Upmarket Fiction Literary Agents Open to Submissions

Adult fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, literary thriller, historical fiction, psychological suspense, speculative fiction, memoir

Wants: Querymanager submission

Stephanie Delman is Founding Partner and Literary Agent at Trellis Literary Management. She focuses on adult fiction: stylish writing, high-stakes and high-concept literary thrillers, upmarket fiction, sweeping and underrepresented historical fiction, psychologically propulsive suspense, maximalist storytelling in ambition rather than word count, and literary novels that play with genre. She likes fiction grounded in reality but tinged with surrealism or horror, books that are many things at once, projects using gothic traditions or speculative elements to upend narrative conventions, and work with tenderness, vulnerability, and humor. A small part of her list is braided or speculative memoir by authors with established platforms and diverse perspectives.

Submit through Stephanie Delman's official Trellis linked QueryManager form. Trellis accepts unsolicited submissions only through QueryManager, asks writers to choose the best-fitting agent and follow that agent's QueryManager instructions, and asks writers not to submit to multiple Trellis agents during the 8-12 week review period.

Graphic novels, science fiction, fantasy, horror, speculative fiction, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, romantic comedy, romance, lgbtq and voices, bipoc voices, nonfiction, illustrated projects

Wants: Querymanager submission

Tamara Kawar is a literary agent at DeFiore and Company. She represents writer and illustrator clients in both the children's and adult markets, with particular focus on talented LGBTQ+ and BIPOC storytellers. She is actively seeking graphic novels for all ages and across genres; science fiction, fantasy, horror, and speculative fiction for middle grade, YA, and adult readers; upmarket and book club fiction, especially genre-bending stories and those with an international bent; adult and YA rom-coms and romance featuring LGBTQ+ characters; and select nonfiction, including illustrated projects. Across categories, she is passionate about marginalized voices and perspectives.

Submit through Tamara Kawar's official DeFiore profile-linked QueryManager form at https://querymanager.com or tkawar.

Upmarket fiction, literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, horror, magical realism, camp, kitsch, middle grade, young adult

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

Tess Weitzner is Rights Director and Agent at Frances Goldin Literary Agency. She is primarily looking for upmarket fiction, literary fiction, and narrative nonfiction narrow and deep in scope that might use unreliable narrators, interrogations of power and violence, reclamations of identity, or dark-as-night humor. Fresh takes on horror, magical realism, camp, and kitsch are welcome. In children's books she is looking for contemporary middle grade and YA stories that are fun, engaging, seemingly quiet, and crack open larger questions or underrepresented experiences. She is not accepting science fiction, fantasy, or picture books at this time.

Email Tess Weitzner at tw@goldinlit.com. Frances Goldin asks writers to submit to only one agency agent at a time. 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 one is prepared. Submissions must be original author work and not generated or co-written using AI tools.

Adult fiction, upmarket fiction, historical fiction, speculative thriller, fantasy, romance, adult nonfiction, narrative history, food writing, beverage writing, self-help, popular science, young adult, middle grade, picture books, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter, first fifty pages, proposal, full picture book text, graphic novel pitch package

Sam Farkas is Global Rights Director and Literary Agent at Jill Grinberg Literary Management and is open to queries. Above all, she is drawn to exemplary writing. In adult fiction she looks for upmarket fiction, especially historical; fast-paced high-concept speculative thrillers; lyrical and immersive fantasy with book club appeal; and romance that simmers. In adult nonfiction she seeks immersive narrative history, food and beverage writing, quirky self-help for millennials and Gen Z, and beautifully written pop science. She is also open to young adult and middle grade of all genres, especially voice-driven contemporary with a speculative twist, historical with modern sensibilities, fresh fantasy, tightly plotted thrillers, mysteries, horror, the very strange, and the very funny. Across categories she wants diverse and underrepresented voices.

