Narrative Non-Fiction Literary Agents Open to Submissions

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.

Fiction, narrative nonfiction, literary fiction, lgbtqia and, bipoc voices

Wants: Query letter, comparable titles, author bio, opening sample pages

Liz Darhansoff founded Darhansoff & Verrill Literary Agents in 1975 and currently takes on select projects with an emphasis on fiction and narrative nonfiction. The agency seeks quality and idiosyncrasy in new projects and says it is a safe, supportive reader for LGBTQIA and BIPOC writers.

Email submissions to submissions@dvagency.com. Keep the query in the body of the email and do not send attachments or online links. Tell the agency about the book clearly and personally, where it would sit on shelves, comparable titles or authors, and a little about yourself, your writing history, and your professional background. The agency is happy to review a brief opening sample pasted in the email body, for essays or stories, limit the sample to 2 or 3 pieces.

Fiction, memoir, narrative non-fiction, science, religion, nature writing, reportage

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

She seeks strong stories and exhilarating ideas in reportage, memoir, narrative nonfiction, science, religion, nature writing, and fiction. She loves writers who extend empathy, resist all manner of tyrannies, and entertain, wanting pages that whip by and spark wide conversation.

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 the sample pages in the body of the email below your query. Direct your submission to an individual agent and send your material to submissions@janklow.com.

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.

Fiction, narrative nonfiction, current affairs, memoir, food, culture, american west, literary fiction, thriller

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

Bonnie represents writers of fiction and narrative nonfiction. She is looking for narrative nonfiction covering the natural world, current events, memoir, food and culture, and stories focused on the American West; in fiction her taste runs to literary, voice-driven and genre-bending fiction and smart thrillers.

Submit through Bonnie Nadell's official online query form. Do not query two Hill Nadell agents simultaneously. Hard-copy queries are also accepted with a query letter, first 10 pages, and SASE.

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 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

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, upmarket fiction, narrative non-fiction, cultural criticism, memoir

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Chris represents literary and upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, and memoir.

Direct your submission to an individual agent and send your material to submissions@janklow.com. For fiction: send an informative description, brief synopsis and first ten pages in the body of the email. For non-fiction: send an informative description, full outline, and first ten pages in the body of the email.

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.

Literary fiction, historical fiction, crime, mystery, thrillers, horror, women's fiction, romance, young adult fiction, memoirs, essays, narrative nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, brief sample in email body

Literary fiction; historical fiction; sophisticated genre (crime, mystery, thrillers, horror); upmarket character-rich women's fiction and smart romance; realism-based young adult fiction; memoirs, essays, and narrative nonfiction. Nonfiction interests include: music, sports, wellness, the natural world, animal welfare, feminism, true crime, sociology, and culture both pop and serious.

Submissions strictly via dedicated email address: submissions@dvagency.com

Crime fiction, thriller, mystery, psychological thriller, supernatural suspense, ghost stories, romantic suspense, historical fiction, women's fiction, middle grade, ya, horror, non-fiction, self-help, narrative non-fiction, memoir

Crime fiction encompassing thriller, mystery, and psychological thriller; supernatural suspense; ghost stories; romantic suspense; historical fiction; women's fiction; children's fiction at middle grade and YA level; horror; and non-fiction including topical, accessible works such as self-help, narrative non-fiction, and memoir. Does not represent science fiction, fantasy, short stories, poetry collections, erotica, or picture books.

Submit by email only. Fiction submissions should include a cover letter in the body of the email, a short bio, a synopsis, and three sample chapters as separate attachments. Non-fiction submissions should include a cover letter in the body of the email, a short bio, a proposal with chapter breakdown, and three sample chapters as separate attachments. Use the submissions page at https://shesto-literary.com or submissions or to send your materials.

Nonfiction, cultural history, social history, popular science, philosophy, narrative nonfiction, memoir, investigative journalism, essays, cultural criticism, literary fiction

Wants: Query letter, bio, comparable books, first twenty pages or proposal

Allison Devereux leads Trellis Literary Management's nonfiction program. She is interested in cultural and social history, popular science, philosophy, deeply reported narrative, outward-facing memoir, investigative journalism, big idea books, essays and criticism, select illustrated projects, and select literary fiction by referral.

Submit through Allison Devereux's official QueryManager form. Trellis accepts unsolicited submissions only through QueryManager and asks writers not to submit to multiple Trellis agents during the 8-12 week review window. Her form asks for author bio, why Trellis, title, word count, genre, query letter, comparable books, and the first 20 pages or full nonfiction proposal.

Narrative nonfiction, memoir, fiction, nonfiction

Amaryah Orenstein is particularly drawn to narrative nonfiction and memoir, but enjoys any book that connects the reader to its characters and evokes thought and feeling.

GO Literary is open to queries via QueryManager only. Submit through the official QueryManager link on the submissions page. GO Literary does not accept submissions by snail mail or social media.

