Literary 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.

Fiction, children's books, nonfiction, thriller, suspense, historical fiction, literary fiction, book club fiction, young adult, middle grade, romantasy, memoir, cookery, lifestyle, narrative nonfiction

Wants: Covering letter, synopsis, first three chapters, first fifty pages, outline, sample chapter, bio

Hellie Ogden is co-head of WME UK Books and represents fiction, children's books, and nonfiction. She is actively taking on new clients and wants bold storytelling, moving prose, vivid thought-provoking characters, standout debut work, high-concept thrillers and suspense with fresh hooks and daring twists, historical fiction with original courageous ideas, page-turning literary fiction about millennial experience, nostalgia, sexuality and family complexities, upmarket book club fiction with commercial hooks, female-led mysteries, emotionally deep fiction, YA with big heart and voice, romantasy, middle grade adventure with magic, memoir, standout cookery, lifestyle writers, moving narrative nonfiction, and work with social following and cross-media potential.

Submit through Hellie Ogden's official WME profile or query button. Include the author full name and work title in the email subject line. Fiction submissions should include a covering letter, synopsis, and either the first three chapters or first fifty pages. Nonfiction submissions should include a covering letter, full chapter outline, and if possible a sample chapter. Include a bio with all submissions. Query one WME agent at a time.

Literary fiction, speculative fiction, gothic fiction, thriller, psychological horror, noir, non-fiction, history, popular science, political writing, investigative journalism, cultural criticism, memoir, biography, nature, food

Provocative, morally ambiguous fiction charged with darkness and desire — exploring themes of shame, obsession, and power — often blending literary fiction with thriller, noir, or psychological horror. Speculative and gothic novels haunted by grief, repressed desire, climate, technological dread, colonialism, or history. Voice-driven, humorous fiction with emotional heft, including messy family dramas, campy queer tragedies, and rural romances with a self-aware take on identity and community. In non-fiction, academics and journalists writing on history, popular science, politics, investigative journalism, cultural criticism, memoir, biography, nature, and food — particularly writers who can marry vivid narrative with deep research. Also political and cultural commentary, mind-bending science writing, narrative biography, landscape and history memoir, insider accounts, and obsessive literary true crime.

Email submissions@greeneheaton.co.uk with your covering letter in the body of the email and submission materials as Word Document attachments. Include Imogen Morrell's name in the subject line. Fiction: first three chapters or around fifty pages, plus a one-to-two page synopsis that reveals the ending. Non-fiction: three sample chapters or around fifty pages, plus a proposed chapter summary or synopsis — a completed manuscript is not required. No postal submissions accepted. AI-generated or AI-edited submissions will not be considered.

Literary fiction, health nonfiction, young adult, short stories

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages

Ismita is seeking literary fiction, health-related nonfiction, YA, and short story collections. She is drawn to Southern settings, gritty realist writing, health or disability themes, and writing with a sense of humor.

Submit through Ismita's QueryManager form. Great Dog accepts queries only through QueryManager and asks writers not to query multiple Great Dog agents.

Fiction and non-fiction

Contemporary, historical and literary fiction, crime and thrillers, memoir, biography, narrative history

Email isobel@blakefriedmann.co.uk with a cover letter in the body of the email. Attach a synopsis of 250-300 words and the first three chapters or first 10,000 words as Word documents (.doc or .docx). Include the book title and your name in the subject line. For non-fiction, attach a synopsis of up to 500 words, a chapter plan, and two sample chapters.

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.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, genre fiction, young adult

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

Jess is actively seeking compelling literary and commercial fiction, most genre fiction, and select young adult. She is probably not the right fit for nonfiction.

Send a query letter and the first ten pages of the manuscript to jess@d4eo.com.

Young adult romance, literary fiction, family saga, magical realism, narrative nonfiction, wellness, social activism

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

Jesseca is selectively looking for contemporary YA romance, literary fiction with family stories, strong sense of place, magical or mystical elements or daring voice, and narrative nonfiction in wellness, social activism and purposeful living.

Submit through Jesseca Salky's QueryManager form. Submit to only one SLM agent at a time, no response within 12 weeks means pass.

Adventure, survival, historical fiction, literary fiction, women's fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, suspense, nonfiction

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

Jessica represents everything from novelty board books to adult science fiction and political thrillers, and is drawn to atmospheric adventure and survival stories, historical fiction, literary fiction, women's fiction, hard-science or literary magical realism SFF, adult thrillers and suspense, and selected nonfiction.

