History Literary Agents Open to Submissions

Literary fiction, reported nonfiction, popular history, memoir, narrative nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, bio, first five to ten pages

Elias Altman specializes in sharp and moving narratives with psychological insight, timeless themes, and strong characters, including reported nonfiction by journalists, popular history by scholars, memoir by people who have really lived, and literary fiction by writers with precision, honesty, and heart.

Email queries to the attention of Elias Altman at info@mmqalit.com. MMQA asks for a query letter briefly describing the project, relevant personal or professional information, the word Query in the subject line, and the first 5-10 pages pasted into the body of the email. Query only one MMQA agent at a time.

Literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, cultural history, politics, biography, arts

Wants: Query letter, short bio, first ten pages

Edward Orloff is interested in literary fiction and narrative nonfiction, especially cultural history, politics, biography, and the arts.

Email queries to queries@mccormicklit.com and indicate in the subject line that you are querying Edward Orloff. Include a query letter describing the work, a short bio, and up to ten sample pages in the body of the email. Do not send attachments.

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

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal

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.

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.

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

Wants: Query letter

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.

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.

Young adult fiction, middle grade fiction, graphic novels, women's fiction, romance, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, horror, psychological thriller, narrative nonfiction, biography, culture, social justice, history

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first five pages, comparable books, full nonfiction proposal, ai disclosure

Michelle Witte founded Mansion Street Literary Management and represents MG and YA fiction, graphic novels, adult fiction, and narrative nonfiction. In YA she is looking for rom-com, historical, science fiction and fantasy, horror, psychological thrillers, and mashups of those categories; in MG, fun voices in adventure, contemporary, mystery, humor, horror, speculative, science fiction and fantasy, plus select graphic novels. In adult fiction she seeks women's fiction, romance, and speculative work. For nonfiction she is interested in biographies, culture, social justice, and history with a fresh lens and a personal element.

Submit to Michelle Witte through the official QueryManager link on the Mansion Street submissions page. Her form asks for project details, query letter, synopsis, comparable books, AI disclosure, and the first 5 pages or a full proposal for nonfiction. Mansion Street says if you do not hear back within 8 weeks, consider it a pass.

Fiction and non-fiction

Adult crime, thrillers and suspense, contemporary romance, women's fiction (commercial/literary/historical/humour). Adult non-fiction: mental health advocates, adventurers, entertainers

Email - submission@bell-lomax.co.uk

Nonfiction, lifestyle, current affairs, health, sport, true crime, family issues, crime, thriller, book club fiction, historical fiction, romance

Wants: Synopsis, first three chapters, covering letter, detailed outline, sample material

Katie Fulford is looking for authors in both nonfiction and fiction. In nonfiction she wants experts and journalists with something new to say, especially in lifestyle, current affairs, health, sport, smart true crime, and books about female and family issues that put women at the heart of things. In fiction she wants high-concept and hooky crime and thriller, commercial locked-room thrillers, emotional uplit, book club books with big issues, memorable characters and immersive settings, historical fiction about forgotten real people or people connected to more famous figures, and romance. She does not want fantasy, science fiction, children's fiction, or picture books.

Email submissions@belllomaxmoreton.co.uk. For fiction, children's and young adult fiction, or narrative nonfiction, send a short synopsis including the full plot for fiction, the first three chapters or no more than 50 pages double spaced, and a covering letter with any previous publications. For illustrated nonfiction send a detailed outline, sample material if available, and previous publication information. Query one Bell Lomax Moreton agent at a time.

Speculative fiction (sff or fantasy or horror or romantasy etc.)

Speculative fiction broadly: epic/urban/historical fantasy, SF (space opera/near future), horror (folklore/gothic), weird/high-concept, action/adventure/espionage, underrepresented voices

Email submission@bell-lomax.co.uk with a short synopsis covering the entire plot, the first three chapters (no more than 50 pages, double spaced), and a covering letter including details of any previously published work. Do not address submissions to more than one agent.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, narrative non-fiction, science, history, medicine, economics

Wants: Query letter, first 25 pages, synopsis

She seeks plot-driven literary and smart commercial fiction, and narrative nonfiction across subjects including history, medicine, science, economics and women's issues. She looks for passion, erudition, and storytelling skill in every case.

Send query letter via email with full query in body, include first 25 pages of manuscript for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction in email body. Query only one agent at agency at a time.

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

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

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.

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, memoir, biography, history, science narratives, medical narratives

Wants: Query letter, first 25 pages

Jane is interested in women's commercial fiction and big think non-fiction. She loves to read commercial and literary fiction, memoir, biography and history, with particular interest in current events, politics, legal subjects, science and medical narratives.