Email info@jillgrinbergliterary.com with the subject format QUERY: Title of Project by Your Name or Book Age Category and Genre or ATTN: Sam Farkas. Paste the query letter in the email body and address it directly to Sam. Attach materials as a docx file. Fiction submissions should include a query letter and the first 50 pages. Nonfiction submissions should include a query letter and proposal. Picture book submissions should include the full text, and graphic novel submissions should include a full pitch package.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, historical fiction, suspense, thriller, crime fiction, memoir, history, women's issues, cultural studies, current affairs, journalism, narrative nonfiction, pop culture, true crime, young adult

Wants: Query letter, first five pages, proposal

Sally Wofford-Girand is an agent at Union Literary. Her particular interests include history, memoir, women's issues, cultural studies, and fiction that is both literary and gripping. Her officially linked QueryTracker form lists genres including contemporary, crime/detective/police, fantasy, historical, horror, LGBTQ+, literary, suspense, thriller, upmarket, young adult, current affairs, journalism, multicultural, narrative nonfiction, pop culture, and true crime. She cares more about voice, character, and stakes than plot and would be happy to find a literary ghost story.

Submit through Sally Wofford-Girand's official Union Literary linked QueryTracker form. The form asks for author details, title, word count, genre, a query letter, one-paragraph pitch, comparable books, AI disclosure, and the first 5 pages, or a full book proposal for nonfiction.

Adult fiction, children's books, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, family saga, magical realism, mystery, crime fiction, suspense, coming of age, story collections, journalism, history, cultural criticism, true crime, middle grade, mental health, science, political activism, environmentalism

Wants: Query letter, brief bio, first fifteen pages

Reiko Davis represents both adult and children's books. On the adult side she seeks literary and upmarket fiction and narrative nonfiction, including historical and contemporary novels set in the U.S. and internationally, ambitious multigenerational family sagas, novels that rewrite what it means to be American today, stories with speculative or magical elements, offbeat novels with troubled but lovable protagonists, mystery/crime/suspense with a literary edge, later-in-life coming-of-age stories, linked story collections, immersive journalism, gap-filling history, cultural criticism, true crime that sheds light on larger social issues, and the occasional book on writing craft. In children's books she is actively looking for middle grade projects with big questions, emotional truth, storytelling, humor, and heart, plus MG nonfiction in mental health, science, political activism, environmentalism, and narrative history.

Email Reiko Davis at reiko@defliterary.com with Query and the project title in the subject line. Include a brief description of the project, a brief relevant bio, and for fiction the first 15 pages pasted in the body of the email. Do not send attachments. DeFiore prefers electronic queries, does not represent original screenplays, teleplays, or theater plays, and allows multiple DeFiore agents at once if disclosed.

Upmarket fiction, book club fiction, women's fiction, contemporary romance, romantic comedy, historical fiction, family saga, speculative fiction, magical realism, thriller, psychological suspense, domestic suspense, young adult, narrative nonfiction, pop culture, cultural criticism, social justice, politics, self-help, health and wellness, parenting

Wants: Query letter, first page

Rachel Beck is open to queries and seeks upmarket/book club women's fiction, smart contemporary romance and rom-coms, historical fiction from World War II forward, sweeping or multigenerational nongenre fiction, speculative fiction and magical realism, gripping thrillers and psychological or domestic suspense, contemporary YA, and select nonfiction. Across genres she welcomes LGBTQIA+ stories, Jewish fiction, immigrant stories, body and sex positivity, feminist themes, found or chosen families, female friendships, complex sibling relationships, and urban or Southern settings.

Email Rachel Beck at queryrachel@lizadawson.com. Send a query letter and the first page only of the manuscript or proposal in the body of the email. Include the book's genre and word count, keep the letter concise, and do not include attachments, emails with attachments are deleted unread. Follow up only if you have an offer of representation.

Adult literary fiction, upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, magical realism, historical fiction, romance, contemporary fiction, book club fiction, narrative nonfiction, history, science, memoir, technology, race, gender, class, disability, multicultural perspectives

Wants: Query letter, one sentence pitch, comparable books, first twenty pages, full nonfiction proposal, ai disclosure

Natalie Edwards represents adult literary fiction, upmarket fiction, and nonfiction. In fiction she is looking for literary fiction that breaks convention, upmarket fiction about subcultures and quirky communities, speculative fiction and magical realism where the strange or supernatural sharpens real-life stakes, grounded historical fiction, untraditional romance, contemporary work led by voice, complex characters, and deep interiority, and book club novels. In nonfiction she likes narrative nonfiction about niche corners of history and science, memoirs with a strong voice and a singular lens, and books that change how readers understand technology, social media, food, sports, medicine, race, gender, class, disability, or multicultural perspectives.

