Home » Directory of Literary Agents – USA Literary Agents
The Directory of Literary Agents
Welcome message…
7 Insider Secrets to Get a Top Agent, Publisher, and Book Deal
Press the play button below to listen.
Click here to view and/or download a free PDF transcript
of this audio program
* * *
Literary Agent Directory
Important: Visit each agent’s website (links in their listings below) to see if they’re open to submissions before querying.
- You are searching within category(ies): Young Adult Fiction *
Biography
Kaitlyn Katsoupis is a literary agent with the Belcastro Agency. After receiving a BA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College, Kaitlyn refused to leave the concept of nightly homework behind. A literary agent for Belcastro Literary Agency, she is also a freelance editor at her own company, K. Johnson Editorial. Kaitlyn started her literary journey as a copyeditor for academic publisher codeMantra, a YA editor for Accent Press, a Conference Assistant for GrubStreet, Boston, a former agent with Corvisiero Literary Agency. She has written various articles for Writer’s Digest and has had a flash fiction story published in the anthology A Box of Stars Beneath the Bed.
Some of Kaitlyn’s favorite books: Cornelia Funke (Inkheart series); Michael Buckley (Undertow series); John Green (more Looking for Alaska, less An Abundance of Katherines); Gayle Forman (Just One Year and Just One Day); Lois Lowry (The Giver series); Scott O’Dell (Island of the Blue Dolphins). Her favorite tv shows are Doctor Who, Buffy, Supernatural, Firefly, basically the nerdier the fandom the better.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Fantasy * Graphic Novel * Historical * Horror * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * New Adult * Paranormal * Romance * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
124 N. Bentley Ave Niles OH 44446 USA
Biography
Isabel Kaufman is a literary agent with Fox Literary. She is actively looking to build her list in fantasy & science fiction, adult literary fiction, horror, historical fiction, contemporary commercial fiction, and upper-level young adult literature. She is looking for smart, inventive, ambitious storytelling and welcomes speculative elements across all genres. She is also interested in creative nonfiction and microhistories particularly related to travel, food, and incisive cultural perspectives on luxury and beauty.
Her taste is varied, but she is consistently drawn to dynamic, thoughtful prose and vibrant character voice. She is actively seeking work from historically underrepresented and marginalized perspectives. She appreciates fresh takes on familiar archetypes, new perspectives on well-known myths and fairytales, and crossover rehabilitations of “archaic” genres such as noir, gothic, and classical revenge tragedy (she has a master’s in revenge tragedy and is willing to get bloody!).
Recent books she has loved include THE GLASS HOTEL, by Emily St. John Mandel; SEVERANCE, by Ling Ma; the LOCKED TOMB trilogy, by Tamsyn Muir; PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE, by Samantha Shannon; THE IDIOT, by Elif Batuman; LUSTER, by Raven Leilani; PLAIN BAD HEROINES, by Emily Danforth; FRESHWATER, by Akwaeke Emezi. Nonfiction favorites include PRIESTDADDY, by Patricia Lockwood; SECONDHAND TIME, by Svetlana Alexievich; BLOOD, BONES, AND BUTTER, by Gabrielle Hamilton; and THE EMPEROR OF SCENT, by Luca Turin. Permanent must-read authors include Helen Oyeyemi and Megan Abbott.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Literary * Mystery * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Beauty/Fashion/Style * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * History * Lifestyle * Travel *
110 West 40th St Suite 2305 New York NY 10018 USA
Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Taylor Martindale Kean is a literary agent with the Full Circle Literary. She is a literary agent with Full Circle Literary, representing primarily middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, and illustrators. She is a graduate of The College of William and Mary, where she studied English and Hispanic Studies.
Taylor is looking for young adult fiction and literary middle grade fiction, across all genres. She is interested in finding unique and unforgettable voices in contemporary, fantasy, historical and magical realism novels. She is looking for books that demand to be read. More than anything, Taylor is looking for diverse, character-driven stories that bring their worlds vividly to life, and voices that are honest, original and interesting. Clients include: Emery Lord, Tirzah Price, David Bowles, Sylvie Lacroix, Anoosha Syed, Isabel Strychacz, Gloria Amescua, Federica Fabbian, Olivia Sua and more. When not working, Taylor can be found traveling, cooking, spending time with loved ones, or (surprise!) lost in a good book.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Middle Grade Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
3268 Governor Drive #323 San Diego CA 92122 USA
Biography
Rachel Kent is a literary agent with Books & Such Literary Agency.Rachel Kent has been an agent with Books & Such since 2007. Rachel started at Books & Such as a summer intern while she was attending U.C. Davis and then, after graduating, worked part-time at the agency as an assistant. Her favorite part of the job was reading a manuscript and providing an author with feedback to help him or her to improve the project.
