Middle Grade Literary Agents Open to Submissions

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

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

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

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

Picture books, mg fiction, ya fiction, adult commercial fiction, fantasy, mystery or thriller, upmarket women's fiction

Picture Books: Author/Illustrators ONLY. MG fiction: funny, mad-cap adventures; epic fantasy; magical realism; high-concept twists; strong plots and voices. YA fiction: commercial and high-concept fiction (all genres). Plot-driven and escapist books. Humor, imagination, adventure, romance. Adult commercial fiction (accessible fantasy, mystery/thriller, upmarket women's fiction). Fun, escapist reads. Great hooks. Great writing.

Use QueryManager link provided

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, adult fiction, young adult, middle grade, short stories, narrative nonfiction, memoir, historical fiction

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

Leigh Feldman Literary is particularly interested in historical fiction, contemporary YA, literary fiction, memoir and narrative nonfiction. The agency is not interested in adult or YA paranormal, fantasy, science fiction, romance, thrillers, mysteries or picture books.

Email a query letter and the first ten pages of the manuscript or proposal to query@lfliterary.com.

Middle grade, young adult, new adult, adult fiction, fantasy, dystopian, mystery, horror, contemporary fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, science fiction

Wants: Query letter

Jenissa is looking for middle grade, YA, New Adult and adult projects, especially high-concept fantasy, near-future dystopia, mysteries in fresh settings, genre-blending horror and coming-of-age contemporary work centered on strong emotional journeys.

Submit through Jenissa Graham's QueryManager form from her official BookEnds profile.

Middle grade, young adult, romance, science fiction, fantasy, commercial fiction, contemporary fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

She is looking for characters who aren't afraid to stand up for their convictions and beliefs. She's open to all genres of middle grade and especially loves stories that push the Middle Grade boundary. She represents all genres in Young Adult and in adult fiction adores swoony romances, light science fiction or fantasy, commercial fiction, and heartwarming or heart wrenching contemporaries. She enjoys feminist stories that highlight women's experiences, strong female friendship narratives, unique voices, diverse perspectives, vivid settings, and stories that explore tough topics.

Submit through QueryManager with query letter, 1-2 page synopsis, and sample pages of either 3 chapters or first 30 pages. Format submissions with double spacing, Times New Roman 12pt font, 1 inch margins, and indent each new paragraph.

Children's fiction, ya, graphic novels, illustrated fiction

Bold, commercial, zeitgeisty children's/YA, prioritises under-represented voices, not currently taking on new picture book clients

Email sohoagencychildrenssubmissions@gmail.com with first 3 chapters or first 30 pages, a synopsis, and a covering letter, addressed FAO Lydia Silver.

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

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

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

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

Fiction and non-fiction

Most fiction and non-fiction; not accepting picture books, YA/MG (except existing clients), screenplays, scripts, or poetry at this time

Email the first thirty pages, a synopsis, and a covering letter to submissions@davidgodwinassociates.co.uk

Fiction and non-fiction

Most genres/categories for adults and younger readers (excludes plays, screenplays, poetry, 'self-help' non-fiction, picture books)

Email a brief outline and the opening three chapters (around 10,000 words) to mail@antonyharwood.com. Fiction writers who are unpublished should only submit once their manuscript is complete.

Middle grade, ya, adult fiction

MG adventures (fresh), funny MG with series potential, contemporary and mythology for MG, YA romance with strong hook. Adult: women's fiction, dark psychological thrillers, contemporary funny romantic adventure

Email - jo@antonyharwood.com

Author-illustrators, picture books, board books, middle grade, young adult, children's books, poetry

Wants: Query letter, portfolio link, picture book dummy, first three pages, bio, comparison titles

Authors and author-illustrators of books for children and teens, including board books, picture books, fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, Middle Grade, and Young Adult. She does not want adult projects and does very few chapter books or Young Adult projects.

Email the full text for board books or picture books in the body of the message. Author-illustrators should include a link to the dummy and sample illustrated pages, with no attachments. Longer works should include the first three pages, project description, bio information, relevant experience, recent comparison titles, audience notes, and why Mary Cummings may be a fit.

