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Self-Help Literary Agents

103+verified agents70open nowLast reviewed19 Jul 2026

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Self-help is one of the most platform-dependent parts of trade publishing, and one of the most varied once you look past the shelf-label. The territory runs from habit-formation books in the Atomic Habits tradition, through career and relationship guides, to specialist work on grief, recovery, leadership, or specific psychological frameworks. Some agents focus on credentialed practitioners with established speaking or coaching businesses; others seek writers with a sharp organising idea and a clear target reader, even without a large existing audience. The crossover with memoir, narrative non-fiction, and business writing matters, because a book positioned for one shelf often does best when re-positioned for another. 35+ agents on this page show self-help signals. A typical submission is a proposal with sample chapters, and the proposal should explain both who reads this book and why this writer is the right person to write it.

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Agents representing self-help

Open agents first
Represents

Non-fiction, autobiography and biography, health, fitness and personal development, humour and language, inspirational real lives, popular culture, history and current affairs, true crime, war and military, crime fiction

Looking for

Nonfiction across a wide range of categories including autobiography and biography, health, fitness and personal development, humour and language, inspirational real lives, popular culture, history and current affairs, true crime, war and military, and crime fiction.

How to submit

The Robert Smith Literary Agency is currently closed to new submissions and is not accepting any new book proposals at this time.

Last checked 11 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Narrative nonfiction, memoir, commercial fiction, literary fiction, poetry, self-help

Looking for

Aemilia Phillips represents fiction and nonfiction, with interests in narrative nonfiction, hybrid memoir, commercial and literary fiction, select poetry, and self-help. She is excited by diverse writing with impactful stories, social justice issues, nonfiction that challenges how readers think, smart cultural critiques, complex characters, commercial projects with literary intelligence, and stories with a touch of magic.

How to submit

Aemilia Phillips is currently closed to queries according to the official Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency submissions page.

Represents

Literary fiction, women's fiction, mystery, thriller, narrative nonfiction, memoir, graphic memoir, psychology, self-help, popular culture, women's issues, history, biography, lifestyle, careers, health, medicine, parenting, cooking, nutrition, gardening, gift books

Looking for

Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises is interested in literary fiction, upscale commercial women's fiction, voice-driven mysteries and thrillers, narrative nonfiction especially by journalists, travelogues, memoirs including graphic memoirs, social issues and trends, psychology, self-help, popular culture, women's issues, history and biography, lifestyle, careers, health and medicine, parenting, cooking and nutrition, gardening, and quirky gift books.

How to submit

Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises is currently closed to submissions so the agency can focus on existing clients.

Represents

Upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, psychological thriller, contemporary romance, romantic comedy, young adult, science fiction, paranormal romance, thriller, nonfiction, cookbooks, memoir, self-help, lifestyle

Looking for

Mariah is interested in upmarket and commercial adult fiction, women's fiction, psychological thrillers, contemporary romance and rom-coms, young adult science fiction, paranormal romance, thrillers and contemporary romance, plus nonfiction including cookbooks, memoirs, self-help, lifestyle and how-to.

How to submit

Mariah is currently closed to submissions.

Represents

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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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.

Represents

Film and tv scripts, young adult contemporary, young adult science fiction, young adult urban fantasy, adult fiction, women's fiction, upmarket fiction, romance, new adult, cookbooks, entertainment, food, health and fitness, lifestyle, pop culture, self-help, women's issues

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages, full nonfiction proposal, one sentence pitch, comparable books

Looking for

Micah Brocker is interested in fostering authors' and screenwriters' careers from the start. In film, she is interested in YA contemporary stories dealing with messy relationships and issues that help young adults put words to their experiences, and YA science fiction and urban fantasy that provide escape while connecting to everyday growing-up troubles. In adult fiction, she likes women's fiction and upmarket fiction about burdensome secrets, messy relationships, and characters with a deep desire to change their lives or the world, especially with psychological, science-fiction, or romantic twists. Her official linked QueryManager form says that when it is accepting, it is limited to romance.

How to submit

Micah Brocker is on leave and is presently not reviewing queries or taking additional clients for 2026 according to her official Corvisiero profile. The linked QueryManager form is visible and says it is only open to romance, but the profile-level leave notice is treated as controlling for this remediation. Do not query more than one Corvisiero agent at a time.

Last checked 7 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Nonfiction, self-help, psychology, health, narrative nonfiction, memoir, parenting, business

Looking for

Jan Baumer represents solely nonfiction. She is particularly interested in measurable experts in their field, including impressively credentialed authors or authors with a built-in following, who want to change minds, change the world, or change how people think, interact, and live day to day. Her categories include smart self-help, psychology, expert and research-driven health, narrative nonfiction, memoir, parenting, and business, and she is open to well executed nonfiction proposals outside those lanes.

