Food & Cookery Literary Agents

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, romance, crime, thriller, historical fiction, narrative non-fiction, true crime, cookery and food writing

Wants: Commercial to accessible literary fiction; plot-driven stories exploring big emotions; romance; family/friendship sagas; twisty crime/thrillers; grounded dystopian; narrative-led non-fiction (true crime/untold histories etc.)

Plot-driven fiction from commercial to the accessible end of the literary spectrum, including romance and rom-coms (particularly with queer love or interesting backdrops), sweeping family and friendship sagas, unputdownable crime and thriller standalones, upmarket psychological crime, contemporary and historical fiction (especially based on real events, with gothic elements, or focusing on underrepresented lives), narrative non-fiction that reads like fiction, literary true crime, untold histories, accessible books on complex topics, and cookery and food writing with uncomplicated recipes. Keen to hear from authors whose voices are underrepresented in publishing. Not currently taking YA, children's, poetry, fantasy, romantasy, science fiction, diet, or business projects.

Email sian@blakefriedmann.co.uk

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, horror, magical realism, mythology reimaginings, fairy tale reimaginings, folklore reimaginings, cultural criticism, narrative nonfiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, food writing, short story collections, novellas

Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, first three chapters

Literary and upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, horror, magical realism, and reimaginings of myths, fairy tales, and folklore. Also cultural criticism, narrative nonfiction, big-idea nonfiction, and select cookbooks and food writing. Maria is the only agent at the agency who accepts novellas and short story collections.

Email submissions@mushens-entertainment.com with your submission addressed to Maria. For fiction, include a clear subject line (e.g. Fiction Submission: TITLE), a cover letter in the body of the email, an attached synopsis, and a PDF or Word document containing either the first three chapters, the first 10,000–15,000 words, or the first 50 pages. For non-fiction, include a proposal or the first 10,000–15,000 words of a completed manuscript. For short story collections (40,000–75,000 words total), include a synopsis and the full collection. For novellas (17,000–40,000 words), include a synopsis. Do not use AI to write or edit any part of your submission. Notify the agency if another agent requests your full manuscript or offers representation.

Nonfiction, cultural history, biography, art history, film, religion and spirituality, psychology, philosophy, popular science, self-help, health and nutrition, pop culture, subcultures, fashion, food narrative, cookbooks

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

Dado Derviskadic loves working with writers who have deep and singular insight into their chosen world. In nonfiction he is primarily interested in cultural history, biography, art history, film, religion and spirituality, psychology, philosophy, pop science and motivational self-help, health and nutrition, pop culture and subcultures, fashion, food narrative, and cookbooks.

Send queries to dado@foliolitmanagement.com with the query letter and first ten pages of the manuscript or proposal in the body of the email. Write QUERY in the subject line. If there is no response within 4 weeks, assume the project is not right for him.

Journalism, narrative nonfiction, food writing, cookbooks, fiction, humor

Wants: Online submission form

Danielle Svetcov represents journalism, narrative nonfiction, food and agriculture books, chef and restaurant books, cookbooks, funny books, fiction, and clients whose work is serious but amused, oppositional but reasoned, and willing to go deep into rabbit holes.

Submit through Levine Greenberg Rostan's official online submission form. Danielle Svetcov's official profile lists her LGR email, and the official submissions page directs submissions through the agency form.

Fiction and non-fiction, dramatic rights

Narrative non-fiction (memoir/travel/nature/science/human experience), multigenerational family stories, sweeping love stories, twisty thrillers, also food/lifestyle/personal development/pop science/sport/nature/memoir

Email - williamsoffice@sophiehicksagency.com

Fiction and non-fiction

Literary and commercial fiction, children's and YA, non-fiction including memoir/biography, cookery, gardening, humour, history, lifestyle, mind-body-spirit, politics, popular science, psychology, travel

Email - submissions@sheilland.co.uk

Narrative and commercial non-fiction, literary fiction

Strong new voices in non-fiction across musical, visual, dramatic, cultural and culinary arts, history, memoir, biography, essays and humour, select fiction and literary-quality short stories

Email - natalie@greyhoundliterary.co.uk

Health, wellness, self-help, parenting, nutrition, cooking, baking, cocktails, mind body spirit, lifestyle, nature, gardening, narrative nonfiction, business, pop culture, memoir, reference, sports

Wants: Query letter, platform information, author qualifications

Coleen focuses on nonfiction, including health, wellness, inspirational self-help, parenting, nutrition, cooking, baking, cocktails, mind-body-spirit, lifestyle, nature and gardening, narrative nonfiction, business, pop culture, memoir, reference, and sports.

