Commercial Fiction Literary Agents

Literary fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, historical fiction, romantic comedy, gothic, horror, crime, psychological thriller, speculative fiction, ya, middle grade, memoir, narrative non-fiction, true crime

Literary and upmarket commercial fiction of all kinds, especially meditative or moving novels about modern life with warmth and heart alongside sharpness. Historical and period fiction that sheds light on untold stories, ambitious cross-centuries narratives, and historical mysteries. High-concept love stories and romantic comedies with depth. Gothic, horror, murder mysteries, ghost stories, psychological thrillers, speculative and magical realist fiction, and novels with a true-crime feel. A small list of YA and middle grade that feels current and contemporary with a real conversation at its core — not currently seeking fantasy or anything younger than middle grade. On the non-fiction side: memoirs of extraordinary people, narrative non-fiction on subjects the author is passionate about, books on mental health, untold stories across popular science, history and popular culture, and a brilliant true crime book. Particularly keen on LGBTQI+ stories and diverse voices from across the globe. Not currently looking for cookery, wellness, or lifestyle.

Email submissions@greeneheaton.co.uk with your covering letter in the body of the email. Include the agent's name in the subject line. Fiction: attach the first three chapters or around fifty pages plus a one-to-two page synopsis that reveals the ending, as Word documents. Non-fiction: attach three sample chapters or around fifty pages plus a chapter summary or synopsis, and explain why you are best placed to write the book and who the intended readership is. AI-generated or AI-edited content is not accepted. No postal submissions.

Commercial, contemporary, family saga, genre-bending, horror, lgbtq and, literary, multicultural, mystery, offbeat, quirky, short stories, suspense, thriller, upmarket, women's fiction, cultural, social issues, current affairs, history, journalism, lifestyle, narrative, nature and ecology, politics, pop culture, psychology, relationship and dating, science and technology, women's issues

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

She seeks writers driven by curiosity and discovery, whether through formal inventiveness in fiction or rigorous investigative journalism. She is drawn to poets who have turned to prose and writers whose dexterity with language allows them to articulate emotions or sensibilities. She loves moody atmosphere, setting-as-character, and fantastical elements in literary and upmarket fiction, particularly when genre elements explore where language fails us.

Send query letter and 5 sample pages to only one agent with the word QUERY and the title of your project in the subject line, or submit through Query Manager. Do not send attachments, include all materials in the body of the email.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime, thrillers, narrative non-fiction, memoir, current affairs, personal development, humor, ya

Jessica Rios is based in the New York office of Susanna Lea Associates, which represents a range of fiction and non-fiction. The agency seeks literary and commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime, thrillers, narrative non-fiction, memoir, current affairs, personal development, humor, and select young adult with crossover appeal. They focus on projects with strong potential across all rights including translation, film, television, and audio.

Check agent's submission page

Fiction and non-fiction, estates

Fiction: originality/style, literary to commercial, imaginative setting, strong voice, compelling premise, active SFF list, high concept, intelligent crime/thrillers, genre-transcending. Not taking new YA/children's, no plays/film scripts. Non-fiction: politics, narrative history, sport, natural history, quirky memoir, popular culture, inventive angles

Email - ed@johnsonandalcock.co.uk

Fiction, non-fiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, CV, first 3 chapters or 50 pages

Fiction and non-fiction, literary and commercial. He enjoys unexpected stories that transport him somewhere strange and wonderful. Specific fiction interests include strong commercial genre fiction, noir-ish thrillers, spy fiction, gritty crime, saga, romance and romantic comedy, alongside original reading-group fiction. In non-fiction, he seeks strong narrative voices in memoir and history, and big ideas or smart thinking that reveal the world or suggest how it could be different.