Submit to Natalie Edwards through her official QueryManager link. Trellis accepts unsolicited submissions only through QueryManager. Do not submit to multiple Trellis agents during the 8-12 week review window. Natalie's form asks for a query letter, one-sentence pitch, comparable books, AI disclosure, and the first 20 pages or a full nonfiction proposal.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, story collections, thrillers, book club fiction, literary suspense, genre-bending fiction, upmarket women's fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, young adult fiction, underrepresented voices

Wants: Author biography, query letter, one sentence pitch, comparable books, first twenty pages, full nonfiction proposal, ai disclosure

Michelle Brower is Founding Partner and Literary Agent at Trellis Literary Management. Her list spans literary and commercial fiction, from thought-provoking story collections to page-turning thrillers. She is primarily interested in work that focuses on storytelling and emotional connection rather than formal experimentation. She is looking for book club novels with commercial ideas and literary execution, literary fiction, literary suspense, genre fiction for a non-genre audience, and upmarket women's fiction. In nonfiction, she wants a personal story that illuminates a greater subject. She also very selectively represents literary YA fiction and supports underrepresented voices in all of these areas.

Submit to Michelle Brower through her official QueryManager link. Trellis accepts unsolicited submissions only through QueryManager. Do not submit to multiple Trellis agents during the 8-12 week review window. Michelle's QueryManager form asks for an author bio, why Trellis, title, word count, genre, query letter, one-sentence pitch, comparable books, AI disclosure, and the first 20 pages or full nonfiction proposal.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, upmarket fiction, historical fiction, grounded fantasy, science fiction, big idea nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, history, psychology, social science, philosophy, natural science, current affairs, journalism, nature and ecology, pop culture, self-help, true crime

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, one sentence pitch, comparable books, first ten pages, full nonfiction proposal, ai disclosure

Lucy Cleland is Vice President and Senior Agent at Frances Goldin Literary Agency. Her nonfiction taste is anchored in how culture shapes people and how people shape culture, including big idea books, narrative nonfiction, pop culture and cultural criticism, history, psychology, social science, philosophy, natural science, and select memoir. In fiction she likes sticky or unusual concepts, literary fiction about social issues and human hearts, transportive historical fiction, and genre-bending contemporary work, particularly grounded fantasy and science fiction where a single twist changes the world. Marginalized perspectives are warmly welcomed.

Submit to Lucy Cleland through the official QueryTracker or QueryManager form linked from the Goldin submissions page. The form asks for a query letter, synopsis, one-sentence pitch, comparable books, AI disclosure, and the first 10 pages, or a full proposal for nonfiction. Goldin asks writers to submit to only one agent at a time.

Historical fiction, multicultural fiction, cozy mystery, romance, science fiction, speculative fiction, suspense, thrillers, upmarket women's fiction, fantasy, action and adventure, literary fiction, military fiction, advice and relationships, biography, business, economics, leadership, diet, health and medical, history, politics, current affairs, how-to, humor, lifestyle, memoir, narrative nonfiction, parenting, religion, spirituality, self-help, true crime, young adult

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters, first fifty pages, author bio, marketing plan, book proposal, target audience, competitive analysis, chapter outline, sample chapters

Leticia Gomez is CEO and Founder of Savvy Literary Services and a literary, film, and television agent who champions underrepresented voices, especially underserved writers and readers. Savvy has placed fiction and nonfiction with traditional publishers and lists interest in historical, multicultural, cozy mystery, romance, speculative, suspense/thriller, upmarket women's fiction, fantasy, action/adventure, literary fiction, military, and a broad range of nonfiction including advice, biography, business, health, memoir, narrative nonfiction, parenting, self-help, and true crime.

Complete the official Savvy submission form and email submission documents directly to Leticia Gomez at leticia@savvyliterary.com. Include Leticia's first name in the query letter and submit to only one Savvy agent. Fiction submissions should include a query or elevator pitch with title, genre, and word count, a synopsis, the first 3 chapters or 50 pages, a detailed author bio, and a marketing plan. Nonfiction submissions should include a query and a polished book proposal with overview, target audience, marketing plan, competitive analysis, author bio, chapter outline and descriptions, and at least 3 sample chapters.

