Literary Fiction Literary Agents

Literary fiction, contemporary fiction, memoir, history, non-fiction

Sarah Ballard seeks work with a sense of urgency and an attempt to make change in the world. She is drawn to fiction with compelling plot or structure overlaying big ideas, memoir-style non-fiction with obsession that unfolds hidden agendas, and meticulously researched history that changes worldviews. She has particular interest in feminism and feminist approaches but enjoys exploring completely new ideas and angles.

Send the full manuscript for novels plus a one-page synopsis giving the complete story arc, or a proposal including sample text for non-fiction. Include information about your writing experience and explain why you think you would be a good match. Email submissions to ballardofficesubmissions@cwagency.co.uk for the attention of Sarah Ballard and her assistant Liv Bignold.

Literary fiction, commercial women's fiction, contemporary fiction, family drama, historical fiction, crime fiction, thrillers, suspense, magical realism, speculative fiction, sff, horror, gothic fiction, romantasy, fantasy, science fiction

Susan Armstrong seeks strong prose, compelling storytelling, vivid characters, and originality of vision. She welcomes novels that blend genres, feature unusual settings or circumstances, contain unexpected twists, possess some darkness, and present moral dilemmas. Books that evoke laughter are particularly appreciated.

Send all submissions to susan.submissions@cwagency.co.uk.

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

Stephanie Cabot represents a range of fiction and non-fiction at the New York office of Susanna Lea Associates. 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 are always looking for new voices and good stories with strong international potential.

Check agent's submission page

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

Stephen M. Morrison represents a range of fiction and nonfiction at Susanna Lea Associates' New York office. His interests encompass Literary Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Women's Fiction, Crime, Thrillers, Narrative Nonfiction, Memoir, Current Affairs, Personal Development, Humor, and select Young Adult with crossover appeal.

Check agent's submission page

Science fiction, fantasy, literary horror, non-fiction

Sam represents science fiction, fantasy, literary horror, and non-fiction for a general audience. He is looking for fantasy with wit and deep world-building, hard SF and cyberpunk exploring big questions about humanity, and work that pushes SFF genre boundaries. He is also interested in upmarket folkloric horror-tinged fiction, fiction and non-fiction engaging with landscape or the sea, books about jazz and classical music with an unconventional approach, and writing by experts who relay complex ideas with verve. He is keen to work with writers whose background, identity, sexuality, cultural experience, or ethnicity have historically been under-represented on publishers' lists in the UK. He does not accept children's or young adult submissions.

Email: sam@greyhoundliterary.co.uk

Literary fiction, non-fiction

See source page for more info

Email submissions to the agency. Include a covering letter in the body of the email and attach sample pages as a Word or PDF document. For fiction, include a synopsis and the first three chapters (or approximately 50 pages). For non-fiction, include a detailed outline and at least one sample chapter. Submit to one agent only.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, food writing, memoir, arts and culture, music, journalism

Charlie Brotherstone represents an eclectic range of authors working across both fiction and nonfiction. He is interested in Commercial Fiction and Literary Fiction, as well as nonfiction from academics, journalists, musicians, online creators, and food writers. He has a strong track record with Food and Cookbooks alongside narrative nonfiction and cultural writing.

Submit via the Aevitas Creative Management submissions form at https://www.aevitascreative.com or contact

Fiction and non-fiction

Smart compelling commercial-to-literary, upmarket crime/thrillers, voiced historical, light horror/gothic/supernatural, memoir, narrative non-fiction, health/wellbeing/lifestyle from experts

Email julia@greyhoundliterary.co.uk

Literary fiction, international fiction, narrative nonfiction, historical biography, memoir, business, science

Both seasoned authors and new voices in fiction and nonfiction. She specializes in literary fiction and has a soft spot in her heart for international fiction hailing from the homeland of authors like William Trevor, Edna O'Brien, and Zadie Smith, not to mention Rohinton Mistry, Mario Vargas Llosa and J.M. Coetzee and Nadine Gordimer. She is also interested in continuing to build a narrative nonfiction list in the genres of historical biography, memoir, business, and science

Email: christina@unionliterary.com

Adult, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, author bio, 25-page sample for fiction or proposal for nonfiction

Literary, upmarket, and speculative fiction including magical realism, fantasy, and science fiction. Strong essay collections, narrative nonfiction, archival works

Currently closed to submissions except for by referral

Literary fiction

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

Literary fiction with experimental and speculative bends. She is particularly excited by queer voices, Midwestern settings, and unique approaches to the form of the contemporary novel

Send a brief query letter, including information on your publication history, current project, and any other relevant experience you bring to your work. Send a sample of the first ten pages of the work pasted into the body of the email

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, mystery, thriller, current affairs, politics, civil rights, memoir, business, history, health and wellness

Fiction and nonfiction across a wide range of genres. Nonfiction interests include current affairs, politics, civil rights, health and wellness, memoir, business, and history; fiction interests include literary and commercial novels, including mysteries and thrillers. Works with established authors, journalists, and public figures whose work demonstrates significant cultural impact or commercial potential.

Other submissions

Literary fiction, lyrical nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first 10 pages

Literary fiction and lyrical nonfiction

Electronic submissions should consist of a query letter detailing the book in question and your qualifications, as well as the reason you're reaching out to the particular agent being queried. For fiction, you should also include a synopsis and the first ten pages of a novel or one short story from a collection in the body of the email. For non-fiction, please include a synopsis in the body of the email.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, pop culture

Literary and upmarket fiction, select narrative nonfiction and memoir, books that explore pop culture examining celebrity and fandom

Check agent's submission page

Science fiction or fantasy, literary fiction, science and nature

Science fiction/fantasy, literary fiction, science and nature nonfiction

Check agent's submission page

Adult literary fiction, adult non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages

She is interested in stories from around the world—particularly Turkey and Iran. She loves fiction with Gothic-inspired atmospheres, intergenerational tales, family secrets, and deep excavations into relationships, motivations, and obsessions. She is drawn to nonfiction with a fiercely personal bent and strong voice, and writers working to uncover undercurrents of the world and change them. She seeks voices in translation and writers from underrepresented backgrounds.

Direct submission to individual agent. For fiction: send informative description, brief synopsis and first ten pages in email body. For nonfiction: send informative description, full outline, and first ten pages in email body. Send to submissions@janklow.com.

Cookbooks, investigative journalism, self-help, health, wellness, social science, popular science, culture, narrative nonfiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, literary mystery, magical realism, science fiction

Wants: Query letter, first chapter, first 10 pages, author platform

Kim primarily specializes in nonfiction and is actively seeking expertise- or platform-driven cookbooks, investigative journalism, self-help, health, wellness, social science, pop science, culture, and narrative nonfiction that adds nuance or makes niche subjects accessible. On a highly selective basis, she also considers adult upmarket and literary fiction, including contemporary and historical realism, literary mystery, magical realism, and near-future science fiction.

Stonesong accepts electronic queries at submissions@stonesong.com, but the current submissions page does not list Kim among the named query recipients. Verify current route before querying Kim.

Fiction, nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, journalism, essay collections

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal

Noah is interested in ambitious fiction and nonfiction, including literary and commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, journalism, and essay-driven work.

Consult Verve Talent and Literary Agency's current submission guidance before querying. No direct public query route was confirmed in this pass.