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 →Narrative non-fiction is where reportage, memoir, history, and cultural criticism share a shelf without quite admitting it. Agents working here want true stories shaped by the instincts of fiction: scene, voice, pace, restraint, and a writer who can find the human pressure inside the research. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Helen Macdonald's work, and the long tradition of immersive journalism all live near the label, but the books are doing different work. Some agents focus on investigative projects with public-interest weight; others prefer cultural argument, science narrative, social history, or the kind of personal essay that opens out into something bigger. 140+ agents on this page show narrative non-fiction signals. A submission is typically a proposal with sample chapters, so make sure the proposal does the same storytelling work the book itself promises.
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Describe your book in a sentence or two. Smart Search ranks open agents whose taste actually matches.
Narrative nonfiction, music, pop culture, cookbooks, illustrated projects
Nonfiction authors including artists, witches, and revolutionaries; cookbooks about more than food, illustrated projects that inspire delight, and other nonfiction books that seek to change the world
Please use Query Manager to send Kara a query.
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, speculative fiction, literary thrillers, narrative nonfiction, longform journalism, essays, academic crossover
Wants: Query letter, first 20 pages
Fiction that grapples with climate change; ambitious multigenerational novels or family sagas; speculative fiction; literary thrillers; dark or darkly comic domestic fiction. Narrative nonfiction on climate, environment, institutional corruption, big idea books, object histories. Academic writers with narrative sensibilities
Email emma@triangle.house with a query letter and first 20 pages (or full proposal) in the body of an email. Please include QUERY in your subject line
Fiction, narrative non-fiction
Crime, thrillers, epic family sagas, book club literary fiction, memoir
Email sohoagencysubmissions@gmail.com with a covering letter, synopsis, and the first 3 chapters or first 30 pages. No postal submissions.
Fiction and narrative non-fiction
Commercial genre fiction (romcom, crime, thrillers), accessible literary/reading group, narrative non-fiction (often by women), emotional family drama, multigenerational stories, female-led crime, social-issue thrillers
Email - sohoagencysubmissions@gmail.com
Fiction and non-fiction
Commercial fiction with pace/plot/character and clear hook, crime/suspense/thrillers, high-concept speculative (not SFF-only shelf), social-mirror horror, uplifting commercial fiction with emotional heart, non-fiction: sports writing and narrative non-fiction exploring contemporary social issues
Online form - https://amheath.com or submissions
Literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, thrillers, mysteries
Literary fiction, narrative non-fiction (current affairs etc), and high-quality thrillers and mysteries
Email submissions directly to amd@theampersandagency.co.uk
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.
Literary fiction, historical fiction, crime, mystery, thrillers, horror, women's fiction, romance, young adult fiction, memoirs, essays, narrative nonfiction
Wants: Query letter, brief sample in email body
Literary fiction; historical fiction; sophisticated genre (crime, mystery, thrillers, horror); upmarket character-rich women's fiction and smart romance; realism-based young adult fiction; memoirs, essays, and narrative nonfiction. Nonfiction interests include: music, sports, wellness, the natural world, animal welfare, feminism, true crime, sociology, and culture both pop and serious.
