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History Literary Agents

463+verified agents303open nowLast reviewed20 Jul 2026

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History is not historical fiction with the names changed. Agents looking at history want authority, narrative control, and a reason the reader should follow the argument beyond the facts themselves. Popular history, biography, social history, military history, and books in the long shadow of Hilary Mantel or Simon Schama all ask for different kinds of evidence and pace. Some projects are sold on scholarly depth, others on access, voice, or a brilliantly framed question. 200+ agents on this page have signals around history or closely related non-fiction, but the useful shortlist depends on whether the book reads like narrative non-fiction, biography, cultural criticism, or a trade history with serious research behind it. When preparing a submission, be clear about the archive, the story, and why this version of the past needs this writer now.

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Agents representing history

Open agents first
Represents

History, business, self-help, science, gardening, cookbooks, crafts, parenting, memoir, true crime, travel, women's fiction, paranormal, urban fantasy, horror, science fiction, historical fiction, mystery, thrillers, suspense

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

Looking for

Gina Panettieri is open to queries and submissions. She is interested in nonfiction that teaches something new and is based on original research, including history, business, self-help, science, gardening, cookbooks, crafts, parenting, memoir, true crime, and travel. In fiction she likes quirky, edgy characters and wants women's fiction, paranormal, urban fantasy, horror, science fiction, historical, mystery, thrillers, and suspense.

How to submit

Submit to Gina Panettieri through the official QueryMe link on her Talcott Notch profile. Talcott Notch says query letters should be one to two pages and may be accompanied by the first ten pages of the manuscript, the agency strongly prefers online agent-query submissions over email queries and asks email queries to be addressed to a specific agent.

Last checked 4 Jul 2026Via QueryMe
Represents

Adult fiction, new adult, romance, contemporary romance, historical romance, science fiction, dystopian fiction, craft, homemaking

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, comps, first 50 pages

Looking for

Marrissa is seeking adult and New Adult fiction and craft/homemaking, especially work depicting BIPOC voices in a full spectrum of lives. She likes detailed narratives, intelligent and cool characters, layered romance, slice-of-life, medical, historical, light academia, culturally rooted stories, dystopian fiction, accessible science fiction, aliens, parallel universes, and time travel.

How to submit

Submit through Marrissa Childs's QueryTracker route. Her form asks for query letter, synopsis, one-paragraph pitch, target audience, comparable books, and the first 50 pages. Ladderbird asks writers not to query more than one agent at a time.

Last checked 3 Jul 2026Via QueryTracker
Represents

Debut fiction, horror, new adult, science fiction, fantasy, romance, general fiction, literary fiction, business, finance, cooking, health, history, politics, current affairs, lifestyle, parenting, pop culture, science, sports, advice, relationships

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Irene is open to adult fiction and nonfiction across commercial and literary categories, including debut fiction, horror, new adult, science fiction/fantasy, romance, general fiction, literary fiction, business/finance, cooking, health, history/politics/current affairs, lifestyle, parenting, pop culture, science, sports, advice and relationships.

How to submit

Submit through Irene Kaster's QueryTracker form. HJLit does not accept unsolicited manuscripts by email.

Last checked 2 Jul 2026Via QueryTracker
Represents

Literary fiction, general fiction, epic fantasy, history, memoir, reportage, narrative nonfiction, art, music, nature writing

Looking for

Beautiful, ambitious, and unusual literary fiction, epic fantasy, and upmarket general fiction that is emotionally engaging and compulsively readable. In nonfiction, interested in history, memoir, reportage, and big ideas, as well as writing on art, music, literature, and nature.

How to submit

Submit via the button on John Ash's agent profile page at https://www.caa.com or entertainmenttalent or books or agent or john-ash/. For fiction, include a cover letter, synopsis, and the first three chapters or opening 50 pages. For nonfiction, include a cover letter and proposal.