Author-illustrators, picture books, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult, children's books

Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, portfolio link, art samples, picture book dummy, first 20 pages, graphic novel sample

Author-illustrators who write their own picture books and graphic novels, Middle Grade fiction and nonfiction, and Young Adult fiction. LK Literary Agency does not represent adult work, picture book text-only authors, or illustrators who are not yet writing their own work.

Email a cover letter with pitch, synopsis, contact information, and online presence in the body of the message. Novel submissions should paste the first 20 pages into the email. Emailed illustrator portfolios are accepted at 72 dpi, online portfolios are welcome, picture book dummies should be PDF attachments, and graphic novel submissions should include a PDF of two to three illustrated chapters with text.

Picture books, novelty, pre-school, middle grade, narrative non-fiction, general non-fiction, gift, comics, graphic novels, activity books

Exceptional children's book creators, with a particular interest in inventive approaches to familiar themes, passion projects from diverse and exceptional new talents, and innovative formats that push the boundaries of children's publishing. Books that spark curiosity and wonder, especially visually extraordinary objects that reward repeated reading.

Review David Higham's submission guidelines before submitting. Send your work by email to isobelsubmissions@davidhigham.co.uk. If you do not receive a response within twelve weeks, the agent will not be pursuing your work.

Illustrators, children's illustration, educational publishing, religious publishing

Wants: Pdf portfolio, website link, art samples

Artists for children's illustration projects, especially work that connects clients and artists for education and religion publishing.

Use the official Bright submissions form. Illustrators should upload a PDF portfolio with at least 10 samples and a website or social media link. Author-illustrators should follow the relevant picture book or Middle Grade instructions and include art samples.

Illustrators, children's illustration, middle grade, non-fiction, poetry

Wants: Pdf portfolio, website link, art samples

Artists and visual storytellers for children's books, with a background in Middle Grade fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and illustrated storytelling.

Use the official Bright submissions form. Illustrators should upload a PDF portfolio with at least 10 samples and a website or social media link. Author-illustrators should follow the relevant picture book or Middle Grade instructions and include art samples.

Fiction, non-fiction

Wide taste, currently especially women's commercial fiction/romance, funny books, untold/queer histories, and diverse voices in narrative food/travel/nature writing

Email submissions@lutyensrubinstein.co.uk with a cover letter, short synopsis, and the first three chapters or approximately 5,000 words.

Illustrators, children's illustration, children's books

Wants: Pdf portfolio, website link, art samples

Children's illustration artists and publishing projects, with experience in children's trade titles and digital illustration.

Use the official Bright submissions form. Illustrators should upload a PDF portfolio with at least 10 samples and a website or social media link. Author-illustrators should follow the relevant picture book or Middle Grade instructions and include art samples.

Illustrators, author-illustrators, children's illustration, picture books

Wants: Pdf portfolio, website link, art samples

Trade children's book illustrators and author-illustrators, with a focus on visual storytelling, portfolio development, and author-illustrated picture book stories.

Use the official Bright submissions form. Illustrators should upload a PDF portfolio with at least 10 samples and a website or social media link. Author-illustrators should follow the relevant picture book or Middle Grade instructions and include art samples.

Literary fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, historical fiction, romantic comedy, gothic, horror, crime, psychological thriller, speculative fiction, ya, middle grade, memoir, narrative non-fiction, true crime

Literary and upmarket commercial fiction of all kinds, especially meditative or moving novels about modern life with warmth and heart alongside sharpness. Historical and period fiction that sheds light on untold stories, ambitious cross-centuries narratives, and historical mysteries. High-concept love stories and romantic comedies with depth. Gothic, horror, murder mysteries, ghost stories, psychological thrillers, speculative and magical realist fiction, and novels with a true-crime feel. A small list of YA and middle grade that feels current and contemporary with a real conversation at its core — not currently seeking fantasy or anything younger than middle grade. On the non-fiction side: memoirs of extraordinary people, narrative non-fiction on subjects the author is passionate about, books on mental health, untold stories across popular science, history and popular culture, and a brilliant true crime book. Particularly keen on LGBTQI+ stories and diverse voices from across the globe. Not currently looking for cookery, wellness, or lifestyle.

