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Young Adult (YA) Literary Agents

661+verified agents401open nowLast reviewed21 Jul 2026

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YA is not adult fiction with younger characters. The voice has to live inside teenage urgency, and the stakes have to matter in the teenage world, whether the book is romance, fantasy, contemporary, or thriller. The market is large and trans-Atlantic, but the opening pages still do most of the work. This page shows agents who explicitly represent YA. The broad search toggle catches more who'd consider it under children's, teen fiction, new adult, or a wider commercial list.

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Agents representing young adult (YA)

Open agents first
Represents

Middle grade, ya, crossover, new adult, picture book, adventure, mystery, horror

Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, first 3 chapters or 20 pages

Looking for

Kat is actively building her own list from middle grade through YA, crossover and New Adult, with a character-led taste and interest in adventure, mystery, darker YA and select picture book authors.

How to submit

Email Kat directly at kat@darleyanderson.com. For novels, send the first three chapters or first twenty pages plus a one-page synopsis. Picture book writers may send up to three full texts.

Last checked 27 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Action or adventure, chapter book, diversity, funny, graphic novels, illustrated fiction, underrepresented voices, picture book, non-fiction

Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, first 3 chapters or 20 pages, proposal for non-fiction

Looking for

Lorna is looking for illustration-led children's books including board books, picture books, chapter books, highly illustrated fiction, graphic novels and non-fiction.

How to submit

Email Lorna directly at lorna@darleyanderson.com. For novels, send the first three chapters or first twenty pages plus a one-page synopsis. Picture book writers may send up to three full texts. Non-fiction submissions should include a proposal, full chapter list and up to three sample chapters.

Last checked 27 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Romance, women's fiction, young adult, middle grade, picture books, thrillers, mysteries, nonfiction

Wants: Querymanager form

Looking for

Cori Deyoe is actively looking to expand her list. She represents all subgenres of romance, women's fiction, young adult, middle grade, picture books, thrillers, mysteries, and select nonfiction.

How to submit

Submit through Cori Deyoe's official QueryManager link. 3 Seas does not accept email queries, asks writers to use the QueryManager links on agent pages or the submissions page, and says no response within 12 weeks should be considered a pass.

Last checked 27 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Illustrators, artists, children's illustration, picture books, publishing, art licensing

Wants: Jpg samples, art samples

Looking for

Professional children's illustrators and commercial artists for publishing, licensing, greeting cards, products, and related illustration work.

How to submit

Use the official artist submissions page. Submit JPG samples for consideration and state interest in Advocate Art Agency. Applications are reviewed with ITSme and Advocate Art agents.

Last checked 27 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Illustrators, artists, children's illustration, picture books, publishing, art licensing

Wants: Jpg samples, art samples

Looking for

Professional children's illustrators and commercial artists for publishing, licensing, greeting cards, products, and related illustration work.

How to submit

Use the official artist submissions page. Submit JPG samples for consideration and state interest in Advocate Art Agency. Applications are reviewed with ITSme and Advocate Art agents.

Last checked 27 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Illustrators, artists, children's illustration, picture books, publishing, art licensing

Wants: Jpg samples, art samples

Looking for

Professional children's illustrators and commercial artists for publishing, licensing, greeting cards, products, and related illustration work.

How to submit

Use the official artist submissions page. Submit JPG samples for consideration and state interest in Advocate Art Agency. Applications are reviewed with ITSme and Advocate Art agents.

Last checked 27 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Illustrators, artists, children's illustration, picture books, publishing, art licensing

Wants: Jpg samples, art samples

Looking for

Professional children's illustrators and commercial artists for publishing, licensing, greeting cards, products, and related illustration work.

How to submit

Use the official artist submissions page. Submit JPG samples for consideration and state interest in Advocate Art Agency. Applications are reviewed with ITSme and Advocate Art agents.

Last checked 27 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Illustrators, artists, children's illustration, picture books, publishing, art licensing

Wants: Jpg samples, art samples

Looking for

Professional children's illustrators and commercial artists for publishing, licensing, greeting cards, products, and related illustration work.

