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The Directory of Literary Agents
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Literary Agent Directory
Important: Visit each agent’s website (links in their listings below) to see if they’re open to submissions before querying.
- You are searching within category(ies): Science Fiction
Biography
Kat Kerr is a literary agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency. She graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelors in English in 2009. Kat feels strongly about supporting programs like We Need Diverse Books and is passionate about creating space in this industry for those from historically marginalized communities.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Biography | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Food Drink | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Psychology | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Molly Ketcheson is a literary agent with Wolfson Literary Agency. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of St Andrews and an MA in Creative Writing and Publishing from City, University of London. Prior to joining WLA in 2024, Molly held prestigious internships at multiple publishing companies, where she gained a keen understanding of the international publishing landscape and a love for joyful and impactful fiction. She is actively building her list in commercial and upmarket fiction, as well as select literary fiction, fantasy, and YA titles. She is particularly drawn to books with a unique premise, lyrical prose, complex women, and stories that are, ultimately, hopeful. Molly is passionate about the power of fiction, and is excited to work with her clients to bring books that matter into the world.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |BIPOC Nonfiction | LGBTQ Nonfiction |
Biography
Emily S. Keyes is a literary agent with and the founder of Keyes Agency. She has represented many award-winning titles mainly (but not exclusively) in the realm of children’s literature. She loves finding and nurturing new talent, as well as reading and representing projects that will get readers excited to go to the bookstore. Emily is actively searching for all kinds of children’s literature, as well as select adult projects in genre fiction—so long as it’s not “serious” literature. She is searching for authors and illustrators who will be her coworker for a long career.
Previously she worked at the L. Perkins Agency as a contracts manager and associate agent. Before that, she was a Contracts Administrator at Simon & Schuster for five years. In 2008, she graduated from New York University’s Center for Publishing. Emily lives in Brooklyn but she can usually be found spending too much time on the internet. For a better idea of who she is and what she represents, follow her on Twitter and Tumblr.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Science Fiction | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Humor Nonfiction | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Kirby Kim is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. A native of Los Angeles, California, Kirby attended Harvard-Westlake high school then went to Pomona College where he was a PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) major. He spent the year after graduation teaching English in South Korea and when he returned moved to San Francisco to get his JD at UC Hastings College of the Law.
Kirby moved out to New York in the spring of 2004 and got his first job in publishing working for Charlotte Sheedy Literary, at that time an affiliate of Sterling Lord Literistic. He then moved to Vigliano Associates where he gradually started representing his own projects. In 2008, he joined Endeavor which the following year merged with William Morris. He stayed at WME for five years before joining Janklow & Nesbit.
Kirby represents both literary and commercial authors. When it comes to literary work, he’s alternatively drawn to rich, sweeping stories that try to encompass a time or a place or tightly written, narratively innovative stories that bridge genres. His commercial interests include thriller, horror, speculative and science fiction, young adult, and middle grade.
He also represents a range of nonfiction working with leaders and journalists in the areas of science, culture and current affairs. He’s also known for representing pop culture, in particular music and comedy.
Kirby is currently a board member of the Asian American Writers Workshop. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife and two kids.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Horror | Literary Fiction | Mystery | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |General Nonfiction | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Economics | Food Drink | Health Wellness | History | How-To | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Money Finance | Music | Narrative Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Reference | Science | Self-Help | Sports | True Crime |
Biography
Natalie Kimber is a literary agent with The Rights Factory. She has worked with The Rights Factory since 2014, and is based in the New York area. She previously worked with the Georgetown University Booklab, and Literary and Creative Artists in Washington, DC. She is an associate editor for Monologging.org, organizer of the NYC Writers Circle, and founder of the Weehawken Writers and Artists Studio. She takes pride in guiding authors through the strategy and practical process of publishing, and yet she acknowledges that a wondrous magic is at work when books come into form.
As an aesthete and theologian at heart, she aspires to a “post-mystic modern” philosophy, which attempts to reintegrate our mystic roots and intuition with contemporary thought. Nat hails from the West—specifically Colorado and New Mexico—and cherishes art and books that capture that region. She is an avid cook and gardener, and credits her encyclopedic knowledge of food, wine and spirits to 20+ years of work in the restaurant industry. She can’t live without chiles, cheese, potatoes, and wine. She discovered a love of classic and pre-code cinema when she joined a film club during the early days of the pandemic. She lives with her partner, two snuggly cats, and a rambunctious bunny in Weehawken, NJ.
In fiction she is looking for: literary, commercial, and upmarket women’s and LGBTQ+ fiction, romance, comedies, international or transnational stories, action/adventure, animal stories, modern mythology, nostalgic and historical fiction, and short fiction collections with a strong theme. It is most important that authors understand the WHY of their story and methods of storytelling. Novels and fiction need to have a great hook, while also showcasing craft. Within speculative fiction she likes magical realism, occult, and horror, but is not looking for traditional science fiction or fantasy.
