Middle Grade Literary Agents

Author-illustrators, picture books, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult, children's books

Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, portfolio link, art samples, picture book dummy, first 20 pages, graphic novel sample

Author-illustrators who write their own picture books and graphic novels, Middle Grade fiction and nonfiction, and Young Adult fiction. LK Literary Agency does not represent adult work, picture book text-only authors, or illustrators who are not yet writing their own work.

Email a cover letter with pitch, synopsis, contact information, and online presence in the body of the message. Novel submissions should paste the first 20 pages into the email. Emailed illustrator portfolios are accepted at 72 dpi, online portfolios are welcome, picture book dummies should be PDF attachments, and graphic novel submissions should include a PDF of two to three illustrated chapters with text.

Middle grade, young adult, adult genre fiction, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, thrillers, suspense, horror

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, one paragraph pitch, comparable books, first ten pages, ai disclosure

Laurie McLean specializes in middle grade, young adult, and adult genre fiction, including fantasy, science fiction, mystery, thrillers, suspense, and horror. Until further notice, she is only looking at queries she requested at conferences or online events, especially all types of middle grade fiction, YA horror, mystery, thrillers, science fiction and fantasy, and adult mystery, suspense, and thrillers.

Laurie McLean is requested-only until further notice. Query through her official QueryManager page only if she requested the query at a conference or online event. The form asks for book details, query letter, synopsis, one-paragraph pitch, target audience, comparable books, AI disclosure, and the first 10 pages.

Middle grade, young adult, picture books, illustration, author-illustrators, children's

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Jennifer represents authors, illustrators and author-illustrators with a distinct point of view and layered stories. She is interested in middle grade and YA with mind-expanding premises, survival stories, Dickensian sagas, puzzling plots, and middle grade about resilient kids sorting out messy lives.

Jennifer is currently closed to queries. Andrea Brown Literary Agency asks writers to select one agent, check that agent's bio and query status, and not query multiple ABLA agents simultaneously.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, new adult, adult fiction, illustrators, contemporary fiction, magical realism, fantasy, horror, romance, romantic comedy, romantasy, women's fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, spirituality, self-help, health and fitness, parenting, business, celebrity, lifestyle, pets, psychology, relationships and dating, true crime, bipoc voices, lgbtq and voices

Lynnette Novak is an agent at The Seymour Agency. When she reopens, she is especially excited about BIPOC, diverse, and LGBTQ+ projects; illustrators for board books, picture books, illustrated MG, and illustrated covers; fiction and nonfiction picture books; MG contemporary, magical realism, contemporary or grounded fantasy, and horror; YA romcom, romantasy, fantasy, magical realism, and horror; NA contemporary romance, romcom, and romantasy; adult horror, dark romance, contemporary romance, romcom, romantasy, and women's fiction; and adult nonfiction including memoir, narrative, spirituality/New Age, self-help, health/fitness, parenting/family, motivational/inspirational, business, celebrity, lifestyle, pets, psychology, relationships/dating, and true crime by experts with platforms.

Lynnette Novak is currently closed to all queries according to the official Seymour Agency about page. The page says to watch her MSWL page for updates when she reopens, but no current open official query route is listed.

Middle grade, fantasy, adult literary fiction, contemporary young adult, young adult, adult fiction, speculative fiction, underrepresented voices, marginalized voices

Serene Hakim is an agent at Ayesha Pande Literary. She represents authors in a variety of genres from middle grade fantasy to adult literary fiction to contemporary YA. She is particularly interested in YA and adult fiction with international themes, a variety of cultures, and underrepresented or marginalized voices. She is currently primarily focusing on YA/MG and taking on adult writers more selectively. She loves books that are joy-filled and full of heart, stories that delve deep into grief, and books that explore different meanings of family, home, and identity, especially with a speculative bend.

Serene Hakim is closed to queries according to the official Ayesha Pande Literary queries page. Queries submitted by any method, including the contact page, while an agent is closed will not be considered.

Children's fiction, adult fiction, children's nonfiction, adult nonfiction, picture books, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult, literary fiction, romantic comedy, author-illustrated graphic novels

Sara Crowe is founder of Sara Crowe Literary. She has 25 years of publishing experience and 20 years representing clients. She represents a diverse group of children's and adult fiction and nonfiction, from picture books to graphic novels to literary fiction and adult romantic comedies. Her official submissions page says she is looking for author-illustrated graphic novels, middle grade and YA fiction, children's and adult nonfiction, and adult fiction, specifically romantic comedies and literary fiction, with special interest in underrepresented voices.

