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 →Upmarket fiction exists because some books are too crafted to be called purely commercial and too accessible to be sold as purely literary. It is book-group readability with sentence-level care. Agents here want a strong hook that does not flatten the prose. This page shows agents who explicitly represent upmarket fiction. The broad search toggle catches more who'd consider it under literary, book club, women's fiction, commercial fiction, or contemporary fiction.
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Romantasy, fantasy, science fiction, dark academia, mystery, gothic, romance, upmarket fiction
Wants: Query letter
Andrea is open to YA, new adult and adult romantasy, fantasy, science fiction, dark academia, mystery and gothic; for adult and new adult she is also open to romance and upmarket fiction.
Submit through Andrea's official QueryTracker route.
Literary fiction, contemporary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, fantasy, horror, young adult, crossover
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters
Clara Foster wants intelligent, original fiction with deep emotion, strong line-level writing, and voice-led characters. She is looking for adult literary contemporary fiction with a strong female focus, upmarket and book club novels that are cleverly conceived, beautifully written, and accessible, fantasy and horror that explore the real world or the self, historical romantasy, urban fantasy, academic settings, body horror, lightly speculative fiction, and YA/crossover stories that are political while providing a strong story. She is not a likely fit for commercial women's fiction, science fiction, World War II or Holocaust stories, or narratives driven primarily by sexual assault, eating disorders, a great lie, or death of a child. She is not accepting nonfiction except by referral.
Submit via Clara Foster's official QueryTracker link from her submissions page. Send a query letter, synopsis, and first three chapters. All queries will receive a response.
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, nonfiction, literary criticism, essay collections, idea-driven nonfiction, technology, data, tennis
Wants: Query letter
Tyler is actively building a list of distinctive, voice-driven writers. He is drawn to literary and upmarket fiction with emotional depth and narrative momentum, and nonfiction centering marginalized voices, literary criticism, essay collections, ambitious idea-driven projects, data and its cultural implications, and tennis.
Submit through the Sterling Lord Literistic submissions form. The agency asks writers to complete the form by email and says it only responds if interested.
Young adult fiction, adult fiction, commercial fiction, upmarket fiction, fantasy, romance
Wants: Query letter
Gabriella represents YA fiction and adult fiction, with interest in stories by Latinx/Hispanic authors, commercial or upmarket fiction, stories that present real issues in a digestible format, and YA/new adult fantasy or romance.
Submit through Gabriella's QueryManager form. Great Dog accepts queries only through QueryManager and asks writers not to query multiple Great Dog agents.
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, narrative memoir, family saga, high society fiction, speculative fiction, magical realism, contemporary fiction, upmarket suspense, psychological thriller, postcolonial fiction, translated fiction, classical retellings
Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, first three chapters, first ten thousand words, proposal, writing sample
Rachel Yeoh is a literary agent building a list in literary, upmarket, and book club fiction, as well as select narrative nonfiction. She is actively looking for literary, upmarket, book club, global stories, human experience, social critique, class conflict, speculative fiction, family sagas, contemporary fiction, upmarket suspense, psychological thriller, postcolonial literature, translated fiction, classical retellings, and narrative memoir.
Submit through the relevant Madeleine Milburn online form and select Rachel Yeoh where available. Adult fiction submissions require a cover letter pasted into the form and one attachment containing a one-page synopsis plus the first three chapters or first 10,000 words. Nonfiction submissions require a cover letter and one document containing a 5,000 to 10,000 word sample and proposal. Do not submit by post or directly to email addresses.
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, investigative journalism
Sweeping narratives with voice-driven prose, particularly genre-bending projects that offer fresh perspectives. Timeless stories exploring migration, family, socioeconomic inequality, and speculative worlds that reveal complicated truths about our own reality. Also select narrative nonfiction, memoir, and investigative journalism projects; across all genres, books that uplift historically underrepresented voices.