Submissions strictly via dedicated email address: submissions@dvagency.com
Literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, biography, cultural studies, history, current events, hybrid work, memoir, popular culture, science
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, bio, first 10 pages
Literary fiction and a wide variety of narrative nonfiction (including biography, cultural studies, history/current events, hybrid work, memoir, popular culture, and science)
Send queries directly to michael@mmqalit.com with subject line 'query' and include synopsis, publication history, brief bio, and excerpt up to 10 pages
Narrative non-fiction, women's fiction, thrillers, young adult, middle grade, picture books, cookbooks, literary works, suspense, horror, speculative fiction, popular science, astrology, tarot, lifestyle, humor
Wants: Query letter, first chapter
Literary works, women's fiction, thrillers/suspense and especially interested in works with horror elements, speculative fiction and spooky reads for both adult and children's markets. For non-fiction: narrative works, books on popular science (especially space), astrology, tarot, cookbooks, lifestyle, and fun/interesting works in humor category
Query via email to dca@doncongdon.com with 'Query' and agent's full name in subject heading
Fantasy, science fiction, thrillers, mysteries, literary fiction, narrative nonfiction
Wants: Query letter, first 3 chapters, book proposal
Fantasy, science fiction, thrillers, and mysteries as well as literary writers, and smart narrative nonfiction
Please send query letter in the body of your email to querymb@sjga.com, and then send the following as an attachment: the first three chapters of your book (for fiction) or your complete book proposal (for nonfiction)
Voice-driven fiction, short story collections, narrative nonfiction, science, history, biography, memoir, pop culture
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, bio, first 3 chapters
Voice-driven fiction, short story collections, narrative nonfiction (especially science, history, biography, memoir, and pop culture)
Query her directly at renee@mmqalit.com with word 'query' in subject line, attach excerpt up to three sample chapters as Word document
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative non-fiction
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages
Veronica Goldstein is drawn to distinctive voices with a fresh story to tell and a strong sense of urgency, especially Americans whose stories have been underrepresented in publishing and international writers. She represents narrative and personally-driven nonfiction about feminism, pop culture, science, technology, politics, and the natural world, as well as literary and upmarket fiction with an original, contemporary voice and can't-put-it-down storytelling.
Please email query letters to mail@dclagency.com, and paste the first ten pages of your manuscript below your letter. You are encouraged to address your email to a specific agent who you think might be the right fit. Emails with attachments will not be opened.
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative non-fiction, memoir, creative non-fiction, design, craft, lifestyle
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first 50 pages
She is seeking new voices in fiction and narrative nonfiction, especially stories about dynamic relationships between complex but sympathetic characters, families, siblings, and motherhood, social commentary, unconventional settings and subcultures, our relationship with land, nature, and animals, and controlled experiments with form. She is particularly interested in work that investigates or reflects on the post-colonial world, marginalized and liminal spaces, and narratives by people of color. In non-fiction, she is primarily looking for idea-driven or voice-forward memoirs, personal essay collections, and narrative non-fiction of all stripes.
Send a query letter, synopsis, and the first fifty pages of the manuscript directly through Query Manager.
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.
Literary fiction, horror, thriller, contemporary fiction, queer fiction, magical realism, narrative non-fiction, memoir, essay collections
Wants: Query letter, first three chapters, nonfiction book proposal
Nina is looking for literary fiction, horror/thriller, contemporary fiction, queer fiction, and magical realism. She is drawn to emotionally complex characters, family sagas (especially those that focus on mothers and daughters), voice-driven novels, and untold queer stories. She is always on the lookout for psychological horror, particularly queer horror novels. In nonfiction, she is most interested in narrative nonfiction such as memoirs and essay collections, with climate, psychology, and gender/queer studies as top categories.
Submit query via QueryManager profile. Include query letter and first three chapters for fiction or full nonfiction book proposal.
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, commercial fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, romance, thriller, mystery, middle grade, young adult, narrative non-fiction, essay collections
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages
She seeks literary family sagas, genre-blending fiction, heists and cons that critique power systems, murder mysteries with humor, literary fiction about BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ protagonists, feminist revenge stories, whimsical fantasy, high-heat romance, historical fiction with unexpected settings, middle-grade adventures and slice-of-life, Young Adult queer and anticolonial revenge stories, narrative nonfiction connecting journalism to personal experience, and microhistories described as love letters to niche topics.
Submit via QueryManager submission form. Include polished query letter, bio, and manuscript pages according to genre guidelines. Select one agent at ALA to submit to initially.
Young adult fantasy, middle grade, young adult mystery, adult mystery, folk tales, mythology, graphic novels, adult narrative non-fiction, true crime, investigative journalism
Wants: Query letter, first chapter, synopsis, sample chapter
She is particularly eager to acquire BIPOC/underrepresented voices and prioritizes stories of joy where identity isn't the focus. She's especially excited about stories rooted in history, mythology, and legends, particularly those that are lesser-known or underrepresented in traditional publishing. She's very interested in stories that explore the intricacies of multicultural identities and loves stories of immigration and first/second generation Americans who struggle balancing values.