Science, business, economics, lifestyle, current events, pop culture, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, genre-bending fiction, horror, satire

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

Leila Campoli advocates for marginalized voices, counterintuitive ideas, and unique styles. She works with writers of science, business, economics, lifestyle, current events, pop culture, and literary and upmarket fiction. In nonfiction, she is particularly interested in books that offer a window into remarkable lives and ways of living. In fiction, she looks for speculative, genre-bending literary and upmarket fiction, weird fiction leaning into horror or satire, and stories set in extreme environments.

Email a query to submissions@calligraphlit.com. Include a brief synopsis, short bio, and 25 pages of sample material in the body of the email. Put Leila Campoli's name, the project title, and the genre in the subject line. Do not query Leila directly, all submissions must go to the shared submissions address.

Upmarket fiction, suspense, romance, book club fiction, young adult, nonfiction, cultural and social issues, journalism, lgbtq and, pop culture, science and technology, social justice, psychology, pop science, reportage, media, contemporary culture

Wants: Query letter, one sentence pitch, comparable books, first thirty pages, full nonfiction proposal, portfolio link, ai disclosure

Lauren E. Abramo represents a small list of clients at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret with interests across a wide range of categories and genres, focused on books by and about people from communities not well represented in publishing. Her fiction list is primarily upmarket but accessible, including suspense, romance, and book club fiction. Her nonfiction interests include social justice intersections, especially pop culture, psychology, pop science, reportage, media, and contemporary culture.

Submit to Lauren E. Abramo through her official QueryManager form. DGB asks writers to query one agent at a time. The form asks for book and author details, a query letter, one-sentence pitch, comparable books, AI disclosure, and the first 30 pages for fiction or a full proposal for nonfiction, illustrated projects may include an online art sample or portfolio link.

Adult nonfiction, women's issues, pop culture, self-help, gift books, history, biography, literary legacies, narrative nonfiction, upmarket fiction

Wants: Query letter, author bio, first ten pages, overview, table of contents

Laura Mazer specializes in adult nonfiction, especially women's issues, intelligent pop culture, counterintuitive self-help, packaged gift or concept books, geeky deep dives into everyday life, history, biography, and fresh celebrations of literary legacies, especially stories about women. She also represents select upmarket fiction.

Email submissions to submissions@wsherman.com. Include your last name, title, and Laura Mazer's name in the subject line. For fiction, paste a query letter and the first 10 pages in the email body. For nonfiction, send a query letter and author bio, the agency guidelines also ask for a table of contents and overview for nonfiction. Do not send attachments or query multiple Wendy Sherman agents simultaneously.

Nonfiction, women's interest, current affairs, narrative nonfiction, pop culture, business, wellness, personal growth, literary fiction, upmarket fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters, proposal, sample chapters, bio, publishing history

Kathy Schneider is looking for nonfiction with a focus on women's interest, current affairs, narrative nonfiction, pop culture, and platform-driven books in the business, wellness, and personal growth categories. She is also interested in adult literary and upmarket fiction.

Submit to Kathy Schneider through her official JRA contact form. JRA asks writers to submit to one agent at the agency and include a concise description of the work, relevant biographical information, previous publishing history, and for fiction a synopsis plus the first three chapters, or for nonfiction a proposal and sample chapters.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, young adult, middle grade, contemporary children's books, lgbtq and, stem

Wants: Query letter, bio, comparable books, first ten pages, full nonfiction proposal, ai disclosure

Lauren Scovel represents fiction, nonfiction, and children's books. She is looking to amplify underrepresented stories and voices across genres, especially literary and upmarket-crossover fiction, narrative nonfiction, and contemporary middle grade and YA with a timely, distinctive story, propulsive plot, and diverse cast. In adult fiction she is drawn to off-beat or speculative projects and work aimed at a millennial audience; in narrative nonfiction she likes stranger-than-fiction stories with expertise, curiosity, and beautiful writing; in children's projects she is especially interested in LGBTQIA+ and STEM subject matter.

Submit to Lauren Scovel through the official QueryTracker or QueryManager form linked from the LGLA submissions page. The form asks for author details, biography, book details, query letter, comparable books, AI disclosure, and the first 10 pages, or the full proposal for nonfiction.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, literature in translation, graphic novels, criticism, genre-bending writing

Wants: Query letter

Jessica Friedman represents literary and upmarket fiction and narrative nonfiction, as well as literature in translation and select graphic novels. She is interested in distinctive voices and writing that challenges the expected stylistically, formally, or otherwise. She is particularly drawn to voice-driven prose, thoughtful criticism, genre-bending writing, and underrepresented narratives.