Send query letter via email with full query in body, include first 25 pages of manuscript for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction in email body. For picture books, include full text and dummy or sample art as PDF attachments under 20MB.

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, women's fiction, thriller, mystery, psychology, science, history, biography, diet, health, fitness, how-to, self-help, narrative non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, author bio, synopsis, first five pages

Harvey loves great adult commercial and literary fiction and nonfiction books with a strong narrative voice in all disciplines, written by authors who already have an established professional platform in their field of expertise.

Submit via email with a short synopsis of your work, an author bio, and the first five pages of your manuscript pasted into the body of your email. Do not send attachments.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, thriller, romance, fantasy, science fiction, horror, historical fiction, women's fiction, young adult

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, first 5 pages

She is interested in a wide range of fiction and always on the lookout for underrepresented authors. In general, she loves quirky-off beat storytelling that can deliver heartfelt and thoughtful messaging, characters with richly developed relationships, and stories that center around a fantastical or often-overlooked setting.

Make your submission letter to the point and as brief as possible. Include a short synopsis of your work, an author bio, and the first five pages of your manuscript pasted into the body of your email, no attachments please. Do not query more than one agent at Harvey Klinger, Inc. at a time.

Music history, music journalism, memoir, biography, narrative non-fiction, media, film, tv, essay, literature, pop culture, young adult fiction, middle grade fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, first five pages

David specializes in music-related nonfiction, biography, narrative nonfiction, and young adult and middle-grade fiction. He seeks contemporary, adventure, thriller, and mystery in Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction.

Make your submission letter to the point and as brief as possible. Include a short synopsis of your work, an author bio, and the first five pages of your manuscript pasted into the body of your email, no attachments please.

Popular history, science, narrative non-fiction, pop culture, memoir, literary fiction, horror, genre fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages

He is actively acquiring popular history and science, narrative-driven nonfiction, smart pop culture, and outward-looking memoir. He seeks books that will shift paradigms, understanding of the world, and ourselves. In fiction he seeks select plot-driven literary and literary-crossover novels, particularly elevated horror or genre-inflected narratives.

For fiction submissions, send an informative description, a brief synopsis and the first ten pages. For non-fiction submissions, send an informative description, a full outline, and the first ten pages of the manuscript. Include sample pages in the body of the email below your query. Direct your submission to an individual agent.

Narrative non-fiction, horror, thriller, speculative fiction, historical fiction, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Chad is interested in narrative nonfiction with a strong emotional pull from journalists and writers who challenge the status quo. For fiction, he is particularly drawn to novels that are more character or plot-driven, horror and thrillers that are as inventive as they are suspenseful, speculative and historical fiction that offer a nuanced perspective on place, and graphic novels that push the boundaries of the genre.

For fiction submissions, send an informative description, a brief synopsis and the first ten pages. For non-fiction submissions, send an informative description, a full outline, and the first ten pages of the manuscript. For graphic novel submissions, send 10 illustrated pages with text (attached as a PDF) and a synopsis in the body of the email below your query. Please include the sample pages in the body of the email below your query and direct your submission to an individual agent.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, upmarket women's fiction, romance, thriller, mystery, fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, young adult fiction, middle grade fiction, memoir, narrative non-fiction, popular science, parenting, pop culture, humor, how-to, self-help, lifestyle, travel, interior design, crafts, business

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, first five pages

Andrea represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction, including projects for adult, young adult and middle grade audiences. She actively seeks literary and commercial fiction, upmarket women's fiction, romance, thrillers, mystery, fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction. In nonfiction, she seeks memoir, narrative nonfiction, popular science, parenting, pop culture, humor, how-to, self-help, lifestyle, travel, interior design, crafts, and business.

Submit via email with a short synopsis of your work, author bio, and the first five pages of your manuscript pasted into the body of the email. No attachments.

Historical, women's fiction, romance, fantasy, mystery, psychological thriller, middle grade, young adult, narrative non-fiction, history, film, tv, theatre, pop culture, music, commercial fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, first 5 pages

She specializes in Historical fiction, whether in Young Adult, Women's Fiction and Romance, or narrative nonfiction. She is particularly drawn to oft forgotten stories of the past and underrepresented voices, and especially personal to her is unexplored Southern history and culture. She also loves high-concept fantasy in Young Adult and Adult fiction.

Submit queries through QueryManager only. Include a short synopsis of your work, author bio, and the first five pages pasted into the submission form. No attachments. Do not query more than one agent at Harvey Klinger at a time.