Send a query letter and the first three chapters pasted into the body, plus complete synopsis, author bio, social media links, a short description of other completed works, and contact information. Attachments are not opened unless requested.

Literary fiction, crime fiction, thriller, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, commercial fiction, book club fiction, upmarket fiction, history, sport, popular science

Entertaining and diverse fiction with well-told stories, big ideas, emotional hooks and gripping plots. In commercial fiction, particularly interested in crime, thriller, book group and upmarket titles, as well as historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy. In non-fiction, looks for expertise, fresh ideas and genuine passion for the subject, working across history, sport and popular science.

Direct queries about submissions to Isobel@rcwlitagency.com.

Debut fiction, mystery, new adult, paranormal fiction, science fiction, fantasy, romance, general fiction, literary fiction, parenting, advice, relationships

Wants: Query letter

Josi represents fiction and selected nonfiction, with interests including romance, dark romance, contemporary romance, fantasy/urban fantasy, paranormal, new adult, romantic suspense/crime, mystery, fresh perspectives, parenting, advice, and relationships.

Use Beck Literary Agency's Work With Us route or current submission form. Query materials should follow the current agency form instructions.

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.

Fiction

Thought-provoking and intelligent fiction (commercial or literary)

Email submissions@thenorthlitagency.com

Fiction and non-fiction

Literary/book club/romantic fiction, character-led "gentler" crime in communities, non-fiction including relationships, pop culture, social history, food, some cookery/illustrated. Not currently considering memoir

Email juliet@blakefriedmann.co.uk with your cover letter as the body of the email. Attach a full synopsis of 250-300 words and the first three chapters or first 10,000 words as Word documents (.doc or .docx). Name each attachment with the book title and your name. Include your title and name in the subject line. Do not send PDFs or external links.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, food writing, journalism

Wants: Query letter, first five pages, author bio

Kate is particularly interested in literary and upmarket fiction, memoir and narrative nonfiction that contributes to conversations that move society forward, with strong narrative voices and clear confidence of intention.

Submit through Kate Garrick's QueryManager form. Submit to only one SLM agent at a time, no response within 12 weeks means pass.

Young adult, science fiction, fantasy, horror, romance, mystery, thriller, literary fiction, historical fiction, contemporary fiction

Wants: Query letter, first three chapters, full proposal for nonfiction

Laura represents YA, science fiction, fantasy, horror, romance, mystery, thriller, literary fiction with speculative elements, and select contemporary and historical fiction. She is aggressively looking in adult horror, mystery, and thriller, and is interested in genre-crossing work.

Submit through QueryManager. Follow standard query-letter format, query one Headwater agent at a time, and do not email queries.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, investigative journalism

Sweeping narratives with voice-driven prose, particularly genre-bending projects that offer fresh perspectives. Timeless stories exploring migration, family, socioeconomic inequality, and speculative worlds that reveal complicated truths about our own reality. Also select narrative nonfiction, memoir, and investigative journalism projects; across all genres, books that uplift historically underrepresented voices.

Submit queries through Aevitas Creative Management's contact and submissions form or contact the agency directly by phone at and 1 (212) 765-6900.

Fiction, nonfiction, young adult, commercial fiction, literary fiction, book club fiction, thriller, speculative fiction, food, true crime, pop culture, history

Wants: Query letter

Lily represents fiction and nonfiction, including YA, from commercial to literary. She is actively looking for novels with strong hooks, propulsive plots, book club appeal, nuanced female perspectives, high-concept thrillers, speculative fiction, atmospheric settings, strange women in strange circumstances, and nonfiction on food, true crime, pop culture, and untold history with a feminist angle.

Submit through the Sterling Lord Literistic submissions form. The agency asks writers to complete the form by email and says it only responds if interested.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, nonfiction, memoir, biography, history, psychology, science, parenting, cookbooks, how-to, self-help, business, finance, young adult, middle grade, children's, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages, credentials

Writers House represents adult and juvenile fiction and nonfiction, including literary and commercial fiction, science fiction/fantasy, memoir, history, psychology, science, parenting, cookbooks, how-to, self-help, business, finance, young adult, juvenile books, picture books and illustrators.

Email an individual Writers House agent with a query letter, credentials, an explanation of what makes the book unique, a synopsis, and ten pages in the body of the email. Check individual Publishers Marketplace profiles for agent-specific requirements.

Commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, mystery, romance, children's books, women's fiction, general fiction, literary fiction, trade nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, sample pages

The agency works with commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers and mysteries, romance, children's books, women's fiction, general fiction, literary fiction with a strong narrative hook, and trade nonfiction.

