Commercial Fiction Literary Agents Open to Submissions

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.

Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.

Commercial fiction, romance, saga, crime, thriller, book club fiction, children's fiction, ya, non-fiction, business, finance, self-help, wellbeing, lifestyle, cookery

Commercial fiction (romance/saga, crime/thriller, book club), children's novels 9+ to YA, non-fiction including business/finance, self-help/wellbeing, lifestyle/cookery. Not sci-fi, short stories, or poetry

Email submissions@susanyearwoodagency.com with your name and title or genre in the subject line (e.g. Joe Bloggs, The Title, Book Club fiction). Attach the first 30 pages and a separately titled synopsis or outline. Include a cover email with a pitch sentence, a brief description of the submission, comparative authors published in the last three years, your writing background, and a paragraph on why you wrote the book. Attachments should be Word or PDF, 1.5 or double-spaced, with page numbers. Let the agent know if you are also submitting to other agents.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, contemporary fiction, christian fiction, family saga, historical fiction, literary fiction, romance, women's fiction, humor, commercial fiction, multicultural fiction

Wants: Query letter

Syrone is focused on strong diverse and multicultural voices, picture books with humor and heart, middle grade, YA, graphic novels, coming-of-age, friendships, family saga, contemporary fiction, Christian fiction, historical fiction, literary fiction, contemporary romance, women's fiction, humor, commercial fiction, and stories with faith, redemption, forgiveness, and strong conversation hooks.

Submit through Syrone's official QueryManager route. Belcastro asks writers to read each agent's wishlist, submit to one agent at a time, and use the Submit a Story button to reach the query form.

Nonfiction, fiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction, young adult

Tia Ikemoto is a CAA literary agent based in New York. She represents a diverse range of nonfiction and fiction across the commercial to literary spectrum. She is seeking fiction and nonfiction projects that resonate with a wide audience, and is drawn to compelling and propulsive storytelling, emotionally resonant narratives, and high-concept projects with unique hooks or fresh perspectives.

Use Tia Ikemoto's official CAA agent profile submission button or form. CAA says writers can find query instructions by clicking an agent profile and that open agents show a button or link on their profile to begin a submission.

Commercial fiction, women's fiction, romance, romantasy, narrative non-fiction

Love stories with a cool edge — rom-coms, sweeping romances, and stories where friendship is as central as romance. Open to all kinds of love stories including romantasy with strong world-building, star-crossed lovers, and opposites-attract dynamics. Characters who are coming into their own, discovering something new about themselves, who pull at your heartstrings and bring joy. Strong women's fiction where characters navigate the complexities of relationships and the non-linearity of life. Fiction that is transporting and atmospheric in the vein of Lucinda Riley and Kristin Hannah, and upmarket commercial fiction tackling universal themes of love, loss, friendship, and family. Also interested in stories that explore recent history or illuminate the world through fiction, research, or reportage.

Email submissions@greeneheaton.co.uk with your covering letter in the body of the email. Include Kate Rizzo's name in the subject line. Attach the first three chapters or around fifty pages plus a one-to-two page synopsis as Word documents (not PDFs). The synopsis should reveal the ending. Do not submit until the full manuscript is complete.

Middle grade, young adult, children's nonfiction, adult commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction

Wants: Short description, short bio, first five to ten pages

Tamar Rydzinski is President of Context Literary Agency. The official submissions page says she is looking for middle grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction of all types, adult commercial fiction except political espionage, and adult narrative nonfiction.

Email querytamar@contextlit.com with a short description, short bio, and 5-10 pages of text pasted into the body of the email. Tamar Rydzinski does not open attachments. Context Literary asks writers to query only one agent at a time, if that agent passes, they may query another.

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.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, crime, sci-fi, short story collections, poetry, narrative non-fiction, history, travel, food, nature writing, investigative journalism, popular science, popular psychology, children's, ya

Wants: Cover letter and ~500-word synopsis and first 3 chapters; include contact details

Literary, book club, and commercial fiction including thrillers and YA; short story collections and poetry; narrative non-fiction with strong style; well-crafted crime and sci-fi; history, politics, science, psychology, true crime, travel, food, nature writing, investigative journalism, and popular psychology. Writers for children and young adults are also welcome.

Submit by email or post. The postal address is 29 Wardour Street, London W1D 6PS. For email, visit georginacapel.com or contact to find the address.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, short story collections

Literary, book club, and commercial fiction, and short story collections.

Email: polly@georginacapel.com

Picture books, middle grade, graphic novels, adult fiction, magical realism, commercial fiction

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Adria represents picture books, middle grade, graphic novels, and adult fiction. She likes eclectic projects with magic, heart, and a compelling commercial hook.

Adria Goetz is open to queries exclusively via QueryManager on the first day of each month. Queries received by email will not be reviewed.