She graduated from Davis in three years with a bachelor’s degree in English and minors in both religious studies and psychology.
Rachel has more than eight years of experience and training working closely with Janet Kobobel Grant
and Wendy Lawton, as well as part-time with author Robin Jones Gunn in creating marketing materials and promotional ideas to keep Robin connected with her readers. Through Rachel’s work at the agency and with authors, she has gained an understanding of the publishing process, contract negotiation, and what it takes to successfully write and market a book.
Rachel’s goal is to develop strong relationships with her authors and to help them to develop lasting relationships with their editors and publishers. Good relationships have always been important to her. She likes to stick by people. She believes that as long as two people are dedicated toward working together, the relationship can work, and they can accomplish the task at hand.
Rachel acquires fiction and nonfiction projects with a special interest in YA, 20-something and 30-something projects.
She lives with her husband and family in Northern California.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Christian Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Fantasy * General Fiction * Inspirational Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Romance * Science Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: 20- and 30-Somethings * Christian * General Nonfiction * Religion * Spirituality * Young Adult *
2222 Cleveland Avenue #1005 Santa Rosa CA 95403 USA
Biography
Molly Ker Hawn is a literary agent with The Bent Agency. She says: “I joined the Bent Agency in 2012 and lead our London office, where I work with authors from all over the world, selling directly to publishers in the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia. I’ve bounced back and forth from America to England since I was a teenager: I grew up in Northern California, lived for a year in the West Country, read English at Cambridge University, and spent many years in New York City. I represent authors whose books have been New York Times and Sunday Times bestsellers and that have won and been shortlisted for the William C. Morris YA Debut Award, the Michael L. Printz Award, the Costa Children’s Book Award, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the Carnegie Medal, the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis, and more.
If you’ve got a terrific story, well-told, I want to read it.
I’m looking for middle grade and young adult fiction and graphic novels that are inventive, well-crafted, and rich with emotion. I’m also interested in non-fiction for readers ages 8–18. I like wit, but not snark; I prefer books that lean more toward literary than commercial, but of course, my perfect book neatly bridges the two. The fiction on my list all has a strong sense of place, whether real or imaginary; I’m not the right agent for books with animal protagonists. Except maybe cats.
I’m particularly interested in hearing from writers from underrepresented communities.
I’m honored to serve on the governing committee of the Association of Authors’ Agents and to have been named one of The Bookseller‘s most influential people in the UK publishing industry.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * NoPB * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Middle Grade * Young Adult *
529 W 42nd St Suite 3P New York NY 10036 USA
Biography
Kat Kerr is a literary agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency. She joined Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2019 after working previously at Corvisiero Literary Agency. She graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelors in English in 2009 and is drawn to literary and commercial voices within the adult and YA markets, as well as adult nonfiction. 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
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chick Lit * Commercial * Contemporary * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Historical * Literary * Magical Realism * Multicultural Fiction * Romance * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * Food/Drinks * Gay/Lesbian * Journalism * Memoir * Multicultural * Music * Narrative * Pop Culture * Psychology * Women’s Issues *
1000 Dean Street Suite 252 Brooklyn NY 11238 USA
Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Lori Kilkelly is a literary agent with the LK Literary Agency. In 2008, after a number of successful years in advertising and sales, Lori aspired to combine her talents in these areas with her personal passion for children’s literature. Ultimately, this led to her decision to pursue a career change, and she attended the post graduate program, ‘The Denver Publishing Institute’ at The University of Denver. Subsequently, she spent nearly a decade at boutique children’s literary agency Rodeen Literary Management, headed by Paul Rodeen—a George Nicholson protégé—and home to award-winning authors Peter Brown, Victoria Jamieson, Lauren Castillo and Ryan Higgins, among others.
During her tenure at RLM, Lori rose through the ranks, eventually representing her own clients, and assembled a list of talented, best-selling, and award-winning authors and illustrators. Having worked independently for much of her career, she also began to lay the foundation to eventually open her own shop. Then, with the full support of Rodeen Literary, she formally announced LK Literary Agency in the fall of 2018 and was joined by all of her clients in the new endeavor.