Submit queries through Aevitas Creative Management's contact and submissions form or contact the agency directly by phone at and 1 (212) 765-6900.
Literary fiction, crime fiction, thriller, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, commercial fiction, book club fiction, upmarket fiction, history, sport, popular science
Entertaining and diverse fiction with well-told stories, big ideas, emotional hooks and gripping plots. In commercial fiction, particularly interested in crime, thriller, book group and upmarket titles, as well as historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy. In non-fiction, looks for expertise, fresh ideas and genuine passion for the subject, working across history, sport and popular science.
Direct queries about submissions to Isobel@rcwlitagency.com.
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, social science, popular science, popular psychology, memoir, nature writing
Wants: Query letter, bio, comparable books, first twenty pages or proposal
Allison Malecha represents a small, selective list split between fiction and nonfiction. In literary and upmarket fiction she is drawn to messy family stories, outsider perspectives, narratives that take readers somewhere unexpected, sharp and imaginative line-level writing, emotional movement, strong sense of place, gothic novels in fresh settings, and complex friendship novels. In nonfiction she wants generous yet galvanizing narrative nonfiction with historical or international dimensions, social science, pop science, pop psychology, memoir tied to larger current issues or expertise, and nature writing from underrepresented voices.
Submit through Allison Malecha's official QueryManager form. Trellis accepts unsolicited submissions only through QueryManager and asks writers not to submit to multiple Trellis agents during the 8-12 week review window. Her form asks for author bio, why Trellis, title, word count, genre, query letter, comparable books, and the first 20 pages or full nonfiction proposal.
Adult fiction, contemporary fiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, historical fiction, grounded speculative fiction, thriller, suspense, horror, romance, mystery, adult nonfiction, spirituality, mind body spirit, food, agriculture, science, stem, natural living, animals, pets, community, culture, pop culture, health, wellness
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages
Carleen is building a list in adult fiction and nonfiction. In fiction she likes contemporary genres, upmarket or literary voices, commercial work, historical genre blends, grounded speculative stories, thrillers, suspense, horror, mysteries, and romance with a strong subplot. In nonfiction she is interested in niche topics with wide appeal, including spirituality, food, agriculture, science, natural living, animals, culture, pop culture, and health/wellness.
Submit through Carleen Geisler's QueryManager form. The form asks for a query letter, synopsis, genre, word count, comparable books, AI-use disclosure, publication history, and the first 10 pages, or a book outline for nonfiction.
Fiction and non-fiction
Non-fiction across many areas (narrative, prescriptive, self-help, illustrated, cookery/history/philosophy/economics/memoir/tech/science/business/nature). Fiction: science fiction, horror, fantasy (incl upmarket body horror, book-club friendly SFF, time travel, inventive fantasy epic, underrepresented voices)
Email - sohoagencysubmissions@gmail.com
Narrative nonfiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, illustrated books, biography, history, politics, public life, music, architecture, art, design, food, culinary culture, memoir, cultural criticism, counterculture, place-based writing
William Clark represents serious narrative nonfiction, select literary and upmarket fiction, and illustrated books with cultural authority by authors whose work combines narrative force, intellectual rigor, and a distinct point of view. He is especially drawn to biography, history, politics and public life, music, architecture, art and design, food and culinary culture, memoir with a larger lens, cultural criticism, counterculture, and place-based writing.
Representation queries are accepted only through the official representation-query form on the William Clark Associates website. They are not accepted by telephone, postal mail, or courier mail.
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, historical fiction, narrative nonfiction, social history, cultural history, pop culture, fashion, food writing, art, music, women's issues, literary memoir
Wants: Query letter, first chapter
Susan Ramer has been at Don Congdon Associates since 1986. She looks for literary fiction, upmarket book club fiction, both contemporary and historical and especially American, and narrative nonfiction. She is drawn to authentic voice, unforgettable characters with an edge, unfamiliar well-crafted stories that are emotional in unpredictable ways, social history, cultural history, smart pop culture such as fashion, food, art, and music, women's issues, and literary memoir with a distinctive theme. She especially likes nonfiction that combines a personal thread with reporting and analysis of a broader social or cultural issue, and appreciates a sense of humor, especially on the dark side.