Nonfiction, commercial nonfiction, celebrity memoir, pop culture, business, entertainment, sports, humor, self-development, commercial fiction

Wants: Query letter, first fifteen pages, proposal

Byrd is Partner and Co-Head of UTA Publishing. Current public materials describe a major commercial publishing list across bestselling nonfiction, entertainment, sports, humor, self-development, business, celebrity memoir, and select commercial fiction.

Submit through UTA Publishing's official query form and select the intended agent where available. UTA requires the first 15 pages of any manuscript or book proposal and asks writers not to query multiple UTA literary agents.

Fiction

Mystery, suspense, thrillers, crime, book club fiction, grounded speculative/high-concept (no high fantasy), stories with escapism, strong series characters, ensemble casts, nature-as-character settings

Online form - https://darleyanderson.com or submissions/

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.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, literary suspense, crime, thriller, speculative fiction, science fiction, narrative nonfiction, social history, human behaviour, irish literature, british writers, european writers

Wants: Query letter, first fifteen pages, proposal

Gráinne is looking for literary and commercial fiction, literary suspense, crime and thriller with a distinctive often feminist lens, intergenerational family stories, speculative and uncanny fiction, grounded science fiction, smart narrative nonfiction, social history, human behaviour, debut American voices, Irish literature, and British and European writers with US or international appeal.

Submit through UTA Publishing's official query form and select Gráinne Fox where available. UTA requires the first 15 pages of any manuscript or book proposal and asks writers not to query multiple UTA literary agents.

Biography, memoir, history, science, nature, pop culture, cultural criticism, current events, politics, narrative nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, mystery, thriller

Wants: Query letter, first 25 pages, proposal

Iris is seeking nonfiction in biography, memoir, history, science and nature, pop culture, cultural criticism, current events, politics, and narrative nonfiction, with special interest in intersectional feminism, nature, climate change, conservation, social and racial justice, and books sparked by a quirky obsession. In fiction she is seeking literary and commercial fiction with strong voice, plus upmarket mysteries and thrillers.

Email Iris Blasi at iris@arcliterary.com. Follow Arc Literary's guidelines: query letter, author bio, publishing history if applicable, first 25 pages for fiction, or nonfiction proposal with sample material. Do not query multiple Arc agents simultaneously.

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.

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, nonfiction, pop culture, academic nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, first few chapters, full manuscript optional

Jeff Gerecke welcomes strong manuscripts of all genres. His official agency page says he is interested in commercial and literary fiction, serious nonfiction, pop culture, and academic subjects given a commercial spin for a wider audience.

Email queries to gagencyquery@gmail.com. Include QUERY in the subject line and include the first few chapters as a writing sample if you choose not to send the entire manuscript. General business inquiries should go to jeff@gagencylit.com, not the query address.

Commercial fiction, women's fiction, romance, thriller, domestic suspense, speculative fiction, contemporary young adult, new adult, romantasy, subsidiary rights

Wants: Query letter, first twenty-five pages, first chapter

Kimberly works with commercial fiction authors from debuts to bestselling writers. She is interested in adult commercial fiction, especially women's fiction, romance, thrillers and domestic suspense, speculative fiction, contemporary YA/New Adult crossover, and grounded romantasy.

Email queries@parkfinebrower.com and specify Kimberly Brower 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. YA fiction should include a query letter and first chapter or about the first 10 pages.

Fiction and non-fiction

Commercial/book club fiction (edging literary), thrillers with unusual location or speculative edge, historical with real figures, gothic/magical/haunted, speculative love stories, romcoms, fantasy with unique magic/folklore. Non-fiction from experts/creators including food writing, women's health, maternal/sport/mental health. Not sci-fi, erotica, graphic novels, children's/MG/YA, or poetry

Online form - https://www.greenstoneliterary.com or submissions

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.

Adult fiction and select non-fiction

Horror (literary to commercial, gothic, dark academia), literary/book-club, high-concept/time-slip, romcom/cozy romance, cosy fantasy, dystopian, non-fiction from experts (nature/climate/psychology/self-help/health/neurodiversity/science etc.)

Online form - https://hs-la.com or submissions/

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, nonfiction, historical fiction, medical suspense, legal thrillers, women protagonists, biography, memoir, history, psychology, health, self-improvement, business, entrepreneurship, management, finance, business parables

Wants: Query letter, proposal, book proposal, overview, author platform, marketing plan, comparative works, chapter summaries, sample chapters

Margret McBride is interested in a wide range of commercial and literary fiction and nonfiction, historical fiction, medical suspense, legal thrillers, and stories featuring strong female protagonists. Her nonfiction interests include biography, memoir, history, psychology, health, self-improvement, and business, especially entrepreneurship, management, and finance, with a particular weakness for perfectly executed business parables.

Submit to Margret McBride through her official QueryTracker or QueryManager link. The agency asks writers to query only one agent at a time. For nonfiction, send a complete polished proposal with overview, author platform, promotion or marketing plan, comparative works, chapter summaries, and at least 2 sample chapters.

