United States Literary Agents

Women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery, romance, romantic comedy, horror, science fiction, fantasy, young adult, humor, nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Courtney represents women's fiction, historical fiction, mysteries, romance and rom-coms, horror, science fiction and fantasy, YA novels, humor, and nonfiction. Her list emphasizes work from underrepresented voices.

Check Handspun submission status and submit through the agency query system when open. Query each project once with the agency.

Fiction, nonfiction, children's, illustration, memoir, journalism, political nonfiction, literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, poetry

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency represents fiction, nonfiction and children's book authors and illustrators, with a focus on diverse voices and previously untold stories through its SLM partnership.

Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency is not accepting submissions.

Romance, contemporary romance, historical romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, speculative romance, horror romance, monster romance, dark romance, dystopian romance, new adult romance, romantasy, speculative fiction, women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, young adult, upper middle grade, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, first chapter, synopsis

She is looking for high-concept, commercial-leaning stories with propulsive and accessible narratives. She particularly wants dark romance, horror/monster romance, genre-mashups, fresh takes on historical romance and dystopian, mystery/thriller and suspense stories with female protagonists, and cozy crime stories with humor and charm.

Submit queries only through QueryManager. Include a query letter, first chapter, and synopsis for fiction. Include genre and word count in the cover letter. Query only one agent at a time.

Picture books, chapter books, middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, adult fiction, middle grade nonfiction, young adult nonfiction, adult nonfiction

Award-winning authors and illustrators of picture books and chapter books that present the world in unique and unusual ways, with characters that live vividly on and off the page. In nonfiction across middle grade, young adult, and adult categories, book ideas and platforms that tell untold stories by creators offering a distinctive perspective on current issues, hopes, and fears of both today and tomorrow.

Tricia accepts queries by request or referral, or from people who have attended conferences where she is faculty. Submit your query through the contact page on her website or through the agency's contact and submissions form.

Romantasy, cozy fantasy, horror, science fiction, fantasy, southern gothic

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Cheyenne is interested in manuscripts from historically excluded communities, gritty or dark romantasies, cozy fantasy with high stakes, feminist-leaning horror, horror-romance crossover, grounded science fiction, epic fantasy, Southern Gothic, and speculative stories with folkloric and atmospheric elements.

Check Handspun submission status and submit through the agency query system when open. Query each project once with the agency.

Science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction

Wants: Query letter

Brady is looking for adult science fiction, adult fantasy, and speculative fiction, including space opera, military science fiction, near-future stories, cozy fantasy, historical fantasy, grimdark, secondary-world fantasy, complex magic systems, epic fantasy, fairy-tale and myth retellings, literary speculative work, and new weird stories.

Brady is closed to queries. When he reopens, use his QueryManager page. JABberwocky asks writers to query only one agent at a time and handles only book-length material.

Children's books, fiction, nonfiction

See source page for more info

Marcia is not open to submissions at this time

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, graphic novels, ya, middle-grade, poetry, picture books

Fiction that breaks her heart, non-fiction that blows her mind. Literary fiction, commercial or upmarket fiction, funny or whimsical middle-grade fiction, contemporary or speculative YA fiction, narrative-driven non-fiction

Rachel is currently closed for submissions

Fiction, memoir, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages, author bio

Novelists who have several compulsively readable yarns in their head and are committed to perfecting their craft as storytellers. She will advocate for memoirs that uncover the diversity of human experience, and take on non-fiction writers who are experts on a variety of topics such as personal development, health and sexuality, racial identity, Christianity and spirituality, diet and fitness, African American history, and pop culture.

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.

Visit agent's website for details

See source page for more info

Query Victoria

Adult fiction, young reader fiction

Wants: Query letter, first 1-2 chapters

High-quality fiction with a strong sense of plot in both adult and young reader spaces. A novel that hits big on an emotional level or, if nonfiction, changes the way he thinks about the world.

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.

Literary fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, ya, middle grade, crime fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction

Literary and upmarket commercial fiction (including select young adult and middle grade), crime fiction, memoir, and narrative nonfiction

Currently closed for unsolicited submissions

Mystery, thriller, sf, fantasy, romance, ya, memoir, humor, pop culture, health and wellness, cooking, self-help, pop psych, new age, inspirational, technology, science, writing

Mystery/thriller, SF/fantasy, romance, YA, memoir, humor, pop culture, health & wellness, cooking, self-help, pop psych, New Age, inspirational, technology, science, and writing

Check agent's submission page

Board books, picture books, early readers, middle grade fiction, middle grade nonfiction, graphic novels

Strong and diverse voices that tell stories for all children, graphic novels (middle grade and younger), illustrators with polished distinctive portfolios, engaging and idiosyncratic nonfiction, books about the power of the natural world, slices of life with well-drawn characters, magic embedded in the real world

QueryManager form only

Historical fiction, upmarket fiction, romance, women's fiction

Historical fiction, upmarket fiction, romance, and women's fiction. She is especially drawn to narratives that center resilient, complex female protagonists

Submission form: http://QueryManager.com/QueryNadia

Picture books, middle grade, graphic novels, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first chapter, complete manuscript

Kaitlyn is looking for children's books (picture books through middle grade) in all categories, including fiction, graphic novels, nonfiction, and illustration. She is incredibly eclectic in her tastes, with a great affinity for emotional stories as well as funny stories. She is always looking for diversity in all forms, including but not limited to BIPOC, neurodiversity, and LGBTQ+.

