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The Directory of Literary Agents
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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 *
Biography
Julia Livshin is a literary agent with the Julia Livshin Literary Agency. Julia Livshin got her start as an intern at The Atlantic, where she later became an editor and worked with writers like John Updike, Joyce Carol Oates, Christopher Buckley, Roxana Robinson, and many others. She has a soft spot for short stories and thinks that discovering a new young writer is one of the greatest thrills. She’s worked as a freelance book editor, as well as a copy editor for Random House and Grove Atlantic, and has reviewed fiction for The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post Book World, and other publications. She grew up in Chicago, graduated from Duke University, and received a masters degree is Slavic languages and literature from Harvard University.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * General Fiction * Literary *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Memoir * Narrative *
6532 79th Street Cabin John MD 20818 USA
Biography
Sandy Lu is a literary agent with and the founder of the Book Wyrm Literary Agency. She founded Book Wyrm Literary Agency after working as a literary agent for more than a decade at other boutique agencies, including Peter Rubie Literary Agency, Anderson Literary Management, and most notably, the L. Perkins Agency.
Born and raised in Taiwan, Sandy’s family moved to New York in her teens, so she understands the struggles of immigrants and those who straddle two cultures all too well.
Sandy holds BAs in psychology and sociology from Queens College, with minors in music, business, and Japanese. Prior to becoming an agent, she attended the Ph.D. Program in Social and Personality Psychology at the CUNY Graduate Center and worked as a business/operations manager in the theater industry.
Sandy’s areas of study and work experience greatly inform her interest in submissions. She is seeking stories that will draw her in with a unique voice, make her miss her bedtime with a thrilling plot, and characters that will stay with her long after she turns the last page. Bonus points if you can make her laugh out loud or unable to hold back tears in public. Sandy especially loves historical fiction and anything dark, twisted, or with a supernatural bent.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Espionage/Military * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Nonfiction * Historical * Horror * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Journalism * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Nature * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Technology * True Adventure * Women’s Issues *
P.O. Box 361 Bronx NY 10463 USA
Biography
George Lucas is a literary agent with InkWell Management. During a transatlantic career spanning more than three decades, George Lucas has variously packed books in the warehouse, marketed travel guides and dictionaries, sold subsidiary rights, and acquired and edited thrillers at Hodder & Stoughton, Ballantine and Pocket Books/Atria. Turning to agenting in 2003, he now represents a wide range of acclaimed international historians, classicists, Arabists, scientists, journalists and suspense writers, as well as the Literary Estate of P G Wodehouse.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * General Nonfiction * History * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Reference * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Travel *
521 Fifth Avenue Suite 2600 New York NY 10175 USA
Biography
Paul Lucas is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. From his first days with books, Paul has loved the feeling of getting lost between the covers. He remembers reading in his closet with a flashlight after bedtime so his parents would think he had gone to sleep. He is actively looking for upmarket commercial fiction, specifically historical, thrillers, science fiction and fantasy. On the literary side, he likes reading narratives about immigration, ostracization, class, family and race. For non-fiction, he is drawn to narratives, learning new things and the occasional humor project.
Paul came to Janklow & Nesbit in 2007 as a paralegal in its legal department, following a stint in the corporate division at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. He shifted to representation in 2011 and loves books much more than contracts (though pays attention to both!).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Economics * Ethnic * Family * General Nonfiction * History * Humor * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Politics * Science * Sports *
285 Madison Avenue 21st Floor New York NY 10017 USA
Biography
Marlene Connor Lynch is a literary agent with and the founder of the Conner Literary Agency. She is a respected author and accomplished literary agent and former editor for The Literary Guild of America, Simon and Schuster and, in her first position, Random House. She is a native of New York City and founded CLA in 1985 before moving to the Twin Cities in 1995.