Submit to Sterling Lord Literistic through the official submissions page online form. SLL says it can only respond to queries if interested in seeing more material and does not represent screenplays.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, speculative fiction, horror, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, graphic nonfiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, history, investigative journalism, nature, science, food, travel, pop culture, cultural criticism

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages, full outline, sample art

Jane Chun is interested in stories centering marginalized communities and prose that is cinematic and atmospheric with good rhythm. In fiction and nonfiction she is drawn to compelling, fresh voices with intimacy, rich inner worlds, and emotional depth. She is interested in literary, upmarket, and commercial fiction across adult, middle grade, and young adult; select nonfiction; and graphic novels or graphic nonfiction. In fiction she is open to contemporary, historical, fantasy, science fiction, speculative, and horror. In nonfiction she is looking for memoir, narrative nonfiction, history, investigative journalism, books about nature, climate and science, and books about food, travel, pop culture, and cultural criticism.

Submit to Jane Chun through her official QueryManager form. If QueryManager is not working, email queryjane@transatlanticagency.com, but do not submit through both methods. For email queries, include the book title, category or genre, word count or estimated page count for graphic work, and author bio. Fiction should include a brief introduction, synopsis, and first ten pages in the body of the email. Nonfiction should include a brief introduction, full outline, and first ten pages of the manuscript in the body of the email. Graphic novels or nonfiction should include a brief introduction, synopsis or outline, and at least five illustrated pages with text, or ten script pages and sample art if five pages are not available.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, family saga, historical fiction, humor, lgbtq and, multicultural fiction, mystery, romance, short stories, suspense, thriller, women's fiction, cultural nonfiction, social issues, entertainment, film, food writing, journalism, memoir, narrative nonfiction, pop culture, psychology, relationship and dating, true crime

Wants: Query letter, comparable books, first ten pages or proposal

Hannah Strouth is looking for literary and upmarket fiction as well as select nonfiction. She gravitates toward nuanced, emotionally deep work, stories about connection and disconnection, what haunts people literally or metaphorically, resilience, dark, edgy, or gritty stories, pop culture, narrative nonfiction, self-help, memoir, books that teach readers to be better humans or see the world through a fresh lens, and diverse voices and experiences.

Submit through Hannah Strouth's official linked QueryManager form. The form asks for author bio, project information, query letter, comparable books, AI-use disclosure, and the first 10 pages, or for nonfiction, the full book proposal. Greenburger says not to query more than one Greenburger agent at a time.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, narrative non-fiction, memoir, essay collections, food writing, cookbooks

Fiction and non-fiction from underrepresented voices. In fiction, drawn to literary, upmarket and book club novels exploring family and relationship dynamics, sexuality, identity, and vulnerability — particularly stories about polyamory and ethical non-monogamy, epic multi-generational narratives, intelligent romantic comedies, relationship drama, coming-of-age tales centred on girlhood, and intimate formally inventive prose. In non-fiction, interested in narrative, memoir and essay collections from experts, academics, critics and journalists writing about society and culture, especially writers seeking to reshape conversations in their field. Particularly keen to add cookbooks and food writing to her list. Does not represent children's, YA or fantasy.

Email submissions@watsonlittle.com with Ciara's name specified. Include a cover letter in the body of the email with genre, word count, one-line pitch and a brief author bio. For fiction, attach approximately 10,000 words from the beginning of the manuscript and a separate synopsis as Word documents. For non-fiction, attach a full proposal as a single Word document. Do not submit to more than one Watson, Little agent at once. No AI-generated material accepted.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, narrative non-fiction, pop culture, biography, journalism, memoir, self-help

Wants: Query letter, first five pages

Mason seeks innovative, boundary-pushing literary fiction, engrossing upmarket and commercial fiction, and nonfiction that amplifies traditionally underrepresented voices in publishing. He is particularly interested in working with queer authors and LGBTQIA+ themes.

Send a brief email describing yourself and your project to mason@defliterary.com with the word "QUERY" in the subject line and the first five pages of your manuscript or proposal pasted in the body of an email. Attachments will not be opened unless requested.