Fiction and non-fiction

Story-led commercial/literary: romantic or suspense fiction, compelling memoir, iconic history, edgy humour, 'gleam in the author's eye'

Email - sohoagencysubmissions@gmail.com

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.

Memoir, essay collections, wellness, cookbooks, women's fiction, book club fiction, fiction

Wants: Query letter, first twenty-five pages

Mia represents smart books for smart women, including bestselling memoir, platform-driven essay collections, wellness, cookbooks, women's fiction, character-driven fiction, stories that play with form, and book club fiction.

Email queries@parkfinebrower.com and specify Mia Vitale plus the category and genre in the subject line. Adult fiction submissions should include a query letter and roughly the first 25 pages. Nonfiction submissions should include a query letter.

Mystery, high-concept suspense, domestic suspense, psychological thriller, book club women's fiction, commercial fiction, crime fiction, underrepresented voices

Wants: Query letter, first twenty pages

Michelle Richter is Vice President of Fuse Literary. She represents leaders in the crime fiction community, award-winners, and debut authors, and wants to boost underrepresented voices in her favorite genres. She is especially eager to find high-concept crime fiction with catchy hooks, twisty plots, and complex lead characters. She likes emotionally engaging fiction with a voice that immediately identifies the author, and welcomes BIPOC, LGBTQ, and disabled voices in fiction. She loves twists, unreliable narrators, isolated locales and locked rooms, stories of family secrets, friendships, and sibling relationships, and book club fiction that makes readers think and feel.

Submit to Michelle Richter only through QueryManager. Fuse says unsolicited submissions to email or social media will be deleted unread. For conference, press, or rights inquiries only, use michelle@fuseliterary.com.

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.

Commercial fiction, young adult, adult fiction, romance, fantasy, mythology, dark academia, dystopian, horror, thriller, cozy fantasy, romantasy, gothic horror, folk horror, psychological thriller, new adult, neurodivergent voices, disabled voices

Wants: Query letter, first five pages, comparable titles

Olivia specializes in commercial fiction for young adult and adult audiences. She is looking for romance, fantasy, mythology, dark academia, dystopian, horror, thriller, cozy fantasy, romantasy, nautical fantasy, gothic horror, folk horror, mythological retellings, psychological thrillers, genre-blending manuscripts, and speculative twists, with special interest in work from neurodivergent and disabled authors.

Submit through Olivia Emerick's QueryManager route. The current form asks for a query letter, one-paragraph pitch, target audience, comparable books, AI disclosure, publication status, and the first five pages uploaded as a file.

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.

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.

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, science fiction, fantasy, young adult, narrative nonfiction, business, self-development, history, true crime, pop culture, humor, sports

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Peter represents commercial and literary fiction, science fiction and fantasy, young adult, narrative nonfiction, business, self-development, history, true crime, pop culture, humor, and sports.

Submit through UTA Publishing's official query route and select Peter Steinberg where available. Do not query multiple UTA literary agents simultaneously.

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.

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.

Young adult, fantasy, middle grade, picture books, romance, women's fiction, historical fiction, science fiction, commercial fiction

Wants: Query manager submission

Samantha Wekstein is Senior Agent at Thompson Literary Agency. In YA, she loves creative and epic fantasies and realistic stories with multi-dimensional female characters, and she is interested in elevating diverse voices, particularly through feminist narratives. She seeks middle grade of all stripes, especially stories about friendship, adventure, or encountering tragedy for the first time. She is also on the lookout for whimsical, meaningful, and funny picture books. On the adult side she is drawn to commercial voices in romance, women's fiction, historical fiction, science fiction, and fantasy.

Submit through Thompson Literary Agency's official Query Manager route, the official submissions page says all Thompson agents are now accepting queries through Query Manager and points writers to the bios for agent-specific instructions.

Adult fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction, crime fiction, mystery, cozy mystery, historical mystery, suspense, thriller, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, book club fiction, romantic comedy, contemporary romance, women's fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters, proposal, author bio, pitch

Sandy Harding is Senior Literary Agent at Spencerhill Associates. She is seeking mainly upmarket commercial and literary fiction for the adult market, including women's fiction for book clubs, smart page-turning thrillers, suspense with complex protagonists, mysteries of all sorts including cozies, historical, and traditional mysteries, and romance. Her official submissions page adds engaging adult upmarket and commercial fiction, crime fiction of all sorts, historical and contemporary upmarket fiction, book club reads, romantic comedies, and contemporary romance. She is drawn to complicated protagonists, multiple points of view, diverse voices, and writing with a captivating voice and story.

Submit through Sandy Harding's official Spencerhill linked QueryManager form. Spencerhill accepts submissions only through Query Manager, asks writers to query one agent, and says a response from one agent should be considered a response from all. Sandy's form requests a query letter, author biography, book details, synopsis, first 3 chapters or full nonfiction proposal, pitch, target audience, and similar books.