She has been agent and consultant for the Simplicity Pattern Company, the largest pattern company in the world, and Essence Magazine, the premier magazine for African American women. She has represented Dr. Ronn Elmore, author of the best seller HOW TO LOVE A BLACK MAN (Grand Central Publishing), Thelma Balfour, author of the bestseller, BLACK SUNS SIGNS (Simon and Schuster/Fireside), Lisa Akbari’s THE BLACK WOMAN’S GUIDE TO BEAUTIFUL HAIR and BEAUTIFUL HAIR AT ANY AGE (Sourcebooks), TWELVE MONTHS OF KNITTING by Joanne Yordanou (Potter Crafts), and many others.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Historical * Literary * Mystery * Picture Book * Short Story Collection * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Art * Beauty/Fashion/Style * Cooking/Cookbook * Crafts * Dating/Relationship/Sex * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Juvenile * Photography * Politics * Self-Help/Personal Development * Sports *
New York NY USA
Biography
Kevan Lyon is a literary agent with the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. She is a founding partner of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. With over 25 years in the publishing business, including over 10 years as a literary agent and 17+ years on the wholesale, retail and distribution side of the business, Kevan brings an informed and unique perspective to her work with clients. Her background on the buying and retail side of publishing affords her helpful insight into what types of books will sell and how to market them. Kevan holds an MBA from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA.
Kevan handles women’s fiction, with an emphasis on commercial women’s fiction, young adult fiction and all genres of romance. Kevan works with her authors to help them realize their dreams of being published and to build a long term career as a writer, and strives to partner with her clients on all phases of the publishing path. Authors on Kevan’s list span a broad range of genres in women’s fiction including historical fiction, mystery, literary, commercial fiction and all genres of romance. She loves to be swept away by a captivating story and fresh narrative voice.
Kevan represents numerous NYT, USA Today and internationally bestselling authors including Jennifer L. Armentrout, Kate Quinn, Jamie McGuire, Laura Kaye, Stephanie Dray, Jennifer Probst, Kristen Proby, Shelley Noble, Laura Griffin, and Jennifer Robson, among others.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION:
PMB 121 665 San Rodolfo Dr. 124 Solana Beach CA 92075 USA
Biography
Alexandra Machinist is a partner and literary agent with CAA/ICM. She represents award-winning and bestselling authors across a wide range of genres. She specializes in discovering contemporary storytellers and facilitates bringing their work to various media formats, including books, movies, television series, and podcasts. Before CAA and ICM (CAA acquired ICM), Alexandra was an agent at Janklow & Nesbit Associates, which she joined after a stint at the Linda Chester Literary Agency. Before publishing, she practiced law at Akin Gump. Alexandra is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia School of Law.
With one of the most prestigious literary departments in the world, CAA represents a wide range of writers, including authors of bestselling fiction and non-fiction books, prominent newspaper and magazine journalists, and recipients of the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, and many other literary honors. The books CAA represents frequently appear on The New York Times Best Sellers list. In addition to selling publication rights, CAA’s New York literary agents work closely with CAA agents in Los Angeles to seek out opportunities for film and television adaptations. For foreign rights, CAA has an office in London that sells UK and translation rights to CAA books.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Commercial * Contemporary * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Literary * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Narrative * True Adventure *
65 East 55th Street 14th Floor New York NY 10022 USA
Biography
Neeti Madan is a literary agent with Sterling Lord Literistic. Neeti represents a wide range of authors, among them #1 New York Times best sellers Lisa Lillien (Hungry Girl) and Jenny Lawson (The Bloggess), biographer Gretchen Holbrook Gerzina, journalist Pamela Newkirk, artist Rajiv Surendra and novelist Tommy Hays. Her books run the gamut from the commercial to the cerebral. She is drawn to memoir, journalism, popular culture, lifestyle, women’s issues, multicultural books and virtually any intelligent writing on intriguing topics. Neeti is on the lookout for the types of books she loves as a reader—page turners that keep her up until 3 AM, thoughtful writing on important issues that interest her, and irreverent books that make her laugh.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Humor Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Satire * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture *
115 Broadway Suite 1602 New York NY 10006 USA
Biography
Ricia Mainhardt is a literary agent with the Ricia Mainhardt Agency. Ricia has represented authors from her offices in New York for more than twenty years. In addition to her regular clients, she enthusiastically supports talented, unpublished authors. After a long hiatus recovering from a car accident, Ricia is back, looking for the next publishing star and is excited about her work and her writers. Originally from Wisconsin, Ricia has an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and a graduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis in auditory electrophysiology. After spending time in her chosen specialty as well as peddling rags as a sales representative for the clothing industry, Ricia discovered a field that synthesized her love for the written word and for people.