She will consider the following YA categories: realistic/contemporary, rebellious teen fiction, boy books, horror, suspense/thriller, and some nonfiction for teens, especially if the book is related to activism, sustainability, empowerment, creative arts or personal growth. She is not looking for YA sci-fi or fantasy.
For nonfiction she is looking for: humor, memoir, biography, lifestyle, art, health, environment/climate, animal/pets, healing, spiritual/occult, history (especially ancient), peace studies, music, food/cooking/cocktails, pop culture, relationship, regional and international studies, writing craft, essay collections and literary criticism. She requests that authors use appropriate content warnings when querying with sensitive material.
Follow Nat on Twitter @Nat_TRF and Instagram @Zsunita.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents |Juvenile Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Animals | Art | Biography | Cookbook Cooking | Dating Relationships Sex | Environment | Food Drink | Gardening | Health Wellness | History | Humor Nonfiction | Memoir | Music | Nature | Pop Culture | Science | Spirituality |
Biography
Kim-Mei Kirtland is a literary agent with the Howard Morhaim Literary Agency. She is actively taking on clients who write speculative fiction, literary fiction, and nonfiction. Her primary focus is work for adult and YA audiences, but she is open to select middle grade projects.
In fiction, she is particularly interested in hard science fiction, secondary world fantasy, space opera, magical realism, fabulism, and urban fantasy; in nonfiction, she is primarily open to history, biography, popular science, and food and travel writing with a strong voice.
Books that have resonated with her recently include the Imperial Radch novels by Ann Leckie, PRIVATE CITIZENS by Tony Tulathimutte, HOW TO BE BOTH by Ali Smith, and THE FOUR THOUSAND, THE EIGHT HUNDRED by Greg Egan.
She is not the best audience for work in the thriller or romance genres without speculative elements.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Contemporary Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Science Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Food Drink | History | Science | Travel | Upmarket Nonfiction |
Biography
Ian Kleinert is a literary agent with Paradigm Literary and Talent Agency. Kleinert was most recently the CEO and founding partner of Projector Media, which focused on literary management and investor-backed digital platforms for groups like SALT Events, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Propagate Content, and sports legends Joe Namath and Cal Ripken Jr.
Kleinert was also the founder of the full service literary management company Objective Entertainment. During his time there, he represented and packaged book and subsidiary deals for writers and artists like Pulitzer Prize winner Quiara Alegría Hudes, Wendy Williams, Margaret Hoover, Kanye West and Donda West, Voletta Wallace and The Estate of The Notorious B.I.G., and many more.
Over his nearly three decades in entertainment, Kleinert has secured publishing deals for more than 300 books, He began his career in 1994 at Fifi Oscard Agency. He later became a lit agent at William Morris Agency, where he represented novelists including “Game Of Thrones” co-creator D.B. Weiss.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Horror | Science Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Current Events Affairs | Dating Relationships Sex | Food Drink | Health Wellness | History | Humor Nonfiction | Journalism | Lifestyle | Memoir | Money Finance | Narrative Nonfiction | Politics | Pop Culture | Sports | True Crime |
Biography
Peter Knapp is a literary agent and partner with Park & Fine Literary and Media. First joining Park Literary in 2011, Peter Knapp represents authors of middle grade and young adult fiction. His clients include New York Times bestselling and award-winning authors, such as Soman Chainani, Lindsay Cummings, Sara Holland, Will Walton, Emily Bain Murphy, and more. Before joining Park Literary (now PFLM), he was at Floren Shieh Productions, a book-scouting agency working with film clients, and he continues to actively look for cinematic manuscripts with great hooks, as well as literary stories with awards-potential. A graduate of New York University, Pete now lives in Brooklyn with his husband.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction |
Biography
Sara Kornienko is a literary agent with the Barbara Bova Literary Agency. She holds a M.A. in English and a B.A. in English with minors in Creative Writing and Journalism from Florida Gulf Coast University. During her Master’s program, she was the Co-Editor-in-Chief of Florida Gulf Coast University’s literary journal, Mangrove Review. Currently, Sara teaches writing courses at her alma mater. As an educator and avid reader, she believes stories have the power to connect us, forge understanding, and foster healing. She is passionate about sharing her love of writing and helping others find their unique voice so they can tell their own stories. In 2023, she joined Barbara Bova Literary Agency, and as a literary agent, she is excited to help authors along their writing journey and champion their amazing books.