Young adult, poetry, adult fiction, horror, fantasy, romance, romantasy, dark academia, gothic horror, graphic novels, creative nonfiction, memoir

Wants: Query letter

Kenna is looking for LGBTQIA+ adult fiction and YA, horror, fantasy, romance, poetry collections, weird girl fiction, romantasy, dark academia, gothic horror, full-length story collections, graphic novels, and punk memoir or creative nonfiction.

Submit through Kenna's official QueryTracker route.

Literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, bio, comparable books, audience statement

Anna Ghosh has wide and eclectic literary interests. She is particularly interested in literary narratives and books that illuminate some aspect of human endeavor or the natural world, and she is drawn to compelling storytelling in most guises. She does not typically represent genre fiction.

Send submissions to submissions@ghoshliterary.com with an email briefly introducing yourself and your work. Ghosh Literary says no specific format is required, but it is helpful to include qualifications for writing the book, including publications and recognition, who you expect to buy and read the book, and similar books and authors.

Adult fiction, children's fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, health and wellness, sports, history, business, popular culture

Wants: Query letter, proposal, complete manuscript on request

Alex Glass represents fiction and nonfiction for adults and children. His official profile notes debut novelists, memoirists, journalists, celebrities, professional athletes, experts, health and wellness, sports, history, business, narrative nonfiction, memoir, celebrity, and popular culture.

Use the email form on the official Glass Literary Management submissions page to query Alex Glass. GLM prefers concise, well-written queries that describe the book, show an understanding of the marketplace, and for nonfiction explain why the author is the right person to write the book. If interested, GLM will ask for the complete manuscript or proposal.

Literary fiction, popular fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, cookbooks, current affairs, true crime, women's issues, men's issues, multicultural issues, global issues

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio

Andrea represents Spanish, Portuguese, and English-language authors. Indent is interested in literary and popular fiction, memoirs, narrative nonfiction, cookbooks, current affairs, true crime, women's and men's issues, and multicultural or global issues, with a primary focus on Latino and Latin American authors.

Email a query letter to info@indentagency.com. Include a 1-2 page synopsis, author information, publishing background if any, and contact information. Do not send a full manuscript unless requested.

Nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, cultural criticism, essays

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

Alison MacKeen represents idea-driven books that cast new light on human experience, including wellbeing, work, relationships, inequality, cognition, and communication. She is also looking for literary nonfiction, including memoir, about under-covered people, places, and issues, voice-driven cultural criticism and essays, and offbeat wisdom literature.

Send a query letter to submissions@calligraphlit.com with a brief synopsis, short bio, and 25 pages of sample material in the body of the email. Include the agent name, project title, and genre in the subject line. Do not query the agent directly, all submissions must go to the submissions address. No attachments, postal queries, or phone queries.

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

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

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

Adult fiction, young adult, middle grade, nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, true crime memoir

Wants: Online form submission

Stephanie Rostan is Principal at Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency. About three quarters of her clients are fiction. She is drawn to unusual and vivid voices, genre-straddling stories, and intense emotion, whether funny, creepy, warm, or sad, that makes a book stick with the reader. She represents adult, YA, and middle grade projects. In nonfiction she likes projects that solve a problem or make readers see things in a new way, and she has also worked on narrative nonfiction and true crime memoir.

Submit through Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency's official online submission form linked from the official submissions page. Stephanie Rostan's profile lists srostan@lgrliterary.com, but LGR's public submissions route is the agency online form.

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.

Contemporary fiction, historical fiction, memoir, expert nonfiction, narrative nonfiction

Trena Keating is co-founder and agent at Union Literary, where she represents both fiction and nonfiction authors. She is most interested in books that draw readers into new perspectives and settings. She loves contemporary fiction with strong narratives, innovative historical fiction, memoirs with compelling voices, groundbreaking expert-based nonfiction, and accounts that broaden the lens on human experience.

Trena Keating accepts submissions through QueryTracker and by email. The official Union Literary agents page lists tk@unionliterary.com as her contact.

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

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

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

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

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, historical fiction, narrative nonfiction, social history, cultural history, pop culture, fashion, food writing, art, music, women's issues, literary memoir

Wants: Query letter, first chapter

Susan Ramer has been at Don Congdon Associates since 1986. She looks for literary fiction, upmarket book club fiction, both contemporary and historical and especially American, and narrative nonfiction. She is drawn to authentic voice, unforgettable characters with an edge, unfamiliar well-crafted stories that are emotional in unpredictable ways, social history, cultural history, smart pop culture such as fashion, food, art, and music, women's issues, and literary memoir with a distinctive theme. She especially likes nonfiction that combines a personal thread with reporting and analysis of a broader social or cultural issue, and appreciates a sense of humor, especially on the dark side.

Submit to Susan Ramer through her official Don Congdon linked QueryTracker form. Don Congdon says Susan Ramer accepts queries only via QueryTracker. A query letter should be a one-page description or synopsis including genre, word count, comparable titles, and relevant background, with the first chapter included through the applicable QueryTracker section. Query only one Don Congdon agent at a time.

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.