A student, fan, and friend of greats in the science fiction field such as Robert Heinlein, Ray Bradbury, and Harlan Ellison, she achieved quick success in that publishing field and opened her agency in 1987. Soon afterwards, she branched out into other areas, most notably romance and new age, and has developed numerous writers in other genres. Ricia jointly edited two anthologies, a collection of superhero stories with John Varley and a tribute book to Robert Bloch with Richard Matheson. Her client list has included Ray Garton (Simon and Schuster, among others) in horror, children’s fiction, and novelizations, Michael A. Stackpole (Bantam, HarperCollins) in science fiction and fantasy, Richard Lee Byers (Minstrel [S&S]) in fantasy, Jim Butcher (Roc) in “gumshoe fantasy,” and Janeen O’Kerry (Dorchester) in historical and time-travel romance.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Erotica * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Glitz * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Satire * Science Fiction * Sports Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Western * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * New Age *
85 Lincoln Street First Floor Meriden CT 06451 USA
Biography
Steven Malk is a literary agent with Writers House Literary Agency. Steven is the third generation of his family to be involved in children’s books, as both his mother and grandmother owned children’s bookstores. He opened a West Coast office for Writers House in 1998, and represents a wide range of authors and illustrators, including Jon Scieszka, Lane Smith, Marla Frazee, Kadir Nelson, Sara Pennypacker, Jennifer Donnelly, Brett Helquist, Sonya Sones, Adam Rex, Deborah Wiles, and Cynthia Rylant, among others.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Paranormal * Picture Book * Romance * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
7660 Fay Avenue #338H La Jolla CA 92037 USA
Biography
Erin Malone is a literary agent with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment (WME). She has worked in WME’s Literary Department since 2004. She represents both literary and commercial fiction, along with narrative and platform-driven nonfiction, memoir, and occasional lifestyle titles–primarily in the areas of psychology, science, culture, and food/cooking. More than any one specific genre, she is drawn to good stories and distinct points of view.
Authors she works with include Amani Al-Khatahtbeh, Amaryllis Fox, Amy Poehler, Bess Kalb, Bob Odenkirk, Brad Montague, Brian Lynch, Bruce Eric Kaplan, David McRaney, Elizabeth Nyamayaro, Ellie Kemper, Erin Duffy, Evan Winter, Felicia Day, hitRECord, Jason Segel, Kelly Oxford, Lilly Singh, Lyndsay Faye, Nicole Byer, Pete Holmes, Rebecca Serle, Rosanna Pansino, and Rose George, among many others.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Mystery * NoMG * NoPB * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * History * How-To * Humor * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Narrative * Psychology * Science *
9601 Wilshire Blvd Suite 218 Beverly Hills CA 90210 USA
Biography
Pamela Malpas is a literary agent with the Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency. Pamela Malpas has spent more than two decades in publishing; before joining the Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency, she was an agent with Harold Ober Associates, and prior to that, with Knox Burger Associates. She has worked with winners of the Stella Prize, and the Morton Dauwen Zabel, PEN/New England, PEN/West, and Ippy awards. Pamela represents work in several categories of fiction and narrative nonfiction. AAR member.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Family Saga * General Fiction * Literary * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * History * Narrative * Politics * Science * True Crime *
27 West 20th St. Suite 1003 New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Alyssa Maltese is a literary agent with Root Literary. She says: “Getting to be an early champion for authors’ work is a huge privilege, and a responsibility for which I am deeply grateful. I’m excited to find and uplift books that you can’t put down, books that surprise you, books that make you think, and, above all else, books that help people.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Narrative * Prescriptive * Young Adult *
Biography
Dan Mandel is a literary agent with Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. He represents both literary and commercial fiction, as well as memoirs and non-fiction about business, art, history, politics, sports, and popular culture. His clients write for The Economist, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, Harper’s, The New York Times Magazine, Esquire, the Financial Times, and the Wall Street Journal, among others, and the books he has represented have been New York Times Bestsellers, and short-listed for both the Booker and the FT Business Book of the Year. He attended the Jerusalem Book Fair as an Agent Fellow in 2005.