Email submissions@greeneheaton.co.uk with your covering letter in the body of the email. Include the agent's name in the subject line. Fiction: attach the first three chapters or around fifty pages plus a one-to-two page synopsis that reveals the ending, as Word documents. Non-fiction: attach three sample chapters or around fifty pages plus a chapter summary or synopsis, and explain why you are best placed to write the book and who the intended readership is. AI-generated or AI-edited content is not accepted. No postal submissions.

Narrative non-fiction, memoir, historical fiction, literary fiction, history, pop culture, cultural studies, women's studies, natural history, children's

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Katherine loves books that explore the lesser-known territories of human experience.

For fiction, include a cover letter listing previously published work, a one-page summary and the first five pages in the body of the email (not as an attachment). For non-fiction, query first. When a proposal is requested, include an author biography, overview, chapter-by-chapter summary, marketing and publicity plan, analysis of competitive titles, and sample chapters or text.

Children's books

Actively seeking new clients, MG adventure/series potential, YA romance and fantasy, horror/monster stories, contemporary teen, queer/found-family, SFF across YA/new adult (not grimdark)

Email - childrens@darleyanderson.com

Picture books, cookbooks, middle grade, young adult, science fiction, fantasy, horror, suspense, contemporary fiction, upmarket women's fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir

Jennifer Wills is a literary agent at The Seymour Agency. She is interested in a wide range of picture books and cookbooks, especially author-illustrators of sweet and wacky picture books and cookbooks with health-conscious, budget-friendly, or celebrity-chef recipes. In fiction she is interested in middle grade and YA with a sci-fi/fantasy, horror/suspense, or contemporary bent, and upmarket women's fiction with a sense of humor. In nonfiction she welcomes narrative nonfiction and memoir. She wants a great hook, a distinct voice, and work that can make her laugh out loud or ugly cry.

Query Jennifer Wills through her official Seymour QueryManager link: https://querymanager.com or query or JenniferWills. The current Seymour profile also lists jennifer@theseymouragency.com as a contact email, but the public query route is QueryManager.

Children's writers and illustrators (agent)

Strong, sharp storytelling with humour and adventure, not currently accepting picture book texts

Email

Literary fiction, young adult, middle grade, narrative nonfiction, practical nonfiction, biography, history, memoir, pop culture, upmarket women's fiction, food writing, cookbooks

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

Elizabeth focuses on literary fiction, young adult fiction, narrative nonfiction, issue-based nonfiction, history, biography, food writing, cookbooks, memoir, and upmarket women's fiction.

Email a query letter to query@elizabethkaplanlit.com. Do not send attachments, fiction writers may paste the first ten pages into the body of the email. The agency replies only if interested.

Fantasy, romantasy, romance, speculative fiction, magical realism, thriller, science fiction, young adult, middle grade, picture books

Wants: Query letter

Andie is building a list in adult fantasy, romantasy, romance, speculative fiction, thriller, grounded near-future science fiction, young adult fantasy, contemporary, mystery/thriller, eco-fiction, middle grade, and picture books with nature, science, STEM, humor or hopeful themes.

Submit through Andie Smith's QueryManager form. CMA asks writers to query only one CMA agent at a time and to review each agent's bio, wishlist, and QueryManager page before submitting.

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.

Women's fiction, book club fiction, fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, horror, romance, memoir, narrative nonfiction, true crime, cultural issues, lgbtq and, young adult, middle grade

Wants: Query letter

Haley is building a list in adult women's fiction, book club fiction, grounded genre fiction, romance, memoir, narrative nonfiction, true crime, cultural, LGBTQ+ and women's issues, plus young adult and middle grade across contemporary, mystery, fantasy, science fiction and horror.

