PairPi is a verified literary agent directory for writers looking for representation. Save shortlists, check submission details, and track every submission in one place.
Start a free account →Illustrated picture books are a specialist market that looks simple from outside and is anything but. Agents read for page turns, rhythm, age fit, humour, tenderness, visual potential, and a text that leaves room for the illustrator to do real storytelling. A 32-page picture book is engineered as carefully as a poem, in the lineage of Maurice Sendak, Mo Willems, and the contemporary illustrators reshaping the form. Authors who illustrate their own work follow a different submission path from text-only writers, and many agents handle those two cases separately. The market covers everything from concept books for the youngest readers to sophisticated narrative picture books with crossover adult appeal. 120+ agents on this page represent picture book work in some form. Check each agency's guidelines for whether they want finished art, dummies, or text-only manuscripts before submitting anything.
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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.
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.
Authors, illustrators, picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult nonfiction, adult fiction, children's nonfiction, gift books, middle eastern voices, disabled voices
Lilly Ghahremani represents a wide range of authors and illustrators on both the adult and children's book sides. Her wishlist includes illustrators from the African diaspora and lesser-represented cultures, worldly children's books and art, children's stories rooted in cultural settings or personal experience, traditional cultural wisdom in modern children's books, children's nonfiction by experts, funny but smart picture books, books for kids of any age that center disabled characters, high-concept gift books with illustration or photography, and picture book, middle grade, and YA with Middle Eastern characters, settings, or themes.
Lilly Ghahremani is closed to submissions at this time according to her official Full Circle profile, and the official submissions page says Lilly Ghahremani is closed except referrals. Full Circle accepts submissions via QueryManager only and does not review direct email or mailed submissions.
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, children's nonfiction, board books, novelty books, kidlit
Joyce Sweeney is Director of Kid Lit and Agent at The Seymour Agency. They have a passion for all kinds of picture books, especially nonfiction projects and lyrical, emotional texts, and will consider tough subjects in picture books, board books, and novelty books. In middle grade they prefer younger, shorter projects and chapter books. They are actively looking for genre YA of all types, especially from underrepresented voices and queer perspectives. Graphic novels should be young, realistic, and preferably illustrated.
Joyce Sweeney is currently closed to submissions according to the official Seymour submissions page, so there is no open query route for Joyce at this time.
Kidlit, picture books, middle grade, young adult, contemporary romance, mystery, thriller, illustrators, author-illustrators
Rosa Frazier is a literary agent at The Seymour Agency. Her official Seymour profile says kidlit is her passion, with emphasis on picture books, middle grade, YA contemporary romance, mystery, and thrillers. She is drawn to underrepresented BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled creatives, and encourages Caribbean and South American stories, folklore, and mythologies with representation of second languages and dialects. Illustrators and author-illustrators are also welcome when she is open to them.
Rosa Frazier is currently closed to queries according to her official Seymour Agency profile and linked QueryManager status. Do not send unsolicited queries while closed.
Picture books, children's fiction
Voice and style come first — the agency needs to fall for your voice above all else. Ideas are secondary and can be developed, but the voice must draw them in immediately. Particularly interested in hearing from diverse authors and illustrators, and those writing own voices stories. Also interested in illustrators who write or intend to write, as they benefit most from the agency's editorial input.
Email submissions@thecatchpoleagency.co.uk with: a short cover letter with a couple of details about yourself, a one- or two-sentence pitch setting out the hook of your premise, a brief note on intended readership, and a writing sample pasted into the body of the email (a complete picture book text or a couple of chapters of a novel). Illustrators should also include a link to work viewable online plus some writing. No postal submissions accepted. If own voices or diverse applies to you, include #ownvoices or #diverse in the subject line. Note: submissions are closed until June 2026.
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
Science fiction, fantasy, children's books, middle grade, young adult, picture books
Wants: Query letter, sample pages
Michelle is a literary agent at Storm with strong interest in heroic stories, science fiction, fantasy, and children's/young reader projects informed by her school and writing-contest background.
Follow Michelle Hauck's Storm Literary submission guidelines when available, no current direct query route was confirmed in this pass.
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, children's nonfiction
Wants: Query letter, sample pages
Laurel represents picture books, middle grade and young adult novels, graphic novels, and select nonfiction.
Laurel Symonds is closed to queries according to KT Literary's official agents page.
