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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Describe your book in a sentence or two. Smart Search ranks open agents whose taste actually matches.
Fiction and non-fiction
Commercial fiction (upmarket women's, book club, romantic suspense, crime series, thrillers), non-fiction (business, feminism, health, cookery, environment, memoir, narrative non-fiction)
Email - sohoagencysubmissions@gmail.com
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
Literary fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, ya, middle grade, crime fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction
Literary and upmarket commercial fiction (including select young adult and middle grade), crime fiction, memoir, and narrative nonfiction
Currently closed for unsolicited submissions
Historical fiction, upmarket fiction, romance, women's fiction
Historical fiction, upmarket fiction, romance, and women's fiction. She is especially drawn to narratives that center resilient, complex female protagonists
Submission form: http://QueryManager.com/QueryNadia
Upmarket fiction, historical fiction, supernatural suspense
Bold, emotionally resonant fiction with unforgettable characters, strong stakes, and a sense of urgency. Especially drawn to upmarket, historical, and supernatural suspense, with a soft spot for haunting atmosphere, richly layered relationships, and characters who carry deep emotional wounds
Check agent's submission page
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
HG Literary
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, upmarket fiction, political journalism, graphic books, memoirs
Wants: Query letter, first five pages, full manuscript for picture books
She typically looks for picture books that straddle piercing humor and heart, lyrical middle grade, and daring, sharp Young Adult. She loves graphic novels and memoirs that share lesser-known pieces of history and those quieter slices of life. She especially adores stories of all genres if they are from around the world and speak to multigenerational diaspora experiences.
Send a query letter and the first five pages of your manuscript within the email. If it is a picture book, include the entire manuscript. Only submit to one agent at a time.
HG Literary
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, memoir, narrative non-fiction, journalism, history
Wants: Query letter
She is interested primarily in literary and upmarket fiction and memoir, and especially stories grappling with racial, religious, sexual or national identity, narrative nonfiction, journalism, and history.
Submit queries through QueryManager.
Upmarket literary fiction, literary non-fiction, picture books, middle grade fiction, middle grade non-fiction, young adult fiction, young adult non-fiction
Wants: Query letter
She seeks first and foremost voice, a strong narrative, memorable characters, unusual premises, and underrepresented people, places, and perspectives, including #OwnVoices writers and stories.
Starting January 2026, queries must be submitted through QueryManager only. Address query to the agent you think would be the best fit. Only send one query to Dunham Literary as agents share queries with each other when appropriate.
Adult fiction, adult non-fiction, children's books, historical fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, romance, fantasy, science fiction, biography, memoir, middle grade, young adult, picture books
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first 10 pages
In Adult Fiction she seeks captivating settings and relatable characters that highlight virtues like empathy and self-sacrifice in historical, literary/upmarket, romance, or fantasy/science fiction genres. In Adult Non-fiction she wants well-researched titles that make complex topics accessible, biography and memoir that connect diverse readers, and books about poverty and justice. For children's literature, she loves books that can be read aloud and shared with families, especially middle grade, and seeks books with hopeful, informative, or lyrical tones.
Starting January 2026, queries must be submitted through QueryManager only. Address your query to the specific agent you think would be the best fit. Only send one query to Dunham Literary as agents share queries with each other when appropriate.
Upmarket fiction, women's fiction, suspense, romance, book club fiction, narrative non-fiction
Sharon's list includes upmarket fiction of all sorts, from smart, complex women's fiction to unexpected suspense fiction and romance to hearty, unforgettable book club fiction. She also occasionally takes on compelling, fierce narrative nonfiction by journalists, experts, or emerging voices with a promising platform.
Submit only through Query Manager. Include query letter in the body with first 25 pages of manuscript for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction.
Middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, upmarket women's fiction
Books that explore romantic relationships, stories that have a very specific point of view, and characters that make a lasting impression. loves realistic fiction and is currently on the hunt for historical fiction
Check agent's submission page
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, story collections, elevated genre fiction, literary journalism, idea-driven books, history, current affairs, politics, popular culture, natural world
Literary and upmarket fiction, story collections, and elevated genre fiction. She's drawn to novels with a distinct voice, and is especially interested in stories with setting-as-character, coming-of-age, family sagas, noir elements, narratives seeped in contemporary internet culture, and protagonists grappling with timeless questions around faith and desire. In non-fiction, she's looking for literary journalism and idea-driven books across history, current affairs, politics, popular culture, and the natural world. She enjoys narratives that refract a broader view of modern life, incisive cultural criticism, scholarly inquiries with literary sensibilities, and projects that demystify a subculture to reveal something consequential about society
Check agent's submission page
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction, illustrated projects
Work that is fierce, sharp, nuanced, and uncompromising. In fiction, she is looking for work with that is inventive and strange, brave and honest, with humor and heart. She especially loves fiction that employs genre elements—whether evocatively surreal, slightly askew, or supernatural. In nonfiction, work that investigates culture, identity, sexuality, disability, and mental health is especially welcome
Check agent's submission page
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, nonfiction
Literary and upmarket fiction and nonfiction, with a special interest in voices from underrepresented communities
Check agent's submission page
Commercial fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, crime or psychological thriller, historical, gothic, magical realism or urban fantasy, selected non-fiction (per wishlist)
Not children's, YA, sci-fi, epic fantasy, or romantasy
Email - eg.submission@dhhliteraryagency.com
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, literary nonfiction, culture criticism, essays, political nonfiction, history, popular science
Wants: Query letter, first three chapters, full proposal for nonfiction
Erik represents fiction, literary fiction, general fiction with speculative elements, upmarket and commercial fiction, literary nonfiction, culture criticism, essays, political nonfiction and reporting, American history, and popular science.
Submit through QueryManager. Follow standard query-letter format, query one Headwater agent at a time, and do not email queries.
Business, health, politics, history, cookbooks, pop culture, jewish interest, lifestyle, upmarket fiction, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, romance, young adult, middle grade, nonfiction
Wants: Query letter
Irene's interests include business, health, politics and history, cookbooks, pop culture, Jewish interest, Francophilia, lifestyle, upmarket fiction, historical fiction, mysteries, thrillers, romance, historical fiction, middle grade and young adult fiction.
The official site has a contact form and states IGLA represents newcomers, but does not publish explicit current query guidelines.
Fiction and non-fiction
Upmarket and accessible literary/commercial 'sweet spot', thrillers/suspense, book club fiction, epic multi-generational family drama, powerful love story with mystery
Online form - https://www.madeleinemilburn.co.uk or submissions/
Fiction and narrative non-fiction
Upmarket and literary fiction in English and Spanish, character-driven, heart-wrenching fiction, modern love stories, genre-bending upmarket crime, narrative non-fiction about women's experiences
QueryManager (via site form) - https://www.aevitascreative.com or contact
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.
Literary fiction, contemporary fiction, upmarket fiction, young adult romance, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, pop culture
Cole Lanahan is listed by The Seymour Agency as a literary agent. He is interested in literary, contemporary, and upmarket fiction. For young adult romance, he wants big romantic, coming-of-age stories. In nonfiction, he is looking for memoirs, cookbooks, and pop-culture work. He says his favorite projects are books that move readers to tears, laughter, or a need to call their mom.
The official Seymour Agency about page lists Cole Lanahan's contact as cole@theseymouragency.com. The current official contact or submissions page did not expose a separate Cole-specific QueryManager link or detailed materials checklist in this run, so use only the official Seymour contact route and verify current openness before querying.
Adult fiction, select children's or ya and non-fiction
Upmarket commercial/book club and accessible literary, female-lens storytelling, historical with hook, romcoms, unusual structures, thrillers/crime with point of difference, select children's/YA crime/thrillers and MG adventure
Email - sohoagencysubmissions@gmail.com
Women's commercial fiction, literary fiction, crime, thriller, upmarket book club fiction, quirky non-fiction, nature writing, history
Women's commercial fiction, literary fiction, crime/thriller, uplifting/book club, quirky non-fiction (nature/crime/history)
Email bd.submission@dhhliteraryagency.com with a cover letter and first 3 chapters (approximately 10,000 words) and a synopsis for fiction, or a cover letter and full proposal (covering overview, themes, story, and sources) for non-fiction.