Sara Crowe is currently closed to queries according to the official Sara Crowe Literary submissions page.

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.

Fiction, nonfiction, children's books, film rights, subsidiary rights

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Stephanie is president, senior agent, and subsidiary rights manager at Metamorphosis. Her profile says she represents fiction from children's to adult books and nonfiction projects with heart, but the submissions page says she is currently focused on running the company, legacy clients, and film subsidiary rights efforts.

Metamorphosis says Stephanie Hansen is not open to queries at this time.

Children's fiction

Middle grade with mystery/adventure, heartfelt contemporary MG, ambitious fantasy, young fiction (5-8) with clear hook, YA (incl romantasy/thrillers/romance tropes), underrepresented voices

Email chloe@darleyanderson.com when open to submissions

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.

Middle grade, young adult, children's books, contemporary fiction, urban fantasy, magical realism, adventure, romantic comedy

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Kate represents middle grade and young adult fiction and fantastic stories for children and avid adult readers, including contemporary drama, urban fantasy, magical realism, adventure stories, and romantic comedies.

Kate Testerman is currently closed to queries according to KT Literary's official agents page.

Children's books, author-illustrators, diverse voices, underrepresented voices

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, portfolio

Sheila is an associate literary agent seeking authors and author-illustrators, especially diverse and traditionally underrepresented voices, with a priority on strong writing and career-minded creators.

Follow Sheila Fernley's Storm Literary submission guidelines when available, no current direct query route was confirmed in this pass.

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.

Middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, romance, contemporary fiction, design, cooking, fashion

Whitney Ross is an agent at High Line Literary Collective. She represents middle grade, young adult, and adult fiction across genres, with emphasis on historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy, romance, and contemporary fiction. She is also open to nonfiction in design, cooking, and fashion. She likes novels set in unusual time periods and locations, with or without fantastical elements; trickster-king motifs; subtle romances; tropes turned upside down; unusual takes on old favorites; compelling characters; and emotionally involving plotlines.

Whitney Ross is currently closed to queries according to her official High Line profile and the official High Line submissions page.

Fiction, nonfiction, foreign potential, breakout concepts

Sheyla Knigge is an agent at High Line Literary Collective. Her official profile says she is actively building her list, discovers fresh voices, advocates for authors, spots universal book concepts with robust foreign potential, and works with authors at writers conferences.

Sheyla Knigge is currently closed to queries according to her official High Line profile and the official High Line submissions 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.

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.

Adult fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery, suspense, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, middle grade, young adult, children's fiction, children's nonfiction, business books, diverse voices

Lisa Abellera represents adult literary, upmarket/book club, women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery, suspense, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, and crossover speculative fiction. In children's fiction she represents all fiction genres in middle grade and YA. She responds to well-crafted prose, strong hooks, high personal stakes, complex and sympathetic characters, tangible sense of place, lush world-building, non-Western cultural aspects, emotionally immersive fiction, and underrepresented voices. In limited nonfiction, she is looking for middle grade prescriptive projects and adult prescriptive business books for women or by women.

KC and A links Lisa Abellera's QueryMe or QueryManager form from the official team page. The linked form currently says Lisa Abellera is not accepting unsolicited queries, so there is no open submission route at this time.

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

Adult commercial fiction, young adult, middle grade, graphic novels, adult nonfiction, picture books, dual-language projects

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal

Jenna is seeking adult, YA and MG commercial fiction in most genres, graphic novels from middle grade to YA, adult nonfiction, very selective picture books, and dual-language English/Spanish projects.

Follow Jenna Satterthwaite's Storm Literary submission guidelines when available, no current direct query route was confirmed in this pass.

Fantasy, horror, mystery, thriller, dark academia, gothic horror, supernatural folklore, caribbean folklore, bipoc voices, lgbtq and, history, spirituality

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages

Catherine is mainly focused on middle grade and young adult fantasy, horror, and mystery with lush settings, strong worldbuilding, atmospheric prose, isolated or contained settings, BIPOC characters by BIPOC authors, supernatural folklore, dark academia, feminine rage, witches, banshees, sirens, and gripping mysteries. Her Corvisiero profile also lists adult and YA fantasy, mysteries, thrillers, gothic horror, and nonfiction on Haitian and Louisianan Voodoo.