A graduate of Cornell University, he interned at The New Yorker and attended the Radcliffe Publishing Course before joining Sanford J. Greenburger Associates, Inc. in 1994.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Literary * Mystery *
NONFICTION: Art * Autobiography * Biography * Business * General Nonfiction * History * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * Sports *
55 5th Avenue New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
Jay Mandel is a literary agent with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment. He (Development Committee member) was born and raised in Los Angeles and has been a literary agent at the William Morris Endeavor Entertainment since February 2001. He began his career at the Writers Shop (nee the Virginia Barber Literary Agency) in 1994 following his graduation from the Radcliffe Publishing Course and Duke University. He represents authors of varying range, including journalists, novelists, children’s book writers, media entities, and business leaders. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two young sons.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Film/Entertainment * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Memoir * Middle Grade * Military/War * Money/Finance * Music * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Reference * Religion * Science * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * Young Adult *
11 Madison Avenue 18th Floor New York NY 10010 USA
Biography
Cynthia Manson is a literary agent with and the founder of the Cynthia Manson Literary Agency. She is a well-known and respected literary agent who represents a number of bestselling authors in a variety of genres. She graduated from Scripps College for Women in Claremont, CA. Manson has worked in both magazine and book publishing, including for Sterling Lord Literistic, Putnam, Bertelsmann, Scientific American, and Advertising Age magazine. She is well connected to the Hollywood community and has brokered numerous deals in the book-to-film-and-television market.
Cynthia is particularly interested in projects in the following commercial genres: thrillers/suspense/crime fiction/mysteries, science fiction and fantasy, historical fiction, upmarket women’s fiction, and newsworthy narrative nonfiction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Mystery * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Memoir * Narrative *
Biography
Jill Marsal is a literary agent with the Marsal Lyons Literary Agency. Jill is a founding partner of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency and has been in the publishing industry for 20 years. Previously, she worked as a Literary Agent with the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency for eight years and at Dorchester Publications and Tudor Publishing, editing women’s fiction and suspense/thrillers. Jill also has a strong legal background and holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School. She practiced as an attorney with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati for five years.
On the fiction front, Jill looks for all types of commercial fiction, women’s fiction, stories of family, interesting relationships, Southern fiction, or multi-generations, and romance. She also is looking for mysteries, psychological suspense, cozies, and thrillers that keep the pages turning and have an original hook. She welcomes a dramatic storyline and compelling characters in interesting situations or relationships. If you have a novel that has a highly original concept or voice, Jill would love to see it.
On the non-fiction side, Jill’s areas of interest include business, current events, health/wellness, self-help, lifestyle, advice/relationships, psychology, parenting, history, science, and narrative non-fiction. She is particularly drawn to projects which will move readers or leave them thinking, which make provocative arguments or share interesting research, or which offer useful, new advice.
Jill enjoys working with both new and experienced writers. A few of Jill’s represented books include WITH LOVE FROM THE INSIDE by Angela Pisel (Putnam), THE CHALLENGER SALE by Wall Street Journal bestselling authors Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson (Portfolio), FIELD GUIDE TO HOMICIDES by NYT bestselling author Lynn Cahoon (Kensington), A TASTE OF SUGAR by NYT bestselling author Marina Adair (Grand Central), CROSS HER HEART by Amazon Charts bestselling author Melinda Leigh (Montlake), LIMITLESS MIND by Stanford Professor Jo Boaler (Harper One), MIDDLE SCHOOL MATTERS by Phyllis Fagell (Da Capo), and FEELING AT HOME: THE BRAIN AND WHERE WE LIVE by John S. Allen (Basic).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Family Saga * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Journalism * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Memoir * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