Submit to Susan Ramer through her official Don Congdon linked QueryTracker form. Don Congdon says Susan Ramer accepts queries only via QueryTracker. A query letter should be a one-page description or synopsis including genre, word count, comparable titles, and relevant background, with the first chapter included through the applicable QueryTracker section. Query only one Don Congdon agent at a time.
Adult fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, magical realism, grounded fantasy, thrillers, romance, essays, cultural criticism, narrative nonfiction
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, one paragraph pitch, comparable books, first twenty pages, full nonfiction proposal, ai disclosure
Nicole Cunningham is a literary agent at Trellis Literary Management. She represents adult fiction across literary, upmarket, and book club categories, as well as select nonfiction. She is drawn to immersive, smart, voice-driven writing, line-level quality and control, propulsive plots with deep character work, upmarket novels with magical or speculative elements, grounded fantasy, thrillers with a strong sense of place, book club novels with heart and bite, literary or upmarket fiction with romance at its center, high-concept hooks with literary sensibility, fresh essay collections, cultural criticism, and well-researched entertaining narrative nonfiction.
Submit to Nicole Cunningham through her official QueryManager or QueryTracker form. Trellis accepts unsolicited submissions only through QueryManager. Do not submit to multiple Trellis agents during the 8-12 week review window. Nicole's form asks for author details, why Trellis, title, word count, genre, query letter, synopsis, one-paragraph pitch, comparable books, AI disclosure, and the first 20 pages or full nonfiction proposal.
Commercial fiction, upmarket fiction, chick lit, contemporary fiction, dark romance, erotica, family saga, fantasy, magical realism, urban fantasy, historical fiction, horror, romance, lgbtq and fiction, multicultural fiction, mystery, new adult, science fiction, suspense, thriller, women's fiction, young adult
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, one sentence pitch, comparable books, first five pages
Shannon Snow is an Associate Agent at Rosecliff Literary and is actively building her list. She has eclectic reading taste across most genres in the commercial and upmarket space, seeks books with a unique angle and authors with engaging voices, depth, and nuance, and is especially drawn to vivid, well-developed characterization and stories that make her laugh, cry, or feel emotion. Her official linked form lists commercial, upmarket, romance, thriller, suspense, speculative, historical, horror, mystery, women's fiction, new adult, and young adult categories.
Submit through Shannon Snow's official Rosecliff-linked QueryTracker form. The form asks for author details, one-agent confirmation, title, word count, genre, query letter, synopsis, one-sentence pitch, comparable books, AI disclosure, publication status, and the first 5 pages.
Fiction, nonfiction, upmarket fiction, thriller, book club fiction, self-help, health, wellness, business, science, public affairs
Wants: Query letter, first twenty-five pages
Celeste represents a select list of bestselling fiction and nonfiction authors. She is currently looking for upmarket fiction that makes readers laugh or cry, one-of-a-kind thrillers with TV and film potential, and nonfiction authors helping readers navigate the world as it is today.
Email queries@parkfinebrower.com and specify Celeste Fine plus the category and genre in the subject line. Adult fiction submissions should include a query letter and roughly the first 25 pages in the body of the email. Nonfiction submissions should include a query letter.
Graphic novels, science fiction, fantasy, horror, speculative fiction, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, romantic comedy, romance, lgbtq and voices, bipoc voices, nonfiction, illustrated projects
Wants: Querymanager submission
Tamara Kawar is a literary agent at DeFiore and Company. She represents writer and illustrator clients in both the children's and adult markets, with particular focus on talented LGBTQ+ and BIPOC storytellers. She is actively seeking graphic novels for all ages and across genres; science fiction, fantasy, horror, and speculative fiction for middle grade, YA, and adult readers; upmarket and book club fiction, especially genre-bending stories and those with an international bent; adult and YA rom-coms and romance featuring LGBTQ+ characters; and select nonfiction, including illustrated projects. Across categories, she is passionate about marginalized voices and perspectives.
