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.

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.

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.

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.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, nonfiction, literary criticism, essay collections, idea-driven nonfiction, technology, data, tennis

Wants: Query letter

Tyler is actively building a list of distinctive, voice-driven writers. He is drawn to literary and upmarket fiction with emotional depth and narrative momentum, and nonfiction centering marginalized voices, literary criticism, essay collections, ambitious idea-driven projects, data and its cultural implications, and tennis.

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.

Fiction and non-fiction, literary estates

Broad/omnivorous tastes, excited by new literary voices, sprawling literary fiction, ambitious/speculative, would like a well-characterised, genuinely thrilling thriller, narrative non-fiction that reads like fiction, food writing, fresh takes on cookery

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

Fiction, literary fiction, nonfiction, technology, history, world affairs, foreign policy

Wants: Query letter, author bio, first three chapters, book proposal

Warren focuses primarily on fiction, with particular nonfiction interests in technology, history, world affairs, and foreign policy.

Email a brief query letter directly to frazier@jhalit.com, or send a general query to jha@jhalit.com. Include genre, summary or synopsis, word count, and writing background. Fiction should include the first three chapters or opening chapter as one Word attachment, nonfiction should include a proposal as one Word attachment.

Literary fiction, thriller, non-fiction, cultural commentary, history, science, politics, psychoanalysis, poetry

Wants: Cover letter, biographical note, first three chapters (fiction) or proposal (non-fiction)

Extraordinary and precisely crafted literary fiction in the vein of Anita Brookner, Jenny Offill, and Gwendoline Riley—work that transforms everyday experience into elegant prose. She is also drawn to literary fiction that plays with genre, including political and erotic thrillers with astute characterization and propulsive pacing, as well as narratives exploring obsession, infatuation, longing, and belonging. In contemporary prose, she looks for playful, innovative writing with sharp observation and wit—novels that assess humanity with shrewdness, clarity, and humour. For non-fiction: stylish writing and fresh perspectives on history, science, politics, and cultural commentary from experts, academics, journalists, and critics writing for trade audiences, as well as experimental, genre-defying work and thought-provoking writing on psychoanalysis and therapy.

Send a brief cover letter along with a biographical note and either the first three chapters of your work (if fiction) or a proposal (if non-fiction) to kat@lexingtonliterary.co.uk.

Narrative nonfiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, illustrated books, biography, history, politics, public life, music, architecture, art, design, food, culinary culture, memoir, cultural criticism, counterculture, place-based writing

William Clark represents serious narrative nonfiction, select literary and upmarket fiction, and illustrated books with cultural authority by authors whose work combines narrative force, intellectual rigor, and a distinct point of view. He is especially drawn to biography, history, politics and public life, music, architecture, art and design, food and culinary culture, memoir with a larger lens, cultural criticism, counterculture, and place-based writing.

Representation queries are accepted only through the official representation-query form on the William Clark Associates website. They are not accepted by telephone, postal mail, or courier mail.

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, speculative fiction, narrative nonfiction, subject-led nonfiction, poetry

Wants: Literary-spectrum fiction (incl speculative); narrative-forward nonfiction with original idea/voice; not currently taking on new poets

Literary novels that prioritise plot and find fun, surprising ways to explore ideas or a moment in time — entertaining, thought-provoking, and ideally moving. Open to work that plays with and elevates genre. In nonfiction, drawn to original ideas with unique, narrative-driven telling, whether from journalists, memoirists, thought leaders, academics, or cultural figures. Not currently taking on new poets.

Email submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk with the agent's name in the subject line. For fiction, attach the first three chapters or fifty pages plus a short synopsis as Word-compatible files. For narrative nonfiction, attach a short overview and up to 10,000 words of sample writing. For subject-led nonfiction, attach a proposal of around 5,000 words and at least 5,000 words of sample writing. Include a cover letter with a book description, any writing credits or qualifications, and a brief bio. Do not submit directly to the agent's assistant.

Fiction and non-fiction

Literary fiction, social history, travel and cookery

Email an enquiry, synopsis, and first three chapters to submissions@artellusltd.co.uk. Postal submissions are not accepted.