Now, with more than 100 books under contract and titles with every major trade publisher, she is dedicated to continue bringing meaningful, funny, informative, and moving children’s and young adult literature to market, created by an incredibly talented group of authors and illustrators.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
Chicago IL USA
Biography
Emily Sylvan Kim is a literary agent with the Prospect Agency. She says: “Reading has always been my addiction so I feel very fortunate that it is my career as well. After a childhood spent devouring books in Denver, Colorado I majored in English at Carleton College where I once electively took and enjoyed a class titled “Dickens and Scott, the Longer Novels.” I gave law school a try for a year after graduation but the lure of fiction was just too strong so I moved to New York City, the hub of the publishing industry. This was one of the best decisions in my life. I worked at Writers House literary agency for five years while also writing reviews for Publisher’s Weekly as well as my own fiction and poetry. I even met my husband in a poetry class!
In 2005, I was thrilled to take the next step in my career by opening the doors to Prospect Agency. My inspiration in naming the agency came from Brooklyn’s beloved Prospect Park. With winding trails, woods and meadows, there is a place for everyone to find a bit of peace in the middle of a crowded city and I strive to provide just such a haven for our clients. I am proud to have built an agency composed of so many talented agents who represent a wide array of authors and illustrators.
Even though a love of reading brought me to agenting, as my career has advanced, I found myself equally drawn to the business aspect of creating books. Publishing is the nexus of art and commerce. How we navigate that intersection is endlessly fascinating and of critical importance to the future of literature. By working and listening closely to both publishers and writers, I always strive to foster dialogue and create innovative opportunities. I understand that we are in a time of great change and that decisions we make now will have a lasting impact on our future. As an agent, I have taken a leadership role in helping to shape the digital landscape. By embracing and understanding technology, we can make sure we stay relevant and fresh for both long time readers and also attract new audiences.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Juvenile * Memoir * Science * Travel *
551 Valley Road PMB 377 Upper Montclair NJ 07043 USA
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
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Horror * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Cultural/Social Issues * Current Events/Affairs * General Nonfiction * Humor * Journalism * Memoir * Money/Finance * Music * Narrative * Pop Culture * Science *
285 Madison Avenue 21st Floor New York NY 10017 USA
Biography
Stephanie Kim is a literary agent with New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc. She has more than a decade of experience in publicity and marketing across the publishing, tech, and media industries. She began her career as an assistant publicist at William Morrow/HarperCollins where she cut her teeth on high-profile campaigns for Neil Gaiman, Laura Lippman, Wiley Cash, and many others. At Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Stephanie led publicity for three consecutive #1 New York Times bestsellers: What If? and Thing Explainer by xkcd creator Randall Munroe, and Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss. Some additional highlights include working on Gabourey Sidibe’s memoir This Is Just My Face, Chinelo Okparanta’s Lambda Literary award-winning debut novel Under the Udala Trees, and comic artist Ariel Shrag’s quirky, irreverent coming-of-age love story, Adam.
As an agent, Stephanie is focused on representing authors from diverse backgrounds with compelling stories to tell. She’s interested in narrative non-fiction (memoir, pop culture, self-help) as well as select voice-driven fiction. Some of her favorite books include Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado, The Color of Water by James McBride, Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Exhalation by Ted Chiang, and anything by John Green.
Stephanie is based in the Los Angeles area. In her free time, she co-hosts rePEAK — a podcast exploring remakes, reboots, and revivals — where she rants about celebrity gossip, book-to-film adaptations, and all things pop culture.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Romance * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Cooking/Cookbook * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Lifestyle * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Narrative * Pop Culture * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development *
110 West 40th Street Suite 2201 New York NY 10018 USA
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
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Horror * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Narrative * 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
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Horror * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Mystery * NoPB * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
55 Broadway Suite 1601 New York NY 10006 USA
Biography
Ginger Knowlton is a literary agent with the Curtis Brown Literary Agency. Ginger Knowlton represents a diverse list of authors and illustrators of picture books, middle-grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction. Her client list includes new and emerging writers as well as Newbery Medalists, Newbery and Printz Honor winners, Edgar and Lambda winners, New York Times bestsellers, and a host of other talented clients. Ginger has served on the Board of Directors of both the Association of Authors’ Representatives in NYC and the Friends of the Library in her hometown in Westchester County.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
228 E 45th Street 3rd floor New York NY 10017 USA
Biography
Barbara Kouts is a literary agent with the Barbara Kouts Literary Agency. She was formerly with The Lazear Agency Inc./Talkback, Barbara Markowitz Literary Agency, and Barbara Levy Literary Agency.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
P.O. Box 560 Bellport NY 11713 USA
Biography
Jill Kramer is a literary agent with Waterside Productions, Inc. She was the Editorial Director at Hay House, Inc., for almost 18 years; and worked with numerous New York Times best-selling authors including Louise Hay, Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson, Neale Donald Walsch, Ben Stein, Carnie Wilson, Doreen Virtue, Denise Linn, and many more. She is currently available for representation of all types of Adult, New Adult, and Young Adult fiction, with the exception of sci-fi/fantasy.