Fiction and non-fiction

Book club/crossover fiction, crime and thrillers (incl unusual hooks), historical fiction (incl historical crime). Non-fiction: memoir, narrative-led books from experts (history/science/tech/politics/nature)

Submit via the agency online form at https://amheath.com or submissions

Women's fiction, crime, thrillers, new nature writing

Well-written, engrossing fiction with a compelling plot, characters worth caring about, and an intriguing or attractive world. Particularly interested in women's fiction, contemporary or historical, as well as crime and thrillers. Also actively seeking new nature writing as a personal enthusiasm.

Email anne@khla.co.uk. The agency accepts submissions by email only.

General fiction, thrillers, crime, historical fiction, suspense, mystery, women's commercial fiction, non-fiction, arts and crafts, cookery, biography and autobiography, popular science, business, natural history, sport, travel, health

Wants: See submissions page; requires synopsis and first 3 chapters.

General fiction including thrillers, crime, historical fiction, suspense, mystery, and women's commercial fiction. On the nonfiction side, illustrated books covering arts and crafts, cookery, biography and autobiography, popular science, business, natural history, sport, travel, and health. Open to submissions from new authors.

Email a brief synopsis and the first three chapters as Word or Open Document attachments to mail@limelightmanagement.com. Include 'Submission' in the subject line and the title of your work in the attachment filename. Also include a note about your professional life and writing ambitions.

Non-fiction

History, politics, psychology, current affairs, natural world, expert-led books that change how we think, memoir (unique perspective), narrative non-fiction

Email a cover letter, one-page synopsis, and the first three chapters or 50 pages (or a proposal and sample chapters for non-fiction) to submissions@nurnberg.co.uk, addressed FAO Charlotte Merritt.

Non-fiction, book club fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, speculative fiction, crime fiction

Non-fiction across a broad range of subjects, particularly from authors who are authoritative and accessible, including activists, psychologists, creatives and thought leaders. Also growing a fiction list focused on book club, fantasy, historical, speculative and crime fiction. Actively champions marginalised and underrepresented voices.

For non-fiction, email nonfiction@grahammawchristie.com with a one-page topic summary, detailed chapter-by-chapter outline, author credentials, online profiles, market overview, promotional plan, and 1-2 sample chapters. For fiction, email fiction@grahammawchristie.com with a completed manuscript, including genre in the subject line, a one-to-two line elevator pitch, a 500-800 word synopsis (including spoilers), up to five comparative titles, author bio, promotional notes, and the first three chapters or approximately 10,000 words. Attach documents in Word, Pages or PDF format. Do not submit directly to individual agents. No postal submissions accepted.

Commercial fiction, women's fiction, intelligent crime, thrillers, historical fiction, history, nature, science, self-development, biography, memoir, lifestyle, food

Quality commercial and popular literary fiction with emotional heft, original voices and broad appeal, including twisty thrillers, ghost stories, and epic romantic stories. For non-fiction, experts in their fields writing about history, nature, science, self-development, biography, memoir, original thinking, lifestyle and food — particularly books that educate and illuminate worlds readers don't know, strong women's voices, and food writers with fresh perspectives or a built community.

Email submissions@hhbagency.com with the genre in the subject line. Put your covering letter in the body of the email including a brief pitch, relevant background, and comparison titles. Attach the first three chapters or around 50 pages as a Word document, plus a synopsis. Fiction writers must have completed the manuscript before submitting. Non-fiction writers may submit before completion.

Memoir, geography, economics, politics, history, nature writing, biography, science, travel, literary fiction

Wants: Genres include memoir; geography; economics; politics; history; nature writing; biography; science; travel; and literary fiction.

See source page for more info

Email james@jameslockhartagency.com with a covering letter in the body of the email and the first 30 pages attached as a Word doc or PDF.

Fiction, non-fiction, children's fiction 8 and

Distinctive fiction, non-fiction including memoir, history, narrative, biography, lifestyle, sports, self-help, humour, pop culture. Not horror, sci-fi, screenplays, or picture books

Email info@lisarichards.ie. For fiction, include the first three or four chapters, a covering letter, and an SAE if required. For non-fiction, send a detailed proposal, a sample chapter, and a cover letter.

Fiction, literary non-fiction, memoir, biography, nature, history

Small list: fiction and literary non-fiction, memoir, biography, nature, history

Email - submissions@nurnberg.co.uk

Fiction, non-fiction, crime, historical fiction, thriller

A good story, whether fiction or non-fiction, peopled by credible characters and told in a distinctive voice. Represents crime writers, historical novelists, thriller writers and non-fiction. Also looks after several major literary estates including Georgette Heyer.