Sara was born and raised in Kansas City, but after more than 10 years in Southwest Florida, she’s officially a Floridian—pulling her winter clothes out of the closet any time the temperature hits the 60s. When she’s not reading, she can be found at a local coffee shop, walking the beach, or playing tennis with her husband.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Inspirational Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Satire | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
Elizabeth Kracht is a literary agent with Kimberley Cameron & Associates. Elizabethjoined Kimberley Cameron & Associates in the fall of 2010 and is the author of The Author’s Checklist: An Agent’s Guide to Developing and Editing Your Manuscript. She represents both literary and commercial fiction as well as nonfiction, and brings to the agency experience as a former acquisitions editor, freelance publicist, and writer.
Elizabeth’s career in publishing took root in Puerto Rico where she completed her BA in English and worked as a copyeditor and proofreader for an English-language newspaper. When she returned to the mainland, she found her “vein of gold” in book publishing. She thrives on working closely with authors to build their careers, and is currently in graduate school earning her MFA in creative writing at San Jose State University.
Elizabeth’s eclectic life experience drives her interests. She appreciates writing that has depth, an introspective voice, and is thematically layered. Having lived in cities such as New York, San Francisco, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, she is compelled by multicultural themes and characters and is drawn toward strong settings.
In fiction, she represents literary, commercial, women’s, thrillers, mysteries, historical, and crossover YA. In nonfiction, she is interested in high concept, health, science, environment, prescriptive, investigative, true crime, voice- or adventure-driven memoir, sexuality, spirituality, and animal/pet stories.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Animals | Biography | Dating Relationships Sex | Environment | Food Drink | Gift Novelty | Health Wellness | Humor Nonfiction | Investigative | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Narrative Nonfiction | Parenting | Pop Culture | Reference | Science | Self-Help | Spirituality | True Adventure | True Crime | Upmarket Nonfiction |
Biography
Miriam Kriss is a literary agent with the and the founder of Codex Literary Agency. She launched the Codex Literary Agency in 2024, after nearly two decades at the Irene Goodman Literary Agency, where she served as Vice-President. She is excited to grow Codex Literary, a boutique agency with a full service reach. She represents everything from hardcover historical mysteries to all subgenres of romance, from thrillers to science fiction, from young adult fiction to fantasies, and everything in between. If it’s fun to read she probably represents it.
She doesn’t look for specific stories, focusing instead on finding a voice she can fall in love with and champion. This strategy of taking on only clients she’s passionate about has led to six-figure deals for first-time authors and numerous client appearances on the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists. She’s confident that if someone has the narrative drive to keep her up late turning pages, she can help them do the same. Her passion is helping writers hone their voices and discover their strengths.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |
Biography
David Kuhn is a literary agent and partner with Aevitas Creative Management. He has represented Amy Schumer’s #1 New York Times bestseller The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo; Liaquat Ahamed’s Pulitzer Prize winning bestseller Lords of Finance; New York Times columnist Charles Blow’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones; Jessi Klein’s bestseller You’ll Grow Out of It; New Yorker editor Mary Norris’s bestseller Between You and Me; Marina Abramovic’s Walk Through Walls; Linda Hirshamns’ bestselling Sisters in Law; and Jessye Norman’s Stand Up Straight and Sing!
Kuhn graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College and worked for many years as a magazine editor (Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, Brill’s Content) before founding, in 2002, Kuhn Projects, which merged with Zachary Shuster Harmsworth in 2016 to form Aevitas.
Kuhn, based in New York, represents nonfiction books that will educate, entertain, and enlighten in the areas of memoir, current events, history, politics, culture, style, food, music, and entertainment.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Member of the AALA |BIPOC Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Science Fiction | Sports Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Computers | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Current Events Affairs | Film Entertainment | Food Drink | Health Wellness | History | Humor Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Memoir | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Music | Politics | Pop Culture | Religion | Science | Spirituality | Sports | Technology | Travel |
Biography
Danya Kukafka is a literary agent with Trellis Literary Management. She is the author of the bestselling novels Notes on an Execution and Girl in Snow. She works as a literary agent, and is actively building her client list at Trellis Literary Management.
Danya began her career as a student at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, where she created a major titled “The Art of the Novel.” After internships at various literary agencies, she followed that passion to Riverhead Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, where she was privileged to work as an assistant editor for writers like Meg Wolitzer, Paula Hawkins, Lauren Groff, Brit Bennett, Emma Straub, Gabriel Tallent, Helen Oyeyemi, Maile Meloy, Sigrid Nunez, and many more.
Danya’s most recent novel, Notes on an Execution, won the 2023 Edgar Award for Best Novel and was chosen as the New York Times Best Overall Crime Novel of the Year. Her debut, Girl in Snow, was released in 2017—it was alsoa national bestseller, an IndieNext Pick, a B&N Discover pick, and received favorable reviews from The New York Times (Editor’s Choice) and The Wall Street Journal, among others. Her fiction has been translated into over a dozen languages worldwide, and Notes on an Execution is currently in development as a feature film.
