US Children's Literary Agents Open to Submissions

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

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

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

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

Poetry, literary nonfiction, literary fiction, investigative nonfiction, translation, criticism, music writing, food writing, cookbooks, children's

Wants: Query letter

Erika seeks projects that excite, invigorate, argue or surprise across poetry, literary nonfiction and fiction, investigative nonfiction, translation, criticism, music writing and food writing/cookbooks. In children's literature, she seeks inclusive work for children with gender-expansive identities and families.

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

Nonfiction, faith, business, leadership, culture, personal development, children's books

Wants: Query letter, proposal, sample pages

Alexander Field founded The Bindery and represents nonfiction, faith and culture, business, leadership, personal development, and selected children's projects.

Use the agent-specific submission link from Alexander Field's profile on The Bindery about page. The agency states every project submitted is considered.

Narrative nonfiction, memoir, personal development, business, cooking, select fiction, children's books

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

High-profile talent across narrative nonfiction, memoir, personal development, business, cooking, and select fiction and children's books

Email a query letter and accompanying material to queries@parkfinebrower.com, specify the agent name and category or genre in the subject line. Fiction queries include about the first 25 pages, YA or children's fiction include the first chapter or about the first 10 pages, nonfiction queries include a query letter.

Non-fiction, memoir, narrative non-fiction, prescriptive, christian, sports

Wants: Query letter, project summary, author credentials, first five pages

She is passionate about stories that must be told and is drawn in particular to authors whose faith engages the wider world. Chris represents books across a broad spectrum of nonfiction including memoirs, narrative, prescriptive, Christian, and sports, and works with authors to develop books that are appealing and accessible to a broad audience.

Submit query letter including a brief summary of your project, short description of why you're writing it, any specific credentials, and first five pages for fiction only via the online form.

Picture books, author-illustrators, early readers, chapter books, heavily illustrated middle grade, novelty books, comics, jewish culture, bipoc voices, lgbtq and

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Erica represents a selective list of authors and illustrators, especially illustrated books for children. She is interested in author-illustrator picture books, early readers, chapter books, heavily illustrated middle grade, novelty formats, comics, projects focused on Jewish culture and inclusive experience, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ bookmakers, and stories with zany heart and emotional depth.

Email Erica Rand Silverman at the spelled-out SLS submissions address listed on the Stimola submissions page. Follow the agency's one-agent-at-a-time rule.

Fiction, nonfiction, children's books, adult, young adult, middle grade, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

Contemporary & Upmarket fiction, Upmarket Romance, Speculative & Cozy Fantasy, Literary Thriller/Suspense/Psychological, Atmospheric & Genre-Bending, Fun & Offbeat, Graphic Novels, Big Ideas & Culture nonfiction, Literary Memoir

Send query and first 10 pages in body of email to helmsubmissions@gmail.com. No attachments will be opened.

Adult nonfiction, adult fiction, children's literature, picture books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels

Cooking, drinks, health/wellness, lifestyle, self-help, women's issues, memoir, cat content, underrepresented voices. Occasional adult fiction for existing clients or via referrals. Select children's literature in special circumstances.

Submit queries here: http:// queryManager.com or JenNewens

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, fantasy, mystery, romantasy, horror, humor, narrative nonfiction, nature and ecology, pop culture, women's issues

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters or proposal

Emelie Burl represents books for all ages and across many genres. She is drawn to cozy projects across fiction and nonfiction, found family, magic, nature, self-acceptance, folklore, diversity, queer joy, female rage, immersive storytelling, hopeful stories with edge, grounded fantasy, unusual or offbeat characters, journalistic deep dives with personal narrative, humor, and children's books that meet kids where they are.

Submit to Emelie Burl through her official linked QueryManager form only. Direct email queries will be deleted unread. The form asks for author information, query letter, synopsis, AI-use disclosure, and the first three chapters or, for nonfiction, the full book proposal.

Picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, nonfiction, romance, speculative fiction

Wants: Query letter, bio, manuscript or proposal, portfolio link

Abigail Frank wants weird, expansive books for young readers, including original picture books, chapter books with big personalities, and novels about unforgettable teens falling in love. She is especially interested in author-illustrators, lyrical and inventive picture book texts, distinct visual art, stories by marginalized creators, and select adult projects including visual nonfiction, gift nonfiction, genre-defying nonfiction, lightly speculative fiction, commercial rom-coms, and work about labor and capital.

Query Abigail Frank at afrank@sjga.com with the subject line QUERY - project title. Include a brief bio in the cover letter and attach the manuscript or proposal. Visual artists should include a portfolio link. Greenburger accepts email queries only and asks writers not to query more than one Greenburger agent simultaneously.

Children's, young adult, adult fiction, picture books, illustration

Ammi-Joan Paquette represents a wide range of children's and young adult authors and illustrators, and a select list of authors writing for adults. She is most excited by strongly voiced, bold stories that take risks and have depth and resonance. Tight pacing and rich, evocative language especially catch her eye. She accepts queries only by referral, or from creators who attend events where she is presenting.

Submit your query using the submissions form available on the agency website. Contact the agency through their online form for non-submission inquiries.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, romantic comedy, memoir, psychology, narrative nonfiction, literary studies, art history, popular science, philosophy, cultural studies

Wants: Query letter, first five pages, picture book manuscript, referral note if applicable

Alex Reubert is a literary agent at HG Literary. He is pursuing books that demand he keep reading by style or story, including literature in translation, novels set outside the U.S., upmarket and literary fiction, narrators looking back on their lives, upmarket romantic comedy, memoir, psychology, narrative nonfiction, literary studies, art history, popular science, philosophy, cultural studies, and prose by poets or musicians.

Submit to Alex Reubert through his official QueryManager link. HG Literary asks for electronic submissions only. Unless an agent-specific form asks otherwise, send a query letter and the first five pages in the body of the query, no attachments. If it is a picture book, include the entire manuscript. Mention referrals in the first line. Query only one HG Literary agent at a time.

Children's fiction, children's non-fiction, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages

She is drawn to stories with a distinct voice, unexpected wit, aggressive pacing, punchy and/or emotionally resonant endings. She is especially eager to see authentic explorations of underrepresented cultures, relationships, and identities.

Submit via QueryManager only during the first 15 days of each month. Include query letter, author bio, and sample pages as specified in agency guidelines.

Picture books, children's literature, young adult, adult literature, romance, kidlit

Elisa Houot is a literary agent at The Seymour Agency and head of the French office. She represents authors writing from picture books to adult literature and is the French foreign-rights agent for the agency. She is especially on the lookout for new voices in kidlit and romance.

Query Elisa Houot through her official Seymour Agency QueryManager link: https:// queryManager.com or ElisaHouot.

Picture books, middle grade, chapter books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages, portfolio link

Middle grade in all genres with children finding their space in their world, especially strong-willed underdogs or quirky, misunderstood, or overlooked children. Picture books that are funny and character-driven, beautifully written, or milestone moments with emotional endings. Commercial action-packed chapter book series for emerging readers.

Query via QueryManager with query letter, author bio, contact information, and sample pages. For picture book texts, must submit 3 completed texts and query only on the 1st day of each month. For illustrators, include portfolio link.

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

Wants: Pdf portfolio, website link, art samples

Children's education and religion illustration projects, with a focus on pairing artists with children's publishing clients.

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.