Submit through Catherine Ross's QueryManager route when open. Her current Manuscript Wish List says to send a query letter, one-to-two-page synopsis, and the first ten manuscript pages through her query form, unsolicited email submissions and submissions using AI will not be considered.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, narrative non-fiction, prescriptive non-fiction, business, pop culture

Wants: Query letter

Fargis is looking for upmarket women's fiction, book club fiction, and middle grade fiction that blurs the line between literary and commercial. She does not want romance, high fantasy, true crime, poetry, or children's picture books.

Review individual agent biographies and submit query addressed to one agent 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, previous publications, and platform information. Do not send attachments.

Literary fiction, upmarket commercial women's fiction, narrative nonfiction, children's books

Literary fiction and upmarket, commercial women's fiction. Narrative nonfiction. Children's books, especially middle grade and young adult.

Email queries only at jenniferlyonsagency (at) gmail (dot) com

Thriller, suspense, horror, fantasy, romantasy, magical realism, speculative fiction, romance, mystery, women's fiction, historical fiction, young adult, middle grade, picture books

Wants: Query letter

Vicky is interested in adult thriller and suspense with psychological, paranormal, supernatural or gothic elements, horror, dark fantasy, romantasy, magical realism, mystery, women's fiction, historical fiction, young adult horror and fantasy, middle grade, and picture books from author-illustrators.

Vicky's CMA profile links to QueryManager but states that she is currently closed to queries. CMA asks writers to query only one CMA agent at a time.

Children's books, picture books, middle grade, young adult

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, portfolio

Essie White is founder/literary agent at Storm Literary Agency, a boutique agency focused on quality literature from authors and illustrators, especially children's books.

Essie White is closed to submissions according to Storm Literary Agency's official submission guidance.

Upmarket fiction, literary fiction, speculative fiction, science fiction, fantasy, dystopian, middle grade, young adult, picture books, lgbtq and, marginalized voices

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Lisa likes upmarket and literary fiction with lyrical prose, memorable characters, and fast-moving plots, especially stories about friendships, parents and children, or people facing hardship due to gender. She is also interested in speculative fiction with literary/upmarket writing, cozy fantasy, sci-fi/fantasy partly set in our world, middle grade and young adult speculative work, and high-concept picture books.

Lisa Gouldy is currently closed to queries, and email submissions will not be considered.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, mystery, thriller, middle grade, young adult, history, biography, current events, long-form journalism, popular science, children's books

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Gina represents literary and upmarket fiction and narrative nonfiction for adults and children. In fiction she looks for upmarket novels, mysteries and thrillers, middle grade, and young adult. Nonfiction interests include history, biography, current events, long-form journalism, and popular science.

Gina Maccoby is currently closed to submissions. When open, email a query with the word QUERY in the subject line to query@maccobylit.com with no attachments. Check the official agency site for reopening.

Ya, mg, upmarket genre fiction, women's fiction, psychological thrillers, sf or f, psychology, self-help, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, bio, first 5-10 pages

YA, MG, upmarket genre fiction (especially women's fiction, psychological thrillers, and SF/F), psychology, self-help, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction, works that speak to life in the twenty-first century

Send a short description, short bio, and 5-10 pages of text pasted into the body of the email. I do not open attachments

Adult fiction, adult nonfiction, children's books

Eclectic list of talented authors and illustrators

Check agent's submission page

Women's fiction, commercial fiction, fantasy, young adult, romance, lgbt, middle grade, memoir, narrative nonfiction, personal finance, business, true crime, sports, popular culture, self-help, religion, health, parenting

Wants: Query letter, book proposal for nonfiction

High-concept book club fiction, queer fiction, destination novels, emotionally satisfying reads, cozy fantasy, horror with modern commentary, and adult dystopian fiction

Use The Knight Agency submissions page and the relevant QueryManager link, do not query multiple TKA agents simultaneously.

Health, parenting, southern history, african-american interest, business, motivation, romance, young adult, children's, middle grade, christian living

Wants: Query letter, book proposal for nonfiction

Rom-com, cozy mysteries, historical fiction, health and wellness, advice and relationship, and true crime

Use The Knight Agency submissions page and the relevant QueryManager link, do not query multiple TKA agents simultaneously.

Middle grade, young adult, children's fiction, children's nonfiction

Beth Phelan is a Senior Literary Agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. She represents middle grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction. She gravitates toward stories and characters that inspire, anything with humor and the bittersweet, powerful and unique storytelling, offbeat contemporary fiction, immersive fantasy, and profoundly resonant voices.

Beth Phelan is currently closed to queries according to the official Gallt and Zacker submissions page. GZLA asks writers to query only one GZLA agent at a time and to choose another agent only if the first passes.