Danya is interested in representing literary fiction with particularly propulsive storylines. She is seeking literary suspense, sophisticated thrillers, book club fiction, speculative fiction, and experimental fiction. She also loves true crime that feels attuned to today’s cultural conversations, and upmarket fiction you can read in one gulp. Her dream authors include: Megan Abbott, Angie Kim, Oyinkan Braithwaite, Rene Denfeld, Julia Phillips, Celeste Ng, Akwaeke Emezi, Susan Choi, Alex Marzano-Lesnevish, Jia Tolentino, Karen Thompson Walker, and Gabrielle Zevin.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | General Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Crafts | Cultural Social Issues | Journalism | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Memoir | True Crime |
Biography
Sarah Landis is a literary agent with Sterling Lord Literistic. She represents a wide range of fiction from middle grade to adult. Sarah is particularly drawn to high-concept plots, big hooks, speculative fiction, twisty thrillers, novels with a strong emotional core, and sweeping fantasy. She is always on the lookout for new talent and narrative risk-takers. Her clients’ novels have received a variety of accolades, including Barnes and Noble book club selections and Reese’s Book Club, and have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists as well as international bestseller lists around the globe. Before joining Sterling Lord Literistic in 2017, Sarah worked as an editor for fifteen years, holding roles at G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Hyperion Books, HarperCollins Children’s Books, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers. Sarah graduated with a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Horror | New Adult Fiction | Science Fiction | Speculative Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |How-To |
Oliver Latsch
LatschLit Literary Agency and TranslationsAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Email >Biography
Oliver Latsch is a literary agent with and the founder of LatschLit Literary Agency and Translation. He says: “I am a literary agent, representing literature and non-fiction for children, young adults and grown-ups worldwide. I also translate German to and from English for fiction, non-fiction, as well as commercial and academic texts.”
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Science Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | Cookbook Cooking | Health Wellness | History | Lifestyle | Science |
Rebecca Lawrence
The Booker Albert Literary AgencyAccepting SubmissionsQuery Method(s): Online Form >Biography
Rebecca Lawrence is a literary agent with The Booker Albert Literary Agency. After graduating with a B.A. in Professional Writing, Rebecca completed internships with Christian Indie Publishing Association and ArtHouse Literary Agency before moving to Booker Albert Literary Agency.
From a young age, she has been fascinated with epic worlds like LOTR and The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. Books with romantic elements like Ella Enchanted, The Goose Girl, and The Cruel Prince all have places in her top ten. She also adores historical fiction like The Wednesday Wars and iconic masterpieces like Monica Hesse’s They Went Left, but her all-time favorite novel has to be the grounded fantasy The Scorpio Races. Her favorite tropes are houses-with-personality (think House of Leaves or The Haunting of Hill House), zombie apocalypses like in the book World War Z, and underwater worlds.
Regardless of genre, Rebecca is looking for stories that have good pacing, grounded worlds, and believable characters. She is interested in fantasy of all kinds and anything that has a good hook. She would love to see more scary YA and MG historical fiction.
Notes
Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | Humor Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Science Fiction |Cookbook Cooking | Dating Relationships Sex | History | Humor Nonfiction | Self-Help | True Crime |
Biography
Thao Le is a literary agent at the Dijkstra Agency since 2011. Sherepresents children’s, YA, Romance, and Sci-fi/Fantasy. She enjoys lever, heartfelt, and commercial middle grade and YA in prose or graphic novel format and across genres. In the Adult SFF realm, she’s a fan of contemporary fantasy, near future science fiction, and romantic fantasy. In romance, her favorite tropes are: hate-to-love/enemies-to-lovers, slow burn, forbidden/doomed romance, fake dating/marriage of convenience, grumpy/sunshine, mistaken identities, and she is a sucker for beta second male leads who steal the show (and hopefully the heroine’s heart!). If you can make her think of her favorite Asian Dramas then you’re on the right track!
In general, she’s a fan of high concepts that feel fresh and exciting. She’s especially drawn to character driven stories about family and friendships from the POV of diverse protagonists. She’s a fan of characters who are passionate about the arts, STEM, activism, and geeky fandoms. She’s a big reader of fanfiction and love that style of bingeable writing. She adores stories with a touch of magic and whimsy, and is a lifelong fan of mythology and fairytales. She’s interested in all things gothic, cottagecore, and dark academia.
Though she has represented them in the past, she is currently NOT looking for picture book writers at the moment.
Thao’s clients include New York Times and Indie bestselling authors such as Ali Hazelwood, Thea Guanzon, Sandhya Menon, Evelyn Skye, Jessie Sima, Jessica Kim, and more…
Thao is NOT looking for: non-fiction, adult literary fiction, adult general fiction, mystery/thriller/suspense, memoirs, poetry, religious/spiritual books, screenplays, or short stories.
My Current MSWLs are:
I am keen to find high concept romances (either YA or Adult) with a touch of speculative similar to popular Webtoons like: See You in My 19th Life, Operation True Love.