Speculative fiction, psychological horror, mystery, romance fantasy, literary fiction, picture books, middle grade fiction
Wants: Query letter
Bonnie seeks underrepresented authors across all age groups. She wants speculative psychological horror mysteries, normalized queerness where it isn't the focus of the plot, romance fantasy with HEA required, and issue-driven stories addressing timeless social issues. For picture books, stories must be child-centered giving kids agency. For middle grade, she seeks stories based on kid-focused issues with magic elements.
Send queries only through QueryManager. Anything sent to email or social media will be deleted immediately.
Stonesong
Children's fiction, adult fiction, picture books, graphic novels, pop culture non-fiction
Wants: Query letter, first chapter, first 10 pages
She values diversity and inclusion, in fiction she enjoys ensemble casts with distinct voices, stories about poor characters and communities, and formats that are specific to a story and give it its own context. She is particularly interested in art/art history/art conservation, archaeology, mythology, language/translation, and criminal justice reform.
Submit query addressed to Alyssa Jennette at submissions@stonesong.com. Include the word "query" in the subject line. For fiction, include the first chapter or first 10 pages pasted into the body of the email. For nonfiction, include bio, credentials, social media analytics, and previous publications. Do not send attachments.
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
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's books, illustrators, commercial fiction, literary fiction, diverse voices
Marietta B. Zacker is Co-owner and Literary Agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. She is always looking for visual and narrative stories that reflect the world as it is rather than narrow bubbles, loves books that make readers feel, and avoids projects that set out mainly to teach a lesson. Across young adult, middle grade, and picture books, she looks for stories where young readers can identify with the actions and reactions of the characters, not the perspective of the author or illustrator, and where diversity is inherent and authentic. She is excited by soulful, insightful, well-crafted literary or commercial projects for any age group from young adult to the youngest readers.
Marietta B. Zacker is currently closed to queries according to the official Gallt and Zacker submissions page. When GZLA agents are open, the agency asks writers to choose one person to query, query only one GZLA agent at a time, and use the agent link on the submissions page.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, thriller, horror, science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, historical fiction, picture books, middle grade, young adult, romance, mystery
Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages
Laura would love to find fantasy, spec fiction, alternate history, and horror with fresh, original, unexpected reimaginings. She seeks retellings that reinvent underlying traditions, gothic suspense or thrillers, romantasy that is more romantic fantasy than fantasy romance, high concept rom-coms, and sexy historical romance. She also wants thrillers and mysteries with dynamic, unexpected characters and rich psychological insights.
Click on the QueryManager link in the agent's bio, follow the prompts, and complete all required fields including a short query letter with a description of your work, previous publishing credentials, a short author bio, contact information, and for novels: first 10 pages of text.
Children's fiction, picture books, middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, memoir, middle grade non-fiction, graphic novels
Wants: Query letter, first 25 pages, writing sample
Offbeat projects that break the mold, with particular interest in queer and BIPOC literature and writers. He wants to read something that moves him and connects on an intellectual, emotional or spiritual level. He specifically wants to see more middle grade fiction and nonfiction, and graphic novels.
Submit only via Query Manager. Include query letter in body and first 25 pages of manuscript for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction. For picture books, include full text and dummy or sample art if available. For graphic novels, include first 25 pages of script plus illustrated pages if author or illustrator.
Middle grade, young adult, picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, upmarket fiction
Wants: Query letter, sample pages
Kari represents middle grade and YA at the heart of her list, plus picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, and upmarket fiction.
Kari Sutherland is currently closed to queries according to KT Literary's official agents page.
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.
Children's books, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, genre fiction, thrillers, historical fiction, romance, mysteries, science fiction
Wants: Query letter, full manuscript, illustration samples for children's books
Clever voices and unreliable narrators, stories told from diverse perspectives, rich world building, strong character dynamics, and firsts—first love, first heartbreak, first loss, first divorce, etc. Novels featuring smart, strong, funny, and fierce women
Email queries with specified subject headers to designated addresses
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's literature, graphic novels
Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages
Kelly champions writers and artists in nearly every category, format, and age group within children's literature. She works with debut authors and illustrators as well as bestsellers and award-winning creators.
Click on the QueryManager link in the agent's bio, follow the prompts, and complete all required fields including a short query letter with description of your work, previous publishing credentials, short author bio, contact information, and sample work as specified for your format.
Picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, contemporary, fantasy, romance, suspense, non-fiction
Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages
She loves both contemporary and fantasy as well as the spooky and unexpected. She loves multi-generational stories, matrilineal magic, and is always happy to see high-concept contemporary romance. She also enjoys darker suspenseful reads and loves atmospheric settings that feel like a character. For picture books, she works on both fiction and nonfiction with interest in environmental and STEM themes, animals, emotional intelligence, and books for youngest readers including vehicle books.
Submit through QueryManager with query letter, author bio, publishing credentials, contact information, and sample pages. For novels: first 10 pages. For picture books text only: full manuscript. Response even if passing.
Science fiction, fantasy, graphic novels, picture books
Wants: Query letter
Kurestin wants to work with creators who are creatively ambitious, who have a wide range of ideas and are always pushing themselves to write what's most interesting and challenging to them. She's particularly drawn to illustrators with a strong sense of dynamic use of panels and movement on the page, and always loves a creature.
Submissions should be sent via Query Manager. Submit to one agent at a time at Root Literary.
Adult fiction, horror, science fiction, speculative fiction, romance, young adult, picture books, graphic novels, lgbtq and voices, underrepresented voices
Sera Rivers is a literary agent at Speilburg Literary Agency. In adult fiction she is interested in subversive horror, grounded science fiction, speculative fiction, and underrepresented voices in the vein of Emily Henry. In kidlit she is interested in young adult LGBTQIA+, horror, non-Western folklore, culture and heritage, thriller, grounded science fiction, and speculative; picture books by author-illustrators only, especially horror and work by underrepresented authors and illustrators; and graphic novels by author-illustrators only.
Sera Rivers is currently closed to queries according to the live official linked QueryTracker form. Her official Speilburg profile says she opens to adult fiction during the first 7 days of each month and is closed to unsolicited children's-book submissions except through conferences, requests, and referrals.
Children's books, young adult, middle grade, picture books, illustrated books
Wants: Query letter, sample pages, portfolio
Victoria owns Storm Literary Agency and represents authors and illustrators, with a list focused on children's literature across age categories and genres except erotica romance.
Victoria Selvaggio is currently closed to submissions according to Storm Literary Agency's official about or submission guidance.
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, adult nonfiction, stem, historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction
Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal, portfolio
Heather considers picture books, middle grade, YA, and adult fiction and nonfiction. Her interests include books that explore currently untapped spaces, STEM picture books, layered MG/YA nonfiction, and stories that inspire readers to seize opportunities in their own lives.
Heather Cashman is currently closed to submissions according to Storm Literary Agency's official about or submission guidance.
Poetry, picture books, graphic novels, contemporary fiction, fantasy, science fiction, romance, young adult
Wants: Query letter
Tasneem is looking across categories for work from marginalized authors, especially under the BIPOC umbrella. Interests include genre-inflected poetry, picture books, graphic novels, contemporary MG/YA/adult, fantasy, YA/adult science fiction, and YA/adult romance.
Tasneem is currently closed to queries. The official Belcastro page links her QueryManager route, the linked form says she is closed until further notice, with a separate BIPOC-exclusive form noted there.
HG Literary
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.
Middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, picture books, graphic novels
Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages
Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction from perspectives that may often feel left out of publishing, including stories from LGBTQIA and BIPOC creators. Kids/teen Graphic Novel and Picture Book illustrators and author-illustrators whose art has wit, heart, style and flair. She prefers upbeat stories and seeks queer, weird, funny, heartfelt, beautiful, nerdy projects.
Submit through QueryManager with a short query letter, author bio, contact information, and sample pages (first 10 pages for novels, full text for picture books, 10-20 sample spreads for graphic novels).
Children's books, preschool, picture books, novelty, middle grade, young adult, thriller, science fiction, speculative fiction
Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages
Jamie looks for an intense emotional experience in all categories. She seeks manuscripts that stay with her, whether the sweet pang of an 'Jamie Weiss Chilton love you' picture book or the shock of recognition of an honest window to the tween or teen psyche. For younger age groups, she looks for the hook that will make a book a must-have parenting or educational resource.
Visit agent's bio page, click on QueryManager link, and complete all required fields including a short query letter with work description, previous publishing credentials, short author bio, contact information, and appropriate sample materials based on format.
Picture books, middle grade, non-fiction
Wants: Query letter, sample pages, author bio
Caryn looks for authentic, kid-appealing stories and art that disrupt the prevailing narrative in some way. She seeks characters that stick with her long after she has closed the book and loves stories that bring a good, cathartic cry, a huge belly laugh, some outrage, some new knowledge, and above all, hope. Social justice has been at the heart of her list since she started agenting.