Email queries only to coleen@theosheaagency.com or rights@theosheaagency.com. Include a brief summary and platform or qualifications. No attachments.

General fiction, literary fiction, anthology, biography, business, cooking, health, history, politics, current affairs, humor, lifestyle, memoir, narrative nonfiction, parenting, pop culture, reference, sports, true crime, general nonfiction

Wants: Query letter

Bill focuses heavily on sports and nonfiction, with AALA-listed interests including biography, business, cooking, health, history/politics/current affairs, humor, lifestyle, memoir, narrative nonfiction, parenting, pop culture, reference, sports, true crime, general nonfiction, general fiction, and literary fiction.

Contact Bill Ames at bill@amesliterary.com for submission instructions, which vary based on genre, length, and topic.

General fiction, thrillers, crime, historical fiction, suspense, mystery, women's commercial fiction, non-fiction, arts and crafts, cookery, biography and autobiography, popular science, business, natural history, sport, travel, health

Wants: See submissions page; requires synopsis and first 3 chapters.

General fiction including thrillers, crime, historical fiction, suspense, mystery, and women's commercial fiction. On the nonfiction side, illustrated books covering arts and crafts, cookery, biography and autobiography, popular science, business, natural history, sport, travel, and health. Open to submissions from new authors.

Email a brief synopsis and the first three chapters as Word or Open Document attachments to mail@limelightmanagement.com. Include 'Submission' in the subject line and the title of your work in the attachment filename. Also include a note about your professional life and writing ambitions.

Literary fiction, narrative non-fiction

Literary fiction and narrative non-fiction, award-winning food writers, academics, stylish prose, sly humour, complex characterisation, challenging ideas and identity

Email zross@unitedagents.co.uk with a one-line elevator pitch, two or three comparable books, and a back-cover blurb. Attach a one-page synopsis and the first three chapters (fiction), or a proposal with a twenty-page writing sample (non-fiction).

Literary and general fiction, non-fiction, poetry (select)

Original, distinctive voices, literary and general fiction including short stories, non-fiction with persuasive perspectives and interplay between personal/political (power, class, culture), literary memoir/auto-fiction borderlands, selective cookery/food writing and cookbooks

Email - nicolasubmissions@davidhigham.co.uk

Fiction and non-fiction

Fiction: high-concept crime/thrillers, female-led commercial, upmarket commercial, book club, contemporary women's stories, romance, underrepresented voices, fresh-take historical, funny smart romcoms, sagas, gothic, sweeping love stories. Non-fiction: humour, memoir, lifestyle, social justice/polemic, cookery. Not horror/ghosts, not SFF, not YA/children, not sport/true crime, no short stories/novellas, no poetry/screenplay

Email db.submission@dhhliteraryagency.com with a cover letter, first 3 chapters, and a 1-page synopsis as Word attachments.

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

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

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

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

Fiction and non-fiction

Literary and upmarket fiction, literary thrillers, smart women's fiction. Non-fiction on serious subjects in innovative ways (history, science, memoir, cookery, cultural criticism, social issues, psychology)

Email imogen@marjacq.com

Fiction and non-fiction

Upmarket commercial to literary fiction, distinctive voice/character-driven with strong hook/unusual perspective, multigenerational novels, gripping love stories, funny fiction, feminist/revisionary, experimental/form. Non-fiction: memoir and narrative, history, food writing/food system, nature/planet, popular science, genre-melding cultural writing

Email submissions@janklow.co.uk with your full name, the title of your work, and Claire Paterson Conrad's name in the subject line. For fiction: include a covering letter (in the email body), synopsis, and the first three chapters or first fifty pages as attachments. For non-fiction: include a covering letter, a full chapter-by-chapter outline, and a sample chapter. All documents should be double-spaced, size 12, in a reasonable font, and submitted as Word or PDF attachments — no external links. Responses are sent within 8 weeks if the agency wishes to read more.

Commercial fiction, commercial non-fiction, food writing, cookery, memoir, biography, true crime, lifestyle, health, parenting

Wants: Commercial non-fiction and fiction, with focus on health and cookery (agency focus). submissions start with a brief email explaining book and target audience; no attachments.