Last checked 2 Jul 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Fiction and non-fiction

Looking for

High-quality adult non-fiction and fiction, YA for young teens. Non-fiction: natural history, memoir, biography, history, cookery, current affairs, humour, lifestyle

How to submit

Send an initial letter to Barn Cottage, Veryan, Truro, Cornwall TR2 5QA with a short description of your book or idea. The agency prefers postal submissions due to high email volume.

Last checked 2 Jul 2026Via Other
Represents

Adult literary fiction, book club fiction, narrative non-fiction, children's books, historical fiction, family sagas, memoir, self-help, young adult, middle grade

Wants: Query letter, first chapter, brief bio, book description

Looking for

She responds to voice and character-driven stories that draw her in and give her a new perspective on a world she doesn't know, or make her think more deeply about a world she does know. She seeks books with a heart and writers with wonderful storytelling abilities. She is particularly interested in finding emerging and underrepresented voices, and loves books that focus on diversity and explore the experiences of BIPOC people.

How to submit

Send an email query to querymiriam@defliterary.com with a brief description of your book, a brief relevant bio, the first chapter pasted in the body of your email, and what you feel the heart of your book is in one or two sentences. Attachments will not be opened.

Last checked 2 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction, non-fiction, children's, memoir, biography, natural history, literary fiction, mystery, suspense, women's fiction, health, fitness, young adult, faith, popular culture

Wants: Query letter, first 50 pages

Looking for

Laura represents a wide range of fiction, nonfiction and books for children. Her interests include memoir and biography, natural history, literary fiction, mystery, suspense, women's fiction, health and fitness, children's and young adult, faith issues and popular culture.

How to submit

Email Laura directly at lbp@cbltd.com and attach the first 50 pages of your project. Include 'lbpquery' in the subject line.

Last checked 1 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Chick lit, commercial, contemporary, cozy fantasy, cozy romantasy, crime, detective, police, family saga, fantasy, fantasy: magical realism, fantasy: urban, graphic novel, historical, horror, lgbtq and, literary, middle grade, military, espionage, multicultural, mystery, new adult, offbeat, quirky, romance, romantasy, suspense, thriller, upmarket, women's fiction, young adult

Looking for

Query Letter, Synopsis, One Paragraph Pitch, Comparable Books, First 10 Pages

How to submit

Submit through Query Manager. Unsolicited queries sent to his email address will be deleted unread.

Last checked 1 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Commercial fiction, saga, romance, historical fiction, book club fiction, up-lit, literary fiction, lgbtq fiction, lgbtq nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, popular science, psychology, history, sport

Wants: Covering letter, first three chapters, synopsis, detailed proposal

Looking for

Laura MacDougall is a literary agent at United Agents with a broad and eclectic list across adult fiction and non-fiction. She represents commercial fiction including saga, romance, historical, book club and up-lit, and literary fiction ranging from the quirky to the daring and experimental, with a particular love of historical fiction and novels about relationships and family life. As a queer woman she represents many LGBTQ writers and is keen to hear from LGBTQ authors across fiction and non-fiction. In non-fiction she wants big ideas books and narrative non-fiction across popular science, psychology and culture, sport, history, and race, class, gender, sexuality and identity. She does not represent young adult or children's books, science fiction, fantasy or horror, Mind Body Spirit non-fiction, or cookery and food writing.

How to submit

Submit through United Agents naming Laura MacDougall. For fiction send the first three chapters and a synopsis. For non-fiction send a detailed proposal.

Last checked 1 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, book club fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, cookery, feminist fiction, feminist nonfiction

Wants: Literary/book club/upmarket commercial fiction; historical and women's fiction; open to speculative and romance crossovers; non-fiction that surprises/challenges; cookery/food writing; feminist narratives; underrepresented voices. not seeking children's/YA, crime, thriller or horror.

Looking for

Laurie Robertson is an agent at Peters Fraser and Dunlop building a list of adult fiction and non-fiction. She is actively looking for literary, book club and upmarket commercial fiction with strong original voices, uplifting narratives, clever storytelling, strong emotional hooks and complex characters. On non-fiction she wants stories that surprise and challenge, narrative non-fiction that reads like fiction, and cookery from food writers who can transport the reader. She is always keen on feminist narratives across fiction and non-fiction and on voices from underrepresented backgrounds. She is not currently looking for children's or young adult, crime, thriller or horror.