I’m a big fan of board games and escape rooms, so I’m usually drawn to MG and YA stories that are a little puzzle-y and wraps up logically and cleverly. Think The Westing Game and The Mysterious Benedict Society.
I love murder mysteries like Knives Out, but not mystery as the main genre/market. I particularly like mystery in Middle Grade like books such as Lockwood & Co.
I’m a huge fan of The Bear (Hulu) and would love to see an Adult romance featuring a sensitive yet tough and tatted Chef hero or other similar type of sensitive hero/love interest who is in a demanding career.
I am a Jane Austen fan and my favorite is Emma. I’m always a sucker for a unique take on Austen such as a retelling through the POV of an unexpected character or a new setting.
I’m also a fan of ships that have the vibe of the Princess Mononoke knife scene.
My favorite fanfic AUs are: Coffeeshop, Flower Shop, and Soulmates/Fated Mates.
Some of my favorite mythologies and fairytales include, but aren’t limited to: Chang’Er & Hou Yi, Yuki-onna, Swan Lake, Orpheus & Eurydice, Bluebeard, Tam Lin, Donkeyskin
While I enjoy GRRM and Tolkien, I’m not the best agent for adult epic fantasies unless it’s particularly character driven. I’m also not the best fit for any military, alien invasion stories, or hard science fiction. I’m also not the best person for most action thriller stories involving cops, spies, or corporate espionage.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Authors and Illustrators Only |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | BIPOC Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | Gothic Fiction | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction |
Biography
Shannon Lechon is a literary agent with the Jennifer Azantian Literary Agency. She began her career with literary agency internships at P.S. Literary and Cake Creative, as well as an editorial internship with Penguin Random House. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in criminology and English from Florida State University and a master’s in publishing from New York University.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | Health Wellness | History | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Psychology | Science | True Crime |
Biography
Christine J. Lee is a literary agent with The Leshne Agency. She has interest in a broad range of genres, including full-length literary fiction, sci-fi, thrillers, horror, true crime, and romance, YA, cookbooks, interior design and gardening, parenting, books on self-empowerment, and memoirs/biographies touching on race, sex, class, and identity. She has worked in the publishing industry for more than 13 years, beginning at Bedford/St. Martin’s, then moved on to Simon & Schuster. She earned a BA from Princeton University in English Literature and a MFA from the University of Houston in Fiction. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, son, and cat.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | BIPOC Fiction | General Fiction | Horror | Literary Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Thriller |General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Cookbook Cooking | Cultural Social Issues | Dating Relationships Sex | Design | Gardening | Memoir | Multicultural Nonfiction | Parenting | Self-Help | True Crime |
Biography
LaSheera Lee is a literary agent with SBR Media. She is an award-winning blogger, La Sheera Lee, M.Ed., is a wife, mother, educator, podcaster, moderator, literary event planner, and magazine contributor. She is on a mission to help others to see the beauty of their own voices.
La Sheera, also known for her savvy as a social media strategist and book influencer, loves to help people connect the dots. She utilizes the power of social media to inspire, inform, and educate on a global level.
She is also the founder of the artistic event Lights! Camera! Action! #LCA is an experience that integrates books and the arts into an interactive weekend. Readers, authors, and publishing experts converge to have a weekend that is literally one for the books.
You can also catch her FB Live (Cool Conversations with La Sheera Lee ) or Clubhouse (Cool Conversations Club), chatting it up with some of your favorite authors and industry professionals.
Your goals are too powerful to give up! Keep Shining!
You can contact her @readyoulater on Twitter and Instagram.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions | Black Literary Agents | New Literary Agents |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction |Christian Fiction |Contemporary Fiction | Erotic Fiction | Inspirational Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Romance | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |Spirituality |
Biography
Whitney Lee is a literary agent with The Fielding Agency. In March 2003, Whitney started The Fielding Agency, a full-service literary agency. Prior to this, Whitney worked at Carlisle & Company, where she created a foreign rights department for the agency and worked closely with prominent authors such as Dava Sobel, David Kennedy, James Gleick and Daniel Mason. Whitney began her publishing career at Nicholas Ellison, Inc./Sanford J. Greenburger Associates where she worked with bestselling authors such as Nelson DeMille, Carol Higgins Clark, Christopher Moore and Olivia Goldsmith. Whitney graduated from Northwestern University with a double major in English and Women Studies. After earning her B.A., she attended the Radcliffe Publishing Course.
Notes
Accepting Submissions |Juvenile Nonfiction | BIPOC Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Multicultural Fiction | Mystery | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |General Nonfiction | Biography | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Cookbook Cooking | Health Wellness | History | Humor Nonfiction | Lifestyle | Mind Body Spirit | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Science | Sports | Travel |
Biography
Becky LeJeune is a literary agent with the Bond Literary Agency. Becky met Sandra at the Denver Publishing Institute when she was a student there in 2007. After DPI, she spent 2 years working as the managing editor for a cookbook imprint, and then 5 years as an acquisitions editor at The History Press before joining Sandra at BLA in 2014.
