novelists, YA and middle grade authors, and the occasional nonfiction writer; then joined Russell and Volkening. In May 2011 he partnered with Carrie Hannigan, and has been actively and happily running his list. Josh represents more than 60 authors, including Geoff Rodkey (NYT Best Selling THE TAPPER TWINS series from Little, Brown), Paul Goldberg (THE YIDÑPicador), Todd Moss (The Judd Ryker thriller series from Putnam), EJ Copperman/Jeff Cohen (The best-selling HAUNTED GUEST HOUSE series from Berkley Prime Crime among others), EM Powell (The FIFTH KNIGHT series from Thomas & Mercer with more than 150,000 sales), Jessica Burkhart (Best Selling CANTERWOOD CREST series), Asha Dornfest (PARENT HACKS out from Workman) and Gerald Elias (the Daniel Jacobus mystery series from Severn). Josh is particularly into foreign and historical fiction; both womenÕs fiction (your Downton Abbey/Philippa Gregory Mashups), straight ahead historical fiction (think Wolf Hall or The Road to Wellville); and thrillers and mysteries (The Alienist, say; or Donna Leon or Arianna Franklin). HeÕd LOVE a strong French Revolution novel. So send in your ruthless doges and impious cardinalsÉand your farmhouse cozies! (He does love coziesÉ) Give him atmosphere, let him learn something about another time or another place (or both), and kill off nasty Uncle Mortimer in the processÑJosh will be yours! Josh has also been taking on a significant amount of middle grade fiction, which has been a particular sweet spot. Settings that are just a little off seem to be a real favorite, along with contemporary/funny books about kids. Not so much high fantasy or science fiction, and definitely not picture books. (There are many others who specialize in these books, including Carrie Hannigan at HG.) Please donÕt send religious fictionÐhe doesnÕt have contacts in the Christian book market. In nonfiction, heÕs very interested in increasing his list in history (including micro-histories), business, and political thoughtÐbut not screeds.
Notes
FICTION: Action Adventure, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Crime Fiction, Espionage Military Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Biography, Business Book, Cultural Social Issues, History, Journalism, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Pop Culture, Psychology, Sports, True Crime CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Anna Ghosh is the founding agent of Ghosh Literary. She started her career as a literary agent in New York City in 1995 and was previously a partner at Scovil Galen Ghosh. The agency offers worldwide literary representation for print and digital media and all allied rights, including motion picture, theatrical and multimedia rights. AnnaÕs client list includes New York Times bestsellers, winners of the Pulitzer Prize, Guggenheim and other awards, as well as unheralded gems. Her literary interests are wide and eclectic and she is known for discovering and developing writers. She is particularly interested in literary narratives and books that illuminate some aspect of human endeavor or the natural world. Anna does not typically represent genre fiction but is drawn to compelling storytelling in most guises. Anna studied Cultural Anthropology and Literary Journalism at Hampshire College, Massachusetts and Liberal Studies at The New School for Social Research, New York. Originally from India, Anna now lives in San Francisco, California.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mainstream Fiction, Science Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Art, Autobiography, Biography, Business Book, Celebrity, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Dating Relationships Sex, Economics, Film Entertainment, Fitness, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Journalism, Medical Medicine, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Music, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Politics, Pop Culture, Religion, Science, Self-Help, Spirituality, Technology, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime, Upmarket Nonfiction
Biography
Tara Gilbert is a literary agent with KT Literary. They are a literary agent based out of Portland, Oregon. Tara began their career working as an intern in 2017 and soon became an agent in 2019. TaraÕs passion is working with LGBTQ+, BIPOC, Neurodiverse, body diverse, and underrepresented authors and illustrators, focusing on fiction and graphic novels for MG, YA, and adults. Their clients include award nominees Lee Mandelo, CG Drews, ST Gibson, bestselling illustrator Joanna Cacao, and more.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ Fiction, Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Illustrated, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Multicultural Nonfiction, New Age, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Spirituality
Biography
Peter Ginsberg is a literary agent with the Curtis Brown Literary Agency. Peter joined Curtis Brown following sales and subsidiary rights positions at Doubleday and St. MartinÕs Press. Peter opened Curtis BrownÕs San Francisco office in 1992. He developed the agentsÕ publishing course at the New York University Center for Book Publishing and has taught at the Stanford Publishing Course and the Stanford Communications Workshops as well as the University of California at Berkeley. Peter has served on the Board of Directors of the Association of AuthorsÕ Representatives and the board of the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Autobiography, Biography, Business Book, Current Events Affairs, General Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Military War Nonfiction, Money Finance, Nonfiction, Politics, Science, Self-Help, Technology
Biography
Susan Ginsburg is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. Susan says: “IÕve 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. MartinÕs 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. I am currently looking for commercial and literary fictionÑparticularly voice-driven narratives in unique settings filled with emotionally compelling charactersÑas well as rich, big idea narrative non-fiction, and unique memoirs. I am not the right agent for horror, science-fiction, or epic fantasy.”