Submit through Tamara Kawar's official DeFiore profile-linked QueryManager form at https://querymanager.com or tkawar.
Middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, speculative fiction, thriller, fantasy, commercial fiction, upmarket fiction
Wants: Query letter, author bio, synopsis, brief proposal, first three chapters
Sarah Landis is Senior Agent at Sterling Lord Literistic. She represents a wide range of fiction from middle grade to adult and is particularly drawn to high-concept plots, big hooks, speculative fiction, twisty thrillers, novels with a strong emotional core, and sweeping fantasy. She is always on the lookout for new talent and narrative risk-takers.
Submit through Sterling Lord Literistic's official submissions page. Choose one SLL agent, include a query letter with brief author bio, a synopsis, and either a brief proposal or the first 3 chapters. SLL may share submissions internally if a project is a better fit for a colleague.
Fiction, nonfiction, young adult, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, mystery, suspense, historical fiction, literary horror, grounded science fiction, grounded fantasy, narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, history, pop culture, aapi voices, underrepresented voices, lgbtq and
Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal
Amy represents fiction, nonfiction, and YA. She is seeking upmarket and book club fiction, mystery or suspense elements, propulsive plots with beautiful writing, historical fiction, literary horror, grounded SFF by women of color, coming-of-age stories, global retellings, expert-driven narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, history, pop culture, YA with murder and intrigue, immigrant stories, queer stories, girls working for justice, and light-hearted contemporary YA.
Use the QueryManager route linked from Amy Bishop-Wycisk's Trellis profile and review her current wishlist before querying.
Women's issues, pop culture, illustrated nonfiction, photography, history, politics, self-help, current events, narrative nonfiction, biography, business, lifestyle, cookbooks, contemporary fiction, upmarket fiction, historical fiction, romantic comedy, women's fiction
Wants: Query letter, first 20 pages, proposal
Dani represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction for adults and children. In nonfiction she is drawn to women's issues, pop culture, illustrated and photography projects, history, politics, self-help, current events, narrative nonfiction, biography, business, lifestyle, and cookbooks. In fiction she seeks contemporary and upmarket adult fiction, historical fiction, rom-coms, and women's fiction with compelling narrators and voice-driven writing.
Submit to Dani Segelbaum via QueryManager. Her form asks for a query letter and the first 20 pages of fiction or a full nonfiction proposal. Do not query multiple Arc agents simultaneously.
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, speculative fiction, psychological suspense, environmental fiction, feminist fiction
Wants: Online form submission
Sarah Bedingfield is Senior Agent at Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency. She reads most types of literary and upmarket commercial fiction, especially works with powerful imagination, revelatory character arcs, compulsive plotting, unpredictable points of view, timeless themes, motherhood, human connection, feminist issues, light speculative elements, darker can't-look-away tension, wild and unexpected settings, nature or environment, and voices that need to be heard. She does not typically represent fantasy or science fiction but is interested in grounded approaches to what might be off about our world.
Submit through Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency's official online submission form linked from the official submissions page.
Narrative nonfiction, idea-driven nonfiction, investigative journalism, cultural criticism, sociology, psychology, history, politics, science, technology, social justice, memoir, essays, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, fabulism
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages
Sonali Chanchani is a literary agent at Folio Literary Management, focusing primarily on nonfiction that advances current social and cultural conversations and centers historically underrepresented voices and perspectives. She represents narrative and idea-driven nonfiction, especially investigative journalism, cultural criticism, deeply researched paradigm-shifting work in sociology, psychology, history, politics, science, technology, and social justice, plus memoirs and essay collections that speak to larger social concerns. She also represents select literary and upmarket fiction, especially novels engaging contemporary social and cultural issues, atmospheric stories with speculative or fabulist twists, emotional insight with humor, and themes of identity, belonging, community, and inheritance.