She also represents nonfiction books in the areas of: mind-body-spirit, self-help, celebrity memoirs, relationships, sociology, finance, psychology, health and fitness, diet/nutrition/cooking, inspiration, business/politics/history, family/parenting issues, and more.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * New Adult * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Diet/Nutrition * Family * Fitness * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Inspiration * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Psychology * Self-Help/Personal Development *
2055 Oxford Ave. Cardiff by the Sea CA 92007 USA
Biography
Maura Kye-Casella is a literary agent with Don Congdon Associates. In 2001, Maura traded in her legal briefcase for a manuscript bag and joined the Denise Marcil Literary Agency. In 2008, Maura became an agent with Don Congdon Associates. Maura represents writers of narrative non-fiction, cookbooks, women’s fiction, young adult, self-help and parenting and is seeking literary works, women’s fiction, horror, thrillers, multicultural voices, and any well-written novels with quirky characters and/or unique plots and settings. She’s especially interested in works for both the young adult and middle grade markets. As to non-fiction, Maura is seeking narrative works (memoirs/adventure/true crime), any food related projects or cookbooks, pop culture, self-help, parenting and fun/interesting works that fall into the humor category.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Horror * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Paranormal * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * Current Events/Affairs * Ethnic * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * History * How-To * Humor * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Multicultural * Narrative * Politics * Pop Culture * Science * True Crime * Young Adult *
88 Pine Street Suite 730 New York NY 10005 USA
Biography
Jud Laghi is a literary agent with the Jud Laghi Agency. Jud Laghi formed his eponymous agency in 2010, after working as a Senior Agent at LJK Literary Management and at ICM, where he began his agenting career. He has represented, developed and launched a number of trendsetting and bestselling books throughout his career, and his clients include a diverse range of writers who contribute to The New York Times, Rolling Stone, New York, Spin, ESPN The Magazine, Wired, GQ, Sports Illustrated, The Atlantic Monthly, The Believer, Slate, Science and This American Life. He graduated from Trinity College with a B.A. in English and creative writing.
Jud works closely with his clients at every stage of the publishing process. His hands-on style includes significant editorial guidance on proposals and manuscripts for the strongest possible publisher submission, and an exploration of all potential opportunities for boosting the marketing and publicity of his clients’ books once they have been published, as well as foreign publishing, film, TV, merchandising rights, and the broad range of possibilities that continue to develop in digital and online media.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Humor Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Computers * Cultural/Social Issues * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * History * Humor *Journalism * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Pop Culture * Prescriptive * Science * Sports * Technology *
195 Hicks Street #5B Brooklyn NY 11201 USA
Biography
Ali Lake is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She is open to submissions of nonfiction, fiction, and YA. She loves books that show her a new corner of the world or unexpected facet of human experience through an original, surprising voice. She is interested in stories from writers from traditionally underrepresented or marginalized backgrounds.
For nonfiction, Ali seeks memoir, narrative nonfiction, pop science, cookbooks, and evidence-based self-help.
She is looking for literary and upmarket fiction that is eerie or uncanny in the thriller and horror genres—particularly books that explore some type of repressed trauma that bubbles to the surface or is quietly present in day-to-day life—or fiction that’s witty, sharply observed, and captures some truth about love or life.
She is interested in new adult, campus novels, and YA that are fun while exploring deeper issues and challenging readers’ world views. She enjoys fiction featuring low fantasy elements and the occasional high fantasy adventure.