Email submissions@sheilland.co.uk with Piers Blofeld, the book's genre and title in the subject line. Submit one work at a time, mention other works in the cover letter and send your strongest. Include a concise typed cover letter with a short synopsis and a brief introduction explaining why and how long you have written and whether you write in other genres or categories. For non-fiction, explain your choice of subject and suitability to write it. For fiction, include a one-page synopsis covering the full story, significant twists and ending, for non-fiction, a brief outline covering the subject, market position and your qualifications. Include a short CV of relevant qualifications and previous publications, plus the first three chapters OR around 50 typed pages. Wait for a request before sending the full manuscript. Use at least 1.5 line spacing, margins and pagination. Give the actual word count for completed works or an estimated word count for proposals. For self-published work, state availability, copies sold and remaining rights or territories. Do not post original artwork or photographs. Submissions that have used AI technology are not accepted.

Literary fiction, contemporary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, fantasy, horror, young adult, crossover

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters

Clara Foster wants intelligent, original fiction with deep emotion, strong line-level writing, and voice-led characters. She is looking for adult literary contemporary fiction with a strong female focus, upmarket and book club novels that are cleverly conceived, beautifully written, and accessible, fantasy and horror that explore the real world or the self, historical romantasy, urban fantasy, academic settings, body horror, lightly speculative fiction, and YA/crossover stories that are political while providing a strong story. She is not a likely fit for commercial women's fiction, science fiction, World War II or Holocaust stories, or narratives driven primarily by sexual assault, eating disorders, a great lie, or death of a child. She is not accepting nonfiction except by referral.

Submit via Clara Foster's official QueryTracker link from her submissions page. Send a query letter, synopsis, and first three chapters. All queries will receive a response.

Fiction (primarily)

Commercial and book club fiction with a strong hook, genre-crossing, dystopia, elevated sci-fi, big love stories, domestic suspense, horror (incl social commentary)

Email submissions@janklow.co.uk with your full name, the title of your work, and Hayley Steed's name in the subject line. Include a covering letter in the body of the email. Attach a synopsis and either the first three chapters or the first fifty pages (Word or PDF). All documents should be double-spaced, size 12, in a reasonable font. Do not include external links, attach all materials directly.

Adult fiction, adult nonfiction, commercial horror, fantasy, grounded science fiction, mystery, thriller, pop culture, cultural history, spiritual, occult, cookbooks, food writing

Wants: Query letter, creator bio, first ten pages

Alexandra Grana is an associate literary agent at P.S. Literary Agency representing adult fiction and nonfiction. In fiction, she is looking for commercial horror, fantasy, grounded science fiction, mysteries, thrillers, gothic horror, atmospheric stories, inventive stories with big hooks, dramatic and messy feelings, diverse stories from marginalized perspectives, and stories inspired by folklore. In nonfiction, she is looking for pop culture, cultural history, spiritual, occult, cookbooks, and food writing from creators with fresh approaches to their subject matter.

Email query@psliterary.com and address the query to Alexandra Grana. P.S. Literary asks for a query in the email body with an introduction, brief overview, and creator bio. For adult fiction, adult memoir, adult nonfiction essay collections, and children's fiction or nonfiction, include the first ten pages in the body of the email. Do not send attachments, full manuscripts, phone queries, paper queries, social media queries, original screenplays, poetry, or AI-generated work. Query one P.S. Literary agent at a time.

Fiction

Commercial/genre fiction: romance/romcom, adult and YA fantasy (romance/spice, trials), crime/thrillers/mysteries, hooky pitches and page-turning drama

Email - maddalenacavaciuti@davidhigham.co.uk

Literary fiction, crime fiction, thriller, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, commercial fiction, book club fiction, upmarket fiction, history, sport, popular science

Entertaining and diverse fiction with well-told stories, big ideas, emotional hooks and gripping plots. In commercial fiction, particularly interested in crime, thriller, book group and upmarket titles, as well as historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy. In non-fiction, looks for expertise, fresh ideas and genuine passion for the subject, working across history, sport and popular science.

Direct queries about submissions to Isobel@rcwlitagency.com.

Suspense, literary fiction, commercial fiction, current affairs, politics, history

Wants: Query letter, sample chapter

Will is looking for original and unpredictable suspense novels, both literary and commercial, plus nonfiction focused on current affairs, politics, and history.