Email Sonali Chanchani at sonali@foliolit.com with a query letter and the first 10 pages of the proposal for nonfiction or manuscript for fiction pasted in the body of the email. Include QUERY and the title of the project in the subject line.
Young adult, middle grade, adult book club fiction, upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, horror, women's fiction, romance, mystery, suspense
Wants: Query letter, sample pages
Patricia represents YA and middle grade fiction in all genres, adult book club/upmarket fiction, including speculative and horror elements, and commercial women's fiction from beach reads and romcoms to darker stories with mystery or suspense.
Patricia Nelson is open to queries during the first week of every month via the QueryTracker route linked from her Looking Glass profile.
Upmarket fiction, literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, cultural history, cultural criticism, sociology, anthropology
Wants: Query letter, first few chapters
Iwalani Kim is seeking adult upmarket and literary fiction and select nonfiction. In fiction she loves coming-of-age narratives, family dramas, stories that challenge systems of power, strong voice or place, realism with speculative elements, lush prose, wry humor, irreverent characters, and yearning. In nonfiction she is looking for memoir, cultural histories, cultural criticism, history, design and architecture, sociology, anthropology, and work from a leftist angle. She especially wants to work with underrepresented authors and Pacific Islander writers.
Email Iwalani Kim at ikim@sjga.com with the subject line Query: [book title] by [your name]. Include a brief pitch letter and the first few chapters in the body of the email. Greenburger says not to query more than one Greenburger agent at a time.
Middle grade, young adult, new adult, adult fiction, fantasy, dystopian, mystery, horror, contemporary fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, science fiction
Wants: Query letter
Jenissa is looking for middle grade, YA, New Adult and adult projects, especially high-concept fantasy, near-future dystopia, mysteries in fresh settings, genre-blending horror and coming-of-age contemporary work centered on strong emotional journeys.
Submit through Jenissa Graham's QueryManager form from her official BookEnds profile.
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial women's fiction, romantic comedy, domestic suspense, thriller, pop culture, pop science, psychology, self-help, parenting, memoir, business, lifestyle, health, wellness
Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal
Melissa represents adult fiction and nonfiction. In fiction she is seeking literary, upmarket, and commercial women's fiction, romcoms, domestic suspense, and thrillers, especially multigenerational stories, sibling relationships, outsider experiences, place-specific stories, and people fighting injustices or difficult societal circumstances. In nonfiction she looks for commercial pop culture, pop science/psychology, self-help, parenting, memoir, business, lifestyle, and health/wellness projects with strong voice, expertise, and platform.
Send a query letter and, for fiction, the first 10 manuscript pages pasted in the email body to melissa@foliolit.com. Include QUERY and the project title in the subject line.
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, suspense, thrillers, memoir, narrative nonfiction, young adult
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, sample chapter
Julie Stevenson represents literary and upmarket fiction, suspense and thrillers, memoir, narrative nonfiction, and YA. She is drawn to fiction with unforgettable characters, authorial command of voice, and strong narrative tension. She loves outsiders, weirdos, innovators, and work that explores the depths of human experience and facets of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, social class, and regional background.
Email queries directly to julie@mmqalit.com. Format the subject as Query: BOOK TITLE, category. Include the first 10 pages of the manuscript, or for nonfiction a sample chapter, pasted into the body of the email with no attachments.