Grounded genre fiction, upmarket romance, psychological thrillers, folk horror, book club fiction, narrative non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, one sentence pitch, first 20 pages, comparable books, biography

Gracie is interested in grounded genre fiction, upmarket romance, psychological thrillers, folk horror, book club fiction, and narrative nonfiction examining culture and social issues. Across young adult and adult categories, she's interested in underrepresented voices, inventive storytelling, and delicious prose.

Submit via Query Manager only. Include query letter, one sentence pitch, first 20 pages, and comparable books. Do not query via email.

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.

Nonfiction, health, medical, religion, spirituality, self-help, parenting, current affairs, history, narrative nonfiction, fiction

Wants: Query letter, bio, first twenty five pages, synopsis or proposal

Carol Mann specializes in nonfiction, including health and medical, religion, spirituality, self-help, parenting, current affairs, history, and narrative nonfiction, while also taking on occasional fiction.

Email queries to submissions@carolmannagency.com and include Carol Mann's name in the subject line. For fiction, send a query letter with a brief bio and first 25 pages pasted into the body. For nonfiction, send a query letter with brief bio, synopsis or proposal, and first 25 pages pasted into the body. Attachments are not opened.

Literary fiction, psychological thrillers, poetry, children's books, narrative nonfiction, cookbooks

Wants: Query letter, brief sample in email body

Literary fiction, psychological thrillers, poetry, children's books, narrative nonfiction, and cookbooks

Submissions strictly via dedicated email address: submissions@dvagency.com

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.

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

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

Email - submissions@nurnberg.co.uk

Children's fiction, children's nonfiction, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, adult fiction, women's fiction, picture books, adult nonfiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, pop culture, history, science and technology, art, biography, parenting, cooking and food, health and wellness, lifestyle, advice, relationships, personal finance, social justice, diverse voices

Wants: Query letter, one sentence pitch, first twenty pages, full nonfiction proposal, artwork or portfolio link

Marie Lamba represents fiction and nonfiction for children and adults. In fiction she is currently seeking middle grade and young adult fiction and graphic novels, especially diverse points of view; general adult fiction, women's fiction, and adult graphic novels; select established illustrators and picture book authors; original rom-coms; contemporary and historical work; fresh non-gory ghost stories; fantasy and speculative elements; unique and funny romantasy; hidden treasures, artifacts, ancient civilizations, folklore, fairy tales, and books that are original, moving, or hilarious. In nonfiction she represents children's and adult work, including inspiring memoirs, narrative nonfiction, pop culture, history, science and technology for lay readers, art, biography, parenting, cooking and food, health and wellness, lifestyle, advice and relationships, personal finance, social justice, diverse voices, and books that improve society or help the environment.

Submit only through Marie Lamba's official QueryManager page. JDLA asks writers to query one JDLA agent at a time and says it does not accept snail mail queries. Marie says emailed queries, social-media queries, and regular postal mail queries will be deleted or not considered. Her QueryManager form asks for author details, query letter, one-sentence pitch, publication status, the first 20 pages or full nonfiction proposal, and an art or portfolio link if applicable.

Adult nonfiction, practical nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, cooking, food writing, psychology, self-help, mental health, wellness, lifestyle, women's issues, parenting, current events, pop culture, science, biography, memoir, young adult, middle grade, children's nonfiction, picture books

Wants: Query letter, first twenty five pages, proposal, sample chapter, full picture book text, graphic novel script

Stacey Glick is Vice President at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. Her official profile says she wants to see more expert-driven prescriptive and narrative nonfiction. She is interested in adult practical and narrative nonfiction across categories including cooking and food, psychology, self-help, mental health and wellness, lifestyle, women's issues, parenting, current events, pop culture, science, biography, and memoir. On the children's side she represents select YA, middle grade, nonfiction, and picture books. She also notes an interest in cookbooks, culinary subjects, psychology, pop culture, current events, business, narrative nonfiction, and fresh approaches to existing subjects.

Email Stacey Glick at sglick@dystel.com. Dystel, Goderich and Bourret asks writers to query only one agency agent at a time, include the full query in the body of the email, and include the first 25 pages for fiction or a nonfiction proposal with sample chapter below the query. Picture book submissions should include the full text plus a dummy or sample art if available. Graphic novel submissions should include the first 25 pages of script and, for author-illustrators, 10 illustrated pages or other relevant materials.

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

Young adult fantasy, middle grade, young adult mystery, adult mystery, folk tales, mythology, graphic novels, adult narrative non-fiction, true crime, investigative journalism

Wants: Query letter, first chapter, synopsis, sample chapter

She is particularly eager to acquire BIPOC/underrepresented voices and prioritizes stories of joy where identity isn't the focus. She's especially excited about stories rooted in history, mythology, and legends, particularly those that are lesser-known or underrepresented in traditional publishing. She's very interested in stories that explore the intricacies of multicultural identities and loves stories of immigration and first/second generation Americans who struggle balancing values.

Submit queries only through QueryManager. For fiction, include a query letter, first chapter, and synopsis with genre and word count. For nonfiction, include a full proposal with query letter and sample chapter.