Email info@thegernertco.com with a query letter describing the work, author information, and a sample chapter if appropriate. Indicate which agent you are querying, do not email agents directly.

Fiction, nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, romance, mystery, thriller, memoir, narrative nonfiction, self-help, health, wellness, cookbooks, business, biography

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Denise says she will look at anything, with emphasis on strong writing and storytelling across fiction and nonfiction. Her stated interests include literary and commercial fiction, women's fiction, romance, mystery, thriller, memoir, narrative nonfiction, self-help, health and wellness, cookbooks, business, and biography.

Submit through the Barone Literary online submissions form. Include a query letter, synopsis, and sample pages as requested by the form.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.

Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.

Narrative nonfiction, memoir, self-help, pop culture, social justice, literary fiction, book club fiction, thriller, historical fiction, horror, jewish issues, young adult

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio

Alicia is seeking narrative nonfiction from writers with diverse voices, memoir with big concepts, self-help, pop culture, social justice, literary fiction, book club fiction, thrillers, historical fiction, horror, Jewish issues, and YA fiction and nonfiction.

Submit through the Alicia Brooks Literary Agency contact form with a query letter, project synopsis, author bio, contact information, genre, subgenre, word count, and a subject formatted as project title by author name. A full manuscript or proposal will be requested if there is interest.

Commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, mystery, romance, children's books, women's fiction, general fiction, literary fiction, trade nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, sample pages

The agency works with commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers and mysteries, romance, children's books, women's fiction, general fiction, literary fiction with a strong narrative hook, and trade nonfiction.

Email agent@ethanellenberg.com, indicating the agent, manuscript title, and genre in the subject line. Paste all materials in the body: for fiction, query letter, 1-2 page synopsis, and first 50 pages, for nonfiction, query letter, outline, and sample chapters up to 50 pages.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.

Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.

Commercial fiction, historical mystery, mystery, romance, thriller, science fiction, fantasy, women's fiction, young adult, children's

Wants: Query letter

Miriam is passionate about commercial fiction with strong voice and narrative drive, representing everything from children's through adult, with special emphasis on fantasy, science fiction, women's fiction, romance, thrillers, and historical mysteries.

Submit through Miriam Kriss's Codex Literary online query form. Codex asks writers to choose only one Codex agent and notes that it cannot represent authors who have worked with one of its agents on Reedsy or work-for-hire projects.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.

Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.

Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.

Commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, mystery, romance, children's books, women's fiction, general fiction, literary fiction, trade nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, sample pages

The agency works with commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers and mysteries, romance, children's books, women's fiction, general fiction, literary fiction with a strong narrative hook, and trade nonfiction.

Email agent@ethanellenberg.com, indicating the agent, manuscript title, and genre in the subject line. Paste all materials in the body: for fiction, query letter, 1-2 page synopsis, and first 50 pages, for nonfiction, query letter, outline, and sample chapters up to 50 pages.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.

Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.

Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.

Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.

New adult, adult fiction, young adult, middle grade, fantasy, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, dark academia, epic fantasy, historical fantasy, contemporary fantasy, romance, diverse voices

Wants: Query letter

Isabelle is actively looking for New Adult books across genres and is also interested in adult, young adult, and middle grade fantasy plus upmarket and commercial adult fiction with worldbuilding, unique characters, strong plotting, hooks, romantic subplots, and diverse voices.

Submit through Isabelle Rader's Codex Literary online query form. Codex asks writers to choose only one Codex agent and notes that it cannot represent authors who have worked with one of its agents on Reedsy or work-for-hire projects.

Commercial fiction, upmarket fiction, women's fiction, romance, mystery, horror, romantasy, young adult, narrative nonfiction, middle grade

Wants: Query letter, first twenty five pages, proposal, sample chapter, bio, comparable books

Ann Leslie Tuttle is seeking commercial and upmarket women's fiction, contemporary and historical fiction, fiction with complex family dynamics and sagas, psychological thrillers, romance, mystery, horror, romantasy, YA, narrative nonfiction by journalists, academics, and experts with a timely premise and platform, stories with strong sense of place, voice-driven fiction, female hidden histories, uplifting work, select faith or art history projects, MG, and nonfiction from underrepresented voices.