Narrative nonfiction, speculative fiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction, children's books, commercial fiction, family saga, fantasy, graphic novels, historical fiction, humor, lgbtq and, literary middle grade, literary young adult, romance, science fiction, short stories, food, history, journalism, memoir, nature, pop culture, psychology, science, technology
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first thirty pages, proposal
Renée is seeking narrative nonfiction, adult speculative, upmarket, and literary fiction, and children's books. She is interested in work centering POC and LGBTQIA+ voices and is particularly drawn to Black writers across the African diaspora. Her current QueryManager genres span adult fiction, children's categories, and nonfiction including arts, culture, food, history, journalism, memoir, nature, pop culture, psychology, science, technology, and travel.
Submit through Renée Jarvis's QueryManager route. The current form asks for a query letter with bio, synopsis, AI disclosure, and the first 30 pages for fiction or a full proposal for nonfiction.
Adult nonfiction, cozy mystery, crime fiction, thriller, upmarket fiction, women's fiction, general fiction, illustrators, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, children's fiction, children's nonfiction
Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal, portfolio
Natalie represents adult nonfiction, adult cozy mystery/crime, female-driven thrillers, upmarket women's/general fiction, illustrators, and all ages of children's literature, including picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and YA fiction and nonfiction.
Submit through Natalie Lakosil's QueryManager route linked from her Looking Glass profile.
Fiction, book club fiction, contemporary romance, romantic comedy, psychological thrillers, domestic suspense, horror, mystery, crime fiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction, underrepresented voices
Wants: Query letter, description, bio, publishing history, synopsis, first three chapters
Logan Harper is a staff agent at Jane Rotrosen Agency. She is seeking a wide range of character-driven fiction and is particularly drawn to book club fiction, contemporary romance and romantic comedies, psychological thrillers, domestic suspense, horror, mystery and crime, upmarket fiction, and literary fiction. She is eager to read and champion underrepresented voices and perspectives.
Email Logan Harper at lharper@janerotrosen.com and include all material in the body of the email with no attachments. JRA submissions guidance asks writers to query one agent only and to include a concise description, relevant biographical information, previous publishing history, and, for fiction, a synopsis and the first 3 chapters.
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, social justice journalism, essays, aapi history, aapi culture
Wants: Query letter, first ten to fifteen pages, proposal
Jade Wong-Baxter is looking for adult literary and upmarket/book club fiction and narrative nonfiction. In fiction she is drawn to compelling voice with clear narrative momentum, coming-of-age narratives, queer identity, specific subcultures or hidden worlds, grounded speculative fiction, strong sense of place, AAPI and Asian diaspora stories, and immigrant-family novels. In nonfiction she wants projects that weave personal narrative with broader sociological curiosity, especially cultural criticism, social justice journalism, linked essays, and AAPI history or culture.
Email Jade Wong-Baxter at jwb@goldinlit.com. For fiction, memoir, essays, or narrative nonfiction, send a query letter and the first 10-15 pages in the body of the email. For other nonfiction, send a query letter and attach a proposal if prepared. Submit to only one Frances Goldin agent at a time.
Fiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction, short story collections, narrative nonfiction, memoir, essay collections, historical fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, young adult, diverse voices, immigrant stories, race, sexuality, cross-cultural themes, identity
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, sample chapter
Rayhane Sanders is a literary agent at Massie & McQuilkin. She specializes in fiction from commercial to literary, including short story collections, narrative nonfiction, and memoir, including proposals and essay collections. MMQA also says she is interested in literary fiction, historical fiction, upmarket commercial fiction including select YA, narrative nonfiction including essays, and select memoir, especially a diversity of voices from around the world, fresh voices, immigrant tales, and stories concerned with race, sexuality, cross-cultural themes, and identity.
Email Rayhane Sanders directly at rayhane@mmqalit.com. Send the first 10 pages of the manuscript, or for a proposal the sample chapter, copied and pasted at the bottom of the query email with no attachments. She responds only to queries she is interested in pursuing, if you have not heard back within 4-6 weeks, the project is not a fit.
Adult fiction, young adult, middle grade, commercial fiction, upmarket fiction, fantasy, romance, thriller
Wants: Query letter, first twenty-five pages, first chapter
Peter represents adult, young adult, and middle grade fiction. He is looking for smart commercial and upmarket fiction, more breakout adult fiction, and standout middle grade across genres.