Literary and upmarket or book club fiction

Character-driven, emotionally resonant, culturally insightful literary/upmarket fiction, sweeping narratives, complex family dynamics, intergenerational sagas, sociopolitical/postcolonial/global themes, speculative or magical realism grounded in human experience, literary thrillers with psychological nuance

Online form - https://www.madeleinemilburn.co.uk or submissions/

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, young adult, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, first 50 pages, full proposal

Kerry is particularly drawn to character-driven work, unconventional plot structures, unreliable narrators, complicated family relationships, and speculative elements that challenge our ways of thinking about the world.

Email query letters to Kerry at kd@cbltd.com and include either the first fifty pages of your manuscript or your full proposal in an attachment as a Word document.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative non-fiction, creative non-fiction, young adult literary fiction, middle grade literary fiction

Wants: Query letter, first 30 pages, author biography

Katie Grimm seeks plot-driven literary and upmarket fiction, narrative and creative nonfiction, and literary fiction for young adult and middle grade audiences. She looks for voice-driven books with a heartbeat and sense of purpose, particularly interested in the darker and weirder side of human history, previously under- or misrepresented experiences, and narratives that contribute to larger cultural conversations.

Send query via Query Manager at https://querymanager.com or KGRIMM with query letter, first 30 pages, and author biography.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, non-fiction, science fiction

Wants: Query letter, first fifty pages, full proposal

James Farrell seeks literary and upmarket adult fiction, non-fiction, and occasionally science fiction. He is especially seeking voices from underrepresented backgrounds.

Direct queries to jtf@cbltd.com with the first fifty pages of your manuscript or a full proposal in the body of your email, and include the title, genre, and 'jtf query' in the subject line.

Chick lit, commercial, contemporary, cozy fantasy, cozy romantasy, crime, detective, police, family saga, fantasy, fantasy: magical realism, fantasy: urban, graphic novel, historical, horror, lgbtq and, literary, middle grade, military, espionage, multicultural, mystery, new adult, offbeat, quirky, romance, romantasy, suspense, thriller, upmarket, women's fiction, young adult

Query Letter, Synopsis, One Paragraph Pitch, Comparable Books, First 10 Pages

Submit through Query Manager. Unsolicited queries sent to his email address will be deleted unread.

Literary fiction, book club fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, cookery, feminist fiction, feminist nonfiction

Wants: Literary/book club/upmarket commercial fiction; historical and women's fiction; open to speculative and romance crossovers; non-fiction that surprises/challenges; cookery/food writing; feminist narratives; underrepresented voices. not seeking children's/YA, crime, thriller or horror.

Laurie Robertson is an agent at Peters Fraser and Dunlop building a list of adult fiction and non-fiction. She is actively looking for literary, book club and upmarket commercial fiction with strong original voices, uplifting narratives, clever storytelling, strong emotional hooks and complex characters. On non-fiction she wants stories that surprise and challenge, narrative non-fiction that reads like fiction, and cookery from food writers who can transport the reader. She is always keen on feminist narratives across fiction and non-fiction and on voices from underrepresented backgrounds. She is not currently looking for children's or young adult, crime, thriller or horror.

Email one agent or assistant only, include a cover letter, full synopsis, and first 3 chapters or approximately 50 pages for fiction, or a detailed proposal for non-fiction. Find contact details at https://petersfraserdunlop.com or our-team/

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative non-fiction, memoir, young adult fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages

Alexandra is particularly interested in upmarket and literary fiction, narrative nonfiction and memoir, and select literary Young Adult.

Email queries to acf@cbltd.com with a synopsis and the first ten pages of your manuscript in the body of the email with QUERY in the subject line.

Fiction and non-fiction

Romance, upmarket crime/thrillers, uncanny/eerie/weird literary, gothic/supernatural elements, voiced historical, memoir and narrative non-fiction, health/wellbeing proposals from experts

Email submissions@greeneheaton.co.uk with the full manuscript, synopsis, and a cover letter naming Judith Murray as the preferred agent in the subject line

Historical thrillers, literary fiction, upmarket genre fiction, book club fiction, science writing, food writing, history, nature writing, music journalism, memoir, cultural criticism

Wants: Contemporary crime and thrillers; historical fiction (esp historical crime); books with a fresh angle/clear identity; non-fiction on any subject with a strong angle and page-turning storytelling