How to submit

Jan Baumer is currently closed to submissions according to her official Folio profile.

Represents

Narrative nonfiction, idea-driven nonfiction, history, religion, spirituality, politics, personal development, business, cultural issues

Wants: Query letter, proposal

Looking for

Roger represents narrative and idea-driven nonfiction in history, religion and spirituality, politics, personal development, business, and cultural issues by leading scholars, journalists, activists, and musicians.

How to submit

Roger Freet is currently closed to queries.

Represents

Middle grade, young adult, literary fiction, general fiction, historical fiction, thriller, women's fiction, science, popular science, self-help, health, wellness

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal

Looking for

A.J. is seeking middle grade and YA in all genres, plus adult literary, general, historical, thriller, and women's fiction. They are drawn to books that merge literary sensibility with compelling plot and are also interested in fresh nonfiction ideas in science, popular science, self-help, and health/wellness from authors with platforms.

How to submit

A.J. Van Belle is currently closed to queries, with conference pitches noted as an exception. When open, submit through the query route linked from their Booker Albert profile.

Last checked 3 Jul 2026Via QueryTracker
Represents

Investigative journalism, memoir, evidence-based self-help, narrative nonfiction

Wants: Closed to new submissions

Looking for

Caroline Marsiglia is an agent at Aevitas Creative Management. She is primarily interested in nonfiction, focusing on investigative journalism, memoir, evidence-based self-help, and narrative nonfiction. Across all genres, she is eager to work with authors dedicated to creating a more diverse and accessible literary landscape.

How to submit

Caroline Marsiglia is currently closed to new submissions. Aevitas states that agents absent from its official submissions drop-down are closed, and Caroline is not currently listed. Do not submit by mail, telephone, or simultaneously to multiple Aevitas agents.

Last checked 18 Jun 2026Via Form
Represents

Mystery, thriller, sf, fantasy, romance, ya, memoir, humor, pop culture, health and wellness, cooking, self-help, pop psych, new age, inspirational, technology, science, writing

Looking for

Mystery/thriller, SF/fantasy, romance, YA, memoir, humor, pop culture, health & wellness, cooking, self-help, pop psych, New Age, inspirational, technology, science, and writing

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Represents

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

Looking for

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

How to submit

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

Last checked 8 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Prescriptive nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, spirituality, food and drink, lifestyle, creativity, personal development, business, illustrated gift books

Looking for

Maria Ribas is a literary agent and Executive Director of Book Packaging at Stonesong. She represents prescriptive and narrative nonfiction in spirituality, food and drink, lifestyle, creativity, personal development, business, and illustrated gift books. She particularly enjoys working with writers, photographers, illustrators, bloggers, and influencers with strong platforms who understand how a thoughtfully produced and promoted book can grow their brands and businesses.

How to submit

Maria Ribas is not accepting new clients according to her official Stonesong profile. The official Stonesong submissions page asks writers to query only listed open agents, Maria Ribas is not listed among the agents to query there.

Last checked 27 May 2026
Represents

Women's fiction, literary fiction, book club fiction, contemporary romance, historical fiction, mystery, suspense, memoir, self-help nonfiction

Looking for

Fresh voices in women's fiction, literary fiction, book club fiction, contemporary romance, historical fiction, mystery and suspense, as well as memoir and selected self-help nonfiction

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Last checked 18 Jul 2026
Represents

Nonfiction, business, personal development, self-help, pop culture, science, technology, history, parenting

Looking for

Donya focuses primarily on nonfiction in the categories of business, personal development, self-help, pop culture, science, technology, history, and parenting. She is looking for breakthrough thinking, experts with a fresh voice, and new approaches to solving the problems people face daily. She is especially drawn to books that help others be their best self and succeed in both their professional and personal lives.

How to submit

Donya only accepts queries through Query Manager at https:// queryManager.com or 3213.

Last checked 15 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Non-fiction (plus select translated fiction or poetry)

Looking for

High-quality zeitgeisty narrative non-fiction, lifestyle/health/personal development, thought leaders/experts, also discovering translated fiction and expanding into music/poetry

How to submit

Online form (QueryManager via Aevitas submissions form) - https://www.aevitascreative.com or contact

Last checked 14 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Self-help, pop culture, music, memoir, history, science, politics, social justice, narrative food writing, faith, true crime, commercial fiction, psychological thrillers, horror thrillers, children's books, picture books, ya

Looking for

Rick Richter represents self-help, pop culture and music, memoir, history, science, politics and social justice, narrative food writing, and faith. He is also interested in select true crime, commercial fiction, and psychological/horror thrillers and diverse voices in all categories. He has extensive experience in children's books and represents illustrators and children's authors writing fiction and non-fiction from picture books through YA.