Book club, crime or thriller, upmarket, literary fiction, narrative non-fiction

Characters that linger, strong setting, book club, high-concept crime/thriller, upmarket/literary, narrative non-fiction with investigative/social commentary. Not children/YA, not SFF

Email - booksubmissions@42mp.com

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, narrative non-fiction, poetry

Literary fiction with clarity, energy and intention, ambitious structure/craft, tactile/idiosyncratic sentences, strange/spooked books, big family novels and love stories, literary genre-bending. Non-fiction: literary biography, social/cultural/oral history, creative scholarship, memoir/essay, interests include art, design, psychoanalysis, food, women's lives

Email submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk with subject line marked FAO Harriet Moore. Include a cover letter with a short book description, any writing credits or qualifications, and a brief bio. For fiction, attach the first three chapters or 50 pages plus a short synopsis. For narrative non-fiction, attach a short overview and up to 10,000 words of sample writing. For subject-led non-fiction, attach a proposal of approximately 5,000 words and at least 5,000 words of sample writing. Attachments should be Microsoft Word compatible. Submit to one agent only, no postal submissions. If you have not heard back within three months, treat this as a pass.

Literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, crime, sci-fi, poetry

Literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, well-crafted crime and sci-fi, building a curated list of poetry

Send a covering letter, a synopsis of approximately 500 words, and the first three chapters by post to Georgina Capel Associates Ltd, 29 Wardour Street, London W1D 6PS (mark envelope 'Submissions Department'), or by email to irene@georginacapel.com. Include your email address and or or telephone number. AI-generated content is not accepted.

Literary fiction and narrative non-fiction

Fiction: stunning sentences, convincing narratives, on-the-page magic. Non-fiction: narrative, personal accounts with political context, transporting/teaching. Original voices and captivating storytelling

Email submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk with the subject line marked FAO Lisa Baker. For fiction, attach the first three chapters or up to fifty pages plus a short synopsis as Word-compatible files. For narrative non-fiction, include a short overview and up to 10,000 words of sample writing, for subject-led non-fiction, a proposal of approximately 5,000 words and at least 5,000 words of sample writing. Include a cover letter with a brief book description, any writing credits or qualifications, and a short biographical note. Submit to one agent only, do not contact agents' assistants directly.

Fiction and non-fiction

Fiction: literary/upmarket with escapism and page-turning readability, big high-stakes love stories from original angles. Non-fiction: writers shifting public discourse, health, medicine, history, politics, biographies/memoirs, cookery, art, music, lifestyle with a strong angle

Email submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk with subject line marked FAO Monica MacSwan. For fiction, attach the first three chapters or fifty pages plus a short synopsis. For narrative non-fiction, attach a short overview and up to 10,000 words of sample writing. For subject-led non-fiction, attach a proposal of approximately 5,000 words and no less than 5,000 words of sample writing. Include a cover letter with a brief description of the book, any writing credits or qualifications, and a short biographical note. All attachments should be Microsoft Word compatible.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, short story collections

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

Email: polly@georginacapel.com

Fiction and non-fiction

Pacy romcoms, dark literary, historical forgotten perspectives, under-represented voices, non-fiction provoking discussion (memoir/polemic/recovered histories/culture studies/self-help)

Email af.submission@dhhliteraryagency.com with cover letter, one-page synopsis, and first three chapters for fiction. For non-fiction, send a proposal including an overview, author bio, chapter breakdown, sources, sample chapter, comparable titles, media links, and any praise.

Nonfiction, science, history, memoir, cultural criticism, investigative journalism, business, fiction, literary fiction, genre fiction

Wants: Query letter, first twenty-five pages

Ben works alongside Celeste Fine on bestselling nonfiction and fiction. He loves nonfiction that translates big ideas for broad audiences, especially science, history, memoir, cultural criticism, investigative journalism, and business. In fiction, he is looking for smart takes on genre and accessible literary fiction with social and historical context.

Email queries@parkfinebrower.com and specify Ben Kaslow-Zieve 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.

Narrative nonfiction, idea-driven nonfiction, science, technology, nature, social justice, psychology, culture, literary memoir, cultural criticism, essays, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, psychological thriller, romantic comedy

Wants: Query letter, first ten to fifteen pages, proposal

Caroline Eisenmann is drawn to narrative and idea-driven nonfiction shaped by expansive curiosity, especially work that makes hidden structures more legible, including science, technology, nature, social justice, psychology, culture, capitalism, deeply reported narratives, literary memoir, cultural criticism, and essays. In adult literary and upmarket fiction, she responds to speculative elements used for emotional truth, obsession, ruthless narrators, intimacy and its discontents, social issues on a human scale, underrepresented voices, visceral prose, vivid consciousness, driving plot, upmarket psychological thrillers, and romantic comedies.

Send Caroline Eisenmann a query at ce@goldinlit.com. For fiction, memoir, essays, or narrative nonfiction, include 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.