Submit queries only through QueryManager. For fiction, include a query letter, first chapter, and synopsis with genre and word count. For nonfiction, include a full proposal with query letter and sample chapter.
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative non-fiction
Wants: Query letter
Jody represents both literary and upmarket fiction, as well as narrative nonfiction. She enjoys books that are beautifully written while also containing a rich storyline, and she's especially looking for deeply drawn characters and voice-driven narratives. She's interested in untold stories, misunderstood populations, and anything that's plugged into the current cultural conversation. In nonfiction, she's seeking narratives related to culture, social justice, sports, food, history, literary memoir and journalism.
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 his or her writing credits.
Literary fiction, historical fiction, commercial fiction, narrative non-fiction, biography, memoir, current affairs, cultural criticism, science, sports, children's
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages
He works primarily with quality fiction – literary, historical, strongly written commercial – and with voice-driven nonfiction across a range of areas including narrative history, biography, memoir, current affairs, cultural trends and criticism, science, and sports.
Email query letters to mail@dclagency.com and paste the first ten pages of your manuscript below your letter. Address your email to a specific agent who you think might be the right fit. Submitting to more than one agent at a time is permitted, but indicate in your letter which agents you are querying. Emails with attachments will not be opened.
Literary fiction, historical fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative non-fiction, memoir, investigative journalism, popular history, children's books
Wants: Query letter
She is looking for fresh, lyrical, and voice-driven writing, suspenseful plots, emotional narratives, transporting settings, and unforgettable characters. Books that grapple with the dynamics of relationships (of all kinds, but especially from a female perspective), have a grounded speculative bent, or explore the current cultural landscape are all of perennial interest.
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 his or her writing credits.
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, memoir, narrative non-fiction, prescriptive, christian, sports
Wants: Query letter, project summary, author credentials, first five pages
She is passionate about stories that must be told and is drawn in particular to authors whose faith engages the wider world. Chris represents books across a broad spectrum of nonfiction including memoirs, narrative, prescriptive, Christian, and sports, and works with authors to develop books that are appealing and accessible to a broad audience.
Submit query letter including a brief summary of your project, short description of why you're writing it, any specific credentials, and first five pages for fiction only via the online form.
Fiction, literary memoir, narrative nonfiction
Actively seeking wide-ranging fiction: excellent writing, compelling plots, diverse/unexpected voices, engrossing reads, especially literary/commercial crossover, romantasy, psychological thrillers/suspense, family dramas, savvy love stories, ambitious crime/thriller, smart historical/speculative/magical realism. Not looking for children's/YA/MG, short story collections, poetry or drama, no straight sci-fi or high fantasy that is not romantasy
Email nelle@rmliterary.co.uk with a one-page outline, the first 3 chapters or 50 pages, and a covering letter.
Fiction and narrative non-fiction
General fiction, book club, literary fiction, smart clean or lyrical prose, interesting form/structure, character-driven with unusual protagonists, stories exploring gender/race/class/sexuality, selective memoir/nature/social commentary
Email a concise cover letter with contact details and relevant background, a brief synopsis, and either the first three chapters or a detailed proposal to london@susannalea.com. Do not submit to more than one office.
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.
Literary fiction, near historical fiction, narrative non-fiction, adventure, popular science, history, politics, current affairs, social history, memoir, biography
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, first five pages
Wendy specializes in literary fiction and narrative nonfiction. She represents award winning literary novelists, short story writers, journalists, activists, anthropologists, scientists, doctors, and educators.
Make your submission letter to the point and as brief as possible. Include a short synopsis of your work, an author bio, and the first five pages of your manuscript pasted into the body of your email, no attachments please.
Romance, science fiction, fantasy, gothic tales, horror, cozy mysteries, upmarket commercial fiction, narrative non-fiction, young adult, middle grade
Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages, one-sentence pitch
Saritza seeks commercial fiction by diverse authors, particularly romance with complex characters, propulsive science fiction, character-driven fantasy, atmospheric horror, cozy mysteries, upmarket commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction about culture and food, and all Young Adult/Middle Grade genres especially science fiction and romance.