Picture books, preschool, nonfiction, graphic novels, authors, illustrators

Wants: Submission form, full picture book text, synopsis, first three chapters, graphic novel script

Georgia Tournay-Godfrey is a literary agent at The Bright Agency. She works across picture books, preschool, nonfiction, and graphic novels, and focuses on authors and illustrators with distinctive perspectives, bold ideas, clever structure, playful pacing, real expertise, passion, humour, inventive visual storytelling, and voices from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

Use Bright's official literary submissions form. For picture books, upload the full text. For fiction or nonfiction, send a synopsis and first three chapters. For graphic novels, send a synopsis and the full script. Bright does not accept postal submissions.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's nonfiction, horror, fantasy, mystery, thriller, historical fiction, adult fantasy

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

Christa is actively acquiring for all age groups in children's, is taking picture books sparingly, and prioritizes BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, neurodiverse, and disabled writers. She is interested in contemporary, horror, fantasy, mystery/thriller, historical, and very sparse adult fantasy.

Query Christa through her official QueryManager link. For children's and YA, include query letter, synopsis, first three consecutive chapters up to 25 pages, author bio, and any relevant illustrations.

Nonfiction, practical lifestyle, how-to, wellness, mindfulness, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction, history, cultural criticism, ecology, food, social justice, illustrated books, literary estates

Wants: Query letter

Jenny represents award-winning nonfiction, including practical lifestyle and how-to projects, wellness and mindfulness, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction about history, cultural criticism, ecology and the natural world, food, and social justice. For adults and kids, she loves highly designed books that inform and inspire through text and image.

Submit through Sterling Lord Literistic's submissions page and choose only one SLL agent to query. The agency says it can only respond if interested in seeing more material.

Literary fiction, nonfiction, children's fiction

Wants: Query letter, sample chapter

Sarah represents literary fiction, nonfiction, and children's fiction.

Email info@thegernertco.com with a query letter describing the work, author information, and a sample chapter if appropriate. Indicate which agent you are querying, do not email agents directly.

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, 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, young adult, children's books, biography, memoir, music, popular science, politics, social justice, adult illustrated, cookbooks, sports, health and wellness, fashion, art, design, popular culture

Wants: Query letter

Thompson Literary is always on the lookout for both commercial and literary fiction, as well as young adult and children's books. Nonfiction is their specialty, with interests including biography, memoir, music, popular science, politics, social justice, adult illustrated, cookbooks, sports, health and wellness, fashion, art, design, and popular culture.

All agents at Thompson Literary Agency are now accepting queries through Query Manager. Please click to view agent bios, which have specific query instructions for each.

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, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, children's nonfiction, author-illustrators

Wants: Query letter, contact information, publishing history, first three chapters, brief synopsis, picture book manuscripts, full chapter book manuscript, proposal, sample chapters, illustration samples

Shannon Gallagher is an agent at Wernick & Pratt Agency, which specializes in children's books from picture books through young adult literature and represents both authors and illustrators. Shannon is open to all formats from picture books through YA. She is drawn to energy, command of language, characters with attitude, subversive humor, assured voice, atmosphere, emotion in illustration, whimsy, playfulness, and a sense of mischief. The agency is especially interested in author-illustrators in picture books, humorous young chapter books with strong voice, and literary and commercial middle grade or YA novels.

Email submissions to submissions@wernickpratt.com and indicate that you are submitting to Shannon Gallagher. Include contact information, referral if any, whether the submission is exclusive, background and publishing history, and any other work available. For novels, attach the first 3 chapters and a brief synopsis. For picture books, attach 2 different manuscripts. For chapter books under 7,500 words, attach the full manuscript. For MG or YA nonfiction, send a synopsis or proposal and 3 sample chapters. Illustrators should attach PDF samples and include a portfolio link.

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.

Graphic novels, illustrated books, prose fiction, genre fiction, bilingual projects, international projects, illustrators

Paloma Hernando is an agent at Ayesha Pande Literary. She built a list focusing on graphic novels and illustrated books and is also accepting prose works. She seeks well-told stories with passionate drive behind them, genre stories told in new ways, strong visual styles, illustrators for literary projects, and bilingual or international projects.

Submit through Ayesha Pande Literary's official query form and select Paloma Hernando. APL asks writers not to submit to multiple APL agents simultaneously, if you have not heard back after 8 weeks, you may withdraw and submit to another APL agent. Queries submitted through mail or the contact page are not accepted.