She is interested in adult and teen general fiction, horror, mystery/thriller, historical fiction, science fiction, and fantasy.
Notes
CLOSED to Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Action Adventure | Chick Lit | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Horror | Mystery | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Cookbook Cooking | Food Drink |
Biography
Ann Leslie Tuttle is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, LLC. Ann Leslie Tuttle joined DG&B in 2017 after working for 20 years at Harlequin Books where she most recently was a Senior Editor. At Harlequin, she was fortunate to work on an extensive and varied list of bestselling and award-winning titles in romance and women’s fiction. She received her B.A. degree from the College of William and Mary and an M.A. from the University of Virginia. Finding and nurturing talented new writers has always been Ann Leslie’s passion. At DG&B, she is actively seeking all kinds of romance from contemporaries, historicals, and romantic suspense to paranormals and inspirationals. Ann Leslie lives in New York City with her husband and young daughter, who is just discovering the magic of books and writing.
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Accepting Submissions |Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Mystery | Paranormal Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Women’s Fiction |Art | Dating Relationships Sex | Inspirational Nonfiction | Medical Medicine | Memoir | Narrative Nonfiction | Photography | Self-Help |
Biography
Alexandra Levick is a literary agent with Writers House. Alexandra (she/her) is a senior literary agent at Writers House, LLC. developing her picture book, middle grade, young adult, and adult lists. Previously, she worked with the agency at large as the Media Rights Manager for film and tv, helping to match clients to coagents, negotiating film deals, and taking meetings with producers, studios, and co-agencies. Prior to that, she worked with Writers House Senior Vice President, Merrilee Heifetz, Senior Agent Rebecca Sherman, covered for Senior Agent Stephen Barr’s paternity leave, and covered for Senior Agent Brianne Johnson’s family leave. Alexandra has worked as a bookseller in both the adult and children’s markets, as well as on the house side of the publishing business in publicity. She holds a Masters of Science in Publishing: Digital and Print Media, with a specialization in Media Content Development from New York University and a Bachelor of the Arts in English, with a concentration in Creative Writing from the University of Rochester.
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Accepting Submissions | Authors and Illustrators Only | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Middle Grade Fiction | Young Adult Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Horror | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Illustrated | Science |
Biography
Yona Levin is a literary agent with the United Talent Agency (UTA). She joined United Talent Agency from Fletcher & Company in early 2023. They coordinate the sale and translation of agency books to publishers all over the world, and represent a range of fiction, Young Adult and Middle Grade, and the occasional nonfiction title. A New York City native, Yona has a B.A. in English and Political Science from Wellesley College.
In YA and MG fiction, Yona likes classic adventure stories and speculative fiction & fantasy that is off the beaten path. They are drawn to humor and creative formats, and have a soft spot for pirates, retold fairy tales, and children who are too clever for their own good. Their favorites in this space include The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart, Terry Pratchett’s Discworld (especially the Tiffany Aching books), The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake.
In adult fiction, they are particularly drawn to family sagas and character driven stories. They also enjoy magical realism and some grounded speculative fiction, a la The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North. In nonfiction, Yona likes big idea books from fresh perspectives that reframe how we understand the world.
Across all genres, Yona looks for stories that inspire empathy while still being entertaining, and is often drawn to clever writing and creative formats.
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Accepting Submissions | New Literary Agents |Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | General Fiction | Humor Fiction | LGBTQ Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | New Adult Fiction | Science Fiction | Speculative Fiction | Women’s Fiction |Cultural Social Issues | Film Entertainment | Humor Nonfiction | LGBTQ Nonfiction | Pop Culture | Upmarket Nonfiction | Women’s Issues |
Biography
Bibi Lewis is a literary agent with the Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency. She joined the agency in 2014. She acts as the agency’s royalties and office manager and is currently building her list in both Children’s and Adult. For Children’s she represents Picture Books through Young Adult, with a particular interest in big hearted Middle Grade, innovative non-fiction and Young Adult Contemporary and Thrillers.
On the adult end, Bibi is primarily looking for women’s fiction, upmarket commercial and book club fiction and contemporary and historical romance. She enjoys projects with a big hook, complicated and fully realized characters, and sharp, quick paced prose. She is also looking for select mysteries and thrillers—particularly domestic suspense and unexpected takes on true crime.