PMB 121 665 San Rodolfo Dr. 124 Solana Beach CA 92075 USA
Biography
Alice Martell is a literary agent with the Martell Agency. She is also an attorney who practiced law before founding the agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Literary *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * General Nonfiction * History * Investigative * Journalism * Memoir * Narrative * Self-Help/Personal Development *
1350 Avenue of the Americas Suite 1205 New York NY 10019 USA
Biography
Danielle Matta is a literary agent with the Robin Straus Agency. She is a Junior Agent at the Robin Straus Agency. She graduated from NYU with a BA in English, specializing in Creative Writing and Post-Colonial Literature, and joined RSA in May of 2020 after her internships at McIntosh & Otis and Writers House. She gravitates towards inclusive fiction and non-fiction with distinct, lyrical storytelling and—being first-generation herself—underrepresented voices of diasporic and immigrant communities. She also loves an unorthodox ghost story or psychological thriller. Although Danielle has lived in NYC since 2015, she grew up in Virginia, and therefore has a life-long love for farmers markets, cornbread, and green spaces.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * General Fiction * Literary * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science *
Biography
Shari Maurer is a literary agent with the Stringer Literary Agency. Shari graduated from Duke University with a degree in English, and later studied Dramatic Writing at NYU. Following a stint at The Children’s Television Workshop on international productions of Sesame Street, she published both novels and non-fiction, and worked as a writer and editor. Shari has also written Parenting & Lifestyle columns for several websites. A mother of three, she lives in New York with her husband.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Humor Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * New Adult * Picture Book * Satire * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Juvenile * Memoir * Middle Grade * Narrative * Parenting/Child Guidance * Young Adult *
P.O. Box 111255 Naples FL 34108 USA
Biography
Margret McBride is a literary agent with the Margret McBride Literary Agency. She began a career that served her love of books in New York, working at Random House in New York. Her office was next door to the editor of the Doctor Seuss books. As postcards and missives from the author came to the editor, the editor would share them with her. The picture over his desk, the view of La Jolla from Ted Geisel’s studio was a clue to her future. In 1980, she was living in La Jolla, and opening her literary agency and having fun times with Ted and his wife Audrey. In her “New York Years” in publishing she worked in the marketing departments of Random House and Ballantine Books, and as the Director of Publicity at Warner Books, and Director of Publicity, Promotions and Advertising for Pinnacle Books. Knowing what the media wants and readers love to read set the stage for her immediate success as an agent.
In 1981, year later, she sold a small book to William Morrow (Harper Collins) by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson MD, called THE ONE MINUTE MANAGER. Thirty years and millions of copies later, the 30th Anniversary Edition THE NEW ONE MINUTE MANAGER was published. Two other bestselling parables followed years later: Stephen Lundin, Harry Paul and John Christensen (Hachette Books) will next year celebrate their the 20th Anniversary of FISH! A Remarkable Way To Boost Morale and Improve Results. Bob Burg and John Mann have just passed their tenth anniversary with Portfolio, their hugely successful, GO-GIVER A Little Story About A Powerful Business Idea.
She is a member of the Association of Authors Representatives (AAR) and the Author’s Guild. She is past-Chair of the Board of Trustees of the board of The La Jolla Playhouse located on the campus of the University of California at San Diego. La Jolla Playhouse is internationally renowned for creating some of the most exciting and adventurous work in American Theater, over 101 world premieres, 52 new works, 37 productions to Broadway—among them JERSEY BOYS, MEMPHIS, THE WHO’S TOMMY, Billy Crystal’s 700 SUNDAYS, I AM MY OWN WIFE, and JUNK.
Margret previously served on the Library Board of the University of California at San Diego and under her five-year direction, the UCSD Writers Conference attracted a distinguished faculty of publishers, editors and agents, as well as international participants.
Margret is interested in a wide range of commercial and literary fiction and nonfiction, historical fiction, medical suspense, legal thrillers, and stories featuring strong female protagonists.