How to submit

Use the official artist submissions page. Submit JPG samples for consideration and state interest in Advocate Art Agency. Applications are reviewed with ITSme and Advocate Art agents.

Last checked 27 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Illustrators, artists, children's illustration, picture books, publishing, art licensing

Wants: Jpg samples, art samples

Looking for

Professional children's illustrators and commercial artists for publishing, licensing, greeting cards, products, and related illustration work.

How to submit

Use the official artist submissions page. Submit JPG samples for consideration and state interest in Advocate Art Agency. Applications are reviewed with ITSme and Advocate Art agents.

Last checked 27 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Adult fiction, young adult fiction, book club fiction, romantic comedy, literary fiction, mystery, thriller, horror, narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, essays, current affairs, pop culture, psychology, nature, science

Wants: Query letter, comparable books, first twenty pages or proposal

Looking for

Dana Murphy represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction for adults and select fiction for teen readers. She wants fiction with heart, humor, specificity, surprise, high-concept hooks, confident voice, rom-coms, book club fiction, literary fiction with form or genre elements, mysteries, thrillers, horror, found family stories, and narrative nonfiction or essay collections about culture, pop culture, criticism, power structures, object histories, big ideas, and deeply researched cultural history.

How to submit

Submit through Dana Murphy's official QueryManager form linked from Trellis. The form asks writers to review her wishlist and provide author bio, title, word count, genre, query letter, comparable books, AI-use disclosure, and the first 20 pages or a full nonfiction proposal. Trellis asks writers not to submit to multiple Trellis agents during the 8-12 week review window.

Last checked 26 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Graphic novels, picture book illustrators, middle grade, young adult, new adult, adult fiction

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Chelsea Eberly represents graphic novelists, picture book illustrators, middle grade, young adult, crossover new adult, and select adult novels. She wants high-concept hooks, high-stakes plots, vivid illustrations, unique voices, speculative fiction, sweeping fantasy, unforgettable settings, tight timelines, romance, graphic novels across ages and genres, YA love stories, fantasy, retellings, speculative twists, MG with emotional punch, underdogs, found families, ambitious POV choices, and picture book illustrators with distinct style.

How to submit

Submit through Chelsea Eberly's official QueryTracker or QueryManager link on her Folio Jr. profile.

Last checked 26 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Speculative fiction, horror, thriller, science fiction, fantasy, romance, upmarket fiction, young adult

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first five pages

Looking for

Danai Christopoulou loves speculative fiction of all flavors, from horror and thriller to sci-fi, fantasy, and romance, especially from marginalized voices. They are mostly focused on adult fiction but are interested in YA with crossover appeal, and like upmarket fiction with nuanced plots from BIPOC, queer, neurodivergent, and other traditionally marginalized groups.

How to submit

Submit through Danai Christopoulou's official QueryManager form. Tobias agents only accept submissions through QueryManager, do not query more than one Tobias agent at a time. Danai's form asks for author bio, pronouns, marginalized or BIPOC identification questions, title, word count, genre, query letter, synopsis, AI-use disclosure, publication history, and the first 5 pages or a full nonfiction proposal.

Last checked 26 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, children's nonfiction, illustrated books

Wants: Contact information, bio, synopsis or proposal, sample chapters or manuscripts, portfolio link

Looking for

Emily Mitchell represents authors and illustrators from picture books to YA and is accepting new clients in all genres for children. Wernick & Pratt is most interested in author-illustrators in picture books, humorous young chapter books with strong voice, unique and compelling chapter books, and literary or commercial middle grade and YA novels.

How to submit

Email submissions to submissions@wernickpratt.com and indicate that you are submitting to Emily Mitchell. Send contact information, referral information if any, whether the submission is exclusive, background and publishing history, and format-specific materials: first three chapters and brief synopsis for novels, two different picture book manuscripts for picture books, full manuscript for chapter books, synopsis or proposal plus three sample chapters for MG or YA nonfiction, or PDF samples and a portfolio link for illustrators.