Queries only accepted through QueryManager. Fiction requires query letter, first chapter, and synopsis. Picture book submissions should include short query and entire manuscript. Feel free to send 2-3 picture book submissions at one time.

Science fiction, fantasy, romance, young adult

Wants: Query letter, first chapter, synopsis

Rebecca seeks character-driven stories with strong friendships and relationships, fantasy romance, stories of self-discovery and reinvention, queer romance particularly featuring f/f, bi, pan, trans, ace and other underrepresented identities, and fantasy worlds that are wholly original or drawn from non-medieval European backgrounds.

Submit queries through QueryManager with a query letter, first chapter, and synopsis. Include genre and word count in the cover letter.

Horror, gothic romance, grounded fantasy, thriller, mysteries, commercial fiction, science fiction, speculative fiction, historical fiction, erotic fiction

Wants: Query letter, 10-20 pages, synopsis

She seeks horror across almost all subgenres and age categories, gothic romance, grounded fantasy, thrillers and mysteries with non-cop protagonists, commercial fiction, science fiction, speculative fiction, historical fiction featuring BIPOC and queer characters, and adult erotic fiction especially featuring BIPOC and LGBTQIA characters. She particularly welcomes stories by Honduran authors and Latine/x authors from Central America and the Caribbean.

All ALA agents use Query Manager. Submit to one agent at a time, but if one agent passes, you can submit to up to three agents at ALA. Submit 10-20 polished pages for novels.

Thriller, adult fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, bio, opening pages

Zach is primarily seeking thrillers and adult fiction, especially those set in rural places, mountainous regions, or other hard-to-reach corners of the world. He is open to non-fiction pitches in hiking, skiing, music, board games, golf, and other outdoor activities categories. He is not looking to represent fantasy or science fiction at this time.

Send a query letter with a synopsis of your book, your bio, and the opening 3 or 4 pages embedded in the body of your email. Do not send an attachment without a request to do so.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, upmarket fiction, political journalism, graphic books, memoirs

Wants: Query letter, first five pages, full manuscript for picture books

She typically looks for picture books that straddle piercing humor and heart, lyrical middle grade, and daring, sharp Young Adult. She loves graphic novels and memoirs that share lesser-known pieces of history and those quieter slices of life. She especially adores stories of all genres if they are from around the world and speak to multigenerational diaspora experiences.

Send a query letter and the first five pages of your manuscript within the email. If it is a picture book, include the entire manuscript. Only submit to one agent at a time.

Children's books, adult fiction, picture books

Query Letter, First Five Pages

Send a query letter and the first five pages of your manuscript within the email with no attachments. If it is a picture book, include the entire manuscript.

Fantasy, science fiction, horror, mystery, thriller, graphic novels, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, bio, sample pages

Shannon seeks dark gothic fantasy, horror across all speculative levels, science fantasy that blurs magic and science, mysteries with cinematic feel, and graphic novels with found families or unsettling elements. She values experimental styles, unreliable narrators, excellent prose, strange concepts, botanical uncanniness, and stories incorporating religious elements.

Submit via QueryManager only. Select one agent to submit to initially. Include polished query letter, bio, and appropriate sample pages based on format.

Fantasy, science fiction, horror, contemporary romance, mysteries, thriller

Wants: Query letter, bio, 10-20 pages

She intends to represent marginalized authors and is especially seeking to uplift indigenous voices and voices from the Global South. She's particularly keen on growing her contemporary romance, thriller, and horror lists. She's looking for K-drama-style high-stakes romance, queer rivals-to-lovers sports romance, sapphic romantasy, BIPOC vampire horror with social commentary, and sex-positive, kink-positive contemporary romance.

All ALA agents use Query Manager. Submit to one agent at a time with a polished query letter, bio, and 10-20 polished pages for novels.

Fantasy, adventure, romance, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, bio, sample pages

Morgan is seeking Middle Grade and Young Adult fantasy/adventure with a particular interest in graphic novels. She is also interested in picture books, Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult romance. She loves unique narratives, strong voices, and impressive world-building but is also drawn to small-town vibes and sports settings.

Submit query letter with synopsis, bio, and opening 3-4 pages embedded in email body. Do not send attachments without request.