Her nonfiction interests include biographies and memoirs, history, psychology, health, self-improvement and business, especially entrepreneurship, management, and finance. She also has had a weakness for perfectly executed, mind-blowing business parables.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Satire * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Western * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Art * Biography * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * History * How-To * Humor * Journalism * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Nature * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
P.O. Box 9128 La Jolla CA 92038 USA
Biography
Bridget McCarthy is a literary agent with the McCormick Literary. She also oversees contracts and domestic subrights. She is seeking literary and commercial fiction, young adult fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and cookbooks. She is a graduate of Fordham University.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Literary * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Memoir * Narrative *
150 W 28th Street Suite 903 New York NY 10001 USA
Biography
Jim McCarthy is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC. Jim interned for Dystel, Goderich & Bourret while studying urban design at New York University. Upon graduating, Jim realized he would much rather continue working with books than make the jump (as he had originally intended) to the field of city planning. Eighteen years later, he remains at DG&B as a VP and agent. As an avid fiction reader, his interests encompass both literary and commercial works in the adult, young adult, and middle grade categories. He is particularly interested in literary fiction, underrepresented voices, fantasy, mysteries, romance, anything unusual or unexpected, and any book that makes him cry or laugh out loud. In addition to fiction he is also interested in narrative nonfiction whether it be memoir, historical, science, pop culture, or just a darn good polemic.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * NoPB * Romance * Satire * Short Story Collection * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Celebrity * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Film/Entertainment * Gay/Lesbian * Journalism * Juvenile * Memoir * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Pop Culture * Psychology * History * Travel * Women’s Issues *
One Union Square West Suite 904 New York NY 10003 USA
Biography
Paul McCarthy is a literary agent with McCarthy Creative Services. Paul is also the founder and president of McCarthy Creative Services. He is an author and co-author, creative editor, novelist, anthologist, publishing consultant, magazine writer, essayist, book critic, literary, film and television agent, and public speaker.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Erotica * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Glitz * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Sports Fiction * Thriller * Western * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Art * Autobiography * Biography * Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Education * Ethnic * Gay/Lesbian * Gift/Novelty * Government * History * How-To * Humor * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Music * Nature * Pop Culture * Psychology * Religion * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Sports * True Adventure * True Crime *
625 Main St. Suite 834 New York NY 10044-0035 USA
Biography
Shawna McCarthy is a literary agent with The McCarthy Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Paranormal * Romance * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Autobiography * Biography * History * Memoir * Military/War * Science * Technology *
7 Allen St. Rumson NJ 07760 USA
Biography
Cameron McClure is a literary agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency. Cameron McClure joined the Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2004. She represents a small and select group of authors and specializes in fiction. She is especially looking for projects that combine genre style plotting with literary quality writing. She’s up for anything speculative, and is interested in seeing science-fiction and fantasy, literary fiction, mystery and suspense, and projects with multi-cultural, international, environmental, and GBLT themes. She’s also drawn to projects that explore subcultures or topics that haven’t quite broken into the mainstream. Some of her clients include Robert McCammon, Robert Jackson Bennett, Amy Alkon, Emily Winslow, Brian Francis Slattery, Molly Tanzer, Randy Henderson, Sarah Pemberton Strong, and Steve Bein.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Erotica * Espionage/Military * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Religious * Satire * Science Fiction * Short Story Collection * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Western * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Military/War * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
1000 Dean Street Suite 252 Brooklyn NY 11238 USA
Biography
Matt McGowan is a literary agent with the Frances Goldin Literary Agency. Matt is also a Vice President with the agency. He is looking for emotionally, intellectually, and formally adventurous work of all kinds and is particularly interested in writers who believe nonfiction can be as artful as fiction. Queries for literary fiction, essays, history, memoir, journalism, biography, music, popular culture & science, sports (particularly soccer), narrative nonfiction, cultural studies, as well as literary travel, crime, food, suspense and sci-fi are all welcome. Among Matt’s clients are Eula Biss, Stephen Burt, Dan Crane, John D’Agata, Brian Evenson, Josh Garrett-Davis, Aram Goudsouzian, Justin Hocking, Lia Purpura, David Shields, and Ryan Van Meter. Matt was featured in Poets & Writers‘ “Twenty-One Agents You Should Know” and his clients have won or been shortlisted for the PEN/Martha Albrand Award, Pen/Revson Award, PEN USA Award, the New York Public Library Young Lions Award, the O. Henry Award, the Graywolf Literary Nonfiction Award, the Pushcart Prize, the Rona Jaffe Award, the Edgar Award, the Orion Book award, the Triangle Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and have received NEA, Whiting, Guggenheim, and Lannan Foundation grants. They publish in major magazines like The New Yorker, Harpers, and the New York Times Magazine, direct MFA writing programs such as Brown University and the University of Iowa, and have appeared on The Colbert Report, Conan O’Brien, Bookworm, NPR, as well as covers of the New York Times Book Review and New York Times bestseller lists.
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Humor Fiction * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Satire * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Ethnic * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * History * Humor * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Photography * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * Sports * Travel *
214 W. 29th St. Suite 1006 New York NY 10001 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)