Laura Dail Literary Agency

Mysteries, thrillers, cozies, contemporary romance, romcoms, upmarket women's fiction, memoirs, narratives, cookbooks, self-help, mg fiction, ya fiction, historical narratives

Adult Fiction: High-stakes mysteries and thrillers, and funny cozies––especially ones featuring ensembles, intergenerational family dynamics, and/or main characters outside of law enforcement, military, or journalism; contemporary romance and romcoms; upmarket women's fiction. Adult Non-Fiction: memoirs, narratives, cookbooks involving family heritage, self-help with concrete takeaways, empowerment, cultural tradition, and parts of history not typically taught in school. MG and YA: commercial fiction, including contemporary fantasy, horror, romance, mystery, and thriller––including ones with spooky or paranormal elements––especially ones that grapple with identity and/or intersectionality with fresh perspectives.

Use QueryManager link provided

Fantasy, romance, mysteries or thrillers, select horror, literary or upmarket, commercial science fiction

Fantasy: standout world building, compelling characters & voices, dark fantasy, cozy fantasy with an edge. Romance: mystery romance & romantic suspense, why-choose, unusual settings or communities, historical-with-a-twist, dark romance. Mysteries/Thrillers: unusual structures/unreliable narrators, cross-genre elements. Open to select horror, literary/upmarket, and commercial science fiction with standout hooks and strong writing. Interested in working with fan writers who are looking to explore trad pub!

Use QueryManager link provided

Picture books, mg fiction, ya fiction, adult commercial fiction, fantasy, mystery or thriller, upmarket women's fiction

Picture Books: Author/Illustrators ONLY. MG fiction: funny, mad-cap adventures; epic fantasy; magical realism; high-concept twists; strong plots and voices. YA fiction: commercial and high-concept fiction (all genres). Plot-driven and escapist books. Humor, imagination, adventure, romance. Adult commercial fiction (accessible fantasy, mystery/thriller, upmarket women's fiction). Fun, escapist reads. Great hooks. Great writing.

Use QueryManager link provided

Adult romance, romantasy, mystery, cozy mystery, adult fantasy, picture books, science fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter, first five pages, full proposal, artwork sample, portfolio link

Katie Gisondi is mainly looking for adult romance, fantasy, mystery, or any mix of the three. She likes spicy adult romance with a distinct voice, romantasy, fun escapist reads, cozy mysteries with unique settings and quirky narrators, locked room mysteries with charming casts, adult fantasy of any type, select picture books, strong unique hooks, diverse voices, high stakes, and high concept. Her official QueryManager also says she is most actively seeking romance, cozies, paranormal, and mysteries, and she will only consider picture books from author-illustrators.

Submit to Katie Gisondi through the QueryManager link on LDLA's official submissions page. LDLA accepts queries via QueryManager only, asks writers to submit to one agent at a time with one project at a time, and expects a complete manuscript or proposal. QueryManager asks for a query letter, the first 5 pages or a full nonfiction proposal, and an art sample or portfolio link for picture book author-illustrators.

Serious nonfiction, journalism, history, business, upmarket fiction, children's books

Laura Dail is focused on representing serious nonfiction by journalists, historians, and business leaders, upmarket fiction, and select children's books. She is always seeking fresh, diverse voices and innovative partners.

Laura Dail is currently closed to submissions according to the official LDLA submissions page, so there is no open submission route for her at this time.

Narrative nonfiction, biography, memoir, commercial fiction, romance, women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, cozy mystery, middle grade, young adult

Carrie Pestritto represents projects across a range of genres and is drawn to immersive writing, engaging voices, meticulous world-building, and compelling premises. LDLA lists her interests as adult narrative nonfiction, biography/memoir, commercial fiction with a literary twist, fresh chick-lit, romance, upmarket women's fiction, near-historical fiction from about the Gilded Age on, mystery/thrillers for a female audience, cozies, and high-concept commercial MG and YA in contemporary, historical, mystery/thriller, horror, or fantasy genres, especially featuring POC or marginalized characters, high stakes, and exciting plot lines.

Carrie Pestritto is currently closed to queries. LDLA accepts queries via QueryManager only and says writers should submit to one agent at a time with one complete project. Carrie's official linked QueryManager page says she is not accepting queries at this time and suggests checking colleagues' bios while she is closed.

Adult fiction, young adult, crossover, middle grade, genre fiction

Wants: Completed manuscript or proposal, querymanager submission

Aiden Siobhan is an associate agent at Laura Dail Literary Agency. They are looking for adult, YA, crossover, and select middle grade genre fiction, especially diverse, heartfelt, beautifully written, trope-filled, high-stakes, fast-paced novels.

LDLA accepts queries via QueryManager only and asks writers to submit to one agent at a time with one project at a time. The current official submissions page lists QueryManager links for several LDLA agents but does not publish an Aiden-specific query link, so use the official LDLA submissions page for current availability before querying.