Previous to joining Janklow & Nesbit, Ali worked at ICM Partners. She has BA in English and French Literature from Columbia University. She loves to dance, run, and hike.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Fantasy * General Fiction * Horror * Literary * New Adult * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * General Nonfiction * Memoir * Narrative * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Technology * Young Adult *
Biography
Marie Lamba is a literary agent with the Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency. Marie Lamba (www.marielamba.com) is author of the young adult novels What I Meant… (Random House), Over My Head and Drawn, of the picture book Green Green: A Community Gardening Story (Farrar Straus Giroux), and of the upcoming picture book A Day So Gray (Clarion). Her articles appear in more than 100 publications, and she’s a frequent contributor to Writer’s Digest. Marie has worked as an editor, an award-winning public relations writer, a book publicist, and has taught classes on novel writing and on author promotion.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Chick Lit * Children’s Fiction * Commercial * Contemporary * Family Saga * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Historical * Humor Fiction * Magical Realism * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Picture Book * Satire * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Art * Biography * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Environment * Film/Entertainment * Fitness * Food/Drinks * Gardening * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * History * Humor * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Pop Culture * Science * Self-Help/Personal Development * Technology * Travel * True Adventure * Women’s Issues *
245 Park Avenue 39th Floor New York NY 10167 USA
Biography
Cole Lanahan is a literary agent with The Seymour Agency. As an agent, Cole Lanahan possesses a wide range of skills to offer her authors. Aside from being a published author of eight novels, Cole holds a degree in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State. Her past experiences include lobbying the United States congress for better mental health initiatives, leading a multimillion-dollar mental health nonprofit, creating strategic corporate partnerships, and implementing large-scale marketing campaigns.
When she’s not traveling, Cole lives in the Midwest with her husband, daughter, four dogs, and twenty chickens. Her personal interests include reading, quilting, and performing with her acoustic band.
Cole is actively looking for all genres of YA, all genres of adult romance, psychological suspense in the vein of The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine, and thrillers in the vein of Verity by Colleen Hoover and I’m thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid. In nonfiction she is looking for humor, business, self-help, lifestyle, and arts and crafts books.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Fantasy * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * Graphic Novel * Horror * Magical Realism * New Adult * Romance * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Business * Celebrity * Cooking/Cookbook * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Health/Wellness * How-To * Humor * Lifestyle * Medical/Medicine * Money/Finance * Pop Culture * Psychology * Self-Help/Personal Development * True Crime * Women’s Issues *
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
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Fantasy * Middle Grade Fiction * New Adult * Science Fiction * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
115 Broadway Suite 1602 New York NY 10006 USA
Biography
Laura Langlie is a literary agent with the Laura Langlie Agency. Laura says: “After working for fourteen years for publishing companies and a literary agency, I launched my own literary agency in 2001. I work primarily with authors of fiction (commercial, literary, mystery), of nonfiction (narrative nonfiction and biography), and of children’s fiction (middle-grade and young adult novels). My clients include Renee Ashley, Mignon F. Ballard, Dan Begley, Jessica Benson, Meg Cabot, Joan Druett, Jack El-Hai, Sarah Elliott, Robin Hathaway, Mary Hogan, Lauren Lipton, Delia Ray, Cheryl L. Reed, and Meg Tilly, among others.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Gay/Lesbian Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Humor Fiction * Literary * Mainstream * Middle Grade Fiction * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Satire * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Animals/Pets * Art * Autobiography * Biography * Current Events/Affairs * Environment * Gay/Lesbian * Health/Wellness * History * Law * Memoir * Multicultural * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Politics * Pop Culture * Psychology * Women’s Issues *
147-149 Green Street Hudson NY 12534 USA
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
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Cooking/Cookbook * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Juvenile * Lifestyle * Middle Grade * Science * Young Adult *
11224 Canton Drive Studio City CA 91604 USA
Biography
Katherine Latshaw is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. She says: “I joined Folio in 2013 after working as an agent at The Literary Group International with Frank Weimann. Prior to that, I worked at packager and literary agency Stonesong, where I participated in every facet of book production, from sales to photo shoots to edits and design. That unique perspective has allowed me to weigh in with authority on behalf of clients during every step of the publishing process. I relish working one on one with authors. For nonfiction, I will often brainstorm with clients who have the requisite knowledge and platform but aren’t sure how to harness that into a saleable concept. I will write, re-write, and edit behind a client to present the best possible pitch to editors. For fiction, my aim is the same, and I will provide whatever is necessary to achieve that result, from general editorial suggestions to line edits. My authors range very widely from celebrities like Burt Reynolds to ice cream sandwich empire Coolhaus to internationally bestselling poets like Iain S. Thomas and Upile Chisala.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Cooking/Cookbook * General Nonfiction * Gift/Novelty * Health/Wellness * Lifestyle * Memoir * Middle Grade * Narrative * Photography * Pop Culture * Prescriptive * Technology * Women’s Issues * Young Adult *
630 Ninth Ave. Suite 1101 New York NY 10036 USA
Biography
Steve Laube is a literary agent with and the President and Founder of the Steve Laube Agency. He is a veteran of the bookselling industry with nearly 40 years of experience. In the 80s he was a bookstore manager and was awarded the National Store of the Year by the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA). He then spent over a decade with Bethany House Publishers and was named the Editor of the Year by AWSA. Over sixteen years ago he became an agent where he and his agency have represented nearly 2,000 new books and Steve was named Agent of the Year by ACFW. He was also inducted into the Grand Canyon University Hall-of-Fame by their College of Theology. He is married with three grown children and one grandchild.