Submit via QueryManager link with query letter, author bio, contact information, and first 10 pages for novels. Include one-sentence pitch. Follow submission guidelines on agency website.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, mystery, crime, thriller, science fiction, horror, western, women's fiction, middle grade, young adult, narrative non-fiction, true crime, memoir
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, first five pages
She is a fan of magical realism, contemporary westerns, science fiction and all stories that quicken the pulse and imagination.
Make your submission letter to the point and as brief as possible. Include a short synopsis of your work, an author bio, and the first five pages of your manuscript pasted into the body of your email, no attachments please.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, genre fiction, narrative non-fiction, pop culture, psychology, history, science, art, business books, biography, memoir
Wants: Query letter, first 25 pages, writing sample
She looks for commercial fiction and is interested in brilliant novels, fun beach reads, gripping nonfiction narratives, inspirational memoirs or biographies, and instructional self-help titles.
Send query letter via email with full query in body of email, not as attachment. Include first 25 pages of manuscript for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction in the body of the email below the query letter.
Middle grade, young adult, upmarket adult fiction, grounded fantasy, adult romance, narrative non-fiction, graphic novels, picture books
Michaela is most strongly interested in finding middle grade and young adult projects of all genres, upmarket adult fiction, and grounded fantasy. They are also open to select adult romance, narrative nonfiction for both children and adults, graphic novels, and picture books. Specifically seeks sibling stories.
Submit only via Query Manager. Include full query in body, first 25 pages for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction. For picture books, include full text and dummy or sample art if available. Query only one agent at the agency at a time.
Fiction, narrative non-fiction, literary novels, cultural criticism, essays, pop culture
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages
Marya seeks books that immerse, critique, delight, or illuminate. She represents literary novels, cultural criticism, voice-driven essays with a humorous or critical edge, and pop culture writing.
For fiction submissions, send an informative description, a brief synopsis and the first ten pages. For non-fiction submissions, send an informative description, a full outline, and the first ten pages of the manuscript. Include sample pages in the body of the email below your query. Direct your submission to an individual agent and send material to submissions@janklow.com.
Fiction, narrative non-fiction, idea books, entertainment, sports, cookbooks, design, satire, science fiction, thriller, spy stories, young adult, humor
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages
Luke seeks books that are prime examples of their type, successful at what they're trying to be with natural storytelling and strong voices. He particularly enjoys satire, high concept science fiction, big ambitious novels, humor, thrillers and spy stories.
Direct submission to Luke Janklow at submissions@janklow.com. For fiction: send informative description, brief synopsis and first ten pages in email body. For non-fiction: send informative description, full outline, and first ten pages in email body.
Non-fiction, memoir, popular science, narrative non-fiction, psychology, medicine, health, animals, nature, spiritual
Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal
Leslie is looking for well-written nonfiction in a broad range of topics including memoirs with a distinctive point of view, animal stories and insights into animal behavior, psychological and spiritual perspectives that change people's lives, popular science that excites and informs, therapies and spiritual practices that inspire and heal, and narrative nonfiction on subcultures or events whose stories have not been told before or are told in a fresh way.
Send query letter via email with full query in body of email, not as attachment. Include first 25 pages of manuscript for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction in body of email below query letter. Query only one agent at this agency at a time.
Middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, picture books, narrative non-fiction, commercial fiction
Wants: Query letter, first 25 pages, synopsis
For middle grade and young adult fiction, he seeks authentic kids' voices and rousing, high concept stories with realistic settings and science fiction preferred over fantasy. He is eager to find the next great picture book author/illustrator. For adults, he actively looks for narrative nonfiction in music, sports, history, popular science, big think, performing arts, health, business, memoir, military history, and humor, plus commercial fiction but is very selective.
Send query letter via email with full query in body, include first 25 pages of manuscript for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction in body below query. For picture books include full text and dummy or sample art as PDF attachments no larger than 20MB. Query only one agent at agency at a time.
393+ agents we've verified represent narrative non-fiction specifically. Many others represent broader categories like commercial fiction or genre fiction — try Smart Search to find those too.
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