Email agent@ethanellenberg.com, indicating the agent, manuscript title, and genre in the subject line. Paste all materials in the body: for fiction, query letter, 1-2 page synopsis, and first 50 pages, for nonfiction, query letter, outline, and sample chapters up to 50 pages.

Fiction and non-fiction

Commercial women's fiction with strong hook/twisty plots/emotion/drama, eclectic list. Agency also considers crime/mystery/suspense/thrillers, horror, historical, commercial and literary, non-fiction including politics/current affairs, environment, lifestyle, popular science, self-help/how-to, true crime

Email submissions@cmm.agency with a one-paragraph author biography, a one-paragraph blurb or hook including genre and audience, a short synopsis covering plot, setting, theme and characters, and the first three chapters as an attachment. Manuscript must be double or 1.5 line-spaced, with wide margins, in a font no smaller than 12-point (preferably Times New Roman), fully page-numbered, with your name, address, contact number and email on the first page.

Literary fiction, historical fiction, psychological suspense, crime, thrillers, non-fiction

Multi-generational domestic novels that follow characters over a significant time frame, particularly those exploring the intricacies of female familial relationships. Pre-twentieth century historical fiction. Big, pacy standalone crime and thriller novels, preferably with surprising twists. Non-fiction with an element of mystery and discovery, especially books that challenge readers to re-examine previously held conceptions of history.

Email submissions@hardmanswainson.com naming Lucy Malone in your cover email. For fiction, attach a one-page synopsis and the full manuscript. For non-fiction, include a covering email outlining the book, why it has a place on the bookshelf, and why you are qualified to write it, along with a proposal and a sample chapter or the whole work if completed. Submit to one agent only, do not email individual agent addresses.

Literary fiction, historical fiction, romance, nonfiction, graphic memoir, journalism

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Imaginative, genre-bending literary fiction and capacious historical novels that push boundaries, beautifully told queer stories, and smart, feminist romance. In nonfiction, projects that probe assumptions and invite nuance, with special attention to queer, trans, and underrepresented experiences, as well as narratives exploring culture, technology, food, and the environment.

Submit your query via Query Manager at the link provided. Include a cover letter, synopsis, and sample pages as appropriate for your project.

Fantasy, speculative fiction, romantic fantasy, romantic fiction, general fiction, literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, memoir, cookery

Grounded fantasy with light magical elements edging toward speculative or dystopic, with exceptionally strong world-building. Romantic fantasy with compelling protagonists, particularly a queer male lead or a non-binary/gender-neutral vampire story. Romantic fiction with a strong USP, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, competitive settings, and crossover with horror or crime. General fiction exploring friendship over time, sibling relationships, ensemble casts, and modern loose retellings of classics or plays — especially an own-voices retelling of The Crucible from Abigail Williams' perspective. In non-fiction: narrative memoir with a fresh angle, pop and fan culture exploring why topics trend online, and cookbooks from authors with strong social media platforms.

Email submissions@greeneheaton.co.uk with your covering letter in the body of the email and attachments as Word Documents. Include Mia Dakin's name in the subject line. Fiction: first three chapters or around fifty pages plus a one-to-two page synopsis that reveals the ending. Non-fiction: three sample chapters or around fifty pages plus a proposed chapter summary, your reasons for writing the book, and your intended readership. AI-generated or AI-edited submissions are not accepted.

Nonfiction, literary fiction, science fiction, fantasy

Nonfiction that illuminates the past and present across arts, pop culture, education, politics, sociology, and technology, with a vision toward more just and equitable futures; also select genre fiction with literary merit, particularly science fiction and fantasy stories that explore new worlds while revealing something essential about our own.

Submit through Aevitas Creative Management's contact and submissions form.

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.

Narrative nonfiction, popular science, spirituality, history, biography, pop culture, business, technology, parenting, health, self-help, music, food, thriller, crime fiction, science fiction, fantasy, military fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, young adult

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, bio, opening pages

Peter specializes in high-quality fiction and nonfiction, including narrative nonfiction, popular science, spirituality, history, biography, pop culture, business and technology, parenting, health, self-help, music, food, literate thrillers, crime fiction, science fiction, fantasy, military fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, and some boy-oriented young adult.

Query Peter through the QueryTracker link on his FinePrint profile. FinePrint asks writers not to submit to more than one FinePrint agent at a time and to follow the selected agent's preferred submission method.