Nonfiction, fiction, literary fiction, short stories, business, leadership, psychology, health, wellness, technology, memoir, public affairs

Wants: Query letter, first fifteen pages, proposal

Christy is Partner and Co-Head of UTA Publishing. She represents influential nonfiction authors and institutions as well as bestselling novelists and short story writers, with a list spanning business, leadership, psychology, health, wellness, technology, memoir, public affairs, literary fiction, and commercial fiction with strong storytelling and voice.

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

Literary fiction, innovative fiction, humor, nonfiction, history, art, social commentary, political commentary, nature writing

Wants: Cover letter, writing sample, synopsis, proposal

Cora MacGregor is Associate Agent and Assistant to Patrick Walsh at PEW Literary. She is drawn to generically and formally innovative literary fiction that speaks to the present moment, or anything that makes her laugh. Her nonfiction interests are diverse and include history, art, social and political commentary, and nature writing.

Submit to PEW Literary by email at submissions@pewliterary.com or by post. Email submissions should be in Word or PDF format, 1.5 or double-spaced, with a cover letter. Fiction submissions should follow PEW's fiction guidelines, and nonfiction submissions should follow PEW's nonfiction guidelines. Do not send a stamped addressed envelope for postal submissions, include an email address for response.

Literary fiction, literary horror, grounded fantasy, romance, queer romance, body horror, essay collections, new adult, young adult, lgbtq and, pop culture, fashion

Wants: Query letter, sample chapters

Dani is building her list and is looking for literary fiction that keeps her up at night, literary horror, grounded fantasy and romance with real emotion, atmospheric work, girlhood, nostalgia, queer romance, body horror, Los Angeles stories, and essay collections about home, the body, and family.

Sterling Lord Literistic asks writers to submit through the agency submissions route and choose only one SLL agent. Dani's Manuscript Wish List says submissions should be emailed to submissions@sll.com with a query letter and first three chapters.

Literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, current affairs, politics, pop culture, popular science, history, journalism, memoir, biography

David Kuhn is co-CEO of Aevitas Creative Management. His official Aevitas profile says he represents literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, current affairs, politics, pop culture, popular science, history, journalism, memoir, and biography.

Submit through the official Aevitas contact or submissions page if David Kuhn is available in the agent dropdown. Aevitas asks writers to include a query letter and, for nonfiction, a proposal if available, for fiction, include sample pages as directed by the form. Do not send unsolicited material outside the official route.

Literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, writing rooted in place, crime, literary suspense, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Duvall represents literary fiction and narrative nonfiction, with interests including writing rooted in place, especially the South, multigenerational storytelling, crime, literary suspense, and graphic novels.

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

Fiction, non-fiction, poetry

Story-led and character-driven novels, rich worldbuilding (realist/speculative, contemporary/historical). Non-fiction: history, politics, philosophy, psychology, true crime, narrative sports writing, literary biography, academics, journalists, critics

Email submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk with the subject line marked FAO Emma Paterson. For fiction, attach the first three chapters or fifty pages plus a short synopsis as Word-compatible files. For narrative non-fiction, send a short overview and up to 10,000 words of sample writing, for subject-led non-fiction, send a proposal of approximately 5,000 words outlining the book and your credentials, plus at least 5,000 words of sample writing. Include a cover letter with a brief book description, any writing credits or relevant qualifications, and a short biographical note. Note whether you are submitting simultaneously to other agencies.

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.

Upmarket fiction, literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, cultural history, cultural criticism, sociology, anthropology

Wants: Query letter, first few chapters

Iwalani Kim is seeking adult upmarket and literary fiction and select nonfiction. In fiction she loves coming-of-age narratives, family dramas, stories that challenge systems of power, strong voice or place, realism with speculative elements, lush prose, wry humor, irreverent characters, and yearning. In nonfiction she is looking for memoir, cultural histories, cultural criticism, history, design and architecture, sociology, anthropology, and work from a leftist angle. She especially wants to work with underrepresented authors and Pacific Islander writers.

Email Iwalani Kim at ikim@sjga.com with the subject line Query: [book title] by [your name]. Include a brief pitch letter and the first few chapters in the body of the email. Greenburger says not to query more than one Greenburger agent at a time.

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.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, suspense, thrillers, memoir, narrative nonfiction, young adult

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, sample chapter

Julie Stevenson represents literary and upmarket fiction, suspense and thrillers, memoir, narrative nonfiction, and YA. She is drawn to fiction with unforgettable characters, authorial command of voice, and strong narrative tension. She loves outsiders, weirdos, innovators, and work that explores the depths of human experience and facets of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, social class, and regional background.

Email queries directly to julie@mmqalit.com. Format the subject as Query: BOOK TITLE, category. Include the first 10 pages of the manuscript, or for nonfiction a sample chapter, pasted into the body of the email with no attachments.