How to submit

Email one agent or assistant only, include a cover letter, full synopsis, and first 3 chapters or approximately 50 pages for fiction, or a detailed proposal for non-fiction. Find contact details at https://petersfraserdunlop.com or our-team/

Last checked 1 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, mainstream fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, historical fiction, contemporary women's fiction, young adult, middle grade, memoir, biography, history, business, psychology, pop culture, popular science

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first 5 to 10 pages, writing credentials

Looking for

Maria Carvainis Agency represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction with special interest in literary and mainstream fiction, mystery, suspense, thrillers, historicals, contemporary women's fiction, young adult and middle grade, memoir, biography, history, business, psychology, pop culture, and popular science.

How to submit

Email a query letter, a synopsis of the work, the first 5 to 10 pages, and a note of any writing credentials to mca@mariacarvainisagency.com. Attachments must be Word documents or PDF files. Queries are also accepted by post.

Last checked 1 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Talking point, uplifting, speculative, historical, women's fiction, saga, book club

Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, first 3 chapters or 50 pages

Looking for

Sarah is building a list of bold, voice-driven book club, women's fiction, historical fiction, reading group fiction and commercially accessible stories with emotional depth.

How to submit

Submit via the Darley Anderson online submissions portal. Include a cover letter, one-page synopsis, and the first three chapters or first 50 pages or 10,000 words.

Last checked 1 Jul 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Fiction and non-fiction

Looking for

Romance, upmarket crime/thrillers, uncanny/eerie/weird literary, gothic/supernatural elements, voiced historical, memoir and narrative non-fiction, health/wellbeing proposals from experts

How to submit

Email submissions@greeneheaton.co.uk with the full manuscript, synopsis, and a cover letter naming Judith Murray as the preferred agent in the subject line

Last checked 29 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Historical thrillers, literary fiction, upmarket genre fiction, book club fiction, science writing, food writing, history, nature writing, music journalism, memoir, cultural criticism

Wants: Contemporary crime and thrillers; historical fiction (esp historical crime); books with a fresh angle/clear identity; non-fiction on any subject with a strong angle and page-turning storytelling

Looking for

Contemporary crime and thrillers, historical fiction and historical crime, upmarket and literary fiction with a fresh or distinctive angle, voices from marginalised or underrepresented communities, and non-fiction on any subject where the author has found the right angle and can make the material a page-turning story

How to submit

Email submissions@greeneheaton.co.uk with covering letter in the body of the email. Fiction: attach first three chapters or around fifty pages plus a one-to-two page synopsis that reveals the ending. Non-fiction: attach three sample chapters or around fifty pages plus a chapter breakdown or synopsis. Attach files as Word documents, not PDFs. Include preferred agent name in the subject line.

Last checked 29 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

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.)

Looking for

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.

How to submit

Email sian@blakefriedmann.co.uk

Last checked 29 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Narrative non-fiction, literary fiction

Looking for

Narrative non-fiction with strong writing (science/nature/landscape/anthropology/history/politics/philosophy/gender/health/myth, environmentally aware). Internationally relevant literary fiction, character-led, warm/life-affirming or dark, lasting impression

How to submit

Email jessicawoollard@davidhigham.co.uk and esmebright@davidhigham.co.uk — submissions should be sent to both the agent and her assistant Esme Bright

Last checked 28 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, historical fiction, literary thrillers, crime, gothic horror, speculative fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels

Looking for

Literary and upmarket fiction/non-fiction, genre-bending/speculative-adjacent literary, literary historical, family novels, literary thrillers/crime, gothic horror edges, non-fiction art/music/aging/neurodiversity/psychotherapy/sport/science, graphic novels

How to submit

Submit by email following DHA's submissions guidelines at https://davidhigham.co.uk or submissions/

Last checked 28 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Children's (mg or ya or crossover), adult commercial fiction, narrative non-fiction

Looking for

Genre fiction and crossover children's, boy-led MG, teen fiction, graphic novel/illustrated MG or younger YA, quirky fantasy, dark/off-beat romantic comedy, domestic noir, cultural history/narrative non-fiction with strong voice

How to submit

Email submissions@nurnberg.co.uk with a cover letter in the body of the email, a one-page synopsis and first three chapters or up to 50 pages as attachments. Mark the subject line FAO Gyamfia Osei. For non-fiction, send an overview, chapter outlines, and three sample chapters.