Fiction and non-fiction

Thrillers, commercial fiction, historical and literary fiction, narrative non-fiction (history, natural history, politics, military)

Email - philip@marjacq.com

Crime, thrillers, literary thriller, commercial thriller, fantasy, dystopian, literary speculative fiction, dark academia, horror, high-concept book club fiction

Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, first three chapters

Characters with dark pasts, tragic futures or buried trauma. Crime and thrillers across the literary and commercial spectrum, fantasy, dystopian fiction, literary speculative fiction, dark academia, horror, and high-concept book club fiction.

Email submissions@mushens-entertainment.com with the subject line 'Fiction Submission: TITLE OF YOUR WORK', addressed to Rachel Neely. Include a cover letter in the body of the email, a synopsis as an attachment, and a PDF or Word document of your first three chapters, first 10–15,000 words, or first 50 pages. Manuscript must be complete at time of submission.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, narrative memoir, family saga, high society fiction, speculative fiction, magical realism, contemporary fiction, upmarket suspense, psychological thriller, postcolonial fiction, translated fiction, classical retellings

Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, first three chapters, first ten thousand words, proposal, writing sample

Rachel Yeoh is a literary agent building a list in literary, upmarket, and book club fiction, as well as select narrative nonfiction. She is actively looking for literary, upmarket, book club, global stories, human experience, social critique, class conflict, speculative fiction, family sagas, contemporary fiction, upmarket suspense, psychological thriller, postcolonial literature, translated fiction, classical retellings, and narrative memoir.

Submit through the relevant Madeleine Milburn online form and select Rachel Yeoh where available. Adult fiction submissions require a cover letter pasted into the form and one attachment containing a one-page synopsis plus the first three chapters or first 10,000 words. Nonfiction submissions require a cover letter and one document containing a 5,000 to 10,000 word sample and proposal. Do not submit by post or directly to email addresses.

Literary fiction, crime, thriller, narrative non-fiction, history, politics, culture, psychology, science, nature

Fiction: literary fiction (broadly including book-club) and crime and thriller, excited by risks with voice/form/storytelling, compulsive, ideaful, humane. Non-fiction: original thinkers/writers in history, politics, culture, psychology, science, nature/environment (not straightforward memoir or academic monographs)

Email - submissions@rebeccacarterliterary.com

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, suspense, women's fiction, contemporary romance, young adult, journalistic nonfiction, memoir

Wants: Query letter, first chapter

Rebecca is interested in commercial and literary fiction with a focus on literary novels of suspense, women's fiction, contemporary romance, and young adult, as well as journalistic nonfiction and memoir. Most of all, she is looking for great stories told in strong voices.

Email queries@rfliterary.com with only a brief query letter of no more than three paragraphs and the first chapter pasted into the email, not exceeding fifteen double-spaced pages. Do not send attachments. Queries sent directly to Rebecca are deleted.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, literary fiction, general fiction, historical fiction, women's fiction, humor, drama

Wants: Query letter, first twenty pages

Ritu is looking for kidlit, including picture books, middle grade and young adult novels; literary fiction such as drama, fairy tales and fiction in verse; general fiction including women's fiction, humor, realistic fiction, satire and tragedy; historical fiction, women's historical fiction, historical romantic fiction and historical fantasy.

Send a query letter and the first twenty pages of the manuscript to ritu@d4eo.com.

Literary fiction, reading group fiction, commercial fiction, narrative non-fiction, nature writing, memoir, politics, social issues

Fiction and non-fiction that stimulates debate, comments on the world around us, and evokes an emotional response; especially literary and reading group fiction and stories with commercial cross-over appeal; in non-fiction, most interested in narrative non-fiction, nature writing, memoir, politics, and social issues

For fiction, email a cover letter and the first three chapters to submissions@robertcaskie.com. For non-fiction, email a detailed outline, a sample chapter, and an introductory email to submissions@robertcaskie.com. Do not send children's, crime and thriller, YA, horror, or SF. Responses are only sent to those from whom more material is requested.

Fiction and non-fiction

Accessible literary and book club fiction with strong voice, historical fiction (e.g., like Sarah Waters), subversive/funny non-fiction, art or food (fiction or non-fiction)

Email - sabhbh.curran@curtisbrown.co.uk

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, crime, thrillers, historical fiction, children's, young adult, non-fiction

Literary and commercial fiction, crime, thrillers, and historical fiction. Particularly excited by debut authors and actively welcomes submissions of the highest standard. Not currently considering science fiction and fantasy.

Submit by email to sam@rcwlitagency.com. Due to the volume of submissions received, you should assume no response within eight weeks indicates a rejection.