Contemporary crime and thrillers, historical fiction and historical crime, upmarket and literary fiction with a fresh or distinctive angle, voices from marginalised or underrepresented communities, and non-fiction on any subject where the author has found the right angle and can make the material a page-turning story

Email submissions@greeneheaton.co.uk with covering letter in the body of the email. Fiction: attach first three chapters or around fifty pages plus a one-to-two page synopsis that reveals the ending. Non-fiction: attach three sample chapters or around fifty pages plus a chapter breakdown or synopsis. Attach files as Word documents, not PDFs. Include preferred agent name in the subject line.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, historical fiction, literary thrillers, crime, gothic horror, speculative fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels

Literary and upmarket fiction/non-fiction, genre-bending/speculative-adjacent literary, literary historical, family novels, literary thrillers/crime, gothic horror edges, non-fiction art/music/aging/neurodiversity/psychotherapy/sport/science, graphic novels

Submit by email following DHA's submissions guidelines at https://davidhigham.co.uk or submissions/

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, horror, magical realism, mythology reimaginings, fairy tale reimaginings, folklore reimaginings, cultural criticism, narrative nonfiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, food writing, short story collections, novellas

Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, first three chapters

Literary and upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, horror, magical realism, and reimaginings of myths, fairy tales, and folklore. Also cultural criticism, narrative nonfiction, big-idea nonfiction, and select cookbooks and food writing. Maria is the only agent at the agency who accepts novellas and short story collections.

Email submissions@mushens-entertainment.com with your submission addressed to Maria. For fiction, include a clear subject line (e.g. Fiction Submission: TITLE), a cover letter in the body of the email, an attached synopsis, and a PDF or Word document containing either the first three chapters, the first 10,000–15,000 words, or the first 50 pages. For non-fiction, include a proposal or the first 10,000–15,000 words of a completed manuscript. For short story collections (40,000–75,000 words total), include a synopsis and the full collection. For novellas (17,000–40,000 words), include a synopsis. Do not use AI to write or edit any part of your submission. Notify the agency if another agent requests your full manuscript or offers representation.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, essays, expert-driven nonfiction, translation

Wants: Query form

Christopher Combemale is looking for a broad range of literary fiction and voice-driven upmarket fiction with an unexpected hook, including a literary campus novel. In nonfiction he is interested in narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism and essays, and expert-driven projects. He is drawn to international voices and writers in translation.

Submit to Sterling Lord Literistic through the official submissions page form. SLL says it can only respond to queries if interested in seeing more material and does not represent screenplays.

Speculative fiction, horror, thriller, science fiction, fantasy, romance, upmarket fiction, young adult

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first five pages

Danai Christopoulou loves speculative fiction of all flavors, from horror and thriller to sci-fi, fantasy, and romance, especially from marginalized voices. They are mostly focused on adult fiction but are interested in YA with crossover appeal, and like upmarket fiction with nuanced plots from BIPOC, queer, neurodivergent, and other traditionally marginalized groups.

Submit through Danai Christopoulou's official QueryManager form. Tobias agents only accept submissions through QueryManager, do not query more than one Tobias agent at a time. Danai's form asks for author bio, pronouns, marginalized or BIPOC identification questions, title, word count, genre, query letter, synopsis, AI-use disclosure, publication history, and the first 5 pages or a full nonfiction proposal.

Children's fiction, ya, adult fiction, non-fiction

Eclectic, currently: upmarket contemporary, friendships, thoughtful sci-fi/fantasy, sweeping love stories, darkly magical, humorous, memoir/essays (occasional). Avoids gritty/harrowing crime, no picture books or poetry

Email the first three chapters, a 1-2 page synopsis including the full plot outline and ending, and a covering letter (Word format preferred) to submissions.bryony@bryonywoods.co.uk. The covering letter should describe the book, include a short author biography, and note any previous writing experience.

Upmarket fiction, literary fiction, women's fiction

Wants: Query letter, bio, first ten pages

Abby Walters represents upmarket and literary fiction, especially voice-led, psychologically deep novels about flawed characters at moments of rupture. She is interested in desire, power, class, addiction, creativity, self-mythologizing, strong settings outside the United States, narrative momentum, and witty or scandal-led women's fiction.

Send a query letter, author bio, and the first ten pages of the manuscript to awalters@dblackagency.com. The agency does not accept paper, phone, mail, or fax queries and asks writers to query one agent at a time.