Select one agent to query via QueryManager link on agent bio page. Submit query letter with work description, publishing credentials, author bio, contact information, and required sample materials based on format.
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, adult nonfiction, christian market, secular market, trade nonfiction, topical nonfiction, professional nonfiction, inspirational nonfiction
Stephanie Cardel is founder of Lighthouse Literary. Lighthouse Literary represents children's picture books, middle grade, and young adult fiction and nonfiction, as well as adult fiction and adult trade nonfiction for both the Christian and secular markets. Its adult nonfiction areas include topical, professional, and inspirational work.
Stephanie Cardel is closed to unsolicited queries according to the official Lighthouse Literary submissions page. She may occasionally take pitches at conferences and open to conference attendees.
Graphic novels, children's fiction, picture books, middle grade, young adult, horror
Wants: Query letter, sample pages, portfolio
Jas represents authors and illustrators of graphic novels across all ages, plus select children's prose fiction, and is genre agnostic with a special fondness for unsettling, horrifying, and absurd stories.
Jas Perry is currently closed to queries according to the Looking Glass profile.
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's authors, children's artists
Tracey Adams co-founded Adams Literary, a boutique agency dedicated to children's book authors and artists. The official submissions page describes the agency's interests as children's work across every age and genre, from picture books to middle grade and young adult fiction, historical novels, fantasy, books tackling contemporary issues, literary stories, high-concept speculative fiction, unique fantasy adventure, humor, and character-driven picture books. Picture book submissions are considered only from author-artists.
Adams Literary is currently closed to submissions and is only accepting new clients by referral from trusted sources according to its official announcement. Do not submit unsolicited material while closed.
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, contemporary middle grade, historical middle grade, literary middle grade, mystery middle grade, contemporary young adult, historical young adult, literary young adult, young adult mystery, juvenile nonfiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, parenting, popular science
Shari Maurer is an agent at The Stringer Literary Agency. The official Stringer site lists her fiction interests as picture books; middle grade contemporary, historical, literary, and mystery; and young adult contemporary, historical, literary, and mystery. In nonfiction, it lists juvenile YA and middle grade nonfiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, parenting, and popular science.
Shari Maurer is currently closed to queries according to the QueryManager or QueryTracker form associated with Stringer Literary. The official Stringer site says the agency works with Query Manager only, deletes queries sent otherwise unread, and closes submissions from time to time to catch up.
Children's books, young adult, picture books, middle grade, illustrated books
Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries
Rosemary is founder and CEO of Stimola Literary Studio. Her career is centered on books for children and young adults, and her current client list includes major children's and YA authors and illustrators.
Stimola Literary Studio's submissions page says Rosemary Stimola is not currently accepting new submissions.
Board books, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, contemporary, narrative non-fiction
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages
She loves highly commercial Board Books, quirky and clever picture books, rich narrative nonfiction, commercial chapter books, and contemporary or genre-bent Young Adult. She's always seeking stories that center neurodiverse, disabled, and LGBTQ+ characters.
All submissions should be sent through Query Tracker. Query should include agent personalization, metadata with title or word count or age range or genre or comp titles, pitch, and author bio. Include synopsis and first ten pages.
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's fiction, graphic novels, illustrators, adult genre fiction, pop culture, contemporary fiction, fantasy, horror, novels in verse, middle grade nonfiction, young adult nonfiction
Jordan Hamessley represents diverse children's fiction from picture books through young adult, select adult genre and pop culture writers, graphic novelists, and illustrators. She is looking for stories that bring queer experience to the children's space across all age ranges. For picture books she is only looking for author-illustrators. In middle grade and young adult, she likes contemporary stories with heart and humor, queer joy, cozy or romantic fantasy, horror with ghosts, creepy forests, haunted houses, and murder, children's projects about space exploration, novels in verse, and graphic novel illustrators. In nonfiction, she is primarily looking for middle grade and YA STEM, space, math and science made fun, and underrepresented history including queer history.
Jordan Hamessley is currently closed to queries according to her official linked QueryManager page, even though the JABberwocky agents page still labels her open. When open, submit through her QueryManager page and query only one JABberwocky agent at a time.
285+ agents we've verified represent illustrated / picture books specifically. Many others represent broader categories like commercial fiction or genre fiction — try Smart Search to find those too.
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