Commercial non-fiction, food writing and cookery, memoir, biography, true crime, lifestyle, health, parenting, and commercial fiction

Brief email explaining book and target audience, no attachments initially

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

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

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

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.

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

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

Full proposal required - see comprehensive guidance on website

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

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.

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.

Nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, histories, biographies, science, food, sports, fiction, thriller, mystery, romance, young adult, middle grade, sci-fi

Non-fiction, especially narrative nonfiction histories, biographies, international current events, finance, science and sports; fiction, particularly in the young adult, middle grade, mystery, sci-fi and thriller categories.

Send queries by email to jeff (at) jenniferlyonsliteraryagency (dot) com

Non-fiction

Cookery, health, wellness, psychology, history, memoir, biography, current affairs, topical non-fiction

Online form - https://www.aevitascreative.com or contact

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, narrative non-fiction, cultural history, creative non-fiction, food writing, young adult, middle grade

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

She seeks fresh, unexpected perspectives, particularly from underrepresented communities. She favors character-driven literary fiction that borrows from genre elements, narrative nonfiction that reorients understanding of history and culture, and creative nonfiction that appeals to heart, mind, and humor. For Young Adult she prefers realistic, emotional stories whether contemporary or historical.

Submit via Roma's QueryManager form. Include query letter, synopsis, comparable books, and upload first 20 pages for fiction or full proposal for nonfiction. One agent at a time, but can submit to up to three ALA agents if first passes.

Music, pop culture, narrative non-fiction, food, literary fiction, humor, science

Wants: Query letter, project summary, author credentials, sample pages

Writers in the world of music, pop culture, narrative non-fiction, food, young adult, literary fiction and humor. Also interested in science and any authors with great ideas and an equally strong platform. He tends to have a soft spot for all Beatle related projects.

Send query letter that includes a brief summary of your novel or the scope of your non-fiction project, a short description why you're writing the project, any specific credentials you have for writing the book in question, and the first five pages for fiction only.

Literary fiction, non-fiction, memoir, narrative non-fiction, history, biography, food writing, cultural criticism, graphic novels, young adult fiction

Wants: Query letter

Emily seeks voice-driven literary fiction and non-fiction, including original writing that jumps off the page. She is drawn to beautifully crafted writing, characters that come fully alive on the page, and stories rooted strongly in their setting. Humor is always welcome.

Query by email only. Query letters should be no more than two pages and should include a convincing overview of the book project and information about the author and writing credits.

Non-fiction

Commercial and upmarket non-fiction, psychology, popular science, wellbeing, narrative non-fiction, biography, food, sustainability, health, expert-led projects with international/screen potential

Email rachel@rmliterary.co.uk with as much detail about yourself and the project as possible, ideally including at least one sample chapter. No reply within one month means the project was not a fit.

Fiction, narrative non-fiction

Thrillers, mystery, suspense, knotty relationship and family novels, big-ideas non-fiction, memoir, pop science, food writing. Not children's or YA.

Email emma.submissions@cwagency.co.uk with the first three chapters (or approximately 50 pages) and a synopsis for fiction, or a 30-page proposal for non-fiction, plus a covering letter. Attach files in .doc or .docx format. Do not submit to more than one agent.

Commercial fiction, women's fiction, intelligent crime, thrillers, historical fiction, history, nature, science, self-development, biography, memoir, lifestyle, food

Quality commercial and popular literary fiction with emotional heft, original voices and broad appeal, including twisty thrillers, ghost stories, and epic romantic stories. For non-fiction, experts in their fields writing about history, nature, science, self-development, biography, memoir, original thinking, lifestyle and food — particularly books that educate and illuminate worlds readers don't know, strong women's voices, and food writers with fresh perspectives or a built community.

Email submissions@hhbagency.com with the genre in the subject line. Put your covering letter in the body of the email including a brief pitch, relevant background, and comparison titles. Attach the first three chapters or around 50 pages as a Word document, plus a synopsis. Fiction writers must have completed the manuscript before submitting. Non-fiction writers may submit before completion.