Last checked 28 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, memoir, nonfiction, business, art, history, politics, sports, popular culture

Wants: Email query

Looking for

Dan Mandel represents literary and commercial fiction, memoir, and nonfiction about business, art, history, politics, sports, and popular culture.

How to submit

Email Dan Mandel at querydm@sjga.com. Greenburger asks writers to read each agent page, submit to only one Greenburger agent at a time, and query by email only, if there is no response within 8 weeks, writers may query another Greenburger agent.

Last checked 27 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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.

Last checked 27 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, reported nonfiction, popular history, memoir, narrative nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, bio, first five to ten pages

Looking for

Elias Altman specializes in sharp and moving narratives with psychological insight, timeless themes, and strong characters, including reported nonfiction by journalists, popular history by scholars, memoir by people who have really lived, and literary fiction by writers with precision, honesty, and heart.

How to submit

Email queries to the attention of Elias Altman at info@mmqalit.com. MMQA asks for a query letter briefly describing the project, relevant personal or professional information, the word Query in the subject line, and the first 5-10 pages pasted into the body of the email. Query only one MMQA agent at a time.

Last checked 25 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, nonfiction, cultural history, political nonfiction, hybrid memoir, literary criticism, biography, literature in translation

Wants: Query letter, bio, first five to ten pages

Looking for

Elianna Kan represents international literary voices in any language, literary fiction, and literary nonfiction in English. She is particularly interested in voice-driven literary fiction and select nonfiction, including cultural history, political reportage, hybrid memoir, literary criticism, and biography. She reads and edits in English and Spanish and is a native Russian speaker, and is drawn to voice-driven narratives from underrepresented places.

How to submit

Email queries directly to Elianna Kan at elianna@mmqalit.com. MMQA asks for a query letter briefly describing the project, relevant personal or professional information, the word Query in the subject line, and the first 5-10 pages pasted into the body of the email. Query only one MMQA agent at a time.

Last checked 25 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, cultural history, politics, biography, arts

Wants: Query letter, short bio, first ten pages

Looking for

Edward Orloff is interested in literary fiction and narrative nonfiction, especially cultural history, politics, biography, and the arts.

How to submit

Email queries to queries@mccormicklit.com and indicate in the subject line that you are querying Edward Orloff. Include a query letter describing the work, a short bio, and up to ten sample pages in the body of the email. Do not send attachments.

Last checked 25 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Adult nonfiction, history, memoir, popular science, parenting, narrative nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, full proposal, bio

Looking for

Dara Kaye represents adult nonfiction that tells great stories, from serious history and memoir to pop science and parenting. She is drawn to projects with international potential, books that make the familiar world feel new and surprising, academics, journalists, experts who communicate original research to mainstream audiences, and memoirists with memorable perspectives.

How to submit

Query Dara Kaye through the WME Books profile or submissions flow. For nonfiction projects, send a query letter, attach the full proposal as an MS Word document, and include your bio. WME asks writers to query one agent at a time and says writers may try another WME Books agent if they have not heard back in 6 weeks.

Last checked 25 Jun 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Narrative nonfiction, history, science, politics, environment, business, memoir, literary fiction, young adult, middle grade, science fiction, fantasy

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal

Looking for

Diana Finch is currently taking only nonfiction queries, including memoir, until further notice. Her official page lists favorite nonfiction categories as narrative nonfiction, history, science, progressive politics, environmental books, business, and memoir. The same page also describes fiction interests in strong storytelling for adult, YA, and middle grade, literary fiction with unique or unexpected elements, and selected genre fiction other than romance, but fiction submissions are currently closed.

