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United States Literary Agents

Literary agents based in the United States. Browse verified listings with submission guidelines, open status, and direct links to agency websites.

1224 agents · 684 currently open to submissions

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Represents

Fiction, non-fiction, literary fiction, climate fiction, speculative fiction, ya, narrative non-fiction

Looking for

Literary, climate, and speculative fiction, occasional YA. Stories that hold up a mirror to our culture in new ways, queer and trans coming-of-age fiction (particularly from horror perspective). Narrative non-fiction chronicling recent history, cultural trends, technology, social rules. Work that is subversive in prose, style, or subject

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Last checked 10 Jun 2026
Represents

Literary fiction, non-fiction in cultural criticism, food, popular culture, journalism, science, current affairs

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

Looking for

Plot-driven literary novels, non-fiction that is creatively critical, unique perspectives, a great cookbook, and above all, original prose

How to submit

Send a query letter to monika@triangle.house describing your project along with the first ten pages of your manuscript in the body of the email in a normal-sized font

Last checked 10 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, speculative fiction, literary thrillers, narrative nonfiction, longform journalism, essays, academic crossover

Wants: Query letter, first 20 pages

Looking for

Fiction that grapples with climate change; ambitious multigenerational novels or family sagas; speculative fiction; literary thrillers; dark or darkly comic domestic fiction. Narrative nonfiction on climate, environment, institutional corruption, big idea books, object histories. Academic writers with narrative sensibilities

How to submit

Email emma@triangle.house with a query letter and first 20 pages (or full proposal) in the body of an email. Please include QUERY in your subject line

Last checked 10 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages, author bio

Looking for

In fiction, upmarket is her sweet spot, though CeCe is also interested in literary fiction with propulsive elements and commercial fiction with a distinctive voice. She is actively acquiring across genres, including book club, thrillers, horror, suspense, mysteries, family sagas, dark comedies, historical fiction, light speculative fiction, magical realism, smart romances, and genre mashups. In nonfiction, CeCe is seeking expert-led proposals with paradigm-shifting takeaways with a particular interest in psychology, wellness, health and medicine, self-development, spirituality, women's issues, current affairs, pop culture, and select memoir.

How to submit

Please send all email submissions to submissions@wsherman.com. We ask that you include your last name, title, and the name of the agent you are submitting to in the subject line.

Last checked 10 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

Use QueryManager link provided

Last checked 9 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, cultural history

Wants: Query letter, first 1-2 chapters

Looking for

Literary fiction and works of cultural history.

How to submit

Queries should be emailed to submissions@inkwellmanagement.com. In the body of your email, please include a query letter and a short writing sample (1-2 chapters). You may specify the name of the agent to whom you are submitting in the subject line.

Last checked 9 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Young adult, fantasy, horror, thriller, romance, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter, first 1-2 chapters

Looking for

Young adult, fantasy, light horror, thriller, the occasional rom-com, graphic novels, and almost anything with a strong female lead.

How to submit

Queries should be emailed to submissions@inkwellmanagement.com. In the body of your email, please include a query letter and a short writing sample (1-2 chapters). You may specify the name of the agent to whom you are submitting in the subject line.

Last checked 9 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Narrative nonfiction, memoir, personal development, business, cooking, select fiction, children's books

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Looking for

High-profile talent across narrative nonfiction, memoir, personal development, business, cooking, and select fiction and children's books

How to submit

Email a query letter and accompanying material to queries@parkfinebrower.com, specify the agent name and category or genre in the subject line. Fiction queries include about the first 25 pages, YA or children's fiction include the first chapter or about the first 10 pages, nonfiction queries include a query letter.

Last checked 9 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Cookbooks, culinary, health, wellness, lifestyle, food narrative, women's non-fiction, caregiving, parenting, select non-fiction

Wants: Book proposal with all essential components including title page, concept/overview, author biography, markets, promotion plan, competition analysis, table of contents, chapter summaries, and complete sample material

Looking for

Culinary, health, wellness, and lifestyle talent, from first-time cookbook authors to chefs, restaurant owners, professional food writers, bloggers, online creators, and journalists, plus books about caregiving, parenting, and other select non-fiction genres

How to submit

Full proposal required - see comprehensive guidance on website

Last checked 9 Jun 2026Via Form
Represents

Commercial romance, fantasy, science fiction, horror, upmarket thrillers, contemporary fiction, young adult fiction, cookbooks, food writing, sports, pop culture, music, psychology, lifestyle, wellness

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

Looking for

In fiction, she is looking for commercial romance, adult and crossover fantasy, science fiction, horror, upmarket thrillers, contemporary fiction and select young adult fiction. She is drawn to stories that embrace genre conventions from a fun, fresh angle. In non-fiction, she is looking for cookbooks and food writing, sports, pop culture, music, psychology, lifestyle, and wellness, especially when approached from a specific, unique perspective.

How to submit

Include the first ten pages of text only within the body of your email for adult fiction, adult memoir, adult non-fiction essay collection, or children's fiction and non-fiction.