Fiction and non-fiction

Fiction: literary/upmarket with edge, romance (incl dark academia, paranormals, grounded romantasy), mysteries with fresh angle, some literary speculative (not hard SFF). Non-fiction: science/nature, art/culture, social issues/politics, love/relationships, illustrated non-fiction, food/drink

Email (to one agent) - dchandley@pfd.co.uk

Fiction and non-fiction

Fiction: book club/literary, character- and voice-driven crime/thriller/suspense, dark/gothic/uncanny, love stories, family sagas, historical from a slant, Highsmithian thrillers. Non-fiction: accessible social/cultural history, biography/memoir, reportage, popular science, nature, arts, food/cookery, experts, journalists, lived experience

Email charlotte@johnsonandalcock.co.uk with a short covering letter (including a book blurb and brief author bio), a synopsis of no more than two pages, and the opening 50 pages of the manuscript (fiction), or a book proposal of approximately 50 pages (non-fiction). Submissions must be in Word Doc format, at least 1.5 line spaced, page-numbered, on A4. Submit to one agent only, do not blind-copy. Attachments must be under 5MB.

Nonfiction, practical lifestyle, how-to, wellness, mindfulness, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction, history, cultural criticism, ecology, food, social justice, illustrated books, literary estates

Wants: Query letter

Jenny represents award-winning nonfiction, including practical lifestyle and how-to projects, wellness and mindfulness, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction about history, cultural criticism, ecology and the natural world, food, and social justice. For adults and kids, she loves highly designed books that inform and inspire through text and image.

Submit through Sterling Lord Literistic's submissions page and choose only one SLL agent to query. The agency says it can only respond if interested in seeing more material.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, book club fiction, contemporary fiction, commercial women's fiction, crime, mystery, thrillers, fantasy, genre romance, historical fiction, horror, ghost stories, sagas, science fiction, biography, memoir, cookery, gardening, gift books, humour, history, military history, lifestyle, mind-body-spirit, self-improvement, politics, popular science, psychology, travel, children's, ya

SF/fantasy, sweeping historical fiction, character-driven sci-fi, action/adventure, crime. Non-fiction: history, biography, music

Email submissions@sheilland.co.uk with a cover letter, a one-page synopsis (fiction) or brief outline (non-fiction), a short CV, and the first three chapters or around fifty pages. Submissions should be 1.5 line spaced with margins and page numbers, and must include a word count. Only one work at a time. No AI-generated content accepted.

Literary fiction, nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, science, nature, social justice, politics, health, food writing, culture, graphic novels

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Adrienne has a strong interest in literary fiction and nonfiction. Wales Literary Agency represents narrative-driven nonfiction, memoir, science, nature, social justice, politics, health, food writing, culture, literary fiction, and graphic novels.

Wales Literary Agency is currently open to submissions by referral only.

Literary fiction, reading group fiction, memoir, pop culture, narrative non-fiction, essays

Romcoms/relationship dynamics, memoir with strong emotional response, nature and pop culture writing, occasional illustrated books (graphic novels/cookery/photo/gift)

Email queries@lewinsohnliterary.com with your submission. Fiction: include a covering letter, synopsis, and 50 pages (or nearest natural break) in Word format. Non-fiction: include a covering letter, an introduction to the project, a basic chapter breakdown, and a sample chapter, ideally in Word format (PDF accepted where highly illustrated).

Literary fiction, women's fiction, mystery, thriller, narrative nonfiction, memoir, graphic memoir, psychology, self-help, popular culture, women's issues, history, biography, lifestyle, careers, health, medicine, parenting, cooking, nutrition, gardening, gift books

Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises is interested in literary fiction, upscale commercial women's fiction, voice-driven mysteries and thrillers, narrative nonfiction especially by journalists, travelogues, memoirs including graphic memoirs, social issues and trends, psychology, self-help, popular culture, women's issues, history and biography, lifestyle, careers, health and medicine, parenting, cooking and nutrition, gardening, and quirky gift books.

Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises is currently closed to submissions so the agency can focus on existing clients.

Adult romance, romance, graphic novels, young adult, contemporary ya, memoir, adult nonfiction, lgbtq and, multicultural, art, cooking, crafts, diy, environmentalism, plants, animals, parenting, media criticism, feminism, queer theory, new adult

Wants: Query letter

Claire represents adult romance, graphic novels, young adult, nonfiction, memoir, and select picture books. They prefer funny, lighthearted, romantic, hopeful books with fast pace, high stakes, emotional development, commercial accessibility, a romantic main or subplot, and a strong hook.

Claire is currently closed to queries. When open, submit through QueryManager only, the agency says email submissions will not be reviewed. Queries should address them as Claire or Mx. Draper.