Email queries@parkfinebrower.com and specify Peter Knapp plus the category and genre in the subject line. Adult fiction submissions should include a query letter and roughly the first 25 pages. YA and children's fiction should include a query letter and first chapter or about the first 10 pages.
Upmarket fiction, literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, horror, magical realism, camp, kitsch, middle grade, young adult
Wants: Query letter, first ten to fifteen pages, proposal
Tess Weitzner is Rights Director and Agent at Frances Goldin Literary Agency. She is primarily looking for upmarket fiction, literary fiction, and narrative nonfiction narrow and deep in scope that might use unreliable narrators, interrogations of power and violence, reclamations of identity, or dark-as-night humor. Fresh takes on horror, magical realism, camp, and kitsch are welcome. In children's books she is looking for contemporary middle grade and YA stories that are fun, engaging, seemingly quiet, and crack open larger questions or underrepresented experiences. She is not accepting science fiction, fantasy, or picture books at this time.
Email Tess Weitzner at tw@goldinlit.com. Frances Goldin asks writers to submit to only one agency agent at a time. For fiction, memoir, essays, or narrative nonfiction, send a query letter and the first 10-15 pages in the body of the email. For other nonfiction, send a query letter and attach a proposal if one is prepared. Submissions must be original author work and not generated or co-written using AI tools.
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, food, lifestyle, pop culture, history, business, big ideas, self-help, wellness, parenting, children's books, picture books, middle grade, young adult
Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal
Neeti Madan is a partner at Sterling Lord Literistic. Her list includes literary, upmarket, and commercial fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and select lifestyle, food, pop culture, history, business, big idea, self-help, wellness, and parenting projects. She is interested in voice-driven fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, books with a strong platform or expertise, and work for young readers from picture books through YA.
Submit through Sterling Lord Literistic's official submissions page and select Neeti Madan if the form offers an agent choice. SLL uses its online submissions portal rather than email queries. Include the requested query materials and follow the instructions in the portal.
Adult fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, literary thriller, historical fiction, psychological suspense, speculative fiction, memoir
Wants: Querymanager submission
Stephanie Delman is Founding Partner and Literary Agent at Trellis Literary Management. She focuses on adult fiction: stylish writing, high-stakes and high-concept literary thrillers, upmarket fiction, sweeping and underrepresented historical fiction, psychologically propulsive suspense, maximalist storytelling in ambition rather than word count, and literary novels that play with genre. She likes fiction grounded in reality but tinged with surrealism or horror, books that are many things at once, projects using gothic traditions or speculative elements to upend narrative conventions, and work with tenderness, vulnerability, and humor. A small part of her list is braided or speculative memoir by authors with established platforms and diverse perspectives.
Submit through Stephanie Delman's official Trellis linked QueryManager form. Trellis accepts unsolicited submissions only through QueryManager, asks writers to choose the best-fitting agent and follow that agent's QueryManager instructions, and asks writers not to submit to multiple Trellis agents during the 8-12 week review period.
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, food, running, art, global stories, social justice, mental health, medicine, environment
Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal
Kate Johnson represents literary and upmarket fiction as well as a range of narrative nonfiction and select memoir. She is interested in food, running, obsessives, unconventional families, art, global stories, social justice, mental health, medicine, and the environment. She loves working with journalists. Across all her projects, she looks for authentic voices and books that uncover something off-kilter in the everyday or something relatable in the extraordinary.
Email queries to queries@wolflit.com and address the email to Kate Johnson. For fiction, send a query letter and sample manuscript pages. For nonfiction, send a query letter and full proposal. Query only one Wolf Literary Services agent at a time.
214+ agents we've verified represent upmarket fiction specifically. Many others represent broader categories like commercial fiction or genre fiction — try Smart Search to find those too.
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