Submit by email to atuttle@dystel.com. Dystel asks writers to query one agent at a time, include the full query in the body of the email, and include the first 25 pages for fiction or a proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction in the email body. Picture book and graphic novel submissions have separate sample requirements listed on the official guidelines page.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.

Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.

Commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, mystery, romance, children's books, women's fiction, general fiction, literary fiction, trade nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, sample pages

The agency works with commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers and mysteries, romance, children's books, women's fiction, general fiction, literary fiction with a strong narrative hook, and trade nonfiction.

Email agent@ethanellenberg.com, indicating the agent, manuscript title, and genre in the subject line. Paste all materials in the body: for fiction, query letter, 1-2 page synopsis, and first 50 pages, for nonfiction, query letter, outline, and sample chapters up to 50 pages.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.

Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, suspense, women's fiction, contemporary romance, young adult, journalistic nonfiction, memoir

Wants: Query letter, first chapter

Rebecca is interested in commercial and literary fiction with a focus on literary novels of suspense, women's fiction, contemporary romance, and young adult, as well as journalistic nonfiction and memoir. Most of all, she is looking for great stories told in strong voices.

Email queries@rfliterary.com with only a brief query letter of no more than three paragraphs and the first chapter pasted into the email, not exceeding fifteen double-spaced pages. Do not send attachments. Queries sent directly to Rebecca are deleted.

Commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, mystery, romance, children's books, women's fiction, general fiction, literary fiction, trade nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, sample pages

The agency works with commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers and mysteries, romance, children's books, women's fiction, general fiction, literary fiction with a strong narrative hook, and trade nonfiction.

Email agent@ethanellenberg.com, indicating the agent, manuscript title, and genre in the subject line. Paste all materials in the body: for fiction, query letter, 1-2 page synopsis, and first 50 pages, for nonfiction, query letter, outline, and sample chapters up to 50 pages.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, mystery, thriller, suspense, historical fiction, biography, memoir, narrative history, pop culture, sports, travel, health, medicine, science, multicultural

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, author bio

BJ Robbins represents quality fiction, both literary and commercial, and general nonfiction, with particular interest in memoir, biography, narrative history, pop culture, sports, travel and adventure, medicine and health. The agency is especially looking for literary/commercial crossovers with book-club potential, smart speculative fiction, and multicultural stories.

Email BJ Robbins with a succinct description of the work, relevant bio information, and the first ten pages in the body of the email. Do not send attachments unless requested.

Commercial fiction, suspense, business, science, multicultural fiction, foreign rights

Wants: Query letter, author bio, first three chapters, book proposal

Moses handles his own client list and has special interests in commercial fiction, suspense, business, science, and multicultural fiction.

Email a brief query letter directly to moses@jhalit.com, or send a general query to jha@jhalit.com. Include genre, summary or synopsis, word count, and writing background. Fiction should include the first three chapters or opening chapter as one Word attachment, nonfiction should include a proposal as one Word attachment.

Women's fiction, historical fiction, grounded speculative fiction, contemporary romance, thriller, psychological suspense, book club fiction, commercial fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters, proposal, sample chapters, bio, publishing history

Amy Tannenbaum represents women's fiction, historical fiction, grounded speculative fiction, contemporary romance, thriller, psychological suspense, fiction in the sweet spot between literary and commercial, and works by marginalized voices.

Send queries for Amy Tannenbaum to atannenbaum@janerotrosen.com. Include all material in the body of the email with no attachments. Jane Rotrosen Agency asks writers to query one agent at the agency and include a concise description, relevant bio, publishing history, and for fiction a synopsis and first three chapters or for nonfiction a proposal and sample chapters.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.

Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.

Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.

Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.