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Accepting Submissions | Member of the AALA |Picture Book | Chapter Book | Juvenile Nonfiction | Middle Grade Fiction | Middle Grade Nonfiction | Young Adult Fiction | Young Adult Nonfiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Crime Fiction | Fantasy | General Fiction | Historical Fiction | Horror | Mystery | New Adult Fiction | Romance | Science Fiction | Suspense Fiction | Thriller | Upmarket Fiction | Women’s Fiction |True Crime |
Biography
Kayla Lightner is a literary agent with Ayesha Pande Literary. Prior to joining Ayesha Pande Literary, Kayla started her career at Liza Dawson Associates. She also managed APL’s subsidiary rights department for two years before transitioning to full-time agent. Her client list includes multi-award-winning actor, Delroy Lindo; multi-award-winning journalist and food writer, Annabelle Tometich; and Vice, Teen Vogue, and Longreads contributor, Minda Honey. Kayla is an adventurous reader who loves stories (typically adult; though there are a select few middle-grade titles on her list) within upmarket fiction, literary fiction, and nonfiction. She’s looking for writers that can masterfully straddle the line between story-telling and teaching readers something new (about themselves, their communities, or the world we live in). You can find her full manuscript wishlist is here. Kayla is a Georgia native and earned her B.A. in English from Vassar College. When Kayla’s not reading, she can be found writing, reminiscing on her rugby days, and trying to retain her (waning) fluency in French by watching French shows on Netflix.
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CLOSED to Submissions | Black Literary Agents | New Literary Agents | Member of the AALA |Middle Grade Fiction | BIPOC Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Contemporary Fiction | Family Saga | Fantasy | Graphic Novel | Historical Fiction | Humor Fiction | Literary Fiction | Magical Realism | Multicultural Fiction | Satire | Science Fiction | Short Story Collection | Upmarket Fiction |Art | BIPOC Nonfiction | Business Book | Cultural Social Issues | History | Humor Nonfiction | Investigative | Journalism | Memoir | Money Finance | Multicultural Nonfiction | Narrative Nonfiction | Photography | Pop Culture | Psychology | Sports | Technology | True Crime |
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Use the drop-down menu on the left to search for agents by genre, gender, location, longevity, or AAR Status. To find a specific agent or agency, enter the agent’s name or the name of the agency into the search box.
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About Mark Malatesta
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company Literary Agent Undercover and The Bestselling Author. Mark’s authors have gotten six-figure book deals, been on the NYT bestseller list, and published with houses such as Random House, Scholastic, and Thomas Nelson. Click here to learn more about Mark Malatesta and click here for Reviews of Mark Malatesta.
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Author Coaching Testimonials
“Mark, finding you has been both a treat and a treasure—I just signed a contract with my new literary agent!
My career has spanned publishing, TV, and feature film. I’ve served as Creative Dir. for the Magazine Group, TIME Inc.; Dir. of Time World News Service, a Founding Dir. of TIME-Life Films; Exec. Prod. for both the CBS and NBC TV Networks; Prod./Dir.: Movies of the Week: CBS Cinema Center Films and Universal MCA.
In today’s publishing marketplace, agents come and go. They also very often seem to just want an easy pathway to make a buck. Many authors are let go by their agents because their last book didn’t do well enough and the agent doesn’t want to devote the time to help the author. That’s not what you’re about Mark. Even established authors need this type of support in today’s marketplace.”
Author of ten fiction and nonfiction books
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“I’m psyched to have this be official. After getting five different offers for representation from top literary agents, I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin!
Getting multiple agents interested in my work was really important to me. I’ve dealt with agents before and gotten screwed on things contractually so I wanted to do it differently this time. I wanted choices.
Having you help me create that, and navigate my options, was really helpful. I heard other authors talk about their great relationships with their agents and it made me want the same thing. Now I have that.”
Author of Woman on Fire
(Penguin Books)
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“After sending out the query Mark revised for me, I had the opportunity to speak with literary agents from top agencies such as Janklow & Nesbit, Trident Media, Anderson Lit, and Folio. I signed with Don Fehr at Trident and, a short time later I had a publishing contract with Berkley Books, which recently published my book in hardcover.
Before that, I sent my query letter out on my own to 30 or 40 agents and got a lot of rejections. I then found Mark online while I was researching agents. I was surprised that he offered so much during his initial consultation—for a very modest amount of money.
I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t worked with Mark. I can’t even imagine that now though, because of the grief and detours I experienced before we worked together. It was a time-consuming pain in the neck. If you want to get the attention of top literary agents and publishers, there is no substitute for working with an insider. You can’t beat experience. And having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable.”
Author of Single Handed
(Berkley Books, a Division of Penguin Random House)
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“AHHH! OMG, it happened! I got three offers of representation for my children’s picture book in the United States, even though I live abroad! When I woke up and found the first offer for representation in my email in box, I wanted to scream. But my family was still asleep so I couldn’t. 🙂
Just 8 minutes after I sent a query letter to one of my favorite agents, she replied and asked to see my manuscript. A short time later we had a lovely conversation. She was interested in representing me and sounded very positive and enthusiastic about my book. Since I also got offers from two other agents, I had to turn two of them down. One of them was upset and it felt like I was breaking her heart, but you just have to do it. I kept reminding myself that this is a good problem to have!”