Literary fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, short story collections, narrative non-fiction, memoir
Sharmaine is actively building a list of fiction and non-fiction with international ambition, seeking distinctive voices, emotional resonance, and stories that broaden how we see the world. She is looking for literary and upmarket commercial fiction — novels and short story collections that are character-driven, emotionally rich, and often international in perspective, including novels of love and relationships that balance commercial reach with literary ambition. She is also seeking fiction that reimagines or disrupts dominant narratives, recasting history, myth, and perspective through fresh voices. In non-fiction, she is interested in expert-led works on culture, politics, and society with narrative drive, as well as bold memoirs that move beyond the personal to spark wider cultural conversations.
Submit via Query Tracker.
Adult fiction
Upmarket and commercial fiction with an interesting narrative voice, a story with heart, and an emotional hook
Send your submission to crowleyofficesubmissions@curtisbrown.co.uk. For fiction submissions, include the first three chapters or 10,000 words of your material, a synopsis, and a biographical note. For non-fiction, send a detailed proposal.
Fiction and non-fiction
Smart compelling commercial-to-literary, upmarket crime/thrillers, voiced historical, light horror/gothic/supernatural, memoir, narrative non-fiction, health/wellbeing/lifestyle from experts
Email julia@greyhoundliterary.co.uk
Fiction and non-fiction
Upmarket-commercial fiction, series crime/thrillers, historical fiction, high-concept fiction, narrative non-fiction, true crime, memoir, popular science/psychology, serious history
Email agauntlett@pfd.co.uk with a cover letter, full synopsis, and first three chapters (approximately 50 pages). Non-fiction submissions should include a detailed proposal and a cover letter with CV.
Adult, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, nonfiction
Wants: Query letter, author bio, 25-page sample for fiction or proposal for nonfiction
Literary, upmarket, and speculative fiction including magical realism, fantasy, and science fiction. Strong essay collections, narrative nonfiction, archival works
Currently closed to submissions except for by referral
Adult upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, gothic, fantasy
Adult upmarket and speculative fiction, especially gothic and fantasy. If there's at least a hint of romance mixed in, all the better.
Check agent's submission page
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, pop culture
Literary and upmarket fiction, select narrative nonfiction and memoir, books that explore pop culture examining celebrity and fandom
Check agent's submission page
Business, health, psychology, popular science, narrative nonfiction, memoir, upmarket fiction
New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and internationally bestselling authors writing in business, health, psychology, popular science, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and upmarket fiction
Check agent's submission page
Ya, children's literature, upmarket fiction, projects on religion and spirituality
Elevating voices and stories that start important cultural conversations and is particularly interested in YA and children's literature, upmarket fiction, and projects on religion and spirituality
Check agent's submission page
Science fiction, fantasy, horror, upmarket fiction, historical fiction
Jordan is primarily pursuing genre and upmarket fiction for adults with a focus on Science Fiction and Fantasy and horror. She loves intergenerational stories that grapple with the complexities of families and culture through time and anything with an unreliable narrator or a speculative bent. She's always on the hunt for books that feature female wit and rage, bodies of water as foreboding, and eruptive moments of catharsis. She also considers historical fiction or retellings with a fresh approach and compelling perspective.
Check agent's submission page
Cookbooks, investigative journalism, self-help, health, wellness, social science, popular science, culture, narrative nonfiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, literary mystery, magical realism, science fiction
Wants: Query letter, first chapter, first 10 pages, author platform
Kim primarily specializes in nonfiction and is actively seeking expertise- or platform-driven cookbooks, investigative journalism, self-help, health, wellness, social science, pop science, culture, and narrative nonfiction that adds nuance or makes niche subjects accessible. On a highly selective basis, she also considers adult upmarket and literary fiction, including contemporary and historical realism, literary mystery, magical realism, and near-future science fiction.
Stonesong accepts electronic queries at submissions@stonesong.com, but the current submissions page does not list Kim among the named query recipients. Verify current route before querying Kim.
215+ 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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