Picture books, graphic novels, chapter books, middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, new adult fiction, adult fiction, adult non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, first chapter, synopsis, full manuscript, sample chapter, book proposal

Picture books that are funny, unexpected, character-centric, interactive, or cover nonfiction/history. Middle-grade fiction with interactive elements, adventure/mystery stories with offbeat protagonists, and stories for kids who need consistent input. Young Adult/New Adult fantasy with big relationships, high-impact dangerous books, urban fantasy, and soapy drama. Commercial adult fiction including compelling fantasy, thrillers with bite, horror with romance, and weird feminist genre work.

Submit through QueryManager only. Fiction requires query letter, first chapter, and synopsis. Picture books need query and entire manuscript. Nonfiction needs full proposal with sample chapter.

Picture books, novelty books, early readers, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, children's fiction, children's nonfiction, authors, illustrators

Wants: Cover letter, contact information, referral information, exclusive status, publishing history, first three chapters, synopsis, picture book manuscripts, full chapter book manuscript, proposal, sample chapters, portfolio link

Linda Pratt works with authors and illustrators who create work in all genres of children's literature, fiction and nonfiction. Her Q&A says she is drawn to stories exploring other cultures, fish-out-of-water stories, larger-than-life supporting characters, smart and witty dialogue, historical fiction with urgent stakes, elements of magical realism, emotional truth, and the unexpected when it fits the characters and story.

Email submissions to submissions@wernickpratt.com and indicate that the submission is for Linda Pratt. Include contact information, referral information if applicable, exclusive or non-exclusive status, background and publishing history, and any other work available for consideration. For novels, attach the first 3 chapters and a brief synopsis. For picture books, attach two different manuscripts. For chapter books under 7,500 words, attach the full manuscript. For MG or YA nonfiction, send a synopsis or proposal and 3 sample chapters. Illustrators should attach PDF samples and include a portfolio link. Do not send the same submission to multiple Wernick and Pratt agents simultaneously.

Adult nonfiction, graphic novels, picture books

Wants: First four pages of graphic novel or complete graphic novel proposal, self-illustrated picture book manuscript with at least two pages of full-color illustrations

Visual storytellers and their captivating art-driven literature. Adult non-fiction writers who are determined to break apart conventional wisdoms

Please *only submit* - attached as a pdf to a brief email introducing yourself, including 'Query' in the subject line

Narrative nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction, memoir, sports, health, business, political books, pop culture, social justice, women's issues, underrepresented voices, commercial fiction, literary fiction, illustrated books, graphic novels, young adult, middle grade, children's books

Wants: Query letter, nonfiction proposal, overview, table of contents, chapter outline, target audience, marketing plan, competitive titles, author bio, sample chapters, synopsis, comparable titles, ten to twenty sample pages

Lisa Leshne is most passionate about narrative nonfiction and memoir highlighting extraordinary stories from diverse voices, women, underdogs, and leaders. She mainly acquires in sports, business, political, health, prescriptive, and pop-culture genres, and is always seeking exceptional literary and commercial fiction. The agency is especially interested in narrative and prescriptive nonfiction with social justice, women's issues, and underrepresented voices; sports, health, business, political, and pop-culture topics; exceptional commercial and literary fiction; and select illustrated, graphic novel, young adult, middle grade, and children's books.

Submit through The Leshne Agency's official QueryManager form for fastest response, or email submissions@leshneagency.com with a query letter. Do not do both. For email queries, put QUERY as the first word in the subject line followed by the title. For nonfiction, include a complete proposal with overview, table of contents and chapter outline, target audience, marketing or promotion plans, comparable titles, bio, and at least 2 fully written sample chapters. For fiction, include author information, title, genre, word count, hook or tag-line, brief synopsis, inspiration if relevant, comparable titles, and 10-20 sample pages.