How to submit

Use the official Diana Finch Literary Agency Submittable page. Include a full query letter and sample material. The Submittable page asks fiction writers for the first ten pages or so, and nonfiction writers for a full proposal and sample chapters, the agency blog currently says fiction submissions are closed and only nonfiction queries, including memoir, are being taken until further notice.

Last checked 25 Jun 2026Via Submittable
Represents

Commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, women's fiction, middle grade, young adult, romance, action adventure

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Caitlin Blasdell specializes in quality commercial fiction including science fiction and fantasy, historical fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and women's fiction. Liza Dawson's submissions page also lists commercial adult fiction, science fiction/fantasy, romance, mystery, and action/adventure for Caitlin, and her profile says she handles a few select middle grade and YA authors.

How to submit

Send only a query letter in the body of the email to querycaitlin@lizadawson.com. Liza Dawson Associates asks writers to check each agent profile, use the agent's query email and guidelines, and query only one agent at a time, the agency does not represent screenplays.

Last checked 25 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Children's fiction, middle grade, ya, adult fiction

Looking for

Children: singular/underrepresented voices, powerful ideas. Adult: commercial women's fiction, uplit, sagas, romance (contemporary, romcom, historical)

How to submit

Email catherine@marjacq.com with a covering letter in the body of the email, the first fifty pages of the manuscript and a synopsis (for fiction) attached as Word or PDF documents, with total file size not exceeding 2MB.

Last checked 24 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction, non-fiction, poetry

Looking for

Popular science, investigative journalism, history, novels

How to submit

Email submissions@janklow.co.uk with your name, the title of your work, and 'FAO Will Francis' in the subject line. Include a covering letter in the body of the email. For fiction, attach a synopsis and the first three chapters or first fifty pages. For non-fiction, attach a chapter-by-chapter outline and, if possible, a sample chapter. For poetry, attach a short pitch and 3-5 sample poems. Attachments should be in Word format, PDFs are acceptable. Do not include external links. Notify the agency if you receive a full manuscript request elsewhere.

Last checked 24 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction, non-fiction

Looking for

Fiction: crime/thrillers across commercial-literary, atmospheric/setting-as-character, accessible speculative, ghost stories, folk horror, originality and distinctive voice, humour threaded. Non-fiction: narrative history/prehistory, memoir, nature/landscape, folklore

How to submit

Email submissions@hardmanswainson.com. For fiction, attach a one-page synopsis and the full manuscript. For non-fiction, attach a proposal and a sample chapter (or the full work if completed). Name your chosen agent in the cover email. Submit to one agent only, do not email individual agent addresses.

Last checked 24 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction and non-fiction

Looking for

Sexual politics, relationships, lifestyle how-tos, erotica, thrillers, whodunit, historical crime

How to submit

Email submissions@cmm.agency with: a one-paragraph author biography, a one-paragraph blurb or hook including genre and intended audience, a short synopsis covering plot, setting, theme and characters, and the first three chapters as an attachment. Manuscript must be double or 1.5 line-spaced, in 12-point font (preferably Times New Roman), with wide margins and full page numbering. Include your name, address, contact number and email on the first page.

Last checked 23 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Historical fiction, upmarket fiction, mystery, thriller, narrative nonfiction, science, creative nonfiction, psychological suspense

Wants: Query letter, book proposal

Looking for

Gisa is open to historical fiction, upmarket fiction, and narrative nonfiction. Inspired Ink is especially drawn to compelling voices, emotionally resonant storytelling, immersive settings, psychological suspense, creative nonfiction, science-related nonfiction, and work that lingers beyond the final page.

How to submit

Submit through Gisa Seeholzer's Inspired Ink Literary QueryTracker form.

Last checked 22 Jun 2026Via QueryManager

463+ agents we've verified represent history specifically. Many others represent broader categories like commercial fiction or genre fiction — try Smart Search to find those too.

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