Last checked 26 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, picture books, fantasy, horror, women's fiction, science fiction, pop culture, humor, nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first twenty pages or proposal, artwork or portfolio link

Looking for

Emily S. Keyes is actively searching for children's literature and select adult genre fiction that is not serious literature. She is generally looking for books for young readers and the young at heart, especially work that fosters the joy of reading in kids. In nonfiction she is looking for nonfiction picture books, interesting nonfiction for middle grade and YA readers, especially from creators with a platform, and select adult nonfiction.

How to submit

Submit through Emily Keyes' official linked QueryManager page. The form asks for author information, title, word count, genre, query letter, optional synopsis, target audience, comparable books, AI-use disclosure, first 20 pages or full nonfiction proposal, and optional artwork, illustrations, or portfolio link.

Last checked 26 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

New adult, young adult, middle grade, picture books, romantasy, mystery, speculative fiction, comedy, romantic comedy

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, picture book dummy, portfolio link

Looking for

Emily van Beek is looking for new adult coming-of-age stories with series potential, romantasy with a fresh hook, cozy mysteries with series potential, high-concept speculative fiction, family drama, comedy, rom-coms, high-concept and well-written YA with bold voice and emotional connection, exquisitely imagined middle grade, funny or mischievous middle grade, and picture books by author-illustrators with award-worthy artwork, character-driven series potential, and diverse creators featuring diverse stories.

How to submit

Email Emily van Beek at emily@foliolitmanagement.com with QUERY in the subject line. Send a query letter and the first ten pages of the manuscript in the body of the email. For picture books, attach a PDF dummy, portfolio links are welcome. Send queries to this address only because queries to other addresses may not be considered.

Last checked 26 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, fantasy, mystery, romantasy, horror, humor, narrative nonfiction, nature and ecology, pop culture, women's issues

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters or proposal

Looking for

Emelie Burl represents books for all ages and across many genres. She is drawn to cozy projects across fiction and nonfiction, found family, magic, nature, self-acceptance, folklore, diversity, queer joy, female rage, immersive storytelling, hopeful stories with edge, grounded fantasy, unusual or offbeat characters, journalistic deep dives with personal narrative, humor, and children's books that meet kids where they are.

How to submit

Submit to Emelie Burl through her official linked QueryManager form only. Direct email queries will be deleted unread. The form asks for author information, query letter, synopsis, AI-use disclosure, and the first three chapters or, for nonfiction, the full book proposal.

Last checked 26 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Narrative nonfiction, history, science, politics, environment, business, memoir, literary fiction, young adult, middle grade, science fiction, fantasy

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal

Looking for

Diana Finch is currently taking only nonfiction queries, including memoir, until further notice. Her official page lists favorite nonfiction categories as narrative nonfiction, history, science, progressive politics, environmental books, business, and memoir. The same page also describes fiction interests in strong storytelling for adult, YA, and middle grade, literary fiction with unique or unexpected elements, and selected genre fiction other than romance, but fiction submissions are currently closed.

How to submit

Use the official Diana Finch Literary Agency Submittable page. Include a full query letter and sample material. The Submittable page asks fiction writers for the first ten pages or so, and nonfiction writers for a full proposal and sample chapters, the agency blog currently says fiction submissions are closed and only nonfiction queries, including memoir, are being taken until further notice.

Last checked 25 Jun 2026Via Submittable
Represents

Commercial fiction, dark psychological fiction, romantic comedy, young adult, true crime, self-help, business, pop culture, lifestyle, reality television

Wants: Online submission form

Looking for

Courtney Paganelli enjoys voice-driven commercial fiction, dark psychological fiction, heartwarming romantic comedies, relatable adult or YA novels with budding relationships, tough topics, complex family dynamics, paranormal activity or magical realism, atmospheric and creepy stories, whodunits, true crime, millennial-driven self-help, practical business, pop culture, lifestyle, and reality television.

How to submit

Submit through Levine Greenberg Rostan's official online submission form. Courtney Paganelli's official profile lists her direct LGR email, and the official submissions page directs submissions through the agency form.