Submit through Haley Casey's QueryManager form. CMA asks writers to query only one CMA agent at a time and to review each agent's bio, wishlist, and QueryManager page before submitting.

Children's fiction

Children's fiction from emerging readers to YA/crossover. Not picture books

Email - submissions@skylark-literary.com

Children's books, middle grade, young adult, picture books, adult fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first fifty pages

Brianne Johnson is a literary agent at HG Literary. She represents children's books of all stripes, especially character-driven middle grade and young adult fiction, and selectively represents picture books and adult fiction. She is interested in social justice stories, under-represented voices and perspectives, sex positivity, alternative lifestyles, quirky romances, well-researched historical fiction, witchy or mythy genre benders, humor, whimsy, darker settings, and stories that illuminate humanity in fresh and quirky ways.

Submit to Brianne Johnson through her official QueryManager link. Her HG profile asks for a query letter, synopsis, and first fifty pages through QueryManager. HG Literary accepts electronic submissions only and asks writers to query only one HG Literary agent at a time.

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.

Fantasy, science fiction, speculative fiction, crossover fiction, macabre, folklore

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters

Ben is looking for quirky, cozy, character-driven fantasy, science fiction, and other speculative fiction; crossover fiction; the macabre for all ages; off-the-beaten-path folklore; Deaf culture and community; and food-related work.

Submit through the Handspun QueryManager form. Query each project once with the agency.

Commercial fiction, upscale fiction, mystery, thriller, suspense, women's fiction, romance, memoir, narrative nonfiction, practical nonfiction, business, parenting, young adult, middle grade

Wants: Query letter

Paige is looking for unique stories, fresh voices, snappy dialogue, unexpected twists, commercial and upscale fiction, mystery, thriller, suspense, women's fiction, romance, and narrative or prescriptive nonfiction from authors with a platform and new ideas.

Submit through Paige Wheeler's QueryManager form. CMA asks writers to query only one CMA agent at a time, if querying Paige, send to her first because she does not accept pitches previously submitted to another CMA agent.

Fiction, nonfiction, literary fiction, mainstream fiction, children's, young adult, middle grade, picture books, memoir, wellness, self-help, lifestyle

Wants: Query letter

Cindy creates publishing opportunities for clients across a wide array of fiction and nonfiction. CAA client/title pages show representation across adult nonfiction, fiction, young adult, middle grade, and picture books.

Submit through CAA Books Submittable from Cindy Uh's official CAA profile. The CAA profile is marked Accepting Submissions and links directly to the Books Submission form.

Children's fiction, children's nonfiction, young adult, middle grade, picture books, illustrators

Wants: Covering letter, brief pitch, first three chapters, synopsis, complete picture book text, illustration samples

Becky Bagnell founded Lindsay Literary Agency. The agency specialises in writing for children, from picture books to Young Adult fiction and nonfiction for young people. It is currently open to submissions, particularly from diverse or underrepresented authors. It is full for picture book scripts, but actively looking for YA in any genre, middle grade with a strong concept or hook, epic middle-grade fantasy, younger 5-7 stories around 5,000 words, voice-led YA, high-concept YA, contemporary love stories, and romantasy.

Email info@lindsayliteraryagency.co.uk. For novels, attach the first three chapters and a single-page synopsis as two separate double-spaced Word documents, and put a covering letter in the email body with brief author information and a 2-3 sentence pitch. Picture book submissions should include a covering letter and complete story in Word format, illustrators should send small PDF samples and a link to online work. Postal submissions are not accepted.

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.

Romance, horror, contemporary fantasy

Wants: Query letter

She is particularly drawn to books that showcase a strong commercial appeal combined with literary writing. She has a soft spot for stories that break genre boundaries, especially those that incorporate speculative elements or deliver unexpected twists to familiar genre structures. She is looking for stories that are both engaging and thought-provoking, offering readers a truly immersive and memorable reading experience.

Submit via Query Tracker. Unsolicited queries sent to her email address will be deleted unread.