Last checked 9 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Historical fiction, romance, magical realism, horror

Looking for

Immersive, atmospheric stories across genres, especially historical fiction—gothic or moody tales, BIPOC romances rooted in heritage, and magical realism with political nuance. Feminist retellings that reclaim overlooked voices and narratives on identity and ancestry. Folklore-inspired horror

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, select adult

Looking for

Query Letter, Synopsis, One-sentence pitch, First 20 Pages, Book proposal for nonfiction

How to submit

Rebecca is only accepting submissions via her personal QueryManager link. Please include your title, word count, genre, one-sentence pitch, synopsis, and query letter. For fiction, please include the first 20 pages of your manuscript. For nonfiction, please include your book proposal.

Last checked 9 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Fiction, speculative fiction, nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first 10 pages

Looking for

Fiction, focusing on novels with speculative elements, strong writing, and a lot of heart; also maintains an eclectic non-fiction list

How to submit

Electronic submissions should consist of a query letter detailing the book in question and your qualifications, as well as the reason you're reaching out to the particular agent being queried. For fiction, you should also include a synopsis and the first ten pages of a novel or one short story from a collection in the body of the email. For non-fiction, please include a synopsis in the body of the email.

Last checked 9 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Picture books, graphic novels, chapter books, middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, new adult fiction, adult fiction, adult non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, first chapter, synopsis, full manuscript, sample chapter, book proposal

Looking for

Picture books that are funny, unexpected, character-centric, interactive, or cover nonfiction/history. Middle-grade fiction with interactive elements, adventure/mystery stories with offbeat protagonists, and stories for kids who need consistent input. Young Adult/New Adult fantasy with big relationships, high-impact dangerous books, urban fantasy, and soapy drama. Commercial adult fiction including compelling fantasy, thrillers with bite, horror with romance, and weird feminist genre work.

How to submit

Submit through QueryManager only. Fiction requires query letter, first chapter, and synopsis. Picture books need query and entire manuscript. Nonfiction needs full proposal with sample chapter.

Last checked 9 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Commercial nonfiction, commercial fiction, health and well-being, psychology or self-help, politics and current affairs, memoir, personal finance, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, women's bookclub fiction

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Women's bookclub fiction, Epic juicy generational sagas, Historical mysteries and thrillers, Genre mash-ups, A great triplets thriller, Activist fiction or fiction that illuminates a topical or societal issue in a new way, Experts bringing new ideas that can help people in their everyday lives

How to submit

Query via QueryTracker only - we do not accept unsolicited proposals or manuscripts

Last checked 9 Jun 2026Via QueryTracker
Represents

Fiction, nonfiction, children's books, adult, young adult, middle grade, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

Looking for

Contemporary & Upmarket fiction, Upmarket Romance, Speculative & Cozy Fantasy, Literary Thriller/Suspense/Psychological, Atmospheric & Genre-Bending, Fun & Offbeat, Graphic Novels, Big Ideas & Culture nonfiction, Literary Memoir

How to submit

Send query and first 10 pages in body of email to helmsubmissions@gmail.com. No attachments will be opened.

Last checked 9 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Contemporary romance, thrillers, suspense, ya or na romance, commercial fiction, romantic comedies, fantasy, paranormal romance

Looking for

Emotionally driven stories and swoony character arcs, contemporary romance, thrillers, suspense, YA/NA romance, commercial fiction, romantic comedies, and fantasy or paranormal romance, but only when the romance leads the way

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Represents

Mg, ya, graphic novels, contemporary romance, horror, speculative sci-fi, book club fiction, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, bio, first 5-10 pages

Looking for

Stories about identity, family relationships, and travel. MG, YA, & Graphic Novels. Contemporary romance, horror, speculative sci-fi, and book club fiction. Non-fiction submissions and illustrators

How to submit

Send a short description, short bio, and 5-10 pages of text pasted into the body of the email. I do not open attachments

Last checked 8 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, historical fiction, crime, mystery, thrillers, horror, women's fiction, romance, young adult fiction, memoirs, essays, narrative nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, brief sample in email body

Looking for

Literary fiction; historical fiction; sophisticated genre (crime, mystery, thrillers, horror); upmarket character-rich women's fiction and smart romance; realism-based young adult fiction; memoirs, essays, and narrative nonfiction. Nonfiction interests include: music, sports, wellness, the natural world, animal welfare, feminism, true crime, sociology, and culture both pop and serious.

How to submit

Submissions strictly via dedicated email address: submissions@dvagency.com

Last checked 8 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, biography, cultural studies, history, current events, hybrid work, memoir, popular culture, science

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, bio, first 10 pages

Looking for

Literary fiction and a wide variety of narrative nonfiction (including biography, cultural studies, history/current events, hybrid work, memoir, popular culture, and science)

How to submit

Send queries directly to michael@mmqalit.com with subject line 'query' and include synopsis, publication history, brief bio, and excerpt up to 10 pages

Last checked 8 Jun 2026Via Email

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