Last checked 25 Jun 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Literary fiction, science fiction, thriller, horror, true crime, romance, young adult, cookbooks, interior design, gardening, parenting, self-empowerment, memoir, biography

Wants: Query letter, proposal, sample pages

Looking for

Christine J. Lee is an Associate Literary Agent with interest in full-length literary fiction, sci-fi, thrillers, horror, true crime, romance, YA, cookbooks, interior design and gardening, parenting, self-empowerment, and memoirs or biographies touching on race, sex, class, and identity.

How to submit

Submit through The Leshne Agency's official QueryManager route or email a query letter to submissions@leshneagency.com, but do not do both. Email subject lines should begin with QUERY followed by the title. For fiction, include author information, title, genre, word count, hook or tagline, brief synopsis, comp titles, and 10-20 sample pages. For nonfiction, include a complete proposal with overview, table of contents, chapter outline, target audience, marketing or promotion plans, comps, bio, and at least two fully written sample chapters.

Last checked 25 Jun 2026Via Email or QueryManager
Represents

Young adult, ya contemporary, ya thriller, ya suspense, speculative fiction, adult fiction, narrative nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

Looking for

Erin Harris represents books for adults and teens and is passionate about underrepresented and marginalized writers. For teen readers she is seeking YA contemporary, YA thrillers and suspense, and YA with speculative elements, while remaining open to projects that surprise her imagination and heart.

How to submit

Email Erin Harris at eharris@foliolitmanagement.com with a query letter and the first ten pages of the manuscript pasted into the body of the email.

Last checked 25 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, women's fiction, middle grade, young adult, romance, action adventure

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Caitlin Blasdell specializes in quality commercial fiction including science fiction and fantasy, historical fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and women's fiction. Liza Dawson's submissions page also lists commercial adult fiction, science fiction/fantasy, romance, mystery, and action/adventure for Caitlin, and her profile says she handles a few select middle grade and YA authors.

How to submit

Send only a query letter in the body of the email to querycaitlin@lizadawson.com. Liza Dawson Associates asks writers to check each agent profile, use the agent's query email and guidelines, and query only one agent at a time, the agency does not represent screenplays.

Last checked 25 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Picture books, middle grade, ya, adult romance, adult romantasy, adult fantasy

Looking for

Extraordinary, diverse stories, strong preference for underrepresented voices, see on-site wishlist for specifics (MG/YA, adult romance/romantasy/fantasy etc.)

How to submit

Submit via QueryManager at http://querymanager.com or aliceashliterary, or by email to submissions@ashliterary.com. Do not submit via both routes simultaneously.

Last checked 25 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Children's fiction, ya, adult fiction, non-fiction

Looking for

Eclectic, currently: upmarket contemporary, friendships, thoughtful sci-fi/fantasy, sweeping love stories, darkly magical, humorous, memoir/essays (occasional). Avoids gritty/harrowing crime, no picture books or poetry

How to submit

Email the first three chapters, a 1-2 page synopsis including the full plot outline and ending, and a covering letter (Word format preferred) to submissions.bryony@bryonywoods.co.uk. The covering letter should describe the book, include a short author biography, and note any previous writing experience.

Last checked 24 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction and narrative non-fiction

Looking for

Fiction (adult and YA), literary and commercial, narrative non-fiction; strong voices and stories with narrative drive. Not: children's, genre sci-fi/fantasy, poetry, scripts

How to submit

Email a short covering letter, a one or two page synopsis, and the first three chapters of your completed manuscript to info@christinegreen.co.uk. Exclusive submissions preferred, if submitting to multiple agents and you receive an offer before hearing back, notify them promptly.

Last checked 24 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Children's fiction, middle grade, ya, adult fiction

Looking for

Children: singular/underrepresented voices, powerful ideas. Adult: commercial women's fiction, uplit, sagas, romance (contemporary, romcom, historical)

How to submit

Email catherine@marjacq.com with a covering letter in the body of the email, the first fifty pages of the manuscript and a synopsis (for fiction) attached as Word or PDF documents, with total file size not exceeding 2MB.