Steve has very eclectic interests. He has represented everything from the sweet romance to the systematic theology. His clients are equally divided between fiction and non-fiction writers. (For a complete resume of his past work and editorial experience click here.)
He is the President of The Christian Writers Institute and publishes the annual Christian Writers Market Guide (also available online) and Book Proposal Tips and Tricks.
In addition, he is the owner and President of Enclave Publishing one of the premier publishers of Christian fantasy and science fiction.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Christian Fiction * Contemporary * Espionage/Military * Fantasy * Historical * Literary * Paranormal * Picture Book * Religious * Romance * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Biography * Christian * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Family * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Inspiration * Lifestyle * Money/Finance * Music * Parenting/Child Guidance * Philosophy * Politics * Psychology * Reference * Religion * Self-Help/Personal Development * Spirituality * Women’s Issues *
24 W. Camelback Rd. A-635 Phoenix AZ 85013 USA
Biography
Jennifer Laughran is a literary agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. Jennifer comes from a theatrical background, and began her career in agenting after working as a long-time children’s bookseller and buyer. She joined the Andrea Brown Literary Agency in 2007. Jenn loves quirky, warm illustration, and projects for all ages that have illustrated elements. Always on the lookout for sparkling YA and middle grade fiction with unusual and unforgettable characters and vivid settings, she is drawn to nearly all kinds of books, whether realistic comedies or richly imagined magical adventures. However, the common thread in her favorite stories is an offbeat world-view. Jennifer loves funny books, thrilling books, romantic books, books that make her cry, and all-around un-put-downable books … and her true favorites are all of the above.
She spends most of her free time … well, reading, what else?!
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Graphic Novel * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile *
2225 E Bayshore Rd Suite 200 Palo Alto CA 94303 USA
Biography
Felice Laverne is a literary agent with and the cofounder of the ArtHouse Literary Agency. Her publishing career has always been rooted in championing bold voices and writers from marginalized communities. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in English, Creative Writing, from Georgia State University, she started her career at About Words Agency directly after college where she worked as an agent until leaving to complete her master’s degree in Publishing at Kingston University in London, England. There, Felice specialized in Diversity & Inclusion in Publishing, which drove her career-long passion for bold voices the world had never heard before.
After years of then partnering with major houses as a book editor and ghostwriter, including having edited phenomenal big-name books such as Zerlina Maxwell’s The End of White Politics (Hachette) and Paola Ramos’ Finding Latinx: In Search of the Voices Redefining Latino Identity (Vintage), among so many others, she is now back to her roots as a literary agent with a growing list of bold titles.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Commercial * Contemporary * Crime/Detective/Police * Dystopian * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * Humor Fiction * Literary * Magical Realism * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * New Adult * Satire * Science Fiction * Upmarket Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Ethnic * Food/Drinks * Humor * Multicultural * Narrative * Pop Culture *
3093 Broadway 363 Oakland CA 94611 USA
.
Submit a Question or Comment
If you have a question or comment, click on the red button below and you’ll be able to post it. You’ll also be able to see answers to the questions I’m asked most.
Directory Instructions
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.
Important: If you use the search box, you must remove the search term by pressing the “Clear Search” link before you look for more agents using the drop-down menu (or you won’t see the proper results). Click on the “Show Notes” and “Show Bio” links underneath each agent for more information about that agent.
Have a question or need support? Post a comment or question by clicking on the red button at the bottom of the page.
* * *
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.
* * *
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
* * *
“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)
* * *
“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)
* * *
“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
* * *
“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)
* * *
“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)
* * *
“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
* * *
“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
* * *
“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)
* * *
“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)
* * *
“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)