Middle grade, young adult

Wants: Query letter, bio, sample pages

She is excited to find middle grade novels across all genres, including adventure, horror, historical, imaginative, and funny books with relatable voice and strong friendship themes. For young adult, she seeks exciting high-concept commercial novels, contemporary fiction, thrillers and mysteries, historical fiction, fantasy, magical realism, and especially smart space opera or grounded science fiction.

All ALA agents use Query Manager. Submit to one agent at a time with a polished query letter, bio, and 10-20 polished pages for novels.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, select non-fiction

See source page for more info

Check agent's submission page

Contemporary fiction, literary fiction, historical fiction, lgbtq, fantasy, magical realism, science fiction, pop culture, memoir, humor, creativity, craft, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter

She is primarily interested in fiction for adults, young adults and middle grade readers in contemporary fiction, literary fiction, historical fiction set in the 20th Century, LGBTQ issues, fantasy, magical realism, and science fiction. In non-fiction, she represents books by authors with demonstrable platforms in pop-culture, memoir, humor, creativity, and craft. She is also interested in graphic novels and memoirs for all ages.

Submit query via QueryManager only. No snail mail submissions will be considered.

Historical fiction, foreign fiction, women's fiction, thriller, mysteries, middle grade fiction, history, business, political thought

Wants: Query letter, first five pages

Josh is particularly interested in foreign and historical fiction, women's fiction, thrillers and mysteries, and some middle grade fiction. In nonfiction, he seeks history including micro-histories, business, and political thought.

Send a query letter and the first five pages of your manuscript within the email with no attachments to the appropriate agent. Submit to only one agent at a time.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, memoir, narrative non-fiction, journalism, history

Wants: Query letter

She is interested primarily in literary and upmarket fiction and memoir, and especially stories grappling with racial, religious, sexual or national identity, narrative nonfiction, journalism, and history.

Submit queries through QueryManager.

Fantasy, horror, science fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, bio, first 3-4 pages

Josh wants forbidden magic, ancient rituals, epic space battles, and everything in between. Gothic fantasy and horroromance are high on his wishlist, but he is open and interested in all subgenres of fantasy, horror, and science fiction. He is drawn to stories with a strong voice and three-dimensional characters.

Send a query letter with a synopsis of your book, your bio, and the opening 3 or 4 pages embedded in the body of your email. Do not send an attachment without a request to do so.

Fiction, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, fantasy, science fiction, historical fantasy, magical realism, psychological horror, literary fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

She is currently only open to graphic novel proposals. She seeks explorations of love, friendship, or familial bonds against fantastic backdrops, obscure retold fairy tales, women and girls in STEM, quirky middle grade, modernized mythologies, psychological horror/thrillers with speculative elements, literary and near-future science fiction, historical fantasy, magical realism, and internally consistent epic fantasy.

All ALA agents use Query Manager. Submit to one agent at a time. Include polished query letter, bio, and follow manuscript guidelines: novels submit 10-20 pages, graphic novels submit proposal with 10-20 sample pages and 2-4 full colored pages.

Upmarket literary fiction, literary non-fiction, picture books, middle grade fiction, middle grade non-fiction, young adult fiction, young adult non-fiction

Wants: Query letter

She seeks first and foremost voice, a strong narrative, memorable characters, unusual premises, and underrepresented people, places, and perspectives, including #OwnVoices writers and stories.

Starting January 2026, queries must be submitted through QueryManager only. Address query to the agent you think would be the best fit. Only send one query to Dunham Literary as agents share queries with each other when appropriate.

Fiction, narrative non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first five pages

Juvenile and adult fiction and eye-opening narrative non-fiction, particularly stories of the natural world, visible or invisible, including the human mind and body, or of people and events previously overlooked. She is also taking on a select group of illustrators.

Visit the About Us page for information about agents, their individual interests, and their query guidelines. Include a brief summary of your novel or scope of your non-fiction project, a short description why you're writing the project, any specific credentials you have for writing the book, and the first five pages for fiction only.

Science fiction, fantasy, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, first three chapters

DongWon Song represents science fiction and fantasy for adults, young adult, and middle grade readers as well as select non-fiction.

To query DongWon Song, please email your query letter and the first three chapters of your novel or your full non-fiction book proposal.

Commercial fiction, women's fiction, romance, mystery, thriller, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter

Lauren is particularly interested in adult and Young Adult commercial fiction, especially women's fiction, romance, mysteries, and thrillers, as well as select non-fiction titles.

Query via QueryTracker platform at the link provided on her profile page.

Fiction, nonfiction, children's books, illustration

Ariana Philips represents a diverse range of award-winning fiction and nonfiction for adults and children, as well as talented illustrators. She loves to find new talent and work with clients to develop strong manuscripts and proposals. Her philosophy is to take on an author for the duration of their career and help guide them through the ever-changing publishing landscape.

Ariana Philips is an agent at the Jean V.