How to submit

Rick Richter only accepts queries through Query Manager. Please check his Query Manager profile for more information.

Last checked 12 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

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

Looking for

Jessica Rios is based in the New York office of Susanna Lea Associates, which represents a range of fiction and non-fiction. 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 focus on projects with strong potential across all rights including translation, film, television, and audio.

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Represents

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

Looking for

Laura Mamelok represents a range of fiction and non-fiction at Susanna Lea Associates' New York office. Her interests include 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.

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Represents

Narrative nonfiction, biography, memoir, music history, self-help, cookbook, psychology, cultural studies

Looking for

Clients who ask big questions, explore fascinating subcultures, and serve as paradigm-shifters in their fields. Particularly interested in performing artists and public figures successful in one medium whose talents and perspectives extend into narrative nonfiction. Represents thought leaders, journalists, doctors, psychologists, and cultural figures whose work inspires, entertains, and educates while challenging conventional thinking.

How to submit

Online submission form

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Nonfiction, memoir, health, psychology, parenting, science, self-help, spirituality, popular culture, business, biography

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Laura Yorke Literary Services focuses on helping writers develop and represent strong nonfiction, memoir, health, psychology, parenting, science, self-help, spirituality, pop culture and related adult projects.

How to submit

The official site gives Laura Yorke's contact email but does not publish detailed current query guidelines.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Prescriptive nonfiction, self-help, spirituality nonfiction, personal transformation, limited memoir, true crime nonfiction

Looking for

Tina Wainscott is an agent at The Seymour Agency. Official Seymour guidance lists her interest in prescriptive nonfiction, self-help, and spirituality nonfiction. Her official personal site says she is focused on spiritual, self-help, personal transformation, and limited memoir, with a later contact page noting spiritual/self-help and true-crime nonfiction.

How to submit

The official Seymour Agency about page says Tina Wainscott is taking submissions via referral. Her official personal site also says she is only taking queries through referrals and does not handle queries through her author-site contact address.

Last checked 8 Jul 2026Via Referral Only
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, science fiction, fantasy, narrative nonfiction, history, memoir, biography, psychology, science, parenting, cookbooks, how-to, self-help, business, finance, young adult, children's fiction, children's nonfiction, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, credentials, synopsis, first ten pages

Looking for

Writers House represents adult and juvenile fiction and nonfiction, including literary and commercial fiction, women's fiction, science fiction and fantasy, narrative nonfiction, history, memoir, biography, psychology, science, parenting, cookbooks, how-to, self-help, business, finance, young adult and juvenile work, picture books, and illustration.

How to submit

Email an individual Writers House agent with a query letter, credentials, an explanation of what makes the book unique, a synopsis, and 10 pages in the body of the email. Consult the agent's Publishers Marketplace profile for any agent-specific requirements. Do not query two Writers House agents simultaneously.

Last checked 18 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Memoir, lifestyle, self-help, business, cooking, travel

Looking for

Andy McNicol represents New York Times bestselling authors, activists, lifestyle brands, and multi-hyphenate talent. Her clients include authors such as Sophia Amoruso, Chrissy Teigen, Tommy Dorfman, and Jenna Lyons, as well as lifestyle brands like La Double J, Flamingo Estates, and The Lakers Organization. She specializes in developing successful books and content platforms with a holistic, 360-degree approach.

How to submit

Online submission form

Last checked 16 Jun 2026Via Form
Represents

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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Last checked 16 Jun 2026
Represents

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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Last checked 16 Jun 2026
Represents

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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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.

Last checked 25 May 2026Via Email
Represents

Narrative nonfiction, military, sports, celebrity memoir, thriller, mystery, historical fiction, young adult, romance, music, style, business, home improvement, cookbooks, self-help, science, theater, fiction, nonfiction

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Doug represents a mix of fiction and nonfiction, including narrative nonfiction, military, sports, memoir, thrillers, mysteries, historical fiction, young adult fiction, romance, music, style, business, home improvement, cookbooks, self-help, science, theater, and general fiction/nonfiction.

How to submit

Query by email. Historical agency guidance lists query@dgliterary.com as the submissions address and asks writers not to send sample material unless requested.

Last checked 15 May 2026Via Email

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

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