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FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: Beauty Fashion Style, Biography, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, Cultural Social Issues, Current Events Affairs, Food Drink, General Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Politics, Science CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction
Biography
Katie Gisondi is a literary agent with the Laura Dail Literary Agency. She graduated from Hamilton College in 2020 with a BA in Creative Writing. Before finding her home at LDLA she worked at Cut + Run Productions NYC and ran social media at Eaton Hemp Superfoods. In her spare time, she fangirls over romantasy, thrillers, and Jane Austen.
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FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Horror, Humor Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction NONFICTION: Cultural Social Issues, Dating Relationships Sex, Environment, Family, Health Wellness, History, Humor Nonfiction, LGBTQ Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Medical Medicine, Money Finance, Narrative Nonfiction, Nature, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, Sports, Technology, True Crime, Women’s Issues
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. AmyÕs 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 showsÑall while snuggling with one or more of her three rescue dogs. Some of AmyÕs 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, SchittÕs Creek, Stranger Things, and anything remotely like Married at First Sight.
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FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Paranormal Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Western Fiction, Women’s Fiction NONFICTION: BIPOC Nonfiction, Celebrity, Cookbook Cooking, Crafts, Cultural Social Issues, Dating Relationships Sex, Family, Film Entertainment, Food Drink, How-To, Journalism, Lifestyle, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Photography, Pop Culture, Psychology, Self-Help, Travel, True Adventure, True Crime, Women’s Issues CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Biography
Miriam Goderich is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC. Miriam Goderich and Jane Dystel have been partners since 1995 and they work closely as an agenting team to generate book ideas, help create book proposals, place projects with publishing companies, and negotiate all contracts pertaining to publishing and subsidiary rights. In addition, Miriam is an insightful editor who has been responsible for discovering and working on a number of first novels. She is also very involved in developing nonfiction projects and taking them from the conceptual stage to publication. MiriamÕs areas of interest include: literary and commercial fiction as well as some genre fiction, narrative nonfiction, pop culture, psychology, history, science, art, business books, and biography/memoir. Miriam received a BA in Comparative Literature and an MA in English from Columbia University. She was born in Cuba and, prior to settling in the New York area, lived in Spain and Miami, Florida. Currently, she resides just outside the City with her husband and son, a dog, and a parrot.
Notes
FICTION: Commercial Fiction, Fiction, General Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Art, Biography, Business Book, Cookbook Cooking, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Inspirational Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help
Biography
Adria Goetz is a literary agent with KT Literary. She is based out of the beautifully gloomy Pacific Northwest. Adria got her start in publishing as an intern at Martin Literary Management in 2013. She represents picture books, middle grade, graphic novels, and adult fiction. She graduated from the University of Washington with a BachelorÕs degree in English with a Creative Writing emphasis, as well as the Columbia Publishing Course. In 2019, she was selected as a Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree. Adria has eclectic taste but particularly enjoys projects that are tinged with magic, have so much heart you can practically hear their heartbeat, and have a compelling, commercial hook. In her spare time she can be found rewatching Gilmore Girls for the millionth time, listening to Taylor Swift, and dreaming about the mossy stone cottage in the woods she would like to live in one day. You can read AdriaÕs full manuscript wishlist at adriagoetz.com. Adria Goetz is seeking picture books (especially by author-illustrators), middle grade fiction, graphic novels, and adult fictionÑparticularly rom coms, thrillers, and upmarket fiction.
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FICTION: Chick Lit, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Magical Realism, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Speculative Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller, Upmarket Fiction, Women’s Fiction CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction
Wendy Goldman Rohm
The Rohm Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email or Online FormBiography
Wendy Goldman Rohm is a literary agent with The Rohm Literary Agency. She has represented innovative new media projects–including book, film, podcast, tv, stage and video incarnations–for such global clients as Netflix, Dove, The New York Times, Glass Entertainment, Dragonfly TV (London), Wondery, and European clothing giant C & A. Rohm also been a literary agent and author for Sterling Lord Literistic, New York; The Waxman Agency, NY; and Waterside Productions, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Calif. Ms. Rohm is adept at promotion and public appearances. She has been a commentator on numerous national and international television and radio broadcasts, including: Nightline, The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, Good Morning America, and dozens of programs on NBC, CNBC, PBS radio and television, CNN, CBS, ABC, and BBC radio and television. Rohm has also been an expert researcher for Townsend & Crew, Skadden Arps, and Conlin Associates, among many others.
Notes
FICTION: BIPOC Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Inspirational Fiction, Literary Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Mystery, New Adult Fiction, Religious Fiction, Science Fiction, Suspense Fiction, Thriller NONFICTION: Biography, BIPOC Nonfiction, Business Book, Computers, General Nonfiction, Health Wellness, History, Inspirational Nonfiction, Investigative, Journalism, Lifestyle, Memoir, Mind Body Spirit, Money Finance, Multicultural Nonfiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Reference, Religion, Science, Technology, Travel CHILDRENÕS BOOKS: Board Book, Chapter Book Fiction, Chapter Book Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Middle Grade Nonfiction, Picture Book, Young Adult Fiction, Young Adult Nonfiction