Email - peter@theampersandagency.co.uk

Adult fiction, thriller, psychological thriller, historical fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, young adult romance

Wants: Query form, first five pages unless form specifies otherwise

Jillian Schelzi is a junior agent at HG Literary. She is primarily looking for adult fiction, especially psychological thrillers, shocking twists, page-turning suspense, and rich historical fiction set against war. She also likes mental-health representation, darker and challenging themes, literary and upmarket fiction, book club fiction, and YA romance. She is not looking for middle grade, picture books, religious books, fantasy, romantasy, or horror.

Submit through Jillian Schelzi's official QueryTracker form. HG Literary accepts electronic submissions only and asks writers to query one agent at a time. Unless the agent-specific form says otherwise, HG requests a query letter and the first five pages. HG does not represent screenplays or religious fiction.

Non-fiction

History, current affairs/politics/economics, biography and memoir, narrative/literary non-fiction, sport/adventure, pop culture/film/music, popular science/psychology, ideas ('smart thinking'), narrative-led business

Email - andrewgordon@davidhigham.co.uk

Crime fiction, thriller fiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, women's fiction

Kate Burke seeks dark thrillers with surprising plot twists and interesting narrative structures, crime series featuring fresh lead investigators, and high-concept thrillers with 'what if?' premises that comment on society. She represents historical fiction combining strong sense of place and time with mystery elements, particularly post-1800 settings, and has special interest in Gothic, atmospheric historical thrillers set in spooky old houses. Burke also looks for contemporary novels with discussable issues suitable for book club debates and sweeping family stories about mothers, sisters and daughters set anywhere in the world.

Email kate@blakefriedmann.co.uk with your cover letter as the body of the email and the book title and your name in the subject line. Attach a synopsis (250–300 words for fiction, up to 500 words for non-fiction) and the first three chapters or first 10,000 words as Word documents (.doc or .docx) with 1.5 line spacing and numbered pages. Name each attachment with the book title and your name. Do not send PDFs, Pages files, or external links such as Google Docs. Submit to one agent only.

Fiction, non-fiction, memoir, popular science, historical fiction, crime, thrillers

See source page for more info

Send a submission package to london@susannalea.com. See the submissions page for more details on how to submit to the London office.

Fiction, non-fiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction

Wants: Strong commercial genre fiction (noir-ish thrillers/spy/gritty crime; also saga/romance/romcom) and surprising reading-group fiction; non-fiction with strong narrative voice in memoir/history and big ideas/smart thinking

Wide range of fiction and non-fiction, literary and commercial. Has a taste for the unlikely, likes to be surprised and transported. In fiction, loves stories that take him somewhere strange and wonderful. For non-fiction, loves books that reveal something new or inspire readers to imagine the world differently.

Email - submissions@sheilland.co.uk

Fiction, non-fiction, ya

Character-driven, high-concept fiction with commercial hook, genre esp fantasy/horror, high-concept thrillers, voice-led contemporary, sweeping historical, romance/romcom, select narrative non-fiction (memoir/history/nature/science)

Email maria@greyhoundliterary.co.uk with a cover letter and pitch in the body of the email. For fiction, attach the first three chapters and a synopsis. For non-fiction, attach a proposal and sample writing.

Fiction and non-fiction

Fiction: book club/literary, character- and voice-driven crime/thriller/suspense, dark/gothic/uncanny, love stories, family sagas, historical from a slant, Highsmithian thrillers. Non-fiction: accessible social/cultural history, biography/memoir, reportage, popular science, nature, arts, food/cookery, experts, journalists, lived experience

Email charlotte@johnsonandalcock.co.uk with a short covering letter (including a book blurb and brief author bio), a synopsis of no more than two pages, and the opening 50 pages of the manuscript (fiction), or a book proposal of approximately 50 pages (non-fiction). Submissions must be in Word Doc format, at least 1.5 line spaced, page-numbered, on A4. Submit to one agent only, do not blind-copy. Attachments must be under 5MB.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, book club fiction, contemporary fiction, commercial women's fiction, crime, mystery, thrillers, fantasy, genre romance, historical fiction, horror, ghost stories, sagas, science fiction, biography, memoir, cookery, gardening, gift books, humour, history, military history, lifestyle, mind-body-spirit, self-improvement, politics, popular science, psychology, travel, children's, ya

SF/fantasy, sweeping historical fiction, character-driven sci-fi, action/adventure, crime. Non-fiction: history, biography, music

Email submissions@sheilland.co.uk with a cover letter, a one-page synopsis (fiction) or brief outline (non-fiction), a short CV, and the first three chapters or around fifty pages. Submissions should be 1.5 line spaced with margins and page numbers, and must include a word count. Only one work at a time. No AI-generated content accepted.