Last checked 24 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction and non-fiction

Looking for

Page-turners, clever, gripping stories with complicated/flawed characters, relationship-driven fiction, YA/NA fantasy, millennial and audience, underrepresented voices, environmental/social issues

How to submit

Submit via the online form at https://amheath.com or submissions. Use submissions@amheath.com only for following up after 6 weeks with no response, notifying of an offer, sending requested full manuscripts, or submitting cookery or illustrated children's titles.

Last checked 24 Jun 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Poetry, picture books, young fiction, middle grade fiction, ya fiction, children's non-fiction, author-illustrators

Wants: Children's fiction/non-fiction; picture books; first 3 chapters for fiction

Looking for

Poetry, picture books, young fiction, middle grade fiction, YA fiction and non-fiction for children, and author-illustrators who both write and illustrate their own work as well as illustrate for other authors

How to submit

Send a short synopsis, first 3 chapters for fiction (excluding prologues), or full manuscript for picture books, plus a covering letter with full contact details including email address. Submit electronically to john.mclay@btinternet.com or by post, if posting include a stamped self-addressed envelope.

Last checked 23 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, nonfiction, romance, speculative fiction

Wants: Query letter, bio, manuscript or proposal, portfolio link

Looking for

Abigail Frank wants weird, expansive books for young readers, including original picture books, chapter books with big personalities, and novels about unforgettable teens falling in love. She is especially interested in author-illustrators, lyrical and inventive picture book texts, distinct visual art, stories by marginalized creators, and select adult projects including visual nonfiction, gift nonfiction, genre-defying nonfiction, lightly speculative fiction, commercial rom-coms, and work about labor and capital.

How to submit

Query Abigail Frank at afrank@sjga.com with the subject line QUERY - project title. Include a brief bio in the cover letter and attach the manuscript or proposal. Visual artists should include a portfolio link. Greenburger accepts email queries only and asks writers not to query more than one Greenburger agent simultaneously.

Last checked 22 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Debut fiction, horror, mystery, new adult, paranormal fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, romance, general fiction, literary fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Helen represents a broad list spanning fiction, nonfiction, and children's categories. AALA lists interests in debut fiction, horror, mystery, new adult, paranormal, science fiction/fantasy, thriller, romance, general and literary fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, graphic novels, middle grade, and young adult.

How to submit

AALA lists submissions as open, but no specific query route was available on the profile during this pass.

Last checked 22 Jun 2026
Represents

Mystery, thriller, speculative fiction, fantasy, horror, paranormal fiction, romance, literary fiction, humor, spirituality, science, sports, middle grade, young adult, book-to-film

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

Looking for

Jackson champions bold, voice-driven fiction, especially mystery, thriller, speculative, and fantasy, with interest in genre-bending and socially conscious stories that explore power, question systems, and illuminate the human condition.

How to submit

Email a query to jtkeeler1106@gmail.com with a brief pitch or query letter, short author bio, and first 5-10 pages pasted in the email body. No attachments.

Last checked 22 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Graphic novels, picture books, illustrated books, general fiction, authors, illustrators, content creators

Wants: Query letter, first five pages, portfolio link

Looking for

Kate represents authors and illustrators for graphic novels and picture books. KO Media welcomes all ages, including children's, middle grade, young adult, and adult, as long as there is a visual or illustrated component.

How to submit

Email query@komediamanagement.com with the subject line Query for Kate Rogers: Title. Paste query and samples only, attachments are not opened. Authors should paste the first five pages, picture book authors should paste the full text, and illustrators or content creators should include a portfolio link.

Last checked 21 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Debut fiction, horror, mystery, new adult, paranormal fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, romance, general fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, young adult, children's fantasy

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Kesia represents debut fiction, horror, mystery, new adult, paranormal, science fiction/fantasy, thriller, romance, general and literary fiction, middle grade, young adult, and children's fantasy.

How to submit

Queries are considered only via QueryTracker.

Last checked 21 Jun 2026Via QueryManager

661+ agents we've verified represent young adult (YA) specifically. Many others represent broader categories like commercial fiction or genre fiction — try Smart Search to find those too.

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