Author/Illustrator of Lon-Lon’s Big Night
and many other children’s books
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“Mark, after you helped me land a top literary agent, I got publishing offers from THREE well-known publishers: Amacom, Palgrave Macmillan, and McGraw-Hill (they’re publishing my book in hardcover)!
I was at Disneyworld with my family, in the Haunted Mansion, when I got the call. I went outside and listened to the voicemail message from my agent. A huge smile came over my face. It was a fantastic feeling. For a moment I felt like life was perfect and the angels were singing.
You’re filling an important need so I’ll say this to every other author reading this testimonial. Mark showed me that getting a top literary agent is a science. If you’ve written a book, or you’re in the process, you’ve already invested a lot—a lot more than money. Don’t stop yourself from getting out there to fulfill your purpose and dreams. Thank you so, so much, Mark!!!”
Author of Customer Focused Process Innovation (McGraw Hill)
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“I got a book deal! After I started sending out my new query letter I had 6 literary agents request my manuscript in a short amount of time, which is awesome. Then, within 2 weeks of my agent starting to pitch my story to publishers, we had an offer. I signed a book contract yesterday. A little while later my agent told me that a TV co-producer asked for more info about my book.
By the way, the acquiring editor that fell in love with the manuscript jumped in with both feet and we just worked out our timeline for publication. She’s as passionate about getting my book out as I am, and that means everything. She read the manuscript in two days and said she couldn’t put it down. And the book is going to be published as a hardcover!”
Author of A Chick in the Cockpit
(Behler Publications)
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“Thank you Mark! After you helped me get a well-known agent with Hartline Literary Agency (for my previously self-published murder mystery), he got me a deal with an American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) approved publisher. I’m hard-pressed to find anything that I had an expectation for that you didn’t deliver on.
Before I worked with you I sent out queries, but no one ever requested my complete manuscript. Comparing your new version of my query to the one I wrote before, I can see a vast difference.
I’ve been in business for 35 years so I’m not just saying this… what you’re doing is phenomenal. There are other people offering similar services, but the difference is your success. Others might say they do similar things but, if you research them, they don’t have your background or track record.”
Author of The Rector
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“Mark, you’re a miracle worker. Thanks to your help with my book, query letter, and synopsis… I now have a legitimate publisher who described my book as ‘Powerful Magic’ and it’s now available in bookstores and online!
I’m a lifelong academic writer who one day found myself writing inspired short stories that came to me in dreams and I began thinking of them as novels. That’s when I had a momentous conversation, an introductory coaching call with Mark Malatesta, the American creative writing coach, or rather, to be precise, a how-to-sell-yourself-and-your-work adviser. It was the best-spent money of my life apart (possibly) for my wedding ring.”
Author of The Black Inked Pearl
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“Within 4 minutes of sending out my query letter, a top literary called me on the phone (the #1 agent on my wish list). Less than 30 days later I had three major publishers making offers. A few days after that, I signed a deal with Random House. Mark, your query letter did that.
My agent talked about the query letter you helped me create for a long, long time. When he first called me on the phone, he hadn’t seen any of my sample chapters. It was just the query letter that did it. Communicating the right thing is so important. You are a wonderful medium helping authors find their voice and elevate their writing from just a hobby to a real business… a source from which they can both learn and earn.”
Author of Lights Out
(Random House)
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“MARK, MARK, MARK!!!!!!! Holy smokes… I just signed my book deal. First, two well-known literary agents asked to represent me. One of them responded to my query letter in less than 4 minutes!!
Then THREE different publishers wanted my book and started talking about making offers. The publisher I chose is perfect for me because they produce titles for the trade, educational, and scientific markets. And they agreed to publish my book as a hardcover!!!
When I met you, Mark, it was a pivotal time. I was under the belief that I could self-publish my book with a vanity press and then seek a publisher. I didn’t know what a literary agent was, why I needed one, or how to get one. I was wandering in the dark. You guided me in the right direction and gave me a solid plan.”
Author of Intestinal Health
(Rowman & Littlefield)
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“Boom!!! I just signed a contract with Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins for (what I’ve been told by several people) is a very large advance for a first-time author.
Before working with Mark I submitted my book to agents but didn’t get any interest. This time around I got a top NY literary agency (Fine Print Lit). What cloud is higher than 9?
I had several agencies interested before deciding to go with Fine Print. And, to be honest, all of the attention didn’t surprise me. The query letter and proposal that Mark helped me develop were incredible. Agents actually said things to me like: ‘Scott, I read your proposal and I’m just blown away by it!’ Mark is extremely talented at what he does. If you have the opportunity to work with him, take advantage of it.”
Author of The Unbreakable Boy
(Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson)